U.S. patent application number 09/989386 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-27 for upper body garment with increased movement.
Invention is credited to Ferreiro, Roxanne.
Application Number | 20020078485 09/989386 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26843226 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020078485 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferreiro, Roxanne |
June 27, 2002 |
Upper body garment with increased movement
Abstract
An upper body garment accommodates increased mobility by a
wearer, particularly in upper back and shoulder areas. The upper
body garment uses excess or oversized fabric on at least an upper
back panel and preferably shoulder panels as well to allow the
increased movement by the wearer. For example, the amount of fabric
traditionally used to construct an extra-large garment can be used
to construct a large garment of the present invention. One or more
darts, preferably symmetrically arranged, are provided on the
shoulder panels on an edge adjacent the collar and on the upper
back panel on an edge adjacent the collar. This provides increased
mobility, due to the enlarged chest and upper sleeve area, while
retaining a proper fit around the neck and shoulder area due to the
darts removing excess fabric. The upper body garment is
particularly suited as an exercise jacket.
Inventors: |
Ferreiro, Roxanne; (Weston,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Family ID: |
26843226 |
Appl. No.: |
09/989386 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09989386 |
Nov 21, 2001 |
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09626919 |
Jul 27, 2000 |
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60145702 |
Jul 27, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/04 20130101; A41D
13/01 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41B 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An upper body garment providing increased mobility, comprising:
a right shoulder panel, a left shoulder panel, a back panel, and a
front panel, each abutting against a neck collar, at least the back
panel being oversized to provide an upper body garment with an
enlarged chest size to increase mobility of a wearer of the upper
body garment; at least one dart formed in each of the upper back
panel, left shoulder panel and right shoulder panel adjacent and
substantially perpendicular to the neck collar to form radially
aligned darts that take up excess fabric around the neck collar and
conform the back panel, left shoulder panel and right shoulder
panel to the neck collar.
2. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one dart
in the upper back panel is symmetrically arranged about a vertical
center line of the back panel.
3. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein at least two spaced
darts are provided in the back panel.
4. The upper body garment of claim 3, wherein the combination of
the right shoulder panel, the left shoulder panel, the back panel
and the front panel form a chest size of the garment that is about
8 to 12 inches larger than the commercial standard.
5. The upper body garment of claim 4, wherein the chest size is
about 62 inches.
6. The upper body garment of claim 4, wherein the chest size is
about 64 inches.
7. The upper body garment of claim 6, wherein the neck collar is
about 21.5 inches.
8. The upper body garment of claim 4, wherein the chest size is
about 66 inches.
9. The upper body garment of claim 4, wherein the chest size is
about 68 inches.
10. The upper body garment of claim 8, wherein the collar size is
about 22 inches.
11. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the darts
collectively take out from between 4.5 and 5.5 total inches of
fabric from said back and shoulder panels adjacent the neck
collar.
12. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein the back panel
contains three spaced darts adjacent and substantially
perpendicular to the collar.
13. The upper body garment of claim 12, wherein the three darts are
symmetrically arranged about a vertical center line of the back
panel.
14. The upper body garment of claim 12, wherein the three darts are
equidistantly spaced from each other and with respect to side edges
of the back panel.
15. The upper body garment of claim 1, wherein each said dart has a
length of about 2.5 inches.
16. An upper body garment providing increased mobility comprising:
a right shoulder panel, a left shoulder panel, a back panel, and a
front panel, each abutting against a neck collar, the back panel
and left and right shoulder panels each being oversized relative to
the neck collar to provide an oversized chest size that allows
increased upper body mobility; at least one dart formed in each of
the left and right shoulder panels adjacent and substantially
perpendicular to the neck collar; and at least one dart formed in
the back panel adjacent and substantially perpendicular to the neck
collar, wherein the at least one dart in each of the left and right
shoulder panels and back panel are radially aligned with each other
and take up excess fabric around the neck collar and conform the
back panel, left shoulder panel and right shoulder panel to the
neck collar.
