U.S. patent number 3,589,366 [Application Number 05/094,442] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-29 for reducing shorts.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Biophysical Research & Development Corporation. Invention is credited to Jack Vincent Feather.
United States Patent |
3,589,366 |
Feather |
June 29, 1971 |
REDUCING SHORTS
Abstract
A pair of inflatable Bermuda-type shorts to be worn for
exercising and weight reducing.
Inventors: |
Feather; Jack Vincent (Oakland,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Biophysical Research &
Development Corporation (N/A)
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Family
ID: |
22245227 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/094,442 |
Filed: |
December 2, 1970 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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887227 |
Dec 22, 1969 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
604/312 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61H
36/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61H
36/00 (20060101); A61f 007/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/293,362,363,379,402
;9/310.9,334--335,343 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Rosenbaum; Charles F.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation-in-part application of copending U.S. Pat
Application Ser. No. 887,227 for Weight Reducing Shorts, filed Dec.
22, 1969 and now abandoned.
Claims
I claim:
1. A pair of reducing pants comprising
an inflatable pair of shorts extending from the region of the
wearer's mid section to above his knee, said pants being
constructed of a pliable plastic material having a nonporous and
nonabsorbent exterior surface to prevent the absorption of sweat by
said pants, said pants being inflatable to press the pliable
nonporous nonabsorbent plastic material of the pants against the
bare skin of the wearer to induce sweating and to provide pressure
against the waist, abdomen, hips and thighs of the wearer and
thereby resistance to the action of the wearer's muscles during
exercise and to prevent the escape of body heat from the wearer's
skin, and
inflating means to permit the entire length and width of said pants
to be inflated by the wearer, while said pants are being worn, and
maintained in an inflated condition without escape of fluid and
without attention from the wearer.
2. The reducing pants of claim 1 wherein said pants are divided
into a plurality of inflatable separate segments, said segments
including front and side portions, said front and side portions
being divided into a plurality of horizontally extending and
connecting sections whereby the front and side portions of said
pants may be easily flexed during movement of the wearer.
3. A pair of reducing pants comprising
an integral pair of inflatable shorts extending from the region of
the wearer's midsection to above his knees, said shorts being
constructed of a pliable plastic material having a nonporous and
nonabsorbent exterior surface, said shorts being sealed together
along sealed joints including a sealed joint running from a point
near the top of the waist portion in the front of the pants through
the crotch of the pants to the top of the waist portion at the back
of the pants whereby said pants are divided into four separate
segments, each of said segments having a chamber formed therein;
each of said chambers being divided into a plurality of sections;
said chambers including two inside chambers and two outside
chambers; the sections of said two inside chambers including at
least two vertically extending sections and a plurality of
horizontally extending sections; the sections of said two outside
chambers including an upper section, and a plurality of
horizontally extending sections formed between said upper section,
said enlarged rear section and one of said sealed joints;
an adjustable inflatable belt secured to a portion of the waist
portion of said pants and being of such a width that it
substantially covers the waist of a wearer, said belt being
constructed of a pliable plastic material having a nonporous and
nonabsorbent exterior surface and including means for adjustable
length securement of the belt around the wearer's waist, and
overlapping of the two ends of said belt to insure encircling
contact of the belt with the waist of the wearer; and
inflating means to permit the entire length and width of said belt
and the segments of said pants to be inflated by the wearer
independently, while said belt and said pants are being worn, and
means for maintaining said belt and said pants in an inflated
condition without attention from the wearer.
4. The reducing pants of claim 1 wherein the inflatable shorts are
divided into a plurality of connecting sections to insure maximum
contact of the pliable nonporous plastic interior of each of the
leg portions and the waist portion of the shorts to the bare skin
of the wearer when the pants are inflated and to allow a wearer the
required flexibility and freedom to do exercises while wearing the
pants.
