Patent Application
20200384308
The present invention relates generally to a wearable resistance exercise garment and method of resistance exercise. More so, the present invention relates to a wearable athletic garment that provides a pair of resilient pants for exercise that have elastic band extending from the ankle that a wearer can grasp at the free ends to pull the elastic bands in a first direction for exercising the upper body, and toning the legs with resistance training; whereby the pants further including a pocket at the ankle for concealing the elastic bands when not in use; and whereby a pair of stirrup loop straps at the ankles that receive the feet to counterbalance the first direction pull on the elastic bands, so as to cause the muscles to contract against an external resistance with the expectation of increases in strength, tone, mass, and endurance.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
It is known in the art that the core muscles of the body include: the abdominal muscles (transverse abdomens, rectus abdomens, internal oblique, and external oblique), hip flexor, gluteus muscle groups, and thoracic cavity musculature. Typically, athletes and non-athletes attempt to optimize the targeting of specific muscle groups in an efficient manner. There are exercise machines that target all of the muscles that comprise the core of the body, the core of the body being the center for all limb and trunk movements. Such exercise machines target the core muscles are useful because they enhance resistance to injuries while improving the user's balance, coordination, agility, and speed. Further, portable resistance devices are known in the art, but none have specifically targeted the inner most regions of the body, more specifically, the core muscles of the body.
Typically, athletic wear is donned for participating in sports and physical exercise, for practical, comfort or safety reasons. Typical sport-specific garments include tracksuits, shorts, T-shirts, and polo shirts. An athletic wear garment is designed for efficient resistance training and exercise. Those skilled in the art will recognize that resistance, or strength training is a type of physical exercise specializing in the use of resistance to induce muscular contraction which builds the strength, anaerobic endurance, and size of skeletal muscles. The resilient, form-fitting pants, and the elastic bands work together to create a synergy for the resistance training.
Other proposals have involved resistance training equipment and garments. The problem with these exercise devices is that they do not combine the advantages of the garment with the resistance equipment. Also, the resistance bands cannot be concealed when not in use. Even though the above cited resistance training equipment and garments meet some of the needs of the market, a wearable resistance exercise garment and method of resistance exercise that provides a pair of resilient pants for exercise that have elastic band extending from the ankle that a wearer can grasp at the free ends to pull the elastic bands in a first direction for exercising the upper body, and toning the legs with resistance training; whereby the pants further including a pocket at the ankle for concealing the elastic bands when not in use; and whereby a pair of stirrup loop straps at the ankles that receive the feet to counterbalance the first direction pull on the elastic bands, so as to cause the muscles to contract against an external resistance with the expectation of increases in strength, tone, mass, and endurance, is still desired.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to a wearable resistance exercise garment and method of resistance exercise. The wearable athletic garment provides a pair of stretchy material athletic pants that have fixedly attached elastic bands at the ankle ends that allow a wearer to perform resistance exercises without additional equipment; whereby the wearer pulls one end of the bands in a first direction to generate an external resistance force that is counterbalanced by the weight and feet of the wearer.
In one embodiment, the wearable athletic garment provides a pair of resilient athletic pants for exercise that have elastic band extending from the ankle. The wearer can grasp at the free ends of the elastic bands to pull the elastic bands in a first direction for exercising the upper body, and toning the legs with resistance training. The athletic pants further including a pair of pockets at the ankle ends for concealing the elastic bands when not in use. A pair of stirrup loop straps at the ankles receive the feet to counterbalance the first direction pull on the elastic bands. This generated external resistance force causes the muscles to contract against an external resistance with the expectation of increases in strength, tone, mass, and endurance.
In one aspect, an athletic wear garment with concealable elastic workout band, comprises:
In a second aspect, the upper waist section is defined by a wide, foldable band.
In another aspect, the openings in the ankle ends enable passage of the ankles and the feet.
In another aspect, the stirrup loop straps receive the feet.
In another aspect, the feet prevent the ankle ends from moving in the first direction and help counterbalance the external resistance force generated by pulling the elastic bands in the first direction.
In another aspect, the hook and loop fastener strap regulates the snugness of the ankle ends around the ankles.
In another aspect, the ankle ends comprise a bottom hem, the bottom hem forming a tunnel.
In another aspect, the hook and loop fastener strap is sewn inside the tunnel that forms through the bottom hem of the ankle ends.
