U.S. patent application number 15/214110 was filed with the patent office on 2017-01-19 for functional and aesthetic frictional support.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jasen L. Webb. Invention is credited to Jasen L. Webb.
Application Number | 20170013888 15/214110 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57774758 |
Filed Date | 2017-01-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170013888 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Webb; Jasen L. |
January 19, 2017 |
FUNCTIONAL AND AESTHETIC FRICTIONAL SUPPORT
Abstract
A garment configured to aid in frictional support for a user
during an exercise to reduce slipping and sliding between the
garment and an object. The garment includes gripping areas located
on a front or back of the garment. Gripping areas of various
different shapes and sizes may be located in a multiplicity of
suitable areas of the garment. Gripping areas may be applied to an
outer and/or inner surface of the fabric of the garment. Gripping
areas may be made of a grip material that exerts a greater
frictional force on the object in contact with the gripping areas.
Gripping areas may include multiple gripping members of various
different shapes and patterns. These various gripping patterns and
shapes enable the gripping areas to provide an aesthetically
pleasing and functional garment, at the same time, maintain the
breathability of the fabric from which the garment is made.
Inventors: |
Webb; Jasen L.; (Woodstock,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Webb; Jasen L. |
Woodstock |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57774758 |
Appl. No.: |
15/214110 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62194266 |
Jul 19, 2015 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41F 5/00 20130101; A41D
1/08 20130101; A41D 2400/80 20130101; A41D 13/0015 20130101; A41B
1/08 20130101; A41D 2600/10 20130101; A41D 27/10 20130101; A41D
31/102 20190201 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Claims
1. An apparel comprising: a garment, said garment comprising, at
least one of, a shirt or a pant; a grip area disposed on said
garment, wherein said grip area is configured to provide a
frictional force on an object or surface during an exercise; a
gripping material of said grip area that is configured to provide
said frictional force on an object or surface, in contact with said
grip area; a gripping member of said grip area that is configured
to aid in a frictional underpinning with said object or surface; a
grip surface of said grip area comprising, at least one of, a large
perforated patch of said gripping member and a multiplicity of said
gripping member, wherein said grip surface is configured to aid in
said frictional underpinning; a grip surface pattern of said grip
area configured to provide breathability of said garment; and a
grip surface shape of said grip area, wherein a combination of said
grip surface pattern and grip surface shape is configured to
provide an aesthetically pleasing look and functional garment in
addition to said breathability of said garment.
2. The garment of claim 1, in which said grip surface shape
comprising at least hexagonal shape gripping member.
3. The garment of claim 2, in which said grip surface pattern
comprising at least multiple hexagonal shape gripping members
configured to form a honeycomb grip pattern.
4. The garment of claim 3, in which each of said hexagonal gripping
members is configured to include at least one perforation disposed
on a proximate center of said hexagonal shape gripping member to
provide said breathability to said garment.
5. The garment of claim 4, in which said honeycomb grip pattern
comprising a gap between each of said hexagonal gripping members
configured to provide additional breathability to said garment.
6. The garment of claim 5, wherein said shirt is a short sleeve
shirt, and wherein said grip area being disposed on a back portion
of said short sleeve shirt.
7. The garment of claim 2, in which said shirt comprising a short
sleeve shirt, and wherein said hexagonal shape gripping member
being disposed on a chest portion of said shirt configured to
provide frictional force on an object or surface, in contact with
said chest portion of said shirt.
8. The garment of claim 8, in which said grip surface pattern
comprising a plurality of said gripping member arranged in a maze
pattern disposed on a proximate inner portion of said hexagonal
shape gripping member.
9. The garment of claim 8, in which said grip surface pattern
further comprises a plurality of stripes of said gripping member
being disposed on an upper portion of said shirt sleeve configured
to provide frictional force on an object or surface, in contact
with said upper portion of said sleeve.
10. The garment of claim 9, in which said sleeve is an attachable
and detachable sleeve.
11. The garment of claim 1, in which said pant comprising at least
a compression pant, and in which said grip surface pattern
comprises a plurality of stripes of said gripping member disposed
on thighs of said pant.
