U.S. patent application number 10/216534 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-20 for volumetric shoulder for garments.
Invention is credited to Gregg, Ron.
Application Number | 20030051286 10/216534 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26911088 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030051286 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gregg, Ron |
March 20, 2003 |
Volumetric shoulder for garments
Abstract
A separate section is introduced between the sleeve and the body
of any garment such as a jacket, parka, wind shirt, or shirt of any
type to isolate, to a considerable extent, the motion of the sleeve
from the main body of the garment. This isolation of movement is
accomplished by shaping the edges of the separate section and the
adjoining edges of the garment body and the sleeve in such a way
that excess fabric is available between the sleeve and the body of
the garment regardless of which direction the arm is moved. In
particular, excess fabric is available to accommodate the volume of
the shoulder joint when it moves upward from a rest position as the
arm is raised. The result is that the wearer can move the arm over
a very wide range of motion with much less movement of the main
body of the garment and much less movement of the sleeve cuff up
and down the arm than with other methods of sleeve attachment.
Inventors: |
Gregg, Ron; (Seattle,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP PLLC
701 FIFTH AVE
SUITE 6300
SEATTLE
WA
98104-7092
US
|
Family ID: |
26911088 |
Appl. No.: |
10/216534 |
Filed: |
August 8, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60311372 |
Aug 9, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/93 |
International
Class: |
A41D 001/00; A41D
003/02 |
Claims
1. A garment, comprising: a body and at least one sleeve, and a
separate section interposed between the body and the at least one
sleeve, the separate section structured to provide extra volume in
a shoulder area defined by the separate section to isolate movement
of the at least one sleeve from the body of the garment as a user
raises and lowers the user's arm.
2. The garment of claim 1 wherein the separate section is formed of
non-stretch material.
3. The garment of claim 1 wherein the separate section extends to a
neck hole in the garment.
4. The garment of claim 1 wherein the separate section is formed to
have first and second edges for attachment to a body edge and a
sleeve edge, and wherein the first and second edges of the separate
section are shaped to not match up to the body edge and the sleeve
edge when the body, separate section, and sleeve are disposed flat
on the same planar surface.
5. The garment of claim 1 wherein an angle .alpha. formed by the
top of the separate section and a bottom hem of the garment is
intermediate to an angle .PHI. made by a top of the garment body
and the garment hem and the angle .theta. made by a top of the
sleeve and the garment hem.
6. The garment of claim 5, wherein the separate section is formed
of non-stretch material.
7. A garment, comprising: a body having a shoulder section and an
armpit section, the body having an edge in the shoulder and armpit
sections that defines a shoulder opening; a sleeve having an edge
defining a sleeve opening for attachment; and a separate section
configured to couple the sleeve to the body, the separate section
having a first edge shaped to be attached to the edge of the body
and a second edge shaped to be attached to the edge of the sleeve,
the edges of the separate section configured to not match up with
the edge on the body and the corresponding edge on the sleeve when
disposed flat on a common planar surface to provide a volumetric
shoulder area when assembled.
8. The garment of claim 7 wherein the separate section is formed of
non-stretch material.
9. The garment of claim 8 wherein the separate section extends to a
neck hole of the garment.
10. The garment of claim 6 wherein an angle .alpha. formed by the a
top of the separate section and a bottom hem of the garment is
intermediate to an angle .PHI. made by a top of the garment body
and the garment hem and the angle .theta. made by a top of the
sleeve and the garment hem.
11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the separate section is made
of non-stretch material.
12. The garment of claim 7 wherein the separate section is formed
of a first section that is thicker and heavier than a second
section, the second section being positioned in an armpit of the
garment.
13. The garment of claim 7 wherein the separate section is
constructed of subsections, each subsection having first and second
opposing edges configured for attachment to the body and to the
sleeve, respectively, and opposing third and fourth edges that are
shaped to not match up with adjacent subsections when disposed flat
on a common planar surface.
14. The garment of claim 13 wherein the first and second edges are
formed to not match up to the respective edge on the body and the
edge on the sleeve when disposed flat on a common planar
surface.
