Abstract:
A handle assembly base has a central tube opening for receiving an elastic resistance tube with an expanded end diameter. A first block and a second block are pivotably mounted to the base on opposite sides of the central tube opening. When pivoted towards each other, the blocks define a reduced area opening through which the expanded end diameter of the resistance tube cannot pass, thereby retaining the resistance tube to the base. The base has two opposed ears which extend upwardly of the central tube opening. A flexible strap is secured to the ears, and extends through a cylindrical tube to which a flexible handle cushion is mounted to provide a grip for the user to engage the handle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional patent App. No. 62/100,469, filed Jan. 6, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present disclosure generally pertains to exercise and medical rehabilitation apparatus, and more particularly, to resistance tubes used for fitness, exercise, and medical rehabilitation. Some examples of resistance tubes according to the present disclosure may be used for fitness training to tone muscle and increase strength, while others may be used for physical rehabilitation following injury or medical procedures. 
         [0004]    Resistance bands or tubing comes in multiple elasticities to provide a selection of varying weights and sizes. Oftentimes, a handle is permanently affixed on each end of the tubing, and each weight and size of resistance tube has its own set of handles. Additionally, straps or alternative attachment means may be used instead of handles to attach to appendages such as ankles and arms. 
         [0005]    Some handles allow for interchanging of fitness resistance tubing. Some handles include a cutout for resistance tubing and resistance tubing stretched to fit the tubing in place within the handle. Other handles include sliding mechanisms to slide one side of the handle up and down to place the tubing within the housing. However, these systems may not securely and safely hold resistance tubing in place, and may be time consuming and difficult to exchange tubing. 
         [0006]    It is therefore advantageous to have an apparatus, device, and system that enables secure and safe hold of resistance tubing while having a configuration for quick and easy exchange, insertion and removal of resistance tubing. The apparatus, device, and system of the disclosure can be used in multiple fields, including fitness, exercise, and therapy. Other fields include, but are not limited to the medical, construction, and industrial fields. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The exercise apparatus of this invention has a handle assembly which releasably engages a resistance tube. The handle assembly has a base with a central tube opening. A first flap or block and a second flap or block are pivotably mounted to the base on opposite sides of the central tube opening. When pivoted towards each other, the blocks compress a resistance tube which is passed through the central opening and secure it in place. The base has two opposed ears which extend upwardly of the central tube opening. A flexible strap is secured to the ears, and extends through a cylindrical tube to which a flexible handle cushion is mounted. 
         [0008]    An alternative embodiment handle assembly has a base with three pairs of blocks pivotably mounted thereto. Each pair of blocks is positioned on opposite sides of a separate tube opening, and is adjustable to secure an end of a resistance tube in place. 
         [0009]    An exercise regimen process is provided by selecting a resistance tube handle having a handle assembly, a base, and a first block and a second block pivotably mounted to the base. At least one resistance tube is selected, followed by positioning the first and second block in an open position. The resistance tube is then inserted through the base and the blocks are closed, followed by pulling the resistance tube into a seated position. A user may then increase and decrease the resistance on the resistance tube handle for a selected exercise regimen. 
         [0010]    Additionally, a user may then increase and decrease the resistance on the resistance tube handle for a selected exercise regimen by interchanging the resistance tube with one of another resistance level, and/or by adding or subtracting resistance tubes where there is a multiple pocket handle base. 
         [0011]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a handle for securely gripping a resistance tube end which is readily released to permit changing of one resistance tube for another. 
         [0012]    Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of a single tube apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a triple tube apparatus of the present invention, with one set of blocks shown in an open position, one in a partially closed position, and one in a locked position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of the triple tube apparatus of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of two triple tube apparatus of  FIG. 3  in use, with resistance tubes extending therebetween. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 4  showing the resistance tube engaged therein. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, may be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an apparatus  2  is shown with a handle assembly  4  and tube assembly  6 , which engages a resistance tube  8  in the locked position. The handle assembly  4  includes a grip member or strap  10 , handle tube  12 , and handle cushion  14 . The tube assembly includes a base  16  with protruding ears  17  with openings  18 ,  20  which define a pair of strap connectors  18 ,  20 . Two pivoting blocks or flaps  22 ,  24  are mounted by rods  26 ,  28  to the base  16  on opposite sides of a central opening  48  formed in a bottom wall  19  of the base  16 . 
         [0022]    As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the resistance tube  8  is of a conventional type having an elastic cylindrical tube  9  having a uniform exterior diameter. The ends of the tubes  8  are made larger in diameter by rigid conical end inserts  11  which are received within the tube  9  and which form the tubes to have an expanded end diameter. 
