Abstract:
An exercise device includes at east one inelastic strap assembly including an inelastic strap having a first end and a second end, a hand grip located at the first end of the inelastic strap, a grip handle carried by the hand grip, a foot grip carried by either the hand grip or the grip handle, and a heel strap carried by the foot grip. The heel strap defines a first plane. The foot grip defines a second plane, wherein the first plane is preferably generally perpendicular to the second plane. In use, the exercise device can be gripped in a variety of manners. The user can hold the grip handle with their hand. The user can secure their foot to the dived by positioning the foot grip behind a user&#39;s ankle and the ankle grip against an individual&#39;s foot arch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     10001.1 This Continuation-in-Part Patent Application claims the benefit of co-pending Non-Provisional Utility patent application Ser. No. 13/083,079, filed on Apr. 8, 2011, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/321,935, filed on Apr. 8, 2010, which are incorporated herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to exercise devices. More particularly, the disclosure is directed to an exercise device and method in which the exercise device is easily attached to a door, cross beam, pole, tree or other support to facilitate a wide variety of exercises. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Exercise is physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive for the purpose of conditioning any part of the body. Exercise is utilized to improve health and maintain fitness and is also important as a means of physical rehabilitation. 
     Exercise is useful in preventing or treating coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, weakness, diabetes, obesity and depression. Range of motion is one aspect of exercise, which is important for increasing or maintaining joint function. Strengthening exercises impart resistance to the muscles, increasing endurance and strength. Cardiac rehabilitation exercises may be developed and individualized for rehabilitation purposes or to prevent cardiac disorders and diseases. A well-balanced exercise program can improve general health, build endurance and delay many of the effects of aging. The benefits of exercise include not only improvement in physical health but also enhancement of an exerciser&#39;s emotional well being. 
     Exercise further helps improve symptoms related to fatigue, distress, cognitive problems and mental health functioning. The American Heart Association has released a statement, which indicates that exercise is beneficial even for patients awaiting heart transplants. A recent study has shown that women who participate in strenuous physical activity over a number of years may reduce their risk of breast cancer. Additionally, research has shown that men and women aged 40 to 50 who exercise moderately for 60 to 90 minutes a day are less likely to catch a cold than their more sedentary counterparts. 
     Resistance training is a form of strength training exercise in which effort is exerted against resistance (i.e. resistance to being pushed, squeezed, stretched or bent). Resistance to movement may be exerted against a muscle or a muscle group by an opposing muscle or muscle group, by gravity or by an elastic band or bands. There are two basic types of resistance exercises: isotonic resistance exercises and isometric resistance exercises. Isotonic resistance exercises are those in which a body part moves against resistance, whereas isometric resistance exercises are those in which a body part remains still as it maintains static force against resistance. Both isotonic and isometric resistance exercises may be used to develop the strength and size of skeletal muscles. Properly performed, resistance training can provide significant functional benefits and improvement in overall health and well being. 
     A variety of exercise devices, which include straps and hand grips and can be secured to a structure such as a door or pole for use are known in the art. One conventional exercise device of this type includes an inelastic adjustable length member with two arms and a grip at both ends. A centrally located anchor facilitates distribution of the length between the arms. In one embodiment, the exercise device is compact and can be removably attached to a doorframe. When user grabs the grips and uniformly pulls away from the anchor, the arms of the device center on the anchor. However, since the device includes a single, elongated strap that extends through the anchor, unexpected movements of the strap may occur while the user is holding his or her body weight with the straps during an exercise. These unexpected movements of the strap may potentially result in muscle tear. 
     Also known is an exercise device for use with a door, comprising a flat, flexible strap, a pair of hand grips attached to opposite ends of the flat, flexible strap, and an anchor attached to the flat, flexible strap midway between the hand grips and extending laterally from opposite sides of the strap for engagement with the door with the flat, flexible strap passing between an edge of the door and the adjacent jamb, and the anchor and the hand grips being positioned on opposite sides of the door. 
     Another conventional exercise device includes a pair of handles that are connected to an elastic cord. A loop strap is provided at the approximate midpoint of the length of the elastic cord. The loop strap is interposed between a door and a doorjamb with the loop strap being mounted on the doorknob of the door. A user grips the handles and applies resistance against the elastic cord to strengthen the muscles in the user&#39;s arms. 
