KR20140063561A - Flexible weight pad - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a weight or pad that provides resistance to movement, wherein the pad comprises holding means (12,14) and a plurality of bodies (16). The holding means holds the body inside and surrounds at least a part of the body. The holding means is substantially flexible such that, in use, the pad can be substantially flexed to reflect the shape surface of the user. Additionally, at least one substantially pore region 20 is formed in the pad to release water vapor from one side of the device to another and provide air flow. The invention also relates to an attachment device for attaching a pad to a user.

Description

Flexible weight pad {FLEXIBLE WEIGHT PAD}

The present invention relates to a fitness device, and more particularly to a fitness device including a weight exercise device including a covering, and a swimmer comprising a swimwear.

The problem with conventional weights used in exercise is that it is often large and heavy and inconvenient to catch. Additionally, the weight is generally rigid, which makes the user uncomfortable, especially when running. In the case where the weight is portable, the user is confined to certain additional activities that they can perform, resulting in a problem for the user changing music tracks in a portable music player as many people do when exercising.

Conventional water filled weights comprise a single chamber, usually made of a non-breathable plastic material, which allows the water to gather at the lowermost point and tilt the weight along its position. Moreover, when the user's limb is at a horizontal to far angle, the gathering of water may cause the weight to move along the limb, resulting in an undesired position change of the resistance experienced by the user.

Also, since the weight training apparatuses are often not breathable, the apparatuses are inconvenient to use when the user sweats. Limited airflow over the user ' s skin forms a moist area, which results in an unpleasant odor and bacterial infection.

A weight vest is a container into which weights or sand can be inserted. They are inconvenient to use or are configured to attach a large weight around the top. The distribution of weights is configured to aid in the development of larger muscles than weaker muscles. In addition, weight bests can interfere with deep breathing because it can pressurize the chest and limit the motion of ribs and intercostal muscles.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a holding means for holding at least some of the bodies and holding the bodies therein and a pad for providing resistance to movement comprising a plurality of bodies.

The holding means constituting the present invention is substantially flexible so that it can be substantially flexed to reflect the user ' s body-shaped surface in use, and the pad is provided with at least one Wherein the bodies are substantially solid substantially spherical metal spheres held in respective pockets and the pad surface facing the user includes a plurality of protrusions corresponding to positions of the spheres, The projections are provided with a pad that provides resistance to movement in which a gap is formed between at least a portion of the holding means and the user to provide a venting channel through which the air can pass and which is in contact with the user.

The pad includes a plurality of bodies and may be bent so that it is securely secured to the user. In addition, since the weight is in the form of a pad, it helps to form thinner muscles than larger muscles. Also, the pads are flexible and include a plurality of bodies that can be bent in accordance with the user's motion, thereby reducing air permeability. The pads can be bent in three dimensions, so that the movement of the user is not severely restricted.

The pads can be attached to the user's body for free use of the hand. Additionally, since the pad is bent so as to reflect the shape of the body of the user to which the pad is attached, the wearer can wear the pad under the cloth so that the weight can be applied during exercise. An additional advantage is that the pad can be used during yoga, thai chi, pilates, and similar exercises to improve exercise without becoming too bulky.

The outer protrusion of the pad provides a space between the user and the holding means to assist air-flow around the pad. The projections include point contact for the user and form a channel between the pad and the skin of the user, so that air can flow into the channels. This results in a more comfortable and more hygienic environment for the user. Additionally, the projections can provide a massage effect when pressed or rubbed against the user.

When a substantially elastic material is used, the projections are compressed against the user's muscles in use, thereby maintaining the projections in place to provide a massage effect, which can act to remove lactic acid from the muscle. The provision of compression therapy may be useful during and after exercise and may promote recovery.

In one construction according to the invention, the bodies are kept substantially unreleasable in the holding means. By being sealed in the body, the pad becomes a known invariable weight. Moreover, the risk of the body dropping during exercise is reduced.

