Patent Publication Number: US-2022219042-A1

Title: Flexible Resistance Articles, Systems, Kits, and Methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/205,802, filed Jan. 8, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to improved flexible resistance articles, systems, kits, and methods of assembly and use. A flexible resistance article is securable to a portion of a resistance band to protect a user from contact with the resistance band during resistance exercises with the resistance band. The flexible resistance article provides a grip resistance to the user when the article is gripped by the user which may be used to increase grasp strength of the user. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Resistance training with resistance bands is a part of many exercise and physical therapy programs, and these activities may be performed at a designated training location, such as a gym or a home, or may be performed at a non-designated training location, such as an automobile or an outdoor area, due to the portability of resistance bands and the comparatively minimal amount of equipment required. Resistance bands may be comprised of a suitable elastic material, such as a latex rubber, which provides sufficient elasticity, resistance, and durability for use in resistance training. While these and other materials are generally beneficial for construction of resistance bands, they have certain drawbacks related to their use, including their tendency to fold and create sharp and uncomfortable pressurized indentations against the skin of the user when stretched, their tendency to slip against the skin of the user and irritate the skin and/or hair of the user, to slip and become misplaced from a desired position, and for many individuals who are allergic to latex rubber or other such materials, their tendency to cause irritation or allergic responses when they contact the skin of the user. 
     Previous efforts have tried to address these drawbacks present in many resistance bands. Rigid grips attach to or engage with the resistance band and allow the user to grasp the rigid grip to move, manipulate, and stretch the resistance band, and these devices may provide some protection to the skin of the hands during use. However, the rigid grips present a safety hazard due to their weight and rigidity: if the user releases the rigid grip when the resistance band is stretched, the rigid grip may strike a person or object and cause injury or damage to the person or object. In addition, while the rigid grip may protect the skin of the hand, it does not allow the user to exercise their hand, wrist, or forearm muscles as part of a resistance movement or activity. The rigid grip, which generally is not flexible, provides a firm and inflexible leverage over the resistance band which prevents the user from being able to develop muscles of the hand, wrist, or forearm. Flexible grips, including grips found on luggage articles and other items that are unrelated to flexible resistance articles and systems, are not suitable for use with resistance bands due to their not being configured for maintaining comfort while also allowing the user a degree of flexible manipulation of the grip as part of a grip resistance movement or exercise. 
     Wearing clothing, such as form-fitting leggings or long pants or long-sleeve shirts, may protect the skin of an individual when performing resistance activities that involve wrapping the resistance band around the forearms, arms, lower legs, upper legs, groin, torso, neck, or head. These barrier methods may protect the skin and hair from irritation or allergic response due to contact with rubber latex, however, they do not prevent the resistance band from slipping out of place during use, and they are also not compatible with the use of a rigid grip due to the rigid grip being configured for being grasped by the hand, and not for contacting other portions of the body. In these and other scenarios, the rigid grip must be removed from the resistance band, which can involve multiple complicated steps, and once the rigid grip is removed, the resistance band slips out of place, causing frustration and discouragement which may result in the user continuing the resistance training. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for improved resistance articles, systems, kits, and methods which protect a user from contact with a resistance band while training and which allow the user to improve the strength of their hand, wrist, and/or forearm in addition to the strength of other areas of the body. The present invention addresses this unmet need. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure provides improved flexible resistance articles which may be suitably sized and configured for a range of resistance training activities involving contact with various portions of the body as well as various stationary objects. A flexible resistance article may be comprised of a flexible material and includes a middle panel flexibly connected to a first flap and a second flap. The article may secure a portion of a resistance band in an interior of the article formed by folding the first flap downward over the portion of the resistance band, folding the second flap downward over the first flap, and securing the first flap to the second flap with a suitable fastener, such as a hook-and-loop fastener. 
