WEARABLE RESISTIVE EQUIPMENT
Aspects of the present disclosure involve a wearable resistive equipment that integrates endurance and strength training capabilities into the clothing, while enhancing the effect of exercise, rest and motion. In one embodiment, the wearable resistive equipment is designed to include built-in resistance bands with end-clasping members for affixing to an external apparatus. In other embodiments the wearable resistive equipment is designed to include built-in resistance bands that can extend to various positions on a user's upper or lower legs. In yet other embodiments, the wearable resistive equipment is designed to include built-in resistance bands that extend upward toward the lower mid-section of a body for abdominal training.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/350,267, filed on Jun. 15, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to wearable resistive equipment and, more particularly, wearable resistive equipment that provides resistance for exercise, rehabilitation or casual, general use.
BACKGROUNDExercise clothing may be widely available and often designed to provide various benefits to ordinary people and professional athletes alike. For example, exercise clothing may be designed to trigger the acceleration of blood flow, increase oxygen to the muscles, or even reduce the build-up of lactic acid. Exercise clothing can also be designed to draw moisture away from the body in order to keep a person cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Wearable resistive equipment designed with a built-in mechanism that provides endurance and strength training is, however, minimally available and is often restricted by the characteristics of the clothing material. Wearable resistive equipment with built-in mechanisms that may be currently available, may fail to properly follow the contours of the muscles of a user and therefore fail to provide enhanced or optimal resistance to enhance exercise or increase calorie burn, and decrease workouts or workout time.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure involves wearable resistive equipment that includes a pant member, a plurality of generally free-floating resistance bands within a plurality of channel systems that are generally contained wholly within the wearable resistive equipment. According to one example, the wearable resistive equipment includes a first end of the plurality of resistance bands that is coupled to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment and a second end of the plurality of resistance bands that is coupled to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment. Each of the resistance bands are substantially parallel to each other, do not intersect, may be generally aligned with the muscle patterns of a user, and comprise a predetermined level of resistance selected from a predefined range. The wearable resistive equipment comprising the plurality of resistive bands is substantially configured to a portion of a user so as to provide a targeted amount of resistance on the muscles of a user. The effect of the wearable resistive equipment may be when the user is not moving, or when the muscles contract, thereby allowing the user, by and through the plurality of resistance bands, to undergo enhanced muscle development, exercise, or rehabilitation, when used by a user.
According to an embodiment, the pant member includes a first pant leg, a second pant leg and a generally circular waist section, wherein the first and second pant legs are coupled together, and coupled to the waist section. The coupling of the legs may form a crotch area. The pant member may be configured to generally, substantially conform to a portion of a user. The pant member also includes a first resistance band channel system disposed generally adjacent to the first pant leg, a second resistance band channel system disposed generally adjacent to the second pant leg, and a plurality of resistance bands positioned within each of the first and second channel systems.
Embodiments of the present disclosure also include a method of exercise, which includes positioning a plurality of generally free-floating resistance bands within a plurality of channel systems in a portion of wearable resistive equipment. By coupling a first end of the plurality of resistance bands to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment, coupling a second end of the plurality of resistance bands to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment, and aligning generally the plurality of resistance bands within the wearable resistive equipment generally with the muscle patterns of a user, a user experiences enhanced resistance on their muscles while at rest or when the muscles contract and expand. This method allows a user to undergo enhanced exercise and/or rehabilitation.
Example embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of the drawing. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.
Aspects of the present disclosure involve a wearable resistive equipment that integrates endurance and strength training capabilities into the wearable resistive equipment such that a user may experience an increased level of resistance when wearing the wearable resistive equipment. The present disclosure discloses a wearable resistive equipment that may include a pant member, a plurality of generally free-floating resistance bands within a plurality of channel systems that are contained wholly within the wearable resistive equipment. The wearable resistive equipment may include a first end of the plurality of resistance bands that is secured to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment and a second end of the plurality of resistance bands that is secured to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment. Each of the resistance bands are substantially parallel to each other, do not intersect, generally aligned with the muscle patterns of a user, and comprise a predetermined level of resistance selected from a predefined range. The wearable resistive equipment comprising the plurality of resistive bands is substantially configured to a portion of a user so as to provide a targeted amount of resistance on the muscles of a user after the muscles contract, thereby allowing the user, by and through the plurality of resistance bands, to undergo enhanced muscle development when worn or used by a user.
In an embodiment the pant member may include a pant member comprising a first pant leg, a second pant leg and a generally annular waist section, wherein the first and second pant legs are coupled together via the waist section that extends down to a crotch area. The pant member may be configured to generally, or substantially conform to a portion of a user. The pant member also includes a first resistance band channel system disposed on the first pant leg, a second resistance band channel system disposed on the second pant leg, and a plurality of resistance bands positioned within each of the first and second channel systems.
