SE1751518A1

SE1751518A1 - Adapter assembly for an exercise rope

Info

Publication number: SE1751518A1
Application number: SE1751518A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Krister Lindén; Martin Reynolds; Roger Pettersson; Ulf Pentéus
Original assignee: Snakeheads Ab
Priority date: 2017-12-11
Filing date: 2017-12-11
Publication date: 2019-06-12
Also published as: SE542605C2

Abstract

An adapter assembly is provided for connecting an accessory (17) to an exercise rope (1). The assembly (2) includes a connection part (3) having a first end portion (3a) configured to receive an end portion (la) of the rope (1), and a second end portion (3b) configured to releasably connect to said accessory (17).

Description

ADAPTER ASSEMBLY FOR AN EXERCISE ROPE TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates to couplings and more precisely to an adapter assembly forreleasably connecting an accessory to an exercise rope, and a method for connecting the adapter assembly to the rope.

BACKGROUND A person can improve his/her physical health and strength in many ways. One tool forimproving both cardiovascular fitness and strength is an exercise rope, e. g. a battle rope.An exercise rope is typically between 8 and 15 meters long, 3 to 5 centimeters thick andweighs between 6 and 10 kg. Exercise ropes can be made from both natural fibers andvarious plastic materials and come in e. g. twisted or braided constructions. Exercise ropes usually have plastic or rubber end sections for use as handles.

In use, the rope may be folded at the center using a post/anchor point. A user holds onto the ends of the two equal lengths of the rope with either hand. Altematively, one endof the rope is fastened in an anchoring device, and the practitioner use one single rope,or two ropes. The user swings the rope, or ropes, in various ways/ directions, eithersynchronized or unsynchronized, to create waves in the rope. By repeating the movement, the practitioner trains the muscles and cardiovascular system.

The diameter of exercise ropes make exercising difficult for people with smaller hands,especially to hold the ropes for extended times. Accordingly, the diameter of existing exercise ropes limits their usefulness in workout routines. There is thus a needfor an exercise rope which can be used for longer periods of time and which is gentler tosmaller hands. In addition, there is a need to extend the workout possibilities providedby an exercise rope and to obtain a more ergonomic grip in order to increase effectivity for the practitioners, and potentially avoid injuries among the users.

A known type of exercise rope is disclosed in US20l5028342lAl, Which shows anexercise rope intended to be suitable for persons With smaller hands. A problem Withthis exercise rope is that, in order to make the rope more comfortable to hold, thediameter is reduced, Which means that the Weight is reduced as Well, meaning thatpeople With smaller hands or Weaker grips are limited in the potential intensity of theirWork out. Since also persons With smaller hands may Want to exercise With greaterintensity and/or heavier Weights, this exercise rope is less effective in providing a challenging Workout. It is thus understood that there is room for improvements.

SUMMARY An object of the present invention is to provide a new type of adapter assembly Which isimproved over prior art and Which eliminates or at least mitigates the draWbacksdiscussed above. More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide an adapterassembly that is simple and easy to use, as Well as provides the possibility ofexchanging accessories connected to an exercise rope. These objects are achieved by thetechnique set forth in the appended independent claims With preferred embodiments defined in the dependent claims related thereto.

In a first aspect, an adapter assembly is provided for connecting an accessory to anexercise rope. The assembly comprises a connection part having a first end portionconfigured to receive an end portion of said rope, and a second end portion configuredto releasably connect to said accessory. The adapter assembly is advantageous in that itprovides a possibility to connect different handles or gears to the exercise rope, making it a more versatile exercising equipment.

In one embodiment, the accessory has an accessory connector configured to releasablyconnect to the accessory to the second end portion of the connection part. The accessory connector is beneficial in that it is easy to exchange one accessory for another.

In another embodiment, the assembly further comprises a sleeve configured to receivethe connection part. When the sleeve is passed over the connection part, it provides further attachment against the rope.

The first end portion of the connection part may be provided With slits, forrning flexibleportions of the connection part separated by the slits. The flexible slits are advantageousin that they press against the rope When the sleeve is passed over the connection part, for additional attachment.

The connection part comprises in one embodiment clamping members provided on theﬂexible portions of the connection part. The clamping members are forced into the rope and clamp the rope When the sleeve is passed over the connection part.

In another embodiment, the connection part is provided With a locking groove extendingcircumferentially along its outer envelope surface. The sleeve may comprise a lockingprotrusion extending circumferentially along its inner envelope surface. The protrusionmay be configured to engage the locking groove of the connection part. This is benef1cial in that the connection part and the sleeve are connected to each other.