     The article may conform with and/or unobtrusively accommodate the portion of the resistance band, and in certain instances, may include a non-slip material on portions of the article to prevent slippage of the article along the resistance band and/or to prevent slippage of the article along the user or the skin or clothing of the user. Portions of the fastener are inset from an edge of the first flap, such that when the second flap is attached to the first flap and the article is grasped or used, the fastener is covered and does not contact the user or the skin or clothing of the user. The article is also deformable after a resistance to deformation of the article is overcome by the grasp of the user over the article, such that the user can exercise muscles of the hand, wrist, and forearm during use. 
     The disclosure provides various implementations of the flexible resistance article which may vary in form and function without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and which provide a multitude of advantages over previous efforts to improve the experience of training with resistance bands. The disclosure also provides systems and kits that include one or more flexible resistance articles, optionally combined with one or more resistance bands, which may be produced, sold, and/or distributed as a unit. The disclosure also provides methods of assembling a flexible resistance article with a resistance band to form a resistance assembly, and methods of using the resistance assembly as part of a resistance exercise or activity for strength training, flexibility training, physical therapy, physical rehabilitation, and the like. 
     The disclosure provides articles, systems, and kits that may be comprised of any suitable material, including but not limited to neoprene, silica, chiffon, linen, silk, polyester, chenille, and wool. The articles may be filled or stuffed with a foam material to provide improved comfort to the user during use. The articles, systems, and kits may be manufactured using any suitable manufacturing process, whether manually or automatically managed, and whether currently known or to be developed in the future. 
     Other features of inventions of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, exemplary implementations of the invention and manners in which they may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of several differently sized versions of a flexible resistance article. 
         FIG. 1B  is a top view of several differently sized versions of a flexible resistance article. 
         FIG. 2A  is a top view of a flexible resistance article in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view of the flexible resistance article in the open configuration with a portion of a resistance band placed therein. 
         FIG. 2C  is a top view of the flexible resistance article with a first flap thereof folded over the resistance band. 
         FIG. 2D  is a top view of the flexible resistance article in a closed configuration with the resistance band therein, with a second flap of the article folded over the first flap article and secured thereto. 
         FIG. 2E  is a perspective view of the flexible resistance article with the first flap folded over the resistance band and the second flap partially folded toward the first flap. 
         FIG. 2F  is a perspective view of the flexible resistance article in an open configuration with hinges partially folded toward the portion of the resistance band. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a flexible resistance article being held gently by a user. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the flexible resistance article being held and resistively deformed by the user. 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective view of the flexible resistance article with a portion of a resistance band secured therein, and the article is being loosely gripped by the user while the resistance band is secured to an object. 
         FIG. 3D  is a close-up perspective view of the flexible resistance article with the portion of the resistance band secured therein, and the article is being tightly gripped by the user. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a flexible resistance article with a portion of a resistance band secured therein and the resistance band is secured to an object, and the article is secured to an upper portion of a user&#39;s leg. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the flexible resistance article with the portion of the resistance band secured therein and the resistance band is secured to the object, and the article is secured to a lower portion of the user&#39;s leg. 
         FIG. 4C  is a front view of the flexible resistance article with the portion of the resistance band secured therein, and the article is secured to the user&#39;s neck, with the resistance band secured to the user&#39;s feet in a standing position. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow chart of a method for assembling a flexible resistance article and a resistance band to form a resistance assembly. 
     
    
    
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
         
           
               100 : flexible resistance article 
               200 : small flexible resistance article 
               300 : medium flexible resistance article 
               400 : large flexible resistance article 
               500 : resistance band 
               600 : object (e.g., stationary object) 
               700 : method for assembling resistance assembly 
               110 : middle panel 
               111 : middle panel, inner portion 
               112 : middle panel, outer portion 
               120 : first flap 
               121 : first flap, inner portion 
               122 : first flap, outer portion 
               130 : second flap 
               131 : second flap, inner portion 
               132 : second flap, outer portion 
               115 : first hinge (e.g., first living hinge) 
               125 : second hinge (e.g., second living hinge) 
               510 : portion of resistance band 
               135 : fastener (e.g., first portion of hook-and-loop fastener) 
               140 : fastener (e.g., second portion of hook-and-loop fastener) 
               150 : inset portion of outer portion of first flap (i.e., no fastener at inset) 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals may be used in the drawings to indicate like or similar elements of the description. The figures are intended for representative purposes, are not drawn to scale, and should not be considered limiting. 