5. A pair of reducing pants comprising
an integral pair of inflatable shorts extending from the region of
the wearer's midsection to above his knees, said pants being
constructed of a pliable plastic material having a nonporous and
nonabsorbent exterior surface to prevent the absorption of sweat by
said pants, said pants being inflatable to press the material of
the pants against the bare skin of the wearer to induce sweating
and to provide resistance to the action of the wearer's muscles
during exercise and to prevent the escape of heat from the wearer's
body, said pants being divided into at least a plurality of
horizontal connecting sections to allow a wearer the required
flexibility and freedom to do exercises while wearing the pants,
and
inflating means to permit substantially the entire length and width
of said shorts to be inflated by the wearer, while said pants are
being worn, and maintained in an inflated condition without
attention from the wearer.
6. A pair of reducing pants in accordance with claim 1 further
comprising
an adjustable inflatable belt secured to a portion of the waist
portion of said pants and being of such a width that it
substantially covers the waist of a wearer, said belt being
constructed of a pliable plastic material having a nonporous and
nonabsorbent exterior surface and including means for adjustable
length securement of the belt around the wearer's waist, and
overlapping of the two ends of said belt to insure encircling
contact of the belt with the waist of the wearer.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
No prior art has been uncovered which is directly related to the
inflatable pants of the present invention. There are certain types
of nonporous, nonabsorbent sweat suits which are worn for sweating
off weight, but none of them are of the inflatable variety.
Prior art belts of the type used in combination with the inflatable
pants of this invention are disclosed in applicant's copending U.S.
Pat. Application Ser. No. 886,880 for Weight Reducing Belt, filed
Dec. 22, 1969.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a pair of weight-reducing pants. They
comprise an inflatable pair of shorts which extend from the region
of the wearer's midsection to above the knee. The pants are
constructed of a material having a nonporous and nonabsorbent
exterior surface. An inflating means is provided to permit the
surrounding length and width of the pants to be inflated by the
wearer while the pants are being worn. There is also provided means
whereby the pants may be maintained in an inflated condition
without attention from the wearer.
In one embodiment of the invention, each of the pant legs is
provided with a seam running along the entire length of the side of
the leg to allow the pant leg to be snugly fitted to the leg of a
wearer.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a one-piece pair of
shorts is provided with an integral inflatable belt to be worn
around the waist of a wearer.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an important object of the present invention to
provide a pair of weight-reducing pants which can be inflated to
insure extensive continuous contact of the pants with the body of
the wearer.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pair of
weight-reducing pants which are made of a nonporous and
nonabsorbent material to increase the sweating of the wearer
beneath the pants.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pair
of weight-reducing pants which can be adjusted to fit various-sized
persons and shrinking waistlines, abdomens, hip sizes and
thighs.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
pair of weight-reducing pants which can be inflated by the wearer
while the pants are being worn.
And yet another object of the instant invention is the provision of
a pair of inflatable pants combined with a separate inflatable belt
portion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of applicant's
invention showing a pair of weight-reducing pants having open seams
running up the side of each pant leg, in operative position on the
body of a wearer;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a pattern layout for forming a one-half
portion of the pants of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view of a further embodiment of applicant's
invention showing an integral pair of inflatable shorts in an
uninflated condition;
FIG. 5 is a partial side view showing the top end of the integral
shorts of FIG. 4 with an adjustable inflatable weight-reducing belt
secured to a portion of the waistband thereof;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the integral pair of shorts of FIG. 4 in
an inflated condition;
FIG. 7 is a rear view of the integral pair of shorts of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross section of the shorts of FIG. 4 taken
along line 8-8;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross section of the shorts of FIG. 4 taken
along line 9-9; and
FIG. 10 is a plan view of a pump to be used in inflating the shorts
of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In one embodiment of the weight-reducing pants of the present
invention, a pair of inflatable Bermuda-type shorts have an open
seam running up the outside portion of each of the legs from the
bottom to the top on each side of the pair of pants. The two seams
are held together by adjustable straps.
