A weightlifting belt

Abstract

A weightlifting belt has a belt and at least one fastener. The belt has a first end and a second end. The second end has at least one aperture. The at least one fastener is positioned at the first end of the belt. Each of the at least one fasteners have a pivot arm that has a hook end and a pivot end. The hook end is pivotable between a fastened position and an unfastened position. In the fastened position, the hook end enters one of the at least one apertures to hold the belt around a midsection of a user. In the unfastened position, the hook end is pivoted upwards such that the hook end is movable out of one of the at least one apertures to allow tightening, loosening, or removal of the belt from the midsection of the user.

Description

TITLE

[0001] A Weightlifting BeltFIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present application relates generally to a weightlifting belt.BACKGROUND

[0003] This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0004] Weightlifting belts are tools used during heavy lifting, particularly when squatting, deadlifting, or for overhead lifts. The belts are specifically designed to stabilize the spine during weightlifting and increase intra-abdominal pressure by giving core muscles something to brace against as the abdominal wall expands. By providing additional support, there is a reduction of stress of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs. In addition, a properly fitted weightlifting belt can help improve posture during lifts, which helps to prevent injury.

[0005] Properly tightening a weightlifting belt can be a challenge. In many cases, it is challenging to get a belt to a preferred tightness since conventional buckles, like those on belt buckles for regular pants, offer a slight release of pressure after being fastened by virtue of the fact that the belt is pulled tighter than required to fasten the buckle within a specific hole and once in the specific hole, some pressure is released.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] There is provided a weightlifting belt that has a belt and at least one fastener. The belt has a first end and a second end. At least one aperture is positioned along a length of the belt and begins adjacent the second end. The at least one fastener is positioned at a first end of the belt and communicates withone of the at least one apertures to hold the belt around a midsection of a user. Each of the at least one fasteners has a pivot arm. The pivot arm has a hook end and a pivot end. The hook end is pivotable between a fastened position and an unfastened position. In the fastened position, the hook end enters one of the at least one apertures to hold the belt around a midsection of a user. In the unfastened position, the hook end is pivoted upwards such that the hook end is movable out of one of the at least one apertures to allow tightening, loosening, or removal of the belt from the midsection of the user.

[0007] In one embodiment, the at least one fastener is biased towards the fastened position.

[0008] In one embodiment, each of the at least one fastener has an attachment body. The pivot arm is pivotably attached to the attachment body at the pivot end. One of the attachment body and the pivot arm having a magnet and the other of the attachment body and the pivot arm being made of a material attracted to magnets for biasing the fastener to the fastened position.

[0009] In another embodiment, each of the at least one fasteners has an attachment body. The pivot arm is pivotably attached to the attachment body at the pivot end. The attachment body has a first magnet and the pivot arm has a second magnet. The first magnet and the second magnet bias the fastener to the fastened position.

[0010] In one embodiment, the hook end of the pivot arm has a tooth on a rear face. The tooth is positioned at an end of the hook end such that the tooth catches a bottom of one of the at least one apertures to hold the hook end in the at least one aperture.

[0011] In one embodiment, the hook end of the pivot arm has an angled front face. The angled front face causes the hook end to slide upwards and out of one of the at least one apertures when pressure is applied in a forward direction.

[0012] In one embodiment, there are a plurality of apertures along at least a portion of the length of the belt to allow for the size of the belt to be adjusted based upon the size of the midsection of the user and the user's preferences.

[0013] In one embodiment, the plurality of apertures are spaced equidistant to each other.

[0014] In one embodiment, there are two fasteners in side-by-side relation and at least two apertures. The at least two apertures are positioned along a length of the belt beginning adjacent the second end of the belt such that a first aperture is engageable by a first fastener and a second aperture is engageable by a second aperture.

[0015] In one embodiment, there is a first row of at least two apertures and a second row of at least two apertures. The first row and the second row extend along at least a portion of the length of the belt. At least one of the apertures of the first row is engageable by the first fastener and at least one of the apertures of the second row is engageable by the second fastener.

[0016] In one embodiment, the belt is made of leather.

