U.S. patent application number 12/281285 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-08 for garment with crotch part.
This patent application is currently assigned to WACOAL CORP.. Invention is credited to Tomoko Okamoto, Takayuki Semba.
Application Number | 20090007311 12/281285 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38522293 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090007311 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Semba; Takayuki ; et
al. |
January 8, 2009 |
GARMENT WITH CROTCH PART
Abstract
A conditioning bottom has a main body and a strong tightening
portion which is in the form of a belt and has a tightening force
stronger than a tightening force of the main body. This strong
tightening portion has first strong tightening portions and a
second strong tightening portion. When the conditioning bottom is
worn, the first strong tightening portions extend so as to surround
gastrocnemius muscles of a wearer along outer edges of the
gastrocnemius muscles, and the second strong tightening portion is
coupled to the first strong tightening portions and extends through
the inside of the wearer's lower leg and thigh to a position of the
wearer's crotch. Also, a first mesh portion having a tightening
force weaker than the tightening force of the strong tightening
portion is formed in a section surrounded by the first strong
tightening portions.
Inventors: |
Semba; Takayuki; (Kyoto,
JP) ; Okamoto; Tomoko; (Kyoto, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P.O. BOX 770, Church Street Station
New York
NY
10008-0770
US
|
Assignee: |
WACOAL CORP.
Kyoto-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
38522293 |
Appl. No.: |
12/281285 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
February 14, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/052636 |
371 Date: |
August 29, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 ; 2/227;
2/243.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/08 20130101; A41D
31/12 20190201; A41D 31/18 20190201; A41D 2400/38 20130101; A41D
1/089 20180101; A41D 2600/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 ; 2/227;
2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00; A41D 1/06 20060101 A41D001/06; A41D 27/00 20060101
A41D027/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 16, 2006 |
JP |
2006-072916 |
Claims
1. A garment with a crotch part for covering at least part of a
lower body of a wearer, comprising: a main body having
stretchability; a strong tightening portion having a tightening
force stronger than a tightening force of the main body; and a weak
tightening portion having a tightening force weaker than the
tightening force of the strong tightening portion, wherein the
strong tightening portion has a first strong tightening portion and
a second strong tightening portion coupled to the first strong
tightening portion, when the garment is worn, the strong tightening
portion extends along outer edges of gastrocnemius muscles of a
wearer so as to surround the gastrocnemius muscles and the second
strong tightening extends along the wearer's muscles to a thigh of
the wearer, and the weak tightening portion is formed in a section
surrounded by the first strong tightening portion.
2. The garment with a crotch part according to claim 1, further
comprising a first air-permeable portion having an air permeability
higher than an air permeability of the main body, wherein the first
air-permeable portion is formed in at least part of a section
corresponding to a calf of the wearer.
3. The garment with a crotch part according to claim 2, wherein the
first air-permeable portion is made with a mesh material.
4. The garment with a crotch part according to claim 1, further
comprising a second air-permeable portion having an air
permeability higher than the air permeability of the main body,
wherein the second air-permeable portion is formed in at least part
of a section corresponding to a front side of the thigh of the
wearer.
5. The garment with a crotch part according to claim 4, wherein the
second air-permeable portion is made with a mesh material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is the U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.371 of International Patent Application No.
PCT/JP2007/052636, filed Feb. 14, 2007, and claims the benefit of
Japanese Application No. 2006-072916, filed Mar. 16, 2006, both of
which are incorporated by reference herein. The International
Application was published in Japanese on Sep. 27, 2007 as
International Publication No. WO 2007/108256 A1 under PCT Article
21(2).
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a garment with a crotch
part, and particularly to a sports garment with a crotch part.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] A lower leg supporter described in Japanese Patent No.
2603769, for example, is known as a conventional garment with a
crotch part. This lower leg supporter is constituted by a strong
sheet piece that is made of a stretchable fabric having hard
strechability that is excellent in tightening force, and a weak
sheet piece that is made of a stretchable fabric having soft
stretchability. The lower leg supporter is applied such that the
strong sheet piece passes thorough both sides of a wearer's
gastrocnemius muscles and covers a wearer's soleus and a part of
Achilles tendon.
