WEIGHTED APPAREL AND RELATED MANUFACTURING METHODS

Abstract

Weighted apparel designed for training and/or weight loss, for example, along with related manufacturing methods. In some embodiments, a plurality of spherical weighted elements may be positioned within one or more tunnels formed within a piece of fabric. The tunnels may be sealed such that the weighted elements are contained within the tunnels and add a desired amount of weight to the fabric according to the number of weighted elements and the density of the material of such weighted elements. The fabric may be incorporated into a piece of apparel, such as shirts, pants, hats, belts, gloves, socks, ankle or wrist bands, shin guards, or full body suits, for example.

Description

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are various embodiments of weighted apparel designed for training and/or weight loss, for example, along with related manufacturing methods. In some embodiments, a plurality of weighted elements, such as spherical weighted elements in some embodiments, may be positioned within one or more chambers, such as tunnels, formed within a piece of fabric. The chambers may be sealed such that the weighted elements are contained therein and add a desired amount of weight to the fabric according to the number of weighted elements and the density of the material of such weighted elements. The fabric may form a weighted region that may be incorporated into a piece of apparel, such as shirts, pants, hats, belts, gloves, socks, ankle or wrist bands, shin guards, or full body suits, for example.

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy expended for everything we do that is not sleeping, eating or sports-like exercise. It ranges from the energy expended walking to work, typing, performing yard work, undertaking agricultural tasks and fidgeting. Even trivial physical activities increase metabolic rate substantially and it is the cumulative impact of a multitude of exothermic actions that culminate in an individual's daily NEAT. It is, therefore, not surprising that NEAT explains a vast majority of an individual's non-resting energy needs. Epidemiological studies highlight the importance of culture in promoting and quashing NEAT. Agricultural and manual workers have high NEAT, whereas wealth and industrialization appear to decrease NEAT. Physiological studies demonstrate, intriguingly, that NEAT is modulated with changes in energy balance; NEAT increases with overfeeding and decreases with underfeeding. Thus, NEAT could be a critical component in how we maintain our body weight and/or develop obesity or lose weight. The mechanism that regulates NEAT is unknown. However, hypothalamic factors have been identified that specifically and directly increase NEAT in animals. By understanding how NEAT is regulated we may come to appreciate that spontaneous physical activity is not spontaneous at all but carefully programmed. The present inventor therefore anticipates that various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be useful for increasing NEAT, among other benefits.

The inventive materials and processes described herein may be useful for a variety of purposes, such as for being worn underneath normal clothing to facilitate weight loss, for athletic training, and the like. Due to the prevalence of concussions in football and other contact sports and the recent awareness of the potentially devastating effects of such concussions, the present inventor contemplates that some embodiments may be particularly useful for neck strength training, which may help prevent concussions and/or reduce the severity of concussions.

In an example of a piece of weighted apparel according to some embodiments, the apparel may comprise one or more weighted regions comprising a plurality of weighted elements, such as spherical weighted elements in certain preferred embodiments. The weighted elements may be positioned within one or more tunnels or other chambers formed within the fabric of the apparel. The tunnels may be sealed such that the weighted elements are contained within the tunnels and add a desired amount of weight to the fabric according to the number of weighted elements and the density of the material of such weighted elements.

In a more specific example of a weighted apparel item, such as a shirt, a pair of pants, a hat, a belt, a glove, a sock, an ankle band, a wrist band, or a body suit, for example, according to some embodiments, the weighted apparel item may comprise a fabric, such as preferably a flexible and/or stretchable fabric, formed into a shape to be worn by a user. A plurality of chambers, such as tunnels, may be formed within the fabric. A plurality of weighted elements, such as spherical weighted elements in preferred embodiments, may be positioned within each of the plurality of tunnels to add a desired amount of weight to the apparel item.

In some embodiments, one or more (in some embodiments, each) of the plurality of tunnels may comprise a single row of spherical or other weighted elements. Alternatively, one or more of the plurality of tunnels may comprise a plurality of rows of spherical or other weighted elements.

