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.

I claim: 
     
         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.