U.S. patent application number 13/389901 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for garment with crotch.
Invention is credited to Tomoko Okamoto, Mayumi Umemoto.
Application Number | 20120186001 13/389901 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43586245 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120186001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okamoto; Tomoko ; et
al. |
July 26, 2012 |
GARMENT WITH CROTCH
Abstract
Shorts 1 as an example of a garment with a crotch comprises a
main part 10; a pubic part 20 for covering a vicinity of a pubic
bone; an upper edge end part 30 formed downward convex so as to
extend obliquely upward on left and right sides from a center lower
end portion 30a on an upper side of the pubic part 20; band-shaped
first tightening parts 40a, joined to the pubic part 20 and upper
edge end part 30, extending to the rear face side of the main part
10 while covering greater trochanters 73; second band-shaped
tightening parts 40b covering a portion extending from any location
over a sacrum to a lumbar spine to vicinities of left and right
greater trochanters; and strongly tightening parts 50 disposed so
as to cover the greater trochanters 73.
Inventors: |
Okamoto; Tomoko; (Kyoto-shi,
JP) ; Umemoto; Mayumi; (Kyoto-shi, JP) |
Family ID: |
43586245 |
Appl. No.: |
13/389901 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
August 12, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/063707 |
371 Date: |
April 10, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/403 ;
2/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 5/24 20130101; A41B
9/04 20130101; A61F 5/028 20130101; A61F 5/0193 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/403 ;
2/400 |
International
Class: |
A41B 9/02 20060101
A41B009/02; A41B 9/00 20060101 A41B009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 13, 2009 |
JP |
2009-187796 |
Claims
1. A garment with a crotch, for covering at least part of a lower
body of a wearer, comprising: an elastic main part; a pubic part
for covering a vicinity of a pubic bone; an upper edge end part,
formed downward convex so as to extend obliquely upward on left and
right sides from a center lower end portion on an upper side of the
pubic part, having a tightening force stronger than that of the
main part; a band-shaped first weakly tightening part having a
tightening force stronger than that of the main part, one end of
the first weakly tightening part being joined to the pubic part and
upper edge end part so as to support an abdominal muscle, the first
weakly tightening part extending obliquely downward substantially
along a muscle fiber direction of an internal oblique while
covering a greater trochanter, the other end of the first weakly
tightening part extending on a rear face side of the main part so
as to support a gluteus maximus; a band-shaped second weakly
tightening part having a tightening force stronger than that of the
main part, left and right portions of the second weakly tightening
part being joined to each other at a position corresponding to any
location over a sacrum to a lumbar spine, the second weakly
tightening part covering a portion extending substantially along a
muscle fiber direction of left and right gluteus maximus from the
position so as to pass a vertex of a bulge of a hip or a vicinity
thereof and reach at least a vicinity of the greater trochanter;
and a strongly tightening part, disposed so as to cover the greater
trochanter, having a tightening force stronger than that of the
first and second weakly tightening parts.
2. The garment with a crotch according to claim 1, wherein, when
worn, the upper edge end part generates a tightening force along
the extending direction of the upper edge end part toward the pubic
part, the first and second weakly tightening parts generate
tightening forces along the longitudinal directions of the
band-shaped forms thereof at the time of walking, and the strongly
tightening part supports the greater trochanter, so as to prevent
the garment and a human body from deviating from each other at the
position of the greater trochanter at the time of wearing.
3. The garment with a crotch according to claim 1, wherein the
upper edge end part extends obliquely upward on left and right
sides from the center lower end portion to at least a position on
or above an anterior superior iliac spine.
4. The garment with a crotch according to claim 1, wherein the
upper edge end part extends obliquely upward on left and right
sides from the center lower end portion to at least a position
below an outermost portion of an iliac crest.
5. The garment with a crotch according to claim 1, wherein the
upper edge end part has a center lower end portion placed below a
midpoint between an anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic
bone.
6. The garment with a crotch according to claim 1, wherein the
upper edge end part has a center lower end portion placed above the
pubic bone.
7. The garment with a crotch according to claim 1, wherein the
pubic part exhibits the highest compression.
8. The garment with a crotch according to claim 1, further
comprising a cloth part, joined to an upper side of the upper edge
end part, for covering the wearer up to a waistline thereof when
worn.
9. The garment with a crotch according to claim 1, wherein the
pubic part includes an loosen portion at a position of external
genitals of a male wearer; and wherein the loosen portion has a
compression lower than that of the remaining portion of the pubic
part.
10. The garment with a crotch according to claim 9, wherein the
portion other than the loosen portion in the pubic part exhibits
the highest compression.
11. The garment with a crotch according to claim 9, further
comprising a cloth part, joined to an upper side of the upper edge
end part, for covering the wearer up to a waistline thereof when
worn.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a garment with a
crotch.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Garments with crotches, such as girdles and shorts, which
can make wearers attain better postures and easier to walk by
stabilizing their pelvises and hip joints have conventionally been
known (e.g., Patent Literature 1). In such a garment with a crotch,
a strongly tightening part having a tightening force stronger than
that of a main part presses greater trochanters and supports
gluteus maximus, so as to expand movable areas of hip joints,
thereby enabling stable walking.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 3870232
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0004] Meanwhile, we are often forced to perform bilaterally
asymmetrical movements in daily life, and our pelvises are likely
to become unstable when crossing legs while sitting and so forth on
a routine basis. When such a state continues, activities of muscles
may lose their balance and become uneven between the left and right
sides of a body, thereby causing the body to feel fatigue,
lassitude, stiffness, and the like. When such a state becomes
habitual, the body is further distorted, thus falling into a
vicious cycle.
[0005] While being able to improve the postures and walking of
wearers, the techniques of the above-mentioned Patent Literature 1
and the like have not taken account of mitigating the fatigue and
lassitude caused by distortions in bodies as such.
[0006] Though it has been desired in general to relieve the fatigue
fully by taking a long bath or perform stretching exercises in
order to mitigate the distortions in bodies, it takes time and
effort, thereby making it desirable to readily prevent bodies from
getting tired and stiff while keeping a normal life.
