System and Apparatus for Wearable Exercise Apparel Using Integrated Resistance Bands

Abstract

A wearable exercise suit is taught which uses the elongated configuration of the raglan sleeve to ensure a more intense exercise experience. The invention teaches a long sleeved raglan shirt having resistance bands included therein for exercising the human muscles. The resistance bands are connected at the wearer's wrists and at shoulder locations. Tension is created in the resistance bands when the wearer moves his appendages. In one embodiment, the resistance bands are connected at multiple locations on the raglan sleeve to further increase tension and resistance to movement.

Claims

1. An exercise system comprising a garment configured as a raglan sleeve for wearing on the human arm, wherein the raglan sleeve comprises: a wrist region, wherein the wrist region is configured to be adjacent to the wearer's wrist when the raglan sleeve is worn, wherein the wrist region includes a first wrist resistance band connector and a second wrist resistance band connector, a levator scapulae region, wherein the levator scapulae region is configured to be adjacent to the wearer's levator scapulae when the raglan sleeve is worn, a trapezius region, wherein the trapezius region is configured to be adjacent to a wearer's trapezius when the raglan sleeve is worn, a shoulder resistance band connector, wherein the shoulder resistance band connector is substantially midway between the levator scapulae region and the trapezius region, a first narrow passageway, wherein the first narrow passageway is adjacent to the first wrist resistance band connector, wherein the first narrow passageway is adjacent to the shoulder resistance band connector, a first resistance band having a first resistance band end and a second resistance band end, wherein the first resistance band end of the first resistance band is fixed to the first wrist resistance band connector, wherein the second resistance band end of the first resistance band is fixed to the shoulder resistance band connector, wherein the first resistance band is located within the first narrow passageway, a second narrow passageway, wherein the second narrow passageway is adjacent to the second wrist resistance band connector, wherein the second narrow passageway is adjacent to the shoulder resistance band connector, a second resistance band having a first resistance band end and a second resistance band end, wherein said first resistance band end of the second resistance band is fixed to said second wrist resistance band connector, wherein the second resistance band end of the second resistance band is fixed the shoulder resistance band connector, wherein the second resistance band is located within the second narrow passageway.

2. An exercising system comprising a garment configured as a raglan sleeve for wearing on the human arm, wherein the raglan sleeve comprises: a wrist region, wherein the wrist region is configured to be adjacent to the wearer's wrist when the raglan sleeve is worn, wherein the wrist region includes a first wrist resistance band connector and a second wrist resistance band connector, a levator scapulae region, wherein the levator scapulae region is configured to be adjacent to the wearer's levator scapulae when the raglan sleeve is worn, a trapezius region, wherein the trapezius region is configured to be adjacent to a wearer's trapezius when the raglan sleeve is worn, a shoulder resistance band connector, wherein the shoulder resistance band connector is substantially midway between the levator scapulae region and the trapezius region, a narrow passageway, wherein the narrow passageway is adjacent to the first wrist resistance band connector, wherein the first narrow passageway is adjacent to the shoulder resistance band connector, wherein the narrow passageway is adjacent to the second wrist resistance band connector, a resistance band having a resistance band first end and a resistance band second end, wherein the resistance band first end is fixed to the first wrist resistance band connector, wherein the resistance band second end is connected to second wrist resistance band connector, wherein the second resistance band is located within the second narrow passageway, and wherein the resistance band is movably fixed to the shoulder resistance band connector.