     Another conventional exercise device is adapted for connection to at least one structural component of a building to provide a framework for kinesthetic exercises. The structural component defines multiple fixable locations for connection of various kinesthetic exercising apparatuses in arrangements, which are suitable for a variety of kinesthetic exercises. The device further includes mechanisms for quick releasable and replaceable coupling of an exercise apparatus in a freely rotatable manner to accommodate a wide range of body motions. 
     Another conventional exercise device is portable and includes hand grips attached to opposite ends of a cable, which is trained over a pulley for reciprocation during an exercise. Straps are attached to opposite ends of a second cable trained over a pulley and are adapted to receive the feet of a user for reciprocation during exercise. 
     Another conventional exercise device includes several interchangeable parts and facilitates stretching and strengthening of the upper and lower torso. The exercise device also utilizes a common door and doorframe, allowing for simplicity and generality of use. The device includes an adjustable hook and loop strap for ease of attachment to the ankle, wrist, or foot of the user as well as configurable handles to accommodate double or single-handed use. In use, the device is anchored to a common door and doorframe using a rod and cloth strap. The rod is fixedly and removably placed behind the closed door. A variety of upper and lower torso stretching exercises can be carried out by wrapping the strap around the user&#39;s ankle, wrist or foot and guiding or stretching the body portion with a free hand or hands which is/are attached to the strap via a rope. Similarly, strengthening exercises can be carried out by using elastic tubing to provide resistance for the appropriate body portion. 
     Another conventional exercise device includes a chest expander having a first handle at one end, second and third handles at an opposite end and multiple elastic cord members detachably connected between the first handle and the second and third handles. A coupling belt is secured to the first handle using hook and loop fasteners. A transverse bar is inserted through respective loops at the two distal ends of the coupling belt. The transverse bar is adapted to secure the exercise device to a top or bottom door gap and enables the user to pull the second and third handles to exercise the muscles of the arms. 
     Although the above-described exercise devices and methods address some of the needs of the exercise device market, an exercise device including inextensible straps attached through rings to a single holder is still desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This disclosure is generally directed to an exercise device including inelastic strap members with which a user may perform several different types of exercises in a portable and safe manner. 
     In one aspect, an exercise device has at least one inelastic strap assembly that includes an inelastic portion with a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first loop, a foot strap, and a hand grip attached to the first loop. An attachment mechanism interfaces the first loop and foot strap to permit selectively attaching and removing the foot strap from the first loop. 
     In another aspect, an exercise device has at least one inelastic strap assembly that includes an inelastic portion with a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first loop, a foot strap, and a hand grip attached to the first loop. The foot strap is discontinuous has two ends and an attachment mechanism at each end for selectively attaching and removing the foot strap from said first loop. An anchor is affixed to the second end of the inelastic portion of the inelastic strap assembly. 
     According to a further aspect, an exercise device has two inelastic strap assemblies wherein each strap assembly includes an inelastic portion with a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first loop, a foot strap, and a hand grip attached to the first loop. The foot strap at the end of each inelastic strap assembly is discontinuous having two ends and an attachment mechanism at each end for selectively attaching and removing the foot strap from the first loop. The second end of each inelastic strap assembly includes a rigid ring defining a central aperture. An anchor comprises an inelastic anchor strap having a buckle at a first end thereof for securely receiving a second end of the anchor strap to form an anchoring loop wherein the anchor strap extends through the aperture of each rigid ring. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents a general perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the exercise device; 
         FIG. 2  presents an enlarged sectional view showing in detail the attachment of the inelastic strap assemblies to the anchor strap; 
         FIG. 3  presents another perspective view of the attachment of the inelastic strap assemblies to the anchor strap; 
         FIG. 4  presents a front elevation view of the handle grip and the foot grip portion of the inelastic strap assembly; 
         FIG. 5  presents a perspective view of a buckle for use in regulating the length of each strap; 
