Passive load bearing system

Abstract

The invention provides a system for temporarily increasing the mass of an animal's body. The invention is useful both as a means of correcting an animal's existing body condition as well as preventing an adverse change to its body condition.

1 . A system for passively loading an animal's body, comprising: 
 a. a flexible substrate;    b. at least one sub-weight; and    c. encapsulation containing the at least one sub-weight and attached to the flexible substrate.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the encapsulation contains a plurality of sub-weights.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of sub-weights are loosely disposed within the encapsulation so as to be self-centering.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the flexible substrate is provided with at least one grommet.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the sub-weight is planar.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the sub-weight is cylindrical.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the sub-weight is spherical.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising the weight being planar.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the encapsulation is made of a breathable material.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the encapsulation is made of an impenetrable material.  
   
   
       11 . A system for passively loading an endoskeletal animal's body, comprising a garment having at least one pocket at a midjoint area of an appendage covering portion of the garment.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the garment is a long sleeved upper body garment.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the garment is a long legged pair of trousers.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the garment is a short sleeved upper body garment.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the garment is a mid-length pair of trousers.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the garment is a stocking.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the garment has a plurality of pockets at a midjoint area.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the garment has at least one pocket at each midjoint area.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the pocket is circumferentially disposed to the appendage covering portion of the garment.