U.S. patent application number 11/478985 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-03 for fitness equipment cover.
Invention is credited to Ingrid Jackson.
Application Number | 20080004168 11/478985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38877417 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080004168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jackson; Ingrid |
January 3, 2008 |
Fitness equipment cover
Abstract
The present invention relates to a fitness equipment cover for
attachment to fitness equipment comprising an elongated, planar
piece of material and a hood on at least one end of the cover for
attachment to a piece of fitness equipment.
Inventors: |
Jackson; Ingrid; (Gardena,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ZUBER & TAILLIEU, LLP
9TH FLOOR, 9595 WILSHIRE BLVD.
BEVERY HILLS
CA
90212
US
|
Family ID: |
38877417 |
Appl. No.: |
11/478985 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/148 ;
297/229 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47C 31/11 20130101;
A47C 9/002 20130101; A63B 21/078 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/148 ;
297/229 |
International
Class: |
A63B 23/00 20060101
A63B023/00; A47C 31/00 20060101 A47C031/00; A47C 27/00 20060101
A47C027/00 |
Claims
1. A fitness equipment cover for attachment to fitness equipment
comprising: an elongated, planar piece of material; and a hood on
at least one end of the cover for attachment to a piece of fitness
equipment; the hood having a slit positioned therein, thereby
forming two flaps.
2. (canceled)
3. The fitness equipment cover of claim 1 further comprising an
attachment means for selectively attaching the two flaps together
when the cover is attached to a piece of fitness equipment.
4. The fitness equipment cover of claim 4 wherein the two flaps may
be selectively attached together at various different points.
5. The fitness equipment cover of claim 1 further comprising a
pocket formed on the elongated planar piece of material.
6. The fitness equipment cover of claim 1, wherein the hood has a
length sufficient to allow for secure attachment of the cover to a
piece of fitness equipment.
7. A cover for fitness equipment comprising: a first piece of
elongated material; a hood formed at one end of the cover for
releasable attachment of said cover to a piece of fitness
equipment; the hood having a slit positioned therein, thereby
forming two flaps; attachment means for selectively attaching the
two flaps together when the cover is attached to a piece of fitness
equipment.
8. The cover of claim 7 wherein the attachment means allows the two
flaps to be selectively attached together at various different
points.
9. The cover of claim 7 further comprising a pocket formed on the
first piece of elongated material.
10. The cover of claim 7, wherein the hood has a length sufficient
to allow for secure attachment of the cover to a piece of fitness
equipment.
Description
1. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a specialized fitness
equipment cover intended to improve hygiene and protect users while
engaged in exercise using fitness equipment such as weight benches,
treadmills, or other exercise devices requiring close proximity or
physical contact by a user. The present invention is especially
convenient for use in public exercise facilities, where multiple
users may use a single piece of fitness equipment.
[0002] Users of fitness equipment typically perspire large volumes
of fluid. Perspiration frequently comes into contact with fitness
equipment, leaving unpleasant odors and unsanitary conditions. In
public settings, the continual use of fitness equipment by multiple
users often necessitates the use of towels or covers to either wipe
down equipment from perspiration left by others or to contain a
user's own perspiration.
[0003] Prior art exercise towels and equipment covers are not
specialized for use on exercise equipment and usually consist of
hand or bath towels. Such prior art towels are problematic because
they often slide or fall from equipment while a user is engaged in
exercise. Because a user engaged in exercise is often performing
high impact movements, bouncing or vibration of fitness equipment
is common and slippage of covers or towels onto a floor is a common
occurrence. Debris and germs from a floor may be collected onto a
dropped towel, creating additional exposure to germs and debris to
the user.
[0004] The present invention addresses shortcomings of the prior
art by providing a releasable cover that can be quickly attached to
and removed from fitness equipment. The cover comprises a hood that
allows the cover to be secured to fitness equipment. The width of
the hood may be releasably adjusted so that the cover may be
securely attached to a wide range and variety of fitness equipment.
