Belt

Abstract

This particular invention is a sports athletic training/physical therapy/rehab belt that is comprised of one full body member with handles at both ends. The invention is used in combination with a stability ball. The exercise motions are performed by taking the user's body off the ground while in a plank position, arms fully extended. In some positions, the user's legs are fully extended, weight on the tips of his/her toes. The user places each hand on the side of the stability ball, holding the handles of the invention while his/her body is suspended in the air. The present invention is an exercise device that has a physical therapeutic/rehabilitation application. The invention was designed for athletes, persons in physical therapy, and rehabilitation.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. Ser. No. 62/969,167 filed Feb. 3, 2020. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 6280598 filed Feb. 15, 2019. Both of the above applications are incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM, LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the fitness and exercise as well as physical therapy field. More particular, the present invention is in the fitness and physical therapy/rehab field of exercising with a sports athletic training belt.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a sports athletic training/physical therapy/rehab training belt that can be used in combination with a stability ball. The exercise motions are performed by taking the user's upper part of the body off the ground and lower half of the body on the ground while in a plank position. The arms are fully extended, and the chest is over the stability ball. The user places each hand on the side of the stability ball, holding the handles of the invention while his/her body is suspended in the air. In some positions, the user's legs are fully extended, and his/her weight is on the tips of his/her toes.

The present invention is an exercise device that has a physical therapeutic/rehabilitation application for stroke patients. It helps stretch the arms out of stroke patients working their hands at the same time. The different exercises with the ball bring the strength back to the hands as well as arms. The stroke patients can improve their fine motor skills as well as muscle strength over time.

The present invention allows the user to exercise all major muscles groups. The present invention helps reduce muscle injuries; it develops strong core stabilization; it creates positive stress on the bones of the user to develop stronger bone density to help prevent broken bones; it creates positive stress on the user's joints to develop stronger tendons/ligaments to reduce the possibility of rips and tears; it improves overall body movement, making the athlete/user's body more efficient in movement; as well as improves the posture of the athlete/user.

The invention was particularly designed for athletes, persons in physical therapy or rehabilitation.

The advantages of the present invention are that it provides a full body workout and is at the same time compact, light-weight, easy to use and to store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The essence of the claimed device may become clear from the following illustrations:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a handle of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a sportsman working out with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a sportsman working out with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

With reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers designate like or corresponding parts throughout.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1 the belt as shown from the front view having two handles No. 2.

In detail, still referring to the invention in FIG. 1, the belt as shown includes two handles No. 2, each of which is secured to both ends of the belt No. 4, one on the right end and one on the left end of the belt.

In more detail, still referring to the invention in FIG. 1, the fabric body member includes an elongated central body portion No. 12 and a pair of tapered end portions No. 4, each of which progressively converges in the direction away from said central body portion.

The form of the belt tapers towards the ends of the belt No. 4, the middle is 5^1/2″ wide, whereas the ends of the belt No. 4 are 2″ wide.

The central body portion No. 12 consists of four layers: two inner layers of padded fabric and two outer layers substantially coextensive in size and shape with said inner layers and joined thereto, of a breathable padding therein yieldingly compressible and shape-restoring padded material, having a thickness greater than that of said outer layers. The four said layers are enclosed in webbing material No. 10.

In further detail, still referring to the invention in FIG. 1, the belt is sufficiently wide and long with a 2″×32″ closely woven marginal fabric No. 10 folded over and fastened with a beaded stitch creating the support system for the handles of the belt No. 2 and the body weight of the user. There is also a supporting member out of closely woven marginal fabric No. 10 that runs in the middle of the front side of the belt.

The handles No. 2 are made of hard plastic material No. 6 centered to fit the hand of the user, which is covered by a neoprene sponge No. 8 with a thickness of 3.2 mm; width rim of 28.2 mm creating a true grip for the user, a non-slip grip.

The handles No. 2 are held in place by a strong webbing material No. 10 that runs through the center of the handles fastened to the elongated body of the belt, by a narrow closely woven 2″ marginal fabric No. 10 folded over, fastened with a beaded stitch that runs through the handles that creates the weight support system. The handles No. 2 are 5^1/4″ away from the belt.

Between each of the two handles No. 2 is a closely woven marginal fabric No. 10 to cover up the open end of the belt No. 16.

