Weight lifting support shirt

Abstract

A weight lifting support shirt is used to assist a lifter to perform workouts and includes a chest support portion, a shoulder support portion, an abdominal support portion, and a first and second arm support portions each including a sleeve portion. The chest support portion is configured to extend across a chest portion of the lifter from a first end to a second end. The first and second arm support portions extend from the first and second ends of the chest support portion, respectively. The shoulder support portion abuts and extends across boundaries of the first and second arm support portions, and the chest support portion. The first and second arm support portions are configured to conform around a first and a second arm of the lifter. The abdominal support portion extends below from the chest support portion and is configured to conform and fasten around the lifer's abdomen.

Claims

1. A weight lifting support shirt to allow a lifter to perform one or more workouts, the weight lifting support shirt comprising: a chest support portion configured to extend across a chest portion of the lifter from a first end to a second end; a first arm support portion extending from the first end of the chest support portion; a second arm support portion extending from the second end of the chest support portion, wherein the first and second arm support portions are configured to conform around a first arm and a second arm of the lifter; a shoulder support portion abutting and extending across boundaries of the first arm support portion, the second arm support portion, and the chest support portion; each of the first arm support portion and the second arm support portion comprising a sleeve portion, wherein the sleeve portions are configured to enable the lifter to raise a barbell and lower the barbell during a bench press workout; a figure eight stitching at a center of the chest support portion; a grid plate disposed around the figure eight stitching at the center of the chest support portion; and an abdominal support portion in communication with and extending below the chest support portion; wherein the weight lifting support shirt comprises an elastic material, wherein when the lifter lowers the barbell and stretches the elastic material of the weight lifting support shirt, load and energy received from the barbell is transferred to the center of the chest support portion and is stored in the grid plate disposed around the figure eight stitching, and wherein when the lifter lifts the barbell, load and energy stored in the grid plate disposed around the figure eight stitching rebounds and transfers to triceps, pectoral region, and latissimus region of the lifter, wherein a combination of the figure eight stitching and the grid plate disposed around the figure eight stitching enables performance of the bench press workout by the lifter in a proper bar path, and wherein the proper bar path for the bench press workout comprises a substantially straight path, substantially perpendicular to a ground surface.

2. The weight lifting support shirt of claim 1, wherein the abdominal support portion is configured to be fastened about an abdomen of the lifter using a hook and loop fastener.

3. The weight lifting support shirt of claim 2, wherein the abdominal support portion comprises a first lateral extension comprising a hook component of the hook and loop fastener and a second lateral extension comprising a loop component of the hook and loop fastener.

4. The weight lifting support shirt of claim 1, wherein the weight lifting support shirt is configured to align hands of the lifter to move in the substantially straight path, substantially perpendicular to the ground surface.

5. The weight lifting support shirt of claim 1, wherein an angle at which the sleeve portions connect to the shoulder support portion and the chest support portion of the lifter is configured to enable the lifter to move the barbell in the substantially straight path, substantially perpendicular to the ground surface.

6. The weight lifting support shirt of claim 1, wherein the sleeve portion comprises triple-ply elastic arm bands that are attached to the shoulder support portion of the weight lifting support shirt, and wherein the triple-ply elastic arm bands are configured to transfer the load and the energy from the shoulder portion of the lifter into the triceps, the pectoral region, and the latissimus region of the lifter to reduce strain on rotator cuffs of the lifter.

7. The weight lifting support shirt of claim 6, wherein the shoulder support portion comprises an elastic layer that provides flexibility to the lifter for a predefined range of motion and depth.

8. The weight lifting support shirt of claim 7, wherein the shoulder support portion is configured to transfer the load and the energy of the barbell into the center of the chest support portion during descent of the barbell.

9. The weight lifting support shirt of claim 8, wherein the figure eight stitching and grid plate disposed around the figure eight stitching are configured to concentrate the load and energy received from multiple angles during the bench press workout to the figure eight stitching and the grid plate disposed around the figure eight stitching at the center of the weight lifting support shirt.

