Sports equipment comprising a handle for securing an elastic strap

Abstract

The invention relates to sports equipment comprising a handle (1) for receiving an elastic strap (2) and comprising a bracket (11) which protrudes from the handle (1) and has a bracket longitudinal axis (L), wherein a strap fastener is provided in order to fasten a first end of the strap (2) to the handle (1), and the second end of the strap (2) is provided with a connector (3) for securing the strap (2) to a lower extremity of a user. According to the invention, the handle (1) has a tubular design with a tube axis (R), and the strap fastener is designed such that, by means of clamping webs or pins (7, 8), the strap fastener clampingly secures the strap (2), which is wound around the clamping webs or pins (7, 8), said clamping webs or pins being positioned parallel to the plane defined by the tube axis (R) and by the bracket longitudinal axis (L).

Description

[0001] Sports equipment with a handle for attaching an elastic band

[0002] The invention relates to a sports device with a handle part for receiving an elastic band and a bracket projecting from the handle part and having a bracket longitudinal axis, wherein a band attachment is provided for attaching a first end of the band to the handle part, and the band is provided at its second end with a connector for attaching the band to a lower extremity of the user, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] A generic piece of sports equipment is known from AT 522.554 B1 and is used to strengthen the arm and torso muscles while walking or running. It is used in pairs, with each user holding a piece of sports equipment with the handle in each hand. A first end of an elastic band is attached to the handle, and its second end is attached to a lower extremity of the user via a connector, usually to a shoe of the user, for example, on the outside of the shoe. The arm and leg movements while walking or running tense and relax the band, thereby stressing and training the arm, leg, and torso muscles. Of course, the sports equipment can also be used in a resting position to train and stretch the muscles.

[0004] The elastic band must be securely attached to the handle and, at the same time, adjustable in length to accommodate different body sizes. Technically simple yet practical designs are required to keep manufacturing costs low and make using the sports equipment comfortable. Known designs such as those in US Pat. No. 8,075,462 B1 are disadvantageous in this regard because they are composed of a large number of individual parts, which correspondingly increase manufacturing costs. The known design from AT 522,554 B1 mentioned above also has the disadvantage that the band behaves unsteadily during use of the sports equipment and, in addition to the stretching and contraction in the longitudinal direction of the band, performs a large number of oscillations around the longitudinal axis of the band, which experience has shown to be annoying during sports.

[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to improve the technical design of generic sports equipment in such a way that the structure is simplified and disturbing vibration patterns of the elastic band during use are avoided as far as possible.

[0006] These objectives are achieved by the features of claim 1. Claim 1 relates to a piece of sports equipment having a handle portion for receiving an elastic band and a bracket projecting from the handle portion and having a bracket longitudinal axis, wherein a band attachment is provided for attaching a first end of the band to the handle portion, and the band is provided at its second end with a connector for attaching the band to a lower extremity of the user. According to the invention, it is proposed that the handle portion be tubular with a tubular axis, and that the band attachment be implemented by means of clamping webs or bolts for clampingly fixing the band wound around the clamping webs or bolts, which are arranged parallel to the plane spanned by the tubular axis and the bracket longitudinal axis.The handle with the protruding bar dictates the correct handling of the sports equipment by gripping the handle with the hand so that the bar spans the fingers. In this position, the plane spanned by the tube axis and the longitudinal axis of the bar is essentially parallel to the user's sagittal plane. Since, according to the invention, the clamping bars or bolts for clamping the strap wound around the clamping bars or bolts are arranged parallel to this plane, the strap plane in the strap attachment also runs parallel to the sagittal plane. Since the handle is tubular, this orientation of the strap plane in the strap attachment is not changed when passing through the handle, so that the elastic band leaves the handle in an orientation parallel to the sagittal plane.With the usual attachment to the outside of the shoe, this orientation is also maintained, so that the band runs from the grip part to the shoe without winding around its longitudinal axis. It has been shown that this measure largely prevents disturbing vibration patterns of the elastic band during use. In known designs such as that of AT 522.554 B1 mentioned above, the elastic band runs from the grip part to the connector in such a way that, when the sports equipment is in use, the plane of the band attachment to the grip part is rotated by 90° relative to the plane of the connector on the shoe. As the applicant has determined, it is this winding of the band around the longitudinal axis of the band that creates the disturbing vibration patterns of the band described above.The inventive design is not only easier to implement thanks to the clamping bars or bolts, but also exhibits a smoother behavior of the elastic band during use, thus disrupting the actual movement sequence during sports as little as possible. As will be explained in more detail below, the tubular design of the handle also has the advantage that the sports device can also be used alternatively as a handle for poles for other sports, such as skiing, Nordic walking, and the like. Possible embodiments of the clamping bars or bolts for clamping the band wound around the clamping bars or bolts will be discussed later.The clamping fixation can be based largely on a self-locking action of the band wound around the clamping bars or bolts, or on a clamping action of the clamping bars or bolts through their interaction with appropriately arranged clamping elements.

