Patent Application
20200129801
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The field of the present inventive concept relates generally to methods and equipment utilized to accomplish weight and strength training. The system discloses “fillable” free weights comprising an assortment of hollow containers whose individual weights may be adjusted, from a maximum filled weight to an absolute minimum weight, the minimum being equal to the weight of the container itself. Correspondingly, when the container(s) are emptied, they may be compressed to a significantly smaller volume and lighter weight, making storage and/or transportation much more convenient.
The following documents contain information and material that, in certain circumstances, resembles the disclosures of the present inventive concept.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,009: Baker, P. (Nov. 2, 1982) A water-filled weight exercise bag having two compartments, one surrounding the lower leg and the other surrounding the foot, with a lace for retaining the bag in place, located under the foot and along the back of the leg. The adjustable lace allows the bag to be filled with differing weights of water to accommodate the particular weight required. The two compartments are connected by a portion for fluid communication there-between and which provide a hinge so that one of the compartments may be flexed out of the general plane of the other compartment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,952; Bronstein, et al: (Oct. 19, 1999): A portable aquatic/land weight training system and method comprises a plurality of collapsible weight chamber members. Each of the collapsible weight chamber members includes a pair of flexible end members joined by first and second flexible band members forming a water- and air-tight chamber. The first band member forms an opening through the collapsible weight chamber member. The opening has a diameter D so as to pass a bar therethrough. Each weight chamber has a water valve and water valve closure member for tilling the weight member with water and an air valve and air valve closure member for filling the weight chamber member with air. Each chamber is presized so that when completely filled with water it achieves a predetermined weight, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 5 lbs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,555; Kinback, S. (Nov. 21, 2000): Disclosed is a variable weight exercise bag to be used by a person for weight lifting and physical fitness. The device includes a flexible main compartment with a resealable opening and convenient handles. The device is designed to hold weight bearing materials which provide the resistance required for physical exercise. The size, shape and materials of construction of the device make it suitable for a wide variety of aerobic and strength training exercises. When the device is empty it is very light and occupies minimal space.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,758,795 B2; Barber, S. (Jul. 6, 2004); A readily portable dumbell or barbell for exercising and weight training is provided in which weight units on an elongated handle comprise front and rear end plates interconnected by a collapsible/expandible fluid receptacle in the form of a resilient bellows. The weight unit is lengthened and expanded when fluid is added and is shortened and decreased in volume when fluid is removed. Calibration means are provided for visually indicating the weight of the unit corresponding to the longitudinal spacing between the front and end plates of the unit. In a preferred embodiment, a visually readable measurement of weight is provided by means for a graduated bar insert which extends slidably within the hollow handle of the dumbell or barbell and moves therealong with expansion or contraction of the water-filled bellows.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,211,031 B1: Soloviev, O. (May 1, 2007); A portable exercise system for providing convenient weight training and exercise equipment. The portable exercise system includes a main housing assembly having at least one bladder member designed for being filled with water to provide weight; and a coupling assembly operationally coupled to the main housing assembly, the coupling assembly being designed for selectively securing the main housing assembly to a torso of a user.
U.S. Published Patent Application #2017/0021221 A1; Hamada, M. (Jan. 26, 2017); Disclosed is a versatile exercise apparatus which is portable and provides adjustable volume to weight ratio for multi-purpose weight, cardio, sport-specific, and martial arts training. Versatile exercise apparatus provides a user with the ability to adjust volume to weight ratio using a waterproof tillable cavity. The different markings on the transparent viewing window of the apparatus allow a user to vary the difficulty level of workouts by changing the corresponding weight of either water or sand added to the apparatus. Versatility is provided by the apparatus either being used as a backpack or a hand-held free weight, or a punching bag.
The inventive concept presented is a fitness training system which features an assortment of different-sized containers which may be filled with variable quantities of a liquid. In the preferred embodiment, the liquid being water 2. In this manner, a user may choose from a selection of various containers, and proceed to fill the container with an appropriate volume of water 2 for creating a desired total weight of water 2 within the container. In that manner, the user may lift and maneuver the container to exercise a particular muscle or grouping of muscles.
All references to the term, “water” 2 in this disclosure are strictly for exemplary purposes. Further, the term water 2 will refer to readily available tap water which is obtainable in practically all residential, public, and commercial buildings and locations.
The disclosure, entitled “Liquid Weight Training System,” is referred to in this document with the acronym, “LWTS” 1. The LWTS 1 provides a system of variably-sized containers, each of which is finable with water 2, and further, after filling, maneuverable such as, to be lifted for anaerobic muscle resistance training by a user.
The LWTS 1 is a revolutionary concept having specific advantages, the primary objective being a method of enhancing the health and fitness of a user. Practically all free-weight training systems require a certain amount of floor space, stationary support mechanisms, rigid weights, and usually are limited in the manner in which the amount of weight used on a particular exercise device may be adjusted. Another objective is to provide effective training and strengthening of a person's stabilizer muscles.
This rigidness and inflexibility of most free-weight training systems have forced many fitness enthusiasts to compromise their workout consistency. However, consistency in weight training is a key factor of substantial and sustained development.
Another object of the LWTS 1 system is to provide an inherently simple method of packing the weight containers 6-10 for transportation and, as necessary, relatively easy storage. While many types of fitness equipment are suitable for working various muscle groups, LWTS 1 is a free-weight system that features one, or a plurality of, closeable containers, any of which a user fills with water 2 from any nearby water source. Therefore, a workout using the LWTS 1 system, may be accomplished almost anywhere the user travels and finds standing room to work out.