In some embodiments in which the weighted elements are spherical, the spherical weighted elements may comprise ball bearings, such as copper, steel, tungsten, platinum, silver, gold, or another metal or other suitably dense material.

To maintain some degree of flexibility and add comfort to the material, preferably the spherical or other weighted elements are relatively small in size. Thus, for example, in some preferred embodiments, each of the plurality of weighted elements comprises a maximal dimension (a diameter in the case of spherical weighted elements) of no more than about 10 mm. More preferably, each of the weighted elements comprises a maximal dimension of no more than about 8 mm. Even more preferably, each of the weighted elements comprises a maximal dimension of no more than about 5 mm.

In some embodiments, the tunnels, or at least a portion of the tunnels, may be formed to extend parallel, or at least substantially parallel, to one another, or to at least one adjacent tunnel of the plurality of tunnels.

In another example of a weighted apparel item according to other embodiments, the item may comprise a first fabric sheet and a second fabric sheet coupled to the first fabric sheet. The apparel item may comprise one or more weighted regions and one or more unweighted regions. For example, one or more of the weighted regions may comprise a plurality of weighted elements positioned in between the first fabric sheet and the second fabric sheet. Each of the weighted elements may be configured to contact at least one adjacent weighted element to maintain at least limited flexibility of the weighted apparel item in the weighted region(s).

Some embodiments may comprise one or more chambers, such as tunnels, which may be defined at least in part by the first fabric sheet and the second fabric sheet. Each of the plurality of weighted elements may be positioned within the one or more chambers. Preferably each of the plurality of weighted elements is spherical or at least substantially spherical.

In some embodiments, the one or more chambers may comprise a plurality of elongated tunnels. In some such embodiments, at least a subset of the plurality of elongated tunnels may extend at least substantially parallel to at least one other elongated tunnel of the plurality of elongated tunnels.

Preferably, the fabric of the apparel item is flexible and therefore may include, at least in part, a flexible, stretchable material, such as spandex, polyester, and/or neoprene.

In some embodiments, the weighted apparel item may further comprise one or more unweighted regions. Preferably, such region or regions are in the areas of the apparel item that are likely to encounter the highest degree of stretching during everyday use, such as elbow regions, knee regions, finger regions, and the like. The unweighted region(s) may be defined by a single layer of material or, similar to the weighted regions in preferred embodiments, may comprise two or more layers of material.

In an example of a manufacturing method for manufacturing weighted apparel according to some implementations, the method may comprise coupling a first fabric sheet to a second fabric sheet. Preferably, both fabric sheets are defined by a flexible and stretchable material. A plurality of elongated chambers, such as tunnels, may be formed in between the first fabric sheet and the second fabric sheet. One or more weighted regions may be formed by inserting a plurality of weighted elements, such as spherical or at least substantially spherical weighted elements, within each elongated chamber of the plurality of elongated chambers. In some implementations, each of the weighted elements may be inserted into an elongated chamber such that each of the plurality of weighted elements is configured to contact one or more adjacent weighted elements and/or to maintain flexibility of the weighted region. An item of apparel, including any of those items mentioned herein or any others readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, may then be manufacture including one or more of the aforementioned weighted regions.

In some implementations, the step of forming the plurality of elongated chambers may comprise forming a plurality of at least substantially parallel sew lines connecting the first fabric sheet to the second fabric sheet.

In some implementations, the step of forming a weighted region may comprise inserting an at least substantially maximal number of weighted elements in each of the plurality of elongated chambers and closing two opposite ends of each of the plurality of elongated chambers.

