Abstract:
Disclosed is a slackline activity device including a main line and an anchor line configured to be tautly connected to each other and suspended between fixed objects. The mainline includes two webbings which form pockets. The pockets are locations where the two webbings are not in contact with either other, surrounded by two locations where the webbings are in contact with each other. The pockets may be formed by the webbings being fixed to each other or being woven together. Hangers, such as carabineers, are inserted into the pockets, and activity devices are suspended therefrom. Such a device may be used for recreation and exercise.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the invention 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a slackline activity device, in particular, a device which is reconfigurable with multiple attachments. 
       Description of Related Art 
       [0002]    Slacklines are an increasingly popular recreational device. In a conventional slackline, an anchor line and a main line, each formed of an elongated webbing, are each attached to a fixed object, such as a tree or a pole. The anchor line and the main line are attached to each other by a tightening device such as a ratchet and are tightened, such that the slackline is elevated above the ground. After the anchor line and main line forming the slackline are taut, a user may walk on the slackline for exercise and recreation. For example, a user may walk on the slackline in a manner similar to a gymnastics balance beam. However, the types of activities which can be performed on such a conventional slackline are somewhat limited. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A slackline activity device is disclosed which has a greater flexibility as to the types of activities that can be performed by the user. The disclosed slackline activity device includes a main line and an anchor line configured to be tautly connected to each other and suspended between fixed objects. The mainline includes two webbings which form pockets. The pockets are locations where the two webbings are not in contact with either other, surrounded by two locations where the webbings are in contact with each other. The pockets may be formed by the webbings being fixed to each other or being woven together. Hangers, such as carabineers, are inserted into the pockets, and activity devices are suspended therefrom. Such a device may be used for recreation and exercise. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a view illustrating the slackline activity device in use. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view illustrating a close up of the pockets and hangers of the mainline of the slackline activity device.  FIG. 2B  is a side elevation view thereof.  FIG. 2C  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 C- 2 C illustrated in  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  2 D- 2 D illustrated in  FIG. 2B . 
           [0007]      FIG. 3A  is a side elevation view illustrating an activity device including a ball.  FIG. 3B  is a side elevation view illustrating an activity device including a cone.  FIG. 3C  is a side elevation view illustrating an activity device including a gymnastics ring.  FIG. 3D  is a side elevation view illustrated an activity device including a bar. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 4A-4E  are views illustrating a method of assembling the slackline activity device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a view illustrating a portion of the slackline activity device as assembled. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are views illustrating a method of disassembling the slackline activity device. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view illustrating a close up of the pockets and hangers of another embodiment of the mainline of the slackline activity device.  FIG. 7B  is a side elevation view thereof.  FIG. 7C  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  7 C- 7 C illustrated in  FIG. 7A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view illustrating a close up of the pockets and hangers of another embodiment of the mainline of the slackline activity device.  FIG. 8B  is a side elevation view thereof.  FIG. 8C  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  8 C- 8 C illustrated in  FIG. 8A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the mainline of the slackline activity device.  FIG. 9B  is a side elevation view thereof.  FIG. 9C  is a plan view of a portion of one webbing of the mainline of the slackline activity device according to this embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the hanger disposed in the pockets of the mainline of the slackline activity device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view illustrating a close up of the pockets and hangers of the mainline of the slackline activity device using the hangers of another embodiment.  FIG. 11B  is a side elevation view thereof.  FIG. 11C  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  11 C- 11 C illustrated in  FIG. 11C .  FIG. 11D  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  11 D- 11 D in  FIG. 11B .  FIG. 11E  is a modified cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11D  employing an intervening hanger. 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a view of a hanger of another embodiment of the slackline activity device.  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment with a non-removable hanger. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a slackline activity device includes a main line  10  and an anchor line  20 . The main line  10  may be secured to a fixed object such as a tree T 1 , while the anchor line  20  may be secured to another fixed object such as a tree T 2 . Although trees are illustrated as a fixed object, the fixed object may be an object other than a tree, such as a pole, post, a bracket fixed to a wall, or the like. The main line  10  and the anchor line  20  can be secured to each other by ratchet  30 , so as to be taut. The details of the attachment procedure of the main line  10  and anchor line  20  to the fixed objects such as trees T 1  and T 2  will be described in greater detail below. Additionally, one or more activity apparatuses  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , etc. are suspended from the main line  10 . 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , the main line  10  includes two webbings  11  and  12 . The two webbings  11  and  12  may have the same length or different lengths, as long as they are at least partially overlapping. For example, the webbing  12  may have a shorter length than webbing  11 . For example, in one embodiment, the webbing  12  is approximately  22  feet in length while the first webbing  11  is approximately 30 feet in length. Additionally, the webbings  11  and  12  may have the same or different widths. For example, the webbing  12  may have a smaller width than the webbing  11 . However, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2D , in at least one portion of the main line  10 , the webbings  11  and  12  have identical widths. 
