U.S. patent application number 15/266017 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-16 for exercise assistance band.
The applicant listed for this patent is Stephen M. Drain, II. Invention is credited to Stephen M. Drain, II.
Application Number | 20170072242 15/266017 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58236470 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170072242 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Drain, II; Stephen M. |
March 16, 2017 |
Exercise Assistance Band
Abstract
A band is provided for assisting a user with exercises. The band
is configured for attachment to a support structure, such as a
squat rack, having first and second arms. The band includes a main
body extending from a first end portion to a second end portion,
the main body being formed of a band material having a relatively
low hardness. A first loop is formed at the first end portion and
is sized to receive the first arm of the support structure. A
second loop is formed at the second end portion and is sized to
receive the second arm of the support structure.
Inventors: |
Drain, II; Stephen M.;
(Prairie Grove, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Drain, II; Stephen M. |
Prairie Grove |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
58236470 |
Appl. No.: |
15/266017 |
Filed: |
September 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62219196 |
Sep 16, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 23/0205 20130101;
A63B 17/04 20130101; A63B 23/1218 20130101; A63B 21/0414 20130101;
A63B 21/068 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 71/0054 20130101;
A63B 2023/0411 20130101; A63B 21/065 20130101; A63B 23/1236
20130101; A63B 23/0405 20130101; A63B 21/00181 20130101; A63B
2071/0072 20130101; A63B 21/0557 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/055 20060101
A63B021/055; A63B 21/00 20060101 A63B021/00; A63B 21/04 20060101
A63B021/04 |
Claims
1. A band to assist with exercises for use with a support structure
having first and second arms elevated above a base surface, the
band comprising: a main body extending from a first end portion to
a second end portion, the main body being formed of a band material
having Shore A Durometer hardness less than approximately 45; a
first loop formed at the first end portion sized to receive the
first arm of the support structure; a second loop formed at the
second end portion sized to receive the second arm of the support
structure.
2. The band of claim 1, in which the first and second arms of the
support structure are disposed at a squat height above the base
surface, and in which the main body has a width sufficient to
receive a buttocks of a user and thickness sufficient to support at
least a weight of the user.
3. The band of claim 2, in which the width of the main body is
approximately four inches and the thickness of the main body is
approximately 1/2 inch.
4. The band of claim 3, in which the main body has a length of at
least forty inches.
5. The band of claim 1, in which the main body is deformable from a
normal state, in which the main body has a normal length, to a
stretched state, in which the main body has a stretched length, in
which a ratio of the stretched length to the normal length defines
a stretch capacity, and in which the band material has a stretch
capacity of at least 300%.
6. The band of claim 1, in which the band material comprises pure
gum rubber.
7. The band of claim 1, in which the band material comprises
polyurethane.
8. The band of claim 1, in which: the first end portion of the main
body defines a first terminal end and a first connection point, the
band further comprising a first fastener to secure the first
terminal end to the first connection point to form the first loop;
and the second end portion of the main body defines a second
terminal end and a second connection point, the band further
comprising a second fastener to secure the second terminal end to
the second connection point to form the second loop.
9. The band of claim 1, in which: the first end portion of the main
body defines a first terminal end and a plurality of first
connection points, the band further comprising a first fastener
configured to secure the first terminal end to a selected one of
the plurality of first connection points to form the first loop;
and the second end portion of the main body defines a second
terminal end and a plurality of second connection points, the band
further comprising a second fastener configured to secure the
second terminal end to a selected one of the plurality of second
connection points to form the second loop.
10. The band of claim 9, in which the first fastener comprises a
bolt sized for insertion through the selected one of the plurality
of first connection points, a first washer bordering the first
terminal end, and a second washer bordering the selected one of the
plurality of first connection points.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to exercise
equipment, and more specifically to bands for assisting users
during exercises.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Bands for assisting with exercises are generally known.
These bands are typically made of latex, are relatively thin (on
the order of 1/4 of an inch or less), and have widths of
approximately one to two inches. Latex bands have been used during
exercises to provide either resistance (by opposing movement of the
user) or assistance (by aiding movement of the user). Latex bands
have a high modulus of elasticity which generates an exceedingly
large force when stretched. The large magnitude force, however, may
prevent the use of latex bands in certain exercises, or may
negatively impact the beneficial effect of an exercise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an exemplary band
constructed in accordance with this disclosure attached to a
support structure.