The features, structures, steps, or characteristics disclosed herein in connection with one embodiment may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more alternative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The written disclosure herein describes illustrative embodiments that are non-limiting and non-exhaustive. Reference is made to certain of such illustrative embodiments that are depicted in the figures, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts various stages during a process for manufacturing a piece of weighted fabric that may be used for or incorporated into an item of apparel according to some implementations;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a pair of gloves comprising a weighted region according to some embodiments with the weighted elements shown in phantom;

FIG. 3 depicts a shirt comprising a weighted region according to some embodiments with the weighted elements shown in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cap comprising a weighted region according to some embodiments with the weighted elements shown in phantom;

FIG. 5 depicts a sock comprising a weighted region according to some embodiments with the weighted elements shown in phantom;

FIG. 6 depicts a jacket comprising a weighted region according to some embodiments with the weighted elements shown in phantom;

FIG. 7 is a partial plan view of a weighted region of a piece of material according to other embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of a weighted region of another piece of material comprising a weighted region according to still other embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a partial plan view of a weighted region of another piece of material comprising a weighted region according to further embodiments;

FIG. 10A is a partial plan view of a weighted region of a piece of material according to additional embodiments;

FIG. 10B is a plan view of another piece of material during a process of forming a weighted region in the material according to yet other embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a weighted beanie according to yet other embodiments;

FIG. 12 depicts a weighted beanie according to still other embodiments being used as an insert for a ball cap;

FIGS. 13A-13C depict various views of a weighted open-finger glove according to additional embodiments;

FIGS. 14A-14C depict various views of a weighted closed-finger glove according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 15A and 15B depict a pair of weighted pants according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 16A and 16B depict a long-sleeved, weighted shirt according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 17A and 17B depict a sleeveless, weighted shirt according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 18A and 18B depict another sleeveless, weighted shirt comprising an unweighted section in a particular location according to other embodiments; and

FIGS. 19A and 19B depict yet another sleeveless, weighted shirt according to still other embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the components of the present disclosure, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail.

Various embodiments of apparatus and methods are disclosed herein that relate to adding weight to wearable items in desired locations and amounts for purposes of athletic training, general weight loss, and the like. In some embodiments disclosed herein, relatively small weighted items (relative to the adjacent body portions) may be added to apparel in desired regions by inserting the small, weighted items, such as ball bearings or BBs, into channels, tunnels, or other chambers that may be formed between two adjacent sheets of fabric or other material, and then sealing the chamber(s).

The embodiments of the disclosure may be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts may be designated by like numerals. It will be readily understood that the components of the disclosed embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the apparatus and methods of the disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure. In addition, the steps of a method do not necessarily need to be executed in any specific order, or even sequentially, nor need the steps be executed only once, unless otherwise specified. Additional details regarding certain preferred embodiments and implementations will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts various stages during a manufacturing method according to some implementations for manufacturing a piece of weighted fabric 100 that may be used for an item of apparel or otherwise incorporated into such an item of apparel. As shown in this figure, two sheets of fabric 102 and 104 may be sewn or otherwise coupled together. For example, in the depicted embodiment, a sew line 105 may be used to couple sheets 102 and 104 about the respective edges of the two sheets. In preferred embodiments, sheets 102 and 104 may comprise a flexible and/or stretchable material, such as a spandex material, a polyester material, a neoprene material, or the like.

In the depicted embodiment, a region of the periphery or edge of weighted fabric 100 comprising a weighted region 120 of the fabric may be left without a sew line 105. This region may be on just one edge of weighted region 120, as shown in the figure, or may be along two opposing edges of weighted region 120.

A series of chambers or tunnels 106 may then be formed in the material by, for example, sewing or otherwise forming a plurality of sew lines 107 or other attachment lines into the material such that, as depicted in FIG. 1, each pair of adjacent sew lines 107 forms a chamber comprising a tunnel 106 having an opening at one or both ends. Tunnels 106 are, in the depicted embodiment, formed in straight, parallel lines extending across the fabric piece 100. However, as discussed in greater detail below, a wide variety of alternative configurations are contemplated, some of which need not comprise straight lines and/or may comprise other types of chambers for receiving and containing items to add weight to the fabric, preferably for use in connection with a wearable item of apparel.

