TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise band. More specifically, the present invention relates to an exercise band comprising a pair of sleeved elastic bands connected to each other via a planar non-elastic body.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Various types of exercise bands are known. For instance:

USD741 ,419 “Exercise band”, US2016/0129294 “Elastic training apparatus”, US5,205,803 “Elastic cord apparatus”, US6,202,263 “Safety sleeve elastic device”, US7,794,374 “Elastic device” and US10,384,094 “Elastic cord with safety sleeve” describe a sleeved elastic band;

US2002/0198081 “Exerciser combination for various kinds of exercises”, US2004/0180767 “Exercise device”, US2007/027905 “Aquatic exercise device”, US2010/0255966 “Portable exercise equipment”, US2011/0218084 “Device for exercising the muscles of the human body” and US7,578,775 “Personal exercise system” describe an elastic band with a planar body secured midway along the elastic band;

USD503,756 “Gymnastic ball”, US2014/0235413 “Suspension trainer”, US2016/0082306 “Exercise system” and US10,874,896 “Exerciser device” describe a pair of elastic bands connected to each other via a non-elastic body; and

USD580,257 “Cargo strap”, US2005/0079963 “Exercising device having a ball body”, US2010/0255964 “Pull cord assembly for body stretching exercise” and US2011/0251033 “Multi-planar resistance band exercise system” describe a pair of sleeved elastic bands connected to each other via a non-elastic body.

[0003] However, no prior art exercise band comprises a pair of elastic bands secured to each other by a non-elastic band and wherein a planar body is secured to the non-elastic band.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided an exercise band that includes: a first extension member including: a first elastic band extendable from: (i) a neutral condition, in which no tension is applied to the first elastic band; to (ii) a fully extended condition, being the maximum axial length to which the first elastic band can extend under tension without failing; an inelastic first sleeve disposed about the first elastic band, the first sleeve being: longer in axial length than the axial length of the first elastic band when in the neutral condition; and shorter in axial length than the axial length of the first elastic band when in the fully extended condition; and a first loop disposed at a first axial end of the first elastic band; a second extension member including: a second elastic band extendable from: (i) a neutral condition, in which no tension is applied to the second elastic band; to (ii) a fully extended condition, being the maximum axial length to which the second elastic band can extend under tension without failing; an inelastic second sleeve disposed about the second elastic band, the second sleeve being: longer in axial length than the axial length of the second elastic band when in the neutral condition; and shorter in axial length than the axial length of the second elastic band when in the fully extended condition; and a second loop disposed at a first axial end of the second elastic band; an inelastic strap that is secured: at a first axial end of the strap to a second axial end of the first elastic band; and at a second axial end of the strap to a second axial end of the second elastic band; and an planar elongate body that is shorter in axial length than the strap, which body is secured to the strap substantially midway along the length of the strap, such that, in use, a user may stand on the planar body and pull on the first and second loops to stretch the first and second elastic bands, until further stretching of the first and second elastic bands is limited by the axial length of the first and second sleeves.

[0005] Typically, the strap and the first and second loops are made of canvas. [0006] Generally, the planar body defines a bore through which the strap extends. [0007] Preferably, the strap is tubular.

[0008] Typically, the exercise band further includes a cylindrical resilient element that is disposed within the strap at either end of the planar body.

[0009] Generally, the exercise band further includes: a first ring that is secured to the strap at the first axial end of the strap; and a second ring that is secured to the strap at the second axial end of the strap.

[0010] Preferably: the second axial end of the first elastic band extends through the first ring; and the second axial end of the second elastic band extends through the second ring.

[0011] Typically: the first and second elastic bands are tubular; and a bung is inserted into the bore defined by the second axial end of each of the first and second elastic bands, radially to expand the second axial end of each of the first and second elastic bands, and thereby to prevent the second axial end of each of the first and second elastic bands to be removed from the ring within which it is captured.

