Abstract:
An apparatus for arranging a free-weight for exercise. A first band of pliable material is constructed into a loop and has a width that permits threading the loop through an opening in the free-weight thereby forming a first loop portion adjacent to the first side of the free-weight and a second loop portion adjacent to the second side of the free-weight. A second band of pliable material has a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the first band of material and arranged to be attached to the first loop portion of the first band of material. A receiving member is attached to the second loop portion of the first band of material and arranged for attachment to the second end of the second band of material.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally relates to exercise equipment, and more particularly, to a free-weight exercise method and apparatus. 
     The importance of exercise in general has become widely known in recent years. A large portion of the population is engaging in various forms of exercise. One popular form of exercise is that performed with free-weights. Free-weights generally include dumbbells and barbells which are then manipulated without any type of machine assistance. Disk shaped platters of varying sizes and weights are used in combination with a bar as a barbell. Each disk has an opening in its center through which the bar is inserted. 
     Conventional and widely known free-weight exercises are generally sufficient for the majority of people who do not seriously compete in physical competitions, such as sporting events and body building. However, for those that do compete, maximum benefit is sought from each and every exercise. New exercises continue to be invented in an effort to focus on various muscles and to gain a competitive advantage. 
     Oftentimes, a new exercise requires a new apparatus for convenience and to accommodate various skill levels. Furthermore, known exercises can be practiced more effectively and conveniently with new apparatus. The present invention is directed to such an apparatus and method for its use. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for free-weight exercise. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises: a first band of pliable material that is constructed into a loop. The first band has a width that permits threading the loop through the opening of a free-weight thereby forming a first loop portion adjacent to the first side of the free-weight and a second loop portion adjacent to the second side of the free-weight. The apparatus comprises in addition, a second band of pliable material having a first end and a second end. The first end is attached to the first band of material and arranged to be attached to the first loop portion of the first band of material. A receiving member is attached to the second loop portion of the first band of material and arranged for attachment to the second end of the second band of material. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first band of pliable material constructed into a first loop, the first band having a width that permits threading the formed loop through the opening of the free-weight thereby forming a first loop portion adjacent to the first side of the free-weight and a second loop portion adjacent to the second side of the free-weight; a second band of pliable material having a first end and a second end, the first end movably attached to the first band of material and arranged to be positioned on the first loop portion of the first band of material; and means for attaching the second end of the second band to the second loop portion of the first band of material. 
     An apparatus of yet another embodiment comprises a first band of pliable material constructed into a first loop, the first band having a width that permits threading the formed loop through the opening of the free-weight thereby forming a first loop portion adjacent to the first side of the free-weight and a second loop portion adjacent to the second side of the free-weight; a second band of pliable material having a first end and a second end, the first end formed into a loop around the first band and arranged to be positioned on the first loop portion; and means for attaching the second end of the second band to the second loop portion of the first band of material. 
     Another example apparatus comprises a first band of pliable material constructed with a first loop at a first end and a second loop at a second end, the first band having a width that permits threading the first loop through the opening of the free-weight; a second band of pliable material having a first end and a second end, the first end formed into a loop around the first band at the first loop; and means for attaching the second end of the second band to the second loop of the first band of material. 
     In accordance with the invention, an example method is provided for securing a free-weight to a person&#39;s feet for exercising therewith using a first band of pliable material constructed into a loop, a second band of pliable material having a first end attached to the first band of material and a second end. The method comprises: threading the loop through the opening of the free-weight thereby forming a first loop portion adjacent to the first side of the free-weight and a second loop portion adjacent to the second side of the free-weight; placing one foot into the first loop portion and the other foot into the second loop portion; wrapping the second band around the back of the person&#39;s feet; and attaching the second end of the second band to the first loop portion. 
     The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment of the present invention. The figures and detailed description that follow provide additional example embodiments and aspects of the present invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawing in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of an exercise arrangement according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the invention in which a free-weight is secured to the arrangement; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the example exercise arrangement; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a portion of the exercise arrangement of the present invention. 
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is believed to be applicable to a variety of arrangements for exercising with free-weights, and has been found to be particularly advantageous for use in performing abdominal and leg exercises with free-weights. While not so limited, the invention will be described in such an application. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a first example embodiment of the invention. The exercise arrangement  100  includes a first band of material  102  formed into a loop and a second band of material  104  having one end  106  attached to the first band of material  102 . 
     An example use of the exercise arrangement  100  involves use of a free-weight. The construction of the exercise arrangement  100  allows a person to select a desired size weight according to the person&#39;s capabilities. In addition, the arrangement  100  is constructed for optimal use according to the size of the person performing the exercise. 