12. The garment of claim 1, in which said pant comprising at least
a compression short pant, and in which said grip surface pattern
comprises a plurality of stripes of said gripping member disposed
on a seat of said pant.
13. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a grip surface
thickness, wherein said grip surface thickness comprises at least a
minimum of 1 micrometer and at least a maximum of 5
centimeters.
14. The garment of claim 1, in which said shirt comprising, at
least one of, a short and a long sleeve shirt, and in which said
pant comprising, at least one of, a short and a long pant.
15. The garment of claim 14, wherein said grip area being disposed
on a base of said shirt, in which said grip surface pattern
comprising at least two or more stripes of said gripping
member.
16. The garment of claim 15, wherein said grip area being disposed
on an interior area of said pant, in which said grip surface
pattern comprising at least two or more stripes of said gripping
member configured to make contact with said at least two or more
stripes of said gripping member disposed on an exterior portion of
said shirt.
17. The garment of claim 15, wherein said grip area being disposed
on an exterior area of said pant, in which said grip surface
pattern comprising at least two or more stripes of said gripping
member configured to make contact with said at least two or more
stripes of said gripping member disposed on an interior portion of
said shirt.
18. An apparel comprising: a garment, said garment comprising, at
least one of, a shirt and a pant; a grip area disposed on said
garment, wherein said grip area is configured to provide a
frictional force on an object or surface during an exercise; a
gripping material of said grip area comprising at least a silicone,
a plastic, a rubber, a blend of silicone and plastic, a blend of
silicone and rubber, a rubberized material, an elastomeric
material, or a polymeric material, wherein said gripping material
is configured to provide said frictional force on an object or
surface, in contact with said grip area; a gripping member of said
grip area that is configured to aid in a frictional underpinning
with said object or surface; a grip surface of said grip area
comprising, at least one of, a large perforated patch of said
gripping member and a multiplicity of said gripping member, wherein
said grip surface is configured to aid in said frictional
underpinning; a grip surface pattern of said grip area comprising,
at least one of, a gap and a perforation embedded into said grip
surface, configured to provide breathability of said garment; and a
grip surface shape of said grip area comprising at least a
hexagonal shape gripping member, wherein a combination of said grip
surface pattern and grip surface shape is configured to provide an
aesthetically pleasing look and functional garment in addition to
said breathability of said garment.
19. The garment of claim 18, in which said grip surface pattern
further comprises at least multiple hexagonal shape gripping
members configured to form a honeycomb grip pattern, wherein each
of said hexagonal gripping members is configured to include at
least one perforation disposed on a proximate center of said
hexagonal shape gripping member to provide said breathability to
said garment, and in which said honeycomb grip pattern comprising a
gap between each of said hexagonal gripping members configured to
provide additional breathability to said garment.
20. An apparel comprising: a garment, said garment comprising, at
least one of, a shirt and a pant; means for providing a frictional
force on an object or surface during an exercise; means for aiding
in a frictional underpinning with said object or surface; means for
providing breathability of said garment; and means for providing an
aesthetically pleasing look and functional garment in addition to
said breathability of said garment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present Utility patent application claims priority
benefit of the U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No.
62/194,266 entitled "BAR GRIP SHIRT" filed 19 Jul. 2015 under 35
U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application
are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent
that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting
hereof.
RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0002] Not applicable.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF SEQUENCE LISTING PROVIDED AS A TEXT
FILE
[0003] Not applicable.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0004] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING
APPENDIX
[0005] Not applicable.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0006] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection by the author
thereof. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure
for the purposes of referencing as patent prior art, as it appears
in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but
otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART
[0007] One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to
clothing. More particularly, certain embodiments of the invention
relate to a garment comprising a grip surface on the fabric.
[0008] The following background information may present examples of
specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation,
approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be
helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of
the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present
invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or
implied therein or inferred thereupon. It is believed that when
performing particular exercises where an individual is holding a
heavy object or where a portion of the individual's body is in
contact with a surface, the individual may be challenged by
slippage between his body and the object or the surface. Such
exercises may include, without limitation, barbell back squats,
barbell front squats, hip thrusts, yoke carries, bench press
exercises, log presses, stone lifts, tire flips, sit ups, stability
ball exercises, wall squats, etc. In some instances, individuals
may use chalk to combat the slippage.
