Body attached sports training device

Abstract

A body attached sports training device for improving forward/twisting motion and consisting of a belt with a series of attaching rings disposed to guide and receive resilient bands that are secured at another ring located to provide an attaching point on the belt. The other end of the belt is connected to rings that hold yet allow movement there through as the bands are extended and tensioned. The band arrangement resists forward motion while wrapping around the belt/wearer and resists twisting motion. The belt securely grips the user's body with a gripping system that intensifies and concentrates belt holding forces around the user's waist to keep the belt in place during use without the need for leg straps or the like.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

This disclosure shows a strength and training device for athletes that provides a belt securely affixed to the user's waist and a plurality of elastic cords that are attached thereto with a free end secured to a stationary object. The elastic cords tighten around the user's waist to hold the belt in place eliminating the need for leg straps or the like.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

This disclosure pertains to exercise/training devices used by persons developing a common athletic movement that combines forward/sideway motion with a twisting of the waist and upper body. This common motion is replicated by: hitters striding into a pitched ball in baseball; a tennis player hitting a ball; a golfer hitting a ball; a racquetball/handball player serving or hitting balls; a boxer throwing a punch; and, kickers in sports ranging from soccer to punting in football. Specifically, this invention provides a belt with resilient cords fixed adjacent and partially encircling the user for training and proving resistance to said twisting and linear, forward movement while holding the belt securely in position.

A number of so-called exercise devices have been disclosed in the past to increase strength, improve reaction time and skill by utilizing elastic cords attached to the user's body with a belt. The purpose of the belt is to provide an anchor point for one end of one or several cords. In some instances with prior devices the loose end of the cords may be attached to another part of the user's body or may be held by an assistant or fixed to a non moveable anchor point. One feature all these prior art devices require is a number of straps either extending upwardly from the belt to the user's shoulders or downwardly to grip the user's legs, usually the upper thighs to hold the belt in place during use.

One such configuration of the prior art is shown in the Gutkowski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,827 (1997) that discloses an exercise device with a belt and several elastic cords for exercising arms and legs. The entire device is worn by the user and intended primarily for running and arm exercises that do not involve athletic twisting and thrusting as is the intention of the present invention. Unlike the disclosure herein, there is no hint or suggestion of mounting the elastic bands off the user's body for a permanent anchor and providing the thrusting and twisting training as disclosed herein.

The Miller U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,881 (1998) discloses an athletic training belt that has elastic cords extending from the user's attached belt that has three rings for selectively adjusting the amount of resistance in the cords. The belt also shows right and left thigh straps that encircle the user's legs to prevent the belt from moving around the user's waist. There is no disclosure or suggestion of providing and using the varying resistance of applicant's device that wraps the elastic cords around the user waist and belt and providing a belt tightening force as the user twists to thereby hold the belt firmly in place without the need for thigh straps.

Similarly, the Holland, U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,900 (1998) shows another exercise belt attached around the user's waist and has elastic cord(s) attached to the belt for strength and endurance training. This product shows a girdle type device with both leg and shoulder straps to hold the belt securely in place and prevent it from twisting about the user's waist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein is involved in the field of sports training devices that attach around the waist of an athlete's body and provide at least one elastic cord extending therefrom that is securely attached or otherwise held to assist in training. The particular configuration of the elastic members that extend about the belt as it is used provides a belt tightening force to hold the belt in place. More specifically, this invention has eliminated the need for thigh or shoulder straps to hold the belt from twisting around the user's waist.

In operation or use, the athlete attaches the belt around his/her waist and fastens it securely with the buckle provided. Next, the elastic cord(s) are threaded through rings that hold yet allow movement and attached to a fixed object or could be hand held by an assistant, are extended through loops on the belt and have a second end that is clipped to the belt at a point to partially encircle the waist to provide contact with the belt while allowing the elastic member to extend. Thus configured, the elastic member tightens around the athlete's waist as the cord is extended to hold the belt in place and prevent movement. The belt is easily attached and removed without the need to attach and tighten cumbersome leg straps or a shoulder harness. The belt can be attached and removed in public with a minimum of effort.

It is thus an object of the invention to provide an exercise and training device that allows the user to duplicate athletic actions specific to his or her sport without risking injury of discomfort.

