Abdominal weight lifter belt assembly with variable fasteners

Abstract

A quick hook-up and release anchor belt assembly for adjustably interconnecting two detachably coupled belts that are especially suited in combination for constraining the abdominal portion of a weight lifter's torso, and the like, the belt being of substantial thickness. Each belt includes a flexible elongate length and optionally a rigid end portion. The belts are positionable and detachably attachable along their elongate length by means of hook and loop fasteners. A releasable toggle or connector is operable to instantly draw up or alternatively allow interconnected separation and attachment of the two end portions of the coupled belts.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 9,750,632 (Inventor: Logan; Charles P.; issued Sep. 5, 2017) titled “Lower back support system”; U.S. Pat. No. 9,526,966 (Inventor: White, Timothy; issued Dec. 27, 2016) titled “Weight lifting apparatus”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,824 (Inventor: Levenson, Bruce Adam; issued Jul. 15, 1997) titled “Weight lifter's belt incorporating strap ratchet and nylon strap”; U.S. Pat. No. 5,187,840 (Inventor: Kaczorowski, Wladyslaw; issued Feb. 23, 1993) titled “Clasp with a tape for binding, fixing, and tightening”; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,152 (Inventors: DiMarco; Thomas J. Di Marco; Joel E.; issued Sep. 17, 1985) titled “Quick hook-up and release buckling for weight lifter belts” are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and for all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to athletic training devices and methods. More particularly the present invention is related to methods and devices for safely lifting and training with weights.

Background Art

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.

The use of supportive belts for wearing around a user's waist while lifting heavy weights is known in the prior art. More specifically, exercise devices heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations of rigid, wide and thick belt materials is known in the prior art.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the prior art does not disclose an exercise belt that reduces discomfort from the belt itself digging into the wearer's body during a desired full range of motion.

There is therefore a long-felt need to provide clothing and a method of use thereof that more conveniently and effectively provides a belt worn about a user's body while lifting or positioning weights.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Towards these and other objects of the method of the present invention (hereinafter, “the invented method”) that are made obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the present invention (hereinafter, “the invented belt”) provides a belt formed with two components that are detachably coupled simultaneously along respective elongate sides and at one end of each component.

In one preferred embodiment of the invented belt, each component includes a flexible fabric coupled with a more rigid piece attached at one end of the respective component wherein one of two complementary attachment assembly pieces are respectively attached to one of the rigid pieces. The two complementary attachment assembly pieces are alternatively manually placed into (1.) an attached state and (2.) a detached state, whereby the invented belt are detachably attachable. The attachment assembly comprising the two complementary attachment assembly pieces may be or comprise a belt buckle assembly or other suitable belt end attachment device known in the art.

In another optional aspect of the invented belt, each fabric length may include one of a pair of complementary hook and loop fastener strips that each extend along the elongate dimension of their respective fabric length.

In an alternate preferred embodiment of the invented belt, one or more of the components do not include a rigid piece disposed between a flexible fabric and an attachment assembly piece. In yet another alternate preferred embodiment of the invented belt, one or more of the components do not include a rigid section at all.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the preferred embodiment, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first component of a first preferred embodiment of invented belt in a detached and isolated state;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a second component of the first preferred embodiment of invented belt in a detached and isolated state;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the second component FIG. 2 in a detached and isolated state;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the first component FIG. 1 in a detached and isolated state;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of invented belt with the first component of FIG. 1 and the second component of FIG. 2 formed into an attached state by positioning of a first toggle buckle component of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the first toggle buckle of the second component of FIG. 2 in an open state;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the first toggle buckle of the second component of FIG. 2 engaged with the first component of FIG. 1 and placing the first preferred embodiment into the attached state;

FIG. 8 is a front view of a first fabric length of a second preferred embodiment of invented belt in a detached and isolated state;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a second fabric length of the second preferred embodiment of invented belt in a detached and isolated state;

FIG. 10 is a back view of the first fabric length FIG. 8 in a detached and isolated state;

