MULTI-FUNCTIONAL FITNESS BELT

Abstract

A highly functional and portable exercise belt is described herein that can be used to help an exerciser perform pull-up exercises with a fully extended hanging body position for the exerciser. Additionally, the present invention relates to a device that affords body building and weightlifting practitioners lower torso and abdominal region support during weightlifting exercises so as to prevent damage to the kidneys and internal organs, and injury to the lower spinal region.

Description

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The field of the invention and its embodiments relate to exercise equipment, and more particularly, to a highly functional and portable exercise belt that can be used to perform pull-up exercises, with a fully extended hanging body position for the exerciser. Additionally, the field of this invention relates to a device that affords body building and weightlifting practitioners lower torso and abdominal region support during weightlifting exercises so as to prevent damage to the kidneys and internal organs, and injury to the lower spinal region.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exercising is growing in popularity due in part to the awareness of the health benefits derived from regular exercise regimes. A wide variety of venues, equipment, and associated activities exist for such purposes. Through exercise, individuals build and tone their muscles by performing multiple repetitions using various pieces of equipment. However, many exercises require very little equipment and some are performed with nothing more than the exerciser's own body weight. These so-called “body weight exercises” are generally multi joint movements that substantially contribute to overall muscular development, balance, coordination, and core strength. The chin-up exercise is one of the most common exercises from this category.

The chin-up exercise is a strength training exercise that people engage in with the intent of strengthening muscles, such as the latissimus dorsi and biceps, which extend the shoulder and flex the elbow, respectively. In this maneuver, the palms are faced towards the body.

The chin-up exercise is a form of pull-up exercise, in which the range of motion is established in relation to a person's chin. However, many individuals find it difficult to perform this exercise, as it requires significant upper body strength. Aside from being possibly one of the most effective back exercises available, the pull-up exercise is also one of the safest exercises to perform. Unlike cable rows and bent rows, which can put the user at risk of lower-back injury due to improper form or excessive weight, these problems are eliminated with the pull-up exercise.

Common equipment used to perform the pull-up or chin-up exercise includes overhead bars and machines. This equipment can be simple and dedicated, or it may be integrated with other exercise stations. For example, some equipment provides assistance to the exerciser. By providing the ability to perform the chin-up exercise with less effort than that required to lift the entire exerciser's body weight, an exerciser can perform more repetitions of these exercises.

An example assistance technique includes use of a cable and pulley system to supply an upward body weight counteracting force to a harness that supports the exerciser. This system is not portable and is fairly awkward to operate. In addition, large complicated exercise machines with freestanding frames have also been developed to assist a user in performing a chin-up. These systems offer a platform, pad or bar onto which a user must position the feet or knees that then helps raise the exerciser albeit subjected to the restricted armature motion of such devices. Further, these devices counteract a percentage of the users body weight by providing a vertical force and thereby allow the user to perform the exercise by lifting only a select percentage of their body weight. While these machines can be very helpful, they can also be awkward and unnatural to use and they are large, complicated, expensive, certainly not portable, and usually only found in very well-stocked gyms and fitness centers.

Further, many sports athletes, including bodybuilders, weightlifters, powerlifters, and cross-fitters also use weightlifting belts to support their lower back during lifts. It is known that weightlifting belts can increase stability, prevent injury, and can increase performance.

Therefore, a need still exists for a multi-functional device that is highly portable and functional in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a multi-functional fitness belt that is convenient and easy to use, lightweight yet durable in design, versatile in its applications, and designed for providing a user with an easy and convenient means of performing a variety of pull-up exercises at different resistance levels according to the user's needs. The multi-functional fitness belt of the present invention also offers safety and comfort so that exercisers of all levels can benefit from these exercises wherever this equipment is located. The present invention also has the option to be used as a weightlifting belt for body building and weightlifting practitioners for affording support to the lower torso and abdominal region.

