U.S. patent application number 13/443740 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-09 for suspendible exercise straps.
This patent application is currently assigned to ASTONE FITNESS LTD.. Invention is credited to Joel Richard Grenz, Darren Shane, Ben Silverman.
Application Number | 20120202660 13/443740 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44840516 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120202660 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Silverman; Ben ; et
al. |
August 9, 2012 |
SUSPENDIBLE EXERCISE STRAPS
Abstract
An exercise strap comprises an upper strap and a lower strap. A
plurality of loop members are located on the lower strap to allow
for handles to be easily removed and replaced on different
locations on the lower strap. An adjustment member attached to both
the upper strap and the lower strap allows for the overall length
of the exercise strap to be adjusted. A strap attachment member
attached to the upper strap connects the exercise strap to a
suitable mounting mechanism.
Inventors: |
Silverman; Ben; (Richmond,
CA) ; Grenz; Joel Richard; (Surrey, CA) ;
Shane; Darren; (Richmond, CA) |
Assignee: |
ASTONE FITNESS LTD.
Richmond
CA
|
Family ID: |
44840516 |
Appl. No.: |
13/443740 |
Filed: |
April 10, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12849389 |
Aug 3, 2010 |
8197392 |
|
|
13443740 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/131 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/1645 20130101;
A63B 21/0023 20130101; A63B 7/00 20130101; A63B 2023/006 20130101;
Y10S 482/904 20130101; A63B 21/16 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101;
A63B 2208/029 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/131 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/00 20060101
A63B021/00 |
Claims
1. An exercise device comprising: an upper strap; a lower strap; a
strap attachment member attached to one end of said upper strap,
said strap attachment member situated above said upper and lower
straps when said exercise device is in use; three or more loop
members, wherein said loop members are spaced apart from each other
along said lower strap; one or more exercise accessories, wherein
said one or more exercise accessories are removably attached to
said loop members; and an adjustment member for adjusting the
overall length of said exercise device, wherein said adjustment
member is attached to both said upper strap and said lower strap,
and wherein a portion of one or both of said upper strap and said
lower strap slides through said adjustment member.
2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said upper strap and
said lower strap are made of an inelastic material.
3. The exercise device of claim 2, wherein said inelastic material
is nylon.
4. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said strap attachment
member comprises a carabiner.
5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said loop members are
D-rings.
6. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said exercise accessory
comprises one or more of the following: a handle, a foot cradle, or
a sling.
7. An exercise device for use in conjunction with a mount and one
or more exercise accessories removably attached at selected ones of
a plurality of locations along said device, said device comprising:
an upper strap; a lower strap; a strap attachment member attached
to one end of said upper strap and removably attached to said
mount, wherein said strap attachment member is situated above said
upper and lower straps when said exercise device is in use; three
or more loop members, each for removably attaching said exercise
accessories thereto, wherein said loop members are spaced apart
from each other along said lower strap at said locations; and an
adjustment member for adjusting the overall length of said exercise
device, wherein said adjustment member is attached to both said
upper strap and said lower strap, and wherein a portion of one or
both of said upper strap and said lower strap slides through said
adjustment member.
8. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein said upper strap and
said lower strap are made of an inelastic material.
9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein said inelastic material
is nylon.
10. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein said strap attachment
member comprises a carabiner.
11. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein said loop members are
D-rings.
12. The exercise device of claim 7, wherein said exercise accessory
comprises one or more of the following: a handle, a foot cradle, or
a sling.
13. An exercise device for use in conjunction with a mount and one
or more exercise accessories removably attached at selected ones of
a plurality of locations along said device, said device comprising:
a strap; a strap attachment, member attached to one end of said
strap and removably attached to said mount, wherein said strap
attachment member is situated above said strap when said exercise
device is in use; and three or more loop members, each for
removably attaching said exercise accessories thereto, wherein said
loop members are spaced apart from each other along said lower
strap at said locations.
14. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein said strap is made of
an inelastic material.
15. The exercise device of claim 14, wherein said inelastic
material is nylon.
16. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein said strap attachment
member comprises a carabiner.
17. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein said loop members are
D-rings.
18. The exercise device of claim 13, wherein said exercise
accessory comprises one or more of the following: a handle, a foot
cradle, or a sling.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/849,389 filed Aug. 3, 2010.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to exercise straps suspended from
above that are used for performing various strength, conditioning,
or stretching exercises.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional exercise straps are typically attached to the
top of a door (or some other elevated structure) and extend
downwards, towards the ground. In so-called "single" suspension
systems, a single strap extends downwards from the top of the door
and then splits into two straps. A handle is attached to the ends
of each of the two respective straps. A person places his or her
hands in the handles and can perform various exercises, including
push-ups and dips. Examples of single suspension systems are the
TRX device manufactured by Fitness Anywhere, Inc. and the AirFit
device manufactured by PurMotion, LLC. One disadvantage of single
suspension systems is that because the distance between the split
and the ends of the two straps is relatively short, the two straps
may rub against the neck, ears, and head of the person during
exercising.
