EXERCISE ACCESSORY

Abstract

An exercise accessory includes a first sock; and a second sock attached to the first sock. A method for binding a foot of a first user with a foot of a second user includes inserting the foot of the first user into a first sock of an exercise accessory; and inserting the foot of the second user into a second sock of the exercise accessory, the first sock attached to the second sock.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/635,579, filed on Feb. 27, 2018, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to exercise accessories. More specifically, this disclosure relates to socks for use as an exercise accessory.

BACKGROUND

Exercise equipment, particularly resistance training equipment, is often heavy, bulky, expensive, and difficult or impossible to transport, such as when travelling. Most commonly available exercise equipment is only intended to be used by a single user and cannot be used simultaneously with another user, such as a workout partner.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is to explain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as an introduction to the following complete and extensive detailed description.

Disclosed is an exercise accessory comprising a first sock; a second sock; and an attachment mechanism which attaches the first sock to the second sock.

Also disclosed is a method for binding a foot of a first user with a foot of a second user, the method comprising inserting the foot of the first user into a first sock of an exercise accessory; and inserting the foot of the second user into a second sock of the exercise accessory, the first sock attached to the second sock by an attachment mechanism.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may not necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. The features and advantages of such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exercise accessory comprising a first sock, a second sock, and an attachment mechanism in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear detail view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 1 facing a first heel of the first sock, a second heel of the second sock, and the attachment mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of another aspect of the exercise accessory in an unfolded configuration in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 3 in the unfolded configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 3 in a folded configuration.

FIG. 6 is a top view of another aspect of the exercise accessory in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of two users demonstrating a method of use for the exercise accessory of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another aspect of the exercise accessory in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 8 worn by the first user and the second user in an unfolded configuration.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 8 worn by the first user and the second user in a folded configuration.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the exercise accessory of FIG. 3 worn by the first user and the second user in the unfolded configuration.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another aspect for the exercise accessory 100 in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and the previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, and, as such, can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of the present devices, systems, and/or methods in its best, currently known aspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the present devices, systems, and/or methods described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an element” can include two or more such elements unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimension measuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scale measures within a range between X plus an industry-standard upper tolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standard lower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances can vary between different materials, processes and between different models, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particular component can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular list and also includes any combination of members of that list. Further, one should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspects or that one or more particular aspects necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular aspect.

Disclosed are components that can be used to perform the disclosed methods and systems. These and other components are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these components are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these may not be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein, for all methods and systems. This applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in disclosed methods. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the disclosed methods.

Disclosed is an exercise accessory and associated methods, systems, devices, and various apparatus. The exercise accessory can comprise a first sock, a second sock, and an attachment mechanism. It would be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed wide range coupling is described in but a few exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exercise accessory 100 comprising a first sock 110a, a second sock 110b, and an attachment mechanism 102 in accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure. Each sock 110a,b can respectively define an ankle portion 112a,b and a foot portion 114a,b. In the present aspect, the socks 110a,b can be crew socks, and the ankle portions 112a,b can extend significantly upwards from the foot portions 114a,b. In other aspects, the ankle portions 112a,b can be shorter than shown, such as for ankle socks, or longer than shown, such as for knee socks. The height of the ankle portions 112a,b of the respective socks 110a,b should not be considered limiting. In other aspects, the ankle portions 112a,b can be of different heights, such as in an aspect in which the first sock 110a is an ankle sock and the second sock 110b is a crew sock, for example and without limitation. Each ankle portion 112a,b can define an ankle top 116a,b disposed opposite from a sole 118a,b of the respective sock 110a,b, and each ankle top 116a,b can define an ankle opening 128a,b to a respective sock cavity 130a,b defined by the respective sock 110a,b. The sock cavities 130a,b can each be configured to receive a different foot of a single user or each sock cavity 130a,b can receive a single foot from a different user.

The foot portion 114a,b of each sock 110a,b can respectively define a heel 120a,b disposed proximate to an intersection of the ankle portion 112a,b and the sole 118a,b of each respective sock 110a,b. The foot portion 114a,b of each sock 110a,b can further define a toe 122a,b disposed opposite from the heel 120a,b of the respective sock 110a,b and away from the respective ankle portion 112a,b. In the present aspect, each sock 110a,b can be a capped sock defining a cap seam 124a,b disposed between the toe 122a,b and the heel 120a,b of each respective sock 110a,b. In the present aspect, the cap seam 124a,b can approximately align with a ball of a user's foot. In other aspects, the socks 110a,b may not define the cap seams 124a,b and can be formed through a different construction, such as with a seam at the toe 122a,b.

