Neck Hanging Weight System

Abstract

A neck hanging weight system for strengthening and emphasizing posture of a user comprising a length of weighted material; a coupling mechanism; and a belt; wherein said length of weighted material loops around a neck of a user and hangs down a front of said user, and wherein said coupling mechanism removably attaches said length of material to said belt. A tubular pad encapsulates various portions of the length of weighted material for padded protection.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a neck weight system for use in areas where strengthening the upper back and neck would be desirable. More specifically, the present invention relates to a neck hanging weight system to allow a user to strengthen their neck and upper back musculature more efficiently and thoroughly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Weighted vests have been in use for more than fifteen years to treat the symptoms of persons affected by a variety of disabilities. Observations made by those practicing in the field have shown that the wearing of weighted vests has produced a calming and organizing effect on the wearer. Body awareness, smoothness of coordination and fluidity of movements are also improved. The typical vest has weights sewn into the lower portion, or placed in pockets at the lower portion in order to allow for different amounts of weight. Weighted vests typically distribute the weight evenly around the torso of the body, thus not allowing any one area to be worked or exercised to get stronger.

In the past, the use of weighted collars to accomplish similar effects has also gained popularity, and it appears that weighted collars have a greater effect than weighted vests in some persons. The typical collar has weights appended to the collar itself and the weights must be precisely placed to balance the collar.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a more efficient and thorough way to thoroughly exercise the upper back and neck of those people who are deficient in this area.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the problems cited above by providing a neck hanging weight system. The present invention is an apparatus designed to hang around the neck of a user and drape down the front where it connects to a belt. The apparatus comprises a length of material structured and arranged to form a circular loop, where a top portion of the loop is structured to fit over the head of a user and a bottom portion is fastened to a belt. The belt fits around the waist of the user to secure the apparatus against the front of the user's body preventing the length of material from swinging away while the user wears the neck hanging weight system apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The particular objects and features of the invention as well as the advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view photo of a NECK HANGING WEIGHT SYSTEM according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view photo of a user wearing the NECK HANGING WEIGHT SYSTEM according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the NECK HANGING WEIGHT SYSTEM according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing additional weights on the NECK HANGING WEIGHT SYSTEM according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing and other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention will be more readily understood upon consideration of the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the attached drawings, FIG. 1 shows the present invention is a neck hanging weight system 100 comprising a length of weighted material 110, a coupling mechanism 120, and a belt 130. The length of weighted material 110 is preferably looped around a neck of a user 140 and hangs down the front of the user's body. Preferably, the coupling mechanism 120 removably attaches the length of weighted material 110 to the belt 130.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the length of weighted material 110 is preferably flexible to allow the length of weighted material to drape across a user's 140 neck and shoulders. Preferably, the length of weighted material 110 is comprised of steel chain further comprising a plurality of connecting links. Smaller connecting links will result in a lower overall weight of the neck hanging weight system apparatus and larger connecting links will result in a greater overall weight.

In an alternate embodiment, the length of weighted material 110 may be comprised of a metallic cable or rope. In this alternate embodiment, the metallic cable or rope would be of sufficient thickness to provide weight resistance to the neck hanging weight system. Alternately, the length of material may be comprised of other materials not enumerated herein that provide significant mass.

As further shown in FIG. 1, at least one tubular pad 150 is preferably structured and arranged to encapsulate at least one portion of the length of weighted material 110. Preferably, the at least one tubular pad 150 encapsulates the length of weighted material 110 in the area that loops around the neck of the user 140 providing cushioning on the user's neck area, and the area along the front of the user's body. The tubular pad 150 is preferably a hollow foam tube where the inside diameter is large enough to fit over the length of weighted material 110. The thickness of the tubular pad 150 is preferably defined by the difference between the inner hollow tube and the outer diameter of the tubular pad. Preferably, the thickness of the tubular pad 150 is at least one-half inch (0.5″) to two inches (2″) to provide padding between the length of weighted material 110 and the user 140, allowing the neck hanging weight system to be worn comfortably for longer lengths of time. However, the tubular pad may comprise any thickness of padding material sufficient to provide padded protection to the user. Alternately preferably, the at least one tubular pad may continuously encircle all portions of the length of weighted material.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the length of weighted material 110 preferably hangs down in front of the user 140 and removably attaches to a belt 130. The belt 130 is preferably worn about the waist of the user and can be a normal belt used for holding pants up, or a separate belt such as a weightlifting belt. Alternately preferably, the belt 130 can be any length of material worn about the waist of the user to anchor the length of weighted material to the users body and prevent the length of weighted material from swinging away from the user's body.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the length of weighted material 110 is preferably removably attached to the belt 130 through the belt buckle 135. Alternately preferably, the length of weighted material is removably attached to any frontal area of the belt. Alternately preferably, the belt may further comprise a complementary receiving mechanism to receive the attachment mechanism attached to the length of weighted material.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the length of material 110 is preferably removably coupled to the belt 130 using a coupling device 120. The coupling device 120 is preferably a small hinged gate link, a quick link, a nut and bolt combination, or a second loop of material. Any type of fastener not mentioned herein may be used to fasten the length of weighted material 110 to the belt 130. A quick link is a chain link with a gate that opens using a threaded which tightens over a thread. The coupling device 120 may be comprised of other devices not enumerated herein that are structured and arranged to removably couple the length of weighted material 110 to the belt 130.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a removable connector 115 may be used to couple the length of weighted material together in front of the user at the chest. The removable connector 115 is preferably a small hinged gate link, a quick link, a nut and bolt combination, or a second loop of material. The removable connector 115 may be comprised of other devices not enumerated herein that are structured and arranged to removably connect the length of weighted material 110 together to make the hanging neck weight system more comfortable to wear for the user.

