U.S. patent application number 12/524102 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-01 for workout garment.
Invention is credited to Leon Lee, Maurice A. Lee.
Application Number | 20100077527 12/524102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37872671 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100077527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Maurice A. ; et
al. |
April 1, 2010 |
WORKOUT GARMENT
Abstract
A workout garment comprises at least a shirt (10; 110) having a
chest region (14; 114), a back region (16; 116), and a waist region
(18; 118). The garment has a plurality of restrictor bands (24 to
30; 124 to 130) of elastic material extending, in use, over muscles
of the body to be worked, whereby during activity involving
movement which stretches said muscles the bands are stretched to
provide resistance against said movement. The bands are integrated
into the garment and include a two bands (24, 26; 124, 126) which
extend continuously across the chest region and cross over in the
chest region, and two bands (28, 30; 128, 130) which extend
continuously across the back region and cross over in the back
region. The crossover (36; 136) in the chest region is positioned
higher than the crossover (38; 138) in the back region.
Inventors: |
Lee; Maurice A.; (London,
GB) ; Lee; Leon; (Kent, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MILLS & ONELLO LLP
ELEVEN BEACON STREET, SUITE 605
BOSTON
MA
02108
US
|
Family ID: |
37872671 |
Appl. No.: |
12/524102 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
January 18, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2008/000215 |
371 Date: |
November 12, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 ;
482/124 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0552 20130101;
A63B 21/4005 20151001; A41D 13/0015 20130101; A63B 21/0555
20130101; A41D 13/02 20130101; A63B 21/4017 20151001; A63B 21/4025
20151001; A41D 31/18 20190201; A63B 21/4021 20151001; A63B 21/4011
20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 ;
482/124 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00; A63B 21/02 20060101 A63B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2007 |
GB |
0701313.9 |
Mar 22, 2007 |
GB |
0705481.0 |
Aug 31, 2007 |
GB |
0716832.1 |
Claims
1. A workout garment comprising at least a shirt having a chest
region, a back region, and a waist region, and having a plurality
of restrictor bands of elastic material extending, in use, over
muscles of the body to be worked, whereby during activity involving
movement which stretches said muscles the bands are stretched to
provide resistance against said movement, the bands being
integrated into the garment and comprising two bands which extend
continuously across the chest region and cross over in the chest
region, and two bands which extend continuously across the back
region and cross over in the back region, characterized in that the
crossover in the chest region is positioned higher than the
crossover in the back region.
2. A workout garment according to claim 1, wherein each of the
chest bands is joined respectively to one or the other of the back
bands in the waist region.
3. A workout garment according to claim 2, wherein the bands are
joined to each other in the waist region at a location behind a
nominal dividing line between the chest and back regions.
4. A workout garment according to any preceding claim, wherein each
band is secured to the garment by means of stitching and/or
adhesive.
5. A workout garment according to claim 4, wherein each band is
secured to the garment by means of cross-stitching.
6. A workout garment according to claim 4 or 5, wherein each band
is secured to the garment by means of stitching using elastic
thread.
7. A workout garment according to claim 4, wherein the adhesive is
stretchable.
8. A workout garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the
bands are secured to each other at the crossovers.
9. A workout garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the
elasticity of the material from which the garment is formed is
greater than the elasticity of the restrictor bands.
10. A workout garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the
bands are thicker than the material of which the garment is
formed.
11. A workout garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the
restrictor bands have a width of between 1.0 cm and 5.0 cm.
12. A workout garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the
garment is formed of a compressive material.
13. A workout garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the
shirt includes left and right sleeves and the bands comprise: a
first chest band which extends continuously from the wrist opening
of the left sleeve along the left sleeve and across the chest
region to the waist region on the right side of the shirt, and a
second chest band which extends continuously from the wrist opening
of the right sleeve along the right sleeve and across the chest
region to the waist region on the left side of the shirt, so that
the first and second chest bands form the crossover in the chest
region; and a first back band which extends continuously from the
wrist opening of the left sleeve along the left sleeve and across
the back region to the waist region on the right side of the shirt,
and a second back band which extends continuously from the wrist
opening of the right sleeve along the right sleeve and across the
back region to the waist region on the left side of the shirt, so
that the first and second back bands form the crossover in the back
region.
