U.S. patent application number 13/722335 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-26 for articles of apparel with garment components and pad components.
This patent application is currently assigned to NIKE, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is NIKE, Inc.. Invention is credited to Daniela Grogro.
Application Number | 20140173815 13/722335 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49765644 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140173815 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grogro; Daniela |
June 26, 2014 |
Articles Of Apparel With Garment Components And Pad Components
Abstract
An article of apparel may include a garment component and a pad
component. A pair of linear regions of the pad component may be
secured to the garment, and a region of the pad component between
the linear regions may be unsecured to the component. The pair of
linear regions may be positioned at spaced and separate edge areas
of the pad component. A central area of the pad component may be at
least partially spaced from the garment component when the garment
component is substantially unstretched.
Inventors: |
Grogro; Daniela; (Portland,
OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIKE, Inc. |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
NIKE, Inc.
Beaverton
OR
|
Family ID: |
49765644 |
Appl. No.: |
13/722335 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/461 ; 2/16;
2/22; 2/24; 2/455; 2/459 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0581 20130101;
A41D 13/065 20130101; A41D 13/0512 20130101; A41D 13/015 20130101;
A41D 13/05 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/461 ; 2/455;
2/22; 2/24; 2/459; 2/16 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/015 20060101
A41D013/015; A41D 13/05 20060101 A41D013/05; A41D 13/06 20060101
A41D013/06 |
Claims
1. An article of apparel comprising: a garment component for
covering a portion of a body of a wearer, the garment component
having an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, and the
garment component including a first area and a second area; a first
pad component positioned adjacent to the first area of the garment
component, the first pad component being (a) secured to the first
area at a first pair of linear regions and (b) unsecured to the
first area between the first pair of linear regions, the first pair
of linear regions being spaced from each other and positioned on
opposite sides of the first area; and a second pad component
positioned adjacent to the second area of the garment component,
the second pad component being (a) secured to the second area at a
second pair of linear regions and (b) unsecured to the second area
between the second pair of linear regions, the second pair of
linear regions being spaced from each other and positioned on
opposite sides of the second area.
2. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the first pair of
linear regions are located at edge areas of the first pad
component.
3. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the first pad
component is stitched to the outer surface of the garment component
in the first pair of linear regions.
4. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the first pad
component comprises two textile layers and a polymer foam
layer.
5. The article of apparel of claim 4, wherein the first pad
component comprises an outer layer including a mesh textile.
6. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein each linear region of
the first pair of linear regions is substantially straight.
7. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the linear regions of
the first pair of linear regions are substantially parallel.
8. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the article of
apparel is a pants-type garment, and wherein the first pad
component is positioned adjacent to an area selected from a group
consisting of (a) a hip area of the garment component, (b) a
tailbone area of the garment component, and (c) a knee area of the
garment component.
9. The article of apparel of claim 1, wherein the article of
apparel is a shirt-type garment, and wherein the first pad
component is positioned adjacent to an area selected from a group
consisting of (a) a shoulder area of the garment component and (b)
an elbow area of the garment component.
10. An article of apparel comprising: a garment component for
covering a portion of a body of a wearer, the garment component
having an inner surface and an opposite outer surface; and a pad
component positioned adjacent to the outer surface of the garment
component, a pair of separate and spaced edge areas of the pad
component being secured to the garment component, and a central
area of the pad component that is located between the edge areas
being unsecured to the garment component.
11. The article of apparel of claim 10, wherein the pair of edge
areas is stitched to the garment component.
12. The article of apparel of claim 10, wherein each of the pair of
edge areas is substantially straight.
13. The article of apparel of claim 10, wherein the pair of edge
areas is substantially parallel.
14. The article of apparel of claim 10, wherein the central area of
the pad component is at least partially spaced from the garment
component when the garment component is substantially
unstretched.