As shown in FIG. 3, the at least one tubular pad 150 further comprises at least one pad covering 155 structured and arranged to encircle various portions of the at least one tubular pad 150. The at least one pad covering 155 preferably covers the at least one tubular pad portion that rests across the back of the user's neck providing comfort to the user from the at least one tubular pad 150. The at least one pad covering 155 is preferably comprised of a vinyl material. However, other materials suitable for covering the at least one tubular pad may be used without limitation.

In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the neck hanging weight system 100 preferably further comprises at least one weight attachment 160 structured and arranged to removably attach at least one additional weight 165 to the length of weighted material 110 along the front of the user 140. The at least one additional weight 165 allows the user 140 to vary the resistance of the neck hanging weight system 100 while in use.

The at least one weight attachment 160 is preferably structured and arranged to easily add or remove the at least one additional weight 165 to the length of weighted material 110. The user couples the at least one weight attachment 160 onto the length of weighted material 110 then preferably attaches at least one additional weight 165 to the at least one weight attachment 160. The user can add as much, or as little, of the at least one additional weight 165 as they progress with using the neck hanging weight system 100.

In an alternate embodiment, the at least one additional weight 165 is structured to fit directly onto the length of weighted material 110 and is held in place by the at least one weight attachment 160. Preferably, the at least one additional weight 165 further comprises a center bore through which the length of weighted material 110 is threaded. In this alternate embodiment, the at least one weight attachment 160 is preferably coupled to the length of weight material 110 to prevent the at least one additional weight 165 from sliding up and down the length of weighted material 110.

In an alternate embodiment, the length of weighted material is structured to form a first loop and a second loop, where the first loop is structured to fit over a user's head and the second loop hangs down in front of the user. In this embodiment, the first loop is coupled to the second loop by a removable connector as described above. Preferably, the removable connector is located in front of the user in the chest area. The second loop is preferably removably coupled to a belt encircling the user's waist. The first loop and the second loop may be comprised of different materials, such as chain link and steel cable.

As described above in reference to the preferred embodiment, the length of weighted material is further comprised of a tubular pad encircling various portions of the first loop and the second loop. As described above, the tubular pad preferably encircles the first loop to provide padded protection to a user's neck. Additionally, the tubular pad preferably encircles the second loop to provide padded protection to the chest and belly of the user. Also, the tubular pad preferably further comprises a pad covering fully encapsulating the tubular pad.

Although the present invention has been described by way of example, it should be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist to specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred to in this specification.

Claims

1. A neck hanging weight system comprising: a length of weighted material,a coupling mechanism, anda belt;wherein said length of weighted material loops around a neck of a user and hangs down a front of said user; andwherein said coupling mechanism removably attaches said length of weighted material to said belt.

2. The neck hanging weight system of claim 1, further comprising a tubular pad structured and arranged to encapsulate said length of weighted material.

3. The neck hanging weight system of claim 2, further comprising a tubular pad covering structured and arranged to encapsulate said tubular pad.

4. The neck hanging weight system of claim 2, wherein said tubular pad is comprised of a foam rubber material.

5. The neck hanging weight system of claim 1, wherein said length of weighted material is further comprised of metal chain.

6. The neck hanging weight system of claim 1, wherein said length of weighted material is further comprised of metal cable.

7. The neck hanging weight system of claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism is a hinged gate device.

8. The neck hanging weight system of claim 1, wherein said length of weighted material further comprises a removable connector structured and arranged to removably couple said length of weighted material together across said front of said user.

9. A neck hanging weight system comprising: a length of weighted material, further comprising a first loop and a second loop, wherein said second loop is removably connected to said first loop;a coupling mechanism;at least one weight attachment;at least one additional weight; anda belt;wherein said first loop fits over a user's head and said second loop hangs down a front of said user,wherein said at least one weight attachment removably attaches said at least one additional weight to said second loop; andwherein said coupling mechanism removably attaches said second loop to said belt.

10. The neck hanging weight system of claim 9, further comprising a tubular pad structured and arranged to encapsulate said first loop and said second loop.

11. The neck hanging weight system of claim 10, further comprising a tubular pad covering structured and arranged to encapsulate said tubular pad

12. The neck hanging weight system of claim 10, wherein said tubular pad is comprised of a foam rubber material.

13. The neck hanging weight system of claim 9, wherein said length of weighted material is further comprised of chain.

14. The neck hanging weight system of claim 9, wherein said length of weighted material is further comprised of metal cable.

15. The neck hanging weight system of claim 9, wherein said coupling mechanism is a hinged gate device.

16. The neck hanging weight system of claim 9, wherein said belt is a weightlifting belt.

17. The neck hanging weight system of claim 9, wherein said first loop is comprised of a different material than said second loop.