     Unless otherwise defined herein, terms and phrases used in connection with the present disclosure shall have the meanings that are commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     As used in the description and in the claims, the terms “comprising” and “comprises” do not exclude other elements or steps. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun, e.g., “a,” “an,” or “the,” this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated. Furthermore, the terms first, second, third, and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the implementations of the disclosure described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. 
     As used herein, the term “about” refers to the usual error range for the respective value readily known to the skilled person in this technical field. Reference to “about” a value or parameter herein includes and describes implementations that are directed to that value or parameter per se. 
     Flexible resistance articles of the disclosure may be referred to as Soft Gripz™ and/or Anti-Slip Soft Gripz™ and may be associated with Stride Gym LLC of Washington, USA. These and other flexible resistance articles disclosed herein may be referenced with use of the terms “flexible resistance articles,” “articles,” and/or other terms as applicable, for purposes of disclosure. It is intended that the concepts disclosed herein are broader than any particular implementation or embodiment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A  and  FIG. 1B , there are shown a perspective view ( FIG. 1A ) and a top view ( FIG. 1B ) of several differently sized versions of a flexible resistance article. A flexible resistance article  100  may be any suitable size, but for certain uses as exemplarily disclosed herein, may generally have a length of between about 5 inches and about 30 inches, and may have a width of between about 0.25 inches to about 5 inches. In the shown embodiment, various forms of an article  100  have a fixed width that is fitted for a resistance band  500 , and a variable length that is suitable for different uses and/or different contacts with users and/or objects during use. A small article  200  may have a length of about 7 inches, a medium article  300  may have a length of about 9 inches, and a large article  400  may have a length of about 23.5 inches. Each of the small article  200 , the medium article  300 , and the large article may have a fixed width of about 3 inches to fit the resistance band  500 , which may be about 1.75 inches wide. The width of the article  100  extends slightly beyond edges of the portion of the resistance band within the article  100 , which is relatively flat when in a closed configuration as shown. In this manner, the article  100  may be sized and configured to unobtrusively accommodate the portion of the resistance band  500  and may provide a relatively compact resistance assembly (e.g., the article  100  and the resistance band  500 ) compared to previous efforts. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F , there are shown various views of a flexible resistance article being configured for use with a resistance band. Generally, a flexible resistance article  100  comprises a middle panel  110  attached to a first flap  120  via a first hinge  115 , and a second flap  130  via a second hinge  125 . A portion  510  of a resistance band  500  is securable within an interior of the flexible resistance article  100  that is formed by a fold at the first hinge  115  and a fold at the second hinge  125 , and the first flap  120  is attachable to the second flap  130  via a fastener ( 135 ,  140 ) to secure the portion  510  of the resistance band  500  within the interior of the flexible resistance article  100 . Any of a variety of resistance band materials may be used for the resistance band  500 , including but not limited to an elastic latex material, an elastic synthetic rubber material, and the like. In addition, while a flat resistance band  500  is shown, other shapes may be used without departing from the disclosure, including shapes that are similar to ropes, belts, cords, and the like. 
     The flexible resistance article  100  may include a non-slip material thereon to prevent the article  100  from slipping on the resistance band  500  and/or another surface during use. In certain instances, an outer portion ( 112  of  FIGS. 3A and 3B ) of the middle panel  110  and/or an outer portion  132  of the second flap  130  includes a non-slip material thereon to prevent a slippage of the flexible resistance article  100  along a portion of a body of a user during a use of the resistance band  500  and the flexible resistance article  100 . The non-slip material may be any suitable material, but in certain instances, may be a rubber material. 
