SPACER FOR RESISTANCE ADJUSTMENT IN RESISTANCE TRAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

A spacer may be provided for tension adjustment for apparatus for resistance training. The spacer may effect this adjustment by, e.g., changing the relative positions of some elements of the apparatus, which may thereby change the amount that a particular movement stretches an elastic band. The spacer may effectively shorten a connector supporting an arm supporting an elastic band serving as a resistance element in the resistance training apparatus. In embodiments, the spacer may be U-shaped; it may have a substantially flat lower surface and a sloped upper surface opposite the lower surface; it may have a first height and a second height that differs from the first height; and it may be configured to be capable of shortening the connector consequent to being removably clipped to the connector.

Description

BACKGROUND

Resistance training is a form of physical exercise that typically involves using muscular strength to repeatedly move an object against a force opposing the movement. Elastic bands can be used for resistance training. For example, an elastic band can be affixed to a bar resembling one used in weight training. The elastic bands, connected by a rope to the bar, are configured such that the exercise moves the bar in a direction causing the band to stretch, causing the band to exert a force on the bar opposing the movement. An example apparatus for resistance training using elastic bands is disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 11,648,436, titled “Exercise Apparatus Including Weight Bar”, which is incorporated into this disclosure by reference.

When using this kind of apparatus, however, changing the resistance level for any exercise may involve switching from one band or set of bands to another. An apparatus supporting a comprehensive program of resistance training may thus require an inconvenient number of bands to allow sufficient variation in resistance levels. Moreover, if a large number of intermediate resistance levels are desired, it may be necessary to acquire an inconvenient number of bands of varying degrees of elasticity, and bands of a desired elasticity may not be easily available.

There is therefore a need for an alternative way of changing the resistance level for a resistance training apparatus that uses elastic bands. There is a further need for this change to be effected in predictable, consistent increments.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a spacer for tension adjustment for existing apparatus for resistance training. According to embodiments of the invention, the spacer may effect this adjustment by, e.g., changing the relative positions of some elements of the apparatus, which may thereby change the amount that a particular movement stretches an elastic band.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 11,648,436, cited previously, discloses an exercise apparatus that may include a lifting bar with pulley hubs on its ends. The apparatus may further include two slings, each including connectors—e.g., flexible cords—and a rigid, straight or arc-shaped support bar. The slings may be suspended from the pulley hubs by the cords and support an elastic band, which may provide resistance during exercise. A spacer according to embodiments of the invention may, e.g., change the distance between the lifting bar and the support bars, and thereby change the distance that any movement will cause the resistance band to stretch.

According to embodiments of the invention, a spacer is provided for effectively shortening a connector supporting an arm supporting an elastic band serving as a resistance element in an apparatus used for resistance training. In embodiments, the spacer is U-shaped; it has a substantially flat lower surface and a sloped upper surface opposite the lower surface; it has a first height and a second height that differs from the first height; and it is configured to be capable of shortening the connector consequent to being removably clipped to the connector.

According to embodiments of the invention, the spacer comprises at least one groove, formed in the U, for securing the spacer to the connector. In a further embodiment, the spacer comprises two grooves configured to correspond to a connector comprising two substantially parallel lengths of flexible cord.

According to embodiments of the invention, the lower surface of the spacer is substantially parallel to a first notional plane, and the upper surface of the spacer is substantially parallel to a second notional plane intersecting the first notional plane at an angle. In some embodiments, the angle is between 2 degrees and 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle is between 3 degrees and 8 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle is between 4 degrees and 6 degrees.

According to embodiments of the invention, the spacer is made of a material selected from the group that consists of polyoxymethylene, epoxy resin, and polycarbonate. According to embodiments, the spacer is made of polyoxymethylene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a top view of a spacer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts from the side a spacer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a person using a resistance training apparatus with a spacer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 depicts multiple views of the spacer according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a spacer in conjunction with an apparatus for resistance training according to embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 depicts a spacer in conjunction with an apparatus for resistance training according to embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 depicts from above a spacer 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment such as FIG. 1 depicts, the spacer includes a U-shaped body 101 surrounding a central opening 102 and having a first end 103 and a second opposed end 104. In connection with embodiments of the invention, a spacer 100 may be removably clipped, e.g., to a connector (not pictured) such as a flexible cord or two substantially parallel lengths of flexible cord, by passing the connector between the first end 103 and the second end 104 into the central opening 102.