[0004] It is known that, for example, when performing exercise for
a long time, venous return, which is a flow of blood returning from
a vein to the heart, is enhanced by adding a moderate pressure to
an appropriate part of a muscle. This venous return prevents the
accumulation of fatigue substances and increases the stroke volume
in accordance with the increase in the amount of blood returning to
the heart, so that the load on the heart is reduced. As a result,
fatigue resulted from the exercise can be alleviated, which allows
comfortable exercise. However, the conventional garment with a
crotch part described above cannot exert sufficient acceleration
efficiency of venous return.
[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a garment with a crotch part for enhancing venous return.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In order to achieve this object, a garment with a crotch
part of the present invention is a garment with a crotch part for
covering at least part of a lower body of a wearer. The garment of
the crotch part includes: a main body having stretchability; a
strong tightening portion having a tightening force stronger than a
tightening force of the main body; and a weak tightening portion
having a tightening force weaker than the tightening force of the
strong tightening portion. The strong tightening portion has a
first strong tightening portion and a second strong tightening
portion. When the garment with a crotch part is worn, the strong
tightening portion extends along outer edges of gastrocnemius
muscles of a wearer so as to surround the gastrocnemius muscles,
and the second strong tightening is coupled to the first strong
tightening portion and extends along the wearer's muscles to a
thigh of the wearer. The weak tightening portion can be formed in a
section surrounded by the first strong tightening portion.
[0007] In this garment with a crotch part of the present invention,
the first strong tightening portion with a strong tightening force
extends along outer edges of the gastrocnemius muscles of the
wearer so as to surround the gastrocnemius muscles. The
gastrocnemius muscles are surrounded and pressed inward by the
first strong tightening portions. In addition, the second strong
tightening portion, which is coupled to the first strong tightening
portion, extends along the wearer's muscles to a thigh of the
wearer. The second strong tightening portion lifts the first strong
tightening portion upward, effectively utilizing the tightening
force of the second strong tightening portion and the muscles of
the thigh. As a result, the gastrocnemius muscles of the wearer
are, while being surrounded and pressed, strongly lifted upward or,
in other words, in a direction in which the gastrocnemius muscles
contract. Furthermore, the weak tightening portion having a
tightening force weaker than the tightening force of the strong
tightening portion is formed in a section which is surrounded by
the first strong tightening portion and corresponds to the
gastrocnemius muscles of the wearer. This weak tightening portion
is easily stretched as the gastrocnemius muscles are contracted or
relaxed due to the weak tightening force, and allows the
gastrocnemius muscles to contract or relax easily. Therefore,
wearing the garment with a crotch part of the present invention
supports contractions and relaxations of the gastrocnemius muscles
so that the muscle pumping effect on a calf can be promoted. This
muscle pumping effect is the effect of circulating blood by
allowing the muscles to contract and relax repeatedly such that the
veins in the muscles are compressed by contracting the muscles and,
on the other hand, that the veins become filled with blood by
relaxing the muscles. Since blood stagnates in a calf, the muscle
pumping effect particularly on the calf largely affects venous
return in the calf, as it is known as the second heart. Therefore,
the present invention can enhance venous return by promoting the
muscle pumping effect on the calf.
[0008] The garment with a crotch part of the present invention may
further have a first air-permeable portion having an air
permeability higher than an air permeability of the main body,
wherein the first air-permeable portion may be formed in at least
part of a section corresponding to a calf of the wearer.
[0009] When, for example, the muscles are used and thereby heat is
generated during exercise, the blood flow of the body surface
increases in order to dissipate the heat. Therefore, by forming, as
described above, the first air-permeable portion with good air
permeability in at least part of a section corresponding to a calf
that generates a large amount of heat, the generated heat amount
can be dissipated suitably without causing an excessive increase in
temperature or humidity. As a result, the blood flow of the body
surface can be prevented from increasing or, in other words, a
sufficient amount of blood flow can be secured in the veins running
through the muscles, so that the muscle pumping effect can be
achieved sufficiently.