10. The weight lifting support shirt of claim 1, wherein the grid plate is configured to prevent stretching of the elastic material of the weight lifting support shirt, and rebound the load and the energy stored in the grid plate disposed around the figure eight stitching into the chest portion and arms of the lifter during the bench press workout.

11. A weight lifting support shirt to allow a lifter to perform one or more workouts, the weight lifting support shirt comprising: a chest support portion configured to extend across a chest portion of the lifter from a first end to a second end; a first arm support portion extending from the first end of the chest support portion; a second arm support portion extending from the second end of the chest support portion, wherein the first and second arm support portions are configured to conform around a first arm and a second arm of the lifter, respectively; a shoulder support portion abutting and extending across boundaries of the first arm support portion, the second arm support portion, and the chest support portion; each of the first arm support portion and the second arm support portion comprising a sleeve portion, wherein the sleeve portions are configured to enable the lifter to perform the one or more workouts; a figure eight stitching at a center of the chest support portion; a grid plate disposed around the figure eight stitching at the center of the chest support portion, wherein a combination of the figure eight stitching and the grid plate disposed around the figure eight stitching enables storing and rebounding of load and energy when the lifter performs the one or more workouts; and an abdominal support portion in communication with and extending below the chest support portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and components disclosed herein. The description of a method step or a component referenced by a numeral in a drawing is applicable to the description of that method step or component shown by that same numeral in any subsequent drawing herein.

(2) FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the weight lifting support shirt.

(3) FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the weight lifting support shirt that is being used by a lifter during a bench press workout.

(4) FIG. 2A illustrates a front perspective view of the weight lifting support shirt worn by the lifter.

(5) FIG. 2B illustrates a rear perspective view of the weight lifting support shirt.

(6) FIG. 2C illustrates a left-side perspective view of the weight lifting support shirt that's worn by the lifter.

(7) FIG. 2D illustrates a right-side perspective view of the weight lifting support shirt worn by the lifter.

(8) FIG. 3A illustrates a top perspective view of lifter using the weight lifting support shirt during the bench press workout.

(9) FIG. 3B illustrates a side perspective view of lifter using the weight lifting support shirt during the bench press workout.

(10) FIG. 3C illustrates a detailed side perspective view of a lifter using the weight lifting support shirt during the bench press workout.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) FIG. 1A exemplarily illustrates a front perspective view of the weight lifting support shirt 100, and FIG. 1B exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the weight lifting support shirt 100 used by a lifter 200 during a bench press workout. The weight lifting support shirt 100 is a wearable device that provides the weight lifter 200 flexibility of movement in any direction during a barbell exercise, while allowing the transfer of the load and energy of the barbell 201 to the center of the weight lifting support shirt 100 and maximizing transfer of the load and energy of the barbell from the shoulders to the triceps, pectoral, and latissimus region of the lifter 200, to reduce strain on the rotator cuffs and stabilize the shoulder and shoulder girdle of the lifter 200. The weight lifting support shirt 100 provides support to the lifter 200 during a variety of workouts, for example, a bench press as shown in FIG. 1B. The weight lifting support shirt 100 comprises a chest support portion 101, a first arm support portion 102 a second arm support portion 103, a shoulder support portion 108a, a sleeve portion 102a in the first arm support portion 102, a sleeve portion 103a in the second arm support portion 103, and an abdominal support portion 104.

