Abdominal Harness for Workouts

Abstract

The disclosed device is an abdominal, adjustable belt for use during exercises. The belt is preferably made from a nylon “plush” fabric for the outer surface and neoprene lining for the inner surface. The belt is to be worn directly on a wearer's skin or over a thin shirt, with the neoprene/nylon combination intended to generate profuse perspiration during workouts. The belt is preferably tightened around the waist using a combination of overlapping bands, with each band intending to sculpt a separate section of the waistline. The bands utilize the hook and loop clasp, which securely grips onto the plush surface. Since the outer shell is entirely plush, the 10 dimeter of the interlocking belts surrounding the user's waist are infinitely adjustable. The belt's bottom contour is pointed downward and is intended to cover and compress the lower abdomen. Both the outer and the inner surfaces of the belt are highly elastic and expand under stress.

Claims

1. An elastic belt comprising, a wall, said wall comprising of at least two layers of materials; at least two parallel bands affixing at a point along an exterior surface of said wall and extending past said point of attachment into distal ends; wherein said distal ends of said at least two parallel bands being independent of said wall; said distal ends wrapping along exterior of said wall to overlap at a point along said exterior of said wall; wherein said at least one of said distal ends having a fastener, and wherein said fastener clasping along a length of a corresponding distal end.

2. The elastic belt of claim 1 wherein an inner surface is made of neoprene.

3. The elastic belt of claim 1, wherein the inner surface is made of neoprene, wherein the outer surface is made of nylon.

4. The elastic belt of claim 1, wherein said connector is a hook connector, wherein said bands wrap about said exterior surface and overlap with a corresponding band, wherein said corresponding band having a plush surface; and wherein said hook connector utilizing said plush surface to form a plurality of possible points of attachment.

5. The elastic belt of claim 3, wherein said connector is a hook connector, wherein said bands wrap about said exterior surface and overlap with a corresponding band, wherein said corresponding band having a plush surface; and wherein said hook connector utilizing said plush surface to form a plurality of possible points of attachment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a frontal view of a closed belt.

[0013] FIGS. 2A and 2B is a cross sectional demonstration of the fabric surfaces.

[0014] FIG. 3 is an opened belt.

[0015] FIG. 4 is the diagram of the back panel showing the attachment points for the bands.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a frontal diagram of a fully closed belt.

[0017] FIG. 6 is the same diagram as in FIG. 5, showing the back panel.

[0018] FIGS. 7-9 demonstrate the disclosed apparatus worn by a wearer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] 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.

[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to 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.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a frontal version of the disclosed belt 1, showing the pane 2, the front panel 3, the back surface 6, the front surface 8, the zipper 10, the left bands 25, comprised of the left top band 20, the left lower band 30, the right bands 35, comprised of the right top band 40, the right lower band 50, strips of hook fasteners 60; the top contour 80 and the bottom contour 70. Other fasteners, such as magnets, snaps, clasps and hole with tongue may also be implemented.

[0022] The plurality of panes 2 are attached together at seams 4. The hem 5, which may be plain or crocheted is used to hold the top and bottom surfaces 6 and 8, respectively, together to prevent shifting, buckling and creasing of the surfaces with respect to each other. Furthermore, the seams 4 may connect several individual panels forming the belt 1. The zipper 10 closes the main belt 1, while the bands 20-50 close over the zipper 10.

[0023] The bottom contour 7 is slightly wider than the top contour 80, to accommodate the top of the wearer's hips. The belt's circumference around a wearer's body is preferably narrowest at the midpoint section between the top and bottom contours 80 and 70, respectively. Alternatively, the contouring is almost entirely dictated by the positioning of the interlocking bands 20, 30, 40 and 50.

[0024] FIGS. 2A and 2C is a cross sectional diagram of the disclosed device. The belt 1 is comprised of the inner material 6 and the outer material 8. There are the preferred layers, but additional layers may be added. The inner material is preferably neoprene, resin or rubber. The intent is to have a soft, non-absorbent material, with a high frictional coefficient against the skin or garment and will resist slippage up or down while a user is doing jumps, sits-ups, crunches, leg raises, or dances. The outer layer 8 is made of nylon all or some of which may be plush, and some may be plain. These materials are preferred due to their elasticity.

[0025] The elasticity is required for two reasons. First is that a single belt fits nearly all types of wearers. Second is that the belt must be pulled over the wearer's middle area, resulting in compressing the middle area tissue beneath the belt. However, unlike prior art, the elasticity is also intended to yield to the flexion of wearer's muscles. Thus, the additional inward pressure exerted by the belt is used to further tone oblique, back and abdominal muscles to work against this pressure.

[0026] The bands 25 and 35 may be made of at least two layers 6 and 8, similar to the belt 1. Alternatively, the bands may be made out of a single layer 8, which may be nylon, spandex or rubber. The bands 25 and 35 may be made out of two separate strips of material attached at the middle section 90, or may represent a single unitary strip of material, attached at middle section 90.

[0027] FIG. 3 demonstrates the front panel 3 with zipper 10 in an open position. The width of a band 35 or 25 may be between one and three inches. There may be between one and five parallel bands. Each band focuses on an area where a particular sculpting is needed and is loosened or tightened independently from other parallel bands.

[0028] FIG. 4 demonstrates the back portion 85 of the belt 1. Shown is the point of attachment 90 for the bands 35 and 25. The bands 25 and 35 are otherwise independent of the belt 1, and in a substantially parallel configuration with respect to each other.

[0029] FIG. 5 demonstrates a fully closed belt 1. The bands 25 and 35 are shown clasped along the front 3, over the zipper 10. The top right band 40 is attached to the top left band 20. While the bottom right band 50 attaches over the bottom left band 30. Section 60 represents the loop section, which attaches to the top surface 22. Preferably, the top surface is entirely made of an elastic material having a plush surface, presenting ample clasping surface for the hook strips 60. In this configuration, the bands may be clasped together anywhere along the length of the left bands 25, resulting in a virtually unlimited compression settings for the wearer.

[0030] Clearly visible in FIG. 5 is the contour of the lower edge 70. Along the front panel 3, the edge forms a left downward sloping portion 55 and a right downward sloping portion 57, along with the bottom most point 56 being in the middle of this contour. The zipper 10 is not required and the entire belt may be a single band that the user would done over his or her shoulders, or over the legs and thighs. FIG. 6 is the back view of the fully closed belt 1 that is shown in FIG. 5.

[0031] FIGS. 7-9 demonstrate the device in use. The donned over the entire abdominal portion of the torso, with the top edge 80 terminating just below the bust and the bottom edge 70, right above the thighs and buttocks. The bands 25 and 35 promote an appearance preferred by the wearer. This may be in form of a pronounced narrowing of the waistline, or simply a reduction of the abdominal girth all along the torso.

[0032] The bottom point 56 preferably terminates right above the crotch of the user. This termination point will capture any lumpy area along the lower front abdomen, without interfering with wearer's use of legs when sitting, or lifting legs during exercise. The bottom edge 70 flares out above the thighs. Alternatively, the diameter of the device may be substantially uniform, being biased toward a very small circumference that is expanded by tensing abdominal musculature.

[0033] 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.