U.S. patent application number 10/940811 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-04 for exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to van Straaten, Michael Johannes.
Application Number | 20050170937 10/940811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34808778 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050170937 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
van Straaten, Michael
Johannes |
August 4, 2005 |
Exercise apparatus
Abstract
An exercise apparatus is disclosed, comprising at least one
elastic resistance band, at least one ankle strap removably
connectable to the at least one band and at least one handle
removably connectable to the at least one band. Significantly, the
at least one ankle strap and/or the at least one handle defines an
anchoring means for allowing the at least one ankle strap and/or
the at least one handle, in use, to be anchored to a support
structure. Conveniently, the support structure is a door with the
anchoring means being sandwiched between the door and either the
door frame or the floor.
Inventors: |
van Straaten, Michael Johannes;
(Randburg, ZA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ralph A. Dowell of DOWELL & DOWELL P.C.
2111 Eisenhower Ave.
Suite 406
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Family ID: |
34808778 |
Appl. No.: |
10/940811 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/124 ;
482/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/1654 20130101;
A63B 21/0557 20130101; A63B 21/4013 20151001; A63B 21/0442
20130101; A63B 2208/0204 20130101; A63B 2208/0252 20130101; A63B
2208/0233 20130101; A63B 21/1663 20130101; A63B 21/0552
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/124 ;
482/126 |
International
Class: |
A63B 021/02; A43B
003/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 29, 2004 |
ZA |
2004/0736 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An exercise apparatus comprising: at least one elastic
resistance band; at least one ankle strap removably connectable to
the at least one band; and at least one handle removably
connectable to the at least one band, wherein the at least one
ankle strap and/or the at least one handle defines an anchoring
means for allowing the at least one ankle strap and/or the at least
one handle, in use, to be anchored to a support structure.
2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support
structure is a door with the anchoring means being sandwiched
between the door and either the door frame or the floor.
3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ends of
each band terminate in a connector having an aperture defined
therein for allowing the band to be removably connected to either
the handle or to the ankle strap.
4. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the
at least one ankle strap defines a primary ankle strap that, in
turn, defines a first anchoring means.
5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the primary
ankle strap comprises a strip of nylon material, the ends of which
are fitted with complementary hook- and loop-type material for
allowing them to be secured to each other.
6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the primary
ankle strap includes an anchoring loop, the anchoring loop being
arranged to snugly accommodate a metal or plastic anchoring
cylinder.
7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the
at least one handle comprises a cushioned grip member, which is
connected to a clip by a pair of flexible straps, with each of the
at least one handle defining a second anchoring means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] THIS invention relates to an exercise apparatus,
particularly suited for use in a user's private environment.
[0002] Typically, people wishing to exercise have to go to a venue
dedicated to exercising and that, accordingly, has all the
necessary equipment therein. Although there are a number of
exercise apparatuses available that allow a person to exercise in
his or her private environment, such as his or her home, these
apparatuses are generally relatively bulky, complicated to set up
and use, limited in terms of the range of exercises that can be
carried out, and not really suited to being easily transported.
[0003] It would therefore be desirable to provide an exercise
apparatus that addresses the above shortcomings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] According to the invention there is provided an exercise
apparatus comprising:
[0005] at least one elastic resistance band;
[0006] at least one ankle strap removably connectable to the at
least one band; and
[0007] at least one handle removably connectable to the at least
one band,
[0008] wherein the at least one ankle strap and/or the at least one
handle defines an anchoring means for allowing the at least one
ankle strap and/or the at least one handle, in use, to be anchored
to a support structure.
[0009] Preferably, the support structure is a door with the
anchoring means being sandwiched between the door and either the
door frame or the floor.
[0010] Typically, the ends of each band terminate in a connector
having an aperture defined therein for allowing the band to be
removably connected to either the handle or to the ankle strap.