[0007] For overcoming the problem mentioned above, it is an object
of the present invention to provide a garment with a crotch which
can reduce distortions in a body and mitigate fatigue by simply
wearing it and leading a normal life.
Solution to Problem
[0008] For achieving the above-mentioned object, the garment with a
crotch in accordance with the present invention is a garment with a
crotch, for covering at least part of a lower body of a wearer,
comprising an elastic main part; a pubic part for covering a
vicinity of a pubic bone; an upper edge end part, formed downward
convex so as to extend obliquely upward on left and right sides
from a center lower end portion on an upper side of the pubic part,
having a tightening force stronger than that of the main part; a
band-shaped first weakly tightening part having a tightening force
stronger than that of the main part, one end of the first weakly
tightening part being joined to the pubic part and upper edge end
part so as to support an abdominal muscle, the first weakly
tightening part extending obliquely downward substantially along a
muscle fiber direction of an internal oblique while covering a
greater trochanter, the other end of the first weakly tightening
part extending on a rear face side of the main part so as to
support a gluteus maximus; a band-shaped second weakly tightening
part having a tightening force stronger than that of the main part,
left and right portions of the second weakly tightening part being
joined to each other at a position corresponding to any location
over a sacrum to a lumbar spine, the second weakly tightening part
covering a portion extending substantially along a muscle fiber
direction of left and right gluteus maximus from the position so as
to pass a vertex of a bulge of a hip or a vicinity thereof and
reach at least a vicinity of the greater trochanter; and a strongly
tightening part, disposed so as to cover the greater trochanter,
having a tightening force stronger than that of the first and
second weakly tightening parts.
[0009] When this garment with a crotch is worn, the upper edge end
part generates a tightening force along the extending direction of
the upper edge end part toward the pubic part, the first and second
weakly tightening parts generate tightening forces along the
longitudinal directions of the band-shaped forms thereof at the
time of walking, and the strongly tightening part supports the
greater trochanter, so as to prevent the garment and a human body
wearing the same from deviating from each other at the position of
the greater trochanter at the time of wearing.
[0010] When this garment with a crotch is worn, the upper edge end
part causes a tightening force to act toward the pubic bone,
whereby the pelvis of the wearer is held as being tilted forward.
Further, the strongly tightening part exerts a tightening force
upon the greater trochanter, thereby preventing the human body and
the garment from deviating from each other at the position of the
greater trochanter. These can tilt the pelvis forward while keeping
it from fluctuating to and fro and left and right, so as to produce
a stable body trunk axis.
[0011] Further, the weakly tightening parts exert tightening forces
upon abdominal muscles and gluteus maximus along the longitudinal
directions of the band-shaped forms at the time of walking, so as
to offer support with favorable kickbacks following movements of
the pelvic girdle, whereby the position of the pelvis can be pulled
back to the center of the body trunk. This can guide the movements
of the pelvic girdle with a favorable left/right balance, whereby
muscles near the pelvic girdle are used in balance.
[0012] Thus, the pelvis of the wearer is held in the forward-tilted
state, so as to produce a stable body trunk axis, while the
movements of the pelvis are guided with a favorable left/right
balance, so that muscles near the pelvic girdle can be used in
balance, which reduces distortions in the body, thereby improving
the left/right balance of the body. This softens muscles
surrounding the pelvis, so as to expand the movable areas of the
hip joints, while reducing lassitude and fatigue in the legs and
back. Thus, the present invention can reduce the distortions in the
body and mitigate the lassitude and fatigue in the legs and back by
simply wearing it and leading a normal life.
[0013] Preferably, the upper edge end part extends obliquely upward
on left and right sides from the center lower end portion to at
least a position on or above an anterior superior iliac spine.
Similarly, it is preferred for the upper edge end part to extend
obliquely upward on left and right sides from the center lower end
portion to at least a position below an outermost portion of an
iliac crest.
[0014] Preferably, the upper edge end part has a center lower end
portion placed below a midpoint between an anterior superior iliac
spine and the pubic bone. Similarly, it is preferred for the center
lower end portion of the upper edge end part to be placed above the
pubic bone.
[0015] Preferably, the pubic part exhibits the highest
compression.
[0016] This structure can increase the tightening force toward the
pubic bone at the time of wearing, so as to enhance the action of
tilting the pelvis more forward, which can more strongly prevent
the pelvic girdle from fluctuating to and fro and left and right,
so as to tilt the pelvis forward, thereby further improving the
stability.
[0017] Preferably, the garment with a crotch further comprises a
cloth part, joined to an upper side of the upper edge end part, for
covering the wearer up to a waistline thereof when worn. This can
expand the covering area up to the waistline at the time of
wearing, whereby the feel of wearing and the design can be
improved.
[0018] The present invention set forth in the foregoing is
preferably employed for a garment with a crotch for females. When
the wearer is male, on the other hand, the close contact of the
pubic part with the wearer may be lowered by external genitals, so
that the above-mentioned action of tightening force of the pubic
part toward the pubic bone at the time of wearing may decrease.
Also, the wearer may feel pain in the external genitals pressed by
the pubic part.
[0019] Therefore, the pubic part may include an loosen portion at a
position of external genitals of a male wearer, the loosen portion
having a compression lower than that of the remaining portion of
the pubic part.
[0020] This structure can enhance the compression of the portion
other than the loosen portion in the pubic part even when the
wearer is male, so that the tightening force toward the pubic bone
at the time of wearing can act appropriately. Therefore, even when
the wearer is male, the pelvis can be tilted forward as mentioned
above, whereby a stable body trunk axis can be produced by tilting
the pelvis forward while preventing it from fluctuating to and fro
and left and right. This structure can cause the loosen portion to
restrain the pubic part from pressing the external genitals,
thereby reducing the pain in the external genitals of the male
wearer.
