Patent Publication Number: US-7895675-B2

Title: Weighted belt

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/475,310 filed Jun. 27, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to belts, in general. In particular, the present invention relates to weighted belts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     People need exercise. Weight bearing exercise has been shown to increase bone mass and thereby prevent or delay the onset of degenerative disorders such as osteoporosis. However, increased sedentary lifestyles leave little time or opportunity for such exercise. There exists a need for providing weight bearing exercise that accommodates increasingly sedentary lifestyles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A weighted belt is provided. The weighted belt comprises a belt body that defines a body pocket; a plurality of weights disposed within the body pocket; a first cinching end that extends from an end of the belt body; and, a second cinching end that extends from an opposite end of the belt body. The first and second cinching ends comprise a suitable dress-belt material disposed on at least a portion of the surface of the belt body sufficient to conceal the belt body when worn and viewed face on, and are configured for releasable engagement. 
     The belt body may have a length sufficient to span a belt wearer&#39;s back and at least a portion of the belt wearer&#39;s sides. 
     The belt body may have a length sufficient to span a belt wearer&#39;s back, sides and at least a portion of the belt wearer&#39;s front. 
     At least one of the first and second cinching ends may be releasably securable to the belt body and repositionable along its length relative to the belt body so as to alter the overall length of the weighted belt. 
     Each of the plurality weights may articulate with an adjacent weight in at least two axes of movement. 
     Each of the plurality of weights may comprise a lead alloy. 
     The lead alloy may comprise lead and antimony. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cut-away perspective view of a belt according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is plan view of an end of the belt of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cut-away plan view of a portion of the belt of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view the plurality of weights of the belt of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5   a  is a cross-sectional view illustrating relative movement of adjacent weights of the belt of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5   b  is a plan view illustrating relative movement of adjacent weights of the belt of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a transverse cross-sectional view illustrating an end of the belt of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7   a  is a expanded view of the second cinching end illustrated according to an alternate embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 7   b  is a expanded view of the first cinching end illustrated according to an alternate embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a weighted belt  10  is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. The weighted belt  10  comprises a belt body  11  that defines a body pocket  13 ; a plurality of weights  15  disposed within the body pocket  13 ; a first cinching end  17  that extends from an end  19  of the belt body  11 ; and, a second cinching end  21  that extends from an opposite end  23  of the belt body  11 . The first and second cinching ends ( 17 ,  21 ) comprise a suitable dress-belt material disposed on at least a portion of the surface  25  of the belt body  11  sufficient to conceal at least partially the belt body  11  when worn and viewed face on, and are configured for releasable engagement. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the belt body  11  has a length sufficient to span a belt wearer&#39;s back and at least a portion of the belt wearer&#39;s sides. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the selected length of the belt body  11  may be determined by the wearer&#39;s needs. For example, the belt body  11  may have a length sufficient to span a belt wearer&#39;s back, sides and at least a portion of the belt wearer&#39;s front. 
     The body pocket  13 , which preferably runs the length of the belt body  11 , may be sized as required. 
     The dress-belt material may be leather or a material made to resemble leather. Any material that is made to resemble a dress-belt material may be employed, such as various natural or synthetic fabrics. It will be understood that the particular material selected may be determined by the wearer&#39;s dress style. For example, if a business look is required, a material appropriate for a business environment would be selected. If the belt is to be worn in a less formal environment, a belt incorporating the appropriate material may be selected. The cinching ends  17 ,  21  may be connected to the belt body  11  by any means known to those skilled in the art. For example, they may be stitched, stapled, riveted or adhered to the belt body  11 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the cinching end  21  of the weighted belt  10  is illustrated. The cinching end  21  extends from end  23  of the belt body  11 .  FIG. 2  also illustrates that the end  21  is disposed on at least a portion of the surface  25  sufficient to conceal at least partially the belt body  11  when the belt  10  is worn and viewed face on. The cinching ends  17 , 21  serve at least two functions; the first being to secure releasably the belt  10  on the wearer&#39;s waist; the second being to conceal at least the portion of the belt body  11  that is viewable when the belt  10  is worn. In an alternate embodiment, the cinching ends  17 , 21  completely conceal the belt body  11 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a cut-away portion of the belt body  11  is illustrated. The cut-away exposes the plurality of weights  15 , which are aligned side-by-side when the weights  15  are disposed within the belt body  11 . Each weight  15  preferably has curved sides (or face)  27 , each of which providing an articulating surface for interacting with a curved side  27  of an adjacent weight  15 . The curved sides  27  give each weight  15  a generally flattened or truncated ellipsoid shape in outline (as is illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5(   b )). 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a transverse cross-sectional profile of the weights  15  of  FIG. 3  are illustrated. Each of the weights  15  has opposing inside and outside faces ( 29 ,  31 ), in addition to the opposing side faces  27 . Preferably, the inside and outside faces ( 29 ,  31 ) are generally parallel to each other. While the faces  29 ,  31  may define a flat or uncurved surface, they may be slightly curved. For example, the inside face  29  may be slightly cupped (or concave) over its length and the outside face  31  may define a complementary bowed (or convex) surface. The cupped inside face  29  would be positioned adjacent the body when the weighted belt  10  is in use. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inside face  29  need not be cupped and that the outside face  31  need not have a complementary bowed surface. The size of the weights  15  and the degree of curving may be varied to suit the particular user&#39;s weighting requirements. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 4  and referring to  FIG. 5(   a ), the opposing side faces  27  of weight  15  are illustrated. The side faces are preferably rounded when viewed in transverse cross-section, thereby providing an articulating surface to engage the side face  27  of an adjacent weight  15 . The degree of curvature provided may be varied according to the range of articulating motion required. For example, a 180° of curvature may be used if a belt having a relatively short radius of curvature were required, while a smaller degree of side  27  curvature may be used to provide a belt with a longer radius of curvature. In each case, however, the curved face  27  provides an articulating surface, which permits the weighted belt  10  to more closely hug the waist of a user. The curved face  27  may also permit closer alignment of the weights  15  compared to weights not having curved faces  27 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3  and referring to  FIG. 5(   b ), the opposing side faces  27  of weight  15  are illustrated. The side faces are preferably rounded when viewed in longitudinal cross-section, thereby providing an articulating surface to engage the side face  27  of an adjacent weight  15 . The degree of curvature provided may be varied according to the range of articulating motion required. The curved face  27  provides an articulating surface, which permits, among other things, the wearer of the weighted belt  10  to more easily bend at the waist. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ), the weights  15  are illustrated in relation to each other. The curved faces  27  provide articulating surfaces along respective axes of movement (X, Y). Preferably, each of the plurality weights  15  articulates with an adjacent weight  15  in at least the two axes of movement (X, Y). 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a transverse cross-sectional view of an end of the belt  10  is illustrated. A terminal weight  15   a  is illustrated in the belt&#39;s  10  assembled position. Unlike the shape of weight  15 , the terminal weight  15   a  is preferably tapered at a terminal point P. In the transverse cross-sectional view, the terminal weight  15   a  is almost bullet shaped. This particular shape allows for a smoother transition from the belt body end (e.g.,  23 ) to the cinching end (e.g.,  21 ) than would otherwise be the case. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any shape or configuration that provides a smoother transition may be employed. 
     In a preferred embodiment, each of the plurality of weights comprises a lead alloy, such as lead and antimony. The lead alloy comprises about 97% lead and about 3% antimony. The lead alloy preferably comprises at least 96% lead and at least 2.9% antimony. More particularly, the lead alloy comprises from 96.7% to 97.1% lead and from 2.9% to 3.3% antimony. The lead alloy may also contain other elements in trace amounts, such as nickel, silver and copper (see table below). The respective amounts of these trace elements may vary with factors such as the source of the raw material and the efficiency of the alloy production process. The non-lead elemental composition of a sample batch of weight  15  is provided in the table below. 
     Weight  15  elemental analysis: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Element 
                 Specification Limit 
                 Analysis (%) 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Sb 
                 2.90 and 3.25 
                 3.18 
               
