US20130157814A1

US20130157814A1 - Strap for a kettlebell handle

Info

Publication number: US20130157814A1
Application number: US13/327,354
Authority: US
Inventors: Jeffrey J. Nowicki
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-12-15
Filing date: 2011-12-15
Publication date: 2013-06-20

Abstract

A strap having flexible material with top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end. The flexible material is of sufficient length to wrap around a kettlebell handle. A fastener is secured on the top surface at the first end of the flexible material. A receiver is secured on the bottom surface at the second end of the flexible material. When the strap is placed on the kettlebell handle, one of the fastener or receiver is exposed and the flexible material is wrapped around the handle such that the other of the receiver or fastener catches the fastener or receiver and secures the strap around the kettlebell handle.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to the field of exercise devices utilizing weight resistance. Specifically, the invention relates to a particular type of exercise device known as a kettlebell and a strap therefore.
Kettlebells have been used for several centuries as a means for developing both strength and conditioning. Kettlebells can be used for a variety of exercises including swings, snatches, and presses. A typical kettlebell resembles a cannonball shaped body with an attached handle and may weigh from approximately one pound to two hundred pounds. Traditional kettlebells are manufactured using a casting process such that the handle is integral to the body.
Unlike modern barbells which have rotating weight bearing sleeves, the handle of a kettlebell does not rotate. While the fixed nature of the handle may have some exercise benefits, it requires the user's hand to either rotate around the handle during some exercises or create an unpleasant and potentially dangerous torque in the wrists, elbows, or other joints. The rotating handle also may cause irritation or damage to the skin on the hand. The typical casting operation also creates a parting line on the kettlebell handle which may cut the users hand or require secondary operations to smooth.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A strap is provided for a kettlebell such that the users hand can more freely rotate around the kettlebell handle. Doing this will minimize secondary manufacturing operations, reduce torque on the users joints, and minimize irritation to the soft tissue of the hand.
In one exemplary illustration the strap may include flexible material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end. The flexible material is of sufficient length to wrap around the kettlebell handle. A fastener is secured on the top surface at the first end of the flexible material. A receiver is secured on the bottom surface at the second end of the flexible material. When the strap is placed on the kettlebell handle, one of the fastener or receiver is exposed and the flexible material is wrapped around the handle such that the other of the receiver or fastener catches the fastener or receiver and secures the strap around the kettlebell handle.
In a different exemplary illustration, the strap includes elastic material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end. The elastic material is of sufficient length to wrap around the kettlebell handle. A hook type fastener is secured on the top surface at the first end of the elastic material. A loop type fastener is secured on the bottom surface at the second end of the elastic material. When the strap is placed on the kettlebell handle, one of the hook type or loop type fastener is exposed and the elastic material is wrapped around the handle such that the other of the hook type or loop type fastener catches the hook type or loop type fastener and secures the strap around the kettlebell handle.
The present disclosure also describes a kettlebell having a body and a handle. A strap having flexible material with top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end may be used. The flexible material is of sufficient length to wrap around the kettlebell handle. A fastener is secured on the top surface at the first end of the flexible material. A receiver is secured on the bottom surface at the second end of the flexible material. When the strap is placed on the kettlebell handle, one of the fastener or receiver is exposed and the flexible material is wrapped around the handle such that the other of the receiver or fastener catches the fastener or receiver and secures the strap around the kettlebell handle.
Various other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the claims are not limited to the illustrated examples, an appreciation of various aspects is best gained through a discussion of various examples thereof. Referring now to the drawings, illustrative examples are shown in detail. Although the drawings represent the exemplary illustrations, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an embodiment. Further, the specific examples described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or otherwise limiting or restricting to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings and disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplary illustrations are described in detail by referring to the drawings, as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kettlebell having a body and a handle;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the strap;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the strap;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the strap of the present invention wrapped around a kettlebell handle; and

