Weighted Footwear

Abstract

A foot weight device is provided which can be fitted to the foot or footwear of a user. The device is particularly adapted for use with skates, and in particular a hockey skate. The device has one or more compartments located on each side of the user's ankle so as to provide an equally balanced weight on the side of the user's foot. The weight receiving compartments are positioned adjacent to both the lateral and medial malleolus portions of the ankle so that weight is preferably equally applied to both sides of the ankle. Alternatively, the weight receiving compartments can be formed as an integral part of the footwear. A more balanced foot weight is provided which minimizes undue strain on the ankle and foot structure.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of weighted footwear, and in particular, relates to a weight system for use on a skate.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Exercising weights for various types of footwear, and in particular, various types of skates, have been previously described. For example, various weighted skate devices have been described in Canadian patent publication Nos. 2088617 and 2217759. Further, additional weighted footwear has also been described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,582,067, 3,901,524, and more recently, US Patent Publication No. 2004 / 0259666. These documents all provide systems and devices for attaching weights to the legs or footwear worn by an athlete. This use of athletic training devices which are capable of having or including additional weights, attached to either a participant or their athletic equipment during a training session, is well known. These devices are commonly used during practice sessions as the athletes simulate ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]Accordingly, it is a principal advantage of the present invention to provide a weight to a skate in order to require a greater performance from the legs of the skaters within a shorter period of time.

[0008]It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a system wherein the weights are securely attached to the skates in order to ensure that they will not move during any regular exercise of the skater.

[0009]A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a securing means which will make the device easily installed or removed from the ice skates so that a skater may install or remove it quickly before a hockey game, an artistic performance or a mere exercise practice.

[0010]It is a still further advantage of the present invention to provide a weight system wherein the weights are located in a position that will not unduly interfere with the skater's nature balance, flexibility or skating motion.

[0011]A yet still further advantage of the present invention is to provide a weight system wherein the weights are located in a position wherein excessive strain on the muscles and tendons of the ankle joint is eliminated or otherwise ameliorated.

[0012]An even further advantage of the present invention is to provide a weight system wherein weights can be easily added or removed from the system, and wherein the weight on each side of the ankle can be adjusted or balanced.

Problems solved by technology

However, traditional ankle weights are not particularly well suited for use on a skate since they tend to be held too far up the leg since the boot of the skate interferes with a lower location of the ankle weight.

This leads to excessive weight being located in a position where it does not assist in developing leg strength, but requires overuse of the ankle and foot muscles and tendons in order to move and / or compensate for the poorly distributed weight.

This excessive weighting can lead to strained muscles, tendinitis, or other injuries related to the foot or ankle.

Further, the poorly positioned weighting of the skate can affect the skater's balance, skating motion, or affect the skater's normal agility or flexibility.

Images