15. An article of apparel comprising: a garment component for
covering a portion of a body of a wearer; and a pad component
located adjacent to the garment component and having (a) a pair of
secured regions that are joined to the garment component and (b) an
unsecured region that is unjoined to the garment component, the
secured regions being spaced from each other and located adjacent
to a periphery of the pad component, the unsecured region being
located between the secured regions and separating the secured
regions from each other, and the unsecured region extending through
an entirety of a distance between opposite edges of the pad
component.
16. The article of apparel of claim 15, wherein the pair of secured
regions is stitched to the garment component.
17. The article of apparel of claim 15, wherein each of the pair of
secured regions is substantially straight.
18. The article of apparel of claim 15, wherein the pair of secured
regions is substantially parallel.
19. The article of apparel of claim 15, wherein the unsecured
region is at least partially spaced from the garment component when
the garment component is substantially unstretched.
20. An article of apparel comprising: a garment component having a
pelvic region and a pair of leg regions, and the garment component
including a first hip area, a second hip area, and a tailbone area;
and a pad component positioned adjacent to one of the first hip
area, the second hip area, and the tailbone area, the pad component
having an inwardly-facing surface secured to the garment component
in a first linear region and a second linear region, the
inwardly-facing surface being unsecured to the garment component
between the first linear region and the second linear region.
21. The article of apparel of claim 20, wherein the pad component
includes a pair of textile layers and a polymer foam layer
positioned between the textile layers.
22. The article of apparel of claim 21, wherein one of the textile
layers is a mesh textile layer.
23. The article of apparel of claim 20, wherein the first linear
region and the second linear region are substantially straight.
24. The article of apparel of claim 20, wherein the first linear
region is substantially parallel to the second linear region.
25. The article of apparel of claim 20, wherein the garment
component further includes a first knee area and a second knee
area, and wherein the first linear region and the second linear
region straddle one of the first hip area, the second hip area, the
tailbone area, the first knee area, and the second knee area.
26. An article of apparel comprising: a garment component having a
torso region that defines a neck opening and a waist opening, a
first arm region that defines a first arm opening, and a second arm
region that defines a second arm opening, the garment component
including a first shoulder area and a second shoulder area; and a
pad component extending across one of the first shoulder area and
the second shoulder area, the pad component having an
inwardly-facing surface with a first region, a second region, and a
third region between the first region and second region, the
inwardly-facing surface being secured to the garment component in
both the first region and the second region, wherein the third
region of the inwardly-facing surface is at least partially spaced
from the garment component when the garment component is
substantially unstretched.
27. The article of apparel of claim 26, wherein the pad component
comprises an outer textile layer, an inner textile layer, and a
polymer foam layer positioned the outer textile layer and the inner
textile layer.
28. The article of apparel of claim 27, wherein one of the outer
textile layer and the inner textile layer comprises a mesh textile
layer.
29. The article of apparel of claim 26, wherein the first region
and the second region are linear and substantially straight.
30. The article of apparel of claim 26, wherein the first region is
substantially parallel to the second region.
31. The shirt-type garment of claim 26, wherein the garment
component further includes a first elbow area and a second elbow
area, and wherein the first linear region and the second linear
region straddle one of the first shoulder area, the second shoulder
area, the first elbow area, and the second elbow area.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Materials or elements that impart padding, cushioning, or
otherwise attenuate impact forces are commonly incorporated into a
variety of products. Athletic apparel, for example, often
incorporates pad components that protect the wearer from contact
with other athletes, equipment, or the ground. More specifically,
pads used in American football and hockey incorporate pad
components that provide impact protection to various parts of a
wearer. Helmets utilized during American football, hockey,
bicycling, skiing, snowboarding, and skateboarding incorporate pad
components that provide head protection during falls or crashes.
Similarly, gloves utilized in soccer (e.g., by goalies) and hockey
incorporate pad components that provide protection to the hands of
a wearer. In addition to apparel, mats (e.g., for yoga or camping),
chair cushions, and backpacks, for example, all incorporate pad
components to enhance comfort.