[0009] By way of educational background, an aspect of the related
technology generally useful to be aware of is that a currently
available method for creating slip resisting garments utilizes a
multilayer laminate structure with non-slip surfaces both inside
and outside the apparel to provide frictional support in small
areas.
[0010] In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional
techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal
approaches.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0012] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate an exemplary garment with
gripping areas, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic front view of the garment.
FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic rear view of the garment, and FIG. 1C is
a diagrammatic rear view of the garment being worn by a user;
[0013] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary garment with
gripping areas, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic front view of the garment, and
FIG. 2B is a diagrammatic rear view of the garment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic front view of an exemplary garment
with gripping areas, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic rear view of an exemplary garment
with gripping areas, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic rear view of an exemplary garment
with gripping areas, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic front and rear view of an exemplary
garment with gripping areas, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0018] Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are
not necessarily drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed figures and description set forth herein.
[0020] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with
reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with
respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it
should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light
of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity
of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of
the particular application, to implement the functionality of any
given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation
choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is,
there are modifications and variations of the invention that are
too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the
invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice
versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate,
and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two
are mutually exclusive.
[0021] It is to be further understood that the present invention is
not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials,
manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein,
as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology
used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the
present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the
appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include
the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Thus, for example, a reference to "an element" is a reference to
one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to
those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a
reference to "a step" or "a means" is a reference to one or more
steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All
conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense
possible. Thus, the word "or" should be understood as having the
definition of a logical "or" rather than that of a logical
"exclusive or" unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise.
Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to
functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be
construed to express approximation should be so understood unless
the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0022] All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure
and claims should be construed to mean "approximate," rather than
"perfect," and may accordingly be employed as a meaningful modifier
to any other word, specified parameter, quantity, quality, or
concept. Words of approximation, include, yet are not limited to
terms such as "substantial", "nearly", "almost", "about",
"generally", "largely", "essentially", "closely approximate",
etc.
[0023] As will be established in some detail below, it is well
settle law, as early as 1939, that words of approximation are not
indefinite in the claims even when such limits are not defined or
specified in the specification.
[0024] For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat.
Off. Bd. App. 1941) where the court said "The examiner has held
that most of the claims are inaccurate because apparently the
laminar film will not be entirely eliminated. The claims specify
that the film is "substantially" eliminated and for the intended
purpose, it is believed that the slight portion of the film which
may remain is negligible. We are of the view, therefore, that the
claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate."
[0025] Note that claims need only "reasonably apprise those skilled
in the art" as to their scope to satisfy the definiteness
requirement. See Energy Absorption Sys., Inc. v. Roadway Safety
Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264, slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. Jul. 3,
1997) (unpublished) Hybridtech v. Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802
F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ 81, 94 (Fed. Cir. 1986), cert. denied,
480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition, the use of modifiers in the
claim, like "generally" and "substantial," does not by itself
render the claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. Industrial
Crating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568,
575-76 (Fed. Cir. 1984).
[0026] Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like
"substantially" includes "reasonably close to: nearly, almost,
about", connoting a term of approximation. See In re Frye, Appeal
No. 2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747 (B.P.A.I.
2010) Depending on its usage, the word "substantially" can denote
either language of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering
Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc.,
347 F.3d 1314, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (recognizing the "dual
ordinary meaning of th[e] term ["substantially"] as connoting a
term of approximation or a term of magnitude"). Here, when
referring to the "substantially halfway" limitation, the
Specification uses the word "approximately" as a substitute for the
word "substantially" (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinary meaning of
"substantially halfway" is thus reasonably close to or nearly at
the midpoint between the forwardmost point of the upper or outsole
and the rearwardmost point of the upper or outsole.
[0027] Similarly, the term `substantially` is well recognize in
case law to have the dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of
approximation or a term of magnitude. See Dana Corp. v. American
Axle & Manufacturing, Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004 U.S. App.
LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir. Aug. 27, 2004) (unpublished). The
term "substantially" is commonly used by claim drafters to indicate
approximation. See Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d
1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) ("The patents do not set out any
numerical standard by which to determine whether the thickness of
the wall surface is `substantially uniform.` The term
`substantially,` as used in this context, denotes approximation.
