Abstract:
An exercise apparatus includes an elongated outer elastic hollow tubing having opposed ends and an elongated inner elastic hollow tubing having opposed ends. A connection mechanism at each of the opposed ends is for interlocking the respective opposed ends of the elongated outer elastic hollow tubing and the elongated inner elastic hollow tubing. A pair of handles is positioned at respective opposed ends of the elongated outer and elongated inner elastic hollow tubings.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to an exercise apparatus and pertains, more particularly, to an elongated stretchable member preferably having one or more handle ends and used in exercising. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various types of stretchable exercise members are known in the prior art. For the most part these members are comprised of a stretchable band that may have a handle attached to either or both ends thereof. One of the problems associated with the present equipment is that there can be injury to the user should the band all of a sudden break. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved exercise apparatus having an elastic band that is comprised of inner and outer tubing. In this way, should the outer tubing break, there is sufficient strength at the inner tubing to maintain the overall band in one piece. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention there is provided an exercise apparatus that is comprised of an elongated outer tubing having opposed ends and that forms an outer exposed portion of the exercise apparatus; an elongated inner tubing having opposed ends and that forms an inner hidden portion of the exercise apparatus; and a connection mechanism at each of the opposed ends for interlocking the respective opposed ends of the elongated outer tubing and the elongated inner tubing. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the elongated outer tubing comprises an elongated outer elastic tubing; the elongated inner tubing comprises an elongated inner elastic tubing; both the elongated outer elastic tubing and the elongated inner elastic tubing are hollow; the connection mechanism is comprised of an outer connection member engaged with an end of the elongated outer elastic tubing; the connection mechanism is also comprised of an inner connection member engaged with an end of the elongated inner elastic tubing; the connection mechanism is comprised of an outer connection member engaged with an end of the elongated outer elastic tubing, and the connection mechanism is also comprised of an inner connection member engaged with an end of the elongated inner elastic tubing; both the outer connection member and the inner connection member are conical for firm engagement with the respective outer and inner elastic tubing; the outer connection member engages an end of the elongated inner elastic tubing at a position adjacent to the inner connection member; the outer connection member is conical for firm engagement with the elongated outer elastic tubing, and the inner connection member comprises a ball engaging within the elongated inner elastic tubing; the conical outer connection member has an inner tapered surface and the elongated inner elastic tubing and ball are captured at the inner tapered surface; in combination with a handle having a securing passage that engages the elongated outer elastic tubing. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an exercise apparatus that is comprised of an elongated outer elastic hollow tubing having opposed ends; an elongated inner elastic hollow tubing having opposed ends; a connection mechanism at each of the opposed ends for interlocking the respective opposed ends of the elongated outer elastic hollow tubing and the elongated inner elastic hollow tubing; and a pair of handles positioned at respective opposed ends of the elongated outer and elongated inner elastic hollow tubings. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the present invention each handle has a securing passage for receiving an end of the elongated outer elastic hollow tubing; each connection mechanism is comprised of an outer connection member engaged with an end of the elongated outer elastic hollow tubing, and an inner connection member engaged with an end of the elongated inner elastic hollow tubing; both the outer connection member and the inner connection member are conical for firm engagement with the respective outer and inner elastic tubing; the outer connection member engages an end of the elongated inner elastic tubing at a position adjacent to the inner connection member; the outer connection member is conical for firm engagement with the elongated outer elastic tubing, and the inner connection member comprises a ball engaging within the elongated inner elastic tubing; the conical outer connection member has an inner tapered surface and the elongated inner elastic tubing and ball are captured at the inner tapered surface; and the handle includes a handle base and a handle strap attached at ends thereof to the handle base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. In the drawings depicting the present invention, all dimensions are to scale. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are partial end views of a portion of the exercise apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view illustrating the basic components used at one end of the band; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary end view at the outer tubing; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial end view of the inner tubing of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial end view of the assembled outer and inner tubing pieces; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates one length of the band with associated end connections; 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to that shown in  FIG. 10  and illustrating a breaking of the outer tubing; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 9  and illustrating a breaking of the outer tubing; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the elongated flexible member with attached end handles; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of one end of the flexible member illustrating a handle connection; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective end view similar to that shown in  FIG. 14  with the apparatus further assembled; 
         FIG. 16  is a fragmentary perspective view of the same handle end as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 16  with the assembly to the handle completed; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 ; and 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an elongated flexible member with end handles and an intermediate connection member. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is now made to a first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 1-13 .  FIG. 13  actually shows a final product in the form of an exercise apparatus  10  that includes an elongated flexible member  12 . Handles  14  are attached at either end of the elongated flexible member  12 . Each of the handles  14  includes a cylindrical handle  15  and a strap  16 . The strap  16  has a centrally disposed hole that engages about an end of the elongated flexible member. 