The projections are preferably blunt. It may be desirable to have sharp ends so that they can be easily gripped, but dull or round projections are preferred. The dull projections allow the pad to more easily move on the user's muscles. Additionally, when the pad contacts the user, the projections provide a softer, more comfortable feel. The massage effect can also promote the discharge of lactic acid from the blood stream and muscle. Even though the projections are blunt, they still provide point contact with the user rather than a substantially planar contact that eliminates airflow between the user's skin and the device.

The bodies are preferably substantially rigid. By using a rigid body, the density is maximized and the mass of the weight is increased.

The bodies include a metal or metal alloy, and in particular, the body is a substantially spherical steel ball. The metal has a relatively high density and thus is effective in increasing the mass of the pad without significantly increasing the size of the pad.

Other suitable metals include lead, cast iron, stainless steel, plated steel, zinc and tungsten. Instead, a ceramic material can be used. When a magnetic material is used, the material may be magnetized to provide a therapeutic effect.

Preferably, the pad is provided with integral attachment means. Such a device is particularly effective in joint supports such as joint supports. The means may be in the form of bodies which are sandwiched between two layers of material, the material forming part of the wearable article. In such an embodiment, the breathable material may be selected for comfort.

The present invention relates to attachment means for attaching a pad according to the present invention to a user. It may be useful for the pad to be attached to the user through the attachment means so that the pad can be swapped quickly and placed easily.

The mass of the device can be changed by replacing the pad rather than replacing the entire weight and the attachment system by such an apparatus. The body can be retained in the molded rubber resin and the attachment means used to connect the device to the user.

Preferably, the attachment means is selected from the group comprising straps, joint supports, substantially tubular sleeves, socks, bands, corsets, and harnesses. For example, a plurality of attachment means may be used in combination to act specifically on a limb or a specific muscle group by applying a plurality of pads. The attachment means are configured to be used in combination with the pads to hold the pads securely in place against the user. The projections of the attachment means can be placed over the muscle groups and avoid bone sites or joints to provide the most effective weight distribution.

Instead, the device may be in the form of a body suit comprising means for holding the pad on or in the body. Additionally, the pad may be attached to a covering such as a shirt, sock, under or outer cover.

In a preferred construction, the chute includes a releasably sealable pocket for holding the pad. If the pockets are open and the pads can be removed, the weight can be changed depending on the condition or the user. Additionally, it is desirable to remove the pad before washing to extend the life of the chute and reduce the risk of damage by the washing machine. It may be desirable that the pads are permanently attached to the attachment means rather than removed.

The invention also relates to an exercise kit comprising an attachment means according to the invention for attaching a pad and a pad according to the invention to a user. Preferably, the pad and the attachment means are both provided in kit form. Additional pads may be included in the kit to change the weight as needed.

The invention is directed to a swimmer that is similar to a weighting device but also includes bodies that are less dense than water.

Preferably, the swimmer includes a plurality of bodies and holding means for surrounding at least a portion of the body and holding the body therein, the holding means being capable of substantially bending the pad to reflect the surface of the user's body during use, Further comprises a plurality of bodies housed in the holding means, the bodies being an enclosed body and being less dense than water. By using a plurality of enclosed bodies, the material of the implement can be more flexible than the body to which it is coupled.

Instead, the swimmer comprises a body having at least two substantially spherical projections on at least one surface, and a second layer of holding means on the first and second sides of the holding means on the first side, The first layer of means is bonded to the second layer of the holding means such that the body is held therebetween and the body is a closed body having a density less than that of water. A simpler construction method is possible by means of an integral body comprising a plurality of projections and a more buoyant mechanism can be produced by an increased amount of buoyant material.

Preferably, the body, or at least two bodies, constituting the device of the present invention comprises a fluid therein to reduce the density. When the body is substantially emptied or filled with air, the pad is provided with significant buoyancy to provide resistance to movement in water.

It is preferred that the body, or at least two bodies, are substantially rigid. This allows the body or bodies to more easily maintain their shape, especially when the user's body falls and impacts the body or bodies.

It is particularly preferred that the body or bodies can be substantially resiliently bent. This allows the shape to change when an impact is applied to the bodies, thus distributing a portion of the force, thereby protecting the user. Subsequently, the bodies may then return to their original shape.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the body or at least two bodies comprise a closed cell foam. When the device is damaged or perforated, the sealed cell bubbles prevent the release of water from the body or bodies. Instead, the body may include a sponge or open cell bubbles.

