U.S. patent application number 12/040970 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-09 for elastic cord unit for pull exerciser.
Invention is credited to Ying-Ching Wu.
Application Number | 20090176634 12/040970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40845042 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090176634 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wu; Ying-Ching |
July 9, 2009 |
Elastic Cord Unit for Pull Exerciser
Abstract
An elastic cord unit includes a hollow outer elastic cord having
a first longitudinal hole and two ends. Two first stops are
respectively and securely received in the ends of the outer elastic
cord. A hollow inner elastic cord is received in the outer elastic
cord and includes a second longitudinal hole. Two ends of the inner
elastic cord are respectively received in the first stops. Two
second stops are respectively received in the ends of the inner
elastic cord. Each end of the inner elastic cord is securely
clamped between one of the first stops and one of the second stops.
When the outer elastic cord breaks while a user is stretching the
elastic cord unit, the inner elastic cord does not break to avoid
injury to the user.
Inventors: |
Wu; Ying-Ching; (An-Ding
Shiang, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KAMRATH & ASSOCIATES P.A.
4825 OLSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY, SUITE 245
GOLDEN VALLEY
MN
55422
US
|
Family ID: |
40845042 |
Appl. No.: |
12/040970 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0552 20130101;
A63B 21/00065 20130101; A63B 21/0555 20130101; A63B 21/00043
20130101; A63B 21/0004 20130101; A63B 71/0054 20130101; A63B
21/0557 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/122 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/02 20060101
A63B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 7, 2008 |
TW |
097200381 |
Claims
1. An elastic cord unit comprising: a hollow outer elastic cord
including a first longitudinal hole and two ends; two first stops
respectively and securely received in the two ends of the outer
elastic cord; a hollow inner elastic cord received in the outer
elastic cord and including a second longitudinal hole, with the
inner elastic cord further including two ends respectively received
in the two first stops; and two second stops respectively received
in the two ends of the inner elastic cord, with each of the two
ends of the inner elastic cord being securely clamped between one
of the two first stops and one of the two second stops.
2. The elastic cord unit as claimed in claim 1, with the outer
elastic cord having an elastic coefficient larger than that of the
inner elastic cord.
3. The elastic cord unit as claimed in claim 1, with each of the
two first stops including a through-hole receiving one of the two
second stops and having an enlarged section, with each of the two
first stops further including a first larger section having an
outer diameter larger than that of each of the two ends of the
outer elastic cord, with the enlarged section of the through-hole
being formed in the first larger section, with each of the two
first stops further including a first smaller section having an
outer diameter smaller than that of the first larger section, with
each of the two second stops including a second larger section
having an outer diameter larger than a diameter of the through-hole
and larger than an outer diameter of each of the two ends of the
inner elastic cord but smaller than the outer diameter of the first
larger section, with each of the two second stops further including
a second smaller section having an outer diameter smaller than that
of the second larger section, with the second larger section of
each of the two second stops being received in the first larger
section of one of the two first stops, and with the second smaller
section of each of the two second stops being received in the first
smaller section of one of the two first stops.
4. The elastic cord unit as claimed in claim 3, with the outer
elastic cord further including a first intermediate portion between
the two ends thereof, with the inner elastic cord further including
a second intermediate portion between the two ends thereof, and
with the second intermediate portion being received in and spaced
from the first intermediate portion.
5. The elastic cord unit as claimed in claim 3, with each of the
two ends of the inner elastic cord including an inner section, a
turnback section, and a turn integrally connecting the turnback
section with the inner section as a single continuous monolithic
piece, with the turnback section facially abutting and extending
outside and surrounding the inner section, with the turnback
section having a length larger than that of each of the two second
stops, and with the turnback section and the inner section being
securely clamped between the one of the two first stops and one of
the two second stops.
6. The elastic cord unit as claimed in claim 3, with each of the
two ends of the outer elastic cord including an inner section, a
turnback section, and a turn integrally connecting the turnback
section with the inner section as a single continuous monolithic
piece, with the turnback section facially abutting and extending
outside and surrounding the inner section, and with the turnback
section having a length larger than that of each of the two first
stops.