[0007] With regard to the construction, it is proposed as a concrete embodiment that the clamping webs or bolts are arranged within the tubular handle section, as viewed in the direction of the tube axis. The clamping webs or bolts can be arranged directly within the tubular handle section, or in a mouth area of ​​the tubular handle section such that they are arranged within the tubular handle section, as viewed in the direction of the tube axis. The construction is further simplified if the plane spanned by the tube axis and the longitudinal axis of the bar is a central plane of the sports equipment. The elastic band could be built into the band attachment by the manufacturer, but preferably the band is exchangeable or removable to enable the sports equipment to be used for other sports, or even simply to allow the band to be adjusted in length. The band must therefore be able to be removed from the clamping fixation and reinserted.To facilitate the release and insertion of the strap, it is proposed that the clamping bars or bolts be arranged on a clamping cap that can be attached to the tubular handle. Removing the clamping cap can either release the clamping fixation or provide access to the clamping fixation for manual release and insertion of the strap.

[0008] As a possible embodiment, for example, the strap attachment can be designed as a clamping bolt which is arranged in a bearing of the clamping cap between two lateral clamping elements of the clamping cap, wherein the elastic band is wound around the clamping bolt and can be clamped between the clamping bolt and the two clamping elements. In this case, the entire strap attachment is accessible by removing the clamping cap. To insert the strap, the strap can first be pushed from below through the tubular handle part until it leaves the tubular handle part at the upper end of the handle part. The upper end of the strap can then be formed into a loop, if such a loop is not already provided by the manufacturer, which is pushed between the two clamping elements of the clamping cap.The clamping bolt is inserted into this loop and can be fixed in a bearing on the clamping cap by pulling the strap downwards between the two lateral clamping elements. The clamping cap can then be pushed onto the handle, where it is secured using locking or snap-in connections. It can also be provided that the clamping bolt fixes a locking element of the clamping cap in its axial direction, with which the clamping cap is pushed onto the handle to prevent the clamping cap from coming loose from the handle. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the strap is fastened in the form of two clamping webs arranged on the clamping cap, with the elastic band being wound around the two clamping webs and clamped in place.Inserting the band is similar to the process described above, but the band is clamped in place either by a self-locking mechanism of the band by threading the band appropriately around the two clamping bars, or by using an additional clamping element.

[0009] It is also proposed that a cover cap be provided that can be plugged onto the clamping cap. Snap-in or locking connections can also be provided for plugging the cover cap onto the clamping cap. The removable cover cap serves the purpose of enabling the clamping cap to be designed in such a way that the strap fastening is accessible from both sides, thus making it easier to remove and insert the strap into the strap fastening. Otherwise, there are hardly any limits to the design of the cover cap. For example, the cover cap can have a viewing window that allows a view of the clamped strap, where labels indicate the currently used length of the strap. Furthermore, the cover cap also allows the insertion of electronics to generate data for the user.

[0010] Furthermore, the bracket can also be designed as part of the clamp cap. This makes removing the clamp cap easier because the bracket acts as a lever for removing the clamp cap. The hook-shaped design of the bracket allows the grip system to be attached to a trouser pocket or belt, for example, allowing the user to have both hands free when needed, while still keeping the sports equipment as close to hand as possible.

[0011] As already mentioned, the length of the strap can be adjusted by loosening and reinserting the strap into the strap fastening. For faster adjustability, it is proposed that a known adjustment part be provided, which is arranged between the handle part and the connector. Adjustment parts for changing the effective length of a strap are known in many different designs. The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with the aid of the attached figures.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention with the adjustment part closed,

[0013] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1 with the adjustment part open,

[0014] Fig. 3 is a further view of the embodiment of the invention according to Fig. 1,

[0015] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the handle part with the cover cap removed and a clamping bolt without a band,

[0016] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the handle part according to Fig. 4 with band,

[0017] Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the handle part according to Fig. 5 with band,

[0018] Fig. 7 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the handle part with clamping bars without a band,

[0019] Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the handle part according to Fig. 7,

[0020] Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the handle part and clamping cap of the embodiment of the handle part according to Fig. 7 with band,

[0021] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the clamping cap for the embodiment according to Fig. 9,

[0022] Fig. lla-d sectional views for a possible embodiment of the snap-in connections for fastening the clamping cap to the handle part, and the

[0023] Fig. 12a-d Sectional views for a possible embodiment of the snap-in connections for fastening the cover cap to the clamping cap.