[0010] If the first air-permeable portion is made with a mesh
material, it is possible to effectively exert the abovementioned
operation and effect that the generated heat amount can be
dissipated suitably, a sufficient amount of blood flow can be
secured in the veins running through the muscles, and the muscle
pumping effect can be sufficiently achieved.
[0011] Moreover, the garment with a crotch part of the present
invention may further have a second air-permeable portion having an
air permeability higher than the air permeability of the main body.
The second air-permeable portion may be formed in at least part of
a section corresponding to the front side of the thigh of the
wearer. By forming, as described above, the second air-permeable
portion with good air permeability in at least part of a section
corresponding to the front side of the thigh generating a large
amount of heat, it is possible to dissipate the heat amount
suitably, secure a sufficient amount of blood flow in the veins
running through the muscles, and achieve the muscle pumping
effect.
[0012] If the second air-permeable portion is made with a mesh
material, it is possible to effectively exert the abovementioned
operation and effect that the generated heat amount can be
dissipated suitably, a sufficient amount of blood flow can be
secured in the veins running through the muscles, and the muscle
pumping effect can be sufficiently achieved.
[0013] The present invention can provide a garment with a crotch
part which can further enhance venous return.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front view of muscles and bones of lower limbs
of a human body that are viewed from the front.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of muscles and bones of the lower
limbs of the human body that are viewed from the back.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a back view showing a state in which a
conditioning bottom according to a first embodiment of the present
invention is worn.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a front view showing the conditioning bottom of
FIG. 3.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the conditioning bottom of
FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI
shown in FIG. 3.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a back view showing a state in which a
conditioning bottom according to a second embodiment of the present
invention is worn.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a back view showing a state in which a
conditioning bottom according to a third embodiment of the present
invention is worn.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the conditioning bottom of
FIG. 9.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the conditioning bottom of
FIG. 9.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
XII-XII shown in FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the attached
drawings. It should be noted that through the explanation of the
drawings the same reference numerals are applied to the same
elements, and overlapping explanation is omitted. It should also be
noted that the terms such as "upper," "lower" and the like are used
for descriptive purposes based on the conditions shown in the
drawings.
[0027] First of all, prior to explaining the embodiments,
arrangements of the muscles and bones will now be described with
reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 for explaining the functions of the
present invention. FIG. 1 is a view of muscles and bones of lower
limbs of a human body that are viewed from the front, and FIG. 2 is
a view of muscles and bones of the lower limbs 100 of the human
body that are viewed from the back. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2,
gastrocnemius muscles 101 and soleus 102 are disposed in each of
lower legs 110. The gastrocnemius muscles 101 and soleus 102
construct a calf 103. Furthermore, semitendinosus 121, biceps
femoris 122 and semimembranosus 123 are arranged on the back of a
thigh 120, and the semitendinosus 121, biceps femoris 122 and
semimembranosus 123 are collectively called "hamstrings." The
hamstrings functions so as to be involved in, for example, bending
of the knee joint and extension of the hip joint. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2
also show a greater trochanter 130.
[0028] Next, a conditioning bottom according to an embodiment of
the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3 to
FIG. 6. FIG. 3 is a back view showing a state in which the
conditioning bottom according to the embodiment of the present
invention is worn, FIG. 4a front view showing the conditioning
bottom of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 a side view showing the conditioning
bottom of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 a cross-sectional view taken along the
line VI-VI shown in FIG. 3. In each of the drawings, the
conditioning bottom 1 of the present embodiment is a sports garment
in the shape of stockings, which is worn when, for example, playing
sports and prevents the wearer's fatigue so that the wearer can
play sports comfortably for a long time.
