Adjustably Weighted Leg/Arm Exercise Device

Abstract

An adjustably weighted exercise device comprises a wrap or sleeve with pockets for selectively receiving weight bars, each pocket having an access opening via which a weight bar may be inserted into that pocket, the access opening being at a location spaced from the ends of the pocket such that the weight bar is longer than the length of a bottom portion of the pocket extending from the access opening to the bottom of the pocket. An elastic section at the upper edge of the access opening permits the upper portion of the pocket to be stretched to receive and retain the upper portion of the weight bar. The number of pockets is maximized to enhance weight adjustability by providing the pockets in plural compartments, the compartments being located in two transversely spaced columns.

1 . An adjustably weighted device to be worn on a limb such as a leg or arm of a person comprising:
 a wrap or band unit having a lengthwise dimension configured to encircle and abut said limb;   at least two weight container sections spaced lengthwise along said unit, each weigh container section including at least two compartments arranged in a column extending along a width dimension of the unit;   at least one row of plural side by side weight receiving pockets located in each of said compartments, said pockets being elongated in said width dimension; and   plural weight bars configured to be received and retained in said pockets.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein each pocket has an access opening via which a weight bar may be inserted into that pocket, said access opening being at a location spaced from the ends of the pocket such that the weight bar is longer than the length of a bottom portion of the pocket extending from the access opening to the bottom of the pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein each pocket includes an elastic section at the upper edge of said access opening to permit the upper portion of the pocket to be stretched to receive and retain the upper portion of the weight bar. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein each compartment includes a cover flap pivotable along the upper edge of the compartment between an open position in which the pockets in the compartment are exposed and accessible and a closed position in which the pockets in the compartment are covered and inaccessible. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein portions of the wrap in contact with said limb are made from velvet soft material to minimize friction and provide warmth in the contacted limb area. 
     
     
         6 . An adjustably weighted device to be worn on a limb such as a leg or arm of a person comprising:
 a wrap or band unit having a lengthwise dimension configured to encircle and abut said limb;   a plurality of weight receiving pockets disposed on said unit, said pockets being elongated in a width dimension of the unit;   plural weight bars configured to be received and retained in said pockets;   wherein each pocket has an access opening via which a weight bar may be inserted into that pocket, said access opening being at a location spaced from the ends of the pocket such that the weight bar is longer than the length of a bottom portion of the pocket extending from the access opening to the bottom of the pocket.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein each pocket includes an elastic section at the upper edge of said access opening to permit the upper portion of the pocket to be stretched to receive and retain the upper portion of the weight bar. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  further comprising a cover flap pivotable between an open position in which the pockets are exposed and accessible and a closed position in which the pockets are covered and inaccessible. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6  wherein portions of the wrap in contact with said limb are made from velvet soft material to minimize friction and provide warmth in the contacted limb area. 
     
     
         10 . A method of preventing inadvertent removal of a weighted bar from a weight receiving pocket in an adjustably weighted exercise device of the type wherein the weight bars may be selectively inserted into and removed from the pockets to adjust weight carried by the device, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing an access opening in said pocket at a location along the pocket sidewall between the pocket ends such that a lower portion of the pocket extending between the access opening and the bottom end of the pocket is shorter that the weight bars; and   retaining a weight bar in the pocket with a top portion of the weight bar disposed between the access opening and the top end of the pocket.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the steps of:
 providing each pocket with an elastic section at the upper edge of said access opening; and   stretching the upper portion of the pocket to receive and retain the upper portion of the weight bar.