Preferably, the projections provide substantially point contact to the user. By providing point contact, air can flow around the device and water can be drained through the device, thereby making the user more comfortable and reducing the risk of contamination of the user.

The swimmer may be incorporated into the swim suit, or, alternatively, may be in the form of a buoyancy aid. By incorporating the instrument into the swim suit, it can be easily worn by the user and can be relatively invisible besides aesthetically pleasing.

Instead, the appliance may be a buoyancy aid, so if you wish to have less buoyancy, you should remove the appliance. Additionally, it can be detached, so it can be used to swim enough without a brace when used by non-competitive swimmers, and can be removed at that point.

The instrument may include a UV filter to provide protection from sunlight. This is particularly desirable when the apparatus is used by children during outdoor activities.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an exercise device according to the present invention.

The method of the present invention comprises the following steps:

a) providing a first layer of holding means;

b) disposing a plurality of substantially spherical bodies on a first layer of the holding means, or placing a single body comprising a plurality of substantially spherical protrusions on a first layer of the holding means;

c) disposing a second layer of holding means on the body or bodies; And

d) bonding the first layer of the holding means onto the second layer of the holding means.

The bodies or protrusions are held in separate pockets in the layers of the holding means. Thus, the projections have a range of motion defined by the size of the pocket in which the bodies are held. This range of motion assists with the massage effect of the device. The second layer of the holding means may be another part of the first holding means which is folded up to overlap using a single piece of material. The holding means may comprise an elastic material such as polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate. Preferably, the bonding method is selected from the group consisting of high frequency welding, ultrasonic welding, stitching, heat welding or welding with a contact agent.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view showing a separate view of a first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; FIG.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 (a) is a view of a suit according to the invention for use in combination with the devices of the figure;
Fig. 3 (b) is an enlarged view of the pocket of the suit shown in Fig. 3 (a); Fig. And
Figure 4 shows a wearable device with an integral weight pad according to the invention.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a weight 10 that comprises a pad comprising a plurality of bodies in the form of a lower holding portion 12, an upper holding portion 14, and a steel ball 16.

The lower holding portion 12 and the upper holding portion 14 each comprise a flexible elastic material layer such as rubber, neoprene, fabric, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyurethane, spandex or silicone material, And a plurality of recessed recesses 18 suitably formed to receive the recesses 18.

The recesses 18 are arranged in parallel rows, with each row being tilted relative to the adjacent row. The inclined parallel lines are intended to increase the number of steel balls 16 that can be stably fixed over the weight 10 as compared to the rows of spherical surfaces. Holes 20 are formed in the upper holding part 14 and the lower holding part 12 between the positions of the recesses 18 through which air and water vapor pass.

During manufacture, the adhesive is applied to the lower holding portion 12 and each steel ball 16 is disposed in the recessed recesses 18 of the lower holding portion 12. [ The upper holding portion 14 is disposed above the lower holding portion 12 and the steel balls 16 so that the spheres are received in the concave recesses 18 of the upper holding portion 14. [

When the steel balls 16 are once held in the upper and lower holding portions 12 and 14 so that the steel balls 16 are held within the lower holding portion 12 and the upper holding portion 14 that are substantially releasably seated together An adhesive can be applied. In such a structure, the upper holding portion 14 and the lower holding portion 12 form an external contact portion with respect to the pad weight 10.

The weight 10 may be attached to the user by various known methods to apply a weight to a particular portion of the user's body. Additionally, due to the shape of the steel balls 16, the weight can provide a massage effect, and the massage effect can be applied as a separate operation that follows the exercise to assist in discharging lactic acid from the user's muscles or during exercise .

