SPECIALIZED STRAP SYSTEM FOR USE WITH BARBELLS

Abstract

Presented is a strap system for use with a barbell. The strap system includes a flat elongated flexible body having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first loop, and a second loop. Further, the strap system also includes a third loop configured parallel to the first and second loops in a midway along the length of the flat elongated flexible body. The strap system further includes a first and second connecting assemblies that connect the first loop to one end of the barbell, and the second loop to another end of the barbell, wherein upon connecting the first loop and second loop of the strap system to respective ends of the barbell, a user can lift the barbell using the strap system either on the user's back or shoulders, or on the user's waist region using a dipping belt to perform one or more exercises.

Claims

1. A specialized strap system (100) for use with a barbell (200), comprising: a flat elongated flexible body (102) having a top surface (102a), a bottom surface (102b), a first end, and a second end, wherein the first end having a first loop (102c), and the second end having a second loop (102d), and wherein the flat elongated flexible body (102) further having a third loop (102e) configured parallel to the first and second loops (102c,102d) in a midway along the length of the flat elongated flexible body (102) over the top surface (102a) thereof; a first connecting assembly (104a) that connects the first loop (102c) at the first end of the flat elongated flexible body (102) to one end of the barbell (200); a second connecting assembly (104b) that connects the second loop (102d) at the second end of the flat elongated flexible body (102) to another end of the barbell (200); and wherein, upon connecting the first loop (102c) and the second loop (102d) of the flat elongated flexible body (102) of the strap system (100) to respective ends of the barbell (200), a user can lift the barbell (200) using the strap system (100) either on the user's back or shoulders, or on the user's waist region using a dipping belt (706) to perform one or more exercises.

2. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 1, wherein the first connecting assembly (104a), and the second connecting assembly (104b) both comprising: a first ring (106) sewn inside the first loop (102c) and the second loop (102d); a first chain (108) including a plurality of eyelets (108a) and having a second ring (110) connected thereto at its one end, wherein the second ring (110) is configured to slide over a barbell sleeve (204) and get locked thereon about a lip (206) on a shaft (204) of the barbell (200); and a first carbine hook (112) that connect the first ring (106) to the second ring (110) by selective engagement with the plurality of the eyelets (108a).

3. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 2, wherein the first ring (106) has a triangular shape or D shape.

4. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 2, wherein the second ring (110) is an O ring.

5. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 2, wherein the first ring (106), the first chain (108), and the first carbine hook (112) are made of metal.

6. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 2, wherein the first ring (106), the first chain (108), and the first carbine hook (112) are made of nylon straps.

7. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of eyelets (108a) of the first chain (108) has a rectangular shape with rounded edges or oval shape.

8. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 2, wherein the selective engagement of the first carbine hook (112) with the plurality of the eyelets (108a) of the first chain (108) facilitates in overall length adjustment of the specialized strap system (100).

9. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 1, wherein the one or more exercises is selected from the group consisting of a deadlift, a good morning, a zercher squat, and a hip belt squat.

10. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 1, wherein the third loop (102e) is large enough to allow a fastening chain (704) of the dipping belt (706) to be pulled therethrough to allow the user to perform the hip belt squat.

11. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 1, wherein the first connecting assembly (104a) and the second connecting assembly (104b) both comprising: a second carbine hook (802); a third carbine hook (804); and a second chain (806) with a set of eyelets (806a), wherein the second chain (806) is looped and secured on the barbell sleeve (204) using the second carbine hook (802), and thereafter the second chain (806) is passed through the first loop (102c) or the second loop (102d) of the flat elongated flexible body (102), and looped back around and secured to a portion of the second chain (108) using the third carbine hook (804).

12. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 1, wherein the flat elongated flexible body (102) is made from a material selected from the group consisting of nylon, and polyester.

13. A specialized strap system (100) for use with a barbell (200), comprising: a flat elongated flexible body (102) having a top surface (102a), a bottom surface (102b), a first end, and a second end, wherein the first end having a first loop (102c), and the second end having a second loop (102d), and wherein the flat elongated flexible body (102) further having a third loop (102e) configured parallel to the first and second loops (102c,102d) in a midway along the length of the flat elongated flexible body (102) over the top surface (102a) thereof; a first ring (106) sewn inside the first loop (102c) at the first end, and the second loop (102d) at the second end of the flat elongated flexible body (102); a plurality of eyelets (108a) configured in the form of a chain (108) with a second ring (110) connected thereto at an end of the chain (108), wherein the second ring (110) is configured to slide over a barbell sleeve (204) and get locked thereon about a lip (206) on a shaft (202) of the barbell (200); and a hook (112) that connect the first ring (106) present at the first loop (102c) and the second loop (102d) of the flat elongated flexible body (102) to the second ring (110) configured over the barbell sleeve (204) by selectively engaging the hook (112) with the plurality of the eyelets (108a) of the chain (108) connected to the second ring (110); wherein, upon connecting the first loop (102c) and the second loop (102d) of the flat elongated flexible body (102) to respective ends of the barbell (200), a user is able lift the barbell (200) using the specialized strap system (100) either on the user's back or shoulders, or on the user's waist region using a dipping belt (706) to perform one or more exercises.

14. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 13, wherein the first ring (106) has a triangular shape or D shape.

15. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 13, wherein the second ring (110) is an O ring.

16. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of eyelets (108a) has a rectangular shape with rounded edges or oval shape.

17. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 13, wherein the first ring (106), the second ring (110), and the plurality of eyelets (108a) of the chain (108) are made of metal.

18. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 13, wherein the one or more exercises is selected from the group consisting of a deadlift, a good morning, a zercher squat, and a hip belt squat.

19. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 13, wherein the selective engagement of the hook (112) with the plurality of the eyelets (108a) of the chain (108) facilitates in overall length adjustment of the specialized strap system (100).

20. The specialized strap system (100) of claim 13, wherein the hook (112) is a carbine hook.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0018] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. There is shown in the drawings example embodiments, however, the application is not limited to the specific system and method disclosed in the drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a specialized strap system for use with barbells, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of a loop configured on top surface in a midway along the length of the specialized strap system;

[0021] FIG. 3A-3B show how overall length of the specialized strap system can be adjusted, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 4A shows an enlarged view of an end of the specialized strap system of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 4B shows how a ring of a connecting assembly that connects an end of the strap system to an end of a barbell sleeve is configured and locked about a lip on a shaft of the barbell;

[0024] FIG. 5 shows the strap system of FIG. 1 in use by an injured user for performing deadlifts, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 6 shows the strap system of FIG. 1 in use by a user for performing a good morning exercise, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 7 shows the strap system of FIG. 1 in use by a user for performing hip belt squats exercise, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] FIG. 8 shows an enlarged view of an end of the specialized strap system, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] FIG. 9 shows the strap system in use by a user for performing hip belt squats exercise, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 10 shows the strap system in use by a user for performing a good morning exercise, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The words comprising, having, containing, and including, and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, in order to improve the understanding of the present invention. References to one embodiment, an embodiment, another embodiment, an example, another example, some embodiment, an aspect, another aspect and so on, indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) or aspect(s) so described may include a particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation, but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes that particular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element or limitation. Unless stated otherwise, terms such as first, second, third, are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.

[0031] Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of components which constitutes a specialized strap system for use with barbells for performing different power listing exercises or exercises of like nature. Accordingly, the components, their interconnectivity and operation have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0032] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

[0033] The specialized strap system for use with barbells that help a user comfortably perform power lifting exercises such as deadlifts, good mornings, zercher squats, hip belt squats or the like by distributing weight across the user's back or shoulders will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings FIGS. 1-10, which should be regarded as merely illustrative without restricting the scope and ambit of the disclosure.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 1, a specialized strap system 100 for use with barbells is shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The strap system 110 as shown includes a flat elongated flexible body 102. The term flat as used here should not be limited to meaning absolutely planar. The term flat must be interpreted as encompassing flat sheet-like material or one that may provide some sort of padding. The body 102 may preferably be made of materials such as but not limited to polyester, nylon or other materials with desired flexibility, durability and strength. The body 102 includes a top surface 102a, a bottom surface 102b, a first end, and a second end. The first end of the body 102 have a first loop 102c configured therein, and the second end having a second loop 102d configured therein. The flat elongated flexible body 102 further includes a third loop 102e configured parallel to the first and second loops 102c, 102d in a midway along the length of the body 102 of the body 102. The loop 102e is configured over the top surface 102a of the body 102 as best shown in FIG. 2. According to embodiments of the present invention, the overall length of the flat elongated flexible body 102 may range from 1240 mm to 400 mm.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A-3B, the strap system 100 further includes a first connecting assembly 104a and a second connecting assembly 104b. The first connecting assembly 104a connects the first loop 102c at the first end of the body 102 to one end of a barbell, specifically connects or abuts about a lip at an end of a shaft of the barbell. Likewise, the second connecting assembly 104b connects the second loop at the second end of the body 102 to another end of the barbell, specifically connects or abuts about a lip at another end of the shaft of the barbell.