FIG. 11 is a back view of the second fabric length FIG. 9 in a detached and isolated state;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of invented belt with the first fabric length of FIG. 8 and the second fabric length of FIG. 9 formed in an attached state;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the first toggle buckle of the second fabric length of FIG. 9 engaged with the first fabric length of FIG. 8 and placing the second preferred embodiment into the attached state;

FIG. 14A is a front view of a first alternate buckle assembly integrated into a preferred alternate third embodiment of the present invention and presented in an uncoupled state and replacing the detachable coupling function of the toggle buckle of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 14B is a front view of the first alternate buckle assembly integrated into the preferred alternate third embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 14A and presented in a coupled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention, numerous details, examples, and embodiments of the invention are described. However, it will be clear and apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth and that the invention can be adapted for any of several applications.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular aspects of the present invention described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. Methods recited herein may be carried out in any order of the recited events which is logically possible, as well as the recited order of events.

Where a range of values is provided herein, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the methods and materials are now described.

It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation.

When elements are referred to as being “connected” or “coupled,” the elements can be directly connected or coupled together or one or more intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when elements are referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled,” there are no intervening elements present.

Throughout this specification, like reference numbers signify the same elements throughout the description of the figures.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, FIG. 1 is a front view of a first component 2 in a detached and isolated state, wherein the first component 2 is an element of a first preferred embodiment of the invented belt 4 (hereinafter, “the first belt” 4) as shown in full FIG. 5. The first component 2 includes a first fabric length 2A attached to a first rigid piece 2B. The first fabric length 2A is attached by sewn thread 2C with the first rigid piece 2B. It is understood that the first fabric length 2A may be attached with the first rigid piece 2B by other suitable attachment means known in the art.

The first rigid piece 2B is preferably three inches to four inches wide in along a Y-axis and eight inches or more along an orthogonal X-axis, and 0.25 inch thick along a Z-axis (not shown). It is understood that the Y-axis, the X-axis and the Z-axis are each mutually orthogonal to the other two axes. The first rigid piece 2B includes a pair of registration receivers 2D & 2E and a pair of hook-pin receivers 2F & 2G. The hook-pin receivers 2F & 2G each extend fully through the first rigid piece 2B and the pair of registration receivers 2D & 2E each preferably extend into or fully through the first rigid piece 2B.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a front view of a second component 6 of the first belt 4 in a detached and isolated state. The second component 6 includes a second fabric length 6A attached to second rigid piece 6B. The second fabric length 6A is attached by sewn thread 2C with the second rigid piece 6B. It is understood that the second fabric length 6A may be attached with the second rigid piece 6B by other suitable attachment means known in the art.

It is understood that the first fabric length 2A and/or the second fabric length 6A may be or comprise rayon, polyester, an elastic stretchable organic fabric, an elastic synthetic fabric, and/or other suitable fabric known in the art in singularity or combination.

Alternatively or additionally then the first fabric length 2A and/or the second fabric length 6A my comprise the stretchable fabric provided in SUPER SQUAT CENTURION™ power weight lifting clothing marketed by Titan Support Systems, Inc. of Corpus Christi, Tex.; the DETONATOR LEVER™ or the DOMINATOR PRO QR™ as marketed by Zuluglove of Toronto, Canada.

The second rigid piece 6B is preferably three inches to four inches wide in along a Y-axis, eight inches or more along an orthogonal Y-axis, and 0.25 inch thick along the Z-axis (not shown). A toggle buckle 6C is coupled x with the second rigid piece 6B.

An outward fastener fabric length 8A extends along the front side second fabric length 6A. It is understood that in various preferred alternate embodiments of the invented belt that the outward fastener fabric length 8A may be or comprise a hook type fastener fabric and/or a loop type fastener fabric.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 is a back view of the second component 6 in a detached and isolated state. The toggle buckle 6C includes a pair of registration pins 6D & 6E and a pair of hook-pins 6F & 6G that extend from a toggle member 6H. The toggle buckle 6C further comprises an anchor 61 that is coupled with the second rigid piece 6B. A lever arm 6J of the toggle buckle 6C is disposed between and rotatably coupled with both the anchor 61 and the toggle member 6H.