In one embodiment, a front of each leg of the pant member 126 includes two resistance bands 104, one in each channel system 102, spaced apart from each other and generally extending parallel with each other as they extend between a first end of the pant member 130, which is located generally adjacent to a first end of the resistance bands 140 and the waist area 112 of the pant member 126, that extends generally downwardly to a crotch area 150, and a second end of the pant member 132, which is located generally adjacent to the second end of the resistance bands 142 of the first 134 and second legs 136 of the pant member 126. In this embodiment, one resistance band 104 is provided in each of the channel systems 102 on the pant member 126. In other embodiments, more than one resistance band 104 may be provided in each of the channel systems 102 on the pant member 126, or some channel systems 102 may have resistance bands 104 and others may not.
As seen in
The resistance bands 104 may be positioned within a channel system 102 (shown in dashed lines) designed to generally house or enclose the resistance bands 104 therein. In this way, the resistance bands 104 are generally-free floating within the channel system 102, thereby allowing the resistance bands 104 to stretch (i.e. provide resistance) within the channel system 102, and not be exposed on an outside of the pant member 126. Additionally, as the resistance bands 104 stretch, the resistance bands 104 follow the contours of the body of a user and do not otherwise obstruct or block the user from performing certain movements. This configuration enhances the comfort, safety, and usability of the wearable resistive equipment 100 for a user.
To create the band channel 102, fabric slightly wider than the range of widths of the resistance bands 104 can be stitched to the pant member 126 on two parallel sides to provide an area between the stitches that fits the resistance bands 104 therein. The resistance bands 104 can extend the length of the channel system 102 and can be secured or generally coupled at both a first end of the pant member 130, which is located generally adjacent to the first end of the resistance bands 140 and the waist section 112 of the pant member 126, and a second end of the pant member 132, which is located generally adjacent to the second end of the resistance bands 142 and the first 134 and second legs 136 of the pant member 126. The resistance bands 104, located generally inside the channel systems 102, can be secured to the wearable resistive equipment 100 by way of stitching, sonic welding, buttons, zippers, snaps, clasps, Velcro, or by other methods and configurations suitable for this use.
The channel system 102 can be made to provide sufficient room within the channel system 102 such that the resistance bands 104 are able to move and stretch as needed to provide a desired tensile strength. In other words, the resistance bands 104 can be free-floating in the channel systems 102 so that the resistance bands 104 are able to stretch freely between the first and second ends of the channel systems 102. That is, the resistance bands 104 are not restricted or constrained by being attached to the fabric of the pant member 126 along the entire length of the channel systems 102, except for at the first and second ends of the channel systems 102. The channel systems 102 may appear generally hunched when the wearable resistive equipment 100 is not in use. This allows channel systems 102 to expand when in use to accommodate the stretching of the resistance bands 104.
The resistance bands 104 fit within the channel systems 102 with adequate spacing such that the location of the resistance bands 104 remain in general alignment with the pant member 126, and so as to align with the contours of the leg and muscles of a user. The location of channel systems 102 on each leg 134 and 136 of the pant member 126 may play a role in strength training and/or endurance training, as the location of the channel systems 102 and corresponding resistance bands 104 can target specific muscles groups. For example, in
The front hip end 114a and back hip end 114b provide an adjoining point for the resistance bands 104 to be secured to the pant member 126. At the front and back hip ends, 114a and 114b, the resistance bands 104 can be permanently, selectively, or removably coupled to the wearable resistive equipment 100. In some instances, the resistance bands 104 may be removably coupled to the wearable resistive equipment 100 via buttons, zippers, clasps, snaps, Velcro, or by other methods and systems. In other instances, the resistance bands 104 may be permanently secured into the wearable resistive equipment 100 via stitching, sonic welding, or by other methods or systems. In one example, the coupling of the resistance band 104 to the pant member 126 can be at the hip area 114a and 114b with the pant member 126 extending to the waist area 112. In some embodiments, the exercise pant 126 may have a high-rise design, where the resistance bands 104 are designed to extend up generally past the hips 114a and 114b towards the abdomen and lower back areas of a user.
The front and back ankle ends 116a and 116b may be configured to be locations were the resistance bands 104 can loosely extend out from the band channel 102 for attachment to an external apparatus, such as a shoe. For the attachment of the resistance bands 104 to an external apparatus, the resistance bands 104 can be configured to include clasping members or hooks 108 that affix to an apparatus such as a shoe 122 and 124. For example, the hooks 108 can attach to shoe laces 122 and/or loops 124 for foot and speed resistive training, and other training. Further, although the use of hooks 108 are described herein, other attachment units can be used including, but not limited to, clasps, latches, clips, fish hooks, lobster clasps, S hooks, or by other methods or systems.
