Versa-Band

Abstract

A fitness band has a non-extensible strap and an elastic band that are movable coupled along their lengths. Handles at each end can be selectably attached to the strap or to the elastic band, allowing multiple modes of exercise to be accomplished using this single device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

Field

The present invention generally relates to fitness equipment.

Description of the Related Art

Elastic bands having handles attached at each end allow users to perform an array of bodyweight and stability training exercises. Strap trainers are also available that have handles attached at one or both ends of a non-elastic strap that can be attached to a fixed object, such an overhead beam, to use their body weight to perform an exercise, for example a pull-up.

SUMMARY

A user who wishes to perform a complete workout of multiple parts of their body faces a variety of choices of how to create a load for specific muscles.

This load can be accomplished through “free weights” that are available in a variety of weights and configurations, for example barbells and dumbbells. Having a complete set of standard free weights requires a significant amount of space and investment and are not portable. Even the combination devices, for example a pair of dumbells that can be selectably attached to different weights, may reduce the number of single-weight items needed but are still heavy and expensive and only marginally more portable. This precludes performing the exercises outdoors at changing locations, for example while traveling, or outdoors in public areas, for example a local park.

Various sets of elastic and inelastic straps are available, each with attached handles. These are relatively portable, compared to a set of free weights. As multiple levels of load are required to train different muscles, however, it is necessary to carry multiple elastic bands to provide the range of loads. Typical sets of bands have 4-7 different bands of varying strength. Using the currently available products requires multiple separate items be carried by the user to the exercise location. The total volume of these multiple products is not insignificant and collectively may fill an exercise bag. Once at the exercise location, the items must then be sorted to enable the user to select the item needed for each exercise. This sorting and selection process is then repeated for each exercise.

It is desirable to provide a single item of fitness equipment that is light-weight and small in size, therefore very portable, and able to provide the entire range of exercise loads and motions needed for a complete workout. The Versa-Band described herein provides these features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate disclosed embodiments and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts a fitness band according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2B depict alternate means of coupling the elastic bands to the strap according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3B depict alternate embodiments of the elastic band according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4C depict alternate embodiments of the coupling of the anchor band to the strap and elastic band according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description discloses embodiments of a fitness band. In various configurations, this fitness band is suitable for performing an array of bodyweight and stability training exercises. The incorporation of resistance elements in the fitness band enhances users' bodyweight and stability training, thus allowing users to gain greater muscle strength.

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. Like components are labeled with identical element numbers for ease of understanding.

As used within this disclosure, the term “strap” means a flexible non-extensible tether having a length much greater than its width. The strap may be manufactured from one or more of a synthetic material, for example nylon or Kevlar®, a natural material, for example leather, or metal, for example stainless steel. The strap may be formed as a flat ribbon, for example 2 inches wide and ⅛ inch thick, or as a cylinder, for example a rope, or as a hollow tube.

As used within this disclosure, the term “ring” refers to a means of attaching one element to another element. This may be a separate element, for example a “D-ring” or circular ring, or an integral part of one of the items being joined, for example a loop formed at the end of a strap. The ring may be permanently coupled to one or both of the items being joined or may be selectably removable from one or both items. A ring may include a movable element that allows the ring to engage another element or release a previously engaged element.

As used within this disclosure, the term “carabiner” refers to a ring having a movable element with an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the carabiner has a continuous unbroken loop. In the open position, the loop has an opening that allows the carabiner to engage another element or release a previously engaged element. The movable element is biased toward the closed position such that a carabiner will not release an engaged element unless a user manually activates the movable element to the open position. A carabiner may be provided as a standard commercial product, for example the carabiners sold for mountain climbing, or in a different configuration.

As used within this disclosure, the term “non-extensible” refers to an item that does not significantly increase in length under a tension load. While all materials have a finite elastic modulus, the behavior of a material in a particular circumstance can be characterized as non-extensible. For an example of a person pulling on a rope attached to a post, the amount that the rope stretches is not going to be perceptible to the naked eye and can be considered as non-extensible in that situation.

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a fitness band 100 that includes a strap assembly 200 and an anchor band 300.

The strap assembly 200 includes a strap 210 having rings 212 attached at each end and an elastic band assembly 220 that, in this embodiment, is movably coupled to the strap 210 at multiple positions, for example 4-6 inches apart, by retaining elements 214 along the strap 210. The elastic band assemblies 220 are free to slide through the retaining elements 214 and, therefore, slide and stretch relative to the strap 210 in one direction while being kept generally in proximity to the strap 210 in the perpendicular directions.

