Patent Publication Number: US-6669608-B1

Title: Adjustable weighted vest

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention pertains to weighted apparel for use in exercise and therapeutic applications. Although the preferred embodiment described herein is a weighted vest, it is to be understood that the principles of the invention apply to weighted garments of all types such as belts, pants, jackets, etc. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     It is known to provide vests with the capability of selectively receiving and supporting plural weights to permit the wearer to exercise and/or rehabilitate various muscles. Examples of such vests maybe found in the following U.S. Patents: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Des. 278,840 
                 Winston 
               
               
                   
                 Des. 340,794 
                 Winston 
               
               
                   
                 Des. 390,338 
                 Plasco 
               
               
                   
                 4,268,917 
                 Massey 
               
               
                   
                 4,344,620 
                 Debski 
               
               
                   
                 4,394,012 
                 Egbert et al. 
               
               
                   
                 4,602,387 
                 Zakrzewski 
               
               
                   
                 4,658,442 
                 Tomlinson et al. 
               
               
                   
                 4,989,267 
                 Watson 
               
               
                   
                 5,010,596 
                 Brown et al. 
               
               
                   
                 5,144,694 
                 Da oud et al. 
               
               
                   
                 5,768,706 
                 Griffith et al. 
               
               
                   
                 5,810,699 
                 Nadeau 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     A desirable feature of weighted vests is adjustability of the total weight supported by the vest so that exercise and rehabilitation can be continued as the wearer&#39;s muscles are progressively strengthened. It is known, for example, to provide pockets in a vest with one or more compartments of the pocket adapted to receive steel bars or other weighted material. Prior art vests of this type suffer from a number of problems and disadvantages that are addressed by the present invention. For example, designers of these vests have heretofore given little or no consideration to the relationship between the vest construction and potential unintended injury to the wearer. In this regard, weight receiving pockets are often placed adjacent portions of the wearer&#39;s body that are vulnerable to injury. Particularly vulnerable are areas of the chest adjacent the heart and lungs, the shoulder plexus area where nerve endings that affect hand motion are close to the skin, the spine area which has no fleshy cushioning to protect the spinal column, etc. In addition, shoulder joints per se must be protected as must the wearer&#39;s groin region. Further, even relatively non-vulnerable body parts must be protected against impact as the weights move relative to the wearer&#39;s body during exercise routines. 
     Apart from protecting the wearer, a weighted vest must be comfortable and non-restricting during workouts. The vest must hold the weights securely while permitting weights to be added and removed with relative ease and simplicity. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an adjustably weighted vest constructed to minimize injury to the wearer while facilitating the removal and insertion of weights. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a unique weight-receiving module for attachment in a pocket in an adjustably weighted vest in a manner to substantially eliminate injury to the wearer of the vest during exercise. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved method of protecting the wearer of an adjustably weighted vest against injury during use of the vest in exercise routines. 
     The aforesaid objects maybe achieved individually and in combination, and it is not intended that the present invention be construed as requiring two or more of the objects to be combined unless expressly required by the claims attached hereto. 
     A vest constructed according to the present invention includes at least one layer of resilient plastic foam sandwiched between and bonded to inner and outer heavy denier fabric layers. A module for receiving a plurality of weights comprises a layer of resilient plastic foam sandwiched between and bonded to two layers of similarly heavy denier fabric material. The material in each case is preferably nylon. The interiorly facing fabric layer of the module is sewn or otherwise secured to the outer fabric layer of the vest inside a vest pocket. A further fabric sheet is sewn or otherwise secured to the exteriorly facing fabric layer of the module in a manner to form a plurality of side-by-side pouches that are open at their tops to receive elongated weight bars. The weight bars are thus separated from the wearer&#39;s body by at least two layers of protective foam (i.e., the vest foam layer and the module foam layer). A flap from the vest pocket covers the pocket opening and the opening in the pouches to prevent inadvertent removal of the weights from the pouches. 
     The weight bars are elongated solid members having a transverse cross section in the form of a slightly truncated circle. The flat truncated surface of the bar faces inwardly toward the foam to distribute any force exerted by the weight over that surface and thereby minimize the pressure against the body of the wearer. 
     To further protect the wearer, the shoulder region of the vest is provided with two layers of foam padding. Similar double foam layering is provided along the bottom of the vest which is suspended near the wearer&#39;s groin. 
     The vest pockets into which the weight-receiving modules are sewn are all located on the vest exterior at positions away from the wearer&#39;s spine area, shoulders and upper torso. The vest interior surface is smooth and substantially uninterrupted fabric (e.g., heavy denier nylon). The vest pocket flaps are secured closed over the pocket weights by Velcro, or the like, to prevent the weights from inadvertently falling out of pockets during exercise. On the other hand, the weights are easily accessible to be selectively removed from or inserted into the module pouches without requiring removal of the vest from the wearer&#39;s body. 
     The sleeve opening in the vest is large so that a single size fits all wearers, and the vest is constructed to be gender non-specific. 
    
