Apparatus to redistribute vertical load forces horizontally

Abstract

An exercise apparatus constructed from two loops held together by tubing segments that enable the loops to move freely with respect to one another while preventing them from separating. The loops form a gap between them, into which a weighted object is placed. When horizontal forces are applied that tend to pull the loops apart from each other, the gap becomes smaller and the weighted object is captured. The object can then lifted using both loops by both horizontal and vertical forces.

1 . An apparatus that redistributes forces comprising: 
 a. two overlapping closed loops formed from flexible strands, each strand comprising at least one filament; and,    b. two tube segments, each enclosing both loops, wherein the inside diameter of each tube segment is greater than the combined thickness of both strands, and chosen to be sufficiently large to enable both loops to move freely with respect to each other;    wherein the two loops intersect to form a gap of varying size depending upon the overlap position of the loops with respect to one another, into which a weighted object may be placed.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tube segments are flexible.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tube segments are rigid.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tube segments are curved.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the tube segments are straight.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the filaments comprising the strand are twisted around each other.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the filaments comprising the strand are not twisted around each other, and are free to move independently with respect to one another.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the filaments comprising the strand are bonded to each other.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising two handles formed from tube segments, wherein one handle encloses the strand of one loop and the other handle encloses the strand of the other loop, said handles being located on opposite ends of the apparatus so as to conveniently enable the application of opposing horizontal forces and the necessary vertical force to lift the weighted object.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the handles are flexible.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the handles are rigid.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the handles are curved.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the handles are straight.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein each loop is formed by joining the ends a strand together.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the ends are knotted together.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the ends are spliced together.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the ends are glued together.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the ends are welded together.