Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a device for facilitating leg exercises in a safe manner and more particularly to a device for securing weights used in performing leg exercises to the hip region of a user.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Leg exercises such a standard squat, wide squat, front lunge, side lunge, standing calf raise, or a donkey calf raise are very effective in developing strength and endurance in the legs. In addition to exercising the legs themselves, such activities also exercise the abdominal muscles, the anterior chest and neck muscles, and the back extensor and posterior neck muscles. These muscles stabilize the trunk and head. However, the traditional means of applying weight resistance during a squat exercise by way of a weight bar supported by the neck and shoulders or by way of hand held dumbbells creates a long lever arm for posture maintenance and torso stabilization. The resulting strain on the back and neck is proportionate with the amount of resistance applied, multiplied by the distance from the center of gravity, thereby creating a great demand on these muscles and joints. The potential for injury and aggravation of existing mechanical joint dysfunction or muscle imbalance is eminent.  
         [0003]     Accordingly, there is a need for a device that will facilitate the attachment of weights directly to the hips of a user so that strain on the neck, back, and abdominal muscles may be minimized. Furthermore, there is a need for a device that can also facilitate the use of weights in performing such exercises as dips, bench dips, wide grip pull-ups, close grip pull-ups, and pushups.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The above identified needs are met in an exercise device having a core with at least one weight support affixed thereto. The core is wrapped at least partially about the waist of a user at or near the ileac crest of the user and secured in place by a closure mechanism. Weights may be secured on the weight supports by a locking device. The exercise device acts to couple the weights directly to the waist of the user, thereby reducing the strain on the user&#39;s back and abdominal muscles that might otherwise occur where the weights are supported in the user&#39;s hands or on the user&#39;s shoulders.  
         [0005]     These and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent upon careful consideration of the following Detailed Description of the Invention and the accompanying Drawings, which may be disproportionate for ease of understanding, wherein like structure and steps are referenced generally by corresponding numerals and indicators.  
         [0006]     The invention further provides methods and apparatus of varying scope. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is a schematic top view of one embodiment of the exercise device of the present invention;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a schematic cross-sectional view of the exercise device taken along cutting lines  2 - 2  in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is a schematic close up view of an embodiment of the exercise device that includes a two part closure mechanism;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a schematic close up view of another embodiment of the exercise device that includes a two part closure mechanism;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a schematic close up view of an embodiment of the exercise device that includes a hook and loop fastener as a closure mechanism;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is a schematic close up view of another embodiment of the exercise device that includes a hook and loop fastener as a closure mechanism;  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the exercise device wherein the weight support is over molded with the core of the exercise device;  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a schematic cross-sectional view of one more embodiment of the exercise device wherein the weight support is secured to the core of the exercise device by a bolt; and,  
         [0015]      FIG. 9  is a schematic cross-sectional view of yet one more embodiment of the exercise device wherein the weight support is secured to the core by a weld.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]     In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0017]     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of an exercise device  10  according to the present invention can be seen. In general, the exercise device is made up of a relatively stiff yet flexible core  12 , a protective cover  14 , at least one weight support  16 , and a closure mechanism  18 . The core  12  of the belt is typically between about two and six inches in width and between about {fraction (1/16)}″ and ¼″ in thickness. It is to be understood however, that the material from which the core  12  is made may affect its dimensions. The dimensions of the core  12  may be uniform over the length of the core  12  or may vary continuously or discontinuously over its length. The core  12  is of sufficient length to allow for wrapping the belt around the waist of a user. The core  12  itself may be made of a solid, molded or extruded material, a composite material having a mesh substrate over which is molded a rubber, vinyl, or equivalent flexible material, a stiff natural material such as leather, or a metallic material having a suitable flexibility and toughness for the application. In any case, the structure of the core  12  must be adapted to be sufficiently flexible to wrap about the waist of a user and strong and stiff enough to support the weight support(s)  16  and any weights W mounted thereon. In one particular embodiment, the core  10  is made of a durable composite belting of a type commonly utilized for power transmission in agricultural and industrial equipment.  
         [0018]     In some embodiments, the core  12  will be enclosed within a cover  14  that may be sewn, adhered, or over molded onto the core  12 . In other embodiments, the composite nature of the core  12  will be such that a cover  14  will not be necessary. Where, as in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a cover  14  is provided as part of the device  10 , the cover may be made of a sturdy woven or unwoven material that will withstand the hard use commonly experienced by exercise equipment. In one particular embodiment, the cover  14  is fashioned of a heavy, woven nylon material. The cover  14  may also include, where desired, padding and/or absorbent materials (not shown).  