7. The elastic cord unit as claimed in claim 4, with each of the
two ends of the outer elastic cord including an inner section, a
turnback section, and a turn integrally connecting the turnback
section with the inner section as a single continuous monolithic
piece, with the turnback section facially abutting and extending
outside and surrounding the inner section, and with the turnback
section having a length larger than that of each of the two first
stops.
8. An elastic cord unit comprising: a hollow outer elastic cord
including a longitudinal hole and two ends; two stops respectively
and securely received in the two ends of the outer elastic cord,
with each of the two stops including a through-hole having an
enlarged section, with each of the two stops further including a
larger section having an outer diameter larger than that of each of
the two ends of the outer elastic cord, with the enlarged section
of the through-hole being formed in the larger section; and an
inner elastic cord received in the outer elastic cord and including
a second longitudinal hole and two ends, with each of the two ends
of the inner elastic cord extending through the through-hole of one
of the two stops and including a knotted portion having a maximum
width larger than a diameter of the through-hole, with the knotted
portion of each of the two ends of the inner elastic cord being
received in the enlarged section of the through-hole of one of the
two stops.
9. The elastic cord unit as claimed in claim 8, with the outer
elastic cord having an elastic coefficient larger than that of the
inner elastic cord.
10. The elastic cord unit as claimed in claim 8, the outer elastic
cord further including a first intermediate portion between the two
ends thereof, with the inner elastic cord further including a
second intermediate portion between the two ends thereof, and with
the second intermediate portion being received in and spaced from
the first intermediate portion.
11. The elastic cord unit as claimed in claim 9, with each of the
two ends of the outer elastic cord including an inner section, a
turnback section, and a turn integrally connecting the turnback
section with the inner section as a single continuous monolithic
piece, with the turnback section facially abutting and extending
outside and surrounding the inner section, and with the turnback
section having a length larger than that of each of the two stops.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an elastic cord unit and,
more particularly, to an elastic cord unit for a pull exerciser
avoiding injury a user when the elastic cord is broken during
use.
[0002] Pull exercisers utilizing elastic cords allow exercise of
muscles of the breast and arms of a user. These pull exercisers are
light, small, and easy to carry and, thus, an option to modem
people who like to exercise whenever they want.
[0003] A typical elastic cord of a pull exerciser is hollow and
attached between two handles. Exercise effect in the muscles of the
breast and arms of a user can be attained when the user holding the
handles repeatedly stretches and releases the elastic cords.
However, with reference to FIG. 1, when a user 1 holds the handles
101 of a conventional pull exerciser 10 and stretches the elastic
cord 102, the elastic cord 102 could break and injure the user
1.
[0004] A need exists for an elastic cord for an exerciser that
would not injure the user when it breaks during use.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an
elastic cord unit includes a hollow outer elastic cord having a
first longitudinal hole and two ends. Two first stops are
respectively and securely received in the ends of the outer elastic
cord. A hollow inner elastic cord is received in the outer elastic
cord and includes a second longitudinal hole. Two ends of the inner
elastic cord are respectively received in the first stops. Two
second stops are respectively received in the ends of the inner
elastic cord. Each end of the inner elastic cord is securely
clamped between one of the first stops and one of the second
stops.
[0006] In the most preferred form, the outer elastic cord has an
elastic coefficient larger than that of the inner elastic cord.
Each first stop includes a through-hole receiving one of the second
stops and has an enlarged section. Each first stop further includes
a first larger section having an outer diameter larger than that
each end of the outer elastic cord. The enlarged section of the
through-hole is formed in the first larger section. Each first stop
further includes a first smaller section having an outer diameter
smaller than that of the first larger section. Each second stop
includes a second larger section having an outer diameter larger
than a diameter of the through-hole and larger than an outer
diameter of each end of the inner elastic cord but smaller than the
outer diameter of the first larger section. Each second stop
further includes a second smaller section having an outer diameter
smaller than that of the second larger section. The second larger
section of each second stop is received in the first larger section
of one of the first stops. The second smaller section of each
second stop is received in the first smaller section of one of the
first stops. Each end of the inner elastic cord includes an inner
section, a turnback section, and a turn integrally connecting the
turnback section with the inner section as a single continuous
monolithic piece, with the turnback section facially abutting and
extending outside and surrounding the inner section, with the
turnback section having a length larger than that of each of the
two second stops, and with the turnback section and the inner
section being securely clamped between the one of the first stops
and one of the second stops. The outer elastic cord further
includes a first intermediate portion between the two ends thereof.
