Portable exercise device

An exercise device includes an adjustable strap to secure the device to a free standing object, such as a piece of furniture having two sections. The strap includes hook fabric portions and a loop fabric portion to adjust to a desired length to fit within the sections of the furniture. The exercise device also includes oval rings to attach to the strap at ends thereof. Each oval ring includes a bar located in its center to engage the strap. The position of the oval rings is secured against the furniture. Attachments for exercising, such as exercise bands, are attached to the oval rings so that a user operates the exercise device as needed, then disassembles the device for storage or to use elsewhere.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable exercise device for use with furniture or other standing objects to provide stability during operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Existing exercise devices require a user to set up the devices to perform any exercises. These devices take up room and are unwieldy to move with the user. Handheld devices may not provide the stability to allow for a complete workout.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exercise device is disclosed. The exercise device includes a strap having a loop fabric portion centered within the strap. The strap also includes hook fabric portions positioned at each end thereof. The exercise device also includes a first oval ring and a second oval ring to receive the strap on opposite ends of the strap when the loop fabric portion is connected to the hook fabric portions. Each oval ring includes a bar dissecting a center therein to engage the strap. The exercise device includes at least one attachment to attach to at least one of the oval rings. The at least one attachment configured to move in a direction upon application of a force. The strap is positioned between two sections of furniture such that the first and the second oval rings are located outside the sections to receive the at least one attachment.

An exercise device for use with furniture is disclosed. The exercise device includes a strap made of webbing material that fits between sections of the furniture. The strap includes hook fabric portions having hook material located at opposite ends of the strap. The strap also includes a loop fabric portion having loop material located substantially center of the strap. The exercise device also includes a pair of oval rings placed on opposite curved ends of the strap. Each oval ring includes a center bar to engage the curved ends. The pair of oval rings are located outside the sections of the furniture. The exercise device also includes a first attachment coupled to one of the pair of oval rings. The first attachment provides a resistance for exercise. The exercise device also includes a cuff attached to the first attachment. The cuff includes a cuff hook fabric piece and a cuff loop fabric piece facing each other to hold the cuff in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments of the present invention. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the embodiments will be described in conjunction with the drawings, it will be understood that the following description is not intended to limit the present invention to any one embodiment. On the contrary, the following description is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

According to some embodiments, the exercise device is placed between two sections of furniture to stabilize and secure the device for use. The user may configure the exercise device for use with the furniture then remove the device for storage. The user also may take the exercise device and use it in conjunction with other furniture or free standing objects. This feature allows the exercise device to be portable. It also may be stored away when not in use so that room is not taken up by the device or it is not an eye sore when in use. The user may merely cover the parts of the device located outside the furniture.

FIG. 1depicts an exercise device100according to the disclosed embodiments. Exercise device100may be used by an individual to build strength and flexibility in the comfort of their home or a room that has furniture, such as a bed, to mount the device. The user may take exercise device100with him/her as needed or even use it in different rooms or locations with the home. When not in use, exercise device100may be broken down and stored without the need for substantial space. It also does not divert attention away from the rest of the room, such as a treadmill or weight lifting machine. Exercise device100also may be set up easily and with little hassle by a user having little or no experience with fitness programs.

Exercise device100includes strap102. Strap102may be comprised of webbing material, such as that used in a seat belt. Such material provides stability and strength while being flexible enough to attach to any variety of furniture or free standing objects. The webbing material of strap102also may stretch or deform slightly, but not completely. As will be discussed below, exercise device102should not stretch or deform in a substantial manner.

Strap102includes hook fabric portions104and a loop fabric portion106. These portions provide the scalability of exercise device100to fit a variety of furniture. These features also are disclosed in greater detail below. Hook fabric portions104are attached to loop fabric portion106as that strap102can have a desired length. For example, the left side hook fabric portion104may be attached to loop fabric portion106towards its middle while the right side hook fabric portion104is attached to a right end of portion106. Hook fabric portions104may be referred to as “rough material” and loop fabric portion106may be referred to as soft material because the hooks in portions104are rigid when compared to the loops of portion106.