As shown in the third step depicted in FIG. 1, following the formation of tunnels 106, a plurality of weighted elements 110 may be inserted into the tunnels. In the depicted embodiment, weighted elements 110 comprise spherical elements, such as ball bearings or BBs. Preferably, weighted elements 110 are made up of a material that is more dense than the material making up fabric sheets 102 and 104. For example, in some preferred embodiments, weighted elements 110 may comprise a metallic material, such as copper, steel, tungsten, platinum, silver, gold, or the like. However, ceramic materials or other non-metallic materials, such as curable gels, may be used in other embodiments. In addition, although spherical weighted elements 110 may be preferred due to the ease with which they interact with adjacent weighted elements 110, which may provide desired flexibility to the material, other embodiments are contemplated in which non-spherical weighted elements may be used, such as ovoids, cylinders, cubes or other cuboids, etc. For some uses, copper weighted elements may be preferred due to their antibacterial characteristics. It may also be preferred for some embodiments that each of the plurality of weighted elements is able to contact one or more adjacent weighted elements within its respective tunnel or other chamber.

Following the insertion of weighted elements 110, preferably in a manner such that weighted elements 110 entirely, or at least substantially entirely, fill the space defining each of the formed tunnels 106, the openings to the tunnels 106 may be sealed. Thus, in preferred embodiments and implementations, a maximal, or at least substantially maximal, number of weighted elements 110 may be inserted in each of the plurality of the tunnels 106. In other words, preferably a sufficient number of weighted elements 110 are inserted into each tunnel 106 so that the weighted elements 110 are able to move slightly back and forth but cannot move past or overlap on one another. Preferably the number of weighted elements 110 also allows for some flexibility to the weighted region of the resulting apparel item. To close tunnels 106, sew line 105 may be extended along the edge of the opening or openings of each of the tunnels 106 to close tunnels 106 and prevent the weighted elements 110 from exiting tunnels 106.

FIG. 2 depicts a first example of a type of material that can comprise a weighted region 220, namely, a weighted glove 200. Weighted region 220 may be formed in similar manner to that described above in connection with FIG. 1. More particularly, a plurality of BBs or other weighted elements 210 may be inserted into tunnels 206 or other chambers to secure them in place. As also previously described, a series of sew lines 207 or other attachment lines may be formed to define tunnels 206, which tunnels 206 may be sealed by a peripheral sew line 205 or other suitable attachment line or means for sealing a tunnel or other chamber for containing weighted elements.

As shown in FIG. 2, it may be preferred that weighted region 220 is formed in one or more regions of the apparel that are likely to require less flexibility. Thus, with respect to a weighted glove 200, for example, the weighted region 220 may be formed on a region of glove 200 that will be positioned adjacent to the back of a wearer's hand and not along the fingers of the glove 200.

FIG. 3 depicts a second example of a type of apparel that can comprise a weighted region 320, namely, a weighted shirt 300. Again, weighted region 320 may be manufactured by any of the methods described elsewhere herein and may comprise any of the various elements described elsewhere herein. Also, although weighted region 320 is shown positioned on just a middle portion of the front of shirt 300, it should be understood that weighted region 320 may extend around the back of the shirt and, in other embodiments, may be positioned along other regions of the shirt 300, such as along the shoulder and/or arm regions of shirt 300. In some embodiments, the entire surface area of shirt 300 may be augmented by weighted elements, or multiple separated weighted regions may be provided as desired.

FIG. 4 depicts a third example of a type of apparel that can comprise a weighted region 420, namely, a weighted hat 400. Again, weighted region 420 may be manufactured by any of the methods described elsewhere herein and may comprise any of the various elements described elsewhere herein. Weighted hats, such as the one depicted in FIG. 4, may be particularly useful for improving neck strength, which may help athletes prone to concussion, such as football players, avoid concussions or at least minimize their occurrence and/or severity.

FIG. 5 depicts a fourth example of a type of apparel that can comprise a weighted region 520, namely, a weighted sock 500. Again, weighted region 520 may be manufactured by any of the methods described elsewhere herein and may comprise any of the various elements described elsewhere herein. In this depicted embodiment, weighted region 520 extends about the sock 500 in the region of a wearer's ankle. This may allow the wearer to also wear shoes without the potential discomfort of having the weighted elements compressed against their feet by the shoes. However, again, a wide variety of alternative options are contemplated. For example, weighted elements may be positioned elsewhere, may be incorporated into a shoe instead of a sock, and/or may be incorporated into an ankle band (or wrist band) instead of a sock.

