Weighted Exercise Sliding Device

Abstract

A weighted exercise slide device for use in performing a variety of exercise routines is comprised of a weight plate encapsulated within a layer of high density polyethylene. The upper surface of the device may be provided with a plurality of small shear connectors for aid in securing a gripping surface comprised of a layer of soft or friction enhanced material. The weight plate is of a standard overall dimension but the weight of the weight plate may be altered to allow for manufacture of a plurality of differently weighted exercise slide devices of a uniform shape and size from a single mold.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A weighted exercise slide device comprising:
 (a) a weight;   (b) a thermoplastic layer encapsulating said weight; said thermoplastic layer encapsulating said weight having a top surface and a bottom surface; and   (c) a friction enhanced gripping surface on said top surface of said thermoplastic layer encapsulating said weight.   
     
     
         2 . The weighted exercise slide device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said bottom surface of said thermoplastic layer encapsulating said weight provides a bottom sliding surface. 
     
     
         3 . The weighted exercise slide device as recited in  claim 2  wherein said weight is a weight plate having a desired dimension and a predetermined weight. 
     
     
         4 . The weighted exercise slide device as recited in  claim 3  wherein said weight plate has at least one borehole reducing said predetermined weight of said weight plate. 
     
     
         5 . The weighted exercise slide device as recited in  claim 4  wherein said friction enhanced gripping surface is comprised of a layer of thermoplastic elastomer material. 
     
     
         6 . The weighted exercise slide device as recited in  claim 5  further comprising a plurality of shear connectors anchoring said layer of thermoplastic elastomer material to said top surface of said thermoplastic layer encapsulating said weight. 
     
     
         7 . The weighted exercise slide device as recited in  claim 6  wherein said shear connectors are molded integrally with said top surface of said thermoplastic layer encapsulating said weight. 
     
     
         8 . The weighted exercise slide device as recited in  claim 6  wherein said shear connectors are cut into said top surface of said thermoplastic layer encapsulating said weight. 
     
     
         9 . The weighted exercise slide device as recited in  claim 4  wherein said thermoplastic layer encapsulating said weight is comprised of high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         10 . The weighted exercise slide device as recited in  claim 6  further comprising a strap or handle attached to said top surface. 
     
     
         11 . A method of producing a weighted exercise slide device for use in a low friction exercise routine comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a weight plate having a predetermined dimension and a predetermined weight;   (b) encapsulating said weight plate within thermoplastic material, said thermoplastic material having a top surface and a bottom surface; and   (c) providing a friction enhanced gripping surface on said top surface of said thermoplastic material.   
     
     
         12 . The method of producing a weighted exercise slide device for use in a low friction exercise routine recited in  claim 11  wherein said thermoplastic material is comprised of high density polyethylene. 
     
     
         13 . The method of producing a weighted exercise slide device for use in a low friction exercise routine recited in  claim 12  wherein said friction enhanced gripping surface on said top surface of said thermoplastic material is a layer of thermoplastic elastomer material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of producing a weighted exercise slide device for use in a low friction exercise routine recited in  claim 11  further comprising the additional steps of:
 (a) providing at least one borehole in said weight plate; and 
 (b) determining if said borehole reduces the weight of said weight plate to a desired weight. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of producing a weighted exercise slide device for use in a low friction exercise routine recited in  claim 14  including the additional step of:
 (a) providing a plurality of shear connectors on said top surface of said thermoplastic material; and 
 (b) bonding said layer of thermoplastic elastomer material to said top surface of said thermoplastic material over said plurality of shear connectors. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of producing a weighted exercise slide device for use in a low friction exercise routine recited in  claim 15  including the additional step of providing a strap or handle attached to said top surface.