         [0019]    The main line  10  is formed so to include one or more pockets  16 . The pockets  16  are each a region where the two elongated webbings  11  and  12  are in not contact with each other, surrounded by two regions  15  where the two elongated webbings  11  and  12  are in contact with each other. For instance, in the region where the webbings  11  and  12  are in contact with each other, the webbings  11  and  12  may be fixed to each other. As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , in the regions  15  in which the webbings  11  and  12  are fixed to each other, the webbings  11  and  12  may be sewn together by sewing thread  15   a . However, the webbings  11  and  12  may be fixed to each other in the regions  15  in other ways, such as by rivets, clamps, brackets, adhesive or the like. Typically, the main line  10  will include a plurality of pockets  16 . There is no limitation of the spacing or number of the pockets  16 . However, the pockets  16  are typically spaced such that there is a gap of approximately 12 to 24 inches between each pocket  16 . 
         [0020]    The activity apparatuses  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , etc. each include a hanger  41 . Note that in  FIGS. 2A-2D , other portions of the activity apparatuses  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , etc. below the strap  42  are omitted for simplicity. As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2D , a hanger  41  is inserted into the pocket  16 . The hanger  41  may have any shape, as long as it can be securely held in the pocket  16 . For instance, the hanger  41  may be a closed loop which has a shape which is substantially circular, oval, triangular or rectangular shape. The hanger  41  may be removable from the pocket  16 . For example, the hanger  41  may be a conventional carabiner device. A conventional carabiner has an approximately C-shape with a spring-loaded portion closing the C-shape, such that the carabiner has an approximately oval or rectangular shape when closed. If a removable hanger  41  such as a carabiner is used, then the activity apparatus  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , etc. can be easily removed from the main line  10 . 
         [0021]    As an alternative, the hanger  41  can be non-removable. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 13  which is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 2D , a non-removable hanger  41  can be a substantially circular ring which cannot be opened. In the case of a non-removable hanger  41 , the main line  10  must be formed by placing the non-removable hanger  41  in the pocket  16  before it is formed, for example by fixing the webbings  11  and  12  to each other in the regions  15 . In the case of a non-removable hanger  41 , an intervening additional hanger  411  may interpose the non-removable hanger  41  and the strap  42  of the activity apparatuses  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , etc. For instance, a conventional carabiner may interpose the hanger  41  and the strap  42  of the activity apparatuses  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , etc. Accordingly, even if the hanger  41  is non-removable, the activity apparatuses  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , etc. can be removable. According to this embodiment, the user does not need to insert and remove the hangers  41  into the pocket  16 , but can reconfigure the activity apparatuses while keeping the hangers  41  in place. 
