WORKOUT GARMENT DEVICE

Abstract

A workout garment device may include a body having a back panel that is coupled to a front panel. The front panel may have a front upper perimeter and a front lower perimeter, and the back panel may have a back upper perimeter and a back lower perimeter. A sizing panel may be removably coupled to the body. A first fastener and second fastener may be configured to be removably coupled together, and the third fastener and fourth fastener may be configured to be removably coupled together when the sizing panel is coupled to the body so that the device is relatively larger in size. The first fastener and fourth fastener may be configured to be removably coupled together when the sizing panel is not coupled to the body so that the device is relatively smaller in size.

Claims

1. A workout garment device, the device comprising: a body having a back panel that is coupled to a front panel, the front panel having a front upper perimeter and a front lower perimeter, the back panel having a back upper perimeter and a back lower perimeter; a sizing panel that is removably coupled to the body; and a first fastener coupled to the body, a second fastener coupled to the sizing panel, a third fastener coupled to the sizing panel, and a fourth fastener coupled to the body, wherein the first fastener and second fastener are configured to be removably coupled together and the third fastener and fourth fastener are configured to be removably coupled together when the sizing panel is coupled to the body, and wherein the first fastener and fourth fastener are configured to be removably coupled together when the sizing panel is not coupled to the body.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sizing panel extends from the front upper perimeter to the front lower perimeter when the sizing panel is coupled to the body.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first fastener, second fastener, third fastener, and fourth fastener each comprise zipper teeth.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the front panel and the back panel each comprise an insulating flexible material.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the front panel and the back panel each comprise neoprene.

6. The device of above, wherein the front panel and the back panel each comprise neoprene having a thickness of between 1.5 millimeters and 3.5 millimeters.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising an upper aperture, wherein the upper aperture is relatively larger in size when the sizing panel is coupled to the body than when the sizing panel is not coupled to the body.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a lower aperture, wherein the lower aperture is relatively larger in size when the sizing panel is coupled to the body than when the sizing panel is not coupled to the body.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising an upper aperture, wherein the upper aperture is relatively larger in size when the sizing panel is coupled to the body than when the sizing panel is not coupled to the body.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the sizing panel is removably coupled to the front panel.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the sizing panel comprises a width dimension of between 3 to 8 centimeters.

12. A workout garment device, the device comprising: a body having a back panel that is coupled to a front panel, the front panel having a front upper perimeter and a front lower perimeter, the back panel having a back upper perimeter and a back lower perimeter; a lower aperture; a sizing panel that is removably coupled to the body, wherein the lower aperture is relatively larger in size when the sizing panel is coupled to the body than when the sizing panel is not coupled to the body; and a first fastener coupled to the body, a second fastener coupled to the sizing panel, a third fastener coupled to the sizing panel, and a fourth fastener coupled to the body, wherein the first fastener, second fastener, third fastener, and fourth fastener each comprise zipper teeth, wherein the first fastener and second fastener are configured to be removably coupled together and the third fastener and fourth fastener are configured to be removably coupled together when the sizing panel is coupled to the body, and wherein the first fastener and fourth fastener are configured to be removably coupled together when the sizing panel is not coupled to the body.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the sizing panel comprises a width dimension of between 3 to 8 centimeters.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the front panel and the back panel each comprise an insulating flexible material.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein the front panel and the back panel each comprise neoprene.

16. The device of above, wherein the front panel and the back panel each comprise neoprene having a thickness of between 1.5 millimeters and 3.5 millimeters.

17. The device of claim 12, further comprising an upper aperture, wherein the upper aperture is relatively larger in size when the sizing panel is coupled to the body than when the sizing panel is not coupled to the body.

18. The device of claim 12, wherein the sizing panel extends from the front upper perimeter to the front lower perimeter when the sizing panel is coupled to the body.

19. The device of claim 12, further comprising an upper aperture, wherein the upper aperture is relatively larger in size when the sizing panel is coupled to the body than when the sizing panel is not coupled to the body.

20. The device of claim 12, wherein the sizing panel is removably coupled to the front panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

[0011] FIG. 1FIG. 1 depicts a first side perspective view of an example of a workout garment device according to various embodiments described herein.

