Abstract:
A novel apparatus and method is disclosed for securing clothing or an object of weight against a body with one or more double locking securing wraps as well as overlapping double lock securing wraps. One lock is created between the edge of the object and the inside of the securing wrap while the other lock is created between the end of the wrap and the outside of the object or the outside of a securing wrap. Hook and loop fasteners are used to create the edge locks which prevent the object from sliding out from under the securing wrap. Weighted ankles, wrists, pants and vest system are also disclosed which incorporate the double locking system. The system allows for a wide range of size adjustability including the ability to add tension between the locks for additional security.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is related to securing objects to a users body, to adjusting the fit for different sizes and different tensions, and to minimizing movement. The present invention is also related to holding weights against a user&#39;s body or another object. 
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable 
       SEQUENCE OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING 
       [0004]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Weighted clothing and attaching items of weight against the body has become a popular way to add resistance. 
         [0006]    Many methods are currently being used to secure weights or items of weight against the body. These include fabric and straps made of different materials both elastic and non-elastic. Also different connection and adjustment systems are used from hook and loop to mechanical fasteners such as buckles. 
         [0007]    The short and long weighted vest and the overlap hook and loop stretch belting system were first developed by Arnold Cook in 1998 and first used in the Ironwear™&#39;s Uni-Vest™s, and work very well to accommodate a wide variety of body sizes. The Uni-Vest™&#39;s belting system has a front panel with loop material running across the panel. The belts are made of a nylon knit laminated onto a neoprene rubber sheet, are connected to the back of the vest and wrap around the left and right side from the back to the front. Each belt has a hook section on the end of the belt and secures on the loop on the front section of the vest. The belts also have loop material on the outside so that one belt can attach to the loop on the front section of the vest and the other belt can overlap the first belt and attach to the loop on the top of the first belt. However, when the belts overlap to secure around a user, they do not hold the edges of the front of the vest securely and, as a result, during rigorous exercise the front edges of the vest may bounce out from under the belt. The same problem occurs on ankle, wrist, and other weight systems where the edge of the weight is not secured and may bounce out from under the belt or strap securing it on the body. The current invention prevents the edges from moving or popping out and provides a much more secure method of attaching items to the body or to another object. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention relates to securing weights or items of weight against an object such as a users body and more particularly to a wrap system to secure items to an object or the body. The present invention relates to how the wrap system secures items to the wearer&#39;s body or another object to prevent movement, and how it adjusts to fit different sizes. The basic wrap of the present invention is a system such as a belt, strap, band, or other flexible material used to secure an object to the body. 
         [0009]    The present invention has double locking system, which secures both the ends or edges of the item and the ends of the wrap. Hook and loop fasteners are used to secure the end of the item to the wrap and the wrap end to the item. These connections are called “Edge Locks”. One or more wraps may be used. The wraps may or may not overlap each other to secure the weight or weighted item to the object or user. One or more “Edge Locks” may be used to prevent movement at the edges or ends. 
         [0010]    The present invention incorporates one or more wraps. Each wrap such as a belt, strap, or band that includes an edge connection with both hook and loop material and a center area, which includes both hook and loop materials. Such that both edges or ends of the belt and the center area can lock together. 
         [0011]    The present invention can be incorporated into many different articles of clothing. The system can be used to secure clothing with or without weights against any part of the body including but not limited to hands, arms, chest, waist, legs, or feet. The present invention can also be used, for example, to hold weighted pants against the legs of the user. 
         [0012]    The present invention can also be used to hold objects against other objects. The present invention is most valuable for use on systems where movement is involved which might otherwise cause the ends of the object under the securing wrap to come loose. 
         [0013]    The present invention also incorporates the use of stretch materials in the wrap(s) so that in addition to securing with the double edge locks, tension may be added to the wraps between the edge locks to help maintain position during movement or changing size of what the system is attached to, such as the changing size of muscles. The compression between the edge locks provides additional compression to help hold the object securely in place. 
