COVER FOR BACK SUPPORTS, SEATS AND SUPPORT SURFACES OF SPORTS APPLIANCES

Abstract: The invention relates to a cover for back supports, seats and support surfaces of sports appliances. The inventive cover comprises a body (1) consisting mainly of layers of absorbent cellulose material (2) having a lower impermeable surface (6) which is in contact with the back support (5) of the appliance. Moreover, said cover (1) comprises several lower elastic strips or bands (3), one of which is provided with a strap (8) which is connected to one of the ends of the cover (1). The cover can also comprise other transverse elastic bands (7) which can be used to connect or hook several adjustable elements (4) to the back support (5). Said elements (4) are adjusted using the lower part thereof so that the cover is fixed in position on the back support.

Description: Object of the invention The present cover for backs, seats and supports of exercise machines object of the present invention consists of a body essentially formed by a more or less thick fabric with an impermeable side preferably of plastic, and the other side is a cellulose layer with sweat absorbent beads of gel, having diagonal bands of resilient material which stretch and permit being adapted to different shapes and sizes of the supports, furthermore, they have elastic in the corners of the cover so as to be adjusted to the corners of the back where the user leans his/her back. This invention has an application within the textile industry as well as in that related with apparatuses for physical exercise and, definitively, where it is necessary to prevent contact of sweat with the sport material which is common for all. Background of the invention In the sports sector and more specifically in the world of physical fitness to date, there are rooms with bodybuilding and cardiovascular machines, centers in which it is obligatory to use towels on the seats of each one of the apparatuses for the purpose of providing a hygienic use. At these moments the users use all types of towels and different sizes, providing a series of drawbacks: Towels are not impermeable, sweat therefore passes through and remains impregnated on the support. Towels have no systems to be fixed to the seat, they therefore usually fall to the ground or move, thus permitting contact of the users with the seats or supports. Gymnasiums spend a lot of money on machines, but when concerning one of these rooms used by the users, it is advisable for all the machines to be full of towels of different colors, prints, beach towels, small towels, big towels, etc., definitively that all efforts in image are damaged by this variety. The clients are obliged to take a towel for the shower and another one for the machines, two towels as a minimum which they later have to wash. Therefore, the use of towels as a protection element from the sweat of the seats and supports of machines in gymnasiums, rehabilitation centers and the like does not solve the existing drawback, additionally being an antiaesthetic product providing a greater maintenance need since, as towels do not completely cover the surface of the backs, seats or supports, the upholstery of the machines is worn more quickly. On the other hand, once a towel is placed for use, it becomes soaked in sweat, especially in months of heat, on many occasions more than one towel for this use is thereby required. Description of the invention The cover for backs, seats and supports for exercise machines object of the present invention intends to prevent or lessen all these drawbacks, to do so it is based on a body composed of an absorbent material on one side, based on layers of cellulose inside of which there are beads of gel absorbing the moisture, as well as having on the other side an impermeable surface preventing the moisture from passing in both directions. A cover of this kind according to the preamble of claim 1 is already known by e.g. DE-A-19859039. At the same time, this body houses one ore several transversally elastic bands permitting this cover from adapting to different sizes, depending on the dimensions of the support or seat of the machine, therefore a same cover can be used for several different sized machines by only stretching these elastic bands until reaching the size, within some limits. For the purpose of facilitating the coupling of this cover to the back or seat of the machine, several also elastic corners are placed for coupling to the corners of the backs, perfectly adjusting, preventing movement of the cover on the back or seat, as well as falls, shifting, etc. Therefore, this cover mainly ensures against the absorption of sweat or moisture generated while exercising, on one hand preventing contact between the user's sweat and the back of the machine as a result of the impermeable contact surface between the cover and back, in addition to the cover body being of beads of gel, they absorb all the moisture, preventing its passing through towards the back. On the other hand, they keep the contact surface with the user dry, its use is thereby not uncomfortable like the towels, since once these are soaked, they wet the user as well as the back. Furthermore, this machine cover is a low cost accessory, but enough to imply a business, at the same time providing an image of uniformity and cleanliness since advertising or logotypes, prints, etc., can be placed providing the establishment with uniformity, effectively protecting the machines against the sweat of the users; and lastly, it also implies one less concern for the users of these facilities, as they can forget at least one towel and save in washing and transport thereof. Description of the drawings To complement the description being made and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention, a drawing accompanies the present specification as an integral part thereof, which, with an illustrative and non-limiting character, shows the following: Figure 1 shows a schematic upper side perspective view of a cover object of the present invention applied to a back of a physical exercise machine. Preferred embodiment of the invention As can be seen in the attached figure, a cover body (1) is first distinguished, formed by areas composed of cellulose layers (2), several lower resilient bands (3) and other transversal (7) ones, adjustable bands (4) for coupling to the back (5), the lower part of the cover incorporating an impermeable layer (6). Also, and for the purpose of greatly facilitating the adjustment and fixing to the seat (5), there are elastic strips (8) one the cover which, starting from one of the lower strips, it is fixed to one of the ends of the cover, being made to pass under the back for the coupling thereof. The cellulose bodies (2) are internally provided with beads of gel absorbing the user's sweat, this area will therefore be placed facing up, in direct contact with the user or athlete. The cellulose bodies work like a baby's diaper, collecting the moisture of the surface and it is retained by the beads of gel inside, the contact surface remaining dry, favoring its daily use for more time in better conditions than a cloth towel. The lower part of this body is made impermeable by an impermeable surface (6) layer, such as plastic or any other material, preventing direct contact of the moisture retained inside with the bench or back (5), eliminating the risk that it becomes cut and deteriorates, helping to maintain a good image of the facilities. On the other hand, the elastic bands (7) are preferably arranged transversal to the cover body (1), such that it permits significantly varying the length of the cover, such that it is capable of adapting to benches or backs (5) of different sizes, as well as seats of exercise machines, favoring product standardization, economizing costs, at the same time that the same cover can be used for several different backs, the necessary stock being reduced to a minimum. The lower strips (3) are also of elastic material, similar to rubber, such that it permits the cover to couple to the back by its lower part. In order to allow this coupling to be carried out more effectively, a span of elastic strip (8) is arranged which, starting from one of the lower strips (3), finishes off on one of the ends of the cover (1), securing the fixing of the cover on the corresponding end of the bench (5), which facilitates placement. These strips (3, 8) can be joined to the cover by any known method, such as sewed, stapled, clipped on, etc. In turn, the body (1) also includes several adjustable bands or cases (4) placed towards the ends of the cover, they are either rectangular or the like, or by means of another fixing method when the cover is of more sinuous shapes, such as circular, elliptical, etc., such as tapes or the like, although strips or bands adjustable to the lower part of the back (5) will preferably be used, such as the corner of a sheet, which is adjusted to the respective corner of the back (5) such that it can be easily placed and removed, preventing this cover from moving. Its application is quite simple, for this, a cover (1) is used which best adjusts to the dimensions of the back or seat (5), it is unfolded on the surface, with the impermeable side (6) towards the seat or back (5), stretching the corners of the cover until it reaches the respective corners of the back; in this position, the transversal elastic strips (3) are passed under the cover, in addition to the longitudinal strip (8) being coupled to the corresponding end of the seat (5), it being possible to stretch the end of the opposite corner to adjust it, for this purpose, the transversal elastic bands (7) slightly give way, according to the direction of the arrows, until the adjustable band (4) can be adjusted on the corners of the back, being perfectly adjusted to the bench or back (5). These elastic strips (3, 8) can be used, implying an additional practical, comfortable and economic fixing means of the cover, such that they function independently from the adjustable means (4). In this position, the user can lean the back on this side of the cover (1) based on cellulose layers, such that as sweat is generated, it is absorbed by the cellulose layers between which there are beads of gel soaking up the moisture, its surface remaining dry. When its use has ended, it is enough to release the elastic fixing means (4) from the corners of the bench or back (5) and pass over the strips (3 and 8) of the lower part of the back, which, as a result of the tension maintained by the transversal bands (7), returns to its original position, arranged for a new use in the case that the moisture absorbed by the cellulose body (2) is not excessive for use. Within the same scope of application, this cover (5) can be used as a pad on the ground, tatami, or other surface, on which physical exercise can be carried out, also having the application in gymnasiums and the like, where by simply extending it the surface, the athlete lies on it, preventing direct contact with the floor, it also has absorbent features. Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention as well as an embodiment example, it is only necessary to add that it is possible for changes in shape, materials and arrangement can be made to its assembly and component parts as long as said alterations do not substantially vary the features of the invention which are claimed below.