15. The garment of claim 13 wherein the first and second edges of
each subsection are configured to match up with the corresponding
edge of the body and the edge of the sleeve, respectively, when
disposed flat on a common planar surface.
16. A method of forming a garment having a body and a sleeve, the
method comprising: forming a separate section to be interposed
between the body and the sleeve, the separate section formed to
provide extra volume in a shoulder of the garment to isolate
movement of the sleeve from the body of the garment as a user moves
the user's arm.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein forming the separate section
comprises forming the separate section of non-stretch material.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein forming the separate section
comprises forming the separate section to extend to a neck hole of
the garment.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein forming the separate section
comprises forming the separate section to have first and second
edges for attachment to an edge on the body and an edge on the
sleeve, respectively, the first and second edges of the separate
section configured to not match up to the edge of the body and the
edge of the sleeve, respectively, when disposed on a common planar
surface.
20. The method of claim 16 wherein forming the separate section
comprises forming the separate section of a plurality of
subsections having first and second edges configured for attachment
to the garment and the sleeve, respectively, and third and fourth
edges configured for attachment to adjacent subsections, the third
and fourth edges configured to not match up with adjacent
corresponding third and fourth edges of adjacent subsections when
disposed flat on a common planar surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/311,372 filed Aug. 9, 2001, where this
provisional application is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention pertains to garment shoulder design,
and more particularly, to a shoulder joint configuration for
joining a sleeve to a garment body in which sleeve movement is
isolated from the garment body.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] It has long been desirable to provide shirts, jackets,
parkas and the like with a construction in which movement of the
body of the garment is minimized when the arms are raised. Upward
movement of a shirt hem due to raising of the arms can be
problematic when the hem comes partially or completely untucked.
Upward movement of an elasticized hem on a lightweight jacket is
problematic because the hem will not descend on its own when the
arms are lowered, so the jacket is left loosely billowing in the
way. Furthermore, upward movement of a parka can be problematic
when wearing a pack because parka fabric pulled up through the
waist belt of the pack billows out in front when the arms are
lowered.
[0006] Various methods have been utilized to address this problem.
The most common technique is to provide excess fabric in the armpit
area by patterning both the body and the sleeve so they would
overlap in the armpit area if laid flat. When sewn together, the
excess fabric allows the arm to raise some distance before the side
seams pull tight and begin to raise the garment's hem. Done
properly, this allows the arm to raise approximately to the
horizontal before the wearer's shoulder begins to lift the body of
the garment. Another technique involves adding a separate section
or piece of material ("gusset") in the armpit area. This provides
excess material similar to the previous method with virtually the
same results. Another technique involves replacing the gussets or
portions of either the sleeves or body with elastic material.
Again, the functional results are virtually the same, and this
technique cannot be used in cases where elastic materials are
undesirable for various reasons, such as in a fully-taped
waterproof parka or in a beautifully patterned shirt.
[0007] In fact, an exhaustive survey over the past 20 years has
failed to discover any garment construction technique that allows
the arms to be raised close to the vertical without substantial
upward movement of an unrestrained hem.
[0008] It has also long been desirable to minimize tightness and
stress across the back of a shirt, jacket, parka or the like when
moving the arms forward. Tightness can be uncomfortable, and, in
extreme cases, can result in restricted motion and/or damage to the
garment itself.
[0009] The primary method for avoiding such tightness and stress is
simply to construct the garment larger than otherwise necessary.
This is frequently acceptable, but there are many cases when it is
less than desirable. When garment weight is an issue, or the cost
of the garment fabric is high, or when a well-fitted garment is
desired for reasons of comfort, appearance, or functionality, it is
less than desirable to simply make the garment oversized.
[0010] Another method for avoiding tightness and stress is to sew a
gusset between the back of the sleeve and the back of the garment,
as is sometimes seen in motorcycle jackets or ski jackets. Again
this is less than desirable when garment weight is an issue, when
the cost of the garment fabric is high, or when it is necessary to
seam-tape the garment for waterproofness.