         [0022]    It is further noted that the hanger  41  need not be a closed shape such as a loop or carabiner. For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11A-11E and 12 , the hanger  41  could be a hook having an approximately S-shape which can be removably inserted into the pocket  16 . In particular, the S-shaped hanger  41  can have an inserting portion  41   a  which is removably inserted into the pocket  16 , and an attaching portion  41   b  to which the strap  42  of the activity apparatuses  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , etc. can be attached. A terminal portion  41   c  adjacent to the inserting portion  41   a  acts to retain the S-shaped hanger  41  in the pocket  16 . As shown in  FIG. 11E , an intervening additional hanger  411 , such as a carabineer, can intervene the strap  42  and the attaching portion  41   b.    
         [0023]    As noted above, although the webbings  11  and  12  in regions  15  may be fixed to each other by a sewing thread  15   a , other configurations are possible. For instance,  FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate an embodiment where the webbings  11  and  12  in regions  15  are fixed to each other by rivets  15   b . The number of rivets  15   b  is not particularly limited, although it is preferable to have two rivets in each region  15 . As another alternative,  FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate an embodiment where the webbings  11  and  12  in regions  15  are fixed to each other by adhesive  15   c . The composition of the adhesive  15   c  is not particularly limited, as long as it is capable of fixing webbings  11  and  12  to each other. 
         [0024]    Furthermore, it is noted that in all embodiments, the hanger  41  may be formed of any material which is strong enough to support the weight of a typical user, which is between 20 and 250 pounds. For example, the hanger  41  may be formed of a metal such as aluminum, steel, or alloys thereof, wood, a resin, fabric, or the like. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the activity apparatuses  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , etc. include not only the hanger  41 , but objects suspended from the hanger  41 . Examples are illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-3D . 
         [0026]    However, these examples are non-limiting, and other activity apparatuses may be used. For example, in  FIG. 3A , the activity apparatus  40   a  includes a hanger  41 , a ball  43   a , an eyelet ring  44  fixed to a ball  43   a , and a strap  42  connecting the hanger  41  and the eyelet ring  44 . As another example, in  FIG. 3B , the activity apparatus  40   b  includes a hanger  41 , a cone  43   b , an eyelet ring  44  fixed to the cone  43   b , and a strap  42  connecting the hanger  41  and the eyelet ring  44 . As another example, in  FIG. 3C , the activity apparatus  40   c  includes a hanger  41 , a gymnastics ring  43   c , an eyelet ring  44  fixed to the gymnastic ring  43   c , and a strap  42  connecting the hanger  41  and the eyelet ring  44 . As another example, in  FIG. 3D , the activity apparatus  40   d  includes two hangers  41  and thus will preferably be attached to two pockets  16 . The activity apparatus  40   d  further includes a bar  43   d , eyelet rings  44  fixed to each end of the bar  43   d , and straps  42  connecting the hangers  41  and the eyelet rings  44 . In the above-described activity apparatuses, the ball  43   a , cone  43   b , gymnastics ring  43   c  and bar  43   d  may be formed of any material, such as wood, metal, resin, fabric, or the like. 
         [0027]    In  FIGS. 3A-3D , the hanger  41  is a carabiner. As such, the activity apparatuses  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c ,  40   d , etc. are entirely removable from the main line  10 . Accordingly, the user may mix and match different types of activity apparatuses and reconfigure these for maximum recreation and exercise benefits. 
         [0028]    As another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the hanger  41  may be a fabric material. In such a case, the hanger  41 , which is a fabric material, may be formed so as to be either integral with the strap  42  or may be fixed to the strap  42  via a suitable attachment mechanism such as sewing, rivets or the like. In an embodiment where the hanger  41  and strap  42  are integral, one end of the combined fabric hanger  41  and strap  42  is fixed to the eyelet ring  44 , and the other end is fed through the pocket  16  so as to tie the activity apparatus  40   b  to the main line  10 . 
         [0029]    The type of activity apparatus is not limited. For example, an activity apparatus may include a fabric knot, a vertical rod, or a horizontal bar which is connected to a hanger  41  on each end thereof. In other embodiments, the activity apparatus could include other objects, such as a swing, a hanging tent, a sheet of games, or a climbing rope. 
