GB2470547A

GB2470547A - Exercise vest

Info

Publication number: GB2470547A
Application number: GB0905944A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Rocco Morano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-06
Filing date: 2009-04-06
Publication date: 2010-12-01
Also published as: GB0905944D0

Abstract

An exercise vest 12 comprises a plurality of pockets 30 on the front and rear portions of the vest and weighted bags adapted to be carried in the pockets. The vest can extend only as far as the base of the rib cage and the pockets may be arranged in a symmetrical herringbone pattern. Each pocket is closed by a flap 32 having a hook and eye type fastening and the weighted bags are made from fabric and carry metal or plastic ball bearings or a mixture of the two. The side portions 28 of the vest may be made from elasticated material. The application further defines an exercise outfit 10 which includes the vest 1 and a pair of shorts 14. Similar pockets 50 are provided on hip portions of the shorts 14.

Description

Title: Exercise Outfit The present invention relates to an exercise outfit and particularly to a vest and shorts for use in muscle toning using weights.

Background to the Invention

It is known to provide an exercise garment, for example, a vest having pockets for receiving weights, known as a weighted vest. A weighted vest is used in training to help improve muscle strength and tone. Many weighted vests include compartments for permanently holding weights, thus not enabling the weight or its distribution across the body to be changed. Furthermore, known weighted vests include straps, buckles, laces or hook and eye fastener to secure the vest to the body, which are time consuming to tighten and can become loose in use. Known weighted vests also tend to be cumbersome to wear particularly when running and whilst playing sport, because they tend to physically inhibit the wearer's movement. They also incorporate solid weights, which can cause physical injury if they fall out of the vest.

Furthermore a solid weight, for example, in a thin fabric pocket, can also cause physical injury if the wearer falls over or bumps into another person.

it is an object of the invention to provide an exercise outfit including an improved weighted vest and pair of shorts which reduces or substantially obviates the above mentioned problems

Statement of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an exercise vest comprising a front portion, a rear portion, the front and rear portions being connected by shoulder regions either side of an aperture for passing over a wearer's head, a first side portion extending froni one side of the front portion to a corresponding side of the rear portion for passing under the arm of the wearer, a second side portion extending from the other side of the front portion to a corresponding side of the rear portion for passing under the other arm of the wearer, a plurality of pockets disposed on the surface of the front portion, a plurality of pockets disposed on the surface of the rear portion, and a plurality of weighted bags, each bag being adapted to he received in at least one of the pockets.

The vest is advantageous because the weight in the weighted bags can be evenly distributed across the front and rear of the vest. Furthermore, the vest does not include any fasteners.

Preferably the front portion extends downwardly in use over the chest of the wearer and terminates substantially at the base of the wearers' rib cage.

Preferably the rear portion extends downwardly in use over the upper back region of the wearer and terminates substantially at the base of the wearers' rib cage.

By being a shortened vest, not extending across the stomach and lower back, the vest can more conveniently be worn over other clothing.

Preferably six pockets are disposed on the front portion and six pockets are disposed on the rear portion, although different numbers of pockets may be provided, as desired.

Preferably the six pockets disposed on the front portion are symmetrically arranged, with three pockets on either side of a central axis of the vest.

Preferably the pockets are in a substantially herringbone arrangement.

Preferably the six pockets disposed on the rear portion are also symmetrically arranged, with three pockets on either side of a central axis of the vest.

Similarly, the pockets may be in a substantially herringbone arrangement.

Preferably each pocket is closed by a flap, the flap being held in a closed position by hook and eye fastener.

Preferably the plurality of weighted bags includes bags of different weights. The bags may be provided in pairs, each pair of bags having the same weight.

Preferably each bag is filled with ball bearings.

Preferably the ball bearings are made from steel or plastics, and each pair of bags is filled with steel ball bearings or a mixture of steel and plastics ball bearings.

Alternatively, each bag is filled with sand.

Preferably the first and second side portions are made from elastic material. This enables the front and rear portions to be stretched apart for ease of access. The elastic also has the effect of retaining the vest on the wearer securely.

Alternatively, the first and second side portions include adjustable straps, which may each incorporate an elastic portion.

Preferably the first and second side portions are no greater than 100mm in width.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a pair of exercise shorts comprising a waist band, a front portion, a rear portion, leg portions for circling and covering the upper part of the legs, the front region extending on either side in a hip region to meet the rear region, and a plurality of externally mounted pockets disposed on each of the hip regions.

