Article for free-weight training
A light, ruggedized, easily used, easily storable and shippable article suitable for free-weight training at any number of pre-determined weights, is disclosed. The invention provides a bag suitable for filling with a readily available material such as sand or soil. The bag includes a pouch including indicia presenting a calibration marker. The bag also has a handle and a fixing structure. When one material from a predetermined set, for example dry, fine sand is filled in the pouch to the calibration marker, the bag is at a substantially pre-determined weight. The bag is then cinched tight with the fixing structure. In this fashion the bag may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training at a substantially predetermined weight. In preferred embodiments, the bag also includes orthogonally intersecting, reinforcing bands at the exterior on the bottom of the bag for rugged, long lasting use. Also a gap may be formed between the intersecting bands and the bottom of the bag, to allow other items to be hooked or otherwise attached at the bottom of the bag for portability. Preferably also includes indicia in addition to the calibration marker, for example filling and folding instructions, as well as a website URL address where the user can observe calibration data for various materials and other information.
The present nonprovisional application claims priority to the following US provisional patent application:
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/711,470, entitled “Article for free-weight training”, filed Aug. 25, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to free-weight exercise devices and more particularly to an article for calibrated weight exercise.
2. Background
Free weight training is widely recognized as the best method for developing overall strength, as well as other benefits such as improving coordination. Hence, kettle-bell training, with an article such as indicated at U.S. Pat. No. D481,771 S, is becoming increasingly popular. While kettle-bell training and other free-weight training, such as disclosed at U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,946 are desirable, there are certain problems associated with such articles.
For example, shipping such an article to a purchaser is problematic. One standard weight for a kettle bell is 16 kilograms. This is a heavy, expensive and cumbersome article for shipment purposes. Often the cost of the shipping for such a device can add a significant percentage to the total cost of the article. Since such devices are often mailed to the purchaser, this poses a significant problem for both buyer and seller.
Also such articles may provide storage and portability issues because of the weight. For example, military personnel who are re-locating in a vehicle in a forward area may find it undesirable to store a kettle bell or other device in the vehicle because of the potential for shifting or significant moving of the kettle bell during transportation.
Another practical problem for free-weight training articles is that many are made of steel or other metal. Since free-weight training can result in accidentally dropping the article during exercise, heavy metallic devices pose an obvious risk for floor damage, or even injury to the user.
What is needed is an article which is easily and economically shipped along with convenient portability and storage. Also what is needed is free-weight article which can be used at a pre-determined weight, yet minimizes the risk of injury or property damage for the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a light, rugged article for free-weight training at any number of pre-determined weights, yet easily used, stored and shipped. The invention provides a bag suitable for filling with a readily available material such as sand or soil. The bag also has a handle and a fixing structure. The bag may include indicia presenting a calibration marker. When one material from a predetermined set, for example dry, fine sand is filled in the pouch to the calibration marker, the bag is at a substantially pre-determined weight. The bag is then cinched tight with the fixing structure. In this fashion the bag may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training at a substantially predetermined weight.
In preferred embodiments, the bag also includes reinforcing straps and bands at the exterior of the bag for rugged, long lasting use. Also a gap may be formed between intersecting straps at the bottom of the bag, to allow other items to be hooked or otherwise attached at the bottom of the bag for portability.
Preferably the article also includes indicia in addition to the calibration marker, for example filling and folding instructions, as well as a website url address where the user can observe calibration data for various materials and other information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings in general and
Bag 12 is shown prior to readiness for use in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring again to
Still referring to
Reinforcing cinch patches 22 are securely stitched onto bag 12 for the functional purpose described below.
Still referring to
Reinforcing handle patches 24 are securely stitched onto bag 12 for the functional purpose described below.
