Abstract:
A flexible band and/or chain is disclosed comprising a plurality of rings, links, or touri. In some embodiments, the links are interlocking In other embodiments, the links are affixed to one another in linear fashion. The links a gripable, and serve as handles for a user needing to target specific muscle groups for exercise by applying tensile force to the chain. The chain stretches. Some variations include detachable handles which can at attached at the ends of the chain or to links forming it.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly relates to an exercise apparatus for strengthening a user&#39;s arms and legs. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Individuals in need of exercise often lack to the time to exercise at commercial gymnasiums and find it more convenient to exercise at home or while commuting. Standard exercise equipment is prohibitively large, expensive and cumbersome for home use. Many and varied types of compact exercise devices are available to help replace cumbersome gym equipment in home settings and assist individuals in their efforts to improve general strength, endurance and/or to mitigate specific health issues that need physical therapy. 
         [0005]    The prior art includes complicated apparati comprising flexible rods, bungee cords, and inflatable or solid balls used for a large variety of conditioning activities including cardiovascular and spinal therapy, as well as increasing core strength, and strengthening in the upper and lower body muscles. Some exercise devices employ elastic resistance as a means of developing or measuring strength, but they are designed with a very limited exercises or muscle groups in mind, and are constrained by their own components and design to those limited areas. Certain muscles groups, such as the back and shoulder muscles, have very few simple portable devices designed for their exercise or strength measurement, due to the difficulties in designing a simple apparatus that can correctly resist the muscle motions leading to such development and measurement. Many patented portable devices that target difficult areas of the body to exercise such as these are complicated and difficult to find on the market. 
         [0006]    There are no handheld devices in the art which target the muscles of a user&#39;s body and which can be rolled up and stowed in a space as compact as a drawer. Thus it would be highly beneficial to provide a simple, compact portable device that targets these muscles through a wide range of exercises, such as an adjustable elastic exercise chain. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an adjustable elastic resistance exercise device. Beneficially, such an exercise device would overcome many of the difficulties with prior art by providing a more functional apparatus to consumers. 
         [0008]    The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available apparatii and methods. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an isotonic exercise device comprising: a segment comprising a plurality of elastomeric rings affixed to one another in line, the plurality of elastomeric rings; wherein a diameter of each ring is between 1 inch and 10 inches; wherein each of the plurality of elastomeric rings is gripable by a user applying tensile force to the gripped ring. 
         [0009]    The plurality of elastomeric rings may be formed as single integrated piece. In other embodiments, the plurality of rings in the segment are links interconnected forming a chain. 
         [0010]    In still further embodiments, the isotonic exercise device further comprises one or more secondary segments of elastomeric rings detachably affixed to the segment to increase an overall length of the isotonic device. 
         [0011]    The segment may comprise a plurality of single elastic ring(s) detachably affixed to one another by means of connectors. The isotonic exercise device may further comprise one or more handles detachably affixed to one of the plurality of elastomeric rings. 
         [0012]    The handles may comprise elastic rings. The segment may be formed of a plurality of extruded elastomeric tubes helically wound around one another. 
         [0013]    Each of the rings may be shaped as one of a torus, double torus, triple torus, toroidal polyhedron, dupin cyclide, and stretched donut-shape. 
         [0014]    An isotonic exercise device is also disclosed comprising: a flexible elastomeric belt defining a plurality of apertures of between 1 inch and 10 inches in diameter; wherein the belt is graspable by a user through the apertures, the belt for applying tensile force to a user&#39;s hands. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the isotonic exercise device may further comprise one or more handles detachably affixed to the belt, each of the one or more handles affixable to one of the apertures. 
         [0016]    An isotonic exercise device is also disclosed comprising: a plurality of flexible elastomeric bands, each band comprising: a first connector affixed to a distal end of the band; and a second connector affixed to the proximal end of the band; wherein each band is detachably affixed to one or more bands from the plurality of elastomeric bands using one or more of the first connector and the second connector. 
         [0017]    The isotonic exercise device may further comprise one or more handles detachably affixed to one of the plurality of flexible bands. 
         [0018]    The first connector may comprise one of a socket, loop, hook, prong, a receptacle for receiving a male connector, fastener, and clip. 
         [0019]    The second connector may comprise one of a socket, loop, hook, prong, a receptacle for receiving a male connector, fastener, and clip. 
         [0020]    These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a second elastic resistance exercise device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3A  is a side perspective view of a detachable handle for an elastic resistance exercise device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3B  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device with a detached handle in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 3C  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device with detached handles in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
         [0031]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device  100  in accordance with the present invention. The device  100  comprises a series of rings  102   a - k.    
