Abstract:
A body attached sports training device for improving forward/twisting motion and consisting of a belt with a series of attaching rings disposed to guide and receive resilient bands that are secured at another ring located to provide an attaching point on the belt. The other end of the belt is connected to rings that hold yet allow movement there through as the bands are extended and tensioned. The band arrangement resists forward motion while wrapping around the belt/wearer and resists twisting motion. The belt securely grips the user&#39;s body with a gripping system that intensifies and concentrates belt holding forces around the user&#39;s waist to keep the belt in place during use without the need for leg straps or the like.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This disclosure shows a strength and training device for athletes that provides a belt securely affixed to the user&#39;s waist and a plurality of elastic cords that are attached thereto with a free end secured to a stationary object. The elastic cords tighten around the user&#39;s waist to hold the belt in place eliminating the need for leg straps or the like. 
         [0003]    (2) Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    This disclosure pertains to exercise/training devices used by persons developing a common athletic movement that combines forward/sideway motion with a twisting of the waist and upper body. This common motion is replicated by: hitters striding into a pitched ball in baseball; a tennis player hitting a ball; a golfer hitting a ball; a racquetball/handball player serving or hitting balls; a boxer throwing a punch; and, kickers in sports ranging from soccer to punting in football. Specifically, this invention provides a belt with resilient cords fixed adjacent and partially encircling the user for training and proving resistance to said twisting and linear, forward movement while holding the belt securely in position. 
         [0005]    A number of so-called exercise devices have been disclosed in the past to increase strength, improve reaction time and skill by utilizing elastic cords attached to the user&#39;s body with a belt. The purpose of the belt is to provide an anchor point for one end of one or several cords. In some instances with prior devices the loose end of the cords may be attached to another part of the user&#39;s body or may be held by an assistant or fixed to a non moveable anchor point. One feature all these prior art devices require is a number of straps either extending upwardly from the belt to the user&#39;s shoulders or downwardly to grip the user&#39;s legs, usually the upper thighs to hold the belt in place during use. 
         [0006]    One such configuration of the prior art is shown in the Gutkowski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,827 (1997) that discloses an exercise device with a belt and several elastic cords for exercising arms and legs. The entire device is worn by the user and intended primarily for running and arm exercises that do not involve athletic twisting and thrusting as is the intention of the present invention. Unlike the disclosure herein, there is no hint or suggestion of mounting the elastic bands off the user&#39;s body for a permanent anchor and providing the thrusting and twisting training as disclosed herein. 
         [0007]    The Miller U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,881 (1998) discloses an athletic training belt that has elastic cords extending from the user&#39;s attached belt that has three rings for selectively adjusting the amount of resistance in the cords. The belt also shows right and left thigh straps that encircle the user&#39;s legs to prevent the belt from moving around the user&#39;s waist. There is no disclosure or suggestion of providing and using the varying resistance of applicant&#39;s device that wraps the elastic cords around the user waist and belt and providing a belt tightening force as the user twists to thereby hold the belt firmly in place without the need for thigh straps. 
         [0008]    Similarly, the Holland, U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,900 (1998) shows another exercise belt attached around the user&#39;s waist and has elastic cord(s) attached to the belt for strength and endurance training. This product shows a girdle type device with both leg and shoulder straps to hold the belt securely in place and prevent it from twisting about the user&#39;s waist. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The invention disclosed herein is involved in the field of sports training devices that attach around the waist of an athlete&#39;s body and provide at least one elastic cord extending therefrom that is securely attached or otherwise held to assist in training. The particular configuration of the elastic members that extend about the belt as it is used provides a belt tightening force to hold the belt in place. More specifically, this invention has eliminated the need for thigh or shoulder straps to hold the belt from twisting around the user&#39;s waist. 
         [0010]    In operation or use, the athlete attaches the belt around his/her waist and fastens it securely with the buckle provided. Next, the elastic cord(s) are threaded through rings that hold yet allow movement and attached to a fixed object or could be hand held by an assistant, are extended through loops on the belt and have a second end that is clipped to the belt at a point to partially encircle the waist to provide contact with the belt while allowing the elastic member to extend. Thus configured, the elastic member tightens around the athlete&#39;s waist as the cord is extended to hold the belt in place and prevent movement. The belt is easily attached and removed without the need to attach and tighten cumbersome leg straps or a shoulder harness. The belt can be attached and removed in public with a minimum of effort. 
         [0011]    It is thus an object of the invention to provide an exercise and training device that allows the user to duplicate athletic actions specific to his or her sport without risking injury of discomfort. 
         [0012]    Another object is to provide a training device that is easily transported and used with a minimum of effort and time by providing a belt with a buckle and a loops system for attaching an elastic cord that enters a first loop at the rear of the user and extends through other loops to an attaching loop at or near the front to be easily attached and removed by the user. 
         [0013]    Another object of the invention is to provide the exercise and training device with a graduated training feature by allowing additional elastic bands to be attached around the user&#39;s waist and extending about the belt to provide more belt tightening or holding forces to prevent belt movement as the training effect is increased. 