Review of related art:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,214 A describes a waist belt for weight lifting that incorporates a pulley arrangement for tightening the belt. The waist belt includes a heavy leather belt having first and second ends. First and second rectangular metal loops are secured proximate the first and second ends, respectively, of the leather belt, each of the rectangular metal loops including a cylindrical roller rotatably mounted thereto. A nylon strap is secured at a fixed end to the leather belt proximate the second end thereof, and the free end of the strap is wound over the rollers of the first and second metal loops to form a pulley arrangement for drawing the ends of the leather belt together. First and second complementary fastening surfaces are secured to the free end of the strap and to the leather belt, respectively, for removably attaching the free end of the strap to the leather belt after the belt has been sufficiently tightened.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,993 A describes a miniature lumbar block that is secured along an inside of the belt normally worn by power lifters so as to enhance the maintaining of the normal lordotic curve in the lower spine while lifting. The lumbar block incorporates an extension which contacts against the spinous process of a wearer in use, but is of a width to just fall short of contacting the paravertebral muscles when centered against the spinous process.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,773 A describes a weight lifting belt which includes grips for a trainer to assist in training a lifter the proper techniques for lifting.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,748 B1 provides a doorway mounted chin-up bar that has a rod with an interior tube that is telescopically received within a rotating sleeve. A mount is positioned on each end of the rod for securing the rod to a doorjamb. A pair of U-shaped extension bars extend outward and upward from the rod. Each of the extension bars have first and second ends that extend out of planes that are defined by the doorway in first and second directions, respectively. A first hand-grip bar is affixed to the first ends of the extension bars and a second hand-grip bar is affixed to the second ends of the extension bars. When a user grasps the first hand-grip bar and pulls down, the extension bars pivot about the rod until the second hand-grip bar engages a wall surface above the doorway. The user may engage in chin-ups while being supported by the first hand-grip bar. Alternatively, a user may grasp the second hand-grip bar and pull down until the first hand-grip bar engages a wall surface above the doorway. The second hand-grip bar supports the user while the user engages in chin-ups. The first and second hand-grip bars are different distances away from the rod such that the hand-grip bars will be at different heights above the floor.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,374 A provides a body-building apparatus that includes an upstanding frame, a chin bar adjustably mounted on arms extending forwardly from the frame adjacent to the top of the frame, a pair of dip bars each including a rear portion, and a front portion extending angularly from the rear portion, and adjustably mounted on the frame with the front portions projecting forwardly therefrom, a forward weight-cable pulley assembly adjustably mounted on elongate support means extending forwardly from the frame adjacent to the bottom thereof, equipment-mounting brackets disposed along each of a pair of frame uprights, each bracket including a retainer and a pair of legs extending laterally from the retainer and rearwardly with respect to the frame in vertically spaced-apart relation to each other, the legs of each bracket being reciprocally movable on an upright for corresponding movement of the bracket between a forwardly extending equipment-mounting position and a rearwardly retracted collapsed position, and stop structure associated with each leg pair and its upright, for resisting movement of the corresponding bracket when in its mounting position.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,404 A describes an exercise apparatus incorporating a lift assistance mechanism for pull-up and/or dip stand exercising including one or more interchangeable extensible, elastomeric links of various resistances, arranged to upwardly bias a pivotally mounted lift bar, and having arranged in parallel therewith a hydraulic shock absorber type fluid cylinder functioning to limit the extent of downward movement of the lift bar when the cylinder is extended to its maximum length and limiting the rate of upward movement of the lift bar in the event of the user falling off. The elastomeric link is preferably longitudinally bifurcated with two lengthwise parts so that if one part breaks the other part is likely to remain intact and provide some degree of resistance. Other exercise components can be included as well as parts of the apparatus, such as push-up handles, and padded cross bars for sit-up exercising and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,139 A describes an improved assisted dip/chin exercise device that comprises a frame, a chin bar, a dip bar, and a pivotal foot bar, which is connected through a cable and pulley system to a weight stack so that a pre-adjusted amount of assistance can be selectively applied when and as desired for more effective training.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,489 A describes an exercise machine for assisting a user in performing chin-ups and dips. The machine includes a pair of handles attached to a frame and a kneeling platform operably connected to the frame by a four-bar linkage. The pair of handles may be a pair of chin-up handles attached to an upper portion of the frame or a pair of dip handles attached to a medial portion of the frame. The four-bar linkage moves the kneeling platform along an arcuate path of travel corresponding to the natural arcuate path of the center of gravity of the user during a chin-up or a dip so that the kneeling platform remains beneath the user's center of gravity during performance of a chin-up or a dip. The four-bar linkage also preferably maintains the kneeling platform in a horizontal orientation. A selectable number of weights urge the kneeling platform upward so that the user may lift his body with his arms while applying a force less than his own body weight.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,556 A describes an assisted pull-up and dip exercise device which includes a frame with both a pull-up bar and dip bar capable of supporting a person while performing these exercises. The invention includes an assist arm assembly which connects to the frame at the pivot point about which the assist arm assembly rotates. The assist arm assembly can be loaded at one end to provide variable counter-balancing support for the person while performing the exercise. Assisted pull-up and dip device allows a person to perform the pull-up and dip exercises with the knees in a tucked position. This is the natural position for a person performing these exercises unassisted. The assist arm assembly can be constructed so as to use common free weights to load the assist arm assembly. This removes the requirement for specialized weights which can only be used on a single exercise machine.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,959 A describes an upper body exercise apparatus to assist an exerciser to do chin-ups and dips. The apparatus includes a frame having a base, a support for the exerciser, and chin-up handles and dip handles extending from the frame. A motive device provides for movement of the support vertically between a lower position and an upper position. Angular displacement of the platform is prevented by coupling the platform to a guide device which constrains the support to travel along a predetermined path. The guide device can comprise a wheel and track system. Binding of the wheel and track system is avoided by providing a force to the wheel and track system which tends enhance tracking.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention and its embodiments relate to an assembly for assisting the exerciser in a pull-up exercise on a pull-up bar. More specifically, the present invention and its embodiments relate to an assembly comprising a multi-functional fitness belt that assists the exerciser in pull-up exercises on the pull-up bar and for assisting in powerlifting exercises.

In particular, the present invention describes an assembly for assisting an exerciser in a pull-up exercise on a pull-up bar. The assembly includes numerous components. For example, the assembly includes a multi-functional fitness belt. The multi-functional fitness belt includes a first end disposed opposite a second end. The first end of the multi-functional fitness belt comprises a first attachment means. The second end of the multi-functional fitness belt includes a second attachment means such that the first attachment means is affixed to the second attachment means to secure the multi-functional fitness belt on a waist of a user. Further, the multi-functional fitness belt also includes a middle portion disposed between the first end and the second end. The middle portion of the multi-functional fitness belt comprises at least two rings.

The assembly also includes a first clip affixed to a first ring of the at least two rings and a second clip affixed to a second ring of the at least two rings. Further, the assembly includes a first set of resistance bands affixed between the first clip and a first metal ring, a second set of resistance bands affixed between the second clip and a second metal ring, a first strap affixed through the first metal ring such that the first strap forms a first loop, and a second strap affixed through second metal ring such that the first strap forms a second loop. The loops may be secured together by any means known to those having ordinary skill in the art. A pull-up bar is received by the first loop and the second loop. Moreover, a user is in a fully extended and hanging body position when engaging with the pull-up bar.

In some examples, a material of the multi-functional fitness belt is neoprene or leather. Further, a diameter of each of the at least two rings is between 1 to 2 inches. Additionally, the at least two rings are located on a front of the user when the multi-functional fitness belt is secured on the waist of the user. In some examples, each of the first strap and the second strap comprise a polyester material. In other examples, a quantity of each of the first set of resistance bands and the second set of resistance bands is modifiable to adjust a resistance level.

Further, a material of each resistance band of the first set of resistance bands and the second set of resistance bands comprises latex. Also, each of the at least two rings comprise a first D-ring and a second D-ring. In other examples, a quantity of the at least two rings is four.

In particular, the present invention also describes a multi-functional fitness belt for use in powerlifting exercises. The multi-functional fitness belt includes a first end disposed opposite a second end. The first end of the multi-functional fitness belt comprises a first attachment means and the second end of the multi-functional fitness belt includes a second attachment means such that the first attachment means is affixed to the second attachment means to secure the multi-functional fitness belt on a waist of a user. The multi-functional fitness belt also includes a middle portion disposed between the first end and the second end. The middle portion of the multi-functional fitness belt comprises at least two rings.