The inner elastic cord further includes a second intermediate
portion between the two ends thereof. The second intermediate
portion is received in and spaced from the first intermediate
portion.
[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an
elastic cord unit includes a hollow outer elastic cord having a
longitudinal hole and two ends. Two stops are respectively and
securely received in the ends of the outer elastic cord. Each stop
includes a through-hole having an enlarged section. Each stop
further includes a larger section having an outer diameter larger
than that of each end of the outer elastic cord. The enlarged
section of the through-hole is formed in the larger section. An
inner elastic cord is received in the outer elastic cord and
includes a second longitudinal hole and two ends. Each end of the
inner elastic cord extends through the through-hole of one of the
stops and includes a knotted portion having a maximum width larger
than a diameter of the through-hole. The knotted portion of each
end of the inner elastic cord is received in the enlarged section
of the through-hole of one of the stops.
[0008] In the most preferred form, the outer elastic cord has an
elastic coefficient larger than that of the inner elastic cord. The
outer elastic cord further includes a first intermediate portion
between the two ends thereof. The inner elastic cord further
includes a second intermediate portion between the two ends
thereof. The second intermediate portion is received in and spaced
from the first intermediate portion. Each end of the outer elastic
cord includes an inner section, a turnback section, and a turn
integrally connecting the turnback section with the inner section
as a single continuous monolithic piece, with the turnback section
facially abutting and extending outside and surrounding the inner
section, and with the turnback section having a length larger than
that of each stop.
[0009] When the outer elastic cord breaks while a user is
stretching the elastic cord unit, the inner elastic cord does not
break to avoid injury to the user.
[0010] The present invention will become clearer in light of the
following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this
invention described in connection with the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The illustrative embodiments may best be described by
reference to the accompanying drawings where:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a user and a conventional
pull exerciser with an elastic cord of the pull exerciser broken
during use.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a pull exerciser
utilizing an elastic cord unit of a first embodiment according to
the preferred teachings of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the elastic cord unit of FIG.
2.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a partial, exploded view of the elastic cord
unit of FIG. 2 before assembly.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a partial, cross-sectional view of the pull
exerciser of FIG. 2 after assembly.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a user utilizing the pull
exerciser of FIG. 2 with the elastic cord unit broken during
use.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a side view of an elastic cord unit of a second
embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 shows a partial, exploded view of the elastic cord
unit of FIG. 7 before assembly.
[0020] FIG. 9 shows a partial, cross-sectional view of the pull
exerciser of FIG. 7 after assembly.
[0021] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of another pull exerciser
utilizing the elastic cord unit according to the preferred
teachings of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a further pull exerciser
utilizing a plurality of elastic cord units according to the
preferred teachings of the present invention.
[0023] All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic
teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the
Figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and
dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be
explained or will be within the skill of the art after the
following teachings of the present invention have been read and
understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional
proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and
similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art
after the following teachings of the present invention have been
read and understood.
[0024] Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same
numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the
terms "first", "second", "end", "portion", "section",
"longitudinal", "outward", "backward", "length", "width", and
similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these
terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as
it would appear to a person viewing the drawings and are utilized
only to facilitate describing the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] An elastic cord unit of a first embodiment according to the
preferred teachings of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2-6
of the drawings and generally designated 2. In an example shown in
FIG. 2, the elastic cord unit 2 is utilized with a pull exerciser
30 of the type including two hollow handles 301 and two belts 302
each extending through one of the hollow handles 301, with two ends
of each belt 302 sewn together and defining a positioning hole 303
for coupling with the elastic cord unit 2.