[0012] FIG. 2FIG. 2 illustrates a second side perspective view of an example of a workout garment device according to various embodiments described herein.

[0013] FIG. 3FIG. 3 shows a sectional, elevation view of an example of a workout garment device having a sizing panel coupled to the body according to various embodiments described herein.

[0014] FIG. 4FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of a larger user wearing an example workout garment device having a sizing panel coupled to the body so that the device is relatively larger in size according to various embodiments described herein.

[0015] FIG. 5FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the user of FIG. 4, now thinner, wearing an example workout garment device having the sizing panel removed from being coupled to the body so that the device is relatively smaller in size according to various embodiments described herein.

[0016] FIG. 6FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a user modulating the size of an example workout device by removably coupling/uncoupling a sizing panel to the body according to various embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0019] In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

[0020] For purposes of description herein, the terms upper, lower, left, right, rear, front, side, vertical, horizontal, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0021] Although the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0022] As used in this application, the term about or approximately refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term substantially means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

[0023] A new workout garment is discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0024] The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

[0025] The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. FIGS. 1-6 illustrate an example of a workout garment device (the device) 100 according to various embodiments. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a body 11 that may be worn around portions of the torso 201 of a user 200. The body 11 may include a back panel 31 that is coupled to a front panel 21. The front panel 21 may have a front upper perimeter 22 and a front lower perimeter 23, and the back panel 31 may have a back upper perimeter 32 and a back lower perimeter 33. A sizing panel 51 may be removably coupled to the body 11. A first fastener 41 may be coupled to the body 11, a second fastener 42 may be coupled to the sizing panel 51, a third fastener 43 may be coupled to the sizing panel 51 opposite to the second fastener 42, and a fourth fastener 44 may be coupled to the body 11. The first fastener 41 and second fastener 42 may be configured to be removably coupled together and the third fastener 43 and fourth fastener 44 may be configured to be removably coupled together when the sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body 11. The first fastener 41 and fourth fastener 44 may be configured to be removably coupled together when the sizing panel 51 is not coupled to the body 11.

[0026] Generally, the device 100 may be configured to cover portions of the torso 201 of a user 200 when the device is worn by a user 200. The device 100 may comprise a body cavity 20 into which all or portions of a user's torso 201 may be positioned of received. In some embodiments, the front panel 21 may be configured to cover all or portions of the stomach and other front torso areas of a user 200, such as the chest and shoulders, while the back panel 31 may be configured to cover all or portions of the back and shoulders of a user 200. The body 11 may comprise a right side region 16 and a left side region 17 which may be shaped to cover portions of the right side and left side, respectively, of the torso of a user 200. The front panel 21 and back panel 31 may be coupled together so that the front panel 21 and/or back panel 31 form all or portions of the right side region 16 and/or left side region 17.

[0027] The device 100 may comprise a right arm aperture 18 and a left arm aperture 19, which may be configured to allow all or portions of a user's 200 right hand and/or arm 205 and left hand and/or arm 206 to be received in or extend through the right arm aperture 18 and left arm aperture 19, respectively. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 1-6, the device 100 may be configured as a vest. In other embodiments, the device 100 may be configured as a short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, or any other torso covering garment style.

[0028] The body 11 may comprise a right body edge 14 and a left body edge 15. When the body 11 is coupled to a sizing panel 51, the right body edge 14 may be coupled to a right panel edge 54 and the left body edge 15 may be coupled to a left panel edge 55. When the body 11 is not coupled to a sizing panel 51, the right body edge 14 and left body edge 15 may be coupled together.

[0029] The device 100 may comprise one or more sizing panels 51 that may be removably coupled to the body 11 and/or each other via one or more fasteners 41, 42, 43, 44. A sizing panel 51 may comprise a panel upper perimeter 52, a panel lower perimeter 53, a right panel edge 54, and/or a left panel edge 55. A sizing panel 51 may be configured in any size and shape. In some embodiments, a sizing panel 51 may comprise a rectangular shape. For example, a sizing panel 51 may extend from an upper perimeter 22, 32, to an opposing lower perimeter 23, 33, when the sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body. In further embodiments, a sizing panel 51 may comprise a triangular shape, or any other shape, including combinations of shapes. For example, a sizing panel 51 may not extend from an upper perimeter 22, 32, to an opposing lower perimeter 23, 33, when the sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body 11.

