PROTECTIVE TOP FOR WEIGHT TRAINING

A protective article of clothing for weight training comprising including a top adapted to be worn on an upper portion of an athlete. The top include a front surface and a rear surface, left and right arm openings and a head opening. An impact-resistant flexible collar is integrally attached to the top and is sized and positioned to substantially encircle the head opening. The collar is also configured to dampen an impact force to at least a portion of the athlete's shoulders, upper chest and upper back.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to apparel and more particularly to tops and bottoms provided with protective features for guarding against injury to an athlete during weight training.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to the placement and movement of a weight during the progression of certain weight lifting exercises, athletes may sustain impacts, resulting in injury, abrasions or bruising, during the course of the lift when the weight contacts (e.g., brushes past, is supported by) a portion of their body. For example,FIG. 1illustrates the typical stages of progression of a “clean and press” exercise. During the clean and press, a weighted barbell is lifted from the floor to a position over the athlete's head and is then returned to the floor. In the first (i.e., clean) phase of the lift, the weight is quickly lifted from the floor, past the shins, knees, thighs, and hips in a single motion. The weight comes to rest across the upper chest and shoulder area of the athlete momentarily to end the first phase of the lift. During the second (i.e., press) phase, the weight is lifted from the shoulders overhead in a single motion. Finally, to complete the lift, the motions are reversed and the weight is lowered back to the shoulders and then down the front of the body to the floor. While performing this lift, it is crucial that the weight remain as close to the athlete's body as possible in order to avoid injury and to maximize the effectiveness of the lift. It may be appreciated that, as a result of the proximity between the athlete's body and the weight during the exercise, the weight or weighted bar may contact the athlete's body in these zones of likely contact100(shins, knees, thighs, hips, hip creases, shoulders, and upper back) many times during each repetition. Each time this occurs, there is a potential for injury to the athlete.

Accordingly, what is needed is protective garments that protect athletes' bodies against injury during weightlifting exercises.

Notes on Construction

The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and similar terms in the context of describing the invention are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising”, “having”, “including” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The terms “substantially”, “generally” and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. The use of such terms in describing a physical or functional characteristic of the invention is not intended to limit such characteristic to the absolute value which the term modifies, but rather to provide an approximation of the value of such physical or functional characteristic.

Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected”, refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable and rigid attachments or relationships, unless specified herein or clearly indicated by context. The term “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling or connection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intended by virtue of that relationship.

The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as” and “preferably”) herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and the preferred embodiment thereof, and not to place a limitation on the scope of the invention. Nothing in the specification should be construed as indicating any element as essential to the practice of the invention unless so stated with specificity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above and other needs are met by a protective article of clothing for weight training. The article may be a bra top having an integrated bra portion, shirt having sleeves, a sleeveless shirt, etc. The protective article includes a top that is adapted to be worn on an upper portion of an athlete. The top has a front surface and a rear surface, left and right arm openings and a head opening. Importantly, an impact-resistant flexible collar is integrally attached to the top and is sized and positioned to substantially encircle the head opening. In certain embodiments, the impact-resistant flexible pad is continuous and extends from the front surface to the back surface of the garment.

The collar is configured to dampen an impact force to at least a portion of the athlete's shoulders, upper chest and upper back. In certain embodiments, the top is adapted to apply a compressive force to the athlete when worn. In some embodiments, the collar extends continuously around the entire head opening. In other embodiments, the collar extends discontinuously around the entire head opening. In those cases, a selectively closeable front opening may be located on the front surface of the garment for separating a left-front portion of the top and collar from a right-front portion of the top and collar for facilitating the removal the article. In preferred embodiments, the article includes a zipper for selectively closing the front opening.