The first sock 110a can be attached to the second sock 110b by an attachment mechanism 102. In the present aspect, the attachment mechanism 102 can be a stitched seam 103; however in other aspects, the attachment mechanism 102 can be a different type of attachment, such as buttons-and-holes attachments, hook-and-loop strips, snaps, zippers, buttoned straps, or any other type of suitable attachment mechanism. In the present aspect, the stitched seam 103 can attach the respective soles 118a,b together in facing contact. A heel portion 106 of the stitched seam 103 can attach the respective heels 120a,b together. A first side portion 104 of the stitched seam 103 can attach the respective socks 110a,b together at an intersection of the first side 126a,b and the soles 118a,b of each respective sock 110a,b. In the present aspect, the first side portion 104 of the stitched seam 103 can extend from the heel 120a,b of each sock 110a,b to the cap seam 124a,b. This configuration can leave the toes 122a,b of the respective socks 110a,b free to move independent of one another. In other aspects, the first side portion 104 of the stitched seam 103 can extend from the heel 120a,b to the toe 122a,b of each respective sock 110a,b in order to secure the toes 122a,b to one another. In other aspects, the first side portion 104 may not extend completely to the heels 120a,b of the respective socks 110a,b which can permit limited motion between the heels 120a,b.

As shown in FIG. 2, a second side portion 204 of the stitched seam 103 can attach a second side 226a,b of each sock 110a,b together proximate to an intersection of the second side 226a,b with the sole 118a,b of each respective sock 110a,b. FIG. 2 is a detailed rear view of the exercise accessory 100 of FIG. 1 facing the heels 120a,b of the socks 110a,b, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of another aspect of the exercise accessory 100 in an unfolded configuration in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a top view of the aspect of the exercise accessory 100 of FIG. 3 in the unfolded configuration. As shown in FIG. 3, the stitched seam 103 does not connect the respective second sides 226a,b or the respective heels 120a,b of the socks 110a,b. The stitched seam 103 comprises the first side portion 104 connecting the respective first sides 126a,b together. In this configuration, the socks 110a,b can rotate relative to one another about the first side portion 104 of the stitched seam 103 so that the soles 118a,b can be separated from one another and positioned side-by-side with one another in the unfolded configuration shown. In the present configuration, a user can insert each of his feet into a different one of the socks 110a,b, and the attachment mechanism 102, the stitched seam 103, can hold the socks 110a,b together which can be desirable for exercises focusing on balance or agility in which the user may hop with his or her feet together. Alternatively, a first user can insert his right foot into the first sock 110a, and a second user can insert his left foot into the second sock 110b to engage in partner exercises, such as a “three legged race,” for example and without limitation.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exercise accessory 100 in a folded configuration in which the soles 118a,b of the respective socks 110a,b are in facing contact with one another. The exercise accessory 100 can be selectively positioned about and between the folded configuration and the unfolded configuration by rotating the socks 110a,b relative to one another about the first side portion 104 of the stitched seam 103. Optionally, in some aspects, the first side portion 104 may not attach the heels 120a,b of the respective socks 110a,b together as shown.

FIG. 6 is a top view of another aspect of the exercise accessory 100 in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. The exercise accessory 100 is shown in the unfolded configuration in which the soles 118a,b (shown in FIG. 3) are folded apart from one another about the stitched seam 103 and are positioned side-by-side with one another on either side of the stitched seam 103. In the present aspect, a toe portion 603 of the stitched seam 103 can attach the toes 122a,b of the respective socks 110a,b together while the first sides 126a,b, the second sides 226a,b, and the heels 120a,b (shown in FIG. 3) of the respective socks 110a,b are separate from one another and unbound. This aspect can be utilized to bind the feet of two separate users together which can be desirable, such as for practicing partner dancing or other activities. Binding the users' feet can help the two users to synchronize their movements during practice.

FIG. 7 demonstrates another method for using the exercise accessories 100. The method shown in FIG. 7 can be compatible with at least each of the aspects of the exercise accessory 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 by positioning the exercise accessory 100 in the folded configuration in which the soles 118a,b (shown in FIG. 3) are positioned in facing contact with one another. FIG. 7 demonstrates a partner exercise method in which a first user 700a and a second user 700b can attach their feet 702a-d together with a first exercise accessory 100a and a second exercise accessory 100b to engage in partnered movements.

Specifically, a right foot 702a of the first user 700a can wear the first sock 110a of the first exercise accessory 100a which can be bound to the second sock 110b of the first exercise accessory 100a which can be worn on a left foot 702c of the second user 700b as shown in the foreground. A left foot 702b of the first user 700a can wear the first sock 110a of the second exercise accessory 100b which can be bound to the second sock 110b of the second exercise accessory 100b which can be worn on the right food 702d of the second user 700b as shown in the background. With the right foot 702a of the first user 700a bound to the left foot 702c of the second user 700b and the left foot 702b of the first user 700a bound to the right food 702d of the second user 700b, the users 700a,b can engage in coordinated movements together. For example and without limitation, the users 700a,b can engage in pedaling motions, such as a bicycle pedaling motion, and the users 700a,b can provide resistance to one another to strengthen the leg muscles of the respective users 700a,b. The exercise accessories 100a,b can stabilize the users' paired feet 702a,c and 702b,d to prevent them from slipping off one another while the users 700a,b exert resistance against each other. The exercise accessories 100a,b can also be used for other partner exercise techniques or gymnastic techniques such as if first user 700a stands on the feet 702c,d of the second user 700b while the second user 700b lies on his back, for example and without limitation. These methods allow the users 700a,b to engage in resistance training with minimal equipment and without the need for heavy weights or large machines.

