Weighted article of apparel with adjustable fit and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

Weighted articles of apparel having an adjustable fit and methods of manufacturing the same. In aspects, upper body, lower body, or full or substantially full body weighted article of apparel having an adjustable fit are provided. Fit-adjusting features or mechanisms can be incorporated into the weighted articles of apparel to allow a fit, tightness, or constriction of a wearable portion and/or the weighted portions to be adjusted, thereby allowing weights to more directly transfer forces onto a wearer in desired areas. The fit-adjusting features can include zipper-mechanisms that can be secured or unsecured while still remaining connected by a connecting textile, e.g., such as a gusset.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weighted article of apparel with an adjustable fit, comprising:
 a wearable portion with a plurality of compartments;   a plurality of weights positioned within the plurality of compartments;   a zipper-mechanism comprising a first side attached proximate to a first edge of the wearable portion and a second side attached proximate to a second edge of the wearable portion, the first side and the second side configured to be reversibly coupled to each other; and   a connecting textile that extends between the first side and the second side of the zipper-mechanism and thereby limits displacement of the first side and the second side of the zipper-mechanism,
 wherein coupling the first side and the second side of the zipper-mechanism defines a first fit of the wearable portion in which the connecting textile is compacted, and wherein uncoupling the first side and the second side of the zipper-mechanism defines a second fit of the wearable portion in which the connecting textile is extended, the second fit being looser than the first fit. 
   
     
     
         2 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting textile is integrally formed with at least one textile of the wearable portion. 
     
     
         3 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting textile is separately formed from the wearable portion, and is attached to an inner surface of the wearable portion adjacent to the first edge and adjacent to the second edge. 
     
     
         4 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting textile comprises a gusset. 
     
     
         5 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 4 , wherein the gusset comprises a triangular shape. 
     
     
         6 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 4 , wherein the gusset comprises a diamond shape. 
     
     
         7 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of weights each comprise a material having a higher density than one or more textiles forming the wearable portion. 
     
     
         8 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper-mechanism comprises one of a pair of zipper-mechanisms positioned on opposite sides of the article of apparel, each zipper-mechanism configured for adjusting a fit of the wearable portion. 
     
     
         9 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 8 , wherein the article of apparel comprises an upper body article of apparel, wherein the wearable portion comprises a torso portion, and wherein the pair of zipper-mechanisms extend vertically upward along opposite sides of the torso portion. 
     
     
         10 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 9 , wherein the wearable portion further comprises a pair of arm portions that are attached to the torso portion, and wherein each zipper-mechanism extends from the torso portion onto a corresponding one of the pair of arm portions. 
     
     
         11 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 10 , wherein the wearable portion further comprises a pair of arm cuffs, and wherein each zipper-mechanism extends from a corresponding arm portion to a corresponding one of the pair of cuffs. 
     
     
         12 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 8 , wherein the article of apparel comprises a lower body article of apparel, wherein the wearable portion comprises a pair of leg portions, and wherein the pair of zipper-mechanisms extend vertically upward on opposite lateral sides of the pair of leg portions. 
     
     
         13 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of compartments are located at one or more first zones on the wearable portion, and wherein one or more second zones located on the wearable portion are formed without the plurality of compartments. 
     
     
         14 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting textile has a first weight per area and the wearable portion with the plurality of compartments has a second weight per area, wherein the first weight per area is less than the second weight per area. 
     
     
         15 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of compartments comprise a first textile, a second textile, and one or more batting layers between the first textile and the second textile. 
     
     
         16 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more batting layers comprise a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         17 . The weighted article of apparel of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting textile has a first color and the wearable portion has a second color, wherein the first color is different from the second color. 
     
     
         18 . An article of apparel having an adjustable fit, comprising:
 a torso portion;   a pair of arm portions extending from the torso portion;   a plurality of internal compartments formed in the torso portion and in the pair of arm portions;   a plurality of weights positioned in the plurality of internal compartments;   a first zipper-mechanism located on a first side of the torso portion;   a first connecting textile coupled to the torso portion such that it extends between opposite sides of the first zipper-mechanism, thereby allowing the first connecting textile to be compacted when the first zipper-mechanism is in a closed configuration and extended when the first zipper-mechanism is in an open configuration;   a second zipper-mechanism located on a second side of the torso portion; and   a second connecting textile coupled to the torso portion such that it extends between opposite sides of the second zipper-mechanism, thereby allowing the second connecting textile to be compacted when the second zipper-mechanism is in a closed configuration and extended when the second zipper-mechanism is in an open configuration.   
     
     
         19 . The article of apparel of  claim 18 , wherein the article of apparel is an upper body garment. 
     
     
         20 . The article of apparel of  claim 19 , wherein the upper body garment comprises:
 a jacket; or   a pullover.   
     
     
         21 . The article of apparel of  claim 18 , wherein the first connecting textile comprises a first gusset attached to the torso portion adjacent to the opposite sides of the first zipper-mechanism, and wherein the first gusset extends through a first underarm area on the first side of the torso portion, wherein the second connecting textile comprises a second gusset attached to the torso portion adjacent to the opposite sides of the second zipper-mechanism, and wherein the second gusset extends through a second underarm area on the second side of the torso portion. 
     
     
         22 . The article of apparel of  claim 21 , wherein the first zipper-mechanism and the first gusset further extend through the first underarm area onto a first arm portion of the pair of arm portions, and wherein the second zipper-mechanism and the second gusset further extend through the second underarm area onto a second arm portion of the pair of arm portions. 
     
     
         23 . The article of apparel of  claim 18 , wherein the first connecting textile and the second connecting textile each comprise a mesh. 
     
     
         24 . A method of manufacturing a weighted article of apparel with an adjustable fit, the method comprising:
 forming a wearable portion that includes a plurality of internal compartments;   incorporating a plurality of weights into the plurality of internal compartments;   attaching a zipper-mechanism to the wearable portion, such that a first side of the zipper-mechanism is attached proximate a first edge of the wearable portion and a second side of the zipper-mechanism is attached proximate a second edge of the wearable portion, the first side and the second side of the zipper-mechanism configured to be reversibly coupled to each other; and   attaching a connecting textile to the wearable portion such that it extends between the first side and the second side of the zipper-mechanism.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the connecting textile comprises a gusset that is attached along a length of the first side of the zipper-mechanism and along a length of the second side of the zipper-mechanism. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the zipper-mechanism comprises one of a pair of zipper-mechanisms incorporated on opposite sides of the wearable portion, each zipper-mechanism configured for adjusting a fit of the wearable portion. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the plurality of internal compartments each include an interior batting configured to at least partially maintain a position of one or more weights enclosed therein.