         [0014]    For example, a stretch wrap system is needed to allow for the expansion and contraction of a user&#39;s chest when the user breathes. Stretch wraps are also needed to allow muscles such as arm or leg muscles to move, expand and contract as the muscles are used. 
         [0015]    The stretch wraps help for example to hold the vest front and vest back against the user, but stretch wraps are also valuable because the stretch materials between both edge locks of the double lock on the wraps help to maintain the vest in position on the body during rigorous exercise, by applying compression between the locks. 
         [0016]    The present invention includes the use of stretch loop fabrics which hook material can attach to. Stretch loop fabrics allow for both attachment to and removement from the wraps. The present invention also includes a system for enabling and disabling one or more edge locks of the double lock system as well as modifying the elastic properties of the wrapping system. 
         [0017]    The present invention also discloses the use of more than one locking position on the wrap. A double lock is disclosed in detail however, additional locks may be added without departing from scope of the multiple lock concept, a double edge lock is the minimum number of locks required in the disclosed invention however, any number of additional locks may be added. 
         [0018]    In the present invention one edge locks occurs near the end or edge of the object or weighted system and within the half closer to the edge and preferably within the third closer to the edge, more preferably within  4  inches of the edge preferably at or within two inches of the edge and the other edge lock occurs near the end or edge of the securing wrap. 
         [0019]    The system can be incorporated into different weighted products such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,900,244b1, incorporated here in by reference. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    In the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention and preferred methods of practicing the invention are illustrated in which: 
           [0021]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A,  3 B,  3 C and  3 D are schematic representations of a weighted ankle/wrist weight with edge locks and the double locking wrap system of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of a weighted vest with edge locks and the double locking wrap system of the present invention showing a user holding the securing wraps. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic representation of the weighted vest of the present invention where the user is holding the right and left wrap and is about to secure the wraps, and there is a cross section plane BB going through the center of the wraps. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5B  is a schematic representation of the top view of cross section BB showing the position of the edge locks, weights, pockets, and wraps. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6A  is a schematic representation of the weighted vest of the present invention with the wrap secured around the user, and showing the position of cross section CC representing a cross section plane going through the center of the wraps. 
           [0026]      FIG. 6B  is a schematic representation of the top view of cross section CC showing the double lock of the present invention, with the securing wraps double locked on the vest front, but not overlapped. 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of the weighted vest of the present invention with longer overlapping double locking wraps with the user securing the left securing wrap first. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8A  is a schematic representation of the weighted vest of the present invention with both overlapping double locking wraps secured around the user,  FIG. 8A  also shows the position of cross sectional plane DD. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8B  is a schematic representation of the top view of cross section DD showing the details of the overlapping double locking wraps of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8C  is a schematic representation of the present invention of the top view of cross section DD where the wraps are not overlapped, showing how a much larger person can be accommodated. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of the present invention showing a long vest design with a double set of securing wraps. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is schematic representation of the present invention showing a short vest design with overlapping double lock securing wraps. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is a schematic representation of what happens when running if the vest does not have the edge locks of the double locking system of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is a schematic representation of the weighted vest of the present invention positioned flat on a dimensional grid. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0035]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to similar or identical parts throughout the several views. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of an ankle/wrist weight system  10  comprising of weights  11  and a securing wrap  12 , preferably the weights  11  are held in pockets  13 . The pockets  13  may be made of fabric, preferably the pockets  13  are made of a fabric covered neoprene rubber sheet with a slot  14  for inserting the weights  11  as disclosed in patent number U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,752 B2, incorporated here in by reference. The weights  11  can be made of any material, preferably the weights are made out of a dense material in a flexible matrix as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,041 incorporated here in by reference. The securing wrap  12  may be made of any flexible material such as leather, thin metal, plastic, rubber, or fabric, or a combination of materials. Preferably the securing wrap  12  has some stretch or elastic properties such as nylon knitted fabric laminated to a neoprene rubber sheet. The present invention pertains to multiple or double lock securing system  20 . 