Preferably, the connection part comprises a compartment in its second end portion,configured to receive the accessory connector. The compartment provides a benef1cial attachment of the connection part against the accessory connector.

The compartment is preferably defined by the inner envelope surface of the connectionpart and a def1ning surface extending approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axisof the connection part. The compartment is thus formed to receive the accessory connector.

In one embodiment, the accessory connector comprises a connection portion and anaccessory portion. The connection portion is configured to be received in the compartment of the connection part, and the accessory portion is configured to be attached to an accessory. The accessory and the accessory portion may be integrally formed.

The accessory connector may be connectable to the connection part by means of abayonet clutch forrned by grooves provided in the connection portion of the accessoryconnector and fastening means provided in the compartment of the connection part (3).A bayonet clutch is easily operated and it is at the same time an efficient attachment IIICEIIIS .

In one embodiment, the exercise rope is a battle rope. It is preferred to exchangeaccessories to an exercise or battle rope such that the versatility of the rope as an exercise equipment is improved.

In a second aspect, a method is provided for connecting an adapter assembly to anexercise rope. The method comprises the steps of inserting a first end of the rope into afirst end portion of a connection part and inserting an accessory connector into a secondend portion of the connection part such that receiving means of the accessory connectorreleasably engages fastening means of the connection part. The method provides forefficiently connecting and releasing an accessory connected to an accessory connectorto an exercise rope. It is thus possible to use different accessories With the exercise rope, increasing its versatility.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises the step of passing a sleeve over theconnection part such that a locking protrusion of the sleeve engages in a locking grooveof the connection part and such that ﬂexible portions of the connection part ﬂexestowards the rope. By means of the sleeve, the connection part is more securely attached to the rope.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of pressing theaccessory connector towards the connection part such that a resilient member providedin the accessory connector is compressed; rotating the accessory connector such that the fastening means engage With the receiving means; and releasing the pressure on the accessory connector such that the resilient member is decompressed and such that thefastening means reach a locking position of the receiving means. This provides for an easily operable connection between the connection part and the accessory connector.

Preferably, during the step of passing the sleeve over the connection part, clampingmembers provided on the ﬂexible portions of the connection part clamp the rope. This provides for an efficient connection between the connection part and the rope.

In a third aspect, an exercise rope is provided, comprising an adapter assembly. This exercise rope is advantageous in that it is possible to exchange accessories.

In a fourth aspect, a kit for an exercising equipment is provided, comprising an exerciserope, an anchoring device and an adapter assembly. This kit is advantageous in that it provides a versatile exercising equipment.

In a fifth aspect, a use of an adapter assembly is provided for connecting an accessory toan exercise rope. This use is advantageous since it provides for attachment of different accessories to the exercise rope, thus providing more exercising possibilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSEmbodiments of the invention will be described in the following; references being madeto the appended diagrammatical drawings which illustrate non-limiting examples of how the inventive concept can be reduced into practice.

Fig. l is a perspective view of a rope with adapters connected to it; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of an adapter, a rope, and an anchoring device according toone embodiment; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a connection part; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the connection part in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the sleeve; Figs 6a-c are perspective views of an accessory connector; Figs 7a-c are perspective views accessories; Fig 8 is a perspective view of a resilient element; Fig. 9a is a perspective view of a connection part according to one embodiment; Fig. 9b is a section view of the connection part in Fig. 9a; and Fig. 10 is an exploded view of an adapter, a rope and an anchoring device according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, certain embodiments will be described more fully with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforrns and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure willbe thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention, such as it is defined in the appended claims, to those skilled in the art.

In Fig. 1, an exercise rope 1 is shown. A first end la of the rope 1 is intended to begrabbed by a user. An opposite, second end lb of the rope 1 is arranged to be fastenedto an anchoring device 26. The anchoring device may be a wall, a door, a weight or anyother suitable anchor. Altematively, both ends la, lb of the rope 1 could be grabbed bythe user, and a middle portion of the rope laid around an anchoring device 126. Thisaltemative embodiment is disclosed in Fig. 10. The rope 1 is provided with adapter assemblies 2 in both ends la, lb. The adapter assembles 2 are to be described below.

In order to facilitate for a user to grip the rope 1, an adapter assembly 2 is provided,which is mountable on one end la, lb of the rope 1. The adapter assembly 2 is disclosedin Fig. 2 in an exploded view together with the rope 1 and the anchoring device 26. Inthis embodiment, the adapter assembly 2 is to be arranged on the first end portion la ofthe rope 1. The adapter assembly 2 provides a user with a possibility to use differentaccessories together with the rope 1. The accessories may for example be a handle 17, a hook 18, grip bar 19 or a carbine hook adapter 29, as shown in Figs 7a-c.

