Cycling activity belt

• US 6,224,450 B1
• Filed: 08/19/1999
• Issued: 05/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laurie J. Norton
• Original Assignee: Laurie J. Norton
• Inventors: Norton, Laurie J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ackun, Jr., Jacob K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FRANCIS, FAYE
• Application Number:
  US09/377,101
• Time in Patent Office: 621 Days
• Field of Search: 446/26, 446/28, 446/227, 446/446, 446/486
• US Class Current: 446/28
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2003/144 Pack-carrying waist or torso belts
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/02 Fastening articles to the garment
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 5/021 to the belt
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/00 Other toys
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/16 for children
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 50/40 Ornaments or toys

Abstract

An activity belt to be worn by a cyclist has amusement devices attached. The amusement devices entertain a child riding in a child carrier seat behind the cyclist. The amusement devices may attach with clips so they can be changed to suit the age and interests of the child. The activity belt provides back support for the cyclist and a pocket for storing small items while cycling.

Claims

1. An activity belt for amusing a child riding in a child-carrier seat behind a cyclist, the cyclist having a back and a waist, the back having a length, the activity belt comprising:

(a) a belt portion having a back support section, a first side section, a second side section, an exterior surface, an opposing interior surface, a first terminal aspect, and a second terminal aspect, the back support section having a first end and a second end, the first and the second side sections being attached to the first and the second ends of the back support section respectively, each of the sections having a width, the width of the back support section being generally greater than the width of the side sections, the first and second terminal aspects being attached to the first and second side sections opposite the back support section respectively, the width of the back support section being from about seven inches to about twelve inches;

(b) a waist fastener composed of mating first and second fastener portions, the first and second fastener portions being attached to the first and second terminal aspects of the belt portion respectively, the first and second fastener portions mating to releasably attach the first and second terminal aspects of the belt portion to form a continuous loop, the loop having a circumference, so that the belt portion is releasably secured around the waist of the cyclist;

(c) a length adjusting means for adjusting the circumference of the loop to fit the waist of the cyclist;

(d) means for stabilizing the back support section of the activity belt to keep it flat against the back of the cyclist and for providing additional support for the cyclist comprising at least one stiffener disposed in said back support section, said at least one stiffener extending generally parallel to the width of the back support section;

(e) at least one light reflective area disposed on the exterior surface of the belt portion; and

(f) at least two amusement devices removably attached to the exterior surface of the back support section, said at least two amusement devices taken from the group consisting of a clicking steering wheel, a horn, a whistle, a bell, a rattle, a teething ring, a squeaker, a music maker, a noise maker, a string of beads, a zipper, a push button music box enclosed in a miniature pillow, a book, a mirror, an electronic device, an air-actuated device and a reflector.

2. The activity belt according to claim 1, wherein the back support section is adapted to support the back, the first fastener portion is attached to the exterior surface of the first side section adjacent to the first terminal aspect, and the second fastener portion is attached to the interior surface of the second side section adjacent to the second terminal aspect.

3. The activity belt according to claim 2, wherein the side sections are integrally attached to the back support section.

4. The activity belt according to claim 2, wherein the back support section and the side sections are composed of an expanded synthetic resin material.

5. The activity belt according to claim 2, wherein the circumference of the loop is approximately twice the length of the back support section.

6. The activity belt according to claim 2, wherein the width of the back support section ranges from about ¼

to about ½

of the length of the back.

7. The activity belt according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the amusement devices is a book, the book having at least three pages and a closure device, the closure device being composed of hook and loop fastener.

8. The activity belt according to claim 2, wherein the waist fastener is selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fastener, clip fastener, and hook and eye fastener.

9. The activity belt according to claim 2, wherein the back support section and the side sections are composed of the elastic material.

10. The activity belt according to claim 2, further comprising a pocket, the pocket being attached to the exterior surface of one of the side sections, the pocket having an opening and a closure, the closure releasably securing the opening.