[0017] There is also provided a method of tightening a weightlifting belt. A weightlifting belt is provided that has a belt and at least one fastener. The belt has a first end and a second end. At least one row of at least two apertures in provided. The at least one row being positioned along at least a portion of the length of the belt, beginning adjacent the second end of the belt. The at least one fastener is positioned at the first end of the belt. Each of the at least one fasteners has a pivot arm. The pivot arm has a hook end and a pivot end. The hook end is pivotable between a fastened position and an unfastened position. In the fastened position, the hook end enters one of the at least one apertures to hold the belt around the midsection of a user. In the unfastened position, the hook end is pivoted upwards such that the hook end is movable out of one of the at least one apertures to allow tightening, loosening, or removal of the belt from the midsection of the user. The next step is to position the weightlifting belt around the midsection of the user and move the at least one fastener into the fastened position. Then, the first end of the belt is pushed in a forward direction such that the at least one fastener is moved to the unfastened position and exits one aperture of the at least two apertures. The first end of the belt is continued to be pushed in a forward direction until the at least one fastener is moved to the fastened position and enters another aperture of the at least two apertures.

[0018] In one embodiment, the at least one fastener is biased towards the fastened position.

[0019] In one embodiment, each of the at least one fastener has an attachment body. The pivot arm is pivotably attached to the attachment body at the pivot end. One of the attachment body and the pivot arm having a magnet and the other of the attachment body and the pivot arm being made of a material attracted to magnets for biasing the fastener to the fastened position.

[0020] In another embodiment, each of the at least one fasteners has an attachment body. The pivot arm is pivotably attached to the attachment body at the pivot end. The attachment body has a first magnet and the pivot arm has a second magnet. The first magnet and the second magnet bias the fastener to the fastened position.

[0021] In one embodiment, the hook end of the pivot arm has a tooth on a rear face. The tooth is positioned at an end of the hook end such that the tooth catches a bottom of one of the at least one apertures to hold the hook end in the at least one aperture.

[0022] In one embodiment, the hook end of the pivot arm has an angled front face. The angled front face causes the hook end to slide upwards and out of one of the at least one apertures when pressure is applied in a forward direction.

[0023] In one embodiment, there are a plurality of apertures along the at least one row of apertures.

[0024] In one embodiment, the plurality of apertures are spaced equidistant to each other.

[0025] In one embodiment, there are two fasteners in side-by-side relation and a first row of at least two apertures and a second row of at least two apertures. The first row and the second row extend along at least a portion of the length of the belt. At least one of the apertures of the first row is engageable by the first fastener and at least one of the apertures of the second row is engageable by the second fastener.

[0026] In one embodiment, the belt is made of leather.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which references are made to the following drawings, in which numerical references denote like parts. The drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to in any way limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiments shown.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a weightlifting belt with fasteners in the fastened position.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the weightlifting belt with fasteners in the fastened position.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the weightlifting belt with fasteners in the fastened position.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view, in section, of the weightlifting belt with fasteners in the fastened position.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a weightlifting belt with fasteners in the unfastened position.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the weightlifting belt with fasteners in the unfastened position.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view, in section, of the weightlifting belt with fasteners in the unfastened position.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view, in section, of a fastener in the fastened position.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view, in section, of a fastener in the unfastened position.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fastener in the fastened position.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fastener in the unfastened position.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view, in section, of a fastener with a lever spring in the unfastened position.

[0040] FIG. 13 is a side elevation view, in section, of a fastener with a pivot spring in the unfastened position.

