Abstract:
A posture strap formed by connecting the ends of an elongate band to the middle of the band after twisting each end 180 degrees to form two arm loops and the method of correcting posture by disposing the arms of a person into the loops and locating the loops at the upper aspect of the arms while the strap extends along the person&#39;s back.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to human posture improvement methods and apparatus and, in particular, to a posture strap that is easily worn either beneath or above clothing. 
         [0002]    The relationship of good posture to good health is universally accepted, as is the improvement of health with improved posture. Proper posture broadens the shoulders and opens the chest, which improves lung activity and presents a more attractive appearance. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is an effective apparatus that, when worn for intermittent periods of time, can re-train the body&#39;s musculature to maintain better posture. A flat length of elastic material is configured to form two arm apertures that permit the posture strap of the invention to be disposed on the upper aspect of a person&#39;s upper arms and across the back so as to gently draw the shoulders back and thrust the chest forward. The invention causes the shoulders to be positioned more squarely over the hips to better carry the weight of the upper body. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a posture strap of the present invention; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  shown prior to the ends thereof being secured to better illustrate the invention; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in which the posture strap is adjustable; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a person wearing the posture strap of the invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a top view of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention in which the posture strap is adjustable; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention in which the posture strap is adjustable. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the posture strap  10  of the present invention comprises a flat elongate band  11  of elastic material having a first end  12  having a first side  13  and an opposing second side  14  and terminating in a first end edge  16 . A second end  17  of band  11  has a first side  18  and an opposing second side  19  and terminates in a second end edge  21 . A first side edge  22  is between the first end edge  16  and second end edge  21 . A second side edge  23  is spaced apart from the first side edge  22  and is between the first end edge  16  and second end edge  21 . 
         [0012]    A first strap surface  26  is bordered by the first end edge  16  and second end edge  21  and the first side edge  22  and second side edge  23 . The first strap surface  26  is contiguous with and includes the first end first side  13  and second end first side  18 . A second strap surface  27 , opposite the first strap surface  26 , is bordered by the first end edge  16  and second end edge  21  and the first and second side edges  22  and  23 . The second strap surface  27  is contiguous with and includes the first end second side  14  and the second end second side  19 . 
         [0013]    The band  11  can advantageously be between  30  and  40  inches in length (between end edges  16  and  21  as measured along the surface  26 ) and 1 to 3 inches wide (as measured between side edges  22  and  23 ), although other dimensions could be advantageous in the case of persons of exceptional size (large or small) or depending on the particular elastic material used for the band  11 . 
         [0014]    The second side  14  of the first end  12  of flat band  11  is attached (as by stitching  15  or similar affixing means) to the first strap surface  26  between the first and second ends  12  and  17  at connection point  20 . Connection point  20  is advantageously located at or near the mid-point between first and second ends  12  and  17  as measured along the surface  26 . To accomplish this attachment configuration, it is necessary to rotate the band  11  180 degrees between end  17  and connection point  20  prior to attachment. It is important to limit such rotation to just 180 degrees and no more. 
         [0015]    The second side  19  of the second end  17  of flat band  11  is attached to the first strap surface  26  between the first and second ends  12  and  17  at connection point  20 . To accomplish this, it is necessary to rotate the band  11  180 degrees between end  17  and connection point  20 . It is important to limit such rotation to just 180 degrees and no more. The strap ends  12  and  17  overlap at connection point  20  such that one will be in direct contact with first strap surface  26  and the other will be connected to strap surface  26 , but in direct contact with the other strap end. As illustrated, the second side  14  of first end  12  is in direct contact with strap surface  26 , while the second side  19  of second end  17  overlaps the first surface  13  of first end  12  and is attached to surface  26  there through. As used herein, “attached” or “attachment” means secured thereto without necessitating direct contact. 
         [0016]    Referring also to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the flat band  11  configured as specified above forms two arm loops  31  and  32  adapted to receive the arms  33  and  34  of a person  36 . The loops  31  and  32  are best positioned at the upper aspect of the arms  38  and  39  (above the elbow and below the shoulder but closer to the shoulder), with the band  11  extending along the person&#39;s back  41 . So positioned, the posture strap  10  can be worn either outside of or underneath clothing. 
         [0017]    An important feature of the invention that follows from the unique configuration of the band  11  as described above is that when worn properly, all the band surfaces  26  and  27  lay flat against the arms  33  and  34  and back  41  of the person  36  with no twists to cause uncomfortable pressure. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  7 , the first and second ends  12  and  17  of posture strap  10  are attached at connection point  20  by a button  43  and button holes  44  in strap end  17  and button holes  46  in strap end  12 . By selecting one of button holes  44  and one of button holes  46  to attach to button  43 , the size of the posture strap  10  can be adjusted to different size users and also can be used to vary the amount of force applied. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that alternatives exist for the button and button hole attachment mechanism, such as hook  47  and eye  48  mechanisms ( FIG. 6 ) or hook  49  and loop  51  materials (i.e. Velcro®), etc. Since the posture strap is put on after the loops are formed and secured, a variable size attachment mechanism need not be limited to those devices that can be manipulated while the posture strap  10  is mounted. 
         [0019]    Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. As such, it is intended that the present invention only be limited by the terms of the appended claims.