[0021] It is also preferred for the portion other than the loosen
portion in the pubic part to exhibit the highest compression in the
garment with a crotch suitable for males. This structure can
increase the tightening force toward the pubic bone at the time of
wearing as mentioned above even when the wearer is male, so as to
enhance the action of tilting the pelvis more forward, which can
more strongly prevent the pelvic girdle from fluctuating to and fro
and left and right, so as to tilt the pelvis forward, thereby
further improving the stability.
[0022] It is also preferred for the garment with a crotch suitable
for males to further comprise a cloth part, joined to an upper side
of the upper edge end part, for covering the wearer up to a
waistline thereof when worn. This can improve the feel of wearing
and the design as mentioned above even when the wearer is male.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0023] The garment with a crotch in accordance with the present
invention can reduce distortions in a body and mitigate fatigue by
simply wearing it and leading a normal life.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating female shorts as
an example of the garment with a crotch in accordance with a first
embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front side
thereof;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the female shorts in
accordance with the first embodiment as seen from the rear side
thereof;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a front view of a skeleton structure near a pelvis
of a human body;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a set of diagrams illustrating an improvement in
the left/right balance of a body by the shorts in accordance with
the first embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating male underwear as
an example of the garment with a crotch in accordance with a second
embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front side
thereof;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the male underwear in
accordance with the second embodiment as seen from the rear side
thereof;
[0030] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a pubic part in the male
underwear in accordance with the second embodiment in a
disassembled state;
[0031] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a modified example of the
shorts in accordance with the first embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a modified example of the male
underwear in accordance with the second embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a set of perspective views illustrating shorts in
accordance with examples of the first embodiment of the present
invention and comparative examples as seen from the front side
thereof;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a chart listing results of a functional
validation test of the shorts in accordance with examples and
comparative examples illustrated in FIG. 10; and
[0035] FIG. 12 is a chart listing results of a functional
validation test of male underwear in accordance with examples of
the second embodiment of the present invention and comparative
examples.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0036] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will
be explained in detail with reference to the drawings. In the
drawings, the same or equivalent parts will be referred to with the
same signs while omitting their overlapping descriptions.
First Embodiment
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating female shorts as
an example of the garment with a crotch in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front
side thereof, while FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the female shorts
in accordance with the first embodiment as seen from the rear side
thereof. FIG. 3 is a front view of a skeleton structure near a
pelvis of a human body for explaining arrangements of constituents
of the shorts in accordance with the first embodiment. The shorts 1
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprise a main part 10, a pubic part
20, an upper edge end part 30, weakly tightening parts 40, and
strongly tightening parts 50.
[0038] The main part 10 is constituted by an elastic fabric so as
to cover the crotch and hips of a wearer while in close contact
therewith. For example, a warp-knitted material (power net)
constituted by nylon and polyurethane is employable for the main
part 10.
[0039] The pubic part 20 is formed at a portion corresponding to
the vicinity of the pubic bone 71 (see FIG. 3) of the wearer.
Though the pubic part 20 is preferably formed by a patch of a
material (e.g., a warp-knitted T/W material constituted by a
mixture of nylon and polyurethane) having a tightening force
stronger than that of the main part 10 and strongly tightening
parts 50, which will be explained later, in particular in order to
favorably cause the action of tilting the pelvis forward, the same
material as with the main part 10 or a nonelastic material may also
be employable as long as the compression of the pubic part 20 is
higher than that in any of the other parts (main part 10, upper
edge end part 30, weakly tightening parts 40, and strongly
tightening parts 50). By having the highest compression, the pubic
part 20 acts such as to push the vicinity of the pubic bone 71 into
the inside of the body, whereby the action of tilting the pelvis
forward becomes stronger.
[0040] On the front side of the main part 10, the upper edge end
part 30 is formed downward convex such that end portions 30b, 30c
extending obliquely upward on left and right sides from a center
lower end portion 30a on the body trunk cover anterior superior
iliac spines 72 (see FIG. 3). More specifically, in a front center
region 10a of the main part 10, the upper edge end part 30 forms an
arc-like curve which is downward convex with its lowest point
located at the center lower end portion 30a. Then, while smoothly
shifting to an upward convex curve toward lateral sides, the upper
edge end part 30 gradually becomes asymptotically parallel to the
waistline, so as to extend leftward and rightward parallel to the
waistline on the rear side as illustrated in FIG. 2. The center
lower end portion 30a and its peripheral parts define an upper edge
end of the pubic part 20.
[0041] Preferably, the center lower end portion 30a of the upper
edge end part 30 is placed in an area extending from a position on
the pubic bone 71 to the midpoint between each of the anterior
superior iliac spines 72 and the pubic bone 71. That is, the lower
limit position of the center lower end portion 30a of the upper
edge end part 30 is preferably located on the pubic bone 71, i.e.,
within the range of about 1 cm above and below the height of
greater trochanters 73 (see FIG. 3). The upper limit position of
the center lower end portion 30a of the upper end part 30
preferably falls within the range of about 1 cm above and below the
midpoint between any of the anterior superior iliac spines 72 and
the pubic bone 71, i.e., the height position in substantially the
middle of a gap between the height position of the anterior
superior iliac spines 72 and the height position of the pubic bone
71 (the height position of the greater trochanters 73).
[0042] Preferably, the end portions 30b, 30c of the upper edge end
part 30 are placed between the anterior superior iliac spines 72
and outermost portions 74 of iliac crests. That is, the lower limit
positions of the end portions 30b, 30c of the upper edge end part
30 are located on the anterior superior iliac spines 72, while
their upper limit positions are at the height position of the
outermost portions 74 of iliac crests. It is preferred in
particular for the upper edge end part 30 to have the end portions
30b, 30c placed on the anterior superior iliac spines 72 at the
time of wearing. Here, by "the outermost portions of iliac crests"
are meant the most leftward and rightward projecting parts of iliac
crests when the pelvis is seen from the front side thereof as in
FIG. 3.
[0043] Hence, the area that can be occupied by upper edge end part
30 in this embodiment is a hatched region 75 in FIG. 3.
[0044] The upper edge end part 30 generates a tightening force
along the extending direction thereof toward the pubic part.