[0011] In addition, it has long been desirable to provide shirts,
jackets, parkas and the like where movement of the cuffs is
minimized when the arms are raised or lowered. In typical garments,
the cuffs hang down over the knuckles when the arms are fully
lowered, but the cuffs move well down on the wrist when the arms
are raised to near vertical. Consequences range from merely
cosmetic, such as when worn with suit coats, to downright
dangerous, such as with jackets used for ice climbing or other
winter pursuits.
[0012] The methods discussed above for minimizing hem movement are
all somewhat effective in reducing movement of the cuffs, as well.
In addition, in many cases the sleeves are built longer than
necessary but restrained by elastic edging at the cuffs, or by
adjustment systems at the cuffs, so that the cuffs can't simply
fall down over the wearer's knuckles. This results in considerable
excess fabric being gathered around the forearms when the arms are
lowered, however. This is particularly problematic in waterproof
parkas and jackets intended for outdoor use. Fabrics for such
garments are frequently both stiff and expensive, so excess fabric
gets in the way, impedes free arm movement, creates undesirable
noise as it "accordions" back and forth with arm motion, and adds
expense to the garment.
[0013] Again, an exhaustive survey over the past 20 years has
failed to discover any garment construction technique that allows
the arms to be raised close to the vertical without substantial
movement of unrestrained sleeve cuffs. Unrestrained sleeve cuffs on
even the most advanced mountain parkas typically move 3 inches or
more as the arm travels from fully lowered to nearly vertical.
[0014] The present invention alleviates all of the shortcomings
mentioned above. By essentially isolating the sleeve from the body
of the garment, it allows a wide range of arm motion in every
direction with minimal movement of either unrestrained hem or
cuffs.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In the disclosed embodiments of the present invention, no
part of the sleeve attaches directly to the body of the garment.
Rather, a separate section is introduced between the sleeve and the
body. This separate section isolates, to a considerable extent, the
motion of the sleeve from the main body of the garment. This
isolation of movement is accomplished by shaping the edges of the
separate section and the adjoining edges of the garment body and
the sleeve in such a way that excess fabric is available between
the sleeve and the body of the garment no matter which direction
the arm is moved. In particular, excess fabric is available to
accommodate the volume of the shoulder joint when it moves up from
the rest position as the arm is raised.
[0016] The volume occupied by the shoulder joint is a key issue not
addressed by all the garment construction methods that concentrate
on providing extra fabric in the armpit area. In all these cases,
the rising shoulder joint begins to pick up the body of the garment
before the arm even reaches the horizontal position. As the arm is
raised from the fully lowered position to near vertical, the top of
the shoulder joint moves upward several inches. If a garment does
not provide enough volume of fabric to accommodate the joint when
raised, then the body of the garment will certainly rise with it.
It is not sufficient to simply provide 2-dimensional relief under
the arms along the side seams as is almost always done. Rather, to
be effective, additional volume must be provided, as is provided in
the present invention.
[0017] The result is that the wearer can move the arm over a very
wide range of motion with much less movement of the main body of
the garment and much less movement of the sleeve cuff up and down
the arm than with other methods of sleeve attachment. When the arm
is lowered, the added fabric volume gathers under, behind, and in
front of the armpit area. It looks somewhat bulkier than normal,
but is generally not found to be objectionable.
[0018] Thus, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a
garment is provided having at least one sleeve, the garment
including a separate section interposed between the body and the at
least one sleeve, the separate section structured to provide extra
volume in the shoulder to isolate movement of the sleeve from the
body of the garment when a user moves their arm. Ideally, the
separate section is not formed of stretchable material, although it
may be used if desired. In accordance with one aspect of this
embodiment of the invention, the separate section can be a
configured to extend to a neck hole of the garment. The separate
section includes first and second edges configured for attachment
to the body and the sleeve, respectively, the first and second
edges configured to not match up to corresponding edges on the body
and the sleeve when disposed flat on a common planar surface.