[0012] Generally: the first sleeve is secured at a first axial end to the first loop and at a second axial end to the first axial end of the strap; and the second sleeve is secured at a first axial end to the second loop and at a second axial end to the second axial end of the strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying image in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of an exercise band according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] With reference to Figure 1 , an exercise band 10 includes: first and second extension members 12; an inelastic strap 14; and an elongate planar body 16.

[0015] The first extension member 12a comprises: a first elastic band 18a extendable from: (i) a neutral condition, in which no tension is applied to the first elastic band 18a; to (ii) a fully extended condition, being the maximum axial length to which the first elastic band 18a can extend under tension without failing; an inelastic first sleeve 20a disposed about the first elastic band 18a, the first sleeve 20a being: longer in axial length than the axial length of the first elastic band 18a when in the neutral condition; and shorter in axial length than the axial length of the first elastic band 18a when in the fully extended condition; and a first loop 22a disposed at a first axial end of the first elastic band 18a;

[0016] The first sleeve 20a is secured at a first axial end to the first loop 22a and at a second axial end to the strap 14.

[0017] Similarly, the second extension member 12b comprises: a second elastic band 18b extendable from: (i) a neutral condition, in which no tension is applied to the second elastic band 18b; to (ii) a fully extended condition, being the maximum axial length to which the second elastic band 18b can extend under tension without failing; an inelastic second sleeve 20b disposed about the second elastic band 18b, the second sleeve 20b being: longer in axial length than the axial length of the second elastic band 18b when in the neutral condition; and shorter in axial length than the axial length of the second elastic band 18b when in the fully extended condition; and a second loop 22b disposed at a first axial end of the second elastic band 18b;

[0018] The second sleeve 20b is secured at a first axial end to the second loop 22b and at a second axial end to the strap 14.

[0019] Each of the first and second elastic bands 18a and 18b is tubular, defining a central bore that extends along its length.

[0020] The first and second loops 22a and 22b are made of a canvas material.

[0021] The inelastic strap 14 is also made of a canvas material that is stitched to form a tube. A metal ring 24 is secured to each axial end of the strap 14. The inelastic strap 14 is secured: at a first axial end of the strap 14 to a second axial end of the first elastic band 18a; and at a second axial end of the strap 14 to a second axial end of the second elastic band 18b, by passing the second axial ends of the first and second elastic bands 18a and 18b through their respective rings 24, and inserting a bung (not shown) into each of the bores defined by the second axial ends of the first and second elastic bands 18a and 18b. Insertion of the bungs into the second axial ends of the first and second elastic bands 18a and 18b over-sizes the second axial ends of the first and second elastic bands 18a and 18b relative to their respective rings 24, and thereby prevents the second axial ends of the first and second elastic bands 18a and 18b from being removed from the respective rings 24 within which they are captured.

[0022] The planar elongate body 16 is shorter in axial length than the strap 24, and defines a bore through which the strap 14 extends. The planar body 16 is secured substantially midway along the strap 14. Preferably, the planar body 16 is moulded over the strap 14.

[0023] A cylindrical resilient element (not shown) (e.g. a rubber tube) is disposed within each strap 14 portion that protrudes the planar body 16. The resilient elements enable such strap 14 portions resiliently to be compressed, which facilitates clipping of the strap 14 within a retaining formation (not shown) on a bench or other exercise equipment.

[0024] In this specification:

• “substantially midway” means that the planar body 16 is secured along the strap 14, such that axial portions of the strap 14 protrude from the planar body 16;

• “elastic” means that the material can stretch by at least 25% under tension, without failing; and

• “inelastic” means that the material cannot stretch by more than 5% under tension, without failing; and

• “failing” means tearing or breakage of the material.

[0025] In use, a user (not shown) stands on the planar body 16 and pulls on the first and second loops 22a and 22b to stretch the first and second elastic bands 18a and 18b, until further stretching of the first and second elastic bands 18a and 18b is limited by the axial length of the first and second sleeves 20a and 20b.