U.S. patent application number 11/787735 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-23 for swimsuit having compression panels.
Invention is credited to Joseph Di Lorenzo.
Application Number | 20080256675 11/787735 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39870706 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080256675 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Di Lorenzo; Joseph |
October 23, 2008 |
Swimsuit having compression panels
Abstract
A swimsuit is provided having a hip and thigh portion and a
unitarily formed chest portion. Various compression panels may be
attached to an inside surface of the hip and thigh portion as well
as the chest portion for reducing muscle vibration of the chest
muscle, thigh muscle and gluteal muscles.
Inventors: |
Di Lorenzo; Joseph; (Laurel
Hollow, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
75 ENTERPRISE, SUITE 250
ALISO VIEJO
CA
92656
US
|
Family ID: |
39870706 |
Appl. No.: |
11/787735 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/67 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 7/00 20130101; A41D
2400/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/67 |
International
Class: |
A41D 7/00 20060101
A41D007/00 |
Claims
1. A swimsuit for reducing muscle vibration of a swimmer, the
swimsuit comprising: a hip and thigh portion; and left and right
thigh compression panels fabricated from a material which is less
easily stretchable compared to the material of the hip and thigh
portion, the left and right thigh compression panels attached to
the hip and thigh portion from upper lateral hip areas, across the
thigh areas, to lower medial thigh areas; wherein the left and
right thigh compression panels pushes against quadracep muscles of
the swimmer when the hip and thigh portion is worn by the swimmer
for reducing muscle vibration while the swimmer is swimming.
2. The swimsuit of claim 1 wherein the left and right thigh
compression panels are elongate strips.
3. The swimsuit of claim 2 wherein each of the left and right thigh
compression panels have a narrowing configuration.
4. The swimsuit of claim 2 wherein each of the left and right thigh
compression panels have a constant width.
5. The swimsuit of claim 1 wherein the left and right thigh
compression panels are positioned over and compress the rectus
femoris.
6. The swimsuit of claim 1 wherein the left and right thigh
compression panels are positioned over and compress at least one of
the rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, and
vastus medialis.
7. The swimsuit of claim 1 further comprising left and right
buttock compression panels positioned over and compress gluteal
muscles.
8. The swimsuit of claim 7 wherein the left and right buttock
compression panels are positioned over and compress the gluteus
maximus muscle.
9. The swimsuit of claim 7 wherein the left and right buttock
compression panels are positioned over and compress at least one of
a gluteus minimus, a gluteus maximus and a gluteus medius.
10. The swimsuit of claim 7 wherein the left and right buttock
compression panels and the left and right thigh compression panels
are attached to an inside surface of the hip and thigh portion.
11. A swimsuit for reducing muscle vibration of a swimmer, the
swimsuit comprising: a hip and thigh portion; and left and right
buttock compression panels fabricated from a material which is less
easily stretchable compared to the material of the hip and thigh
portion, the left and right buttock compression panels attached to
the hip and thigh portion from upper lateral buttock areas to lower
medial buttock areas; wherein the left and right buttock
compression panels pushes against gluteal muscles of the swimmer
when the hip and thigh portion is worn by the swimmer for reducing
muscle vibration while the swimmer is swimming.
12. A swim suit for reducing muscle vibration of a swimmer, the
swimsuit comprising: a chest portion; and first and second chest
compression panels extending diagonally across the swimmer's chest
in a criss-cross configuration; wherein the first and second chest
compression panels pushes against pectoral muscles of the swimmer
when the chest portion is worn by the swimmer for reducing muscle
vibration while the swimmer is swimming.
13. The swimsuit of claim 12 wherein the first and second
compression panels are positioned over and compress pectoralis
major muscles.
14. The swimsuit of claim 12 wherein the first and second
compression panels are positioned over and compress at least one of
a major pectoral muscle and a minor pectoral muscle.
15. The swimsuit of claim 12 wherein the first and second
compression panels are elongate strips.
16. The swimsuit of claim 15 wherein the elongate strips have a
narrowing configuration.
17. The swimsuit of claim 15 wherein the elongate strips each have
a constant width.
18. The swimsuit of claim 12 wherein the first and second chest
compression panels are attached to an inside surface of the chest
portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present invention is related to a swimsuit having
compression panels positioned over various muscle groups of a
swimmer to reduce muscle vibrations of specific muscle group.
