Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/700,961, filed Feb. 5, 2010, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/207,083, filed Feb. 9, 2009, entitled A Running And Exercise Device. This provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to an exercise apparatus and more particularly for an exercise device to assisting runners maintain core stability while running in place. 
         [0004]    2. State of the Art 
         [0005]    Various devices are known to permit a person to simulate a run in a generally confined space. Such devices include treadmills, both self powered and powered, stepping platforms, etc. In addition, one can attach one end of an elastic cord to a stationary frame or doorway, wrap the other end around the person&#39;s torso to provide resistance while leaning forward and running in place. 
         [0006]    The elastic cord type of stationary exercise device is simple, inexpensive, easy to transport, and easy to set up and use. However, such a device does not provide any useful feedback to the user and is extremely boring to use. Further, such prior art devices are uncomfortably restraining to the user during exercise and tend to slip during use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    An interactive exercise monitoring system in accordance with this disclosure includes a doorway mountable runner restraint device including a belly pad having two or more force/pressure sensors embedded therein connected to one or more transmitters. Each sensor senses force applied by a user/runner against the pad during exercise. A receiver/controller is operably coupled to the one or more transmitters and is operable to receive signals from the sensors and generate one or more indications correlated to the sensed forces. These indications are then sent to a display connected to the receiver/controller for displaying the indications. 
         [0008]    The system may also include a stationary collapsible frame connected to the restraint device having a cushioned support pad for supporting a user on a floor support surface. The runner restraint device comprises an elongated generally rectangular belly pad having a cord fastened to each end of the pad. Each cord has another end connected to an elastic member which is in turn removably attached to an upright member of the frame. Preferably the restraint device further has a safety strap fastened between the frame and each cord. 
         [0009]    An exercise apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure basically includes a runner restraint device. The runner restraint device is adapted to be mounted or fastened to a stationary object such as a stationary frame, a doorway, door, wall, ceiling, or other stationary structure. The device has a generally rigid, preferably padded, belly pad that is placed against and in front of a user&#39;s pelvis and abdominal area. A pair of cords are attached to the belly pad, each having an opposite end attached to an elastic member. Each of the elastic members is, in turn, attached to an anchor which is removably fastened to the stationary object, e.g. a door, a doorway frame, or sandwiched between a closed door and the doorway frame. A user, for example, fastens the apparatus in place in a doorway, faces away from the doorway, and places the belly pad against his or her torso directly over the pelvis area, and then runs in a direction away from the doorway. The elastic members resist and restrain the user from substantial movement away from the doorway but stretch to allow forward running movement. 
         [0010]    Another embodiment of the apparatus preferably has a first cord having one end connected to one end of the belly pad and an opposite end connected to one end of an elastic member. An another end of the elastic member is connected to a strap fastened to an anchor member. A second cord has one end connected to the other end of the belly pad and an opposite end connected to one end of another elastic member. The other end of the another elastic member is connected to a second strap fastened to the anchor member, at a location spaced from the first strap. A spreader bar may be positioned between the first and second cords to maintain a spaced relation between the first and second cords during use. 
         [0011]    These embodiments my include force/pressure sensors. In both embodiments the sensors are spaced laterally apart in the belly pad such that, in use, one sensor is positioned adjacent a user&#39;s right hip and the other sensor is positioned adjacent the user&#39;s left hip. The system further preferably has a video playback device operably connected to the display and to the controller. The sensor signals processed in the controller my optionally control the frame repetition rate of a video being processed in the video playback device and displayed on the display device such that a user can voyeuristically run along a path simulation shown on the video display device. 
