Abstract:
A method of strap control and an apparatus including a combined strap-length adjuster and strap keeper is disclosed for use with strap-length adjuster comprising two rings. The strap-length adjuster includes openings that permit the attachment of a tether to the strap keeper. The arrangement allows the tether to not interfere with the positioning or movement of the straps, and maintains the straps close to the strap-length adjuster and prevents slippage of the strap through the strap-length adjuster.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for adjusting the length of a strap, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for strap control with a strap-length adjuster comprising two rings. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     Mechanisms for adjusting the length of a strap, referred to herein as strap-length adjusters, are commonly used in belts, for tying down objects, and in adjustable exercise devices. Strap-length adjusters typically provide a gripping force on a strap at fixed positions (as in belt buckles) or at a variable positions (using clamping devices). In both cases the loose strap end protrudes away from the strap-length adjuster. In many instances it is desirable to keep loose ends from moving by keeping them near the strap. Such devices are referred to as strap keepers. For some mechanisms, the movement of an end of the gripped strap may loosen the mechanism, rendering the mechanism ineffective. 
     There is a need in the art for a method of combining a strap-length adjuster and a strap keeper. There is also a need in the art for an apparatus that includes a strap-length adjuster that includes a strap keeper. Such an apparatus and method should be easy to use and should automatically keep the strap close to strap-length adjuster. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art by combining a tethered strap keeper with a strap-length adjuster. 
     Certain embodiments provide an apparatus for attaching to a closed loop of a first strap and for providing a gripping force to a second strap having a free end. The apparatus includes a strap keeper to accept the second strap; a strap-length adjuster including a first element having a first opening and a second element having a second opening each sized for jointly accepting the closed loop, where the second element includes a third opening and a crossbar disposed between the first opening and the third opening; and a tether attached to the strap keeper, where the tether is attached to the crossbar. The free end can be wrapped through the first opening and the third opening to adjust the position of the second strap in the strap-length adjuster; the strap keeper can accept the second strap and the free end of the second strap; and the movement of the strap keeper is limited by the tether. 
     Certain other embodiments provide an exercise device including: an inelastic strap; a pair of grips attached to said strap; and at least one apparatus attached to said strap, such that the length of said strap between said grips is adjust-able. The apparatus includes a strap keeper to accept the second strap; a strap-length adjuster including a first element having a first opening and a second element having a second opening each sized for jointly accepting the closed loop, where the second element includes a third opening and a crossbar disposed between the first opening and the third opening; and a tether attached to the strap keeper, where the tether is attached to the crossbar. The free end can be wrapped through the first opening and the third opening to adjust the position of the second strap in the strap-length adjuster; the strap keeper can accept the second strap and the free end of the second strap; and the movement of the strap keeper is limited by the tether. 
     Yet certain other embodiments provide a method of providing strap control using a strap keeper and a strap-length adjuster attachable to a closed loop of a first strap and adapted to accept a free end of a second strap. The strap-length adjuster includes a first element having a first opening and a second element having a second opening each sized for jointly accepting the closed loop, where the second element includes a third opening and a crossbar disposed between the first opening and the third opening, such that the free end can be wrapped through the first opening and the third opening to adjust the position of the second strap in the strap-length adjuster, such that the strap keeper can accept the second strap and the free end of the second strap. The method includes attaching a tether to the strap keeper and to the crossbar, such that the movement of the strap keeper is limited by the tether. 
     These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are attained by the combined strap-length adjuster and strap keeper of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a strap adjuster and keeper; 
         FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of another embodiment of the strap adjuster and keeper; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are a top and bottom view, respectively, of the strap adjuster and keeper of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C are perspective, top, and side views, respectively, of the first element of a strap-length adjuster; 
         FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C are perspective, top, and side views, respectively, of the second element of a strap-length adjuster; 
         FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are perspective, top, and side views, respectively, of a strap keeper and tether; 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of the strap adjuster and keeper in a “locked” configuration; and 
         FIG. 7B  is a side view of the strap adjuster and keeper configured for adjusting the length of the strap. 
     
    
    
     Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects or features shown therein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for adjusting the length of a strap including a strap-length adjuster and a strap keeper, or in short, a strap adjuster and keeper. Embodiments of strap adjuster and keeper  100  are shown as a strap adjuster and keeper  100   a  and  100   b  as utilized in an exercise device  10 . Exercise device  10  is shown for illustrative purposes only, and is not meant to limit the scope of the present invention, except as explicitly claimed. 