         [0030]    Next, another embodiment of the main line  10  is discussed. As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9C , the main line  10  may also be formed by webbings  11   a  and  12   b  which are woven together. In this embodiment, it is necessary for one of the webbings to have a smaller width than the other. As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the webbing  12   a  has a smaller width than the webbing  11   a . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 9C , the webbing  11   a  has a plurality of slits  18  formed therein arranged along the length of the webbing  11   a . Note that in  FIG. 9C , the size and shape of the slits  18  are exaggerated for explanatory purposes. Additionally, the spacing of the slits  18  is not limited to that illustrated in  FIG. 9C . In order to improve durability, the edges of the slits  18  can be reinforced by known means such as sewing. The weaving of webbing  12   a  through the slits  18  in the webbing  11   a  forms a plurality of pockets  16   a . A hanger  41  may be inserted into these pockets  16  in the manner discussed above. 
         [0031]    Next, installation of the device will be described, with reference to  FIGS. 4A-4E . Typically, the main line  10  has a loop  10   a  on the first end and the second end  10   b  is free, and the anchor line  20  has a loop  20   a  on a first end and a ratchet  30  on the second end  20   b . The manner in which the ratchet  30  is fixed to the second end  20   b  is not particularly limited. However, typically, the second end  20   b  has a loop, and a bolt of the ratchet  30  is passed through the loop. It is noted that the specific construction of the ratchet  30  is not particularly limited. However, typically, the ratchet  30  is similar in construction to a ratchet of a tie-down strap system used to secure cargo. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , the main line  10  is wrapped around fixed object, such as a tree T 1 , and the second end  10   b  is fed through the loop  10   a  on the first end. Similarly, the anchor line  20  is wrapped around a fixed object, such as a tree T 2 , and the ratchet  30  attached to the second end  20   b  is fed through the loop  20   a  on the first end (not illustrated). As shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , the second end  10   b  of the main line  10  is then fed into a first part of the ratchet  30 , and is pulled out from a second part of the ratchet. Then, as shown in  FIGS. 4D and 4E , the main line  10  and anchor line  20  are tightened by pulling a handle  31  of a lever  32  while moving the lever  32  in a reciprocating arced motion. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when tightened, the ratchet  30  firmly holds the main line  10  and anchor line  20  tautly between two fixed objects such as trees T 1  and T 2 . As shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the main line  10  and anchor line  20  are released by pulling the handle  31  of the lever  32  and moving the lever  32  to a fully unfolded position. This will release the tension in the main line  10  and anchor line  20  for disassembly. 
         [0033]    It is noted that, in the case of removable hangers  41 , the hangers  41  may be installed in the pockets  16  of the main line  10  before or after tightening with the anchor line  20 . It is additionally noted that although the ratchet  30  is fixed to the second end  20   b  of the anchor line  20  in the illustrated embodiment, the ratchet  30  may be fixed to the second end  10   b  of the main line  10  instead. In such a case, the second end  20   b  of the anchor line is inserted into the ratchet  30  and a similar procedure is followed. 
         [0034]    Typically, the main line  10  and the anchor line  20  will be suspended at a height above the ground which is approximately 1-2 feet above the maximum height of the tallest intended user when their arms are extended over their head. For example, the main line  10  and the anchor line  20  are typically suspended approximately 5 feet to 10 feet above the ground. Suspending the main line  10  and the anchor line  20  at such a height allows the user to obtain the exercise benefit of suspending himself or herself above the ground such that his or her upper body muscles support the entirely of his or her body weight. Suspending the main line  10  and the anchor line  20  at such a height also ensures that if a user falls, an injury is unlikely to occur due to the relatively small distance from the user&#39;s feet to the ground. 
         [0035]    While specific forms of the embodiment of the present invention have been shown in the aforementioned disclosure, these are merely illustrative of the invention but not limitative of the invention. It is contemplated that various modifications apparent to those skilled in the art could be made within the scope of the invention.