[0019] In accordance with a method of the present invention, a
garment is formed to have at least one sleeve, the method including
providing a separate section interposed between the body of the
garment and the sleeve, the separate section structured to provide
extra volume in the shoulder to isolate movement of the sleeve from
the body of the garment when a user moves their arm. Ideally the
separate section is formed of non-stretch material, as discussed
above. In one embodiment the separate section is formed to extend
to a neck hole of the garment. In this embodiment the separate
section has first and second edges that are formed to be attached
to corresponding edges of the garment and the sleeve such that when
disposed flat on a common planar surface the edges of the separate
section do not match up to the corresponding edges of the garment
and the sleeve to thereby provide a volumetric shoulder area when
assembled.
[0020] In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
invention, the separate section can be formed of individual
subsections that have first and second edges configured for
attachment to the body and the sleeve, respectively, of the
garment, and third and fourth edges for attachment to adjacent
subsections, the third and fourth edges configured to not match up
with edges of adjacent subsections when disposed flat on a common
planar surface.
[0021] As is the case with other embodiments of the present
invention, variations in the curves along the edges of the separate
section, and of the curves along the edges of the garment and the
sleeves that attach to the separate section, affect the degree to
which this method is effective. Compromises can be made depending
on other constraints or desires. For example, in parkas where it is
desired to eliminate any seam on top of the shoulder, the separate
section may be shaped in that area so that it includes an extension
that extends all the way to the neck hole. Production parkas prove
that this modification can be made with only minor loss in
isolation of sleeve and garment body movement.
[0022] The separate section may be constructed from a single piece
of fabric, 2 pieces, or it may be composed of several. In the
embodiments described herein, the separate section can be made from
the same fabric as the rest of the garment. The separate section
could easily be constructed from completely different fabric, of
course, or the same fabric in a different color. In another
embodiment, the lower piece of fabric is the same as that from
which the main body is constructed, while the upper piece is
heavier fabric to provide reinforcement.
[0023] A variation of the foregoing embodiment has a mesh underarm
vent. The vent could be made of three pieces of mesh, one of which
forms the underarm portion of the separate section. Optionally, the
seams in the mesh vent can be eliminated so that the vent is more
readily cut and sewn in. The basic outlines of the vent and of the
separate section are unchanged, however.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1A is a front view of one embodiment of a jacket
incorporating a separate section between each sleeve and a body of
the jacket, each separate section consisting of a single piece;
[0025] FIG. 1B shows a typical pattern for the fabric used to make
the separate section of FIG. 1A;
[0026] FIG. 2A is a front view of another embodiment of the
invention showing a windbreaker incorporating a separate section
between each sleeve and the body of the windbreaker, each separate
section comprising a piece of the same fabric as the windbreaker
and a small section of a mesh underarm vent;
[0027] FIG. 2B shows a typical pattern for the fabric used to make
the separate section of FIG. 2A;
[0028] FIG. 3A is a front view of a further embodiment of the
invention showing a parka incorporating a separate section between
each sleeve and the body of the parka; each separate section
comprising a piece of the same fabric as the parka, patterned in
such a way that it extends to the neck hole;
[0029] FIG. 3B shows a typical pattern for the fabric used to make
the separate section of FIG. 3A;
[0030] FIG. 4A is a front view of yet another embodiment of the
invention showing a parka incorporating a separate section between
each sleeve and the body of the parka, each separate section
comprising a piece of the same fabric as the jacket under the arm
and a piece of heavier fabric, for reinforcement, patterned in such
a way that it extends to the neck hole;
[0031] FIG. 4B shows a two-piece pattern for the fabric used to
make the separate section of FIG. 4A;
[0032] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate the distance that a shoulder moves
upward when the arm is raised to a near vertical position; and
[0033] FIG. 6 is a front view of yet a further embodiment of the
invention illustrating a parka that incorporates a separate section
inserted between each sleeve and the body of the parka, each
separate section consisting of several pieces that are patterned to
add volume to the separate section when assembled.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0034] A first embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.