[0004] In "dual" suspension systems, instead of a single strap
being attached to the top of a door, two straps are attached to the
top, and each strap extends downwards. A handle is attached to the
ends of each strap. An example of a dual suspension system is the
Jungle Gym Split device manufactured by LifelineUSA.
[0005] In conventional single and dual suspension systems, the
lengths of the straps are typically adjusted using cam buckles
located somewhere along the straps. It is often necessary to adjust
the lengths of the straps in order to provide differing degrees of
difficulty for the exercise. For example, the lower the handles are
to the ground (i.e. the longer the straps are), the more difficult
it would be for the person to perform push-ups from that position.
However, it takes time to properly adjust the length of the straps
using the cam buckles. In particular, where there are cam buckles
on each of the two straps, the two cam buckles have to be
individually adjusted to ensure that both straps are of equal
length.
[0006] It is therefore an object of this invention to provide
exercise straps that allow the person to quickly and easily adjust
the position of the handles.
[0007] This and other objects of the invention will be better
understood by reference to the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment which follows. Note that not all of the
objects are necessarily met by all embodiments of the invention
described below or by the invention defined by each of the
claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The exercise strap according to the invention comprises an
upper strap and a lower strap. A strap attachment member is fixed
on the upper strap and a plurality of loop members is located on
the lower strap. An adjustment member is attached to both the upper
strap and the lower strap, and a portion of one or both of the
upper strap and lower strap slides through the adjustment
member.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention, the upper strap and the
lower strap are made of an inelastic material, such as nylon. The
strap attachment member may be fixed to one end of the exercise
strap and may be a carabiner. The loop members may be D-rings and
may be adapted to attach to an exercise accessory.
[0010] In yet another aspect of the invention, the adjustment
member is a cam buckle that is fixedly attached to the upper strap
and allows the lower strap to slide through it.
[0011] In still another aspect of the invention, the exercise strap
according to the invention to comprises a strap, a strap attachment
member fixed on the strap, and a plurality of loop members located
on the strap.
[0012] The foregoing was intended as a broad summary only and of
only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to
define the limits or requirements of the invention, and therefore,
the claims may include aspects not specifically identified in this
section. Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by
reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment
and to the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention will be described by reference to the detailed
description of the preferred embodiment and to the drawings thereof
in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows an exercise strap according to the preferred
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows two exercise straps of the preferred embodiment
used with a door mount;
[0016] FIG. 3 shows two exercise straps of the preferred embodiment
used with a frame structure;
[0017] FIG. 4 shows two exercise straps of the preferred embodiment
used with a ceiling mount;
[0018] FIG. 5 shows a person using the two exercise straps of the
preferred embodiment, with the exercise straps in a vertical
position;
[0019] FIG. 6 shows a person using the two exercise straps of the
preferred embodiment, with the exercise straps in a non-vertical
position;
[0020] FIG. 7 shows a person using the two exercise straps of the
preferred embodiment, using handles further up on the exercise
straps;
[0021] FIG. 8 shows a person using the two exercise straps of the
preferred embodiment, using handles still further up on the
exercise straps;
[0022] FIG. 9 shows a person using the two exercise straps of the
preferred embodiment in an alternate position;
[0023] FIG. 10 shows a person using the two exercise straps of the
preferred embodiment in a second alternate position; and
[0024] FIG. 11 shows a person using the two exercise straps of the
preferred embodiment in a third alternate position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0025] FIG. 1 shows an exercise strap 10 in accordance with the
preferred embodiment of the invention. The exercise strap 10
comprises an upper strap 20 and a lower strap 30, separated by an
adjustment member 40. Both the upper strap 20 and the lower strap
30 are preferably made from an inelastic material such as nylon. A
strap attachment member 50 is preferably located at the top of the
upper strap 20. The strap attachment member 50 is used to attach
the upper strap 20 to a secure, stationary object. This may include
a mount on the top of a door, a ceiling mount, or a frame
structure. Preferably, the strap attachment member 50 is a
carabiner that is sewn to into the top of the upper strap 20.