         [0023]    The base central opening  48  allows the resistance tube  8  to pass through the base  16 . The blocks  22 ,  24  are movable by the user&#39;s fingers between an open position, in which the wider end of a tube  8  can be passed through the central opening  48 , and a closed position, in which the blocks define an opening which is smaller than the central opening and in which the wider end of the tube is retained on the handle. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 2  the blocks  22 ,  24  may be identical, and each block has an inside wall  23  which has a concave inner surface  50  which may define a portion of a cone. Each block inside wall  23  extends between two end walls  25  which are perpendicular to the axis of the rod  26 ,  28  about which the block rotates. The base bottom wall  19  has a planar upper surface  29 . Each block end wall  25  has a curved inner cam surface  31  which is spaced from the bottom wall upper surface  29  in the open position, and which engages the bottom wall upper surface in the closed position. This engagement provides some resistance to moving the block to the open position, and thereby assists in retaining the first block in the closed position. 
         [0025]    The base  16  includes a connection means for the rods  26 ,  28  comprising shaft openings  21  in the sides of the base  16  and which engage and tightly maintain the position of the rods  26 ,  28 . The shaft openings  21  are spaced above and parallel to the base bottom wall upper surface  29 . The rods  26 ,  28  pass through openings  27  formed in the end walls  25  of the blocks  22 ,  24 . With the rods press fit in the openings  21  of the base, and the blocks mounted on the rods, the blocks  22 ,  24  are free to hinge or rotate about the axes defined by the rods  26 ,  28 . Each block  22 ,  24  has two locking tabs  32 ,  34 , shown in  FIG. 2 , which project below the block inside walls. The tabs  32 ,  34  fit into respective locking recesses  36 ,  38  which extend below the upper surface of the base  16  bottom wall. The rotation of the blocks into the closed position extends the locking tabs  32 ,  34  into the recesses  36 ,  38 , thereby maintaining the blocks  22 ,  24  in the closed position. The locking tabs  32 ,  34  meet the locking recesses  36 ,  38  with a friction or snap fit, and the engagement preferably gives an audible or tactile signal to the user that the block has fully seated in the closed position to assure the user that the handle is now prepared to engage an attached resistance tube  8 . 
         [0026]    The strap  10  is connected to the base  16  at the strap connectors  18 ,  22  and passes through the handle tube  12 . The strap  10  is constructed of durable materials suitable for strength, tension and resistance, which are known in the art. The handle tube  12  is constructed of suitable lightweight materials, such as high strength plastics or metals, for durability and strength suitable for high resistance and tension. The handle cushion  14  is constructed of a durable lightweight material with comfort and grip friction, suitable materials are known in the art, including various foams and rubber materials. Antibacterial resistance materials may also be utilized. 
         [0027]    The handle apparatus  2  provides a system for exercising with linear components, such as resistance tubing, while providing efficient options for interchangeability. Such linear accessories may be interchangeable so that only one set of handles is required. The user can change between different sizes and weights of resistance tubing to perform multiple exercises. 
         [0028]    The tube  8  has a semi-conical end  40  for placement between the closed blocks  22 ,  24 . The blocks  22 ,  24  form an inner semi-conical shaped orifice  42  when in the closed position, with a first edge  44  and second edge  46 , the second edge  46  forming a larger orifice than that formed by the first edge  44 . The handle  2  securely holds the tube  8 . During use, as axial force increases on the tube  8 , the tube  8  is drawn tighter within the handle  2 , to provide for a safe exercise apparatus. 
         [0029]    The base  16  and blocks  22 ,  24  may be made of a variety of materials known in the art for lightweight, strong, and high impact performance, such as various extruded plastics and metal alloys. Each set of blocks  22 ,  24  may also be referred to as a “pocket” when the blocks  22 ,  24  are in the closed position. A multiple “pocket” base  16  having three pockets is shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . It is contemplated that a multiple pocket base has two or more pockets. 
         [0030]    As shown on the right of  FIG. 3 , the blocks  22 ,  24  in an open position allow the semiconical end of a resistance tube to pass through the tube central opening  48 . To give maximum clearance around the central opening  48  in the base  16 , the blocks  22 ,  24 , may be provided with a semicircular relief  15  formed in an outside wall  13  which extends between the end walls  25 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The user may select the resistance tube  8  of preference, or a combination of more than one resistance tubes  8 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3-6 , three sets of blocks  22 ,  24  are configured to receive resistance tubes  8 . However, it is contemplated that a single assembly (such as shown in  FIG. 1 ), a double assembly (not shown), or an apparatus configured to receive more than three tubes may be constructed. After selecting single or multiple resistance tubes  8 , the user inserts each tube  8  through a central opening  48  in the bottom of the base  16  such that the semi-conical end  40  extends beyond the open blocks  22 ,  24 . 