         [0019]     The device  10  is provided with a closure mechanism  18  that secures the device  10  about the hips of a user. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the closure mechanism  18  may be a standard metallic or plastic belt buckle  20  having a rotatable arm that engages a hole (not shown) formed in the end of the device  10  opposite the end to which the buckle  20  is attached. In another embodiment, the device  10  may be provided with a clip type closure mechanism  18  having a male end  21   a  and a female end  21   b  wherein the male and female ends are secured to the device  10  at or near the distal ends thereof. See  FIG. 3 . In such an embodiment, the male and female portions of the clip-type closure mechanism  18  may be secured directly to the device  10  but are more preferably secured using a strap or straps  23  that facilitate the adjustment of the combined length of the device  10 . Alternatively, the core  12  of the device  10  may be long enough to wrap entirely around the waist of a user. In this case, the male and female portions  21   a,    21   b  of the clip-type closure mechanism  18  may be secured to the core  12  of the device  10  at a distance form the terminal ends of the device  10 , again, preferably by means of one or more straps. The straps used to secure a closure mechanism  18  to the device  10  may be adjusted in a manner well known in the art.  
         [0020]     In yet another embodiment, the closure mechanism  18  may include a hook and loop type fastener  25  constructed and arranged to secure the distal ends of the device  10  to one another in an overlapping fashion. In a variation of the hook and loop type closure mechanism, one end of the device may be provided with a loop or D-ring type structure  27  through which the opposing distal end of the device  10  is passed and doubled back upon itself to be secured in that attitude by means of a hook and loop type fastener. In any case, it is desirable to provide a closure mechanism  18  that facilitates the adjustment of the length of the device  10  and that is secure when closed.  
         [0021]     One or more weight supports  16  are secured to the device  10  to secure thereto weights W. The weight supports  16  are secured to the core  12  of the device  10  to support the weights W in a substantially rigid manner. When properly employed, the device  10  should secure the weights W to the waist of a user in such a manner that there is little or no movement of the weights W with respect to the waist of the user. This will prevent chafing and will prevent the user from being unbalanced by unexpected shifting of the weights W.  
         [0022]     A weight support  16  includes a generally tubular post  22  that is secured at its base end to the core  12  of the device  10 . Where the core  12  is metal, the post  22  may be welded to the core  12 . However, where the core  12  is of an extruded, molded, natural, or composite material, care must be take to secure the post  22  to the core  12  in a secure manner. In one embodiment, the post  22  is provided with a flange  24  at its base that is adhered, riveted, or sewn to the core  12 . See  FIG. 2 . In another embodiment, the post  22  may be over-molded with a molding material  29  to secure the post  22  to the core  12 . See  FIG. 7 . Note that an over-molding material  29  may take the place of a cover  14 . In yet another embodiment, the post  22  may have a threaded bore  31  formed in a base end thereof that receives a bolt  32  passed through the core  12 . See  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, it will be desirable to provide one or more washers  34  to disperse the clamping forces induced by the bolt over a larger area of the core.  FIG. 9  illustrates an embodiment of the weight support  16  having a post  22  that is welded to a metallic core  12 .  
         [0023]     In one embodiment, the posts  22  of the weight supports  16  are generally cylindrical and preferably sized to hold either standard weights (around 1″ in diameter) or Olympic style weights (around 2″ in diameter). A locking mechanism  26  is provided to hold weights W onto the tubes during use. In one embodiment, the locking mechanism  26  may be something as simple as a cotter pin or the like passed through the tube, either alone or in conjunction with a washer type structure (not shown). In another embodiment, the locking mechanism  26  may also include a standard collar that slides onto the posts  22  that is secured by a set screw threaded into the collar. Yet another embodiment may include a spring whose coils define a bore sized to slide over the post  22  when the spring is compressed and which clamps the post  22  firmly to secure the weights W thereon when the spring is in an uncompressed state.  
         [0024]     In use, the exercise device  10  is wrapped about the waist of a user and secured in place using the closure mechanism  18 . The device  10  is to be mounted in such a manner that it is snug around the user&#39;s waist and has no free movement. Preferably, the device  10  will be located over and adjacent to the ileac crest so that weights W placed thereon will be transferred directly the pelvis of the user. What is more, the device  10  will also provide support for the user&#39;s back and abdominal muscles.  
         [0025]     Once the device  10  has been properly secured about the user&#39;s waist at and around the ileac crests of the user&#39;s pelvis, selected weights W are placed over the posts  22  of the weight supports  16 . A locking mechanism  26  is placed on each of the posts  22  to secure the weights W thereon.  
         [0026]     Preferably, the device  10  will be secured to the waist of the user in such a manner as to position the weight supports  16  symmetrically around the user&#39;s waist. However, where a particular exercise, therapy, or rehabilitation activity so requires, the device  10  may be arranged to asymmetrically position the weight supports  16  around the user&#39;s waist. Note that for any given embodiment of the device  10 , the core  12  thereof will have a set weight limit that is directly related to the core&#39;s ability to withstand deflections due to the presence of weights W on the weight supports  16 . Preferably, the weight limit for the weight supports  16  will be set at a weight that is lower than a load that will significantly deflect the core  12  of the device  10 . Significant deflections of the core  12  of the device  10  can lead to chafing, bruising, and an increased risk that the weights W will work against the locking mechanism  26  and accidentally fall off the posts  22  of the device  10 .  
         [0027]     Once the device  10  is properly attached to the user and the appropriate weights W are secured to the device  10 , the user may then engage in the desired exercise.  
       Conclusion  
       [0028]     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Technology Category: 1