The elastic band assembly 220 includes elastic bands 222A, 222B and rings 224A, 224B, 224C, 224D and 230. In certain embodiments, the elastic bands 222A, 222B may be replaced by a single elastic band (not shown in FIG. 1) that connects directly between rings 224A and 224D. In certain embodiments, rings 224B and 224C may be omitted and the elastic bands 222A, 222B connected directly to ring 230. In certain embodiments, one or more of the rings 224A, 224B, 224C, 224D and 230 may be replaced by loops formed in the elastic bands 222A, 222B.

In certain embodiments, the elastic band assembly 220 may include two or more elastic band assemblies 220 installed into the fitness band 100 at the same time, with the retaining element configured to movable couple all of the installed elastic band assemblies 220 to the strap.

The strap assembly 200 includes a pair of handles 240, which have a rigid grip 242, a flexible attachment strap 244, and an attachment point provided by ring 246 in this embodiment. In certain embodiments, the ring 246 may be omitted and the attachment point provided by a loop in the strap 244.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a handle assembly 240 is attached to each end of the elastic band assembly 220 by rings 224A and 224D, respectively. In this embodiment, the connection of rings 224A to 250 and of rings 224D and ring 250 are permanent, while in other embodiments, this connection is accomplished by a mechanism that allows them to be decoupled, for example by rings 244A, 244D being carabiners (not shown in FIG. 1)

A carabiner 250 is configured to selectably couple the handle assembly 240 to the ring 212 at the end of the strap 210. In this embodiment, the elastic band assembly 220 is longer than the strap 210 and connection of the carabiners 250 to each of the rings 212 creates a load path from the first handle assembly 240 to the second handle assembly 240 that passes only through the strap 210. Disconnecting either one of the carabiners 250 from the associated ring 212 creates a load path from the first handle assembly 240 to the second handle assembly 240 that passes only through the elastic band assembly.

The movable couple between the elastic band assembly 220 and the strap 210 allows the various elements to remain attached during use of the fitness band 100, regardless of whether the elastic band assembly 220 or the inelastic strap 210 are being used in the exercise. This simplifies the use of the fitness band 100, compared to having to find and pick up a new strap or band for each exercise as required with current exercise products.

The anchor band 300 includes a strap 310 with rings 320 at each end and a larger carabiner 330 that can be used to attach the strap 310 to one or both of the strap 210 and elastic band assembly 220. In certain embodiments, rings 320 may be replaced by loops formed in the strap 310. In use, the strap 310 is passed around a stationary object, for example a post or beam, and the carabiner 330 passed through the rings 320. The carabiner 330 is then coupled to the strap 210 and elastic band assembly 220 as desired for the exercise to be performed. In certain embodiments, the strap 310 is wider than the strap 210, for example three inches wide compared to a two inch width of strap 210, to provide additional safety margin and confidence of the user that the strap will not break during use.

In an exemplary embodiment, the fitness band 100 has a strap 210 is approximately 6 feet in total length, increasing to approximately 6.5 feet when the handles 242 are attached. The strap 210 may be a cross webbed fabric that is approximately 2 inches wide retaining elements 214 spaced approximately 4 inches apart along the strap 210.

In use, carabiner 330 can be left engaged with one ring 320 of the anchor band 300 and with the ring 230 of the elastic band assembly 220, thereby keeping all components attached in their functional locations. This simplifies the storage, set-up, and use of the fitness band 100, compared to the challenge of utilizing multiple separate bands and straps to accomplish the same workout.

FIG. 2A depicts a means of coupling the elastic bands 226, 228 to the strap 210. In this embodiment, the strap 210 is a woven nylon strap that is approximately 2 inches wide, while in other embodiments the material may be different and the size may be larger or smaller. In this embodiment, these retaining element 214 is formed by a piece of strap material that is approximately 2 inches long, 2 inches long, while in other embodiments one or more of the width, length, and spacing may be different.

FIG. 2B depicts a alternate means of coupling the elastic bands 226, 228 to the strap 260. In this embodiment, the strap 210 has a series of slits 262 located at intervals along the strap 260, while in other embodiments the spacing may be different. The elastic bands 226, 228 pass from one side to the other side of the strap 260 through a slit 262 and then back to the original side through an adjacent slit 262.

In certain embodiments, the strap 260 may be formed as a tube with slits 262 formed about only a portion of the circumference of the tube. Elastic bands 226, 228 pass from the exterior to the interior of the tube through a first slit 262 in the strap 260 and then pass from the interior to the exterior through a second adjacent slit 260 in the strap 260. The spacing of the slits 262 may be selected so that the elastic bands 226, 228 are inside the tube for a short length, for example 2 inches, and outside the tube for a different length, for example 4 inches.

FIG. 3A depicts an example embodiment of the elastic band 220. A ring 230 is located at a mid-point of the elastic band assembly 200 and two elastic bands 220A, 220B that are each approximately half the total length of the elastic band assembly 220 are coupled to the ring 230. In this example, the elastic bands 220A, 220B are couple by a loop formed at the end of each elastic band 220A, 220B.

