Abstract:
The present invention describes an apparatus and associated method of use that ensures that the sensor contained within the strap of a chest strap type heart rate monitor remains directly over the heart thereby providing the user with the most constant and reliable heart rate data. In one embodiment an attachable harness is fitted with loops that fit over the strap of a typical chest strap type heart rate monitor. The harness then fits over the shoulders of a user and prevents the sensor within the strap of the heart rate monitor from downward slippage due to activity of the user.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority based upon U.S. provisional application 61/068,889 filed Mar. 10, 2008. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0002]    The subject of this invention is athletic training equipment. Specifically, the present invention discloses a position stabilizing harness for use with chest strap type heart rate monitors. Generally, the present invention prevents the chest strap heart rate monitor from slipping downward as the result of athletic activity. Such downward slippage is detrimental to the acquisition of accurate heart rate data required by athletes during training and competition. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The use of heart rate monitors for athletic training and competition is quite old. Advances in technology have given the athlete, both professional and amateur, an economic means of observing their heart rate and adjusting their effort as a result. This data is useful, for example, to allow an athlete to adjust his or her effort in response to heart rate activity. This ability, in turn, allows athletes to manage their effort and thus be more successful in their training or competition. 
         [0004]    Contemporary heart rate monitors may be placed in two general categories: chest strap types and wrist strap types. The wrist strap type of heart rate monitor gathers pulse data from the underside of the wrist and displays it on the face of a watch-like device. This device may or may not have other functions included. One disadvantage of this type of heart rate monitor is that the athlete must raise his or her arm to view the face of the device. Depending on circumstances, this may or may not be possible. A further disadvantage of the wrist strap type heart rate monitor is that unless worn very tightly, the accuracy of the data displayed can be errant. Moreover, this type of heart rate monitor is more susceptible to data drop out—that is the heart rate data are not acquired for some reason or another, for example, the strap is loose and can not reliably acquire pulse rate data. 
         [0005]    An alternative to the wrist strap heart rate monitor is the chest strap type heart rate monitor. With this device, the user places a strap around his or her chest. The front of the device has a housing containing a heart rate sensor that is placed directly over the heart. Included in the housing as well is wireless transmitter that sends heart rate data to a receiver. The receiver can be a wrist strap device or some other type of device, for example, a multi-function cycle computer mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle. One advantage of the chest strap type heart rate monitor is the close proximity of the sensor to the source of the heart rate data. This means that the data are more reliable. Another advantage of this type of heart rate monitor is that the remote display device may be viewed by the user without disrupting normal activity. For example, a user riding a bicycle can determine heart rate by a simple glance rather than having to lift an arm to view the wrist strap mounted device. 
         [0006]    The chest strap type of heart rate monitor, while providing more reliable data, also has the disadvantage that, under certain conditions, the strap containing the pulse rate sensor may slip downward. If this happens, as with the wrist strap type monitor, accurate data cannot be acquired reliably. What would be desirable would be a method and associated apparatus for insuring that the pulse rate sensor within the strap of the chest strap type heart rate monitor remained directly over the heart to provide the most reliable and constant heart rate data to the athlete. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention describes an apparatus and associated method of use that ensures that the sensor contained within the strap of a chest strap type heart rate monitor remains directly over the heart thereby providing the user with the most constant and reliable heart rate data. In one embodiment an attachable harness is fitted with loops that fit over the strap of a typical chest strap type heart rate monitor. The harness then fits over the shoulders of a user and prevents the sensor within the strap of the heart rate monitor from downward slippage due to activity of the user. 
         [0008]    In a first embodiment of the disclosed invention a single loop is fitted over the front of the chest strap type heart rate monitor. At a point above the first loop the harness is bifurcated, with one strap passing over each of the shoulders of the user. The ends of the bifurcated sections each have a loop that is fitted over the back of the chest strap type heart rate monitor. Advantageously, the front section of the harness has an adjustment that allows users to set the location of the sensor within the chest strap type heart rate monitor for optimum performance. 
         [0009]    In a second embodiment of the disclosed invention a pair of straps running from the back of the chest strap type heart rate monitor to the front are provided, with a loops at each end to be fitted over the chest strap type heart rate monitor. As with the first embodiment, an adjustment that allows users to set the location of the sensor within the chest strap type heart rate monitor for optimum performance is provided, one on each of the two straps. 
         [0010]    A third embodiment of the present invention relates to integrating the harness directly into the heart rate monitor device. While the previous embodiments are directed to existing heart rate devices, this third embodiment is directed to newly manufactured devices. 