SUMMARY
[0002] Various features of an article of apparel are disclosed
below. In some configurations, an article of apparel comprises a
garment component for covering a portion of a body of a wearer, a
first pad component, and a second pad component. The garment
component has an inner surface and an opposite outer surface, and
the garment component includes a first area and a second area. The
first pad component is positioned adjacent to the first area of the
garment component. The first pad component is (a) secured to the
first area at a first pair of linear regions and (b) unsecured to
the first area between the first pair of linear regions. The first
pair of linear regions are spaced from each other and positioned on
opposite sides of the first area. The second pad component is
positioned adjacent to the second area of the garment component.
The second pad component is (a) secured to the second area at a
second pair of linear regions and (b) unsecured to the second area
between the second pair of linear regions. The second pair of
linear regions is spaced from each other and positioned on opposite
sides of the second area.
[0003] In other configurations, an article of apparel comprises a
garment component for covering a portion of a body of a wearer and
a pad component. The garment component has an inner surface and an
opposite outer surface. The pad component is positioned adjacent to
the outer surface of the garment component. A pair of separate and
spaced edge areas of the pad component are secured to the garment
component, and a central area of the pad component that is located
between the edge areas is unsecured to the garment component.
[0004] In some configurations, an article of apparel comprises a
garment component for covering a portion of a body of a wearer and
a pad component. The pad component is located adjacent to the
garment component and has (a) a pair of secured regions that are
joined to the garment component and (b) an unsecured region that is
unjoined to the garment component. The secured regions are spaced
from each other and are located adjacent to a periphery of the pad
component. The unsecured region is located between the secured
regions and separates the secured regions from each other, and the
unsecured region extends through an entirety of a distance between
opposite edges of the pad component.
[0005] In other configurations, a pants-type garment comprises a
garment component and a pad component. The garment component has a
pelvic region, a first leg region, and a second leg region. The
pelvic region defines a waist opening, the first leg region defines
a first leg opening, and the second leg region defines a second leg
opening. The garment component includes a first hip area, a second
hip area, and a tailbone area. The pad component is positioned
adjacent to one of the first hip area, the second hip area, and the
tailbone area. The pad component has an inwardly-facing surface
secured to the garment component in a first linear region and a
second linear region. The inwardly-facing surface is unsecured to
the garment component between the first linear region and the
second linear region.
[0006] In further configurations, a shirt-type garment comprises a
garment component and a pad component. The garment component has a
torso region that defines a neck opening and a waist opening, a
first arm region that defines a first arm opening, and a second arm
region that defines a second arm opening. The garment component
includes a first shoulder area and a second shoulder area. The pad
component extends across one of the first shoulder area and the
second shoulder area. The pad component has an inwardly-facing
surface with a first region, a second region, and a third region
between the first region and second region. The inwardly-facing
surface is secured to the garment component in both the first
region and the second region. The third region of the
inwardly-facing surface is at least partially spaced from the
garment component when the garment component is substantially
unstretched.
[0007] The advantages and features of novelty characterizing
aspects of the invention are pointed out with particularity in the
appended claims. To gain an improved understanding of the
advantages and features of novelty, however, reference may be made
to the following descriptive matter and accompanying figures that
describe and illustrate various configurations and concepts related
to the invention.
FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS
[0008] The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description
will be better understood when read in conjunction with the
accompanying figures.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an individual wearing
an article of apparel.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the article of
apparel.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the article of
apparel.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the article of
apparel.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the article of apparel.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the article of
apparel including a pad component and a portion of a textile
component.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the portion of the article
of apparel.
[0016] FIGS. 8A-8C are cross-sectional views of the portion of the
article of apparel.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of an individual wearing
a second embodiment of the article of apparel.
[0018] FIGS. 10A-10F are elevational views corresponding with FIG.
7 and depicting further configurations of the portion of the
article of apparel.