     The first  115  and second  125  hinges allow the first  120  and second  130  flaps to fold over the portion  510  of the resistance band  500  to secure the resistance band  500  within the article  100 . When the portion  510  of the resistance band  500  is placed against an inner portion  111  of the middle panel  110  and the article  100  is folded, the fold at the first hinge  115  contacts an inner portion  121  of the first flap  120  with the portion  510  of the resistance band  500 , and the fold at the second hinge  125  contacts an inner portion  131  of the second flap  130  with an outer portion  122  of the first flap  120 . In various instances, the first hinge  115  is a first living hinge and the second hinge  125  is a second living hinge, and in this manner, the article  100  may be more easily manufactured and the hinges ( 115 ,  125 ) may bend in other or irregular angles or directions (see  FIGS. 3A and 3B ), such as may occur during a resistive deformation and/or a squeezing of the article  100  by a user to exercise muscles of the hand, wrist, and forearm. 
     In various implementations, the fastener includes a first fastener portion  135  on the outer portion  122  of the first flap  120  and a second fastener portion  140  on the inner portion  131  of the second flap  130 . The first fastener portion  135  and the second fastener portion  140  are attachable to each other and the first fastener portion  135  is inset from the first hinge  115  by an inset distance  150 , such that the first fastener portion  135  is concealable by the second flap  130  upon an attachment of the first fastener portion  135  with the second fastener portion  140 . In this manner, the first fastener portion  135  is concealed during use of the article  100  and is not contacted by the user to improve comfort relative to previous iterations of flexible handles, such as may be found on luggage and other items. The first and second fastener portions ( 135 ,  140 ) may be any suitable fastener type, such as magnetic fasteners and adhesives, but in certain instances may be a mechanical fastener type, such as a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., Velcro), in which case the first fastener portion  135  and the second fastener portion  140  are complementary portions of the hook-and-loop fastener. 
     In various embodiments and as shown, the inner portion  121  of the first flap  120  and the outer portion  131  of the second flap  130  do not include the fastener thereon. In such instances, the article  100  may not be securable in a different closed configuration, for example, if the second flap  130  were to be folded toward the portion  510  of the resistance band  500  first, and then the first flap  120  were to be folded toward the outer portion  132  of the second flap  130  second. There would be no fastener at the interface between the flaps in this configuration. These implementations may be advantageous because they provide comfortable and high-friction outer surfaces for the user to interact with when using the article  100 , and discomfort due to contacting the fastener is avoided. Similarly, in various instances, the article includes recessed stitching to prevent the stitching from contacting the skin of the user. 
     In various implementations, the disclosure provides a system and/or a kit that includes a flexible resistance article  100  (e.g., a small flexible resistance article  200 , a medium flexible resistance article  300 , and/or a large flexible resistance article  400 ). The system and/or the kit may include other components, including but limited to a resistance band  500 , instructional and/or promotional materials, and the like. Accordingly, in various embodiments, a system and/or a kit comprises a resistance band  500  and a flexible resistance article  100 , wherein the article  100  includes a middle panel  110  attached to a first flap  120  via a first hinge  115  and a second flap  130  via a second hinge  125 . A portion  510  of the resistance band  500  is securable within an interior of the flexible resistance article  100  that is formed by a fold at the first hinge  115  and a fold at the second hinge  125 . In addition, the middle panel  110 , the first flap  120 , and the second flap  130  may be sized and configured to unobtrusively accommodate the portion  510  of the resistance band  500 , and the first flap  120  may be attachable to the second flap  130  via a fastener ( 135 ,  140 ) to secure the portion  510  of the resistance band  5100  within the interior of the flexible resistance article  100 . The article  100  of the system and/or the kit may include any or all features of any article  100  explicitly or implicitly disclosed herein, including an inset distance  150  to prevent the fastener from being contacted by a user during use, as well as properties and characteristics that make the article  100  resistibly deformable and able to be gripped, and others. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , there are shown perspective views of a flexible resistance article being held gently ( FIG. 3A ) and resistively deformed ( FIG. 3B ) by a user, and referring to  FIGS. 3C and 3D , there are shown perspective views of the flexible resistance article, with a portion of a resistance band secured therein, being loosely gripped ( FIG. 3C ) and tightly gripped ( FIG. 3D ) by the user. In various aspects, the article  100  is flexible and squeezable by the user to enable the user to exercise their hand, wrist, and forearm, either alone ( FIGS. 3A and 3B ) or as part of a larger bodily movement that involves multiple muscles and joints and use of a resistance band, either attached to an object  600  or not attached to the object  600  ( FIGS. 3C and 3D ). In various implementations, a grip resistance experienced by the user includes a resistive deformation of the flexible resistance article  100 , for example, along a longitudinal axis thereof, and if the resistance band  500  is present, may also include a resistive deformation of the portion of the resistance band  500 , for example, along a longitudinal axis thereof. In this instance, the longitudinal axis may be considered as being parallel and overlapping with a longitudinal length of the article  100 . 
