The present invention relates to a garment, particularly a training garment, and more specifically a garment, such as, for example, a coverall-type garment, in which weight is the component that makes training more effective.

Sportsmen and others seeking to maintain and improve their condition have through the ages attempted to improve their condition by stressing themselves/their muscles. Exercise as such is usually sufficient as a basis for training, but often auxiliary devices are often used to make exercise more effective.

One means for increasing effectiveness is the use of weights. Many different types of weights are sold in sports stores, the most usual type being belts, which are used, for example, attached to the thighs, wrists, or ankles. Another type of weight is a vest-like weight, which is put on around the upper body like a conventional vest. The types of weight referred to work well up to a certain limit, in certain types of training routines, but unresolved drawbacks are also associated with their use.

One example of the drawbacks of known solutions is that when moving the weights tend to move and thus cause abrasions where they are located. In addition, in more strenuous training, there is always the danger of an additional protrusion, such as a weight belt, causing injury, for example, in falls. Another drawback that can be mentioned is a certain lack of balance, which means, for example, that weights placed around the upper body like a vest, and which are rather loosely attached, will tend to continue motion in sudden changes of direction during training, in a manner that can seriously disturb the balance of the person involved.

Training accessories are also known, which cover only a specific small part of the exerciser's body, so that the training effect too is naturally very limited.

The present invention is intended to create a training means, which when used will effectively assist training, which in all circumstances is protective rather than damaging, and which in practice is a simple and reliable device. An additional intention is to create a training means, which the aid of which training will be balanced, both in terms of the location of the weights and in terms of the performance of the training event. In addition, the intention is to create a training means that can be easily adapted to different practical purposes.

In the following, the invention is examined in greater detail with reference to the accompanying patent drawings, in which the invention is illustrated with a coverall type garment.

Thus:

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the invention, seen from directly in front;

Figure 2 shows a rear view of the same embodiment;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the said embodiment;

Figure 4 shows a front view of a second embodiment;

Figure 5 shows a rear view of the embodiment of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 shows in turn a side view of the embodiment of Figure 4.

The figures thus shows a training garment, in this case a coverall-type garment, which is formed of a trouser part 1 , a vest part 3, and an intermediate part 2 connecting them. The general construction of the garment according to the invention can be more or less conventional, it has usually an outer fabric and an inner lining in the usual manner. In terms of the materials, a cloth or fabric that is sturdier than usual is to be recommended, in order to ensure durability.

The basic idea of the invention shown in Figures 1 - 3 is that flexible pieces 4 and 5 of a relatively heavy material are sewn into the trouser part 1 and the vest part 3 of the garment according to the invention. In the case shown, there are two of the said heavy pieces in the trouser part 1 , one at each side. In the vest part 3, on the other hand, a unified piece 5 is preferred, which is, however, divided in front into two separate branches 5' and 5", to facilitate use. As can be seen from Figure 2, which shows the rear side, the rear-side piece 5 is principally unified.

The intermediate part 2 is principally of the same woven material as the trousers and vest, but the intermediate part does not include parts made of heavy material. It is obvious that the garment must be very flexible in the waist area and that it must permit bending and stooping, which is important in most training exercises. A suitable belt 7, which on the one hand supports the garment and holds it in place, and which on the other hand can also act to support the waist of the person using the garment, can be attached to the intermediate part.

To allow the person training to put the garment on easily, it is equipped with means, such as a zip fastener 6, with the aid of which the garment can be opened and taken off and put on easily. The extent of the zip fastener 6 or similar can be defined to be such that putting the garment on or taking it off is really easy and thus the fastener can also extend to the area of the trousers.

The embodiment shown in Figures 4 - 6 differs from the embodiment of Figures 1 - 3 in that, as the figures clearly show, the arms and legs are now protected and equipped with a weight material. The material of the arms is marked with the reference number 8 in the case of the piece of the upper arm and with the reference number 9 in the case of the part from the elbow downwards. The part remaining between these pieces, which permits the arm to be bent freely, is marked with the reference number 11.

As can be clearly seen in Figures 4 - 6, the upper and lower arm shields are quite extensive, which means that the amount of weight material is also quite

large and thus its training effect is similarly large. When using such pieces, the protective effect is good.

