Abstract:
An exercise bar and cord assembly having a cavity or nest at each end of the bar for connection with a snugly fitting cord emplacement block. The exercise cord, stoppered with a plug in conventional manner, is connected to the block, extending through a tunnel within it. The block may be shaped in any of several ways and a strapped handgrip connection block will serve the purpose. Emplacement channels or slots are optionally present in both the bar and the block. If the block has an axially symmetrical neck, it may be rotated so that the channels are misaligned for improved cord retention. Two modes of exercise are defined in terms of the cord&#39;s anchoring means—that is, whether its ends or a mid-portion of it.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to exercise equipment. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The lifting of a rod or bar  100  of an exercise bar assembly ( FIG. 4 ) of one sort or another by a user against the resistance of an elastic exercise cord  20  has become an increasingly popular form of exercise. 
   In one prior art arrangement, the ends of the elastic cord  20  are anchored in some manner with one mid-portion run through or suitably seated upon the bar. The bar may then be tugged in a beneficial manner. The cord ends may terminate at any improvised connection system—for example, either a strap impinged in the crack of a door or in anyone of several securing mechanisms present on a wall mounted assembly. The cord ends may even have handgrips  120  connected to them. The operator may put his or her feet the handgrips to hold them and stretch the cord&#39;s mid-portion upwards by appropriate use of the bar  100 . In another arrangement, the ends of the cord are securely connected to the exercise bar  100 . The mid-portion of the cord may be secured at a door or wall by any means. The mid-portion of the cord may also be self-anchored by standing upon it. In either arrangement, it is quite common for the operator to grasp the opposing ends of the rod or bar  100  and raise it  100 , to a point far above his or her head while stretching the cord  20 . In either arrangement, the assembly becomes a convenient portable substitute for cumbersome weight lifting apparatus. 
   It is also known to wrap a portion of the elastic cord around the ends of the exercise bar  100  in order to shorten the cord&#39;s length. The technique could be employed in either of the two modes of exercise operation. If the cord&#39;s mid-portion, for example, were along or within the bar  100 , opposing portions of the cord would be wrapped or twisted about the bar  100  ends. If cord ends are connected to the bar itself  100 , cord  20  may be wrapped about the bar at its ends. The undertaking of that convenience to effectually shorten cord length came at a cost, however. Wrapping of the cord at the bar  100  ends, resulted in a torque built up or a twisting force which the operator had to resist. That unwanted force tended to diminish the ordinarily sought-after benefits from operation of an elastically anchored lifting bar  100  in either mode of exercise. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 437,822 (Reach) shows a tug-of-war belt about which a rope would wrap. The belt does not have a bar  100  or an elastic cord. U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,839 (Trent) shows a tugging belt with the cord ends terminating in a door crack impingement. U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,384 (Meinzinger) shows a device to grasp a fishing line. U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,964 (Walls) discloses a handle, similar to a tennis racquet or golf club, with elastic cords connected to a door jam. The operator was to stretch the elastics by moving the handle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,835 (Hinds, et al.) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,610 (Hinds) show an exercise bar  20  featuring means to effectually shorten a cable  24  by conveniently wrapping opposing sections of the cable around the end of bar  20 . In U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,610, pins  92 ,  93  are provided to move with holes  94 – 95  to effect joining of opposing sections  90 ,  91  of the bar. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,355,171 (Oesau) discloses separate chains  14 ,  16  in lieu of a continuous elastic cord anchored to the anchor bar  12  that the operator stood upon. U.S. Pat. No. 3,117,781 (Vargo) featured a bar  9 , in the manner considered here, in which the inextensible cord  17  was anchored into a platform  1  upon which the operator stood. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,256,015 (Perrin), the cord  25  ends are fastened by interweaving them through holes  21  drilled in the extension or bar  20  so that the operator could exercise by standing upon the cord&#39;s mid-portion. U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,265 (Wiede, et al.) featured a hollow bar  13  with which connection was accomplished by running the cord  11  ends longitudinally in opposition through passages  15  within the bar  100 . Again, the operator stood upon the cord&#39;s mid-portion during exercise. 
   Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,867 (Hinds) featured an exercise bar  17  with a cord  11  anchored to the ends of the bar  17 . Bar  17  was formed in halves joined by a suitable locking mechanism (col. 2, line 65). The bar  17  included a groove  19  along its length for the cable  11 . At the ends of the bar  17  are lugs  24  for wrapping the cable  11 . 
   In the &#39;867 Hinds patent, a pair of stirrups  12  are placed within receptacles  30 . This arrangement was bulky and the stirrups could be oriented only in a direction transverse to the bar  17  because of the interfering presence of lugs  24 . 
   It would be highly useful to have with us a connector which is not limited in orientation but which could be emplaced in any radial position within a bar end socket regardless of the presence of cord enwrapment pegs. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect, the invention is an assembly of an exercise lifting bar and any one of several specially designed emplacement blocks  3  which connect to an elastic cord assembly  2 . The emplacement block  3  may take almost anyone of several conceivable forms other than the base of a solid handgrip. One novel embodiment of the block  3  is a strapped handgrip&#39;s connection block  130  shaped to fit snugly within a nest  11  in the bar or elongated extension  10 . The configuration of this block  130  has a disadvantage in permitting its emplacement in only one directional position. Other blocks  3  are described, however, which may be axially rotated within the nest  11 —sockets carved into the ends of the rod  10 —so as to be positioned in any direction upon emplacement. The blocks  3  are particularly configured to provide convenience and connective security. 
   As at prior art, the stick-like or rod-like device  10  is held in the operator&#39;s hands and—in either first or second mode exercise—typically lifted upward or tugged against the resistance of an elastic cord  20  in a direction away from an anchoring site situated either remotely from him or her or more proximately, such as when portions of the cord  20  or objects connected thereto  20  are stood upon. The focus thereof is upon second mode exercise—that in which it is the mid-portion of the cord  20  is anchored and its ends  21  which are stretched in exercise. Embodiments are provided for, however, which address well known variations in first mode exercise as well—that is, that in which it is the cord ends  21  which are anchored and the mid-portion which is thus stretched. Certain structural embellishments including nodes  13 , impingement sectors  31 , and a retaining ledge  16  are present which contribute to acceptable connectability. This mutual configuration permits the two interconnected parts  3 ,  11  to remain in place after being pressed together and yet requires little effort to yank them  3 ,  11  apart for other exercise service or convenient stowage. 
   Optional features dispose at the ends of the bar  10  and within the block  3  cord emplacement channels or slots  14 ,  34 , respectively which facilitate the cord&#39;s  20  emplacement into the system. 
   Although a snap-fit bar separation assembly  400  is not unknown to the art as a portability feature, the improved model here includes a spring  42  and release button  41  version. 
   While the exercise assembly which is the subject hereof features a patentable combination of members, most of which are familiar to us, they might perhaps equally well be billed as improvements to the prior art model  100 . So presented, the number of improvements would be at least two because of the specially shaped emplacement block and the bar&#39;s snap-fit mechanism  400  featured herein. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment in which connection blocks  130 A and  130 B comprise cord emplacement blocks  3 . The exercise bar&#39;s elongated extension  10  features a bar separation assembly  4  at its  10 A mid-portion and cord wrapping pegs  15 A and  15 B,  15 C and  15 D at the ends  10 B and  10 C of the elongated extension  10 . 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate a cord emplacement block  3  and emplacement nest  11  in which they securely co-engage. 
       FIG. 4  depicts in perspective a prior art assembly in which the bases or cord connecting ends of a pair of solid stirrup-like handgrip assemblies  120  anchored. The longitudinally extending cord stretching recess  12  revealed shows how the exercise cord  20  becomes seated for first mode exercise. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  comprise cross-sectional views cut through the cord emplacement channel  14  of two distinct embodiments. In the former, the emplacement nest  11  includes a block retaining ledge  16  serving as a stop for a given block  3 .  FIG. 6  shows a conical emplacement nest  111  for mating with a block  3 . 
       FIG. 7  represents a cross-sectional overhead view of an axially symmetrical neck of an emplacement block  3  in which an emplacement slot  34  is disposed in deliberate misalignment with the elongated extension&#39;s cord emplacement channel  14 . 