An opening103of strap102provided by hook fabric portions104enable attachment of oval rings110and111. The oval rings are disclosed in greater detail below. Oval ring110includes a bar112while oval ring111includes a bar113. Preferably bars112and113are located center within oval rings110and111, respectively. The bars dissect the oval rings. Bars112and113engage strap102by placing hook fabric portions104through oval rings110and111such that curved ends108of strap102are located on an outwardly facing portion of the bars. Oval rings110and111are secured to strap102when hook fabric portions104are attached to loop fabric portion106. As shown below, portions of the furniture secure exercise device100such that oval rings110and111are positioned outside the furniture for access by the user.

Attachments114and115are attached to oval rings110and111, respectively. Additional attachments may be used with exercise device100. These attachments are shown for illustrative purposes. In some embodiments, one or more attachments may be an exercise band used for stretching and resistance training. The user may pull the exercise band to perform exercises. In some embodiments, the attachments are tied to the oval rings. In other embodiments, the attachments may be connected to the oval rings using a connection mechanism, such as a snap portion. Attachments114and115also may include cuffs, as disclosed below.

FIG. 2depicts strap102according to the disclosed embodiments.FIG. 2shows webbing material202used in strap102. Hook fabric portions104are shown placed adjacent to each other such that opening103is closed. As can be seen, hook fabric portions104face loop fabric portion106so that the portions may be attached together. The length of strap102may be adjusted by placing hook fabric portions104at different locations on loop fabric portion106. Detached hook fabric portions204are shown. This feature highlights that the hook fabric portions may be sewn onto strap102into webbing material202. The loop fabric material also may be sewn onto strap102. Alternatively, detached hook fabric portions204may be attached to strap102in that different lengths of detached hook fabric portions may be provided with exercise device100. The user attaches a desired length of the detached hook fabric portions to lengthen strap102as needed. Moreover, as the hooks within the detached hook fabric portions wear down, the portions may be replaced to prolong the use of exercise device100.

In some embodiments, strap102may include the following dimensions and parameters. The width of strap102may be about two inches. A preferred length may be about 10 feet. From a center point206of strap102, loop fabric portion106extends at least two feet in both directions along strap102. More preferably, loop fabric portion106extends about two feet and five inches from center point206for a total length of the loop fabric portion of about four feet and ten inches. The preferred length of hook fabric portions104may be about two feet. Hook fabric portions104also may include ends208. Ends208may include a pattern or other distinctive feature that allows one to know the ends by touch. This aspect may help when connecting or disconnecting the hook fabric portions.

FIGS. 3A and 3Bdepict an example of an oval ring according to the disclosed embodiments.FIG. 3Amay show a front or back view of the oval ring.FIG. 3Bmay show a side view of the oval ring. Oval ring110is shown, but the disclosed embodiments also may apply to oval ring111. As noted above, exercise device100implements two oval rings, one on each curved end108of strap102. Axis A may bisect oval ring110in a direction between the sides of the ring. Axis B may bisect oval ring110in a direction between the top and bottom of the ring.

Preferably, oval ring110is comprised of stainless steel. Stainless steel provides the support for use of the attachments for exercises. It also may be smooth so as to not damage the furniture when exercise device100is assembled. Oval ring110also may have preferred dimensions. It may have an overall length302of about 5.5 inches. Oval ring110also may have a width304of about 2 to 2.5 inches. Oval ring110includes center bar112. A length308from the center bar to each end of oval ring110may be about 2.75 inches. Other dimensions include a radius306of curved portions305of about 1 inch.

Center bar112may be secured to oval ring110with a portion310placed into seat312. Seat312may allow center bar112to be secured within oval ring110so that it does not dislodge when exercise device100is in use. When the user applies a force to attachment114or115, stress will be placed upon center112as oval ring110is pulled in the direction of the force. In other embodiments, center bar112may be joined to oval ring110.

Preferably, exercise device100includes two oval rings. Webbing material202of strap102is passed through the oval rings to wrap around the center bars. In some embodiments, a connection device may be included in strap102that is adjustable along curved ends108to accommodate the oval rings and allow different lengths for strap102.

