Grab-And-Use Exercise Strap

Abstract

A stretching exercise tool of the infinity ∞ sign shape. The stretching strap made of resilient fabric material is properly sized for grab-and-use. Metal or plastic buckles or other set-ups are eliminated. Machine washable and highly portable.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/486,449, filed on May 16, 2011, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The present application relates to a device for assisting body exercise, and more particularly to a ready-to-use exercise strap for body stretching, yoga poses and other dancing poses.

Note that the points discussed below may reflect the hindsight gained from the disclosed inventions, and are not necessarily admitted to be prior art.

As yoga poses and exercises become more popular body stretching as part of exercise program has increased in recent years. For yoga practice, each yoga pose requires correct posture and stretching, mostly the proper placement of the arms and the legs relative to the body position. Body stretching is not an easy task for adults with rigid grown-up bodies. To achieve a good stretch effect on the muscle, certain amount of resistance strength is also required. Various exercise tools have been used in aiding people to achieve stretching and various body positions. For example, people may use a towel, an elastic belt to help hold a stretching posture.

Other commercial endeavors have developed various complex tools. For example US 2009/089459 A1 describes a multi-functioning leg stretching device that includes a positioning seat, a retaining block, a winding around elastic strap, a pedal and an anchoring plate. It would not be easy to move it around. US 2005/0101461A1 describes a device with built-in stretch resistance with latex tubes and pushup blocks. But the device is still bulky. A simpler design is found in US 2005/0085350 A1 wherein an adjustable loop is connected to a handle by a swivel connector. But some people do hate handles and a disconnected handle may get lost.

SUMMARY

The present application discloses novel and simple grab and use device for body stretching exercises with added resilient strength.

In one embodiment, a non-elastic stretchable fabric strip of high resistance twists across at a specific point of the strip with ends affixed together forming a number 8-like sealed loop wherein the cross-point is fixed by stitching the crossing sections together.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the size of the two loops are determined by a specific stretching resistance strength requirement.

In one aspect of the embodiment, two strips of high resistance stretchable fabric are twisted to cross each other at a specific point, with ends affixed together forming a sealed 8-like loop, wherein the cross point and the size of the loops are determined by the required stretching resistance strength and a user's body size.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the cross point is affixed by plurality of buttons wherein the relative sizes of the loops are adjustable by matching of different pairs of buttons.

In one aspect of the embodiment, the fabric is made of a hybrid material of nylon and rubber that stretches with high resistance and stops stretching after stretching to a certain point.

The disclosed innovation, in various embodiments, provide the advantages of being highly affordable, ready-to-use, light weight and high mobility. It can be carried in a purse or a pocket, washed with regular wash machine and stored on a hanger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show example preferred embodiments, namely Infinity Strap™, of this application.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of an Infinity Strap™ in accordance with this application.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example cross-point of the two loops in FIG. 1 in accordance with this application.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3E illustrate examples of size readiness and grab-and-use easiness in accordance with this application.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a back stretching with an example Infinity Strap™.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a hand and leg stretching with an example Infinity Strap™.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of body stretching with an example Infinity Strap™.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of shoulder stretching with an example Infinity Strap™.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to presently preferred embodiments (by way of example, and not of limitation). The present application describes several embodiments, and none of the statements below should be taken as limiting the claims generally.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and description and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, some areas or elements may be expanded to help improve understanding of embodiments of the invention.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and the claims, if any, may be used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable. Furthermore, the terms “comprise,” “include,” “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a process, method, article, apparatus, or composition that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, apparatus, or composition.

It is contemplated and intended that the design apply to a heavy duty, highly durable fabric material that is of high resilient strength, for example, cotton, nylon or a hybrid material of nylon and rubber which is stretchable but only to an extent and stops stretching after that. For clarity reason, the examples are given based on the hybrid material of nylon and rubber, but an ordinary person in the art would know the variations to modify the design to be suitable for other durable fabrics.

Often times in yoga, dance, gymnastics, strength training and physical therapy, there is need for props or aides to safely and properly stretch. One of those standard props is the yoga strap which is around eight feet long with a metal or plastic buckle. The traditional strap is great for a couple of restorative stretches, but quite cumbersome and awkward for most others. One of the problems is that it is just too long for most uses. The extra length gets in the way, twists and wraps around itself and the body, gets tangled, etc. The other big problem is the metal or plastic buckle. The buckle hurts when it comes in contact with one's hand or foot, and it makes a loud disturbing noise when it drops to a hard floor, disrupting peaceful yoga practices. During a stretching exercise, especially a yoga practice, it is one of the times of the day to quiet one's mind and body and focus on one thing only, the last thing the user wants is to be disturbed by an exercise tool.

