US20040221355A1

US20040221355A1 - Two piece full body weighted swimsuit

Info

Publication number: US20040221355A1
Application number: US10/434,310
Authority: US
Inventors: Fernando Garcia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-08
Filing date: 2003-05-08
Publication date: 2004-11-11

Abstract

This invention is a two-piece full body weighted swimsuit to be used solely for competitive swimmers as a tool for training. The weighted swimsuit is equipped with permanent and removable weights encased in pockets. These pockets are distributed evenly throughout the suit to allow full range of motion. The weighted swimsuit will create more resistance and drag, therefore, making the swimming experience more difficult. Swimming with the extra weight can increase endurance and body mass. Physically the swimmers feel lighter after using the weighted swimsuit. A combination zipper-Velcro closes the torso portion of the suit to a tight fit and the extra option of only using the Velcro enclosure to provide a quick release mechanism. An elastic fiber band at the waist of the lower body portion of the suit will provide support coupled with an internal draw cord to tighten the suit and keep it in place.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a two-piece full body weighted swimsuit designed as training equipment for the serious competitive swimmer. The weighted swimsuit adds resistance and drag increasing the difficulty of the swimming experience. The extra effort exerted by the swimmer, due to the use of the weighted swimsuit, helps develop endurance and body mass. The invention will induce a positive psychological response creating a feeling of lightness when swimming after using the weighted swimsuit. This swimsuit is not to be used in competitions or in recreational swimming. By utilizing the weighted swimsuit in the training program, higher levels of performance and endurance will be achieved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of all swimmers is to top their previous performance in competition. They train daily, sometimes twice a day, to accomplish their goals. All members of swimming teams around the world, no matter the level of competition, regularly wear lightweight swimsuits during their training sessions in the pool. These swimsuits are design to be tight briefs weighing several ounces. Some swimmers use two or three swimsuits at the same time to increase drag and psychologically respond with a greater physical effort.

As a young swimmer the coach would make me wear old jeans and a long sleeve sweater while swimming to increase the weight towed and dragged in the water. The two-piece full body weighted swimsuit was inspired by the basic idea of swimming with clothes on to make the swim more difficult. This invention replaces the old jeans and sweater with a two-piece swimsuit, equipped with weights, that feels snugly tight and natural to the body. It also includes several removable weights to increase or decrease the amount of pounds dragged. When used in training, the weighted swimsuit increases the fatigue level at a greater rate than regular swimsuits. This invention proposes a swimsuit with ten to thirty pounds of weight that is securely sewn to reinforced fabric. Traditional training programs for swimmers do not include weighted swimsuits like the one just mentioned. This weighted swimsuit maximizes the drag and the resistance while swimming for the purpose of developing higher levels of endurance and body mass. In this regard, this invention is unique and promises to change the swimming industry as new equipment and as an integral part of the training program to enhance swimmer's performance.

Other full body swimsuits are designed to reduce resistance and increase swimmer's performance in competition. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,484,319; “Full body swimsuit”; Inventors: Fusco, Ciro (Portland, Oreg.); Bohn, Armin (Numberg, Del.); Filed: Feb. 24, 2000. Our invention, the two-piece full body weighted swimsuit, was designed to increase resistance and to be used during training in the pool, not for competitions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By properly utilizing this invention, the swimmer can build endurance, gain body mass, enhance swimming performance and help achieve overall better health.

The present invention counter acts the traditional light swimsuit by adding weights to a swimsuit and facilitating a new strategy for training swimmers. The weights are evenly distributed throughout the swimmer's body by means of pockets. The pockets can be made of neoprene material and sewn to cross sectional reinforced layers of polyester, nylon and spandex. Each pocket is positioned were the larger muscles of the body naturally grow and follows the shape of the body. This invention offers an option of pockets with Velcro enclosure to facilitate the replacement of weights to the desire amount of pounds. This option allows the swimmers to adjust the weight of the swimsuit to fit the training needs.

The upper torso portion of the two-piece full body swimsuit also features a combination zipper-Velcro enclosure to ensure a tight fit. This zipper-Velcro enclosure also serves as a quick release mechanism when using the Velcro only. The lower portion of the weighted swimsuit has an elastic waistband coupled with an internal draw cord to keep the suit in place. The weighted swimsuit can have a variable weight of 10 to 30 pounds depending on the size and development of the swimmer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the two-piece full body weighted swimsuit illustrating the even distribution of the weighted pockets. [0008]
FIG. 2 is a back view of the two-piece full body weighted swimsuit illustrating the distribution of the weighted pockets. [0009]
FIG. 3 is a front view of the upper torso portion of the present invention with an enlarged sectional view of the combination zipper-Velcro enclosure. [0010]
FIG. 4 is a front view of the lower body portion of the present invention illustrating the elastic waistband and the internal draw cord that secures the suit in place. [0011]
FIG. 5 is an open view of the torso portion of the present invention showing the inside of the swimsuit with an enlarged view of the Velcro pocket enclosure that allows replacement of the weights. [0012]
FIG. 6 is a view of the weight device that fits into the pockets with Velcro enclosure.[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The two-piece full body weighted swimsuit will be discussed in the context of serious competitive swimmers that belong to any swim team. This invention is a means to enhance performance in competition. [0014]
FIG. 1 depicts a frontal view of the two-piece full body weighted swimsuit. As illustrated, the pockets are positioned in the areas were the larger muscles of the body grow. Most of these pockets contain weights (1 to 5 pounds each) that are permanently sewn between a neoprene material produced by 3M company. This material produces temperature insulation with its ability to maintain air space when immersed in water. Neoprene also provides flotation for swimmers security. The larger pockets (FIG. 5 chest and back pockets) will include an opening with a Velcro enclosure, to facilitate the replacement of weights. The pockets of FIG. 1 are sewn to cross sectional reinforced layers of polyester, nylon and spandex. About five percent of the suit will be made of elastic fibers. [0015]
The torso portion of the weighted swimsuit contains a combination zipper-Velcro enclosure in its front. See FIG. 3. This provides two locks for a tight fit to keep the weights from bouncing and banging the body. This enclosure also provides a quick release mechanism when closing the upper portion only using the Velcro, without the zipper. By closing the torso portion of the swimsuit only with the Velcro, the suit can be easily discarded. The zipper part can be made of plastic sewn with the Velcro to the front side of the weighted swimsuit. [0016]
FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the waist area containing an elastic waist band coupled with the internal draw cord that provides extra tightness to keep the suit from sliding. [0017]
The weight device of the swimsuit can be made of a gel or foam rubber material imbedded with pieces of metal type material. The metals can also be covered with plastic or other flexible material that prevents corroding. The flexibility of the gel covering the weights allows the molding of the weight device to resemble the natural shape of the muscles. By shaping the weights like the muscles the swimsuit has a natural feel permitting free movements of the arms, legs and body as a whole. FIG. 6 illustrates the weight device. [0018]
The polyester, nylon, spandex and elastic fibers also compliment the weighted swimsuit to allow the easy use and movements of the limbs while swimming. [0019]
The purpose of this invention is to provide a new training device that will help the serious competitive swimmers build higher levels of endurance and strength with the goal enhancing performance in competitions. If used appropriately during training sessions, the swimmer will experience a physical advantage of feeling lighter in weight when swimming after using the weighted swimsuit. This advantage is one that modern swimmers do without. [0020]

Claims

We claim:

1. A two-piece full body weighted swimsuit design as a training tool for the serious competitive swimmer.

2. The swimming suit of claim 1 can weigh from 10 lbs. to 30 lbs. depending on the size and level of the swimmer.

3. The swimming suit of claim 1 increases the muscular force exerted by the swimmer building endurance and muscular mass.

4. The weighted swimsuit of claim 1 contains pockets that hold permanent and removable weights tight in place to avoid bouncing and banging against the body.

5. The pockets of claim 4 can be made of neoprene material helping in insulation and flotation.

6. The pockets with removable weight of claim 4 have a Velcro enclosure for easy access to change the weights at will.

7. The pockets of claim 4 are positioned where the larger muscles of the body naturally grow, therefore evenly distributing the weights throughout the body.

8. The pockets of claim 4 are sewn to reinforced cross sectional layers of polyester, nylon and spandex to allow easy movements of the limbs and body.

9. The swimsuit of claim 1 contains a weight which can be composed of metals mixed with a gel solution, plastic or foam rubber and shaped following the curves of the muscle it lays upon.

10. The weights of claim 9 vary approximately 1 to 5 pounds depending upon where they are positioned in the swimsuit.

11. The front of the torso portion of the suit of claim 1 closes with a combination zipper and Velcro enclosure to ensuring a tight fit.

12. The Velcro enclosure of claim 11 serves as a quick release mechanism used without enclosing the zipper.

13. The lower body portion of the suit of claim 1 has a combination elastic waistband and an internal draw cord to tighten and keep the suit in position.

14. The weighted swimsuit of claim 1 can be the first of its kind to emerge. It compliments the other training equipment and techniques used by coaches all over the world to help swimmers enhance their performance.