This document concerns an invention relating generally to a strap attachment device, and more specifically to a portable strap attachment device well suited for sports, athletic training, exercise, and physical rehabilitation activities.
Straps are used in a variety of activities in which an object is to be tethered in relation to one or more other objects. One common category of activities that makes use of straps is fitness and exercise. None, one, or more of the tethered objects may be relatively stationary, while remaining objects may be relatively free to move. For example, one end of a strap may be fixed to a wall, while the other end may be gripped by a user. One manner of forming a grip or handle at one end of a strap is to fold one end of the strap onto itself and attach the folded end onto a given point along the strap's length. A strap may also be hung on or looped around an object such as a metal bar. Such hanging or looping, however, does not generally anchor the strap's position around the object, so the length of the strap that extends from either side of the metal bar is not fixed.
A strap's usefulness may be enhanced by attaching the strap to a strap attachment device. A strap attachment device may, for example, grip one or more straps at a given position and lock onto the strap. U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,711 to Hinds incorporates a multi-part mechanism for attaching an elastic cord to a bar, but the mechanism has: (i) a high part count; (ii) an inability to adjust and lock the position of the cord along the mechanism; and (iii) a large distance between the cord and the bar, limiting the range of motion. U.S. Pat. No. 6,941,620 to Hinds describes a pair of cam buckles capable of attaching to two straps, but the cam buckles do not themselves attach to other objects.
Conventional strap attachment devices with high part counts tend to be costly and difficult to use. Additionally, strap attachment devices that do not minimize the distance between the strap and an object to be linked with the strap limit the range of motion achievable for activities such as exercise. What is needed is a strap attachment device that limits part count and provides an easy-to-use interface, and that positions a strap closer to objects in order to achieve a greater range of motion.
The invention involves a fitness device which is intended to at least partially solve the aforementioned problems. To give the reader a basic understanding of some of the advantageous features of the invention, following is a brief summary of preferred versions of the strap attachment device, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings (which are briefly reviewed in the following “Brief Description of the Drawings” section of this document) to assist the reader's understanding. Because the following discussion is merely a summary, it should be understood that more details regarding the preferred versions may be found in the Detailed Description set forth elsewhere in this document. The claims set forth at the end of this document then define the various versions of the invention in which exclusive rights are secured.
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The fixed end 146 of the gate 144 preferably has two opposing lower holes 148a and 148b and two opposing upper holes 150a and 150b. To attach the fixed end 146 of the gate 144 to the lower body end 102, the first pin 134 is inserted through the two opposing lower holes 148a and 148b of the fixed end 146. A second pin 152 is preferably inserted through the two opposing upper holes 116a and 116b of the opposing sides 108a and 108b of the lower body end 102 and the two opposing upper holes 150a and 150b of the fixed end 146.
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The strap 200 has a first end 202 and a second end 204. The first end 202 of the strap 200 could optionally have a loop or a handle, and the second end 204 could optionally be attached to such items as a handle, a cuff, or an elastic cable.
Such a design offers many advantages. For example, combining the hook 122 of the upper body end 104 with the cam lever 126 and adjustable strap 200 of the lower body end 102 into one device reduces part count, reducing cost and improving usability. Integrating hook 122 and cam lever 126 in one device also positions the strap 200 closer to the object on which the upper body end 104 hooks, allowing a greater range of motion during exercises.
Further advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the remainder of this document in conjunction with the associated drawings.
It should be understood that various terms referring to orientation and position are used throughout this document—e.g., “upper” (as in “upper body end” or “upper hole”), “below” (as in “below the opening”), and “toward” (as in “toward the upper body end”)—and that such terms are relative rather than absolute. Such terms should be regarded as words of convenience, rather than limiting terms.
Continuing the discussion in the above Summary of the Invention section,
From the side of the lower body end 102 opposite the side with the cam lever 126, the gate 144 is shown protruding upward toward the hook 122. Alternatively, the gate 144 may protrude from the upper body end 104 (such as from the tip of hook 122), extending toward the lower body end 102. Moreover, the gate 144 may include a flexible portion extending from the upper body end 104 and a flexible portion extending from the lower body end 102, the flexible portions meeting somewhere in between. The gate 144 is preferably flexible, such that it may flex enough to move out of the way, permitting the hook 122 to snap over an object like a bar. Once the main body 100 is hooked on the object, the gate 144 helps keep the main body 100 from becoming unhooked prematurely. To give the gate 144 flexibility, the gate 144 is preferentially made using a less rigid material than used to make the hook 122 of the upper body end 104. The gate 144 may be constructed using, for example, polypropylene. By contrast, the hook 122 may be made from a very strong, stiff plastic, such as a glass-filled nylon. It is noted any suitable material may be used in any of the parts.
The gate 144 may alternatively include any structure that allows the hook 122 to slide over an object like a bar but is able to keep the object together with the hook 122. The gate 144 may be translatable, able to move out of the way in order to allow the hook 122 to slide over an object like a bar, and move back into place to keep the object together with the hook 122. For example, or a spring-loaded pin/bar able to retract into the main body 100 to provide passage for the object, and advance to secure the object to the main body 100. The gate may also be hinged, providing flexibility at a point of attachment with the main body 100 but able to secure the object with the main body 100 when engaged.
In this perspective view, the gate 144 is shown including fixed end 146. The gate 144 may attach to the main body 100 using a first pin 134 and a second pin 152. The gate 144 need not, however, attach to the lower body end 102 of the main body 100 using pins. The fixed end 146 may instead be attached, for example, by welding it to the lower body end 102.
In assembling the exemplary cam hook device, first pin 134 is inserted through the two lower holes 114a and 114b of the opposing sides 108a and 108b, the two opposing lower holes 148a and 148b of the fixed end 146, central hole 140 of spring 138, and bearing 132 of cam lever 126. Second pin 152 is preferably inserted through the two upper holes 116a and 116b of the opposing sides 108a and 108b, and the two opposing upper holes 150a and 150b of fixed end 146. The use of two pins in fixed end 146 fixes the gate 144 to main body 100, whereas the use of one pin through cam lever 126 permits the cam lever 126 to rotate. It is noted that the spring 138 may be a torsion spring, a compression spring, a spring arm, an elastic member (such as a rubber bumper), or any other member applying a biasing force.
Cam lever 126 thus permits strap 200 to be adjusted, such that a length of the strap 200 that is inserted through the opening 106 can be altered as desired by a user. A user may, for example, pull on the first end 202 of strap 200 to aid adjustment of the length of the strap 200 that is inserted through opening 106 at lower body end 102.
Preferred versions of the invention have been described above in order to illustrate how to make and use the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to these versions, but rather is intended to be limited only by the claims set out below. Thus, the invention encompasses all different versions that fall literally or equivalently within the scope of these claims.
This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/256,360 filed Oct. 30, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
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