Apparatus for Multi-purpose Exercise

Abstract

The apparatus according to this invention involves connection of a tubular bar ( 7, 9 ) with gripping features for the hands and behind the neck, to a tension resistant elastic rope for performing various aerobic exercises. The tension resistant rope is guided through to an opening in the tubular bar ( 60 ) which then joins to a newly designed retainer ( 30 ). The retainer includes a hole ( 40 ) for the elastic rope to feed through. As part of the retainer assembly, a fastener ( 32 ) is used to couple the elastic rope to the retainer. The improvement of the retainer features an extruded rectangular cut ( 41 ) allowing a lightweight and more robust mechanical linkage between the elastic rope and the tubular handle.

1 . An apparatus for multi-purpose exercise comprising:
 a rigid bar with a half arc at the center defining an open end and an inner lumen in communication with the open end, the bar defining a circumferential opening spaced from the open end;   an elastic flexible line having an end portion extending through the circumferential opening into the inner lumen of the bar;   a retainer with an extruded cut feature, balanced with a protruded half arc semi-circle, positioned within the inner lumen for connecting the flexible line to the tube, the retainer identifying a hole for receiving the end portion of the elastic/flexible line;   a fastener securing the end portion of the flexible line to the inner pocket of the newly designed retainer   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the flexible line comprises an open end and an inner lumen in communication with the open end, the fastener comprising a screw having a first end extending through the open end and into the inner lumen of the flexible line, the screw comprising a second and with a larger diameter than a diameter of the retainer hole for inhibiting the screw from passing through the retainer hole. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the first end of the screw comprises gripping means for coupling the screw to the flexible line. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the gripping means comprises a ridge protruding from the screw and forming a spiral shape towards the first end of the screw for gripping onto an inner wall surface of the flexible line. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the screw is substantially conical and comprises a lip on the second end sized to prevent the screw from passing through the retainer hole. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 2  where in the retainer comprises a featured extruded cut out to allow the fastener to join with the elastic rope embedded within a pocket of the retainer. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the bar is a metal handle with an arc in the middle. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the flexible line comprises an elastic coil. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise device comprising:
 a rigid tube with an arc in the middle and gripping features at both ends of the tube defining an open end and an inner lumen in communication with the open end, the tube defining a circumferential opening spaced from the open end;   an elastic flexible line having an end portion extending through the circumferential opening into the inner lumen of the tube;   a retainer with an extruded cut feature positioned within the inner lumen for connecting the flexible line to the bar, the retainer defining a hole for receiving the end portion of the flexible line; and   a fastener securing the end portion of the flexible line to the retainer inside the extruded cut feature of the retainer;   wherein the retainer defines a first, extruded cut feature with planar surface along the perimeter of the hole and an opposite, arcuate surface, the flexible line extending through the retainer from the arcuate surface through the extruded cut feature of the retainer to the planar surface on the perimeter of the hole, the fastener being disposed adjacent the extruded cut feature of the retainer and mating with the planar surface outside the hole for securing the line within the hole.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the retainer further comprises a lip projecting from the arcuate surface, the lip surrounding the hole and being sized to minimize contact between the flexible line and the tube. 
     
     
         11 . A method for coupling an elastic flexible line to a rigid handle of an exercise device, the method comprising:
 directing an end portion of the flexible line through circumferential opening in the rigid handle;   guiding the end portion through a hole in a retainer;   fastener the end portion the retainer; and   positioning the retainer within an inner lumen of the handle to thereby fix the flexible line to the handle.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein comprises inserting the end portion of the flexible line through an inlet of the hole at a wall surface of the retainer and delivering the line through an outlet of the hole on an opposite wall surface of the retainer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the fastening step comprises inserting a first end of a screw through an open end of the flexible line and gripping the flexible line with a spiral ridge protruding from the first end. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of abutting a lip of the screw against the opposite wall surface from the extruded cut of the retainer for optimum connection to prevent the screw and the end portion of the flexible line from passing through the retainer hole. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the inserting step comprises grasping the lip and compressing the screw into the inner passage of the flexible line.