In an additional structure based on the views of Figures 1 and 2, each of the holding portions may partially surround itself. For example, the holding portions 12 and 14 may include holes instead of recessed recesses. In such a situation, the diameter of the recesses of the holding portions (such as the openings of the recesses 18 of FIGS. 1 and 2) is less than the diameter of the body 16. Once the two holding portions 12 and 14 are sealed together, the body can then be held in the holding portions since it can not pass through the holes 18 due to the difference in diameter, and the body can be held without completely surrounding the body. The bodies (16) protrude through the holding portions (12 and 14). In such a structure, an external contact (not shown) may be applied to the pad. The holding portions 12 and 14 can be vacuum sealed (using vacuum molding or thermoforming) to be wrapped closely around the bodies.

In such a situation, the holding portions can be formed of a plastic material in which air can not penetrate. Following vacuum sealing of the body 16, the work areas of the holding portions 12 and 14 may be perforated or removed so that air can flow through the pad.

Instead, the 'breathable' holding portions 12 and 14 can be wrapped in a non-breathable material (not shown) during the manufacturing process to seal the body 16 and subsequently remove the non-breathable material . In a further possible construction, the pad can be formed by thermally shrinking the outer holding portions 12 and 14 around the body 16. [

Other bonding techniques, such as chemical or thermal bonding, may be used to bond the holding portions 12 and 14. Instead, molding, particularly injection molding, can be used, which can form over-molding to make body 16 as a capsule without the use of an adhesive.

Figure 3 shows a chute for use with weights according to the present invention. The chute 50 includes pockets 52 that are disposed at various locations on the body of the user. The drawings are not limited thereto, and additional positions in combination with a suitable attachment device may be suitable, e.g., the weights may be located in the user's head using a head-band or cap.

A partial or full suit may be configured as an attachment device for attaching the weight to the user. The attachment device may be in the form of a pocket or other means for holding the weight in place during movement.

Figure 3b shows a more detailed view of how the zipper 54 is seated to hold the weight within the pocket 52 and the zipper 54 is provided in the pocket 52 to allow the weight to be installed therein. And an enlarged view of the pocket 52 is shown. The pockets 52 may have a transparent outer surface. The opening into the pocket 52 may be in the form of a flap, in particular a V-shaped flap.

Figure 4 shows a body suit 110 including a base material 112 and an integral pad area 114. [ The pad region 114 includes a plurality of bodies interposed between the base material layers to hold the bodies in individual pockets. The sections of the chute 110 including the integral pad region 114 may be used in place of the entire chute 110, for example, in a sleeve that provides only a weight on the front arm.

By way of example, the weights 10 can vary from 10 g to 500 g, depending on their respective positions. Therefore, a suit as shown in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 can have a total weight of 10 kg. This is only an example and it is believed that other weights and total mass are within the scope of the present invention.

The holding parts may comprise suitable materials such as, for example, a plastic material, or a combination of multiple materials that may be natural or synthetic. The upper and lower holders may comprise a substantially planar material and necessary recesses may be formed when the recesses are wound around the bodies rather than being formed in advance.

The upper and lower holding portions may be in a sealed form than the separate parts. This is particularly effective when a chamber for holding the body is required. The bodies may be connected to the pad by being held in the substrate by one or more surfaces with an adhesive or without the need for an adhesive. The pad may comprise a single layer of material on which the bodies are secured.

When appropriate material is used, the pad may be heated or cooled to assist with either hot or cold compaction. This may be particularly useful during rehabilitation after injury. Additionally, the pad may be used in conjunction with an inductive loop to heat bodies, or spheres, using electromagnetic induction. Instead, the pads can be heated in microwaves, and the pads are made using materials that are not dangerous in such situations. Cooling may be performed using other cooling techniques, including chemical cooling techniques, or using a freezer.

It may be desirable to fix the metal spheres to the holding means using an axle. The axles allow the balls to move so that the weight flexibly rotates over the user's muscles. The axle can penetrate the length of the pad and penetrate all the spheres of a particular row.

Instead, each sphere can have its own axle, and it is particularly effective that the direction of rotation of the other sphere across the pad changes. By attaching the spheres in this manner, the weight can be pivoted over the muscles after the user's practice to massage the muscles and reduce the accumulation of lactic acid.

When the weight is attached to the user, the axis of rotation of the spheres may be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the body portion of the user to reduce the risk of rotation of the weight along the body portion of the user away from the intended position.

