FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to devices for physical activity. In particular, the solution suggested in accordance with the invention provides a support device which can be applied to the user who performs physical activity.

BACKGROUND ART

A large number of users practices physical activities such as running, cycling and the like. Many of these users want to have information while they perform the activity they are interested in, for example viewing their route plan, running speed, the time elapsed, their number of heartbeats, etc. They are also interested in having information on the performance of the activity performed, which can be obtained by checking data recorded as it is being performed.

Several electronic devices are available for these purposes: digital watches, sports computers or smartphones provided with specific software. Such devices allow information to be displayed and recorded when performing the activity and to be reviewed once the activity has been completed. Although the digital watches and sports computers are very accurate and reliable, they are dedicated devices, quite often suitable for one single activity (e.g. only for running or only for cycling). In contrast, smartphones are widespread, therefore many users prefer them and in fact implement them as monitoring support for the physical activity they perform, thus avoiding purchasing a further device. Furthermore, in addition to being implemented as a monitoring support, smartphones are quite often used as multimedia player for listening to music during the activity.

A first disadvantage for users who use such devices are their overall dimensions: the dimensions of smartphones are much greater than those of the dedicated devices. Moreover, the dimensions of the smartphone screens increasingly tend to increase, accordingly so do the overall dimensions of the smartphone.

During physical activities such as running or cycling, it is indeed very uncomfortable to wear objects of these dimensions. The specific technical clothing also adheres more or less, and in fact does not provide suitable pockets for containing them properly.

Specific bands have been developed to be applied to the arm in order to provide an adequate containment for the smartphones during the physical activity, which is sufficiently comfortable for the user at the same time. Such bands are provided with an elastic band which is applied to the arm and with a pocket for housing the smartphone. The elastic band adapts to the different dimensions of the users' arm, while the pocket is connected to the elastic band by means of a buckle. The pocket further comprises at least one hole for the earphones wire to pass. According to other solutions, elastic band and pocket are made in a single piece, therefore there is no fastening buckle.

The known solutions allow the smartphone to be contained during physical activity with reduced risk that the latter may fall out of its seat. However, they do not provide sufficient flexibility of use and are dedicated to one single device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The Applicant has realized that known solutions do not offer support devices for smartphones, to be used during physical activity, which are efficient and suitable for housing several tools which can be used during the activity.

In particular, according to the solutions available, it is very complicated to see as well as to access a smartphone contained in the housing pocket.

Furthermore, the user must keep other objects such as flasks, towels, wallets and the like in the pockets of his/her items of clothing.

The stresses due to the dynamic nature of the activities involved significantly move the pocket containing the smartphone. Therefore, the band may move significantly from the point of the arm on which it is applied. The user must thus rearrange it periodically, which operation could be annoying or not very safe in certain contexts.

It is the main object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the known solutions of the prior art in a simple and affordable manner.

A support device, in particular for physical activity, according to the present invention, generally comprises:

- a support element configured to be worn in use on a portion of the user's body,

- one or more accessories configured to be coupled to said support element,

wherein the support element and said one or more accessories are configured to be coupled by means of a reversible connection of magnetic type, wherein the support element comprises first magnets (101 ) and the one or more accessories comprise second ferromagnetic elements in order to implement the reversible connection, and wherein said support element is substantially belt-shaped to be worn at the user's waist or substantially band-shaped to be worn at the user's arm. Further advantageous technical features of the present invention are set forth in the dependent claims, which are to be considered an integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technical features of the present invention as well as its advantages will become more apparent from the description below, merely given by way of non- limiting example, to be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which

- figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a device according to the present invention;

- figure 3 shows a front view of a component of a device according to the present invention, with details on a particular feature;

- figures 4A and 4B show the particular feature in figure 3, in two different conditions;

- figure 5 shows a front view of a further component of a device according to the present invention, with details on a particular feature;

- figure 6 shows two different embodiments of devices according to the present invention, worn by a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Both this description and these drawings are only to be considered for illustrative purposes and thus non-limiting; hence, the present invention may be implemented according to other and different embodiments; moreover, consider that these figures are schematic and simplified.

With reference to figure 1 , a support device 1 is shown, in particular for physical activity, comprising:

- a support element 10 configured to be worn in use on a portion of the user's body,

- one or more accessories 1 1 configured to be coupled to the support element, wherein the support element 10 and the one or more accessories 1 1 are configured to be coupled by means of a reversible connection of magnetic type. According to the embodiment shown in figure 1 , the support element 10 comprises a belt which is suitably configured to be worn by a user at his/her waist. As will become apparent from the description below, the support element 10 may be manufactured according to different methods for being worn at the user's arm, for example.