    
     The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of specific embodiments thereof, particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals and the various figures are utilized to designate like components. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a view in perspective from the front of an adjustably weighted vest constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a view in perspective from behind of the vest of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the vest of FIG. 1 shown open so as to permit the interior of the vest to be viewed. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view in perspective of a weight-receiving module constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and utilized in the vest of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 5 is a detailed view in perspective and partial section showing the construction of the pocket of the vest of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a broken view in perspective of the shoulder region of the vest of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in greater detail, an adjustably weighted vest  10  includes a front panel  11  and rear panel  13  joined only by shoulder portions  15  and  17 . The vest panels and shoulder portions each have a multilayer construction (best illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6) comprising an outer fabric layer  19  coextensive with an inner fabric layer  21 , and a foam padding  20  sandwiched between the inner and outer fabric layers. Preferably, although not necessarily, each of the inner fabric layer  21  and outer fabric layer  19  is made of a single sheet of material. In the preferred embodiment that material is a heavy denier nylon but may be other material that is strong yet pliable and moisture resistant. The foam padding  20  is resilient plastic foam, for example, polyurethane. Throughout most of the vest the foam padding is a single layer of the foam having a thickness on the order one-quarter to one-half inch. However, in the shoulder portions  15 ,  17  the padding includes two such layers  20   a  and  20   b  of the foam. The bottom portion of each of the panels  11  and  13  also has a double foam layer to protect the groin area of the wearer. The inner and outer fabric layers  19 ,  21  are secured together at their peripheries by means of a piping  23  sewn to both layers, thereby securing the padding between the layers. 
     Plural vest pocket layers  30  are formed on the vest at various locations by sewing or otherwise bonding the edges of a sheet  41  of the same fabric material to the outer fabric layer  19  of the vest. Sufficient slack is provided between sheet  41  and outer fabric layer  19  to define the pocket. Only the top edge of the sheet  41  is not secured to outer layer  19  to thereby define a pocket opening. A flap  33  of the same fabric material is secured along one edge to the outer fabric layer  19  and is suspended over the pocket opening. The interior surface of flap  33  and the outer surface of sheet  31  are provided with mating strips  35 ,  37  of hook and eye material (e.g., Velcro) or other closure arrangement such as snaps, zipper, etc., to permit easy selective closure of the pocket opening. 
     The pockets  30  are located spaced from the upper torso, shoulders and spine of the wearer to prevent injury to those body regions from weights contained in the pockets. In the illustrated embodiment there are six pockets, four secured in two transversely spaced columns of two pockets to the rear panel  13 , and two transversely spaced pockets secured to the front panel  11 . All of the rear pockets are positioned so as to be at least three inches below the wearer&#39;s shoulder blades and at least three inches laterally of the wearer&#39;s spine. The front pockets are all positioned so as to be below the wearer&#39;s rib cage. 
     A weight receiving module  40  is disposed in each pocket and includes an inward sheet  41  and outward sheet  43  of fabric material secured together at their peripheral edges to enclose a layer of foam padding  45  therebetween. The fabric material and foam are preferably the same as the materials is used for the vest. A pouch-forming sheet  47  is sewn or otherwise secured to outward sheet  43  along the periphery of sheet  47  and along transversely spaced vertical lines in order to form a plurality of side-by-side weight-receiving pouches  49 . The pouches are formed as collapsible bloused gussets, open at their tops, and suitable for receiving more than one weight bar  50  in each pouch. Similar gusset structure is described in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,546, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     Inward sheet  41  of each module  40  is sewn or otherwise secured to the outer fabric layer of the vest in a respective vest pocket  30 . The module is sized to fit in its associated vest pocket, preferably with little or no extra space other than is necessary to receive at least two weight bars  50  in side-by-side relation in each pouch  49 . 
     Longitudinally extending weight bars  50  are made of steel or other suitable dense material. The length of each bar is such that it fits in a pouch  49  when pocket flap  33  is closed over the pocket opening. Each bar is generally cylindrical but has a flat surface portion  51  extending substantially the length of the bar. It is intended that the flat surface portion of the bar face inwardly (i.e., toward the wearer&#39;s body) when the bar is inserted into a pouch  49 . In this manner the surface area of the bar that directly faces the wearer&#39;s body is expanded to distribute inwardly-directed forces over that expanded area. 