Preferably each pocket extends longitudinally around the respective hip region substantially parallel with the waist hand, the pockets on each hip region being disposed one above the other.

Preferably there are three spaced pockets on each hip region.

Preferably a plurality of weighted bags is provided, each bag being adapted to be received in at least one of the pockets.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a plurality of weighted bags for use with an exercise apparatus, the weighted bags being made from fabric and being filled ball bearings.

Preferably the ball bearings are made from steel or plastics, and each bag is filled with steel ball bearings or a mixture of steel and plastics ball bearings.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an exercise outfit comprising an exercise vest in accordance with the first aspect of the invention and a pair of exercise shorts in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

The exercise outfit is advantageous because it helps to strengthen and tone muscles in the upper body and legs whilst exercising.

Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exercise outfit including a vest and shorts; Figure 2 shows a schematic front perspective view of the exercise outfit of Figure 1 being worn in use; Figure 3 shows a schematic rear perspective view of the exercise outfit of Figure 1 being worn in use; and Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a weighted hag being inserted in a pocket of the exercise vest of Figure 1.

Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3, an exercise outfit is indicated generally at 10. The exercise outfit 10 includes a vest 12 and a pair of shorts 14. The vest 12 includes a front portion 16, a rear portion 18, the front and rear portions being connected by shoulder regions 20,22 on either side of an aperture 24 for passing over a wearer's head. The shoulder regions 20,22 are large, unlike a traditional vest, in order to spread the weight of the weights (described below) and extend in use substantially from the base of the neck to a position over the shoulder. This distance is typically between 150mm and 200mm depending on the size of the vest. The front and rear portions 16,18 are short, typically around 300mm long, and extend across the chest and upper back respectively and terminate substantially at the base of the rib cage of the wearer.

A first side portion 26 (see Figure 2) extends from one side of the front portion 16 to a corresponding side of the rear portion 18 for passing under the arm of the wearer and a second side portion 28 extends from the other side of the front portion 16 to a corresponding side of the rear portion 18 for passing under the other arm of the wearer. The first and second side portions 26,28 are made from elastic material enabling the front and rear portions 16,18 to he moved apart, when the vest is being put on and taken off. The side portions 26,28 are intended to be minimalistic and only serve to retain the vest on the wearer.

Six external pockets 30 are stitched to the front portion 16. The pockets 30 are substantially rectangular, being around 120mm long, 40mm wide and 30mm deep.

The pockets 30 are arranged in a herringbone pattern with three pockets on either side of the front portion and spaced apart. The pockets are disposed at an angle of between 30° and 45° to the horizontal. The lower end of each pocket 30 is closed and the upper end of each pocket is open to receive a weighted bag, as described below. A flap 32 is arranged to close the open end of each pocket 30 and is fastened using hook and eye fastener, eg Velcro (RTM). Similarly, six pockets 34 of similar construction and layout are stitched to the rear portion 18 of the vest, best seen in Figure 3.

The pair of shorts 14 are constructed in usual manner with a waist band 36 a front portion 38, a rear portion 40, and left and right leg portions 42,44 for circling and covering the upper part of the legs. A drawstring (not shown) for fastening the shorts around the waist may pass through the waistband, which may be formed as a hem.

Alternatively, the waistband may include elastic. The front portion 38 extends on both the left and right hand sides into respective hip portions 46,48, which adjoin the rear portion 40. Three pockets 50, constructed in the same manner as the pockets 30,34 on the vest 12, are stitched to the hip portions 46,48, each pocket 50 extending longitudinally around the respective hip portion 46,48, the longitudinal axis of each pocket being substantially parallel with the waist band 36. The pockets 50 are disposed parallel with one another and are spaced apart, one above the other.

Both the vest 12 and shorts 14 are preferably made from a padded nylon and polyester ci as tane. This material provides a comfortable fit and is breathable. Furthermore, the weights are effectively padded by the material of the vest, which has thickness. The weights are provided by a plurality of weighted bags, one of which is shown at 52 in Figure 4, being inserted into a pocket 30. The bags are made from fabric, for example a polyester cotton mixture, and are filled with ball bearings. The ball bearings are made from steel and plastics, and the proportion of steel ball bearings to plastics ball bearings can be altered in the manufacture of each bag, in order to determine its weight. The bags 52 are supplied in pairs with equal weight, to enable weighted bags 52 to be distributed evenly between the pockets on the left and right hand sides of the vest 12 and shorts 14. The same weighted bags 52 can be used in any of the pockets, although the pockets on the hip portions 46,48 can he made larger, if desired, to accept heavier weighted bags. Typically the bags 52 are provided in weights of 0.5kg, 0.75kg, 1.0kg, 1.25kg and 1.5kg.

