AU2019101420A4 - Assembly, Exercise Apparatus, Bag therefor and associated Method of Use - Google Patents

Abstract

-13 Abstract In an aspect there is disclosed, an exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends and a strap arrangement having an elastic strap extending in a generally semi-circular loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends and a sleeve fitted about at least an intermediate portion of the elastic strap. There is also disclosed an assembly including the exercise apparatus and an associated bag, as well as associated methods of use. 28 Figure 1

Description

-12019101420 19 Nov 2019

Assembly, Exercise Apparatus, Bag therefor and associated Method of Use

Technical Field [001] The invention relates to an assembly, exercise apparatus, bar therefor and an associated method of use.

Background [002] Exercise apparatuses such as exercise bars typically include an elongate bar and an elastic strap (also referred to as a resistance band) that extends in a loop from opposing ends of the bar. A user may then perform various exercises with the exercise bar such as standing on one end of the strap loop, holding the bar and performing bicep curls against the resistance of the elastic strap.

[003] An example of such an exercise apparatus is disclosed in US 2007/0287614 that includes a rigid movable bar having two flexible elastic elements attached to the with an attachment. The attachments are spaced from each other and configured to allow winding the elastic element upon the bar by rotating the booster bar.

[004] Problems with this exercise apparatus include adjustability and suitability for a wide range of exercises including seated exercises. Another problem relates to the packaging and carriage of the exercise apparatus.

[005] The invention disclosed herein seeks to provide an improved exercise apparatus, associated methods of use, or at least provide a useful alternative.

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Summary [006] In accordance with a first broad aspect there is provided, an exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends and a strap arrangement having an elastic strap extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends and a sleeve fitted about at least an intermediate portion of the elastic strap.

[007] In an aspect, the sleeve is stiffer than the elastic strap.

[008] In another aspect, the sleeve is softer than the elastic strap.

[009] In yet another aspect, the sleeve is wider than the elastic strap.

[0010] In yet another aspect, the sleeve shapable so as to be curved.

[0011] In yet another aspect, the sleeve is fitted with padding about at least some of the sleeve.

[0012] In yet another aspect, the elastic strap includes two elastic tethers, and wherein the sleeve is fitted about both elastic tethers.

[0013] In yet another aspect, at least one of the opposing ends is fitted with a removable end cap and at least one of the attachment locations include an aperture such that upon removal of the end cap, an end the elastic strap is adjustably accessible to adjust the length of the elastic strap.

[0014] In yet another aspect, the strap arrangement including couplings at opposing ends of the elastic strap adapted to releasably couple with the attachment locations of the elongate bar such that the strap arrangement is at least one of replaceable, removable and interactable.

[0015] In yet another aspect, an intermediate section of the bar includes padding.

[0016] In yet another aspect, the elastic strap is furlable about the opposing ends of the bar so as to alter the length of the elastic strap.

-32019101420 19 Nov 2019 [0017] In yet another aspect, the attachment locations each include at least one aperture to allow passage of respective ends of the elastic strap so as to be securable internally of the bar.

[0018] In yet another aspect, the elastic strap is furlable about the opposing ends of the bar, with opposing ends of the sleeve providing an end of travel indicator in a furled condition.

[0019] In yet another aspect, in the furled condition, the electric strap and/or sleeve provides a carry handle.

[0020] In yet another aspect, the bag including a bag body adapted to receive the elongate bar and a closure adapted to retain the elongate bar in the furled condition with the carry handle provided by the sleeve extending from the bag body.

[0021] In accordance with a second broad aspect there is provided, an exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends and a strap arrangement extending in a semi-circular loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends, wherein the strap arrangement includes an elastic strap and a body support section at an intermediate portion of the elastic strap.

[0022] In accordance with a third broad aspect there is provided, a bag including a bag body adapted to receive the elongate bar and a closure adapted to retain the elongate bar in a furled condition in which the elastic strap is furled around the elongate bar such that at least some of the intermediate portion of the elastic strap extends from the bag so as to provide a carry handle.

[0023] In accordance with a fourth broad aspect there is provided, an assembly including an exercise apparatus and an associated bag, the exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends, an elastic strap extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends and a sleeve fitted about at least an intermediate portion of the elastic strap, wherein the elastic strap is furlable in a furled condition about the opposing ends of the bar, with opposing ends of the sleeve providing an end of travel indicator in the furled condition and wherein the bag includes a bag body adapted to receive the elongate bar and a closure adapted to retain the

-42019101420 19 Nov 2019 elongate bar in the furled condition with the sleeve extending from the bag body so as to provide a carry handle.

