U.S. patent application number 10/514176 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-28 for elastic exercise apparatus.
Invention is credited to Elke Petra, Sandor Potak.
Application Number | 20060217247 10/514176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29421503 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060217247 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Potak; Sandor ; et
al. |
September 28, 2006 |
Elastic exercise apparatus
Abstract
The invention relates to an elastic exercise apparatus, wherein
at least one elastic element is fixed or can be fixed between two
handles. It is essential that clamp holding devices (3, 10, 40, 50)
be used as handles, in which the at least one elastic element (2,
48) can be clamped and fixed or be fixed at a given length. Said
clamp holding devices should preferably have loop, ring or
bow-shaped holding elements (6, 7, 56). This makes it possible for
a person working out to optimally use particularly stretch bands
(2) with en even tension in a cramp-free manner and in the required
length.
Inventors: |
Potak; Sandor;
(Aschaffenburg, DE) ; Petra; Elke; (Anzing,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OSTROLENK FABER GERB & SOFFEN
1180 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK
NY
100368403
US
|
Family ID: |
29421503 |
Appl. No.: |
10/514176 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
May 9, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/DE03/01492 |
371 Date: |
April 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/121 ;
482/126 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0552 20130101;
A63B 21/0555 20130101; A63B 21/0004 20130101; A63B 21/00043
20130101; A63B 21/0557 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/121 ;
482/126 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 10, 2002 |
DE |
102 21 070.5 |
Jan 21, 2003 |
DE |
203 00 971.1 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. An elastic exercise apparatus, comprising: an elastic exercise
band having at least a first geometric shape defined thereon,
wherein when the exercise band is expanded by application of a
predetermined force the at least first geometric shape is deformed
into a different geometric shape; and two clamping handles, wherein
the exercise band is releasably clamped between each of the
clamping handles, wherein each clamping handle includes a first and
second arm pivotally connected to each other, wherein the first arm
of each respective clamping handle includes a bar and the second
arm of each respective clamping handle includes a corresponding
groove for engaging the bar such that the exercise band is secured
between the bar and the groove, further wherein each clamping
handle includes a respective fastener for securing the first arm to
the corresponding second arm in a closed position.
13. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12, further
comprising a holding element attached on each of the clamping
handles, wherein the holding element is directed in a pulling
direction of the exercise band, wherein the holding element is one
of a rigid bow and a flexible loop constructed of one of a cable
and a cord.
14. The exercise apparatus according to claim 13, further
comprising one of: at least one of a ball, a tube, and a gripping
reel constructed of one of rigid and flexible material slidably
fitted via a central bore thereof onto the loop; and a thumb grip
ring secured to the loop in a substantially centrally and parallel
planar relation with respect to the exercise band.
15. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the at
least first geometric shape is one of an ellipse, a rectangle, and
a diamond, wherein a corresponding amount of predetermined force is
visually associated with the at least first geometric shape,
wherein application of the corresponding amount of predetermined
force on the exercise band causes the at least first geometric
shape to be deformed into one of a circle, a standard square, and
an oblique square, respectively.
16. The exercise apparatus according to claim 15, further
comprising a second geometric shape defined on the exercise band
and having a corresponding amount of predetermined force associated
therewith, wherein the second geometric shape is one of:
substantially the same shape as the first geometric shape; and
substantially a different shape than the first geometric shape,
wherein the second geometric shape is positioned in one of: a
substantially spaced relation to the first geometric shape; and a
substantially paired relation with the first geometric shape.
17. The exercise apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the bar
of the first arm of each clamping handle further defines a first
bar and a second bar, wherein the exercise apparatus further
comprises an elastic substantially spherical abutment situated
within and substantially along the length of the groove, wherein
the abutment is adhesively secured to a bottom portion of the
groove, wherein the first bar and second bar are adapted to
resiliently bend apart and rest upon the abutment when the first
and corresponding second arms are in the closed position
18. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first
and second arms include respective supporting bases, wherein the
width of the bases is about 1.5 to 5 times the width of one of the
bar and groove of the respective first and second arms.
19. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17, further
comprising at least one eyelet defined substantially centrally on
one of the first and second arms, wherein the eyelet is sized to
receive one of the gripping reel and the thumb grip ring.
20. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first
and second arms are separate pieces and are pivotally connected to
each other by a hinge comprised of a pivot bearing providing at
least a 180.degree. angle with respect to the first and second arms
in an open position.
21. The exercise apparatus according to claim 18, wherein at least
one of the supporting bases includes one of a groove, a line, a
knob, and a bead defined therein in a transverse evenly spaced
relation to the length thereof.