[0019] FIGS. 11A-11F are cross-sectional views corresponding with
FIG. 8C and depicting further configurations of the portion of the
article of apparel.
[0020] FIGS. 12A-12H are elevational views corresponding with FIG.
7 and depicting further configurations of the pad component.
[0021] FIG. 13A-13B are front elevational views corresponding with
FIG. 1 and depicting further embodiments of the article of
apparel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose
concepts associated with pad components that may be incorporated
into various articles of apparel.
[0023] Apparel Configuration
[0024] With reference to FIG. 1, an individual 10 is depicted as
wearing an article of apparel 100 with the general configuration of
a pants-type garment, more particularly a shorts-type garment.
Although apparel 100 may be worn under other articles of apparel,
apparel 100 may be worn alone, may be exposed, or may be worn over
other articles of apparel. Apparel 100 may also be worn in
combination with other pieces of equipment (e.g., athletic or
protective equipment). Accordingly, the configuration of apparel
100 and the manner in which apparel 100 is worn by individual 10
may vary significantly.
[0025] Apparel 100 is depicted individually in FIGS. 2-5 as
including a garment component 110 and a plurality of pad components
300. Garment component 110 provides a base layer that covers areas
of individual 10 or another wearer and provides a substrate to
which pad components 300 are joined. Pad components 300 incorporate
a polymer foam or other compressible material that attenuate impact
forces, thereby protecting individual 10 from contact with other
athletes, equipment, or the ground.
[0026] Garment component 110 includes a pelvic region 111 and a
pair of leg regions 115 that extend outward from pelvic region 111.
Pelvic region 111 corresponds with a pelvic area of individual 10
and covers at least a portion of the pelvic area when worn. An
upper area of pelvic region 111 defines a waist opening 112 that
extends around a waist of individual 10 when apparel 100 is worn.
Leg regions 115 correspond with a right leg and a left leg of
individual 10 and cover at least portions of the right leg and the
left leg when worn. Lower areas of leg regions 115 each define a
leg opening 116 that extends around a leg of individual 10 when
apparel 100 is worn. Additionally, garment component 110 includes
an outer surface 124 that faces away from individual 10 when
apparel 100 is worn, and garment component 110 includes an opposite
inner surface 122 that faces toward individual 10 and may contact
individual 10 when apparel 100 is worn.
[0027] Garment component 110 may include any of a variety of
materials that are conventionally utilized in apparel, such as
textiles, leather, synthetic leather, or polymer materials, and may
also include combinations of these materials (e.g. one textile
material joined with another textile material, or a textile
material bonded or otherwise secured to a polymer material).
Textiles used to form garment component 110 may include knitted,
woven, non-woven, spacer, or mesh textile components, and materials
used to form garment component 110 may include cotton, wool, silk,
rayon, nylon, polyester, polyacrylic, and elastane, for example.
Garment component 110 may advantageously incorporate a textile
exhibiting some degree of one-dimensional or multi-dimensional
stretch.
[0028] Pad components 300 are incorporated into various areas of
apparel 100 to impart padding, cushioning, or otherwise attenuate
impact forces. When apparel 100 is worn during athletic activities,
for example, pad components 300 may protect individual 10 from
contact with other athletes, equipment, or the ground. With regard
to apparel 100, pad components 300 are depicted as being located in
both of pelvic region 111 and leg regions 115 and as being
positioned to protect hip areas, thigh areas, and a tailbone area
of individual 10.
[0029] As described in greater detail below, however, pad
components 300 may be incorporated into a variety of different
articles of apparel, and pad components 300 may be positioned
adjacent to various areas of the articles of apparel to protect
specific portions (e.g., muscles, bones, joints, impact areas) of
individual 10. Pad components 300 are depicted in FIGS. 2-5, for
example, as being positioned adjacent to hip areas, thigh areas,
and a tailbone area of garment component 110. Additionally, the
shapes, sizes, and other properties of pad components 300, as well
as the materials and elements utilized in pad components 300, may
vary significantly to provide a particular level of protection to
the specific portions of individual 10.
