Chest strap heart rate monitor harness method and apparatus

Abstract

The present invention describes an apparatus and associated method of use that ensures that the sensor contained within the strap of a chest strap type heart rate monitor remains directly over the heart thereby providing the user with the most constant and reliable heart rate data. In one embodiment an attachable harness is fitted with loops that fit over the strap of a typical chest strap type heart rate monitor. The harness then fits over the shoulders of a user and prevents the sensor within the strap of the heart rate monitor from downward slippage due to activity of the user.

1 . An apparatus for stabilizing the position of a chest strap heart rate monitor, comprising:
 a plurality of straps, each of said plurality of straps being formed by a front strap portion and a rear strap portion, said front and rear strap portions being continuous and having loops at opposed ends sized to accept a chest strap heart rate monitor, and;   at least one vertical adjustment on at least one of said straps, said vertical adjustment allowing said chest strap heart rate monitor to be adjusted vertically such that the sensor in said heart rate monitor may be positioned for optimum sensing of a user's heart rate.   
     
     
         2 . A first apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprised of:
 a first front strap portion, said first front strap portion having at its end a first loop sized to accept one end of a chest strap heart rate monitor and a vertical adjustment means to allow changing the length of said first front strap portion;   a second front strap portion, said second front strap portion having at its end a first loop sized to accept one end of a chest strap heart rate monitor and a vertical adjustment means to allow changing the length of said second front strap portion;   a front horizontal strap fixably attached between said first and said second front strap portions;   a first rear strap portion, said first rear strap portion having a first loop sized to accept one end of a chest strap heart rate monitor;   a second rear strap portion, said second rear strap portion having a second loop sized to accept an opposing end of a chest strap heart rate monitor;   a rear horizontal strap fixably attached between said first and said second rear strap portions such that the combination of said front horizontal strap and said rear horizontal strap prevent said first and said second front strap portions and said first and second rear strap portions from separating laterally.   
     
     
         3 . A second apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprised of:
 a front strap, said front strap having a vertical adjustment means to allow changing the length of said front strap and a loop at its first end sized to accept the body of a chest strap heart rate monitor;   a first rear strap having a loop sized to accept the strap of a chest strap heart rate monitor at its first end and a second rear strap having a loop sized to accept the strap of a chest strap heart rate monitor at its first end, said first and second rear straps having their second ends fixably attached to the second end of said front strap, said attachment forming a “Y” just above said vertical adjustment, and;   a rear horizontal strap fixably attached between said first and said second rear straps such that said rear horizontal strap prevents said first and said second rear straps from separating laterally.   
     
     
         4 . A method for stabilizing the position of a chest strap heart rate monitor, comprising:
 passing one or more end(s) of a chest strap heart rate monitor through one or more loop(s) in one or more front strap(s) of a position stabilizing harness;   passing one or more end(s) of said chest strap heart rate monitor through one or more loop(s) in one or more rear strap(s) of a position stabilizing harness;   fitting said position stabilizing harness on the chest of a user, and;   adjusting one or more vertical adjustments to correctly position said chest strap heart rate monitor such that the sensor located within said chest strap heart rate monitor is placed directly over the heart of the user.