         [0033]    The rings  102   a - k,  in the shown embodiment, are connected side-by-side in linear fashion to form a band or chain  100 . In the shown embodiments, the rings  102   a - k  are formed from a flexible, stretchable elastomeric material as known to those of skill in the art. The rings  102   a - k  in the shown embodiments are all of uniform thickness and diameter. In some embodiments, the rings  102   a - k  may vary in thickness and diameter. 
         [0034]    The rings  102   a - k  in the shown embodiment are circular as viewed from a side perspective view. In other embodiments, the rings  102   a - k,  from this perspective, may be oval, square, triangular, polynomial, torus, or another shape known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0035]    The term “torus” as used in this application may apply to any looped shaped, including a ring, but also including stretched donut-shaped objects, including objects with corners, facets, angles and the like. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of a second elastic resistance exercise device  200  in accordance with the present invention. The device  200  comprises a segment  100   a,  a segment  100   b , and a link  202 . 
         [0037]    The segments  100   a - b  are substantially described above in relation to  FIG. 100 . 
         [0038]    The link  202  comprises a detachable fastener which is used to detachable connect two segments  100  to one another. The device  200  may comprise two or more segments  100 . In the shown embodiment, the segments  100  are connected in linear fashion. In other embodiments, the segments  100  may be connected in irregular or non-linear fashion. 
         [0039]      FIG. 3A  is a side perspective view of a detachable handle  300  for an elastic resistance exercise device in accordance with the present invention. The handle  300  comprises a link  202 , a sidebar  304 , and a grip  306 . 
         [0040]    The link  202  is substantially described above. 
         [0041]    The sidebar  304 , in the shown embodiment, comprises an elastomeric or allow tube, bar, rod, or pipe. The sidebar  304  may be formed with the grip  306  as one integrated piece. The sidebar  304  may also comprise rope, chain, cable, nylon, band, and the like. 
         [0042]    The grip  306 , in the shown embodiment, comprises a cylindrical elastomeric component for gripping by a user which defines a hollow cylindrical passage for receiving a portion of the sidebar  304 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3B  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device  320  with a detached handle in accordance with the present invention. The device  320  comprises a handle  300  and a segment  100 . 
         [0044]    The handle  300  is detachably affixable to the segment  100  using the link  202 . 
         [0045]    In some embodiments, the link  202  may comprise a readable scale which shows the tensile pressure a user is exerting on the device  320 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 3C  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device  340  in accordance with the present invention. The device  340  shows the device  320  in its attached configuration. 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device  400  with detached handles in accordance with the present invention. The device  400  comprises a segment  100 , a handle  300   a,  and a handle  300   b.    
         [0048]    In some embodiments, the device  400  comprises a plurality of handles  300  affixable to any of the rings  102   a - k  in the segment  100 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device  500  in accordance with the present invention. The device  500  comprises a band  502  which defines a plurality of apertures  504   a - c.    
         [0050]    The band  502  comprises a flexible elastomeric band. In this embodiment, the apertures  504   a - c  serve as handles through which a user grips the device  500  and applies tensile force. The apertures  504   a - c  may be punched or stamped into the band  502 , or may be formed during mold injection or fabrication. The apertures shown are circular, but may square, rectangular, ovoid, triangular or irregularly shaped in other embodiments. The apertures  504   a - c  may vary in diameter one from another. In some embodiments, the annular ring circumscribing the apertures  504   a - c  is overlaid or reinforced with another elastomeric, composite, or allow material. 
         [0051]      FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of an elastic resistance exercise device  600  in accordance with the present invention. The device  600  comprises a band  502   a,  a band  502   b , a handle  602   a,  a handle  602   b,  a male engaging member  604 , a female engaging member  606 , and a handle  602   b.    
         [0052]    The handles  602   a - b , in the shown embodiment, are similar to handles  300 , but are affixed to the bands  502   a - b  using means known to those of skill in the art. The handles  602   a - b  may be detachable or permanently affixed. The handles  602   a - b,  as shown, may comprise male  604  or female  606  engaging components for engaging a corresponding male  604  or female  606  engaging components. 
         [0053]    The bands  502   a - b  are permanently affixed to both a male engaging component  604  and a female engaging component  606 . The engaging components  604 ,  606  may comprise buckles, clips, fasteners, links, claps, turnbuckles, or the like. The engaging components  604 ,  606  in the shown embodiment comprise side release buckles (where the male engaging component  604  is the hook end and the female engaging component  606  is the catch end). 
         [0054]    A user may adjust the length of the device  600  by affixing multiple bands  502  together using the side release mechanisms, or via other fastening means. 
         [0055]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.