       FIGS. 8–13  illustrate the cord emplacement blocks  3  mated with numerous shaped nests. The respective configurations of the first three of these are such that the block  3  and nest  11  co-engage in only one manner. The symmetry featured in the last three is such that the block  3  may be rotated to fit within the nest  11  in anyone of several ways. 
       FIG. 14  depicts a perspective view of opposing parts of the exercise bar&#39;s elongated extension  10  with a bar separation assembly  4  comprising snap-fit means  400  in which a bar separation button  41  is depressed through a button opening  43  and against a grasshopper leg spring  42  seated within to permit the extension  10  parts to be slid away from one another. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The subject of this application is an exercise cord and bar assembly comprised of an exercise bar end assembly  11 A and  11 B, an exercise cord assembly  2  and a pair of cord emplacement blocks  130 A and  130 B. 
   In simplest form, the first of the three general components, the exercise bar end assembles  11 A and  11 B, comprise a portion of the elongated extension  10  which is of a general rod-like configuration. The exercise bar end assemblies  11 A and  11 B include opposing bar emplacement nests  11 A and  11 B disposed at respective ends thereof. Preferably present, however, are also cord emplacement channels  14 A and  14 B disposed at each of the extension&#39;s ends  10 B and  10 C and a cord stretching recess  12  disposed longitudinally along the underside of the elongated extension  10  for optional traditional first mode exercise—that is, wrapping part of the mid-portion of the exercise cord  20  around the ends  10 B and  10 C of the elongated extension&#39;s ends  10  to effectually shorten the exercise cord  20  and increase its resistance for lifting type exercises. 
   In  FIG. 1 , cord wrapping pegs  15 A,  15 B,  15 C and  15 D have been disposed at the ends  10 B and  10 C for first mode use to provide a stop to keep the cord  20  from slipping off. The connection block  130 A and  130 B is configured for easy removal because one&#39;s fingers may be slipped conveniently underneath to pull one connection blocks  130 A and  130 B out. Also, the cord emplacement block  3  may be configured with sufficient height so that cord wrapping pegs  15 A and  15 B become unnecessary. If a block  3  is formed to extend upward above the bar or extension  10  and is firmly impinged within the nest  11 A or  11 B, the cord  20  wrapping security is essentially equal to that provided by pegs  15 A–D—that is, the protrusion provided by the block&#39;s  3  upper portion then serves as a reasonable substitute for a peg  15 A,  15 B,  15 C or  15 D. Moreover, it should be observed that in the case of the connection blocks  130 A and  130 B in  FIG. 1 , the block  3 , because of the particular shape of its uppermost portion, cannot be arbitrarily rotated when emplacing and fitting the blocks into one of the nests  11 A and  11 B. Other than that shown, the only position the block  3  may occupy without interference with the pegs  15 A–D in either case is 180 degrees away. 
   While in the more recent of prior art structures, the elongated extension  10  did include cord wrapping pegs  15 , it is feasible to construct the elongated extension  10  without the pegs  15 A–D. The configuration for such purpose is designated herein as the continuously contoured projection. The word continuously is expressed to infer the absence of structural discontinuities such as those cord wrapping pegs  15 A– 1   5 C—that is, either a straightly formed object in which the perimeter along any longitudinal cross section extends in a generally straight line, or a smoothly formed or streamlined one comprising slight arcuitry. Changes in curvature along the way are also permitted within the scope of the definition, which immediately distinguishes an elongated extension  10  comprising cord wrapping pegs  15 A–D from those elongated extensions  10  which do not. Elongated extensions  10 D and  10 E comprising continuously contoured projection configuration are illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     FIG. 14  discloses in detail a bar separation assembly  4 . The presence of this preferred feature is also indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The bar separation assembly  4  forms a bar separation seam  40  and includes a button opening  43  and snap-fit means of connection  400  ( FIG. 14 ). Herein, the snap-fit of connection  400  preferably comprises a release button  41  and an exercise bar grasshopper separation spring  42  connected both to the release button  41  and a separation spring seat  44 . 