There is a brand patch No. 14 sewn on at the center of the belt that reads: “TAC 1 Body Maximizer powered by Body In RareForm”.

The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 1 may be made of webbing or any other strong and ridged fabric. Further, the handles No. 2 of the belt can be made of plastic tubing or PVC.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 2 there is shown a handle No. 2 of the belt.

In detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 2, the handle No. 2 is secured to one end of the belt No. 4.

In more detail, still referring to the invention in FIG. 2, the fabric body member includes an elongated central body portion No. 12 and a pair of tapered end portions No. 4, each of which progressively converges in the direction away from said central body portion.

The form of the belt tapers towards the ends of the belt No. 4, the middle is 5^1/2″ wide, whereas the ends of the belt No. 4 are 2″ wide.

In further detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 2, the handle No. 2 is made of hard plastic material No. 6 centered to fit the hand of the user, which is covered by a neoprene sponge No. 8 with a thickness of 3.2 mm; width rim of 28.2 mm creating a true grip for the user, a non-slip grip.

The handle No. 2 is held in place by a strong webbing material No. 10 that runs through the center of the handles fastened to the elongated body of the belt, by a narrow closely woven 2″ marginal fabric No. 10 folded over, fastened with a beaded stitch that runs through the handle that creates the weight support system. The handle No. 2 is 5^1/4″ away from the belt.

Between the handle No. 2 is a closely woven marginal fabric No. 10 to cover up the open end of the belt No. 16.

The construction details of the handle No. 2 as shown in FIG. 2 are that the handle No. 2 can be made of plastic tubing or PVC.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 3 there is shown a front view of a sportsman working out with the present invention. The claimed device shall be used as follows.

The sportsman has his body in a plank position over the stability ball. The user's feet are stretched back resting his body weight on his toes and balancing himself on the stability ball by putting the invention over the ball and holding the handles No. 2 on both sides with his hands.

In detail, still referring to the invention in FIG. 3 the fabric body member includes an elongated central body portion No. 12 and a pair of tapered end portions No. 4, each of which progressively converges in the direction away from said central body portion.

The form of the belt tapers towards the ends of the belt No. 4, the middle is 5^1/2″ wide, whereas the ends of the belt No. 4 are 2″ wide.

In more detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 3, the central body portion No. 12 consists of four layers: two inner layers of padded fabric and two outer layers substantially coextensive in size and shape with said inner layers and joined thereto, of a breathable padding therein yieldingly compressible and shape-restoring padded material, having a thickness greater than that of said outer layers. The four said layers are enclosed in a webbing material No. 10.

In further detail, still referring to the invention in FIG. 3, the belt is sufficiently wide and long with a 2″×32″ closely woven marginal fabric No. 10 folded over and fastened with a beaded stitch creating the support system for the handles of the belt No. 2 and the body weight of the user. There is also a supporting member out of closely woven marginal fabric No. 10 that runs in the middle of the front side of the belt.

The handles No. 2 are made of hard plastic material No. 6 centered to fit the hand of the user, which is covered by a neoprene sponge No. 8 with a thickness of 3.2 mm; width rim of 28.2 mm creating a true grip for the user, a non-slip grip.

The handles No. 2 are held in place by a strong webbing material No. 10 that runs through the center of the handles fastened to the elongated body of the belt, by a narrow closely woven 2″ marginal fabric No. 10 folded over, fastened with a beaded stitch that runs through the handles that creates the weight support system. The handles No. 2 are 5^1/4″ away from the belt.

There is a brand patch No. 14 sewn on at the center of the belt that reads: “TAC 1 Body Maximizer powered by Body In RareForm”.

The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 3 may be made of webbing or any other strong and ridged fabric. Further, the handles No. 2 of the belt can be made of plastic tubing or PVC.

Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 4 there is shown a perspective view of a sportsman working out with the present invention. The claimed device shall be used as follows.

The sportsman has his body in a plank position over the stability ball. The user's feet are stretched back resting his body weight on his toes and balancing himself on the stability ball by putting the invention over the ball and holding the handles No. 2 on both sides with his hands.

In detail, still referring to the invention in FIG. 4, the fabric body member includes an elongated central body portion No. 12 and a pair of tapered end portions No. 4, each of which progressively converges in the direction away from said central body portion.

The form of the belt tapers towards the ends of the belt No. 4, the middle is 5^1/2″ wide, whereas the ends of the belt No. 4 are 2″ wide.

