Patent Publication Number: US-2004043875-A1

Title: Exercise belt and weight system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application claims the priority of provisional patent application No. 60/406,467 filed on Aug. 28, 2002 entitled Weight Bearing Exercise Belt. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] The invention relates to exercise apparatus and particularly to an exercise belt and weight. The prior art vests with weighted pockets, gloves with weight pockets, hand weights and ankle weights have often put undo stress on the users joints, as well as being uncomfortable to wear. Similarly, the prior art exercise belts, worn around the waist, have often not properly distributed the weight thereof about the waist of the user. The effect of disproportionate weight distribution on the spine is particularly well known. For example, it is well known that a large stomach places greater stress on the spinal column, and it increases the risk of having back pain. The prior art weight belt devices have generally given insufficient consideration to the impact of improper distribution of the weights on the spine and other muscle and skeletal structure of the user. Some prior art devices may cause the spine to go out of alignment during gait movement. The body is capable of bearing properly distributed weight properly disposed on the trunk or torso. The prior art devices have, in general, not adequately considered the scientific principles inherent in physics and anatomy. More specifically, the prior art devices have, in general, not provided proper weight distribution along the axial extent of such belts. Such improper weight distribution has often resulted in joint or back stress.  
       [0003] Examples of prior art devices that have not optimized weight distribution are shown in U.S. Pat. No. D 289,785 issued to Lindsey on May 12, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,525 issued to Perla on Apr. 3, 1984; U.S. Pat. No. 3,603,316 issued to Lehman on Sep. 7, 1971 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,664,560 issued to Perkins on May 23, 1972.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide substantially uniform weight distribution around the waist of the user.  
       [0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which will allow the user to exercise with a greater total weight than would be possible with belts having a less desirable weight distribution.  
       [0006] Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus enabling a more rigorous exercise routine and thus enable the user to expend more energy and thus burn more calories because of the capability of a greater total weight that is possible without a detrimental effect on the body structure of the user.  
       [0007] Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus which enables the user to more efficiently use exercise time. For example, it is an object to attain a more efficient workout for a given time frame with limited joint stress and no need for heavy equipment.  
       [0008] Still another object of the invention is to provide apparatus which will enable the user to attain a more effective cardiovascular exercise while minimizing the risk to the user of sustaining physical stress or pain.  
       [0009] It is now been found that these and other objects of the invention may be attained in a weight belt dimensioned and configured for wear on the waist of a user which includes a band having first and second axial extremities and first and second sides. The weight belt includes first latching means disposed on a first axial extremity on the first side and second latching means disposed on the second axial extremity on the second side, the first and second latching means are dimensioned and configured for mating engagement with the second side overlapping the first side. The belt includes a plurality of pockets of substantially uniform size and shape on the second side, each of the pockets, when the belt is installed on the waist of a user, being substantially equidistant from each adjacent pocket. This is true for each pocket throughout the entire circumference of the torso of the user in the preferred embodiment.  
       [0010] Some forms of the invention include a plurality of discrete weights each having a substantially identical shape and weight and each weight may be dimensioned and configured for insertion into respective pockets. Similarly each of the plurality of pockets of substantially uniform size and shape may be elongated. In some forms of the invention the belt has a centerline and each of the plurality of pockets of substantially uniform size and shape is elongated in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the centerline.  
       [0011] In various forms of the invention each of the plurality of pockets of substantially uniform size and shape and each of the discrete weights each having a substantially identical shape and weight are dimensioned and configured for snug engagement between respective pockets and weights. The belt may include a first latching means and the second latching means that are selected from the group consisting of hook and loop elements. The belt may include a pocket dimensioned and configured for receiving personal items to be carried by the user, a loop for hanging items such as keys and a reflective strip extending around a major part of the belt.  
       [0012] In some forms of the invention each of the plurality of discrete weights may include a bore that may be coaxial with respect to the individual weight. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0013] The invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which:  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is a top view of belt in accordance with one form the invention in an extended position to permit an optimum visual representation.  