FIG. 8 is a side view of another aspect of the exercise accessory 100 in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. In the present aspect, the first side 126a of the first sock 110a can be attached to the second side 226b of the second sock 110b by the attachment mechanism 102 so that the toe 122a of the first sock 110a can be aligned with the heel 120b of the second sock 110b, and the heel 120a of the first sock 110a can be aligned with the toe 122b of the second sock 110b. For example and without limitation, this aspect can be desirable for practicing dancing, wrestling, boxing, or any other endeavor in which one participant may align his or her lead foot with the lead foot of another participant while the participants face one another, as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exercise accessory 100 of FIG. 8 worn by the first user 700a and the second user 700b. The first sock 110a can be rotated relative to the second sock 110b about the attachment mechanism 102 between an unfolded configuration, as shown, and a folded position as shown in FIG. 10. In the unfolded configuration, the soles 118a,b (shown in FIG. 10) of the respective socks 110a,b can be folded apart from one another about the attachment mechanism 102, or stitched seam 103, so that the soles 118a,b can be positioned side-by-side with one another. In the unfolded configuration shown in FIG. 10, the socks 110a,b can be folded towards one another about the attachment mechanism 102 (shown in FIG. 9), and the soles 118a,b of the respective socks 110a,b can be positioned in facing contact with one another. In other aspects, the attachment mechanism 102 can secure the socks 110a,b in the folded position.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the exercise accessory 100 of FIG. 3 worn by the first user 700a and the second user 700b in the unfolded configuration. Alternatively, the exercise accessory 100 can be worn on a left foot and a right foot of a single user.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another aspect of the exercise accessory 100 in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. In the present aspect, the attachment mechanism 102, such as the stitched seam 103, can attach the heel 120a of the first sock 110a to the heel 120b of the second sock 110b.

In other aspects, the exercise accessory 100 can comprise straps with hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers, or any other suitable fastening mechanism. In such applications, the straps can be used to bind or tether a single user's two feet together or to bind together two feet of different users. In aspects of the exercise accessory 100 comprising the straps, the exercise accessory 100 may or may not comprise the socks 110a,b as shown in FIG. 1. In some aspects, the straps can be utilized with a user's own socks, and in some aspects, the straps can be utilized without socks.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An exercise accessory comprising:

a first sock; and

a second sock attached to the first sock.

2. The exercise accessory of claim 1, wherein the first sock is attached to the second sock by an attachment mechanism.

3. The exercise accessory of claim 2, wherein the attachment mechanism is a stitched seam.

4. The exercise accessory of claim 1, wherein a first side of the first sock is attached to a first side of the second sock.

5. The exercise accessory of claim 4, wherein:

the first sock is configured to rotate relative to the second sock about an attachment mechanism between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration;

a sole of the first sock is positioned in facing contact with a sole of the second sock in the folded configuration; and

the sole of the first sock is positioned side-by-side with the sole of the second sock in the unfolded configuration.

6. The exercise accessory of claim 4, wherein:

a second side of the first sock is attached to a second side of the second sock; and

a sole of the first sock is secured in facing contact with a sole of the second sock.

7. The exercise accessory of claim 4, wherein a toe of the first sock is aligned with a toe of the second sock.

8. The exercise accessory of claim 4, wherein a heel of the first sock is attached to a heel of the second sock.

9. The exercise accessory of claim 1, wherein a toe of the first sock is attached to a toe of the second sock.

10. The exercise accessory of claim 1, wherein:

a first side of the first sock is attached to a second side of the second sock; and

a toe of the first sock is aligned with a heel of the second sock.

11. The exercise accessory of claim 1, wherein a heel of the first sock is attached to a heel of the second sock.

12. A method for binding a foot of a first user with a foot of a second user, the method comprising:

inserting the foot of the first user into a first sock of an exercise accessory; and

inserting the foot of the second user into a second sock of the exercise accessory, the first sock attached to the second sock.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning a sole of the first sock in facing contact with a sole of the second sock.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising rotating the first sock relative to the second sock about an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism attaching the first sock to the second sock.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the attachment mechanism is a stitched seam.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising moving the foot of the first user in coordinated motion with the foot of the second user.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein a first side of the first sock is attached to a first side of the second sock.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein a toe of the first sock is attached to a toe of the second sock.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein a toe of the first sock is aligned with a heel of the second sock.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein a heel of the first sock is attached to a heel of the second sock.