         [0014]    Another object is to provide a multi discipline training device that can be used to train athletes in the common movement of thrust and twist that has heretofore not been provided by a portable, simple training device. 
         [0015]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a training belt with attachment means for positioning additional elastic bands that can be attached to the user&#39;s hands or arms to improve the training effect by allowing upper body development. 
         [0016]    These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art with reference to the attached drawings, description and appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a pictorial illustration of one application of the exercise training belt as used by a right handed golfer; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a pictorial illustration of another application of the exercise training belt as used by a right handed batter in baseball; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a pictorial illustration of yet another application of the exercise training belt as used by a left handed golfer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of the training belt and showing the arrangement of the belt with additional straps used for training a boxer; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the training belt anchored with a door frame mounted system and showing the arrangement of the belt with additional straps used for training a boxer; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of the training belt anchored with a wall mounted system and, like  FIG. 5  showing the arrangement of the belt with additional straps used for training a boxer; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a rear view of the training belt anchored with a portable floor mounted system and showing the arrangement of the belt with additional straps used for training a boxer; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  shows application use of the training belt with a portable platform as used by a punter in American style football; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  shows the use of the training belt with a portable platform as used by a person practicing jumping and or acceleration for a variety of sports; 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  shows the belt and arm cords removed from the user&#39;s body; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of the belt on a user with the elastic cords shown extending about the front buckle to the attachment point on the opposite side; 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  shows a side view of the belt with the main bands extending around the user and auxiliary bands attached to the side of the belt; 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a schematic view of the belt and suggested arrangement of the elastic cords for a person training to twist in a counterclockwise direction such as a right handed batter in baseball; 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a schematic view of the belt and suggested arrangement of the elastic cords for a person training to twist in a clockwise direction such as a left handed batter in baseball; 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a schematic view of the belt and suggested arrangement of the elastic cords for a person training to twist in a counterclockwise direction such as a right handed batter in baseball with the cord extended more than 180 degrees about the persons waist; and, 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a schematic view of the anchor point in the front of the belt used to secure the belt and allow the elastic cord to tighten as is extended. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    Referring now to the drawings and in particular  FIG. 1  wherein the preferred embodiment of the present invention shows an exercise and training belt  10  attached around the waist of a person  12  practicing golf. The belt  10  is sized to extend about the user&#39;s waist and is rigid enough to allow three D-rings to be securely attached thereto—one at the back that is indicated by the numeral  14 , and one at each side that is identified by the numeral  16 . This specific construction is shown particularly in  FIGS. 10-16 . 
         [0034]    Belt  10  also utilizes at least one elastic band having sections shown as  20 ,  20   a  with at least one section that extends through the center loop  14 , around the belt with both sections positioned through a first side ring  16  and across the buckle  17  to the second ring  16  where the ends are fastened with use of the locking hook  23 . Band  20  has a portion away from the end away from the user end that is anchored, but free to slide, as shown in  FIG. 1  to a portable platform  24 . 
         [0035]    The illustrations show the use of a double band  20 - 20   a  that has one portion that extends through the back ring  14 , and the other portion through one side ring  16  and is hooked to the opposite ring  16  after extending across the front of the belt. In this configuration, as the user twists, the belt tightens and stays in place as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ,  7 ,  13 - 15 . Other configurations of the basic arrangement are discussed below. 
         [0036]    The configuration of band  20 - 20   a  that is used tightens as the user twists and moves forward may also be used in conjunction with another elastic band  22  that connects directly to side ring  16  and produces an enhanced training force that resists the user from twisting. The bands  20 ,  20   a  are essentially one continuous band or can be joined and extend through anchor rings  26  on the platform  24 . The band  20 - 20   a  may be divided into two sections  20 - 20   a  that are joined by auxiliary clips  23   a  ( FIG. 10 ) after positioning through the anchors. 
         [0037]    The arrangement of the bands  20 ,  20   a  shown in  FIG. 2  is illustrated with respect to a baseball player and the function is essentially the same as that shown in  FIG. 1  and described above. 
         [0038]    The arrangement of the bands  20 ,  22  shown in  FIG. 3  is illustrated with respect to a left handed golfer and are essentially the same as that shown in  FIG. 1  and described above for the right handed golfer. 
         [0039]    With the arrangements shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and described above, when the user  12  moves forward a resistance is produced by the elastic bands as they are extended. Now, as the user  12  twists to swing the golf club or baseball bat, that twisting motion is resisted by the bands that wrap around the belt  10  producing the desired training effect. It is observed that the thrust or forward athletic motion combined with the twist athletic move are both resisted by the arrangement of the elastic bands  20 ,  20   a  and side band  22  ( FIG. 15 ). 
         [0040]      FIGS. 4-5  show the belt used by an individual utilizing additional arm bands  34  that are attached to the belt  10  at the rear D-ring  14 . The bands  20 ,  20   a  are wrapped around the belt in such a fashion to tighten as the boxer twists and lunges. For example. The boxers shown in  FIGS. 4-5  are right handed—leading with a left foot and left arm. For such right hand lead boxers, the twist of the upper body is counter-clockwise as viewed from above and the bands would be attached to the belt as shown in  FIGS. 12-13 . In the event a greater training effect is desired, side band  22  could be attached as shown in  FIGS. 12-15 . 