3. An exercising system comprising a garment configured as a raglan sleeve for wearing on the human arm, wherein the raglan sleeve comprises: a wrist region, wherein the wrist region is configured to be adjacent to the wearer's wrist when the raglan sleeve is worn, wherein the wrist region includes a first wrist resistance band connector and a second wrist resistance band connector, a levator scapulae region, wherein the levator scapulae region is configured to be adjacent to the wearer's levator scapulae when the raglan sleeve is worn, a trapezius region, wherein the trapezius region is configured to be adjacent to a wearer's trapezius when the raglan sleeve is worn, a first shoulder resistance band connector, wherein the first shoulder resistance band connector is substantially midway between the levator scapulae region and the trapezius region, a second shoulder resistance band connector, wherein the second shoulder resistance band connector is substantially midway between the levator scapulae region and the trapezius region an elbow region, wherein the elbow region is configured to be adjacent to the wearer's elbow when the raglan sleeve is worn, wherein the elbow region includes a, first upper elbow resistance band connector and second upper elbow resistance band connector, first lower elbow resistance band connector and second lower elbow resistance band connector, a first narrow passageway, wherein the first narrow passageway is adjacent to the first wrist resistance band connector, wherein the first narrow passageway is adjacent to the first lower elbow resistance band connector, a second narrow passageway, wherein the second narrow passageway is adjacent to the first upper elbow resistance band connector, wherein the second narrow passageway is adjacent to first shoulder resistance band connector, a third narrow passageway, wherein the third narrow passageway is adjacent to the second shoulder resistance band connector, wherein the third narrow passageway is adjacent to the second upper elbow resistance band connector, a fourth narrow passageway, wherein the fourth narrow passageway is adjacent to the second lower elbow resistance band connector, wherein the fourth narrow passageway is adjacent to the second wrist resistance band connector, a first resistance band having a first resistance band first end and a first resistance band second end, wherein the first resistance band first end is fixed to the first wrist resistance band connector, wherein the first resistance band second end is connected to first lower elbow resistance band connector, a second resistance band having a second resistance band first end and a second resistance band second end, wherein the second resistance band first end is fixed to the first upper elbow resistance band connector, wherein the second resistance band second end is connected to first shoulder resistance band connector, a third resistance band having a third resistance band first end and a third resistance band second end, wherein the third resistance band first end is fixed to the second shoulder resistance band connector, wherein the third resistance band second end is connected to second upper elbow resistance band connector, and a fourth resistance band having a fourth resistance band first end and a fourth resistance band second end, wherein the fourth resistance band first end is fixed to the second lower elbow resistance band connector, wherein the fourth resistance band second end is connected to the second wrist resistance band connector.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the various embodiments of the invention described with respect to the drawings and figures in which like numerals denote like elements, and in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is the front side of a first article of clothing for wearing on the torso, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is the back side of the first article of clothing for wearing on the torso, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of the raglan sleeve including an integrated resistance band according to the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 4A-B depict an exemplary resistance band included within a narrow passageway according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is another exemplary embodiment of the raglan sleeve including multiple integrated resistance bands according to the present invention; and

[0023] FIG. 6 is another exemplary embodiment of the raglan sleeve including multiple\integrated resistance bands according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The brief description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the exemplary embodiments by way of illustration and its best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized, and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. Indeed, for the sake of brevity, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements.

[0025] Furthermore, for the sake of brevity, traditional constructions of raglan shirts will not be described herein. The raglan shirt of the present invention may be textile. The raglans shirt may have portions that are customary for raglan shirts. That is, the wrist, shoulder, neck and waist locations, of the raglan shirt are at the conventional locations for raglan shirts. Raglan shirts do not include a seam running laterally along the wearer's shoulder. Further still, by shoulder location what may be meant is the location substantially midway above the trapezius. Additionally, by shoulder location what may be meant is the location midway between the wearer's levator scapulae and the wearer's trapezius. All of the portions and locations of the raglan shirt as described (e.g., wrist, elbow, shoulder, levator scapulae, and trapezius) may be connected each to the other by textile material that is configured to be adjacent to the corresponding portions of the wearer's body.

[0026] By tight fitting what may be meant is that the raglan shirt of the present invention (either shirt, pants, or both) fits closely to the wearer's body such that the wearer's physical outline may be easily seen by the casual observer. The suit may be tailorable to a particular wearer's body composition (e.g., shape, size, fat composition, etc.). The suit may also be configured in accordance with the wearer's desired workout goals. For example, the length, thickness and resistance of the resistance bands included in the suit may be chosen according to the wearer's physical fitness goals. For example, the wearer may choose the level of tension/resistance of the resistance band according to his workout. A resistance band with more resistance or a higher resistance rating may provide a more rigorous workout than a resistance band with a lower resistance/tension rating. A thicker resistance band may be chosen to further increase the resistance bands resistance/tension rating.