For a swimmer, the instrument may be in the form of a gas filled body held in the empty or holding means. Such a device may be effective for aquatic exercise, such as, for example, aqua-aerobics, and the user experiences resistance while the pad is underwater due to buoyancy of the body in the pad.

Gas filled bodies, such as helium (He) filled bodies, can be particularly effective in providing buoyancy assistance to children when used in combination, particularly with closed cell bubbles. In addition, the instrument can be used both in the water and outdoors because it includes both empty and substantially rigid bodies.

The pad is provided with a body of varying size and / or shape, allowing a variable weight or weight distribution and other projection shapes and allowing for a different massage feel. The bodies may be a filled or dense body and a combination of unfilled or dense bodies to maintain a low overall weight or shape and a massage effect.

The present invention is directed to a garment, such as a body suit, for example, where pads are integrated or attached to a suit by conventional means. By way of example, methods for attaching pads to a chute or other attachment means for applying pads to a user include hook and loop fasteners (Velcro®), zippers, buttons, poppers, bands, and adjustable straps do.

Other types of garments that can be formed to accommodate pads include shorts, shirts, t-shirts, trunks, corsets, leggings, pants, and jeans. This is not a restrictive list and other attachment means may be used.

It may be desirable to layer one or more pads to increase the mass of the weight.

By providing a mating member to fit between the pads, the pads will more easily hold together. Such a joining member may be in the form of a material layer that replenishes the profile of the top surface of the one pad and the bottom surface of the second pad. The system disclosed herein may be used for customized, pre-training, re-training, or physical exercise. The flexible elastomer can be transparent so that the user can see the body to detect any damage that is present.

The structure of the swimmer may be substantially the same as the weight mechanism except that it uses bubbles and / or fluids, a weighted body, or a filled body or bodies instead of bodies.

Thus, a swimmer may appear to be substantially the same as a weighting device, but one major difference is that it floats in water.

Claims (14)

A pad surrounding and surrounding at least a portion of the bodies to provide resistance to movement including holding means for holding the bodies therein and a plurality of bodies,
The holding means being substantially flexible so as to be able to substantially flex to reflect the shape surface of the user in use, the pad being provided with at least one substantially porosity zone for emitting water vapor from one side of the device to the other side, Wherein the bodies are substantially solid substantially spherical metal spheres held in respective pockets and the pad surface facing the user includes a plurality of protrusions corresponding to positions of the spheres, A pad providing resistance to movement in which a gap is formed between at least a portion of a holding means and a user to provide a venting channel in contact with a user and through which air can flow. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the bodies are held substantially unlocked in the holding means. 10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims,
Wherein the bodies are spaced regularly in the holding material and the bodies are positioned in a row with the adjacent rows being tilted relative to one another. 10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims,
Wherein the pad is provided with integral attachment means for attaching the pad to a user. An attachment apparatus for attaching a pad according to any one of claims 1 to 4 to a user. The attachment device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the attachment device is selected from the group consisting of straps, joint supports, substantially tubular sleeves, socks, bands, corsets, and harnesses. An attachment apparatus according to claims 4 or 5, wherein the attachment is a body suit comprising means for holding the pad on or in. 8. The attachment apparatus of claim 7, wherein the chute comprises releasably sealable pockets for holding the pad. An exercise kit comprising a pad according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and an attachment device according to claim 6. And a plurality of bodies surrounding and holding at least a portion of the bodies, the holding means being a substantially flexible swimmer capable of being substantially bendable in use to reflect the shape of the user, The apparatus comprises a plurality of bodies contained within said holding means, said bodies being hermetically sealed bodies and having a density less than that of water. A swimmer comprising a body having at least two substantially hemispherical projections on at least one surface and a second layer of holding means on a first layer and a second side of the holding means on the first side, Is bonded to a second layer of the holding medium such that the body is held between the body and the body, the body being an enclosed body and having a density less than that of water. 12. A swimmer according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the body, or at least two bodies, comprises a closed cell bubble. 14. A swimmer according to any one of claims 10 to 12, incorporated into a swim suit. 13. A swimmer according to any one of claims 10 to 12, which is a buoyancy aid.

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