Specifically, when worn, the upper edge end part 30 can generate a
tightening force F1 toward the pubic part 20 as illustrated in FIG.
1.
[0045] Preferably, the upper edge end part 30 is formed into a thin
band, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and the like, by a tape made of the
same material as with the main part 10 or a material having a
tightening force stronger than that of the main part 10 so as to
yield a tightening force stronger than that of the main part 10.
The tightening force of the upper edge end part 30 may be equal to
or lower than that of the weakly tightening parts 40 or that of the
strongly tightening parts 50 or, when a material having a
tightening force stronger than that of the strongly tightening
parts 50 is used for the pubic part 20, equal to or lower than that
of the pubic part 20.
[0046] Each weakly tightening part 40, which has one end 40c joined
to the pubic part 20 and upper edge end part 30 so as to support
abdominal muscles and the other end extending to the rear side so
as to support a gluteus maximus, is constituted by a first
tightening part (first weakly tightening part) 40a and a second
tightening part (second weakly tightening part) 40b. More
specifically, the above-mentioned abdominal muscles are mainly
represented by an internal oblique. The first tightening part 40a
has one end 40c joined to the pubic part 20 and upper edge end part
30. More specifically, one end 40c of the first tightening part 40a
is joined to a section extending from an upper portion of the left
or right end of the pubic part 20 to a portion of the upper edge
end part 30 adjacent to the intersection between the left or right
end of the pubic part and the upper edge end part 30. The first
tightening parts 40a are formed like bands, each of which is
directed obliquely downward from one end 40c substantially along
the muscle fiber direction of its corresponding internal oblique
and, while covering the greater trochanter 73, extends along the
lower edge end of the main part 10 on the rear side, having end
portions from the left and right sides joined to each other at the
center of the shorts on the rear side.
[0047] The second tightening part 40b are formed like bands, each
of which has one end joined to its corresponding first tightening
part 40a in an overlapping manner along the lower boundary line of
the first tightening part 40a near the greater trochanter 73 and
extends obliquely upward from the one end toward the waistline at
the center on the rear side, having end portions from the left and
right sides joined to each other at the center of the shorts on the
rear side. In other words, the second tightening parts 40b have
left and right portions joined to each other at a position
corresponding to any location over a sacrum to a lumbar spine and
cover a portion extending substantially along muscle fiber
directions of left and right gluteus maximus from the position so
as to pass vertexes of bulges of hips or vicinities thereof and
reach at least vicinities of the greater trochanters. Both of the
pair of first tightening parts 40a and the pair of second
tightening parts 40b are formed bilaterally symmetric about the
body trunk axis of the wearer.
[0048] The weakly tightening parts 40 are constructed such as to
have a tightening force stronger than that of the main part 10 and
formed by a patch of the same material as with the main part 10,
for example. Specifically, when worn, each first tightening part
40a generates a tightening force F2 along the longitudinal
direction of an area extending from one end 40c to the other end on
the rear side. Each second tightening part 40b generates a
tightening force F3 near the greater trochanter along the
longitudinal direction of an area extending from the joint with the
first tightening part 40a and the portion where the end portions
from the left and right sides are joined to each other at the
center of the shorts on the rear side.
[0049] When one end 40c of the first tightening part 40a joins with
the pubic part 20, the position 40d of the intersection between the
lower boundary line of one end 40c of the first tightening part 40a
and the left or right end of the pubic part 20 is preferably
located on the pubic bone 71, i.e., preferably falls within the
range of about 1 cm above and below the height position of the
greater trochanters 73. This is the same as with the lower limit
position of the center lower end portion 30a of the upper edge end
part 30 mentioned above.
[0050] The strongly tightening parts 50 are formed such as to cover
the greater trochanters 73 and constructed such as to have a
tightening force stronger than that of the main part 10 and weakly
tightening parts 40. Specifically, the strongly tightening parts 50
are portions where the first and second tightening parts 40a, 40b
overlap, i.e., rhombic portions hatched in FIGS. 1 and 2. When each
of the first and second tightening parts 40a, 40b is formed by a
patch, the strongly tightening parts 50 are constructed by two
layers of patches, so as to have a tightening force stronger than
that of the main part 10 and weakly tightening parts 40.
[0051] The strongly tightening parts 50 thus support the greater
trochanters by a tightening force stronger than that of the weakly
tightening parts 40, thereby making it possible to prevent the
human body and the garment from deviating from each other at the
positions of the greater trochanters at the time of wearing.
[0052] Each of the strongly tightening parts 50, which are portions
shielding the greater trochanters 73, preferably covers a region
extending from the greater trochanter position in a standard body
proportion by about 8 to 10 cm in the vertical direction and by
about 15 to 20 cm in the anteroposterior direction in view of
personal differences and movable areas. Therefore, the lowest point
of the strongly tightening parts 50 is preferably about 4 to 5 cm
below the position of the greater trochanters 73 in the standard
body proportion.
[0053] When thus constructed shorts 1 are worn, the upper edge end
part 30 generates the tightening force F1 along the extending
direction thereof toward the pubic part 20. The tightening force F1
stabilizes the pelvis in a forward-tilted state. As a result, a
stable body trunk can be produced in the pelvic girdle.
[0054] Since the pubic part 20 has the highest compression, the
forward-tilted state of the pelvis is further stabilized, whereby a
more stable axis can be produced in the pelvic girdle.
[0055] Since the strongly tightening parts 50 cover the greater
trochanters by a tightening force stronger than that of the first
tightening parts 40a, the human body and the garment can be
prevented from deviating from each other at the position of the
greater trochanters at the time of wearing.
[0056] Meanwhile, the pelvis is inherently slightly tilted forward
when seen laterally but gradually erects under unnecessary load
such as an abnormal way of walking in daily life. When the amount
of forward tilting of the pelvis becomes smaller, the body trunk
axis gets unstable, whereby movements lose their balance.
[0057] In view of such circumstances, the shorts 1 in accordance
with this embodiment provide the tightening force F1 directed from
the upper portion of the pelvis toward the pubic bone 71, so as to
hold the pelvis of the wearer in the forward-tilted state, thereby
making it possible to produce a stable body trunk axis.
