Cordless jump rope patented

Jumping rope is a lot of fun when you're watching Rocky -- but it seems like whenever we try to give it a go our uncoordinated selves get all tangled and trip, and we inevitably get too frustrated to finish our workout at the Engadget HQ Fitness Center (gotta keep active!). Well, uncoordinated dolts like us need no longer fear skipping rope: Lester Clancy of Mansfield, Ohio has patented the ropeless jump rope, a two handles with tracks for internal weighted counterbalances, which he believes would provide a suitable alternative for the klutzes like us, and for prisons, where implements of suicide are a consideration. Dark, but understandable. Now if you'll excuse us, we've got some ropeless double-dutch to jump, thanks.

[Chris @ Jun 10th 2006 5:46PM]

Great! Inmates won't have rope for suicide, they'll only have blunt instruments for homicide.

[Pete Avila @ Jun 10th 2006 5:46PM]

Today you can buy this ball less ball for only 19.99! Yes I said it 19.99!! Its just like working out with a real ball but without the ball. No more dropping it and no more wondering where you placed it! Free shipping and handling. You will recieve it within 5 business days. CALL TODAY!! 1 800 555 3812

[abigsmurf @ Jun 10th 2006 5:50PM]

Would've thought a gyroscope based system would've been a more realistic feeling thing that using a counterweight.

[GhostDoggy @ Jun 10th 2006 6:09PM]

I'm betting its still not idiot proof, and someone will get hurt, physically, and eventually will file a suit against the manufacturer. lol

[Alex @ Jun 10th 2006 6:26PM]

I dont get the point of this product. Does jump roping offer anything else besides jumping? ie is the feel of the moving rope that important?

[Sidd @ Jun 10th 2006 6:43PM]

i would pay to see someone "jump rope" with this thing
theyll look like idiots jumping over air
anyway the point of jumproping is to jump over a rope
now its a new sport, jumping

[DarkFader @ Jun 10th 2006 6:50PM]

I'd rather play jumping rope with two Wiimote controllers.

[Eric @ Jun 10th 2006 7:01PM]

I'm holding out for the jumpless version.

[Scott @ Jun 10th 2006 7:05PM]

hahahaha, funny Eric

[LukeD @ Jun 10th 2006 7:23PM]

Maybe they'll come up with a strideless treadmill next? You'll just feel like your running!!!

[Ron Sloane @ Jun 10th 2006 7:30PM]

Cordless Skipping, what I would like to see, is this inventor to make is a cordless Bungie Rope, and try it out as self test.

[chr0n1c @ Jun 10th 2006 7:46PM]

what a dumb idea... who wants to exercise anyways?

[freakon @ Jun 10th 2006 8:32PM]

I wonder who this product's target audience is..

[Matt @ Jun 10th 2006 8:35PM]

Now I think I can truly say I have seen it all! I guess what is even more amazing is the fact this person seems to feel it will make money... why else would you spend the time and money at the patent office?

[Ed @ Jun 10th 2006 8:39PM]

what heppens when you loose one of them?

[freakon @ Jun 10th 2006 8:54PM]

What kind of a question is that?

Thats like asking what happens when I lose a glove?

Buy another pair?

[bailey @ Jun 10th 2006 9:02PM]

how much lazier can we get???
what's next, weights that lift themselves?
although it is cool that i used to live in mansfield

[freakon @ Jun 10th 2006 9:02PM]

People give a f*ck about newly filed patents that are really stupid/cool.

[ReneGoulet @ Jun 10th 2006 9:25PM]

Can't a man be allowed to dream about something other than his mannequin girlfriend named Sallie? With an "-ie, not y"? I mean, it gets lonely in the backwoods of Ohio. Trust me, it's all about the farm animals. He doesn't need the money, though. I hear thru the cherry vine that he's Tom Clancy's brother. THE Tom Clancy. Of paper and tinsel.

[Rcran @ Jun 10th 2006 9:32PM]

Next up! Wireless hopscotch, wireless hoolahoops, and wireless tetherball!!!

[Kyle @ Jun 10th 2006 9:36PM]

God, I love comments...

[Emceay @ Jun 10th 2006 9:55PM]

To the inmates: Well, there's always underwear elastic.

[a @ Jun 10th 2006 9:59PM]

the world is just keep getting better and better.

[A. N. Ymous @ Jun 10th 2006 10:20PM]

Pet rocks anyone? This is beyond my comprehension... but someone WILL get rich off of this. Now, to only find the next useless, but potentially 'big,' idea...

[DoNni3z @ Jun 10th 2006 10:29PM]

I think there is quite a "prior art" (waevvah) case on this one since in holland this is a long known phenonomen.