     An example contemplated exercise involves laying on one&#39;s back on a level or inclined surface and repeatedly raising the feet above the surface while keeping the legs generally straight or slightly bent. The exercise arrangement provides a means for securing one or more free-weights to the feet in order to increase the intensity of the workout. Another example exercise is the leg extension in which a person sits on a surface and the legs from the knee down hang freely below the surface. The exercise involves repeatedly raising the lower portion of the legs such that both entire legs are generally straight. Other exercises include, for example, hanging from a bar and raising the knees to the chest, performing generally known dip exercises, and securing the arrangement  100  to a single leg and performing single leg lifts in various positions such as standing, lying on one&#39;s side, resting on one&#39;s knees and forearms, etc. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view that illustrates an example method for securing a free-weight with the arrangement  100  of FIG.  1 . To secure the free-weight  122  to the feet, the first band of material  102  is threaded through an opening  124  in the free-weight such that a portion of the loop formed with the first band of material forms a first loop portion  126  on one side of the free-weight, and a second loop portion  128  is formed on the other side of the free-weight. The first loop portion  126  is sized to accommodate insertion of one foot, and the second loop portion  128  is sized to accommodate insertion of the other foot. 
     The second band of material  104  is used to secure the arrangement  100  to the feet to prevent the arrangement from slipping off during exercise. The first end  106  is arranged for attachment to the first band of material  102  at the second loop portion  128 . The second band of material  104  is arranged to be wrapped around the back side of the legs, generally in the ankle area. The second end  130  of the second band of material  104  is then attached to the first loop portion  126  in a manner that provides a snug fit of the arrangement  100  to the lower area of the legs. 
     While loops  126  and  128  are shown as being of comparable size, it will be appreciated that the arrangement  100  can also be attached to a single foot. For example, one foot is inserted in loop  128 , and loop  126  is substantially smaller than loop  128 . The second end  130  is then secured to the loop portion  126  to prevent the weight  122  from falling off the first band  102 . 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the exercise arrangement  100  after having secured a free-weight  122 . Left shoe  152  and right shoe  154  illustrate placement of the feet in the first and second loop portions  126  and  128 , respectively. The second band of material  104  is wrapped around the back side of a person&#39;s legs (not shown) and attached to the first loop portion  126 . It should be understood that the manner in which the second band is attached to the second loop portion  128  and attached to the first loop portion  126  accommodates various sizes of weights and bodies while preventing slipping and sliding of the arrangement  100  once secured to the feet. 
     Returning now to FIG. 1, the first band of material  102  and the second band of material  104  of the example arrangement  100  are constructed of like material. For example, in one embodiment, the material is heavy duty nylon capable of supporting a weight of approximately 100 to 150 pounds. Both bands  102  and  104  are approximately 2″ wide. Those skilled in the art will recognize other suitable materials, such as cotton. 
     In the example arrangement  100 , a loop is constructed from the first band of material  102  by sewing one end of the band to the other, as illustrated by seam  162 . In alternative embodiments, the first band of material  102  may be constructed into a loop with, for example, a buckle arrangement or a metal band. 
     The perimeter of the loop constructed from the first band of material may be varied according the size of the person and the size and number of free-weights to be attached thereto. The size of the perimeter can be fixed or adjustable. For example, small, medium, large and extra large sizes can be constructed having perimeters ranging from about 16″ to about 30′. An advantage to constructing the loop of the first band of material with a buckle arrangement is that the size of the loop is adjustable by the exerciser. It will also be appreciated that a smaller perimeter for the first band of material  102  permits attachment of the arrangement  100  to a foot for single leg exercises. 
     The second band of material  104  is attached to the loop of the first band of material  102  by wrapping an end portion  106  around the first band  102  and sewing part of the end portion  106  on the second band  104 , as illustrated by seam  164 . The loop formed by end portion  106  allows the second band  104  to slide on the loop of the first band  102  for optimal positioning of the band  104  once the feet have been placed in the first and second loop portions  126  and  128 . In alternate embodiments, the second band of material  104  can be sewn directly to the first band  102  or attached by a ring. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a plastic eyelet  168  is attached to the first band  102  at a location on the first loop portion  126 . The second end portion  166  includes a hook fabric portion  172  and a loop fabric portion  174  sewn thereto. A plastic triangular ring is sewn to the end of the second band  104  for easily threading band  104  through the eyelet  168 . The eyelet  168  and ring  176  may be made from metal or other suitable materials and formed into other shapes such as circles, ovals and other shapes in other alternate embodiments. 
     After having threaded the second band  104  part way through the eyelet  168 , the end portion  168  is folded so that the hook fabric  172  contacts the loop fabric  174 , thereby attaching the second band  104  to the first band  102 . The hook-and-loop fabric portions  172  and  174  along with threading the second band  104  through the eyelet  168  effectively make the second band  104  of adjustable length. The adjustable length second band make the exercise arrangement suitable for a relatively wide range of sizes of people. 
     Other example embodiments of the invention are contemplated for securing the second end portion  166  of the second band  104  to the loop formed by the first band of material  102 . For example, any one of a variety of buckle arrangements may be substituted for eyelet  168 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate example embodiment in which a band of material  202  is formed into a first loop  204  and a second loop  206 . The band  202  may be substituted for the first band of material  102  as shown in FIG.  1 . The band  202  is distinguished from the band  102  in that two distinct loops  204  and  206  are constructed from the band  202 . One end of the band  202  is sewn to the band to form loop  204 , as illustrated by seam  208 , and the other end of the band  202  is sewn to the band to form loop  206 , as illustrated by seam  210 . 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides, among other aspects, an apparatus and method for exercising with free-weights. Other aspects and embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and illustrated embodiments be considered as examples only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.