GB2346068A

GB2346068A - Protective wear for use in exercise

Info

Publication number: GB2346068A
Application number: GB9902129A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William M Aenlle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-02-01
Filing date: 1999-02-01
Publication date: 2000-08-02
Also published as: GB9902129D0

Abstract

A protective article to cover part of a wearer's body, e.g. the back, when in contact with a surface as during abdominal exercises comprises a pad (56) and a harness for attaching the pad to the wearer's body, the connection (58, 60) between pad and harness allowing relative movement to accommodate flexing of the body. The pad may be of a resilient material or may have a chamber filled with a pressurised fluid. The article may serve as exercising apparatus by the inclusion of means to resist the wearer's movements.

Description

PROTECTIVE EXERCISE GARMENT The invention relates to a protective exercise garment and, more particularly, to a universal fitting garment for the protection of an individual's back, hips, buttocks and ribs whilst Iying on his back or sides on adverse terrain conditions.

It is common for the ease of taking exercise to wear waterproof garments or use an exercise mat when performing exercises that require the user to sit or lie on a surface. Mats are unsuitable for external use, because they can be umbersome to carry and can deteriorate when subjected to external conditions.

There are also disadvantages in the use of waterproof garments for example the sudden loss of body heat should a user recline against a cold or wet surface. Therefore, there is a possibility of injury. Further, the waterproof garment can hinder movement and inhibit ventilation, causing excess perspiration.

The invention seeks to avoid or reduce the probloms of the prior art by using a semi rigid structure connected to a user and allows exercise in adverse conditions otherwise not possible due to potential injury.

One aspect of the invention comprises an article to cover part of a wearers body in contact with a surface during exercise, for example abdominal exercise, having an outer part which substantially acts as a barrier between the wearer and the surface and retaining means to removably retain the article on the wearer and wherein the outer part and the retaining means being relatively moveable to flex as a wearer exercises. Preferably, the outer part includes an upper part to protect the wearer's back and a lower part to protect that part of the wearer's body in contact with the surface.

According to an optional feature of this aspect of the invention there may be a plurality of outer parts in generally adjacent positions.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention said outer parts may be connected one to next and each outer part can be moved relative to an adjacent connecting outer part to enable a wearer to move from a curved to an extended position. Preferably, said adjacent outer parts may be so shaped to enable adjacent outer parts to pivot freely with respect to each other as a wearer moves between an extended position and a curved position during exercise.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention there may be a plurality of side parts connected to the outer part constructed and arranged to protect the sides of a wearer.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention said outer and side parts may be integral.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention said retaining means may be attached to the outer and/or the side parts by securing means which enables said retaining means to be removed. Preferably, the securing means may comprise a strap connected to said outer part, opposing ends of which strap are adapted to be looped about a portion of said retaining means and fastened together by fastening means. More preferably, the fastening means may comprise one of the parts of fastening material of the type comprising a fist carrying a plurality of minute barbs and a second part comprising a fibrous mat for engaging the barbs.

According to a further optional feature of this aspect of the invention said retaining means may be attached to the outer and/or the side parts by securing means to prevent said retaining means from being removed Preferably, the securing means may comprise a ring connected to or integral with the outer part, the ring adapted to receive a portion of the retaining means.

According to yet another optional feature of this aspect of the invention said retaining means may comprise a harness means for fitting said outer part onto body torsos of various sizes.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention the harness means may be constructed from elastic material to stretchably accommodate different torso sizes.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention said retaining means may further comprise guide means adapted to receive said securing means to enable the outer part to move relative the retaining means in a substantially parallel plane to the wearer's back.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention said harness means may include at least one side belt and a pair of shoulder straps connected at the back to the side belt.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention said guide means may be provided by the pair of shoulder straps which cross at a front portion of said harness means, and the back portion including parallel guide portions. Preferably, guide means may be detachably connected to at least one of the shoulder straps and the side belt.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention the outer part and% or side parts may be constructed from material to act as padding. Preferably, formed from one of the following materials: foam, neoprene rubber, fibre reinforced plastics material.

Alternatively, the outer part may include an outer surface, an inner surface and a side surface defining at least one chamber, said at least one chamber containing a pressurised fluid and a fluid fill inlet.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention the outer surface of said outer part and/or said side parts may further comprise an impermeable layer.

According to another optional feature of this aspect of the invention said outer part and/or said side parts may comprise strengthening members which aid the transmission of impact forces when said outer part comes into said surface.