     [0015]FIG. 2 is a inside or front view of belt illustrated in FIG. 1.  
     [0016]FIG. 3 is an outside or rear view of belt illustrated in FIG. 1.  
     [0017]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of belt illustrated in FIG. 1.  
     [0018] Figure five is a partial top view of belt illustrated in FIG. 1, showing weight bars in respective slots.  
     [0019]FIG. 6A is an end view of belt showing a flap extended upwardly.  
     [0020]FIG. 6B is an end view of belt showing a flap folded down over a slot.  
     [0021]FIGS. 7A, 7B, and  7 C, are perspective views showing three bars differing in weight.  
     [0022]FIGS. 8A, 8B, and  8 C are schematic views showing how spacing of the slots permits variation of belt length.  
     [0023]FIG. 9 is a partial inside view with the flap folded upwardly, showing the strip of hook and loop material. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0024] Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 9  there is shown one form of a weight bearing exercise belt  10  in accordance with the present invention. The belt  10  is worn around the waist of the user. The apparatus provides a uniformly distributed load about the waist of the user while allowing a full range of motion and mobility. The exercise belt  10  can be used for weight loss, strength training, and prevention of bone loss. When the user wears the belt for weight loss, the body is forced to expend more energy and thus more calories are burned. Similarly, the belt adds weight to the body and thus causes the heart to pump harder and therefore exert more effort. The use of the weight belt  10  will also increase the metabolism of the user with less stress to the limbs and/or joints. Weight bearing exercise is also important to woman in/or approaching menopause and at risk of osteoporosis due to the natural bone loss which occurs at that time. The exercise belt  10  helps to strengthen bones and aids in the prevention of bone loss.  
     [0025] To attain absolutely uniform distribution of weight and thereby the forces on the torso of the user, it is essential that a plurality of weights be located at equal intervals about the torso of the user. Accordingly, it is not possible to provide a single belt that can be used for every user. Thus, the dimensions of the belt for respective users will vary.  
     [0026] In a typical embodiment the belt  10  will include a band  12  having an overall length of 35.5 inches and a height of 3¾ inches. The material will typically be ballistic nylon although other materials of comparable durability and strengths may also be used. Ordinarily the entire outer face will be covered with so-called loop material  14  of the type commonly associated with hook and loop fasteners. Such fasteners include those marketed with the trademark VELCRO.  
     [0027] Disposed along a major part of the axial extent of the loop material  14  is a strip of reflective material  16 . Typically the reflective material  16 , the loop material  14  and the band are stitched together extending along all the edges of the reflective material  16 . The reflective material typically extends across three quarters of the axial extent of the outside of the belt  10 . The reflective material  16  facilitates night jogging or exercising. The band  12  has two axial extremities. A first axial extremity or tip  18  is rounded in a preferred embodiment. The second axial extremity  19  is substantially square. Disposed on the loop material  14  near the first axial extremity or tip  18  is a loop  20  dimensioned for holding keys, eyeglasses, sunglasses or the like for the convenience of the user. Also disposed on the loop material  14  near the first axial extremity or tip  18  is a pocket  22 . The pocket  22  is generally U-shaped and is secured to the band  12  and loop material  14  by stitching extending along the sides and bottom thereof. The upper most edge of the pocket  22  has a piece of hook material (not shown), of the type used in hook and loop fasteners, on the face thereof adjacent to the loop material  14  to secure the contents of the pocket  22 . The pocket  22  is dimensioned to hold money or a key.  