(12) The chest support portion 101 of the weight lifting support shirt 100 extends across the chest portion 111 of the lifter 200 from a first end 111a to a second end 111b of the chest portion 111, as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The first arm support portion 102 extends from the first end 111a of the chest support portion 111 and the second arm support portion 103 extends from the second end 111b of the chest portion 111. The first and second arm support portions 102 and 103 are configured to conform around a first arm 202 and a second arm 203 of the lifter 200, as shown in FIG. 1B. The shoulder support portion 108a abuts and extends across boundaries of the first arm support portion 102, the second arm support portion 103, and the chest support portion. 101, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 3A. The shoulder support portion 108a is configured to transfer weight from a shoulder portion 108 of the lifter 200 into the triceps, pectoral and latissimus region of the lifter 200. The sleeve portions 102b and 103a are configured to require the lifter to lift the barbell 201 and lower the barbell 201 in a workout along a substantially straight path and substantially perpendicular to the bench 204. The abdominal support portion 104 is in communication with and extends below the chest support portion 101. The abdominal support portion 104 is configured to conform and fasten around abdomen of the lifter 200. Furthermore, a neck relief portion 101c is in communication with and extends from the chest support portion 101 to provide support to the neck of the lifter 200 during the bench press lifting process. In an embodiment, the weight lifting support shirt 100 is made of varying layers of competition-grade elastic material. In an embodiment, the sleeve portions 102a and 103a comprise arm bands that are made of triple-ply competition-grade elastic material 113a, 113b and 113c, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 2B.

(13) In an embodiment, the abdominal support portion 104 is fastened around the abdomen of the lifter, using, for example, a hook and loop fastener 105. The abdominal support portion 104 comprises a first lateral extension 104a and a second lateral extension 104b. The first lateral extension 104a and a second lateral extension 104b are attached to the abdominal support portion 104. In an embodiment, the first lateral extension 104a and a second lateral extension 104b are attached to the lateral sides of the abdominal support portion 104 by stitching. The hook and loop fastener 105 comprises a hook component 106 and a loop component 107. The hook component 106 is positioned on first lateral extension 104a and the loop component 107 is positioned on second lateral extension 104b. The hook component 106 of the hook and loop fastener 105 comprises one or more fabric strips with small hooks with hook ends sewn on front of the first lateral extension 104a. The loop component 107 of the hook and loop fastener 105 comprises one or more fabric strips with small loops with the loop ends sewn on the back of the second lateral extension 104b. The hook and loop fastener 105 is, for example, VELCRO™ manufactured by VELCRO® BVBA of United Kingdom.

(14) The first lateral extension 104a and the second lateral extension 104b are made of an elastic material, for example, spandex, and the hook and loop fastener 105 is sewn over the elastic material. The weight lifting support shirt comprising the chest support portion 101, the first arm support portion 102, the second arm support portion 103, the shoulder support portion 108a, the sleeve portions 102a and 103a, and the abdominal support portion 104, and the first and second lateral extensions and 104a and 104b are made of an elastomer. As used herein, an elastomer is any material that exhibits elastic properties. Examples of elastomers comprise natural rubber, synthetic rubber, nitrile rubber, silicone rubber, urethane rubbers, chloroprene rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA rubber), etc. In another embodiment, the weight lifting support shirt 100, excluding the first and second lateral extensions and 104a and 104b, is made of a composite material comprising an elastic material lined with a natural fabric, for example, cotton. In an embodiment, the natural fabric lining is provided on portions of the weight lifting support shirt 100 that contact the body of the lifter 200.

(15) In an embodiment, the chest support portion 101 and the abdominal support portion 104 of the weight lifting support shirt 100 wrap around the chest portion 111 and the abdomen of the lifter 200, respectively. The abdominal support portion 104 is secured at the back of the lifter 200 using the hook and loop fastener 105, as illustrated in FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D. As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the lifter 200 draws together the first lateral extension 104a and the second lateral extension 104b behind the abdomen of the lifter to align the first lateral extension 104a and the second lateral extension 104b. Then, the first lateral extension 104a and/or the second lateral extension 104b are pulled to a desired level of tightness. The hook component 106 and loop component 107 on the first lateral extension 104a and the second lateral extensions 104b, respectively, are thereafter attached to each other to fasten the weight lifting support shirt 100 around the abdomen of the lifter 200.