14. A workout garment according to claim 13 wherein the back bands
extend around the elbow joints to allow for movement thereof.
15. A workout garment according to any preceding claim, in the form
of a workout suit additionally comprising pants, wherein further
restrictor bands extend continuously at least from the waist region
of the suit to ankle openings of the pants.
16. A workout garment according to claim 15 wherein, in the pants
the bands extend around the knee joints to allow for movement of
the knee joints.
17. A workout garment according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the
pants are integral with the shirt.
18. A workout garment according to claim 17, wherein said further
restrictor bands extend continuously from wrist openings of the
suit to ankle openings of the suit.
19. A workout garment according to claim 18, wherein one band
extends continuously from the left wrist opening to the right ankle
opening, while another band extends continuously from the right
wrist opening to the left ankle opening.
20. A workout garment according to claim 15 or 16, in the form of a
workout suit having pants non-integral with the shirt, with hook
and loop type fastenings between the pants and the shirt.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a workout garment,
particularly to a garment which helps to train the muscles of the
user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Human beings are genetically predisposed with a larger
proportion of one type of muscle group over another. An individual
born with a greater proportion of Type I slow muscle fibres would
theoretically be more suited to endurance events, while a greater
proportion of Type II fast muscle fibres, would be more likely to
excel at high impact events.
[0003] A number of workout or exercise garments are known. The
known garments may be in the form of suits or separate shirts and
pants.
[0004] For example in United States patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,042
(Wilkinson) there is described an energy expenditure garment which
includes a body portion and a pair of limb portions, such as arms
or legs. At least one section of the garment is made of closed loop
circumferential form to completely surround a portion of the user
and is made of elastic resilient material thereby applying a
compressive force to that portion of the user. The garment also
includes a plurality of elongated elements made of elastic
resilient material located on the garment and anchored across areas
of the garment which would be subjected to back and forth movement
during the performance of an activity by the user. The elongate
resistive elements can be incorporated in the garment.
[0005] Other known examples include those described in United
States patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,814 (Fox), U.S. Pat. No.
5,819,322 (Wilkinson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,827 (Wilkinson), U.S.
Pat. No. 5,606,745 (Gray) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,305 (Romney).
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,814 (Fox) describes a one piece elastic
body suit worn by a person to coordinate and tone the body includes
an outer and an inner layer joined together, wherein each layer has
a shirt and trouser section. A plurality of elastic band members
are disposed between the inner and outer layers of the suit. This
suit is found to be too heavy while the inner layer causes
increased perspiration.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,322 (Wilkinson) describes energy
conservation or expenditure garments which are designed for use by
cyclists. The garment includes in one embodiment an air cooling
system through use of various air passageways in the energy
conservation garment. In another embodiment the energy expenditure
garment includes pockets to offer drag or resistance to the user.
An indicator may be provided at the back of the hand portion of the
garment to indicate some parameter of exercise.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,827 (Wilkinson) describes an energy
expenditure garment is in the form of a one piece suit having a
neck opening at its top and leg openings at the bottom of its torso
section. Size adjusting structure is provided at the neck opening
to permit the neck opening to be enlarged from its first wearing
size to an enlarged passage size sufficiently large so that the
garment may be placed on the user by the user inserting the user's
legs, hips and body through the enlarged neck opening.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,745 (Gray) describes a resistance
exercise suit for providing a resistance to movement to exercise
the wearer's muscles. The resistance exercise suit includes a body
suit to which at least one resilient rib is secured for biasing a
selected body portion in a preselected position such that when the
wearer moves the body portion, he experiences resistance. The
resilient rib is tailorable to a particular individual's needs, and
specifically, the shape, length, thickness and resistance are
alterable properties.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,305 (Romney) describes an apparatus for
augmenting exercise of body muscle(s) comprising one or more
articles of close-fitting wearing apparel employing one or more
removable elongate resistance members, loosely enclosed in
passageways along a portion of the length of the apparel, which
resistance members releasably anchored at one end to a
fixed-in-place member such as a belt or a shoulder harness and
attached at the distal end to the extremity of an arm or leg, the
apparatus being devised so as to increase the energy required by a
user to flex his arms or legs over the energy level necessary
without the resistance of the elongate resistance members. The
elongate resistance members are fixed to the surface of the garment
and can therefore become entangled, hazardous and
uncomfortable.
