Connecting straps for sports activities

Abstract

Connecting straps, for use for example in sports activities, include (a) a sleeve of webbing having a first end and a second end and having a loop at each end, each loop having a base and a free end, (b) disposed within the sleeve of webbing, a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop, and (c) an attachment strap, adjacent each loop, configured to secure a portion of the band to the webbing at the base of each loop. In some cases, the band has a solid, polygonal cross-sectional shape.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A connecting strap comprising:
 a webbing sleeve having a first end and a second end and having a loop at each end, each loop having a base and a free end,   disposed within the webbing sleeve, a band of elastic material extending in a continuous loop, and   an attachment strap, adjacent each loop, configured to secure a portion of the band to the webbing at the base of each loop.   
     
     
         2 . The connecting strap of  claim 1  wherein each attachment strap has two ends and is looped through the band and secured by stitching both ends of the attachment strap to the webbing. 
     
     
         3 . The connecting strap of  claim 2  wherein each loop is formed by doubling a free end of the sleeve back and securing the free end in place with the stitching that secures the ends of the attachment strap to the webbing sleeve, thereby forming the base of the loop. 
     
     
         4 . The connecting strap of  claim 1  wherein the webbing sleeve is configured for a maximum elongation of from 3:1 to 4:1. 
     
     
         5 . The connecting strap of  claim 4  wherein the band is configured to have a stretch ratio of at least 4:1. 
     
     
         6 . The connecting strap of  claim 5  wherein the band is configured to have a stretch ratio of at least 7:1. 
     
     
         7 . The connecting strap of  claim 5  wherein the band is configured such that it pulls no more than 18 pounds at its maximum elongation. 
     
     
         8 . The connecting strap of  claim 7  wherein the band is configured such that it pulls no more than 15 points at its maximum elongation. 
     
     
         9 . The connecting strap of  claim 7  wherein the webbing sleeve is configured to take any additional load once the band reaches maximum elongation. 
     
     
         10 . The connecting strap of  claim 5  wherein the band has a length of from about 40 to 50 inches when in a fully relaxed (unstretched) condition. 
     
     
         12 . The connecting strap of  claim 1  wherein the webbing sleeve is formed of a substantially inextensible material.