Reinforcement band 18 is stitched to bag 12 on side 28 around perimeter 28a (see also
Referring to
Referring to
In operation, and referring once again to
After filling bag 12 to a calibration point or other desired level the user must secure top 26 of bag 12 so that the material contained within the interior of bag 12 will be secured to remain therein. In particular, top 26 is folded with reference to folding areas 38-44 (see
Next upper most portion 15 of cinching strap 14 is threaded through cinch buckle 48 and cinched down tightly to compress folding areas 38-44 down on the weighting material to secure it within the interior of bag 12. Finally, uppermost portion 17 of handle strap 16 is threaded through handle buckle 52 of sufficient length to establish the operative mode depicted in
Once article 10 has been prepared for use, as depicted in
Article 10 may also be used for purposes other than free weight training. For example, the interior of bag 12 could simply be used to carry potable water or any other material. Advantageously as shown in
After use, handle strap 16 and cinch strap 14 may be unbuckled, top folding areas 38-44 then opened up and the contents of bag 12 may then be removed or dumped. At this time, article 10 is then ready to be stored for later use. It will be readily appreciated that article 10 when not in use is light-weight and of small volume for storage and provides for easy portability after purchase or for storing.
It should be apparent that the invention not only accomplishes the major functions required from such articles but does so in a particularly advantageous manner. It should be equally apparent, however, that various minor and equivalent modifications from the embodiments disclosed herein for illustrative purposes could be employed without departing from the essence of the invention. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention should be regarded as encompassing not only the subject matter literally defined by the claims which follow, but also technical equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. An exercise article for free-weight movement, suitable for filling with a set of predetermined materials, the device comprising:
- a bag having a top, a bottom, an exterior and an interior, and including a calibration marker disposed proximally to the top of the bag;
- a handle strap disposed on the exterior of the bag; and
- fixing structure, such that when one material from the predetermined set is filled into the interior of the bag to the calibration marker, and the fixing structure is engaged to secure the material within the bag, the article may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training substantially at a predetermined weight.
2. The exercise article of claim 1, further including indicia disposed on the exterior of the bag, the indicia describing weights for various materials, associated with the calibration marker.
3. The exercise article of claim 1, wherein the calibration marker is disposed nine inches from the bottom of the bag.
4. The exercise article of claim 1, wherein the bag is made substantially of cordura.
5. The exercise article of claim 1, wherein the bag is made substantially of canvas.
6. The exercise article of claim 1, wherein the bag is made substantially of a synthetic resin.
7. An exercise article for free-weight movement, suitable for filling with a set of predetermined materials, the device comprising:
- a bag having a top, a bottom, an exterior and an interior, and including a calibration marker disposed proximally to the top of the bag;
- an accessory carrier member disposed on the exterior of the bag, proximal to the bottom thereof;
- a handle strap disposed on the exterior of the bag; and
- fixing structure, such that when one material from the predetermined set is filled into the interior of the bag to the calibration marker, and the fixing structure is engaged to secure the material within the bag, the article may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training substantially at a predetermined weight.
8. The exercise article of claim 7, further including a cinch strap disposed on the exterior of the bag.
9. The exercise article of claim 8, wherein the carrier member is formed by an overlapping intersection of the cinch strap and the handle strap.
10. An exercise article for free-weight movement, suitable for filling with a set of predetermined materials, the device comprising:
- a bag having a top, a bottom, an exterior and an interior, and including a calibration marker disposed proximally to the top of the bag;
- a cinch strap disposed on the exterior of the bag;
- a handle strap disposed on the exterior of the bag; and
- a folding flap affixed to the top of the bag, such that when one material from the predetermined set is filled into the interior of the bag to the calibration marker, and the folding flap is folded over the material and the cinch strap is tightened over the folding flap to secure the material within the bag, the article may be gripped by the handle for free-weight training substantially at a predetermined weight.
11. The exercise article of claim 10, further including a reinforcement band disposed on the exterior of the bag running completely about the periphery thereof, substantially disposed about halfway between the top and bottom of the bag.
12. The exercise article of claim 10, further including at least one handle strap reinforcement patch straddling the handle strap proximal the top of the bag.
13. The exercise article of claim 10, further including at least one cinch strap reinforcement patch straddling the cinch strap proximal the top of the bag.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 24, 2006
Publication Date: Mar 1, 2007
Inventor: Clinton Brown (Lawrence, KS)
Application Number: 11/509,167
International Classification: A63B 21/06 (20060101);