(16) FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate perspective views of the weight lifting support shirt 100 that is worn by the lifter 200, where FIG. 2B illustrates a rear perspective view of the weight lifting support shirt 100 without the lifter 200 in the perspective view. The weight lifting support shirt 100 assists a lifter 200 during the bench press exercise. As shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B, in a bench press, the lifter lays on a bench 204 and secures the barbell 201 with the lifter's 200 arms 202 and 203 that project through the front of the weight lifting support shirt 100. The lifter 200 thereafter lifts the barbell 201 and lowers the barbell 201 to complete one cycle of the lifting cycle. During such barbell lifting and lowering cycles, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 3B, the sleeve portions 102a and 103a of the arm portions 102 and 103, shoulder support portion 108a, and the chest support portion 101 allow the lifter 200 to move the barbell 201 in a substantially straight path and substantially perpendicular to the bench 204, thereby reducing the barbell 201 load and pressure from the shoulders to the triceps, pectoral, and latissimus region of the lifter 200, which in turn reduces the strain on the lifter's rotator cuffs.

(17) As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in an embodiment, the shoulder support portion 108a of the weight lifting support shirt 100 comprises one or more elastic layers 113a that provides flexibility and range of motion in any direction to the lifter 200 when the lifter 200 raises and lowers a barbell 201, and also transfers the barbell 201 load to the center 100a of the weight lifting support shirt 100 when the barbell 201 is lowered by the lifter 200. Furthermore, when the barbell 201 is lowered by the lifter 200, the elastic arm bands attached to the shoulder support portion 108a of the weight lifting support shirt 100 transfer the weight of the barbell 201 from the shoulder portion 108 of the lifter to the triceps, pectoral, and latissimus region of the lifter 200 which reduces strain on the rotator cuffs of the lifter 200, and the grid plate 109 positioned at the center of the chest support portion 101 of the weight lifting support shirt 100 transfers the barbell weight towards the center of the chest of the lifter 200, which is further explained in the description of FIGS. 3A-3C.

(18) The shoulder support portion 108a and the first and second arm support portions 102 and 103 are in communication with and attached to the chest support portion 101. The abdominal support portion 104 is also in communication with and attached to the chest support portion 101. In an embodiment, the shoulder support portion 108a, the first and second arm support portions 102 and 103, and the abdominal support portion 104 are attached to the chest support portion 101 by stitching together portions of the elastic material that form the shoulder support portion 108a, the first and second arm support portions 102 and 103, the chest support portion 101, and the abdominal support portion 104. In another embodiment, lateral sides of a plurality of elastic strips 114a are stitched together, as illustrated by dotted lines in FIGS. 1A and 3A, to form the shoulder support portion 108a, the first and second arm support portions 102 and 103, and the chest support portion 101. In this embodiment, the abdominal support portion 104 is also made of a plurality of elastic strips 114b stitched together on their lateral sides, and the abdominal support portion 104 is then attached to the chest support portion 101. The first and second arm support portions 102 and 103 comprise additional elastic strips 114c, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, stitched together with elastic strips 114a that form the first and second arm support portions 102 and 103. In an embodiment, the shoulder support portion 108a, the first and second arm support portions 102 and 103 are detachably connected to the chest support portion 101.

(19) FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate perspective views of a lifter 200 using the weight lifting support shirt 100 during the bench press workout. The weight lifting support shirt 100 trains the lifter 200 to adopt the proper barbell 201 path in the bench press workout, namely, lowering the barbell 201 to the lifter's chest 111 and returning the barbell 201 to the fully extended/rack position 301 substantially in a straight path and substantially perpendicular to the bench 302, as shown in FIG. 3C. Following a substantially straight path, substantially perpendicular to the bench 302 for lifting and lowering the barbell 201 engages the latissimus, pectoral, and triceps muscles, thereby reducing pressure and strain on the rotator cuffs of the lifter 200. The weight lifting support shirt 100 further comprises a grid plate 109 that is positioned at the center of the chest support portion 101, which is configured to prevent stretching of the material of the weight lifting support shirt 100, and to direct the rebound, released energy during the workout into the chest portion 111 and the arms of the lifter 200.