[0011] We are also aware of United States patent U.S. Pat. No.
3,411,500 (Gaffs) which describes an article of wear for applying a
stress on the wearer, to simulate gravitational mass loadings on
the body. Also, United States patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,947
(Dicker et al.) describes an energy expenditure garment which
includes various elastic resistance elements located on the garment
so as to help in the training of a user while participating in a
swinging sport, such as golf or racquet sports. The garment could
also include a biofeedback sensor to indicate when a proper swing
has or has not been performed.
[0012] The known garments have suffered from being of complicated
construction, are too heavy or cannot easily be used, or do not
exercise all the major muscle groups, and may thus result in an
imbalance of muscle growth.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] According to the invention there is provided a workout
garment comprising at least a shirt having a chest region, a back
region, and a waist region, and having a plurality of restrictor
bands of elastic material extending, in use, over muscles of the
body to be worked, whereby during activity involving movement which
stretches said muscles the bands are stretched to provide
resistance against said movement, the bands being integrated into
the garment and comprising two bands which extend continuously
across the chest region and cross over in the chest region, and two
bands which extend continuously across the back region and cross
over in the back region, characterized in that the crossover in the
chest region is positioned higher than the crossover in the back
region.
[0014] The workout garments according to the invention represent a
convenient way to maximise training, in minimum time, working the
major muscles and giving a balanced workout that can be used in
several workout environments. By avoiding the use of weights, the
garments can be constructed to be light weight and comfortable,
sporty and aerobic, uncomplicated and easy to put on and use while
remaining in the correct position. The workout garments according
to the invention are designed to give resistance to all major
muscles of the body without the need to set individual resistance
for the muscles.
[0015] The workout garments according to the invention develop both
Type I and Type II muscle groups in proportion. These advantages
stem from the specific positioning of the restrictor bands, which
are placed directly over major muscles so that when the restrictor
bands are stretched the opposing muscle is worked harder. This
causes conditioned resistance when involved in activity.
[0016] Preferably each of the chest bands is joined respectively to
one or the other of the back bands in the waist region. The bands
may be joined to each other in the waist region at a location
behind a nominal dividing line between the chest and back
regions.
[0017] Each band may be secured to the garment by means of
stitching and/or adhesive, for example by means of cross-stitching
using elastic thread and/or using an adhesive which in the dry
state is stretchable.
[0018] Preferably, the bands are secured to each other at the
crossovers.
[0019] The elasticity of the material from which the garment is
formed is ideally greater than the elasticity of the restrictor
bands. The garment may be formed of a compressive material such as
Lycra.TM., having a thickness of no more than 2 mm.
[0020] The restrictor bands may be formed of latex rubber and are
ideally thicker than the material of which the garment may be
formed, having a thickness of no more than 2.5 mm.
[0021] Preferably, the restrictor bands have a width of between 1.0
cm and 5.0 cm, such as about 2.5 cm.
[0022] In one embodiment of the invention, the shirt preferably
includes left and right sleeves and the bands comprise: [0023] a
first chest band which extends continuously from the wrist opening
of the left sleeve along the left sleeve and across the chest
region to the waist region on the right side of the shirt, and a
second chest band which extends continuously from the wrist opening
of the right sleeve along the right sleeve and across the chest
region to the waist region on the left side of the shirt, so that
the first and second chest bands form the crossover in the chest
region; and [0024] a first back band which extends continuously
from the wrist opening of the left sleeve along the left sleeve and
across the back region to the waist region on the right side of the
shirt, and a second back band which extends continuously from the
wrist opening of the right sleeve along the right sleeve and across
the back region to the waist region on the left side of the shirt,
so that the first and second back bands form the crossover in the
back region.
