US20090291813A1

US20090291813A1 - Weighted training pad

Info

Publication number: US20090291813A1
Application number: US12/472,025
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Mueller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-26
Filing date: 2009-05-26
Publication date: 2009-11-26

Abstract

A weighted training pad for insertion into garments with pockets, cavities, or other devices with which to hold the weighted training pad. In one aspect, the garments are configured for use with multiple weighted training pads. It is contemplated that the garments are to include, but by no means be limited to, football pants, baseball pants, and the like.

Description

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/056,061 filed on May 26, 2008.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Presented herein is an athletic pad. In particular, a weighted athletic pad is presented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In sports, athletes are always looking for a training edge. Sports like football and hockey, for example, make use of pads inserted into garments to protect athletes from impact. These pads are generally lightweight and protective, to provide protection without weighing the athlete down unnecessarily.
While their garments are lightweight, athletes often use weighted objects to strengthen their bodies. These objects include, but are not limited to ankle weights, dumbbells and other training weights, as well as resistance machines.

SUMMARY

Presented herein is a weighted training pad for insertion into garments with pockets, cavities, or other devices with which to hold the weighted training pad. In one aspect, the garments are configured for use with multiple weighted training pads. It is contemplated that the garments are to include, but by no means be limited to, football pants, baseball pants, and the like.
In one aspect, the weighted training pad comprises a body defining at least one cavity therein. The body comprises an external shell comprising a substantially pliant material. In another aspect, the weighted training pad comprises at least one weighted insert configured to be positioned within the cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one aspect of a weighted pad, showing a weighted insert substantially within the interior of a pad.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the weighted pad of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one aspect of a weighted pad, showing a plurality of cavities defined therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is more particularly described in the following exemplary aspects that are intended as illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The exemplary aspects are now described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.
Before the present articles, compositions, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific articles, devices, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a pad” includes aspects having two or more such pads unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Presented herein is a weighted training pad 10 for insertion into garments with pockets, cavities, or other devices with which to hold the weighted training pad. In one aspect, the garments are configured for use with multiple weighted training pads 10. It is contemplated that the garments are to include, but by no means be limited to, football pants, baseball pants, and the like. Additionally, it is also contemplated that the garment may have the weighted training pad pre-sewn into the pocket or cavity, thereby making the weighted training pads substantially permanent therein.
In one aspect, the weighted training pad 10 comprises a body 100 defining at least one cavity 110 therein. The body 100 comprises an external shell 120 comprising a substantially pliant material, such as but not limited to ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, or other protective foam-like material. In one aspect, the body comprises a lightweight composite material and may be covered with a breathable mesh top and soft polymer backing.
In another aspect, the weighted training pad comprises at least one weighted insert 130 configured to be positioned within the cavity 110. In one aspect, the weighted insert 130 is enclosed within the cavity during manufacturing for permanent placement. In yet another aspect, the weighted insert is selectively inserted into the cavity, where the cavity has an opening. It is contemplated that there may be a plurality of cavities and a plurality of weighted inserts. The weighted inserts 130 may comprise varying amounts of the dense material, so that the user may interchange weighted inserts for varying weight and/or resistance. It is contemplated, for instance, that weights may range anywhere from a few ounces to a few pounds. For instance, they may weigh from about 2 ounces to about 5 pounds. In another aspect, they may weigh from about 3 ounces to about 2 pounds. They may, for example, all weigh the same, or they may have varying weights. Additionally, the cavity 110 may comprise means for keeping the weighted insert therein, such as any conventional lid or cover.
In one configuration, the weighted inserts comprise a dense material, such as but not limited to lead. In another aspect, the weighted inserts 130 may be substantially wrapped with a protective coating, such as, for example, a thermoplastic with a low coefficient of friction to enable easy insertion and removal from the at least one cavity.
The protective and weighted pads may be used in sports, such as football, for the purposes of low impact contact drills and resistance training. They are designed for both weighted resistance and protection against trauma. As mentioned herein above, they may comprise the size and shape of standard football pads, with thigh inserts, and hip and knee inserts that may be placed into standard football pants.
In another aspect, the pads 10 may have a padded, hard shell 120 that has a coated exterior similar to standard football pads. They may be slightly bulkier, or the standard size.
The garment may have pockets for receipt of the weight training pads. The pockets may be open, or they may have means for closing, such as a zipper, a button, or the like.
In use, the weighted training pads allow the user the benefit of weighted resistance training during low impact contact drills such as running, tackling and blocking plays for American Football. The weighted training pads may allow users at all levels to augment conditioning and resistance drills with a low cost, and safe form of resistance exercise. The padded protective shell 120 sets the weighted training pads apart from standard weighted inserts by allowing football players to partake in contact drills and weighted resistance exercise.
Although several aspects of the invention have been disclosed in the foregoing specification, it is understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications and other aspects of the invention will come to mind to which the invention pertains, having the benefit of the teaching presented in the foregoing description and associated drawings. It is thus understood that the invention is not limited to the specific aspects disclosed hereinabove, and that many modifications and other aspects are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are employed herein, as well as in the claims that follow, they are used only in a generic and descriptive sense, and not for the purposes of limiting the described invention.

Claims

1. A weighted training pad for insertion into a portion of a garment, comprising:

a body defining at least one cavity therein and having an external shell; and

at least on weighted insert configured to be positioned within the at least one cavity;

wherein the external shell is cushioned to protect the wearer from impact.

2. The weighted training pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one weighted insert comprises lead.

3. The weighted training pad of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a plurality of cavities and the at least one weighted insert comprises a plurality of weighted inserts.

4. The weighted training pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one cavity is substantially enclosed.

5. The weighted training pad of claim 1, wherein the shell comprises ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber.

6. The weighted training pad of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of weighted inserts is selectively removable from its respective cavity.

7. The weighted training pad of claim 3, wherein all of the weighted inserts are selectively removable from their respective cavities.

8. The weighted training pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one weighted insert weighs from about 1 ounce to about 5 pounds.

9. The weighted training pad of claim 1, wherein the at least one weighted insert weighs from about 3 ounces to about 2 pounds.

10. The weighted training pad of claim 3, wherein each of the weighted inserts weighs from about 1 ounce to about 5 pounds.

11. The weighted training pad of claim 10, wherein all of the weighted inserts are substantially the same weight.