         [0011]    As well as these advantages, the present invention has other advantages discussed in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and figures attached. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1 : provides a detailed view of a first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2 : shows a first embodiment of the present invention in use. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3 : provides a detailed view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4 : shows a second embodiment of the present invention in use. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5 : provides a detailed view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6 : shows a third embodiment of the present invention in use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment  100  of the present invention. In this preferred embodiment a commercial chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  is shown. The strap has two tabs  15  which separate to allow the heart rate monitor to be placed about the chest of a user. Chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  also has an adjustment [not shown for clarity] that allows the monitor to be used by users with different chest sizes. 
         [0019]    In the first preferred embodiment of the present invention three straps are used to locate the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  in the vertical direction. Front strap  105  has a loop  108  that is sized to allow the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  to pass through it. Front strap  105  also has an adjustment  107  to allow precise location of the sensor over the heart. Rear straps  120  and  110  form a “Y” connection with front strap  105 , with rear strap  110  passing over the left shoulder of the user and rear strap  120  passing over the right shoulder of the user. Each of the rear straps  110  and  120  have a loop  118  and  128  respectively that accomplish the same function as loop  108  of the front strap  105 . 
         [0020]    Rear horizontal strap  130  attaches to both rear straps  110  and  120  to provide stable location of the rear straps on the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10 . In the preferred embodiment the attachment is made by stitches  115  and  125 , however, it will be understood that other attachment methods could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0021]    Looking now at  FIG. 2 , the first embodiment of the present invention  100  is shown on a typical user  20 . As can be seen, the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  is placed about the chest of a user, with the vertical location set to be directly over the heart. As described above, the adjustment  107  allows the user  20  to set the location of the sensor with great accuracy. Regardless of the level of activity of the user, the harness of the present invention prevents the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  from slipping downward thereby providing constant and accurate data for the user. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  presents a second embodiment  200  of the present invention. In this instantiation a four point strap/loop method is used. Right strap  220  and left strap  210  each have a front loop,  229  and  219  respectively, and a rear loop,  228  and  218  respectively, that fit about the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10 . Each of the straps  220  and  210  also have a vertical adjustment  223  and  213  respectively, to provide the vertical adjustment needed to place the sensor within the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  accurately over the heart. Front horizontal strap  240  and rear horizontal strap  230  prevent the right strap  220  and left strap  210  from slipping off the shoulders of the user during activity. In this embodiment front horizontal strap  240  and rear horizontal strap  230  are attached to the right strap  220  and left strap  210  by means of stitching  225 ,  215 ,  227  and  217 , however, it will be understood that other attachment methods could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the second embodiment  200  of the present invention is shown in use. As can be seen, the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  is placed about the chest of a user  20 , with the vertical location set to be directly over the heart. As described above, the adjustments  213  and  223  allow the user  20  to set the location of the sensor with great accuracy. Regardless of the level of activity of the user, the harness of the present invention prevents the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  from slipping downward thereby providing constant and accurate data for the user. 
         [0024]    The first and second embodiments of the present invention discussed above apply generally to chest strap type heart rate monitors already in existence, or to what is referred to as the after-market user population. This population of users has already invested in a monitor, but wishes to have the advantages of the present invention.  FIG. 5  presents yet a third embodiment of the present invention  300 . In this embodiment, the harness of the present invention is integrated into the original device by the heart rate monitor manufacturer. 
         [0025]    As with the previous embodiments, a front strap  305  with a vertical adjustment  307  attaches to a left strap  310  and a right strap  320  forming a “Y” connection on the front of the harness. In this instance, however, the front strap  305  has been permanently integrated into the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10 . In a like manner the left strap  310  and the right strap  320  have been permanently integrated into the rear of the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10 . The strap has two tabs  15  which separate to allow the heart rate monitor to be placed about the chest of a user. Chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  also has an adjustment [not shown for clarity] that allows the monitor to be used by users with different chest sizes. Note that while the three point strap method is illustrated, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that a four point strap method could be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0026]    Looking at  FIG. 6 , the third embodiment  300  of the present invention is shown in use. As can be seen, the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  is placed about the chest of a user  20 , with the vertical location set to be directly over the heart. As described above, the adjustment  307  on front strap  305  allows the user  20  to set the location of the sensor with great accuracy. Regardless of the level of activity of the user, the straps  310  and  320  of the present invention prevents the chest strap type heart rate monitor  10  from slipping downward thereby providing constant and accurate data for the user. 
         [0027]    The straps for any of the embodiments of the present invention are made from stretch fabric. The integrated embodiment straps of  FIG. 5  are made from the same stretch fabric, but a lower portion of the front strap is made of the same plastic as the body of the heart rate monitor. In one variant of the integrated embodiment, the front strap can be detached from the body of the heart rate monitor allowing for easy mounting and dismounting of the monitor.