In another aspect, the fastenable pockets are disposed longitudinally with the legs of the pants.
In another aspect, the exercise pants further comprising a fastening mechanism operable with the fastenable pockets, the fastening mechanism regulating access to the inner cavity of the fastenable pockets.
In another aspect, the fastening mechanism closes the fastenable pockets when the elastic bands are inside the inner cavity.
In another aspect, the fastening mechanism comprises a zipper.
In another aspect, the first end of the elastic bands are fixedly attached to the pocket from inside the inner cavity.
In another aspect, the second end of the elastic bands terminate at a ring.
In another aspect, the elastic bands extend from the fastenable pocket to the upper waist section.
In another aspect, the pants, or the elastic bands, or both are double stitched.
In another aspect, the pants are athletic training pants.
In another aspect, the stretchable surface includes at least one of the following: a Ponte Roma material, a blend of cotton, lycra spandex, nylon, polyester, wool, and a light and stretchy synthetic material.
In another aspect, the fastening mechanism is a 7″ zipper.
In another aspect, the pocket is blended into the pants.
In another aspect, the garment is double stitched.
One objective of the present invention is to provide a pair of stretchy material athletic pants that have fixedly attached elastic bands at the ankle ends that allow a wearer to perform resistance exercises without additional equipment; whereby the wearer pulls one end of the bands in a first direction to generate an external resistance force that is counterbalanced by the weight and feet of the wearer.
An exemplary objective is to provide elastic bands that integrate into a pair of athletic pants for resistance training.
Yet another objective is to enable the elastic bands to be concealed in the pockets at the ankle ends of the pant legs.
Another objective is to provide a machine washable pants.
Yet another objective is to provide elastic bands having sufficient length to enable a variety of resistance exercises.
Another objective is to provide an aesthetic athletic warm up pants.
An exemplary objective is to provide an inexpensive to manufacture athletic wear garment having elastic bands for resistance training.
Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
A wearable resistance exercise garment and method of resistance exercise is referenced in
Looking at
As illustrated in
In one embodiment, upper waist section 104 may utilize double materials, or may have an additional elastic piece integrated therein to provide greater snugness around the waist. In some embodiments, upper waist section 104 may be 5 ½″ wide. Though in other embodiments, other sizes may also be used.
Ankle ends at the terminus of the pant legs are sized and dimensioned to form openings that enable passage of the ankles and the feet. Ankle ends comprise a bottom hem 128 that folds, and in some embodiments, forms a tunnel 134. Hem 128, may be double stitched and create an ornamental, designer effect to pants. Tunnel 134 that forms in hem is useful for retaining a hook and loop fastener strap, as described below.
In some embodiments of garment 100, a hook and loop fastener strap 110a, 110b is sewn at each ankle end 126a, 126b of pants 102.
As shown in
Garment 100 may further include a pair of fastenable pockets 112a, 112b that are integral with the ankle ends of the pants. In one non-limiting embodiment, the fastenable pockets being disposed longitudinally with the legs of the pants. The fastenable pockets are defined by an inner cavity. A fastening mechanism is operable with the fastenable pockets, for opening and closing the inlet in the fastenable pockets. The fastening mechanism regulates access to the inner cavity of the fastenable pockets.
Looking at the rear view of garment 100, shown in
A primary component of the present invention are a pair of elastic bands 118a-b operable with pants 102, and configured for resistance training. Elastic bands 118a, 118b are integral to the pants 102, working to create a synergy with the pants 102 for optimal resistance training. It is significant to note that elastic bands 118a, 118b are also useful for physical therapy, specifically by convalescents of muscular injuries, including cardiac rehab patients to allow slow rebuilding of strength.
In some embodiments, elastic bands 118a, 118b may be fabricated from synthetic rubber or natural rubber. Elastic bands 118a, 118b have a predefined resistance level to accommodate different resistances. In one alternative embodiment, elastic bands 118a, 118b are color coded to show different levels of resistance. Elastic bands 118a, 118b may be interchanged within pockets 112a-b to change the resistance level.
Elastic bands are defined by a first end 120 that is distal from the head of the wearer, and a free second end 122 that is proximal to the head of the wearer and graspable for pulling and manipulating for resistance training. First end 120 of elastic bands 118a-b fixedly attaches to the fastenable pockets.