         FIG. 6  presents a general perspective view of the exercise device attached to a gym crossbeam and a user performing an exercise utilizing the hand grips; 
         FIG. 7  presents a general perspective view of the exercise device in accordance with the present disclosure, in its initial configuration; 
         FIG. 8  presents a perspective view of a user using the present exercise device for doing push-ups wherein the user&#39;s feet are engaged in the foot grips; 
         FIG. 9  presents a perspective view of an alternate embodiment attachment of the foot grip to the hand grip; 
         FIG. 10  presents a perspective view of the alternate embodiment foot grip detached from the hand grip; 
         FIG. 11  presents a perspective view of an alternate embodiment foot grip detached from the hand grip with a heel strap attached to the foot grip; 
         FIG. 12  presents a perspective view of the alternate embodiment foot grip illustrated in  FIG. 11  with a user&#39;s foot extending through the foot grip and supported by the heel strap; 
         FIG. 13  presents a perspective view of the alternate embodiment foot grip illustrated in  FIG. 11  with a user&#39;s feet extending through the respective foot grips of the exercise device in performance of an exercise; 
         FIG. 14  presents a perspective view of the alternate embodiment foot grip illustrated in  FIG. 11  illustrating initial insertion of a user&#39;s hand between the heel strap and the foot strap of the foot grip in gripping of the grip handle preparatory to performing arm exercises using the exercise device; 
         FIG. 15  presents a perspective view of the alternate embodiment foot grip illustrated in  FIG. 11  illustrating complete insertion of the user&#39;s hand between the heel strap and the foot strap of the foot grip in gripping of the grip handle; 
         FIG. 16  presents a perspective view of the alternate embodiment foot grip illustrated in  FIG. 11  illustrating wrapping of the foot strap around the wrist of the user; and 
         FIG. 17  presents a perspective view of the alternate embodiment foot grip illustrated in  FIG. 11  illustrating gripping of the grip handle with the user&#39;s hand in performance of arm exercises using the exercise device. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Turning to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows an exercise device that is one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention and illustrates its various components. As shown in the various figures, the exercise device is easily attached to a door, cross beam, pole, tree or other support to facilitate a wide variety of exercises. Exercise device  120  may include a generally elongated inelastic strap assembly  132  and in a preferable embodiment, includes two generally elongated inelastic strap assemblies  132 . An anchor end  136  of each of the inelastic strap assemblies  132  is attached to an anchor  122 , A grip end  150  is at an opposite end of inelastic strap assembly  132 . 
     The grip end  150  of each inelastic strap assembly  132  includes a hand grip  152  and a foot grip  166 . Hand grip  152  includes a hand strap  154  that extends from the corresponding inelastic strap assembly  132 . Hand grip  152  further includes a grip handle  156  formed of a grip cylinder  158  ( FIG. 4 ) that may be externally covered with a cushioned layer  160 . Grip cylinder  158  has a generally elongated, cylindrical shape wherein hand strap  154  extends through the interior of grip cylinder  158 . 
     Foot grip  166  is provided on the end of hand grip  152 . In some embodiments, foot grip  166  comprises a foot strap  168  formed as a loop, which extends through the interior of grip cylinder  158 . Foot grip  166  generally defines a flexible stirrup-like structure through which a user  102  ( FIG. 8 ) may insert his/her foot to perform various exercises in use of the exercise device  120 , as described in further detail below. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , each inelastic strap assembly  132  is constructed of an inelastic strap  134  which, at grip end  150  is doubted back upon itself to form first loop  154  of hand grip  152  and has stitching portion  140  to permanently affix portions of strap  134  one to the other and define hand strap  154 . Adjacent portions of inelastic strap  134  extend from stitching portion  140  to an anchor end  136  of the inelastic strap  134  and form a loop at the anchor end  136 . Hand strap  154  can also include a grip handle  156  comprising a grip cylinder  158  having an outer cushioned layer  160  to provide comfortable gripping for a user&#39;s hands. Grip handle  156  is retained on hand strap  154  by passing hand strap  154  through an interior of grip cylinder  158 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 4 , foot strap  168  can also be formed in a loop and be retained on inelastic strap assembly  132  by passing through the interior of grip cylinder  158 . 
     Optionally, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , continuous inelastic strap  134  can include a buckle  142  positioned along inelastic strap  134  thereby providing user  102  with the ability to adjust the length of inelastic strap assembly  132 . Buckle  142  can be of any conventional buckle design that is suitable to facilitate selective adjustment of the length of inelastic strap assembly  132 . 
