Device for fastening a piece of gymnastic equipment to a support and method for implementing such a device

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment device for attaching gymnastic equipment to a support, and to a fabrication method for realizing such an attachment device.

[0002] As known, in order to perform some types of gymnastic exercises, certain kinds of equipment, for example rings, "infinity ropes", hand grips, suspension training apparatus, such as adjustable multi-purpose belts, et cetera, are attached to a support structure, for example a bar positioned at a certain height.

[0003] Currently, the attachment is effectuated by means of a sufficiently robust webbing strap, tape, or band, that is wrapped around the bar and to which the piece of equipment to be used is attached, for example by means of hooks or carabiners.

[0004] Such a solution is rather improvised and crude, could prove to be somewhat difficult to be put in operations, and may lead to the attachment of the pieces of equipment to be used not being optimal and stable; in general, there is thus a need for appropriate improvements.

[0005] US 2016 / 361582 A1 discloses a device for hanging on a bar a user by the ankles in order to perform traction. The device includes a flexible body comprising one loop suitable to be attached to the bar.

[0006] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device that allows obtaining an attachment of equipment to a support, which can be realized in an improved manner as compared to the known state of the art, and in particular which can be of simple and rapid installation, and which allows an optimal and stable attachment of the pieces of equipment.

[0007] The above object, and others that will eventually become apparent from the following description, is achieved by means of an attachment device for attaching at least one piece of gymnastic equipment to a support according to claim 1.

[0008] Furthermore, the above object, as well as others that will eventually become apparent from the following description, are also achieved by means of a method for realizing such an attachment device that is suitable for allowing the attachment of at least one piece of gymnastic equipment to a support according to claim 6.

[0009] Particular embodiments of the invention form the subject matter of the dependent claims, the contents of which are intended to be considered an integral part of this description.

[0010] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows here below, which is provided purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 are two views that illustrate one possible embodiment of an attachment device for attaching pieces of gymnastic equipment to a support, according to the invention; Figure 3 illustrates the device shown in Figures 1 and 2, which is coupled to a support bar and attached to which are two carabiners that are connected to or form part of a piece of gymnastic equipment to be suspended on the support bar; Figure 4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a method according to the invention for realizing an attachment device for attaching at least one piece of gymnastic equipment to a support bar; Figures 5 to 7 graphically illustrate one possible embodiment of carrying out the method according to the invention.

[0011] It should be noted that in the detailed description that follows, components that are identical or similar from a structural and / or functional perspective may have the same or different reference numbers, regardless of whether they are shown in different embodiments of the present invention or in distinctly separate parts.

[0012] It should also be noted that, for the purposes of clearly and concisely describing the present invention, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and some characteristic features of the description may be shown in a somewhat schematic form.

[0013] Furthermore, when the term "configured", or "adapted", or "shaped", or a similar term is eventually used in the present document, with reference to any component in its entirety, or to any part of a component, or to a combination of components, it shall be understood that the said term refers to and includes correspondingly the structure and / or configuration and / or shape and / or positioning.

[0014] In addition, when the term "substantial" or "substantially" is used herein, it is to be understood as including an actual variation of plus or minus 5% from that which is indicated as the reference value or position, and when the terms "transversal" or "transversally" are used herein, they are to be understood as including a direction that is not parallel to the reference part or parts or direction(s) / axis to which they refer, and perpendicularity is to be considered a specific case of transverse direction.

[0015] Figures 1 and 2 are two views that illustrate, from different perspectives, a device according to the invention, indicated by the overall reference number 1, for attaching at least one piece of gymnastic equipment to a support.

[0016] Such support may for example comprise or consist of a support bar positioned at a certain height, a portion of which is represented in Figure 3 and indicated therein by the reference number 50.

[0017] Clearly, although in the following description reference will be made for simplicity to the bar 50, the support may be made up of any structure or device that is suitable for the given purpose.

[0018] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the device 1 comprises a body that is at least partially flexible, which includes a central portion 2 adapted to be arranged, when deployed in use, around a portion of the bar 50, a loop 5 which extends from a first end 3 of said central portion 2, and one or more eyelets 7, 9 which protrude from a second end 4 of the central portion 2 opposite the first end 3.

[0019] Usefully, said one or more eyelets 7, 9 are suitable for being passed through said loop 5 so as to be arranged in an attachment position with said at least one piece of gymnastic equipment, while tightening at least said central portion 2, and in particular also the loop 5, around said portion of the support 50.

[0020] In this way, the device 1 is placed in an extremely simple and effective manner in a position of use, as for example illustrated in Figure 3, wherein the device 1 in its entirety is illustrated tightened around a portion of the bar 50 and attached with two carabiners or hooks 52 that are connected to or are part of a piece of equipment to be attached to the bar 50.

[0021] In one possible embodiment, the loop 5 develops around a first reference axis X, while said one or more eyelets 7, 9 develop around a second reference axis Y transversal to the first reference axis X.