         [0012]    Another embodiment of the runner restraint device adapted to be elastically tethered to a stationary object preferably may include a generally rigid padded belly bar/pad having a generally elongated curved body portion. This body portion has a vertical rib adjacent each opposite end and a pair of laterally spaced vertical recesses defining each of the vertical ribs. Each recess has a pair of vertical slots therein. A first strap has one end extending through one of the vertical slots and another end extending through the other vertical slot in one of the vertical recesses. These ends of the first strap are removably retained in the vertical recesses by a rod carried in that vertical recess. A second strap similarly has one end extending through one of the vertical slots in a vertical recess adjacent the other end of the body portion. The ends of the second strap are removably retained in the vertical recesses by another rod carried in that vertical recess. A first cord has one end connected to the first strap and an opposite end connected to one end of an elastic member. Another end of the elastic member is connected to an anchor member, typically fastened to an object such as a closed door jam. Similarly a second cord has one end connected to the second strap and has an opposite end connected to one end of another elastic member. This other elastic member has another end also connected to the anchor member. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present disclosure will be better understood and objects, other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description. Such description makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a runner restraint exercise system, in accordance with this disclosure, being used by a person running in place. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a person using another embodiment of the runner restraint exercise apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the present disclosure, wherein the exercise apparatus is fastened to a preexisting door/doorway. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of another embodiment of the runner restraint exercise apparatus of the present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a partial side view of a doorway configuration to which the exercise apparatus in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is attached. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is an alternative side view of a doorway configuration to which the exercise apparatus in  FIGS. 2 and 3  is attached. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a separate enlarged perspective front view of an adjustable belly pad in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an exercise apparatus incorporating the belly pad shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a separate perspective view of an adjustable belly pad having folded handles in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a separate view of the belly pad shown in  FIG. 8  with the handles unfolded. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is an outer folded perspective view of an alternative belly pad in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is an outer unfolded perspective view of the alternative belly pad shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is an inner unfolded perspective view of the alternative belly pad shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the art disclosed may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known features may have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the art disclosed. 
         [0027]    A perspective view of an interactive runner restraint exercise system  100  incorporating a first embodiment of a runner restraint exercise apparatus  102  of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 1 . This particular system  100  includes a generally L shaped collapsible frame  104  supporting the apparatus  102 , a camera  106 , a receiver/controller  108 , and a display  110 . 
         [0028]    The frame  104  includes a cushioned runner support pad  112  attached to spaced side frame members  114 . The support pad  112  rests on a floor support surface (not shown) and provides a secure, cushioned surface on which the runner can stand and run in place. The side frame members  114  are hinged to upright frame members  116  that are in turn releasably held rigidly upright by braces  118 . The frame  104  can preferably be collapsed for storage beneath a bed or in a closet or other convenient location. Alternatively, the exercise apparatus  102  may be attached to a doorway as is shown in  FIG. 2  and thus the frame  104  would be unnecessary in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0029]    An embodiment of the runner restraint exercise apparatus  102  includes a pair of cords  122  that each have one end fastened to one end of an elastic member  124 . The other end of each cord  122  is attached to one side of a belly bar/pad  126 . As shown in 
         [0030]      FIG. 1 , the other end  125  of each elastic member  124  is removably fastened to the top of the frame  104 . Alternatively, this end  125  may be secured to a doorway  140  as shown in  FIGS. 2 through 5  and explained in detail below. 
         [0031]    The belly bar/pad  126  is a generally rectangular, preferably rigid, pad preferably cushioned or covered with soft material such as a closed cell polymeric foam for comfort during use. This bar/pad  126  may be a flat rectangular plate as is shown in  FIG. 3 , or may be curved and shaped for comfort anatomically complementary to a user&#39;s pelvic/abdominal area. Preferably the pad structure should have a rigid base layer which is form fitting to the user&#39;s body at the height of the upper pelvis/lower abdominal area. This will permit a user to spread the forces evenly among areas in contact with the belly bar and run without compressing the pelvic joints or other portions of the body, thus providing a unique, free run, feel. The width, or long axis, of the pad  126  is long enough, i.e., wide enough, so that it preferably does not extend outward beyond a user&#39;s pelvis so that the user&#39;s arms can swing freely during exercise without hitting the pad  126 . The height of the pad should sufficient for comfort but not so high as to interfere with leg motion or breathing. One exemplary pad measures about 42 cm by 12 cm. The pad  126  may be made of wood, metal, plastic, or a composite material and may be solid or hollow. As mentioned above, a cushion may be integrated onto the pad for comfort. This cushion may be removable and could have different shapes for different users. 
         [0032]    A covering on this pad  126  is preferably made of a friction or nonslip material such that during use it does not ride up or down on the user&#39;s torso from the pelvis during exercise. Should a user be wearing loose cotton or nylon clothing, for example, a wide belt (not shown) or wrap of nonslip material, such as a rubber faced web belt, could be worn around the user&#39;s waist and hips to engage the nonslip surface covering of the bar/pad  126 . 