[0004] Technical wear for competitive swimmers attempt to reduce,
minimize or eliminate various impediments that cause a competitive
swimmer to lose a race. For example, hydrodynamic drag is a major
factor in the speed of competitive swimmer. As such, technical
swimwear does exist which attempt to reduce the hydrodynamic drag
on a swimmer such that the swimmer is able to increase/her speed
without any additional expenditure of energy or strength. For
example, technical swimwear may incorporate material which does not
absorb water or is designed to provide less hydrodynamic drag.
[0005] Technical wear additionally attempts to conserve the
swimmer's energy such that the conserved energy may be directed to
propelling the swimmer through the water. For example, it has been
found that as the swimmer swims through the water, his/her muscles
vibrate causing a loss of energy which could have been used to
propel the swimmer through the water. As such, it would be
desirable to prevent and/or minimize muscle vibration.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0006] The swimsuit of the present invention specifically addresses
the needs discussed above, discussed below and those that are known
in the art.
[0007] The swimsuit may comprise a hip and thigh portion and a
chest portion. The hip and thigh portion may be fabricated to have
left and right thigh compression panels attached to an inside
surface of the hip and thigh portion which compress thigh muscles
and reduce thigh muscle vibrations of the swimmer. Additionally,
the hip and thigh portion may also have buttock compression panels
attached to the inside surface of the hip and thigh portion to
reduce gluteal muscle vibration while the swimmer is swimming.
[0008] The chest portion may be fabricated from a unitary material
with the hip and thigh portion. Additionally, the chest portion may
have first and second chest compression panels attached to an
inside surface of the chest portion diagonally with respect to each
other in a criss-cross configuration. The chest compression panels
reduce muscle vibrations of the chest while the swimmer is
swimming.
[0009] The compression panels discussed herein may have a elongate
configuration, linear or curved configuration. The compression
panels may also be fabricated from an elastic material having a
spring constant greater than the material from which the hip and
thigh portion and the chest portion is fabricated. The elasticity
of the compression panel is also sufficient strong so as to
compress the muscle to reduce or minimize muscle vibration.
[0010] The compression panels may preferably be attached to an
inside surface of the hip and thigh portion and/or chest portion.
However, it is also contemplated that the compression panels be
attached to an outside surface of the hip and thigh portion and/or
chest portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a right front perspective view of a swimsuit
having compression panels for reducing muscle vibrations;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a right rear perspective view of the swimsuit
shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of the swimsuit shown in FIG. 1 with
a cut out showing buttock compression panels and portions of thigh
compression panels;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the swimsuit shown in FIG. 1
without the cut out of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front view of the swimsuit shown in FIG. 1;
and
[0017] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the swimsuit with a cut out showing
thigh compression panels and chest compression panels.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a swimsuit 10 is provided for
reducing muscle vibration of a swimmer to allow the swimmer's
strength and energy to be focused on the race and not lost due to
muscle vibration. In particular, the swimsuit may have various
compression panels 28a, b (see FIG. 6), 38a, b (see FIG. 3), 42a, b
(see FIG. 6) attached to a hip and thigh portion 14 or a chest
portion 40 at a chest area, thigh areas, and buttock area to reduce
or minimize muscle vibrations of the chest, thigh and buttocks
muscles. Additionally, the compression panels 28a, b, 38a, b, 42a,
b may be attached to the hip and thigh portion 14 and the chest
portion 40 on an inside surface 30, 44 of such portions 14, 40 to
minimize the hydrodynamic drag on the swimsuit 10.
[0019] The hip and thigh portion 14 and/or chest portion 40 may be
fabricated from various materials. By way of example and not
limitation, the hip and thigh portion 14 and/or chest portion 40
may be fabricated from a stretchable material, an elastic material,
fabric, cotton, nylon, spandex, and/or blends thereof.
Additionally, the compression panels 28a, b, 38a, b, 42a, b may be
fabricated from various materials. By way of example and not
limitation, the compression panels 28a, b, 38a, b, 42a, b may be
fabricated from a stretchable material, an elastic material,
fabric, cotton, nylon, spandex, and/or blends thereof. Also, the
compression panels 28a, b, 38a, b, 42a, b may be fabricated from a
material which is less easily stretchable compared to the material
from which the hip and thigh portion 14 and/or chest portion 40 is
fabricated.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, the hip and thigh portion 14 may
have left and right tubular members 24a, b which fit around the
left and right thighs of the swimmer. Additionally, the hip and
thigh portion 14 may also have an upper tubular member 26 sized to
fit around the hips of the swimmer. The left and right tubular
members 24a, b are attached to a lower end of the upper tubular
member 26 such that the tubular members 24a, b and 26 may be worn
by the swimmers in a similar manner compared to a pair of shorts.