         [0031]    The user then rotates or hinges the blocks  22 ,  24  about the rods  26 ,  28  to a closed position as shown on the left of  FIG. 3 , the locking tabs  32 ,  34  meeting the locking recesses  36 ,  38 . The tube  8  is then partially pulled through the orifice  42  formed by the closed blocks  22 ,  24  to a position wherein the inner semi-conical surfaces  50  of the inside walls of the blocks  22 ,  24  meet the semi-conical end of the tube  8 . The tube  8  is then safely seated within the block orifice  42 , at which point the user may choose to add another resistance tube  8 , or begin an exercise regimen using the apparatus  2 . During use, as axial force increases on the tube  8 , the tube  8  is drawn tighter within the handles  2 , to provide for a safe exercise system. 
         [0032]    When the blocks  22 ,  24  are in the closed position, the handle assembly  4  can be alternatively viewed as having a semi-circular and semi-conical groove for seating a similarly shaped outer surface of a resistance tube. Alternatively, the closed block pair formation can be viewed as a u-shaped or v-shaped bracket for seating a similarly shaped outer surface of a resistance tube (not shown). 
         [0033]    In an alternative embodiment, the tube end may be semi-pyramidically shaped with three or four edges (not shown) with the block orifice having the corresponding semi-pyramidical shape for receiving the semi-pyramidically shaped resistance tube. Alternatively, the resistance tube end may be a semi wedge-shaped having two or more edges, and the block orifice having a corresponding semi wedge shape for receiving the semi wedge-shaped resistance tube. 
         [0034]    In an alternative embodiment (not shown), more than one block  22  and more than one block  24  are connected in series. By example, an apparatus  2  is configured to receive three exercise tubes in which three blocks  22  hinge together and three blocks  24  hinge together. Alternatively, two sets of blocks  22  can operate together and a third block  22  operates independent of the pair, and two sets of blocks  24  can operate together and a third block  22  operates independent of the pair. Alternatively, any combination of independent and in-series block operation is contemplated for apparatus  2  having two or more block pairings  22 ,  24 . 
         [0035]    The triple tube apparatus  2  of  FIGS. 3-6  has three sets of blocks  22 ,  24 . The blocks in  FIG. 3  are shown in open, semi-open, and closed positions. Each of the blocks  22  rotates independent of the other blocks  24 , and each set of blocks  22 ,  24  operates independent of the other sets. The user may select resistance tubes of the same or varying resistance. For example, Smart fitness cables available from Prism Fitness Group have a multitude of resistance levels ranging from 10-100 pound resistance levels. A user may select a light, medium, and heavy resistance tube to have a customized exercise regimen. The user may then open the blocks  22 ,  24  holding the light resistance tube, remove it, and replace it with a medium resistance tube to increase the overall amount of resistance for the user&#39;s particular exercise regimen. Removal and replacement is performed quickly and safely, allowing the user to avoid injury and perform efficient exercise routines. 
         [0036]    The relationship between the resistance tube and the apparatus  2  is indicated in  FIG. 6 . The first block  22  pivots about a first axis defined by a first rod  26 , and the second block  24  pivots about a second axis defined by the second rod  28 . The first axis is parallel to the second axis, with the central opening  48  positioned between the first axis and the second axis. The central opening  48  has a maximum dimension R 1 , which in the illustrated embodiment corresponds to the diameter of a circular through hole. This maximum dimension is measured in a plane parallel to a plane extending through the first axis and the second axis, i.e., in the plane of the upper surface  29  of the base. 
         [0037]    The first block  22  and the second block  24  are pivotable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the inside walls  23  of the first block  22  and the second block  24  face each other to define a through hole  42  extending between the first block and the second block and communicating with the base central opening  48 . The through hole  42  defined between the first block inside wall and the second block inside wall has a second minimum dimension R 2  measured in a plane parallel to the plane extending through the first axis and the second axis, i.e, in a plane directly above the upper surface  29  of the base. In the illustrated embodiment, the through opening approximates a converging frustoconical surface, which converges to its narrowest point directly above the upper surface of the base. This second minimum dimension is less than the first maximum dimension, such that a resistance tube having a main diameter R 3  and a larger expanded end diameter R 4  can extend through the base central opening  48  when the first block  22  and second block  24  are in the open position, and the resistance tube  8  expanded end diameter is retained against passing through the central opening when the first block and the second block are in the closed position. In other words, the main diameter R 3  is less than R 1 , and the expanded end diameter R 4  of the resistance tube is greater than R 2 . 
         [0038]    Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming a subject matter regarded as the invention.