         [0033]    Preferably each of the cords  202  connects via a metal ring to a looped rope attached to either end of the pad  126 . In this way the restraining force applied by the elastic members  204  will be distributed to the pad  126  generally perpendicularly rather than at unpredictable angles. This configuration facilitates more accurate force/pressure measurements. 
         [0034]    As can be readily seen in  FIG. 3 , the pad  126  may be equipped with a pair of side handles  127 . The user may grasp these handles  127  during certain exercise routines. The handles  127  may be the ends of a single rod that passes beneath or through the pad  126 , or they may be detachable or hinged to the pad  126  such that they may be folded out of the way to permit a user&#39;s arms to freely swing past the ends of the pad  126  as in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0035]    Embedded within the pad  126  may be two or more sensors  128  and  130 . Each of the sensors  128  and  130  can detect fluctuations in force/pressure applied by the user&#39;s body against that portion of the pad and sends signals to the receiver/controller  108  where the force/pressure signals are processed for display on the display  110 . 
         [0036]    Each of the pressure sensors  128  and  130  preferably may include an accelerometer and/or a piezo-resistive strain gauge element coupled to an amplifier and transmitter for preferably short range wireless transmission, via Bluetooth, for example, of the force/pressure signals to the receiver  108 . The receiver  108  in turn processes the force/pressure signals for display on the display  110 . The sensors  128  and  130  may also be mechanically coupled to the handles  127  shown in  FIG. 3  such that, when these handles are used, force/pressure signals applied by the user to the handles  127  are sent to the receiver/controller  108 . 
         [0037]    Optionally the receiver  108  may also receive a strain gauge signal from the elastic members  124  as indicated by the dashed line in  FIG. 1 . This strain gauge signal from the elastic members  124  can be processed in the receiver to correlate the forces with spring characteristics and hence determine the calories burned by the runner during exercise. Further, the receiver  108  may receive heart rate, respiration, or other body physiological data from sensors attached directly to the user&#39;s body. 
         [0038]    The pressure signals from the sensors  128  and  130  are primarily displayed to the runner to show any side to side imbalance in the runner&#39;s abdominal core contact areas, with the objective that the runner adapt his or her stride and posture during exercise to maintain an even force/pressure distribution display. This, in turn, gives the runner real time visual feedback of his/her running style and/or conditions during an exercise. 
         [0039]    The display  110  may also be configured to display a prerecorded video of a running course, for example, a run through a countryside path, along with display of time, pace, and the force and pressure data. Further, the signals from the sensors  128  and  130  can be processed by the receiver/controller  108  to calculate equivalent speed and distance traveled. This speed and distance information may be utilized in the controller  108  with the prerecorded video to control its frame repetition rate on the display device  110 , and hence give the runner the sense that he or she is running along the path shown in the video on the display device  110 . 
         [0040]    One such control scheme for controlling video frame repetition rate is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,004,243, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The video display device  110  has another use as well. The camera  106  can display a real time image of the runner during exercise in conjunction with display of the sensed forces via sensors  128  and  130 . When the camera  106  feeds video picture of the runner to the display device  110 , the runner can watch his or her image thereon to immediately assess running posture, gait, etc. and monitor the displayed forces sensed by sensors  128  and  130  to strive for a balanced form and thereby improve physical performance during exercise. 
         [0041]    A second embodiment of the exercise apparatus  200  in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 2  and separately in  FIGS. 3-5 . The apparatus  200  includes a pad  126  having a pair of embedded sensors  128  and  130  as in the first embodiment  100 . In this embodiment  200  the sensors  128  and  130 , may send wireless signals to the receiver  108  as in  FIG. 1  or alternatively may locally display or store the information within the pad  126  for later review. This apparatus  200  again has a pair of cords  202  each having one end fastened to an end of the pad  126  and the other end fastened to one end of an elastic member, such as a coil spring  204 . An opposite end of each elastic member  204  is attached to a flexible but non-elastic band or strap  206 . Each of the cords  202  pass through a hole near one end of a spreader bar  208 . This spreader bar  208  maintains the cords  202  in a generally parallel relation behind the user/runner while running so that a proper distribution of forces applied by the user to the pad  126  is maintained. The position of the spreader bar  208  may be adjusted by sliding the spreader bar  208  along the cords  202 . 