22. The exercise apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the
fastener is a pivoting bow positioned on the second arm, wherein
the pivoting bow is adapted to resiliently snap over a projection
defined on the first arm.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an elastic exercise apparatus
according to the preamble of Claim 1, as used particularly for
sports or sports medicine purposes.
[0002] Fixing rubber cords between two fixed handgrips of an
exercise apparatus (extensor) and pulling axially on the cords via
the handles when exercising is known. By attaching an appropriate
number of cords to the inner sides of the handles it is certainly
possible to change the pulling force but not the length of the
cords and hence of the whole exercise apparatus. This would be
necessary, however, depending on the exercise or person
exercising.
[0003] Elastic exercise apparatuses are known from U.S. Pat. No.
1,729,399 and US 2002/0052270 A1, in each of which an elastic
element may be fixed between two handles. Respective conical
clamping openings are provided in the handles, through which the
elastic element is passed and fixedly clamped, some releasable
again only with difficulty, via a wedge in conjunction with a
wedge-shaped thickening of the band ends or via a ball. Secure,
rapidly releasable clamping/fixing of the handles on an elastic
exercise band having a uniform band thickness is not possible.
[0004] For flat, elastic exercise bands, which are increasingly
used for training or exercising purposes, it is not usual to use
handles between which the bands of e.g. less than 0.15 mm thickness
and up to over 200 mm width could be fixed. If such a band is
gripped by a person exercising in order to perform an extension at
chest height, for example, the person exercising then has to dig
his nails right into the band material so as not to slide off when
expanding the band. Moreover, it is well nigh impossible to expand
the band without using hands without distorting it so that a
pattern present on the surface of the band (see DE 200 13 074 U1 or
EP 1 175 922 A2) changes under expansion uniformly over the whole
width of the band and may be observed visually in a fully focused
manner.
[0005] Thus, the Physioband produced by Tilia GmbH, 87484
Nesselwang is known, from whose exercise poster it is discernable
that holding the band tightly in a flat/open, distortion-free
position is not easily possible. The person exercising is therefore
focused more on clinging onto the band than on the exercise
performed therewith. It may also be inferred from this exercise
brochure or exercise poster that the loose Physioband can be held
together to form an endless loop via a clip which is similarly
enclosed in the packaging, to enable corresponding arm or leg
exercises, for example, to be performed in the attached state of
the band which is clipped together in the shape of a loop.
[0006] Clips of this type, used for holding exercise bands together
in the shape of a loop, are already known in various forms, but
they are invariably used for closing bags, pouches, sacks etc., as
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,818,871, U.S. Pat. No.
3,571,861, DE 25 47 875 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,529, U.S. Pat. No.
4,523,353, U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,489, EP 0 156 779 B1 and WO 93/16930
A1. Single-part closure devices such as clasps or clips for bags or
flexible tubes are thus known, consisting of two arms joined by a
film hinge.sup.1, which have interlocking clamping profiles on the
surfaces facing one another in the closed state and which may be
locked in the closed state via a catch device on the free arm ends.
In the opened state the arms are at an angle of max. 90.degree. to
one another. The end of the bag to be closed or the two ends of an
exercise band to be joined are laid transversely one on top of
another on one, usually the lower, arm, whereupon the second,
usually upper, arm is swung onto the lower arm and pressed so that
their interlocking longitudinal profiles firmly clamp the bag
material or band material lying therebetween. The clip is held
together in the closed state by way of a catch device on the arm
ends. This clip is thus used merely for closing or coupling, but
not as a handle via which a pull is exerted. .sup.1 The preposotion
`zwischen` [between] appears in this clause with no noun following
it. The translator has assumed its inclusion is a misprint.
[0007] Also, a closing clip for the insulation bag of an underwater
camera is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,036,506, comprising a
channel-shaped lower arm and a flat bar-shaped upper arm, the arms
being flexibly joined via an axial pin passing transversely through
the two interlocking parts. Via an eyelet pivotally fixed on the
opposite end of the lower arm, the upper arm, and hence also the
bag, is held securely in the closed clamping state via a notch
provided on the said upper arm. Using these clips as handles is not
known.
[0008] It is therefore the object of the invention to indicate an
elastic exercise apparatus, which allows safe, comfortable,
versatile and focused handling and exercising.
[0009] This object is achieved by means of an elastic exercise
apparatus comprising the features of Claim 1. Advantageous
developments of the invention are characterised in the dependent
claims.
