Weighted exercise collar and storage rack therefor

Abstract

A weighted exercise collar for providing weight resistance during exercise routines. The exercise collar comprises a curved hollow body portion for receiving weight ballast and a pair of handles extending from a front surface for grasping by a user for placing the collar on and lifting the collar from the shoulders.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercise collar comprising: 
 a curved enclosure;    a first and a second handle supported proximate a first and a second end of the enclosure; and    an closable opening formed in the enclosure for receiving ballast material within the enclosure to add weight to the enclosure.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  wherein a material of the enclosure comprises a flexible material such that the exercise collar is wrapable around a neck of the user for resting on shoulders of the user when the user is erect, and wherein the first and the second handles face in a direction forward of the user.  
     
     
         3 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  wherein a length of the enclosure is related to a desired weight for the exercise collar.  
     
     
         4 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises a substantially circular cross section.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise collar of  claim 4  wherein a diameter of the enclosure is related to a desired weight for the exercise collar.  
     
     
         6 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  wherein a material of the enclosure is substantially non-porous to liquids.  
     
     
         7 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  wherein a weight of the exercise collar is determined by a quantity and a density of the ballast material.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure is contoured to fit around a user's neck.  
     
     
         9 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  further comprising a cap for removably closing the opening.  
     
     
         10 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  wherein the opening is disposed on an upper surface of the enclosure.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of closable openings.  
     
     
         12 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  wherein the first and the second handles are disposed on an upper surface of the enclosure.  
     
     
         13 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  wherein the enclosure comprises a substantially cylindrical enclosure further comprising first and second end surfaces, and wherein the first and the second handles are disposed on the first and the second end surfaces, respectively.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise collar of  claim 13  wherein the first and the second handles comprise elongated members.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise collar of  claim 13  wherein each of the first and the second handles comprises a closed curved member.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise collar of  claim 1  wherein each of the first and the second handles comprises an elongated member having opposing first and second end surfaces, and wherein the first and the second end surfaces are affixed to the enclosure to form a closed gripping surface.  
     
     
         17 . A portable storage rack for a curved exercise collar, comprising: 
 a plate for supporting the exercise collar;    a frame attached to the plate and extending downwardly therefrom; and    wheels attached to the frame.    
     
     
         18 . The portable storage rack of  claim 17  wherein the plate comprises a curved plate having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the curved exercise collar.  
     
     
         19 . A storage rack for a curved exercise collar, comprising: 
 a vertical trunk member; and    elongated members affixed to and extending substantially laterally from the trunk member for supporting an exercise collar.    
     
     
         20 . The storage rack of  claim 19  wherein the elongated members are selected from between substantially flat plate members and rib members.