     An advantage of being able to exercise the hand and grip muscles in this manner is that these muscles contribute significantly to the use of the hand to grasp objects, and unless an individual is able to maintain their grip on a particular object, the individual generally cannot hold onto that object. In addition, as may be the case for elderly or disabled individuals, developing the grip may assist with improving heart health and performing a multitude of daily tasks which improves quality of life. In addition, because the article  100  is deformable and is not rigid, there is less risk of damage to people and property if the user inadvertently releases the article  100  from a stretched position of a resistance band. These and other features meaningfully improve efficacy, safety, and reliability of the article  100  compared to previous efforts. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there are shown perspective views of a flexible resistance article, with a portion of a resistance band secured therein, secured to an upper portion of a user&#39;s leg ( FIG. 4A ) and a lower portion of the user&#39;s leg ( FIG. 4B ), with the resistance band secured to an object. The article  100  may be used with the resistance band  500  while the resistance band  500  is attached to an object  600 , such as a door, a tree, or another object, for resistance training with the resistance band  500 . The resistance band  500  may be attached to the object  600  with any suitable connection, such as a hook, a carabiner, and the like. By using a stationary object for a particular exercise, the user can focus on controlled movements with the resistance band  500  and the object  600  for improvement of strength, agility, flexibility, speed, and/or endurance, and/or cardiopulmonary fitness. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4C , there is shown a front view of the flexible resistance article with the portion of the resistance band secured therein, and the article secured around the back of the user&#39;s neck, with the resistance band secured to the user&#39;s feet and the user in a standing position. The article  100  may be used with the resistance band  500  while the resistance band  500  is not attached to any object, but rather, is stretchily applied around a portion of the user&#39;s body, for example, the user&#39;s feet, as shown. In such configurations, the user may be able to perform self-contained exercises such as biceps curls, triceps extensions, squats, lunges, and the like. By not using the stationary object, the user may be able to exercise at any location, and can focus on self-contained controlled movements for improvement of strength, agility, flexibility, speed, and/or endurance, and/or cardiopulmonary fitness. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a flow chart of a method for assembling a flexible resistance article and a resistance band to form a resistance assembly. A method  700  for assembling a flexible resistance article and a resistance band to form a resistance assembly includes transitioning  710  an article to an open configuration, placing  720  a portion of a resistance band against an inner portion of a middle panel of the article, folding  730  an inner portion of a first flap of the article against the portion of the resistance band, folding  740  an inner portion of a second flap against an outer portion of the first flap to transition the article to a closed configuration, and securing  750  the inner portion of the second flap to the outer portion of the first flap with a fastener, for example, if a hook-and-loop fastener, by applying opposing pressure to complementary portions of the fastener to bond the portions of the fastener. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific implementations have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teaching. The exemplary implementations were chosen and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and its implementations with modifications as suited to the use contemplated. 
     It is therefore submitted that the invention has been shown and described in the most practical and exemplary implementations. It should be recognized that departures may be made which fall within the scope of the invention. With respect to the description provided herein, it is submitted that the optimal features of the invention include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function, manner of operation, assembly, and use. All structures, functions, and relationships equivalent or essentially equivalent to those disclosed are intended to be encompassed by the invention.