In one possible embodiment, the second end 122 of elastic bands terminates at a ring that can be easily grasped by wearer while performing resistance exercises. Further, elastic bands are resilient, and thereby compactable into the fastenable pockets. This allows for convenient stowage and concealment of the elastic bands 118a-b, as described below. In one non-limiting embodiment, elastic bands 118a-b are double stitched. Elastic bands 118a, 118b may be defined by a large squared design at a lower section (from the knee down) for added fashion.
As
In exercise operation, elastic bands 118a-b are operable to be pulled in a first direction 500 towards the upper waist section. First direction 500 is defined as a vector from the ankle ends towards the upper waist section, or the head, or distally, from the wearer. In this manner, pulling the elastic bands in the first direction generates an external resistance force along the longitudinal of the elastic bands. The fixed attachment between the fastenable pockets and the first end of the elastic bands helps counterbalance the external resistance force generated by pulling the elastic bands in the first direction 500.
However, when not in use, elastic bands 118a-b are tucked into their respective pockets 112a-b.
Looking at
Looking back at
Stirrup loop straps 130a-b provide an anchor for the foot to create greater leverage, and thereby resistance, when pulling the bands. Stirrup loop straps 130a-b resist the directional force of the elastic bands being pulled in the first direction—in essence serving as an anchor. In some embodiments, stirrup loop straps 130a-b may be fabricated from a Ponte Roma material, a blend of cotton, lycra spandex, nylon, polyester, wool, a light and stretchy synthetic material, or a combination thereof.
In exercise operation,
For example, second end 122 of the band is pulled in the first direction 500, thereby generating an external resistance force along the longitudinal of the band. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this type of resistance training with elastic bands is possible because the elastic bands 118a, 118b work against the weight and muscle resistance of the legs 106a, 106b. Further, the length of the elastic bands 118a, 118b are not restrictive, but can stretch, fold, and wrap around the legs 106a, 106b, upper body, or exercise equipment. Further, the wearer can hold and manipulate the elastic bands 118a, 118b at a desired resistance position along their length to add or reduce resistance. Elastic bands 118a, 118b may be interchanged within pockets 112a-b to change the resistance level.
For example,
In conclusion, a wearable resistance exercise garment 100 and method of resistance exercise provides stretchy material athletic pants with a pair of elastic bands 118a-b attached at the ankle ends of the pants 102 for performing resistance exercises. In operation, the wearer pulls one end of the elastic bands in a first direction to generate an external resistance force that is counterbalanced by the weight of the wearer, and the fixed attachment to the ankle ends of the pants. Pants have an upper waist section and a pair of legs terminating at two ankle ends.
The ankle ends form openings that enable passage of the feet. A hook and loop fastener strap regulates the snugness around the ankle. A fastenable pocket forms at ankle ends. Elastic bands have a first end fixedly attach to the pocket, and a second end that can be grasped by the wearer. The bands are pulled in first direction and manipulated for resistance training. When not in use, the bands are tucked into their respective pockets and the pocket is closed with a pair of hook and loop fasteners.
At first end 1402 of length-adjustable, detachable elastic bands 1400a-b, the clip member 1406 detachably attaches elastic bands 1400a-b to an anchor member 1408 that anchors inside inner cavity 114 of pocket 112a-b—at ankle ends 126a-b of pants 102. In one non-limiting embodiment, anchor member 1408 comprises a metal hoop (
In some embodiments, a Step 1708 comprises adjusting, with a hook and loop fastener strap, the ankle ends of the pants to form a snug fit around the ankles of the wearer. A Step 1710 includes removing a pair of elastic bands from a pair of fastenable pockets in the ankle ends, the elastic bands defined by a free second end and a first end fixedly attached to the pockets. In some embodiments, a Step 1712 may include grasping the second end of the elastic bands. A Step 1714 comprises pulling the elastic bands in a first direction, whereby an external resistance force is generated along the longitudinal of the elastic bands. Method 1700 may further comprise a Step 1716 of compacting the elastic bands into the fastenable pockets. A final Step 1718 of method includes fastening closed, with a hook and loop fastener, the fastenable pocket.
Although the process-flow diagrams show a specific order of executing the process steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted from the process-flow diagrams for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all the process steps shown in the process-flow diagrams can be combined into a single process.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