[0010] The elastic exercise apparatus accordingly has as handles
two clip-handles in each case which are constructed in the manner
of known bag-closing clips, in which at least one elastic exercise
band is fixed so as to be clamped fixedly or releasably at a
predetermined length. In addition, in the expanding direction of
the exercise band at least one geometric shape is provided on the
band which, when expanded with a predetermined force, forms or
results in a different predetermined geometric shape. Thus, two
clip-handles are fixed at the required spacing of e.g. 40 cm length
apart over an exercise band, for example, (or a rubber cable or
rubber tube), perpendicularly, i.e. transversely to the
longitudinal or pulling direction of the band. The person
exercising may thus grip the band at the two clip-handles and
safely perform the relevant expansion exercises. Pulling on these
clips is effected in such a way that they are moved apart parallel,
as a result of which the band part clamped between them is expanded
uniformly in length and the geometric shapes located thereon are
not distorted and are always easily visible during exercising.
[0011] It is advantageous if a gripping or holding element directed
in the pulling direction of the band is provided on each of the
clip-handles. Two handles are then fixed to a band so that the
respective holding elements are directed outwards, thereby making
it easier to grip and particularly to hold the band under
tension.
[0012] A rigid bow, a flexible strap or loop such as cable or cord,
a central T-shaped handle or ring or similar may be provided
according to the invention as the holding element. What is
important--and only possible according to the invention--is that
when the band is expanded and particularly when it is held expanded
by way of the holding elements on the handles, the band remains
visible, undistorted in its entire width, during exercises at chest
height, so that the expansion changes of a geometric pattern
located according to DE 200 13 074 U1 on the band surface are
possible by the person exercising.
[0013] If, for example, a cable-type holding element is provided
which is fixed in an advantageous manner via respective eyelets on
the two ends of one handle side, the person exercising may then put
the thumb of one hand into the holding loop formed in each case and
at chest height with the arms almost extended force the handles
apart, causing the band located between them to be accordingly
expanded. By gripping and pulling the band apart solely via the
thumbs inserted therein, the said band being held slip-free in its
full width, free balancing-out of the band and holder takes place
around the two points of rotation of the thumbs. As a result, an
extension may be performed in which a largely distortion-free, i.e.
vector-free, longitudinal expansion of the band may be achieved.
This effect is of course also achieved when holding rings are
used.
[0014] According to the invention, a ball or a tube made of rigid
or flexible material such as wood or plastics material may be
fitted slidably via its central bore on the holding loop--but also
on a rigid holding bow. If the handle is now gripped via the ball
or the tube and extended, distortion-free balancing-out of the
handles may similarly then take place.
[0015] A thumb grip ring may also be incorporated centrally on the
cable or on the cord of the holding loop, which may similarly be
made from wood or plastics material, for example. Because the thumb
grip rings are substantially thicker than the cable or the cord and
have a firm, rounded gripping inner surface, the balancing-out by
the thumb via the ring may take place more easily and more
comfortably than via the thumb placed directly in the cable loop.
It is easily discemable that, with a relatively thin construction
of the loop cable, relatively uncomfortable compressing and
cutting-in occurs under loading on the thumb, which is not the case
with relatively thick thumb rings, the thickness of which may
correspond to the height of the closed clamping holder.
[0016] According to the invention, ellipses, rectangles or
diamonds, for example, are provided as geometric shapes on the
exercise band, which, when expanded with a force of e.g. 1.5 kg or
2 kg, form or result in circles or squares. A corresponding
expansion force indication such as 1.5 kg or 2 kg may be applied in
or next to at least one of the geometric shapes, and such that,
when forming a circle from an ellipse, for example, under
expansion, the corresponding indication of e.g. 1.5 kg is readable
very easily.
[0017] It is advantageous if an oblique rhombus pattern, a
rectangle pattern or an ellipse pattern is provided on the exercise
band, consisting respectively of at least one rhombus, rectangle or
ellipse directed along its short axis in the expansion direction,
which are deformed in a predetermined expansion situation into,
respectively, an oblique square, standard square or circle. Just
one geometric shape may be arranged centrally on the band in each
case or two or more identical shapes may be applied symmetrically
to the centre of the band or evenly spaced from one another along
the whole band.
[0018] It may also be particularly advantageous, however, to
provide at least two identical geometric shapes having different
dimensions adjacent to one another, to which different force
indications are assigned and which, when the particular
corresponding expansion force has been reached, form the
predetermined different geometric shape, thus, for example, become
a circle from an ellipse. In this case a pair of shapes, for
example, e.g. two ellipses of different sizes, may be provided in
the centre of the band or several pairs of shapes may be provided
or arranged next to one another symmetrically to the centre or in
even spacing of the pairs of shapes relative to one another over
the whole length of the band.