Another object is to provide a training device that is easily transported and used with a minimum of effort and time by providing a belt with a buckle and a loops system for attaching an elastic cord that enters a first loop at the rear of the user and extends through other loops to an attaching loop at or near the front to be easily attached and removed by the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide the exercise and training device with a graduated training feature by allowing additional elastic bands to be attached around the user's waist and extending about the belt to provide more belt tightening or holding forces to prevent belt movement as the training effect is increased.

Another object is to provide a multi discipline training device that can be used to train athletes in the common movement of thrust and twist that has heretofore not been provided by a portable, simple training device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a training belt with attachment means for positioning additional elastic bands that can be attached to the user's hands or arms to improve the training effect by allowing upper body development.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art with reference to the attached drawings, description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of one application of the exercise training belt as used by a right handed golfer;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial illustration of another application of the exercise training belt as used by a right handed batter in baseball;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial illustration of yet another application of the exercise training belt as used by a left handed golfer;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the training belt and showing the arrangement of the belt with additional straps used for training a boxer;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of the training belt anchored with a door frame mounted system and showing the arrangement of the belt with additional straps used for training a boxer;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the training belt anchored with a wall mounted system and, like FIG. 5 showing the arrangement of the belt with additional straps used for training a boxer;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a rear view of the training belt anchored with a portable floor mounted system and showing the arrangement of the belt with additional straps used for training a boxer;

FIG. 8 shows application use of the training belt with a portable platform as used by a punter in American style football;

FIG. 9 shows the use of the training belt with a portable platform as used by a person practicing jumping and or acceleration for a variety of sports;

FIG. 10 shows the belt and arm cords removed from the user's body;

FIG. 11 shows a front view of the belt on a user with the elastic cords shown extending about the front buckle to the attachment point on the opposite side;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the belt with the main bands extending around the user and auxiliary bands attached to the side of the belt;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the belt and suggested arrangement of the elastic cords for a person training to twist in a counterclockwise direction such as a right handed batter in baseball;

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the belt and suggested arrangement of the elastic cords for a person training to twist in a clockwise direction such as a left handed batter in baseball;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the belt and suggested arrangement of the elastic cords for a person training to twist in a counterclockwise direction such as a right handed batter in baseball with the cord extended more than 180 degrees about the persons waist; and,

FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the anchor point in the front of the belt used to secure the belt and allow the elastic cord to tighten as is extended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and in particular FIG. 1 wherein the preferred embodiment of the present invention shows an exercise and training belt 10 attached around the waist of a person 12 practicing golf. The belt 10 is sized to extend about the user's waist and is rigid enough to allow three D-rings to be securely attached thereto—one at the back that is indicated by the numeral 14, and one at each side that is identified by the numeral 16. This specific construction is shown particularly in FIGS. 10-16.

Belt 10 also utilizes at least one elastic band having sections shown as 20, 20a with at least one section that extends through the center loop 14, around the belt with both sections positioned through a first side ring 16 and across the buckle 17 to the second ring 16 where the ends are fastened with use of the locking hook 23. Band 20 has a portion away from the end away from the user end that is anchored, but free to slide, as shown in FIG. 1 to a portable platform 24.

The illustrations show the use of a double band 20-20a that has one portion that extends through the back ring 14, and the other portion through one side ring 16 and is hooked to the opposite ring 16 after extending across the front of the belt. In this configuration, as the user twists, the belt tightens and stays in place as shown in FIGS. 1-3, 7, 13-15. Other configurations of the basic arrangement are discussed below.

The configuration of band 20-20a that is used tightens as the user twists and moves forward may also be used in conjunction with another elastic band 22 that connects directly to side ring 16 and produces an enhanced training force that resists the user from twisting. The bands 20, 20a are essentially one continuous band or can be joined and extend through anchor rings 26 on the platform 24. The band 20-20a may be divided into two sections 20-20a that are joined by auxiliary clips 23a (FIG. 10) after positioning through the anchors.

The arrangement of the bands 20, 20a shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated with respect to a baseball player and the function is essentially the same as that shown in FIG. 1 and described above.

The arrangement of the bands 20, 22 shown in FIG. 3 is illustrated with respect to a left handed golfer and are essentially the same as that shown in FIG. 1 and described above for the right handed golfer.

With the arrangements shown in FIGS. 1-3 and described above, when the user 12 moves forward a resistance is produced by the elastic bands as they are extended. Now, as the user 12 twists to swing the golf club or baseball bat, that twisting motion is resisted by the bands that wrap around the belt 10 producing the desired training effect. It is observed that the thrust or forward athletic motion combined with the twist athletic move are both resisted by the arrangement of the elastic bands 20, 20a and side band 22 (FIG. 15).

