GB2551371A

GB2551371A - Weightlifting belt

Info

Publication number: GB2551371A
Application number: GB1610476.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sadiq Nauman
Original assignee: Rdx Inc Ltd
Current assignee: Rdx Inc Ltd
Priority date: 2016-06-16
Filing date: 2016-06-16
Publication date: 2017-12-20
Also published as: GB201610476D0

Abstract

A weightlifting belt 1 with an adjustment mechanism 2 and a fixing mechanism 3 to maintain the belt in an adjusted size. Preferably, the fixing mechanism overlays the adjusting mechanism. Preferably, the adjusting mechanism comprises a strapping system, where a strip 27 passes through an aperture such as a roller buckle 33, before passing back on itself and being secured with fastenings such as hook and loop fastenings 43 45, which are on the same side of the strip. Preferably, the fixing mechanism comprises a second strapping system 15a 15b and buckle 17 with one or more prongs 19 that correspond to apertures on 15b. Preferably, the strapping systems are secured to each end 7 and 9 of the belt body 4 with one or more pins 16a 16b. Ideally, straps are on the same side. The width of the back portion is greater than the width of the sides. The back portion may be padded. The adjusting mechanism ideally comprises a synthetic material, such as nylon and the fixing mechanism and back portion comprise leather.

Description

Weightlifting belt

The present invention relates to a weightlifting belt.

Many sports athletes, including bodybuilders, welghtllfters, powerllfters and crossfitters, and gym goers that lift weights, use weightlifting belts to support their lower back during lifts. It is known that weightlifting belts can Increase stability, prevent Injury and can increase performance. A weightlifting belt can provide a wall for your abdominal muscles to push against. Added force with limited space can mean an increased anterior pressure for the spine, which can help stabilise it. Stabilising the spine can give a more rigid torso, providing for a better transmission of force from the hips to the bar, plus a more stable foundation for overhead lifts. For maximum support and comfort, weightlifting belts are fastened tightly.

Particularly from a comfort and mind perspective, the feel of a tight belt gives the user something to push against during heavy lifts, and can make the user more aware of their core position, which can help users ensure that they are in the right position for their lift. How tightly a belt is fastened, is at least partially based on individual preference, but as tight as is comfortably possible is often the preference.

Typically, weightlifting belts are like many belts worn around the waist to keep trousers up, and so comprise a strap for extending around the torso, with a buckle on one end of the strap, for the other free end of the strap to pass through, the buckle having prongs for passing through apertures in the free end of the strap to secure the belt in place with a size that accommodates the size of the user’s torso.

However, users often want to tie the belts very tightly and struggle to do so. Users may tug the free end of the belt, trying to wrench it around the torso as tight as possible. This in itself can result in injury. Fastening the belts so tightly can also make the belts difficult to take off after use, as extra force is then required to tighten the belt even further to be able to unfasten the buckle. Such belts can therefore cause an inconvenience for users, and/or other people who try to help get the belts on and off.

With belts that use a Velcro® fastener, there is a limit to how much force can be exerted until the Velcro® just becomes unfastened, pops off and the belt loosens and/or falls off.

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to address all or some of the above problems. It would be beneficial to provide a weightlifting belt that the user can more easily fasten tightly, is secured in place in this tightened position during a lift, and can then more easily remove after use.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a weightlifting belt comprising: a first adjustment mechanism for adjusting a size of the weightlifting belt; and a second fixing mechanism for fixing the weightlifting belt in place; wherein the combination of the first adjustment mechanism and the second fixing mechanism maintains the weightlifting belt at the adjusted size. The weightlifting belt, having a combination of an adjustment mechanism and a fixing mechanism, allows for a weightlifting belt that can be fastened tightly more easily, and more securely and easily fastened in place, and so is more user friendly and convenient to use. Using the adjustment mechanism, the belt can be tightened as much as desired with ease, and then once tightened to give the belt the desired effective size, or effective size, the fixing mechanism is fastened to fix the adjustment mechanism and weightlifting belt in place; having a weightlifting belt that can be adjusted to the desired size and then maintained at this size, without the belt loosening or popping off, is clearly advantageous for carrying out lifts. The fixing mechanism can provide further tightness in this way too. The combination may allow for a weightlifting belt that can be fastened more tightly than current belts, since current belts are often not fastened as tightly as the user would like them to be, because of difficulty to do so. A tighter belt can provide the user with more support and more of an internal pressure build up, which can mean increased stability, increased performance, and can prevent injury. The combination also allows for easier removal of the weightlifting belt too, once a lift has been performed.