FIG. 6 depicts a fifth example of a type of apparel that can comprise a weighted region 620, namely, a weighted jacket 600. Again, weighted region 620 may be manufactured by any of the methods described elsewhere herein and may comprise any of the various elements described elsewhere herein. In this depicted embodiment, there are two weighted regions 620 incorporated into the shoulder regions of the jacket. However, again, this is only an example and a variety of alternative options are contemplated. In addition, although weighted region 620 is depicted as being positioned on an exterior surface of the apparel depicted in FIG. 6, it is contemplated that, in other embodiments, weighted region 620 may be positioned along an inner surface of jacket 600, or any of the other items of apparel illustrated and/or discussed herein. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more added layers of padding or other material may be provided above the weighted region 620 and/or below the weighted region 620. This added material may be useful in order to provide additional comfort and/or mask the visibility of the weighted elements contained within weighted region 620.

FIG. 7 depicts a portion of a weighted piece of fabric with weighted elements 710 depicted in phantom according to other embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 7 differs from those previously depicted in that each weighted element 710 is contained within its own chamber. More particularly, rather than defining a tunnel by way of a set of parallel sew lines or other attachment lines, two sets of parallel sew lines, one extending perpendicular to the other, are formed, namely a first set of sew lines 707A extending horizontally across the material and a second set of sew lines 707B extending vertically across the material.

FIG. 8 depicts another portion of a weighted piece of fabric with weighted elements 810 depicted in phantom according to still other embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 8 differs from those previously depicted in that the sew lines 807 are formed in concentric circles within weighted region 820. Thus, weighted region 820 comprises a series of curved, parallel sew lines to form curved tunnels therein for containing the weighted elements 810. Obviously, the depiction of circular sew lines and tunnels is exemplary only and any other suitable shape or pattern of tunnels or other chambers for weighted elements 810 may be used as desired. Thus, for example, curved tunnels may be formed that are intended to extend along particular body contours and/or regions of expected movement by the wearer of the apparel to improve comfort and/or function. In addition, although weighted region 820 is shown separated from the peripheral sew line 805, as mentioned previously, the peripheral sew line 805 may be used to define and/or close one or more of the tunnels in other embodiments.

FIG. 9 depicts another portion of a weighted piece of fabric with weighted elements 910 depicted in phantom according to yet other embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 9 differs from those previously depicted in that weighted region 920 is defined by a single tunnel defined by a single sew line 907 extending in a spiral loop in weighted region 920. Again, the depiction of a generally circular sew line 907 and tunnel is exemplary only and any other suitable shape or pattern of tunnels or other chambers for weighted elements 910 may be used as desired. In addition, although weighted region 920 is shown separated from the peripheral sew line 905, again, the peripheral sew line 905 may be used to define and/or close one or more of the tunnels in other embodiments.

In addition, it should be understood that the features of the embodiment of FIG. 9, or any of the other embodiments shown and/or described herein, may be combined with features of any other embodiment shown and/or described herein. Thus, for example, apparel may be formed comprising one weighted region defined by straight parallel sew lines and another by circular or spiral sew lines. Or a single weighted region may include a combination of such sew lines, other attachment means, or other weighted elements, as desired.

FIG. 10A depicts yet another portion of a weighted piece of fabric with weighted elements 1010 depicted in phantom according to other embodiments. The embodiment of FIG. 10A differs from those previously depicted in that parallel sew lines 1007 are formed further apart from one another such that multiple adjacent weighted elements 1010 can extend adjacent to one another not just along the length of the tunnels but also along their respective widths. Embodiments with such configurations, or similar configurations, may be useful in order to minimize the amount of stitching or other means for defining chambers for containing weighted elements.