[0041] FIG. 14 is a side elevation view, in section, of the fastener with a pivot spring shown in FIG. 13 in the fastened position.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] A weightlifting belt, generally identified by reference numeral 10, will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 14.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, a weightlifting belt 10 has a belt 12 and at least one fastener 22. Belt 12 has a first end 16 and a second end 18. Belt 12 may be made of leather, including genuine and synthetic leathers, polyester, plastic, natural woven materials, natural unwoven materials, or any other appropriate material known to a person skilled in the art that offers acceptable flexibility and support for weightlifting purposes. Multiple layers of materials attached together by adhesives and threads may also be used. The multiple layers of materials may be the same material to increase thickness of belt 12 and may also include a layer of reinforcement material, such as synthetic fibers, natural fibers, blended fibers, all of which may be woven or unwoven, polyester, plastic, paperboard, cotton, or any other suitable material known to a person skilled in the art for additional durability and structural integrity. Belt 12 must be sufficiently flexible to allow for materials to bend around the midsection of a user but should not be so flexible that they do not provide the appropriate support provided by a weightlifting belt. While belt 12 may be any suitable thickness or height, it may be beneficial for belt 12 to be 5mm to 10mm in thickness and 75mm to 125mm in height. The length of belt 12 may vary depending upon the size of the user. At least one aperture 20 is positioned along a portion of a length of belt 12 beginning adjacent second end 18. In the embodiments shown, a plurality of apertures 20 are provided to allow for tightening or loosening of belt 12. Apertures 20 may be spaced equidistant from each other or may be spaced in any other suitable manner known to a person skilled in the art. While equidistant spacing is common, having different spacing may allow for larger changes in size to begin and smaller changes as the belt becomes tighter. For example, apertures 20 closest to second end 18 may be spaced 50mm apart while apertures 20 further from second end may be spaced more closely at 15mm inch apart. Generally, apertures 20 are spaced 20mm to 25mm apart. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that different sizes of spacing may be used to provide the best function for users.

[0044] At least one fastener 22 is positioned at first end 16 of belt 12. In the embodiments shown, two fasteners 22 are provided as two fasteners assist in maintaining first end 16 and second end 18 of belt in proper alignment. However, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that a single fastener 22 or multiple fasteners 22 may be used depending upon belt width and user preferences. Fasteners 22may be attached to belt 12 by any means known to a person skilled in the art including, but not limited to, riveting, screws, stitching, glue, or any other method known to a person skilled in the art. Fasteners 22 may be made of metal, plastic, carbon fibers, polymer materials, graphene / graphite materials or any other suitable material known to a person skilled in the art.

[0045] In the embodiments shown, two fasteners 22 in side-by-side relation are provided and at least two apertures 20 are provided. Referring to FIG.3, a first aperture 20A is engageable by first fastener 22A and a second aperture 20B is engageable by second fastener 22B. When more than one fastener 22 is provided, it is common for first aperture 20A and second aperture 20B to be aligned with each other so that the size of belt 12 remains consistent along the belt's width (distance from top to bottom) when both first fastener 22A and second fastener 22B are in the fastened position within first aperture 20A and second aperture 20B, respectively. To allow for customizing fit around the midsection of a user, a first row 46 of at least two apertures 20 and a second row 48 of at least two apertures 20 may be provided. First row and second row extend along at least a portion of the length of the belt. At least one of the apertures 20A of first row 46 is engageable by first fastener 22A and at least one of the apertures 20B of second row 48 is engageable by second fastener 22B.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, each fastener 22 has a pivot arm 24. Pivot arm 24 has a hook end 26 and a pivot end 28. Pivot end 28 is secured in position by an axle or pin. Hook end 26 is pivotable between a fastened position, shown in FIG. 1 through FIG.4, and an unfastened position, shown in FIG.5 through FIG.7. Referring to FIG. 1 through FIG.4, in the fastened position, hook end 26 enters an aperture 20 to hold belt 12 around a midsection of a user. Referring to FIG. 5 through FIG.7, in the unfastened position, hook end 26 is pivoted upwards such that hook end 26 is movable out of aperture 22 to allow tightening, loosening, or removal of belt 12 from the midsection of the user.