It is understood that the toggle buckle 6C may comprise or be replaced with the toggle means T as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,152 issued to inventors Thomas DiMarco and Joel Di Marco on Sep. 17, 1985 and titled “Quick hook-up and release buckling for weight lifter belts”, or other suitable hook-up and release buckling known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 is a back view of the first component 2 in a detached and isolated state. An inward fastener fabric length 8B extends along the back side of the first fabric length 2A. It is understood that in various preferred alternate embodiments of the invented belt that the inward fastener fabric length 8B may be or comprise a hook type fastener fabric and/or a loop type fastener fabric.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the first belt 4 with the first component 2 and the second component 6 formed into an attached state, wherein the toggle buckle 6C is engaged with the first rigid piece 2B and outward fastener fabric length 8A is engaged with and detachably coupled with the inward fastener fabric length 8B.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a toggle buckle 6C in an open state. The pair of registration pins 6D & 6E and the pair of hook-pins 6F & 6G extend from the toggle member 6H. The toggle buckle 6C further comprises an anchor 61 that is coupled with the second rigid piece 6B. The lever arm 6J of the toggle buckle 6C is disposed between and rotatably coupled with both the anchor 61 and the toggle member 6H. A first pin 6K extends through both the anchor 61 and the lever arm 6J and rotatably couples the anchor 61 and the lever arm 6J. A second pin 6L extends through both the toggle member 6H and the lever arm 6J and rotatably couples the toggle member 6H and the lever arm 6J.

Each hook-pin 6F & 6G comprises a full diameter head 6M and a reduced diameter shaft 6N, the reduced diameter shaft 6N extending from the toggle member 6H and to the full diameter head 6M.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a top view of the toggle buckle 6C engaged with the first component 2 and placing the first belt 4 into the attached state. The pair of registration pins 6D & 6E each respectively extend into a separate matching registration receiver 2D & 2E; and the pair of hook-pins 6F & 6G each respectively extend fully through a separate matching hook-pin receiver 2F & 2G.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 8 and FIG. 12, FIG. 8 is a front view of the first fabric length 2A in a detached and isolated state, wherein the first fabric length 2A is an element of a second preferred embodiment of the invented belt 800 (hereinafter, “the second belt” 800) as shown in full FIG. 12.

The second belt 800 does not the first rigid piece 2B. The second belt 800 includes the pair of registration receivers 2D & 2E and the pair of hook-pin receivers 2F & 2G extending fully through the first fabric length 2A.

The outward fastener fabric length 8A extends along the front side second fabric length 6A. It is understood that in various preferred alternate embodiments of the invented belt that the outward fastener fabric length 8A may be or comprise a hook type fastener fabric and/or a loop type fastener fabric.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 9, FIG. 9 is a front view of the second fabric length 6A unattached to second rigid piece 6B. The toggle buckle 6C is preferably directly coupled with the second fabric length 6A. The outward fastener fabric length 8A extends along the front side second fabric length 6A. It is understood that in various preferred alternate embodiments of the invented belt that the outward fastener fabric length 8A may be or comprise a hook type fastener fabric and/or a loop type fastener fabric.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 10, FIG. 10 is a back view of the first fabric length 2A in a detached and isolated state. The inward fastener fabric length 8B extends along the back side of the first fabric length 2A. It is understood that in various preferred alternate embodiments of the invented belt that the inward fastener fabric length 8B may be or comprise a hook type fastener fabric and/or a loop type fastener fabric.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 11, FIG. 11 is a back view of the second fabric length 6A in a detached and isolated state. The toggle buckle 6C includes the pair of registration pins 6D & 6E and the pair of hook-pins 6F & 6G that extend from a toggle member 6H. The toggle buckle 6C further comprises an anchor 61 that is coupled with the second rigid piece 6B. The lever arm 6J of the toggle buckle 6C is disposed between and rotatably coupled with both the anchor 61 and the toggle member 6H.