[0022] In particular, according to one possible embodiment, when the body of the device is in a substantially undeformed position, the two reference axes X and Y are substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0023] In this undeformed position, the central portion 5 lies in a plane that is transverse, and in particular perpendicular, to the two axes X and Y, as illustrated for example in Figure 1.

[0024] According to the invention, as illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, said one or more eyelets comprise a first eyelet 7 and a second eyelet 9 which extend from the second end 4 of the central portion 2.

[0025] The two eyelets 7, 9 are both suitable for being passed through the loop 5 in such a way to be arranged in an attachment position with said at least one piece of gymnastic equipment, while tightening at least the central portion 2, and in particular also the loop 5, around said portion of the support 50.

[0026] According to the invention, the first eyelet and the second eyelet 7, 9 protrude separately from each other from said second end 4 of the central portion 2, so as to allow relative mobility between them and thus ensuring a greater simplicity and flexibility in use.

[0027] For example, in this way it is possible to independently attach two carabiners 52, each to one corresponding eyelet.

[0028] Alternatively, it is possible to attach one single carabiner for example to both the eyelets 7 and 9.

[0029] In one alternative embodiment (not illustrated in the figures), not in accordance with the invention, it is possible to have for example only one eyelet, for instance by joining, e.g. by sewing, the two eyelets 7 and 9 together.

[0030] In one possible embodiment, the at least partially flexible body of the device 1 comprises at least one webbing 10, which is for example substantially rectangular in shape, and made from e.g. polyamide, having an appropriate thickness, for example between 1.5 mm and 4 mm.

[0031] The term webbing is clearly to be interpreted in the broadest possible sense and is to be understood as encompassing similar terms, for instance such as tape, band, strip, strap, etc.

[0032] In one possible embodiment, the at least partially flexible body of the device 1 comprises or consists of: a single flexible webbing 10 having portions that are folded together; and a plurality of seams arranged along sections of at least some of the folded portions so as to form said central portion 2, said loop 5, and said one or more eyelets 7, 9.

[0033] In particular, in one possible embodiment, said portions of the webbing that are mutually folded between each other comprise a first fold in which the opposite free ends 11 and 12 of the webbing 10 are at least partially overlapped with each other, and a first seam 13 that joins the opposite free ends with each other, said first loop 5 comprising said overlapped free ends 11 and 12 and the said first seam 13.

[0034] In this way, the loop 5 presents a suitably strengthened structure, in which there are three overlapping layers at the first seam 13.

[0035] In one possible embodiment, the seam 13 is preferably positioned on the interior of the loop 5 so as to have an aesthetically clean external configuration.

[0036] Alternatively, the part of the webbing that forms the loop 5 can also be turned inside out thereby bringing the seam 13 to the exterior.

[0037] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a method 100 for realizing a device 1 that is suitable for allowing the attachment of at least one piece of gymnastic equipment to a support, such as a bar 50.

[0038] As graphically illustrated in the sequence of Figures 5 to 7, the method 100 comprises at least the following phases: a first phase 110 which comprises providing a webbing 10 of flexible material; a second phase 120 which comprises performing an initial folding of the webbing 10 in which the opposite free ends 11 and 12 of the webbing 10 are at least partially overlapped with each other (see Figure 5); a third phase 130 which comprises making a first seam 13 that joins the opposite free ends 11 and 12 together, so as to form a ring (see Figure 5); a fourth phase 140 which comprises closing the ring that was previously formed, with the first seam 13 arranged substantially in a centerline position (see Figure 6).

[0039] In this way, there are two sections of webbing 10 overlapping each other, in which the ends 14 and 15 of the two sections of webbing 10 that are currently overlapped are on opposite parts relative to each other and substantially equidistant from the zone in which the previously free ends 11 and 12 have been arranged to overlap each other and sewn together by way of the first seam 13.

[0040] Furthermore, the method 100 includes a fifth phase 150, in which the following steps are performed in any possible order among them: the closed ring is folded (for example laterally in the plane of the sheet shown in Figure 6, see arrows F1 and F2) by pivoting at the zone where the first seam 13 is placed. In this way, two parts are obtained (indicated with the letters A and B in Figure 7), the said parts having substantially equal lengths and placed side by side; one or more further seams are executed in order to define said central portion 2, said loop 5 and said one or more eyelets 7, 9.

[0041] In particular, in one possible embodiment of the method 100 according to the invention, after having closed the ring in the fourth phase 140, the fifth phase 150 comprises: a first step in which a second longitudinal seam 16 and a third longitudinal seam 18 are executed along a predefined portion of the two overlapping sections of the webbing 10.

[0042] As schematically illustrated in Figure 6, the seams 16 and 18 extend longitudinally along the edges and for a central section of the overlapping sections of the webbing 10, i.e. directed along the line joining the two ends 14 and 15, up to a predetermined distance from the ends 13 and 14 of the overlapping webbing sections.

[0043] Subsequently, in this possible embodiment, the fifth phase 150 comprises a second step in which, as indicated above, the closed ring is folded (for example in the plane of the sheet shown in Figure 6 according to the arrows F1 and F2) by pivoting at the zone in which the first seam 13 has been positioned.

