Energy expenditure/training garment

• US 6,176,816 B1
• Filed: 12/24/1998
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy P. Dicker, William T. Wilkinson
• Original Assignee: Timothy P. Dicker, William T. Wilkinson
• Inventors: Dicker, Timothy P., Wilkinson, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hamilton, Lalita M.
• Application Number:
  US09/221,487
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 482/124, 602/61, 602/19, 422/122, 422/124, 422/125, 2 6/9, 2 6/95
• US Class Current: 482/124
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0015 Sports garments other than provided for in groups A41D13/0007 - A41D13/088
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2300/22 Elastic inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/18 Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00185 using resistance provided by the user, e.g. exercising one body part against a resistance provided by another body part A63B21/068 takes precedence; isometric exercise A63B21/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4005 to the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4009 to the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4013 to the ankle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4015 to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 to the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4019 to the hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4021 to the wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

An energy expenditure garment includes various elastic resistance elements located on the garment so as to help in the training of a user while participating in a swinging sport, such as golf or racquet sports. The garment could also include a biofeedback sensor to indicate when a proper swing has or has not been performed.

Claims

1. An energy expenditure/training garment having a body portion with a right arm and left arm extending therefrom and with a right leg and left leg extending therefrom, each of said body portion and said arms and said legs having a longitudinal axis, a left anterior elongated elastic resistance band extending anteriorly from and in surface contact with and integral with said left arm to said left leg and over said body portion, a left posterior elongated elastic resistance band extending posteriorly from and in surface contact with and integral with said left arm to said left leg and over said body portion, a right anterior elongated resistance band extending anteriorly from and in surface contact with and integral with said right arm to said right leg and over said body portion, a right posterior elongated resistance band extending posteriorly from and in surface contact with and integral with said right arm to said right leg and over said body portion, said anterior resistance bands being mirror images of each other, said posterior resistance bands being mirror images of each other, each of said resistance bands being disposed generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said respective body portion and arms and legs, said arms extending to at least a wrist portion, said legs extending to at least a knee portion, each of said elongated resistance bands being anchored to one of said wrist portions and being anchored at one of said leg portions, said left elongated resistance bands being connected to each other by straps, said right elongated resistance bands being connected to each other by straps, said anterior elongated resistance bands being connected to each other by straps, and said posterior elongated resistance bands being connected to each other by straps.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said straps are adjustable to adjust the tension provided by said elongated resistance bands.

3. The garment of claim 2 including a plurality of compression bands located on said arms and said legs.

4. The garment of claim 3 wherein said plurality of compression bands comprises sets of forearm compression bands, and bicep/tricep compression bands and hamstring/quadriceps compression bands.

5. The garment of claim 4 including a abdominal support panel between said anterior elongated resistance elements, and a lumbar support panel between said posterior elongated resistance elements.

6. The garment of claim 5 wherein said legs terminate above the knee, said elongated resistance elements being anchored by being connected to an anchoring ring above the knee, an anchoring rings being below the knee, and said anchoring ring being connected to each other by collateral ligament support straps.

7. The garment of claim 6 wherein said anchoring rings are adjustable.

8. The garment of claim 7 including adjustable wrist bands on each of said arms.

9. The garment of claim 8 including a biofeedback sensor for indicating when a proper/improper swing is made.

10. The garment of claim 1 wherein said straps are generally perpendicular to said resistance bands.