[0030] Pad Component Configuration
[0031] An example configuration for pad component 300 is depicted
in FIGS. 6-8C as including an outer cover layer 310, an inner cover
layer 320, and a central cushioning layer 330. Cover layers 310 and
320 cooperatively form an exterior casing or jacket for pad
component 300. More particularly, cover layers 310 and 320 extend
around cushioning layer 330 and cooperatively form a pocket or void
in which cushioning layer 330 is located. Although cushioning layer
330 may have various configurations, cushioning layer 330 is
depicted as including a plurality of pad elements 332 that are
located between and secured to each of cover layers 310 and 320. As
discussed in greater detail below, cushioning layer 330 may be
formed from compressible materials (e.g., polymer foam) that
attenuate impact forces to impart protection to individual 10.
[0032] Cover layers 310 and 320 extend over opposite sides of
cushioning layer 330 and are joined to each other along a periphery
of pad component 300 (e.g., through stitching, an adhesive, or
thermalbonding). In this configuration, cover layers 310 and 320
cooperatively form an exterior surface of pad component 300,
including an outwardly-facing surface 312 and an opposite
inwardly-facing surface 322. Whereas outwardly-facing surface 312
faces outward and away from individual 10, inwardly-facing surface
322 faces inward and toward individual 10.
[0033] A variety of materials may be utilized for outer cover layer
310 and inward cover layer 320, including various textiles, polymer
sheets, leather, or synthetic leather, for example. Combinations of
these materials (e.g., a polymer sheet bonded to a textile) may
also be utilized for layers 310 and 320. Although layers 310 and
320 may be formed from the same material, each of layers 310 and
320 may also be formed from different materials. With regard to
textiles, layers 310 and 320 may be formed from knitted, woven,
non-woven, spacer, or mesh textile components that include rayon,
nylon, polyester, polyacrylic, elastane, cotton, wool, or silk, for
example. Moreover, the textiles may be non-stretch, may exhibit
one-directional stretch, or may exhibit multi-directional stretch.
Accordingly, a variety of materials are suitable for outer cover
layer 310 and inner cover layer 320.
[0034] Cushioning layer 330 is primarily formed from the plurality
of pad elements 332, which are located between and secured to each
of cover layers 310 and 320. Although the shapes of pad elements
332 may vary significantly, each pad element 332 is depicted as
having an elliptical or generally elongate shape with rounded end
areas. Pad elements 332 are also depicted as being spaced evenly
from each other and arranged in rows, particularly offset rows, but
may be spaced or located in a variety of arrangements. An advantage
of arranging pad elements 332 in offset rows is that the area
between pad elements 332 is effectively minimized, while retaining
a regular spacing between adjacent pad elements 332.
[0035] A variety of materials may be utilized for pad elements 332,
including various polymer foam materials that return to an original
shape after being compressed. Examples of suitable polymer foam
materials for pad elements 332 include polyurethane,
ethylvinylacetate, polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene
foams. Moreover, both thermoplastic and thermoset polymer foam
materials may be utilized. In some configurations of pad component
300, pad elements 332 may be formed from a polymer foam material
with a varying density, or solid polymer or rubber materials may be
utilized. Fluid-filled chambers may also be utilized as pad
elements 332 and in middle layer 330. Also, different pad elements
332 may be formed from different materials, or may be formed from
similar materials with different densities. As discussed in greater
detail below, the polymer foam materials forming pad elements 332
attenuate impact forces to provide cushioning or protection. By
selecting thicknesses, materials, and densities for each of the
various pad elements 332, the degree of impact force attenuation
may be varied throughout pad component 300 to impart a desired
degree of cushioning or protection.