In a second embodiment of the inflatable weight-reducing pants of
the present invention, the leg portions of the inflatable
Bermuda-type shorts are integral tubular members and the shorts are
provided with a plurality of separate chambers which are capable of
being individually inflated to a suitable pressure by a wearer.
In a further embodiment, the inflatable weight-reducing shorts are
provided with an adjustable, inflatable belt portion secured to the
upper portion of the shorts.
Referring now to FIGS. 1--3 of the drawings, the weight-reducing
pants shown therein comprise a first combined leg and waist portion
11 for one half of the wearer's body which includes a generally
vertically disposed open seam having anterior and posterior edges
13, 15 which extend from the bottom 17 of the leg portion to the
top 19 of the waist portion. The length of the pants ideally
extends from just above the knee to the waist of the wearer.
The leg and waist portion 11 is constructed of two pieces of
pliable nonporous plastic sheet material 21 having a nonabsorbent
exterior surface typical of plastic. The pieces are sealed together
along their free peripheral edges 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37.
The edges are sealed together by heat and pressure or by means of
any suitable adhesive.
The pants include means for adjustably fitting the pants to
various-sized persons and to insure overall contact of the shorts
with the body of the wearer. To effect this, a multiplicity of
straps 39 are secured to one of the said anterior or posterior
edges, preferably the posterior edge 15, and a set of strap
engagement means such as D-rings 41 are secured to the other of the
edges 13 spaced slightly inward thereof.
A flap 43, which is constructed of the same material as the
combined leg and waist portion, is secured to either the anterior
or posterior edge of the leg portion, preferably the anterior edge
13. This flap is extended around the wearer's body to insure
encircling contact of the pants with the body from the top edge 23,
31 of the pants to the bottom edge 27 of the leg.
A second combined leg and waist portion, a mirror image of the
first leg and waist portion, is secured to the first portion along
at least a portion of the front-to-rear crotch seam 33, 35, 37 of
the waist portion.
The construction of the invention is difficult to show in the
accompanying drawings. Therefore, only the pattern of one of the
combined leg and waist portions, or one-half of the pants, is
illustrated in FIG. 2. While it is difficult to conceptualize, it
is quite evident from FIG. 1 what the pants comprise, and FIG. 2 is
the actual pattern in miniature which could be easily enlarge and
utilized by a garment maker to construct the pants.
When the two portions of the pants are sealed together as
illustrated in FIG. 1, the strap means and the D-ring engagement
means are face to face inside the pants as they are put on. The
lower edge 27 of the pattern encircles one leg, while the upper
edges 23, 31 encircle one-half of the wearer's waist from front to
rear. By joining the two portions only along the front and rear of
the crotch seams 33, 37, an unsealed condition exists in the crotch
of the pants at the bottom 35 of the crotch seam.
An inflating means is provided for permitting the wearer to inflate
the entire length of the pants while he is wearing them. While any
small air pump could be utilized, the preferred embodiment includes
a separate flexible tube 45 secured to each of the combined leg and
waist portions and which communicate with the interior 47 of each
combined portion to permit the pants to be inflated by the breath
of the wearer one side at a time. The length of the tubes is
sufficient to permit each to be insertable in the mouth of the
wearer while the pants are being worn. The tubes are also provided
with a means for maintaining the pants in an inflated condition
without attention from the wearer. This can be effected simply by
spring clips which permit the tubes to be sealed by compressing
them. When each of the tubes is pinched, they can be tucked inside
the pants during exercising.
FIGS. 4 and 6--9 of the drawings illustrate a further embodiment of
applicant's invention, comprising an integral pair of shorts formed
of four separate inflatable segments. The integral pair of shorts
are merely slipped over the legs of a wearer in the same manner as
any type of pants or shorts and a tie string at the top of the
shorts is adjusted to hold the waist of the shorts snugly around
the wearer.