     [0028] The tip  18  of the belt  10  has approximately a six inch section covered by hook material  24 . The hook material is selected to mesh and engage the loop material  14  to secure the belt  10  about the waist of the user. Substantially the entire axial extent of the band  12  is covered by a plurality of uniformly spaced pockets  26  of uniform size. The pockets  26 , in the preferred embodiment, are elongated in a direction that is vertical when the belt  10  is worn by a user that is standing upright. In other words, the pockets  26  are elongated in a direction that is perpendicular to the centerline of the belt  10 . The pockets  26  are defined by a single piece of material, preferably ballistic nylon or the equivalent in strength and durability, sewn along the lower edge  28  (best seen in FIG. 2), the axial extremities  30 ,  32  as well as at seams  34  intermediate adjacent pockets  26 . As best seen in the FIGS. 8A, 8B,  8 C the width of the seam  34  intermediate respective adjacent pockets  26  may vary in different embodiments of the present invention. More specifically, a larger spacing is desirable in belts  10  having a greater overall length to maintain uniformity of spacing between all the pockets  26 . As noted above it is not possible to provide a single belt that can be used for every user. Thus, the dimensions of the belt for respective users will vary.  
     [0029] The same piece of material that forms the pockets  26  also defines a flap  36  that extends over above all of the pockets  26  as best seen in FIGS. 6A, 6B,  9  and  2 . Each of the pockets  26  includes a band  40  of loop material about being upper axial extent thereof as best seen in FIG. 6B. The flap  36  includes a strip of hook material  42  dimensioned and configured for cooperation with the band  40  of loop material to secure the flap  36  to the respective pockets  26 . In a preferred embodiment the flap  36  has a height of approximately 2¼ inches. When the flap  36  is folded over the pockets  26  weight bars are secured therein.  
     [0030] In the preferred embodiment each belt  10  has twenty four pockets  26 . Ideally the belt  10  is provided with one or more sets of weights or weight bars. All the weights in any set of weights are of identical physical size and weight. The user will use only the weights from a given set at any one time to ensure the uniform distribution of load and forces on the torso of the user. In any given set the weights may be configured, for example, as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and  7 C to provide the identical outside envelope with different weights for respective weight bars. More specifically, the weights may be a solid cylindrical material  50 , a piece of cylindrical material with a coaxial central bore having a first diameter  52 , or a piece of cylindrical material with a coaxial central bore having a larger second diameter  54 . Desirable weights for individual weight bars in specific sets include:  
     [0031] For a total weight of 4 lbs. each bar is 2.6 oz.  
     [0032] For a total weight of 6 lbs. each bar is 4 oz.  
     [0033] For a total weight of 8 lbs. each bar is 5.3 oz.  
     [0034] For a total weight of 10 lbs. each bar is 6.6 oz.  
     [0035] For a total weight of 12 lbs. each bar is 8 oz.  
     [0036] For a total weight of 15 lbs. each bar is 10 oz.  
     [0037] The belt  10  is preferably dimensioned for the individual user so that substantially the entire surface of the hook material  24  engages the loop material  14 . Accordingly, the pocket  26  closest to the first axial extremity  18  is disposed in closely spaced relationship to the pocket  26  that is closest to the axial extremity  19 . Thus, each of the pockets  26  is disposed at substantially the same distance from the adjacent pockets throughout the circumference of the torso of the user. More specifically, this geometric relationship exists even at and near the juncture or overlap between the axial extremities  18 ,  19 . It is this geometric relationship which optimizes the load distribution on the body of the user and minimizes the risk of injury to muscles and bones of that user.  
     [0038] Varying bore sizes in the weights  52 ,  54  produces a variety of weights but maintains the same outside dimensions so that all weights will fit snugly into the pockets  26 . The result in snug fit maintains the alignment of the weights  50 ,  52 , and  54 . The maintenance of the alignment is important to the maintenance of good uniform weight distribution about the torso of the user. For most weights steel is a satisfactory composition. For belts  10  having a total weight of 12 or 15 pounds the weights may be manufactured of lead.  
     [0039] The invention provides a belt  10  that provides the optimum distribution of the load together with the ability to vary the total load, for example, from a minimum of 4 lbs through a gradual increase of up to 15 pounds total weight. This allows a steady increase in strength and endurance training for beginner, intermediate and advanced athletes.  
     [0040] Although the apparatus disclosed herein has been described with respect to certain materials and construction, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art to make various changes from the illustrated preferred embodiment. Such changes are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.