FIGS. 4-5 show the belt used by an individual utilizing additional arm bands 34 that are attached to the belt 10 at the rear D-ring 14. The bands 20, 20a are wrapped around the belt in such a fashion to tighten as the boxer twists and lunges. For example. The boxers shown in FIGS. 4-5 are right handed—leading with a left foot and left arm. For such right hand lead boxers, the twist of the upper body is counter-clockwise as viewed from above and the bands would be attached to the belt as shown in FIGS. 12-13. In the event a greater training effect is desired, side band 22 could be attached as shown in FIGS. 12-15.

The arrangement of the training belt 10 shown in FIGS. 5-6 disclose another important feature, that is, the extreme portability of the device. Here the bands 20, 20a are attached with anchors 28, FIG. 5, to a door frame 30. The illustration shows a boxer with additional elastic bands 32 attached at one end to the belt 10 at the rear or back D-ring 14 and at the arm end to wrist band 34. It is contemplated that the bands 20, 20a extend through brackets 28 to enable the training belt 10 to be easily used while traveling or at home. Similarly, FIG. 6 shows training belt 10 attached to wall anchors 36 such as may be present at a health club or in a user's home.

FIG. 7 is like FIG. 6 in the sense that the training belt 10 is being used by a person training for boxing. However, another arrangement is shown in which the bands 20, 20a are anchored to a portable platform 24. It should also be noticed that the elastic bands 20, 20a extend through anchor rings 26 on platform 24. With such a connection the bands may move through the rings 26 to adjust for movement of the user. The arm straps 32 are shown attached at one end to the user with the wrist bands 34 and at the other end to the rear D-ring 14 of the training belt 10.

FIG. 8 shows the training belt 10 used to condition and strengthen a person kicking and is anchored to a portable platform as described earlier. The bands 20, 20a are shown in the same configuration as shown for the golfer and baseball player in FIGS. 1-2. Thus, as the kicker thrusts forward and twists the bands resist the forward movement and also tighten the belt around the user's waist as his/her body twists. Ankle band 38 also trains the leg and associated kicking muscles by providing a resistive force.

One additional use of the training belt 10 is illustrated in FIG. 9 that shows a jumping training move using the belt 10. With such a use it is contemplated that the bands 20, 20a would be attached to the side D-rings and anchored as shown on the portable platform 24 or to another suitable anchor. This arrangement could also be used to train sprinters or other athletes in developing a quick and powerful start.

FIG. 10 shows the belt away from the user's body. The belt 10 is a semi rigid of a type well known in the art and similar to a basic weight lifting belt with the following modifications as shown herein. A center D-ring 14 is attached in the middle to be positioned at the user's back. Two side D-rings 16 are attached at the sides near the front of the belt 10 near the buckle or latching members 17. The D-rings 14-16 are large enough to allow several of the elastic bands 20, 20a to easily fit there through an move freely during use. The illustration of FIG. 10 also shows the arrangement when the belt 10 is used with the elastic arm straps 32 and wrist/arm bands 34 as would be the configuration when used by a person training for boxing.

FIGS. 11-12 show the arrangement of the bands 20, 20a around the belt 10 and with the addition of auxiliary band 22 for extra training effect. As strap 20-20a is extended it is automatically tightened around the user to hold the belt tightly in place and thus has eliminated the need for the usual and cumbersome leg or body straps. For example, referring to FIGS. 11, 13-15, the illustrations show the belt 10 end sections of 20 and 20a extending through first side D-ring 16, across the front of the belt past buckle latch 17 to connect with the second, opposite D-ring 17 with clips 23. As bands 20, 20a stretch they provide a resistive force to both forward movement and twisting movement. Further, as the stretching of 20, 20a occurs a tightening force is added that encircles the user to hold the belt tighter as more twisting and extension of bands 20, 20a occurs. Thus, the maximum tightening force of belt 10 around the user's body is provided when it is needed most.

FIG. 13 shows schematically a similar arrangement of the belt 10 and elastic bands 20, 20a shown in FIGS. 11-12 with the bands extending approximately three fourths (270 degrees) around the wearer's waist to secure the belt in place during use.

FIG. 14 is a schematic showing a reverse of the arrangement shown in FIG. 13 and shows in detail one arrangement for attaching the ends of the bands to the belt 10. The D-ring 16 is similar to or the same as the D-ring identified by the number 14.