Another optional feature of this aspect of the invention provides securing means connected to the outer part by resilient biasing means so constructed and arranged to be extended during exercise. Preferably, the movement of the securing means along the guide means is restricted by a limit stop detachably connected to the guide means.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the protective exercise garment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGURES 2a and 2b are perspective views of the retaining means for retaining the outer part on a wearer according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention ; FIGURE 3a is a cross sectional view of the fastening means according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3b illustrates the a second embodiment of the fastening means incorporating resilient means for exercising; FIGURE 4a, 4b and 4c illustrate front and back views of preferred features of the outer part of the article according to various embodiments of the invention ; FIGURE 5 illustrates contact points between the wearer of the present invention and a surface; and FIGURES 6 and 7 illustrate a third embodiment of the invention, incorporating additional preferred exercising features.

Referring to the drawings and Figures 1 and 3 in particular, there comprises a universally fitting body protector (or protective garment) 10 which comprises an outer part 12 and retaining means 14 to removably retain the protective garment on the wearer. The outer part 12 is connected to the retaining means by securing means 16, such that the outer part is moveable relative the retaining means. The retaining means 14 is described in more detail, with reference to Figures 2a and 2b. In this embodiment, the retaining means 14 is provided by a harness, preferably comprising a pair of shoulder straps 18,20 connected to a side belt 26 by suitable means, for example by stitching or rivets countersunk within the internal fitting material or other suitable fastening means known in the art.

In this embodiment, each shoulder strap 18,20 is configured so that they crossover at a front portion of the harness and extend longitudinally in substantially parallel relationship on the back portion. It will be seen from Figure 2a that the back portion of the shoulder straps define guide means, 22,24 to guide the outer part 12 in a plane parallel with the wearer's back.

The opposing ends of the shoulder straps 18,20 are connected together by suitable fastening means known in the art. Alternatively, it is envisaged the ends extending from the front portions of the shoulder straps could be connected to the front portions of the side belt, or to the outer surface of outer part to provide improved pulling strength/better grip without departing from the scope of invention.

There may further comprise a pair of leg straps 28, 30 connected to the side belt 26 by suitable means known in the art. Guide means 32,34 may be provided below the side belt to become the or part of the leg straps and in this embodiment, the guide means 32, 34 form an extension of guide means 22,24. Figure 2b illustrates the retaining means on a wearer's body viewed from the back. It will be seen that the wearer's arms pass through the loops of the shoulder straps 18,20 and the opposing ends of the side belt 26 are wrapped around the wearer's waist and are connected together by suitable fastening means. In this embodiment, fastening means, is provided by a barb fastener as sold under the registered trademark Velcro, which enables the retaining means to be removably attached to the wearer. In those embodiments with leg straps 28,30, the ends of the straps are wrapped around the wearer's legs and are connected together by suitable fastening means known in the art.

The harness, and more particularly the shoulder straps 18,20 and side belt 26 are provided with inner and outer surfaces. The inner surface may be provided with fastening means for fastening the retaining means to an undergarment. For example the undergarment would be attached by a fastener to lower portions of the guide means 22,24 and to one or more portions of the side belt 26 to prevent the undergarment from being drawn up the body during exercise.

The outer surfaces of the aforementioned straps may further comprise securing means 16 for securing the outer part to the retaining means, described below.

Turning again to Figure 1, the outer part 12 is connected to the retaining means 14 to allow relative movement between the retaining means and the outer part. In one class of embodiments, the securing means 16 secures the guide means 22,24 directly to the outer part. The securing means 16 may be provided by a loop of fabric strap: the loop comprising opposed ends which are folded around the guide means to be placed in face contacting relationship and as fastened together by suitable means known in the art, for example a barb fastener. The securing loops should have sufficient play to allow the outer part 12 to slide to and fro in direction'X'along the guide means 22,24. In other embodiments, the outer part 12 comprises a protruding portion defining a clip for receiving the guide means and for allowing the guide means to move unimpeded within the clip.

In other embodiments, the outer part 12 may be connected to retaining means indirectly, as shown in Figure 1. It is envisaged that the guide means 36 could be detachably connected to the retaining means 14 by suitable fastening means 17 thereby allowing the retaining means 14 (or harness) to be configured differently, without departing from the scope of invention.

Thus, the guide means could be provided by one or more guide rails 36 formed from an additional strap or an elongate member constructed from suitable flexible material, for example plastics material. As shown in Figure 1, the guide means 36 is connected to the outer surface of the shoulder straps 22,24 by suitable fastening means 17, for example a fastener. Alternatively, the guide means 36 may be fixedly connected to the retaining means.

The outer part 12 is similarly secured to the guide means 36 by suitable securing means described above.

The outer part 12 is now described in greater detail, with reference to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 4a, 4b and 4c. The first embodiment shown in Figure 4a illustrates a single piece of body pad 38 which is shaped to protect the wearer's back, ribs, buttocks and hips. The single piece pad 38 comprises a main portion 37, integral side parts 39,40 and lower portion 48. The inner surface of pad 38 comprises suitable securing means 52, 54 for securing the outer part to the guide means 22,24 and securing means 55 to secure the lower portion of the outer part to guide means 32,34. In this embodiment, the securing means is provided by a sliding ring mechanism, but the securing means described above can be used as an alternative.