17. A method of fabricating an upper body garment providing
increased mobility, comprising: providing a front panel, a left
shoulder panel, a right shoulder panel, a back panel, and a neck
collar, with at least the back panel being formed oversized
relative to the neck collar to create an enlarged chest size for
the upper body garment that allows increased mobility; forming at
least one dart in each of the back panel, the left shoulder panel
and the right shoulder panel on an edge of each said panel adjacent
and substantially perpendicular to where said panels will mate with
the neck collar; and joining the front panel, back panel, left and
right shoulder panels to the neck collar to form an upper garment
that has radially aligned darts that remove excess fabric to allow
a reduction in neck size relative to the chest size.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the right and left shoulder
panels, the back panel, the front panel, and the neck collar are
joined by stitching.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one dart in the
back panel is formed symmetrically about a vertical line of the
back panel.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein three darts are formed in the
back panel.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one dart has a
length of about 2.5".
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The invention relates to upper body garments providing
increased movement. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a jacket construction with increased movement as
compared to conventional jackets.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Traditionally, in upper body garment construction, designers
were concerned with form-fitting the garment. Many stitching
techniques have been utilized to effectively and efficiently
form-fit the garment. Such stitching techniques include forming
gussets, tapers, darts, slits, slashes, insertions and the like in
the garment in order to contour the garment to the person's natural
body shape.
[0005] However, such form-fitting techniques tend to reduce the
amount of movement achievable when the garment is worn. In
particular, movement in the upper body is restricted by the
garment. Therefore, one purchasing or designing garments in which
high mobility is desired, such as a jogging suit, tend to purchase
or design a garment of a larger size. The larger garment provides
room for movement in the back and shoulder area where most of the
upper body movement is centered. Unfortunately, the extra fabric,
particularly in the collar and upper garment area, can be very
cumbersome and bulky, which tends to restrict movement and make the
fit and appearance of the garment less desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an
upper body garment with increased mobility.
[0007] The majority of the movement in the upper body is centered
around the neck, back, and shoulder area. Traditional upper body
garments are concerned with a contour fit to the body, which limits
the amount of movement in the upper body. However, Applicant has
found that this and other objects of the invention can be achieved
by constructing the garment using excess fabric, for example, using
the amount of fabric traditionally used to construct an
"extra-large" garment to construct a "large" garment of the present
invention. The various pieces of fabric used in the construction of
upper body garments generally converge around the upper back,
shoulder, and neck area. However, oversized fabric causes problems
to arise when stitching the neck collar to the garment because of
the extra fabric. Typically, larger sized garments have
proportionally larger neck areas. However, Applicant found that
increased mobility in neck, shoulder and upper back areas and
proper fit around the neck area can be achieved by using at least
one dart in each shoulder and at least one dart in the upper back
area to allow attachment of a neck collar of an appropriate size to
the garment. The dart takes up the extra fabric so the neck,
shoulder, and upper back area fit properly.
[0008] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method
of manufacture of the garment such that the method can be used to
construct, for example, a jacket, a shirt, a blouse, coat, or the
like.
[0009] Advantages of this invention include increased mobility in
the upper body. For example, any type of activity requiring upper
body movement typically limits the type of garment one would wear.
The present invention provides a garment that when worn provides
increased mobility, does not give the feeling of restricted
movement, and provides a collar and shoulder area that properly
fits and is not overly large. Thus, such a garment is particularly
suited as an exercise or jogging jacket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention will be described with reference to the
following exemplary drawings, wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a back view of the upper garment, in the form of a
jacket, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the upper garment of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cut, unattached fabric
pieces to form a dart;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a back partial view of the neck and shoulder area
of a garment according to the invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a view of an upper back panel of the garment;
and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a view of a shoulder panel of the garment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of
the invention is shown. The precise size and type of fabric used in
the upper body garment may be chosen freely within the scope of the
invention and would be selected according to the dimensions of the
person for whom the garment is designed. The upper body garment is,
preferably, intended for athletic use, such as an exercise jacket.
The upper body garment, preferably a jacket, is made of a suitable
material, such as a reflective water repellent fabric with an inner
mesh liner allowing the jacket to breathe. The design of the jacket
allows ease of movement.