[0036] The compressible polymer foam materials forming pad elements
332 attenuate impact forces that compress or otherwise contact pad
component 300. When incorporated into apparel 100 or another
article of apparel, for example, the polymer foam materials of pad
elements 332 may compress to protect a wearer from contact with
other athletes, equipment, or the ground. Accordingly, pad
component 300 may be utilized to provide cushioning or protection
to areas of individual 10 or other wearers that are covered by pad
component 300.
[0037] In addition to attenuating impact forces, pad component 300
has an advantage of simultaneously providing one or more of
breathability, flexibility, a relatively low overall mass, and
launderability. When incorporated into an article of apparel, such
as apparel 100, a wearer may perspire and generate excess heat. By
utilizing a permeable textile for layers 310 and 320 and also
forming gaps between adjacent pad elements 332, areas for air to
enter apparel 100 and for moisture to exit apparel 100 are formed
through pad component 300. More particularly, air and moisture may
pass through layers 310 and 320 and between pad elements 332 to
impart breathability to areas of apparel 100 having pad components
300. Moreover, the materials and structure discussed above for pad
component 300 impart flexibility and a low overall mass to pad
component 300. Furthermore, the materials and structure discussed
above for pad component 300 permits pad component 300 to be
laundered without significant shrinkage or warping, even when
temperatures associated with commercial laundering processes are
utilized. Accordingly, pad component 300 may simultaneously provide
impact force attenuation, breathability, flexibility, a relatively
low overall mass, and launderability to an article of apparel.
[0038] Pad Component Attachment
[0039] Pad component 300 is incorporated into apparel 100 such that
inwardly-facing layer 320 of pad component 300 is positioned
adjacent to outer surface 124 of garment component 110. In this
configuration, pad component 300 protrudes i from apparel 100. As
depicted, pad component 300 includes a pair of attachment regions
350, which are depicted as linear regions, and a separation region
352 located between attachment regions 350. A linear region may be
an elongate region having a length that is significantly greater
than its width. A linear region may have a length that is three
times, or five times, or ten or more times greater than its width,
for example. As depicted, attachment regions extend over a majority
of a length of pad component 300.
[0040] Pad component 300 is secured to opposite sides of an area of
garment component 110 in attachment regions 350, while being
unsecured to garment component 110 in region 352. An
outwardly-facing surface 312 of pad component 300 is accordingly
oriented away from garment component 110, while an inwardly-facing
surface 322 of pad component 300 is oriented toward garment
component 110, is secured to garment component 110 in regions 350,
and is unsecured to garment component 110 in middle region 352.
[0041] When garment component 110 is substantially unstretched,
regions 350 are positioned further apart from each other across
inwardly-facing surface 322 of pad component 300 than they are
across outer surface 124 of garment component 110. Accordingly, as
depicted in FIGS. 8A-8C, when garment component 110 is
substantially unstretched, middle region 352 may be at least
partially spaced from garment component 110.
[0042] Pad component 300 may be secured to garment component 110 in
attachment regions 350 by stitches or sewing. In some
configurations, pad component 300 may be secured to garment
component 110 in regions 350 by thermalbonding, an adhesive, a
thermally-activated adhesive, or another securing structure.
[0043] Attachment regions 350 are depicted in FIGS. 6-8C as being
in edge areas of pad component 300 and as being spaced from each
other. In turn, middle region 352 is in a central area of pad
component 300 between regions 350. Secured regions of pad component
300, which are spaced from each other, are accordingly joined to
garment component 110, and an unsecured region of pad component 300
separates the secured regions from each other, extends through an
entirety of a distance between opposite edges of pad component 300,
and is accordingly unjoined to garment component 110.
[0044] For each pad component 300, pairs of regions 350 may
straddle an area of textile component 110 corresponding with a
portion of a body of a wearer that tends to flex, extend, or rotate
in the course of various athletic activities, such as joint areas,
for example. When regions 350 straddle such areas, pad component
300 may facilitate a flexion, extension, or rotation of the body of
a wearer in the corresponding area. Pairs of regions 350 straddling
an area of textile component 110 may also serve to accommodate
variety in the size and shape of the corresponding portion of the
body of a wearer. This may allow pad components 300 to be
incorporated into articles of apparel that are suitable for a
relatively wide range of wearers.