[0011] In one version, one of the at least one ankle strap defines
a primary ankle strap that, in turn, defines a first anchoring
means. The primary ankle strap comprises a strip of nylon material,
the ends of which are fitted with complementary hook- and loop-type
material for allowing them to be secured to each other.
[0012] Conveniently, the primary ankle strap includes an anchoring
loop, the anchoring loop being arranged to snugly accommodate a
metal or plastic anchoring cylinder.
[0013] Each of the at least one handle comprises a cushioned grip
member, which is connected to a clip by a pair of flexible straps,
with each of the at least one handle defining a second anchoring
means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 shows the various components of an exercise apparatus
according to the present invention, the apparatus comprising at
least one elastic resistance band, a pair of ankle straps and a
pair of handles, with one of the ankle straps defining a first
anchoring means and one of the handles defining a second anchoring
means;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows the exercise apparatus, in use, according to
one aspect of the invention wherein the first anchoring means of
the apparatus is sandwiched between the top of a door and the
uppermost portion of a door frame;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows the exercise apparatus, in use, according to
yet a further version of the invention wherein the first anchoring
means is sandwiched between the bottom of the door and the
floor;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows an adaptation of the exercise apparatus shown
in FIG. 2, wherein only one handle is used in the exercise; and
[0018] FIG. 5 shows the exercise apparatus, in use, according to
another aspect of the invention wherein the second anchoring means
is sandwiched between the bottom of the door and the floor.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring first to FIG. 1, an exercise apparatus 10
according to the present invention comprises at least one elastic
resistance band 12, 14, a pair of ankle straps 16, 18 and a pair of
handles 20, 22.
[0020] The ends of each band 12, 14 terminate in a connector 24
having an aperture 26 defined therein, for allowing the band 12, 14
to be removably connected to either the handle 20, 22 or to the
ankle strap 16, 18. This aspect will become clearer further on in
the specification.
[0021] Ankle strap 16 defines a primary ankle strap that, in turn,
defines a first anchoring means. The primary ankle strap 16
comprises a strip of nylon material, the ends of which are fitted
with complementary hook- and loop-type material 28, such as Velcro,
for allowing them to be secured to each other. Significantly, an
anchoring loop 30 is defined towards the middle of the strap, by
stitch line 32. The anchoring loop 30 is arranged to snugly
accommodate a metal or plastic anchoring cylinder 34. Although FIG.
1 shows the cylinder 34 as being removable, it is clear that the
cylinder 34 may be fixed in place within the anchoring loop 30.
[0022] Ankle strap 18 defines a secondary, conventional ankle strap
comprising a strip of nylon material, similarly also fitted with
fastening material 36, such as Velcro. The ends of the straps 16,
18 terminate in channels, 38 and 40, respectively, for receiving
D-ring attachments 42 and 44, respectively, which in turn are
arranged to releasably carry clips 46 and 48, respectively.
[0023] Each handle 20, 22 comprises a cushioned grip member 50, 52,
which is connected to a clip 54, 56 by a pair of flexible straps
58, 60. Significantly, the handles 20, 22 define a second anchoring
means.
[0024] In use, and as shown in FIG. 2, the first anchoring means 16
of the apparatus 10 is sandwiched between the top of a door 62 and
the lower edge of a door frame 64. In particular, the strap 16
extends through the gap defined between the door 62 and the door
frame 64, with anchoring loop 30 and inserted cylinder 34 being
located on the other side of the door 62, so as to provide a secure
anchor. In this version, one of the bands 12, 14 is threaded
through either the D-ring 42 or the clip 46, and the pair of
handles 20, 22 is fitted to the connectors 24 at the ends of the
band 12, 14. This enables a user 66 to perform a number of
exercises, including biceps curls and side pulls. A more
comprehensive list of exercises that the apparatus of the present
invention can be used for is provided further on in the
specification.