[0019] Obviously, however, more than two shapes having different
dimensions and thus different loadings assigned to them may also be
provided next to one another, with corresponding force indications,
such as four ellipses of different widths or different widths and
heights, designed for and marked with 0.5 kg, 1 kg, 1.5 kg and 2 kg
or even a fifth ellipse marked with 2.5 kg. The exercise apparatus
may thus be used by people of different strength for different
exercises, e.g. for exercises while holding a specific force
constant or exercises which continually change between different
expansion loadings, i.e. intermittent exercises.
[0020] In a particularly advantageous manner, the clamping clips
used as clip-handles may have clip arms, on the inner side of which
there are clamping profiles similar to those in the known bag
clips. Unlike those, however, they are no longer connected via a
film hinge, which does not allow the two arms to fold out and
remain lying open in a 180.degree. supporting position, but in most
cases holds the two arms in an angle of less than 90.degree.,
thereby obstructing the view into the clamping surfaces and thus
hindering optimum placement therein of the band. Connecting the two
independent clamping arms via a hinge with bearing eyelets and
bearing pin enables the two holder arms to rest on a support flat
and without tilting in the fully opened, i.e. folded out state. The
exercise band may thereafter be placed more easily and more
accurately on the one arm at right angles to the longitudinal
extent of the arms. The second arm is then folded over the lower
arm, which remains lying at rest with the band lying thereon, and
is firmly pressed onto the latter, so that the fastening at the
ends of the arms, preferably a pivoting bow, locks.
[0021] It is advantageous if a spherical abutment is provided on
the bottom of the clamping groove of the lower arm, on which, in
the closed state of the clamping arms, the at least one bar of the
upper arm rests with the band lying therebetween. Moreover, there
are then two upper clamping bars present which are spaced apart
from one another such that they partially engage around the
spherical abutment, causing the band clamped therebetween
additionally to undergo a deflection. The band is thereby not only
deflected in a V shape but in a W shape, as a result of which more
secure clamping takes place and thus higher pulling forces are
exerted via the handles on the band without the band slipping out
of the clamping holders of the handles.
[0022] The spherical abutment may in this case be a soft-elastic
cord which is fixed in the bottom of the groove by adhesive
bonding, for example, wherein the bars may then be made shorter and
non-resilient. As a result of the soft-elastic abutment, optimum
non-slip clamping is achieved without the risk existing of damaging
the band by squashing it.
[0023] Secure clamping is also obtained if the abutment is a
semicircular, rigid elevation on the groove bottom, while the two
clamping bars are of a slightly longer, resilient design, so that
they are spread apart slightly as they press down on the abutment
and thus cannot squash the band lying therebetween.
[0024] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the two arms of the clip
handle have supporting bases which are relatively wide in relation
to the height and length thereof, which bases are e.g. 1.5 to 5
times wider than the active inner side of the arms. A particularly
wide supporting surface of the arms is thereby obtained, which then
rest without tilting in the open, folded out state, e.g. on the
table or floor, so that the band may be placed, appropriately
aligned, at rest thereon. Even when the upper arm is pivoted and
folded onto the lower arm and pressed closed, there is no danger of
the holder tilting, which could cause the band to slip out of its
aligned position. In addition, this supporting base may also have a
curved design and be wider in the middle than at the ends. An
attractive shape, with good ease of handling, is thereby achieved
at the same time.
[0025] It is particularly advantageous as well if, on the inner
side of the margin of the base of the lower arm on which the band
is placed for clamping firmly, several markings such as grooves,
lines, knobs or beads are provided transversely to the longitudinal
extent thereof, in equal spacing relative to the centre. This is
possible in a simple manner, as the supporting bases project,
reaching relatively far out laterally in relation to the central
shaped strips, so that substantially a T-shape of the arm is
obtained. There is thus a relatively wide base margin available on
either side, enabling the markings to be applied on the inner sides
so as to be easily visible. The band may thus be inserted and
firmly clamped in the gripping clip exactly perpendicularly and in
a central orientation at the same time.