         [0042]    It is to be noted at this point that the spreader bar  208  is optional and may be needed if the apparatus  200  is fastened in a doorway frame at a single point, which is not illustrated. The spreader bar  208  may be dispensed with if an anchor bar as described below is used, since the anchor bar  210  maintains proper spacing between the cords and straps. Alternatively, the spreader bar  208  may be utilized in exercises where a user run backwards utilizing the device  200 , and the belly pad  126  is positioned against the user&#39;s buttocks. In such a situation it may be advantageous for the user to grip the spreader bar  208 . 
         [0043]    One end of each of the straps  206  is fastened to an anchor bar  210  as is shown in  FIG. 3 . The straps or bands  206  are preferably made of a flexible, non stretchable fabric such as cotton or nylon webbing. The anchor bar  210  may be a single dowel rod or may be a telescopic assembly of a male member  212  and female member  214  as is shown in  FIG. 3 . The telescopic anchor bar assembly may be spring loaded so that it can fit within a doorway against the back side of a door  142 , or may be threaded together or alternatively be mechanically lockable at various lengths. This anchor bar  210  is designed to fit behind the top edge of a closed door  142  with the bar  210  preventing the straps  206  from being withdrawn from the door  142  through the doorway  140  as is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0044]    Also fastened to the anchor bar  210  is one end of a pair of safety cords  216 . These safety cords  216  have their other ends each fastened to one of the cords  202  such that over extension of the springs  204  is prevented. These safety cords  216  may be external of the springs  204  as shown, or alternatively may be threaded through the length of each of the springs  204  and attached to the straps  206  rather than the anchor bar  210 . 
         [0045]    Each of the alternative configurations shown in  FIGS. 3-5  may be utilized as part of the system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]    An exemplary embodiment of an adjustable belly pad assembly  300  for use in either the system  100  or the apparatus  200  is shown in a front perspective view in  FIG. 6 . The pad assembly  300  comprises a telescopically adjustable support tray  302  receiving a cushion pad  306  therein. In the embodiment illustrated, the tray  302  is an elongated generally flat tray with angled or curved side edges  304  shaped to hold the cushion pad  306  securely in place therein. Alternatively the adjustable tray  302  may be curved and anatomically shaped about a typical user&#39;s pelvic and abdominal area, as is schematically represented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0047]    The adjustable tray  302  is preferably made in two sections. A first section  308  is telescopically received in a second section  310 . The distance between the side edges  304  on the first section  308  is slightly less than the distance between the side edges  304  of the second section  310  such that the side edges  304  on the second section form a guide for the side edges of the first section  308 . The tray sections  308  and  310  are each preferably constructed of a rigid material such as a molded plastic sheet material or made of a stamped sheet metal. 
         [0048]    Each of the sections  308  and  310  may be generally identical in shape except that Section  308  has an elongated blind slot  312  extending parallel to and along a longitudinal axis of the tray  302  and centered between the upper and lower side edges  304  of the tray  302 . The second section  310  has a hole, that, when the sections are nested together, is centered over the slot  312  through which a threaded bolt (not visible) extends. This bolt is, in turn, threaded into a wing-nut fastener  314 . When the wing-nut fastener is tightened, the first and second sections are drawn together securely. It is to be understood that the type of fastener assembly shown (bolt/wing-nut) is merely exemplary. Many other means of removably fastening sections  308  and  310  together will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0049]    The length of the tray  302  may be adjusted by sliding the first and second sections  308  and  310  together, or pulling them apart, until a desired length is achieved. The optimal length of the tray  302  preferably corresponds to a user&#39;s hip width at the top of the pelvis. For example, if one user has a hip width of 14 inches, then the tray length should be adjusted to be approximately 14 inches. In this way, the belly pad  300  will not extend beyond the user&#39;s hips and thus will not hinder the user&#39;s arm swing during exercise. When the desired length is set, the wing-nut fastener  314  is tightened to set the length of the tray  302 . 