[0018] Specifically, the jacket includes an upper back panel 1, a
left shoulder panel 2, a right shoulder panel 3, a left front panel
5, a right front panel 6, a lower back panel 4, and a neck collar
7. As shown, the shoulder panels may optionally include sleeve
portions. The panels 1-6 are each cut corresponding to a size
larger than the final recommended size of the jacket to accommodate
stitching allowances. Moreover, at least the upper back panel 1 and
the left and right shoulder panels 2, 3 are made oversized compared
to a normal jacket of a particular size while maintaining a
standard or normal neck/collar size. A comparison of collective
commercial standards and a preferred exemplary inventive standard
are detailed in Table 1.
1TABLE 1 COMMERCIAL INVENTIVE STANDARD STANDARD NECK/COLLAR (CHEST
SIZE - (CHEST SIZE - SIZES SIZE INCHES) INCHES) (INCHES) SMALL
.congruent.50" .congruent.62" .congruent.same MEDIUM .congruent.52"
.congruent.64" .congruent.same LARGE .congruent.54" .congruent.66"
.congruent.same X-LARGE .congruent.56" .congruent.68"
.congruent.same
[0019] The extra chest size is preferably achieved by enlarging the
back panel 1 and shoulder panels 2 and 3 as described in more
detail below.
[0020] Darts 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 formed in the upper back and shoulder
area are adjacent and substantially perpendicular to a top edge 17
(see FIGS. 3-4) to take up the excess fabric. Each panel is sewn
together except for the neck collar 7. The neck collar is attached
to the jacket along the top edge 17 of each panel where the size of
the neck collar area, for example, corresponds to a person of a
large size while the torso, back, and arm area, for example,
correspond to a person of an extra large size. The design of the
jacket using darts in these areas provides increased ease of
movement, which is the object of the invention, while retaining a
proper neck fit.
[0021] The embodiments of this invention may use various
combinations of darts in each panel adjacent and substantially
perpendicular to the neck collar 7. Referring to FIG. 3, the dart
may be formed by folding over or removing a triangle portion of
fabric from the top edge 17 of a panel. Each dimension A, B,
.theta. of the dart is adjustable and dependent upon one another.
Specifically, increasing the angle .theta. between the two edges of
the dart allows one to remove more fabric B from the top edge 17.
However, an overly large angle .theta. may cause the fabric to
severely bunch up around the base of the dart and/or deform the top
edge 17 where the collar 7 is attached. To a certain extent, the
properties of the fabric used tend to dictate the range of .theta..
For example, one may desire a small angle .theta. when using stiff
or heavy fabric, for the bunching of the fabric will be very
apparent with a larger angle .theta.. In contrast, by using a large
angle .theta. with a light fabric, the fabric does not bunch up
around the base of the dart. The bunching effect tends to be
dispersed throughout the jacket due to the properties of the
fabric.
[0022] Additionally, the length of the dart A has a direct effect
on the increased mobility. As stated above, the invention can
provide extra fabric throughout the garment, or at least the
shoulder and upper back portions, without increasing the
recommended size of the jacket, particularly in the neck or collar
area so that proper fit can be achieved. The extra movement is
provided by the excess fabric, while still fitting the jacket to
the upper shoulder, upper back, and neck area. Therefore, by
increasing length A of the dart, more fabric is removed vertically
from the jacket. This, in effect, can decrease mobility if made too
long, as compared to a shorter dart, because the fabric is removed
where the excess fabric may be needed.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, darts 8-10 are formed in the upper back
panel 1. FIG. 4 shows a preferred embodiment where three darts 8-10
are formed in the upper back panel 1. However, the invention is not
limited to three darts, and more or fewer darts could be used
depending on the size and application of the garment. The number
and size of darts 8-10 are determined in consideration of the size
of the "oversized" back panel 1. Moreover, at least one dart 11, 12
is formed in each of the left and right shoulder panels 2, 3 on a
top edge 17 facing the collar or neck area of the garment. The
combination of the darts in the right and left shoulder panels and
the upper back panel takes up extra fabric, allowing the panels to
fit a proper neck collar, while providing increased movement to the
wearer due to the oversized panels which create an enlarged chest
size.
[0024] The formation of only one dart in the upper back panel 1 is
described below, as the formation of the others in the upper back
panel may be similar or identical.