         [0037]    Hook and loop fasteners, now under the trademark of “Velcro”, are often used to hold weights and other devices to the body. Typically a strap or belt with a piece of hook fastener material connects to a piece of loop fastener material on the device to secure it in place. The present invention incorporates a multiple combination of hook and loop fasteners on both the securing wrap which could be a strap, band, or belt and the device to be secured so that both the end of the securing wrap and the edge of the device are firmly secured. In  FIG. 1  the double lock securing system  20  is created by the securing wrap  12  which has a section of wrap hook  15  on the inside end and a section of wrap loop  16  on the inside, and a device section  17  which has a device hook  18  located near the edge and a device loop  19  wrapping around the device section  17  on the outside. Inside being defined as the side facing the user  35  and outside the surface facing away from the user  35 . Preferably the device hook  18  is at the edge. Preferably the inside wrap loop  16  on the securing wrap  12  also has some elastic properties such as provided by a stretch loop material or stretch loop fabric laminated or sewn to the inside end of the securing wrap  12 . The device loop  19  can also run all the way around the outside of the device section  17  and continue on the outside of the securing wrap  12 , and the inside loop  16  can also continue and run all the way around the inside of the device section  17 . By doing this, a device such as the ankle weight  10  could be wrapped around a very small object, wrist, or ankle. 
         [0038]    The double lock  20  is created by the inside wrap hook  15  connecting to the outside device loop  19  and the outside device hook  18  connecting to the inside wrap loop  16 . The double lock of the present invention keeps the device end  21  secured no matter how small or large an item the device, such as the ankle/wrist weight  10 , is secured around. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows the ankle/wrist weight  10  of the present invention with the securing wrap  12  connected to create the double lock  20  of the present invention. Stitch lines  22  are shown where the wrap hook  15  and wrap loop  16  are sewn on the inside of the securing wrap  12 . The double lock  20  secures both the device end  21  and the wrap end  23 . The securing wrap  12  may be stretched to provide tension and hold around an object or part of the user&#39;s body. The securing wrap  12  may also be stretched in the area between where the inner and outer edge locks created at the device end  21  and the wrap end  23 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 3A  shows a side view of the ankle/wrist weight system  10  with the securing wrap  12  attached. A cross section AA position is shown as well as the stitch lines  22 .  FIG. 3B  shows a top view cross section AA of the ankle/wrist weight system  10  where the weights  11  are held in pockets  13  and form the device section  17 . The securing wrap  12  has wrap loop  16  on the inside and a wrap hook  15  at the inside wrap end  23 . The device section  17  has device loop  19  on the outside and a device hook  18  on the outside device end  21 . When the wrap hook  15  at the wrap end  23  engages the device loop  19  it forms a wrap edge lock  30  and when the device hook  18  engages the wrap loop  16  it forms a device lock  31 , together both these locks create the double lock  20  of the present invention. 
         [0041]    When the ankle/wrist weight system  10  is positioned on a user the device section  17  is put in the desired position on the user&#39;s arm or leg and then the securing wrap  12  is stretched around the arm or leg. First the device edge lock  31  is engaged and then the securing wrap  12  is stretched and wrapped around until the wrap edge lock  30  engages to complete the double lock  20  of the present invention. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3C  is a schematic representation of the ankle/wrist weight system  10  cross section AA formed smaller to fit around a smaller object. The double lock  20  is created by wrap edge lock  30  and the device edge lock  31 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 3D  shows the device loop  19  continued around the outside of the wrap  12  and the wrap loop  16  continued around the inside of the device section  17 , making it possible to tighten into a very small diameter to connect on to small diameter objects and create a double lock  20  with the device edge lock  31  and the wrap edge lock  30 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of a weight vest system  40  of the present invention with a right and left double lock wrap. The user  35  is shown holding the right securing wrap  36  in the user&#39;s  35  right hand and the left securing wrap  37  in the user&#39;s  35  left hand. The right securing wrap  36  and the left securing wrap  37  are attached to the vest back  41  and secured around the front of the user  35 , securing also can be done in any orientation around the body: front, side, or back. 