FIG. 5. is a top view of the strap showing a different attachment method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, a traditional kettlebell 10 is shown with body 12 and handle 14. Many different kinds of kettlebells are now available which may, for example, be made out of different materials, be manufactured out of two or more separate components, or be adjustable. The strap 20 of the present invention is envisioned to work with all types of kettlebells.
The strap 20 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3 which represent top and bottom views of the strap, respectively. The strap may be made out of any flexible material such that it can wrap around the handle 14 of the kettlebell 10. Examples include, but are not limited to, cotton, nylon, and Teflon. In order to more tightly wrap around the kettlebell handle 14, the strap may be made out of any elastic material or a composite material having elastic properties hereinafter referred to as elastic material.
The strap has a top surface 22 and a bottom surface 24. Further, the strap has a first end 26 and a second end 28.
In order to secure the strap 20 around the handle an attachment mechanism comprising a fastener 32 and a receiver 34 may be used. A fastener 32 is secured on the top surface 22 near the first end 26. The exact position of the fastener 32 relative to the first end 26 is not critical and it may be at the first end or some distance away from the end. The receiver 34 is located on the bottom surface 24 of the strap and located near the second end 28. Again, the exact position of the receiver 34 relative to the second end 28 is not critical and it may be at the second end or some distance away from the end.
The placement of the fastener 32 and receiver 34 to form the attachment mechanism, and the overall size of the strap are such that when one of the fastener 32 or receiver 34 ends is placed on the kettlebell handle 14 in an exposed manner, the strap 20 can be wrapped around the kettlebell handle 14 such that the other of the receiver 34 or fastener 32 comes in contact with the receiver 34 or fastener 32 to secure the strap to the kettlebell handle 14.
In one illustrative approach the fastener 32 and receiver 34 releasably secure the strap 20 to the kettlebell 10 so that the strap 20 can be used on multiple kettlebells or washed separately. However, a more permanent attachment mechanism may also be utilized including buckles, snaps, buttons and the like that include corresponding receivers (e.g., button holes).
The fastener 32 and receiver 34 can be of any type of combination to secure two ends together. As illustrated and discussed in further detail below, one may a hook type mechanism and the other is loop type mechanism.
The fastener 32 and receiver 34 may be secured to the strap using stitching 36, adhesive 38, compression fits or other known methods depending on the type of fastener.
The exact size of the fastener 32 and receiver 34 is not critical as long as the connection is secure enough to hold the strap on.
One exemplary illustration utilizes a strap 20 made out of an elastic material having dimensions of approximately six and a half inches by four and a quarter inches, inches. As illustrated, an end portion of the strap may be doubled back on itself approximately three quarters of an inch to help provide an enhanced gripping surface as well as enhanced durability in the form of a pull tab 30 for facilitating fastening and unfastening of the strap. Moreover, in one illustrative example the biasing of the strap is enhanced longitudinally as compared to laterally, meaning that when the strap is pulled longitudinally a given force it will lengthen a greater amount per unit distance as opposed to the same force being applied at the sides of the strap. Moreover, strap 20 may have a fastener 32 made out of one half of a hook mechanism and a loop mechanism such as one sold under the tradename Velcro® having dimensions of approximately one inch by four and a quarter inches and a receiver 34 made out of the other half of a hook and loop mechanism having dimensions of approximately four and a quarter inches by two inches. In one illustrative approach the receiver 32 is represented by the hook mechanism and the fastener 34 is represented by the loop mechanism. The fastener 32 and receiver 34 as well as the pull tab 30 formed at the end portion of the strap may be secured using stitching.
In practice, strap 20 is placed over kettleball handle 14 as shown in FIG. 4. The strap may be pulled into a biased orientation such that the strap 20 has a tendency to want to return to an unbiased neutral position and then secured into the illustrated position. The biasing helps the attachment mechanism to remain secure around handle 14 and to limit undesired rotation of the strap 20 about the handle 14 since it is taut.
Various alternatives and embodiments are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Claims

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A strap for a kettlebell handle, the strap comprising:

flexible material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end, the flexible material being of sufficient length to wrap around the kettlebell handle;

a fastener on the top surface at the first end of the flexible material; and

a receiver on the bottom surface at the second end of the flexible material wherein when the strap is placed on the kettlebell handle, one of the fastener or receiver is exposed and the flexible material is wrapped around the handle such that the other of the receiver or fastener catches the fastener or receiver and secures the strap around the kettlebell handle.

2. The strap of claim 1 wherein the flexible material is elastic.

3. The strap of claim 1 wherein the fastener and receiver are hook and loop mechanisms.

4. The strap of claim 1 wherein the one of the first or second ends is folded over on itself to create a double thick pull tab.

5. The strap of claim 1 wherein the fastener is secured to the flexible material by stitching.

6. The strap of claim 1 wherein the receiver is secured to the flexible material by stitching.

7. The strap of claim 1 wherein the fastener is secured to the flexible material by adhesive.

8. The strap of claim 1 wherein the receiver is secured to the flexible material by adhesive.

9. A strap for a kettlebell handle, the strap comprising:

elastic material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end, the elastic material being of sufficient length to wrap around the kettlebell handle;

a hook type mechanism on the top surface at the first end of the elastic material; and

a loop type mechanism on the bottom surface of at the second end of the elastic material wherein when the strap is placed on the kettlebell handle, one of the hook type or loop type mechanism is exposed and the elastic material is wrapped around the handle such that the other of the hook type or loop type mechanism catches the hook type or loop type fastener and secures the strap around the kettlebell handle.

10. The strap of claim 1 wherein the hook type fastener is secured to the elastic material by stitching.

11. The strap of claim 1 wherein the loop type fastener is secured to the elastic material by stitching.

12. The strap of claim 1 wherein the hook type fastener is secured to the elastic material by adhesive.

13. The strap of claim 1 wherein the loop type fastener is secured to the elastic material by adhesive.

14. A kettlebell comprising:

a weighted bell;

a handle attached to the weighted bell; and

a strap for a kettlebell handle, the strap comprising flexible material having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end and a second end, the flexible material being of sufficient length to wrap around the kettlebell handle;

a fastener on the top surface at the first end of the flexible material; and

a receiver on the bottom surface of at the second end of the flexible material wherein when the strap is placed on the kettlebell handle, one of the fastener or receiver is exposed and the flexible material is wrapped around the handle such that the other of the receiver or fastener catches the fastener or receiver and secures the strap around the kettlebell handle.

15. The kettlebell of claim 14 wherein the flexible material is elastic.

16. The kettlebell of claim 14 wherein the fastener and receiver are hook and loop mechanisms.

17. The kettlebell of claim 14 wherein the one of the first or second ends is folded over on itself and stitched to create a double thick pull tab.

18. The kettlebell of claim 14 wherein the fastener is secured to the flexible material by stitching.

19. The kettlebell of claim 14 wherein the receiver is secured to the flexible material by stitching.

20. The kettlebell of claim 14 wherein the fastener is secured to the flexible material by adhesive.

21. The kettlebell of claim 14 wherein the receiver is secured to the flexible material by adhesive.