RUCKING SYSTEM
An embodiment of the present disclosure of a rucking system that includes a stackable plate assembly having a first plate and a second plate.
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The present application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to and benefit of U.S. patent application Serial No. 17/508,573, filed Oct. 22, 2021, which in turn claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/104,193, filed Oct. 22, 2020, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to a rucking article.
BACKGROUNDRucking is an exercise regimen that is used in military training protocols to build strength and endurance. A person carries a weighted sack or bag while completing various activities, like running, push-ups, etc. Specially designed nicking articles can be worn like a backpack and also include compartments for holding weighted plates, or nicking plates.
Stability during use is important because of a wide range of upper and lower body movements involved in traditional nicking training protocols. The nicking article should carry weight but not necessarily inhibit a user's balance and agility across a wide range of body movements during use. Such a design allows a user to customize workout routines based on the desired regimen.
Conventional exercise articles often cause discomfort due to insufficient lumbar support, lack of padding, and abrasive fabrics that result in friction burns, constricted movement during exercise regimens, and injury.
SUMMARYEmbodiments of the present disclosure include a nicking system that includes a nicking article and/or a plurality of stackable weighted plates that can slidingly fit within a pocket of the nicking article.
An embodiment of the present disclosure includes a nicking system having a nicking article, a first plate, and a second plate. The nicking article includes a base, a top spaced from the base, lateral sides that extend from the base toward the top, a front panel coupled to the base, and a back panel coupled to the base, the top, and the lateral sides. The back panel includes an exterior side, an interior side opposite the exterior side, and a first pocket on the interior side, wherein the first pocket has an internal pocket volume. The first plate includes a first length, a first width that is perpendicular to the first length, a first thickness that is perpendicular to the first length and the first width, and a first weight. The second plate includes a second length, a second width that is perpendicular to the second length, a second thickness that is perpendicular to the second length and the second width, and a second weight that is the same as the first weight or greater than the first weight. The first length and the second length are substantially the same and the first width and the second width are substantially the same, such that, when the first plate and the second plate are stacked adjacent to each other to form a plate assembly, the plate assembly slidingly fits in substantially an entirety of the internal pocket volume of the first pocket.
Another embodiment of the disclosure is a rucking system having a first plate and a second plate. The first plate includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first length that extends from the first end to the second end, a first width that is perpendicular to the first length, a first thickness that is perpendicular to the first length and the first width, and a first weight. The first length is greater than the first width and the first thickness. The second plate includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a second length that extends from the first end of the second plate to the second end of the second plate, a second width that is perpendicular to the second length, a second thickness that is perpendicular to the second length and the second width, and a second weight that is the same as the first weight or greater than the first weight. The second length is greater than the second width and the second thickness. The first length of the first plate and the second length of the second plate are substantially the same and the first width of the first plate and the second width of the second plate are substantially the same, such that, when the first plate and the second plate are stacked adjacent to each other, the first and second plates slidingly fit in an internal pocket volume of a pocket inside a nicking article.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the present application, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the present application, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:
Embodiments of the present disclosure include a rucking system 1 that includes nicking article 2 and/or a plurality of stackable weighted plates 120 and 220 that can slidingly fit within a pocket of the nicking article. The stackable weighted plates may include a first weighted plate 120, which may be a 10 lb. plate and a second weighted plate 220, which may be a 20 lb. plate. The weighted plates are generally referred to herein as plates or ruck plates. By combining the first and second weighted plates 120, 220 into a plate assembly 105, and inserting the plate assembly in the pocket of the nicking article, the user can tailor the weight placed in the nicking article for a given exercise regimen. The dimensions and location of through holes in the weighted plates 120, 220 allow for a precise dimension to be attained, which allow the weighted plates to held by the pocket, while achieving a given load in the rucking article, such as at least 30 lbs.
A rucking article may be referred to as a nicking sack, rucker, or nick sack, and is specifically configured to hold weighted plates, e.g., ruck plates. The nicking article is designed to be carried, lifted, etc., by the user, during physical activity as a training regimen. The nicking article 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a combination of features that improves stability when worn and when the user engages in an exercise regimen that involves a wide range of upper and lower body movements. More specifically, the inclusion of lumbar support members 42 (
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The lumbar support member 42, or multiple lumber support members as the case may be, has coverage across the back panel 50 that contributes to desired article stability during use. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the lumbar support member 42 extends across an entirety of the width W of the back panel 50. Furthermore, the lumbar support member 42 extends between 10% and 25% of the total height H of the back panel 50.