         [0045]    In the preferred embodiment the right securing wrap  36  and the left securing wrap  37  are made of a fabric such as a laminated neoprene rubber which provides strength as well as stretch. Other materials such as rubber or leather can also be used or fabrics containing elastic threads such as Lycra or Spandex. Preferably the wrap edges  39  are bound with a stretch fabric such as Lycra to keep the edges of the neoprene laminate from separating. 
         [0046]    The right securing wrap  36  and left securing wrap  37  are basically the same as the securing wrap  12  of the ankle/wrist weight system  10 . There is a right wrap end hook  42  and a left wrap end hook  43  and there is a right wrap loop  44  and a left wrap loop  45  on the inside of the securing wraps. On the vest front  46  there is a right vest front hook  47  and a left vest front hook  48  and a vest front loop  49  that runs between the right vest front hook  47  and left vest front hook  48 . All the hook and loop fasteners may be different sizes, continuous or multiple pieces, sewn, fuse, or otherwise attached, preferably the hook pieces are ½ to 6 inches wide, more preferably 1 to 3 inches wide and the loop material used is preferable as wide or wider than the hook material used. 
         [0047]    Preferably the right wrap loop  44  and left wrap loop  45  are stretch loop material such as available from Velcro™ or the inside of the wraps are covered with a fabric which hook material can attach to. Neoprene is available with stretch loop material laminated on one or both sides so that hook material can connect to the laminated neoprene. 
         [0048]    The user  35  is shown holding and stretching the ends of the right securing wrap  36  and left securing wrap  37  to pull the vest back  41  against the user  35 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 5A  shows a front view of the weight vest system  40  with the right securing wrap  36  and left securing wrap  37  held out by the user  35 , with a cross section plane BB going through the weighted vest system  40  an imaginary line  100  shows where the cross section BB goes through the weighted vest system  40 .  FIG. 5B  shows cross section plane BB of the weighted vest system  40 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 5B  shows a top view of cross section BB without the user  35  wherein, weights  11  are held in pockets  13  on the vest back  41  and vest front  46 . On the vest front  46  is a right vest front hook  47  and left vest front hook  48  and the vest front loop  49 . The vest back  41  has the right securing wrap  36  and left securing wrap  37  with right wrap loop  44  and right wrap loop  45  along with right wrap end hook  42  and left wrap end hook  43 . 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 5A  the user  35  wraps the securing wraps around their body, the edges of the vest locking first and then the ends of the wraps. Preferably the user  35  holds both the right securing wrap  36  and the left securing wrap  37  and they wrap one after the other or both at the same time around the user  35  body while at the same time holding the vest back  41  against the user  35 &#39;s body. The right securing wrap  36  right wrap loop  44  first contacts the right vest front hook  47  and then the right wrap end hook  42  connects to lock on to the vest front loop  49  to complete the right double lock  60 , the same is done with the left securing wrap  37  to complete the left double lock  61 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 6A  shows the weighted vest system  40  with the right securing wrap  36  and the left securing wrap  37  secured around the user  35 . The right wrap end hook  42  and left wrap end hook  43  locks on the vest front loop  49 .  FIG. 6A  shows a cross section plane CC through the center of the weighted vest system  40  and imaginary dotted line  101  shows where the cross section plane CC goes through the weighted vest system  40 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 6B  shows the top view of cross section CC without the user  35 . The right double lock  60  and left double lock  61  cross sections are shown. The right adjustment area  62  is the distance the right securing wrap  36  can be moved before the right wrap end hook  42  and the right vest front hook  47  start to overlap completely and no longer lock. The left adjustment area  63  works the same way. The right securing wrap  36  and the left securing wrap  37  can be positioned at different points on the front vest loop  49  to adjust the size and tension of the weighted vest system  40 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, which allows more adjustability by allowing longer securing wraps, which can overlap each other to secure around a smaller person.  FIG. 7  shows a user  35  first securing the left securing wrap  37  on the vest front loop  49 . The left front hook  48  which locks to the left wrap loop  45  to create the left double lock  61 . A left outer wrap loop  50  is sewn on or laminated on to the outside of the left securing wrap  37 , preferably the left outer loop  50  material is also elastic so the left securing wrap  37  remains somewhat stretchable. After the left double lock  61  is created the right securing wrap  36  can be wrapped around the user  35 . First the right wrap loop  44  locks on to the right vest front hook  47  and then the right wrap end hook  42  locks on to the left outer wrap loop  50 . In this way the right securing wrap  36  overlaps the left securing wrap  37 . With this overlapping wrap system  65  much longer wrap lengths can be used and a much wider range of different sizes can be secured around. 