FIG. 15 is similar to the arrangement of FIG. 13 with the addition of an auxiliary band 22 to provide additional resistive forces and improved training.

Thus it has been shown by the foregoing description and detailed drawings that the disclosure shows an improved training and exercise belt 10 that allows use in a variety of training movements from baseball to sprinting. The belt 10 provides attachment points through the use of the rings attached about the perimeter to attach the elastic cords or band(s) 20, 20a with one ring and allow movement through the other rings. Further, an auxiliary band can be attached to the rear ring or side ring depending on the exercise desired.

The forgoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those who are skilled in the art and have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An exercise and training device providing a belt adapted for attachment to a human body exercising and having resilient bands attached, the improvement comprising:

said belt having guides for limiting movement of the bands on the belt while allowing stretching of the bands, and said resilient bands having first connecting means to attach at one end to said belt and having second attaching means to anchor and secure the other end rearward of the user to allow extension of said bands and thereby provide a training force opposing twisting and forward movement of the user;

said resilient bands having portions extending through said guides and having lock means to secure said guides to said belt thereby securely holding to the belt during use;

said resilient bands providing a training and strengthening force as extended during use whereby said force has two components, a first component providing a thrust resistance and the second component providing a rotational component resisting the user's twisting movement, and, said bands contacting said belt and urging said belt toward the user's body to thereby tighten said belt on the user during athletic and training movement.

2. The exercise and training device of claim 1 and further comprising:

said guides comprising a series of attachment and guide members providing attachment points to allow attachment of one end of each elastic band to each guide means while also to allow the elastic band to extend there through and portions to overlap to thereby provide said belt tightening force about the user.

3. The exercise and training device of claim 2 and said guides further comprising:

a series of guide rings extending about said belt to provide attaching points at the sides and rear for said resilient bands.

4. The exercise and training device of claim 1, and:

said guides providing secure attaching members for receiving said resilient bands and at least one of said bands has a portion of said band extending around said belt whereby extension of said band firmly wraps said band adjacent the belt and tightens said belt around the user's waist.

5. A training belt with a combination of elements and comprising:

a belt adapted for attachment to a human body;

elastic resilient bands having a length and extending from said belt to provide both training resistance and belt holding and tightening to allow said training belt to be held in place due to forces provided by said resilient bands that have portions that are configured on and around a great portion of said belt with portions overlapping to tighten the belt during use and hold it in place without the use of leg straps or other belt holding harnesses and contraptions;

guides located on said belt and having means adapted to guide and hold said elastic band means around said great portion of said belt during use;

said bands having first connecting means to attach at one end to said belt and having second attaching means to anchor and secure the other end to allow extension of said bands to the rear of the user and thereby provide a training force opposing twisting and forward movement of the user.

6. The training belt according to claim 5, and the improvement further comprising:

said guides comprising a series of two guides attached to said belt and having portions for connecting and guiding said elastic bands to thereby provide said training effect through resistance to thrusting and twisting.

7. The training belt of claim 6, and said guides further comprising:

a plurality of attachment means adapted about said belt to provide a multitude of attachment points to thereby provide resistance to forward thrusting, and twisting in two directions.

8. The training belt of claim 7 and the improvement further comprising:

auxiliary elastic bands with one end secured to said belt and a second end with connecting means for attachment to the user's wrists for training the user's arms, shoulders and the like.

9. A method for athletic conditioning comprising the steps of:

providing a workout belt adapted to fit snugly about a human body and having first guide means attached at a first point on said belt;

positioning an elastic band having a locking end for attachment to said belt into said guide means at said first point and providing said band with a free end;

extending said elastic band through said first guide means at least 180 degrees around the user's waist to a second, attaching point to thereby retain said band adjacent said belt during use;

attaching said band to said belt at the second point to hold the band;

securing the free end of said elastic band away from and to the rear of the user;

attaching the free end of said band to an anchor point to secure said band in place during use;

extending said elastic band and providing a training force and resistance to thrusting movement and torsional and rotational movement of the user.

10. The method of athletic conditioning of claim 9 and further comprising the steps of:

attaching said band securely to the belt;

positioning said band to contact at least 180 degrees, of said belt, half way, when it is around a human body; and

providing a tightening force gripping the user's waist to hold the belt in place without the use of leg straps or the like as the band is extended.