[0030] In some embodiments, a sizing panel 51 may comprise a width dimension (WD) which may describe a maximum distance or width between a right panel edge 54 and a left panel edge 55 as shown in FIG. 4. A width dimension (WD) may be between approximately 1.0 and 10.0 centimeters, more preferably between approximately 3.0 and 8.0 centimeters, and still more preferably between approximately 4.0 and 7.0 centimeters.

[0031] In some embodiments, a sizing panel 51 may be removably coupled to a front panel 21. For example, when a sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body 11, the panel upper perimeter 52 may be coupled to portions of the front upper perimeter 22, and the panel lower perimeter 53 may be coupled to portions of the front lower perimeter 23. In further embodiments, a sizing panel 51 may be removably coupled to a back panel 31. For example, when a sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body 11, the panel upper perimeter 52 may be coupled to portions of the back upper perimeter 32, and the panel lower perimeter 53 may be coupled to portions of the back lower perimeter 33. In still further embodiments, a sizing panel 51 may be removably coupled to both a front panel 21 and a back panel 31. For example, when a sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body 11, the panel upper perimeter 52 may be coupled to portions of the back upper perimeter 32 and the front upper perimeter 22, and the panel lower perimeter 53 may be coupled to portions of the front lower perimeter 23 and the back lower perimeter 33. In further embodiments, if two or more sizing panels 51 are used, the sizing panels 51 may be removably coupled together so that their respective panel upper perimeters 52 are coupled together and so that their respective panel lower perimeters 53 are coupled together.

[0032] The device 100 may comprise an upper aperture 12 and a lower aperture 13. When the device 100 is worn by a user 200, the user's head 202 and neck 201 may extend through the upper aperture 12 while the user's waist 204 may extend through the lower aperture 13. In some embodiments, when the sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body 11, the upper aperture 12 may be defined by the front upper perimeter 22, one or more panel upper perimeters 52, and the back upper perimeter 32. Conversely, when the sizing panel 51 is not coupled to the body 11, the upper aperture 12 may be defined by the front upper perimeter 22 and the back upper perimeter 32. In some embodiments, when the sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body 11, the lower aperture 13 may be defined by the front lower perimeter 23, one or more panel lower perimeters 53, and the back lower perimeter 33. Conversely, when the sizing panel 51 is not coupled to the body 11, the lower aperture 13 may be defined by the front lower perimeter 23 and the back lower perimeter 33.

[0033] It should be understood that the device 100 may be configured to accommodate various body sizes and shapes of users 200, including male and female users 200. For example, the upper aperture 12 may be shaped to extend below the chest or breast area of a female user 200 so that the front upper perimeter 22 and/or more panel upper perimeters 52 may be relatively longer than the front upper perimeter 22 and/or more panel upper perimeters 52 of a device 100 having an upper aperture 12 which may be configured for a male user 200 by having the upper aperture 12 shaped to extend at or above the chest or breast area of a male user 200. A device 100 having an upper aperture 12 may be shaped to extend below the chest or breast area of a female user 200 may prevent uncomfortable pressure or compression to the chest or breast area of a female user 200.

[0034] In some embodiments, when the sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body 11, the upper aperture 12 may be relatively larger in size (due to the addition or size contribution of one or more panel upper perimeters 52) than when the sizing panel 51 is not coupled to the body 11. In further embodiments, when the sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body 11, the lower aperture 13 may be relatively larger in size (due to the addition or size contribution of one or more panel lower perimeters 53) than when the sizing panel 51 is not coupled to the body 11. In still further embodiments, when the sizing panel 51 is coupled to the body 11, the upper aperture 12 and the lower aperture 13 may be each be relatively larger in size (due to the addition or size contribution of one or more panel upper perimeters 52 and panel lower perimeters 53) than when the sizing panel 51 is not coupled to the body 11.

[0035] The device 100 may comprise one or more fasteners 41, 42, 43, 44, which may be configured to removably couple the body edges 14, 15, together and to removably couple the body edges 14, 15, to sizing panel(s) 51. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise: a first fastener 41 which may be coupled to portions or approximately the entire length of a right body edge 14; a second fastener 42 which may be coupled to portions or approximately the entire length of a right panel edge 54; a third fastener 43 which may be coupled to portions or approximately the entire length of a left panel edge 55; and a fourth fastener 44 which may be coupled to portions or approximately the entire length of a left body edge 15.