It is understood that the toggle buckle 6C may comprise or be replaced with the toggle means T as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,152 issued to inventors Thomas DiMarco and Joel Di Marco on Sep. 17, 1985 and titled “Quick hook-up and release buckling for weight lifter belts”, or other suitable hook-up and release buckling known in the art.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 12, FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the second belt 800 with the first fabric length 2A and the second fabric length 6A formed into an attached state, wherein the toggle buckle 6C is engaged with the first fabric length 2A and the outward fastener fabric length 8A is engaged with and detachably coupled with the inward fastener fabric length 8B.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 13, FIG. 13 is a top view of the toggle buckle 6C directly coupled with the second fabric length 6B and detachably engaged with the first fabric length 2A of FIG. 10 and placing the second belt 800 into the attached state. The pair of registration pins 6D & 6E of the toggle buckle 6C each respectively extend into a separate matching registration receiver 2D & 2E of the first fabric length 2A; and the pair of hook-pins 6F & 6G each respectively extend fully through a separate matching hook-pin receiver 2F & 2G of the first fabric length 2A.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 14A, FIG. 14A is a front view of a first alternate buckle assembly 1400 (hereinafter, “the detachable buckle” 1400) integrated into a preferred alternate third embodiment of the present invention 1402 (hereinafter, “the third belt” 1402) and presented in an uncoupled state.

The detachable buckle 1400 is or comprises anyone of a variety of suitable detachable buckles known in the art that include a receiver element 1404 and an insertion element 1406, to include a MOJAVE™ quick release buckle as marketed by National Molding of Miami Lakes, Fla. or other suitable quick release buckle known in the art.

A first loop 1408 of the third belt 1402 is formed by passing a first end length 1410 of the first fabric length 2A through a first aperture 1412 of the receiver element 1404; the first loop 1408 is thereby formed, closed and durably attached with the receiver element 1404 by sewn thread 2C that passes through the resulting doubled up first fabric length 2A to form the first loop 1408.

A second loop 1412 of the third belt 1402 is formed by passing an additional end length 1414 of the second fabric length 6A through a second aperture 1416 of the insertion element 1406; the second loop 1412 is thereby formed, closed and durably attached with the insertion element 1406 by sewn thread 2C that passes through the resulting doubled up second fabric length 2A to form the second loop 1412.

Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to FIG. 14B, FIG. 14B is a front view of the detachable buckle 1400 and the third belt 1402 presented in a coupled state, wherein the insertion element 1406 is detachably engaged with the receiver element 1404.

While selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment, it is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A belt alternatively forming a tightened closed state, an interconnected released state, or a fully separated state, the belt including: a first belt element comprising a first flexible elongate length with a first rigid end, the first flexible elongate length coupled with a first strip of hook and loop fastener fabric;a first complementary attachment device coupled with the first rigid end;a second belt element comprising a second flexible elongate length with a second rigid end, the second flexible elongate length coupled with a second strip of hook and loop fastener fabric; anda second complementary attachment device coupled with the second rigid end, wherein an attachment assembly is formed when the first complementary attachment device is detachably engaged with the second complementary attachment device, and wherein the first and second flexible elongate lengths are fully separable.

2. The belt of claim 1, wherein the attachment assembly comprises a belt buckle assembly.

3. The belt of claim 2, wherein the belt buckle assembly comprises a belt buckle coupled to the second rigid end and one or more corresponding apertures through the first rigid end adapted to accept a retractable extension of a tongue of the belt buckle.

4. The belt of claim 1, wherein the first rigid end further comprises a registration pin which fits into a corresponding registration aperture of the second rigid end.

5. The belt of claim 4, wherein the first rigid end further comprises a second registration pin which fits into a corresponding second registration aperture of the second rigid end.

6. The belt of claim 1, wherein the first rigid end further comprises a hook pin which fits into a first hook pin aperture of the second rigid end.

7. The belt of claim 6, wherein the first rigid end further comprises a second hook pin which fits into a corresponding second hook pin aperture of the second rigid end.