     An end of inelastic strap  134  is secured around a cross pin  144  of buckle  142  such as via, the stitching portion  140 . An opposite free end  138  of inelastic strap  134  can be secured around a second retaining pin (not illustrated) on buckle  142  and is engaged and retained by a tongue grip  146  which is pivotally attached to the buckle  142 . Accordingly, by pivoting tongue grip  146  about arc “A” ( FIG. 5 ) to closed/engaged position on buckle  142 , the tongue grip  146  engages free end  138  of inelastic strap  134  and prevents inelastic strap assembly  132  from inadvertently shortening or lengthening. By pivoting of the tongue grip  146  to an open/disengaged position on buckle  142 , tongue grip  146  disengages free end  138  of inelastic strap  134  such that a user may adjust the length of inelastic strap assembly  132  as desired by freely pulling free end  138 . 
     Hand strap  154  of each hand grip  152  may be attached to the corresponding buckle  15  via, stitching portion  140  and/or other suitable attachment technique. Accordingly, the length of each inelastic strap assemblies  132  may be selectively adjusted through the adjusting action of one or both of buckles  142 . In some embodiments, a sleeve  148  may retain the free end  138  of inelastic strap  134  in a conventional manner. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-3 , anchor  122  generally comprises an anchor strap  124  having two ends with an anchor buckle  126  attached to one end and having an opposite free end for engagement in buckle  126 . Anchor ends  136  of inelastic strap assemblies  132  are engaged with anchor strap  124  and are slidable along a length of anchor strap  124 . Anchor strap  124  with buckle  126  can be secured in a looped configuration and with which anchor strap  124  is secured and adjusted during the attaching procedure. Optionally, inelastic strap assembly  132  can include a rigid anchor ring  128  at anchor end  136 . Rigid anchor ring  128  defines a central aperture for receiving strap  134  and anchor strap  124  therethrough in a manner to permit inelastic strap assembly  132  to slide along the length of anchor strap  124 . Accordingly, anchor strap  124  with buckle  126  may facilitate attachment of the exercise device  120  to any of various structures (not illustrated) such as a house door, a gym pole or a cross beam, for example and without limitation, in use of the exercise device  120  which will be hereinafter described. 
     Strap  134 , anchor strap  124 , the hand strap  154  forming hand grip  152  and foot strap  168  forming foot grip  166  are typically formed of materials that include but are not limited to straps of natural or synthetic webbing materials having a strength sufficient to support the weight of a user of the exercise device  120 . Exemplary webbing materials include but are not limited to nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene and other polymeric fibers. Moreover, in some embodiments, stitching portions  140  may attach the looped portions of hand strap  154  of hand grip  152  to one another. Those practiced in the art will understand that the length of each inelastic strap assemblies  132  may vary depending on the height of user  102  to facilitate the effective use of exercise device  120 . 
     Referring next to  FIGS. 6-8 , exemplary application of exercise device  120  is illustrated.  FIG. 6  illustrates a user  102  gripping grip handles  156  of the respective hand grips  152  and exercising the user&#39;s arms with exercise device  120 . In this application, anchor  122  of exercise device  120  is secured to a crossbeam  106 , which spans a pair of poles  104 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative application in which user  102  secure his or her feet using the foot grips  166  while performing push-ups. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the inelastic strap assemblies  132  are connected to the anchor  122  via respective rigid rings  128 . The lengths of inelastic strap assemblies  132  are fixed by manipulation of the respective buckles  142  wherein the lengths of inelastic strap assemblies  132  remain the same throughout exercise. Therefore, injuries to user  102  which may otherwise occur in the event that the length of one or both inelastic strap assemblies  132  was to change unexpectedly during exercise are prevented. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-10 , an alternate embodiment exercise device  220  is shown wherein features thereof corresponding to features of exercise device  120  end in like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “2”. Exercise device  220  is constructed of a webbed inelastic strap  234  which has at one end thereof a hand grip  252  formed by the doubling back of inelastic strap  234  upon itself and affixed one to the other by stitching portion  240 . Hand grip  252  is formed as a continuous hand strap  254 . A cylindrical grip handle  256  has an axial passageway therethrough in which is received a portion of hand strap  254 . Hand strap  254  includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of snap portions, such as male snap portions  274  ( FIG. 10 ) affixed external to and at each end of cylindrical grip handle  256 . A discontinuous foot strap  268  is preferably formed of webbed strap material identical to inelastic strap  234  and includes at each end thereof one and preferably a plurality of mating snap portions such as female snap portions  272  ( FIG. 10 ). 
