Earlier this month, Lester Clancy was awarded a patent on a device previously unheard of – a specific type of jump rope, but without the rope. U.S. Patent No. 7,057,243, entitled "Cordless jump rope," discloses two handles, similar to traditional jump-rope handles, but "[a]t the end of the handle, where the rope would typically be, a donut-shaped enclosure is provided and mounted to the handle along its symmetrical axis," and that "[i]nside of each donut-shaped enclosure, a weighted ball or rotating gear system is provided." The patent claims "a pair of jump rope exerciser handles that simulates the effects of jumping rope, each handle forming a linearly elongated grasping member having a first end opposite a second end aligned along a symmetrically balanced central axis." The claim further comprises at least one weighted ball and "a donut-shaped enclosure mounted to said handle along and perpendicular to said symmetrical axis said enclosure forming a circular outer sidewall annularly separated from a circular inner sidewall such that said outer sidewall and said inner sidewall bound and form smooth inner channel that retain and guide said weighted ball such as to form a circular track perpendicular to and symmetrically about said centerline of said handle." In addition, the claimed invention includes "a flexible stretching member attached at said first end, where said flexible stretching member retained at each end within said chamber by terminated each end with an anchor means and retaining one anchor means within a chamber of each said handle." According to the patent, this invention "provides health benefits and aerobic exercise such as increase endurance and stamina," as "[p]hysical fitness and health concerns are among the areas of highest concern among Americans today."

U.S. Patent No. 7,037,243: LINK
CBS News Article: LINK
WISHTV News Article: LINK