GB2317838A - Bar weight for aquatic exercise device - Google Patents

Abstract

In an exercise device of the type that comprises weights in pockets in a wrap attached to a limb of the user, the weights are steel bars encapsulated in a plastic material. The bars will not rust in an aquatic environment when the exercise device is used in a pool environment.

Description

Bar Weight for Aquatic Exercise Device The present invention relates generally to improvements related to exercising, the improvements more particularly permitting aquatic use of weightembodied exercise devices in pool environments.

Examples of the Prior Art Exercise devices worn as a wrap about the wrist and/or ankle are popular both for their convenience in being readily positioned for use, and also for the selection of the extent of exercise resistance or weight employed, the latter being a function of the use of a select number of bar weights, each typically four and one half ounces and embodied in an individual cooperating compartment in the exercise device. Examples are the exercise devices of my prior patents No.

4,997,183 issued on March 5, 1991 for "Ankle Weight Exercise Device'?, and No.

5,127,891 issued on July 7, 1992 for "Wrist Exercise Device".

In addition to the benefits of weight routine exercising with the exercise devices noted, it is desirable for exercise in a physical or sports-activity routine, such as in walking and jogging and this has given rise to the popular use during walking and/or jogging with the noted bar weight-embodied exercise devices in place, for balance, about both wrists and ankles.

Heretofore combining bar-weight exercising with aquatic activities, such as in-pool aerobics and therapy workouts, and especially with swimming, although desirable, has been rarely achieved because of the precautions required to prevent rusting of the bar weights such for example, as hermetically sealing the compartments of the bar weights.

Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the foregoing and other shortcomings of the prior art.

More particularly, it is an object to adapt bar weightembodied exercise devices for use in pool environments and thus for aquatic exercising, all as will be better understood as the deascription proceeds.

The description of the invention which follows, together with the acccmpanying drawings should not be construed as limiting the invention to the example shown and described, because those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains will be able to devise other forms thereof within the ambit of the appended claims.

Fig. 1 illustrates use of the within inventive exercise device in a pool environment; Figs. 2 and 3 are respective front and rear elevational views of the removed exercise device of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an isometric exploded view of the components of the exercise device; Figs. 5A, SB and 5C are sectional views taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 3 illustrating, in sequence, the positioning of the within inventive bar weight in a cooperating compartment of the exercise device; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4, Illustrating details of the construction of the bar weight.

The swimmer 10 in Fig. 1, as is now a desired practice, is supplementing the exercise benefit of swimming with ankle-encircled exercise devices 12 and 14, one cn each ankle for balance, and wherein each device 12, 14 is of a type embodied with a select number of bar weights, i.e. that designated 16 in Fig. 4. To this end, for each bar weight 16 selected for use, there is a cooperating compartment, individually and collectively designated 18, sized and shaped to receive said bar weight in projected relation therein.

Heretofore, however, exercising use of the bar weight-embcdied exercise device 12, 14 was not possible in a pool environment 17 without taking special precautions, such as hermetically sealing the compartments 18, because when in a submerged condition, as at 20, the bar weight 16 with its metal construct on material 22 was prone to rusting. In accordance with the present invention, there is no rusting of the bar weight 16 because of its special adapta tion for pool envircnment use csnsisting of the encapsulation with a select waterproof covering, such as rubber and preferably a plastic 17, such as vinyl, of the metal body 22 of the bar weight 15, as may best be understood from Fig. 6. That is, body 16 in a referred embodiment has a cylindrical medial portion 16B and opposite semi-circular opposite ends 16B, providing a shape or configuration that lends itself to encapsulation, by dipping or the like, and wherein the end shape of the plastic-encapsulated bar weight 16 is readily inserted through an opening 24 into a compartment i8 (Fig. spa), moved in ascending movement clearing the bottom edge 26 of opening 24 (Fig. sub), and then released to assume a position behind the bottom edge (Fig. 5C).

There is thus no rust-preventing practice or precaution used, such as hermetic sealing or the like, of the compartment 18, since the plastic encapsulation 17 of the bar weight 16 is of itself totally effective in obviating any rusting of the bar weight core 22 when used in a pool environment or for aquatic exercise routines.

A preferred embodiment of the exercise device 12, 14 advantageously using the rustproof bar weights 16 is illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. More particularly, the construction for same includes a t-wo-sided rubber-coated fabric base panel 28 having slots 30 and 32 which ultimately provide the individual compartment openings 34 when two four-compartment delineating rubber-coated fabric configurated panels 36 and 38 are attached, by stitching as at 40, to the base panel 23 with the bottoms of the panels 36, 38 positioned rearwardly and below the bottom edges 26 bounding the slots 30, 32.

The stitching or seams 40 also attach outwardly facing hookconnection material 42 and adjacent thereto outwardly facing loopconnecting material 44 in a strap shape 46, both in lateral alignsent with an attached buckle 48, such that when the device is wrapped about the exerciser's ankle, the strap 46 is passed trough the buckle 48 and reversely turned so its loops 44 are presented for engagement with the hooks 42 on the exercise device 12, 14 effectively holding the exercise device in its ankle-encircling position. Piping 50 is peripherally stitched, as at 52, to finish the appearance of the base panel 28.

While the exercise device bar weight herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the detail of construction or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (8)

Claims:

1. Improvements for a bar weight-embodied exercise device of a type used in a submersed condition in a limb-encircling position on an exerciser in a pool environment as would subject a metal construction material of said bar weight to rusting, said improvements comprising a bar weight of said rust-prone metal construction material configurated in a cylindrical medial portion with semicircular opposite ends, a selected waterproof covering in encapsulating relation about said bar weight, and a cooperating compartment on an exercise device sized to have positioned therein said covering-encapsulated bar weight and having said limb-encircling position on an exerciser1 whereby there is no rusting of said waterproofed bar weight during the exercising with said exercise device in said pool environment.

2. An improved bar weight as claimed in claim 1 wherein said covering encapsulating said bar weight is plastic.

3. An improved bar weight as claimed in claim 2 wherein said plastic of said covering is vinyl.

4. An exercise device comprising a flexible panel having releasable fastening means enabling it to be worn around a limb, the panel having a number of compartments each for receiving a bar weight, and the device further comprising a plurality of bar weights for insertion in said compartments, each bar weight having a waterproof coating.

5. An exercise device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the waterproof coating is plastic.

6. An exercise device as claimed in claim 5 in which the waterproof coating is vinyl.

7. An exercise device as claimed in claim 4 5 or 6 in which the compartments are in the form of pockets secured to the outside of the panel and the panel has one or more apertures facing the pockets for insertion of said weights.

8. An exercise device substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.