FIG. 3B depicts an alternate embodiments of the elastic band 221. In this example, the elastic band assembly 220 has a continuous elastic band 221 that runs the entire length of the elastic band assembly 220 from ring 224A at one end to ring 224D at the other end.

FIG. 4A depict an example embodiment of the coupling of the anchor band 300 to both the strap 210 and elastic band assembly 220. The carabiner 226 passes through the rings 320 of the anchor band 300 and through ring 230 that couples the elastic bands 220A, 220B as well as passing around strap 210.

FIG. 4B depicts an alternate embodiment, wherein the carabiner 226 passes through the rings 320 of the anchor band 300 and through ring 230 of the elastic band assembly 220 while not engaging strap 210.

FIG. 4C depict another exemplary embodiment, wherein the carabiner 226 passes through the rings 320 of the anchor band 300 and around the strap 210 while not engaging the ring 230 or the elastic band assembly 220 in any way.

Through a simple and quick change between the configurations of carabiner 226 shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, a user can quickly change the exercise to be performed, for example from a first exercise that uses the strap as the load carrying element to a second exercise that uses only the elastic bands as the load carrying elements.

This application includes description that is provided to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims.

Reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more.” Use of the articles “a” and “an” is to be interpreted as equivalent to the phrase “at least one.” Unless specifically stated otherwise, the terms “a set” and “some” refer to one or more.

Although various components are illustrated as being flat and/or straight, those components can have other configurations, such as curved or tapered for example, in some embodiments.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example or illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or, in the case of a method claim, the element is recited using the phrase “step for.” Furthermore, to the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fitness band for bodyweight/stability training and elastic resistance training in one piece of equipment, the fitness band comprising:

a strap having a first ring affixed at a first end of the strap and a second ring affixed at a second end of the strap,

an elastic band assembly comprising at least one length of elastic band with a third ring affixed at a first end of the elastic band and a fourth ring affixed at a second end of the elastic band, wherein the elastic band assembly is movably coupled to the strap at a plurality of positions along the strap such that the first and third rings are proximate and the second and fourth rings are proximate,

a first handle assembly having a first handle attachment point,

a second handle assembly having a second handle attachment point,

a first carabiner coupled to the first handle attachment point and configured to be selectably coupled to at least one of the first ring and the third ring, and

a second carabiner coupled to the second handle attachment point and configured to be selectably coupled to at least one of the second ring and the fourth ring.

2. The fitness band of claim 1, wherein the strap is non-extensible.

3. The fitness band of claim 1, wherein the elastic band assembly is longer than the strap.

4. The fitness band of claim 2, wherein the fitness band can be configured to provide a load path from the first handle assembly to the second handle assembly that passes only through the strap.

5. The fitness band of claim 3, wherein the elastic band assembly remains attached to the strap during use of the fitness band with no load path passing through elastic band assembly.

6. The fitness band of claim 2, wherein the fitness band can be configured to provide a load path from the first handle assembly to the second handle assembly that passes only through the elastic band assembly.

7. The fitness band of claim 5, wherein the elastic band assembly remains attached to the strap during use of the fitness band with no load path passing through strap.

8. The fitness band of claim 1, wherein the elastic band assembly is coupled to the strap at each of the plurality of locations by a retaining element.

9. The fitness band of claim 3, wherein the retaining element is configured to allow the elastic band assembly to be removed from the fitness band and a different elastic band assembly installed into the fitness band.

10. The fitness band of claim 4, wherein the retaining element is configured to allow two or more elastic band assemblies to be installed into the fitness band at the same time.

11. The fitness band of claim 3, wherein the retaining element is a piece of strap material that is coupled to the strap along an edge.

12. The fitness band of claim 1, wherein the elastic band assembly is coupled to the strap at each of the plurality of locations by the elastic band passing through a slit in the strap.

13. The fitness band of claim 4, wherein the strap is a tube having an interior and an exterior and the elastic band assembly is coupled to the strap at each of the plurality of locations by the elastic band passing from the exterior to the interior through a first slit in the strap and then passing from the interior to the exterior through a second slit in the strap.

14. The fitness band of claim 1, further comprising:

an anchor strap having a fifth ring affixed at a first end of the anchor strap and a sixth ring affixed at a second end of the anchor strap, and

a third carabiner configured to be coupled to the fifth and sixth rings and to selectably capture at least one of a midpoint of the strap and a midpoint of the elastic band assembly.

15. The fitness band of claim 7, wherein:

the elastic band assembly is comprised of two pieces of elastic band that are coupled together with a seventh ring, and

the third carabiner is configured to selectably capture the seventh ring.