When the weightlifting belt is in use on a person, the second fixing mechanism may overlay the first adjustment mechanism. This combination and arrangement of the adjustment mechanism and fixing mechanism may provide for a weightlifting belt that can be easily and securely fixed in place at an adjusted size, personalised to the size and preference of a user of the belt.

The first adjustment mechanism may comprise a first strapping system, and the second fixing mechanism may comprise a second strapping system. Having a double strapped system, one for easily adjusting the size of the weightlifting belt, and one for fixing the weightlifting belt in place with the adjusted size, whilst possibly providing additional tightness, enables the weightlifting belt to be conveniently fastened more tightly, without the user having difficulty or straining.

The first adjustment mechanism may comprise a strip and an aperture portion, the strip for passing through the aperture portion and back on itself for fastening the strip to itself. This may provide a particularly convenient and effective means for tightening the belt. It may mean that adjusting the size of the belt can be performed with one hand.

The aperture portion may comprise a roller buckle for forming a pulley system with the strip. Having something that the strap can roll on as the strip is pulled across the body may mean less friction between the strip and buckle as it is pulled, which may make it easier to adjust the size of the weightlifting belt.

The strip may comprise two fastening portions on a same side of the strip, the two fastening portions comprising cooperating pieces of hook and loop fasteners. This may provide for a convenient and simple tightening mechanism. This may mean that the strip can be passed across the body, fed through a buckle, passed through the buckle and fastened back on itself. It may mean that adjusting the size of the belt can be performed with one hand. The hook and loop fasteners may comprise Velcro®.

The first adjustment mechanism may comprise a synthetic material, preferably nylon. The first adjustment mechanism may comprise any other suitable material.

The second fixing mechanism may comprise a strap and buckle arrangement. This may allow for the weightlifting belt to be fixed as tight as the user would like without the weightlifting belt coming undone during use or otherwise.

The buckle may comprise one or more prongs and an end of the strap may comprise one or more apertures for the one or more prongs of the buckle to pass through for fixing the strap to the buckle. This may provide for a simple, yet effective and secure fixing mechanism. The buckle may comprise at least two prongs and the end of the strap comprises at least two apertures for the one or more prongs of the buckle to pass through for fixing the strap to the buckle. This may make the buckle and strap arrangement particularly strong and heavy duty. This may help prevent the buckle from becoming unfastened. There may be any other number of prongs and corresponding apertures.

The second fixing mechanism may comprise leather. This may make the weightlifting belt particularly strong and heavy duty. The second fixing mechanism may comprise any other suitable material.

The weightlifting belt may comprise a belt body comprising two ends, and both of the first adjustment mechanism and the second fixing mechanism may be attached to the ends of the belt body.

The first adjustment mechanism and the second fixing mechanism may be attached to the ends of the belt body portion via one or more pins. This may provide a convenient way of attaching the adjustment mechanism and fixing mechanism to the body portion.

The weightlifting belt may have a first side and a second side, and the strip of the first adjustment mechanism may be attached to the weightlifting belt on the same side as the strap of the second fixing mechanism. This may make the weightlifting belt particularly secure for maintaining the size of the weightlifting belt. A second strip of the adjustment mechanism may be attached to the weightlifting belt on the same side as a second strap of the second fixing mechanism.

The belt body may comprise a back portion, a first side and a second side, wherein, in use on a body, the back portion may rest against the back of the body, the first side may extend around the body from a first direction and the second side may extend around the body from the second, opposite direction, wherein the width of the back portion may be greater than the width of the first side and the second side. The back portion may have a thickness that is greater than the first and second side. The increased width and/or thickness of the back portion may provide more support for the user’s back, particularly the lower back. It may also provide additional comfort for the user for when the leather belt is fastened tightly.

The back portion may have an associated length. A, of between approximately 20 and 23 cm, preferably approximately 22cm. The back portion may have an associated width, B, of approximately 10 to 15 cm, preferably approximately 14cm. The back portion may have an associated thickness, T, of between 2 and 3cm. The first side and/or second side may have an associated width of between 5 and 7cm, preferably approximately 6cm. The first and/or second side may have an associated thickness, T, of approximately 1cm or less.