[0026] According to the preferred form shown, the elastic cord unit
2 includes an outer elastic cord 21 having a longitudinal hole 210
and an inner elastic cord 22 received in the longitudinal hole 210
of the outer elastic cord 21. Each of the inner and outer elastic
cord 22 and 21 is made of resilient material and capable of
returning to its original length when stretched and then released.
The inner and outer elastic cords 22 and 21 have different elastic
coefficients. In the most preferred form shown, the elastic
coefficient of the outer elastic cord 21 is larger than that of the
inner elastic cord 22 such that the inner elastic cord 22 has
larger elongation than the outer elastic cord 21 under the same
stretching force.
[0027] According to the preferred form shown, the outer elastic
cord 21 includes first and second ends 211 and 212 and a
stretchable intermediate section 213 between the first and second
ends 211 and 212. The inner elastic cord 22 has an outer diameter
smaller than the diameter of the longitudinal hole 210 of the outer
elastic cord 21 and is spaced from an inner periphery of the
longitudinal hole 210. The inner elastic cord 22 includes first and
second ends 221 and 222 respectively positioned in the first and
second ends 211 and 212 of the outer elastic cord 21 and a
stretchable intermediate section 223 between the first and second
ends 221 and 222. In the most preferred embodiment shown, a hollow
stop 23 is mounted in each end 211, 212 of the outer elastic cord
21. Each stop 23 includes a through-hole 231 through which one of
the first and second ends 221 and 222 of the inner elastic cord 22
extends. The through-hole 231 has an enlarged section 234. Each
stop 23 further includes a larger section 232 having an outer
diameter greater than that of the first and second ends 211 and 212
of the outer elastic cord 21 and a smaller section 233 having an
outer diameter the same as or slightly larger or smaller than an
inner diameter of the longitudinal hole 210 of the outer elastic
cord 21. The enlarged section 234 of the through-hole 231 is formed
in the larger section 233. Each of the first and second ends 221
and 222 of the inner elastic cord 22 is knotted to form a knotted
portion 224 having a maximum width larger than the diameter of the
through-holes 231 of the stops 231 and approximately equal to the
diameter of the enlarged sections 234 of the stops 231 after
passing through the through-hole 231 of one of the stops 23. Thus,
the first and second ends 221 and 222 of the inner elastic cord 22
are respectively positioned in the first and second ends 211 and
212 of the outer elastic cord 21. The intermediate portion 223 of
the inner elastic cord 22 is also stretched when the intermediate
portion 213 of the outer elastic cord 21 is stretched. It can be
appreciated that the knotted portion 224 of each of the first and
second ends 221 and 222 of the inner elastic cord 22 is partially
received in the enlarged section 234 of the through-hole 231 of one
of the stops 23, and the whole knotted portion 224 of each of the
first and second ends 221 and 222 of the inner elastic cord 22 is
received in one of the first and second ends 211 and 212 of the
outer elastic cord 21.
[0028] In assembly, each of the first and second ends 211 and 212
of the outer elastic cord 21 is extended through the positioning
hole 303 of one of the belts 302. One of the stops 23 are inserted
into one of the first and second ends 211 and 212 of the outer
elastic cord 21 before extending the outer elastic cord 21 through
the positioning holes 303 of the belts 302, and the other stop 23
is inserted into the other end 211, 212 of the outer elastic cord
21 after extending the outer elastic cord 21 through the
positioning holes 303 of the belts 302. It can be appreciated that
the first and second ends 211 and 212 of the outer elastic cord 21
receiving the stops 23 are bulged and will not disengage from the
positioning holes 303 of the belts 302 after the elastic cord unit
2 passes through the positioning holes 303. According to the most
preferred form shown, each of the first and second ends 211 and 212
includes an inner section 215, a turnback section 214, and a turn
216 integrally connecting the turnback section 214 with the inner
section 215 as a single continuous monolithic piece, with the
turnback section 214 facially abutting and extending outside and
surrounding the inner section 215, with the turnback section 214
having a length larger than that of the stop 23, and with the
turnback section 214 being engaged in and extending through the
positioning hole 303 of one of the belts 302. Thus, the stops 23
can be reliably positioned in the first and second ends 211 and 212
of the outer elastic cord 21. The turnback sections 214 can be
easily obtained by turning the ends 211 and 212 of the outer
elastic cord 21 outward and backward.