[0004] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the band and support
structure of FIG. 1.
[0005] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the
band and support structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0006] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the band shown independent of the
support structure.
[0007] FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of one end of the band of
FIG. 4.
[0008] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the band and the
support structure with a user initiating a downward movement of a
squat repetition.
[0009] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the band and the
support structure with the user at a lower range of motion during a
squat repetition.
[0010] It should be understood that the drawings are not
necessarily drawn to scale and that the disclosed embodiments are
sometimes illustrated schematically. It is to be further
appreciated that the following detailed description is merely
exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or
the application and uses thereof. Hence, although the present
disclosure is, for convenience of explanation, depicted and
described as certain illustrative embodiments, it will be
appreciated that it can be implemented in various other types of
embodiments and in various other systems and environments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description
is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,
since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended
claims.
[0012] Embodiments of exercise bands are disclosed herein that are
particularly suited for certain exercises. The exercise bands may
be made of a relatively soft material and have a thickness and
width sufficient to support the body of a user during exercise
routines. The exercise bands are particularly suited for attachment
to a support structure and may be configured for attachment to
multiple different points of a given support structure.
[0013] In some applications, the exercise band may be attached to a
squat rack at a height above a base surface that is sufficient to
aid a user during execution of a squat, such as approximately at
the rear thigh of a user. With the band at this position, the
buttocks of the user will engage the band as the user executes the
squat motion. As the user reaches the lower range of motion during
the squat repetition, the exercise band will exert a reaction force
in a direction opposite the motion of the user, thereby assisting
with a return of the user to an upright position and providing a
spotting effect (i.e., helping stabilize the user during the
exercise). While the exercise band embodiments are described herein
in connection with a squat exercise, it will be appreciated that
the exercise bands may be used in any exercise where a user may
benefit from the spotting effect provided by the reaction force of
the band.
[0014] Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an
embodiment of an exercise band 20 attached to arms 22, 24 of a
support structure 26 positioned on a base surface 27. While the
support structure 26 is depicted as a squat rack, it will be
appreciated that the exercise band 20 may be used with any type of
structure having sufficient strength to support the load of both
the user as well as any weights the user may be carrying. In the
illustrated embodiment, the support structure 26 includes a frame
28 having a plurality of apertures 30 sized to slidably receive the
arms 22, 24. Accordingly, the heights of the arms 22, 24 above the
base surface 27 may be quickly and easily adjusted by inserting the
arms 22, 24 through a set of aligned apertures 30 at the desired
height.
[0015] The band 20 is configured to span a distance between the
arms 22, 24 of the support structure 26, as best shown in FIGS. 1
and 2. Accordingly, the band 20 includes a main body 32 extending
from a first end portion 34 to a second end portion 36 (FIG. 4). A
first loop 38 is formed at the first end portion 34 and is sized to
receive the arm 22 of the support structure 26, while a second loop
40 is formed at the second end portion 36 and is sized to receive
the arm 24 of the support structure 26.
[0016] In the illustrated embodiment, the band 20 includes terminal
ends that are coupled to intermediate points along the band to form
the first and second loops 38, 40. As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the
first end portion 34 of the main body 32 has a first terminal end
42 formed at a lateral end of the main body 32 and a first
connection point 44 located at an intermediate point along the main
body 32. The first terminal end 42 is folded over the main body 32
and coupled to the first connection point 44 to form the first loop
38. Additionally, the second end portion 36 of the main body 32 has
a second terminal end 46 formed at an opposite lateral end of the
main body 32 and a second connection point 48 located at an
intermediate point along the main body 32. The second terminal end
46 is folded over the main body 32 and coupled to the second
connection point 48 to form the second loop 40. In some
embodiments, the first and second end portions 34, 36 may define a
plurality of first and second connection points 44, 48 to permit
adjustment of the size of the first and second loops 38, 40 and/or
the effective length of the main body 32 of the band 20.
