Device for suspending rings for gymnastic exercises

Abstract

A device for suspending gymnastic rings and handles is described. The device has a power spring to automatically retract a strap onto a spool. There is a cam buckle that holds the strap in place at a desired height. There are marks on the strap to use as reference to easily match the rings to the same height. The device is typically used as a pair, one device for each ring. Many handle and bars can be attached.

Claims

1. A system for vertically suspending at least one hand grasped device from an elevated structure and allowing for variations in a height of the at least one hand grasped device, the at least one hand grasped device including an exercise ring, the system comprising: a device frame having an upper end defining a point of attachment for fixed suspension from the elevated structure; a cam buckle supported by and positioned on a lower end of the device frame, the cam buckle having a pivot axle; a spool having a rotation axle, the spool axially supported on the device frame at a position between the upper end and the lower end of the device frame; a coil power spring fixed to the device frame, the coil power spring gearlessly and peripherally coupled to the spool; and a strap wound onto the spool, the strap comprising indicia spaced at regular intervals to facilitate setting a plurality of the at least one hand grasped device to a same height, the strap extending from the spool towards the lower end of the device frame, the strap having a lower end extending from within the cam buckle to a point of attachment on the at least one hand grasped device; wherein release of the cam buckle allows the strap to be drawn out from the spool or alternately retracted back onto the spool, wherein closure of the cam buckle prevents the strap from movement therethrough in at least a downward direction, and wherein the coil power spring serves to preference the retraction of the strap back onto the spool after being drawn out from the spool when the cam buckle is released.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a length of linked chain secured at an upper end thereof to the elevated structure and extending downward to a lower end of the length of linked chain being fixed to the point of attachment on the device frame.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the cam buckle is spring loaded.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein a downward force by the strap serves to tighten the cam buckle on the strap.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the coil power spring is coaxial with the spool and is positioned adjacent to the spool on the device frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front view of the device of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a perspective view with a section of the frame removed to show the power spring in the spool.

(4) FIG. 4 is a front view showing a typical gymnastic ring attached.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a typical installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(6) Reference is first made to FIG. 1 for a description of the overall system of the present invention. As indicated above, the device of the present invention is intended to hang gymnastic rings from an elevated mounting place above an exercise surface. The device is intended to provide a means for quick and accurate adjustment of the rings height as well as coil up and store the extra strap out of the way of the user.

(7) A pair of the devices of the present invention are operated as follows. The user depresses the cam buckle 8 with one hand to allow the strap 7 to move through the cam buckle 8. The user grasps the ring 9 or strap 7 with the other hand and raises or lowers the ring 8 to the desired height. The user then releases the cam buckle 8 clamping the strap 7 in place. Making note of which numbered mark 10 on the strap 7 the device is set at, the process is repeated with the other device and set to the same numbered mark 10 to ensure each ring 9 is at the same height from the ground.

(8) The cam buckle 8 is typically spring loaded and increases its clamping force on the strap 7 when pulled in one direction. The cam buckle 8, is facing so when the strap 7 is pulled down the cam buckle 8 clamps tighter on the strap 7. When a user depresses the cam buckle 8, it unclamps and allows the strap 7 to move through it freely. The strap 7 will start recoiling automatically because of the tension of the power spring 6.

(9) The power spring 6 is wound about the shaft 5. One end attaches to the spool 7 by means of spool/spring attachment pin 11. The other end of the spring 6 is attached to the frame by means of a frame/spring attachment pin 12. During assembly of the device a number of pre-tensioning rotations are performed on the spool 4 to cause the strap 7 to be under tension even when the strap 7 is fully retracted into the device. The spool 4 is rotated in the direction of rotation that pays out strap 7, then the strap 7 is fed through the cam buckle 8 and attached to the ring 9.