The left and right tubular members 24a, b may be sized to fit
snuggly about the thighs of the swimmer as well as the upper
tubular member 26 may be sized to fit snuggly around the hips of
the swimmer.
[0021] Preferably, the hip and thigh portion 14 may be fabricated
from an elastic material and sized such that the high and thigh
portion 14 slightly expands when worn by the swimmer such that the
hip and thigh portion 14 may conform to the curves of the swimmer's
body.
[0022] Left and right thigh compression panels 28a, b may be
attached to an inside surface 30 of the hip and thigh portion 14,
as shown in FIG. 6. By way of example and not limitation, the left
thigh compression panel 28a may extend from an upper left lateral
hip area 32a (see FIGS. 1, 5 and 6) , across a left thigh area 34a
(see FIGS. 1, 5 and 6), to a lower left medial thigh area 36a (see
FIGS. 5 and 6). Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a right thigh
compression panel 28b may be attached to an inside surface 30 (see
FIG. 6) of the hip and thigh portion 14 which extends from an upper
right lateral hip area 32b, across a right thigh area 34b, to a
lower right medial thigh area 36b. The left and right thigh
compression panels 28a, b may be positioned over and compress any
one or combination of the following thigh muscles, including but
not limited to, a rectus femoris muscle, vastus intermedius muscle,
vastus lateralis muscle, and vastus medialis muscle. Since the left
and right thigh compression panels 28a, b are positioned over one
or more of these muscles when the swimsuit 10 is worn by the
swimmer, the muscle(s) over which the left and right thigh
compression panels 28a, b are positioned are compressed to reduce
vibration of such muscle(s) while the swimmer is swimming. Hence,
the swimmer loses less energy and strength during competition. Such
conserved energy and strength may be directed and focused to
propelling the swimmer forward to win the race.
[0023] The left compression panel 28a may be stitched to the inside
surface 30 (see FIG. 6) of the hip and thigh portion 14. In
particular, left compression panel 28a may be defined by the bottom
end 27a (see FIGS. 1, 5 and 6), stitch lines 29a, b (see FIGS. 1,
2, 5 and 6), and stitch line 29c (see FIGS. 1 and 3). As can be
seen from FIG. 6, the left compression panel 28a may comprise two
smaller panels 31a, b. In this regard, it is contemplated that one
or more of the compression panels 28a, b, 38a, b and 42a, b may
comprise one or more panels for providing better compression to the
muscle group at issue and/or to provide a better conforming fit.
The right compression panel 28b may have the same structure as the
left compression panel 28a.
[0024] The bottom ends 27a, b may have an elastic band attached
thereto. The elastic bands may pull the left and right thigh
compression panels 28a, b down such that the left and right thigh
compression panels 28a, b may apply compressive forces on one or
more of the thigh muscles.
[0025] In addition to or in the alternative, referring now to FIG.
3, left and right buttock compression panels 38a, b may be attached
to an inside surface 30 of the hip and thigh portion 14. The left
compression panel 38a may be defined by stitch lines 39a, b, c, d.
Also, the right compression panel 38b may be defined by stitch
lines 39a, e, f, g. The left and right buttock compression panels
38b may be positioned over and compress gluteal muscles of the
swimmer when the swimsuit 10 is worn by the swimmer. The left and
right buttock compression panels 38a, b press against the gluteal
muscles so as to reduce vibration of the gluteal muscles while the
swimmer is swimming. Such reduction of muscle vibration reduces
energy loss due to gluteal muscle vibration such that the swimmer
has more energy and strength to direct to winning the race. More
particularly, the left and right buttock compression panels 38a, b
may be positioned over a portion of at least one or more of a
gluteus minimus muscle, gluteus maximus muscle and a gluteus medius
muscle. Also, the left buttock compression panel 38a may extend
from an upper left buttock area 41a to a lower medial buttock area
43a of the left buttock. The right button compression panel 38b may
extend from an upper right buttock area 41b to a lower medial
buttock area 43b of the right buttock.
[0026] The left thigh compression panel 28a may be joined to the
left buttock compression panel 38a in that they both share a common
stitch line 29c and 39b (see FIG. 3). Similarly, the right thigh
compression panel 28b may be joined to the right buttock
compression panel 38b in that they both share a common stitch line
39e (see FIG. 3).
