Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02565578 2006-10-25
TITLE: HYBRID BELT ASSEMBLY
1. BODYGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to weightlifting and dip belts and,
more specifically, to a
hybrid belt assembly built to be used as either as a weightlifting belt or as
a dip belt.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A weightlifting belt has two main purposes. It reduces stress on the lower
body while the person
is lifting and prevents body hyperextension during overhead lifts. A belt
reduces low body stress
by compressing the contents of the abdominal cavity. This increases the intra-
abdominal
pressure (IAP), providing more support in front of the bones of the lower
body. Another benefit
of increased IAP is a reduction in the amount of spinal shrinkage (lower body
compression) a
lifter may experience during circuit weight training.
A dip belt is used for adding weight to a user when performing dips and chin-
ups, thus assisting
in exercising the triceps, back and chest muscles.
A material that is often used for weightlifting belts is leather. A leather
belt does not flex
enough to be fully adjustable or comfortable to the waist. Another
disadvantage resides in the
fact that leather is relatively expensive when compared to man made materials,
such as nylon or
polypropylene. Yet another disadvantage is that leather does age, crack and
become worn out
rather quickly when used frequently. They also can not be easily washed
without sustaining
damage. A weightlifting belt of man made material is easily contoured to fit
properly by
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molding around a user's body, thus providing superior comfort and support.
Hybrid belt assembly using self-engaging straps of loop-and-hook or Velcro
type, according
to this invention, is continuously adjustable so that one size of hybrid belt
assembly can, in
general, fit many sizes properly. This fastening can hold approximately
several times the
average body weight, yet release easily when the exercise is over.
Weightlifting belts and dip belts are currently sold separately as distinct
items. This applicant's
convertible belt described in Canadian Patent Application No. 2,549,813
constitutes a first step
in developing a belt with dual purpose: weightlifting and dipping.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the weightlifting and dip belts that exist on the market, and of
the applicant's previous
design of a similar item, there is a need for an improved belt which
eliminates, or at least
alleviates the disadvantages of known belts.
An objective of the present invention is to develop a hybrid belt assembly
using a cloth material,
rather than leather.
Another objective of the present invention is to develop a hybrid belt
assembly fully and
continuously adjustable.
A further objective of the present invention is to develop a hybrid belt
assembly which allows,
when used as a dip belt, an easy and quick attachment of a load.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to develop a hybrid belt
assembly, wherein the
generated tensions due to the action of the tightening forces when the former
is used as a lifting
belt, or due to loads while it is used as a dip belt, are not applied directly
to the stitching but
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rather indirectly via a folded web material of the belt.
A last objective of the present invention is to develop a hybrid belt assembly
wherein use is
made of a chain-load subassembly without securing features attached to it.
Broadly stating, the hybrid belt assembly, according to the present invention
comprises
a subassembly for supporting;
a subassembly for holding, aligned with and superposed on the subassembly for
supporting, the subassemblies for supporting and holding having a common
longitudinal axis of symmetry;
a subassembly for buckling disposed closely to one extremity of the
subassembly
for supporting;
a subassembly for hooking disposed closely to another extremity of the
subassembly for
supporting;
a first subassembly for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type comprising a first
strap having
an array selected from either loop or hook elements and having a length that
is, generally,
one-half the length of the subassembly for supporting and being superposed on
the
subassembly for holding and starting in proximity of the subassembly for
hooking;
a second subassembly for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type comprising a
second strap
having an array selected from either loop or hook elements; the first
subassembly for self-
engaging of loop-and-hook type having, in order to achieve a self-engagement,
its array
different from the array of the second subassembly for self-engaging of loop-
and-hook type;
the second subassembly for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type being equal in
width and
length to the first subassembly for self-engaging of loop-and-hook type, and
being
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superposed and starting from an end of the subassembly for holding so as to be
adaptable to
contact the first subassembly for self-engaging when the hybrid belt assembly
is in its
working positions: weightlifting belt and dip belt
a subassembly for stitching together the components of the hybrid belt
assembly;
the latter being adaptable, when used as a dip belt, to work in conjunction
with a chain-load
subassembly comprising a chain compatible to be used with one or more
weight(s) and
adaptable to be attached with its ends to the subassemblies for buckling and
hooking.
