Elastic Exercise Belt

Abstract

An elastic exercise belt for "isometrics" exercising comprising a length of elastic webbing having a pressure-sensitive means for joining the ends to form a closed loop and operative to release upon tensional force being applied in stretching the belt. The pressure-sensitive means, preferably in the form of "VELCRO" strips, can be calibrated and adjusted as to force of release by controlling the area of pressure-sensitive strip overlap.

Description

This invention relates to exercising equipment and is directed particularly to improvements in elastic exercise belts of the type used in so-called "isometrics" or "dynamic tension" exercising.

Use of elastic belts placed between various parts of the arms, legs and trunk of the body for tensioning corresponding sets of body muscles against each other in exercising for physical well-being is well known. Such exercise belts as heretofore devised, however, are deficient in that they provide no way of determining the amount of tensional force being applied. Since the tension being applied cannot be determined with any degree of accuracy, such belts cannot be used successfully in physical fitness programs based on gradual and controlled increases in exercise effort.

It is, accordingly, the principal object of this invention to provide an improved elastic exercise belt of the character above described which includes adjustable means for abruptly relieving tension at any pre-set value within a wide range of tensional forces being applied.

A more particular object is to provide an elastic exercise belt of the character described in the form of a length of elastic webbing, the ends of which are provided with pressure-sensitive, over-lapping adhesive means for securing them together to form a closed loop, and wherein the adhesive means, when subjected to forces in shear, will release adhesive attachment abruptly at force values directly proportional to the area of overlap.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an elastic exercise belt of the above nature which will be simple in structure, economical to manufacture and durable in use.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elastic exercise belt embodying the invention shown in use; and

FIG. 2 is a front view of the belt, shown separately and in released condition.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 10 designates, generally, a preferred form of elastic exercise belt embodying my invention, the same being comprised of a length of woven elastic webbing 11, along end portions of which, at opposite sides of the webbing, are sewn or otherwise attached pressure-sensitive adhesive means 12 and 13 for inter-connecting, face-to-face releasable engagement of the device to form a closed loop or belt as shown in FIG. 1. In the preferred form of my invention the adhesive means 12, 13 is comprised of cooperating strips of woven "NYLON" fabric having different physical characteristics and which adhere tenaciously to each other when pressed together. Such strips are sold under the trade name "VELCRO" by the American Thread Company, New York, N.Y., and Chicago, I11. One of the "VELCRO" strips, the strip designated 13 in FIG. 2, has a soft, wool-like surface and is termed the "pile" strip. The other strip 12 has a comparatively rough and hard surface comprising rows of loop hooks extending outwardly of the fabric body or the base of the strip and is termed the "hook" strip. An important characteristic of the "VELCRO" strips 12 and 13 is that when separating forces are applied in shear, as occurs when the belt is used in exercising (as by use in arm and shoulder exercises in the manner shown in FIG. 1 for example), the tensional force in the belt at which release is effected will be directly proportional to the area of overlap of the "VELCRO" strips. Assuming this release characteristic in shear to be, for example, 8 pounds per square inch of overlap, a typical value, "VELCRO" strips 6 inches long and 2 inches wide would permit a maximum release force of 12 .times. 8 or 96 pounds. As illustrated at 14 in FIG. 2 the strip 12, assumed to be 2 inches wide, is divided along its length in 1 inch graduations marked with corresponding release poundage values. Intermediate values could also be marked, or can readily be estimated by adjustment of length of overlap between the 1 inch (or 16 pound) graduations. It will thus be understood that, with the embodiment illustrated, the user could readily adjust for tension release to within a few pounds for any value between, say, 5 and 96 pounds. As a means of preventing falling away from the body of the exercise belt upon its separation or release during exercising, a length of light fabric tape 15 is sewn between the inner end of one of the "VELCRO" strips and the outer end of the other of the strips 12 and 13, respectively, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

While I have illustrated and described herein only one form in which my invention can conveniently be embodied in practice, it is to be understood that this form is presented by way of example only and not in a limiting sense. The invention, in brief, comprises all the embodiments and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

Claims

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters patent is:

1. An exercise belt comprising, in combination, a length of elastic webbing, releasable overlap means for interconnecting the ends of said length of elastic webbing to form a closed loop, said releasable overlap means being operative to release upon the application of tensional forces in and throughout said closed loop of elastic webbing, said overlap means being operative as a function of the amount of overlap of said ends of said elastic webbing along the length of said elastic webbing for adjusting the tensional force of said release, indicia along one end of said elastic webbing to facilitate pre-setting said tensional force of said release to a selected value of adjustment, and a flexible elongated connecting member having two ends, each end of said member being connected to said length of elastic webbing adjacent a respective end of said length of elastic webbing, said overlap means comprising a pair of cooperative, pressure-sensitive strips sewn against end portions, respectively, of said length of webbing.