[0027] Referring to FIG. 6, the swimsuit 10 may also comprise a
chest portion 40. The chest portion 40 fits around the chest of the
swimmer 12. Preferably, the chest portion 40 may be fabricated from
an elastic material and sized such that the chest portion 40
slightly expands when worn by the swimmer such that the chest
portion 40 may conform to the curves of the swimmer's body. It is
contemplated that the chest portion 40 may be independent from the
hip and thigh portion 14 or fabricated as a unitary piece with the
hip and thigh portion 14.
[0028] The chest portion 40 may have first and second chest
compression panels 42a, b attached to an inside surface 44 of the
chest portion 40. The first chest compression panel 42a may extend
from an upper left area 48a (e.g., adjacent left shoulder) of the
chest to a lower right area 50b (e.g., lower right ribs) of the
chest when the chest portion 40 of the swimsuit 10 is worn by the
swimmer. The second chest compression panel 42b may extend from an
upper right area 48b (e.g., adjacent right shoulder) of the chest
to a lower left area 50a (e.g., lower left ribs) of the chest of
the swimmer when the chest portion 40 of the swimsuit 10 is worn by
the swimmer. The first and second compression panels 42a, b may
extend diagonally across the swimmer's chest in a criss-cross
configuration, as shown in FIG. 6. The first chest compression
panel 42a may be positioned over and compress a portion of at least
one or more of a left major pectoral muscle and a left minor
pectoral muscle. Similarly, the second chest compression panel 42b
may be positioned over and compress a portion of at least one or
more of a right major pectoral muscle and a right minor pectoral
muscle.
[0029] The first chest compression panel 42a may be sewn/stitched
to the inside surface 44 of the chest portion 40 as shown by stitch
lines 45a, b, c, d. The second compression panel 42b may also be
stitched to the inside surface 44 of the chest portion as shown by
stitch lines 45e, f, g, h. When the second compression panel 42b is
attached to the inside surface 44 of the chest portion 40, stitch
lines 45f and 45h also stitch the first compression panel 42a to
the inside surface 44 of the chest portion 40. Conversely, it is
contemplated that the second compression panel 42b be attached to
the inside surface 44 of the chest portion first before the first
compression panel 42a is attached to the inside surface 44 of the
chest portion 40. Also, stitch lines 45b, d attaches the second
compression panel 42b to the inside surface.
[0030] The chest portion 40 may have a tubular configuration so as
to fit snugly around the chest of the swimmer. Moreover, the chest
portion 40 may have left and right apertures 46a, b (see FIGS. 1
and 2) through which the swimmer may insert his/her left and right
arms. The left and right arm apertures 46a, b may be sized to fit
snuggly about the shoulder of the swimmer. In particular, the left
and right peripheries 47a, b of the left and right arm apertures
46a, b may fit snuggly about the under armpit of the swimmer and
extend over the shoulders of the swimmer. Additionally, the
peripheries 47a, b of the left and right arm apertures 46a, b may
have an elastic band to resist pulling from the first and second
chest compression panels 42a, b. In this manner, elastic bands
attached to the peripheries 47a, b pull the first and second chest
panels 42a, b such that the first and second compression panels
42a, b are able to compress the chest muscles of the swimmer to
reduce muscle vibration. The first and second chest compression
panels 42a, b are not shown as being attached to the peripheries
47a, b of the arm apertures 46a, b. However, it is contemplated
that the first and second chest compression panels may be extended
so as to be attached to the peripheries 47a, b of the arm apertures
46a, b.
[0031] The compression panels discussed herein may have an elongate
configuration. These compression panels may also have a constant
width, narrowing width, or widening width. It is also contemplated
that the configuration of the compression panels may have a linear
or curved configuration.
[0032] In an aspect of the swimsuit 10, the same may have a zipper
52 (see FIG. 2) extending from an upper head periphery 54 of the
chest portion 40 to a lower back portion 56. The swimmer may wear
the swimsuit 10 by unzipping the zipper 52. The swimmer may then
place his/her left and right legs into left and right tubular
members 24a, b. The left and right arms of the swimmer may then be
inserted into left and right arm apertures 46a, b. Thereafter, the
zipper 52 may be zipped up.
[0033] In an aspect of the swimsuit 10, the chest portion and the
hip and thigh portion may be fabricated from multiple panels to
provide a better conforming fit.
[0034] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the
embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying
combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to
the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the
claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
* * * * *