[0027] In particular embodiments of the invention, the resistance bands are anchored at at least two locations to ensure that tension is created in the resistance band when the wearer of the exercise suit moves. By anchored or connected what may be meant is that an end of the resistance band is immovably fixed to the raglan sleeve by a suitable connector. A suitable connector is one that may immovably fix the resistance band by conventional means such at sewing in or to, riveted in or to, gluing in or to, coupled in or to the raglan sleeve, or any suitable means of connecting a resistance band to a sleeve.

[0028] In other particular embodiments, a portion of the resistance band may have restricted movement. That is, the movement of a portion of the resistance band is slowed or retarded by, for example, a restrictive connector that permits restricted movement of the resistance band. The restricted movement does not totally immobilize the resistance band, but does restrict movement due to the friction experience between the restrictive connector and the resistance band when the band expands. In another exemplary embodiment, the restrictive connector alters the direction in which the resistance band is stretched.

[0029] The resistance band may be anchored by a first connector at a first end of the resistance band and also anchored by a second connector at a second location of the resistance band. In some instances, the second location may be the second end of the resistance band. In another embodiment, anchored may mean that although the resistance band is not immovably fixed by the connector, a portion of the resistance band experiences sufficient friction to ensure that the entire resistance band may be stretched and tension created. At least one point of the resistance band between the first and second ends of the resistance band may be immovably fixed or substantially immovably fixed by the connector. By substantially immovably fixed what may be meant is that the movement of the resistance band is substantially restricted by a resistance band connector.

[0030] Furthermore, various embodiments of the invention make reference to parts of the wearer's body when discussing the locations of the resistance band connectors. This is done to indicate where, on the raglan sleeve, the connector may be found, relative to the wearers' bodies. For example, where the connector is described with reference to the shoulder location (e.g., a shoulder resistance band connector), the connector may be connected on the portion of the raglan sleeve which rest on, is in communication with, or is adjacent to the wearer's shoulder, such as, when the raglan shirt is being worn. Similarly, where the connector is described with respect to the wearer's wrist or elbow (e.g, resistance band connector at the wrist location), the connector may be connected to the portion of the raglan sleeve which is in communication with, rests on, or is adjacent to the wearer's wrists or elbow location, such as when, the raglan shirt is being worn.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a depiction of the front view of an exemplary workout shirt 100 according to preferred embodiments of the invention. FIG. 2 is a depiction of the rear view of the exemplary workout shirt 100 according to preferred embodiments of the invention. As shown, shirt 100 includes a first raglan sleeve 102 extending from a neck area 108 of the raglan sleeve 102 to a wrist location 104 of the raglan sleeve 102.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a depiction of the lateral view of the exemplary raglan sleeve 102 according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. As shown, Raglan sleeve 102 further includes a narrow passageway 110 extending from a first resistance band connector 112 at the wrist location 104 to a first shoulder resistance band connector 116. The narrow passageway 110 may further traverse from resistance band connector 116 to a second resistance band connector 118 at the wrist location 114. In this instance wrist location 104 and 114 may be on opposite sides of the same wrist. For example, where wrist location 104 is on the inner side of the wearer's wrist, then wrist location 114 is on the outer side of the wearer's wrist.

[0033] As described more fully with respect to FIGS. 4A-B (and further understood with reference with FIG. 3), narrow passageway 110 may include a resistance band 120 therein. Particularly, resistance band 120 may be affixed at resistance connector 112. Resistance band 120 may traverse narrow passageway 110 from resistance band connector 112 to first shoulder resistance band connector 116. Resistance band 120 may be immovably fixed at first shoulder resistance band connector 112. Resistance band 120 may further traverse through narrow passageway 110 from first shoulder resistance band connector 116 to be immovably fixed second resistance band connector 118.