Although the wearable resistive equipment 100 is described herein to include resistance bands 104 that terminate at the front 116a and back 116b ankle ends for attachment to an external apparatus, many other band 104 configurations are possible. For example,
In
Still referencing
Moving on to another embodiment of the wearable resistive equipment 300, reference is made to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Further, like many exercise pants, the wearable resistive equipment 300 can also be equipped with one or more pockets 310 for storage of belongings. The pocket 310 may be located on the front, back, or side of the exercise pant 304. In addition, the pocket 310 may be open-ended, or closable via buttons, Velcro, snaps, clasps, zippers, or other methods or systems. Pocket 310 or other storage configurations can also be included in wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 400, or 500 of the embodiments, as illustrated in
Further, the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300 can be designed to be a short or calf-length (e.g. capri) pant. For example, as shown in
In
Still referencing
The wearable resistive equipment 500 of the embodiments in
Alternative wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 designs may be contemplated that may include alternate placement of the resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 that extend to a low, mid, and high-rise waist area 112a and 112b. Additionally, or alternatively, the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 can be configured to provide resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 that only extend to a portion of the body and/or can have varying resistance band 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 placement. The wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 can target one muscle group such as the calf muscles, hamstrings, and/or quadriceps, or others. As another example, the wearable resistive equipment can target the entire lower body such that one or a group of resistive bands are disposed through-out the pant member. In certain embodiments, the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 may include resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 that are natural rubber. In certain embodiments, the wearable resistive equipment may include resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 that are about 30 millimeters in width. In certain embodiments, the band channels 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 are about 42 inches or about 1067 millimeters in length.
Further, the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 can be configured for various tensile strengths. In an embodiment, various versions of the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 may exist with each version supporting a different tensile strength. Furthermore, each version of the pant or short member can include different tensile strengths. In some embodiments, the tensile strengths can vary between 10-100 pounds. The thickness of the resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 may be one manner of varying the tensile strength, which can range from 0.6 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters. Thicker resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 may be used for greater tensile strength. In certain instances, the resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 may be configured to be removable from within the channel systems 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 such that bands of different tensile strength can be interchanged in the resistive system. Also, in certain instances, multiple resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 can be enclosed in one channel systems 102, 202, 302, 402, 502.
Still further, the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 may include exterior seams that are over-lock seams. Still in some embodiments, the exterior seams of the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 may include seams such as, but not limited to, flat-felled seams, whipstitch seams, topstitch seams, lock-stitch seams, chain-stitch seams, etc.
Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification. For example, one skilled in the art could use the embodiments described in
The present disclosure also discloses a method of exercise 600, which includes positioning a plurality of generally free-floating resistance bands within a plurality of channel systems in a portion of a wearable resistive equipment 602. By securing and/or coupling a first end of the plurality of resistance bands to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment 604, securing and/or coupling a second end of the plurality of resistance bands to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment 606, and aligning generally the plurality of resistance bands within the wearable resistive equipment generally with the muscle patterns of a user 608, a user can experience enhanced resistance on his or her leg muscles while the muscles contract 610 or are at rest. This method allows a user to undergo enhanced exercise, enhanced calorie burn, and/or reduce the time of exercise.
The plurality of resistance bands may be substantially configured to a particular user, in part using characteristics of a user, such as waist size, inseam, height, weight, among other characteristics. Using these characteristics, the bands may be generally aligned with the muscles in the legs of a user. A first end and a second end of the plurality of resistance bands runs substantially parallel to the muscles in the legs of a user, thereby providing an enhanced amount of resistance, at least in part via the targeted resistance bands, on the leg muscles of a user while the leg muscles of a user contract or are at rest. The method of exercise, by and through the wearable resistive equipment, enhances the effects of exercise and/or rehabilitation of a user.
All directional references (e.g. top, bottom, front, back) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g. attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.
In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A wearable resistive equipment comprising:
- two or more generally free-floating resistance bands positioned generally within two or more corresponding channel systems, which are contained generally wholly within the wearable resistive equipment comprising:
- a first end of the two or more resistance bands coupled adjacent to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment;
- a second end of the two or more resistance bands coupled adjacent to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment;
- wherein the two or more resistance bands and corresponding channel systems are substantially parallel to each other and do not intersect with each other;
- wherein each of the resistance bands comprises a predetermined level of resistance that is varied via a thickness of the resistance bands selected from a predefined range,
- wherein the wearable resistive equipment comprising the two or more resistive bands is generally substantially configured to a portion of a user so as to provide a targeted amount of resistance on the muscles of a user, thereby enhancing exercise of the user; and
- wherein the wearable resistive equipment comprises a pant member.
2. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the pant member further comprises:
- a first pant leg, a second pant leg, and a generally annular waist section, wherein the first and second pant legs are coupled together via the waist section, the coupling of the first and second pant legs extending generally downwardly to a crotch area; and wherein the pant member will substantially conform to a portion of a user, wherein the pant member further comprises; a first resistance band channel system disposed adjacent to the first pant leg; a second resistance band channel system disposed adjacent to the second pant leg; wherein the two or more resistance bands are generally positioned within each of the first and second channel systems; and wherein the two or more resistance bands are substantially parallel to each other and do not intersect.
3. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 2, wherein the first end of the two or more resistance bands is coupled adjacent to the first end of the pant member, and wherein the first end of the pant member is coupled generally adjacent to the waist section of the pant member.
4. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 3, wherein the second end of the two or more resistance bands is coupled adjacent to the second end of the pant member, which is located generally adjacent to the bottom of the first and second pant legs.
5. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 4, wherein clasping members are coupled generally adjacent to the second end of the plurality of resistance bands, and configured to generally mechanically couple to an external apparatus.
6. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 4, wherein the resistance bands further comprise a loop around extension configured to generally loop around a lower extremity of a user.
7. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 4, wherein the second end of the two or more resistance bands extend generally to a lower leg area of the user.
8. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 4, wherein the second end of the two or more resistance bands extend generally to an upper leg area of the user.
9. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the resistance of the one or more resistance bands is varied via a thickness of the one or more resistance bands, wherein the thickness of the resistance bands is from 0.2 millimeters to 10 millimeters.
10. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the two or more of the resistance bands comprise natural rubber.
11. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, herein fabric used in the construction of the wearable resistive equipment is washable, and comprises an anti-microbial treatment or properties to reduce odor and fungus.
12. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the two or more resistance bands are coupled at least in part adjacent to the wearable resistive equipment at each of the first and second ends by stitching, buttons, Velcro, clasps and/or snaps.
13. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the wearable resistive equipment enhances the effects of exercise and/or rehabilitation of a user via the two or more resistance bands, which are generally aligned with the muscle patterns of a user.
14. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the wearable resistive equipment enhances the effects of exercise and/or rehabilitation of a user.
15. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, further comprising a loop around portion configured to couple to a foot of a user.
16. A method of exercise comprising:
- positioning two or more generally free-floating resistance bands within two or more channel systems in a portion of wearable resistive equipment, which are contained generally wholly within the wearable resistive equipment, that are substantially parallel to each other and do not intersect;
- coupling a first end of the two or more resistance bands adjacent to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment;
- coupling a second end of the two or more resistance bands adjacent to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment;
- aligning, generally, the two or more resistance bands within the wearable resistive equipment with the muscle patterns of a user so as to provide resistance on muscles of a user;
- selecting a specific level of resistance, from a predefined range, for each of the resistance bands within the channel systems; and
- providing a predetermined amount of resistance to the muscles of a user, thereby providing the user with enhanced benefits of movement.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the two or more resistance bands are substantially configured to a particular characteristic of a user; wherein the resistance bands are substantially parallel to each other and do not intersect with each other; and wherein the two or more resistance bands are generally aligned with the muscles in the legs of a user.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first end and the second end of the two or more resistance bands run substantially parallel to the muscles in the legs of a user, thereby providing an enhanced amount of resistance, at least in part via the two or more resistance bands, on the leg muscles of a user while the leg muscles of a user contract or are at rest.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the wearable resistive equipment enhances the effects of exercise and/or rehabilitation of a user.
20. A wearable resistive equipment comprising:
- two or more generally free-floating resistance bands positioned generally within two or more corresponding channel systems, both of which are contained generally wholly within the wearable resistive equipment comprising:
- a first end of the two or more resistance bands coupled adjacent to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment;
- a second end of the two or more resistance bands coupled adjacent to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment;
- wherein the two or more resistance bands and corresponding channel systems are substantially parallel to each other and do not intersect with each other;
- wherein each of the resistance bands comprises a predetermined level of resistance that is varied via a thickness of the resistance bands selected from a predefined range, wherein the thickness of the resistance bands is from 0.2 millimeters to 10 millimeters;
- wherein the wearable resistive equipment comprising the two or more resistive bands is generally substantially configured to a portion of a user so as to provide a targeted amount of resistance on the muscles of a user, thereby enhancing exercise of the user; and
- wherein the wearable resistive equipment comprises a pant member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 14, 2017
Publication Date: Dec 21, 2017
Applicant: Hey Let's Train, LLC (St. Louis, MO)
Inventor: Aaron Mottern (St. Louis, MO)
Application Number: 15/623,293