The back portion may comprise padding for supporting the back. This may provide more support for the user’s back, particularly the lower back. It may also provide additional comfort for the user for when the leather belt is fastened tightly.

The belt body may comprise leather. This may make the weightlifting belt particularly strong and heavy duty. The belt body may comprise any other suitable material.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is a weightlifting belt comprising: a belt body comprising a back portion, a first side and a second side, wherein in use on a body, the back portion rests against the back of the body, the first side extends around the body from a first direction and the second side extends around the body from an opposite, second direction, wherein the first side comprises a first end, and the second side comprises a second end; and a double strapping system, the double strapping system comprising: a first adjustment mechanism for adjusting a size of the weightlifting belt, the first adjustment mechanism comprising a first strip of material attached to the first end of the first side of the belt body, for extending around the body from a first direction when in use, and a second strip of material attached to the second end of the second side of the belt body, for extending around the body from an opposite, second direction when in use, wherein the first strip of material comprises a first fastener comprising an aperture portion, and the second strip of material is for passing through the aperture portion; and a second fixing mechanism for fixing the weightlifting belt in place, the second fixing mechanism comprising a first strap for extending around the body from the first direction when in use, and a second strap for extending around the body from the opposite, second direction when in use, and wherein the first strap comprises a buckle, and the second strap is securable by the buckle of the first strap; wherein, in use on a body, the double strapping system maintains the weightlifting belt at the adjusted size. The weightlifting belt, having a double strapping system arranged as such, allows for a weightlifting belt that can be fastened tightly more easily, and more securely and easily fastened in place, and so is more user friendly and convenient to use. A tighter belt can provide the user with more support and more of an internal pressure build up, which can mean increased stability, increased performance, and can prevent injury. The arrangement allows for a simple yet effective design that may be easy to manufacture. The combination and arrangement also allows for easier removal of the weightlifting belt too, once a lift has been performed or otherwise.

When the weightlifting belt is in use on a person, the second fixing mechanism may overlay the first adjustment mechanism to maintain the weightlifting belt at the adjusted size. This combination and arrangement of the adjustment mechanism and fixing mechanism may provide for a weightlifting belt that can be easily and securely fixed in place at an adjusted size, personalised to the size and preference of a user of the belt.

The first strip of material may comprise a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion on a single side of the first strip of material, the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion for engaging with the first fastener and for fastening to each other. This may provide a particularly convenient and effective means for tightening the belt. It may mean that adjusting the size of the belt can be performed with one hand.

Any one or more of the features of one aspect of the invention may apply to another aspect of the invention as appropriate and applicable.

Embodiments of the present Invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a weightlifting belt in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, unfastened;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a weightlifting belt in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an adjustment mechanism of the belt being fastened but a fixing mechanism of the belt being unfastened;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of part of a weightlifting belt In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, fastened;

Figure 4 shows a bird’s eye view of a part of a weightlifting beltin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, including a back portion of the weightlifting belt; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a weightlifting belt in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, unfastened.

Referring to the figures, particularly figure 1, there is a weightlifting belt 1 for use by an athlete taking part In bodybuilding, weightlifting, powerlifting, crossfit, or any other sport or gym activity that involves lifting heavy weights. The weightlifting belt 1 comprises a double strapping system. The double strapping system comprises a first adjustment mechanism 2 for adjusting an effective size of the weightlifting belt 1, and a second fixing mechanism 3 for overlaying the adjustment mechanism 2 and fixing the adjustment mechanism 2 in place once adjusted as desired, and therefore fixing a size of the weightlifting belt 1.

The weightlifting belt 1 comprises a belt body 4 comprising leather, the belt body 4 having a back portion 5, a first side portion 7 and a second side portion 9, wherein in use on a user’s body, the back portion 5 rests against the back of the body, the first side 7 extends around the body from a first direction (perhaps from the left), and the second side 9 extends around the body from an opposite, second direction (perhaps from the right). When in use on a body, the back portion 5, the first side 7 and the second side 9 each comprise a body side 11 for facing the body and an away side 13 for facing away from the body.

An end of the first side 7 attaches to a first strap 15a of the second fixing mechanism 3 via three pins 16a and an end of the second side 9 attaches to a second strap 15b of the second fixing mechanism 3 via three pins 16b.