8. The belt of claim 6, wherein the second rigid end further comprises a registration pin which fits into a first registration aperture of the first rigid end.

9. The belt of claim 8, wherein the hook pin and the registration pin are longitudinally spaced and positioned to detachably engage with the first aperture and the first registration aperture.

10. The belt of claim 6, wherein the hook pin comprises a full diameter head and a reduced diameter shaft, the reduced diameter shaft extending from the first rigid end and to the full diameter head.

11. The belt of claim 1, wherein the attachment assembly is a buckle.

12. The belt of claim 11, wherein a rotatable attachment feature of the lever arm with the toggle member is disposed between the lever arm extension and the rotatable attachment feature of the lever arm and the anchor.

13. The belt of claim 1, wherein the second complementary attachment device comprises an anchor, a lever arm, and a toggle member, the anchor coupled with the second rigid end, the lever arm rotatably coupled with the anchor and further rotatably coupled with the toggle member, and a hook-pin extending from the toggle member, wherein the hook-pin is positioned to detachably extend through and engage an additional aperture of the first complementary attachment device to securely couple the toggle member with the first rigid end.

14. The belt of claim 13, wherein the lever arm comprises a lever arm extension for manual operation of alternative coupling and decoupling of the second rigid end and the first rigid end.

15. A method for use of the belt of claim 1, the method comprising: securing the belt around a waist of a user by detachably coupling the first flexible elongate length with the second flexible elongate length and detachably engaging the first complementary attachment device with the second complementary attachment device to form the attachment assembly;maintaining the attachment assembly engaged; andadjusting a coupling of the first strip of hook and loop fastener fabric with the second strip of hook and loop fastener fabric to fit the user.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising disengaging the attachment assembly and leaving the first strip of hook and loop fastener fabric coupled with the second strip of hook and loop fastener fabric, whereby, the belt remains adjusted to fit the user.

17. A belt alternatively forming a tightened closed condition and an interconnected released condition, the belt including: a first belt element comprising a first flexible elongate length with a first rigid end, the first flexible elongate length coupled with a first strip of hook and loop fastener fabric, and a first aperture extending fully through the first rigid end;a second belt element comprising a second flexible elongate length with a second rigid end, the second flexible elongate length coupled with a second strip of hook and loop fastener fabric;a toggle buckle comprising an anchor, a lever arm, and a toggle member, the anchor coupled with the second rigid end, the lever arm rotatably coupled with the anchor and further rotatably coupled with the toggle member, and a hook-pin extending from the toggle member, wherein the hook-pin is positioned to detachably extend through and engage the first aperture to securely couple the toggle member with the first rigid end to form the tightened closed condition when the first strip of hook and loop fastener fabric and the second strip of hook and loop fastener fabric are detachably coupled; andwherein the first and second flexible elongate lengths are fully separable.

18. A belt alternatively forming a tightened closed state and a released state, the belt including: a first belt element comprising a first flexible elongate length with a first rigid end, the first flexible elongate length coupled with a first strip of hook and loop fastener fabric, and at least one aperture extending fully through the first rigid end;a second belt element comprising a second flexible elongate length with a second rigid end, the second flexible elongate length coupled with a second strip of hook and loop fastener fabric;a basic buckle assembly, comprising at least a frame and a tongue, coupled to the second rigid end, such that when the basic buckle assembly is detachably engaged with the at least one aperture of the first rigid end by (a) passing at least a leading portion of the first rigid end through the frame of the basic buckle assembly and positioning the at least one aperture of the first rigid end within the frame of the basic buckle assembly, (b) extending the tongue of the basic buckle assembly through the at least one aperture of the first rigid end, whereby when the second rigid end is securely coupled with the first rigid end, and the first strip of hook and loop fastener fabric and the second strip of hook and loop fastener fabric are detachably coupled, the tightened closed state is instantiated;the released state is instantiated when either (1.) the tongue does not extend through the at least one aperture, or (2.) the first strip of hook and loop fastener fabric and the second strip of hook and loop fastener fabric are detached; andwherein the first and second flexible elongate lengths are fully separable.