[0024] In accordance with a fifth broad aspect there is provided, an exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends, and an elastic strap extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends, wherein at least one of the opposing ends is fitted with a removable end cap and at least one of the attachment locations include an aperture such that upon removal of the end cap, an end the elastic strap is adjustably accessible to adjust the length of the elastic strap.

[0025] In accordance with a sixth broad aspect there is provided, an exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends, and an elastic strap extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends, wherein ends of the elastic strap are adapted to be releasably coupled to the attachment locations so at to be at least one of replaceable, interchangeable and adjustable.

[0026] In accordance with a seventh broad aspect there is provided, an assembly including an exercise apparatus and an associated bag, the exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends and an strap arrangement extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends, the strap arrangement including an elastic strap and a body support section intermediate the elastic strap, wherein the elastic strap is furlable in a furled condition about the opposing ends of the bar, with opposing ends of the body support section providing an end of travel indicator in the furled condition and wherein the bag includes a bag body adapted to receive the elongate bar and a closure adapted to retain the elongate bar in the furled condition with the body support section extending from the bag body so as to provide a carry handle.

[0027] In accordance with a eighth broad aspect there is provided, a method of exercise using an exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends, an elastic strap extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends and a sleeve fitted about at least an intermediate portion of the elastic strap, the method including: adjusting a length of the elastic strap by rotating the bar to furl the elastic strap there about, placing the sleeve about a first body part and holding the bar with another second body part; relatively moving the body part and the second body part so as to perform an exercise.

-52019101420 19 Nov 2019 [0028] In accordance with a ninth broad aspect there is provided, a method of stowing an exercise apparatus within an associated bag, the method including: Furling an elastic strap attached to an elongate bar of the exercise apparatus about opposing ends of the elongate bar; Ceasing furling when opposing ends of a sleeve about the elastic strap meet with the opposing ends of the elongate bar; Fitting the elongate bar within a body of the bag and closing a closure about the elongate bar with the sleeve extending therefrom so as to provide a curved carry handle.

[0029] In accordance with a ninth broad aspect there is provided, a method of stowing an exercise apparatus with an associated bag, the method including: Furling a strap arrangement attached to an elongate bar of the exercise apparatus about opposing ends of the elongate bar; Ceasing furling when opposing ends of a body support section of the strap arrangement meet with the opposing ends of the elongate bar; Fitting the elongate bar within a body of the bag and closing a closure about the elongate bar with the body support section extending therefrom so as to provide a curved carry handle.

Brief Description of the Figures [0030] The invention is described, by way of non-limiting example only, by reference to the accompanying figures, in which;

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exercise apparatus;

[0032] Figure 2 is a top view illustrating the exercise apparatus, the bottom view being substantially identical;

[0033] Figure 3 is a front view illustrating the exercise apparatus;

[0034] Figure 4 is a back view illustrating the exercise apparatus;

[0035] Figure 5 is an end view illustrating the exercise apparatus, the opposing end view being identical;

[0036] Figure 6 is a perspective view illustrating the exercise apparatus being fitted into an associated bag;

-62019101420 19 Nov 2019 [0037] Figure 7 is a perspective view illustrating the exercise apparatus stowed within the bag; and [0038] Figures 8 to 12 are perspective views illustrating the exercise apparatus in various use conditions.

Detailed Description [0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 7 there is disclosed an exercise apparatus 10 including an elongate bar 12 having opposing ends 14 and a strap arrangement 16 extending in a generally semi-circular loop between attachment locations 20 proximate the opposing ends 14. The strap arrangement 16 having one or more elastic straps 18 coupled to the respective attachment locations 20 and a sleeve 22 fitted about at least an intermediate portion of the elastic strap 18.

[0040] The elongate bar 12 may be a tubular hollow bar of plastic, metal, carbon fibre or any other suitable material. The elongate bar 12 includes an intermediate pad 24 made of foam or other suitable material that may be used as a neck support, and includes removeable end caps 26. Adjacent the end caps 26 are provided the attachment locations 20 that in this example include apertures 28 to allow passage of the elastic strap 18 into the elongate bar 12.

[0041] In this example, the elastic strap 18 includes two parallel tethers 30, so two apertures 28 are provided at each of the attachment locations 20 and the loose or free ends (not shown) of the two parallel tethers 30 may be tied off or otherwise secured within the hollow of the elongate bar 12. In some examples, the two parallel tethers 30 are secured to the end caps 26 via the apertures 28 with a fastener (not shown).