[0034] FIG. 4A and 4B depict an exemplary embodiment of first raglan sleeve 102 including resistance band 120 within narrow passageway 110. The narrow passageway 110 may traverse from resistance band connector 112 to a first shoulder resistance band connector 116. Narrow passageway 110 may further traverse from first shoulder resistance band connector 116 to a second resistance band connector 118 at the wrist location 114. In an exemplary embodiment, resistance band 120 may be included within narrow passageway 110, and the resistance band 120 may traverse from first resistance band connector 116 to second resistance band connector 118.

[0035] In another exemplary embodiment of first raglan sleeve 102, as depicted in FIG. 5, first raglan sleeve 102 may contain multiple resistance bands 124, 126 inside one or more narrow passageways. By inside the passageways, what may be meant is that the resistance band may proceed through the narrow passageway as is described with respect to FIG. 4A-B.

[0036] Resistance band 124 may be immovably fixed at first resistance band connector 112 at the wrist location 104 and further immovably fixed at resistance band connector 122 in proximity to shoulder location 115. Resistance band 126 may be included in a narrow passageway 128 from resistance band anchor 123 in proximity to shoulder location 115 to second resistance band connector 118 at the wrist location 114. Resistance bands 124, 126 may be attached at distinct and separate resistance band anchors 122, 123 respectively, where the distinct and separate resistance band anchors are both in proximity to each other and to shoulder location 115. Alternatively, resistance bands 124, 126 may be attached to a common resistance band connector (not shown) at shoulder location 115.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows another exemplary embodiment of first raglan sleeve 102. First raglan sleeve 102 may include more than two resistance bands included in narrow passageways. It is contemplated that in this particular embodiment, the multiple resistance bands included within one or more narrow passageways.

[0038] A resistance band 134 may be affixed to a resistance band connector 136 in proximity to or below a wearer's elbow location 138. Resistance band 134 may be further affixed at a resistance band connector 112 at a first wrist location 104. A first upper arm resistance band 142 may be affixed to a resistance band connector 140 in proximity to or above wearer's elbow location 138. By elbow location what may be meant is the area is proximity to the anatomical structure joining the ulna and the humerus, or the radius and the humerus.

[0039] First upper arm resistance band 142 may be further affixed a first shoulder resistance band connector 144 in proximity to raglan sleeve shoulder area 116. A second upper arm resistance band 148 may be connected to a second shoulder resistance band connector 146, wherein first shoulder resistance band connector 146 is in proximity of first shoulder resistance band connector 144. Resistance band 148 may be further affixed by a resistance band connector 150, wherein resistance band connector 150 is in proximity to the wearer's elbow location 138. A resistance band 154 may be affixed to a resistance band connector 152 in proximity to or below a wearer's elbow location 138. Resistance band 154 may be further affixed at a resistance band connector 118 at a second wrist location 114. Resistance band 154 may be affixed to a resistance band connector 152 in proximity to or below a wearer's elbow location 138. Resistance band 154 may be further affixed at a resistance band connector 118 at a first wrist location 104. As noted, the shoulder location 116 may mean the location midway between the wearer's levator scapulae and the wearer's trapezius.

[0040] It should be appreciated by one skilled in art, that the present invention may be realized in exercise garments having a full shirt (e.g., long sleeve shirt), or in a short sleeve shirt, so long as the shirt includes raglan sleeves. Other variations that use short sleeve exercise shirts, but include resistance bands fixed at the wrist area and the shoulder location, and wherein the resistance bands are fixed in a raglan construction are within the scope of this invention. Further, the above description makes reference to parts of the wearer's body when referencing where the resistance bands may be located on the exercise shirt. Additionally, when discussed herein, the resistance bands may be included within narrow passageways. Further still, the passageways may be adjacent to the resistance bands connectors described herein. Even further, as described herein, the connectors are the means for connecting resistance bands to the raglan sleeve.

[0041] The foregoing description has been directed to specific embodiments of this invention. It will be apparent; however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.