U.S. patent application number 13/321733 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-06 for compression garments and method of manufacture.
This patent application is currently assigned to SKINS INTEMATIONAL TRADING AG. Invention is credited to Amanda Herrod, Jason McLaren, Barton Payne.
Application Number | 20120222187 13/321733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43125668 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120222187 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McLaren; Jason ; et
al. |
September 6, 2012 |
COMPRESSION GARMENTS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
Abstract
This invention relates to a compression garment (10) for
clothing a body part including a lower body part of a wearer. The
compression garment has a first panel (12) of stretchable material
joined to a second panel (14) of stretchable material by a first
seam (16). The stretchable material of the second panel (14) has a
higher stretch and recovery characteristic compared to the
stretchable material of the first panel (12). In use, the first
panel (12) of stretchable material is adapted to support a larger,
more powerful muscle group than the second panel (14). The second
panel (14) is joined to a third panel or the first panel (12) by a
second seam (18). The second panel (14) is adapted in use to be
located along a substantial part of the illiotibial band of the
wearer.
Inventors: |
McLaren; Jason; (Wolli
Creek, AU) ; Herrod; Amanda; (Kensington, AU)
; Payne; Barton; (La Jolla, CA) |
Assignee: |
SKINS INTEMATIONAL TRADING
AG
Steinhausen
CH
|
Family ID: |
43125668 |
Appl. No.: |
13/321733 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
May 21, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2010/000611 |
371 Date: |
May 17, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0015 20130101;
A61F 13/08 20130101; A41D 31/12 20190201; A41D 31/185 20190201;
A41D 2300/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00; A41D 1/00 20060101 A41D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 21, 2009 |
AU |
2009902341 |
Claims
1. A compression garment for clothing a body part, the compression
garment having a first panel of stretchable material joined to a
second panel of stretchable material by a seam, wherein the
stretchable material of the second panel has a higher stretch and
recovery characteristic compared to the stretchable material of the
first panel, and wherein, in use, the first panel of stretchable
material is adapted to support a larger, more powerful muscle group
than the second panel.
2. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the body part is an
arm, a leg, the upper torso, the lower torso, or a combination of
these.
3. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the compression
garment comprises a short, a long tight or top, either as a single
garment or in a combination of garments intended to be worn as a
suit.
4. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the compression
garment is made from two or more different elastomeric
materials.
5. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the compression
garment is made of a plurality of panels of fabrics of elastane or
similar stretch material.
6. The compression garment of claim 5, wherein the panels are
combined with nylon or polyester or similar stretch materials of 40
to 60 or up to 500 denier material.
7. The compression garment of claim 6, wherein a stretch along a
warp of each panel of fabric is between 120% and 225% and its
number for recovery is between 5% and 40%.
8. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the second panel is
made of material which is of lower denier, or greater elasticity
compared to the material of the first panel.
9. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the first panel is
capable of effecting a compression value of between 5 mm Hg and 25
mm Hg.
10. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the compression
garment is capable of effecting a compression level of up to 40 mm
Hg for therapy purposes.
11. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the compression
garment has a compression level of less than 25 mm Hg, ranging down
to 5 mm Hg, for active wear and 30 mm Hg, ranging down to 8 mm Hg,
for inactive or non sports usage.
12. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the material of at
least one of the first and second panels has a "wicking" effect, so
that in use the at least one panel draws moisture from the
body.
13. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the panels
represent patterns of arrangement of muscle structure.
14. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the first panel
fully covers the muscle belly of the following muscle groups:
gluteals (gluteus maximus), quads (quadriceps, located at the front
of the thighs), hams (hamstrings, located at the back of the
thighs), calves (located at the back of the lower leg), traps
(trapezius, located in the upper back of the torso), lats
(latissimus dorsi, mid side back of the torso) and rectus abdominis
(the front abdominals).
15. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the second panel is
capable of supporting a muscle group having a greater degree of
shortening and longer tendons, thereby allowing minimal force to
stretch with good recovery.
16. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the seam is a flat
stitched seam joining panels of elastomeric material.
17. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the seam is a line
or ridge of greater thickness than the surrounding area of the
compression garment and is formed by gluing, stitching or any other
means.
18. The compression garment of claim 16, wherein the stitching is
flat stitching using a four or six needle process.
19. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the seam or
stitching line follows either an origin or insertion point of the
muscle and proceeds along fascial lines or bony prominences where
there is low blood supply.
20. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein when the garment is
an upper body garment, the seam follows the fibre direction of the
external oblique muscles (outer side abdominals).
21. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein when an upper body
garment is used together with a lower body garment, a concurrent
functional mechanism is created to involve gradient compression
during dynamic movements.
22. A compression garment for clothing a lower body part of a
wearer, the compression garment including a first panel of
stretchable material joined to a second panel of stretchable
material by a first seam, the second panel being joined to a third
panel or the first panel by a second seam, wherein the second panel
is adapted in use to be located along a substantial part of the
illiotibial band of the wearer.
23. The compression garment of claim 22, wherein the second panel
is adapted in use to extend substantially from the tensor fasciae
latae of the wearer along the illiotibial band towards the
knee.
24. A compression garment for clothing a lower body part of a
wearer, the compression garment having a first panel of stretchable
material joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a
first seam, wherein the stretchable material of the second panel
has a higher stretch and recovery characteristic compared to the
stretchable material of the second panel, and wherein, in use, the
first panel of stretchable material is adapted to support a larger,
more powerful muscle group than the second panel; wherein the
second panel is joined to a third panel or the first panel by a
second seam, the second panel being adapted in use to be located
along a substantial part of the illiotibial band of the wearer;
wherein the second panel is also joined to a fourth panel of
greater elasticity, the fourth panel designed in use to be located
over the knee.
25. The combined compression garment of claim 24, wherein when the
second panel is of greater elasticity than the first and second
panels and the fourth panel is of even greater elasticity, the
lower body garment is designed to reduce excessive pressure over
the illiotibial band and the tensor fasciae latae, at the same time
allowing the desired degree of knee flexion.
26. A compression garment for clothing a body part being a lower
leg of a wearer, the compression garment having a first panel of
stretchable material joined to a second panel of stretchable
material by a seam adapted in use to at least partially divide the
triceps surae of the wearer.
27. The compression garment of claim 26, wherein the seam splits
the lateral and medial gastrocnemius attaching the superior portion
of an achilles panel at the musculo-tendonous junction.
28. The compression garment of claim 27 adapted to provide a dual
panel system capable of permitting individual, specific support and
compression of grastrocnemius bellies.
29. The compression garment of claim 26, wherein the compression
garment takes a form of an elongated sock or stocking.
30. The lower body compression garment as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the second panel comprises an achilles panel.
31. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is
capable of utilising a combination of compressive and high
stretch/recovery fabrics in the postero-lateral panels of the waist
and thigh.
32. A compression garment for clothing a lower body part, which
includes a waist band made from a panel of stretchable material
having chosen stretch and recovery characteristics designed so that
the waist band does not need to include an elastic insert in the
rear of the garment.
33. The compression garment of claim 32, which also includes an
elastic insert in the front of the garment.
34. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the garment
includes a waist band made from a panel of stretchable material
having chosen stretch and recovery characteristics designed so that
the waist band does not need to include an elastic insert in the
rear of the garment.
35. A compression garment for clothing an upper body part of a
wearer, the compression garment having a first panel of stretchable
material joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a
seam, wherein the seam is adapted in use to lie along a fibre
direction of the external oblique muscles of the wearer.
36. The compression garment of claim 35, wherein the seam joining
the first and second panels is placed so that, at the front of the
garment, it is above the wearer's diaphragm area.
37. The compression garment of claim 35, wherein, at the rear of
the garment, the seam is shaped in an upward curve to provide
compression to the scapular muscles while allowing more flexibility
to the lower part of the wearer's torso.