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The pocket assembly design works in conjunction with the other design elements of the rucking article 2. In this regard, the first pocket 96 does not overlie any portion of the lumbar support member 42 along the exterior side of the back panel. In other words, the first pocket is positioned inside the rucking article 2 so that it does not interfere with position and use of the lumbar support member 42. In use, this can be important as the pocket position keeps the weight elevated on the user's back and permits the lumbar support member 42 to provide support where it is designed to, i.e., the lower back. This, in turns, helps create improved stability for a wearer by aiding even distribution of loads by the internal frame assembly. The sternum strap 24, in turn, also aids stability by helping position the weighted plate where it is intended to be—the user's upper back off of the lumbar area.
The second pocket 98 has a second pocket panel 104 that overlies the first pocket panel 100. The second pocket panel 104 defines a top edge 106 that sits below the closure flap 99 with the closure flap 99 in a closed position. The second pocket 98 may be gusseted or pleated to accommodate one or more plates. An elastic strap 108 extends across the top of the second pocket 98 to help secure items therein.
The rucking article 2 includes shoulder straps 14, 16 that extend between the top and lateral sides proximate the top and partially overlay the back panel 50. The shoulder straps are configured to secure the rucking article 2 to a wearer. In certain embodiments, the shoulder straps 14, 16 are extra padded to carry heavier loads more comfortably.
The sternum strap 24 is removably coupled to the shoulder straps and configured to be selectively clasped as needed to facilitate improved stability. The sternum strap includes a first strap portion (not shown) removably coupled to shoulder strap 16, a second strap portion (not shown) removably coupled to shoulder strap 14, a first clasp member 110 slidably positioned along the first strap portion, and a second clasp member 112 slidably positioned along the second strap portion. The first and second clasp members 110, 112 can be connected together as needed. The sternum strap 24 can be repositioned along different loops coupled to the shoulder strap to adjust the positioning of the sternum strap 24 relative to the user. The combination of the lumbar support members 42 (
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Each of the various components, such as the back panel, front panel, top, base, and sides are comprised of durable woven fabrics. The article is comprised of tear and wear resistant fabrics comprised of 1000 denier CORDURA® yarns. Any number of weave constructions and deniers may be used, however. However, a less abrasive fabric may be used on the back panel and underside of the shoulder straps to reduce friction and the like. The back panel and shoulder straps, for example, may be comprised of woven fabrics comprising 210 denier, High Tenacity CORDURA® yarns.
The nicking article 2, in general, has a size and shape to fit comfortably on the user's upper torso. More specifically, the nicking article 2 has an overall width W that extends from lateral side 8 to lateral side 10, an overall height H that extends from the base 4 to the top 6 and that is perpendicular to the overall width W, and an overall depth D that extends from an exterior side 52 of the back panel 50 to the exterior side 32 of the front panel 30. The overall depth D is substantially perpendicular to the overall height H and the overall width W. In one exemplary embodiment, the rucking article 2 has an overall width W between 10.0 inches and 13.0 inches, an overall height H between 15.0 inches and 22.0 inches, and an overall depth D between 4.0 inches and 7.25 inches. Furthermore, the nicking article 2 is designed to have an overall weight that can vary between about 2.30 lbs. and about 3.30 lbs. In some cases, the overall weight of the nicking article may vary outside of these specific ranges.
While the disclosure is described herein, using a limited number of embodiments, these specific embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure as otherwise described and claimed herein. The precise arrangement of various elements and order of the steps of articles and methods described herein are not to be considered limiting. For instance, although the steps of the methods are described with reference to sequential series of reference signs and progression of the blocks in the figures, the method can be implemented in an order as desired.
Claims
1. A rucking system, comprising:
- a rucking article having a base, a top spaced from the base, lateral sides that extend from the base toward the top, a front panel coupled to the base, a back panel coupled to the base, the top, and the lateral sides, the back panel having an exterior side, an interior side opposite the exterior side, and a first pocket on the interior side, wherein the first pocket has an internal pocket volume;
- a first plate having a first length, a first width that is perpendicular to the first length, a first thickness that is perpendicular to the first length and the first width, and a first weight; and
- a second plate having a second length, a second width that is perpendicular to the second length, a second thickness that is perpendicular to the second length and the second width, and a second weight that is the same as the first weight or greater than the first weight,
- wherein the first length and the second length are substantially the same and the first width and the second width are substantially the same, such that, when the first plate and the second plate are stacked adjacent to each other to form a plate assembly, the plate assembly slidingly fits in substantially an entirety of the internal pocket volume of the first pocket.