   The bar separation seam  40  is merely the dividing place between the two parts  10 B and  10 C of the bar elongated extension  10 . When the two pieces are interconnected, the release button  41  is disposed to emerge through the button opening  43  which is merely an orifice in the body of the elongated extension  10 . The two pieces  10 B and  10 C are preferably shaped to slide together in telescope, for example, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The grasshopper leg spring  42 , so named because of its strength and resilience, when bent and seated as shown in  FIG. 14  is connected to the release button  41  in any known manner; preferably by impingement within a hollow  41 A disposed within the button  41 . The mid-portion  42 A of the spring  42  may be bent to accomplish this fitted connection. The ends  42 B and  42 C of the spring  42  are then preferably bent as shown and fitted along portions within the elongated extension  10  to provide a firm tensioning seat. When the button  41  is depressed, the button  41  clears the opening  43  and the two extension pieces  10 B and  10 C ( FIG. 1 ) pieces may be pulled apart at the separation seam  40 . When the pieces  10 B– 10 C are slid back together, by reason of the tension provided by the grasshopper leg spring  42 , the button  41  pops through the opening  43  the instant the two  41 ,  43  become aligned. One may conceive of various other snap-fit means  400 , of course. While many are, in fact, readily available on the market, for various contraptions and at least one incorporated within one of the more recent prior art models, the one presented herein is simple to manufacture and particularly suited to the assembly. Although great effort is not required to snap-fit the extension&#39;s  10  pieces together or pull them apart once the release button  41  is depressed, because of the structural integrity of the elongated extension  10 , the connection is properly considered one of rigid emplacement. 
   The second of the major components, the elastic exercise cord assembly  2  may include only an elastic cord  20  whose ends  21 A and  21 B, in preparation for exercise, are connected-indirectly, ante—to the respective ends of the bar or elongated extension  10 . In most embodiments, the cord  20  is of a hollow configuration, in which case an impingement plug  22  is also preferably present. 
   Lastly, each of the two cord emplacement blocks  3 A and  3 B is configured to seat within one of the emplacement nests  11 A and  11 B. The blocks  3 A and  3 B have an elastic exercise cord tunnel  32  through which the cord  20  is extended for connection. In shorthand parlance, the blocks  3 A and  3 B are characterized as a tunneled structure. Although, in such an embodiment, simple enreevement of the cord  20  through the tunnel  32  will suffice, a cord emplacement slot  34  ( FIG. 6 ) may be provided to facilitate the emplacement. Moreover, although the cord  20  may merely be knotted at the end  21  to complete the connection, it is superior by far to employ a cord  20  which is hollow in configuration and to insert within its end  21 A or  21 B an impingement plug  22  to serve as a stopper. In either case, the connection provided between the cord  20  and the blocks  3 A or  3 B is appropriately characterized as one of rigid emplacement. 
   As matters of definition, the end of the tunnel  32  into which the cord  20  is inserted for the required connection is herein designated its cord conduit opening  35  and the opposing end thereof  32  through which the cord end  21  emerges, its cord impingement opening  33 . 
   As  FIGS. 7–12  demonstrate, the neck  30  of blocks  3 A and  3 B may have any one of a number of shapes along its axial cross-section. It is merely necessary that the nests  11 A and  11 B be mated to the base  30  configuration. If the shape is non-symmetrical, as in  FIGS. 7–9 , the number of ways the neck  30  will fit within the nests  11 A and  11 B is very limited. If the shape is symmetrical, however, neck  30  may conveniently be axially rotated to fit in anyone of a number of ways. 
   It is not essential upon assembly that the cord emplacement channels  14 A and  14 B and the block&#39;s cord emplacement slot  34 , if included, be disposed in alignment with one another. It should be apparent that deliberately setting the slot  34  and the nests  14 A and  14 B in misalignment would enhance the cord  20  connecting security. Axial symmetry of the emplacement block&#39;s neck  30  then provides an additional convenience in which the cord  20  is emplaced more or less simultaneously and the block  3  then axially rotated within the nest  11  to a non-aligned position. 
