JP2014519939A - Fully flexible expander device consisting of at least two gripping elements, preferably 4, 6 or 8 elements - Google Patents

Abstract

  Including at least two gripping elements (2, 3) each comprising a material of an elastic band (a single band folded along its length L or two bands of length L superimposed) Fully flexible expander device (1). Said at least two gripping elements (2, 3) are joined together by a transverse coupling element (4) made by direct “weaving” between woven and latex fibers, optionally At the end position, another connecting element by weaving is terminated.

Description

  The present invention relates to the technical fields of gymnastic equipment, rehabilitation equipment, and muscle strengthening equipment. The invention more particularly relates to the area of expanders, i.e. devices that allow muscle tightening, in particular devices comprising elastic bands.

  Devices that include a latex band or a band made of an elastic ribbon, or devices that include a tube with handles at both ends are known.

  In particular, the applicant filed FR 91/11 11174.

  This patent relates to an elastic band device made of woven fabric covering eight-element latex fibers. Of course, latex fibers are used to impart elasticity to the woven fabric and thus to the band.

  To make this instrument, the Applicant created an elastic band that was folded in half. Next, lateral seams are applied at regular intervals over the entire length of the band. In fact, an expander device is obtained which comprises a plurality, preferably 8 gripping spaces.

  This is intended to allow the instrument to be gripped at various positions on the band, thereby changing the resistance force, allowing a number of exercises to be performed using various body parts.

  It is therefore necessary to provide seven lateral seams for the eight elements.

  These seams are provided in a completely known manner by sewing threads which are sewn across the entire width of the band in the transverse direction.

  One of the major drawbacks of this seam is that sewing the woven fabric (and hence the elastic latex) damages both the woven fabric and the latex, which in turn makes the device more fragile.

  In fact, the Applicant has observed that repetitive movements, intensive movements, etc., cause band wear and degradation of its properties.

  Thereby, in particular, the elasticity (major and essential function) of the band is no longer the same as the original elasticity.

  In some cases, it was even observed that a local break occurred in the band, rendering the instrument unusable.

  Despite research to improve the original instrument, the applicant has not been successful in finding solutions to these drawbacks.

  Thus, in practice, it ensures maximum strength while ensuring long-lasting without local breaks and stable elasticity over time, including when performing repetitive and intensive movements, It is necessary to create an expander device with a woven band containing latex.

  The present invention therefore relates to a fully flexible expander device consisting of at least 2, preferably 4, 6, 8 gripping elements. The only restriction on the number is related to human morphology.

  A preferred embodiment of the elastic device is the following:

  An elastic band is made of an elastic element, preferably a latex band or latex yarn, preferably a latex yarn covered with a woven fabric.

  The person skilled in the art fully knows that interweaving is the result of crossing the yarn arranged in the warp direction and the yarn arranged perpendicular to the warp in the same plane in the same plane. .

  Of course, it may be possible to use other elastic materials available to those skilled in the art. Latex is advantageous here in that it provides the best guarantee in terms of elasticity and strength.

  Two bands are overlapped along their length (or one band is folded along that length) and at least one for the two overlapped bands (and possibly at each end) In at least two, preferably a plurality of four, six, and even more preferred methods that are provided with one lateral coupling means and are therefore “loops” formed between one or more lateral couplings Eight gripping means are defined.

  By lateral coupling means is meant here the bands (or the bands that are folded together to form two bands) are joined together in a lateral form in at least one position; It is understood that at least two gripping means on either side of the direction coupling means are defined.

  The transverse coupling means according to the invention is “weaving” in a position predefined by the user (very commonly made, the same position being used for said “loop”), ie latex fibers and The woven fabric fibers are directly woven together.

  The “loop” may be sized and positioned so that a user can insert a hand and / or foot therein.

  Of course, it may be possible to contemplate other embodiments different from the lateral direction, such as punctiform, diagonal, on the middle of the width, etc. for the coupling means. One of ordinary skill in the art can determine whether the use of various forms fits as desired.

  However, for obvious reasons regarding strength and handling, the Applicant strongly recommends the use of an integral transverse coupling means, i.e. weaving over the entire width.

  “Width” (l) is defined as the direction perpendicular to the direction of the length (L) of the band.

  Surprisingly, inelastic yarns interweave together to form a gripping element, which does not change the latex strands, so that the weaving produced does not damage the woven or latex fibers at all. Admitted.