[0045] For example, an advantage of securing pad component 300 to
garment component 110 along attachment regions 350 is that a
majority of pad component 300 is decoupled from garment component
110. A majority of pad component 110 may thus flex, slide, rotate,
or otherwise move relative to pad component 110. Additionally, as
garment component 110 stretches or contracts, attachment regions
350 may accordingly move further apart from each other or closer to
each other without hindering the motion of garment component 110.
Pad component 300 may therefore accommodate shifts in garment
component 110 due to the movements in the body of a wearer.
[0046] Further Configurations
[0047] FIGS. 1-8C depict a pants-type garment incorporating pad
components 300. Other types of garments may similarly incorporate
pad components 300. For example, FIG. 9 depicts individual 10
wearing an article of apparel 200 having the configuration of a
shirt-type garment. Apparel 200 includes a garment component 210
and a plurality of pad components 300. Garment component 210
includes a torso region 211 and a pair of arm regions 215. Torso
region 211 defines a waist opening 212 that extends around a waist
of individual 10 as well as a neck opening 214 that extends around
a neck of individual 10. Arm regions 215 correspond with a right
arm and a left arm of individual 10 and cover at least portions of
the right arm and the left arm when worn. Each arm region 215
defines an arm opening 216 that extends around an arm of individual
10. Garment component 210 includes an outer surface 224 facing away
from individual 10 and an opposite inner surface 222 facing toward
individual 10. Pad components 300 are positioned adjacent to
shoulder areas and abdominal areas of garment component 210, and
are secured in regions 350 (not shown in FIG. 9) to apparel 200
[0048] As depicted in FIGS. 6-8C, regions 350 securing pad
component 300 to garment component 110 are positioned in edge areas
of pad component 300, are substantially straight, and are
substantially parallel with each other. Other configurations of
regions 350 are possible. For example, in some configurations, as
depicted in FIGS. 10A and 11A, regions 350 are positioned inward
from edge areas of pad component 300. In some configurations,
regions 350 may not be substantially straight, and may instead have
an angled configuration, or a curved configuration as depicted in
FIG. 10B. Furthermore, when substantially straight, regions 350 may
not be substantially parallel with each other, and may instead be
oriented at some angle with respect to each other, as depicted in
FIG. 10C.
[0049] Although depicted in FIGS. 6-8C as including a pair of
linear attachment regions 350, pad component 300 may include other
configurations of regions 350. FIG. 10D, for example, depicts pad
component 300 as including three substantially linear and
substantially straight regions 350. Other configurations of pad
component 300 may include non-linear attachment regions 350. In the
example depicted in FIG. 10E, pad component 300 includes regions
350 having a configurations whose shapes include a circle, a
square, a triangle, a hexagon, a cross-hatched shape, and an
irregular shape. Accordingly, regions 350 may be configured to have
a variety of shapes, and may be positioned in a variety of areas of
pad component 300.
[0050] In various configurations of pad component 300, outer cover
layer 310, inner cover layer 320, or both may include a mesh
textile. For example, FIG. 1OF depicts a configuration of pad
component 300 in which outer cover layer 310 includes a mesh
textile.
[0051] Regions 350 are depicted in FIGS. 6-8C, when garment
component 110 is substantially unstretched, as being further apart
from each other across inwardly-facing surface 322 of pad component
300 than they are across outer surface 124 of garment component
110. Middle region 352 is accordingly at least partially spaced
from garment component 110 when garment component 110 is
substantially unstretched. In other configurations, middle region
352 may exhibit various degrees of spacing from garment component
110 when garment component 110 is substantially unstretched. As
depicted for example in FIG. 11B, middle region 352 is spaced
further from garment component 110 than in the configuration
depicted in FIG. 8C. In contrast, FIG. 11C depicts middle region
352 as being in close proximity with outer surface 124 of garment
component 110. In some configurations, some portion or portions of
middle 352 may touch garment component, but may still be unsecured
to garment component 100.