         [0050]    When the tray length is set, the pad  306  is cut to length so as to fit snugly within the edges  304  around the tray  302 . The pad  306  may further be held in place in the tray  302  by an adhesive strip, or complementary hook and loop fabric strips, adhesively attached to the tray sections  308  and  310  and to the pad  306 . This pad  306  is preferably a closed cell foam pad that provides some cushioning for the user and also may provide a mounting location or locations for the sensors described elsewhere in this specification. 
         [0051]    Near opposite ends of the tray  302  and adjacent outer corners of the tray  302  are a pair of spaced holes  316 . A cord  318  extends out of one hole and passes through a ring  320  and then back through the other of the pair of holes  316 . The cord  318  may have a knotted end inside the tray  302  at each hole  316  or it may be an endless loop that passes through the holes and through the ring  320  and back. 
         [0052]    The ring  320  may be a solid ring or could alternatively be a round carabiner or split ring that permits the cord  318  to be removably joined to the cord  202  shown in  FIG. 2 . It is to be understood that cord  318  performs the same function as cord legs  203  in  FIG. 2 . The belly pad assembly  300  fastened to cords  202  via rings  320  ensures that the forces transmitted from the user to the cords  202  are optimally distributed during exercise. By sliding freely on cord  318 , the angle of the tray  302 , and hence the belly bar assembly  300 , is separated from the angle of pull on the cord  202 , thus facilitating equalized pressure forces between the top and bottom of the belly pad when in use. 
         [0053]    Alternatively, the cord  318  could be replaced with a rigid “D” shaped structure to which the ring  320  is attached such that the ring  320  is free to slide along the curved portion of the “D” shape. Such a configuration would have the straight portion of the “D” shaped structure hinged to the end of the belly pad tray  302 . A still further alternative would replace the “D” shape with a “C” shape rigid member that has its ends hooked into holes at the upper and lower end corners of the tray  302 . The ring  320  would then clearly freely slide up and down the “C” shaped portion as described above. Such “C” shaped or “D” shaped structures may be made of metal or plastic material and may be hinged to the tray  302  or mounted in a fixed position. 
         [0054]    In certain alternative embodiments, the cords  318  as shown in  FIG. 7  may be fastened to the ring  320  in such a manner that the ring  320  is maintained at a fixed location on the cord  318  in order to provide a set angle with respect to the tray  302 . In such arrangement the ring  320  may be replaced with an adjustable connector such as a spring loaded clamp that clamps to one location on the cord  318  to maintain the fixed angle, or fixed segment lengths of cord  318  rather than having a sliding connection. 
         [0055]    The assembly of cords  202 , ring  320  and cord loop  318  may optionally be covered by a Y-shaped soft fabric or neoprene sleeve  322  in order to minimize interference with the user&#39;s arm movements and friction discomfort during exercise. This sleeve  322  may be fastened in place around the cords  202 , ring  320  and loop  318  via hook and loop material such as Velcro or other suitable closure materials. Alternatively, the sleeve  322  may simply be an extension of and part of a cushion fabric cover that covers the entire pad assembly  300 . 
         [0056]    One or more force sensors may also be incorporated into the ring  320 . In such an implementation, the sensor could include a piezoresistive strain gauge coupled to a miniature amplifier to provide a wireless signal to the controller  108  as above described. Such a sensor could detect directly the force applied to the cord  202  attached thereto. Additional sensors may be embedded into pad  306  of the belly pad assembly  300  so that additional characteristics related to the physical structure and exertion by the user may be monitored and transmitted to the controller  108  for subsequent display and/or analysis. 
         [0057]    Additional cushioning wedges  324  may be attached to the pad  306  in the assembly  300 . These wedges  324  may be useful in adjusting the fit of the apparatus  300  to an individual user. Such wedges  324  may preferably be attached via hook and loop fastener strips attached to the complementary surfaces of the pad  306  and wedge  324  so that fit can be easily adjusted. These wedges  324  may also be used when a user has one side of the pelvis weaker than the other. 
