GB2437259A

GB2437259A - Bag adapted to hold exercise weights

Info

Publication number: GB2437259A
Application number: GB0607859A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Richard Burch
Original assignee: SUFFOLK PUNCH Ltd
Current assignee: SUFFOLK PUNCH Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-20
Filing date: 2006-04-20
Publication date: 2007-10-24
Also published as: GB0607859D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a cylindrically shaped bag 10 that can be used as piece of exercise equipment as well as a conventional bag. In use as a piece of exercise equipment, the bag receives a removable insert 20 that can receive one or more weights 30.

Description

BAG

BACKGROUND

a. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bag and in particular to a multi-function bag that can be used as a piece of exercise equipment and also as bag for carrying clothing or other personal items.

b. Related Art * S S.....

WO 03/092823 discloses a piece of exercise equipment that is marketed as a POWERBAGTM. The exercise equipment has a substantially cylindrical shape and is filled with a flowable material, such as sand or pea shingle, such that the.:.

equipment has a particular weight. Handles are provided around the circumference of the bag to enable a user to lift or throw the bag as a part of an S... *

exercise routine. *** S... * S

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bag having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining an internal cavity, the internal cavity of the bag receiving, in use, an insert, the insert comprising one or more apertures for receiving a solid weight.

This provides the advantage that the user can configure a bag according to the present invention to have a desired weight in order to be able to perform a particular exercise. If it is desired to perform a different exercise, or to exercise at a different intensity level, then the user can easily change the weight of the bag by adding weights to, or removing weights from, the bag. Such re-configuration is not possible with the POWERBAGTM as each of the POWERBAGSTM are provided having a particular weight. If a user wishes to exercise with a different weight then it is necessary to use a different POWERBAGTM. As the user is able to select the positioning of the weights within the insert then the user can cause the bag to have an uneven distribution of weight. This then allows asymmetric exercising which has been shown to improve the exercising of core muscles. Such an effect is not possible with a POWERBAGIM as they are entirely filled with a flowable weight.

As the insert can be removed from the bag, then it is also possible to use a bag according to the present invention as a conventional bag in order to carry personal items.

Preferably the bag comprises a plurality of handles that are arranged circumferentiatly around the bag. The bag may also comprise further handles arranged axially along the length of the bag or at one or both ends of the bag.

There may be one or more attachment means fixed to one or more of the handles. * S.

S * *..

S S S

The use of the attachment means enables the bag to be used as a rucksack S...

(through the attachment of appropriate straps), for a number of bags to be S...

connected together to provide a greater weight for exercising with or to allow.. : bungee straps to be connected to the bag to enable the bag to be used to perform a wider range of exercises.

The bag may comprise a plurality of layers of material: the outer layer of the bag may be waterproof and/or the bag may be padded. The bag may comprise one or more further weights that are secured within the bag. The insert held within the bag may comprise a deformable material. The weights to be received within the insert may comprise a disc.

This allows a user to use the disc weights that are conventionally used with bar bells and dumb bells.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following Figures in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic depiction of a cross-section of a bag according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic depiction of a bag according to the present invention; and Figure 3 shows a schematic depiction of an insert for use with a bag according to the present invention. * *

DETAILED DESCRIPTION s S * S *5

Figures 1 and 2 show a schematic depiction of a bag 10 according to the present invention; Figure 1 shows a cross-section of the bag and Figure 2 shows an ** external view of the bag. S... * * * *5*

The bag 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape with tapered ends 12. The bag: 10 comprises a resealable opening 14 which extends axially along the bag to allow a user access to the interior 11 of the bag 10. The bag comprises a number of carrying handles which allow the bag to be carried by a user and/or to be used as a piece of exercise equipment. The bag preferably comprises: two or more handles 16 that are arranged around the periphery of the bag; one or more handles 15 that are located at each end of the bag; and/or one or more handles 17 that extend axially along the length of the bag.

Figure 1 shows that the interior 11 of the bag 10 comprises an insert 20 which comprises a plurality of slots 22. These slots 22 are adapted to receive a discrete weight 30. Preferably the weight is a circular disc, such as the sort of weight that is typically used with a bar bell or dumb bell. In use, a user can use the bag to hold their belongings as they go to a gym or sports club and once there their belongings can be stored in a locker. An insert 20 can then be placed into the bag and one or more weights 30 placed into the insert 20 such that the bag has a desired weight. The bag can then be used as a part of a fitness routine, being lifted, carried or thrown to provide a desired effect. If the user wishes to change the weight of the bag, to enable a different exercise to be performed or to vary the intensity of an exercise, then more weights can be added to or removed from the bag as required. Once the user has finished exercising, then the weights can be removed from the insert and the insert removed from the bag. The user may then use the bag as a normal bag and use it to store and transport their belongings.

The bag may be made from a single layer of a plastics material but preferably comprises multiple layers. The external layer preferably comprises a water proof plastic material so that the bag can be wiped clean following use and to protect the: contents of the bag if the bag is used outside. The bag preferably comprises an internal layer of padding (for example between 5 mm and 25 mm) to prevent the user from contact with the insert and/or the weights held within the insert. The *.

interior of the bag can be accessed via resealable opening 14. The opening may be closed using a zipper, which may be concealed under a padded flap that can a...

be closed using a hook and loop releasable connector (for example Velcro TM). To.. : allow greater access to the interior of the bag, the resealable opening 14 may comprise a flap that can be opened away from the bag.