[0029] The conditioning bottom 1 has a main body 2 and a strong
tightening portion 3. The main body 2 is in the shape of
ankle-length stockings covering from a hip to the lower legs. This
main body 2 is constituted by a knitted fabric with stretchability,
and, for example, a stretchable two-way tricot knitted fabric,
stretchable raschel knitted fabric, circular rib fabric, plain
knitted fabric, or interlock knitted fabric is used as the knitted
fabric with stretchability. It should be noted that the material of
the main body 2 can be the one that can stretch in any two
directions perpendicular to each other.
[0030] The strong tightening portion 3 has, in all directions
thereof, a tightening force stronger than that of the main body 2,
and is constituted by belt-like first strong tightening portions 3a
and a belt-like second strong tightening portion 3b coupled to the
first strong tightening portions 3a. The strong tightening portion
3 is configured by sewing stitching, sticking or adhering power
nets to the main body 2. It should be noted that the strong
tightening portion 3 can be formed with a filler cloth or a dart.
Alternatively, a section corresponding to the strong tightening
portion 3 may be provided with a stronger tightening force by
applying a bone or polyurethane resin thereto. A border between
sections with different tightening forces has no difference in
level so that the appearance is retained. The tightening forces
described herein mean resistances of the corresponding materials to
stretching. The stronger the tightening forces, the lower the
stretchability of the materials is, and thus, as will be described
hereinafter, when the conditioning bottom is worn, a larger
pressure is applied to the section corresponding to the strong
tightening portion 3 than to the other section so that the wearer's
muscles in the strong tightening portion 3 are supported.
[0031] The first strong tightening portions 3a are formed in
sections corresponding to the gastrocnemius muscles on the back of
a lower leg of the wearer. More specifically, the first strong
tightening portions 3a extend along outer edges of the
gastrocnemius muscles from a lower end of the main body 2 and are
coupled to each other in the vicinity of upper ends of the
gastrocnemius muscles. In other words, the first strong tightening
portion 3a on the inside of the calf of the lower leg of the main
body 2 extends upward substantially perpendicularly from the lower
end of the main body 2. The first strong tightening portion 3a on
the outside of the calf of the lower leg of the main body 2 extends
in the form of a curve (to protrude outward) so as to swell up, and
these first strong tightening portions 3a are coupled to each other
in the vicinity of the upper end of the calf (i.e., in the vicinity
of a ham). Therefore, the first strong tightening portions 3a are
formed so as to surround the gastrocnemius muscles of the wearer
when the conditioning bottom is worn.
[0032] The second strong tightening portion 3b is coupled to the
upper ends of the first strong tightening portions 3a. The second
strong tightening portion 3b extends through the inside of the
wearer's lower leg and thigh to a position of the crotch of the
wearer when the conditioning bottom is worn. Specifically, the
second strong tightening portion 3b extends from the upper ends of
the first strong tightening portions 3a along the wearer's muscles
to the wearer's thigh when the conditioning bottom is worn. In
other words, the second strong tightening portion 3b is integrated
with the inner first strong tightening portion 3a and extends
upward substantially perpendicularly from the lower end of the main
body 2 to the position of the crotch. Then, the outer first strong
tightening portion 3a is integrated with the second strong
tightening portion 3b extending vertically on the inside of the
lower leg and thigh, so as to smoothly extend along the muscles in
the vicinity of the upper end of the calf (i.e., in the vicinity of
the ham). It should be noted that the right and left second strong
tightening portions 3b, 3b are connected and coupled to each other
at the position of the crotch.