[0058] Also, in thus constructed shorts 1, the tightening forces
F2, F3 in the longitudinal direction of the first and second
tightening parts 40a, 40b constituting the weakly tightening parts
40 offer support with favorable kickbacks following movements of
the pelvic girdle at the time of walking, whereby the position of
the pelvis can be pulled back to the center of the body trunk. This
can guide the movements of the pelvic girdle with a favorable
left/right balance, whereby muscles near the pelvic girdle are used
in balance.
[0059] Thus, the shorts 1 in accordance with this embodiment can
hold the pelvis of the wearer in the forward-tilted state, so as to
produce a stable body trunk axis, while guiding the movements of
the pelvis with a favorable left/right balance, so that muscles
near the pelvic girdle can be used in balance. This reduces
distortions in the body, so as to improve the left/right balance of
the body, which softens muscles surrounding the pelvis, so as to
expand the movable areas of the hip joints, thereby mitigating
lassitude and fatigue in the legs and back.
[0060] FIG. 4 is a set of diagrams illustrating an improvement in
the left/right balance of a body by the shorts 1 in accordance with
the first embodiment. FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) represent the same person
measured on different days but at the same time of day. FIG. 4(a)
is a diagram illustrating the left/right difference in movable
areas of hip joints when measurement shorts were worn after other
shorts as a comparative example had been worn for 6 hr, while FIG.
4(b) is a diagram illustrating the left/right difference in
internally-rotating movable areas of the hip joints when the
measurement shorts were worn after the shorts 1 in accordance with
this embodiment had been worn for 6 hr. FIG. 4(c) is a diagram
illustrating how the left/right difference in movable areas of hip
joints varies between FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b). As FIG. 4(c)
illustrates, wearing the shorts 1 in accordance with this
embodiment is seen to reduce the left/right difference in the
internal rotation angle of the hip joints, thereby improving the
left/right balance of the body.
[0061] The above-mentioned shorts 1 in accordance with the first
embodiment are preferably employed for a garment with a crotch for
females. When the wearer is male, on the other hand, the close
contact of the pubic part 20 with the wearer may be lowered by
external genitals, so that the above-mentioned action of the
tightening force F1 toward the pubic bone at the time of wearing
may decrease. Also, the wearer may feel pain in the external
genitals pressed by the pubic part 20. Therefore, the inventors
contrive male underwear which can improve the problems mentioned
above.
Second Embodiment
[0062] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating male underwear as
an example of the garment with a crotch in accordance with the
second embodiment of the present invention as seen from the front
side thereof, while FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the male
underwear in accordance with the second embodiment as seen from the
rear side. The male underwear 1A illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6
differs from the first embodiment in that it comprises a main part
10A and a pubic part 20A in place of the main part 10 and pubic
part 20 in the female shorts 1.
[0063] As with the above-mentioned main part 10, the main part 10A
is constituted by an elastic fabric so as to cover the crotch and
hips of a wearer while in close contact therewith. For example, a
jersey-knitted material constituted by cotton and polyurethane is
employable for the main part 10A.
[0064] The pubic part 20A is formed at a portion corresponding to
the vicinity of the pubic bone 71 (see FIG. 3) of the wearer and a
crotch part thereof. The pubic part 20A has an loosen portion 20a
at the position of external genitals of a male wearer, while the
loosen portion 20a exhibits a compression lower than that of the
remaining portion 20b of the pubic part 20a. Thus, the pubic part
20A is formed such that the portion 20b other than the loosen
portion 20a favorably causes the action of tilting the pelvis
forward.
[0065] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a pubic part 20A in a
disassembled state for explaining the pubic part 20A in detail. As
illustrated in FIG. 7, the pubic part 20A is constituted by a front
fabric 20c, a rear fabric 20d, and an internal member 20e
interposed between the front and rear fabrics 20c, 20d. For
example, the same material as with the main part 10A may be
employed for the front and rear fabrics 20c, 20d.
[0066] On the other hand, the internal member 20e has such a form
that a portion corresponding to the male external genitals (i.e.,
external genital organs; penis and testicles in particular) is cut
out. In this embodiment, the internal member 20e is formed into a
substantially inverted U-shaped pattern so as to produce an
elliptical cutout. The internal member 20e has a gourd-shaped
cutout which is narrower below the leading end of the penis (glans
penis), while the left and right margins on the lower side of the
gourd shape are sewn together, so as to yield the elliptical
cutout. The resulting cutout corresponds to the loosen portion 20a
of the pubic part 20A.
[0067] Though the internal member 20e is preferably formed by a
material (e.g., a warp-knitted T/W power net material constituted
by a mixture of nylon and polyurethane) having a tightening force
stronger than that of the main part 10A and strongly tightening
parts 50 in particular in order to favorably cause the action of
tilting the pelvis forward as mentioned above, the same material as
with the main part 10A or a nonelastic material may also be
employable as long as the compression of the portion 20b other than
the loosen portion 20a of the pubic part 20A is higher than that of
any of the other parts (main part 10A, upper edge end part 30,
weakly tightening parts 40, and strongly tightening parts 50). By
having the highest compression, the portion 20b other than the
loosen portion 20a of the pubic part 20A acts such as to push the
vicinity of the pubic bone 71 into the inside of the body, whereby
the action of tilting the pelvis forward becomes stronger.
[0068] As with the shorts 1 in accordance with the first
embodiment, the male underwear 1A in accordance with the second
embodiment comprises the upper edge end part 30, weakly tightening
parts 40 (first and second tightening parts 40a, 40b), and strongly
tightening parts 50.
[0069] While the female shorts 1 in accordance with the first
embodiment represent an example in which the upper edge end part 30
forms a curve extending obliquely upward on lateral sides from the
center lower end portion 30a on the front side and gradually
becoming asymptotically parallel to the waistline, linear designs
are preferred in male underwear. Therefore, in the male underwear
1A in accordance with the second embodiment, the upper edge end
part 30 may be formed into a substantially V-shape extending
essentially linearly upward on lateral sides from the center lower
end portion 30a on the front side.
