Patent Publication Number: US-2002010058-A1

Title: Mobile weight

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
     [0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of Provisional Application Serial No. 60/104,852, Filed Oct. 10, 1999 and application serial No. 09/419,646, File Oct. 18, 1999 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0003] This invention relates generally to physical fitness and more particularly to a lightweight workout suit having weights attached thereto.  
       [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art  
       [0005] It is known in the prior art to attach weights of different types and shapes to a garment so as to realize an exercise garment wherein resistance to muscle action is increased by the weights carried by the garments. In modern times, the population at large has increasingly become aware of the importance of physical conditioning as a program for maintaining and improving a persons health generally, for improving prowess in sporting activities, and also for improving physical appearance. While engaging in physical appearance and in physical conditioning activities individuals have historically worn lightweight, moisture absorbent loose fitting garments both for comfort while engaging in physical exertion and training and to promote the evaporation of perspiration which occurs during such activities.  
       [0006] A large market has long existed for convenient garments employed in exercising such as jogging shorts and shirts, sweatshirts sweat pants and jogging suits. The construction and purpose of such prior art garments has been solely to enhance the comfort of an individual engaging in physical training, not to improve physical conditioning. Some attempts have been made to provide garments to aid in the development of muscles while training.  
       [0007] Some attempts have been made to provide garments to aid in the development of muscles while training. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,322 discloses a weighted garment formed in one piece of resilient flexible material so as to be a snug fit on the wearer  5  body. Packs of weights are attached to the upper portion at the front over the chest and over the upper back, and further packs of weights are attached around the thighs.  
       [0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,694 discloses exercise apparel including a vest, pants, spine strap, wrist bands, ankle bands and weight jackets. The vest and the pants are each provided with structure for holding at least one weight packet. The weight packets include plural rows and plural columns of weight members adjacent a layer of padding inside of a cloth pouch.  
       [0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,596 discloses a garment formed with shorts having thigh encasing leg sections extending downwardly from a waist to surround and resiliently conform to the thighs of a wearer. A plurality of pouches are defined in each of the thigh encasing leg sections and are spaced laterally apart about the front, rear and outer thigh areas of the leg sections.  
       [0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,394,012 discloses an exercise vest that selectively allows weight capsules to be inserted into the pockets. The vest material overlaps in the front and includes a fastening device for securely wrapping and holding the vest around the chest, back and shoulders of its wearer.  
       [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,267 discloses a weighted training vest including front and rear interconnected panels and made of a bendable resilient material. The front and rear panels include pocket-like recesses which selectively receive weights according to the desires of the user.  
       [0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,497 discloses a weighted exercise suit incorporating two weight strips that are attached to the suit over the shoulders. Each strip contains separate compartments which hold weights.  
       [0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,302 discloses a weighted training vest having constant weight distribution with front and rear flexible panels adapted to fit against the wearers chest and back respectively and a plurality of weights adapted to be affixed to such panels selectively and individually in a predetermined pattern.  
       [0014] Design Pat. No. 310,441 discloses weighted shoe uppers.  
       [0015] Other prior art references include;  
       [0016] U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,510 issued Sep. 18, 1973  
       [0017] U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,999 issued Feb. 17, 1998  
       [0018] U.S. Pat. No. 4,384,369 issued May 24, 1983  
       [0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,322 issued Sep. 10, 1996  
       [0020] U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,856 issued Sep. 4, 1990  
       [0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,898 issued Aug. 26, 1997  
       [0022] U.S. Pat. No. 4,347,629 issued Sep. 7, 1982  
       [0023] U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,812 issued Feb. 2, 1993  
       [0024] U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,613 issued Aug. 30, 1988  
       [0025] U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,902 issued Dec. 31, 1991  
       [0026] U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,267 issued Feb. 5, 1991  
       [0027] U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,694 issued Sep. 8, 1992  
       [0028] U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,497 issued Oct. 4, 1983  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029] The instant invention is related to exercise or physical therapy apparel and weight pockets therefore. As will become apparent from the description below, embodiments of the present invention provide several significant improvements and advantages over the above described weighted apparel. The instant invention is a lightweight fabric workout suit with pockets on the arms, legs, chest and waist. Construction of the workout suit is accomplished using finely woven cotton fabric weighing between 4 and 6 ounces per yard which offers comfort and strength during exercise. Small weights fit into the various pockets fastened to the suit with hook and loop (VELCRO). A zipper extends along the perimeter of the V-neck and along each joint where the shoulder meets the torso, thus enabling the sleeves to be disconnected when desired.  
       [0030] The invention is geared up for the fitness industry to help a person gain muscle, lose weight, and/or tone up the body. A person is able to walk, jog, and run while using the weight system of the invention. A person can isolate and work on various parts of the body such as an upper body chest, arms back, stomach, and waist, or the lower part of the body such as the legs, calf, and the back of the legs. A user can work on sports injuries to the arms, legs and isolated injuries to the body. It can be used as a sport therapy for injuries. It is machine washable and the mobile weight system fits inside most gym tote bags.  
       [0031] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight fabric workout suit.  
       [0032] Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight fabric workout suit with weight pockets.  
       [0033] It is another object of the present invention to provide a lightweight fabric workout suit with removable sleeves and lower pant legs. 
     
    
    
     [0034] These objects as well as other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the following description of the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.  
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0035]FIG. 1 is a front view of the mobile weight workout suit in accordance with the invention.  
     [0036]FIG. 2 is a back view of the mobile weight workout suit in accordance with the invention.  
     [0037]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustable elastic belt in accordance with the invention.  
     [0038]FIG. 4 is a front view of the waist belt in accordance with the invention.  
     [0039]FIG. 5 is a front view, partially in section, of a pocket and weight in accordance with the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0040] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, numeral  10  generally designates the lightweight fabric workout suit of the invention. The workout suit  10  consists of the arms  12 , the legs  13 , the chest  14  portions, a detachable jacket  17  and a pair of pants  21  with patches of hook and loop (VELCRO)  18  and elastic  27 , located on the upper arm  19 , wrist  20 , thigh  21 , and shin areas  22 . Extra weight pockets  11  may be added to these areas when desired. Small weights  16  fit into the various pockets  11  and can be added or subtracted when desired to provide the appropriate amount of weight needed at any given time. A zipper  25  extends from the V-neck line  26  to the waist  15 . In addition, zippers  25  are fastened along each joint where the shoulder meets the torso, thus enabling the arms  12  to be disconnected from jacket  17  when desired. Zippers  25  are provided in legs  13  to facilitate the removal of the shin areas  22  when desired. FIG. 3 shows an adjustable elastic belt  26  having VELCRO ends  18 .  
     [0041]FIG. 4 is a front view of an elasticized weight lifter&#39;s belt  24  which fits around the waist  15  and can be tightened to support the back.  
     [0042]FIG. 5 is a front view of a pocket  11  showing a five pound weight  16  inserted inside the pocket  11 . Because of the ease of placing weight pockets  11  in any desired area, the weights  16  may be shifted to accommodate the desired exercise goal. Furthermore, the sizes of the pockets  11  and the weights  16  may also be varied as desired.  
     [0043] The workout suit  10  may be constructed from a flexible, stretchable material for encompassing and hugging the body, such as a lightweight spandex material and the like.  
     [0044] While the above description constitutes preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modifications, variation and change without departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the accompanying claims.