In some embodiments, the top includes a cooling portion formed exclusively by a breathable mesh for enabling body heat to escape from within the top. The article may include an inner contact layer that is configured to directly contact the athlete. The inner contact layer may be formed from a moisture-wicking material. Additionally, the inner contact layer may be formed from an anti-bacterial material. In some embodiments, the inner contact layer is disposed between the collar and the athlete. In certain cases, the article also includes an outer layer that may be decorative or non-decorative. In those cases, the collar is preferably located between the inner contact layer and the outer layer. The collar is preferably sized and configured such that a portion located along the rear surface of the top extends vertically downwards from the head opening to a location proximate the bottom of the athlete's scapulae when the article is worn. Also preferably, the collar is sized and configured such that a portion located along the front surface of the top extends vertically downwards from the head opening to a location proximately co-linear with the top of the of the athlete's underarm when the article is worn. In some cases, an impact-resistant extended rear neck guard extends upwards from an upper rear portion of the collar. In preferred embodiments, the neck guard extends at least to the C7 vertebrae of the athlete.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, the preferred embodiment of the invention, as well as the best mode known by the inventor for carrying out the invention, is illustrated in the drawings, and a detailed description thereof follows. It is not intended, however, that the invention be limited to the particular embodiment described or to use in connection with the apparatus illustrated herein. Therefore, the scope of the invention contemplated by the inventor includes all equivalents of the subject matter described herein, as well as various modifications and alternative embodiments such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as seem to them appropriate, including the practice of the invention otherwise than as specifically described herein. In addition, any combination of the elements and components of the invention described herein in any possible variation is encompassed by the invention, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly excluded by context.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

This description of the preferred embodiments of the invention is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description of this invention. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

With reference now toFIGS. 2 and 3, there is provided a protective article of clothing200for athletes having a top202adapted to be worn on an upper portion of an athlete and bottoms204adapted to be worn on a bottom portion of the athlete. In this version, top202is a separate article of clothing from bottoms204. However, a single article200that provides both top202and bottoms204(e.g., a unitard) is also contemplated. As discussed further below, article200is provided with protected areas206that are located in areas that preferably correspond to the zones of likely contact100shown inFIG. 1. The protected areas206help guard certain areas of the athlete's body, including include the shins, knees, thighs, hips, hip creases, upper chest, and front and rear shoulder areas, against injury while they are exercising, including particularly while performing weighted lifts such as squats, deadlifts, overhead press, etc.

Referring toFIG. 4, the article200may include one or more additional layers that are joined together or, at least, stacked on one another. Since the article200is intended for use by athletes, it should enable free, unrestricted movement by the athlete. Additionally, article200preferably applies a compressive force to the athlete when worn to, among other things, increase oxygenated blood flow through the athlete's body. In this particular case, a majority of the article200is constructed of an inner contact layer208that is located immediately adjacent and directly contacts the athlete's body B when the article is worn. Preferably, one or more of the layers wicks away moisture from the athlete. Also, one or more of the layers is anti-microbial. In this particular case, the inner layer208(i.e., the layer of fabric adjacent the athlete's body) is made using a blend of materials, which may include cotton, nylon, polyester and spandex, such as SP-XP52, which is both moisture-wicking and anti-microbial. Because of its proximity to the athlete's skin, the inner layer208(e.g. SP-XP52) is preferably soft and comfortable. Preferably, the material gives and provides some degree of stretch to enable the athlete to move freely while wearing the garment. The wicking and anti-microbial properties of the inner layer keep the athlete dry and help to inhibit the growth of fungi.

For aesthetic or other purposes, one or more outer layers210, which may be formed using the same material as the inner layer, may be placed outside of the inner layer208or may be used entirely separate from the inner layer208. Certain areas of the article200may include only the inner layer208, only an outer layer210, or may directly expose the athlete's skin. In preferred embodiments, the article200includes a cooling portion212(FIG. 3) that is formed exclusively by a breathable outer layer (e.g., a nylon and spandex blend mesh) or that is an opening formed in the article that directly exposes the athlete's skin will allow the article200to breathe and for heat and moisture to be quickly and easily wicked away from the athlete.