[0070] While the female shorts 1 in accordance with the first
embodiment represent an example in which the position of the center
lower end portion 30a of the upper edge end part 30 and the
position 40d of the intersection between the lower boundary line of
one end 40c of the first tightening part 40a and the left or right
end of the pubic part 20 are located at the lowest limit position
of the center lower end portion 30a of the upper edge end part 30,
the position of the center lower end portion 30a of the upper edge
end part 30 in male underwear is preferably shifted toward the
above-mentioned upper limit position thereof so as not to come into
contact with the external genitals.
[0071] The male underwear 1A in accordance with the second
embodiment can enhance the compression of the portion 20b other
than the loosen portion 20a in the pubic part 20A even when the
wearer is male, so that the tightening force F1 toward the pubic
bone at the time of wearing can act appropriately. Therefore, even
when the wearer is male, the pelvis can be tilted forward as
mentioned above, whereby a stable body trunk axis can be produced
by tilting the pelvis forward while preventing it from fluctuating
to and fro and left and right.
[0072] Hence, the male underwear 1A in accordance with the second
embodiment can also yield merits similar to those of the shorts 1
in accordance with the first embodiment.
[0073] The male underwear 1A in accordance with the second
embodiment can restrain the loosen portion 20a of the pubic part 20
from pressing the external genitals, thereby reducing the pain in
the external genitals of the male wearer.
[0074] Though preferred embodiments of the garment with a crotch in
accordance with the present invention have been explained in the
foregoing in terms of the female shorts 1 and male underwear 1A by
way of example, the present invention is not limited to the
above-mentioned embodiments. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8,
the shorts 1 may further comprise a cloth part 60, on the upper
side of the upper edge end part 30, covering the wearer up to the
waistline. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the male underwear
1A may further comprise a cloth part 60, on the upper side of the
upper edge end part 30, covering the wearer up to the waistline.
The same material as with the main parts 10, 10A can be employed
for the cloth part 60. This can expand the covered area up to the
waistline at the time of wearing, whereby the feel of wearing and
the design can be improved in the shorts 1 and male underwear
1A.
[0075] Various materials in use as materials for female shorts and
male underwear, e.g., warp-knitted materials such as power net and
lace, weft-knitted materials such as jersey-knitted materials, and
tubular-knitted (fashioning-knitted) materials, can be employed as
materials for the main parts 10, 10A without being restricted by
the embodiments.
[0076] The weakly tightening parts 40, strongly tightening parts
50, and pubic part 20 may be attached to the main part 10 by either
sewing or bonding. The weakly tightening parts 40, strongly
tightening parts 50, and pubic part 20 may be formed by being
joined to the main part 10 or by changing the knitting method, so
as to yield portions having a stronger tightening force. The weakly
tightening parts 40, strongly tightening parts 50, and pubic part
20 may be integrally formed with the main part 10 by applying
(e.g., printing) a urethane resin or opal finish.
[0077] While the second embodiment exemplifies a three-layer
structure interposing the internal member 20e between the front and
rear fabrics 20c, 20d as a method of forming pubic part 20A, the
member 20e may be sewn, bonded, or joined to the main part 10A in
the pubic part 20A as in the above-mentioned method of forming the
pubic part 20. The member 20e may also be formed by changing the
knitting method when forming the main part 10A, applying (e.g.,
printing) a urethane resin, or opal finish as in the method of
forming the pubic part 20.
[0078] The upper edge end part 30 may be formed such as to exhibit
a tightening force stronger than that of the main part 10 (main
part 10A) by sewing a tape or stretch lace to the main part 10
(main part 10A), return finishing, a connecting line between a
lower abdominal clothing fabric and the main part 10 (main part
10A), or the like or such as to exhibit a tightening force stronger
than that of the main part 10 (main part 10A) while being
integrally formed therewith by changing the knitting method,
applying (e.g., printing) a urethane resin, opal finish, or the
like.
EXAMPLES
[0079] The present invention will now be explained more
specifically with reference to examples. However, the present
invention is not limited to the following examples. The same
explanations as with the female shorts 1 and male underwear 1A in
accordance with the above-mentioned embodiments will be
omitted.
[0080] To begin with, shorts 101, 102, 103 in accordance with
Examples 1 to 3 of the first embodiment and shorts 104, 105, 106,
107 in accordance with Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were subjected
to a functional validation test. FIG. 10 is a set of perspective
views illustrating shorts in accordance with examples of the first
embodiment of the present invention and comparative examples as
seen from the front side thereof.
[0081] Example 1 illustrated in FIG. 10(a) represents the shorts
101 comprising an upper edge end part 31 having a center lower end
portion 31a located at substantially the midpoint between the
anterior superior iliac spines 72 and the pubic bone 71 (the
above-mentioned upper limit position) while being formed downward
convex from the center lower end portion 31a such as to pass over
the left and right anterior superior iliac spines 72 and a pubic
part 21 employing the same material as with the body part 10.
Example 2 illustrated in FIG. 10(b) represents the shorts 102
comprising an upper edge end part 32 having a center lower end
portion 32a located on the pubic bone 71 (the above-mentioned lower
limit position) while being formed downward convex from the center
lower end portion 31a such as to pass over the left and right
anterior superior iliac spines 72 and a pubic part 22 exhibiting a
compression higher than that of the main part 10 and strongly
tightening parts 50. Example 3 illustrated in FIG. 10(c) represents
the shorts 103 comprising an upper edge end part 31 having a center
lower end portion 31a located at substantially the midpoint between
the anterior superior iliac spines 72 and the pubic bone 71 (the
above-mentioned upper limit position) while being formed downward
convex from the center lower end portion 31a such as to pass over
the left and right anterior superior iliac spines 72 (i.e. having
the same form as with Example 1) and a pubic part 23 exhibiting a
compression higher than that of the main part 10 and strongly
tightening parts 50.
