Halloween’s airing of Shark Tank included the founder of a company called Titin, a maker of weight training equipment.  The unique twist is that this is equipment you wear.  Founder Patrick Whaley explained that it was a shirt with weights incorporated into the fabric so as to be positioned over the chest.  He said this helped athletes increase their jump height by 13%.  He also said it was patented, as if he was the only one who could incorporate weights into a shirt.

The Sharks distrusted him on numerous counts.  They should.  I did a quick patent search and only found one patent.  It was a measly design patent—and it was on a pair of pants that look like football pants.  There was nothing about a shirt with weights.  If you care to look it up, it is U.S. Patent No. D703,919.

Distrust on not, he received two offers.  Damon offered a 20 percent stake for $500,000.  Kevin offered the same amount for only 15 percent.

He was smart and took Damon’s offer.  Personally, I wouldn’t pay $250 for a weighted shirt, but evidently some people do.  In any event, it’s not protected by a patent and if it does become successful, it’s fair game if anyone wants to compete.  Only time will tell.