         [0055]      FIG. 8A  shows the weighted vest system  40  secured on the user  35  with the overlap wrapping system  65  with the right double lock  60  and the left double lock  61 .  FIG. 8A  shows a cross section plane DD through the weight vest system  40  all imaginary dotted line  103  is shown where the cross section plane DD cut through the weighted vest system  40 . Outer wrap loop material may be used on one or both securing wraps. If the outer wrap loop material is only put on one securing wrap then the overlay will only work one way; if both wraps have outer wrap loop material then the overlap can be made with either wrap secured first. 
         [0056]      FIG. 8B  shows cross section DD with the right securing wrap  36  overlapping the left securing wrap  37  to create the right double lock  60  and the left double lock  61 , to fit around a smaller person or object. 
         [0057]      FIG. 8C  shows the same cross section as  FIG. 8B  but expanded to fit around a larger person or object, when expanded far enough the right securing wrap  36  no longer overlaps the left securing wrap  37  and instead the right wrap end hook  42  secures on the vest front loop  49 . In this way the weighted vest system  40  can be secured around a wide variety of body or object sizes. 
         [0058]      FIG. 9  shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention with a multiple wrapped vest system  70  where there is a top wrap system  71  and a bottom wrap system  72  to secure more weights  11  against the user  35 . The top wrap system  71  and the bottom wrap system  72  may overlap the same way or preferably they will overlap alternatively as shown, by having them overlap both right and left wrap on top, the weighted vest system  70  stays in position better, with less twisting. 
         [0059]      FIG. 10  shows a user  35  running with weight vest system  40  of the present invention. The right double lock  60  and left double lock  61  keep the vest front  46  from bouncing loose during exercise. 
         [0060]      FIG. 11  shows how the vest front  46  comes out from under the securing wraps if the double locking system of the present invention is not used. Without the right vest front hook  47  and left vest front hook  48  the sides of the vest front  46  can move and flop out from under the securing wraps. The double locking system keeps the weighted vest system  40  secured in place even during jumping and very rigorous exercise. For this reason weighted vest of the present invention as well as weighted pants and other products incorporating the double locking system of the present invention can be used in water for exercise and will not slide apart. 
         [0061]      FIG. 12  shows the weighted vest system  40  of the present invention positioned flat on a dimensional grid  70  with each dimensional grid square  71  representing a one-inch by one-inch square. The vest back  41  is shown with the right securing wrap  36  on the right side angled downward and the left securing wrap  37  angled downward. The downward angle of the wraps is designed to match the shape of a human rib cage and pull the bottom of the weighted vest system  40  tighter against the user  35 . The right securing wrap  36  has been folded back to show the right wrap end hook  42  and the right wrap loop  44  that makes up the whole inside of the wraps. When the weighted vest system  40  is positioned on the user  35  the wraps wrap around the user  35  such that the right securing wrap  36  right wrap loop  44  on the inner surface locks to the right front hook  47  on the vest front  46  and the right wrap end hook  42  on the inside end of the right securing wrap  36  locks on to the vest front loop  49  to create the double lock of the present invention. The left securing wrap  37  double locks the same way on to the left vest front hook  48  and the vest front loop  49  or overlaps on to the right securing wrap  36  and locks on to the outer loop  50  on the outside of the right securing wrap  36  to create the double lock with the overlapped wraps of the current invention. The right securing wrap  36  and the left securing wrap  37  are connected to the vest back  41  and taper as the move outward from over 6″ to under 3″ in height. The wide tapering wraps help to secure the weighted vest system  40  tighter against the user  35  and help prevent unwanted movement of the weighted vest system  40  in relation to the user&#39;s  35  body. 
