Patent Application
20250114657
The invention relates to the field of exercise equipment, specifically to an apparatus designed to serve as an adjustable anchor point for a wide range of physical exercises, including resistance and bodyweight training.
In the realm of physical training and exercise, traditional equipment often presents limitations in terms of adaptability, safety, and ease of use. For example, existing resistance bands, commonly employed for strength and flexibility training, have fixed resistance levels, compelling users to purchase multiple bands to cover a broader resistance range. This not only increases the cost but also adds complexity in setting up various exercises. Additionally, current bands cannot be easily adjusted to offer incremental resistance changes, thus creating gaps in resistance levels that are not optimal for progressive strength training.
Another prevalent issue concerns the anchoring solutions for resistance training and bodyweight exercises. Existing anchor points, such as metal chains or static hooks, lack versatility. They are often cumbersome, inflexible, and can introduce safety risks if they fail or are improperly installed. These traditional systems do not offer a comprehensive and adaptable means for engaging in a wide range of physical activities, such as yoga, gymnastics, and conventional fitness exercises.
Furthermore, the materials used in many existing exercise straps and anchors can be uncomfortable against the skin or may not possess the required strength and durability for intense workouts. For example, metal components can be corrosive and heavy, while purely synthetic materials may lack comfort and breathability.
Moreover, most existing systems lack features that aid in consistency and measurement of progress. For example, they may not have marks to guide the user in maintaining consistent distances for bodyweight training, or to measure progress in mobility and flexibility exercises. It is within this context that the present invention is provided.
The invention disclosed herein relates to an exercise apparatus comprising a strap formed of adjacent loops and accompanying buckles, designed to serve as an anchor point for a wide range of physical exercises. The strap is comprised of a two or more first portions with loops of a first length and a second portion with loops of a second, shorter length. The apparatus may also include one or more buckles that hook onto respective loops of the strap and a set of resistance bands of varying resistances. The strap and buckles are designed to facilitate incremental adjustment of resistance levels and to offer a versatile platform for exercises such as bodyweight training, yoga, and traditional fitness training.
In some embodiments, the loops of the two or more first portions are disposed at either end of the strap.
In some embodiments, each of the first portions of the strap contain loops of a first length that spans from a first end to a second portion of the strap. The loops in the first portion may each be 10 cm in length. This design feature allows for secure and stable anchoring, particularly beneficial for exercises that require greater lengths of the strap to be engaged.
In some embodiments, the second portion of the strap comprises loops of a second, shorter length, which may be 5 cm long. The shorter loops are advantageous for exercises that require fine-tuned adjustments of the strap length, thereby allowing for incremental increases in resistance or positioning.
In some embodiments, the strap is provided along with one or more buckles, each designed to hook onto a respective loop of the strap. These buckles feature a square profile with a spring wire gate closing mechanism made from steel, enhancing the strength, safety, and ease of use of the apparatus.
In some embodiments, the apparatus comes as a kit, including two or more straps and a plurality of resistance bands with different resistances. The combination of straps and resistance bands allows for a comprehensive and varied exercise routine, enabling the user to perform a range of activities from strength training to flexibility exercises.
In some embodiments, marks may be added, for example laser-engraved, on each loop or the connection point between each loop. These marks assist in maintaining consistent positioning during exercises and in measuring progress over time.
In some embodiments, the material used for the strap comprises 90% cotton and 10% synthetic material. The buckle is made from aluminum. This composition ensures a balance between comfort, breathability, and strength.
Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures and the detailed description to indicate like elements. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above figures are examples and that other architectures, modes of operation, orders of operation, and elements/functions can be provided and implemented without departing from the characteristics and features of the invention, as set forth in the claims.
The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments to illustrate the principles of the invention. The embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects of the invention, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalent; it is limited only by the claims.
Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The terms “first,” “second,” and the like are used herein to describe various features or elements, but these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure relates to an exercise apparatus designed to serve multiple functions in various forms of physical training and exercise. At its core, the apparatus comprises a strap formed of adjacent loops extending along its length.
The strap is divisible into distinct portions, each characterized by loops of specific lengths. The two or more first portions of the strap extends from the ends of the strap to a second middle portion and each consist of one or more loops of a first length. The second portion comprises multiple loops of a second, shorter length and extends between the first end and the second end of the strap.
The strap is furnished with one or more buckles designed to engage with the loops, facilitating a secure and adjustable connection. Each buckle features a square profile and includes a spring wire gate closing mechanism. The apparatus is adaptable for use with rubber bands to adjust resistance levels and can also include marks on each loop or the connection points between loops for positional reference.
This invention aims to provide a versatile, adjustable, and safe system for a wide range of exercises and physical training regimes, including but not limited to bodyweight strength training, mobility and flexibility training, traditional fitness training, and yoga.
Moreover, the strap 100 incorporates markings 110 at regular intervals. These markings 110 are generally equidistant from one another and serve as positional references for users. The markings 110 may be formed by methods such as laser engraving, and they appear at one or more of the loops, or at the connection points between the loops. Any suitable number and system of markings may be used. These markings 110 assist the user in gauging the relative position of each loop 106, 108 during exercises and thus facilitate precise and consistent use of the apparatus. The markings 110, the square buckles 102, and the wire gate mechanisms 104 collectively contribute to the apparatus's functionality, enabling a versatile range of exercises and training regimes.
In
In
In one example use case, a user may perform a pull-up exercise with two straps from the invention, each anchored above at a chosen point using the square buckles. Furthermore, an additional strap is wrapped around the user's waist. Both ends of this waist strap are connected via another square buckle. A weight is suspended from this waist strap, adding further resistance to the pull-up exercise.
IN another example, suppose a user possesses three resistance bands with resistances of 5 kg, 10 kg, and 20 kg. The traditional combination of these bands would yield four additional resistance levels: 15 kg, 25 kg, 30 kg, and 35 kg. However, 5 kg increments can often be too large a leap in many exercises.
Utilizing the invention, the user can adjust the anchor point at which these resistance bands are attached. This adjustment allows the creation of a more fine-tuned resistance ladder, featuring increments of less than 1 kg, thereby providing a more versatile training regimen.
Furthermore, the invention facilitates new exercises that would traditionally require a longer exercise band. It can essentially extend the effective length of the existing exercise band. In addition, the invention enhances the resistance levels for bodyweight exercises. For instance, in the squat exercise, the combined use of rubber bands, the invention, and specific exercise modifications can offer a resistance range from 35 kg of assistance to 140 kg of added resistance, subject to exact and accurate measurements. These benefits extend the utility of the invention for a wide range of physical training scenarios.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The disclosed embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. While specific configurations of the exercise apparatus have been described in a specific manner referring to the illustrated embodiments, it is understood that the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of solutions which fit within the scope and spirit of the claims. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.
It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.