Thus, the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform
thickness."); see also Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector
Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003);
Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022,
1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We find that the term "substantially" was
used in just such a manner in the claims of the patents-in-suit:
"substantially uniform wall thickness" denotes a wall thickness
with approximate uniformity.
[0028] It should also be noted that such words of approximation as
contemplated in the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims
such as saying `generally parallel` such that the adverb
`generally` does not broaden the meaning of parallel. Accordingly,
it is well settled that such words of approximation as contemplated
in the foregoing (e.g., like the phrase `generally parallel`)
envisions some amount of deviation from perfection (e.g., not
exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation as
contemplated in the foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used
in patent claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the
specified parameter. To the extent that the plain language of the
claims relying on such words of approximation as contemplated in
the foregoing are clear and uncontradicted by anything in the
written description herein or the figures thereof, it is improper
to rely upon the present written description, the figures, or the
prosecution history to add limitations to any of the claim of the
present invention with respect to such words of approximation as
contemplated in the foregoing. That is, under such circumstances,
relying on the written description and prosecution history to
reject the ordinary and customary meanings of the words themselves
is impermissible. See, for example, Liquid Dynamics Corp. v.
Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595, 1600-01 (Fed. Cir.
2004). The plain language of phrase 2 requires a "substantial
helical flow." The term "substantial" is a meaningful modifier
implying "approximate," rather than "perfect." In Cordis Corp. v.
Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2003), the
district court imposed a precise numeric constraint on the term
"substantially uniform thickness." We noted that the proper
interpretation of this term was "of largely or approximately
uniform thickness" unless something in the prosecution history
imposed the "clear and unmistakable disclaimer" needed for
narrowing beyond this simple-language interpretation. Id. In Anchor
Wall Systems v. Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc., 340 F.3d 1298, 1311
(Fed. Cir. 2003)" Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain language of
claim 1 requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that
returns precisely to the center after one rotation (a limitation
that arises only as a logical consequence of requiring a perfectly
helical flow).
[0029] The reader should appreciate that case law generally
recognizes a dual ordinary meaning of such words of approximation,
as contemplated in the foregoing, as connoting a term of
approximation or a term of magnitude; e.g., see Deering Precision
Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314,
68 USPQ2d 1716, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2003), cert. denied, 124 S. Ct.
1426 (2004) where the court was asked to construe the meaning of
the term "substantially" in a patent claim. Also see Epcon, 279
F.3d at 1031 ("The phrase `substantially constant` denotes language
of approximation, while the phrase `substantially below` signifies
language of magnitude, i.e., not insubstantial."). Also, see, e.g.,
Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022
(Fed. Cir. 2002) (construing the terms "substantially constant" and
"substantially below"); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus.,
Inc., 206 F.3d 1408 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term
"substantially inward"); York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm
& Family Ctr., 99 F.3d 1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the
term "substantially the entire height thereof"); Tex. Instruments
Inc. v. Cypress Semiconductor Corp., 90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996)
(construing the term "substantially in the common plane"). In
conducting their analysis, the court instructed to begin with the
ordinary meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinary skill in the
art. Prima Tek, 318 F.3d at 1148. Reference to dictionaries and our
cases indicates that the term "substantially" has numerous ordinary
meanings. As the district court stated, "substantially" can mean
"significantly" or "considerably." The term "substantially" can
also mean "largely" or "essentially." Webster's New 20th Century
Dictionary 1817 (1983).
[0030] Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing,
may also be used in phrases establishing approximate ranges or
limits, where the end points are inclusive and approximate, not
perfect; e.g., see AK Steel Corp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 68
USPQ2d 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003) where it where the court said
[W]e conclude that the ordinary meaning of the phrase "up to about
10%" includes the "about 10%" endpoint. As pointed out by AK Steel,
when an object of the preposition "up to" is nonnumeric, the most
natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g., painting the wall
up to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out by Sollac, when
the object is a numerical limit, the normal meaning is to include
that upper numerical limit (e.g., counting up to ten, seating
capacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a
numerical limit--"about 10%"--the ordinary meaning is that that
endpoint is included.
