Improvements in exercise apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus hand and foot connector assembly comprises a main loop of flexible material having an attachment point and a bar having a first aperture adjacent its first end and a second aperture adjacent its second end. The flexible material of the main loop is threaded through the first and second apertures such that the first and second ends of the bar are slidably attached to the main loop. The bar divides the main loop into a first opening defined by the bar and a first portion of the main loop that comprises the attachment point and a second opening defined by the bar and a second portion of the main loop. Slidably adjusting the position of the bar adjusts the size of the first and second openings such that a user may securely retain a foot in the second opening.

1 . An exercise apparatus hand and foot connector assembly comprising:
 a main loop of flexible material having an attachment point;   a bar having a first aperture adjacent its first end and a second aperture adjacent its second end; wherein:   the flexible material of the main loop is threaded through the first and second apertures such that the first and second ends of the bar are slidably attached to the main loop;   the bar divides the main loop into a first opening defined by the bar and a first portion of the main loop that comprises the attachment point and a second opening defined by the bar and a second portion of the main loop;   slidably adjusting the position of the bar adjusts the size of the first and second openings such that a user may securely retain a foot in the second opening wherein:   the connector assembly comprises means to limit the distance that the bar may be moved away from the attachment point such that second opening cannot be substantially closed by the bar.   
     
     
         2 . The connector assembly of  claim 1  comprising means to limit the distance that the bar may move away from the attachment point such that at least 20% of the length of the main loop and the bar define the second opening, or at least 30% of the length of the main loop and the bar define the second opening, or at least 40% of the length of the main loop and the bar define the second opening, or at least 50% of the length of the main loop and the bar define the second opening. 
     
     
         3 . The connector assembly of  claim 1  comprising at least one portion of flexible material to limit the distance that the bar may be moved away from the attachment point such that second opening cannot be substantially closed by the bar. 
     
     
         4 . The connector assembly of  claim 3  wherein the at least one portion of flexible material to limit the distance that the bar may be moved is attached to the main loop at first and second joints that are either side of and spaced from the attachment point. 
     
     
         5 . The connector assembly of  claim 3  wherein the bar comprises a passage extending between its first and second ends and the at least one portion of flexible material to limit the distance that the bar may be moved extends therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The connector assembly of  claim 3  wherein the flexible material forming the at least one portion of flexible material to limit the distance that the bar may be moved is in the form of a strap. 
     
     
         7 . The connector assembly of  claim 1  comprising a secondary loop of flexible material that limits the distance that the bar may move away from the attachment point. 
     
     
         8 . The connector assembly of  claim 1  wherein the flexible material forming the main loop is in the form of a strap. 
     
     
         9 . The connector assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second apertures of the bar are substantially in line with a wall of the bar. 
     
     
         10 . The connector assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first and second apertures of the bar are substantially in line with a wall of the bar that part-defines the second opening. 
     
     
         11 . The connector assembly of  claim 1  wherein the attachment point is connected to an inelastic strap, or is connected to a coupling to link the connector assembly to an inelastic strap. 
     
     
         12 . The connector assembly of  claim 11  wherein a coupling is the form of a carabiner. 
     
     
         13 . The connector assembly of  claim 1  wherein the connector assembly is part of a suspension trainer apparatus.