As disclosed in Fig. 2, the adapter assembly 2 comprises a connection part 3, a sleeve 4,and an accessory connector 5. The accessory connector 5 may be pre-connected to anaccessory, e.g. to the handle 17 as disclosed in Fig. 2. When the connection part 3 andthe sleeve 4 of the adapter assembly 2 are mounted to the rope 1, any accessory provided With an accessory connector 5 can be connected thereto.

Now referring to Figs 3-5, the connection part 3 Will be described. It is tube-shaped andformed as a holloW cylinder. The inner diameter of the connection part 3 is adapted tobe slightly larger than the diameter of the rope 1 onto Which it is supposed to fit. Theconnection part 3 comprises a first end portion 3a and a second end portion 3b, an innerenvelope surface 23 and an outer envelope surface 24. A number of slits 7a-f areprovided in the connection part 3, beginning in the first end 3a, and extending towardsthe second end 3b. Flexible portions l0a-f of the connection part 3 are thus formedbetween each pair of slits 7a-f. The length of the slits 7a-f are approximately tWo thirdsof the total length of the connection part 3, but the length may vary due to e. g. the material or the diameter of the connection part 3.

Further, the connection part 3 is provided With a locking groove 8, in this embodimentdesigned as a circumferentially extending groove provided around the outer envelopesurface 24 of the connection part 3. The locking groove 8 is in this embodimentprovided in a portion of the connection part 3 in the vicinity of the first end 3a. In thisembodiment, the locking groove 8 extends continuously all the Way around the circumference of the connection part 3.

Within the connection part 3, on the inner envelope surface 23, a number of clamping members 9a-f are provided, as is best disclosed in Fig. 3. One clamping member 9a-f isarranged on each flexible portion l0a-f. The clamping members 9a-f are Wedge-shaped,each one is arranged With its tip in the region of the first end 3a, and With an increasing slope towards the inner of the connection part 3.

As best seen in Fig. 4, the second end portion 3b of the connection part 3 is providedWith a defining surface 11 extending approximately perpendicular to the longitudinalextension of the part 3, Which is along axis A, and approximately perpendicular to theinner envelope surface 23 of the connection part 3. A compartment 12 is forrned by thedefining surface 11 and the inner envelope surface 23 of the connection part 3. Withinthe compartment 12, fastening means 13a-c are provided. In this embodiment, thefastening means comprises pins 13a-c, extending perpendicularly from the inner surface23 of the connection part 3 towards the axis A. The connection part 3 further comprises a beveled portion 28 provided in the first end portion 3a.

The sleeve 4 is disclosed in Fig. 5. It is forrned as a holloW cylinder With a slightlylarger inner diameter compared to the outer diameter of the connection part 3, such thatit can fit snugly over the connection part 3. Further, the sleeve 4 comprises a first endportion 4a, a second end portion 4b, an inner envelope surface 25 and an outer envelopesurface. The sleeve 4 is provided With a locking protrusion 14. In this embodiment, theprotrusion is designed as a continuous ring 14 protruding from the inner envelopesurface 25 and extending around the inner circumference of the sleeve 4. The lockingring 14 is provided at the same distance from the first end portion 4a of the sleeve 4, asthe locking groove 8 is provided from the first end portion 3a of the connection part 3.The sleeve 4 further comprises a shoulder portion 27 provided in the first end portion4a. The purpose of the shoulder portion 27 Will be described later.

In Figs 6a-c, the accessory connector 5 is disclosed. The accessory connector 5comprises a connection portion 15 and an accessory portion 16. The accessory portion16 can be provided With any suitable type of accessory, e. g. a handle 17, a hook 18, agrip bar 19, or the carbine hook (not shown) adapter 29 as disclosed in Figs 6a-c, . Theaccessories are disclosed in Figs. 7a-c. Many other accessories are possible, and accessories may be custom-made With an accessory connector 5 connected thereto.

The connection portion 15 of the accessory connector 5 comprises a bayonet clutch forrned by receiving means, Which in this embodiment comprises three J -shaped recesses 20a-c in the hollow, cylindrical, connection portion 15. The recesses 20a-c arearranged such that the pins 13a-c of the connection part 3 can be received therein. Eachrecess 20a-c comprises a locking position 22a-c. The accessory connector 5 furthercomprises a resilient member 21, e.g. a spring, as disclosed in Fig. 8. The resilientmember 21 is provided within the hollow, cylindrical connection portion 15, extending in the longitudinal direction of the connection portion 15, along the rotational axis B.