[0031] In the present specification and claims, a goal of
employment of such words of approximation, as contemplated in the
foregoing, is to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the modified
specified parameter, as sanctioned by Pall Corp. v. Micron
Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed.
Cir. 1995) where it states "It is well established that when the
term "substantially" serves reasonably to describe the subject
matter so that its scope would be understood by persons in the
field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimed subject
matter from the prior art, it is not indefinite." Likewise see
Verve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116, 65 USPQ2d 1051, 1054
(Fed. Cir. 2002). Expressions such as "substantially" are used in
patent documents when warranted by the nature of the invention, in
order to accommodate the minor variations that may be appropriate
to secure the invention. Such usage may well satisfy the charge to
"particularly point out and distinctly claim" the invention, 35
U.S.C. .sctn.112, and indeed may be necessary in order to provide
the inventor with the benefit of his invention. In Andrew Corp. v.
Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013
(Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usages such as
"substantially equal" and "closely approximate" may serve to
describe the invention with precision appropriate to the technology
and without intruding on the prior art. The court again explained
in Ecolab Inc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d
1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001) that "like the term `about,` the term
`substantially` is a descriptive term commonly used in patent
claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified
parameter," see Ecolab Inc. v. Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60
USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001) where the court found that the
use of the term "substantially" to modify the term "uniform" does
not render this phrase so unclear such that there is no means by
which to ascertain the claim scope.
[0032] Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term
"about," the term "substantially" is a descriptive term commonly
used in patent claims to "avoid a strict numerical boundary to the
specified parameter."; e.g., see Pall Corp. v. Micron Seps., 66
F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g.,
Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d
2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (noting that terms such as "approach
each other," "close to," "substantially equal," and "closely
approximate" are ubiquitously used in patent claims and that such
usages, when serving reasonably to describe the claimed subject
matter to those of skill in the field of the invention, and to
distinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, have
been accepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In
this case, "substantially" avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity
boundary.
[0033] Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of
approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, has been
established as early as 1939, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297,
297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where, for example, the court said
"the claims specify that the film is "substantially" eliminated and
for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slight portion of
the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view,
therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently
accurate." Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42 USPQ 90, 93
(C.C.P.A. 1939) the court said "It is realized that "substantial
distance" is a relative and somewhat indefinite term, or phrase,
but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon in patents
in cases where, according to the art involved, the meaning can be
determined with reasonable clearness."
[0034] Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicants submit
that it is improper for any examiner to hold as indefinite any
claims of the present patent that employ any words of
approximation.
[0035] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.
Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are
described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials
similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the
practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described
herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents
of such structures. The present invention will be described in
detail below with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
[0036] References to a "device," an "apparatus," a "system," etc.,
in the preamble of a claim should be construed broadly to mean "any
structure meeting the claim terms" exempt for any specific
structure(s)/type(s) that has/(have) been explicitly disavowed or
excluded or admitted/implied as prior art in the present
specification or incapable of enabling an object/aspect/goal of the
invention. Furthermore, where the present specification discloses
an object, aspect, function, goal, result, or advantage of the
invention that a specific prior art structure and/or method step is
similarly capable of performing yet in a very different way, the
present invention disclosure is intended to and shall also
implicitly include and cover additional corresponding alternative
embodiments that are otherwise identical to that explicitly
disclosed except that they exclude such prior art
structure(s)/step(s), and shall accordingly be deemed as providing
sufficient disclosure to support a corresponding negative
limitation in a claim claiming such alternative embodiment(s),
which exclude such very different prior art structure(s)/step(s)
way(s).
[0037] From reading the present disclosure, other variations and
modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such
variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other
features which are already known in the art, and which may be used
instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
[0038] Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to
particular combinations of features, it should be understood that
the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes
any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed
herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization
thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as
presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any
or all of the same technical problems as does the present
invention.
[0039] Features which are described in the context of separate
embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity,
described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be
provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The
Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to
such features and/or combinations of such features during the
prosecution of the present Application or of any further
Application derived therefrom.