As shown, this embodiment of the invention comprises an integral
pair of Bermuda-type shorts 47 with left and right sealed together
leg portions L, R, having upper sections 49 and a waistband 51. The
right and left leg portions are preferably sealed together, along
the central portion of the pants by heat or adhesive to form a
sealed joint or seam 53 which extends from a point 55 at the front
of the waistband through the crotch area 57 of the pants to a point
59 at the rear of the waistband. As shown in phantom line, the
waistband 51 is provided interiorly with a waist-adjusting means,
such as a tie string 61.
The two sealed together leg portions L, R, preferably constructed
as shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, are each divided into two separate
segments 63, 65, 67, 69 having inflatable interior chambers. The
first or outside segment 63, 67 of each leg portion substantially
covers the outside leg and hip areas of a wearer and the second or
inside segment 65, 69 of each leg portion covers the inside leg,
crotch and a portion of the abdomen of a wearer.
The first or outside segment 63 of the right leg portion R is
preferably connected to the second or inside segment 65 by means of
front and rear sealed joints 71, 73 to form a composite right leg
portion. The front sealed joint 71 extends from a point 75 at the
front of the bottom of the right leg portion to a point 77 near the
top of the waistband 51, while the rear sealed joint 73 extends
from a point 79 at the rear of the bottom of the right leg portion
to a point 81 near the top of the waistband.
In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 6--9, the sealed
joints 71, 73 preferably do not extend all the way to the top of
the waistband. The waistband is provided with a plurality of split
portions 83 through which the tie string 61 is inserted. The split
portions 83 together with the tie string also enable the waistband
to be adjustably fitted around different wearers having different
waist and hip sizes.
The segments 67, 69 of left leg portion L are similarly connected
together along front and rear sealed joints 85, 87 to form a
composite left leg portion.
The composite left and right leg portions L, R are then sealed
together along the joint 53 to form the composite integral pants,
more clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
Each of the separate segments (63, 65, 67, 69 may be constructed in
a variety of different ways. The outside segments 63, 67 of each
leg portion may be integrally constructed from a single piece of
folded over plastic or two separate pieces of pliable nonporous
plastic sheet material sealed together, by heat or by adhesive
means, along the free edges , The inside and outside segments of
each leg portion may be integrally constructed from a plurality of
separate sheets of plastic cut to shape and then sealed along the
free edges thereof. The seams made by the sealed free edges of the
segments are then sealed together at the joints 71, 73, 85, 87 to
form the composite leg portions.
Turning now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the construction of the separate
segments, the interior chambers, and the composite integral pants
are more clearly illustrated in an enlarged condition, for reasons
of clarity. Each of the outside segments 63, 67 is made from two
separate sheets of plastic material 89, 91, 93, 95 sealed along its
free edges to form airtight seams 97, 99, 101, 103 containing
airtight, inflatable interior chambers 105, 107 therebetween.
As shown, each of the inside segments 65, 69 is constructed from
two separate sheets of plastic 109, 111, 113, 115 having U-shaped
interior sections cut therefrom to allow these segments to fit
around the crotch and over the abdomen of a wearer. The two
separate sheets of plastic 109, 111 making up the inside section 65
are sealed along their free edges to form airtight seams 117, 119,
121, while the separate plastic sheets 113, 115 making up the
inside section 69 are sealed along their free edges to form
airtight seams 123, 125, 127. Separate airtight, inflatable,
interior chambers 129, 131 are thereby produced between the sealed
plastic sheets 109, 111, 113, 115.
The seams 97, 99, 101, 103, 117, 119, 123 and 125 of each of the
fabricated segments 63, 65, 67, 69 are then joined or sealed
together, in any suitable manner, to form the joints 71, 73, 85, 87
to obtain the composite left and right leg portions L, R. The seams
121, 127, formed along the edges of the U-shaped openings (see FIG.
8) of each of the composite leg portions, are then sealed together
to form the central joint 53 to obtain the composite integral
pants, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
Each of the interior chambers 105, 107, 121, 131 is preferably
divided into a plurality of connecting sections by sealing or
pressing together selected portions of the inside of each of the
chambers along predetermined distances or lengths. These interior
sections are connected by unsealed passages, and are formed in the
chambers to insure, inter alia, maximum contact of the pliable,
nonporous plastic interior of each of the leg portions and the
waist portion of the shorts to the bare skin of a wearer, thereby
insuring a snug fit and support of the waist, abdomen, hips and
thighs of a wearer.
