WEIGHTED VEST

Abstract

The invention relates to a weighted vest 10 and more particularly to a weighted vest for use for children having development disorders. The weighted vest 10 in accordance with this invention includes a body member 12 having portions 22 aligned to engage upper extremities 24 of a wearer 20. The weighted vest 10 also includes a first and second sleeve member 26 and 28 having an opening 30 and 32, respectively, formed therein. First and second longitudinally extending pocket members 38 and 46, respectively, are provided to extend along an innermost periphery of each side of the body member 12. A first and second pair of longitudinally extending spaced pocket members 56 and 66, respectively, are coupled to extend under the sleeve openings 30 and 32 respectively. A longitudinally extending weight member 64 is provided to slidably engage and rest in each one of the pocket members 38, 46, 56 and 66. As a result when the weighted vest 10 is worn a calming sensation is provided to the wearer 20.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to children with development disorders and more particularly to a weighted vest for use as a therapeutic tool for children with such disorders. Development disorders such as autism and attention deficit disorder are of ongoing major concern in our society. As a result there are a number of different therapies that are implemented on an ongoing basis in order to deal with such conditions. Because of these therapies there is an ongoing need for therapeutic tools to help children with development disorders such as autism and/or attention deficit disorder. A number of the different therapeutic interventions often require that the child be seated and maintained in a calm undisturbed condition. However maintaining the child in such a condition is one of the primary concerns and challenges for successful therapeutic intervention.

Out of necessity there becomes a need more than ever to provide a simple and inexpensive device to help such children experience a calming sensation in order to facilitate and meet the many therapeutic objectives that have to be accomplished to ultimately help in their development. That is a device that assist the child in being undisturbed, calm and focused while the therapeutic objectives are being accomplished.

BACKGROUND ART

Attempts have been made to provide tools that provide a particularly general calming effect for children and adults alike with development disorders. One such design is known as the temple guardian's hug machine or hug box. The hug box is made of two padded side boarders which are hinged near the bottom to form a V-shape. The user lies down or squats inside the V. By using a lever, an air cylinder is engaged which pushes the side-boarders together. This action provides a deep pressure stimulation evenly across the lateral parts of the body. This accomplishes a general calming effect. Although this device works effectively it is a large device and it does not necessarily allow other types of therapeutic events while it is being used.

Vest arrangements have also been used. These arrangements generally are provided with the weights permanently attached to the bottom of the vest. With these arrangements the weight is not always distributed in such a manner so that the desired calming affect can be readily achieved. Additionally when it is desirable to change the weight in the vest in order to try and more readily meet the objective the weight cannot be changed without acquiring a new vest.

Maximum calming affect is achieved when the child feels a hugging sensation similar to that of being hugged by a person. This requires proper weight placement about the body which sometimes requires ongoing weight adjustments. Thus a weighted vest is desirable which permits proper placement of weights about the child's body while allowing ongoing weight adjustment if needed. This of course will provide the maximum opportunity for a child to feel the simulated hugging sensation which in turn causes the desired undisturbed calm and focus required for successful therapeutic intervention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a weighted vest and more particularly to a weighted vest for use for children with development disorders. The weighted vest in accordance with this invention includes a body member having an upper portion adjacent to and surrounding the neck of the wearer, and a lower portion which is provided to cover the upper extremities, that is the chest and back of the wearer. The weighted vest also includes a first sleeve member coupled to one side of the upper portion of the body member. The first sleeve member has an opening formed therein which surrounds an upper portion of one arm of the wearer. The weighted vest also includes a second sleeve member coupled to the other side of the upper portion of the body member, having an opening therein which surrounds an upper portion of the other arm of the wearer. A first longitudinally extending pocket is provided to extend along an innermost periphery of one side of the body member from upper to lower portions of that side thereof. A second longitudinally extending pocket member is provided to extend along the innermost periphery of another side of the body member from upper to lowermost portions of that side thereof. A first pair of spaced longitudinally extending pocket members are coupled just under the first sleeve opening on one side of the body member to extend therefrom to a lowermost portion under the opening. Further a second pair of longitudinally extending pocket members is coupled just under the second sleeve opening on the other side of the body member to extend therefrom to a lowermost portion under this opening. Each one of the longitudinally extending pocket members is provided with a longitudinally extending weight member of a predetermined weight which slidably engages and rests in each of the pocket members. As a result when the vest is worn it readily provides a hugging sensation to the wearer which in turn causes a calming sensation for the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The details of the invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a weighted vest in accordance with principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a weight used in the weighted vest in accordance with the principles of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a weighted vest worn by a user in accordance with the principles of this invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENNTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown, a weighted vest, generally designated by the numeral, 10. The weighted vest 10 includes a body member, generally designated by the numeral, 12. The body member 12 includes an opening 14 formed at an upper portion 16 thereof which is adjacent to and extends around the neck 18 of a wearer 20. The body member 12 is also provided with a lower portion 22 which will cover the upper extremity 24 of a person, that is the chest and back of the wearer 20 (FIG. 3). The weighted vest 10 also includes a pair of sleeve members, generally designated by the numeral 26 and 28 having an opening 30 and 32, respectively, formed therein. The sleeve members 26 and 28 are coupled to extend around upper portions of the arms 34 and 36 of the wearer 20.

