Flexible Resistance Articles, Systems, Kits, and Methods

Abstract

Flexible resistance articles, systems, kits, and methods of assembly and use. A flexible resistance article is configured to flexibly and resistively accommodate and secure a portion of a resistance band therein for use during resistance exercises, such as strength training and physical therapy. The article includes a middle panel flexibly attached to a first flap and a second flap which are securable by a fastener in a closed configuration to hold the resistance band therein. The fastener may be detached to transition the article from the closed configuration to an open configuration to remove the article from the resistance band. The article protects the user from an uncomfortable or irritable contact with the resistance band and provides a grip resistance to the user when the user grips the article and may be used to increase grasp strength of the user.

Claims

1) A flexible resistance article, comprising: a middle panel attached to: a first flap via a first hinge; and a second flap via a second hinge; wherein a portion of a resistance band is securable within an interior of the flexible resistance article that is formed by a fold at the first hinge and a fold at the second hinge; and wherein the first flap is attachable to the second flap via a fastener to secure the portion of the resistance band within the interior of the flexible resistance article.

2) The article of claim 1, wherein the middle panel, the first flap, and the second flap are sized and configured to unobtrusively accommodate the portion of the resistance band.

3) The article of claim 1, wherein an outer portion of the middle panel and/or an outer portion of the second flap includes a non-slip material thereon to prevent a slippage of the flexible resistance article along a portion of a body of a user during a use of the resistance band and the flexible resistance article.

4) The article of claim 1, wherein the first hinge is a first living hinge and the second hinge is a second living hinge.

5) The article of claim 1, wherein the fold at the first hinge contacts an inner portion of the first flap with the portion of the resistance band, and wherein the fold at the second hinge contacts an inner portion of the second flap with an outer portion of the first flap.

6) The article of claim 5, wherein the fastener includes a first fastener portion on the outer portion of the first flap and a second fastener portion on the inner portion of the second flap, wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion are attachable to each other; and wherein the first fastener portion is inset from the first hinge by an inset distance such that the first fastener portion is concealable by the second flap upon an attachment of the first fastener portion with the second fastener portion.

7) The article of claim 1, wherein the flexible resistance article is resistibly deformable and configured to provide a grip resistance to a user during a use of the flexible resistance article with the resistance band.

8) The article of claim 7, wherein the grip resistance includes a resistive deformation of the flexible resistance article and a resistive deformation of the portion of the resistance band.

9) The article of claim 1, wherein the middle panel, the first flap, and the second flap each includes an inner portion connected to an outer portion; wherein the outer portion of the first flap is attachable to the inner portion of the second flap via the fastener to secure the portion of the resistance band within the interior of the flexible resistance article.

10) The article of claim 9, wherein the fastener includes a first fastener portion on the outer portion of the first flap and a second fastener portion on the inner portion of the second flap, wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion are attachable to each other.

11) The article of claim 10, wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion are complementary portions of a hook-and-loop fastener.

12) The article of claim 10, wherein the inner portion of the first flap and the outer portion of the second flap do not include the fastener thereon.

13) A flexible resistance article, comprising: a middle panel attached to: a first flap via a first living hinge; and a second flap via a second living hinge; wherein a portion of a resistance band is securable within an interior of the flexible resistance article that is formed by a fold at the first living hinge and a fold at the second living hinge; wherein the first flap is attachable to the second flap via a fastener to secure the portion of the resistance band within the interior of the flexible resistance article; wherein the fold at the first living hinge contacts an inner portion of the first flap with the portion of the resistance band, and wherein the fold at the second hinge contacts an inner portion of the second flap with an outer portion of the first flap; wherein the fastener includes a first fastener portion on the outer portion of the first flap and a second fastener portion on the inner portion of the second flap, wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion are complementary portions of a hook-and-loop fastener that are attachable to each other; and wherein the first fastener portion is inset from the first living hinge by an inset distance such that the first fastener portion is concealable by the second flap upon an attachment of the first fastener portion with the second fastener portion; and wherein the flexible resistance article and the portion of the resistance band are resistibly deformable and configured to provide a grip resistance to a user during a use of the flexible resistance article with the resistance band.

14) An exercise system, comprising: a resistance band; and a flexible resistance article, comprising a middle panel attached to a first flap via a first hinge and a second flap via a second hinge; wherein a portion of the resistance band is securable within an interior of the flexible resistance article that is formed by a fold at the first hinge and a fold at the second hinge; wherein the middle panel, the first flap, and the second flap are sized and configured to unobtrusively accommodate the portion of the resistance band; and wherein the first flap is attachable to the second flap via a fastener to secure the portion of the resistance band within the interior of the flexible resistance article.

15) The system of claim 14, wherein the fold at the first hinge contacts an inner portion of the first flap with the portion of the resistance band, and wherein the fold at the second hinge contacts an inner portion of the second flap with an outer portion of the first flap.

16) The system of claim 15, wherein the fastener includes a first fastener portion on the outer portion of the first flap and a second fastener portion on the inner portion of the second flap, wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion are attachable to each other; and wherein the first fastener portion is inset from the first hinge by an inset distance such that the first fastener portion is concealable by the second flap upon an attachment of the first fastener portion with the second fastener portion.

17) The system of claim 16, wherein the first fastener portion and the second fastener portion are complementary portions of a hook-and-loop fastener.

18) The system of claim 16, wherein the inner portion of the first flap and the outer portion of the second flap do not include the fastener thereon.

19) The system of claim 14, wherein the flexible resistance article and the portion of the resistance band are resistibly deformable and configured to provide a grip resistance to a user during a use of the flexible resistance article with the resistance band.

20) The system of claim 19, wherein the grip resistance includes a resistive deformation of the flexible resistance article along a longitudinal axis thereof and a resistive deformation of the portion of the resistance band along a longitudinal axis thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] 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.

[0013] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of several differently sized versions of a flexible resistance article.

[0014] FIG. 1B is a top view of several differently sized versions of a flexible resistance article.

[0015] FIG. 2A is a top view of a flexible resistance article in an open configuration.

[0016] FIG. 2B is a top view of the flexible resistance article in the open configuration with a portion of a resistance band placed therein.

[0017] FIG. 2C is a top view of the flexible resistance article with a first flap thereof folded over the resistance band.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a flexible resistance article being held gently by a user.

[0022] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the flexible resistance article being held and resistively deformed by the user.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 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.

[0025] 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's leg.

[0026] 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's leg.

[0027] 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's neck, with the resistance band secured to the user's feet in a standing position.

[0028] 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

[0029] 100: flexible resistance article [0030] 200: small flexible resistance article [0031] 300: medium flexible resistance article [0032] 400: large flexible resistance article [0033] 500: resistance band [0034] 600: object (e.g., stationary object) [0035] 700: method for assembling resistance assembly [0036] 110: middle panel [0037] 111: middle panel, inner portion [0038] 112: middle panel, outer portion [0039] 120: first flap [0040] 121: first flap, inner portion [0041] 122: first flap, outer portion [0042] 130: second flap [0043] 131: second flap, inner portion [0044] 132: second flap, outer portion [0045] 115: first hinge (e.g., first living hinge) [0046] 125: second hinge (e.g., second living hinge) [0047] 510: portion of resistance band [0048] 135: fastener (e.g., first portion of hook-and-loop fastener) [0049] 140: fastener (e.g., second portion of hook-and-loop fastener) [0050] 150: inset portion of outer portion of first flap (i.e., no fastener at inset)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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's leg (FIG. 4A) and a lower portion of the user'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.

[0066] 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's neck, with the resistance band secured to the user'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's body, for example, the user'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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.