[0025] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, a length C of the dart 8,
an amount of fabric removed D, and the spacing E of the darts 8-10
are variable and dependent upon garment size and the amount of
increased movement desired. The length C is dependent upon the
amount of fabric removed D and the desired appearance of the
resultant dart 4 and the upper back area. However, the fabric at
the base of the dart tends to bunch up the shorter the length C
becomes. Contrarily, the movement becomes more limited the longer
the length C is. Additionally, it is desirable to arrange the darts
8-10 and spacing E symmetrically around the center line X of the
upper back panel 1 in order to provide similar mobility with
respect to the left and right sides of the back and body.
[0026] In this embodiment, which may for example be used to form an
exercise jacket having a large size, the dart has a length C of
approximately 2.5 inches; the amount of fabric removed D per dart
8-10 is approximately 1 inch (as measured at the collar seam) (1/2"
tuck); and the spacing E between the darts in the upper back panel
1 is approximately 1.5 inches, but can vary. Additionally, the
three darts 8-10 are approximately equidistantly spaced from each
other and two sides 14, 15 of the upper back panel 1. Once the
triangle portion denoted by 8', C, and D is removed from the panel,
the two edges 8' of the fabric are sewn together with one edge
slightly overlapping the other edge. Stitching is provided along
the entire length of the dart. This step is repeated for the
remaining two darts in the upper back panel 1.
[0027] Upon completion of the three darts 8-10 in the upper back
panel 1, a total length of 3.times.D has been removed from the top
edge 17 of the upper back panel 1. In this embodiment, this results
in a total of about three inches removed (3.times.1). Thus, the
size of the upper back panel 1 along the top edge 17 is reduced to
a size smaller than the original size of the upper back panel 1,
which was cut to be oversized.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, only one dart 11, 12
is formed in each of the left shoulder panel 2 and the right
shoulder panel 3, respectively. It is desirable that the darts 11,
12 are of the same size and identically spaced to provide similar
mobility in each of the shoulders. The formation of only one dart
12 in the right shoulder panel 3 is described below, as the
formation of the other dart 11 is similar or identical. Again,
depending on the size and application, more or fewer darts can be
provided.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 6, the length F of the dart, the amount of
fabric removed G, and the spacing H of the dart are variable.
Again, the length F is dependent upon the amount of fabric removed
G and appearance of the resultant dart 12 and the upper shoulder
area. The fabric around the dart 12 tends to bunch up the shorter
the length F. However, the increased movement is reduced the longer
the length F.
[0030] In this embodiment, the dart length E is approximately 2.5
inches; the amount of fabric removed G per dart is approximately 1
inch; and the spacing H of the dart in the left shoulder panel 2 is
approximately 1.25 inches from the shoulder edge, although it can
vary slightly and achieve a similar effect. Once the triangle
portion denoted by 12', F, and G is removed from the panel, the two
edges 12' of the fabric are sewn together with one edge slightly
overlapping the other edge. Stitching is provided along the entire
length of the dart. This step is repeated for the other dart 11 in
the left shoulder panel 2.
[0031] Upon completion of the darts 8-12 in the shoulder panels 2,
3 and in the upper back panel 1, a total length of approximately
3.times.D+2.times.G is removed from the top edge 17 of the panels
1, 2, 3. In this embodiment, between approximately 4.5 to 5.5 total
inches are removed from the top edge 17. Therefore, a neck collar 7
is attached that is about 5 inches smaller with respect to a collar
normally attached to the upper body of a garment with this overall
size. That is, a normal neck or collar can be used. For example,
the commercial standard for a medium jacket is about a 52" chest
size and about a 21.5" neck size. With the invention, a medium
jacket has a same neck size of about 21.5", but a chest size of
about 64", which allows a proper fit of the neck to the person
while also attaining increased mobility, particularly in the upper
back and shoulder areas making the jacket particularly suitable as
an exercise jacket.