[0044] In this way, after this closing and folding of the ring, two parts A and B are obtained which have substantially equal lengths and are placed side by side and, as illustrated in figure 7, each comprise a respective section 20 and 22 with a substantially rectilinear extension.

[0045] The two sections 20 and 22 are arranged adjacent to each other along an inner edge and are formed by two layers of webbing 10 arranged to overlap each other, in practice stacked vertically, and sewn together (by seams 16 and 18).

[0046] In this condition, the part of the webbing 10 intended to form the central part 2 of the device 1 comprises or is substantially constituted by the two sections 20 and 22 placed side by side, which thus form an appropriate surface intended to be arranged around a portion of the bar 50; the parts designed to form the loop 5 and the one or more eyelets have sections with curvilinear progression, arranged on opposite sides in relation to the sections 20 and 22.

[0047] In this possible embodiment, the fifth phase additionally also includes a third step in which a central seam 23 is executed that joins together the two adjacent sections 20 and 22 along their respective internal edges placed side by side.

[0048] In addition, it is possible to further execute two transverse reinforcement seams 25 and 30 at the ends of the central seam 23.

[0049] These transverse seams 25 and 30 can be extended over only a transverse section, as illustrated with a solid line in Figure 7, or over the entire transverse length of the sections 20 and 22 placed side by side, as illustrated in Figure 7 with dashed parallel lines.

[0050] On the part opposite the loop 5, the two curvilinear sections can be sewn together so as to form a single eyelet, or according to the invention they can be left separated so as to form two eyelets 7 and 9.

[0051] Clearly, the sequence of the seams may be modified appropriately with respect to the examples described above, and / or other and different seams may be executed.

[0052] In practice, it has been found that the device according to the invention allows achieving the intended objective in that it allows realizing the attachment of the pieces of equipment to a support in a simpler manner than the known state of the art, can be operationally implemented quickly, and allows and optimized and stable attachment of the pieces of equipment.

[0053] Obviously, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiments and details of implementation may vary widely with respect to that which has been described and illustrated purely by way of preferred though not limiting examples, however without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the present invention as defined in particular by the appended claims. For example, the webbing may be made of any other suitably flexible material.

Claims

1. A device (1) for attaching at least one piece of gymnastic equipment to a support (50), comprising a body at least partially flexible which includes a central portion (2) adapted to be arranged around a portion of said support (50), a loop (5) extending from a first end (3) of said central portion (2), and one or more eyelets (7, 9) which protrude from a second end (4) of said central portion (2) opposite said first end (3), said eyelets (7, 9) being suitable for being passed through said loop (5) so as to be arranged in an attachment position with said at least one gymnastic equipment while tightening at least said central portion (2) around said portion of said support (50), the device (1) being characterized in that said eyelets comprise a first eyelet (7) and a second eyelet (9) which extend from said second end (4) of said central portion (2), said first and second eyelets (7, 9) being suitable for being passed through said loop (5) so as to be arranged in an attachment position with said at least one gymnastic equipment while tightening at least said central portion (2) around said portion of said support (50), wherein said first and second eyelets (7, 9) protrude separately from each other from said second end (4) of said central portion (2).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein said loop (5) develops around a first reference axis (X) and said first and second eyelets (7, 9) develop around a second reference axis (Y) transverse to said first reference axis (X).

3. Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said body at least partially flexible comprises at least one webbing (10) made of polyamide.

4. Device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the body at least partially flexible comprises or consists of a single flexible webbing (10) having portions folded together, and a plurality of seams arranged along sections of at least some of the folded portions so as to form said central portion (2), said loop (5) and said first and second eyelets (7, 9).

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein said portions of the webbing folded together comprise a first fold in which the opposite free ends (11, 12) of the webbing (10) are at least partially overlapped with each other, and a first seam (13) joining the opposite free ends (11, 12) with each other, said first loop (5) comprising said overlapped free ends (11, 12) and said first seam (13).

6. Method (100) for making an attachment device (1) according to one or more of the previous claims suitable for allowing the attachment of at least one piece of gymnastic equipment to a support (50), comprising at least: - a first phase (110) which comprises providing a webbing (10) of flexible material; - a second phase (120) which comprises performing an initial folding of the webbing (10) in which the opposite free ends (11, 12) of the webbing (10) are at least partially overlapped with each other; - a third phase 130 which comprises making a first seam (13) that joins the opposite free ends (11, 12) together to form a ring; - a fourth phase (140) which comprises closing the ring previously formed to have two sections of webbing (10) overlapping each other with the first seam (13) arranged substantially in a centerline position; - a fifth phase (150) in which the following steps are performed in any possible order among them: - the closed ring is folded by pivoting at the zone where the first seam (13) is placed, obtaining two parts (A, B) having substantially equal lengths and placed side by side; - one or more further seams (23, 25, 30) are made to define said central portion (2), said loop (5) and said first and second eyelets (7, 9).