As more clearly shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, sectors of each of the
segments 63, 65, 67, 69 are divided into a plurality of separate
sections including horizontally extending sections 133. These
sections are formed by sealing selected horizontal or vertical
lengths 135 of the inside portions of the separate sheets of
plastic, in any suitable manner, such as by pressing and heating. A
plurality of passages or spaces 137 are left between the sealed
lengths 135 to allow air to flow between the separate sections of
the pants.
The inner segments 65, 69 of each pant leg are further provided
with front and rear vertically extending sections 143, 145
connected together by the sealed joint 53. These vertical sections
143, 145 form the upwardly extending arms of the U-shaped opening
and, in the inflated position, press against the abdomen and rear
areas, respectively, of a wearer. Each of the front vertical
sections 143 is in fluid communication with the lower horizontal
sections 133 and the rear vertical section 145.
Two large rear vertical sections 139, shown in FIG. 7, are formed
in each outside segment 63, 67. One of these vertical sections 139
is more clearly shown in FIG. 4 as being bordered by the sealed
joint 73 and the horizontal and vertical sealed lengths 135. As
shown, the vertical sections 139 are in fluid communication with
the horizontally extending sections 49, 133, by means of the
passages or spaces 137. The vertical sections 139 preferably extend
from the upper section 49 to the sealed bottom of the pant legs
141.
These enlarged vertical sections 139, in the inflated condition,
provide firm contact with the buttocks and rear leg area of a
wearer. The plurality of horizontal sections 133 at the front of
the pants and along the interior portions of the legs further allow
a wearer, when the pants are being worn in the inflated position,
the required flexibility and freedom to do exercises, such as knee
bends, running and the like.
Each of the four separate segments 63, 65, 67, 69 is provided with
separate inflating means connecting with the interior chambers 105,
107, 129, 131 for permitting the wearer to inflate the entire
length and width of each interior chamber of the pants while he is
wearing them. While any type of inflating means may be used,
including separate flexible tubes as shown at 45 in FIGS. 1 and 2,
preferably each of the separate segments is provided with a
separate valve 147 secured thereto and communicating with the
respective inflatable interior chamber. Each of the valves (147) is
provided with a stopper to maintain the individual separate
segments in the inflated position without attention from the
wearer.
A small air pump (FIG. 10) is preferably utilized to inflate the
shorts when they are in their operative position on a wearer. This
is accomplished by removing the stopper from each of the valves
147, placing the nozzle on the end of the pump tube into the valve
and inflating the pants by squeezing the pump between the palms of
the wearer's hands. Each of the four separate chambers 105, 107,
129, 131 and its respective sections are separately inflated by
using the four separate valves, until the wearer is satisfied that
the pants fit snugly all the way around his abdomen, thighs and
hips. This insures that the necessary heat and pressure against the
fatty tissues of the wearer's body is provided to thereby obtain
the most desirable results.
The separate sections 49, 133, 139, 143, 145, when inflated,
provide a plurality of separate locking or sealing areas which
press the pliable nonporous, nonabsorbent material of the shorts
against the bare skin of the wearer to induce sweating and prevent
the escape of body heat from the wearer's skin.
The upper sections 49 of the pants are separated from the waistband
tube 51, which contains the drawstring, by sealed lengths 148,
preferably formed by pressing and heat, across the width of the top
portion of each segment to thereby form a sealed waist division
running around the entire circumference of the pants. Vertical
sealed lengths 135 are formed in the upper sections 49 and are
preferably run into the sealed waist lengths 148 to allow the waist
portion of the integral pants 47 to be bunched in the inflated
position (FIGS. 6 and 7) when the drawstring is tightened.