[Dispraiser @ Jun 11th 2006 1:40AM]

When I first read this I was thinking it was cordless bungie jumping, for some reason. I read the whole article and was still wondering how the hell it would work...

[Czaries @ Jun 11th 2006 2:30AM]

A ropeless jumprope is about as useful as a springless pogostick... I mean come on, it's half the name! jumpROPE.

[Noa @ Jun 11th 2006 6:06AM]

god this engadget HQ must be massive, do you guy have your own Engadget McDonalds

[tac @ Jun 11th 2006 8:03AM]

hmm instead of giving inmates something to kill themselves, they're going for pleasure (looks like something that could be easily insertable...)?

[the kid @ Jun 11th 2006 11:26AM]

this thing wouldn't have made it past the first round of american inventor.

that little geeky judge who invented so many things that you have at least eight of them in your house right now would have ripped it to pieces.

[lloyd @ Sep 6th 2007 10:52PM]

HA!HA! you speak the truth kid.

[stev @ Jun 11th 2006 12:52PM]

thats no fun and wont help kids learn to jump rope
u need to give the small children the workout jumpropes
if they dont jump it right
the rope whips them and it hurts
that will tell them not to miss again
:)

[ccw sparks @ Jun 11th 2006 1:29PM]

hmmmmmmmm.........call me weird, but the first thing that popped into my mind when I read the headline was "Wait a minute. A jump rope you don't have to plug in? How original - this belongs in one of those 'weird patents' books." Imagine my disappointment when I found out they were referring to a ROPELESS jump rope......

[ChrisRX @ Jun 11th 2006 1:50PM]

Errrrr surely this can't be a new idea?! I specifically remember laughing at the other kids in the playground when I was a kid when they were hopping around with a maraca in each hand.

Coincidence? I think not.

[Alex @ Jun 19th 2006 7:16PM]

The first thing I thought when i read that was "Man that guy must have a lot of imaginary friends".

[Summer @ Jun 19th 2006 7:35PM]

Okay, the ropeless jump rope? So really people are paying money to get little handles to hold while they jump up and down? Why dont that just jump, or hold weights in there hands and jump? Personally I think this is dumb.

[hinge @ Jun 19th 2006 8:44PM]

what is going to make me want to jump if there is no rope. its like having a waterless waterbottle.... retarded. why not let the inmates kill themselves there are a plight on society and some of them should die.

[Nite Teror @ Jun 19th 2006 9:35PM]

Lmao people are dumb sh*ts. Dang it now that poeple can't trip on these things i have nothing to laugh at during P.E. T_T nvmd they'll still look like idiots : )

[bobert @ Jun 19th 2006 11:20PM]

I like the idea.Its very original.It could have some use in the future.....NOT!!!!!!!!
What type of idiiot would think of something like this.Go grab two good magnets and "jump rope". Go ahead, its sooooo much fun.....(idiots)

[skeeter @ Jun 19th 2006 11:24PM]

um....i have an idea...'invisible condoms'..eh?

[sam @ Jun 20th 2006 9:16AM]

haha, good luck destroying all of the diehard original jumprope fans. lol.

[dan @ Jun 20th 2006 11:06AM]

???i dont get how this thing works, you just jump up and down?? sounds cool (by the way skeeter, thats not a bad idea lol)

[the little dreamer @ Jun 20th 2006 2:38PM]

Okay could we get more lazy and pathetic?

[naDD @ Jun 20th 2006 6:46PM]

wtf? your going to post on a blog? what the hell is your problem? you gonna give everyone your address next or something? you dumb schite. what are you thinking? god no common sense whatsoever. suppose you have someone find out where you live...noones gonna save you then

[nat-nat @ Jun 20th 2006 6:50PM]

naDD is correct and i am correct and it IS dumb

[Jigga @ Jun 20th 2006 8:48PM]

Well technically that "rope less jump rope" would be just a "jump" the whole point of the name jump rope or the rope part would be because there is a rope thats why they call it jump rope.

[Nicole @ Jun 21st 2006 11:44AM]

Can you people be anymore rude?
So you don't like the idea! You don't have to make the guy feel worthless... If you don't like it just say, "oh i really don't care for that." not OMG WHAT A STUPID F'ING IDEA! Like grow up, honestly. The man thinks he has something so go crash your own dreams...

[lynn @ Jun 22nd 2006 2:30PM]

I hope he makes alot of money...seen worse ideas

[lloyd @ Sep 4th 2007 2:32AM]

you,ve seen worst ideas? DAMN where?

[lloyd @ Sep 6th 2007 10:53PM]

HA!HA!HA!HA!