[0036] Attention should be drawn to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3B, and FIGS. 4A-4B to understand configuration and functionality of the first connecting assembly 104a and the second connecting assembly 104b in detail. As seen, each of the first connecting assembly 104a and the second connecting assembly 104b includes a first ring 106 sewn inside the first loop 102c and the second loop 102d of the body 102. The first ring 106 may have a triangular shape or D shape, or any shape of like nature. In an example, the ring 106 may be single. In another example, the ring 106 may be a double ring. The connecting assembly 104a, 104b further includes a first chain 108. The chain 108 includes a plurality of eyelets 108a and a second ring 110 connected at one end of the chain 108. In an example, the eyelets 108a of the first chain 108 has a rectangular shape with rounded edges or oval shape. In an example, the second ring 110 is an O ring. As specifically seen in FIG. 4B, the second ring 110 is configured to slide over a barbell sleeve 204 and get locked about the lip 206 on the shaft 202 of the barbell 200. To elaborate, initially, the second ring 110 is inserted through the barbell sleeve or sleeve of bar 204 and slidably abutted against the lip 206 on the shaft 202 of the barbell 200. Next, once the ring 110 abuts about the lip 206 on the shaft 202, the user can load desired weight 208 on the sleeve 204 and slide the weight 208 towards the lip 206. Once the weight 208 arrives the lip 206, the ring 110 gets securely locked in between the lip 206 and the weight 208. In order to ensure the ring 110 doesn't slide away from the lip 206 over the barbell sleeve 204, the weight 208 is secured in its position using a collar or clamp (or similar kind of stopper) 210 that would lock the weight 208 in place, which in turn locks the ring 110.

[0037] The first connecting assembly 104a and the second connecting assembly 104b further includes a first carbine hook 112. The carbine hook 112 connects the first ring 106 present in the loops 102c, 102d of the body 102 to the second ring 110 configured at one end of the chain 108. In order to facilitate the connection between the first ring 106 and the second ring 110 of the chain 108, the carbine hook 112 may be selectively engaged to the plurality of the eyelets 108a. This selective engagement helps in adjusting the overall length of the strap system 100. The term overall length in the context of present invention means the length of the flat elongated flexible body 102 together with the length of the first and second connecting assembly 104a, 104b. In the embodiment, the length of the first and second connecting assembly 104a, 104b (that includes the ring 106, the first chain 108 and the ring 110) may range from 260 mm to 1090 mm. The first ring 106, the first chain 108, and the first carbine hook 112 are made of metal preferably but not limited to stainless steel.

[0038] The selective engagement of the carbine hook 112 with the plurality of the eyelets 108a of the chain is shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. As shown in FIG. 3A, the overall length of the strap system 100 will be lesser because in this case the carbine hook 112 connects the ring 106 of the loops 102c or 102d to the ring 110 abutted against the lip 206 on the shaft 202 of the barbell 200 using lesser number of eyelets 108a (just three in numbers, in shown example). However, as shown in FIG. 3B, the overall length of the strap system 100 will be more because in this case the carbine hook 112 connects the ring 106 of the loops 102c or 102d to the ring 110 abutted against the lip 206 on the shaft 202 of the barbell 200 using more number of eyelets 108a (six in numbers, in shown example).

[0039] Referring to FIG. 5, the strap system 100 is shown in use by an injured user for performing deadlifts, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the example, the user 502 is shown to have his one arm fractured. It is an essence of present invention, when used by the user, the proposed strap system 100 distributes the weight across the users back or shoulders, thus the user 502 is able to lift the barbell without really having to use his arms. In order to use the strap system 100, the user 502 just need to connect the connecting assembly 104a and 104b as explained above to the ring or D ring 106 present in the loops 102c and 102d at two ends of the flat elongated flexible body 102 using the carbine hook 112. Further, the user 502 can adjust the overall length of the strap system 100 by connecting the carbine hook 112 to selected eyelets 108a of the chain 108 as best shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. Once the user 502 has finished setting up the strap system 100 on the barbell 200. The user 502 can then loop the strap system 100 over his shoulders or back and then slowly lift the barbell 200 with added weight. The strap system 100 ensures despite the user 502 have arm injury, he is able to continue his workouts/exercises without having to keep himself away for a long time waiting on getting fully recovered.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 6, the strap system 100 is shown in use by a user for performing a good morning exercise, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The good morning exercise is popular amongst user as it strengthens user's core, hamstrings and glutes. Usually, as known, while performing good morning exercise, the user begins with a bar on a rack at shoulder height. Next, the user racks the bar across the rear of user's shoulders keeping the back tight, while the user's shoulder blades are pinched together, and user's knees are kept slightly bent. Next, the user steps back from the rack. Next, the user begin by bending at the hips, and then move them back as the user bend over to near parallel keeping user's back arched and user's cervical spine in proper alignment. Finally, the user reverses the motion by extending through the hips with user's glutes and hamstrings. While performing the exercise, for the user 602, it can be difficult to locate the Barbell in a comfortable position, especially for the lower position of the exercise. The strap system 100 of the proposed invention can comfortably and securely be rested across the back of the user's shoulders and thus enable the user to comfortably perform complete reps of this exercise. In order to use the strap system 100, the user 602 just need to connect the connecting assembly 104a and 104b as explained above to the ring or D ring 106 present in the loops 102c and 102d at two ends of the flat elongated flexible body 102 using the carbine hook 112. Further, the user 602 can adjust the overall length of the strap system 100 by connecting the carbine hook 112 to selected eyelets 108a of the chain 108 as best shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. Once the user 602 has finished setting up the strap system 100 on the barbell 200. The user 602 can then loop the strap system 100 over his shoulders or back and then slowly lift the barbell 200 with added weight to perform the exercise. Although FIG. 6 explicitly shows the good morning exercise being performed using the barbell 200, one ordinary skilled in the art should understand the strap system 100 can be installed over conventional bars (as shown in FIG. 10).