1A and 1B. FIG. 1A shows a front view of a jacket 1, with a
separate section 2 interposed between a sleeve 3 and a jacket body
4. The separate section 2 wraps over a shoulder area 12, and it
includes ends 10 and 11 that are joined together at a seam in an
armpit area 9, typically by sewing or by fabric welding, although
any other joining method is usable without affecting the utility of
the invention. Joining of the ends 10, 11 of the separate section 2
in the armpit area 9 generally provides the best appearance and the
best fabric utilization in manufacturing; however, it is entirely
possible to break the separate section 2 anywhere else and join the
ends together, such as on top of the shoulder area 12, for
example.
[0035] A typical pattern for the fabric used to make the separate
section 2 is shown in FIG. 1B. The section 2 includes opposing
longitudinal edges 6, 7 and opposing transverse edges 10, 11. The
longitudinal edges 6, 7 approach a parallel relationship at end
portions 100, 102, adjacent the transverse edges 10, 11,
respectively. The longitudinal edges each have a general arcuate
shape along their length, although the radius varies, especially at
a mid-portion 104, where the longitudinal edge 6 extends outward to
create a larger area 106. In this larger area 106 the longitudinal
edges 6, 7 are at the greatest distance apart.
[0036] In this and the embodiments described and illustrated in
FIGS. 2-4, the edges of the separate section and corresponding
edges of the sleeve and garment body do not match up when laid
flat. In this configuration, when assembled together, extra volume
is provided in all directions as the separate section assumes a
volumetric shape.
[0037] The general shape is typically such that, in the completed
jacket 1, the angle .alpha. made by a top 14 of the separate
section 2, as compared to a line 17 that is parallel to the hem 16
of the jacket 1, is intermediate between the angle .PHI. made by
the top 13 of the jacket body 4 and line 17 and the angle .theta.
made by the top 15 of the sleeve 3 and to the line 17. This
intermediate angle .alpha. in the shoulder area 12 provides a much
better fit compared to jackets where the sleeve 3 is joined
directly to the jacket body 4; and it provides improved mobility
for a wearer's arms.
[0038] Varying the shapes of the longitudinal edges 6 and 7 of the
separate section 2 and the shapes of an edge 5 of the sleeve 3 and
an edge 8 of the jacket body 4 affects the amount of extra fabric
available to accommodate the motion of the sleeve 3 without causing
substantial motion of the jacket body 4. For example, the shapes of
the longitudinal edges 6, 7 of the separate section 2 can be
changed to add fabric in the shoulder area 12. This extra fabric
then provides extra volume in the shoulder area 12 of the jacket 1
when it is worn. This extra volume helps reduce movement of the
jacket body 4 when the wearer raises an arm. The shapes of the edge
5 of the sleeve 3 and the edge 8 of the jacket body 4 can also be
altered to provide extra fabric in the shoulder area 12. Likewise
the shapes of the edges 5, 6, 7, and 8 can be altered in the armpit
area 9 to provide extra fabric there, which further isolates motion
of the sleeve 3 from the jacket body 4 especially when the sleeve 3
is rotated upward compared to the jacket body 4. Likewise, the
shapes of the edges 5, 6, 7, and 8 may be altered in other areas to
help isolate motion of the sleeve 3 from the jacket body 4. In
practice, the amount of alteration of the shapes of the edges 5, 6,
7, and 8 in various areas can be determined by the directions the
sleeve is intended to move the most and by compromises between the
aesthetics and the functionality associated with the extra
fabric.
[0039] It is understood that all of the foregoing description
applied to a jacket is applicable with equal utility to shirts,
parkas, windbreakers, raincoats and all other roughly similar
articles of apparel having sleeves.
[0040] A different embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIG. 2A is a front view of a windbreaker 21 in
which a separate section 22 is interposed between a sleeve 23 and a
windbreaker body 24. In this embodiment a mesh underarm insert 37
is interposed between and joined to the ends 30 and 31 of the
separate section 22 and is joined to the sleeve 23 and to the
windbreaker body 24. FIG. 2B shows a typical pattern for the fabric
used to make the separate section 22. As in the previous
discussion, extra fabric can be provided in the areas desired by
altering the shapes of the edges 26 and 27 of the separate section
22, by altering the shape of the edge 25 of the sleeve 23, and by
altering the shape of the edge 28 of the windbreaker body 24. In
practice, the precise shape of a mesh underarm insert 37 minimally
enhances or minimally diminishes the affects achieved by shaping
the edges 25, 26, 27, and 28.