The first strap 15a has a buckle 17 attached thereto, the buckle 17 comprising two prongs 19 for added support when attaching to the strap of a buckle and strap arrangement. The second strap 15b comprises a first, free end 21 for being secured by the buckle 17. Fastening the first, free end 21 through the buckle 17 of the first strap 15a fixes the second fixing mechanism 3 in place.

The first adjustment mechanism 2 comprises a first strip of material 25 attached to the first side portion 7 of the belt body 4 on the body side 11, for extending around the body from a first direction, perhaps from the left, and a second strip of material 27 attached to the second side 9 of the belt body 4 on the body side 11, for extending around the body from the an opposite, second direction, perhaps from the right. The strips of material 25 27 comprise a synthetic material, preferably nylon. The strips of material 25 27 may be attached to the first side portion 7 and the second side portion 9 of the belt body portion 4 by the same two sets of three pins 16a 16b as mentioned above. The second strip of material 27 comprises a body side 29 for facing the body, when the weightlifting belt is in use on a body and the first adjustment mechanism 2 is not fastened (as in figure 1), and an away side 31 for facing away from the body, again when the weightlifting belt is in use on a body and the first adjustment mechanism 2 is not fastened (as in figure 1).

The first strip of material 25 comprises a short piece of synthetic material folded back on itself to enclose a roller buckle 33 at the end of the first strip of material 25. The roller buckle 33 comprises a rectangular shaped hoop. The hoop may comprise metal. One side 35 of the hoop has a rotatably mounted cylinder 37 of material thereon, for forming the roller buckle 33, and so for forming a pulley system with the second strip of material 27. Alternatively, the roller buckle could be any other type of buckle and so the rotatably mounted cylinder 37 may not be present. The second strip of material 27 has an end 39 for passing through the hoop of the roller buckle 33, wherein in use on the body, and the first adjustment mechanism 2 is being fastened, the end 39 of the second strip of material 27 would pass across the front of the body to the opposite, second direction (perhaps the right), go under the side 35 of the hoop in this same direction (perhaps the right), pass through an aperture 41 of the hoop away from the body, pass around and over the same side 35 of the hoop, with the rotatably mounted cylinder 37 of material thereon, and looping back on itself across the front of the body towards the first direction (perhaps the left).

The second strip of material 27 has first 43 and second 45 fastening portions on the same, away side 31 of the second strip 27, each fastening portion 43 45 comprising cooperating pieces of Velcro®. The first fastening portion 43 extends approximately from the end 47 of the second strip of material 27 attached to the second side 9 of the belt body portion 4 and is about three times the length of the second fastening portion 45. The proportions may be different. The second fastening portion 45 is at the end 49 of the second strip of material 27. When the second strip of material 27 is passed under, through, around and over the hoop as described above, the end of the second strip of material 27, and so the second fastening portion 45 is pushed down onto at least a part of the first fastening portion 43. The Velcro® therefore fastens. This pulley system allows for the wearer to easily tighten, or adjust, the adjustment mechanism 2 as desired. Alternatively, the second strip of material 27 may comprise the hoop and associated features, and the first strip of material 25 may just comprise an end 45 for passing through the hoop. Having an adjustment mechanism 2 that can be easily pulled as tight as the user wants allows for a huge amount of internal pressure build up, which can help stabilise and therefore help with the lifts.

As already described, once the adjustment mechanism 2 is fastened as such, the fixing mechanism 3 is fastened over the top of the adjustment mechanism 2 by using the buckle 17, with prongs 19, and cooperating holes in the second strap 15b, as is done for many typical belts. Therefore, the size of the weightlifting belt can be altered and fixed in place using the adjustment mechanism 2 and the fixing mechanism 3. The size may correspond to the effective circumference of the weightlifting belt once adjusted and fixed, to fit a torso of a certain size.

As can be clearly seen in figure 5, the weightlifting belt 1 has an associated length, in the direction of L, an associated width in the direction of W, and an associated thickness, in the direction of T. The back portion 5 has a larger width and thickness than the first 7 and second side 9 of the belt body portion 4. The increased width and thickness of the back portion 5 provides more support for the user’s back, particularly the lower back. It may also provide additional comfort for the user for when the leather belt is fastened tightly. The back portion 5 has an associated length. A, of between approximately 20 and 23 cm, and an associated width, B, of approximately 10 to 15 cm.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A weightlifting belt comprising: a first adjustment mechanism for adjusting a size of the weightlifting belt; and a second fixing mechanism for fixing the weightlifting belt in place; wherein the combination of the first adjustment mechanism and the second fixing mechanism maintains the weightlifting belt at the adjusted size.