[0041] Referring to FIG. 7, the strap system 100 of the proposed invention may be used by a user for performing hip belt squats exercise, according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an added advantage of the proposed strap system 100 that facilitates the user 702 to perform hip belt squats exercise which is conventionally performed at gym or similar facilities using costly hip belt squat machines.

[0042] The user 702 is able to use the strap system 100 to perform hip belt squats using the loop 102e centrally configured on the body 102 of the strap system 100. Further, in order to perform hip belt squats using the proposed strap system 100, the user 702 can use a dipping belt or any other similar belts or strap 706 that can connect user's waist region to the central loop or loop 102e of the strap system 100. According to the embodiment, the loop 102e is configured large enough to allow one end of a fastening chain 704 (connected to an end of the dipping belt 706) wearable by the user 702 to be pulled therethrough and connect to other end of the dipping belt 706. Once the strap system 100 is assembled on the barbell 200 and the dipping belt 706 is connected to the loop 102e as described above, the barbell 200 can then be suspended using the strap system 100 as shown. When suspended, the barbell 200 would be centrally balanced, if the lifter/user has properly setup the distance between the two connecting assembly 104a, 104b from the shaft 202 to the loops 102c, 102d on either end. This distance has to be equal for the barbell 200 to centrally balance. Once the barbell 200 is centrally balanced by the user 702 and then the user can perform the hip belt squats as shown in FIG. 7.

[0043] Referring to FIGS. 8-10, another embodiment of the proposed strap system 100 is shown. Specifically, the strap system 800 includes a flat elongated flexible body 102 with top and bottom surfaces 102a, 102b, loops 102c, 102d, 102e exactly as described above with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A-3B, and 4A-4B. However, the first connecting assembly 104a and the second connecting assembly 104b used in this embodiment is different. As seen, the first connecting assembly 104a and the second connecting assembly 104b in this embodiment includes a carbine hook 802 (referred as second carbine hook), a carbine hook 804 (referred as third carbine hook), and a chain 806 (referred as second chain) with a set of eyelets 806a.

[0044] In operation, the chain 806 is looped and secured on the barbell sleeve 204 or a bar using the carbine hook 802 (as seen in FIG. 10), and thereafter the chain 806 is passed through the first loop 102c or the second loop 102d of the flat elongated flexible body 102, and looped back around and secured to a portion of the chain 106 using the carbine hook 804 (as shown in FIG. 8).

[0045] The user can comfortably use the proposed strap system 800 to perform all the exercises discussed above. As an example, FIG. 9 shows a user performing hip belt squats using the strap system 800 similar to the embodiment described in FIG. 7. Likewise, FIG. 10 shows the strap system 800 in use by a user for performing a good morning exercise similar to the embodiment described in FIG. 6.

[0046] The strap system of the present invention described above including associated components thereof (such as hooks, chains with eyelets, rings etc) may be made using suitable materials such as nylon, polyester, metals, nylon straps or any other material or any combinations thereof and in variety of dimensions or sizes as needed. Also, the sizes/length of the chains (with eyelets) as described and shown herein are merely exemplary, a person ordinary skilled in the art should note that the chain lengths can be increased or decreased by in more eyelets to the chain or removing eyelets from the chains. Further, the proposed strap system though best works with Olympic barbells, it should be understood that, it can be used with any other barbells or bars by incorporating suitable design changes.

[0047] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.