[0041] A different embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 3A is a front view of a parka 41 in which a
separate section 42 is interposed between a sleeve 43 and a body 44
of the parka 41. As in the first embodiment discussed, a separate
section 42 wraps over the shoulder area 52, and its ends 50 and 51
are joined together in the armpit area 49. In this embodiment the
shape of the separate section 42 has been modified to have an
extension 57 that extends all the way to a neck hole 58 of the
parka 41, thus eliminating any seams over the top of the shoulder
area 52 that might be subjected to abrasion. FIG. 3B shows a
typical pattern for the fabric used to make the separate section
42. The separate section 42 includes a first longitudinal edge 46
having an arcuate shape that extends to first and second transverse
edges 50, 51, and a second longitudinal edge 47 that extends
between the first and second transverse edges 50, 51 to define
first and second end portions 108, 110, and a mid-portion 112. At
the mid-portion 112, the second longitudinal edge 47 includes a
neck-hole edge 114 formed on extension 57 of the mid-portion
112.
[0042] As in earlier discussions, extra fabric can be provided in
the areas desired by altering the shapes of the edges 46 and 47 of
the separate section 42, by altering the shape of the edge 45 of
the sleeve 43, and by altering the shape of the edge 48 of the body
44. In practice, the shape of the extension can substantially
diminish the overall effectiveness achieved by careful shaping of
the edges 45, 46, 47, and 48 if one is not careful. It has been
demonstrated, however, that the extension 57 can be carefully
shaped such that the reduction in effectiveness is minimal.
[0043] Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIG. 4A is a front view of a parka 61 in which a
separate section 62 is interposed between a sleeve 63 and a body 64
of the parka 61. In this embodiment the separate section 62 is
composed of sub-pieces 62a and 62b joined at an edge 79 of the
sub-piece 62a and an edge 80 of the sub-piece 62b. Typically the
sub-piece 62a would be made from heavier fabric than the sub-piece
62b so as to provide reinforcement in the shoulder area 72 of the
parka 61. As in the first embodiment discussed above, the separate
section 62 wraps over the shoulder area 72, and its ends 70 and 71
are joined together in the armpit area 69. The shape of the
separate section 62 has again been modified to have an extension 77
that extends all the way to the neck hole 78 of the parka 61. FIG.
4B shows a typical pattern for the fabric used to make the separate
section 62. It also shows the sub-piece 62a joined by its edge 79
to the edge 80 of the sub-piece 62b. Extra fabric can be provided
in the areas desired by altering the shapes of the edges 66, 67 of
the separate section 62, by altering the shape of the edge 65 of
the sleeve 63, and by altering the shape of the edge 68 of the body
64. There is no change in the effectiveness of shaping the edges
65, 66, 67, and 68 by breaking the separate section 62 into
sub-pieces 62a and 62b.
[0044] FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention
wherein a jacket or parka 81 is shown having a separate section 82
interposed between a sleeve 83 and parka body 84. In this
embodiment, the separate section 82 is composed of a plurality of
section pieces 90, 91, that are patterned such that the edges do
not match up when laid flat on a common planar surface, but rather
impart a three-dimensional shape to the separate section 82 when
assembled. It is to be understood that the plurality of section
pieces 90, 91 can consist of three, four, or more pieces to form
the separate section 82.
[0045] As discussed above, additional fabric can be provided in
each separate section 90, 91 in the areas desired by altering the
shapes of the edges 86, 87 of the separate section 82, by altering
the shape of the edge 85 of the sleeve 83, and by altering the
shape of the edge 88 of the parka body 84. Volume added to the
shoulder area 92 by altering the edges 85, 86, 87, and 88 would be
in addition to any volume provided by the shaping of the edges of
the section pieces 90, 91 that form the separate section 82.
[0046] U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S.
patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications
and non-patent publications referred to in this specification
and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet, are incorporated
herein by reference, in their entirety.
[0047] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although
specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein
for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made
without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended
claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *