Plate for weight training

Abstract

A weighted plate system can include a molded panel including an array of compartments defining recesses on a first side of the molded panel and projections on a second side of the molded panel. The projections can be separated by channels that include at least a first channel and a second channel having longest dimensions extending non-parallel to one another. A set of weighted inserts can be sized for receipt in the recesses of the compartments. A cap layer can be sized to overlay the molded panel and enclose the set of weighted inserts within the compartments.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A weighted plate assembly, comprising:
 a set of metal weighted inserts;   a molded foam panel extending in a height direction, a width direction, and a depth direction, the molded foam panel defining a main body extending in the depth direction between a first reference face and a second reference face, the molded foam panel further defining an array of compartments each including a recess extending inwardly from the first reference face and each at least partially bounded by a projection extending outwardly from the second reference face, wherein the set of metal weighted inserts are received within the array of compartments, wherein the projections are separated by flexure channels, wherein the flexure channels include at least one vertical flexure channel having a longest dimension extending along the height direction so as to facilitate flexure of the molded foam panel about the height direction, wherein the flexure channels include at least one horizontal flexure channel having a longest dimension along the width direction so as to facilitate flexure of the molded foam panel about the width direction; and   a cap layer coupled with the molded foam panel and arranged so as to enclose the set of metal weighted inserts within the compartments of the molded foam panel.   
     
     
         2 . The weighted plate assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a fabric skin layer form-fitted over the projections and into the flexure channels. 
     
     
         3 . The weighted plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cap layer includes or is covered by a fabric backing layer. 
     
     
         4 . The weighted plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cap layer comprises a foam board sandwiched between the molded foam panel and a fabric backing layer. 
     
     
         5 . The weighted plate assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an edge binding included along boundaries of the molded foam panel and the cap layer. 
     
     
         6 . The weighted plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the array of compartments comprises compartments having differing peripheral shapes from one another and the set of metal weighted inserts are shaped to match the differing peripheral shapes. 
     
     
         7 . The weighted plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one vertical flexure channel comprises a central vertical flexure channel and the array of compartments is symmetric from one side of the central vertical flexure channel to an opposite side of the central vertical flexure channel. 
     
     
         8 . The weighted plate assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one horizontal flexure channel comprises a middle horizontal flexure channel and the array of compartments is asymmetric from one side of the middle horizontal flexure channel to an opposite side of the middle horizontal flexure channel. 
     
     
         9 . The weighted plate assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising stitching extending through at least some of the flexure channels so as to secure the molded foam panel with the cap layer. 
     
     
         10 . The weighted plate assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising a fabric skin layer arranged over the molded foam panel so as to obscure the stitching from view. 
     
     
         11 . A weighted plate system, comprising:
 a molded panel including an array of compartments defining recesses on a first side of the molded panel and projections on a second side of the molded panel, wherein the projections are separated by channels that include at least a first channel and a second channel having longest dimensions extending non-parallel to one another;   a set of weighted inserts sized for receipt in the recesses of the compartments; and   a cap layer sized to overlay the molded panel and enclose the set of weighted inserts within the compartments.   
     
     
         12 . The weighted plate system of  claim 11 , wherein the weighted inserts are formed from a material having a higher density than the molded panel. 
     
     
         13 . The weighted plate system of  claim 11 , wherein the recesses extend inward from a reference face of the molded panel, and wherein an overall depth of the molded panel relative to the reference face is greater along the projections than along the channels. 
     
     
         14 . The weighted plate system of  claim 11 , further comprising a set of fasteners arranged for receiving straps to form the weighted plate system into a vest or other form factor for disposing along a body of a wearer for use. 
     
     
         15 . The weighted plate system of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of:
 the molded panel comprises a foam material;   the set of weighted inserts comprises a metal material; or   the cap layer comprises at least one of a foam material or a fabric material.   
     
     
         16 . A method of preparing a weighted plate assembly, the method comprising:
 accessing a molded panel including an array of compartments defining recesses on a first side of the molded panel and projections on a second side of the molded panel, wherein the projections are separated by channels that include at least a first channel and a second channel having longest dimensions extending non-parallel to one another;   inserting a set of weighted inserts into the recesses of the compartments; and   securing a cap layer to the molded panel in a position enclosing the set of weighted inserts within the compartments.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the securing comprising stitching the cap layer to the molded panel with stitching in at least one of the channels. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein inserting the set of weighted inserts comprises inserting weights into less than all of the recesses. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein inserting the set of weighted inserts comprises inserting a selected number of slices into one of the recesses in accordance with a target weight for the weighted plate assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein at least one spacing insert having a density at least five times less than one of the weighted inserts is inserted into at least one of the recesses.