[0026] The invention is described in more detail below with the aid
of several embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an elastic exercise apparatus
with two clamping handles;
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a plan view as in FIG. 1, with clamping handles
with rigid bow-type holding elements;
[0029] FIG. 3 shows a plan view as in FIG. 1 and 2 with handles
with holding loops;
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a clip-handle in construction,
with holding loop and thumb grip ring;
[0031] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a clip-handle from FIG. 4, with
holding loop and gripping ball;
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a section VI-VI from FIG. 4 through a
clip-handle with a rigid abutment and resilient bars;
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a section VII-VII through a clip-handle with
resilient abutment cord and rigid bars;
[0034] FIG. 8 shows a side view of the clip-handle according to
FIG. 4 to 7, in partially opened state;
[0035] FIG. 9 shows a plan view of the clip-handle holder according
to FIG. 8, illustrating the lower arm with placement markings;
[0036] FIG. 10 shows a side view as in FIG. 8, in the closed
state;
[0037] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of a clip-handle in the fully
opened state;
[0038] FIG. 12 shows a side view of the clip-handle in the state of
FIG. 11;
[0039] FIG. 13 shows a plan view of an exercise band with a
longitudinally central row of rectangles with loading indications
of 1.5 kg, in the unexpanded state;
[0040] FIG. 14 shows a plan view of the band according to FIG. 13,
in the state expanded with an expansion force of 1.5 kg;
[0041] FIG. 15 shows a plan view of an exercise band with a
longitudinally central row of diamonds with loading indications of
1.5 kg, in the unexpanded state;
[0042] FIG. 16 shows a plan view of the band according to FIG. 15,
in the state expanded with an expansion force of 1.5 kg;
[0043] FIG. 17 shows a plan view of an exercise band with a
longitudinally central row of pairs of ellipses, with ellipses of
different sizes and loading indications of 1.5 kg and 2 kg assigned
thereto, in the unexpanded state;
[0044] FIG. 18 shows a plan view of the band according to FIG. 17,
in the state expanded with an expansion force of 1.5 kg;
[0045] FIG. 19 shows a plan view of the band according to FIG. 17,
in the state expanded with an expansion force of 2 kg;
[0046] FIG. 20 shows a plan view of an exercise band with a central
rectangle with loading indication of 1.5 kg and handles fixedly
attached to the band ends, in the unexpanded state;
[0047] FIG. 21 shows a plan view of the band similar to that
according to FIG. 20, with an ellipse, a central diamond and a
rectangle and the expansion force indications of 1 kg, 1.5 kg and 2
kg, in the unexpanded state, and
[0048] FIG. 22 shows a plan view of the band according to FIG. 21,
in the state expanded with an expansion force of 1.5 kg;
[0049] FIG. 23 shows a plan view of a holder with central eyelet
and thumb grip ring.
[0050] Represented in FIG. 1 is an elastic exercise apparatus 1
which consists of an exercise band 2, known per se, to which two
clamp-handles 3 are attached at the optimum distance apart for the
exercise concerned. It is discernable that this is an exercise band
on the surface of which at least one row of a geometric pattern is
applied. It may also be seen that the non-tensioned band motif 4 is
here an ellipse, which under a predetermined pulling force is
expanded into a circle as the tensioned band motif 5. The person
exercising may now evenly expand the exercise band 2 clamped
between the clamp-handles 3 in the course of extension exercises
and follow the expansion process visually and mentally until the
provided motif change occurs. This indicates that the pulling force
or tension under which the band is to be held constant during the
exercise is reached. This occurs without cramped, direct digging in
of the hands into the band, as a result of which no distortions in
the band and premature fatigue phenomena in the hands can
occur.
[0051] FIG. 2 shows a similar exercise apparatus to FIG. 1, only
here the exercise band 2 has diamonds as geometric motif 4 in the
non-tensioned state of the band, which become squares as motifs 5
in the correspondingly tensioned state. Moreover, on each of the
clamp-handles 3 is provided a holding element 6 which is, as is
evident here, a rigid bow which is attached to one longitudinal
side of the handles. The person exercising is now able to grip the
handles in a simple manner by the bows with his whole hand and
thereby pull on the two handles and hence on the band. The person
exercising may, however, also very effectively put just the thumb 8
of each hand therein, as may be seen in more detail from FIG. 3.
The thumb thereby acts as axis of rotation, via which free
balancing-out takes place during the exercise, so that the two
clamp-handles always automatically align themselves parallel to one
another under even pulling of the band 2 which is clamped in place
in a slip-free manner.
[0052] It may be seen from FIG. 3 that the handles 3, between which
the band 2 is clamped, bear flexible holding loops 7 as holding
elements, into which the thumbs 8 of the hands 9 of the person
exercising are placed. It is discernable how self-balancing,
correct aligning of the exercise apparatus takes place as a result
of being suspended between the thumbs and thus allows even,
distortion-free expansion of the band.