2. The nicking system according to claim 1, wherein the first plate has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second plate has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein when the first plate and the second plate are stacked adjacent to each other to form the plate assembly, the first ends of the first and second plates are coplanar, the second ends of the first and second plates are coplanar, the first sides of the first and second plates are coplanar, and the second sides of the first and second plates are coplanar.
3. The nicking system according to claim 1, wherein the first plate has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first length extends from the first end to the second end of the first plate, the first width extends from the first side to the second side of the first plate, wherein the first length is about 11.5 inches and the first width is about 9 inches.
4. The nicking system according to claim 1, wherein the first weight of the first plate is 10 lbs., and the second weight of the second plate is 20 lbs.
5. The nicking system according to claim 1, wherein the first plate has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first plate has a first through hole that extends along the first thickness, and a second through hole that extends along the first thickness, wherein the first and second through holes are positioned a distance that is closer to the first end and the second end, respectively, than a distance to a centerline of the first plate, wherein the centerline is equidistant between the first end and the second end, and is parallel to the first width.
6. The nicking system according to claim 1, wherein the first plate has a first through hole that extends along the first thickness, and a second through hole that extends along the first thickness, wherein the second plate has a first through hole that extends along the second thickness, and a second through hole that extends along the second thickness, wherein dimensions of the first and second through holes of the first plate are different from dimensions of the first and second through holes of the second plate.
7. The nicking system according to claim 1, further comprising a pocket assembly having at least the first pocket comprising a first pocket panel attached to the interior side of the back panel, wherein the first pocket panel is spaced apart from the base and lies proximate the top, such that the first pocket panel is biased toward the top of the back panel.
8. The nicking system according to claim 7, wherein the rucking article further comprises:
- a plurality of pad members on the exterior side that extend across a width of the back panel; and
- a lumbar support member located between the plurality of pad members and the base, wherein the lumbar support member has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of any one of the plurality of pad members,
- wherein the first pocket does not overlie any portion of the lumbar support member.
9. The nicking system according to claim 8, wherein the back panel has a height that extends from the base to the top, and a width that is perpendicular to the height, wherein a bottom end of the first pocket panel is spaced from a bottom edge of the back panel a distance that is between 20% and 30% of a total height of the back panel.
10. The nicking system according to claim 9, wherein the pocket assembly includes a second pocket comprising a second pocket panel that overlies the first pocket panel.
11. The nicking system according to claim 1, wherein the back panel has a height that extends from the base to the top, and a width that is perpendicular to the height, wherein the nicking article further comprises:
- a plurality of pad members on the exterior side that extend across a width of the back panel;
- a lumbar support member located between the plurality of pad members and the base, wherein the lumbar support member has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of any one of the plurality of pad members;
- a closure that removably couples the front panel to the top and at least a portion of each of the lateral sides, such that the closure is configured to permit access to an interior of the nicking article;
- a pocket assembly coupled to the interior side of the back panel, the pocket assembly having at least the first pocket, the first pocket having a pocket width, a pocket length that is perpendicular to the pocket width, a pocket depth that is perpendicular to the pocket width and the pocket length, and a closure flap, wherein the pocket length, pocket width and pocket depth define the internal pocket volume; and
- an internal frame assembly inside a compartment of the back panel, the internal frame assembly extending from the base to the top within the compartment, such that, the internal frame assembly provides rigid support to the back panel along an entirety of the height of the back panel and the width of the back panel.
12. The nicking system according to claim 11, further comprising shoulder straps configured to secure the nicking article to a wearer, and a sternum strap removably coupled to the shoulder straps and configured to be selectively clasped.
13. The nicking system according to claim 12, wherein the combination of the lumbar support member, the internal frame assembly, and the sternum strap are configured to maintain stability of the nicking system during active movement by the wearer when the nicking article is worn, and the sternum strap is clasped.
14. The nicking system according to claim 12, wherein the lumbar support member extends across an entirety of the width of the back panel, and between 10% and 25% of the height of the back panel.
15. The nicking system according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of pad members define a plurality of planar contact surfaces that lie along a first plane, and the lumbar support member defines a contact surface that lies along a second plane, wherein a thickness between the lumbar support member and any one of the plurality of pad members extends perpendicularly from the first plane to the second plane and is between 0.25 inches to 0.5 inches.
16. The nicking system according to claim 11, wherein the internal frame assembly comprises a planar rigid member and a foam layer adjacent to the planar rigid member.