[0047] It is preferred that fasteners 22 be biased towards the fastened position. Different methods of biasing include the use of a spring or springs, magnets, or any other suitable method known to a person skilled in the art. Referring to FIG.8 and FIG.9, fasteners 22 may have an attachment body 30 to aid in attachment to belt 12. Attachment body 30 has a top portion 32 that is placed on a top of belt 12 and a bottom portion 34 that is placed in alignment with top portion 32 on an underside of belt 12. In the embodiment shown, top portion 32 has a channel 35, shown in FIG.11, into which pivot arm 24 moves when in the fastened position. When in the fastened position, pivot arm 24 is positioned within channel35 and flush with top portion 32 of attachment body 30. Pivot end 28 of pivot arm 24 is pivotably attached to top portion 32 by axle or pin. Screws or rivets 36 are used to connect top portion 32 to bottom portion 34 with screws or rivets 36 passing through belt 12. It is preferable that bottom portion 34 be countersunk into the material of belt 12 to allow for smooth gliding action of first end 16 of belt 12 during tightening of belt 12. Screws or rivets 36 are preferably installed such that they are flush with bottom portion 34. Pivot arm 24 is pivotably attached to top portion 32 of attachment body at pivot end 28. Top portion 32 of attachment body 30 has a first magnet 38 and pivot arm 24 has a second magnet 40. First magnet 38 and second magnet 40 bias fastener 22 to the fastened position due to the magnetic attraction between first magnet 38 and second magnet 40. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a lever spring 54 is used for biasing purposes. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, a pivot spring 56 is used for biasing purposes. Magnets 38 and 40 may or may not be present when lever springs 54 or pivot springs 56 are used.

[0048] In another embodiment, only one of top portion 32 of attachment body 30 or pivot arm 24 may have a magnet while the other is made of a material attracted to magnets for biasing the fastener to the fastened position.

[0049] A stop 39 is provided to limit upwards movement of hook end 26. In the embodiments shown, stop 39 is a contact point between top portion 32 and pivot end 28 of pivot arm 24. Stop 39 prevents pivot arm 24 from raising above operational range. To aid in maintaining fastener 22 within an aperture 20 hook end 26 of pivot arm 24 may have a tooth 42 on a rear face 44. Tooth 42 is positioned at an end of hook end 26 to allow tooth 42 to catch a bottom 52, shown in FIG.2, of belt 12 to hold hook end 26 in aperture 20. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that multiple teeth may be used to assist in maintaining hood end 26 within an aperture 20.

[0050] To aid in tightening, loosening, or removal of belt 12 from around the midsection of a user, hook end 26 may have an angled front face 50. When pressure is applied in a forward direction, the forward direction being from pivot end 28 towards hook end 26, angled front face 50 abuts a wall of aperture 22. Continued movement in the forward direction causes hook end 26 to slide upwards along the wall of aperture 22 and out of aperture 22. This type of movement generally results in hook end 26 moving towards the unfastened position.

[0051] When in use, belt 12 is placed around the midsection of a user and a user determines how tight they wish belt 12 to be. Fasteners 22 are positioned within chosen apertures 20. When first putting on belt 12, apertures 20 that are chosen are generally insufficient to provide the desired tightness. To tighten belt 12, first end 16 of belt 12 is pushed in the forward direction such that fasteners 22 are moved to the unfastened position and exit apertures 20. First end 16 is continued to be pushed in the forward direction until fasteners 22 move into the fastened position and enter another aperture 20. This allows belt 12 to be tightened in a consistent manner until the desired tightness is achieved. To loosen or remove belt, first end 16 of belt 12 is pushed in the forward direction until fasteners 22 are moved to the unfastened position and exit apertures 20. First end 16 of belt 12 may then be lifted away from second end 18 of belt for removal or pushed in a backwards direction to choose apertures 20 that will result in a looser fit.

[0052] Any use herein of any terms describing an interaction between elements is not meant to limit the interaction to direct interaction between the subject elements, and may also include indirect interaction between the elements such as through secondary or intermediary structure unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0053] In this patent document, the word "comprising" is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article "a" does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0054] It will be apparent that changes may be made to the illustrative embodiments, while falling within the scope of the invention. As such, the scope of the following claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples and drawings described above, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A weightlifting belt, comprising:a belt having a first end and a second end, at least one aperture being positioned along a length of the belt and beginning adjacent the second end; andat least one fastener positioned at the first end of the belt, each of the at least one fasteners have a pivot arm, the pivot arm having a hook end and a pivot end, the hook end being pivotable between a fastened position and an unfastened position, in the fastened position, the hook end enters one of the at least one apertures to hold the belt around a midsection of a user, in the unfastened position the hook end is pivoted upwards such that the hook end is movable out of one of the at least one apertures to allow tightening, loosening, or removal of the belt from the midsection of the user.