  This ensures maximum strength and optimal elasticity, including after undergoing concentrated and repetitive forces.

  The Applicant has performed a series of tests on the gripping element (using an air cylinder whose stroke is adjusted to exert a traction force of at least 200 kg in the longitudinal direction). The prior art elastic band immediately became completely unusable when the stress was applied for the first time (the seam “ruptured”), but to apply the same stress and damage the device, it required 15 cycles of stress. It was recognized that there was

  Thus, the strength of the device is fully demonstrated.

  Furthermore, the Applicant acknowledges that a significant increase in elasticity is obtained because the coupling elements are interwoven and the latex and woven fibers are not “stuck” by the seam itself at the seam location. It was. From the primary test, it can be noted that this increase is significant and exceeds 10%.

  The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

2 shows an elastic band according to the invention consisting of at least two gripping elements. The same elastic band stretched is shown. The band of FIG. 1 is shown in plan view. Fig. 5 shows an elastic band stretched by the user and maintained at the position of the gripping element. Figure 4 shows another view of an elastic band. 3 shows an elastic band consisting of a plurality of gripping elements. An elastic band consisting of 8 gripping elements is shown.

  As can be seen in FIG. 1, the elastic band (1) according to the invention consists of at least two gripping elements (2, 3).

  As seen in FIG. 4, each of the gripping elements (2 or 3) includes an upper part (5) and a lower part (6) forming a “loop”.

  A transverse coupling element (4) made by interweaving of strands joins two gripping elements (2, 3). Note that these two gripping elements may be the same length (L / 2) or different.

  As can be seen in FIG. 2, when the gripping elements (2, 3) are fully extended, the transverse coupling elements (4) tend to undergo a slight increase in width (compared to FIG. 1). This is due to the fact that the coupling element is interwoven and not a seam (the seam naturally cannot be deformed).

  Also, in addition to the transverse coupling element (4), the gripping elements so formed are stitched along their length (L / 2) and positioned in the “pocket” (P) -like elements, ie the left and right sides Weaving the upper (5) and lower (6) of the gripping element at the position of the upper edge (7a and 7b) or the lower edge (8a and 8b) It is also possible to create an element defined by the combination (T).

  In the case of this figure, it is clear that grip elements (2 ') (3') etc. can be found in the band.

  It is also possible to envisage one or more gripping elements between the pockets P2 and P3.

  It is also possible to envisage a single pocket (P) between the gripping elements (2 ', 3').

  It is also possible for one or more pockets (P) to be arranged at both ends of the elastic band.

  The elastic band comprises 2, 4, 6 or 8 gripping elements, some of which may optionally be separated by a pocket (P).

  Thus, the user can maintain the elastic band in place by putting heavy elements (table legs, feet, etc.) in or in the pocket (Pi), while the user One or more other gripping elements may be used to perform the movement.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the elastic band comprises 8 gripping elements, each 10 cm long and 5 cm wide.

  Of course, other dimensions may be selected.

  The present invention also encompasses any embodiment and any application that may be directly available to those skilled in the art by reading this application and from their own knowledge.

Claims (6)

  Including at least two gripping elements (2, 3) each comprising a material of an elastic band (a single band folded along its length L or two bands of length L superimposed) A fully flexible expander device (1) wherein the at least two gripping elements (2, 3) are made by direct “weaving” between woven and latex fibers. A device, characterized in that it is connected to each other by means of a directional connecting element (4) and optionally terminates at another end of the connection at the end thereof.   2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic band is a woven fabric, i.e. a latex coated with an inelastic thread.   3. Instrument according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each gripping element comprises an upper part (5) and a lower part (6), forming a "loop".   In addition to the transverse coupling element (4), the gripping elements so formed are sewn along their length (L / 2) and are located in "pocket" (P) -like elements, ie on the left and right sides The upper (5) and lower () of the gripping element at the position of their upper edge (7a and 7b) or lower edge (8a and 8b) Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is also possible to create elements defined by weaving (T) with 6).   Any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the elastic band comprises 2, 4, 6 or 8 gripping elements, some of which are optionally separated by a pocket (P) according to claim 4. The instrument according to one item.   6. Instrument according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastic band comprises eight gripping elements (2, 3), each gripping element being 10 cm long and 5 cm wide.

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