[0053] In FIG. 4 to 12, the clamp-handle is represented in its
particular form as a clip-handle 10, in which the band 2 is
securely clamped between two mutually pivotable clamping arms, as
is described in more detail later on.
[0054] Thus FIG. 4 shows how a holding loop 7 is fixed to the
clip-handle 10 by way of eyelets 11 fitted at the longitudinal
ends. The cable, rope or cord from which the holding loop 7 is
formed is here passed through the two eyelets 11 and ends in a
thumb grip ring 12 in which the loop ends are securely fixed. The
person exercising now places his thumb 8 in the eccentric opening
13 of the grip ring. It is discemable how balancing-out of the
handles takes place, wherein displacement of the loop cord in the
eyelets may additionally also take place, to align the ring 12
symmetrically in relation to the handle and hence to the band.
[0055] FIG. 5 shows the same view and the same form of construction
as in FIG. 4, only here a gripping ball 14 is provided as the
gripping element on the holding loop, represented non-tensioned,
the said ball being threaded via its central bore 15 on the loop
cord 7. The person exercising does not now grip the holding loop 7
directly but via the gripping ball 14. The axial sliding of the
ball on the cord similarly enables free balancing-out of the
exercise apparatus to take place. Obviously several gripping balls
of identical or differing diameter may be threaded on the holding
loop instead of one gripping ball, or a gripping reel 16, as
represented in FIG. 11, may be used.
[0056] It is discemable from FIG. 6, which shows a cross-section
through a clip-handle 10 in the closed state of tension, that the
handle consists of a lower arm 20 and an upper arm 21, which
interlock by means of their correspondingly designed inner profiles
and thereby secure the band 2 laid between them to effect clamping.
A V-shaped groove 18 is in this case provided in the shaped strip
19 of the lower arm 20 longitudinally centrally thereof, on the
groove bottom of which is moulded a spherical abutment 17. The
upper arm 21 has on its shaped strip 22 two resilient bars 24,
separated via a central groove 23. It is discernable that in the
tensioned/closed state of the clip-handle 10 the bars 24 stand on
the spherical abutment 17 such that they are pressed slightly apart
and thus resiliently abut its periphery, sliding laterally, without
fitting thereon so as to exert pressure perpendicularly or
radially. As a result the band 2 laid therebetween is not squeezed
as in gripping jaws, but is merely held securely between the bars
and the abutment, pressed resiliently against them. Secure,
slip-free holding of the band over its whole length is ensured by
means of the five deflection points in the band's path. This secure
holding may also occur with bands of differing thickness, as the
resilient bars just spread apart slightly more or less as required.
Furthermore, it is discernable how the eyelets 11 are provided on
the shaped strip 19 of the lower arm 20, in which connection it
should be noted that the eyelet is raised to the upper margin of
the shaped strip 19 far enough to enable the holding loop to be
fixed to the eyelet as close as possible to the band 2. Finally,
marking beads 29 are provided on the inner base margin, as may be
seen more closely from FIG. 8 to 11.
[0057] In the form of construction of the clip-handle 10
represented in FIG. 7, a U-shaped groove 30 is provided on the
shaped strip 19 of the lower arm 20, in the bottom of which is
placed an elastic cord 31 having a circular cross-section and is
fixed therein by means of adhesive bonding, for example. In
addition, the shaped strip 22 of the upper arm 21 has two rigid
bars 34 which are separated from one another by means of a groove
33. The rounded front ends of the bars 34 stand on the soft-elastic
cord 31 with perpendicular pressure, depressing it slightly. It is
obvious that the band 2 laid therebetween, which here undergoes
five deflections in the shape of a W, is held resiliently clamped
extremely securely but at the same time without being damaged. The
profiles and the elastic cord are adapted to one another
dimensionally so that even the thinnest band is held securely by
slight depressing of the elastic cord. But even the thickest band
to which the strongest pulling forces are applied as are required
is similarly held secure against slipping or sliding by the
correspondingly stronger depressing of the elastic cord, determined
by the thickness of the band.
[0058] As is discernable from FIG. 8, the lower arm 20 may be
connected to the upper arm 21 via a hinge 35 with an axis 36 so as
to be pivotable or foldable open and closed over min. 180.degree..