[0025] Significantly, the exercise apparatus 10 can quite easily be
used in conjunction with conventional training aids, such as an
inflatable exercise ball 68, as shown in FIG. 2. This combination
is particularly effective, in that since the user 66 is forced to
have to balance him- or herself when sitting on the ball 68, the
user's lower back and inner abdominal muscles (also known as the
core stabilizers) are automatically exercised.
[0026] Advantageously, and as shown in FIG. 3, the first anchoring
means 16 can be sandwiched between the bottom of the door 62 and
the floor to enable additional exercises to be done.
[0027] A significant feature of the present invention is its
versatility, which allows a wide range of exercises to be
performed. In FIG. 4, for example, the user 66 is shown using only
one of the handles 20, 22, with the other end of the band 12, 14
being connected to the clip 46 of the first anchoring means 16.
[0028] The description so far of the exercise apparatus 10 of the
present invention has been limited to using the first anchoring
means 16 to anchor the apparatus 10. However, one of the handles
20, 22 is able to define a second anchoring means, thereby
essentially allowing both ankle straps 16, 18 to be used. Thus, for
example, FIG. 5 shows the exercise apparatus, in use, wherein one
of the handles 50, 52 is used to anchor the apparatus 10, by being
sandwiched between the bottom of the door 62 and the floor 70. This
arrangement enables both ankle straps 16, 18 to be used, and thus
enable the user 66 to perform a whole range of leg exercises, such
as lying hip flexions as shown in FIG. 5.
[0029] A more detailed summary of the various exercises that the
apparatus of the present invention can perform is set out
below:
[0030] 1. First anchoring means (i.e. strap 16) located above the
door, with both handles being used:
[0031] a. Arm pullovers, with the user either seated on a ball (as
shown in FIG. 2) or standing
[0032] b. Lateral pulldowns
[0033] c. Tricep pulls, either seated on a ball or standing
[0034] d. Front tricep extensions
[0035] e. Lateral pulldowns
[0036] f. Tricep pressdowns, either seated on a ball or
standing
[0037] g. Chest pulls
[0038] h. Abdominal curls, either seated on a ball or kneeling on
the floor
[0039] i. Pectoral presses and flies
[0040] 2. First anchoring means (i.e. strap 16) located below the
door, with both handles being used:
[0041] a. Shoulder presses
[0042] b. Bicep curls, as shown in FIG. 3
[0043] c. Pectoral presses and flies
[0044] d. Sit-ups
[0045] e. Abdominal and oblique crunches
[0046] f. Shoulder extensions
[0047] g. Lateral pulldowns
[0048] h. Reverse flies
[0049] i. Upright rows
[0050] 3. First anchoring means (i.e. strap 16) in place, whether
above, below or along the vertical length of the door, with only
one handle being used:
[0051] a. Side bend
[0052] b. Forehand
[0053] c. Backhand, as shown in FIG. 4
[0054] d. Golf swing
[0055] 4. First anchoring means (i.e. strap 16) or the second
anchoring means (i.e. handle 50 or 52) located above the door, with
the ankle strap 18 being used:
[0056] a. Lying hip extensions
[0057] b. Lying adductions
[0058] c. Lying knee extensions
[0059] 5. First anchoring means (i.e. strap 16) or the second
anchoring means (i.e. handle 50 or 52) located below the door, with
the ankle strap 18 being used:
[0060] a. Lying hip flexions, as shown in FIG. 5
[0061] b. Standing hip extensions
[0062] c. Leg curls
[0063] d. Inner/outerthigh pulls
[0064] 6. Second anchoring means (i.e. handle 50 or 52) in place,
with the other handle being used:
[0065] a. Side bend
[0066] b. Forehand
[0067] c. Backhand
[0068] d. Golf swing
[0069] The above is by no means an exhaustive list, but merely
illustrates the range of exercises that can be done with the
apparatus.
[0070] The primary advantage of the apparatus of the present
invention is its simplicity, versatility and portability. In
particular, it allows a person to conduct a wide range of
exercises, at varying intensities, in his or her private
environment.
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