Figures 4 - 6 also show what was said about the arms also applies to the legs, i.e. that the training and protective effect is considerable.

As stated above, certain areas in the garment must be left free of the weight material, because the material, even though it has been tried to make it responsive in terms of bending, is, however, a difficult material at the bends. Thus at the elbow joints there is an area 11 that is free of weight material, as there also is at the knee joints 12. In the embodiment of Figures 4 - 6, a separate back-piece 13 is used, the separation of which from the other parts is ensured by means of intermediate pieces 14. This piece 13 is specifically intended to protect the posterior of the wearer, and not to greatly affect the training resistance.

According to a further development of the training garment according to the invention, the garment according to the invention can be made in parts. In practice, this means that, for example, the garment shown in Figure 5 is actually made of parts that are separate, but attached to each other. This is shown in Figure 5 by a schematic attachment mechanism, which is marked in the figure with the reference number 15, being drawn in the seams between the parts.

Thus if required, the garment according to the invention can be assembled as the required construction, from at least an arm part, a shoulder part, a vest part, a trouser part, a thigh part, and a calf part. It is obvious that use is in no way restricted to a total combination of the parts, but that instead, if only an arm must be exercised in training, this can be done easily by using only an arm part, or a combination of the arm and shoulder parts on the desired arm.

Thus, at its best, the invention provides an opportunity for symmetrical or asymmetrical training, using the full arsenal of weights, or using only some of the heavy parts of the garment.

It is obvious that many alternatives are available for attaching the parts of the garment to each other in a suitable manner. The first alternative to come to mind is attachment using zip fasteners or Velcro tape. Other alternatives too can be found, from buttons to press-studs.

What is stated above concerning the sewing of the heavy parts into the garment can, in fact, refer to any way whatever of securing them in place. Various ways are, for example, forming a pocket into which the said piece of heavy material is placed. In that case the garment, such as the trousers and vest with the intermediate piece, form a fixed totality, which under normal circumstances there is no attempt to dismantle in any way.

Another alternative is that the pocket made in the garment can be opened and closed. The opening/closing can be done in many ways, for example, by using buttons, Velcro, or zips. The advantage in this construction is that the heavy piece 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 can be replaced with another one, for example, a corresponding lighter or heavier piece, according to the desired training effect.

The material of the heavy piece 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13 is selected according to the desired criteria. What is essential is that the material must be naturally sufficiently flexible to conform relatively easily to the part of the body that is inside the garment. This will avoid abrading the skin, as the piece does not move and thus will not rub. Another feature of the garment is that it is unnoticed both by the wearer and in its external appearance. The dimensions and conformability of the garment are such that its presence cannot be detected, for example, from the external appearance of an ice-hockey player.

A third advantageous property of the garment according to the invention is for it to have no components that could endanger the wearer. On the contrary, the garment has a protective effect.

The heavy material of the garment according to the invention can be, for example, a mat-like rubber or plastic-based material, which is either naturally

flexible or which has had its flexibility enhanced by suitable cuts or slits. The weight and other properties of the various parts can be different and they need not necessarily even be of the same material.

The material 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13 can be as such of a suitable sheet-like, heavy material, but if necessary it can be equipped particularly on the side lying against the body with a suitable surfacing, which can be of cloth or fabric and if necessary can also include a padding material. This will enhance the protective effect of the garment according to the invention.

With the aid of the garment according to the invention, a training garment can be created, with the aid of which the exercise load will increase to make the training effective. In other words, a garment is created, which when worn is more or less unnoticed by both the actual wearer and an external observer. The protective effect of the garment is considerable. The garment is suitable for use in practically any training.

The grade of its material, fabric, or cloth, to which the heavy material is attached, is selected to be sufficiently strong to withstand strains. On the other hand, the material can have properties that are advantageous in terms of the fit of the garment. Thus the material can be of a type that stretches when it is put on, causing the entire garment to sit tightly and essentially without moving on the wearer. This will make it comfortable to use.

The invention can be adapted in many ways while nevertheless remaining within the scope of protection of the inventive idea and of the accompanying Claims.