   While axial symmetry of the block&#39;s neck  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 10–12 , is a considerably preferred configuration, the nests  11 A and  11 B may be configured to mate to particular shapes. The blocks  3 A and  3 B may, for example, be shaped to accommodate the connection block, such as in the case in  FIG. 1  or, perhaps, as also already extant in prior art, the cord connecting end of a solid handgrip assembly  120 . Otherwise stated, the end of the connection blocks  130 A and  130 B of the strapped handgrip and that of the solid handgrip  120  ( FIG. 4 ) into which the exercise cord  20  is reeved become emplacement blocks  3 A and  3 B. 
   In one embodiment, the blocks  3 A and  3 B are formed into a conical or truncated conical configuration that is sometimes referred to as frusto-conical. The emplacement nests  11 A and  11 B are mated to the blocks  3 A and  3 B. In shape, the emplacement of the blocks  3 A and  3 B within the nests  11 A and  11 B may be considered sufficiently secure for exercise. 
   It should be apparent that when the elastic cord  20  is stretched during exercises in which the blocks  3 A and  3 B are disposed within the nests  11 A and  11 B, their dislodgement is highly unlikely—perhaps nearly impossible. As a matter of convenience, however, it is preferable that the blocks  3 A and  3 B be firmly retained in place when preparing for exercise or even during intermediate intervals of non-exercise. Within each nest  11 A and  11 B, therefore, one or more impingement nodes  13  are preferably present. The node  13  is merely a small protrusion along the wall is a nest  11 A against which the emplacement block&#39;s neck  30 , that is, the lower or most inserted portion of the block  3  becomes impinged when pressed into place. The portion of the neck  30  which contacts the node  13  is herein designated the block&#39;s impingement sector  31 . A number of impingement sectors  31  may be disposed around the block&#39;s neck  30 , consistent with the number of ways the block  3  emplacement is possible. When manufacture is by molding, the incorporation of nodes  13  and impingement sectors  31  is a simple matter. It is merely necessary that each contact one another  31 ,  13  tightly. The conical or tapered configuration for the block  3  and nest  11 A then becomes unnecessary. Although nodes  13  are shown in  FIG. 6  together with conical block  3  and nest  11  configuration, where impingement is accomplished by reason of the presence of one or more nodes  13  and impingement sectors  31 , straight vertical walls are preferred. Impingement nodes  13  are visible in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 ,  6  and  7 – 12 . As those illustrations show, a small clearance is necessarily formed proximate the nodes  13  at that portion of the nest wall upon which they  13  are situated. The reference to the “mating” of shapes as used herein, therefore, takes that small separation difference into account. Although the tolerances of these impingement features do not appear to rise to the definition herein of rigid emplacement, they must be such as to provide a suitably secure fit for exercise purposes. 
   If a wall  11 A were provided without more, there would be concern that the emplacement block  3  might be pushed part way or all of the way through. In many of the exercise assembly&#39;s embodiments, therefore, a block retaining ledge  16  upon which the block  3  becomes firmly seated is also disposed deeply within the nest  11 .  FIG. 3  shows a block  3  inserted into a nest  17  in which not the bottom  3 E thereof but an intermediate portion of its neck  30  is that which is configured to seat upon the ledge  16 . 
   It is appropriate here to consider a second way to address the problem of axial rotation emplacement capability for the block  3 . This can be achieved by conferring upon uppermost portion of block  3  what is designated herein as wrapping peg clearance configuration. For such an attribute, that portion of the block  3  is without the outward projections characterized by either the strapped handgrip&#39;s cord connector  130  or the outward and upward prongs of the solid handgrip  120 . It is, therefore, appropriate to state as a matter of terminology that an emplacement block  3  so shaped comprises wrapping peg clearance configuration at the uppermost portion thereof. An assembly comprising such a block  3  would permit the inclusion of cord wrapping pegs  15 A and  15 D without the disadvantages mentioned supra. Moreover, a block  3  so configured may comprise either axial symmetry or non-symmetry. In embodiments in which symmetry is preferred, it is, therefore, advantageous to configure the block  3  from top to bottom with radial symmetry.