         [0058]    A further embodiment of the belly pad assembly  300  is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . A hinged handle  340  may be optionally attached to the front, or outer, surface of each section  308  and  310  of the tray  302 . This hinged handle  340  may be spring biased to the folded position, and then latched in an open position as shown in  FIG. 9 . Each of the handles  340  may be grasped by the user while running in place during certain exercise regimens or to provide a sense of stability for the user. In addition, these handles  340  may be used to hold the assembly in position during exercises where the user reverses his or her position, i.e., faces away from the belly pad assembly  300  during a particular exercise regimen. In addition, although not specifically shown, the handles  340  may be fitted with latches to lock them in the extended positions. 
         [0059]    Various modifications and alternatives to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, a rounded belly bar/pad accessory may be added to the pad  126  to facilitate yoga style exercises with the device  100  or  200 . Separate anchor bands or straps  206  may be utilized that each have an individual door anchor such that the straps  206  may be attached to both sides of the door, to alter the angle of pull of the cords  202 . Such a configuration may be used to control the amount of lift from the floor. Interchangeable resistance members could also be used to match the individual user&#39;s mass and preferred exercise style. The ring  320  may be replaced with a snap shackle attached to the cord  202  or an adjustable spring loaded clamp, if maintenance of a predetermined angle provided by segments of cord  318  to the tray  302  is desired. 
         [0060]    In another alternative, the handles  340  may be constructed differently than that shown in that they may be more ergonomically shaped, and/or controls may be integrated into the handles  340  to control signals sent to and from the receiver/controller  108 , control the camera  106  or change selections on the display  110 . These are only exemplary variations. 
         [0061]    An exemplary further alternative embodiment of a belly pad assembly  400  is shown in  FIGS. 10 through 12 .  FIG. 10  is a perspective outer view of the belly pad assembly  400 . The belly pad assembly  400  includes an elongated, generally rigid molded polymeric plate member  402  that is designed to be positioned laterally across a person&#39;s abdomen and the upper front of the hip bones. This plate member  402 , when held upright, has a generally flat (vertically) and curved (horizontally) shape and has a central portion  404 . The plate member  402  may optionally include oppositely curved handle portions (not shown) extending from opposite ends of the central portion  404 . 
         [0062]    The member  402  may be a one piece molded body and may be formed with a cushioned exterior surface. Formed adjacent each end of the central portion  404  are a pair of spaced vertical ribs  406  and  408 . 
         [0063]    The outermost rib  408  at each end of the central portion  404  is positioned between and defined by two generally vertical laterally spaced outboard and inboard recesses  410  and  412 . Each recess  410  and  412  has a pair of vertically aligned slots  414  extending through the central portion  404 . One end of a strap  416  is threaded through one of the slots  414 . The other end of the strap  416  is similarly threaded through the other of the slots  414 . Each end of the strap  416  has a loop sewn into it. An anchor rod  418  is threaded through the loops and the rod  418  pressed into the outboard recess  410  to fasten and retain the ends of the strap  416  to the plate member  402 . 
         [0064]    Alternatively, if the person using the belly bar/pad  400  has narrow hips, the ends of the straps  416  may be threaded through the slots  414  in the inboard recesses  412 . In this case the anchor rod  418  would be threaded through the loops in the ends of the strap  416  and the rod pressed into the recesses  412 . Additional ribs, recesses and slots could alternatively be provided to facilitate further adjustment for users having different hip widths. 
         [0065]    The straps  416  each connect to a D ring, snap ring or carabineer as in the embodiments  200  and  300  shown above with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 7  which in turn attach to cords  202 . 
         [0066]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , an unfolded outer perspective view the belly pad assembly  400  is shown. Behind the plate member  402  is a cushion  420  that extends around the users waist beneath the plate member  402  and behind the straps  416  as is shown by the dashed lines in  FIG. 7 . This cushion  420  is preferably a foam sheet cushion material and may be closed cell or open cell in structure. The cushion  420  is fastened to the plate member  402  by fasteners such as rivets  422  as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0067]    Also shown in  FIG. 12  are optional pads  424  that may simply provide additional cushioning for the user and/or may carry pressure sensors  128  and  130  as described above for use with the first embodiment  100 . Accordingly, it is to be understood that the assembly  400  is an alternative to the belly bar/pad  300  for use in the system  100  and in the apparatus  200  described above. 
         [0068]    Accordingly, all such alternatives, variations and modifications are intended to be encompassed within the scope of and as defined by the following claims.

Technology Category: 1