[0040] References to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example
embodiment," "various embodiments," "some embodiments,"
"embodiments of the invention," etc., may indicate that the
embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a
particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every
possible embodiment of the invention necessarily includes the
particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated
use of the phrase "in one embodiment," or "in an exemplary
embodiment," "an embodiment," do not necessarily refer to the same
embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use of phrases like
"embodiments" in connection with "the invention" are never meant to
characterize that all embodiments of the invention must include the
particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and should
instead be understood to mean "at least some embodiments of the
invention" includes the stated particular feature, structure, or
characteristic.
[0041] References to "user", or any similar term, as used herein,
may mean a human or non-human user thereof. Moreover, "user", or
any similar term, as used herein, unless expressly stipulated
otherwise, is contemplated to mean users at any stage of the usage
process, to include, without limitation, direct user(s),
intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), and end user(s). The
meaning of "user", or any similar term, as used herein, should not
be otherwise inferred or induced by any pattern(s) of description,
embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (or may
not) be provided in the present patent.
[0042] References to "end user", or any similar term, as used
herein, are generally intended to mean late stage user(s) as
opposed to early stage user(s). Hence, it is contemplated that
there may be a multiplicity of different types of "end user" near
the end stage of the usage process. Where applicable, especially
with respect to distribution channels of embodiments of the
invention comprising consumed retail products/services thereof (as
opposed to sellers/vendors or Original Equipment Manufacturers),
examples of an "end user" may include, without limitation, a
"consumer", "buyer", "customer", "purchaser", "shopper", "enjoyer",
"viewer", or individual person or non-human thing benefiting in any
way, directly or indirectly, from use of, or interaction with, some
aspect of the present invention.
[0043] In some situations, some embodiments of the present
invention may provide beneficial usage to more than one stage or
type of usage in the foregoing usage process. In such cases where
multiple embodiments targeting various stages of the usage process
are described, references to "end user", or any similar term, as
used therein, are generally intended to not include the user that
is the furthest removed, in the foregoing usage process, from the
final user therein of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] Where applicable, especially with respect to retail
distribution channels of embodiments of the invention, intermediate
user(s) may include, without limitation, any individual person or
non-human thing benefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from
use of, or interaction with, some aspect of the present invention
with respect to selling, vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing,
marketing, merchandising, distributing, service providing, and the
like thereof.
[0045] References to "person", "individual", "human", "a party",
"animal", "creature", or any similar term, as used herein, even if
the context or particular embodiment implies living user, maker, or
participant, it should be understood that such characterizations
are sole by way of example, and not limitation, in that it is
contemplated that any such usage, making, or participation by a
living entity in connection with making, using, and/or
participating, in any way, with embodiments of the present
invention may be substituted by such similar performed by a
suitably configured non-living entity, to include, without
limitation, automated machines, robots, humanoids, computational
systems, information processing systems, artificially intelligent
systems, and the like. It is further contemplated that those
skilled in the art will readily recognize the practical situations
where such living makers, users, and/or participants with
embodiments of the present invention may be in whole, or in part,
replaced with such non-living makers, users, and/or participants
with embodiments of the present invention. Likewise, when those
skilled in the art identify such practical situations where such
living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of the
present invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with such
non-living makers, it will be readily apparent in light of the
teachings of the present invention how to adapt the described
embodiments to be suitable for such non-living makers, users,
and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention.
Thus, the invention is thus to also cover all such modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of such adaptations and modifications, at least in part, for such
non-living entities.
[0046] Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to
be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.
[0047] The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or
all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified
otherwise.
[0048] It is understood that the use of specific component, device
and/or parameter names are for example only and not meant to imply
any limitations on the invention. The invention may thus be
implemented with different nomenclature/terminology utilized to
describe the
mechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,
without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given its
broadest interpretation given the context in which that term is
utilized.
TERMINOLOGY
[0049] The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or context
for terms found in this disclosure (including the appended
claims):
[0050] "Comprising." This term is open-ended. As used in the
appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure
or steps. Consider a claim that recites: "A memory controller
comprising a system cache . . . " Such a claim does not foreclose
the memory controller from including additional components (e.g., a
memory channel unit, a switch).