A longitudinally extending pocket member, generally designated by the numeral 38 is provided. The pocket member 38 is coupled to extend along an innermost periphery 40 of one side 42 of the body member 12. The pocket member 38 extends from the upper portion 16 to a lowermost portion 44 of the lower portion 22 of the body member 12. The weighted vest 10 is also provided with a pocket member 46. The pocket member 46 is coupled to extend longitudinally along an innermost periphery 48 of another side 50 of the body member 12. The pocket member 46 extends from the upper portion 16 on the side 50 of the body member 12 to a lowermost portion 52 of the lower portion 22 of the body member 12.

The weighted vest 10 is further provided with a pair of longitudinally extending pocket members, generally designated by the numeral, 56. The pocket members 56 are aligned with and coupled just under the sleeve opening 30 to extend therefrom to a lowermost portion 58 of the body member 12. Another pair of pocket members, generally designated by the numeral, 60 (only one shown) are aligned with and coupled under the sleeve opening 32 to extend therefrom to a lowermost portion 62 of the body member 12.

Each longitudinally extending pocket member 38, 46, 56 and 60 is provided with a longitudinally extending weighted member, generally designated by the numeral, 64 (FIG. 2) which is slidably insertable to rest in the respective pocket member. The weighted member 64 is provided with an upper gripping member 66 coupled to a lower member 68 of a predetermined weight. The gripping member 66 allows the lower weighted member 68 to be slidably inserted into and removed from the pocket. The weight of the member 64 and length of the member may vary depending on the weight needed to facilitate the objective of calming the wearer 20. The size of weighted vest 10 along with the predetermined placement of the pockets 38, 46, 56 and 66 is such that the pockets are in engaging contact with predetermined portions of the wearer's upper extremity 24. Thus when the appropriate amount of weight is placed in the pockets 38, 46, 56 and 60 the wearer 20 will experience a pressure or sensation on the body which simulates that of being hugged. This in turn causes the calming effect. The amount of weight needed to provide the desired effect may vary depending on the size of the child and severity of the condition. However weight adjustments are achieved by simply changing the weighted members 64 in the pocket to one of the desired weight.

When in use the weighted vest 10 is worn by a wearer 20 as illustrated in FIG. 3. When the weighted vest 10 is worn weight is strategically distributed around the body of the wearer 20. Because of this strategic positioning of the weights 64 the wearer 20 of the weighted vest 10 feels a sensation of being hugged which provides a calming feeling thereby facilitating a successful therapeutic intervention.

This invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. However, it should be recognized that changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A weighted vest to be worn by a person having a development disorder including:

a body member having an upper portion which is supported around the neck of the person and a lower portion for covering the upper extremities of the person;

a first sleeve member having an opening formed therein, to be aligned with and surround one arm of the person;

a second sleeve member having an opening formed therein to surround the other arm of the person;

a first pocket member coupled to extend along an innermost periphery of one side of the body member from an upper portion thereof to a lowermost portion thereof;

a first weight aligned to slidably engage and rest in the first pocket member;

a second pocket member coupled to extend along an innermost periphery of the other side of the body member from an upper portion thereof to a lowermost portion thereof;

a second weight member aligned to slidably engage and rest in the second pocket member;

a first pair of spaced pocket members coupled under the first sleeve opening on one side of the body member to extend therefrom to a lowermost portion under the first sleeve opening;

a third weight member aligned to slidably engage and rest in one of the first pair of spaced pocket members;

a fourth weight member aligned to slidably engage and rest in the other one of the first pair of spaced pocket members;

a second pair of spaced pocket members coupled under the second sleeve opening on the other side of the body member to extend to a lowermost portion under the second sleeve opening;

a fifth weighted member aligned to slidably engage and rest in one of the second pair of spaced pocket members; and

a sixth weighted member aligned to slidably engage and rest in the other one of the second pair of spaced pocket members so that when the vest is worn the pocket members are in engaging contact with predetermined portions of the person's upper extremities thereby causing a calming sensation to be experienced by the wearer.

2. A vest as defined in claim 1 wherein the first pocket member is a longitudinally extending rectangularly shaped pocket.

3. A vest as defined in claim 2 wherein the second pocket member is a longitudinally extending rectangularly shaped pocket.

4. A vest as defined in claim 3 wherein each one of the first pair of spaced pocket members is a longitudinally extending rectangularly shaped pocket.

5. A vest as defined in claim 4 wherein each one of the second pair of spaced pocket members is a longitudinally extending rectangularly shaped pocket.

6. A weighted vest as defined in claim 5 wherein each one of the weighted members includes:

an upper grasping member; and

a lower rectangularly shaped longitudinally extending weight coupled to the upper grasping member.

7. A weighted vest as defined in claim 6 wherein each one of the weight members is a predetermined weight.