Weighted footwear garment for exercise, training and/or therapy

• US 5,893,223 A
• Filed: 11/25/1997
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alvin Glass
• Original Assignee: Alvin Glass
• Inventors: Glass, Alvin
• Primary Examiner(s): Kavanaugh, Ted
• Application Number:
  US08/978,410
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 36/132, 36/136, 36/7.2, 36/7.3, 36/7.4, 36/72 R, 36/97, 482/105, 482/74, 482/79
• US Class Current: 36/132
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 19/005 Weighted inserts for shoes, i.e. insert comprising an additional weight
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/18 Attachable overshoes for sporting purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/065 worn on user's body

Abstract

A readily removable two piece stretch fabric garment (3) with four pockets (4,5,6,7) for containing weights (4a, 5a, 6a 7a) is attached to the users athletic or conventional shoe (2) for the purpose of exercise, training and/or physical therapy. The weights are contoured to match the shape of that portion of the shoe which they overly and they are secured in their respective pockets by releasable Velcro (R) closures. A durable rubber or vinyl sole (8) connected to the toe portion of the footwear garment grips the toe segment of the shoe and forms a partial under surface for the garment to the shoe.

Claims

1. A removable two piece stretch fabric footwear garment for use as a weighted shoe attachment for running, power walking, exercise, training or therapy comprising two pieces, each forming opposite sides of a loop, one piece adopted to fit snugly over the toe end of a shoe, the other adopted to fit snugly over the heel end of a shoe at least one of the two pieces having medial and lateral side portions the heel portion having an upper opening to accommodate at least the ankle of a user and a lower opening to accommodate at least the heel of a shoe, the toe portion having an upper section made of stretch fabric and a lower section comprising a sole portion attached to the lower edge of the toe portion of said garment so as to fit tightly around the toe of a shoe, each of said toe, medial and lateral side and heel portions having pockets for carrying weights attached thereto and each of said pockets having closure for holding weights securely therein.

2. The stretch fabric footwear garment of claim 1 wherein said sole connected to the toe piece of said garment is made of a material selected from the group consisting of vinyl and rubber.

3. The stretch fabric footwear garment of claim 1 wherein said pockets contain weights.

4. The stretch fabric footwear garment of claim 1 wherein the toe pocket substantially covers said upper section of said toe portion both of which are made of stretch fabric.

5. The stretch fabric footwear garment of claim 1 wherein the medial and lateral side portions are part of the heel section and the pieces are attached at the ends of said medial and lateral side portions and toe portion.

6. The two piece stretch fabric footwear garment of claim 1 wherein the two pieces are attached to each other by means of buckles and straps.

7. The two piece footwear garment of claim 1 wherein the sole portion is attached only to the distal toe section of the garment whereby the major portion of the sole of the shoe to which the garment is attached remains exposed.

8. The garment of claim 7 wherein the sole portion is made of a material selected from the group consisting of vinyl and rubber.

9. The two piece footwear garment of claim 1 wherein all of the attached pockets for carrying weights are made of a stretch fabric.

10. The two piece garment of claim 1 where in said medial and lateral side portions contain attachment means for securely joining the toe and head portions via said medial and lateral side portions.