Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
Conditioning Rope with Exchange Handle
Technical Field
100011 This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No.
62/280,239 entitled "Conditioning Rope with Exchange Handle," filed January
19,
2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to conditioning ropes
(also
known as battling or battle ropes) of the type that are used for upper body
and
cardio workouts. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to
changeable or
adjustable handles for use in connection therewith.
Background
[0003] Conditioning, battling or battle ropes have long been known to be
useful for upper body workouts and also to provide cardio training. Such ropes
are
known for their ability to help develop lean muscle mass and are useful for
working
arms independently, thereby helping to eliminate strength imbalances.
[0004] The use of battle ropes has only recently become prevalent in the
fitness industry and have become very popular. However, they do suffer from
some
drawbacks. In particular, existing conditioning/battle ropes typically come
only
with molded rubber handles or permanently attached metal or metal/rubber
handles. Such existing handles limit the utility of such conditioning ropes
and do
not allow for the versatility that may be achieved by having handles that may
be
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Formal Patent Application
Docket No.: 044275.022061
removed and changed to provide different utility/exercises. This means the
user is
limited to one type of grip on the rope. In turn, this limits the type of
exercises one
can perform using the conditioning rope. Accordingly, it would be useful to
have a
system and apparatus that allows handles and accessories on conditioning ropes
that can be relatively easily changed and/or replaced.
Summary
[0005] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a system and
apparatus
is provided that allows for the exchanging of handles on conditioning ropes.
More
specifically, aspects of the present disclosure provide a system and apparatus
that
allow a user to interchange grips and other exercise devices on conditioning
ropes
to improve and add to their workout. Additional aspects of the
exchangeable/interchangeable handles in accordance with the disclosure is the
ability to replace damaged and/or worn handles easily and quickly. Other
aspects of
the advantages and features of the system and apparatus disclosed herein will
be
apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the description, drawings
and
appended claims herein.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0006] Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a conditioning rope including
an
exchangeable handle apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure;
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Formal Patent Application
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[0007] Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the conditioning rope of Fig.
1
including an alternate exchangeable handle apparatus in accordance with
aspects of
the present disclosure;
[0008] Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the
use
of multiple conditioning ropes with an exchangeable bar apparatus in
accordance
with aspects of the present disclosure; and
[0009] Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of an
exchange apparatus for use in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure.
=
Detailed Description
[0010] The present disclosure is generally related to fitness equipment
and
specifically related to an exchangeable handle/accessory apparatus for use in
connection with fitness conditioning or "battle" ropes. Such ropes are
distinguishable from other ropes, cords, cables, etc. used in the fitness
industry for
other purposes. Specifically, conditioning ropes are distinguishable from
elastic-
type resistance bands and/or cables that are used on fitness machines to
operate
them.
[0011] More specifically, conditioning ropes typically comprise a
braided
rope of at least approximately 1 inch in diameter and can be up to 2.5 - 3
inches in
diameter or greater. Ropes of this type generally weigh between approximately
4oz
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a foot to 16oz a foot or more. Ropes of this type generally exhibit very
little
resiliency and/or elasticity. Given their size and lack of resiliency, they
are
generally not comparable to resistance bands, jump ropes and/or cables/cords
used
with fitness machines. They are much heavier than those aforementioned
distinguishable ropes/cords/cables/bands. Specifically, it is the weight of
the rope
itself which provides the fitness aspect of the rope.
[0012] As shown in Figs. 1-4 herein, the conditioning rope 10 is
generally
comprised of separate braids 12, 14. The conditioning rope 10 is generally at
least 1
inch in diameter, but can be significantly greater than that, including about
2.5 - 3.0
inches in diameter or greater. Conditioning rope 10 is generally at least 10
feet in
length but can be 20 feet or 30 feet in length (or longer). The conditioning
rope 10
may include a handle connector 20 attached to an end thereof, the connector 20
may
include a connecting means comprising, for example, external threads 22 or, as
seen
in Fig. 4, bore holes 24 for receiving a corresponding connection pin (not
shown).
[0013] The handle connector 20 may be secured to the conditioning rope 10
in any known manner including a screw 26 or bolt that extends through an end
of
the rope 10. Alternatively, the handle connector may be crimped or glued to
the end
of the rope 10. The handle connector 20 is preferably comprised so as to hold
a
handle attachment 30 securely on the rope 10 but be relatively easy to
change/replace. As discussed herein, while threaded and/or connection
pin/pushpin methods may be used in accordance with the disclosure, other
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methods and apparatuses that would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill
in the
art are considered within the scope of the disclosure. Specifically, a snap
function,
latch apparatus, or turn and lock arrangement would provide the necessary
utility
as well.
[0014] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the handle
attachment
30 can be any of a multitude of designs. As shown in Fig. 1, the attachment 30
may
be a knob or gripping ball. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 2, it may be a
straight
handle, or, as shown in Fig. 3, it may comprise a bar or stick. The handle
attachment
30 may include a bore or opening therein having internal threads shaped to
engage
corresponding threads on the handle connector 20.
[0015] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the handle
connector 20
and handle attachments 30 can be made in any material. Also, the handle
connector
20 can attach to the end of the rope 10 in anyway. In addition to the handle
connector 20, the handle attachments 30 can be made in any shape such as
cylindrical handle, ball or stick.
[0016] The handle exchange system disclosed herein may be used as
follows. Following attachment of the handle connector 20 onto the end of the
rope
10, the user may select the desired handle attachment 30 to attach to the
handle
connector 20. If the handle 30 needs to be changed, either due to a desired
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different workout or failure of the handle 30, the user can simply detach the
handle
attachment 30 from the handle connector 20 and replace it with another handle
attachment 30.
[0017] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the handle exchange
system may be fabricated in any known manner as would be apparent to a person
of
ordinary skill in the art. More specifically, the conditioning rope 10 may be
fabricated with threading or other rope material. The handle connector 20 and
handle attachments 30 may be molded, pressed, welded, etc. depending on the
materials used and the methods for fabricating the same.
[0018] It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides
examples of the disclosed apparatus and method. However, it is contemplated
that
other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the
foregoing
examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to
reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not
intended
to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All
language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain functions is
intended to indicate a lack of preference for those functions, but not to
exclude such
from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated. All
methods
described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise
indicated
herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
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