     A belt  60  is sewn or otherwise secured at various locations on the outer surface of sheet  31  of plural pockets  30  on the front and rear panels of the vest. Belt  60  is provided with a D-ring  61  or other suitable closure mechanism that can be tightened as necessary by the wearer to adjust the manner in which the vest fits the wearer. The front and rear panels  11 ,  13  are open (i.e., not joined) below the wearer&#39;s arms and are pulled together in these regions beneath the arms by closure of belt  60 . The front panel of the vest maybe formed with two separated sections as shown, in which case tightening of belt  60  forces an overlap of the adjacent edges of these sections to effect closure. Alternatively, the front panel  11  maybe formed without a front opening, thereby requiring the vest to be donned as a pullover, in which case belt tightening brings the sides of panels together under the wearer&#39;s arms. Alternatively, or in addition, a pair of side belts may be used to join the front and rear panels  11 ,  13  on respective sides of the vest. 
     Although it is preferable that module  40  be made of the same materials as the vest, different materials may be used if desired. An important feature is the construction of the module whereby at least two layers of foam padding are disposed between weight bars  50  and the wearer&#39;s body, namely foam padding  20  of the vest panel and foam padding  45  of module  40 . 
     Another important feature of the invention is the location of the pockets and the weight bars that they carry. No pockets are disposed along the wearer&#39;s spine, lungs, heart, shoulder and groin. This positioning of the pockets significantly minimizes the possibility of injury to the wearer of the vest. 
     Although the weight receiving pouches  49  have been described as being gusseted to permit more than one weight bar  50  to be received therein, it is within the scope of the invention to provide non-gusseted pouches sized to receive only a single weight bar. 
     The inner fabric layer  21  of the vest is without vest pockets and devoid of any other irregularity of structure that would interrupt the smooth surface of the fabric. This feature, too, minimizes both injury and discomfort to the wearer. 
     Although module  40  has been shown and described as being sewn into vest pocket  30 , it is also possible to removably secure the module in the pocket (e.g., by snaps, Velcro, zipper, etc.). Selective removal of the module may be desirable for purposes of replacement, cleaning, etc. 
     The base of pocket  30  maybe reinforced with a double layer of material, or the like, to prevent the bottom edge of the pocket from tearing away from the vest panel under the force exerted by weight bars  50 . This may be particularly necessary if the module  40  is removable from pocket  30 . 
     Belt  60  or other closure mechanism can be vertically located anywhere on the vest from the wearer&#39;s breast bone down. Although D-ring closures are preferable, locking buckles, Velcro or other fastening mechanisms maybe utilized. As a further possibility, side belts may be utilized to join vertical edges of the panels  11 ,  13  at the sides of the vest. 
     The front and rear vest panels may be joined along the vest sides by material, if desired. Preferably, such material should be pleated or elastic to permit the vest to expand widthwise and contract to fit wearers of all sizes. The side edges of the panels maybe joined by zippers or snap connections. 
     The length of the vest may also be made adjustable by providing additional material that can be selectively folded along transverse fold lines, stitched, snapped or secured by Velcro, to selectively shorten and lengthen the vest as desired. 
     The pocket  30  maybe made of elasticized, stretchable material to facilitate accommodation of different numbers of weight bars therein and to further maintain the weight bars away from the wearer&#39;s body. In addition, stretch material maybe used for sheet  47  so that pouches  49  maybe stretched upon receiving the weight bars and then contract to further retain the weight bars in the pouches. 
     The use of two layers of padding between the weights and wearer&#39;s body is also applicable to exercise belts and other garments that are adjustably weighted according to the present invention. 
     Although in the preferred embodiment of the invention module  40  is located inside a pocket  30  of vest  10 , it is within the scope of the invention that module  40  maybe secured to outer fabric  19  of the vest without any surrounding vest pocket. The important point here is that the padding layer  20  of the vest and the padding layer  45  of the module are interposed between the body of the wearer and each pouch  49  so that the weight bars  50  are spaced by two padding layers from the wearer&#39;s body. If the module is not disposed in a pocket, a separate flap for the module must be provided or the module must be provided with elasticized pouches to assure that the weight bars remain in the pouches during exercise. 
     From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that the present invention makes available a novel adjustable weighted garment providing increased protection of the wearer against injury from weights while permitting weights to be selectively added and removed without removing the garment from the wearer&#39;s body. The garment maybe economically manufactured in a “one size fits all”, gender non-specific form. 
     Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved adjustable weighted vest in, accordance with the present invention, it is believed that other modifications, variations and changes will be suggested to persons skilled in the art in view of the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood that all such variation, modifications and changes are believed to fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.