EXERCISE SUSPENSION STRAP

Abstract

A suspension strap comprising an elongate length of flexible material providing a body of a strap; a hand grip fixed on a first end of the strap at a first junction; and a foot grip fixed within the hand grip at the first junction, the foot grip being a second length of the flexible material. The foot loop is disposed entirely within the periphery of the hand grip. A second hand strap and foot grip are provided at a second end of the strap. As per the first foot grip, the second foot grip is disposed within the second hand strap. A door anchor, implemented with a plastic tube, is mounted on the strap.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to exercise apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems and techniques for exercising using suspension straps and other such devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

In the fitness industry, a plethora of machines and devices have been used to facilitate muscular development, body health and overall fitness. While more expensive and sophisticated machines are common in schools, gyms and health clubs, a need has existed in the art for less expensive alternatives for use in these environments and in the home. One such alternative is the suspension strap. Suspension straps are well-known in the art. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 8,197,392 issued Jun. 12, 2012 to Silverman et al. and entitled Suspendible Exercise Straps, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference along with the patents cited therein.

Suspension straps are provide an inexpensive yet effective exercise alternative with resistance based on body weight, a variety of exercise options and excellent range of motion. In addition, suspension straps are portable, lightweight and easy to set up.

Prior art suspension straps usually have a length of woven nylon or other flexible material terminated at each end with a plastic grip. The grip is typically covered with foam. Many exercises require the insertion of the foot into the strap.

Inasmuch as the typical simple tubular plastic grip is uncomfortable and ineffective in holding the foot in many exercise positions, one conventional suspension strap has a loop of strap material under the grip. One such strap is manufactured and sold by Fitness Anywhere, a TRX company. (See http://www.trxtraining.com/ and http://www.trxtraining.com/shop/gear.) However, this design places the loop in a position that often limits the utility of the strap as it interferes with the placement of the user's hand and/or foot and therefore presents a hazard to the user.

Accordingly, a need exists in the art for an improved suspension strap design that offers the advantages of conventional suspension straps with an improved foot strap implementation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The need in the art is addressed by the suspension strap of the present invention. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive suspension strap comprises an elongate length of flexible material providing a body of a strap; a hand grip fixed on a first end of the strap at a first junction; and a foot grip fixed within the hand grip at the first junction, the foot grip being a second length of the flexible material.

The foot loop is disposed entirely within the periphery of the hand grip. A second hand strap and foot grip are provided at a second end of the strap. As per the first foot grip, the second foot grip is disposed within the second hand strap. A door anchor, implemented with a plastic tube, is mounted on the strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is diagram of a suspension strap implemented in accordance with conventional teachings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a suspension strap implemented in accordance with the present teachings.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an illustrative application of the invention of the present teachings.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the use of the inventive door anchor arrangement of the suspension strap of the present invention from a first side of the door.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the use of the inventive door anchor arrangement of the suspension strap of the present invention from a second side of the door.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention.

While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.

FIG. 1 is diagram of a suspension strap implemented in accordance with conventional teachings. As shown in the Figure, the conventional strap consists of a length of flexible fabric such as woven nylon or other suitable material. As mentioned above, the conventional suspension strap of FIG. 1 has a length of nylon or other flexible material terminated at each end with a plastic grip. The grip is typically covered with foam. The strap has a loop of strap material under the grip that serves as a foot stirrup. However, this design places the loop in a position that often limits the utility of the strap as it interferes with the placement of the user's hand and/or foot and therefore presents a hazard to the user.

Accordingly, a need exists in the art for an improved suspension strap design that offers the advantages of conventional suspension straps with an improved foot strap implementation. The need in the art is addressed by the suspension strap of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a suspension strap implemented in accordance with the present teachings. In the illustrative embodiment, the inventive suspension strap comprises an elongate length of flexible material providing a body of a strap; a first hand grip fixed on a first end of the strap at a first junction; and a second hand grip affixed to a second end of the strap at a second junction. In the illustrative embodiment, the strap is approximately 12 feet in length handle to handle, 1.25 inches in width and 1/16 inches in depth.

In accordance with the invention, a first foot grip is fixed within the first hand grip at the first junction and a second foot grip is fixed within the second hand grip at the second junction. In the illustrative embodiment, each foot grip is a length of the flexible material, e.g. nylon, or other suitable material. The foot loop is large enough to accommodate a foot, but not too large to fit within the hand grip and allow for the easy grip thereof by the user. The foot loop is disposed entirely within the periphery of the hand grip. In that sense, the inventive foot grips are essentially concentric within the hand grips. Each foot grip is therefore a loop of material that serves essentially as a stirrup. Additional stitching may be used to secure the footloop and provide for additional strength when being used.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an illustrative application of the invention of the present teachings. It should be understood that many exercises are enabled with the inventive strap. In any case, the location of the stirrup within the hand grip, in accordance with the present teachings, enables a more safe and effective operation of the strap.

A door anchor, implemented with a plastic tube, is mounted on or around the strap. The anchor is made of vinyl or other suitable material. In the illustrative embodiment, the anchor is 5 inches long, has an outside diameter of approximately 1 inch and is ⅛ inches thick. This is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the use of the inventive door anchor arrangement of the suspension strap of the present invention from a first side of the door.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the use of the inventive door anchor arrangement of the suspension strap of the present invention from a second side of the door. As illustrated in these figures, when the anchor is secured on the first side of a door or other suitable joint, the ends of the strap are free for use in accordance with a variety of exercises per the guidance of a skilled personal trainer of ordinary skill in the art.

In the preferred embodiment, the inventive suspension strap has a unibody construction with no obstructive clips or adjustable components.

Thus, the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications, applications and embodiments within the scope thereof. For example, the present invention is not limited to any particular length of strap or other components. A shorter version may be employed for therapeutic purposes or hamstring stretches, etc. A soft foam padding material may be provided mid strap for comfort without departing from the scope of the present teachings.

It is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications, modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly,

Claims

1. A suspension strap comprising:

an elongate length of flexible material providing a body of a strap;

a hand grip fixed on a first end of said strap at a first junction; and

a foot grip fixed within said hand grip at said first junction, said foot grip being a second length of said flexible material.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said foot strap is disposed entirely within the periphery of said hand grip.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein a second hand strap and foot grip are provided at a second end of said strap.

4. The invention of claim 2 wherein said second foot grip is disposed within said second hand strap.

5. The invention of claim 1 further including door anchor disposed on said strap.

6. The invention of claim 4 wherein said anchor is a tube.

7. The invention of claim 5 wherein said tube is plastic.