[0032] In summary, a jacket or outer garment with an "oversized"
chest size is provided that allows more freedom of movement of the
upper back and arms, while retaining the overall comfort and fit of
a conventional jacket. That is, rather than a wearer merely buying
a larger sized garment, such as an XL rather than an L, which would
be uniformly larger everywhere, a wearer can wear the inventive
outer garment, which adds about 8 to 12 inches of fabric total to
the shoulder and back panels to achieve the "oversized" chest size,
while the darts provided on the back panel and/or shoulder panels
adjust the oversize garment to adapt to a collar similar in size to
a "normal" outer garment of a desired size. Accordingly, neck size,
sleeve length and waist circumference are appropriately sized as
normal to ensure a desirable fit, without the garment feeling or
looking bulky or loose, while allowing increased upper body
mobility. As such, the garment is particularly adapted for use as a
workout or exercise jacket.
[0033] As to the formation of the jacket, the upper back panel 1 is
joined to the lower back panel 4. Specifically, the upper and lower
back panels 1, 4 can be attached to one another by 1-inch stitching
spaced approximately 3 inches apart, providing ventilation in the
back of the jacket. The upper back panel 1 preferably overlaps the
lower back panel by approximately 2 inches. The left shoulder panel
2 is joined to the upper and lower back panel 1, 4 along seam 14
and is joined to the left front panel 5 along seam 13.
Additionally, the right shoulder panel 3 is joined to the upper
back panel 1 along seam 15 and is joined to the right front panel 6
along seam 16. Next the lower edges 18, 18' of the left and right
shoulder panels 2, 3 beginning at point P are stitched together to
form sleeve portions of the jacket. Finally, a neck collar 7 is
attached to the top edge 17.
[0034] In this exemplary embodiment, representing a size large
exercise jacket, the panels have the following dimensions:
2 TABLE 2 SIDE LENGTH PANEL (Reference #) (inches) Upper Back Panel
17 .congruent.6" 14, 15 .congruent.12.5" 21 .congruent.15" 22
.congruent.15.5" Shoulder Panel 17 .congruent.3" 20
.congruent.17.5" 18 .congruent.21" 19 .congruent.14" Neck Collar 7
.congruent.22" Total Back Width W .congruent.34.5"
[0035] While not necessary, inner mesh liner panels can be cut
corresponding to the size of each panel of the outer shell of the
jacket described above. Darts can be formed in the left and right
liner shoulder panels and the upper liner back panel using the same
method as described above. In a preferred embodiment, three darts
are formed in the upper liner back panel and one dart each is
formed in the left and right liner shoulder panels. The darts
should correspond to the size of the darts formed in the outer
shell of the jacket as described above. However, the size does not
have to be exact, for the inner mesh liner is preferably an
extremely light and stretchable fabric. Therefore, the fabric will
tend to expand and retract with body movement.
[0036] The inner mesh liner panels are sewn together along the same
edges as when the outer shell panels were attached. Next, the inner
mesh liner is attached to the inner side of the outer shell.
[0037] The jacket fabric is, preferably, a highly reflective
fabric. In the light, the jacket appears non-reflective as any
other jacket would appear. However, when a bright light is shined
on the jacket, for example from a car headlight, the jacket appears
as a bright white color. Therefore, one can wear the jacket without
wearing a highly reflective vest.
[0038] A hood can be provided, which can be enclosed in a zipper
portion 19 of the neck collar 7. The hood fabric is preferably very
light and stretchable, allowing the fabric to breathe.
[0039] Additionally, zippers can be provided for ventilation
spanning the underarm area. For example, the zippers may be
disposed along the seam of the shoulder panel 2, 3 extending
between the lower back panel and the front panels, not shown.
[0040] One or more stylish reflective stripes may be sewn onto the
upper back panel 1 denoting the overlap over the lower back panel.
The reflective stripe or stripes may further be sewn around the
circumference of the jacket.
[0041] Elastic can be provided at the base of the lower back panel
and at the base of the shoulder panel. The bottom edge of the
fabric preferably overlaps the elastic so that it may be is sewn in
place. Therefore, the resultant bottom edge of the jacket and the
end of each sleeve conforms to the form of a wearer's body.
Additionally, the bottom portion of the jacket and sleeves can be
cuffed. Furthermore, a drawstring can be provided at the bottom
portion of the jacket so the wearer can adjust the fitting of the
base of the jacket.
[0042] While the invention has been described with respect to
preferred embodiments, these are meant to be illustrative and not
limited. Various modifications can be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, while the
garment is preferably an outer jacket, it could equally function as
a shirt or blouse.
* * * * *