In one aspect, the hybrid belt assembly
the subassembly for supporting incorporates a body support made of a flexible,
non-
extensible material, and has a length less than a circumference of a user's
waist;
the subassembly for holding includes a holding strap made also of a flexible,
non-
extensible material; the holding strap includes
a lower holding segment, superposed on the body support; and
an upper holding segment, superposed on the lower holding segment;
the subassembly for buckling incorporates a buckle, rectangular in shape;
the subassembly for hooking includes a snap hook;
an end of the lower holding segment is folded over to a length of several
inches, after
being first inserted throughout the snap hook and then folded around a leg of
the latter; a
remainder of the lower holding segment is superposed on the body support and
extends
toward the buckle, wherein after being folded around a frame element of the
latter,
returns as a upper holding segment, superposed on the lower holding segment
toward the
snap hook and continues past it; a length of the upper holding segment is so
chosen as to
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accommodate a waist size range;
the subassembly for stitching includes a combination of several longitudinal
stitching
lines, a transversal stitching, and a "box and X" pattern of stitching;
the lower and upper holding segments, together with the first strap are sewn
to the body
support along their several longitudinal stitching lines; the transversal
stitching is used in
proximity of the buckle where the several longitudinal stitching lines start
extending
towards the snap hook;
the end of the lower holding segment is folded over to a length of several
inches, after
being first inserted throughout the snap hook and then folded around the leg
of the latter,
is aligned and joined by the "box and X" pattern of stitching with the
following
successively superposed elements: a portion of the upper holding segment, and
a
corresponding portion of the first strap.
In another aspect, the hybrid belt assembly comprises, besides the body
support, the snap hook,
the buckle and the first and second subassemblies for self-engaging, all the
same as in the
previous aspect, a different subassembly for loading which incorporates
a single holding strap aligned with and superposed on the body support; and
a holding strap section, made from the same material as the single holding
strap, but
relatively shorter in length than the latter;
the holding strap section is superposed on the body support and has its ends
facing the
buckle, after being folded over to an equal length on both sides by firstly
inserting
throughout the snap hook and secondly by folding around a leg of the latter;
an end of the single holding strap is folded over to a length of several
inches, after being
CA 02565578 2006-10-25
first inserted throughout the buckle and then folded around a frame element of
the latter;
a remainder of the single holding strap is superposed on the body support,
then extends
toward the snap hook and continues past it; generally an entire length of the
single
holding strap is about twice the length of the body support;
the first strap of the subassembly for self-engaging is generally equal in
width to the
single holding strap and has a length that is, generally, one-half the length
of the body
support, is superposed on the single holding strap and starts in proximity of
the snap
hook;
the second strap of the second subassembly for self-engaging is generally
equal in size to
the first strap and starts at a point behind a tip of an end of the single
holding strap, being
superposed on the latter and sewn to it;
the single holding strap together with the first strap of the first
subassembly for self-
engaging is usually sewn together along the several longitudinal stitching
lines to the
body support;
the holding strap section, superposed on the body support and has its ends
facing the
buckle after being folded over to an equal length on both sides by firstly
inserting
throughout the snap hook and secondly by folding around a leg of the latter,
together with
a corresponding superposed portion of the single holding strap and the body
support, are
aligned and joined together by a "box and X" pattern of stitching;
the end of the single holding strap is folded over to a length of several
inches after
being first inserted throughout the buckle and then folded around a frame
element of the
latter, is superposed on the body support and joined with the latter by a "box
and X"
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pattern of stitching.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the novel features of the hybrid belt assembly of the present invention
are set with
particularity in the appended claims, a full and complete understanding of the
present invention
may be had by referring to the detailed description of the preferred
embodiments as subsequently
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG.1 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of a first embodiment of the
present invention
showing the lay-out of the holding strap;
FIG. 2 is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side elevation view of a second embodiment of the
present invention
showing the lay-out of the holding straps;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the second embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a hybrid belt assembly in conjunction with
a chain-load
subassembly.
IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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Figs. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of a hybrid belt assembly 10 in
accordance with the
principles of this invention. Hybrid belt assembly 10 includes:
- a flexible, non-extensible body support 100 (further in the present
disclosure called - body
support 100);
- a flexible non-extensible holding strap 105 (further called holding strap
105), narrower than
body support 100 and aligned with and superposed on the latter; body support
100 and
holding strap 105 having a common longitudinal axis of symmetry (not shown),
holding strap
105 comprising
a lower holding segment 105' superposed directly on body support 100;
an upper holding segment 105" also superposed directly for contact on lower
attachment
segment 105';
- a buckle 110 rectangular in shape with roller and no tongues, disposed
closely to one
extremity of body support 100;
- a snap hook 115, disposed closely to an opposite extremity of body support
100;
an end 117 of lower holding segment 105' folded over to a length of several
inches, after
being first inserted throughout snap hook 115 and then folded around a leg 120
of the latter; a
remainder of lower holding segment 105' being superposed on body support 100
and
extending toward buckle 110, wherein after being folded around a frame element
125 of the
latter, it returns as upper holding segment 105" superposed on lower holding
segment 105'
toward snap hook 115 and then continues past it; an entire length of upper
holding segment
105" being, in general, about twice the length of body support 100, although
any length that
accommodates a waist size range is considered suitable;
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- a first self-engaging strap 130 of loop-and-hook or Velcro type comprising
an array of loop
elements generally being equal in width to holding strap 105 and having a
length that is,
generally, one-half the length of body support 100, is superposed on upper
holding segment
105" and starts in proximity of snap hook 115;
- a second self-engaging strap 130' of loop-and-hook or Velcro type
comprising an array of
hook elements, generally equal in size to first self-engaging strap 130 and
starting at a point
behind a tip of an end 135 of upper holding segment 105", is superposed on the
latter and
sewn to it;
- lower and upper holding segments 105' and 105", together with first self-
engaging strap 130,
being usually sewn to body support 100 along their several longitudinal
stitching lines
140; a transversal stitching 142 is used in proximity of buckle 110 where
longitudinal
stitching lines 140 start extending towards snap hook 115;
- end 117 of lower holding segment 105', folded over to a length of several
inches, after being
first inserted throughout snap hook 115 and then folded around leg 120 of the
latter, is
aligned and joined by a "box and X" pattern of stitching 145 with the
following successively
superposed elements: a portion of upper holding segment 105" and a
corresponding portion
of first self-engaging strap 130.
In Figs. 3 and 4 a second embodiment of a hybrid belt assembly 10' is
illustrated.
Hybrid belt assembly 10' includes the following combination:
- body support 100;
a flexible non-extensible single holding strap 150 (further called single
holding strap 150),
narrower than body support 100, is aligned with and superposed on the latter,
with body
support 100 and single holding strap having a common longitudinal axis of
symmetry (not
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shown);
- a holding strap section 155, made from the same or similar material as
single holding strap
150, but shorter in length than the latter;
- buckle 110 disposed closely to one extremity of body support 100;
- snap hook 115 disposed closely to an opposite extremity of body support 100;
holding strap section 155 superposed on body support 100 and having its ends
facing buckle
110, after being folded over to an equal length on both sides by firstly
inserting throughout
snap hook 115 and secondly by folding around a leg 120 of the latter,
an end 160 of single holding strap 150 folded over to a length of several
inches, after being
first inserted throughout buckle 110 and then folded around a frame element
125 of the latter;
a remainder of single holding strap 150, being superposed on body support 100
and
extending toward snap hook 115, continues past it; generally an entire length
of single
holding strap 150 being about twice the length of body support 100, although
any length that
accommodates a waist size range is considered suitable;
- first self-engaging strap 130 of loop-and-hook or Velcro type comprising an
array of loop
elements, generally being equal in width to single holding strap 150 and
having a length that
is, generally, one-half the length of body support 100, is superposed on
single holding strap
150 and starts in proximity of snap hook 115;
- second self-engaging strap 130' of loop-and-hook or Velcro type comprising
an array of
hook elements, generally equal in size to first self engaging strap 130,
starts at a point behind
a tip of an end 135 of single holding strap 150, and is superposed on the
latter and sewn to it;
- single holding strap 150, together with first self-engaging strap 130, being
usually sewn
together along their several longitudinal stitching lines 140 to body support
100;
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- holding strap section 155, superposed on body support 100 and having its
ends facing buckle
110 after being folded over to an equal length on both sides by firstly
inserting throughout
snap hook 115 and secondly by folding around a leg 120 of the latter, together
with a
corresponding superposed portion of single holding strap 150 and body support
100, are
aligned and joined together by a "box and X" pattern of stitching 145;
- end 160 of single holding strap 150 folded over to a length of several
inches, after
being first inserted throughout buckle 110 and then folded around a frame
element 125
of the latter, and being superposed on body support 100, is joined with the
latter by "box and
X" pattern of stitching 145.