[0017] As best shown with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, fasteners may
be provided to secure the first and second terminal ends 42, 46 to
the first and second connection points 44, 48. For example, a first
fastener 50 may secure the first terminal end 42 to the first
connection point 44, while a second fastener 52 may secure the
second terminal end 46 to the second connection point 48. In the
illustrated embodiment, the first fastener 50 includes a bolt 54
sized for insertion through the first connection point 44 (or a
selected one of the plurality of first connection points), a first
washer 56 bordering the first terminal end 42, a second washer 58
bordering the first connection point 44, and a nut 60 threadably
received on the bolt 54. Similarly, the second fastener 52 includes
a bolt 62 sized for insertion through the second connection point
48 (or a selected one of the plurality of second connection
points), a first washer 64 bordering the second terminal end 46, a
second washer 66 bordering the second connection point 48, and a
nut 68 threadably received on the bolt 62. In the illustrated
embodiment, two first fasteners 50 and two second fasteners 52 are
provided. In some embodiments, a cover (not shown) may extend over
the ends of the bolts 54, 62 to prevent direct contact between the
user and the bolts 54, 62. In still other embodiments, the
fasteners may be omitted and the terminal ends 42, 46 may be joined
to the first and second connection points 44, 48 by fusing,
adhesive, or other methods.
[0018] The band 20 is formed of a band material having a low
hardness and a stretch limit such that the assistance provided by
the band 20 is relatively subtle. In some embodiments, for example,
the main body 32 of the band 20 is formed of a band material having
Shore A Durometer hardness less than approximately 45. Additionally
or alternatively, the band material may have a stretch capacity of
at least 300%. As used herein, the term "stretch capacity" is used
to identify a ratio between a normal length of the main body 32
when it is in a normal or relaxed state and a stretched length of
the main body 32 when it is in a stretched state and has not
failed. An exemplary material meeting these criteria is pure gum
rubber. In alternative embodiments, the band material may be
polyurethane.
[0019] Still further, the band 20 may be configured to engage a
relatively large area of the user while having sufficient strength
to support the load of both the user as well as any weights the
user may be carrying. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body 32 of the band 20 has a width "W" of
at least approximately four inches to provide a large surface area
for engagement with the user. Additionally, the main body 32 of the
band 20 has a thickness "T" of at least approximately 1/2 inch to
provide sufficient strength to carry the intended load without
breaking. Still further, the main body 32 of the band 20 may have a
length "L" of approximately forty inches to facilitate use with
typically sized support structures such as squat racks. While
specific dimensions for the width W, thickness T, and length L are
identified above, it will be appreciated that other dimensions may
be used without departing from the scope of the claims presented
herein.
[0020] In one application, the band 20 may be used to assist with a
squat exercise. When used to assist with squats, the arms 22, 24 of
the support structure 26 are disposed at a squat height above the
base surface. With the arms 22, 24 at this elevation, when the band
20 is attached the main body 32 will be positioned approximately at
the rear thigh of the user. When the main body 32 has a width W at
least approximately four inches, as noted above, it provides a
surface that is sufficiently large to receive the buttocks of a
user. Additionally, when the band material is pure gum rubber or
similar material, a thickness T of at least approximately 1/2 inch
is sufficient to support both the user and the additional weight
carried by the user. As the user begins the downward motion of a
squat repetition, the user's buttocks will engage the band 20. Due
to the low hardness and stretch capacity of the band material, the
initial resistance provided by the band 20 is relatively small. As
the user continues downward motion, however, the resistance
provided by the band 20 will increase such that, at the lower range
of motion during the squat repetition, the exercise band will exert
a reaction force in a direction opposite the downward motion of the
user that is sufficient to assist with the upward return motion of
the user, thereby helping the user return to an upright position.
Additionally, the band 20 increases the safety of the exercise by
helping stabilize the user during the exercise.
[0021] While use of the band 20 in a squat repetition is
specifically described above, it will be appreciated that the band
20 may be used in other exercises. For example, the band 20 may be
used in a manner similar to that described above in conjunction
with assisted rack pulls, Romanian dead lifts, single leg
squats/pistol squats, assisted pull-ups, abdominal exercises,
single leg glute bridges, stability push-ups, or other
exercises.
[0022] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that while only
certain embodiments have been set forth for the purposes of
illustration, alternatives and modifications will be apparent from
the above description to those skilled in the art. These and other
alternatives are considered equivalents and within the spirit and
scope of this disclosure and the appended claims.
* * * * *