(20) The sleeves portions 102a and 103a are in communication with and connected to the shoulder support portion 108a and chest support portion 101 at an angle that requires the lifter 200 to move the barbell 201 in a substantially straight path, and substantially perpendicular to the bench 302, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. In an embodiment, the shoulder support portion 108a and/or the arm support portions 102 and 103 of the weight lifting support shirt 100 illustrated in FIG. 2B comprises at least one elastic material 113a to provide the necessary flexibility and proper range of motion of the lifter's arm in any direction when the barbell 201 is raised and lowered, and for transferring the barbell's load and energy towards the center 100a of the weight lifting support shirt 100 when the barbell 201 is lowered. In an embodiment, the shoulder support portion 108a and/or the arm support portions 102 and 103 of the weight lifting support shirt 100 illustrated in FIG. 2A comprises at least two elastic layers 113a and 113b. In another embodiment, the shoulder support portion 108a and/or the arm support portions 102 and 103 of the weight lifting support shirt 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A comprises at least three elastic layers 113a, 113b, and 113c. As illustrated in FIGS. 1B and 3A, in an embodiment, the center of the chest support portion 101 is reinforced with the optimally-sized figure eight stitching, which maximizes the transfer of the load and energy received when the barbell is lifted and lowered towards the chest portion 111, triceps, pectoral, and latissimus region of the lifter 200. As the lifter 200 lowers the barbell 201 and stretches the elastic material of the weight lifting support shirt 100, the stretch energy is transferred to the center of the weight lifting support shirt 100 and conserved or stored there until the lifter 200 presses the barbell 201 away from the lifter 200, at which point the stretch energy rebounds back to the chest portion 111, triceps, pectoral, and latissimus region of the lifter 200.

(21) The construction of the weight lifting support shirt 100 comprises an elastic support shirt 100 composition; the use of the weight lifting support shirt 100 holds and transfers more energy to the lifter than prior art shirts, thereby providing more stretch energy rebound to the lifter 200. Furthermore, the design of the weight lifting support shirt 100 requires the lifter 200 to use the proper barbell 201 path that is substantially along a straight path, substantially perpendicular to the bench 302, when bench pressing, as shown in FIG. 3C. These problems are addressed by the weight lifting support shirt 100 disclosed herein, which further comprises wider angles of the arm support portions 102 and 103 that are designed to be tighter at the middle of the weight lifting support shirt 100 via the optimally sized figure eight pattern grid plate 109, which allows the lifter 200 to get a comfortable and secure fit from the set-up of the weight lifting exercise and throughout the execution of the lift.

(22) As disclosed above, due to the figure eight stitching design 112 in the grid plate 109 at the center of the chest of the weight lifting support shirt 100, the energy from the arms 202 and 203 and chest is stored in the center of the weight lifting support shirt 100 when the lifter 200 is lowering the barbell 201 down to the chest. This directs the weight lifting support shirt 100 to stretch until the grid plate 109 stops the lifter 200 from proceeding further, at which point the energy in the weight lifting support shirt is released and rebounds to the chest and arms 202 and 203 to assist the lifter 200 in pressing the barbell 201 back to the fully extended/locked out position.

(23) The foregoing examples have been provided merely for explanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the weight lifting support shirt 100 disclosed herein. While the weight lifting support shirt 100 has been described with reference to various embodiments, it is understood that the words, which have been used herein, are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Furthermore, although the weight lifting support shirt 100 has been described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and embodiments, the weight lifting support shirt 100 are not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the weight lifting support shirt 100 extend to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims. While multiple embodiments are disclosed, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, that weight lifting support shirt 100 disclosed herein are capable of modifications and other embodiments may be effected and changes may be made thereto, without departing from the scope and spirit of the weight lifting support shirt 100 disclosed herein.