2. The weightlifting belt of claim 1 wherein the at least one fastener is biased towards the fastened position.

3. The weightlifting belt of claim 2 wherein each of the at least one fastener has an attachment body, the pivot arm being pivotably attached to the attachment body at the pivot end, at least one of the attachment body and the pivot arm having a magnet and the other of the attachment body and the pivot arm being made of a material attracted to magnets for biasing the fastener to the fastened position.

4. The weightlifting belt of claim 2 wherein each of the at least one fastener has an attachment body, the pivot arm being pivotably attached to the attachment body at the pivot end, the attachment body having a first magnet and the pivot arm having a second magnet, the first magnet and the second magnet biasing the fastener to the fastened position.

5. The weightlifting belt of claim 1 wherein the hook end of the pivot arm has a tooth on a rear face, the tooth being positioned at an end of the hook end such that the tooth catches a bottom of one of the aperture to hold the hook end in the at least one aperture.

6. The weightlifting belt of claim 1 wherein the hook end of the pivot arm has an angled front face, the angled front face causing the hook end to slide upwards and out of one of the at least one aperture when pressure is applied in a forward direction.

7. The weightlifting belt of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of apertures along at least a portion of the length of the belt.

8. The weightlifting belt of claim 7 wherein the plurality of apertures are spaced equidistant to each other.

9. The weightlifting belt of claim 1 wherein there are two fasteners in side-by-side relation and at least two apertures, the at least two apertures being positioned along the length of the belt and beginning adjacent the second end of the belt such that a first aperture is engageable by a first fastener and a second aperture is engageable by a second fastener.

10. The weightlifting belt of claim 8 wherein there is a first row of at least two apertures and a second row of at least two apertures, the first row and the second row extending along at least a portion of the length of the belt, at least one of the apertures of the first row is engageable by the first fastener and at least one of the apertures of the second row is engageable by the second fastener.

11. The weightlifting belt of claim 1 wherein the belt is made of leather.

12. A method of tightening a weightlifting belt, comprising:providing a weightlifting belt, comprising:a belt having a first end and a second end, at least one row of at least two apertures being provided, the at least one row being positioned along at least a portion of the length of the belt beginning adjacent the second end of the belt; andat least one fastener positioned at the first end of the belt, each of the at least one fasteners have a pivot arm, the pivot arm having a hook end and a pivot end, the hook end being pivotable between a fastened position and an unfastened position, in the fastened position, the hook end enters one of the at least one apertures to hold the belt around a midsection of a user, in the unfastened position the hook end is pivoted upwards such that thehook end is movable out of one of the at least one apertures to allow tightening, loosening, or removal of the belt from the midsection of the user;positioning the weightlifting belt around the midsection of the user and moving the at least one fastener into the fastened position;pushing the first end of the belt in a forward direction such that the at least one fastener is moved to the unfastened position and exits one aperture of the at least two apertures; and continuing to push the first end of the belt in a forward direction until the at least one fastener is moved to the fastened position and enters another aperture of the at least two apertures.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the at least one fastener is biased towards the fastened position.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein each of the at least one fastener has an attachment body, the pivot arm being pivotably attached to the attachment body at the pivot end, at least one of the attachment body and the pivot arm having a magnet and the other of the attachment body and the pivot arm being made of a material attracted to magnets for biasing the fastener to the fastened position.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein each of the at least one fastener has an attachment body, the pivot arm being pivotably attached to the attachment body at the pivot end, the attachment body having a first magnet and the pivot arm having a second magnet, the first magnet and the second magnet biasing the fastener to the fastened position.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the hook end of the pivot arm has a tooth on a rear face, the tooth being positioned at an end of the hook end such that the tooth catches a bottom of the aperture to hold the hook end in the at least two apertures.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the hook end of the pivot arm has an angled front face, the angled front face causing the hook end to slide upwards and out of one of the at least two apertures when pressure is applied in a forward direction.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein there are a plurality of apertures along the at least one row of apertures.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the plurality of apertures are spaced equidistant to each other.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein there are two fasteners in side-by-side relation and a first row of at least two apertures and a second row of at least two apertures, the first row and the second row extending along at least a portion of the length of the belt, at least one of the apertures of the first row is engageable by the first fastener and at least one of the apertures of the second row is engageable by the second fastener.

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