US-12616261-B2 - Drawstring that measures user

US12616261B2US 12616261 B2US12616261 B2US 12616261B2US-12616261-B2

Abstract

A measuring apparatus comprising a drawstring member made of a flexible and non-stretchy material formed into a drawstring that is both wearable and a measuring apparatus to be integrated into an article of clothing. The drawstring has a front surface with measurement indicia permanently illustrated thereon. The measurement information includes a plurality of specific measurements and a graphical representation corresponding to each specific measurement. The measurement indicia can be in standard and/or metric units on one or more sides of the drawstring member.

Inventors

Eric Andrew Spataro

Assignees

Eric Andrew Spataro

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20220820

Claims (15)

1 . A measuring apparatus comprising: a drawstring member formed of a flexible and substantially non-stretching material; said drawstring member having a main surface with permanent measurement indicia thereon, the indicia corresponding to waist circumference measurements; wherein the drawstring has a central zero located at the midpoint of its overall length, with measurement indicia extending symmetrically outward in equal increments toward each end; such that, when the drawstring is worn about the waist and snugly tightened with little to no slack, the point of cinch, overlap, or fastening aligns with the measurement indicia to indicate the user's current waist measurement.
2 . The measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drawstring comprises symmetrical ends each having matching measurement indicia, such that when the ends are overlapped snugly around the waist, the point of overlap indicates the user's waist circumference.
3 . The measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drawstring comprises a securing element selected from the group consisting of a buckle, cord lock, or fastener toggle, wherein the securing element is the zero point and the waist circumference is identified by the indicia aligned with the securing element when fastened snugly.
4 . The measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drawstring is configured to be integrated into an article of clothing selected from sweatpants, shorts, athletic wear, or other garments having a waistband.
5 . The measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drawstring is configured to function as a stand-alone waist circumference measuring tool independent of integration into clothing.
6 . The measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drawstring comprises a surface constructed of flexible, non-stretching material selected from braided or woven fabric, cotton, plastic, leather, or composites.
7 . The measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drawstring body may be formed in flat, round, square, or other suitable cross-sectional shapes.
8 . The measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the measurement indicia are applied by printing, heat transfer, embroidery, embossing, fusing, or other permanent methods known in the art.
9 . The measuring apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the measurement indicia are displayed in units selected from metric, standard, or other recognized measurement systems, and may be represented numerically, alphanumerically, or symbolically.
10 . A method of measuring a waistline, comprising: placing the drawstring member of claim 1 around the waist; tightening the drawstring until it is snug with little to no slack; observing the measurement indicia located at the cinch point, overlap point, or fastening point of the drawstring to determine waist circumference.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the drawstring comprises symmetrical ends and the waist circumference is determined by observing the matching indicia at the point of overlap when snug.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the drawstring includes a securing element selected from a buckle, cord lock, or fastener toggle positioned at one end of the drawstring and serving as a zero marker, and the waist circumference is determined by tightening the drawstring snugly around the waist and observing the measurement indicia aligned with the securing element.
13 . The method of claim 10 , wherein fluctuations in waist circumference are tracked by repeated tightening and observing changes in the indicia over time.
14 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the tactile sensation of the drawstring tightening or loosening provides behavioral feedback prompting user awareness of body circumference changes.
15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising tracking fluctuations in waist circumference by performing a first measurement and repeating the measurement after a meal, period of fasting, exercise, or other condition, and comparing the results to monitor changes over time.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a drawstring. More specifically, this invention relates to a measuring drawstring with indicia viewable to user when utilized in an article of clothing (e.g., sweatpants, shorts, etc.) BACKGROUND Regular drawstrings cinch and hold clothing, but do not have the capacity to measure. With the concerns of one's weight and the many products invented prior to address this problem, none give the simple measurement feedback needed to help. Whether someone is overweight or in good shape, keeping a constant keen eye on one's body circumference is very important. Waist circumference measurement has been established as a better predictor of disease risk (e.g., diabetes risk, obesity risk, etc.) than body mass index (BMI). During Covid-19 restrictions, quarantines, and remote working, dress pants were traded in for sweatpants and weight gain has become even more problematic. Obesity has been a well-recognized serious health problem in the United States for decades, significantly contributing to shortening lives and increasing medical expenses for millions of Americans. Many diseases, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, and others have been directly linked to obesity. Unfortunately, the threat of a reduced lifespan, reduced quality of life and an enhanced probability of suffering from comorbid diseases in the future is not sufficient for those who are significantly overweight to be successful in reducing their weight and in maintaining such a reduced weight, and a healthy lifestyle incorporating a consistent exercise program. The causes of obesity are multiple and can be complex. Genetic predispositions impacting metabolism and environmental factors such as diminished physical activity often play a key role. For some individuals additional psychological factors such as stress and depression and medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, chronic pain and other conditions that restrict physical activity or affect metabolism all can contribute in varying degrees in causing obesity. Given the complexity of obesity, there are many approaches to its treatment. At the most basic level, treatment involves the manipulation of energy intake and energy expenditure. To lose weight one must take in fewer calories than one expends. To attain this objective, diets limiting the intake of calories are typically coupled with exercise to increase energy expenditure and thus create negative energy balance. Along with this, however, when restricting calories, one must be aware of the nutritional needs of the body. Healthy weight loss is best achieved when nutritional requirements of the body are fulfilled during the process of limiting caloric intake. Since many individuals suffering from obesity also are afflicted with co-morbid medical conditions, the determination of appropriate nutritional intake, caloric restriction and exercise regimens should take account these conditions and, often, the medications associated with them. In this country, there is significant variation in the approaches available to address obesity. Many commercial programs exist, such as Weight Watchers, which provide nutritional and exercise direction along with help to keep on track. There are many individual health care professionals that provide specific weight management services such as nutritionists, trainers, exercise physiologists, counselors, psychologists, nurses and physicians. In some areas, there are more comprehensive programs available at multidisciplinary medical weight management centers where medical management, nutrition, exercise and psychological intervention are provided in a global, coordinated approach. Also, there are surgical approaches available offering a number of procedures aimed at altering caloric intake and absorption. In addition to services and programs, there are a myriad of weight loss products available. FDA approved prescription medications, herbal products and over the counter products to stimulate metabolism and to increase satiety, prepackaged, low and zero calorie foods and beverages and many other products are available to alter caloric intake. Exercise machines, devices and videos are also available to encourage increased energy expenditure. In the end, the success of individuals, whether it be losing weight and maintaining the weight-loss or any health enhancement endeavor is most affected by their ability to make positive behavior changes and to maintain those positive behaviors indefinitely. Well-known programs, such as Weight Watchers, have employed weight-loss monitoring data processing systems that have been helpful to participants in this program. In recent years, weight-loss applications have become available for use with phones and tablets to assist dieters in successfully meeting their weight loss goals. While existing weight-loss computing systems have a variety of useful features, such systems are typically cumbersome to use due