The cover may be comprised of absorbent, durable material that can
withstand repeated use and may be machine washable, allowing the
user to conveniently clean the cover prior to next use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows the intended use of the present invention as
practiced with a piece of exercise equipment.
[0006] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a hooded side of the
cover.
[0007] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the side of the cover not
comprising a hood; and
[0008] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment
in which the hooded side of the cover further includes a
pocket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a view of the present invention in use with a
piece of fitness equipment 1. In the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the cover 2 possesses an elongated, generally
rectangular shape. The elongated configuration allows for optimal
coverage of exercise equipment incorporating rectangular shaped
back rests 3 or benches.
[0010] Many varieties of fitness equipment incorporate padded,
planar components intended for use either as benches 4 when
positioned horizontally or as backrests 3 when positioned
vertically. The user either straddles his legs or rests his back
and head on such planar components. Because multiple users often
use the planar components in this manner, the components can impart
bad odors or be dampened with perspiration. Such conditions can be
unpleasant and unsanitary. The present invention provides a
convenient means for protecting users from close contact with the
perspiration and oils of others. Because individuals can produce
excessive sweat, the present invention can greatly improve a user's
comfort while exercising in public facilities.
[0011] The cover may be constructed from absorbent material such as
cotton, cotton and synthetic blends, synthetic materials, velour,
micro-fiber, terry cloth, silk, or any other lightweight material.
Additionally, materials allowing for quick evaporation may be
incorporated to improve user comfort and hasten drying time of
perspiration-soaked covers. Because the cover is intended for
frequent use, the material should be machine washable and resistant
to daily wear. The material should not incorporate dyes that bleed
or run, allowing the user to conveniently machine-wash the cover
with other items.
[0012] The length of the cover should be sufficient so that a user
is adequately protected from direct contact of equipment when the
cover is attached. In FIG. 1, a user is protected from direct
contact with a piece of exercise equipment from the head region
down towards the middle torso area. Two feet of material may
provide adequate protection of body parts in direct contact with
fitness equipment, while still being small enough for the user to
carry and transfer to a series of exercise equipment typically
practiced in a workout.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a hood 5 feature of the
present invention. The hood is positioned on at least one end from
which the cover can be releasably attached to a piece of exercise
equipment. The hood should have a length 6 sufficient to allow
secure attachment to a piece of exercise equipment notwithstanding
movement and vibration of the equipment. In the preferred
embodiment, the hood spans more than three inches in length. The
width 7 of the hood should be wide enough so that attachment of the
cover to a piece of exercise equipment is possible. A hood that is
narrower than the girth of a piece of equipment cannot securely
attach to a piece of equipment and is undesirable. In the preferred
embodiment of the cover, the width of the cover spans more than 6
inches.
[0014] The hood may be separated by a slit, forming two flaps 8A
and 8B within the hood. The lower edge of the hood may comprise
attachment means 9 so that flap 8A may attach to flap 8B. VELCRO,
buttons, snaps, or a zipper are examples of suitable attachment
means. The flaps of the hood may be attached at various points
along the attachment means, allowing for different tensions to be
created when the hood is attached to equipment. This allows the
user the convenience to employ the present invention with many
types of exercise equipment such as stationary bicycles, weight
benches, mechanized weights, and more.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the present invention
from a face opposite the hooded face of the cover. On the
non-hooded face, the invention appears similar to prior art towels
or covers. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
uniform surface is provided so as to improve user comfort and avoid
the sensation of protrusions or obstructions when a user is pressed
against the cover. Pockets or enclosures may be provided on the
non-hooded face however, enabling a user to place keys or valuables
within the cover.
[0016] In summary, the present invention is a novel, inventive
fitness equipment cover that addresses many of the shortcomings in
the art. With respect to the above description, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function, manner and use are deemed readily apparent and
obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships
to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the
specification are intended to be encompassed by the present
invention.
[0017] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
while still falling within the scope of the invention.
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