The outer surface of the pad 38 may further comprises a plurality of fastening portions 41, 44,46,50 for securing a protective cover 88, shown in Figure 1 to the outer part 30. In use, the side parts are folded around the wearer's sides and may be connected to the front portions of the harness by suitable securing means, for example barb fastener 42. There may further comprise a protruding portion 51 extending upwardly from an upper edge of the outer part to provide neck support and/or protection for the wearer. Optionally, the side parts 39, 40 are detachable. A second embodiment of the outer part is illustrated in Figure 4b and shows a short back pad 56, secured to the harness by securing means 58, 60 positioned along a lower portion of the pad to allow the back pad to travel to and fro freely, since it is not attached to the waist band.

The short back pad 56 is also provided with suitable fastening means 61,62 for securing an outer protective layer to the pad.

Figure 4c illustrates an independent buttocks pad 64 detachably connected to the side belt strap 26 and preferably to leg straps 28,30 at securing points 70,72. It will be seen the buttocks pad includes side portions 65, 67 to protect the wearer's side during use. The pad 64 includes suitable fastening means 68 for securing an outer protective layer to the pad.

The buttocks pad 64 is adapted to be used in conjunction with the pad 56 illustrated in Figure 4b and there may further comprise complementary portions of each pad which are suitably shaped to prevent an undergarment from being held when the pads come into abutment.

It has been found that the adjacent edges of the pads should be shaped to define complementary protruding and recessed portions in order to minimise garment'snagging'.

It is envisaged the outer part may be formed with a plurality of outer and side parts or pads for particular body parts, to protect an additional portion of the wearer's body, for example ribs, back, shoulder, buttocks, neck or head, without departing from the scope of invention.

The outer part 12 is preferably formed from material that acts as padding. More preferably the material should be selected from those materials that can insulate a user to minimise the effect of a sudden loss of body heat. Suitable examples include foam, rubber or other suitable spring'mesh'like material. Alternatively, the/or each pad forming the outer part may comprise inner and outer surfaces connected by side surfaces adapted to form a chamber (not shown) which is filled with fluid that is pressurised. The chamber may be provided with one or more fluid filled inlets to enable the wearer to pressurise the chamber directly. In those embodiments with a plurality of outer and/or side parts, a chamber is provided for each outer and/or side part, that can be pressurised to different pressure according to the degree of support required. For example, the chamber to be used as a buttock pad would be pressurised to a high pressure, for example to support a user with a degree of firmness. The back pad would be pressurised to a lower level e. g. to allow the repeated contact with the terrain to be absorbed by the chamber. It is envisaged the chambers would be shaped to conform to the shape of the wearer's body.

As previously mentioned, a waterproof cover 88 can be connected to the outer part and/or retaining means. Suitable materials to act as a cover include canvass, plastic sheeting, gortex and rubber sheeting.

Preferably the outer part 12 is supplied in a universal size and includes a plurality of embossed profile lines inset in the outer part at predetermined intervals from the outer edges of the or each part. Thus, a user can trim the pad to the desired individual shape.

In use, the body protector is fitted to a wearer wherein the straps of the harness is connected as described above. During exercise, part of the pad contacts the surface and acts as a barrier between the wearer and the surface. Examples of the exercises commonly employed by a wearer are illustrated in Figures 5a, 5b and 5c. The wearer performing conventional situps shown in Figures 5a and 5b will require point of contact at position 100 and 102 respectively. Thus the outer part 12 is pinned down at the hips. As a user moves from an extended position to a curved position the outer pad 12 is required to move from the extended position to a curved position. As one end of the outer pad 12 is fixed the outer part will pivot and slide along the guide means 22,24.

In other exercise routines, for example shown in Figure 5c, the point of contact is 104 and, initially, 106. The pad is thus pinned down by the shoulders at 104 and during the exercise the lower portion of the outer part is required to be flexed out of alignment. Again, this is achieved through relative sliding movement between the retaining means 14 and the outer part 12. During use, a wearer is able to exercise, particularly abdominal routines, at will without much consideration for the ground conditions. The article of the present invention provides a lightweight and flexible body protector.

In other embodiments, the body protector can be adapted to be used as exercise equipment.

More particularly, there can be provided a mechanism to assist in training the abdominal muscles by incorporating suitable resistance means to the user during abdominal curling actions. It will be seen from Figure 3b that the body protector is adapted so that the securing means 116 is connected to the an upper portion of outer part 112 by suitable biasing means 117. One example of biasing means is an elastic strap. The securing means 116 is prevented from sliding beyond a certain point, e. g. midway through the curling action, by a limit stop 119 or other suitable known means retained in a recess 121. In order to allow the retaining means to continue to move relative to the outer part the user is required to increase the force to activate the biasing means thereby to separate the securing means 116 in the outer part to complete the abdominal curl. The limit stop can be moved to different positions to increase or decrease the force required to complete the curl. In those embodiments with separate back and buttock parts suitable biasing means for example elastic straps 118 can pass through the outer part to be connected between the back and buttock pads, thereby to provide additional resistance during curling motion, as shown in Figure 6.