Typical locations would include a residence, the rear of a truck or cargo vehicle, a hotel room, or various types of commercial buildings. A user need only unpack one or more specific collapsed containers 6-10, un-do a secure seal to the opening of the container, then fill with the appropriate amount of water 2, the volume of water 2 corresponding to an amount of weight (10, 20, 30, 40, or higher amounts of pounds). The user then replaces the seal mechanism to close the corresponding opening of each weight container that he/she intends to use, and begins the workout.
The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling nine figures, show the basic components, and functions of embodiments and/or methods of use. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures.
The discussion of the present inventive concept will be initiated with
As an example of the weight bearing capacity of any of the containers 6-10, a reasonable maximum weight of water 2 to load into the first container 6 may be 60 pounds, which is equivalent to 7.202 gallons of water 2. This figure is arrived at, based on the density of room temperature water 2 being 8.33 pounds per gallon. Thus, the applicable formula is w=8.33(g), where w equals the weight of water and g is the volume, in gallons. There is not necessarily a restricted fixed weight or individual weight(s) that any container 6-10 may be limited to. Water, as the preferred liquid, is placed into the container, preferably by means of a common water hose having a nozzle connected to a spigot, and the opposite end of the hose being placed into the aperture 25 (shown in
As an illustrative notation, the next smaller-dimensioned container, entitled, a “second container” 7 may be fabricated so as to hold an amount of water 2, in gallons, equivalent to 50 pounds. The structure and components of the second container 7 are also exemplified by
Correspondingly, a third container 8 may be sized and structured, for exemplary purposes only, to contain a volume of water 2 equivalent to 35 pounds; a fourth container 9 may be structured to contain a volume of water equivalent to 25 pounds, while an embodiment of a fifth container 10 may be fabricated to contain 10 pounds of water when filled to capacity.
Further depicted in
Straps and adjustable fastening mechanisms are used in conjunction with each container 6-10. The preferred embodiment of the adjustable fastening mechanism used on every size container 6-10 comprises a female connector 15 and a male connector 16, the male connector 16 having prongs 37 which are insertable into corresponding openings within the female connector 15. Other types and constructions of adjustable fastening mechanisms are also useable with the LWTS 1.
The preferred embodiment of the straps used in conjunction with the above-described adjustable fastening mechanisms comprises a first fixed strap 11 and a second fixed strap 12. The first and second fixed straps 11, 12 are symmetrically and permanently bonded, to the outer surface of the particular container 6-10 upon which it is used. The bonded segment of each first and second fixed strap 11, 12, have, at each end, the female connector 15 attached thereto.
In
Each end of two first and second free straps 13, 14 manifests a male connector 16 attached thereto. With this arrangement, the female and male adjustable fasteners 15, 16 are utilized to securely join the first fixed strap 11 with the continuation of its first free strap 13, and likewise, join the second fixed strap 12 with its second free strap 14. The fastening mechanisms, consisting of the female connector 15 and corresponding male connector 16, are joined together in close proximity to the third side 34 of each of the containers 6-10. This configuration renders the third side 34 the useable as the location where the pad 17 forming the handle stabilizer 36 and also the handle grip 35 are arranged. This placement provides some degree of container contact, balancing, and leverage against the third side 34 by the hands and gripping actions of a user.
Thus, the two adjustable fasteners 15, 16, allow a user to fasten the identical combinations of the first fixed strap 11 hooked to its first free strap 13, along with the second fixed strap 12 hooked to its second free strap 14. A pad 17, having a separable outer surface 18 and an inner surface 19 (as shown in
When the pad 17 is used in conjunction with either the first free strap 13 and/or the second free strap 14 this combination functions in the capacity of a stabilizer handle 36. The stabilizer handle 36 thereby provides a cushioning protection for the hand of a user grasping it. If a user options to perform workouts without the cushioning of the pad 17, the user grasps the first free strap 13 and/or the second free strap 14 merely in the function of a handle grip 35.
As stated earlier, the female and male adjustable fasteners 15, 16 are utilized to securely join the first fixed straps 11, 12 with their corresponding first free strap 13 and second free strap 14. This enables the adjustment of the tension or clearance of either the handle grip 35, and/or handle stabilizer 36 respectively, before or during a strength workout.
In viewing
Referring to
Once the user finishes their workout, he/she can easily and quickly individually unseal each container 6-10 that was used, pour the water out, dry the interior of each container 6-10, then compress and store the containers 6-10 in a convenient location until the next workout. When initiating a workout, a user should choose at least one container(s) 6-10 which has the volumetric dimensions equivalent, when filled with water, to the desired weight needed for the workout envisioned. The user selects the time and place that is suitable for accomplishing the workout.
An important objective of the present inventive concept is that the LWTS 1 be designed and constructed to keep a person's body engaged by also incorporating the body's “stabilizer” muscles.
The stabilizer muscles are an important aspect of fitness training and athletic performance. Fitness enthusiasts attempt to keep their workouts varied and adding extra elements of instability. Working out with a Swiss Ball accomplishes this, or also performing one-handed or one-legged exercises. Another example is where executing the identical exercise with a dumbbell in each hand, a user is forced to incorporate several smaller, non-primary muscles in his/her chest and arms to keep the exercise functioning, without becoming unbalanced and possibly falling forward, backwards, or to the side.
Athletes rarely move their bodies in just a single plane. While performing an activity, they are continuously bending, turning, pushing, pulling, stopping, starting, and/or jumping at various angles, speeds and directions. To do those movements efficiently and injury-free, the athletes' stabilizer muscles must function correctly. This is where the LWTS system is effective, in that the handle grip 35, used in conjunction with the handle stabilizer 36, forces a user to exercise in a manner that incorporates stabilizer muscles.
While preferred embodiments of the present inventive method have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Such variations, changes, and substitutions may involve other features which are already known per se and which may be used instead of, in combination with, or in addition to features already disclosed herein. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, as described by the scope of the claims presented herein.
