Safety device for exercise resistance band

Abstract

A flexible elastic resistance exercise cord including an outer tube having first and second ends and an inside wall, an inner safety-member tube within and extending the length of the outer tube and having inner-member end portions, each connected to a respective one of the first and second ends and an outside surface movable with respect to the inside surface of the outer tube therealong. The exercise cord also includes first and second securing balls, each within the outer tube at a respective one of the first and second ends with a respective inner-member end portion sandwiched between the ball and the inside wall of the outer tube and a handle member at at least one of the first and second ends. The safety-member tube is able to stretch at least as far as the outer tube.

1 . A flexible elastic resistance exercise cord comprising:
 an outer tube having first and second ends and an inside wall;   an inner safety-member tube within and extending a length of the outer tube and having inner-member end portions each connected to a respective one of the first and second ends and an outside surface movable with respect to an inside surface of the outer tube therealong, the safety-member tube being selected to resist breakage;   at least one securing member at a respective one of the first or second ends, the at least one securing member is a first securing ball and a second securing ball each within the outer tube at a respective one of the first and second ends with a respective inner-member end portion sandwiched between the ball and the inside wall of the outer tube, the sandwiching of each inner-member end portion is sandwiching of the full cross-section thereof centered at one radial location on the outer tube; and   a handle member at at least one of the first and second ends,   
       wherein the safety-member tube is able to stretch at least as far as the outer tube and the inner safety-member tube is separate from and moves independent of the inside wall of the outer tube. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The exercise cord of  claim 1  wherein the cross-sectional dimensioning and materials of the safety-member tube and outer tube are selected such that a given length of the safety-member tube is configured to stretch farther than the length of the outer tube. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The exercise cord of  claim 1  wherein the handle member includes:
 a grip portion; and 
 a strap loop extending from either end of the grip portion and having an eyelet centered therealong with an opening through which the outer tube extends, the opening and the ball being sized for engagement of either the first or second end of the outer tube with the strap loop. 
 
     
     
         6 . The exercise cord of  claim 1  wherein the handle member is secured at the first end of the outer tube and a second handle member is secured at the second end of the outer tube. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The exercise cord of  claim 1  wherein the outside surface of the safety-member tube is smooth to avoid or minimize surface abrasion. 
     
     
         9 . The exercise cord of  claim 1  wherein the outer tube and safety-member tube are either latex or rubber and have a Shore A hardness of at least about 20. 
     
     
         10 . The exercise cord of  claim 2  wherein the first and second securing balls are wedge-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise cord of  claim 2  wherein the first and second securing balls are cylindrical.