     Exercise device  10 , for example, includes a door mount  20 , a first inelastic strap  11  having a first free end  13   a  and a second free end  13   b , and second and third inelastic straps  15   a  and  15   b  terminating in grips  17   a  and  17   b , respectively. First strap adjuster and keeper  100   a  and second strap adjuster and keeper  100   b  accept free ends  13   a  and  13   b , respectively, and permit adjustment of the supporting length of first strap  11  by pulling on one or more of first free end  13   a  and second free end  13   b , as discussed subsequently. First strap adjuster and keeper  100   a  and second strap adjuster and keeper  100   b  also support second strap  15   a  and third strap  15   b , respectively. Examples of exercise device  10  may be found, for example and without limitation, in co-owned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,044,896 and 7,762,932, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     One embodiment of strap adjuster and keeper  100 , which is generally similar to first strap adjuster and keeper  100   a  or second strap adjuster and keeper  100   b , is shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , where  FIG. 2  is a detailed perspective view of another embodiment of the strap adjuster and keeper,  FIGS. 3A and 3B  are a top and bottom view, respectively, of the strap adjuster and keeper,  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C are perspective, top, and side views, respectively, of the first element of a strap-length adjuster,  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C are perspective, top, and side views, respectively, of the second element of a strap-length adjuster, and  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are perspective, top, and side views, respectively, of a strap keeper and tether. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A, and  3 B, strap adjuster and keeper  100  includes a strap-length adjuster  200 , a strap keeper  230 , and a tether  201  that connects the strap-length adjuster  200  to the strap keeper  230 . 
     Strap-length adjuster  200  includes a first ring  210  and a second ring  220 , both of which may be generally flat and rectangular rings, and have one or more openings. First ring  210 , which is shown in greater detail is  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C, has an opening  213  with a tab  211  and a surface  215  at one end, and a bar  401  at an opposing end, First ring  210  has a thickness T1 and a width and opening  213  has a width S1 that is sized to accept the width of strap  11  and a length L1, and tab  211  protrudes a distance A from the opening. 
     Second ring  220 , which is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C, has a first opening  221  and a second opening  223  separated by a crossbar  229 . Specifically, first opening  221  is bounded on one side by a first bar  501  and on the opposite side by crossbar  229 , and second opening  223  is bounded on one side by the crossbar and on the opposite side by a second bar  503 . Crossbar  229  has a first hole  225  and second hole  227  forming passageways through second ring  220 . Second ring  220  has a thickness T2, length L2, and width W2. First opening  221  has a width S2 and length U sized to accept loop  12 , and second opening  223  has a width S3 and length V sized to accept the width of strap  13 . Holes  225  and  227  each have a diameter D sized to accept tether  201 . 
     Strap keeper  230 , which is shown in greater detail is  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C has an opening  603  sized to accept two layers of strap  13 , Strap keeper  230  has a width W3 sized to accept the width of strap  13 , and a length L3. Tether  201  is a loop of material of length 2×L4 that is attached to strap keeper, for example by stitches  601  to the inside surface of opening  603 . 
     In general first ring  210  and second ring  220  are formed from a rigid material, such as metal, plastic, aluminum or steel, In one embodiment, straps  11  and  13  both have a width of 38 mm and a thickness of 2 mm, and rings  210  and  220  are sized, for example and without limitation, with T1=3 mm, W1=53 mm, S1=39 mm, A=22 mm, T2=3 mm L1=27 mm, L2=34 mm, W2=52 mm, S2=39 mm, U=7 mm, S3=39 mm, V=7 mm and D=5 mm. In other embodiments, straps  11  and  13  may have the same or different sizes, ranging from 6 mm to 75 mm, and the size of rings  210  and  220  may be sized appropriately. 
     Strap keeper  230  is formed from elastic or inelastic webbing. For the example of  11  and  13  both have a width of 38 mm and a thickness of 2 mm, W3 may be 38 mm and L3 may be 38 mm. 
     Tether  201  may be formed from elastic or inelastic cord or line. The length L4 may be, for example and without limitation, from 25 mm to 100 mm, The length L4 may this be 25 mm, 50 mm, 75 mm, or 100 mm. 
     In an alternative embodiment, tether  201  passes through one hole in crossbar  229 , and is knotted to secure the tether to second ring  220 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a side view of strap adjuster and keeper  200  in a “locked” configuration. Loop  14  is secured over bar  401  through opening  213 , and over bar  503  through opening  223 . Loop  12  is formed by passing end  13  first through opening  213 , then through opening  221 , over bar  501 , and back through opening  213 , as is also shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 A, and  3 B, Loop  12  is thus provided with frictional forces from first ring  210  on surface  215  and second ring  220  to prevent slippage of strap  11 . In addition, tether  201  retains the movement of strap keeper  230  to be near strap-length adjuster  200 , thus keeping the portions of strap  11  near each other. 
       FIG. 7B  is a side view of strap adjuster and keeper  200  configured for adjusting the length of strap  11 , When tab  211  is moved way from strap  11 , the hold of first ring  210  and second ring  220  on strap is loosened, permitting the movement of strap  11  through strap keeper  230  to either lengthen or shorten strap  11 . Tether  201  continues to retain the movement of strap keeper  230  to be near strap-length adjuster  200 . It is apparent from  FIGS. 7A and 7B  that tether  201  limits the strap-length adjuster  200  to strap keeper  230  distance, while not interfering with the movement of strap  11 , when required. 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” 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” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments. 
     Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.