[0025] In such an embodiment, the back bands preferably extend
around the elbow joints to allow for movement thereof.
[0026] In an alternative embodiment, the workout garment according
to the invention is in the form of a workout suit additionally
comprising pants, wherein further restrictor bands extend
continuously at least from the waist region of the suit to ankle
openings of the pants. In such an embodiment, in the pants the
bands preferably extend around the knee joints to allow for
movement of the knee joints.
[0027] The pants may be integral or non-integral with the
shirt.
[0028] When the pants are integral with the shirt, the further
restrictor bands may extend continuously from wrist openings of the
suit to ankle openings of the pants. For example, one band extends
continuously from the left wrist opening to the right ankle
opening, while another band extends continuously from the right
wrist opening to the left ankle opening.
[0029] Where the workout garment according to the invention is in
the form of a workout suit having pants non-integral with the
shirt, hook and loop type fastenings, such as Velcro.TM., may be
provided between the pants and the shirt.
[0030] The invention will now be further described, purely by way
of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a workout suit incorporating a
workout garment according to a first embodiment of the
invention;
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the workout suit shown in FIG.
1;
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a right hand side view of the shirt of the
workout suit shown in FIG. 1, with the sleeve being shown in dotted
lines for the sake of clarity;
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a front view of a workout suit incorporating a
workout garment according to a second embodiment of the invention;
and
[0035] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the workout suit shown in FIG.
4.
[0036] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a figure hugging workout garment in the
form of shirt 10 and separate pants 12, both formed of Lycra.TM.
with a thickness of about 1.0 mm. The shirt 10 has a chest region
14, a back region 16, a waist region 18 and left and right sleeves
20, 22.
[0037] Four restrictor bands 24, 26, 28, 30 formed of latex rubber
are integrated into the shirt 10. The first chest band 24 extends
continuously from the wrist opening 32 of the left sleeve 20 along
the left sleeve 20 and across the chest region 14 to the waist
region 18 on the right side of the shirt 10. The second chest band
26 extends continuously from the wrist opening 34 of the right
sleeve 22 along the right sleeve 22 and across the chest region 14
to the waist region 18 on the left side of the shirt 10, so that
the first and second chest bands form a crossover 36 in the chest
region 14, just over the sternum of the user.
[0038] The first back band 28 extends continuously from the wrist
opening 32 of the left sleeve 20 along the left sleeve 20 and
across the back region 16 to the waist region 18 on the right side
of the shirt 10. The second back band 30 extends continuously from
the wrist opening 34 of the right sleeve 22 along the right sleeve
22 and across the back region 16 to the waist region 18 on the left
side of the shirt 10, so that the first and second back bands form
a crossover 42 in the back region 16, under the shoulder blades of
the user but above the waist.
[0039] The crossover 36 in the chest region 14 is positioned higher
than the crossover 42 in the back region 16. The back bands 28, 30
extend around the elbow joints 40, 42 to allow for movement
thereof.
[0040] The restrictor bands have a width of about 2.5 cm and a
thickness of 1.5 mm. Each restrictor band 24 to 30 is secured to
the garment by means of cross-stitching using elastic thread and
stretchable adhesive. The bands are also secured to each other by
cross-stitching with elastic thread at the crossovers 36, 38.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the chest bands 24, 26 is joined
respectively to one or the other of the back bands 28, 30 in the
waist region 18 at a location 44 behind a nominal dividing line 38
between the chest and back regions 14, 16.
[0042] The restrictor bands extend over muscles of the body to be
worked. The elasticity of the material from which the garment is
formed is greater than the elasticity of the restrictor bands and
the restrictor bands are thicker than the material of which the
garment is formed, so that during activity involving movement which
stretches said muscles the bands are stretched to provide
resistance against said movement. When wearing the suit the body is
under resistance when moving, whether it be physical activity or
every day activity.
[0043] The workout garment is in the form of a workout suit having
separate figure hugging pants 12, with Velcro.TM. fastenings 48, 50
between the pants 12 and the shirt 10.