A material of the multi-functional fitness belt is neoprene or leather. A diameter of each of the at least two rings is between 1 to 2 inches. In some examples, the at least two rings are located on a back of the user when the multi-functional fitness belt is secured on the waist of the user. Further, each of the at least two rings comprise a first D-ring and a second D-ring. In some examples, the quantity of the at least two rings is four.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a schematic diagram of a multi-functional fitness belt of an assembly for assisting an exerciser in a pull-up exercise on a pull-up bar, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 depicts another schematic diagram of a multi-functional fitness belt of an assembly for assisting an exerciser in a pull-up exercise on a pull-up bar, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 depicts another schematic diagram of a multi-functional fitness belt of an assembly for assisting an exerciser in a pull-up exercise on a pull-up bar, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic diagram of a set of resistance bands, a clip, and a strap of an assembly for assisting an exerciser in a pull-up exercise on a pull-up bar, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of a singular resistance band of an assembly for assisting an exerciser in a pull-up exercise on a pull-up bar, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 depicts a schematic diagram of various components of an assembly for assisting an exerciser in a pull-up exercise affixed on a pull-up bar, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a schematic diagram of a user engaging with an assembly for assisting in a pull-up exercise on a pull-up bar, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

FIG. 8 depicts a schematic diagram of a user engaging with a multi-functional fitness belt to engage in power-lifting exercises, according to at least some embodiments disclosed herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. Reference will now be made in detail to each embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto.

The instant invention provides an assembly for assisting an exerciser or a user 128 in a pull-up exercise on a pull-up bar 126. The assembly 100 includes, at least, a multi-functional fitness belt 100, a first clip and a second clip 116A, 116B, a first set of resistance bands and a second set of resistance bands 110A, 110B, a first metal ring and a second metal ring 120A, 120B, and a first strap and a second strap 114A, 114B.

As shown in at least FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, the multi-functional fitness belt 100 includes a first end 102 disposed opposite a second end 104. The first end 102 of the multi-functional fitness belt 100 comprises a first attachment means. The second end 104 of the multi-functional fitness belt 100 includes a second attachment means such that the first attachment means is affixed to the second attachment means to secure the multi-functional fitness belt 100 on a waist of the exerciser or the user 128. A non-exhaustive list of each of the first attachment means and the second attachment means include: Velcro, snaps, male and female fasteners, hooks, clamps, a knot, securing ties, loops, clasps, etc.

The multi-functional fitness belt 100 also includes a middle portion 106 disposed between the first end 102 and the second end 104. The middle portion 106 of the multi-functional fitness belt 100 comprises at least two rings 108, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3. It should be appreciated that the at least two rings 108 are provided on the multi-functional fitness belt 100 at different angles to provide additional exercise options to the user 128.

In some examples, each of the at least two rings 108 comprise a first D-ring and a second D-ring. In preferred examples, a quantity of the at least two rings 108 is four, as shown in FIG. 1. A diameter of each ring of the at least two rings 108 is between 1 to 2 inches. A material of the multi-functional fitness belt is neoprene and/or leather, among other materials not explicitly described herein.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, each of the first set of resistance bands and the second set of resistance bands 110A, 110B include a plurality of resistance bands 112. It should be appreciated that the quantity of the plurality of resistance bands 112 is not limited to any particular quantity. Further, in some examples and as shown in at least FIG. 5, the plurality of resistance bands 112 may be located between fasteners 118. The fasteners 118 may be of any type known to those having ordinary skill in the art. In some examples, the fasteners 118 may be affixed, at one end, to a clip 116 (as shown in FIG. 4), which is then affixed to a ring of the at least two rings 108 on the multi-functional fitness belt 100. On the other end, the fasteners 118 may be affixed to a metal ring 120. A strap 114 may be received through the metal ring 120 such that the strap 114 forms a first loop. The loop may be secured together by any means known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

The pull-up bar 126 or another support object 122 of FIG. 6 is received by the loop such that the user 128 is in a fully extended and hanging body position when engaging with the pull-up bar 126 or the other support object 122. It should be appreciated that in some examples, the other support object 122 is affixed to a beam or a rafter 124, as shown in FIG. 6. It should be appreciated that the at least two rings 108 are located on a front of the user 128 when the multi-functional fitness belt 100 is secured on the waist of the user 128 such that the user 128 is in a fully extended and hanging body position when doing the pull-up exercise, as shown in FIG. 7.