In other embodiments, the compartment 12 of the connection part 3 and the connectionportion 15 of the accessory connector 5 may have other configurations and beconnectable to each other in other ways, apart from the described bayonet clutch. E.g.Morse taper, threads, for instance trapezoidal threads, resilient elements provided on theadapter which matches openings on the sleeve, electro-magnetism, dovetailed grooves, T-grooves or other suitable quick-release couplings.

The adapter assembly 2 is mountable to the rope 1 in the following manner, againreferring to Fig. 2. The first end la of the rope 1 is inserted into the first end portion 4aof the sleeve 4. Thereafter, the first end portion 1a of the rope 1 is inserted into the firstend portion 3a of the connection part 3 such that the first end portion 1a of the rope 1contacts the defining surface 11. Then, the sleeve 4 is passed, starting with the secondend portion 4b, over the connection part 3 such that the locking protrusion 14 of thesleeve 4 engages the locking groove 8 of the connection part 3, such that the two parts3, 4 are connected. The beveled portion 28 of the connection part 3 abuts the shoulderportion 27 of the sleeve 4 such that the sleeve cannot be passed further over theconnection part 3. The sleeve 4 compresses the connection part 3 such that the clampingmembers 9a-f engage the rope 1 and the rope 1 is thereby connected to the connection part 3.

An accessory, e.g. the handle 17, hook 18 or grip bar 19, comprising an accessory connector 5 is connectable to the connection part 3 by means of the following steps: - The connection portion 15 of the accessory connector 5 is inserted into thecompartment 12 of the connection part 3 such that the pins 13a-c enters therecesses 20a-c.

- The accessory connector 5 is pressed into the connection part 3, towards thesurface ll.

- The spring 21 contacts the surface ll, becomes compressed, and the accessoryconnector 5 is rotated such that the pins 13a-c follows the shape of the recesses20a-c towards the locking positions 22a-c.

- The pressure of the accessory connector 5 towards the connection part 5 isreleased, the spring 21 becomes decompressed and thus pushes the accessoryconnector 5 in a direction out of the compartment 12, away from the definingsurface 1 1. The pins 13a-c thus engages with the accessory connector 5 in thelocking positions 22a-c of the recesses 20a-c and the accessory connector 5 is connected to the connection part 3.

If the connection between the connection part 3 and the accessory connector is differently formed, the method of connecting the two parts 3, 5 may be different.

In order to release the accessory 17, 18, 19, 29 from the rope 1, the accessory connector5 is pressed towards the connection part 3 such that the spring 21 is compressed and thepins 13a-c are released from the locking positions 22a-c. Thereafter, the accessoryconnector 5 is rotated in an opposite direction compared to the fastening method, suchthat the pins 13a-c follows the recesses 20a-c, and the accessory connector 5 can be removed from the compartment 12 of the connection part 3.

In another embodiment, the adapter assembly 2 comprises a connection part 30 and anaccessory connector 5. The connection part 30 is disclosed in Fig. 9a-b. The first endportion 30a of the connection part 30 is in this embodiment is formed as a plain,continuous cylinder. The opposite end portion 30b of the connecting part 30 is formedas in the embodiment described above. The accessory connector 5 is also formed as in the above described embodiment. ll In this embodiment, adhesive means, e. g. glue, is provided on the end portion la of therope and/or on the inner envelope surface 23 of the connection part 30. Thus, When theend portion la of the exercise rope 1 is inserted into the first end portion 30a of theconnection part 30 the two parts become connected due to the adhesive. Thereafter, theaccessory connector 5 is connectable to the connection portion 30 in the same Way as described in connection With the first embodiment.

Optionally, a combination of the above described embodiments is possible as Well. Inthis embodiment, the connector assembly 2 comprises a connection part 3, a sleeve 4and an accessory connector 5. In addition to the embodiment described in connectionWith Figs l-8, this embodiment comprises a step of connecting the connection part 3 tothe end portion la of the exercise rope l by means of adhesive means, eg. glue, before the sleeve 4 is passed over the connection part 3.

Further possibilities regarding the attachment the connection part 3 together With thesleeve 4 or the attachment of the connection part 30, is by means of one or more attachment means, e.g. bolts, or one or more bolts combined With adhesive.

In Fig. 10, a further embodiment is disclosed. An exercise rope 100, comprising a firstend portion l00a and a second end portion l00b, is put or Wrapped around an anchoringdevice 126 such that approximately a middle portion of the rope 100 abuts or is incontact With the anchoring device 126. Each rope end 100a, l00b is provided With anadapter assembly 2 according to any of the embodiments described herein, and a usermay grip one end portion 100a, l00b With each hand. Thus, in this embodiment only one rope 100 is used for exercising.