[0044] Further restrictor bands 52, 54 extend continuously at least
from the waist region 56 of the pants down the front of each leg of
the pants to ankle openings 58, 60 of the pants 12. The bands 52,
54 extend around the knee joints 62 to allow for movement of the
knee joints.
[0045] Further restrictor bands 64, 66 extend continuously at least
from the waist region 56 of the pants down the back of each leg of
the pants to ankle openings 58, 60.
[0046] Still further restrictor bands 68 extend from the top of the
inside of both legs to the inside of both ankle openings 58,
60.
[0047] The further bands 52, 54, 64, 66 and 68 are secured to the
pants 12 in the same manner as the bands 24 to 30 are secured to
the shirt 10.
[0048] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a figure hugging workout suit in the form
of shirt part 110 and integral pants part 112, both formed of
Lycra.TM. with a thickness of about . . . mm. The shirt part 110
has a chest region 114, a back region 116, a waist region 118 and
left and right sleeves 120, 122. The suit has a closure (not shown)
at the back which permits the wearer to put the suit on and remove
it, Velcro.TM. or a zip fastener being used as a closure
material.
[0049] Four restrictor bands 124, 126, 128, 130 formed of latex
rubber are integrated into the shirt part 110. The first chest band
124 extends continuously from the wrist opening 132 of the left
sleeve 120 along the left sleeve 120 and across the chest region
114 to the waist region 118 on the right side of the shirt part
110. The second chest band 126 extends continuously from the wrist
opening 134 of the right sleeve 122 along the right sleeve 122 and
across the chest region 114 to the waist region 118 on the left
side of the shirt part 110, so that the first and second chest
bands form a crossover 136 in the chest region 114, just over the
sternum of the user.
[0050] The first back band 128 extends continuously from the wrist
opening 132 of the left sleeve 120 along the left sleeve 120 and
across the back region 116 to the waist region 118 on the right
side of the shirt part 110. The second back band 130 extends
continuously from the wrist opening 134 of the right sleeve 122
along the right sleeve 122 and across the back region 116 to the
waist region 118 on the left side of the shirt part 110, so that
the first and second back bands form a crossover 138 in the back
region 116, just under the shoulder blades of the user.
[0051] The crossover 136 in the chest region 114 is positioned
higher than the crossover 138 in the back region 116. The back
bands 128, 130 extend around the elbow joints 140, 142 to allow for
movement thereof.
[0052] The restrictor bands have a width of about 2.5 cm and a
thickness of 1.5 mm.
[0053] Each restrictor band 124 to 130 is secured to the suit by
means of cross-stitching using elastic thread and stretchable
adhesive. The bands are also secured to each other by
cross-stitching with elastic thread at the crossovers 136, 138.
[0054] Each of the chest bands 124, 126 is joined respectively to
one or the other of the back bands 128, 130 in the waist region 118
at a location behind a nominal dividing line between the chest and
back regions 114, 116, in a manner similar to that shown in
connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
[0055] The restrictor bands extend over muscles of the body to be
worked. The elasticity of the material from which the suit is
formed is greater than the elasticity of the restrictor bands and
the restrictor bands are thicker than the material of which the
suit is formed, so that during activity involving movement which
stretches said muscles the bands are stretched to provide
resistance against said movement.
[0056] Further restrictor bands 152, 154 extend continuously at
least from the waist region 118 of the pants part down the front of
each leg of the pants part to ankle openings 158, 160. The bands
152, 154 extend around the knee joints 162 to allow for movement of
the knee joints.
[0057] Further restrictor bands 164, 166 extend continuously at
least from the waist region 118 of the pants part down the back of
each leg of the pants part to ankle openings 158, 160 of the pants
part 112.
[0058] Still further restrictor bands 168 extend from the top of
the inside of both legs to the inside of both ankle openings 158,
160.
[0059] The further bands 152, 154, 164, 166 and 168 are secured to
the pants part 112 in the same manner as the bands 124 to 130 are
secured to the shirt part 110.
* * * * *