     Female snap portion  272  ( FIG. 10 ) when engaged with male snap portion  274  forms snap  270  ( FIG. 9 ) for retaining foot strap  268  on hand strap  254  of hand grip  252  and thereby forming foot grip  266 . Snaps  270  form an attachment mechanism to permit the selective removal and attachment of foot strap  268  from exercise device  220 . Further, in embodiments in which one or both hand grip  252  and foot strap  268  include a plurality of respective snap portions  272 ,  274 , female snap portions  272  can be engaged with different male snap portions to adjust the size of foot grip  266  to accommodate different foot sizes and comfort of a user of exercise device  220 . 
     Those practiced in the art will understand that any detachable engaging interface can be alternately provided replacing the female snap portion  272  and the male snap portion  274 . The detachable engaging interface should be selected from any form factor capable of supporting the desired load when in use, while ensuring ease of separation when desired. Several examples of potential detachable engaging interfaces include a buckle, a dense hook and loop fastener, a button and buttonhole, a hook and eye, and the like. 
     In another embodiment, one end of the foot strap  268  can be attached to a respective end of the hand strap  254  using stitching and a second end of the foot strap  268  can be adjustably attached to a respective second end of the hand strap  254  using any detachable engaging interface, such as those listed above. 
     For extreme loading conditions, both ends of the foot strap  268  can be secured to the hand strap  254  using stitching. By affixing the foot strap  268  to the hand strap  254 , the foot strap  268  remains stationary. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11-17 , an alternate embodiment exercise device  320  is shown wherein features thereof corresponding to features of exercise device  120  end in like reference numerals preceded by the numeral “3”. The exercise device  320  includes an ankle strap  380  which is attached to opposite sides of the foot strap  368  of the foot grip  366  such as by stitching portions  382 , for example and without limitation. The ankle strap  380  may be generally curved and oriented in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane of the foot strap  368 . The ankle strap  380  may be disposed generally between the grip handle  356  and the looped terminus or end  370  of the foot strap  368 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in some applications the exercise device  320  can be used to exercise a leg of the user  302 . The user  302  inserts his or her foot through the foot strap  368  of the foot grip  366 . The bottom of the user&#39;s heel rests on the heel strap  380 . The user  302  can pull against the resistance that is imparted by the inelastic straps  334  of the inelastic strap assemblies  332  to exercise and strengthen the muscles in the legs of the user  302 . The heel strap  380  stabilizes the foot of the user  302  in the foot grip  366  to prevent the foot of the user  302  from inadvertently slipping too far into the foot grip  366 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , in some applications the exercise device  320  can be used to hold the feet of a user  302  as the user  302  performs push-ups. The user  302  inserts both of his or her feet through the respective foot grips  366 . The foot strap  368  of each foot grip  366  engages the instep portion whereas the heel strap  380  engages the heel portion of the user&#39;s foot. Therefore, the exercise device  320  suspends the feet of the user  302  as the user performs push-ups with one or both arms. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 14-17 , in some applications the exercise device  320  can be used to exercise one or both arms of a user  302 . As illustrated in  FIG. 14 , the user  302  initially extends his or her fingers between the foot strap  368  and the heel strap  380  of the foot grip  366 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , the user  302  continues to extend his or her hand between the foot strap  368  and the heel strap  380  until the heel strap  380  engages the rear portion of the user&#39;s wrist. As illustrated in  FIG. 16 , the user  302  wraps the foot strap  368  around his or her wrist and then grips the grip handle  356 , as illustrated in  FIG. 17 . The user  302  can then pull against the resistance, which is imparted by the inelastic strap assembly  332  to exercise the arm or arms of the user  302 . 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. This, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.