As said above, the reversible connection between the support element 10 and the accessories 1 1 is of magnetic type. To this end, the support element 10 comprises first magnets 101 , the one or more accessories 1 1 comprising second ferromagnetic elements 1 1 1 . The ferromagnetic elements 1 1 1 are magnetically attracted by the first magnets 101 of the support element 10. In order to achieve the coupling between the support element 10 and the accessory 1 1 , the user brings the accessory 1 1 close to the support element 10, the magnets 101 attract the ferromagnetic elements 1 1 1 , and accessory 1 1 is thus kept in place on the support element 10. To this end, the dimension of the magnets 101 , their magnetization, the dimension of the ferromagnetic elements 1 1 1 , and the position both of the magnets 101 and of the ferromagnetic elements 1 1 1 at the support element 10 and accessory 1 1 are specifically selected to optimize the connection. Such an aspect will become more apparent from the description below, with particular reference to figures 3 to 5.

As said above, according to an embodiment, the support element 10 may be substantially belt-shaped to be worn at the user's waist.

According to an alternative embodiment, instead, the support element 10 may be substantially band-shaped to be worn at the user's arm. With reference to figure 2, a support element 10 and a plurality of accessories 1 1 adapted to be applied to the support element 10 by means of the above-described reversible connection may be seen.

The accessories 1 1 shown in the figure comprise a smartphone support 1 1 , a support 14 for a towel or for a spare item of clothing, a compartment 12 and a flask 13.

The smartphone support 1 1 , the support 14 for a towel (or for a spare item of clothing) and the compartment are specifically configured to implement the above- described reversible connection of magnetic type. Therefore, they comprise respective ferromagnetic elements to implement the aforesaid connection. It is worth noting that flask 13 may also be specifically configured to implement the aforesaid reversible connection of magnetic type, and thus comprise respective ferromagnetic elements. However, any flask may also be advantageously used, which is provided with metal outer coating, without therefore including a dedicated flask.

With reference to figure 3, there is shown an embodiment of a support element 10, and in particular of the first magnets 101 and of the arrangement thereof at the support element 10. A support element 10 is preferably provided with a plurality of magnets 101 distributed on the support element itself. In particular, the magnets 101 are distributed along the main extension direction of the support element 10, coincident with axis 500, at region 10c. Thereby, a plurality of magnets are advantageously available at a wide region (10c). The connection between the support element 10 and the accessory(s) 1 1 may be implemented in several points of region 10c, and not in a single point. Such a configuration advantageously provides optimal flexibility of use; the user may decide to secure his/her accessory 1 1 to element 10 where it is most comfortable, in addition to being able to secure a plurality of accessories (as shown in figure 2). The enlargement shown by A in figure 3 allows an embodiment of the magnets 101 to be described. The first magnets 101 are preferably made as a plurality of modules provided with a housing surface 102 and a magnet 103 inserted within a specific seat provided on the housing surface 102. The modules forming the first magnets 101 are preferably not visible or accessible from the outside. According to an embodiment, they are inserted into element 10 and are covered by the fabric thereof. Such an aspect is particularly advantageous: it allows indeed an element 10 to be provided with a smooth outer surface free from those elements with which other objects carried by the user (e.g. a pair of earphones) may become entangled.

With reference to figures 4A and 4B, a magnetic module is shown, comprising a magnet 103 and a housing surface 102. Magnet 103 is preferably shaped as a spherical sheath, the seat 102a of surface 102 has a corresponding shape to house it exactly. Figure 4B shows the magnetic module assembled: magnet 103 is inserted into the seat 102a of surface 102. Such a configuration allows a very flexible production: when manufacturing an element in accordance with the present invention, magnet 103 may be selected in accordance with the application involved.

With reference to figure 5, there is shown an embodiment of an accessory 1 1 , in particular a smartphone holder. The figure shows the rear side 1 1 b which comprises a region 1 1 c where the ferromagnetic modules are installed. The opposite front side comprises a housing 1 1 a for the smartphone. In this case, the number of modules may also be selected to optimize the connection between the element 20 and the accessory. In practice, the ferromagnetic modules are very similar to the magnetic modules: they are provided with a housing surface 1 12 and an element 1 13 made of ferromagnetic material inserted within a specific seat provided on the housing surface 1 12.

With reference to figure 6, there is shown a user equipped with a first support element 10 to which a plurality of accessories 1 1 are applied at his waist, and with a second support element 10 to which an accessory 1 1 is applied at the arm. As mentioned above, the shape of the support element 10 is selected as a function of the application for which it is to be used.

The present invention also relates to an item of clothing, in particular an item of clothing for sporting activity, characterized in that it integrates a support element 10 of the above-described type, adapted to be coupled to one or more accessories of the above-described type.

According to an embodiment, the item of clothing may comprise a sweater for sporting activity. According to a further embodiment, the item of clothing may comprise shorts for sporting activity.

The support device for physical activity described is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the invention concept, as set forth in the appended claims. In practice, any materials as well as any dimensions and contingent shapes may be used, according to the needs and the background art.