{
  "patent_number": "US 3079728",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How the Hula Hoop Works",
  "original_title": "Hoop toy",
  "summary": "A 1963 patent for a lightweight, rigid plastic hoop designed to rotate around a human waist through rhythmic body movements.",
  "what_it_does": "The patent describes a circular hoop made of rigid, hollow plastic tubing. It specifies a diameter of 30 to 40 inches and a weight between 6 and 12 ounces. The core mechanism relies on the hoop being stiff enough to maintain its circular shape while the user moves their body. This rigidity ensures that the side of the hoop opposite the user's body stays far enough away to create the necessary momentum for continuous rotation.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover hoops made of non-rigid or flexible materials like rope or fabric.",
    "Does not cover hoops with diameters significantly outside the 30 to 40-inch range.",
    "Does not cover weighted hoops designed for exercise that exceed the 12-ounce weight limit.",
    "Does not cover collapsible or segmented hoop designs."
  ],
  "filed": "1959-05-13",
  "granted": "1963-03-05",
  "expires": "1980-03-05",
  "status": "expired",
  "holder": "Individual",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/individual",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Arthur K Melin",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/arthur-k-melin"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 30,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "mechanical"
  ],
  "abstract": null,
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3079728/hula-hoop-wham-o",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3079728/hula-hoop-wham-o/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US3079728",
  "relatedPatents": [
    {
      "patentNumber": "3359678",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How the Modern Frisbee Design Works",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3359678/frisbee-flying-disc"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "2776139",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How the Wiffle Ball Design Works",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2776139/wiffle-ball-mullany"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "2415012",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How the Slinky Toy Works",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2415012/slinky-toy"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "3454279",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How the Game Twister Works",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3454279/twister-game"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "3005282",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How the Modern LEGO Brick Design Works",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/3005282/lego-toy-brick"
    }
  ]
}