         [0062]    The double lock of the present invention may be disabled by attaching something on to the right vest front hook  47  and or left vest front hook  48  so that the hooks can not hook onto the inside of either right or left securing wrap  37 . For example, a fold over flap can be incorporated near the front hooks, which has loop material on one side such that it can be flipped over to cover a right or left vest front hook. 
         [0063]    The present invention is a double locking system for securing an object against a body comprising a securing wrap attached to one side of an object which wraps around the body and overlaps on the object to hold the object to the body; and a locking mechanism on the inside end of the wrap which locks on to the outside of the object; and a locking mechanism on the outside end of the object which locks on to the inside of the wrap. 
         [0064]    The securing system of the present invention includes locking mechanisms such as hook and loop fasteners. 
         [0065]    The securing system of the present invention includes a locking mechanism on the inside end of the wrap such as a hook fastener which locks to a loop fastener on the outside of the object. 
         [0066]    The securing system of the present invention includes a locking mechanism on the outside end of the object such as a hook fastener and connects to a loop fastener on the inside of the wrap. 
         [0067]    A securing system of the present invention includes reversing of the positions of the hook and loop fasteners. 
         [0068]    A securing system of the present invention includes a wrap that is elastic. 
         [0069]    A securing system of the present invention includes a place where the inside of the wrap consists of a material, which a hook fastener will attach to. 
         [0070]    A securing system of the present invention where the wrap consists of rubber covered with a stretchable fabric. 
         [0071]    A securing system of the present invention where the object contains one or more weights inside one or more pockets. 
         [0072]    A securing system of the present invention where the wrap locking mechanism can attach in multiple positions along the outside of object. 
         [0073]    A securing system of the present invention is disclosed where the locking mechanism on the end of the object can attach in multiple locations on the inside of the wrap. 
         [0074]    An object of the present invention is to create a system where the object is weighted clothing worn and held securely in position on the body. 
         [0075]    A securing system of the present invention is disclosed where the end of the device is within the half closest to the opposite side of the object where the wrap originates. 
         [0076]    A garment is disclosed for holding weights on the body which includes two or more securing wraps; and the securing wrap attaches to the garment at the end of the wrap; and the edge of the garment attaches to the inside surface of the wrap. 
         [0077]    A garment of the present invention is disclosed where the securing wraps overlap each other and the inside securing wrap end connects to garment and the other securing wrap connects to the outside of the first securing wrap. 
         [0078]    A securing system of the present invention is disclosed where the wrap is a belt, strap, or band made of a flexible material such as fabric, leather, rubber, metal, man made or synthetic material. 
         [0079]    A securing device is disclosed which includes two or more locking positions on an attachment belt; and one attachment that occurs on the end of the belt and the other along the inside surface of the belt. 
         [0080]    A securing device of the present invention is disclosed where the locking positions are attachments created by hook and loop fasteners. 
         [0081]    A securing device is disclosed which includes a hook fastener on the inside end of a belt; and the inside surface of the belt which includes a surface which a hook fastener will attach to, and a first lock created by the hook fastener on the inside of the belt connecting to a loop fastener on the outside of an object; and a second lock created by a hook fastener on the object which connects to the inside surface of the belt. 
         [0082]    A securing device of the present invention is disclosed where the hook and loop fasteners are switched. 
         [0083]    A system for attaching a weighted object to the body is disclosed comprising a securing wrap which has loop fastened on one end and a hook fastener on the other and an object to be secured which has loop fastener at one end and hook fastener at the other and a double end lock that is created by the loop on the securing wrap connecting to the hook on the object and the hook on the object connecting to the loop on the securing wrap.