As depicted, the inside of the “U”—that is, the side facing the opening 102—comprises two grooves 105. In connection with an embodiment of the invention, the grooves 105 may correspond, e.g., to two substantially parallel lengths of flexible cord, which may form a connector as described in more detail below. Used in this connection, the grooves 105 may act as channels that the cords snap into, causing the spacer to be held in place. The spacer in such an embodiment may be, e.g., easily removed from the connector by hand when desired but also stable when in use.

FIG. 2 depicts a spacer 100 according to an embodiment of the invention from the side. As depicted, the spacer 100 is wedge-like when seen from this perspective. The spacer 100 has a lower surface 205 that is substantially parallel to a first notional plane 210 and an upper surface 215 that is substantially parallel to a second notional plane 220. The lower surface 205 and the upper surface 215 are substantially parallel to their respective planes 210, 220 in that neither surface is necessarily exactly planar; in addition to ordinary manufacturing variations, either or both surfaces may be, e.g., textured to modify the frictional and/or other handling properties of the spacer 100, and/or other features may be present, including without limitation ridges and/or beveled edges for aesthetic and/or handling purposes.

The first and second planes 210 and 220 are notional in the sense that the are not physical features of an actual spacer 100 but are used conceptually to illustrate and/or define certain properties of a spacer 100 according to embodiments of the invention. The first notional plane 210 and second notional plane 220 intersect at an angle 230, which may vary according to embodiments of the invention. For example, according to embodiments, the angle of intersection 230 may be between 2 degrees and 10 degrees; or between 3 degrees and 8 degrees; or between 4 degrees and 6 degrees.

(The use of “lower surface” and “upper surface” in this disclosure is to some extent arbitrary, for the sake of convenience, and the usage could equally be the other way around. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the invention (not pictured) both the lower and upper surfaces of the spacer 100 could in some way be sloped.)

It will be appreciated that one consequence of a wedge-like shape for the spacer 100 may be that, under compression, the spacer 100 may experience transverse forces tending to push the spacer 100 into the connector rather than away from it. Thus, this shape may improve, e.g., the stability and/or safety or spacers 100 according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts spacers 100 in use with an apparatus 300 for resistance training by a person 310 according to an embodiment of the invention. (The depiction of a person in FIG. 3 is meant only to illustrate the spacer 100 and its functions according to embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention may include, e.g., devices and/or apparatus intended for use by persons and/or methods of use of such devices and/or apparatus by persons, but they do not encompass a human organism.)

In an embodiment such as FIG. 3 depicts, the spacer 100 is used in connection with an apparatus 300 for resistance training. The apparatus 300 may include a weight bar 320, one or multiple slings 325, and one or multiple elastic bands 330. The weight bar 320 supports slings 325 that in turn support an elastic band 330. The weight bar 320 depicted in FIG. 3 is straight, but other bars (not pictured) may depart from this shape if desired.

In an embodiment of the invention, the elastic band 330 is a continuous loop, e.g., as FIG. 3 depicts, but it will be appreciated that other configurations are possible. For example, an elastic band in connection with an embodiment of the invention may be a straight band with looped ends (not pictured), which may be affixed, e.g., to an object to provide resistance to movement of a bar.

In embodiments of the invention, an optional footplate 340, as seen in FIG. 3 may support a user with the elastic band, e.g., running singly or doubled through the base plate. Alternatively, if a plate is not used, in connection with embodiments of the invention, a user may, e.g., stand on the bands directly. It will be appreciated that use of a footplate 340 as described may be preferable in connection with exercises using high loads.

The elastic band 330 in FIG. 3 is threaded through features of the weight bar 320 and loops below a footplate 340. As depicted, the weight of the user 310 standing on the footplate 340 traps the band 330 below the footplate 340. Consequently, raising the bar 320 stretches the band 330, increasing the force resisting the movement. Lowering the bar 320 reduces the stretch and thus the force exerted by the band 330.

FIG. 4 depicts multiple views of the spacer 100 according to embodiments of the invention. The views of FIG. 4 include views of the depicted spacer 100 from the bottom right view (a), top perspective view (b), bottom left view (c), front and center view (d), front and side view (e), rear view (f), top right view (g), top perspective view (h), top left view (i).

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 3, the spacer 100 comprises interior grooves 105, which may, e.g., allow a spacer to be removably for attaching to a cord 505, as in FIG. 5. This allows for the spacer 100 to securely attach to a cord 505 without slippage while maintaining the cord's 505 integrity. In embodiments of the invention, the spacer 100 is made up of flexible plastic material or any material exhibiting sufficient durability for the described use.