38. The compression garment of claim 36, wherein a third panel of
higher elasticity is inserted on the rear of the upper body garment
in the region of the wearer's spine to permit stretching and
twisting.
39. The compression garment of claim 35, which includes one or more
mesh inserts, for the purpose in aiding ventilation or to assist in
dissipating body heat.
40. The compression garment of claim 39, wherein in the case of a
lower body garment, the mesh insert is located below the waist band
at the upper back.
41. The compression garment of claim 39, wherein there is a second
mesh insert in the crotch area.
42. The compression garment of claim 41, wherein in the case of an
upper body garment, a mesh insert is provided in the underarm
region or at the neckline or any other desired location.
43. A method of manufacture of a compression garment, the method
including the steps of providing a first panel of stretchable
material and a second panel of stretchable material and joining the
first panel to the second panel by a seam.
44-45. (canceled)
46. The lower body compression garment as claimed in claim 22,
wherein the second panel comprises an achilles panel.
47. The lower body compression garment as claimed in claim 24,
wherein the second panel comprises an achilles panel.
48. The compression garment of claim 22, wherein the garment is
capable of utilising a combination of compressive and high
stretch/recovery fabrics in the postero-lateral panels of the waist
and thigh.
49. The compression garment of claim 24, wherein the garment is
capable of utilising a combination of compressive and high
stretch/recovery fabrics in the postero-lateral panels of the waist
and thigh.
50. The compression garment of claim 26, wherein the garment is
capable of utilising a combination of compressive and high
stretch/recovery fabrics in the postero-lateral panels of the waist
and thigh.
51. The compression garment of claim 22, wherein the garment
includes a waist band made from a panel of stretchable material
having chosen stretch and recovery characteristics designed so that
the waist band does not need to include an elastic insert in the
rear of the garment.
52. The compression garment of claim 24, wherein the garment
includes a waist band made from a panel of stretchable material
having chosen stretch and recovery characteristics designed so that
the waist band does not need to include an elastic insert in the
rear of the garment.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to compression garments and to
methods of manufacture. In particular, this invention is concerned
with compression garments including upper body garments and lower
body garments.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Prior art compression garments are generally designed to fit
the body snugly, but without consideration as to the extent to
which muscles increase in bulk and mass during activity. Such prior
art garments can become non-static or counter-gradient in this
situation. Once a person wearing a static compression garment
increases muscle mass with activity, the garment can become tighter
in the vicinity of the muscle, which can increase as much as 3-5%
in volume. This alters the effect of the static compression and can
create undesirable effects, in being undesirably tight or in
providing more compression in the wrong places. In turn, this can
impede circulation and reduce the effect of lymphatic drainage.
[0003] Prior art compression garments do not take into
consideration difference in the degree of shortening which takes
place during activity and exposure to increased eccentric load
(lengthening) for some muscle groups.
[0004] There is also a need to provide compression garments which,
at least in preferred embodiments, can take into consideration the
effect of excess pressure in particular areas, in order to
alleviate or avoid injury problems.
[0005] As one example, one of the most common running injuries is
illiotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS), sometimes known as
"runner's knee". The illiotibial band is a thickening of the
lateral or outer soft tissue that envelops the leg, known as the
fascia. The illiotibial band extends from the hip to the outside of
the knee. The muscles that insert into the upper portion of the
band are the tensor fascia latae and a portion of the gluteus
maximus and gluteus medius muscles. The injury normally presents as
pain and inflammation on the outside of the knee.
[0006] The illiotibial band may become tight for various reasons
and the pain may be experienced down the side of the leg. Friction
may be caused in the femoral area where the illiotibial band
crosses the outside of the knee joint.
[0007] It has been found that excess pressure provided by a
compression garment may cause friction of the illiotibial band over
the hip and knee joint, resulting in or adding to ITBFS. This type
of injury can occur with repetitive hip and knee flexion during
jumping and running sports, in particular.