[0024] 1 to 3, which show the general structure of the sports device according to the invention. It comprises a handle part 1, an elastic band 2 and a connector 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connector 3 is designed as a clamp, with which the band 2 can be fastened, for example, to the outside of a shoe. In the embodiment shown, a known adjusting part 4 is also provided, which is arranged between the handle part 1 and the connector 3 and with which the effective length of the band 2 between the handle part 1 and the connector 3 can be adjusted. Figs. 1 and 3 show the adjusting part 4 in the closed and ready-to-use state, and Fig. 2 shows it in an open state in which the length of the band 2 can be adjusted.

[0025] In order to facilitate the release and insertion of the strap 2 into the handle part 1, a three-part design is proposed in which a clamping cap 5 can be plugged onto the handle part 1, and a cover cap 6 can be plugged onto the clamping cap 5. The clamping cap 5 primarily fulfills the task of fastening the strap and has the clamping webs 7 or clamping bolts 8 according to the invention. By removing the clamping cap 5, access to the clamping fixation of the strap fastening is made possible for manual release and insertion of the strap 2. The removable cover cap 6 fulfills the purpose of being able to design the clamping cap 5 in such a way that the strap fastening is accessible from both sides, thus making it easier to release and insert the strap 2 into the strap fastening.

[0026] The sports equipment further comprises a bracket 11 protruding from the handle part 1 and having a longitudinal axis L of the bracket (see also Fig. 3). In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bracket 11 is designed as part of the clamping cap 5. This makes it easier to remove the clamping cap 5 because the bracket 11 acts as a lever for removing the clamping cap 5. In addition, the bracket 11 is hook-shaped so that it can also be used to hang the sports equipment, for example, on a trouser pocket, jacket pocket, waistband or belt. The handle part 1 can be designed as a single-component part, for example made of a durable, hard plastic, or as a two-component part made of a durable, hard plastic and an injection-molded soft plastic to increase slip resistance and comfort.

[0027] The handle part 1 is tubular with a tubular axis R (see also Fig. 3), whereby the above-mentioned longitudinal axis L of the handlebar and the tubular axis R define a plane. When the sports equipment is used correctly, this plane is aligned parallel to the sagittal plane of the user. The strap is attached using the aforementioned clamping bars 7 or clamping bolts 8 for clamping the strap 2 wound around the clamping bars 7 or clamping bolts 8 in such a way that the strap plane in the strap attachment is also parallel to this plane. This is achieved by arranging the clamping bars 7 or clamping bolts 8 parallel to the plane spanned by the tubular axis R and the longitudinal axis L of the handlebar.

[0028] 4 to 6 show a first embodiment of the strap fastening as a clamping bolt 8, which is arranged in a bearing of the clamping cap 5 between two lateral clamping elements 9, 10 of the clamping cap 5, wherein the elastic band 2 can be wound around the clamping bolt 8 and can be clamped in place between the clamping bolt 8 and the two clamping elements 9, 10 (see, for example, Fig. 5). To insert the strap 2, the strap 2 can first be pushed from below through the tubular handle part 1 until it leaves the tubular handle part 1 at the upper end of the handle part 1. The upper end of the strap 2 can then be formed into a loop, which is pushed between the two clamping elements 9, 10 of the clamping cap 5. The clamping bolt 8 is inserted into this loop and can be fixed in a bearing on the clamping cap 5 between the two lateral clamping elements 9, 10 by pulling the band 2 downwards, thereby achieving the configuration shown in Fig.5. The clamping bolt 8 is arranged parallel to the plane spanned by the tube axis R and the longitudinal axis L of the bracket; in particular, the bolt axis of the clamping bolt 8 lies within this plane. The clamping cap 5 can finally be slipped onto the handle part 1, where it is fixed via locking or snap connections, as will be described in more detail. It can also be provided that the clamping bolt 8 fixes a locking element of the clamping cap 5 in its axial direction, with which the clamping cap 5 is slipped onto the handle part 1 in order to prevent the clamping cap 5 from becoming detached from the handle part 1.

