Exercise device

Abstract

An exercise device includes a first elastic loop portion defining a first continuous loop, the first elastic loop portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, opposite the inner surface. The exercise device further includes a second elastic loop portion defining a second continuous loop, the second elastic loop portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, opposite the inner surface. A joining region is located where the outer surface of the first elastic loop portion is attached to the outer surface of the second elastic loop portion, and the joining region is capable of simultaneous multidirectional stretching when subjected to or released from an applied load.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An exercise device, the device comprising:
 a first elastic loop portion defining a first continuous loop, the first elastic loop portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, opposite the inner surface;   a second elastic loop portion defining a second continuous loop, the second elastic loop portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, opposite the inner surface; and   a first joining region where the outer surface of the first elastic loop portion is attached to the outer surface of the second elastic loop portion, and wherein the first joining region is capable of simultaneous multidirectional stretching when subjected to or released from an applied load.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the first elastic loop portion is between 1 to 4 inches, and a width of the second elastic loop portion is between 1 to 4 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein the width of the first elastic loop portion is selected from a first predetermined width, and the width of the second elastic loop portion is selected from a second predetermined width, and
 wherein the first predetermined width is not equal to the second predetermined width.   
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein a circumferential length of the first elastic loop portion is 4 to 75 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein a circumferential length of the first elastic loop portion is 10 to 14 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the first joining region is formed via one or more of heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, radio frequency, latex dipping, and ultrasonic welding. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a third elastic loop portion defining a third continuous loop, the third elastic loop portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, opposite the inner surface; and   a second joining region where the outer surface of the second elastic loop portion is attached to the outer surface of the third elastic loop portion, and wherein the second joining region is capable of simultaneous multidirectional stretching when subjected to or released from an applied load.   
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 7 , wherein the first joining region and the second joining region are formed via one or more of heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, radio frequency, latex dipping, and ultrasonic welding. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise device with consecutive loops, the device comprising:
 a first tubular portion having an outer surface; and   a second tubular portion having an outer surface,   wherein the outer surface of the first tubular portion is attached to the outer surface of the second tubular portion via at least two joining regions to define at least one loop therebetween.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two joining regions includes at least three joining regions attaching the outer surface of the first tubular portion to the outer surface of the second tubular portion, and
 wherein a loop is defined between each adjacent pair of joining regions.   
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two joining regions are formed via one or more of heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, radio frequency, latex dipping, and ultrasonic welding. 
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 9 , wherein the at least two joining regions are formed by tying the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion at spaced intervals together, or by joining the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion at spaced intervals together via fasteners. 
     
     
         13 . An exercise device comprising:
 a first elastic material portion having a first face and a second face disposed opposite the first face;   a second elastic material portion having a third face and a fourth face disposed opposite the third face; and   a plurality of joining regions, wherein the second face of the first elastic material portion attaches to the third face of the second elastic material portion at each joining region, and wherein each joining region is capable of simultaneous multidimensional stretching when subjected to or released from an applied load,   wherein each of the joining regions includes a first joining region segment, a second joining region segment, and a joining gap between the first joining region segment and the second joining region segment.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein the joining regions are formed via one or more of heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, radio frequency, latex dipping, and ultrasonic welding. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of consecutive loops are defined by the joining regions as open spaces between the first elastic material portion and the second elastic material portion, and wherein when the exercise device is subjected to an applied load, the loops and joining regions subjected to the applied load undergo a substantially homogeneous elongation. 
     
     
         16 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first elastic material and the second elastic material is an elongate sheeting material. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first elastic material and the second elastic material an elongate tubing material. 
     
     
         18 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first elastic material and the second elastic material is an isotropic material capable of at least 400% elongation along a longitudinal length of the exercise device without reaching an elastic limit. 
     
     
         19 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein a length of the joining gap is less than one inch. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise device of  claim 13 , wherein the joining gap defines a micro-loop.