[0008] It is an aim of the present invention, at least in some
embodiments, to improve on the compression garments of the prior
art by providing compression garments which can reduce the
likelihood of injury from ITBFS and/or which can provide focused
support and compression on key areas and muscle groups, including
the illiotibial band, the gluteus muscles, the Achilles tendons,
the calf muscles (triceps surae) and the scapula.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one aspect, the present invention provides a compression
garment for clothing a body part, the compression garment having a
first panel of stretchable material joined to a second panel of
stretchable material by a seam, wherein the stretchable material of
the second panel has a higher stretch and recovery characteristic
compared to the stretchable material of the first panel, and
wherein, in use, the first panel of stretchable material is adapted
to support a larger, more powerful muscle group than the second
panel.
[0010] The body part may be an arm, a leg, the upper torso, the
lower torso, or a combination of these. For example, the
compression garment of the invention may comprise shorts, long
tights or tops, either as a single garment or in a combination of
garments intended to be worn as a suit.
[0011] The compression garment of the invention may be made from
two or more different elastomeric materials.
[0012] The material of which the compression garment of the
invention is made may be chosen from a wide variety of fabric or
different fabrics. Preferably, however, the garment of the
invention is made of panels of fabrics of elastane or similar
stretch material, often combined with nylon or polyester or similar
stretch materials of 40 to 60 or up to 500 denier material. The
fabric is preferably of specific stretch and recovery. It is
greatly preferred that the stretch along the warp of the fabric is
between 120% and 225% and its number for recovery is between 5% and
40%.
[0013] According to the first aspect of the invention, the
stretchable material of the second panel has a higher stretch and
recovery characteristic compared to the stretchable material of the
first panel. The characteristic of the second panel maybe achieved
in any desirable way. For example, the second panel may be made of
material which is of lower denier, or greater elasticity compared
to the material of the first panel.
[0014] It is preferred that the first panel of the compression
garment of the invention can effect a compression value of between
5 mm Hg and 25 mm Hg. It is envisaged that the compression garment
of the invention may be used for therapy and in that case,
compression levels may be greater, for example, up to 40 mm Hg. In
most embodiments of the compression garment of the present
invention, compression will be of a lower grade, being less than 25
mm Hg, ranging down to 5 mm Hg, for active wear and 30 mm Hg,
ranging down to 8 mm Hg, for inactive or non sports usage.
[0015] The material of the first and/or second panels preferably
has a "wicking" effect, so that in use it draws moisture from the
body. Such materials are known.
[0016] The panels for the first aspect of the invention may be of
any suitable shape.
[0017] The first aspect of the invention is based on the concept of
providing panels in the compression garment to represent patterns
of arrangement of muscle structure. This concept takes into account
that the larger, more powerful muscle groups have the most muscle
fibres, but their degree of shortening is small. Examples of these
muscle groups are the gluteals (gluteus maximus), the quads
(quadriceps, located at the front of the thighs), the hams
(hamstrings, located at the back of the thighs), the calves
(located at the back of the lower leg), the traps (trapezius,
located in the upper back of the torso), the lats (latissimus
dorsi, mid side back of the torso) and the rectus abdominis (the
front abdominals). In preferred embodiments, the first panel fully
covers the muscle belly of such muscle groups. It is believed that
in this way vasoconstriction of the muscle belly may be reduced and
more effective compression over muscle groups with more blood
supply may be effected.
[0018] An example of a muscle group having a greater degree of
shortening and usually having longer tendons is the achilles
tendon. This can be exposed to an increased eccentric load
(lengthening) during activity. The second panel of the first aspect
of the invention can support this type of muscle group, the panel
allowing minimal force to stretch with good recovery.
[0019] The seam is preferably a flat stitched seam joining panels
of elastomeric material. However, the seam is not limited to this.
For example, the seam may be a line or ridge of greater thickness
than the surrounding area of the compression garment. Thus the seam
may be formed by gluing, stitching or any other means.
[0020] Stitching is preferably flat stitching using a four or six
needle process.
[0021] Particularly in the case of the first panel of the
compression garment of the invention, it is preferred that the seam
or stitching line follows either the origin or insertion point of
the muscle and proceeds along fascial lines or bony prominences
where there is low blood supply. In an embodiment providing an
upper body garment, it is preferred that the seam follows the fibre
direction of the external oblique muscles (outer side abdominals).
