GB2559962A

GB2559962A - Weightlifting Apparel

Info

Publication number: GB2559962A
Application number: GB1702526.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Banks Benjamin
Original assignee: SBD APPAREL Ltd
Current assignee: SBD APPAREL Ltd
Priority date: 2017-02-16
Filing date: 2017-02-16
Publication date: 2018-08-29
Also published as: GB201702526D0

Abstract

Apparel 10, suitable for those undertaking weightlifting activities, has at least two joined panels 12, 14, 16, and at least one of the panels 12 is provided with gripping members 56 that provide a greater frictional resistance to movement of a weightlifting bar engaging the gripping members than would be provided by engagement with the panel 12 itself. The apparel may be in the form of a weightlifting suit, and may also include gripping members secured to a panel that forms the buttock area (figure 2, 22)

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

SBD Apparel Limited

Unit 5-6 Evolution, Advanced Manufacturing Park, Morse Way, Catliffe, Rotherham, Yorkshire, S60 5BJ, United Kingdom (56) Documents Cited:

WO 2015/105943 A1 FR 002355469 A1 US 20150173435 A1

WO 2012/138569 A1 US 20170013888 A1 US 20100229278 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA41D

Other: Online: EPOOC, WPI (72) Inventor(s):

Benjamin Banks (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Firebird IP

Old Gloucester Street, LONDON, WC1N 3AX, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Weightlifting Apparel

Abstract Title: Weightlifting apparel with gripping means (57) Apparel 10, suitable for those undertaking weightlifting activities, has at least two joined panels 12, 14, 16, and at least one of the panels 12 is provided with gripping members 56 that provide a greater frictional resistance to movement of a weightlifting bar engaging the gripping members than would be provided by engagement with the panel 12 itself. The apparel may be in the form of a weightlifting suit, and may also include gripping members secured to a panel that forms the buttock area (figure 2, 22)

FIG 1

1/1

FIG 1 FIG 2

Weightlifting Apparel

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to weightlifting apparel.

Background to the Invention

Various lifts involve a stage that requires the weightlifter to hold the bar against a part of their body. For example, the squat involves resting the bar on the posterior shoulder area, while the clean and jerk involves resting the bar on the anterior shoulder area. This is not easy as there is a tendency for the bar to slip. To alleviate the problem, lifters seek to create frictional resistance by smothering chalk on the bar and the part of their clothing on which the bar will rest. This is not particularly effective and is also messy.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides weightlifting apparel as specified in claim 1.

The invention also includes a weightlifting suit as specified in claim 11.

The invention also includes weightlifting apparel as specified in claim 16.

The invention also includes weightlifting apparel as specified in claim 19.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the following disclosure, reference will be made to the drawings, in which:

Figure lisa schematic front view of weightlifting apparel; and

Figure 2 is a schematic rear view of the weightlifting apparel of Figure 1.

Detailed Description

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a weightlifting suit 10 comprises a plurality of panels 1226 joined by stitching at seams 28-54. The stitching may be flatlock stitching for a comfortable fit. The panels 14, 16, 20, 24, 26 may be made of a synthetic material comprising polyester-polyurethane copolymer, which provides flexibility and comfort for the wearer. The material may comprise a combination of a polyamide (eg nylon, Meryl®) and elastane. The material may be a combination of 78% and polyester 22% elastane/spandex.

The panels 12, 18, 22 may comprise a plurality of gripping members 56 that provide greater frictional resistance than the material from which the panel is made. The panels 12, 18, 22 may be made from the same material as the panels 14, 16, 20, 24, 26, while the gripping members 56 may, for example, by made of an elastomer such as silicone rubber. The gripping members may take the form of a plurality of stripes or chevrons. The gripping members 56 may be printed onto the panels 12, 18, 16.

Referring to Figure 1, the panel 12 may form an anterior shoulder area of the weightlifting apparel. The provision of gripping members 56 in the anterior shoulder area provides an increased grip zone in an area in which a lifter may rest the bar when performing the clean and jerk.

Referring to Figure 2, the panel 18 may form a posterior shoulder area of the weightlifting apparel 10. The provision of gripping members 56 in the posterior shoulder area provides an increased grip zone in an area in which a lifter may rest the bar when power lifting.

Still referring to Figure 2, the panel 22 may form a buttock area of the weightlifting apparel 10. The provision of gripping members 56 in the buttock area provides an increased grip zone in an area a lifter may position on a bench or the like during certain lifts.