The protective areas206of the article200are provided with protective padding layer214that is preferably formed as a middle layer interposed between the inner layer208and the outer layer(s)210. The padding layer214protects the athlete from injury caused, for example, by weights brushing past or being placed onto the athlete's body. Accordingly, it is important that the padding layer214is sufficiently tough to withstand repeated frictional contact with weights that brush past it but is also sufficiently dense to provide support when weights are placed onto the protective areas206. A suitable padding for this purpose is a foam, such as “XRD 810 series foam” provided by XRD®, which has a density between 10-20 lbs./ft3.

Another illustrative embodiment of a top202according to the present invention is depicted inFIGS. 5 and 6. The top202includes a front surface216and a rear surface218, left and right arm openings220and a head opening222. The top202may be a bra top having an integrated bra portion or it may be a sleeveless shirt or a short- or long sleeved shirt (sleeves and shirt tail shown in dashed lines). An impact-resistant flexible collar224is integrally attached to the top202and is sized and positioned to substantially encircle the head opening222. The collar224preferably extends over the athlete's shoulders and partially down the athlete's chest and back. It is designed to protect athletes by dampening impact forces to an athlete's shoulders, upper chest and upper back as the athlete performs various weight training or other sports-related exercises.

In some embodiments, the collar224extends continuously around the entire head opening222. When donning the top202, an athlete would slip his or her head through the opening222and the collar224would surround the athlete's neck continuously. In other cases, the collar224is discontinuous such that one portion may be separated from another portion for easier donning and doffing of the top202. Certain preferred embodiments have a selectively closeable front opening217located on the front surface204of the article200. The front opening provides a first front portion226A of the top202that is separable from a second front portion226B of the top. In this case, the entire front surface216of the top202is divided by the front opening. However, in other embodiments, the front opening217divides only a portion of the front surface216(e.g., similar to a “quarter zip” sweater) and the top acts as a pullover. In either case, the front opening217assists a wear to more easily put the top on and take it off. A number of closures may be used for selectively closing the front opening217. In this particular case, a zipper is provided for closing the front opening217.

When correctly positioned, collar224surrounds the neck and shoulders of the athlete and is also configured to protect the upper chest area, including the clavicle and upper sternum. These are key areas that are prone to injury during many weight lifting exercises, including the clean and press exercise discussed above. In preferred embodiments, to protect the athlete's upper chest, a portion of the collar224located along the front surface216of the top202extends vertically downwards from the head opening222to a location approximately co-linear with the top of the of the athlete's underarm when the article is worn (i.e., just below the top of the sternum). In other embodiments, collar224extends even further down the front surface216of the top202. Preferably, the padded collar224covers the bones and muscles located at the base of the neck and upper back (e.g., C7 vertebrae, upper trapezius, etc.). This is important for protecting the athlete against injury caused by exercises such as the back squat, where a weighted bar is supported by or is brought into contact with or proximate to the back. As such, a portion of the collar224located along the rear surface218of the top202extends vertically downwards from the head opening222to a location proximate the bottom of the athlete's scapulae when the article200is worn to protect the upper back of the athlete. In some cases, the collar224includes an integrated neck guard228that extends vertically upwards from the head opening222preferably to at least to the C7 vertebrae of the athlete.

FIGS. 7 and 8are front and back illustrations of protective bottoms230according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Like the top202discussed above, the bottoms230are constructed primarily of an inner layer and, optionally, one or more outer layers that are joined together. Certain areas of the pants are provided with padded sections that are covered by flexible pads232in order to protect the athlete against injury. Specifically, padded sections are positioned to cover the athlete's shin, knee, thigh, and hip or a hip crease. Spaces234are provided between the pads232(i.e., above and below the knee) to enable the user to easily bend at the knee, waist, etc.

Although this description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, as well as the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the invention. The invention, as described herein, is susceptible to various modifications and adaptations as would be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.