DOUBLE-FUNCTIONAL BAND MEMBER FOR DUMBBELL COMPONENT AND DUMBBELL COMPONENT USING THE SAME

Abstract

The present invention provides a dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly comprising: a middle strap; a first fabric strap and a second fabric strap coupled respectively to the middle strap, each of the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap including a thickened end; two buckles each including a slot, wherein the two buckles are slidably positioned on the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap through the slots, respectively, and the width of the slot is less than the thickness of the thickened end; fastening means positioned on a surface of the first fabric strap, a surface of the second fabric strap and a surface of the middle strap; and a coupling device positioned in the middle of the middle strap. The dual-functional strap fitting for the dumbbell assembly according to the present invention combines the functions of a handle strap and a coupling strap. Consequently, the cost for the dumbbell assembly is reduced. Moreover, since there is no need to switch between the straps, the dumbbell assembly can be used with ease.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a fitting for dumbbell, and more specifically, to a dual-functional strap fitting which can be used as a handle strap or a coupling strap and a dumbbell assembly equipped with same.

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, a dumbbell with a handle strap has gained popularity in the market, in which the handle strap is connected to both ends of the handle of the dumbbell. A user, who tends to do any kinds of exercise, can hold the dumbbell handle with his hand being constrained by the handle strap so that the dumbbell is used at a safest condition.

In order to facilitate the disassembling and assembling of the handle strap from or onto the dumbbell and to provide additional functions, applicant of the present application filed CN patent applications, entitled “MULTIFUNCTIONAL DUMBBELL ASSEMBLY” on Dec. 8, 2005 (Application No. 200510111238.2; Publication No. CN1775333A) and on Jan. 27, 2006 (Application No. 200610023727.7; Publication No. CN1817389A), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference as a part of the disclosure.

In the above patent applications, the two ends of the dumbbell, while maintaining at a status of not being taken off, are movable relative to the dumbbell handle. Therefore, a rapid disassembling and assembling of a handle strap or of an additional exercise member can be realized. However, a handle strap and a coupling strap for coupling to the additional exercise member, which serve different exercise purposes, are manufactured and used separately, thus resulting in a high cost. Moreover, a switch or changeover between the straps is required when the handle strap or the coupling strap is being used, which brings inconvenience to the user.

SUMMARY

To overcome the foregoing deficiencies, the present invention is aimed at providing a strap fitting which combines the function of a handle strap and a coupling strap such that the cost for the dumbbell assembly is reduced and the dumbbell assembly is easier to use.

To this end, a dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly is provided according to the present invention. The dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly comprises: a middle strap; a first fabric strap and a second fabric strap coupled respectively to the middle strap, each of the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap including a thickened end; two buckles each including a slot, wherein the two buckles are slidably positioned on the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap through the slots, respectively, and the width of the slot is less than the thickness of the thickened end; fastening means positioned on a surface of the first fabric strap, a surface of the second fabric strap and a surface of the middle strap; and a coupling device positioned in the middle of the middle strap.

A dumbbell assembly is also provided according to the present invention. The dumbbell assembly comprises: a handle; two ends which are movable relative to the handle; and a strap fitting removably coupled to the two ends of the dumbbell. The strap fitting comprises: a middle strap; a first fabric strap and a second fabric strap coupled respectively to the middle strap, each of the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap including a thickened end; two buckles each including a slot, wherein the two buckles are slidably positioned on the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap through the slots, respectively, and the width of the slot is less than the thickness of the thickened end; fastening means positioned on a surface of the first fabric strap, a surface of the second fabric strap and a surface of the middle strap; and a coupling device positioned in the middle of the middle strap.

The dual-functional strap fitting for the dumbbell assembly according to the present invention combines the functions of a handle strap and a coupling strap. Consequently, the cost for the dumbbell assembly is reduced. Moreover, since there is no need to switch between the straps, the dumbbell assembly can be used with ease.