2. A weightlifting belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the weightlifting belt is in use on a person, the second fixing mechanism overlays the first adjustment mechanism.

3. A weightlifting belt as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises a first strapping system, and the second fixing mechanism comprises a second strapping system.

4. A weightlifting belt as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises a strip and an aperture portion, the strip for passing through the aperture portion and back on itself for fastening the strip to itself.

5. A weightlifting belt as claimed in claim 4, wherein the aperture portion comprises a roller buckle for forming a pulley system with the strip.

6. A weightlifting belt as claimed in either of claims 4 or 5, wherein the strip comprises two fastening portions on a same side of the strip, the two fastening portions comprising cooperating pieces of hook and loop fasteners.

7. A weightlifting belt as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first adjustment mechanism comprises a synthetic material.

8. A weightlifting belt as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second fixing mechanism comprises a strap and buckle arrangement.

9. A weightlifting belt as claimed in claim 8, wherein the buckle comprises one or more prongs and an end of the strap comprises one or more apertures for the one or more prongs of the buckle to pass through for fixing the strap to the buckle.

10. A weightlifting belt as claimed in claim 9, wherein the buckle comprises at least two prongs and the end of the strap comprises at least two apertures for the one or more prongs of the buckle to pass through for fixing the strap to the buckle.

11. A weightlifting belt as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second fixing mechanism comprises leather.

12. A weightlifting belt as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the weightlifting belt comprises a belt body comprising two ends, and both of the first adjustment mechanism and the second fixing mechanism are attached to the ends of the belt body.

13. A weightlifting belt as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first adjustment mechanism and the second fixing mechanism are attached to the ends of the belt body via one or more pins.

14. A weightlifting belt as claimed in any preceding claim, when dependent directly or indirectly on claims 4 and 8, wherein the weightlifting belt has a first side and a second side, and the strip of the first adjustment mechanism is attached to the weightlifting belt on the same side as the strap of the second fixing mechanism.

15. A weightlifting belt as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the belt body comprises a back portion, a first side and a second side, wherein, in use on a body, the back portion is for resting against the back of the body, the first side is for extending around the body from a first direction and the second side is for extending around the body from an opposite, second direction, wherein the width of the back portion is greater than the width of the first side and the second side.

16. A weightlifting belt as claimed in claim 15, wherein the back portion comprises padding for supporting the back.

17. A weightlifting belt as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the belt body comprises leather.

18. A weightlifting belt, comprising a belt body comprising a back portion, a first side and a second side, wherein in use on a body, the back portion rests against the back of the body, the first side extends around the body from a first direction and the second side extends around the body from an opposite, second direction, wherein the first side comprises a first end, and the second side comprises a second end; and a double strapping system, the double strapping system comprising: a first adjustment mechanism for adjusting a size of the weightlifting belt, the first adjustment mechanism comprising a first strip of material attached to the first end of the first side of the belt body, for extending around the body from a first direction when in use, and a second strip of material attached to the second end of the second side of the belt body, for extending around the body from an opposite, second direction when in use, wherein the first strip of material comprises a first fastener comprising an aperture portion, and the second strip of material is for passing through the aperture portion; and a second fixing mechanism for fixing the weightlifting belt in place, the second fixing mechanism comprising a first strap for extending around the body from the first direction when in use, and a second strap for extending around the body from the opposite, second direction when in use, and wherein the first strap comprises a buckle, and the second strap is securable by the buckle of the first strap; wherein, in use on a body, the double strapping system maintains the weightlifting belt at the adjusted size.

19. A weightlifting belt as claimed in claim 18, wherein, when the weightlifting belt is in use on a person, the second fixing mechanism overlays the first adjustment mechanism to maintain the weightlifting belt at the adjusted size.

20. A weightlifting belt as claimed in either of claims 18 or 19, wherein the second strip of material comprises a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion on a single side of the second strip of material, the first fastening portion and the second fastening portion for engaging with the first fastener and for fastening to each other.

21. A weightlifting belt substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.