Patent ID: 8033966

Claim:
An elastic resistance band for an exercise device, said band comprising; a center portion comprised of a flexible sheet-like material having opposed ends; and two elastic resistance band portions, each portion having first and second opposed ends, where the first end of a respective one of the elastic resistance band portions is attached to a respective one of the opposed ends of the center portion, and the second end of a respective one of the elastic resistance band portions is attached to a fastening means for attaching the elastic resistance band portion to an exercise device, wherein: said center portion has a generally rectangular shape with a first dimension along its length, a second dimension along its width and a longitudinal axis along its center, and where each of the opposed ends of the center portion are gathered together where they are attached to a respective one of said elastic resistance band portions, in a manner so as to shorten said second dimension by an equal amount about said longitudinal axis, so as to cause, in combination with the width to length aspect ratio of said generally rectangular shaped center portion, said sheet-like material to have a tendency to billow in the air and form a cup-shape upon rapid movement of said center portion through air, said center portion thereby presenting a substantial friction against air so to create a wind resistance effect which will significantly slow down movement of the center portion in the event the center portion is forced to move rapidly through air, thereby creating a safety brake for said center portion and reduce the likelihood of injury to a user of the exercise device.