In more detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 4, the central body portion No. 12 consists of four layers: two inner layers of padded fabric and two outer layers substantially coextensive in size and shape with said inner layers and joined thereto, of a breathable padding therein yieldingly compressible and shape-restoring padded material, having a thickness greater than that of said outer layers. The four said layers are enclosed in a webbing material No. 10.

In further detail, still referring to the invention in FIG. 4 the belt is sufficiently wide and long with a 2″×32″ closely woven marginal fabric No. 10 folded over and fastened with a beaded stitch creating the support system for the handles of the belt No. 2 and the body weight of the user. There is also a supporting member out of closely woven marginal fabric No. 10 that runs in the middle of the front side of the belt.

The handles No. 2 are made of hard plastic material No. 6 centered to fit the hand of the user, which is covered by a neoprene sponge No. 8 with a thickness of 3.2 mm; width rim of 28.2 mm creating a true grip for the user, a non-slip grip.

The handles No. 2 are held in place by a strong webbing material No. 10 that runs through the center of the handles fastened to the elongated body of the belt, by a narrow closely woven 2″ marginal fabric No. 10 folded over, fastened with a beaded stitch that runs through the handles that creates the weight support system. The handles No. 2 are 5^1/4″ away from the belt.

Between each of the two handles No. 2 is a closely woven marginal fabric No. 10 to cover up the open end of the belt No. 16.

There is a brand patch No. 14 sewn on at the center of the belt that reads: “TAC 1 Body Maximizer powered by Body In RareForm”.

The construction details of the invention as shown in FIG. 4 may be made out of webbing or any other strong and ridged fabric. Further, the handles No. 2 of the belt can be made out of plastic tubing or PVC.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that this full body work out tool is very lightweight and small and therefore portable and exceedingly easy to transport.

The invention teaches the muscles to better support the user's spinal cord as the user moves more gracefully in the sport that he/she is playing. It develops the muscles that the user is using the most in every sport that he/she is playing. The users learn this by learning to control their bodies while they are in the air. The invention does not only give the users a full body work out, it helps them to develop stabilizing muscles, teaches them better control over their bodies and muscles, helps them to create efficient body movement and maximizes their intensity level and increases their strength by eliminating their weaknesses.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A sports athletic training/physical therapy/rehab weight supporting belt comprised of:

(a) A fabric body member including an elongated central body portion, and a pair of tapered end portions each of which progressively converges in the direction away from said central body portion;

(b) Said body is consisting of four layers;

(c) Said end portions are consisting of handles at both ends.

2. The belt of claim 1, wherein the four layers are comprised of:

(a) Two inner layers of padded fabric;

(b) Two outer layers, substantially coextensive in size and shape with said inner layers and joined thereto, of a breathable padding therein yieldingly compressible and shape-restoring padded material, having a thickness greater than that of said outer layers;

(c) An outer layer of stretchable, breathable fabric substantially conterminous in shape and size with said layers and joined thereto;

(d) Said four layers being in substantial overlying registration with respective surfaces being combined with one another to provide a sandwich combination and configured to define said belt.

3. The belt of said claim 2, wherein the four said layers are enclosed in a webbing material.

4. The belt of said claim 2, wherein the four layers therein include a rigid stitch fastening to said layers to said body of belt, therein sandwiching layers of said material, therefore creating a coextensive body of material.

5. The belt of said claim 2, wherein the exposed margins of said sandwiched layers are enclosed in an overlying narrow closely woven marginal fabric beaded and stitched thereto.

6. The handles of said claim 1, are a pair of transversely extending handles longitudinally of said central body portion at opposite ends of said central body portion adjacent to said tapered end portions, respectively said to support the claim therein to hold the weight of a sports person/user.

7. The handles of said claim 1, are made of a hard-plastic material centered to fit the hand of the user, which is covered by a neoprene sponge with a thickness of 3.2 mm; width rim of 28.2 mm creating a true grip for the user, a non-slip grip. The handles are held in place by a strong webbing material that runs through the center of the handles fastened to the elongated body of the belt, by a narrow closely woven 2-inch marginal fabric folded over, fastened with a breaded stitch.

8. The belt of claim 1, wherein said fastening means includes an elongated webbing member at least coextensive with and fastened to said belt and adapted to be secured to a set of handles.