The ∞ sign is one of the most elegant, timeless and simple symbols that exists. It expresses an idea of endless motion. Different to other designs Infinity Strap™ expressly utilizes this harmonious configuration and at the same time makes sure that it satisfies the resilient strength requirement, particularly the cross point between two loops are fixed with fixtures such as stitches or buttons, allowing the resilient strength of one loop stays at its side, and the resilient strength of each side to balance each other. The size of each Strap is particularly measured to match body-types and body-flexibility. Specific guidelines are provided for selections of each type and design, making it grab-and-use ready.

The design is also intended to express the perfect harmony of the ideals of Yoga. As Yoga emphasizes one's Breath as a primary focus during practice, the motion of the breath can be visualized as a flow in and out of the body that looks much like an endless loop, or ∞. The balanced design and function of an Infinity Strap™ helps a practitioner's entry into a deeper feeling of Yoga. Embodiments of the present invention generally provide an exercise strap for assisting yoga, stretching, and other exercise activities.

In reference to FIG. 1, an example Infinity Strap™ 10 comprises a fabric strip 12 of 0.25-5 inches wide, 10-100 inches long, made of cotton, nylon or nylon/rubber hybrid material. First fabric end 12a and second fabric end 12b may be first twisted one hundred eighty degrees around a longitudinal axis of the fabric, forming an FIG. 8 shaped two loops with two ends meeting at the across point. The across point may not be at the central point of the strip, depends of the need, the relative sizes of the two loops may be changed accordingly.

In reference to FIG. 2, the cross-point of the two loops are fixed with strong stitches or buttons, allowing the resilient strength of each loop during stretching exercise to be kept at its side and to be balanced with the other side. To provide a strong hold at the cross point, first fabric end 12a may be affixed to a center fabric portion 12c by following the top surface of center fabric portion 12c to the bottom surface of center fabric portion 12c. Second fabric end 12b may be affixed to center fabric portion 12c by following the bottom surface of center fabric portion 12c to the top surface of center fabric portion 12c. First fabric end 12a, second fabric end 12b and center fabric portion 12c may be affixed together with stitching 16 at location 14. Location 14 may not be at the central point of strip 12 length, the relative loop sizes may not be the same.

More than one sections or pieces of strips may be used be combined or connected for variations in strength and design. Harder rubber like fabrics may be connected with a soft cotton fabrics for easy bending and twist and esthetic elegance. Multiple layers of fabrics may be used for added resilient strength.

In reference to FIGS. 3A to 3E, different sizes of Straps are designed to match different strength needs. For example, small to medium sizes are proper for small to medium body size and fair body flexibility. Large and extra large sizes are proper for larger body frame and fair body inflexibility.

In reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 7, several example stretching postures are illustrated. This design serves several advantages. Because each loop always stays open, the design makes it easy to slip over one's hand or foot. The design also makes it very easy and natural to form a good grip, following the natural contours of the body. It distributes the pressure away from one's fingers more broadly over one's hand and wrist.

The design structure is strong and durable. The straps may be made of heavy-duty natural cotton or nylon webbing that is pre-washed and available in any colors, or of high resistance nylon and rubber hybrid webbing material that stretches to a point and then stops, much like the way the human body stretches. They can be machine washed and dried. Also, since there are no metal or plastic buckles or any other parts they are very natural and easy to use, eliminating set-up time. They are also very safe and quiet when they come in contact with a hard floor or any other surface, and won't get tangled or bunched up.

As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the innovative concepts described in the present application can be modified and varied over a tremendous range of applications, and accordingly the scope of patented subject matter is not limited by any of the specific exemplary teachings given. It is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope: THE SCOPE OF PATENTED SUBJECT MATTER IS DEFINED ONLY BY THE ALLOWED CLAIMS. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC section 112 unless the exact words “means for” are followed by a participle.

The claims as filed are intended to be as comprehensive as possible, and NO subject matter is intentionally relinquished, dedicated, or abandoned.

Claims

1. An physical stretching exercise tool for humans, comprising:

a first loop made of a first resilient fabric strip, said first loop configured to match body size and body flexibility; and

a second loop made of a second resilient fabric strip, said second loop configured to match body size and body flexibility;

wherein said first loop and said second loop are twistedly configured to remain open, and said first loop and said second loop are fixed together with a fixture that is configured to stand resilient stretch from both said first and said second loop.

2. The exercise tool of claim 1, wherein said first and said second resilient fabric strip are one strip, and said first loop and said second loop are formed by twisting and bending said one resilient fabric strip that has a first end and a second end, and by fixing said first and said second end at a cross-point.

3. The exercise tool of claim 2, wherein said first end and said second end are sandwichedly stitched together with a portion of the cross-point strip.

4. The exercise tool of claim 2, wherein said first end and said second end are sandwichedly buttoned together with a portion of the cross-point strip.

5. The exercise tool of claim 1, wherein said first loop and said second loop are formed by binding a plurality of fabric strips.

6. The exercise tool of claim 1, wherein said first resilient fabric is made of cotton.

7. The exercise tool of claim 1, wherein said first resilient fabric is made of a hybrid of nylon and rubber.