Gymnastic spotting belt apparatus

A gymnastic spotting belt apparatus for engaging the waist of a larger or smaller sized gymnast and for engaging spotting ropes on both sides of the gymnast, the spotting belt comprising:

• (a) An elongate pad having an outer layer and a resilient open cell foam interior for engaging the waist of either the larger or smaller gymnast;
• (b) a two layer belt affixed to said outer layer of said pad, said belt having a plurality of belt sections defining cavities formed therein by stitching portions of said two layers of said belt together, where said cavities are defined as the unstitched portions of said belt between said stitched sections of said two layers said belt further having two opposite ends, said belt sections and said cavities being spaced along said belt adapted for positioning proximal to both sides of either said larger or smaller gymnast;
• (c) a pair of first D-rings, each of said first D-rings having an upper bar, a lower bar, a curved section extending between said upper bar and said lower bar, a rear bar extending between said upper bar and said lower bar opposite to said curved section, and an interior bar extending between said upper bar and said lower bar between said rear bar and said curved section, said interior bar defining an interior compartment between said rear bar and said interior bar, said rear bar being entrapped within one of said plurality of cavities, said rear bar positioned within said cavity perpendicular to said belt, said interior bar being exterior to one of said belt sections, one of said layers of said belt passing through said compartment, said curved sections of said first D-rings adapted for engagement a spotting rope, said entrapment of said rear bar within one of said plurality of cavities preventing axial twisting of said first D-rings relative to said belt, said entrapment of said rear bar within one of said plurality of cavities preventing sliding of said first D-rings along said belt, said stitching of said belt sections defining a fixed position of said first D-rings on said belt, said first D-rings adapted for positioning on said belt proximal to both sides of either the smaller or larger gymnast;
• (d) a pair of second D-rings, each of said second D-rings having an upper bar, a lower bar, a curved section extending between said upper bar and said lower bar, a rear bar extending between said upper bar and said lower bar opposite to said curved section, and an interior bar extending between said upper bar and said lower bar between said rear bar and said curved section, said interior bar defining an interior compartment between said rear bar and said interior bar, said rear bar being entrapped within one of said plurality of cavities, said rear bar positioned within said cavity perpendicular to said belt, said interior bar being exterior to one of said belt sections, one of said layers of said belt passing through said compartment, said curved sections of said second D-rings adapted for engagement to said spotting rope, said entrapment of said rear bar within one of said plurality of cavities preventing axial twisting of said second D-rings relative to said belt, said entrapment of said rear bar within one of said plurality of cavities preventing sliding of said second D-rings along said belt, said stitching of said belt sections defining a fixed position of said second D-rings on said belt alternatively to said first D-rings, said second D-rings adapted for positioning on said belt proximal to both sides of either the smaller or larger gymnast;
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• (e) a releasable buckle affixed to said belt, said buckle having a frame having upper and lower portions, side frame portions, and a post slidably engaging the upper and lower frame portions between the side frame portions, said buckle adapted for securing said belt around the waist of either larger or smaller gymnast by engagement of said opposite end of said belt to said buckle.