[0052] Middle layer 330 is depicted in FIGS. 6-8C as including a
plurality of pad elements 332, which may be formed from polymer
foam materials. In other configurations, middle layer 330 may be a
single element that extends throughout pad component 300, as
depicted for example in FIG. 11D, which may similarly be formed
from polymer foam materials. Some configurations of middle layer
330 may include a first foam layer 334 and a second foam layer 336,
as depicted in FIG. 11E. Layers 334 and 336 may be formed from
different types of polymer foam, or different densities of polymer
foam, or different materials such as a polymer foam material and a
rubber material. Layers 334 and 336 may also have different colors
to impart aesthetic qualities to pad component 300.
[0053] As depicted in FIG. 11F, some configurations of middle layer
330 may also include elongate grooves 335 extending throughout a
length of pad component 300, and may similarly include elongate
voids 337 forming apertures or holes in middle layer 330. Various
combinations of grooves 335 and voids 337 may impart different
degrees of flex, stretch, compressibility, and breathability to pad
component 300. Middle layer 330 may thus include a variety of
configurations of foam layers 334 and 336, and a variety of
configurations of grooves 335 and voids 337. Various configurations
of grooves 335, voids 337, and foam layers 334 and 336 that may be
included in middle layer 330 are disclosed in copending and
commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. ______, currently U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/485,739, entitled "Articles Of Apparel
Incorporating Cushioning Elements," and filed on May 31, 2012,
which is herein incorporated by reference.
[0054] In addition to the shapes depicted in FIGS. 1-8C, pad
components 300 may have any of a variety of other shapes. For
example, as depicted in FIGS. 12A-12E, pad components 300 may have
hexagonal shapes, circular shapes, square shapes, triangular
shapes, or H-shapes. Pad components 300 may also have a shape
suitable for protecting lower areas of leg regions 115, as depicted
in FIG. 12F; or a shape suitable for protecting upper areas of leg
regions 115, as depicted in FIG. 12G; or a shape suitable for
protecting a tailbone area of pelvic region 111, as depicted in
FIG. 12H. In various configurations, pad components 300 may have
any shape suitable for protecting any particular area of the body
of individual 10 or another wearer.
[0055] FIG. 13A depicts individual 10 wearing article of apparel
200 configured as a substantially sleeveless shirt-type garment. As
depicted, garment component 210 does not include arm regions.
Instead, torso region 211 defines arm openings 216 extending around
an arm of individual 10. In addition, waist opening 212 extends
upward along the torso of individual 10 and separates the
right-side and left-side abdominal areas. Article of apparel 200 is
further depicted as including an two-piece adjustable strap 240,
which is fixedly secured in part to the right-side abdominal area
and fixedly secured in part to the left side abdominal area. The
two pieces of strap 240 are then adjustably joined to each other
(e.g. by a hook-and-loop fastening system) between the right-side
and left-side abdominal areas of torso region 211.
[0056] FIG. 13B depicts individual 10 as wearing additional
configurations of articles of apparel 100 and 200. As depicted, leg
regions 115 of apparel 100 extend beyond the knees of individual
10, and leg openings 116 are positioned between the knees and the
ankles of individual 10. Similarly, arm regions 215 are extend
beyond the elbows of individual 10, and arm openings 216 are
positioned between the elbows and the wrists of individual 10. In
apparel 100, pad components 300 are positioned adjacent to hip
areas and knee areas of garment component 110, while pad components
300 in apparel 200 are positioned adjacent to shoulder areas and
elbow areas of garment component 210.
[0057] The invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying
figures with reference to a variety of configurations. The purpose
served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the
various features and concepts related to the invention, not to
limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be
made to the configurations described above without departing from
the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *