CONNECTING STRAPS FOR SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Connecting straps, for use for example in sports activities, include (a) a sleeve of webbing having a first end and a second end and having a loop at each end, each loop having a base and a free end, (b) disposed within the sleeve of webbing, a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop, and (c) an attachment strap, adjacent each loop, configured to secure a portion of the band to the webbing at the base of each loop. In some cases, the band has a solid, polygonal cross-sectional shape.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/864,757, filed on Jun. 21, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDWhen two participants of unequal strength or ability, for example an adult and child, bicycle or ski together it can be difficult or even impossible for them to both maintain the same speed. In some cases, such as bicycling uphill, the less proficient participant will fall behind, while in other cases, such as downhill skiing, the less proficient participant may end up unintentionally going too fast and potentially losing control. Thus, for safety and enjoyability of the activity it can be desirable to provide a way to join the two participants together.
However, it is important from a safety standpoint that any type of connecting strap be strong enough to avoid failure due to the forces that will be encountered, not dangle onto the ground or into a bicyclist's wheel, and not jerk either user during use.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure pertains to connecting straps, and in particular to straps for connecting two persons taking part in a sports activity, or in some cases a person and an object to be towed.
In one aspect, the disclosure features a connecting strap that includes (a) a sleeve of webbing having a first end and a second end and having a loop at each end, each loop having a base and a free end, (b) disposed within the sleeve of webbing, a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop, and (c) an attachment strap, adjacent each loop, configured to secure a portion of the band to the webbing at the base of each loop.
Some implementations of the connecting strap include one or more of the following features.
The band may have a solid, polygonal cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape of the band may be, for example, square or rectangular.
The attachment strap may be formed of polyester or nylon. In some cases, the attachment strap will bunch up when tension is released from the elastic band causing the elastic band to draw it together. The attachment strap has two ends, and preferably is looped through the band and secured by stitching both ends of the attachment strap to the webbing. In some cases, each loop is formed by doubling a free end of the sleeve back and securing the free end in place with the same stitching that secures the ends of the attachment strap to the webbing, thereby forming the base of the loop with one continuous piece of webbing.
In some implementations, the webbing sleeve is configured for a maximum elongation of 4:1 and the band is configured for a maximum elongation of 7:1. The band may be formed of a natural rubber or thermoplastic elastomer, for example, of dipped natural latex. In some cases, the band is configured to pull no more than 18 pounds of weight, for example, no more than 15 pounds of weight, before the webbing sleeve engages and takes the load. The webbing sleeve is configured to prevent the rubber from being over stretched as well as protecting the rubber from UV damage. The band may, for example, have a length of from about 40 to 50 inches when in a relaxed (unstretched) condition. At full extension the length of the band can reach about 160 to 200 inches. The webbing sleeve may be formed of polypropylene or nylon.
In another aspect, the present disclosure features methods of utilizing the connecting straps disclosed herein to tow a person or object while engaging in a sports activity. The person who is doing the towing may attached the connecting strap to his or her body (e.g., around the waist) or to a bicycle or other article of sports equipment being used by the person towing. The other end of the connecting strap is attached to the person or item to be towed.
Referring to
Referring now to
The webbing material itself is substantially inextensible, but the sleeve is bunched up relative to the inner elastic band 20 during manufacture so that the sleeve can be extended to a much greater length by pulling on the opposite loops. For example, the ratio between the length L1 of the sleeve in the fully relaxed (bunched up) state (
The inner band 20 is formed of a natural or synthetic rubber material that has greater extensibility than the sleeve. The band may have a length L1 in its unstretched condition of from about 40 to 50 inches (L1 being the length of the loop measured as shown in
The band is preferably configured such that it pulls no more than 18 pounds, and in some implementations, no more than 15 pounds (for example, between 13 and 18 pounds) at the point at which it is fully extended to length L2 (at which point the webbing sleeve takes any additional load.)
As shown in
The band is secured within the sleeve at two attachment points, corresponding to the locations of the bases of the two loops 16A, 16B. Referring to
The width of the strap is selected to be sufficient to allow a secure attachment via the bar tack, without being so wide that it cannot be threaded through the loop of the band within the sleeve, while the length is selected to allow both ends to be securely stitched through by the bar tack.
Advantageously, the connecting straps described herein have features that provide enhanced safety. For example, the straps tend to smoothly elongate under tension, rather than jerking the user who is being towed. In this regard, it is generally preferred that the webbing sleeve have a small amount of elasticity in order to smooth the transition when the webbing sleeve takes the load at full elongation of the band.
Moreover, due to the protection provided by the sleeve and the robust nature of the band, the connecting strap can be subjected to relatively high forces, and suddenly applied forces, without danger of the inner band failing.
UsesThe connecting strap can be used in a wide variety of applications, in addition to the cycling application discussed above. For example, the two users may be on skis, paddleboards, skates, e-bikes, or other types of sports equipment, or the users can be running, hiking or walking. Rather than assisting with uphill or flat travel, the connecting strap can be used to provide braking during downhill travel, in which case the stronger user would be behind the weaker. The connecting strap can also be used as a dog leash, or when skijoring or bike-joring. In addition, the connecting strap can be used to pull an inanimate object when it is desired to not have a jerky connection, for example when skiing with a sled or pulk.
Other EmbodimentsIn other embodiments, the band may have a rectangular cross-section, or a non-polygonal cross-section, e.g., round or oval.
In some cases, one or both of the loops may be longer, or of adjustable length, or may include a hook to allow the loop to be unfastened for positioning around a user's waist or a large object.
Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A connecting strap comprising:
- a webbing sleeve having a first end and a second end and having a loop at each end, each loop having a base and a free end,
- disposed within the webbing sleeve, a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop, and
- an attachment strap, adjacent each loop, configured to secure a portion of the band to the webbing at the base of each loop.
2. The connecting strap of claim 1 wherein each attachment strap has two ends and is looped through the band and secured by stitching both ends of the attachment strap to the webbing.
3. The connecting strap of claim 2 wherein each loop is formed by doubling a free end of the sleeve back and securing the free end in place with the stitching that secures the ends of the attachment strap to the webbing sleeve, thereby forming the base of the loop.
4. The connecting strap of claim 1 wherein the webbing sleeve is configured for a maximum elongation of from 3:1 to 4:1.
5. The connecting strap of claim 4 wherein the band is configured to have a stretch ratio of at least 4:1.
6. The connecting strap of claim 5 wherein the band is configured to have a stretch ratio of at least 7:1.
7. The connecting strap of claim 5 wherein the band is configured such that it pulls no more than 18 pounds at its maximum elongation.
8. The connecting strap of claim 7 wherein the band is configured such that it pulls no more than 15 points at its maximum elongation.
9. The connecting strap of claim 7 wherein the webbing sleeve is configured to take any additional load once the band reaches maximum elongation.
10. The connecting strap of claim 5 wherein the band has a length of from about 40 to 50 inches when in a fully relaxed (unstretched) condition.
12. The connecting strap of claim 1 wherein the webbing sleeve is formed of a substantially inextensible material.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 14, 2023
Publication Date: Dec 7, 2023
Inventor: Eric Michael Landis (Grand Junction, CO)
Application Number: 18/449,673