Claims: A cover for backs, seats and supports of exercise machines, used as a protector for machines in gymnasiums and the like, improving the typical towels placed for preventing the sweat from reaching the surface of the bench or back (5), characterized in that this cover is formed by a cover body (1), formed by several areas composed of cellulose layers (2), several transversal elastic bands (7), several adjustable bands (4) for coupling or fixing to the back (5) which are adjusted to the back by its corners, keeping it in a fixed position on the back, the lower part of the cover incorporating an impermeable layer (6), having several lower transversal elastic strips (3) and another longitudinal strip (8) which are passed under the back for its fixing independently from the other coupling means of the cover (1). A cover for backs, seats and supports of exercise machines according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic bands (7) are transversally arranged on the cover body (1), such that they permit significantly varying the length of the cover in a resilient manner, such that it is capable of adapting to different sized benches or backs (5). A cover for backs, seats and supports of exercise machines according to claim 1, characterized in that the cellulose layers (2) are internally provided with beads of gel absorbing the user's sweat. A cover for backs, seats and supports of exercise machines according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastic strip (8) is longitudinally placed between one of the transversal strips (3) and one of the ends of the cover (1), suitable for coupling to the corresponding end of the back (5).

Inventors: CERVANTES GALLEGO MARIA ISABEL, CERVANTES GALLEGO, MARIA, ISABEL
Applicants: CERVANTES GALLEGO MARIA ISABEL
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A47C31
IPC codes: A47C31