As FIG. 5 depicts, a weight bar 320 may have pulley hubs 510 at or near its ends. FIG. 5 also depicts a sling 525 suspended from a pulley hub 510 of a weight bar 320, according to an embodiment of the invention. As depicted, the sling 525 is an assembly that comprises an arm 530. The depicted arm 530 is curved into an arc, but in an alternative embodiment (not depicted), the arm may be substantially straight. At each end, the arm 530 terminates in a loop or opening 535. In an embodiment such as FIG. 5 depicts, a doubled cord 505 is passed through the opening 535 to serve as a connector between the sling 525 and the bar 320. The ends 545 of the cord 505 are tied together to form a knot 550 that is too large to pass through the hole 535, and the bight of each cord 505 is threaded into the pulley hub 510.

In connection with embodiments of the invention, the spacer 100 is placed in between the openings 535 of the sling 525 and the knots 550 of the doubled cord 505. The central opening 102 (FIG. 1) of the spacer allows the spacer 100 to securely clip on to the cord 505 (FIG. 5) without the cord 505 having to be detached from the pulley hub 510.

It will be appreciated that, by pushing the knots 550 away from the underside of the arm 530, the spacers bring the arm 530 closer to the pulley hub 510 and, as a corollary, to the bar 320. This results, in effect, in shortening the connector between the arm 530 and the bar 320. This may, in certain configurations, mean that, e.g., increased force is needed to raise the bar 320 to a given height from the ground, increasing the effort need to perform, e.g., exercises like deadlifts.

FIG. 6 depicts in detail the spacer 100 attached to each end of the cord 505 in between the opening 535 of the sling 525 and the knot 550 of the double cord 505.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions of a spacer according to embodiments of the invention may reflect, e.g., attributes of the exercise apparatus that the spacer is to be used with. In one exemplary embodiment, a spacer may have a length of 26 mm, measured from the bottom of the U to an imaginary line connecting the tips of the ends 103, 104 (FIG. 1), and a width of 18 mm. An opening between the ends 103, 104 may in this embodiment be 5 mm across; the grooves 105 may be 7 mm across. The height of the spacer in this embodiment varies (because of the slope of the upper side) from a minimum of 10.11 mm to a maximum of 11.34 mm.

It bears repeating that none of these dimensions is necessarily critical. Again, the dimensions of a spacer may be expected to be dictated by the apparatus that the spacer is to be used with.

In embodiments of the invention, two or more spacers 100 can be stackable to adjust the tension for resistance training without inducing significant bending stress on the cord 505. This allows the spacer 100 to adjust the cord's 505 tension that is subjected to progressive overload. It will be appreciated that use of stacking spacers 100 as described may be preferable in connection with exercises using high loads.

It will be appreciated that certain physical properties may be desirable in a spacer according to embodiments of the invention. For example, some flexibility may be desirable to support clipping the spacer onto a connector and subsequently unclipping it. On the other hand, rigidity is needed to keep the spacer from deforming significantly under compression. In an embodiment of the invention, a spacer may be made from, e.g., polyoxymethylene, such as is sold under the brand name Delrin®. Other materials may be suitable, including, e.g., epoxy resin and/or polycarbonate.

Claims

1. A spacer for effectively shortening a connector supporting an arm supporting an elastic band serving as a resistance element in an apparatus used for resistance training, wherein: the spacer is U-shaped;the spacer has a substantially flat lower surface and a sloped upper surface opposite the lower surface;the spacer has a first height and a second height that differs from the first height; andthe spacer is configured to be capable of shortening the connector consequent to being removably clipped to the connector.

2. The spacer of claim 1, comprising at least one groove, formed in the U, for securing the spacer to the connector.

3. The spacer of claim 2, comprising two grooves configured to correspond to a connector comprising two substantially parallel lengths of flexible cord.

4. The spacer of claim 1, wherein: the lower surface of the spacer is substantially parallel to a first notional plane;the upper surface of the spacer is substantially parallel to a second notional plane intersecting the first notional plane at an angle; andthe angle is between 2 degrees and 10 degrees.

5. The spacer of claim 4, wherein the angle is between 3 degrees and 8 degrees.

6. The spacer of claim 4, wherein the angle is between 4 degrees and 6 degrees.

7. The spacer of claim 1, wherein the spacer is made of a material selected from the group that consists of polyoxymethylene, epoxy resin, and polycarbonate.

8. The spacer of claim 7, wherein the spacer is made of polyoxymethylene.