               
                 Sn 
                 0.15 and 0.25 
                 0.21 
               
               
                 As 
                 0.15 and 
                 0.22 
               
               
                 Cu 
                 less than 0.04 
                 &lt;0.001 
               
               
                 Bi 
                 less than 0.05 
                 0.01 
               
               
                 Ag 
                 less than 0.10 
                 0.03 
               
               
                 Ni 
                 less than 0.001 
                 &lt;0.001 
               
               
                 S 
                 less than 0.001 
                 &lt;0.001 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Referring to  FIGS. 7(   a ) and  7 ( b ), an alternate embodiment of cinching ends  17  ( FIG. 7(   b )) and  21  ( FIG. 7(   a )) is illustrated.  FIG. 7(   a ) illustrates the belt buckle (or second) cinching end  21 , which preferably comprises a two-part structure,  21   a  and  21   b.    
     Part  21   a  is secured to the belt body  11 , and comprises a slot  51  passing through the part  21   a . The slot  51  is sized to receive part  21   b . Once positioned within the slot  51 , part  21   b  may slide therethrough along its length. In so sliding, the overall length of the weighted belt  10  may be adjusted to a desired length. Once the desired length is obtained, parts  21   a  and  21   b  can be releasably secured. 
     In a preferred embodiment, part  21   a  is configured with a hole  53 , which is positioned along the sliding axis part  21   b . The hole  53  may be co-aligned with a corresponding any one of a series of holes  55  that are positioned on part  21   b . The holes  55  are also positioned along the sliding axis. 
     Accordingly, once a desired belt  10  length has been determined, the holes  53  and  55  at the desired length are co-aligned. The parts  21   a  and  21   b  may then be secured with any one of a suitable releasable securing means known to those skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the securing means may be a post and screw  57  (e.g., Chicago screw) as is known in the art. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7(   b ), the cinching end  17  is illustrated as similarly configured to the cinching end  21 . The cinching end  17  also comprises a two-part structure  17   a  and  17   b , with part  17   a  being secured to the belt body  11  and part  17   b  slidingly engaging part  17   a  in the same manner as parts  21   a  and  21   b  engage. As such, part  17   a  is also configured with a slot  51  and hole  53 , and part  17   b  is configured with a series of holes  55 ; the slot  51 , hole  53  and holes  55  all being positioned along the sliding axis defined by the co-action of parts  17   a  and  17   b . As with parts  21   a  and  21   b , the parts  17   a  and  17   b  may be secured with any one of a suitable releasable securing means known in the art, such as the post and screw  57 . 
     The above description is intended in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. Variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims set out below.