[0033] The conditioning bottom 1 further has a first mesh portion 4
and second mesh portion 5 that are made of, for example, meshes
formed with the above-described materials. These mesh portions 4, 5
are formed by being sewn, stitched, stuck or adhered to the main
body 2. The first mesh portion 4 is formed in a section surrounded
by the first strong tightening portions 3a. Specifically, the first
mesh portion 4 is formed so as to substantially protrude outward in
a section corresponding to the calf. The second mesh portion 5 is
formed horizontally or, in other words, from the inside toward the
outside in a knee section corresponding to the front side of the
thigh so as to have a predetermined width. Specifically, the second
mesh portion 5, having a width substantially equal to that of the
thigh, is formed so as to extend obliquely upward from the inside
to the outside of, for example, an above knee position when viewed
from the front in a state where the conditioning bottom is worn,
and an upper edge and lower edge of the second mesh portion 5 are
shaped into curves. Also, the second mesh portion 5 is formed apart
from the second strong tightening portion 3b. These mesh portions
4, 5 have tightening forces weaker than the tightening force of the
strong tightening portion 3 in all directions thereof and have air
permeability higher than that of the main body 2. Therefore, the
first mesh portion 4 corresponds to the weak tightening portion and
a first air-permeable portion, while the second mesh portion 5
corresponds to a second air-permeable portion. It should be noted
that although the second mesh portion 5 is formed apart from the
second strong tightening portion 3b, the second mesh portion 5 may
be coupled to the second strong tightening portion 3b, and the mesh
portions 4, 5 may have tightening forces weaker than the tightening
force of the main body 2 in all directions thereof.
[0034] For example, when performing exercise for a long time
wearing this conditioning bottom 1, the gastrocnemius muscles are
surrounded and pressed inward by the first strong tightening
portions 3a so that the calf is squeezed and supported. Moreover,
since the second strong tightening portion 3b coupled to the first
strong tightening portions 3a extends through the inside of the
wearer's lower leg and thigh to the position of the crotch of the
wearer, the first strong tightening portions 3a are strongly lifted
upward by not only the tightening force of the second strong
tightening portion 3b but also the muscles of the thigh or,
particularly, contractions of the hamstrings. Specifically, the
gastrocnemius muscles of the wearer are surrounded and pressed and
at the same time lifted upward or, in other words, in a direction
in which the gastrocnemius muscles contract. In addition, since the
first mesh portion 4 is formed in the section surrounded by the
first strong tightening portions 3a, this section is easily
stretched as the gastrocnemius muscles are contracted or relaxed.
Therefore, contractions and relaxations of the gastrocnemius
muscles are supported so that the gastrocnemius muscles can
contract and relax easily.
[0035] According to the conditioning bottom 1 described above,
contractions and relaxations of the gastrocnemius muscles are
supported so that the muscle pumping effect on the calf can be
promoted. As a result, venous return, which is a flow of blood
returning from a vein to the heart, can be enhanced.
[0036] Since the accumulation of fatigue substances such as lactic
acid causes fatigue, improving the blood circulation and removing
the fatigue substances can prevent fatigue resulted from exercise.
Moreover, if the amount of blood returning to the heart is large,
the stroke volume increases, and accordingly the load on the heart
is reduced or, in other words, exercise can be performed
comfortably. Therefore, in the present embodiment, decrease of the
vital function can be prevented and the venous return can be
enhanced by supporting the lower legs, so that fatigue resulted
from the exercise can be alleviated, which allows comfortable
exercise.
[0037] Also, the muscles on the inside of the thigh are not used
much during, for example, exercise and therefore are less
contracted or relaxed. Therefore, by extending the second strong
tightening portion 3b over the inside of the thigh, the second
strong tightening portion 3b can prevent it from disturbing the
contraction and relaxation of the muscles upon exerting the
function of lifting up the first strong tightening portions 3a.
Therefore, the second strong tightening portion 3b can securely
promote the muscle pumping effect in the calf and further enhance
the venous return without reducing the muscle pumping effect.
[0038] Moreover, for example, when performing exercise in a hot
environment or when the body temperature rises due to the heat
generated by using muscles during exercise (that is, when the body
becomes hot by performing exercise), the action is exerted which
increases the blood flow of the body surface to dissipate heat to
the outside to reduce the body temperature to a predetermined
temperature. Therefore, when the body temperature increases, the
blood flow in the veins running through the muscles decreases as
the blood flow of the surface increases, and consequently the
muscle pumping effect may be disturbed.