[0026] The adjustment member 40 allows for the effective overall
length of the exercise strap 10 to be adjusted by allowing portions
of one or both of the upper strap 20 and lower strap 30 to slide
through the adjustment member 40. Preferably, the adjustment member
40 is a cam buckle. Where the adjustment member 40 is a cam buckle,
the cam buckle may be permanently sewn to the bottom of the upper
strap 20. The top of the lower strap 30 is threaded through the cam
buckle, and the amount of the lower strap 30 threaded through the
cam buckle determines the effective overall length of the exercise
strap 10. When less of the lower strap 30 is threaded through the
cam buckle, the overall length of the exercise strap 10 will be
longer, whereas when more of the lower strap 30 is threaded through
the cam buckle, the overall length of the exercise strap 10 will be
shorter (since the portion of the lower strap 30 that is threaded
through the cam buckle will not contribute to the effective overall
length of the exercise strap 10). The cam in the cam buckle
prevents the portion of the lower strap 30 that has been threaded
through the cam buckle from sliding backwards, unless the cam is
manually released by depressing a button or the like on the can
buckle.
[0027] A plurality of loop members 60 is located on the lower strap
30. Preferably, the loop members 60 are D-rings sewn into fixed
locations on the lower strap 30; however, other types of secure
connection members, such as O-rings or carabiners, may also be
used. The loop members 60 allow exercise accessories 70, such as
handles, to be attached to the lower strap 30, as shown in FIG. 2.
Although FIG. 2 shows handles attached to the loop members 60, it
is understood that the exercise accessories 70 may comprise other
accessories, such as foot cradles, ab straps, or slings, depending
on the desired type of exercise. The exercise accessories 70 may be
attached to the loop members 60 using conventional attachment
parts, such as clips or carabiners.
[0028] In the preferred configuration, the upper strap 20 is
approximately six inches long and the lower strap 30 is
approximately fifty inches long, with five loop members 60 sewn
into the lower strap 30. The first of the loop members 60 is sewn
approximately ten inches from the top of the lower strap 30, with
each of the subsequent loop members 60 being spaced approximately
ten inches below the previous one. The last of the loop members 60
would be sewn into the bottom of the lower strap 30. In this
preferred configuration, the loop members 60 would be located
approximately ten inches apart from each other. The first of the
loop members 60 (sewn approximately ten inches from the top of the
lower strap 30) would permit only the top ten inches of the lower
strap to be threaded through the adjustment member 40, as the size
of the loop members 60 prevent them from sliding through the
adjustment member 40. This means that the effective overall length
of the exercise strap 10 may be adjusted up to approximately ten
inches.
[0029] The exercise strap 10 may be used in conjunction with a
second exercise strap, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 11. FIG. 2 shows the
strap attachment members 50 of the two exercise straps 10 attached
to door mounts 90. The door mounts 90 are attached to the top of a
door 100 and provide secure attachment points for the exercise
straps 10. When the exercise straps 10 are used in tandem, it may
be often desirable that the loop members 60 of the exercise straps
10 correspond in height with each other so that when the exercise
accessories 70 are attached to the loop members 60, the exercise
accessories 70 are at the same height. However, even if supposedly
identical exercise straps 10 are used with each other, defects in
the manufacturing process may result in the loop members 60 of the
two exercise straps not being in perfect correspondence to each
other in height (e.g. if the upper strap 20 for one of the exercise
straps 10 was for some reason slightly shorter than the other). Any
such differences can be corrected by using the adjustment member 40
to adjust the length of one of the exercise straps 10 until the
loop members 60 are in correspondence.
[0030] If the exercise accessories 70 are to be staggered in height
for particular exercises, the plurality of fixed locations of the
loop members 60 allow for the exercise accessories 70 to be
attached to the exercise straps 10 in a number of different
combinations. By using the adjustment member 40, precise
adjustments can be made to create the desired amount is of
stagger.
[0031] An attached exercise accessory can be easily and quickly
removed from one loop member 60 and placed onto another loop member
60 to change its height. For example, when the exercise straps 10
are used to perform push-ups and the exercise accessories 70 (in
this case, handles) are attached to the loop members 60, when the
handles are placed on the higher loop members 60 (i.e. raising the
height of the handles), the difficulty of the ensuing push-ups is
decreased. In addition, different muscle groups may be exercised
when different heights are used.
