GB2395442A

GB2395442A - Elastic exercise device

Info

Publication number: GB2395442A
Application number: GB0326943A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johannes Hendrik Jacob Windell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-20
Filing date: 2003-11-20
Publication date: 2004-05-26
Also published as: GB0326943D0

Abstract

An elastic exercise device comprises an elongate elastic element 1 with handles 3 at each end whereby the elastic element can be gripped or stood upon so that repeated stretching of the element can take place in order to exercise particular muscles. At least a major central part of the length of the elastic element is provided with an outer, relatively substantially inextensible tubular sheath 2, relative to which the elastic element can be operatively stretched. In use, the sheath can contact a part of a persons body such as the neck, back or shoulders to keep the elastic element out of contact and thereby protect the person's skin. The two end regions of the elastic element preferably each pass through a separate tubular member, that can be a shorter length of the sheath material that defines a handle in each case. Anchorage means 4, 8 attaching the ends of the tubular elastic element to the handles are shown in figure 4.

Description

ELASTIC EXERCISE DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an elastic exercise device of the general type that comprises an elastic or other resiliently extensible elongate element fitted with means at each end for enabling it to be held by a persons hand, or anchored by persons foot, so that the elastic element can be stretched 10 repeatedly to achieve an exercising function. In particular, but not exclusively, the exercise device provided by the invention is particularly well suited for convenience of transport and storage and to use in confined spaces. 15 BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There are numerous exercise devices that comprise a resiliently extensible elongate element that, in the past, has very often been an elongate helical tension spring but, more recently, tends to comprise an elongate the 20 elastomeric cord or strap fitted with handle means at each end whereby an end of the cord or strap can be griped manually or anchored to the ground with a persons foot. Some of these devices have also had releasable straps provided at each end that can be used to attach such end to a person's ankle or wrist, for example. Solid triangular grips, which may optionally be 25 detachable, have also been used in prior art equipment.

There is also widely practiced, the use of simple cut elongate lengths of elastic sheet that is made to different degrees of elasticity and is widely used by physiotherapists for their patients in order to carry out remedial exercises.

30 These lengths of elastic sheet are simply wound around the patients hand in order to obtain a grip on an end thereof.

A difficulty associated with these prior art devices is that the length of elastic

element, when it is in contact with a part of the body such as part of the user's neck, shoulders or back, may result in discomfort, and may even burn or irritate the skin over which it is being stretched.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide an elastic exercise device of this general nature which, at least to some extent, overcomes 10 difficulties exhibited by existing devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this invention there is provided an elastic exercise device 15 comprising an elongate elastic element wherein at least a major central part of the length of the element is provided with an outer relatively substantially inextensible tubular sheath, the arrangement being such that the elastic element can be operatively stretched relative to the substantially inextensible tubular sheath.

Further features of the invention provide for the sheath to extend over substantially the entire length of the elastic element in its relaxed condition apart from two end regions that each pass through separate tubular member that defines a handle in each case; for the elastic element to be anchored 25 relative to each of the handles at the end thereof remote from the central region of the elastic element; for the sheath and separate tubular members to be formed of the same flexible tubular material a length of which may simply be severed at positions selected to define a handle at each end of the elastic element and an intermediate section between the two handles; for the elastic 30 element to consist of a neoprene or other elastomeric material that is preferably a tubular extrusion; for the elastic element to be approximately one meter in length; for the flexible tubular sheath and separate tubular members )

to be manufactured from a silicone based flexible plastic material; and for the flexible tubular sheath to be transparent.

A still further feature of the invention provides for the ends of the elastic 5 element, in the case that it is tubular, to be anchored to the remote end of each of two separate tubular members that define handles by means of a tubular fitting wedged into the free end of the tubular member and having a convergent bore therethrough with a wedge fitted internally into the associated free end of the tubular elastic element so that the elastic element 10 becomes firmly wedged between the convergent bore and the wedge.

It will be understood that the preferred embodiment of the invention is one in which handles are formed by two shorter lengths of tubular sheath material that is the same as the major central region of the sheath through which the 15 elastic element passes. In such an instance the intermediate section of the tubular sheath can be used to function as a possible third grip for purposes of particular types of exercises.

In order that the above and other features of the invention may be more fully 20 understood, one embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

25 In the drawings: Figure 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of elastic exercise device according to the invention in its relaxed condition; 30 Figure 2 is a similar illustration showing the effect of stretching the internal elastic element as would take place in carrying out exercises;

Figure 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section taken through one end region of the exercise device illustrated in Figures 1 and 2; and, 5 Figure 4 is a very much enlarged longitudinal section taken through the anchor arrangement at one free end of the exercise device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings an exercise device of the invention comprises an elongate elastic element (1) that is typically about one meter in length, and is cut from of an extruded tubular elastic material, generally an elastomeric material such as a suitable 15 neoprene rubber. The elastic element is, as provided by this invention, located within a flexible outer tubular sheath (2), that is preferably manufactured from a somewhat transparent silicone-based plastics material, and that extends over a major portion of the length of the elastic element.

