Exercise tube and handle

Abstract

An exercise tube and handle attachment incorporates an elastic tube having a handle(s) fabricated from a strong material such as nylon strapping. The handle is configured, by stitching, to form a passageway and compartment for receiving an end of the exercise tube. A knot is made in the end of the tube to prevent the end from exiting the compartment and separating the tube from the handle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to exercise equipment. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to an elastic exercise tube that incorporates a unique handle attachment.

2. Description of the Related Art

The proliferation of exercise equipment has been an astounding phenomenon in a nation whose populace appears to be becoming significantly obese. Both print and electronic media constantly extol the virtues of the latest piece of exercise equipment. Recently, the elastic tube or band has been popularized as a piece of exercise equipment that can be efficiently and effectively employed in almost any environment especially the environment of the home or office. The elastic tube also provides the user with a wide range of exercise options and is portable. A drawback of the elastic tube equipment, as currently described in the related art, has been the arrangement of the handles. Heretofore, the handles have been fabricated from materials that excessively added to the bulk of the equipment and proved cumbersome in portability and use. Pertinent examples of such related art are cited and identified in the accompanying IDS. However, none of the cited and identified related art, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose an exercise tube and handle arrangement as will be subsequently described and claimed in the instant invention. Thus, an elastic exercise tube and handle solving the aforementioned problems are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The exercise tube and handle of the instant invention incorporates an elastic tube having a handle(s) fabricated from a strong material such as nylon strapping. The handle is configured, by stitching, to form a passageway and compartment for receiving an end of the exercise tube. A knot is made in the end of the tube to prevent the end from exiting the compartment and separating the tube from the handle. Foam rubber padding can optionally be provided over the handle to provide additional cushioning if desired.

Accordingly, the invention presents an exercise device that can be effectively utilized for many resistance-type exercises. The device is portable and fabricated from a limited number of parts thereby limiting manufacturing costs. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a first embodiment of an exercise tube and handle according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an environmental, perspective view of a second embodiment of an exercise tube and handle according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the handle of the first embodiment of an exercise tube and handle according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the handle of the second embodiment of an exercise tube and handle according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Attention is first directed to FIGS. 1 and 3 wherein a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and is indicated generally at 10. The instant embodiment provides for a pair of handles 12 that may be engaged by the feet or the hands (or one hand and one foot) of the user to allow engagement in a variety of resistance-type exercises. Handles 12 are attached at the ends of elastic exercise tube 14. As best seen in FIG. 3, each handle comprises a member fabricated from nylon strapping or similar material. The member is folded over to create a loop and form a compartment 12a for containing an end of elastic exercise tube 14. A passageway 12b is provided in the folded handle member so that the end of the elastic exercise tube can be inserted into compartment 12a. Stitching 16 is employed to secure the ends of the member and define compartment 12a and passageway 12b. After insertion, a knot 14a (preferably a half hitch) is formed in the end of elastic exercise tube. Passageway 12b is of a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of knot 14a, thereby preventing the end of the elastic exercise tube from being pulled through the passageway. Stitching material 16 is strong enough to withstand the rigors and tensions that will be produced during predicted exercise routines.

FIGS. 2 and 4 are illustrative of a second embodiment of the invention wherein the elastic exercise tube 14 is configured in a continuous loop. A single handle 20 forms an attachment for the ends of the tube to establish the continuous loop. Handle 20 comprises two strapping members 20a, 20b, stitched together to define passageways 22 and compartments 24. As in the first embodiment, knots 14a (only one is shown) are made in the ends of tube 14 to retain the ends of the tube in the compartments. A foam rubber member 26 (shown in phantom lines) may optionally be positioned over the handle to provide additional cushioning. Member 26 may also be utilized with the first embodiment.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising:

an elongate elastic member; said elongate elastic member having a first end and a second end;

a first handle member disposed on said first end, said first handle member being fabricated from synthetic strapping material;

a first passageway formed in said first handle member for receiving said first end;

a first compartment formed in said first handle member for retaining said first end therein;

said first passageway having a first diameter and said first compartment having a second diameter larger than said first diameter wherein said first passageway and said first compartment are defined by stitches in said first handle member; and

a knot formed in said first end, said knot being substantially enclosed in said first compartment and having a third diameter larger than said first diameter thereby preventing the end of the elastic member from being pulled through the passageway.

2. The exercise device according to claim 1, wherein said synthetic strapping material is nylon strapping.

3. (canceled)

4. The exercise device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second handle member disposed on said second end, said second handle member being fabricated from synthetic strapping material; being fabricated from synthetic strapping material;

a second passageway formed in said second handle member for receiving said second end;

a second compartment formed in said second handle member for retaining said second end therein;

said second passageway having a fourth diameter and said first compartment having a fifth diameter larger than said fourth diameter wherein said second passageway and said second compartment are defined by stitches in said second handle member: and

a knot formed in said second end, said knot being substantially enclosed in said second compartment and having a sixth diameter larger than said fourth diameter thereby preventing the end of the elastic member from being pulled through the passageway.

5-7. (canceled)

8. An exercise device, comprising:

an elongate elastic member; said elongate elastic member having a first end and a second end;

a handle member, said handle member having a first end and a second end and being fabricated from synthetic strapping material;

a passageway formed in each of said first end and said second end of said handle member for receiving said first and second ends, respectively, of said elongate elastic member;

a first and second compartments formed in said first and second ends respectively, of said handle member for retaining said first and second ends of said elongate elastic member therein;

each of said passageways has a first diameter and each of said compartments has a second diameter larger than said first diameter wherein said passageways and said compartments are defined by stitches in said handle member: and

a knot formed in each of said first and second ends, said knot being substantially enclosed in said compartments and having a third diameter larger than said first diameter thereby preventing the end of the elastic member from being pulled through the passageway.

9. (canceled)

10. The exercise device according to claim 8, wherein said synthetic strapping material is fabricated from nylon strapping and including a foam rubber cushioning disposed therearound.

11. (canceled)