In other embodiments, the adapter assembly 2 may be provided in different sizes, i.e.With different inner diameters, in order to fit different sizes of exercise ropes 1. Thelocking groove 8 may be provided elseWhere on the connection part 3, and the locking protrusion 14 elseWhere on the sleeve 4, as long as the groove 8 and the protrusion 14 12 match up and engage each other When the sleeve 4 is passed over the connection part 3.As an option, the locking groove 8 may be provided on the sleeve 4 and the lockingprotrusion 14 may be provided on the connection part 3. Further, both the lockinggroove 8 and the locking protrusion may be interrupted, such that several grooves and protrusions are formed.

Claims

1. . An adapter assembly for connecting an accessory (17, 18, 19, 29) to an exercise rope (1; 100), the assembly (2) comprising a connection part (3;30) having a first end portion (3 a; 30a) configured to receive an end portion(la) of said rope (1; 100), and a second end portion (3b; 30b) configured toreleasably connect to said accessory (17, 18, 19, 29). The assembly according to claim 1, Wherein the accessory (17, 18, 19, 29)has an accessory connector (5) configured to releasably connect theaccessory (17, 18, 19, 29) to the second end portion (3b; 30b) of theconnection part (3; 30). The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a sleeve (4) configured to receive the connection part (3). . The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, Wherein the first end portion (3a) of the connection part (3) is provided With slits (7a-f),forrning flexible portions (10a-f) of the connection part (3) separated by theslits (7a-f). . The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, Wherein the connection part (3) comprises clamping members (9a-f) provided on the ﬂexible portions (10a-f) of the connection part (3). . The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, Wherein the connection part (3) is provided With a locking groove (8) extending circumferentially along its outer envelope surface (24). . The assembly according to claim 6, Wherein the sleeve (4) comprises a locking protrusion (14) extending circumferentially along its inner 10. 11. 12. 13. 14 envelope surface (25) and Which is configured to engage the locking groove (8) of the connection part (3). The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, Wherein theconnection part (3) comprises a compartment (12) in its second end portion (3b), conf1gured to receive the accessory connector (5). The assembly according to claim 8, Wherein the compartment (12) isdefined by the inner envelope surface (23) of the connection part (3) and adef1ning surface (11) extending approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (A) of the connection part (3). The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, Wherein theaccessory connector (5) comprises a connection portion (15) and an accessory portion (16). The assembly according to claim 10, Wherein the accessory connector (5) isconnectable to the connection part (3) by means of a bayonet clutch formedby grooves (20a-c) provided in the connection portion (15) of the accessoryconnector (5) and fastening means (13a-c) provided in the compartment (12) of the connection part (3). The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, Wherein the exercise rope is a battle rope (1). A method for connecting an adapter assembly (2) according to any one ofthe claims 1-12 to an exercise rope (1), the method comprising the steps of:- inserting a first end (1a; 100a) of the rope (1; 100) into a first end portion(3a; 30a) of a connection part (3; 30); and - inserting an accessory connector (5) into a second end portion (3b; 30b)of the connection part (3; 30) such that receiving means (20a-c) of theaccessory connector (5) releasably engages fastening means (13a-c) of the connection part (3; 30). 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. The method according to claim 13, further comprising the step of: - passing a sleeve (4) over the connection part (3) such that a lockingprotrusion (14) of the sleeve (4) engages in a locking groove (8) of theconnection part (3) and such that ﬂexible portions (10a-f) of the connectionpart (3) ﬂexes towards the rope (1). The method according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising the steps of: - pressing the accessory connector (5) towards the connection part (3; 30)such that a resilient member (21) provided in the accessory connector (5) iscompressed; - rotating the accessory connector (5) such that the fastening means (13a-c)engage With the receiving means (20a-c); and - releasing the pressure on the accessory connector (5) such that theresilient member (21) is decompressed and such that the fastening means (13a-c) reach a locking position (22a-c) of the receiving means (20a-c). The method according to claim 14, Wherein, during the step of passing thesleeve (4) over the connection part (3), clamping members (9a-f) provided on the ﬂexible portions (10a-f) of the connection part (3) clamp the rope (1). An exercise rope comprising an adapter assembly (2) according to any one ofthe claims 1-12. A kit for an exercise equipment comprising an exercise rope (l; 100), ananchoring device (26; 126) and an adapter assembly (2) according to any one of the claims 1-12. Use of an adapter assembly according to any one of the claims 1-12 for connecting an accessory (17, 18, 19, 29) to an exercise rope (l; 100).