[0029] 7 to 10, an alternative embodiment of the band fastening is described, which is designed in the form of two clamping webs 7 that are arranged on the clamping cap 5, wherein the elastic band 2 is wound around the two clamping webs 7 and can be clamped in place. The insertion of the band 2 is similar to the process described above, but the clamping fixation of the band 2 takes place via a self-locking of the band 2, i.e. by friction of the band 2 against itself, by suitable threading of the band 2 around the two clamping webs 7, as can be seen in Fig. 9. The clamping webs 7 are arranged parallel to the plane spanned by the tube axis R and the bracket longitudinal axis L, as can be seen, for example, in Fig. 8.

[0030] Fig. 11a-d show sectional views of a possible embodiment of the snap-in connections for fastening the clamping cap 5 to the handle part 1. The clamping cap 5 can be attached to the handle part 1 via a lower snap-in connection 12 facing the bow (see Fig. 11b), which subsequently defines a pivot axis for a pivoting movement of the clamping cap 5 (see Fig. 11c), with which the clamping cap 5 can be pressed onto the handle part 1, where the clamping cap is fixed to the handle part 1 via a lower snap-in connection 13 facing away from the bow (see Fig. 11d).

[0031] Fig. 12a-d show sectional views of a possible embodiment of the snap-in connections for fastening the cover cap 6 to the clamping cap 5. In this case, the cover cap 6 can be attached to the clamping cap 5 via an upper snap-in connection 14 facing away from the bracket (see Fig. 12b), which subsequently defines a pivot axis for a pivoting movement of the cover cap 6 in the direction of the bracket 11 (see Fig. 12c), with which the cover cap 6 can be pressed onto the clamping cap 5, where the cover cap 6 is fixed to the bracket 2 of the clamping cap 5 via an upper snap-in connection 15 facing the bracket (see Fig. 12d).

[0032] The grip part 1 with the protruding bar 11 dictates the correct handling of the sports equipment by grasping the grip part 1 with the hand so that the bar 11 spans the fingers. In this position, the plane spanned by the tube axis R and the bar longitudinal axis L is essentially parallel to the sagittal plane of the user. Since, as described, the strap plane in the strap attachment also runs parallel to the sagittal plane and the strap 2 thus runs from the grip part 1 to the shoe without winding around its longitudinal axis, disruptive vibration patterns of the elastic strap 2 can be largely avoided during use. Furthermore, the invention enables comparatively simple structural implementations and thus lower manufacturing costs.

Claims

Patent claims:

1. Sports equipment with a handle part (1) for receiving an elastic band (2) and a bracket (11) projecting from the handle part (1) and having a bracket longitudinal axis (L), wherein a band attachment is provided for attaching a first end of the band (2) to the handle part (1), and the band (2) is provided at its second end with a connector (3) for attaching the band (2) to a lower extremity of a user, characterized in that the handle part (1) is tubular with a tubular axis (R) and the band attachment is designed with the aid of clamping webs or bolts (7, 8) for clampingly fixing the band (2) wound around the clamping webs or bolts (7, 8), which are arranged parallel to the plane spanned by the tubular axis (R) and the bracket longitudinal axis (L).

2. Sports equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping webs or bolts (7, 8) are arranged within the tubular handle part (1) as seen in the direction of the tube axis (R).

3. Sports equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the clamping webs or bolts (7, 8) are arranged on a clamping cap (5) which can be plugged onto the tubular handle element (1).

4. Sports equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that the band fastening is designed as a clamping bolt (8) which is arranged in a bearing of the clamping cap (5) between two lateral clamping elements (9, 10) of the clamping cap (5), wherein the elastic band (2) is wound around the clamping bolt (8) and can be clamped between the clamping bolt (8) and the two clamping elements (9, 10).

5. Sports equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that the strap fastening is designed in the form of two clamping webs (7) which are arranged on the clamping cap (5) are, whereby the elastic band (2) is wound around the two clamping webs (7) and can be fixed by clamping.

6. Sports equipment according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that a cover cap (6) which can be plugged onto the clamping cap (5) is provided.

7. Sports equipment according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the bracket (11) is designed as part of the clamping cap (5).

8. Sports equipment according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the bracket (11) is hook-shaped.

9. Sports equipment according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that for a length adjustability of the band (2) a known adjusting part (4) is provided, which is arranged between the handle part (1) and the connector (3).

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