FIG. 4depicts a cuff402for use with an attachment114(or115) according to the disclosed embodiments. Cuffs allow the user to grasp an attachment to an oval ring without wearing down the attachment or discomfort to the user. Instead of cuffs, other items may be attached, such as loops or bands that allow the user to place his/her foot or leg through the item to use the attachment.

Cuff402includes leather material404. Leather material404may be sewn onto the cuff and placed where the user grasps attachment114. In other embodiments, cuff402may be made partially or entirely of leather. Alternatively, cuff402may be comprised of other soft material or foam that provides a buffer between the hand, foot, arm, leg, and the like of the user and attachment114. Cuff hook fabric piece406and cuff loop fabric piece408also are included to close cuff402around attachment114. In some embodiments, cuff402is made entirely of leather material and pieces406and408sewn thereto. Leather material404allows the user to exercise using exercise device100without undue pain or bruising during resistance training and exercise. Cuff402includes a center portion that separates the two parts of the cuff and allows it to open for fitting onto attachment114.

FIG. 5depicts attachments114being attached to oval ring110. When implemented, strap102engages center bar112, which is held in place by the furniture. The user applies a force to attachment114to do movements with resistance provided by the materials in the attachment. Preferably, attachment114is an exercise band that stretches and deforms to provide resistance training for the user. Knot502attaches attachment114to oval ring110. Any variety of knots may be used for knot502. Other forms of attachment also may be used.

In some embodiments, additional attachments114may be used to vary training. For example, a second attachment114may be attached to the attachment on oval ring110to lengthen the overall exercise attachment of exercise device100. Alternatively, the second attachment also may be attached to oval ring110to provide double the resistance for more intense training. Cuffs402may be attached to each attachment.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6Cdepict exercise device100configured to be used with bed602. Bed602includes two sections504and506. Sections504and506are separable in that exercise device100is placed between the sections. As shown inFIG. 6C, exercise device100may be place on top of section506. Oval rings110and111are placed on opposite sides of section506. In this configuration, a force applied to one oval ring will be resisted by the other oval ring held in place by the furniture. As disclosed above, strap102is adjustable such that it can fit any type of furniture.

Exercise device100also includes attachment114attached to oval ring110. An attachment114also may be attached to oval ring111on the other side of exercise device100. As shown inFIGS. 6A and 6B, only the oval rings are visible when exercise device100is implemented. Thus, exercise device100does not take up space in a room or need special structures to use. It uses a bed already in place. Further, exercise device100does not distract from the appearance of the bed. The oval rings may be covered. Attachments114may be removed.

Strap102is comprised of webbing material202such that it does not stretch or deform during use. It also does not damage bed602. Hoop fabric portions104and loop fabric portion106face inwardly so that these portions do not snag or damage bed602. In some embodiments, a cover508may be placed over portions104and106to prevent any possible damage caused by exercise device100.

When not in use, exercise device100may be kept in place as supported by furniture502. The other components of device100may be stored between sections504and506. When one wants to remove the device from the furniture, exercise device100may be broken down by disconnecting portions104and106from each other. Oval rings110and111may be removed by sliding strap102off centers bars112and113. Attachments114may be untied from the oval rings. Exercise device100then may be stored in a box or drawer. Another feature of the disclosed embodiments is that the user can use the exercise device at his/her leisure in the comfort of home.

Exercise device100also is portable in that it may be taken with the user to other rooms, trips, and the like. It may be used with any type of furniture that has sections to accommodate strap102. Thus, if the user is unable to go to a gym or is at a hotel without one, then he/she can still perform exercises by setting up exercise device100. It also may be preferable for a user with disability or injury in that it can be easily configured with existing furniture for use without expensive adaptations or changes to the existing furniture.

In other embodiments, two pieces of furniture may be placed together with exercise device100located therebetween. For example, a chair may be placed against a bed602, with strap102placed at the intersection of the pieces of furniture. Strap102may be adjusted so that oval rings110and111are accessible to the user for attachments114and115. Thus, exercise device100may be used with a bed that secures the device during exercises.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be implemented to the disclosed portable exercise device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations disclosed above provided that these changes come within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.