Patent Application
20230330474
The present disclosure relates, in general, to suspension training, and more particularly, to an apparatus for providing suspension and resistance training that allows a user to work against his or her own body weight.
Suspension training refers to an approach to strength training that uses a system of ropes and webbing called a “suspension trainer” to allow a user to work against his or her own body weight. Many studios, such as yoga studios, Pilates studios, multi-use gyms and other athletic facilities, cannot afford to permanently affix suspension training points as a sole source for suspension training as studio space is limited and equipment space utilization is compromised. Accordingly, there is a need for improved apparatuses for providing suspension and resistance training.
It would be advantageous to achieve an apparatus for providing suspension and resistance training that would improve upon existing limitations in functionality with respect to studio space and equipment space utilization. It would also be desirable to enable a mechanical-based solution that would provide simplified and accelerated storage and deployment of exercise equipment. To better address one or more of these concerns, an apparatus for providing suspension and resistance training is disclosed. In one embodiment, a main strap includes a fastener for engaging an anchor at an upper end and a connection point that accepts a load at a lower end. A retraction unit, which provides non-load redundancy to the main strip, includes a coupling member securing the retraction unit to the fastener. The main strap is threaded through the ring end fitting. In an extended configuration, the retractable cable is fully extended, and the length of the main strap is fully extended with the main strip having a non-load transferring relationship to the retraction unit in the extended configuration. In an unloaded retracted configuration, the retractable cable is at least partially retracted into the retraction unit and the length of the main strap is less than fully extended.
In another embodiment, a main strap includes a fastener for engaging an anchor at an upper end and a connection point that accepts a load at a lower end. The main strap is threaded through the ring end fitting and at least a portion of the main strap includes an engineered stretchable cord, which may include a spring coil around the main strap or a bungee cord at least partially integrated with the main strap. In an extended configuration, the engineered stretchable cord is fully extended, and the length of the main strap is fully extended with the main strip having a non-load transferring relationship to the retraction unit in the extended configuration. In an unloaded retracted configuration, the engineered stretchable cord is at least partially retracted and the length of the main strap is less than fully extended. These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which:
While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the present invention.
Referring initially to
In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 10, which may provide suspension and resistance training to a user U, includes a main strap 12 having an upper end 14 and a lower end 16 with a length 18 (as best seen in
The retraction unit 30 may have a coupling member 46 securing the retraction unit 30 to the fastener 20. The main strap 12 is threaded through the ring end fitting 42 and, in one implementation, the main strap 12 is threaded through the ring end fitting 42 in a non-load redundancy manner. The ring end fitting 42 of the retraction unit 30 accepts a main strap load of the main strap, without a load. That is, the retraction unit 30 accepts an unloaded main strap load. The connection point accepts a greater load than the ring end fitting.
In operation, the apparatus 10 may have an unloaded retracted configuration 60 (please see
When it is desired to unreel or extend the apparatus 10, the user U moves the ring end fitting 42 radially inward, then the user U pulls the ring end fitting 42 until the apparatus is positioned in the extended configuration 64. When it is desired to reel or retract the apparatus 10, the user U pulls the ring end fitting 42 gently beyond the extended configuration 64 and the retraction unit 30 reels in the retractable cable 38 to retract the apparatus 10. This action proves very useful for storage of the apparatus 10. By way of example, on occasion, studios, such as gyms, will maintain dedicated group fitness space for suspended training, however, most multi-use studios make provisions for temporary and semi-permanent mounting of suspension training equipment, including components and appurtenances which can often create visual and physical impediments into the space. The apparatus 10 may easily be stored when not needed and quickly deployed as required.
Referring now to
Referring now to
In an extended configuration, the engineered stretchable cord 134 is fully extended and the length 126 of the main strap 120 is fully extended while the main strip 120 has a non-load transferring relationship to the engineered stretchable cord 134. In an unloaded retracted configuration, the engineered stretchable cord 134 is at least partially retracted and the length of the main strap 120 is less than fully extended.
Relative terms, such as, but not limited to, “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “inner,” or “outer” have been used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. Such relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures and the use of such relative terms should not be construed as limiting. Further, the order of execution or performance of the methods and techniques illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, elements of the methods and techniques may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methods may include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular element before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are all possible sequences of execution.
While this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments.