Describing in detail, body support 100 has a length less than a circumference
of a user's waist.
Preferably, body support 100 is constructed of knit polypropylene or heavy
duty nylon webbing,
or another equivalent material which is extremely durable. Each of four
corners of body support
100 are angle cut, and to prevent the fraying of the latter, its entire
periphery is provided with a
contour stitch 165. Alternatively, body support 100 can be provided without
angle cutting. Also,
the prevention of perimeter fraying of body support 100 can be obtained by
other various means,
for example, by applying appropriate heat.
Holding straps 105, 150 and 155 are generally of nylon or equivalent webbing
material.
Nylon thread is usually used for affixing together the components of hybrid
belt assemblies 10
and 10'. Obviously, other conventional and equivalent affixing methods can be
employed.
Both afore described embodiments are adapted to be used in conjunction with a
chain-load
subassembly 170 (see Figs. 5). The latter includes a chain 175 of annular
chrome rings and a
weight 180.
When hybrid belt assemblies 10 and 10' are used as dip belts, snap hook 115 is
opened and a
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conveniently chosen annular chrome ring of one end of chain 175 is secured to
the latter.
Another end of chain 175 is passed through a hole 185 in the center of weight
180, then through
buckle 110, to be eventually secured with another conveniently chosen annular
chrome ring to
the same snap hook 115. During the use as a dip belt, hybrid belt assembly 10
or 10' sits on the
hips of a user, with both ends of chain 175 secured to snap hook 115, and with
weight 180
suspended between a user's legs. The working length of chain 175 can be
adjusted by selecting a
convenient annular chrome ring at either or both ends of chain 175. The fact
that chain 175 is not
provided with securing features at its ends means it will not be obstructed as
it passes through
hole 185 in the center of weight 180.
When hybrid belt assemblies 10 and 10' are used as weightliffting belts, the
loose end of upper
holding strap 105" or the loose end of single holding strap 150 is inserted
through buckle 110,
folded body and then tightened, after which self-engaging straps 130 and 130'
are superposed for
contacting each other.
When hybrid belt assemblies 10 or 10' are used as dip belts, the loose end of
upper holding strap
105" or the loose end of single holding strap 150, without being inserted
through buckle 110, is
folded body so self-engaging straps 130 and 130' are superposed for contacting
each other.
It is to be understood, that alternatively to buckle 110, other conventional
devices for buckling
such as interacting, positionally adjustable buckles, or other types of
devices for attaching and
adjusting the working length of belts can be envisaged.
It is also to be understood that alternatively to snap hook 115, which is used
in both of the above
preferred embodiments, other conventional and/or equivalent devices such as a
D or 0-ring can
be used. In this case, chain 175 is provided with at least one hooking
feature. When chain 175 is
provided at each end with a hooking feature, one hooking feature can be
attached to buckle 110,
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with the other hooking feature, to snap hook 115; alternatively, other methods
of attaching both
ends of the chain can be contemplated.
It is also to be understood that alternatively to stitching, any other
conventional or equivalent
means can be used for securing the components of hybrid belt assemblies 10 and
10'.
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed
herein; however, it is to
be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the
invention, which may
be embodied in other forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional
details disclosed herein
are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims
and as a representative
basis for teaching ones skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention.
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