The purposes, features and advantages of the present invention can become more readily appreciated by reference to the following description of the present invention, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a strap fitting according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where a first fabric strap at one end is detached from a middle soft strap;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the strap fitting, where a first fabric strap and a second fabric strap at two ends are both detached from a middle soft strap;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view in which the strap fitting serves as a handle strap for coupling to a multifunctional dumbbell;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view in which the strap fitting of the multifunctional dumbbell is extended for use as a coupling strap;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view in which the strap fitting of the multifunctional dumbbell is extended for use as a coupling strap;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view in which the strap fitting of the multifunctional dumbbell is coupled to the coupling fabric strap of an elastic rubber tube;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a strap fitting according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the strap fitting when seen from another angle;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view in which the strap fitting is coupled to a multifunctional dumbbell, where a first fabric strap at one end of the strap fitting is detached from a middle soft strap;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view in which the strap fitting of a multifunctional dumbbell is extended for use as a coupling strap, where a first fabric strap and a second fabric strap at two ends of the strap fitting are detached from a middle soft strap; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective view in which the strap fitting of the multifunctional dumbbell is extended for use as a coupling strap, where the strap fitting is coupled to a coupling hook of an elastic rubber tube.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a strap fitting 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention mainly includes a first fabric strap 2, a second fabric strap 3, buckles 4, a middle soft strap 5, a connector 6 and nylon fastening tapes 7.

The first fabric strap 2 and the second fabric strap 3 are located respectively at two ends of the strap fitting 1 and are coupled to the middle soft strap 5. The middle soft strap 5 is made of a flexible and elastic material. The first fabric strap 2, the second fabric strap 3 and the middle soft strap 5 can be constituted by a long fabric strap covered with (by sewing or by bonding) a flexible and elastic material.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a surface of the first fabric strap 2, a surface of the second fabric strap 3 and a surface of the middle soft strap are provided with nylon fastening tapes 7. When the first fabric strap 2 and the second fabric strap 3 are turned over, the nylon fastening tapes 7 can be used to connect the fabric straps to the middle soft strap 5.

Two buckles 4 can be slidably positioned at the first fabric strap 2 and the second fabric strap 3. Specifically, the first and the second fabric straps pass through the slot 41 on the buckle 4 and can slide through the slot freely. In other words, the buckles 4 can change their positions arbitrarily on the first fabric strap 2 and the second fabric strap 3 so that the length of the whole strap fitting 1 can be adjusted. As shown from the left side of FIG. 2, when the buckle 4 moves to a thickened end 21 of the fabric strap, the thickened end 21 can not pass through the slot 41, since it is thicker than the width of the slot 41. The buckle 4 can thus be blocked.

In addition, a coupling device is provided at the middle of the middle soft strap 5. The coupling device is a connector 6 in shape which is used to couple to the coupling strap of an additional exercise member.

FIG. 3 illustrates a strap fitting 1 for coupling to the multifunctional dumbbell 7 and for being used as a handle strap. The multifunctional dumbbell 7 includes a handle and two ends which are movable relative to the handle. The two buckles 4 of the strap fitting 1 are removably coupled to the two ends of the multifunctional dumbbell 7. The details of the connection structure between the buckles 4 and the multifunctional dumbbell 7 can refer to CN1775333A and CN1817389A, which are omitted herein for brevity. As illustrated in the figure, in the case where the strap fitting 1 is used as a handle strap for the dumbbell, the first fabric strap 2 and the second fabric strap 3 are turned over around the buckles 4 and are stuck or connected to the middle soft strap 5 by the nylon fastening tapes 7. When in use, a user's hand can hold the handle of the dumbbell, with being constrained by the strap fitting 1 which is in a slightly arc shape. As mentioned above, the length of the strap fitting 1 is adjustable. The strap fitting 1 can be fixed at a desired length by virtue of the nylon fastening tapes 7. Thus, the tensity between the strap fitting 1 (handle strap) and the back of the hand can be adjusted.