[0082] Comparative Example 1 illustrated in FIG. 10(d) represents
the shorts 104 including a pubic part 24, located below the
waistline, exhibiting a compression higher than that of the
strongly tightening parts 50. Comparative Example 2 illustrated in
FIG. 10(e) represents the shorts 105 including a pubic part 25,
located on the waistline, exhibiting a compression higher than that
of the strongly tightening parts 50. Comparative Example 3
illustrated in FIG. 10(f) represents the shorts 106 comprising an
upper edge end part 31 having a center lower end portion 31a
located at substantially the midpoint between the anterior superior
iliac spines 72 and the pubic bone 71 (the above-mentioned upper
limit position; as with Examples 1 and 3) and a pubic part 23
exhibiting a compression higher than that of the strongly
tightening parts 50 (i.e., having the same form and function as
those in Example 3) without the weakly tightening parts 40 and
strongly tightening parts 50. Comparative Example 4 illustrated in
FIG. 10(g) represents the shorts 107, free of the upper edge end
part 30, weakly tightening parts 40, and strongly tightening parts
50, having a pubic part 26 employing the same material as with the
main part 10 without using a patch.
[0083] The shorts 101, 102, 103 in accordance with Examples 1 to 3
of the present invention and the shorts 104, 105, 106, 107 in
accordance with Comparative Examples 1 to 4 were subjected to the
functional validation test. Using an optical reflection type motion
capture system manufactured by Vicon, the functional validation
test for measuring the postures of wearers of shorts during walking
was performed. In the functional validation test, the wearers of
shorts walked at a speed of 3.8 km/hr, and the measurement was
started after the wearers had walked for 90 sec and ended after the
walking of 12 sec.
[0084] In the functional validation test, for each wearer, markers
detectable by a measurement device were attached near the
manubrium, xiphoid process, 7th cervical vertebra, and 10th
thoracic vertebrae as body segments, and near the left anterior
iliac spine, right anterior iliac spine, left posterior iliac
spine, and right posterior iliac spine as pelvis segments.
[0085] From the relative relationship between the body and pelvis
segments, the movable area (range) and the right/left difference
(difference) (the difference between a leftward rotational angle
from a reference position and a rightward rotational angle from the
reference position) were calculated for each of a rotation, which
was an action of rotating about the body trunk of the wearer as an
axis, and side bend of each wearer. The left/right difference was
expressed by the ratio (%) thereof with respect to the movable
area. The more correct walking posture is indicated by the greater
movable area of rotation and by the left/right difference of
rotation and range and left/right difference of side bend closer to
0. The above-mentioned "segments" are action units based on 4
points where the markers are attached. For example, the movable
area and left/right difference of rotation and the range and
left/right difference of side bend may be calculated according to
the correlation among the midpoints of the four points where the
markers are attached.
[0086] In the case of a wearer with a distorted skeleton, a state
tilted leftward or rightward can be taken as a reference, whereby
it can be determined that the distortion is reduced as the range
(amplitude) of a side bend action becomes smaller.
[0087] In the functional validation test, for each of 5 wearers A
to E, the respective cases wearing the shorts in accordance with
the present invention (Examples 1 to 3) and Comparative Examples 1
to 4 were compared.
[0088] FIG. 11 is a chart listing the results of the functional
validation test. In FIG. 11, the cases improved over Comparative
Example 4 (i.e., yielding greater movable area of rotation and
smaller left/right difference of rotation and left/right difference
and range of side bend) are marked with a circle in each of the
measurement results of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1
to 3. The number of people whose measurement results are improved
over Comparative Example 4 in the wearers A to E is also shown for
each of Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Examples 1 to 3 in the row
of "people count."
[0089] In Examples 1 to 3, both of the movable area and left/right
difference of rotation are improved over those in Comparative
Examples, and the effect of improving the left/right difference of
rotation is large in particular. When the left/right difference and
movable area of rotation in Examples 1 to 3 are concerned, Example
2 is seen to be the most improved.
[0090] In Example 1, the pubic part 21 itself seems to have such a
small tightening force that the upper edge end part 31 concentrates
a force (compression) upon the pubic bone, thereby reducing the
left/right difference of rotation. In Example 2, the compression of
the pubic part 22 seems to become higher, thereby expanding the
movable area of rotation. In Example 3, the pubic part 23 has an
area larger than that in Example 2, so that the compression
disperses, thereby lowering the evaluation of the movable area of
rotation. However, since both of Example 1 in which the pubic part
21 is made of the same material as with the main part 10 without
using a patch and Example 2 in which the area of the pubic part 20
is small make pubic hair visible and thus are unfavorable in terms
of design, providing the pubic part 23 such as to extend like that
of Example 3 while using a patch so as to make the vicinity of
pubic hair less visible allows function and design to be balanced
well.
[0091] Since the left/right difference of rotation is improved as
illustrated in FIG. 11, Examples 1 to 3 are seen to reduce
distortions in the body and improve the left/right balance of the
body. Since the movable area of rotation is also improved, Examples
1 to 3 show that distortions in the body are reduced, whereby the
movable area of hip joints is expanded.
[0092] That is, the garment with a crotch in accordance with the
first embodiment of the present invention is seen to be able to
reduce distortions in a body and mitigate fatigue by simply wearing
it and leading a normal life.
[0093] Male underwear in accordance with Examples 11 and 12 of the
second embodiment of the present invention and male underwear in
accordance with Comparative Examples 11 to 13 were subjected to a
functional validation test.
[0094] Example 11 represents the male underwear 1A in accordance
with the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 comprising
the main part 10A, pubic part 20A, upper edge end part 30, weakly
tightening parts 40 (first and second tightening parts 40a, 40b),
and strongly tightening parts 50. That is, in Example 11, the pubic
part 20A has the loosen portion 20a with a lower compression at the
position of external genitals of a male wearer, while the
compression of the portion 20b other than the loosen portion 20a is
higher than that of the main part 10A and strongly tightening parts
50. In Example 11, as in the female shorts 103 of Example 3
illustrated in FIG. 10(c), an upper edge end part 30 has a center
lower end portion 30a located at substantially the midpoint between
the anterior superior iliac spines 72 and the pubic bone 71 (the
above-mentioned upper limit position) while being formed downward
convex from the center lower end portion 31a such as to pass over
the left and right anterior superior iliac spines 72.