FIG. 10B depicts yet another portion of a piece of fabric comprising a weighted region 1020 according to still other embodiments. In the embodiment of FIG. 10B, a series of parallel sew lines 1007 are formed such that each pair of adjacent sew lines 1007 forms a tunnel therein, as previously mentioned. However, unlike the spherical weighted elements previously depicted, a curable gel 1011 may be introduced via, for example, a tube 60, into each of the tunnels. Once this gel hardens, a set of weighted elements 1011 from the cured gel may form within each respective tunnel.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a weighted beanie 1100. Weighted region 1120, which is only positioned on the top portion of beanie 1100, again comprises a plurality of parallel tunnels defined by sew lines 1107 each having a plurality of weighted elements 1110 positioned therein to add weight in desired locations.

FIG. 12 depicts another weighted beanie 1200 according to other embodiments. In this figure, beanie 1200 is shown being used as an insert for a ball cap 50. Beanie 1200 may be attached directly to cap 50 or may simply be worn over cap 50. In addition, although weighted region 1220 again comprises a plurality of tunnels defined by parallel sew lines 1207, weighted region is absent on the top of beanie 1200, which may provide enhanced comfort for certain applications.

FIGS. 13A-13C depict various views of a weighted open-finger glove 1300 comprising weighted regions 1320A and 1320B. Weighted region 1320A is positioned on a cuff 1303 of glove 1300 and comprises a plurality of sew lines 1307 or other attachment lines that are used to contain a plurality of weighted elements 1310 comprising BBs or other spherical elements. Weighted region 1320B is positioned on a back portion of glove 1300 and similarly comprises a plurality of sew lines 1307 or other attachment lines that are used to contain a plurality of weighted elements 1310.

FIGS. 14A-14C depict various views of a weighted closed-finger glove 1400 according to some embodiments. Glove 1400 is similar to glove 1300 in that glove 1400 comprises two weighted regions—weighted region 1420A positioned on a cuff 1403 of glove 1400 and comprising a plurality of sew lines 1407 or other attachment lines that are used to contain a plurality of weighted elements 1410 and weighted region 1420B positioned on a back portion of glove 1400 and comprising a plurality of sew lines 1407 or other attachment lines that are used to contain a plurality of weighted elements 1410.

FIGS. 15A and 15B depict a pair of weighted pants 1500 according to some embodiments. Pants 1500 comprise a pair of weighted regions 1520A on the front thigh portion of the pants and a pair of weighted regions 1520B wrapping around the calf region of the pants. Each of the various weighted regions may again comprise tunnels for containing a plurality of spherical or other weighted elements to add weight for various purposes, such as athletic training and weight loss.

FIGS. 16A and 16B depict a long-sleeved, weighted shirt 1600 according to some embodiments. Shirt 1600 comprises two pairs of weighted regions on each sleeve, namely regions 1620A and 1620B, with an unweighted region in between the region of the wearer's elbow, which is typically the most flexed region in the shirt. Thus, some embodiments may be configured to avoid weighted regions in the areas requiring the most flexibility. Two other pairs of weighted regions (weighted regions 1620C) are formed on opposing sides of the front of shirt 1600, as shown in FIG. 16A, and two additional pairs of weighted regions (weighted regions 1620D) are formed on opposing sides of the back of shirt 1600, as shown in FIG. 16B. Unweighted regions of shirt 1600 may extend in strips across the front and/or back of the shirt, as also shown in these figures, which may add to user comfort.

FIGS. 17A and 17B depict a sleeveless, weighted shirt 1700 according to some embodiments. Shirt 1700 is similar to shirt 1600 other than lacking sleeves. Thus, two pairs of weighted regions (weighted regions 1720A) are formed on opposing sides of the front of shirt 1700, as shown in FIG. 17A, and two additional pairs of weighted regions (weighted regions 1720B) are formed on opposing sides of the back of shirt 1700, as shown in FIG. 17B.