The gripping members 56 are provided on panels that are sized and shaped define an increased grip zone corresponding in size to the area in which increased grip is needed. The gripping members 56 may at least substantially cover the respective panels 12, 18, 22 in both the length and widthways directions of the panel. By having the grip zones provided on individual panels that in area correspond at least substantially to the desired area of increased grip, rather than providing gripping members on larger panels that may have significant areas that are free of gripping members, it is believed the increased grip zones will be more stable. This is because there will be less of a tendency for the panel provided with gripping members to stretch.

It is to be understood that the layout of panels and seams indicated in Figures 1 and 2 5 is given purely by way of example and is in no way to be taken as limiting as many panel and stitching arrangements are possible. For example, the panels 12, 18 may be one panel with a cut-out for the neck, in which case the seams 28, 30 would be omitted.

In the illustrated example, the weightlifting apparel is a weightlifting suit 10. In other 10 examples, weightlifting apparel in the form of a long or short sleeved T-shirt or shorts may be provided with one or more panels provided with gripping members in the same, or similar fashion to the panels show in Figures 1 and 2.

A panel intended to define an increased grip zone may have a height and a width 15 defining an area and the gripping members may occupy substantially the entire area of the gripping zone. The gripping members may have length that is greater than or equal to the height of the panel. There may be gripping members disposed in spaced apart relation over substantially the entire width of the panel. The gripping members may occupy at least 50% of the area of the panel. In some examples, the gripping members may occupy as much as 50 to 95% of the area of the panel, occupying for example, 50, 60, 70, 80 or 90% of the area.

Claims

1. Weightlifting apparel comprising at least two joined panels, wherein at least one said panel is provided with gripping members to provide a greater frictional resistance to movement of a weightlifting bar engaging said gripping members than would be provided by engagement with said panels.

2 Weightlifting apparel as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one said panel provided with gripping members forms an anterior shoulder area of the weightlifting apparel.

3. Weightlifting apparel as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one said panel provided with gripping members forms a posterior shoulder area of the weightlifting apparel.

4. Weightlifting apparel as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising at least one buttock panel that forms a buttock area of the weightlifting apparel and is provided with a plurality of gripping members that provide greater frictional resistance to sliding movement over a surface engaged by said at least one buttock panel that would be provided by direct engagement with said at least one buttock panel.

5. Weightlifting apparel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said gripping members are made of a material having a coefficient of friction and said panels are made of at least one material having a coefficient of friction less than the coefficient of friction of said gripping members.

6. Weightlifting apparel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said apparel is a weightlifting suit.

7. Weightlifting apparel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said panels are made of a synthetic fibre comprising polyester-polyurethane copolymer.

8. Weightlifting apparel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said gripping members are made of an elastomer.

9. Weightlifting apparel as claimed in claim 8 wherein said gripping members are made of silicone rubber.

10. Weightlifting apparel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said gripping members define a plurality of stripes or chevrons.

11. A weightlifting suit provided with gripping members disposed on a buttock area of the suit.

12. A weightlifting suit as claimed in claim 11, further comprising gripping members disposed on an anterior shoulder area of the suit.

13. A weightlifting suit as claimed in claim 11 or 12, further comprising gripping members disposed on a posterior shoulder area of the suit.

14. A weightlifting suit as claimed in claim 11, 12, or 13, further comprising a plurality of fabric panels, wherein said panels have a coefficient of friction and said gripping members have a coefficient of friction that is greater than said coefficient of friction of said fabric panels.

15. A weightlifting suit as claimed in claim 14, wherein a said panel has a height and a width and is provided with said gripping members and said gripping members have a length that is at least equal to said height.

16. Weightlifting apparel comprising a plurality of fabric panels and a gripping panel comprising a fabric provided with a plurality of gripping members, wherein said gripping panel has an area defined by a height and a width and said gripping members extend over at least substantially the entire height of the gripping panel.

17. Weightlifting apparel as claimed in claim 16, wherein said width is defined by a first side and a second side of said gripping panel and said gripping members are arranged as a series extending from a position adjacent said first side to a position adjacent said second side.

18. Weightlifting apparel as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein said gripping members cover at least 50% of said area.

5

19. Weightlifting apparel comprising a plurality of fabric panels and a gripping panel comprising a fabric provided with a plurality of gripping members, wherein said gripping panel has an area defined by a height and a width and said gripping members cover between 50 and 95% of said area.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1702526.3