GB2522776A

GB2522776A - Exercise equipment

Info

Publication number: GB2522776A
Application number: GB1422700.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sara Jane Graves; Clifford Graves
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-01-02
Filing date: 2014-12-19
Publication date: 2015-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-19
Also published as: GB2522776B; GB201400023D0

Abstract

A fitness training vest comprises a shell 10 for fitment over a user; load absorption pads 11-16 within the shell 10 for engagement with the torso of the user and a releasable belt or strap 17 for attachment of the shell 10 around the torso of the user. The vest may include pads 11-16 positioned at the shoulders, spine and torso of a user and the vest may include a support element 19 in the form of a bar or stalk extending forward from the shell 10; weights may be secured to the support element. A method of exercising using the vest is also disclosed.

Description

EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to exercise equipment.

In co-pending Application No. 1422446.3, to which reference should be made, there is described an exercise apparatus comprising a generally rectangular base member the underside of which is formed with a plurality of parallel channels in which a pair of elongated frame members are selectively received, the frame members being connected at their ends to upright members formed with a series of openings in which the ends of cross bars are selectively fitted.

Many of the accidents to which fitness enthusiasts succumb occur when they are training at home and more serious accidents involve barbell bench training exercises with the barbell being dropped onto the exerciser. A person training at home alone is at particular risk if attempting to lift too heavy weights and then becoming trapped underneath a barbell.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of exercise equipment such as to improve the safety of fitness trainers.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved form of exercise equipment for use in conjunction with the apparatus of Application No. 1422446.3.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided exercise equipment in the form of a fitness training vest comprising a shell for fitment over the user of the equipment, load absorption pads within the shell for engagement with the torso of the user and a releasable belt for attachment of the shell around the torso of the user.

The load absorption pads preferably include a spinal pad that is positioned for engagement with the back of the user and a pair of shoulder pads positioned for engagement with the shoulders of the user. There are also preferably side pads for engagement with the sides of the user and a torso pad (of greater depth than the other pads) positioned in front of the torso of the user.

There may be a load-supporting element extending forwardly from the front of the shell to which weights may be attached.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of exercising that comprises the use of the equipment defined above, preferably in combination with the apparatus of Application No. 1422446.3.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a fitness training vest, Figures 2, 3 and 4 are detail schematic views of parts of the training vest, Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the vest fitted to a fitness trainer, and Figure 6 is a schematic view showing a modification of the vest of Figures ito 5.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The vest shown in Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings includes a sheet metal shell 10 that is contoured and tapered to facilitate its fitment to fitness trainers of differing sizes and shapes. The user fits the shell 10 over his or her head and, within the shell 10, there are six interior pads 11 to 16. There are two shoulder pads 11 and 12 each typically of depth 50 mm, one spinal pad 13, typically of depth 25 mm, two side pads 14 and 15, typically of 25 mm depth, and one torso pad (or front pad) 16, typically of 80 mm depth. The pads 11 to 16 serve as load absorption elements spaced longitudinally and circumferentially about the torso of the user providing total all-round comfort for the user of the vest. There are openings (not shown) at the sides of the shell 10 for free passage of the arms of the user of the equipment.

Each pad 11 to 16 can be positioned within the shell 10 to the user's requirements using releasable fasteners of the kind sold under the Registered Trade Mark "VELCRO" and it is to be noted that the size of the front pad 16 is such as to create a reasonable amount of space at the user's chest level allowing the equipment to be used comfortably by female fitness trainers.

The shell 10 is attached securely to the waist of the user of the equipment by means of a flexible stabilization belt 17 having a buckle fastener 18. The side pads 15 and 16 can be carried by the stabilization belt 17, which provides a "hugging action" serving to prevent unwanted movement of the shell 10 relative to the body of the user.

There is a loading stalk 19 projecting forwardly from the front of the shell 10 and a resilient screw-in bump stop 20 at the forward end of the loading stalk 19, to provide an additional safety feature. Weight plates (not shown) can be attached to the loading stalk 19, typically to a maximum loading weight capacity of the order of 220 kilograms.

In the event of an emergency when, for example, carrying out a barbell lifting series of exercises, the user can rapidly unbuckle the stabilization belt 17 and slide out of the shell 10, either from a raised flat platform or from off the ground, the opening for the user's head at the top of the shell 10 being sufficient to allow ready movement of the user's head through the opening.

Figure 6 shows a weighted vest fitted with a modified torso pad 21. It is to be noted that the other parts of the vest will be as shown in Figures 1 to 5, though these are, for convenience, omitted from Figure 6. Torso pad 21 comprises two square sheet metal reaction plates 22 between which four specifically adapted vibrational bump pads 23 are sandwiched, the pads 23 being glued to the metal plates 22.

The reaction plate 22 that is in direct contact with the inside surface of the shell 10 is connected, using a strong hook and loop connection (not shown) to a belt (also not shown) corresponding to the belt 17 of Figures ito 5. A hook and loop connection is employed so that torso pad 21 can be moved to the user's desired comfort position. The arrangement is such that either the hook or the loop is stitched onto the covering of the torso pad 21.

The equipment described above can be used not only when carrying out lifting exercises using, for example, the exercise apparatus of Patent Application No. 1422446.3 or when carrying out running exercises. When carrying out running exercises, some users wear weighted vests. Current weighted vests come in a range of sizes such that, for example, the members of a rugby team might require several sizes of weighted vests whereas, adult users of the exercise equipment should, in the majority of cases, be able to use items of a standard size.

Claims

Claims:- 1. Exercise equipment in the form of a fitness training vest comprising a shell for fitment over the user of the equipment, load absorption pads within the shell for engagement with the torso of the user and a releasable belt for attachment of the shell around the torso of the user.
2. Exercise apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the load absorption pads include a spinal pad that is positioned for engagement with the back of the user and a pair of shoulder pads positioned for engagement with the shoulders of the user.
3. Exercise apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, in which there are side pads for engagement with the sides of the user and a torso pad (of greater depth than the other pads) positioned in front of the torso of the user.
4. Exercise apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which there is a load-supporting element extending forwardly from the front of the shell to which weights may be attached.
5. Exercise apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.S
6. A method of exercising that comprises the use of the equipment claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
7. A method as claimed in Claim 6 when carried out in combination with the apparatus of Application No. 1422446.3.Amendments to the claims have been made as follows: Claims:- 1. Exercise equipment in the form of a fitness training vest comprising a sheet metal shell for fitment over the user of the equipment, load absorption pads within the shell for engagement with the torso of the user and a releasable belt for attachment of the shell around the torso of the user, the load absorption pads including a spinal pad that is positioned for engagement with the back of the user, a pair of shoulder pads positioned for engagement with the shoulders of the user, side pads for engagement with the sides of the user and a torso pad (of greater depth than the other pads) * ** positioned in front of the torso of the user, each of said pads *0* being adjustably mounted Within the shell by means of *..releasable fasteners. *.** ***.: 2. Exercise apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which there is a load-supporting element extending forwardly from the front of the shell to which weights may be attached.3. Exercise apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.