[0029] With reference to FIG. 6, in a case that the outer elastic
cord 21 breaks while a user 1 is holding the handles 301 and
stretching the elastic cord unit 2, the inner elastic cord 22 will
not break, for the elastic coefficient of the inner elastic cord 22
is smaller than that of the outer elastic cord 21. Injury to the
user 1 is, thus, avoided even if the outer elastic cord 21 breaks
during use.
[0030] FIGS. 7 through 9 show an elastic cord unit 2 of a second
embodiment according to the preferred teachings of the present
invention. Only the differences between the first and second
embodiments are described. According to the preferred form shown in
FIGS. 7-9, the inner elastic cord 22 is hollow and includes a
longitudinal hole 220. Another stop 24 is mounted in each stop 23
and includes a larger section 241 having an outer diameter larger
than the through-hole 231 of the stop 231 but smaller than the
outer diameter of and received in the enlarged section 234 of the
through-hole 231 of the stop 23. The stop 24 further includes a
smaller section 242 received in the smaller section 233 of the stop
23.
[0031] According to the most preferred form shown, each of the
first and second ends 221 and 222 of the inner elastic cord 22
includes an inner section 227, a turnback section 225, and a turn
226 integrally connecting the turnback section 225 with the inner
section 227 as a single continuous monolithic piece, with the
turnback section 225 facially abutting and extending outside and
surrounding the inner section 227, with the turnback section 225
having a length larger than that of the stop 24, and with the
turnback section 225 and the inner section 227 being securely
clamped between the stops 23 and 24. It can be appreciated that the
stops 24 can be reliably positioned in the stops 23. The turnback
sections 225 can be easily obtained by turning the ends 221 and 222
of the inner elastic cord 22 outward and backward. Similar to the
first embodiment, injury to the user is avoided even if the outer
elastic cord 21 breaks during use, for the inner elastic cord 22
having an elastic coefficient smaller than the outer elastic cord
21 will not break.
[0032] FIG. 10 illustrates use of the elastic cord unit 2 according
to the preferred teachings of the present invention with a pull
exerciser 40 of the type including two hollow handles 401, two
loop-like belts 402 respectively extending through the handles 401,
two engaging members 403, and two attachment members 408. Each
attachment member 408 includes a loop portion 404 and a tubular
portion 405 to which one of the first and second ends 211 and 212
of the outer elastic cord 21 is attached. Each engaging member 403
is attached to one of the belts 402 and includes a hook 406 and a
resilient plate 407 that can be pressed to allow
engagement/disengagement of the loop portion 404 of one of the
attachment members 408 with/from the hook 406, allowing easy
assembly and detachment of the elastic cord unit 2. An example of
such a pull exerciser 40 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,793,
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0033] FIG. 11 illustrates use of a plurality of elastic cord units
2 according to the preferred teachings of the present invention
with a pull exerciser 50 of the type including two hollow handles
501, two loop-like, length-adjustable belts 502 respectively
extending through the handles 501, and two positioning devices 503.
Each positioning device 503 includes two positioning plates 504
having a plurality of positioning holes 505 each of which is in
communication with outside via a reduced opening 506. An example of
the positioning device 5 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,576,
the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Each of the first and second ends 211 and 212 of the outer elastic
cord 21 of each elastic cord unit 2 can be inserted into one of the
positioning holes 505 via the associated reduced opening 506,
allowing easy assembly.
[0034] It can be appreciated that the elastic cord unit 2 according
to the preferred teachings of the present invention can be utilized
with exercisers of various types to avoid injury to the user from
breakage of the elastic cord unit 2.
[0035] Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or general
characteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated,
the embodiments described herein are to be considered in all
respects illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the
invention is to be indicated by the appended claims, rather than by
the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be
embraced therein.
* * * * *