         [0041]    The arrangement of the training belt  10  shown in  FIGS. 5-6  disclose another important feature, that is, the extreme portability of the device. Here the bands  20 ,  20   a  are attached with anchors  28 ,  FIG. 5 , to a door frame  30 . The illustration shows a boxer with additional elastic bands  32  attached at one end to the belt  10  at the rear or back D-ring  14  and at the arm end to wrist band  34 . It is contemplated that the bands  20 ,  20   a  extend through brackets  28  to enable the training belt  10  to be easily used while traveling or at home. Similarly,  FIG. 6  shows training belt  10  attached to wall anchors  36  such as may be present at a health club or in a user&#39;s home. 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is like  FIG. 6  in the sense that the training belt  10  is being used by a person training for boxing. However, another arrangement is shown in which the bands  20 ,  20   a  are anchored to a portable platform  24 . It should also be noticed that the elastic bands  20 ,  20   a  extend through anchor rings  26  on platform  24 . With such a connection the bands may move through the rings  26  to adjust for movement of the user. The arm straps  32  are shown attached at one end to the user with the wrist bands  34  and at the other end to the rear D-ring  14  of the training belt  10 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  shows the training belt  10  used to condition and strengthen a person kicking and is anchored to a portable platform as described earlier. The bands  20 ,  20   a  are shown in the same configuration as shown for the golfer and baseball player in  FIGS. 1-2 . Thus, as the kicker thrusts forward and twists the bands resist the forward movement and also tighten the belt around the user&#39;s waist as his/her body twists. Ankle band  38  also trains the leg and associated kicking muscles by providing a resistive force. 
         [0044]    One additional use of the training belt  10  is illustrated in  FIG. 9  that shows a jumping training move using the belt  10 . With such a use it is contemplated that the bands  20 ,  20   a  would be attached to the side D-rings and anchored as shown on the portable platform  24  or to another suitable anchor. This arrangement could also be used to train sprinters or other athletes in developing a quick and powerful start. 
         [0045]      FIG. 10  shows the belt away from the user&#39;s body. The belt  10  is a semi rigid of a type well known in the art and similar to a basic weight lifting belt with the following modifications as shown herein. A center D-ring  14  is attached in the middle to be positioned at the user&#39;s back. Two side D-rings  16  are attached at the sides near the front of the belt  10  near the buckle or latching members  17 . The D-rings  14 - 16  are large enough to allow several of the elastic bands  20 ,  20   a  to easily fit there through an move freely during use. The illustration of  FIG. 10  also shows the arrangement when the belt  10  is used with the elastic arm straps  32  and wrist/arm bands  34  as would be the configuration when used by a person training for boxing. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 11-12  show the arrangement of the bands  20 ,  20   a  around the belt  10  and with the addition of auxiliary band  22  for extra training effect. As strap  20 - 20   a  is extended it is automatically tightened around the user to hold the belt tightly in place and thus has eliminated the need for the usual and cumbersome leg or body straps. For example, referring to  FIGS. 11 ,  13 - 15 , the illustrations show the belt  10  end sections of  20  and  20   a  extending through first side D-ring  16 , across the front of the belt past buckle latch  17  to connect with the second, opposite D-ring  17  with clips  23 . As bands  20 ,  20   a  stretch they provide a resistive force to both forward movement and twisting movement. Further, as the stretching of  20 ,  20   a  occurs a tightening force is added that encircles the user to hold the belt tighter as more twisting and extension of bands  20 ,  20   a  occurs. Thus, the maximum tightening force of belt  10  around the user&#39;s body is provided when it is needed most. 
         [0047]      FIG. 13  shows schematically a similar arrangement of the belt  10  and elastic bands  20 ,  20   a  shown in  FIGS. 11-12  with the bands extending approximately three fourths (270 degrees) around the wearer&#39;s waist to secure the belt in place during use. 
         [0048]      FIG. 14  is a schematic showing a reverse of the arrangement shown in  FIG. 13  and shows in detail one arrangement for attaching the ends of the bands to the belt  10 . The D-ring  16  is similar to or the same as the D-ring identified by the number  14 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 15  is similar to the arrangement of  FIG. 13  with the addition of an auxiliary band  22  to provide additional resistive forces and improved training. 
         [0050]    Thus it has been shown by the foregoing description and detailed drawings that the disclosure shows an improved training and exercise belt  10  that allows use in a variety of training movements from baseball to sprinting. The belt  10  provides attachment points through the use of the rings attached about the perimeter to attach the elastic cords or band(s)  20 ,  20   a  with one ring and allow movement through the other rings. Further, an auxiliary band can be attached to the rear ring or side ring depending on the exercise desired. 
         [0051]    The forgoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those who are skilled in the art and have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.