20 In this embodiment of the invention two shorter lengths of the same tubular sheath material cover the end regions of the elastic element, in its relaxed condition, to form handles (3), one at each end. The sheath and handles can simply be made by severing a single length of tubular sheath material at appropriate positions and then threading the resultant three pieces of sheath 25 material onto the elastic element.

It will be understood that the tubular sheath material is quite flexible but substantially inextensible by comparison relative to the elastic element.

30 In this embodiment of the invention the handles are attached to the elastic element at the remote ends (4) thereof. To this end, the free end of the tubular handle has wedged therein a tubular end fitting (5) that has an outer

tapered surface (6) of generally truncated conical shape over which the end of the handle is stretched to some extent with the free end (7) of the handle abutting a flange (8) that the end of the fitting. This substantially fixes the fitting relative to the handle.

The fitting has a bore that has a convergent inner surface (9), also of generally truncated conical shape, that cooperates with a converging region of the outer surface of the elastic element that has had introduced into it, by stretching it radially, a wedge (11) having an outer surface (10) conforming 10 substantially to the inner surface of the bore. The result is that the elastic element pulls the wedge into the bore so that the wall of the elastic element becomes firmly clamped between the bore of the fitting and the internal wedge, as illustrated clearly in Figure 4.

15 Thus, in use, the handles can be gripped manually, or one handle can be stood upon by a persons foot, and the elastic element can be stretched repeatedly in order to carry out an exercise. In the event that the central region of the elastic element would normally be in contact with a part of the persons body, typically the neck, shoulders, or back, the sheath will contact 20 such region of the persons body instead and will not move relative to it whilst the elastic element can stretch and contract repeatedly within the sheath.

The intermediate section of the outer tubular sheath can also optionally be used as a grip with the outer two handles being placed under the feet of the 25 user and the intermediate section being pulled in an upwards direction as one form of exercise. Doubtless, numerous other exercises can be carried out utilizing the exercise device of this invention.

It will be appreciated that the exercise device of this invention does not have 30 bulky handles or grips and this makes it easy to both store and transport.

Since the grips are integrated into the structure of the exercise apparatus, it is also easier to maintain the apparatus in good, operational condition since

there is less chance that the grips will be damaged either during use or storage and transport.

It will be understood that numerous variations may be made to the exercise 5 apparatus described above without departing from the scope hereof. In particular, the manner in which the ends of the elastic element are anchored to the handles can be varied widely and the nature of the handles can also be varied. In particular the handles do not have to be made of exactly the same material as the sheath and they could be made of a different tubular 10 material, for example. Also, the elastic element can assume any form and could even be an elongate helically wound tension spring, for example.

6i Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and

which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents

5 of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying

claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except 10 combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying

claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features 15 serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s).

20 The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,

abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An elastic exercise device comprising an elongate elastic element wherein at least a major central part of the length of the element is 5 provided with an outer relatively substantially inextensible tubular sheath, the arrangement being such that the elastic element can be operatively stretched relative to the substantially inextensible tubular sheath. 10

2. An elastic exercise device as claimed in claim 1 in which the sheath extends over substantially the entire length of the elastic element in its relaxed condition apart from two end regions that each pass through a separate tubular member that defines a handle in each case.

15

3. An elastic exercise device as claimed in claim 2 in which the elastic element is anchored relative to each of the handles at the end thereof remote from the central region of the elastic element.

4. An elastic exercise device as claimed in either one of claim 2 or 3 in 20 which the sheath and separate tubular members are formed of the same flexible tubular sheath material.

5. An elastic exercise device as claimed in claim 4 in which the said flexible tubular sheath material is severed at positions selected to 25 define a handle at each end of the elastic element and an intermediate section between the handles.

6. An elastic exercise device as claimed in claim 1 in which the elastic element is a tubular extrusion.

7. An elastic exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the elastic element is approximately one meter in length. 5

8. An elastic exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the flexible tubular sheath is manufactured from a silicone based flexible plastic material that is optionally transparent.

9. An elastic exercise device as claimed in any one of the preceding 10 claims in which the ends of the elastic element, in the case that it is tubular, are anchored to the remote end of each of two separate tubular members that define handles by means of a tubular fitting wedged into the free end of the tubular member and having a convergent bore therethrough with a wedge fitted internally into the 15 associated free end of the tubular elastic element so that the elastic element becomes wedged between the convergent bore and the wedge.

10. An elastic exercise device substantially as herein described with 20 reference to the accompanying drawings.