This can allow the panel of the compression garment to assist with
transverse plane, or twisting, movements of trunk function during
throwing and running movements.
[0022] When a suitable embodiment of upper body garment of the
invention is worn together with a suitable embodiment of lower body
garment according to the invention, a concurrent functional
mechanism may be created to involve gradient compression during
dynamic movements.
[0023] In a second aspect, the invention provides a compression
garment for clothing a lower body part of a wearer, the compression
garment including a first panel of stretchable material joined to a
second panel of stretchable material by a first seam, the second
panel being joined to a third panel or the first panel by a second
seam, wherein the second panel is adapted in use to be located
along a substantial part of the illiotibial band of the wearer.
[0024] In one embodiment, the second panel is adapted in use to
extend substantially from the tensor fasciae latae of the wearer
along the illiotibial band towards the knee.
[0025] It is particularly preferred that the first and second
aspects of the invention are combined, and that the second panel is
joined to a fourth panel of greater elasticity, the fourth panel
designed in use to be located over the knee. Particularly if the
second panel is of greater elasticity than the first and second
panels and the fourth panel is of even greater elasticity, the
lower body garment of the second aspect of the invention can be
designed to reduce excessive pressure over the illiotibial band and
the tensor fasciae latae, at the same time allowing the desired
degree of knee flexion.
[0026] In a third aspect, the invention provides a compression
garment for clothing a body part being a lower leg of a wearer, the
compression garment having a first panel of stretchable material
joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a seam adapted
in use to at least partially divide the triceps surae of the
wearer.
[0027] Preferably, in the third aspect of the invention the seam
splits the lateral and medial gastrocnemius attaching the superior
portion of an achilles panel at the musculo-tendonous junction.
[0028] The third aspect of the invention is based on the concept
that the calf muscles of the lower leg are required to contract
forcefully in running and jumping movements. If the calf muscles
become fatigued or are functionally weak during excessive
contractions over a period of time, eccentric contractions, such as
landing of one leg to the ground during running, can cause these
muscles to tear. The third aspect of the invention can provide, in
effect, a dual panel system which can permit individual, specific
support and compression of grastrocnemius bellies. This may help
reduce localised fatigue of the triceps surae region and help limit
calf muscle injuries.
[0029] In one embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, the
compression garment takes a form of an elongated sock or
stocking.
[0030] In an especially preferred embodiment, the first, second and
third aspects of the invention are combined to result in a lower
body compression garment, such as long or short tights, with the
features of all three aspects. In this especially preferred
embodiment, the compression garment includes an achilles panel
which represents a second panel according to the first aspect of
the invention.
[0031] It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the
compression garments of the invention, in appropriate aspects, can
utilise a combination of compressive and high stretch/recovery
fabrics in the postero-lateral panels of the waist and thigh. This
can help to create a complementary functional mechanism of the
oblique muscles, the gluteus maximus, the illiotibial band and the
tensor fascial latae.
[0032] In preferred embodiments, in relation to the compression
garment being a lower body garment, it is preferred that the waist
band is made from a panel of stretchable material having chosen
stretch and recovery characteristics designed so that the waist
band does not need to include an elastic insert in the rear of the
garment. In this embodiment, it is optional to have an elastic
insert in the front of the garment. It will be appreciated that
this is different from prior art arrangements, in which an elastic
insert encircles the waist or, where an elastic insert is included
in only part of the waist band, the elastic insert is used at the
back of the garment rather than at the front. Construction of the
type described in relation to the lower body garment of the
invention can provide vertical stability.
[0033] The embodiment of waistband described above represents a
fourth aspect of the invention, but preferably is used in
combination with any or all of the first, second and third aspects
of the inventions.
[0034] In a fifth aspect, the invention provides a compression
garment for clothing an upper body part of a wearer, the
compression garment having a first panel of stretchable material
joined to a second panel of stretchable material by a seam, wherein
the seam is adapted in use to lie along a fibre direction of the
external oblique muscles of the wearer.