[0039] For this reason, the mesh-like air-permeable mesh portions
4, 5 is formed in the front side of the thigh and the calf, which
are the parts where heat is generated most and thereby the
temperature increases most when these muscles are used, to
dissipate the heat and eliminate heat load from these parts or cool
these parts, so that the increase of the body temperature or
humidity can be prevented. Accordingly, a sufficient amount of
blood flow can be secured in the veins running through the muscles,
so that the muscle pumping effect can be achieved sufficiently and
the decrease of the vital function can be prevented. As a result,
so-called summer fatigue that is often caused when performing
exercise during summer, such as increased heart rate, accumulation
of fatigue substances, and fatigue due to heat, can be alleviated
so that more comfortable exercise can be performed. Therefore,
troublesome movements, such as cooling the body with water or wet
towel and performing exercise in light clothing, can be avoided
during exercise, fatigue due to heat can be prevented, and exercise
can be performed readily and comfortably for a long time.
[0040] Next, a conditioning bottom according to another embodiment
of the present invention will now be described with reference to
FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a back view showing a state in which the
conditioning bottom according to the second embodiment of the
present invention is worn, and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view
taken along the line VIII-VIII shown in FIG. 7. The difference
between the conditioning bottom 10 of the present embodiment and
the conditioning bottom 1 of the first embodiment is that the
conditioning bottom 10 is provided with a strong tightening portion
13 with a belt-like second strong tightening portion 13b, instead
of the strong tightening portion 3 having the second strong
tightening portion 3b.
[0042] This second strong tightening portion 13b has, in all
directions thereof, a tightening force stronger than the tightening
force of the main body 2 and is configured by, for example, sewing
stitching, sticking or adhering power nets to the main body 2. It
should be noted that a filler cloth or a dart may be used for
forming the second strong tightening portion 13b. In addition, the
second strong tightening portion 13b may be provided with a
stronger tightening force by applying a bone or polyurethane resin
thereto.
[0043] The second strong tightening portion 13b is coupled to the
upper ends of the first strong tightening portions 3a and extends
so as to run through the inside of the lower leg and the thigh of
the wearer to the vicinity of the center of the inside of the
thigh, when the conditioning bottom 10 is worn. Specifically, the
second strong tightening portion 13b extends along the wearer's
muscles from the upper ends of the first strong tightening portions
3a up to the thigh, when the conditioning bottom 10 is worn. In
other words, the second strong tightening portion 13b is integrated
with the inner first strong tightening portion 3a and extends
upward substantially perpendicularly from the lower end of the main
body 2 up to the position in the vicinity of the center on the
inside of the thigh or, in other words, to the position before the
position of the crotch. Then, the outer first strong tightening
portion 3a is integrated with the second strong tightening portion
13b extending vertically on the inside of the lower leg and thigh,
so as to smoothly extend along the muscles in the vicinity of the
upper end of the calf (i.e., in the vicinity of the ham). The
second strong tightening portion 13b is further formed so as to be
coupled to the second mesh portion 5 at an inner end portion of the
second mesh portion 5.
[0044] When this conditioning bottom 10 too is worn, since the
second strong tightening portion 13b coupled to the first strong
tightening portions 3a extends through the inside of the wearer's
lower leg and thigh to the vicinity of the center of the inside of
the thigh, the first strong tightening portions 3a are strongly
lifted upward by not only the tightening force of the second strong
tightening portion 13b but also contractions of the muscles of the
thigh. Specifically, the gastrocnemius muscles of the wearer are
lifted upward while being surrounded and pressed. Therefore,
contractions and relaxations of the gastrocnemius muscles are
supported, and the effect same as the effect of the first
embodiment can be achieved, that is, the effect of promoting the
muscle pumping effect on the calf. As a result, the venous return,
which is a flow of blood returning from a vein to the heart, can be
enhanced.
[0045] It should be noted that although the second strong
tightening portion 13b is formed so as to be coupled to the second
mesh portion 5, the second strong tightening portion 13b may be
formed apart from the second mesh portion 5.
[0046] Next, a conditioning bottom according to a third example of
the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG.
9 to FIG. 12.