[0032] The door mount 90 comprises a stopper at one end and a door
ring on the other end, both attached together by a cloth strap. The
cloth strap is placed over the top of the door 100, with the
stopper hanging over one side and the door ring hanging over the
other side. The door 100 is closed, and the door ring is attached
to the strap attachment member 50. The stopper prevents the door
mount 90 from slipping over the top of the door 100. FIG. 2 shows
the two exercise straps 10 attached to two door mounts 90 to create
a dual suspension system; however, it is also possible to attach
two exercise straps 10 to a single door mount 90, which creates a
single suspension system.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows the exercise straps 10 attached to frame mounts
110 of a frame structure 120. The frame structure 120 may be a
free-weight squat rack, an outdoor jungle gym, a cable system, or
some other sturdy and stable unit. The frame mounts 110 comprise a
frame mount strap with a plurality of intermediate loops, with a
carabiner secured at one end of the frame mount strap and a D-ring
secured to the other end. The frame mount strap is placed over the
top of the frame structure 120, and the carabiner is clipped into
one of the intermediate loops. The strap attachment member 50 of
the exercise strap 10 is attached to the D-ring of the frame mount
110. Preferably, the exercise strap 10 should hang approximately
six to eight inches off the ground. When two frame mounts 110 are
used, the two exercise straps 10 will form a dual suspension
system. However, it is also possible to form a single suspension
system by attaching the two exercise straps 10 to a single frame
mount 110.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows two exercise straps 10 attached to ceiling
mounts 130 of a ceiling 140. The ceiling mount 130 comprises a
metal loop screwed into the joists or support beams of the ceiling
140. The exercise strap 10 can be directly attached to the ceiling
mount 130 by attaching the strap attachment member 50 to the metal
loop of the ceiling mount 130. Alternatively, the frame mount 110
can be also be used. The frame mount strap would be placed through
the metal loop of the ceiling mount 130, and the carabiner would be
clipped into one of the intermediate loops. The strap attachment
member 50 of the exercise strap 10 would then be attached to the
D-ring of the frame mount 110.
[0035] FIGS. 5 to 11 show examples of various exercises that can be
performed with the exercise straps 10. With reference to FIG. 5, a
push-up exercise is shown. The person attaches exercise accessories
70 (in this case, handles) to the bottom loop members 60 of the
exercise straps 10. Next, the person places both feet on the ground
and walks backwards (while keeping the exercise straps 10 in a
vertical orientation) until the feet are far enough behind the body
so that the person is in a push-up position (i.e. the legs and back
form a straight line). The person then lowers his or her body
towards the ground by bending the elbows to the side while keeping
the body in a straight position. When the person's elbows form a
right angle, the person presses, or "pushes", back to the starting
position.
[0036] If a less difficult form of push-up is desired, the person
may walk his or her closer to the original vertical position of the
exercise straps 10 (see FIG. 6). This will result in the exercise
straps 10 being in a non-vertical orientation, with the person in a
stance that is is more of a standing position. Alternatively, the
person may choose to place the handles higher up on the exercise
straps 10 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) to vary the level of difficulty of
the push-up.
[0037] FIG. 9 shows a pull-up exercise for working the upper body.
The person, face up, holds the handles with the hands, with both
legs extended and both arms extended upwards. The person then
retracts both arms in a rowing movement until the arms are bent and
reach the chest muscles. As with the push-up exercise, the
difficulty of the pull-up exercise can be adjusted by varying the
height of the handles, the verticality of the exercise straps 10,
and the placement of the feet in relation to the exercise straps
10.
[0038] FIG. 10 shows a hamstring curl exercise. Instead of using
handles for the exercise accessories 70, foot cradles are used and
are attached to the loop members 60 of the exercise straps 10. The
person lies on the ground face up and places the heels of the shoes
inside the foot cradles. The arms are placed on the ground to
provide support for the body. The person then lifts the hips and
lower back off the ground into a supine stabilization and begins to
pull both feet in towards the hips while keeping the hips and lower
back off the ground, before returning to the starting position. To
increase the difficulty of the exercise, the exercise straps 10
should hang non-vertically. To decrease the difficulty of the
exercise, the foot cradles can be attached to higher loop members
60 so that they are further off the ground.
[0039] FIG. 11 shows a pull-in crunch exercise for exercising the
upper arms, abdominal muscles, lower back, hip flexor muscles, and
the full core region. In this exercise, the exercise accessories 70
(in this case, foot cradles) are attached to the loop members 60.
The person places the tops of the shoes inside the foot cradles and
then places the hands in front of the body and directly beneath the
shoulders. The person, while maintaining a straight back, draws
both knees into the chest and upper arms before returning to the
starting position. To decrease the difficulty of the exercise, the
foot cradles can be attached to higher loop members 60 or the
exercise straps 10 can be placed in a vertical orientation.
[0040] The exercise straps 10 allows for a full body workout with
the capability to isolate both the upper and lower body and core
muscles. The exercise straps 10 allow for a person to quickly and
easily adjust the location of the handles 70 to vary the type of
exercise and/or to vary the level of difficulty of the
exercise.
[0041] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the
adjustment member 40 is removed; therefore, the upper strap 20 and
the lower strap 30 form a unitary strap. This removes the ability
to make minute adjustments in the length of the exercise strap 10,
but the advantage of being able to quickly change the location of
the handle 70 (by attaching it to one of a plurality of loop
members 60) remains.
[0042] In a further alternative embodiment, one or more of the loop
members 60 are located on the upper strap 20. The loop members 60
located on the upper strap 20 will not have the benefit of the
height adjustment capability of the adjustment member 40 since
those loop members 60 will be above the adjustment member 40.
[0043] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
preferred and alternative embodiments have been described in some
detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without
departing from the principles of the invention.
* * * * *