[0035] In one preferred embodiment, the upper body compression
garment of the fifth aspect of the invention has the seam joining
the first and second panels placed so that, at the front of the
garment, the seam is located above the wearer's diaphragm area. It
is further preferred that, at the rear of the garment, the seam is
shaped in an upward curve to provide compression to the scapular
muscles while allowing more flexibility to the lower part of the
wearer's torso.
[0036] It is particularly preferred that a third panel of higher
elasticity is inserted on the rear of the upper body garment in the
region of the wearer's spine to permit stretching and twisting.
[0037] Optionally, the compression garment of the invention in any
of its aspects may include one or more mesh inserts, for the
purpose in aiding ventilation or to assist in dissipating body
heat. In the case of a lower body garment, for example, a mesh
insert may be provided located below the waist band at the upper
back. It is a further option that there may be a second mesh insert
in the crotch area.
[0038] For an upper body garment, for example, a mesh insert may be
provided in the underarm region or at the neckline or any other
desired location.
[0039] The invention also provides a method of manufacture of the
compression garment of any of the aspects of the invention, the
method including these steps of providing a first panel of
stretchable material and a second panel of stretchable material and
joining the first panel to the second panel by a seam.
[0040] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that many of
the preferred embodiments described above in relation to the first
aspect of the invention are also applicable to the other aspects of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] To assist with understanding the present invention,
reference will now be made to certain non-limiting embodiments in
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a lower
body compression garment in accordance with the first, second,
third and fourth aspects of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;
[0044] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0045] FIG. 4 shows a front view of a first embodiment of an upper
body compression garment, illustrating the first and fifth aspects
of the invention;
[0046] FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 4; and
[0047] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the embodiment in FIGS. 4 and
5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0048] Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3, compression garment 10 is
shown as a lower body garment in the form of long tights, for
clothing a body part being the lower torso, from approximately the
wearer's waistline to the wearer's ankles.
[0049] Long tights 10 have first panels of stretchable material 12A
and 12B and a second panel of stretchable material 14. First panel
12A is joined to second panel 14 by second seam 18 First panel 12B
is joined to second panel 14 by first seam 16. Effectively, first
panel 12 is divided into two parts, 12A and 12B, panel 12A covering
the front of the wearer's thigh as shown in FIG. 1 and panel 12B
covering the back of the wearer's thigh as shown in FIG. 3, with a
seam (not shown) joining the panels 12A and 12B running along the
inside thigh of the wearer.)
[0050] First panels 12A and 12B require more force to stretch and
therefore are less elastic than second panel 14.
[0051] First panel 12B is adapted to support the gluteus maximus of
the wearer, located at 20, and the hamstrings, located at 24. First
panel 12A is adapted to support the quadriceps, located at 22
[0052] It will be noted from FIGS. 1 and 2 that second seam 18 is
located so that it crosses the upper leg of the wearer above the
knee region 26 and so does not impede knee flexion.
[0053] It will also be noted from FIG. 2 that second panel 14 is
located along a substantial part of the illiotibial band of the
wearer, terminating above knee region 26 at third seam 28.
[0054] In this embodiment, knee region 26 is covered by a further
panel 30. This may be a material of similar elasticity to second
panel 14, but preferably is made from a material of even greater
elasticity than second panel 14, so as not impede knee flexion.
[0055] At the lower leg of compression garment 10, seam 16 is
continued to wrap around to the rear of the lower leg so that it at
least partially divides the triceps surae of the lower leg at 32.
Seam 34 similarly travels from the region of the wearer's inner
thigh to meet seam 16 at 32. It will be noted that seams 16 and 34
where they merge at 32 effectively divide the calf muscles 36 and
38 of the wearer's lower leg.
[0056] In this embodiment, panel 40 is bordered by seam 34 and seam
42 (refer FIG. 1) which lies along the bony prominence of the
tibia.