Preferably, when the resealable opening is closed, the bag is water tight such that the bag may be used in the water without any significant ingress of water into the bag. This allows the bag to be used as a buoyancy aid when the insert and/or the weight(s) are removed from the bag. Furthermore, this also allows the bag to be used in exercise routines in a pool or in the sea when there are weights held within an insert in the bag.

The insert may comprise a deformable material such as a foam or a soft plastics material. The weights may be received within a slot which is formed by removing a region of the insert or by forming a cut within the insert and inserting a weight by compressing the insert around the location of the cut.

The weights that are held within the insert are preferably disc shaped weights such as those that are used with bar bells and/or dumb bells. Alternatively, the discs may be annular disks such that discs having the same thickness and outer diameter may have different weights. It will be understood that the weights may take other forms other than a disk; for example rods, plates, cylinders, etc. The weights may also take the cylindrical form disclosed in our co-pending application GB2413288. Additional weights may be received within the bag that may not be accessed or removed by the user: for example these may be located in the tapered ends 12 of the bag. The insert may comprise one or more covers or lids thatcoverthe slots 22 in orderto protectthe userfrom the uncovered weights.

Figure 1 indicates that the insert is loosely received within the bag. It will be understood that the interior cavity of the bag could be such that the insert is restrained within the bag such that the insert does not move within the bag when the bag is inclined. This may be achieved by securing the insert with straps and/or,... S...

a hook and loop releasable connector (for example Velcro) . Alternatively, the,. * : interior cavity of the bag may be slightly smaller than the insert such that the insert is compressed in order to be received in the bag and that the compression fit secures the insert within the bag. The insert may comprise a single item or it may be formed by placing together a plurality of items. If the insert is formed from a plurality of items then the items may be joined together, either permanently or in a releasable manner.

Figures 1 & 2 indicate that the bag has a substantially cylindrical shape with tapered ends 12. It will be understood that the shape of the bag may be changed without departing from the teaching of the present invention. For example, the bag may have, for example, a more ovoid shape (similar to an elongated rugby ball), be cylindrical with curved ends, have a simple cylindrical shape, etc. Figure 2 shows that the bag comprises a plurality of handles that are received on different parts of the bag. Preferably these handles are sewn to the bag to provide a strong and durable connection to the bag. These handles may comprise one or more attachment means, such as D-rings or similar, that enable two or more bags to be connected together. The straps may also be configurable to allow the bag to be used as a rucksack, either as a conventional rucksack for carrying belongings or for use when exercising. The attachment means may also be used to attach elastic bands or tubes, such as bungee cords, to the bag to enable the bag to be used in a wider range of exercises.

Figure 3 shows a schematic depiction of an insert 20 for use with a bag according to the present invention. The insert comprises a plurality of compartments 120 that are placed together to form the insert, each of the compartments acting in a similar manner to a vertebrae. Each of the compartments 120 defines an aperture S within which a weight 30 may be received. The weight 30 may comprise a solid disc or an annular disc. Preferably each compartment comprises a lid portion 122 that engages with the open region of the aperture in order to enclose the interior of the compartment and to cover a weight received within the compartment. .5'... S...

Preferably each end of the insert comprises a tapered element 125 the geometry... i of which corresponds to the tapered ends 12 of the bag (or determines the geometry of the tapered bag). One or both of the tapered elements may comprise a non-removable weighted insert. The compartments and the tapered elements may be connected together to form a unitary insert or they may be placed in the bag as separate components. If the compartments are separate from each other then it is important that the compartments are not free to rotate relative to the bag such that the opening to the aperture and the lid portion are held in position relative to the opening of the bag.

It will be understood that it is possible to make numerous changes to the construction and/or appearance of the bag without departing from the teaching of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A bag having a substantially cylindrical shape and defining an internal cavity, the internal cavity of the bag receiving, in use, an insert, the insert comprising one or more apertures for receiving a solid weight.

2. A bag according to Claim 1, wherein the bag comprises a plurality of handles arranged circumferentially around the bag.

3. A bag according to Claim I or Claim 2, wherein the bag comprises one or more handles arranged axially along the length of the bag.

4. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the bag comprises a handle arranged atone or both ends of the bag. * .a. * * *

5. A bag according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the bag comprises one or S...

more attachment means fixed to one or more of the handles. a... * S S *

6. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the bag comprises an opening to allow access to the internal cavity of the bag.

7. A bag according to Claim 6, whereon the opening extends along the length of the bag and is resealable.

8. A bag according to Claim 7, whereon the opening is covered by a flap.

9. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the bag comprises a plurality of layers of material.

10. A bag according to Claim 9, wherein the outer layer of the bag is waterproof.

11. A bag according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein the bag is padded.

12. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the bag comprises one or more further weights that are secured within the bag.

13. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the insert comprises a deformable material.

14. A bag according to any preceding claim, wherein the weights to be received within the insert comprise a disc. * *

15. A bag substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to Figures land2. * *** * * * **.e * * S.. S...

S * *