FIGS. 18A and 18B depict another embodiment of a sleeveless, weighted shirt 1800. Thus, weighted shirt 1800 comprises a front pair of weighted regions 1820B and a rear pair of weighted regions 1820A. However, weighted regions 1820A extend over the shoulder regions onto an upper portion of the front of shirt 1800 (of course, these shoulder regions may remain unweighted in other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B). In addition, an unweighted section is formed on the chest region of shirt 1800, which may be preferable for female apparel, for example.

In still other embodiments, a single pair of weighted regions (or a single weighted region) may extend along opposing sides of the shirt on both sides. Thus, for example, FIGS. 19A and 19B depict yet another sleeveless, weighted shirt 1900 a single pair of weighted regions 1920A may extend along opposing sides of the shirt on both sides without providing any unweighted regions (other than along small strips along the center and sides of the shirt in some embodiments).

It will be understood by those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles presented herein. Any suitable combination of various embodiments, or the features thereof, is contemplated.

Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified.

Throughout this specification, any reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment. It will be apparent to those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles set forth herein. The scope of the present invention should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A weighted apparel item, comprising:

a fabric formed into a shape to be worn by a user;

a plurality of tunnels formed within the fabric; and

a plurality of spherical weighted elements positioned within each of the plurality of tunnels to add weight to the apparel item.

2. The weighted apparel item of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tunnels comprises a single row of spherical weighted elements.

3. The weighted apparel item of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tunnels comprises a plurality of rows of spherical weighted elements.

4. The weighted apparel item of claim 1, wherein the spherical weighted elements comprise ball bearings.

5. The weighted apparel item of claim 4, wherein the spherical weighted elements comprise a copper material.

6. The weighted apparel item of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of tunnels is at least substantially parallel to at least one adjacent tunnel of the plurality of tunnels.

7. The weighted apparel item of claim 1, wherein the weighted apparel item comprises one of a shirt, a pair of pants, a hat, a belt, a glove, a sock, an ankle band, a wrist band, and a body suit.

8. The weighted apparel item of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of weighted elements comprises a maximal dimension of no more than about 8 mm.

9. A weighted apparel item, comprising:

a first fabric sheet;

a second fabric sheet coupled to the first fabric sheet; and

a weighted region comprising a plurality of weighted elements positioned in between the first fabric sheet and the second fabric sheet, wherein each of the plurality of weighted elements is configured to contact at least one adjacent weighted element to maintain at least limited flexibility of the weighted apparel item in the weighted region.

10. The weighted apparel item of claim 9, further comprising one or more chambers defined at least in part by the first fabric sheet and the second fabric sheet, wherein each of the plurality of weighted elements is positioned within the one or more chambers.

11. The weighted apparel item of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of weighted elements is at least substantially spherical.

12. The weighted apparel item of claim 11, wherein the one or more chambers comprise a plurality of elongated tunnels, and wherein at least a subset of the plurality of elongated tunnels extends at least substantially parallel to at least one other elongated tunnel of the plurality of elongated tunnels.

13. The weighted apparel item of claim 9, wherein the weighted apparel item comprises at least one of spandex, polyester, and neoprene.

14. The weighted apparel item of claim 9, wherein the weighted apparel item further comprises one or more unweighted regions.

15. The weighted apparel item of claim 14, wherein each of the one or more unweighted regions are defined by a single layer of material.

16. A method for manufacturing weighted apparel, the method comprising the steps of:

coupling a first fabric sheet to a second fabric sheet;

forming a plurality of elongated chambers in between the first fabric sheet and the second fabric sheet;

forming a weighted region by inserting a plurality of weighted elements within each elongated chamber of the plurality of elongated chambers such that each of the plurality of weighted elements is configured to contact one or more adjacent weighted elements and to maintain flexibility of the weighted region; and

forming an item of apparel with the weighted region.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of elongated chambers comprises a tunnel.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of forming the plurality of elongated chambers comprises forming a plurality of at least substantially parallel sew lines connecting the first fabric sheet to the second fabric sheet.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the weighted elements are spherical in shape.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of forming a weighted region comprises:

inserting an at least substantially maximal number of weighted elements in each of the plurality of elongated chambers; and

closing two opposite ends of each of the plurality of elongated chambers.