     In  FIGS. 1-13 , one end connection is illustrated. However, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , there would be like connections at both ends of the strap. In accordance with the present invention, the exercise apparatus is comprised of multiple separate components that are assembled in a manner so as to dispose an elongated inner tubing fixed at both ends with an elongated outer tubing. The drawings illustrate an elongated outer tubing  20  and an elongated inner tubing  22 . Both of these tubing pieces may have similar elongated elasticity and would be constructed of elongated flexible plastic pieces. As also illustrated in, for example,  FIG. 3  there is provided an elongated outer connection member  30  and an elongated inner connection member  32  associated respectively with the outer and inner tubings. Both of the members  30  and  32  are of frusto-conic configuration as illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the conical connection member  30  as disposed within an end  21  of the elongated outer tubing  20 .  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the inner tubing  22  and the associated inner connection member  32  disposed within an end of the elongated inner tubing  22 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 8 and 9  that show the inner and outer tubing members as secured together. This is possible by the interlocking of the frusto-conic connection members  30  and  32 . In the position illustrated in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9 , it is noted that the inner connection member  32  is positioned at a top end of the outer connection member  30  in a fixed position. The end of the elongated inner tubing  22  is essentially sandwiched between the connection members  30  and  32 . 
       FIG. 10  simply illustrates the elongated flexible member  12  without any handles. The arrows A in  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate a stretching motion that is typical with the exercise apparatus of the present invention.  FIG. 11  illustrates that same motion but moreover illustrates an accidental breaking of the elongated outer tubing  20  at  23 . It is noted that the elongated inner tubing  22  remains intact and thus the length of the overall exercise apparatus remains substantially the same. This action prevents any injury to the user of the apparatus.  FIG. 12  also illustrates the break at  23  maintaining the inner tubing in place. In  FIG. 12  the inner connection member  32  is positioned at a top end of the outer connection member  30  in a secured position. The end of the elongated inner tubing  22  is essentially sandwiched between the connection members  30  and  32 . A connection such as illustrated in  FIG. 12  is also provided at the opposite end of the elongated flexible member so that at both ends of the apparatus there is a secure engagement between the inner and outer tubing pieces. At each end this secure connection is formed by the respective connection members  30  and  32 . 
     Reference is now made to a further embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 14-18 .  FIG. 18 , in particular, illustrates an elongated flexible member  36  having handles  60  at either end thereof. In this particular apparatus there is also provided an intermediate connection member  37  in the form of an integral handle structure. The intermediate connection member  37  also includes some type of a handle arrangement and thus the interconnections at that area are substantially the same as will be described in connection with  FIGS. 14-17 . 
     In  FIGS. 14-17  there is illustrated an elongated outer tubing  40  and an elongated inner tubing  42 . Both of these tubing pieces may have similar elongated elasticity and are constructed of an elongated flexible plastic material. There is also illustrated an outer connection member  50  and an inner connection member  52 . The member  50  has a partially frusto-conic shape at a bottom end thereof. In this particular embodiment the inner connection member  52  is in the form of a ball or sphere. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates the components associated with a handle  60 . The handle  60  includes a handle tube  66  and a strap  68  that has opposite ends thereof secured to the handle base  62 . The handle base  62  includes a center aperture  64  through which the elongated outer tubing  40  is disposed.  FIG. 14  is somewhat of an exploded view illustrating the top end of the elongated outer tubing  40  extending upwardly through the passage  64 . Also illustrated in  FIG. 14  is the elongated inner tubing  42 . The outer connection member  50  is illustrated disposed over the top end of the elongated inner tubing. The ball  52  is illustrated suspended over the top end of the elongated inner tubing  42 . The arrow  51  in  FIG. 14  illustrates the ball  52  about to be moved into the tubing  42 . 
       FIG. 15  is a view similar to the view of  FIG. 14  but now illustrating the ball  52  disposed within the top end of the elongated inner tubing  42 .  FIG. 16  is a view similar to the view illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15  and showing the components completely assembled whereby the end of the elongated outer tubing  40  is secured with the handle base  62 . In this regard, refer also to the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 17  taken along line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 16 . This view illustrates the final placement of the components, particularly the connection members. This arrangement causes a bulging at  44  wherein the end of the outer tubing is essentially secured with the handle base. 
     In the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 17 , the inner connection member or ball  52  is illustrated having been forced into the end of the elongated inner tubing  42 .  FIG. 17  illustrates the ball  52  and tubing  42  disposed at an inner tapered wall  53  of the outer connection member  50 . This taper at  53  locks the elongated inner tubing relative to the elongated outer tubing. At the same time this causes a bulge in the elongated outer tubing at  44  thus firmly holding both the inner and outer tubing pieces to the handle  60 . 
     Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.