In some examples, a material of the multi-functional fitness belt 100 is neoprene or leather. Additionally, the at least two rings 108 are located on a front of the user 128 when the multi-functional fitness belt 100 is secured on the waist of the user 128. In some examples, the strap 114 may comprise a polyester material. However, the material of the strap 114 is not limited to such and may comprise one or more other materials.

In preferred examples, a material of each resistance band 112 of the first set of resistance bands 110A and the second set of resistance bands 110B comprises latex. However, it should be appreciated that the material of each resistance band 112 of the first set of resistance bands 110A and the second set of resistance bands 110B may comprise another material not explicitly listed herein.

Additionally, in examples, each band of the plurality of resistance bands 112 has a resistance force between 30 pounds to 60 pounds. Moreover, a quantity of each of the first set of resistance bands 110A and the second set of resistance bands 110B is modifiable to adjust a resistance level. For example, use of a greater number of bands (e.g., more than 5 bands) in each of the first set of resistance bands 110A and the second set of resistance bands 110B provides greater support and assistance to the user 128. Reducing the quantity of the bands (e.g., less than 5 bands) in each of the first set of resistance bands 110A and the second set of resistance bands 110B makes the exercise more difficult for the user 128 to perform.

In other implementations, the multi-functional fitness belt 100 may be used alone for powerlifting exercises while engaging with a powerlifting bar 132 alone or the powerlifting bar 132 with weights 130. In this example and as shown in FIG. 8, the at least two rings 108 are located on a back of the user 128 when the multi-functional fitness belt 100 is secured on the waist of the user 128. Use of the multi-functional fitness belt 100 protects the users 128 lower back from injuries by providing lower back and stomach support.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others or ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. Similarly, the adjective “another,” when used to introduce an element, is intended to mean one or more elements. The terms “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An assembly for assisting in a pull-up exercise on a pull-up bar, the assembly comprising: a multi-functional fitness belt comprising: a first end disposed opposite a second end, wherein the first end comprises a first attachment means, and wherein the second end comprising a second attachment means such that the first attachment means is affixed to the second attachment means to secure the multi-functional fitness belt on a waist of a user; anda middle portion disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the middle portion comprises at least two rings;a first clip affixed to a first ring of the at least two rings;a second clip affixed to a second ring of the at least two rings;a first set of resistance bands affixed between the first clip and a first metal ring;a second set of resistance bands affixed between the second clip and a second metal ring;a first strap affixed through the first metal ring such that the first strap forms a first loop; anda second strap affixed through second metal ring such that the first strap forms a second loop, wherein a pull-up bar is received by the first loop and the second loop, andwherein a user is in a fully extended and hanging body position when engaging with the pull-up bar.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a material comprising the multi-functional fitness belt is selected from the group consisting of: neoprene and leather.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a diameter of each of the at least two rings is between 1 to 2 inches.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least two rings are located on a front of the user when the multi-functional fitness belt is secured on the waist of the user.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first strap and the second strap comprise a polyester material.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a quantity of each of the first set of resistance bands and the second set of resistance bands is modifiable to adjust a resistance level.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a material of each resistance band of the first set of resistance bands and the second set of resistance bands comprises latex.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two rings comprise a first D-ring and a second D-ring.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a quantity of the at least two rings is four.

10. A multi-functional fitness belt for use in powerlifting exercises, the multi-functional fitness belt comprising: a first end disposed opposite a second end, wherein the first end comprises a first attachment means, and wherein the second end comprising a second attachment means such that the first attachment means is affixed to the second attachment means to secure the multi-functional fitness belt on a waist of a user; anda middle portion disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the middle portion comprises at least two rings.

11. The multi-functional fitness belt of claim 10, wherein a material comprising the multi-functional fitness belt is selected from the group consisting of: neoprene and leather.

12. The multi-functional fitness belt of claim 10, wherein a diameter of each of the at least two rings is between 1 to 2 inches.

13. The multi-functional fitness belt of claim 10, wherein the at least two rings are located on a back of the user when the multi-functional fitness belt is secured on the waist of the user.

14. The multi-functional fitness belt of claim 10, wherein each of the at least two rings comprise a first D-ring and a second D-ring.

15. The multi-functional fitness belt of claim 10, wherein a quantity of the at least two rings is four.