Provided at the other end of the lower arm 20 is a pivoting bow 37
made preferably from sprung steel wire, on which in turn a guide
roller 38 or guide ball is placed so as to rotate. In addition, the
outer end of the upper arm 21 has a projection 39, over which, in
the closed state of the clip-handle, i.e. in the pressed down state
of the upper arm on the lower arm, the guide roller 38 rolls into
place as the pivoting bow 37 pivots upwards, and secures the two
arms. Finally, it is discernable how the marking beads 29 are
arranged on the inner side of the base margin 27 evenly spaced
relative to one another and to the centre of the arm at the same
time and how also the two eyelets 11 are provided, into which the
cord of the holding loop 7 is placed.
[0059] FIG. 9, which permits a clear view onto the upper side of
the lower arm 20 through the broken-away upper arm 21, illustrates
particularly the width relationship according to the invention
between the shaped strip 19 with the V-shaped or U-shaped groove 18
or 30 and the base 25. It is discemable that in its central,
greatest width, the base 25 is here more than three times the width
of the shaped strip 19. As a result, there is optimum resistance to
tilting of the lower arm and also of the whole handle, in the
position resting on a level support, as is the case, for example,
when placing the exercise band therein. In addition, the marking
beads 28.sup.2 provided on the inner base margin are provided on
both sides of the shaped strip 19, extending in the transverse
direction of the clip, i.e. in the insertion direction of the band,
aligned with one another on both sides. As a result they permit
easy and accurate placement of the band and "guide" the human eye.
Numerals or letters may additionally be assigned to the marking
beads 28 and these may be arranged e.g. in mirror image
relationship, each going outwards from the centre. Thus, when
placing, there is no need to start an elaborate count, but simply
to note on the left and right that the same letters or numbers or
other symbols of the same type are visible at each of the margins
of the band. The band may thus be positioned or aligned quickly and
accurately both centrally and perpendicularly on the lower arm and
thus relative to the whole clip. .sup.2 The marking beads are
referenced 28 in this paragraph and also in the list of reference
numerals, but elsewhere in the description and in the Figures they
are referenced 29.
[0060] FIG. 10 shows the clip-handle in the closed or, via the
hinge 35, in the folded-together state of the arms 20 and 21 and
with the bow 37 swung upwards, the guide roller 38 thereof engaging
over the projection 39 and thus holding the two arm ends fixedly
together.
[0061] FIGS. 11 and 12 show the clip-handle 10 in the fully
folded-out state via the hinge 35 and with the pivoting bow 37
folded out outwardly. It is discemable that the arms 20 and 21, via
their wide bases 25, and also the pivoting bow 37 rest on a level
support 32. In this tilt-proof state of the clip-handle, folded out
free of tension, the exercise band may simply be laid on the lower
arm in the appropriate orientation, particularly as it may also be
discerned quickly and reliably by means of the transverse marking
beads 29, which are only provided on the lower arm, where and how
the band should be laid in the correct orientation, i.e. on the
lower arm 20. Once the band is duly laid on the said lower arm, the
upper arm 21 may then be lifted from the support 32 via its outer
end with the projection 39 without any risk of tilting and pivoted
around 180.degree. or folded over the lower arm. Thereafter, close
to the outer end of the upper arm, [the said upper arm].sup.3 is
pressed in the direction of the lower arm and the guide roller 38
of the pivoting bow 37 is clipped over the projection 39 of the
upper arm. It is additionally discernable from FIG. 11 how a
holding reel 16 is provided on the holding loop 7, which reel is
provided centrally with a deep annular groove into which the thumb
8 may be placed. .sup.3 Suggested by the translator, as the verb
has no subject in the source text.
[0062] Finally, it should further be noted that while the handles
according to the invention are designed particularly for holding
exercise bands and rubber cords, they may, however, also be
successfully used to make the bands and cords endless, if required.
Thus, it is possible in relevant exercises also to pull directly on
the handle, which couples the two ends of an exercise band, for
example, while the band loop is located attached therein.
[0063] A flat exercise band 2 is represented in the non-loaded
state in FIG. 13, on which is applied a longitudinally central row
of rectangles 57, evenly spaced apart. The expansion force
indication 58 is inscribed inside each rectangle 2 [sic, recte 57]
as 1.5 kg, under the effect of which the rectangles 57 are expanded
into the squares 59 apparent in FIG. 14. The corresponding
indication of 1.5 kg also becomes readable very easily in this
case.
[0064] FIG. 15 similarly shows a flat exercise band 2 in the
non-loaded state, on which is applied a longitudinally central row
of diamonds 60, evenly spaced apart. The expansion force 58 is
inscribed inside each diamond 60 similarly as 1.5 kg, under the
effect of which the diamonds 60 are expanded into the oblique
squares 61 apparent in FIG. 16. Here too the corresponding
indication of 1.5 kg becomes readable very easily.