17. A rucking system, comprising:
- a first plate having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a first length that extends from the first end to the second end, a first width that is perpendicular to the first length, a first thickness that is perpendicular to the first length and the first width, and a first weight, wherein the first length is greater than the first width and the first thickness; and
- a second plate having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a second length that extends from the first end of the second plate to the second end of the second plate, a second width that is perpendicular to the second length, a second thickness that is perpendicular to the second length and the second width, and a second weight that is the same as the first weight or greater than the first weight, wherein the second length is greater than the second width and the second thickness,
- wherein the first length of the first plate and the second length of the second plate are substantially the same and the first width of the first plate and the second width of the second plate are substantially the same, such that, when the first plate and the second plate are stacked adjacent to each other, the first and second plates slidingly fit in an internal pocket volume of a pocket inside a nicking article.
18. The nicking system according to claim 17, wherein the first plate has a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the second plate has a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein when the first plate and the second plate are stacked adjacent to each other to form a plate assembly, an entirety of the first ends of the first and second plates are coplanar, an entirety of the second ends of the first and second plates are coplanar, an entirety of the first sides of the first and second plates are coplanar, and an entirety of the second sides of the first and second plates are coplanar.
19. The nicking system according to claim 17, wherein the first plate has a first through hole and a second through hole located at or near first and second ends of the first plate, respectively, wherein the first and second through holes of the first plate extend along the first thickness, wherein the second plate further has a first through hole and a second through hole located at or near opposed ends of the second plate, wherein the first and second through holes of the second plate extend along the second thickness, and dimensions of the first and second through holes of the first plate are different from dimensions of the first and second through holes of the second plate.
20. The nicking system according to claim 17, wherein the first width extends from a first side to a second side of the first plate, wherein the first length is about 11.5 inches and the first width is about 9 inches.
21. The nicking system according to claim 19, wherein the first and second through holes of the first plate are positioned a distance that is closer to the first end and the second end, respectively, of the first plate, than a distance from the first and second through holes to a centerline of the first plate, wherein the centerline is equidistant between the first end and the second end, and is parallel to the first width of the first plate.
22. The nicking system according to claim 21, wherein the first and second through holes of the second plate are positioned a distance that is closer to the first end and the second end, respectively, of the second plate, than a distance from the first and second through holes to a centerline of the second plate, wherein the centerline is equidistant between the first end and the second end, and is parallel to the second width of the second plate.
23. The nicking system according to claim 17, wherein the first weight of the first plate is 10 lbs., and the second weight of the second plate is 20 lbs.
24. The nicking system according to claim 17, further comprising a nicking article having the pocket, wherein the pocket is inside the nicking article and is further sized to slidingly receive the first and second plates when stacked together.
25. The nicking system according to claim 17, further comprising a nicking article, the nicking article having:
- a base;
- a top spaced from the base;
- lateral sides that extend from the base toward the top;
- a front panel coupled to the base;
- a back panel coupled to the base, the top, and the lateral sides, the back panel having an exterior side, an interior side opposite the exterior side, a height that extends from the base to the top, and a width that is perpendicular to the height;
- a plurality of pad members on the exterior side that extend across the width of the back panel;
- a lumbar support member located between the plurality of pad members and the base, wherein the lumbar support member has a thickness that is greater than a thickness of any one of the plurality of pad members;
- a closure that removably couples the front panel to the top and at least a portion of each of the lateral sides, such that the closure is configured to permit access to an interior of the nicking article;
- a pocket assembly coupled to the interior side of the back panel, the pocket assembly having at least the pocket with a pocket width, a pocket length that is perpendicular to the pocket width, a pocket depth that is perpendicular to the pocket width and the pocket length, and a closure flap, wherein the pocket length, pocket width and pocket depth define the internal pocket volume;
- an internal frame assembly inside a compartment of the back panel, the internal frame assembly extending from the base to the top within the compartment, such that, the internal frame assembly provides rigid support to the back panel along an entirety of the height of the back panel and the width of the back panel; and
- shoulder straps configured to secure the nicking article to a wearer.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 14, 2022
Publication Date: Sep 29, 2022
Applicant: GORUCK Holdings, LLC (Jacksonville Beach, FL)
Inventors: Jason Jerome MCCARTHY (Jacksonville Beach, FL), Michael J. WALTHER (Jacksonville Beach, FL), James Alex EMERSON (Jacksonville Beach, FL)
Application Number: 17/839,985