In an alternative embodiment, the vest 12 and/or shorts 14 can be made from a different material, for example, polyester cotton, which offers increased strength for carrying increased levels of weight. Also, in a further embodiment, the bags may be filled with sand, rather than ball bearings. In a yet further embodiment, the elastic side portions 26,28 are provided as adjustable straps. Preferably, the adjustable straps include an elastic portion. Once the adjustable straps are set for a particular person, no further adjustment is required for use by that person, because the elastic portion provides sufficient give to enable the vest to be put on and taken off.

The weighted vest and shorts can be worn together or separately, in combination with other clothes or on their own. They can be used when carrying out substantially any exercise to improve muscle tone and strength, including, for example, running and weight training.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An exercise vest comprising a front portion, a rear portion, the front and rear portions being connected by shoulder regions either side of an aperture for passing over a wearer's head, a first side portion extending from one side of the front portion to a corresponding side of the rear portion for passing under the arm of the wearer, a second side portion extending from the other side of the front portion to a corresponding side of the rear portion for passing under the other arm of the wearer, a plurality of pockets disposed on the surface of the front portion, a plurality of pockets disposed on the surface of the rear portion, and a plurality of weighted bags, each bag being adapted to be received in at least one of the pockets.
2. An exercise vest as claimed in claim 1, in which the front portion extends downwardly in use over the chest of the wearer and terminates substantially at the base of the wearers rib cage.
3. An exercise vest as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the rear portion extends downwardly in use over the upper back region of the wearer and terminates substantially at the base of the wearers rib cage.
4. An exercise vest as claimed in any preceding claim, in which six pockets are disposed on the front portion and six pockets are disposed on the rear portion.
5. An exercise vest as claimed in claim 4, in which the six pockets disposed on the front portion are symmetrically arranged, with three pockets on either side of a central axis of the vest.
6. An exercise vest as claimed in claim 5, in which the pockets are in a substantially herringbone arrangement.
7. An exercise vest as claimed in claim 4, in which the six pockets disposed on the rear portion are symmetrically arranged, with three pockets on either side of a central axis of the vest.
8. An exercise vest as claimed in claim 7, in which the pockets are in a substantially herringbone arrangement.
9. An exercise vest as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each pocket is closed by a flap, the flap being held in a closed position by hook and eye fastener.
10. An exercise vest as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the plurality of weighted bags include pairs of bags of different weights.
11. An exercise vest as claimed in claim 10, in which each bag is filled with ball bearings.
12. An exercise vest as claimed in claim 11, in which the ball hearings are made from steel or plastics. and each pair of bags is filled with steel hall bearings or a mixture of steel and plastics ball bearings.
13. An exercise vest as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first and second side portions are made from elasticated material.
14. An exercise vest as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the first and second side portions are no greater than 100mm in width.
15. A pair of exercise shorts comprising a waist band, a front portion, a rear portion, leg portions for circling and covering the upper part of the legs, the front region extending on either side in a hip region to meet the rear region, and a plurality of externally mounted pockets disposed on each of the hip regions.
16. A pair of exercise shorts as claimed in claim 15, in which each pocket extends longitudinally around the respective hip region substantially parallel with the waist band, the pockets on each hip region being disposed one above the other.
17. A pair of exercise shorts as claimed in claim 15 or 16, in which there are three spaced pockets on each hip region.
18. A pair of exercise shorts as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 17, in which each pocket is closed by a flap, the flap being held in a closed position by hook and eye fastener.
19. A pair of exercise shorts as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18, in which a plurality of weighted bags are provided, each bag being adapted to be received in at least one of the pockets.
20. A plurality of weighted bags for use with an exercise apparatus, the weighted bags being made from fabric and being filled ball bearings.
21. A plurality of weighted bags as claimed in claim 20, in which the ball bearings are made from steel or plastics, and each bag is filled with steel ball bearings or a mixture of steel and plastics ball bearings.
22. An exercise vest substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings
23. A pair of exercise shorts substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
24. An exercise outfit comprising an exercise vest as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 and a pair of exercise shorts as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20.
25. An exercise outfit substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.