ELASTIC EXERCISE APPARATUS
The elastic exercise apparatus includes a flexible and stretchable resistance band, and a flexible and stretchable sleeve that is supported about the flexible and stretchable resistance band. The flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are both formed in a continuous closed loop. The apparatus is constructed and arranged for stretching by a user between limbs of the user such as in a criss-cross pattern between the legs and arms. A fastener may be disposed between the respective flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve so that the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are maintained in the same relative position therebetween.
Priority for this application is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to commonly owned and co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/997,077 which was filed on May 21, 2014 and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates in general to an improved elastic exercise apparatus that includes a safety sleeve cover for an elastic band.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONOne form of exercise apparatus is a continuous loop of rubber or a synthetic rubber. Such a device may be provided in different diameters for providing different levels of resistance. These bands are used for fitness purposes. They may be used for both upper and lower body training for a variety of strength, flexibility and rehabilitation exercises. However, these rubber band devices are not safe when used alone as they may break in use due to, for example, over stretching of the band. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved elastic exercise apparatus and in particular one in which there is provided, over the rubber band construction a protective sleeve. Because some individuals may be allergic to latex, the flexible and stretchable sleeve also functions as a protective cover over the inner latex band. This arrangement prevents the user from having any direct contact with the latex band.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTo accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention there is provided an elastic exercise apparatus comprising, a flexible and stretchable resistance band, and a flexible and stretchable sleeve that is supported about the flexible and stretchable resistance band. In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are both formed in a continuous closed loop; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a stretchable plastic material; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a latex material; the flexible and stretchable sleeve is constructed of a stretchable fabric material; the flexible and stretchable sleeve is constructed and arranged in an accordion pleat; the apparatus is constructed and arranged for stretching by a user between limbs of the user; the apparatus is disposed relative to the user between the two legs and two arms of the user and criss-crossed between the legs and arms; further including a fastener between the respective flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve so that the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are maintained in the same relative position therebetween; the fastener comprises a stitching; the fastener comprises multiple stitches spacedly disposed around the continuous closed loop; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed as a solid member; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with a rectangular cross-section; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom surfaces that are wider than opposed side surfaces thereof, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve; the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom planar surfaces, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve; and the flexible and stretchable sleeve is formed in a circular pattern about the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom planar surfaces, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve.
It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring now to
The flexible and stretchable sleeve S may be constructed of a stretchable fabric or, as illustrated in
In the preferred form of the band illustrated in
The flexible and stretchable sleeve is preferably constructed of a fabric material with pleating. This fabric material is also formed in a continuous closed loop and may include one or two side stitchings in order to form the fabric sleeve. This sleeve provides protection for the device in the event that the inner band breaks. Also, the flexible and stretchable sleeve being constructed of a fabric material, is preferably not a latex product. Because some individuals may be allergic to latex, the flexible and stretchable sleeve S also functions as a protective cover over the inner latex band. This arrangement prevents the user from having any direct contact with the latex band.
In the illustrated embodiment in the cross-sectional view of
In accordance with the present invention there may also preferably be provided some type of securing element between the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve. This may be in the form of a stitching X schematically illustrated in
Because some individuals may be allergic to latex, the flexible and stretchable sleeve S also functions as a protective cover over the inner latex band B. This arrangement prevents the user from having any direct contact with the latex band B. The elastic exercise band can be engaged with any part of the body or attached to a machine or anchored to an object. For some exercises such as Pilates, the band may be used or engaged with the limbs of the user and perhaps also attached to an exercise chair or machine.
Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An elastic exercise apparatus comprising, a flexible and stretchable resistance band, and a flexible and stretchable sleeve that is supported about the flexible and stretchable resistance band.
2. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are both formed in a continuous closed loop.
3. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a stretchable plastic material.
4. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a latex material.
5. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 4 wherein the flexible and stretchable sleeve is constructed of a stretchable fabric material.
6. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the flexible and stretchable sleeve is constructed and arranged in an accordion pleat.
7. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 6 wherein the apparatus is constructed and arranged for stretching by a user between limbs of the user.
8. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 7 wherein the apparatus is disposed relative to the user between the two legs and two arms of the user and criss-crossed between the legs and arms.
9. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 2 including a fastener between the respective flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve so that the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are maintained in the same relative position therebetween.
10. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fastener comprises a stitching.
11. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 10 wherein the fastener comprises multiple stitches spacedly disposed around the continuous closed loop.
12. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 2 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed as a solid member.
13. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 12 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with a rectangular cross-section.
14. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 13 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom surfaces that are equal to or wider than opposed side surfaces thereof, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve.
15. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 12 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom planar surfaces, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve.
16. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 12 wherein the flexible and stretchable sleeve is formed in a circular pattern about the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed with top and bottom planar surfaces, the top surface being engageable by the foot of the user through the flexible and stretchable sleeve.
17. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 16 wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a stretchable plastic material, and wherein the flexible and stretchable resistance band is constructed of a latex material.
18. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 17 wherein the flexible and stretchable sleeve is constructed and arranged in an accordion pleat, wherein the apparatus is constructed and arranged for stretching by a user between limbs of the user, and wherein the apparatus is disposed relative to the user between the two legs and two arms of the user and criss-crossed between the legs and arms.
19. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 17 including a fastener between the respective flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve so that the flexible and stretchable resistance band and the flexible and stretchable sleeve are maintained in the same relative position therebetween.
20. The elastic exercise apparatus of claim 19 wherein the fastener comprises multiple stitches spacedly disposed around the continuous closed loop.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 17, 2015
Publication Date: Nov 26, 2015
Inventor: Eugene Park (West Warwick, RI)
Application Number: 14/659,908