[0036] In preferred embodiments, the device 100 may comprise fasteners 41, 42, 43, 44, which may be configured as zippers so that each fastener 41, 42, 43, 44, comprises zipper teeth 45. For example, a first fastener 41 may be zipped and unzipped with a second fastener 42 and a fourth fastener 44 to removably couple the first fastener 41 to either the second fastener 42 and fourth fastener 44. In other embodiments, one or more fasteners 41, 42, 43, 44, may comprise hook and loop type or Velcro fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method or removable coupling device.

[0037] In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise one or more fastener tabs 46 which may be coupled to a fastener 41, 42, 43, 44, body 11, and/or sizing panel 51. Generally, a fastener tab 46 may comprise a length of material which may be positioned to be between a fastener 41, 42, 43, 44, and portions of the torso 201 of a user 200 that is wearing the device 100. A fastener tab 46 may comprise any material. Preferably, a fastener tab 46 may comprise the same material that portions of the body 11 and/or sizing panel(s) may be made from. Optionally, a fastener tab 46 may extend the entire length or portions of the length of one or more fasteners 41, 42, 43, 44, of the device 100.

[0038] The panels 21, 31, 51, of the device 100 may be made from any material suitable for being worn by a human user 200. In some embodiments, a front panel 21 may be made from a single piece of material or two or more pieces of material that may be coupled together. In further embodiments, a back panel 31 may be made from a single piece of material or two or more pieces of material that may be coupled together. In further embodiments, a sizing panel 51 may be made from a single piece of material or two or more pieces of material that may be coupled together. In still further embodiments, a front panel 21 and back panel 31 may be integrally formed together or coupled together, such as with stitching or bonding to produce flatlock seams.

[0039] As perhaps best shown by FIGS. 4 and 5, the device 100 may be reconfigurable in size so as to provide a form fitting workout garment that is adaptable to sizing modulations of a user 200. When the user 200 is relatively larger in size, as shown in FIG. 4, the device 100 may include a body 11 and one or more sizing panels 51. As the user 200 decreases in size to become relatively smaller in size, as shown in FIG. 5, the user 200 may remove the sizing panel(s) 51 (FIG. 6) and recouple the body 11 together so that the device 100 may retain its form fitting properties.

[0040] Generally, the panels 21, 31, 51, may be made from a fabric, textile, or other flexible material. Preferably, one or more panels 21, 31, 51, may be made from or may comprise an insulating flexible material. In preferred embodiments, an insulating flexible material may comprise a neoprene (also polychloroprene or pc-rubber) of the family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloroprene. In further preferred embodiments, the front panel 21, sizing panel(s) 51, and/or the back panel 31 may comprise neoprene having a thickness of between 1.5 millimeters and 3.5 millimeters. In further embodiments, an insulating flexible material may comprise silicone foams, rubber foams, silicone rubber, urethane foams including plastic foams, neoprene foam, latex foam rubber, polyurethane foam rubber, or elastomer materials such as elastic plastics, elastic silicone, elastic rubbers, a flexible polymer such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), synthetic fabrics such as polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, acetate, spandex, spandex blends, and Kevlar, and natural fabrics such as coir, cotton, hemp, jute, canvas, flax, leather, linen, ramie, wool, silk, or any other suitable flexible natural or synthetic material including combinations of materials.

[0041] While some exemplary shapes and sizes have been provided for elements of the device 100, it should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that the body 11, front panel 21, back panel 31, sizing panel 51, upper aperture 12, lower aperture 13, right arm aperture 18, left arm aperture 19, and any other element described herein may be configured in a plurality of sizes and shapes including T shaped, X shaped, square shaped, rectangular shaped, cylinder shaped, cuboid shaped, hexagonal prism shaped, triangular prism shaped, or any other geometric or non-geometric shape, including combinations of shapes. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible alternatives, equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms and proposed shapes used herein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes, such as to size and shape, may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0042] Additionally, while some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 may be made from or may comprise durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or may comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, a slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device 100.

[0043] Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.