[0057] Panel 44 is bordered by seam 42, the extension of seam 16
and lower seam 46 to knee panel 30. It is preferred that panels 40
and 44 are made of the same material as first panels 12A and
12B.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 3, a further panel 48 supports the wearer's
achilles tendons, being formed between extensions of seams 16 and
34. Preferably, panel 48 is made from a material of greater
elasticity, such as that of second panel 14 or that of knee panel
30.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 1, long tights 10 have crotch panel 50
joined by seams 52 and 54 two first panels 12A. Crotch panel 50 may
be of the same elasticity as first panels 12A or of a different
elasticity.
[0060] Crotch panel 50 is joined to an upper panel 56 by seam 58.
Once again, panel 56 may be of the same elasticity or of a
different elasticity compared to the surrounding panels.
[0061] As can be seen from FIG. 3, seam 60 joins the panels 12B and
travels between the gluteus maximus locations 20. Panel 62 lies
above seam 60 and below waistband 64. If desired, panel 62 may
consist of or may include a mesh panel to assist in ventilation. A
further mesh panel may be included in crotch panel 50 or elsewhere
located near the wearer's crotch.
[0062] As may be seen from each of the FIGS. 1 to 3, waistband 64
is shaped by seam 66 so that compression garment 10 sits flatly at
the wearer's waist.
[0063] In this embodiment, waistband 64 has no separate elastic
insert, except within the front of waistband 64 between seams 68
and 70.
[0064] Compression garment 10 is manufactured by providing each of
the respective panels and joining them by each of the respective
seams to provide the desired shape for the intended wearer.
[0065] Although FIGS. 1 to 3 show compression garment 10 in a form
of long tights, it will be appreciated that the first and second
aspects of the invention may be embodied in a short tight version
which is truncated above knee region 26.
[0066] Turning now to FIGS. 4 to 6, compression garment 80 is shown
in the form of an upper body garment which in this embodiment has
long sleeves 82 and 84. It will be appreciated, however, that it is
within the scope of the invention that long sleeves 82 and 84 are
not included or are present in the form of shorter sleeves.
[0067] Compression garment 80 has first panel 86 joined to second
panel 88 by seam 90. Seam 90 is intended to follow the fibre
direction of the external oblique muscles of the wearer, located at
92 in order to assist with twisting movements of the wearer during
activity. First panel 86 is of a material of lower elasticity then
second panel 88. This provides compression to the upper part of the
wearer's torso while allowing greater elasticity over the diaphragm
area 94.
[0068] As can be seen from FIG. 5, seam 90 is intended to travel
along the lower extremity of the latissimus dorsi at 96.
[0069] As can be seen from FIG. 6, seam 90 rises up again at the
rear of upper body garment 80 to support the scapular muscles.
[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, and as can be seen from FIG.
6, upper body garment 80 has panels 98 and 100 separated by further
panel 102. Panels 98 and 100 are made of the same, relatively low
elasticity, material as panel 86. However, panel 102 is made from a
higher elasticity material, either the same as that of panel 88 or
of a different elasticity, the purpose of panel 102 being to permit
proper movement of wearer's back during activity, whilst still
providing compression through panels 98 and 100.
[0071] In the embodiment shown, further seams 104 are provided to
help anchor arm muscles.
[0072] Side seams 106 are provided to assist in shaping upper body
garment 80. Optionally, side seams 106 may permit side panels 108
and 110 to be of different elasticity compared to other panels,
such as panel 86 and panels 98 and 100.
[0073] As with long tights 10, upper body garment 80 may have mesh
inserts to assist in ventilation. These may be used, for example,
in neck panel 112 or in underarm panels 114.
[0074] All seams referred to in the above embodiments are made
using 4-needle flatlock stitching and may serve to anchor muscle
groups and assist in compression.
[0075] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many
modifications and variation may be made to the embodiments
described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0076] This invention is industrially applicable in that the
compression garment is capable of taking into consideration the
effect of excess pressure in particular areas in the body of the
wearer thereby alleviating or avoiding injury problems.
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