FIG. 4 is a view in which the strap fitting 1 of the multifunctional dumbbell 7 is extended for use as a coupling strap. As illustrated in the figure, in the case where the strap fitting 1 is used as a coupling strap for the dumbbell, the first fabric strap 2 and the second fabric strap 3 are extended or spread and are no longer stuck to the middle soft strap 5 by the nylon fastening tapes 7. The thickened end 21 is blocked by the buckle 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the connector 6 is preferably coupled to the middle soft strap 5 by a loop 8 for easy connection. As illustrated in FIG. 6, once the fabric strap on one end of the additional exercise member (e.g., an elastic rubber tube 9 as shown in the figure) passes through the connector 6 in “” shape and is drawn tightly, one end of the elastic rubber tube 9 can be couple to the multifunctional dumbbell 7. Thus, a pulling exerciser is constituted. When in use, as long as the other end of the elastic rubber tube is secured (e.g., stepped by a foot), stretch and retract exercise can be done by holding the dumbbell handle.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate a strap fitting 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The structure of the strap fitting 1A is substantially similar to that of the strap fitting 1 in the first embodiment, except that the connector 6 in “” shape is replaced with a shackle 6A. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a view in which the strap fitting 1A is coupled to a multifunctional dumbbell and the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap is extended gradually such that the strap fitting 1A can be used as a coupling strap. The operation is identical to those in the first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, after the strap fitting coupled to the multifunctional dumbbell is extended completely, one end of the elastic rubber tube 9A can be coupled to the multifunctional dumbbell 7 as long as a hook 91A on the one end of the elastic rubber tube 9A hook up to the shackle 6A. Thus, a pulling exerciser is constituted. Similarly, when in use, as long as the other end of the elastic rubber tube is secured, stretch and retract exercise can be done by holding the dumbbell handle.

Although the dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly is described in connection with two preferred embodiments, it is appreciated that variations and modifications can be made based on the above disclosure by an ordinary person skilled in the art. For instance, the nylon fastening tapes 7 for sticking the first fabric strap 2 and the second fabric strap 3 to the middle soft strap 5 can be replaced with a buckling member of other type such as buttons. The middle soft strap 5 can be in a non-soft form, for example, a “middle strap” can be formed directly by the fabric strap. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly comprising:

a middle strap;

a first fabric strap and a second fabric strap coupled respectively to the middle strap, each of the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap including a thickened end;

two buckles each including a slot, wherein the two buckles are slidably positioned on the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap through the slots, respectively, and the width of the slot is less than the thickness of the thickened end;

fastening means positioned on a surface of the first fabric strap, a surface of the second fabric strap and a surface of the middle strap; and

a coupling device positioned in the middle of the middle strap.

2. The dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly of claim 1, wherein the middle strap is made of a flexible and elastic material.

3. The dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly of claim 2, wherein the first fabric strap, the second fabric strap and the middle strap are made of a long fabric strap covered with a flexible and elastic material in the middle.

4. The dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly of claim 1, wherein the fastening means is a nylon fastening tape.

5. The dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling device is a connector in “B” shape for coupling to a coupling strap of an additional exercise member.

6. The dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly of claim 5, wherein the connector is coupled to the middle strap by a loop.

7. The dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly of claim 1, wherein the coupling device is a shackle for coupling to a coupling hook of an additional exercise member.

8. The dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly of claim 5, wherein the additional exercise member is an elastic rubber tube.

9. A dumbbell assembly, comprising a dumbbell comprising: a handle; two ends which are movable relative to the handle; and a strap fitting removably coupled to the two ends of the dumbbell,

the strap fitting comprises: a middle strap; a first fabric strap and a second fabric strap coupled respectively to the middle strap, each of the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap including a thickened end; two buckles each including a slot, wherein the two buckles are slidably positioned on the first fabric strap and the second fabric strap through the slots, respectively, and the width of the slot is less than the thickness of the thickened end; fastening means positioned on a surface of the first fabric strap, a surface of the second fabric strap and a surface of the middle strap; and a coupling device positioned in the middle of the middle strap.

10. The dumbbell assembly of claim 9, wherein it further comprises an additional exercise member coupled to the strap fitting by the coupling device.

11. The dual-functional strap fitting for dumbbell assembly of claim 7, wherein the additional exercise member is an elastic rubber tube.