The apparatus may further comprise one or more attachment loops secured to elastic cord.

The elastic cord may be secured or anchored to the ground to act as resistant in a curling action. In some embodiments, the elastic cord 134 may be attached to the loops 130 to provide an apparatus for exercising the legs. Stirrups 136 may be provided to support the user's feet and/or to prevent or minimise upward movement of the user's feet during the curling action, as shown in Figure 7.

The present invention and its preferred embodiments relate to an exercise garment which is designed to provide satisfactory strength to be used during exercise but with a degree of flexibility to support the user. It is envisaged that numerous modifications can be incorporated without departing from the scope of protection.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An article to cover part of a wearers body in contact with a surface during exercise, for example abdominal exercise, having an outer part which substantially acts as a barrier between the wearer and the surface and retaining means to removably retain the article on the wearer and wherein the outer part and the retaining means being relatively moveable to flex as a wearer exercises.
2. An article according to claim I wherein the outer part includes an upper part to protect the wearer's back and a lower part to protect that part of the wearer's body in contact with the surface.
3. An article according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein there are a plurality of outer parts in generally adjacent positions.
4. An article according to claim 3 wherein said outer parts are connected one to next and each outer part can be moved relative to an adjacent connecting outer part to enable a wearer to move between a curved position and an extended position.
5. An article according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said adjacent outer parts are so shaped to enable adjacent outer parts to pivot freely with respect to each other as a wearer moves between an extended position and a curved position during exercise.
6. An article as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 wherein there are a plurality of side parts connected to the outer part constructed and arranged to protect the sides of a wearer.
7. An article according to any of claims 2 to 6 wherein said outer and side parts are integral.
8. An article according to any of claims I to 7 wherein said retaining means is attached to the outer and/or the side parts by securing means which enables said retaining means to be removed
9. An article according to claim 8 wherein the securing means comprises a strap connected to said outer part, opposing ends of which strap are adapted to be looped about a portion of said retaining means and fastened together by fastening means.
10. An article according to claim 9 wherein the fastening means comprising one of the parts of fastening material of the type comprising a fist carrying a plurality of minute barbs and a second part comprising a fibrous mat for engaging the barbs.
11. An article according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein said retaining means is attached to the outer and/or the side parts by securing means to prevent said retaining means from being removed
12. An article according to claim 11 wherein the securing means comprises a ring connected to or integral with the outer part, the ring adapted to receive a portion of the retaining means.
13. An article according to any preceding claim wherein said retaining means comprises a harness means for fitting said outer part onto body torsos of various sizes.
14. An article according to any preceding claim wherein the harness means is constructed from elastic material to stretchably accommodate different torso sizes.
15. An article according to any of claims 8 to 14 wherein said retaining means further comprises guide means adapted to receive said securing means to enable the outer part to move relative the retaining means in a substantially parallel plane to the wearer's back.
16. An article according to any of claims 13 to 15 wherein said harness means includes at least one side belt and a pair of shoulder straps connected at the back to the side belt.
17. An article according to claim 16 wherein said guide means is provided by the pair of shoulder straps which cross at a front portion of said harness means, and the back portion including parallel guide portions.
18. An article according to claim 16 wherein guide means are detachably connected to at least one of the shoulder straps and the side belt.
19. An article according to any of the preceding claims wherein the outer part and/or side parts are constructed from material to act as padding.
20. An article according to claim 19 which is formed from one of the following materials: foam, neoprene rubber, fibre reinforced plastics material.
21. An article according to any of claims 1 to 19 wherein the outer part includes an outer surface, an inner surface and a side surface defining at least one chamber, said at least one chamber containing a pressurised fluid and a fluid fill inlet.
22. An article according to any preceding claim wherein the outer surface of said outer part and/or said side parts further comprises an impermeable layer.
23. An article according to any preceding claim wherein said outer part and/or said side parts must comprise strengthening members which aid the transmission of impact forces when said outer part comes into said surface.
24. An article according to any one of claims 15 to 23 wherein the securing means is connected to the outer part by resilient biasing means so constructed and arranged to be extended during exercise.
25. An article according to claim 24 wherein the movement of said securing means alc said guide means is restricted by a limit stop detachably connected to said guide means.
26. An article to cover part of a wearer's body substantially as hereinbefore described.
27. An article to cover part of a wearer's body whilst exercising substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in Figures 1,2,3a or 4.
28. An exercise article substantially as hereinbefore described by reference to or as illustrated in Figures 3b, 6, or 7.