Although the shorts shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7 may be extended in
height to cover the waist of a wearer, the integral shorts of FIG.
4 are provided with an inflatable belt 149, shown in FIG. 5,
secured to a portion of the sealed waist division 148 running along
the front portion of the pants.
This belt 149 is preferably of the type disclosed in applicant's
copending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 886,880, filed Dec. 22,
1969, and is constructed from either a rectangular piece of pliable
nonporous plastic sheet material having a nonabsorbent exterior
surface typical of plastic, folded over and sealed along the three
edges thereof by heat and pressure or any suitable adhesive, or by
sealing two separate rectangular sheets of pliable plastic sheet
material along the four free edges thereof.
The belt 149 includes adjustable means for adjustable length
securement of the belt around the wearer's waist to permit the belt
to fit various-sized persons and shrinking waistlines. The belt, in
combination with the inflatable pants of the present invention,
insures the most effective pressure against the waist, abdomen,
hips and thighs of the wearer to provide resistance to the action
of the wearer's muscles during exercise and to prevent the escape
of heat from the wearer's body.
A multiplicity of straps 153 are secured to one end of the belt, by
a suitable adhesive or other means on the sealed edge and strap
engagement means, such as D-rings, are secured to one side of the
belt spaced from the other end thereof toward the central front
portion of the wearer.
As pointed out in U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 886,880, by
placing the D-rings at a position spaced from the end of the belt,
a portion of the belt forms a flap which can be wrapped around the
body of the wearer and then overlapped by the other end of the belt
having the straps to insure encircling contact of the belt with the
waist of the wearer.
The belt is also provided with a valve 147 connected with the
interior thereof for permitting the wearer to inflate the entire
length of the belt while same is being worn. The same pump used to
inflate the pants may be connected to the valve 147 by removing its
stopper, and the belt may be inflated in the same manner as the
four interior chambers of the separate segments of the shorts.
While other equivalent means can be substituted for certain
portions of the described construction of the present invention,
the preferred embodiments disclosed herein have many advantages
over the prior art and other weight reducing appliances currently
on the market because the pressure the muscles have to work against
during exercise can be varied by varying the amount of air put into
the portions of the belt and the pants.
When a person begins to exercise, his muscles are relatively weak
and cannot withstand continued resistance during exercise without
strain and resulting ache and pain. As his muscles become
conditioned to exercise, they can withstand ever greater resistance
for longer periods and require such to develop further. The present
invention permits this progressive exercise. When the wearer begins
exercising, he utilizes only a small amount of air pressure in the
belt and pants, but as his muscle tone becomes stronger more air
pressure is put in the belt and pants to cause greater resistance
during exercising.
Another advantage of the inflatable belt and pants is that they
insure continuous contact thereof with the body of the wearer to
increase the sweating rate of the wearer inside the belt and pants
to help reduce the wearer's abdomen, legs, hips and waistline.
A further advantage of the embodiment of applicant's invention
shown in FIGS. 4--9 is that the integral construction of the pants
allows them to be slipped on by the wearer and the waist thereof
adjusted by the tie string.
Moreover, the four separate interior chambers of the embodiment of
FIGS. 4--9 allows the wearer more control over the pressure applied
to each portion of his body covered by the shorts.
Still another advantage of the separate connecting sections formed
in each of the chambers of the embodiment of FIGS. 4--9 is that a
plurality of sealing means are provided whereby the heat of the
wearer's body is more readily trapped between the bare skin of the
wearer and the pants. These separate sections further allow freedom
of movement of the wearer to thereby allow him to perform any
number of more strenuous exercises.
Finally, the combination of the separate inflatable belt secured to
the inflatable pants form the most suitable overall combination to
obtain the best results and to aid the wearer in reducing the size
of his abdomen, hips, thighs and waistline.
It will be apparent from the foregoing description of the invention
in its preferred form that it will fulfill all of the objects
attributable thereto. While the invention has been illustrated and
described in considerable detail, it is not to be limited to such
details as have been set forth.
* * * * *