[0065] A flat exercise band 2 in the non-loaded state is discemable
from FIG. 17, on which band is arranged a longitudinally central
row of pairs of ellipses, evenly spaced apart, each pair composed
of a wider ellipse 62 and a narrower ellipse 63. The expansion
force indication 58 is inscribed inside each wider ellipse 62 as
1.5 kg, under the effect of which these wider ellipses 62 are
expanded into the circles 65 apparent from FIG. 18, while the
expansion force indication 64 is inscribed inside each narrower
ellipse 63 as 2 kg, under the effect of which these narrower
ellipses 63 are expanded into the circles 66 apparent from FIG.
19.
[0066] FIG. 20 shows a short elastic exercise band 2, on which just
one rectangle 57 with the expansion force indication 58 is applied
centrally, while respective handles 67 are fixedly attached at both
ends of the band.
[0067] The unexpanded band 2 represented in FIG. 21 similarly has
two fixed handles 67 at its ends, only here three different
geometric shapes, each with different expansion force indications,
are applied in the centre of the band. Thus there is a wider
ellipse 68 with the indication 69 of 1 kg, a diamond 60 with the
indication 58 of 1.5 kg and a narrow rectangle 57 with the
indication 64 of 2 kg.
[0068] FIG. 22, finally, shows how the band of FIG. 21 is expanded
under the expansion force effect of 1.5 kg such that the oblique
ellipse 68 with the indication 1 kg is over-expanded into a
longitudinal ellipse, the diamond 60 becomes an oblique square 61,
and the narrow rectangle 57 is expanded into a slightly wider
rectangle. It is discemable that under expansion with 1.5 kg, the
shape of an oblique square 61 corresponding to this expansion force
with a corresponding expansion force indication is clearly visible,
while the two other shapes are not pulled into a clear expansion
shape (circle or square).
[0069] FIG. 23 shows another handle 3 which may be designed
basically as a clip-handle and which has a central eyelet 55 as
holding element, to which a grip ring 56 is attached so as to be
pivotable and displaceable. This grip ring 56 may be a standard
ring or an eccentric ring like the grip ring 12 of FIG. 4.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0070] 1. elastic exercise apparatus
[0071] 2. elastic exercise band
[0072] 3. clamp-handles
[0073] 4. motifs, non-tensioned
[0074] 5. motifs, tensioned
[0075] 6. holding bow
[0076] 7. holding loop
[0077] 8. thumb
[0078] 9. hand
[0079] 10. clip-handles
[0080] 11. eyelet
[0081] 12. thumb grip ring
[0082] 13. opening
[0083] 14. gripping ball
[0084] 15. bore
[0085] 16. gripping reel
[0086] 17. abutment
[0087] 18. V-shaped groove
[0088] 19. shaped strip
[0089] 20. lower arm
[0090] 21. upper arm
[0091] 22. shaped strip
[0092] 23. groove
[0093] 24. bars, resilient
[0094] 25. base
[0095] 26. supporting surface
[0096] 27. base margin
[0097] 28. markings (beads)
[0098] 29. - - -
[0099] 30. U-shaped groove
[0100] 31. elastic cord
[0101] 32. support
[0102] 33. groove
[0103] 34. bars, rigid
[0104] 35. hinge
[0105] 36. axis
[0106] 37. pivoting bow
[0107] 38. guide roller
[0108] 39. projection
[0109] 40. - - -
[0110] 41. - - -
[0111] 42. - - -
[0112] 43. - - -
[0113] 44. - - -
[0114] 45. - - -
[0115] 46. - - -
[0116] 47. - - -
[0117] 48. - - -
[0118] 49. - - -
[0119] 50. - - -
[0120] 51. - - -
[0121] 52. - - -
[0122] 53. - - -
[0123] 54. - - -
[0124] 55. eyelet, central
[0125] 56. grip ring
[0126] 57. rectangle
[0127] 58. expansion force indication of 1.5 kg
[0128] 59. square
[0129] 60. diamond
[0130] 61. oblique square
[0131] 62. wide ellipse
[0132] 63. narrow ellipse
[0133] 64. expamsion force indication of 2 kg
[0134] 65. circle 1.5 kg
[0135] 66. circle 2 kg
[0136] 67. fixed ellipse
[0137] 68. wide ellipse
[0138] 69. expansion force indication of 1 kg
* * * * *