[0047] FIG. 9 is a back view showing a state in which the
conditioning bottom according to a further embodiment of the
present invention is worn, FIG. 10 a front view showing the
conditioning bottom of FIG. 9, FIG. 11 a side view showing the
conditioning bottom of FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 a cross-sectional view
taken along the line XII-XII shown in FIG. 9. The difference
between the conditioning bottom 20 of the present embodiment and
the conditioning bottom 1 of the first embodiment is that the
conditioning bottom 20 is provided with a strong tightening portion
23 with a belt-like second strong tightening portion 23b, instead
of the strong tightening portion 3 having the second strong
tightening portion 3b.
[0048] As with the second strong tightening portion described
above, the second strong tightening portion 23b has, in all
directions thereof, a tightening force stronger than the tightening
force of the main body 2 and is configured by, for example, sewing,
stitching, sticking or adhering power nets to the main body 2. It
should be noted that a filler cloth or a dart may be used for
forming the second strong tightening portion 13b. In addition, the
second strong tightening portion 13b may be provided with a
stronger tightening force by applying a bone or polyurethane resin
thereto.
[0049] The second strong tightening portion 23b is coupled to the
upper ends of the first strong tightening portions 3a, and extends
so as to run through the inside of the lower leg of the wearer to
the vicinity of the center of the inside of the thigh, when the
conditioning bottom 20 is worn. In other words, the second strong
tightening portion 23b is integrated with the inner first strong
tightening portion 3a and extends upward substantially
perpendicularly from the lower end of the main body 2 up to the
position in the vicinity of the center on the inside of the thigh
or, in other words, to the position before the position of the
crotch. In addition, the outer first strong tightening portion 3a
is integrated with the second strong tightening portion 23b
extending vertically on the inside of the lower leg and thigh, so
as to smoothly extend along the muscles in the vicinity of the
upper end of the calf (i.e., in the vicinity of the ham).
[0050] Then, in the vicinity of the center on the inside of the
thigh, the second strong tightening portion 23b extends from the
vicinity of the center to the vicinity of an inner position on the
front side of the thigh (an upper end inner position of the second
mesh portion 5) so as to extend along the thigh. In other words,
when the conditioning bottom 20 is worn, the second strong
tightening portion 23b on the inside of the thigh extends obliquely
upward to from the rear side of the thigh to the front side of the
thigh through the inside of the thigh, so as to couple the second
strong tightening portion 23b on the rear side to the second strong
tightening portion 23b on the front side. Then, on the front side
of the thigh, the second strong tightening portion 23b extends
obliquely from the vicinity of the inner position (the upper end
inner position of the second mesh portion 5) to the vicinity of an
outer position on the hip side. Specifically, when the conditioning
bottom 20 is worn, the second strong tightening portion 23b runs
through the inside of the lower leg of the wearer and extends
obliquely from an inner part of the knee joint to the vicinity of
the greater trochanter. The second strong tightening portion 23b
then extends vertically and substantially perpendicularly from the
greater trochanter to the upper end of the main body 2 along the
side of the hip. Therefore, when the conditioning bottom 20 is
worn, the second strong tightening portion 23b extends from the
upper ends of the first strong tightening portions 3a to the
wearer's thigh along the wearer's muscles. The second strong
tightening portion 23b is further formed so as to be coupled to the
second mesh portion 5 at the inner end portion of the second mesh
portion 5 and the inside portion of the upper end of the second
mesh portion 5.
[0051] When this conditioning bottom 20 too is worn, the second
strong tightening portion 23b strongly lifts the first strong
tightening portions 3a upward by using not only the tightening
force of the second strong tightening portion 23b but also
contractions of the muscles of the thigh. Specifically, the
gastrocnemius muscles of the wearer are lifted upward while being
surrounded and pressed. Therefore, contractions and relaxations of
the gastrocnemius muscles are supported, and the effect same as the
effect of the above embodiment can be achieved, that is, the effect
of promoting the muscle pumping effect on the calf. As a result,
the venous return, which is a flow of blood returning from a vein
to the heart, can be enhanced.
[0052] It should be noted that although the second strong
tightening portion 23b extends obliquely from a section
corresponding to the inside of the knee joint through the inside of
the wearer's lower leg, it may extend obliquely from a section
corresponding to the outside of the knee joint through the outside
of the wearer's lower leg. In this case, the right and left second
strong tightening portions are coupled to each other at a position
above the wearer's crotch.
[0053] In addition, although the second strong tightening portion
23b is formed so as to be coupled to the second mesh portion 5, the
second strong tightening portion 23b may be formed apart from the
second mesh portion 5.
[0054] The conditioning bottom 1 described above and a conventional
conditioning bottom were put on five human subjects (trialists) to
compare average values of nude ratios of the total hemoglobin
content, which is a venous return, under environmental conditions
of a temperature of 25.degree. C. and humidity of 50%. As a result,
the average value was 1.0 when the conventional conditioning bottom
was worn, while it was 1.6 when the conditioning bottom 1 was worn,
which means that the effect of further enhancing the venous return
was confirmed. It should be noted that nude ratio represents the
ratio between the value obtained when the garment is not worn and
the value obtained when the garment is worn, and the nude ratio
described herein represents the total hemoglobin content in a state
where the conditioning bottoms were worn, on the basis of the total
hemoglobin content obtained in a state where nothing is put on the
sections between knees and ankles.
[0055] Furthermore, the conditioning bottom 1 and the conventional
conditioning bottom were put on a male subject to compare average
values of stroke volumes obtained when an ergometer was used for 60
minutes under load conditions of 33.degree. C. and 65%. The
ergometer was used for 60 minutes with four sets of 15-minute
exercises +5-minute break. As a result, the maximum stroke volume
was 106 ml and the minimum stroke volume was 69 ml when the
conventional conditioning bottom was worn, while the maximum stroke
volume was 116 ml and the minimum stroke volume was 79 ml when the
conditioning bottom 1 was worn, which means that the effects of
further enhancing the venous return and increasing the stroke
volume were confirmed. Moreover, esophageal temperatures were
compared in this test, and when the conventional conditioning
bottom was worn, the esophageal temperature was 36.9.degree. C.,
while it was 36.6.degree. C. when the conditioning bottom 1 was
worn, which means the effect of preventing the increase of the body
temperature during exercise was also confirmed.
[0056] The preferred embodiments of the present invention has been
described above, but the present invention is not limited to the
above embodiments.
[0057] For example, although the mesh portions 4, 5 are in the form
of meshes, they may be formed any fabric as long as they have air
permeability higher than that of the main body 2. Also, the second
mesh portion may be formed in at least part of a section
corresponding to the front side of a thigh, and similarly at least
part of a section corresponding to a calf of a wearer may have the
air permeability of the first mesh portion. Furthermore, when, for
example, the increase of the body temperature is not necessarily
considered, the air permeability of the first mesh portion may be
equal to the air permeability of the main body 2 and the second
mesh portion may not be formed.
[0058] Moreover, in the above embodiments the second mesh portion 5
and the first mesh portion 4 are made of the same material for the
reason of manufacturing convenience and the like. Therefore, the
second mesh portion 5 also has a tightening force weaker than the
tightening force of the strong tightening portion 3, but the
tightening force of the second mesh portion may be, of course,
equal to the tightening force of the main body 2 or strong
tightening portion 3.
[0059] In addition, although the right and left second strong
tightening portions 3b, 3b are connected and coupled to each other
at the position corresponding to the crotch in the first embodiment
described above, the right and left second strong tightening
portions may not be coupled to each other.
[0060] Moreover, the tightening forces of the strong tightening
portions 3, 13, 23 and of the first mesh portion 4 serving as the
weak tightening portion may be changed by using a power-switching
with, for example, warp knit or circular knit (weft knitting) as
the knit structure of the knitted fabric (so-called knitting
manner). Specifically, a desired tightening force may be provided
by adopting an appropriate type of knitted fabric, type, number and
thickness of yarns to be inserted for the knit structure.
[0061] The present invention can provide a garment with a crotch
part which further enhances venous return by promoting the muscle
pumping effect on a calf of a wearer.
* * * * *