[0042] This allows the elastic strap 18 to be adjusted to set the unfurled length of the elastic strap 18 and provides a first means to adjust the length of the strap arrangement 16. It is noted that whilst in this example, two parallel tethers 30 are disclosed examples including a single or a plurality of tethers 30 are contemplated. The elastic strap 18, and tether or tethers thereof, may be formed from any suitable elastic material.

-72019101420 19 Nov 2019 [0043] In some examples, the attachment locations 20 and/or ends of the elastic strap 18 may be adapted to releasably couple with one another with a coupling arrangement. For example, the attachment locations 20 may include a socket (not shown) and ends of the elastic strap 18 may be fitted with plugs (not shown) that may be secured within the socket by a fastener (not shown). The socket may be carried by a received end of the end caps 26 below the apertures 28. This allows the strap arrangement 16 to be replaceable such as to increase the elastic strap 18 resistance.

[0044] In yet further examples, ends of the elastic strap 18 may have a loop, and the received end of the end caps 26 may include a slot that allows the loop to pass into the received end of the end caps 26 via the apertures 28. A fastener may then pass through a fastener aperture of the elongate bar 12 and a further fastener aperture of the received end of the end caps 26 so that the fastener passes through the loop of the elastic strap 18 and may therefore retain the elastic strap 18 to the elongate bar 12.

[0045] The sleeve 22 provides several functions depending on the configuration of the exercise apparatus 10. In some examples, the sleeve 22 provides a body support section or portion 32 of the strap arrangement 16 to provide, in particular, a back support for seated exercises such as shown in Figure 9. In some examples, the sleeve 22 may be formed of a stiffer material relative to the elastic strap 18. However, in other examples, the sleeve 22 may be a softer material such as nylon or neoprene. The shaping of the sleeve 22 may be wider than the elastic strap 18 to provide a body support portion.

[0046] Next, in a stowed or furled condition, as shown in Figure 7, the sleeve 22 provides a carry handle 36, and finally, sleeve 22 captures and allows the two parallel tethers 30 to pass therethrough. The sleeve 22 is able to allow stretching or sliding of the elastic tethers 30 relative to the sleeve 22 thereby inhibiting direct contact of the user and the stretching of the tethers 30 that may be unconformable. The sleeve 22 may include padding 40 such as a padding that is arranged to face the body of a person in use.

[0047] It is noted that whilst in this example the tethers 30 pass through the sleeve 22, other examples are contemplated in which the sleeve 22 is replaced by a member to provide the body support section or portion 32 and one or more tethers may connect to opposing ends of the body support or portion 32. In this example, the tethers 30 would

-82019101420 19 Nov 2019 form the loop via the body support section or portion 32 therebetween. Both examples are contemplated herein.

[0048] In use, the strap arrangement 16, more specifically the elastic strap 18, may be furled about the opposing ends 14 of the elongate bar 12 by rotating the elongate bar 12 to adjust the working length of the elastic strap 18, as shown in Figures 10 and 12. Accordingly, in addition to the length adjustment performed within the bar 12 with the end caps 26 removed, the rotating of the elongate bar 12 provides a second adjustment means that allows for smaller or exercise specific type adjustments.

[0049] For example, during bicep curls a user may rotate the bar 12 to furl and shorten the length of the elastic strap 18 and this will increase tension, as shown in Figure 10. The user can slowly release the bar 12, with the bar 12 slowly rotating in the hands of the user to release the tension. Similar actions may be undertaken for squats, seated press and push ups. Depending on the exercise the sleeve 22 may be used as a back support or be stood on and the elongate bar 12 may be moved relative to the sleeve 22.

[0050] As shown in Figure 7, the exercise apparatus 10 may be configured into the furled state in which the elastic strap 18 is wrapped about the bar 12 until opposing ends 42 of the sleeve 22 abut or are proximate the bar 12. The opposing ends 42 of thereby providing end of travel indicators or stops. The sleeve 22, that may be stiffer, being formed into a curve that provided the carry handle 36.

[0051] The exercise apparatus 10 may be provided as part of an assembly 50 with an associated bag 52. The bag 52 including a bag body 54 in which the bar 12 is received with the sleeve 22 extending therefrom to provided carry handle 36. The bag body 54 includes one or more closures 56 such as a Velcro slit or zipper that secures the bar 12 and allows the carry handle 36 to extend therefrom. In this example, three Velcro closable slits 58 are provided with gaps 60 for the passage of the carry handle 36. However, the bag 52 may take various forms.

[0052] Accordingly, when stowed within the bag 52 overall assembly has pleasing aesthetic appearance with the sleeve 22 providing a large useful handle that may be carried by hand or form a chest strap as shown in Figure 8.

-92019101420 19 Nov 2019 [0053] Referring to Figures 8 to 12, the exercise apparatus 10 is neatly and easily transportable and may be used for a variety of exercises including, but not limited to, seating chest press, bicep curls, shoulder press and standing rows. During these exercises the fixed connection between the elastic strap 18 and bar 12 allows the user to make adjustments to the length of the elastic strap 18 and associated provided resistance. The body support section 32 provided by the sleeve 22 provides location to hold the exercise apparatus 10 with another body part such as a foot or place the sleeve 22 about the back of the user. Accordingly, it shall be appreciated that the exercise apparatus 10 may find many suitable applications and, of course, may be neatly stowed in the bag 52 and carried by the handle 36 in the furled or stowed condition.

[0054] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0055] The reference in this specification to any known matter or any prior publication is not, and should not be taken to be, an acknowledgment or admission or suggestion that the known matter or prior art publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the field to which this specification relates.

[0056] While specific examples of the invention have been described, it will be understood that the invention extends to alternative combinations of the features disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

[0057] Many and various modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed or evident from the disclosure provided herein.

Claims (10)

1. The claims defining the Invention are as follows:

   1. An exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends and a strap arrangement having an elastic strap extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends and a sleeve fitted about at least an intermediate portion of the elastic strap.
2. 2. An exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends and a strap arrangement extending in a semi-circular loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends, wherein the strap arrangement includes an elastic strap and a body support section at an intermediate portion of the elastic strap.
3. 3. A bag for an exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, the bag including a bag body adapted to receive the elongate bar and a closure adapted to retain the elongate bar in a furled condition in which the elastic strap is furled around the elongate bar such that at least some of the intermediate portion of the elastic strap extends from the bag so as to provide a carry handle.
4. 4. An assembly including an exercise apparatus and an associated bag, the exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends, an elastic strap extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends and a sleeve fitted about at least an intermediate portion of the elastic strap, wherein the elastic strap is furlable in a furled condition about the opposing ends of the bar, with opposing ends of the sleeve providing an end of travel indicator in the furled condition and wherein the bag includes a bag body adapted to receive the elongate bar and a closure adapted to retain the elongate bar in the furled condition with the sleeve extending from the bag body so as to provide a carry handle.
5. 5. An exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends, and an elastic strap extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends, wherein at least one of the opposing ends is fitted with a removable end cap and at least one of the attachment locations include an aperture such that upon removal of the end cap, an end the elastic strap is adjustably accessible to adjust the length of the elastic strap.

   -112019101420 19 Nov 2019
6. 6. An exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends, and an elastic strap extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends, wherein ends of the elastic strap are adapted to be releasably coupled to the attachment locations so at to be at least one of replaceable, interchangeable and adjustable.
7. 7. An assembly including an exercise apparatus and an associated bag, the exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends and a strap arrangement extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends, the strap arrangement including an elastic strap and a body support section intermediate the elastic strap, wherein the elastic strap is furlable in a furled condition about the opposing ends of the bar, with opposing ends of the body support section providing an end of travel indicator in the furled condition and wherein the bag includes a bag body adapted to receive the elongate bar and a closure adapted to retain the elongate bar in the furled condition with the body support section extending from the bag body so as to provide a carry handle.
8. 8. A method of exercise using an exercise apparatus including an elongate bar having opposing ends, an elastic strap extending in a loop between attachment locations proximate the opposing ends and a sleeve fitted about at least an intermediate portion of the elastic strap, the method including:

   adjusting a length of the elastic strap by rotating the bar to furl the elastic strap there about, placing the sleeve about a first body part and holding the bar with another second body part;

   relatively moving the body part and the second body part so as to perform an exercise.
9. 9. A method of stowing an exercise apparatus within an associated bag, the method including:

   Furling an elastic strap attached to an elongate bar of the exercise apparatus about opposing ends of the elongate bar;

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   Ceasing furling when opposing ends of a sleeve about the elastic strap meet with the opposing ends of the elongate bar;

   Fitting the elongate bar within a body of the bag and closing a closure about the elongate bar with the sleeve extending therefrom so as to provide a curved carry handle.
10. 10. A method of stowing an exercise apparatus with an associated bag, the method including:

    Furling a strap arrangement attached to an elongate bar of the exercise apparatus about opposing ends of the elongate bar;

    Ceasing furling when opposing ends of a body support section of the strap arrangement meet with the opposing ends of the elongate bar;

    Fitting the elongate bar within a body of the bag and closing a closure about the elongate bar with the body support section extending therefrom so as to provide a curved carry handle.