[0095] Example 12 differs from Example 11 in its upper edge end
part 30. That is, in Example 12, as in the female shorts 102 of
Example 2 illustrated in FIG. 10(b), the upper edge end part 30 has
a center lower end portion 30a located on the pubic bone 71 (the
above-mentioned lower limit position) while being formed downward
convex from the center lower end portion 30a such as to pass over
the left and right anterior superior iliac spines 72.
[0096] Comparative Example 11 differs from Example 11 in its pubic
part 20A. That is, the pubic part 20A does not have the loosen
portion 20a, while the compression of the pubic part 20A as a whole
is higher than that of the main part 10A and strongly tightening
parts 50.
[0097] Comparative Example 12 differs from Example 11 in its upper
edge end part 30. That is, in Comparative Example 12, as in the
female shorts 104 of Comparative Example 1 illustrated in FIG.
10(d), the center lower end portion 30a of the upper edge end part
30 is located above the above-mentioned upper limit position but
below the waistline.
[0098] As with the female shorts 107 of Comparative Example 4
illustrated in FIG. 10(g), Comparative Example 13 is free of the
upper edge end part 30, weakly tightening parts 40 (first and
second tightening parts 40a, 40b), and strongly tightening parts
50, while its pubic part 20A does not have the loosen portion 20a
but employs the same material as with the main part 10 as a
whole.
[0099] In this functional validation test, after leading a normal
life while wearing underwear for about 6 hr, the left/right
difference in foot pressure of the wearer was measured. In the
functional validation test, for each of 5 wearers F to J, the cases
wearing the male underwear in accordance with the present invention
(Examples 11 and 12) and Comparative Examples 11 to 13 were
compared with each other.
[0100] FIG. 12 is a chart listing the results of the functional
validation test. In FIG. 12, the cases improved over Comparative
Example 13 (i.e., yielding smaller left/right difference in foot
pressure) are marked with a circle in each of the measurement
results of Examples 11 and 12 and Comparative Examples 11 and 12.
The number of people whose measurement results are improved over
Comparative Example 13 in the wearers F to J is also shown for each
of Examples 11 and 12 and Comparative Examples 11 and 12 in the row
of "people count."
[0101] In this functional validation test, it is determined that
there is an improvement effect when the improvement effect is seen
in at least 3 wearers.
[0102] FIG. 12 shows that Example 11 and Comparative Example 11 are
more effective in improving the left/right difference in foot
pressure than Comparative Example 13. In particular, Example 11 is
seen to improve the left/right difference in foot pressure most
effectively. The following will verify these results.
[0103] It seems that, since the pubic part 20A does not have the
loosen portion 20a, the compression of the pubic part upon the
wearer is lowered by the external genitals, whereby the action of
the tightening force toward the pubic bone at the time of wearing
decreases in Comparative Example 11. On the other hand, Example 11
seems to be able to enhance the compression of the portion 20b
other than the loosen portion 20a in the pubic part 20A, thereby
causing the tightening force F1 at the time of wearing to act
appropriately toward the pubic bone.
[0104] It seems that, since the center lower end portion 30a of the
upper edge end part 30 in Comparative Example 12 is higher than the
above-mentioned upper limit position, the above-mentioned action of
the tightening force F1 toward the pubic bone at the time of
wearing decreases, thereby failing to produce a stable body trunk
axis by tilting the pelvis forward. In Example 11, on the other
hand, it seems that, since the center lower end portion 30a of the
upper edge end part 30 is located at the above-mentioned upper
limit position, the tightening force F1 at the time of wearing can
act appropriately toward the pubic bone, so as to tilt the pelvis
forward, thereby producing a stable body trunk axis.
[0105] While the improvement effect in the female shorts is greater
in Example 2, i.e., as the center lower end portion 30a of the
upper edge end part 30 is closer to the lower limit position, as
mentioned above, Example 11 in which the center lower end portion
30a of the upper edge end part 30 is located at the upper limit
position yields an improvement effect greater than that of Example
12 in which the center lower end portion 30a of the upper edge end
part 30 is located at the lower limit position in the male
underwear. This seems to be because the center lower end portion
30a of the upper edge end part 30 is located so low in Example 12
as to abut against the external genitals in some people, whereby
the close contact of the pubic part may be lowered by the external
genitals, which decreases the above-mentioned action of the
tightening force F1 toward the pubic bone at the time of wearing.
In other words, it is preferred for the center lower end portion
30a of the upper edge end part 30 to be located at the upper limit
position in the male underwear.
[0106] Since the left/right difference in foot pressure is thus
improved in Example 11, it is seen that distortions in a body are
reduced, so that the left/right balance of the body is ameliorated
even when the wearer is male. Example 11 also improves the movable
area of rotation, thereby indicating that distortions in the body
are reduced, so as to expand the movable area of hip joints.
[0107] That is, the garment with a crotch in accordance with the
second embodiment is expected to be able to reduce distortions in a
body and mitigate fatigue by simply wearing it and leading a normal
life even when the wearer is male.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0108] The present invention is applicable to uses which can reduce
distortions in a body and mitigate fatigue by simply wearing it and
leading a normal life.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0109] 1, 1A shorts (garment with a crotch) [0110] 10, 10A main
part [0111] 20, 20A pubic part [0112] 20a loosen portion [0113] 20b
portion other than the loosen portion [0114] 30 upper edge end part
[0115] 30a center lower end portion [0116] 40 weakly tightening
part [0117] 40a first tightening part (first weakly tightening
part) [0118] 40b second tightening part (second weakly tightening
part) [0119] 50 strongly tightening part [0120] 60 cloth part
[0121] 71 pubic bone [0122] 72 anterior superior iliac spine [0123]
73 greater trochanter [0124] 74 outermost portion of iliac
crest
* * * * *