[0051] "Configured To." Various units, circuits, or other
components may be described or claimed as "configured to" perform a
task or tasks. In such contexts, "configured to" or "operable for"
is used to connote structure by indicating that the
mechanisms/units/circuits/components include structure (e.g.,
circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task or tasks during
operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/component can be
said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) the task
even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is not
currently operational (e.g., is not on). The
mechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the "configured to"
or "operable for" language include hardware--for example,
mechanisms, structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing
program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc.
Reciting that a mechanism/unit/circuit/component is "configured to"
or "operable for" perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly
intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. sctn.112, sixth paragraph, for
that mechanism/unit/circuit/component. "Configured to" may also
include adapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or
components that are adapted to implement or perform one or more
tasks.
[0052] "Based On." As used herein, this term is used to describe
one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not
foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That
is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based,
at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase "determine
A based on B." While B may be a factor that affects the
determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the
determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances,
A may be determined based solely on B.
[0053] The terms "a", "an" and "the" mean "one or more", unless
expressly specified otherwise.
[0054] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing
conditions, concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the
specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in
all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to
the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following
specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary
depending at least upon a specific analytical technique.
[0055] The term "comprising," which is synonymous with "including,"
"containing," or "characterized by" is inclusive or open-ended and
does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.
"Comprising" is a term of art used in claim language which means
that the named claim elements are essential, but other claim
elements may be added and still form a construct within the scope
of the claim.
[0056] As used herein, the phase "consisting of" excludes any
element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. When the
phrase "consists of" (or variations thereof) appears in a clause of
the body of a claim, rather than immediately following the
preamble, it limits only the element set forth in that clause;
other elements are not excluded from the claim as a whole. As used
herein, the phase "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of"
limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements or method
steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis and novel
characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter (see Norian Corp. v
Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, Fed. Cir.
2004). Moreover, for any claim of the present invention which
claims an embodiment "consisting essentially of" or "consisting of"
a certain set of elements of any herein described embodiment it
shall be understood as obvious by those skilled in the art that the
present invention also covers all possible varying scope variants
of any described embodiment(s) that are each exclusively (i.e.,
"consisting essentially of") functional subsets or functional
combination thereof such that each of these plurality of exclusive
varying scope variants each consists essentially of any functional
subset(s) and/or functional combination(s) of any set of elements
of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not
set forth therein. That is, it is contemplated that it will be
obvious to those skilled how to create a multiplicity of alternate
embodiments of the present invention that simply consisting
essentially of a certain functional combination of elements of any
described embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set
forth therein, and the invention thus covers all such exclusive
embodiments as if they were each described herein.
[0057] With respect to the terms "comprising," "consisting of," and
"consisting essentially of," where one of these three terms is used
herein, the presently disclosed and claimed subject matter may
include the use of either of the other two terms. Thus in some
embodiments not otherwise explicitly recited, any instance of
"comprising" may be replaced by "consisting of" or, alternatively,
by "consisting essentially of", and thus, for the purposes of claim
support and construction for "consisting of" format claims, such
replacements operate to create yet other alternative embodiments
"consisting essentially of" only the elements recited in the
original "comprising" embodiment to the exclusion of all other
elements.
[0058] Devices or system modules that are in at least general
communication with each other need not be in continuous
communication with each other, unless expressly specified
otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at
least general communication with each other may communicate
directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
[0059] A description of an embodiment with several components in
communication with each other does not imply that all such
components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional
components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible
embodiments of the present invention.
[0060] As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful
considerations and compromises typically must be made when
designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial
implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of
the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance
with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may
configured according to the needs of the particular application,
whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s),
component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to
any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably
omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or
optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills
and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that
addresses the needs of the particular application.
[0061] It is to be understood that any exact
measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials
indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable
configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way.
Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled
in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following
teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation
details.
[0062] An embodiment of the present invention may provide a garment
comprising one or more gripping areas, which may assist a user in
carrying or holding an item or may help prevent slipping when the
user is positioned against a surface. In some embodiments, the
gripping areas may be located in key areas of the garment that may
help the user in various movements such as, but not limited to,
weightlifting movements or other exercises. In some embodiments the
garment may be able to enhance friction in exercise movements and
offer stability to a user by providing large gripping areas on the
outer surface of the fabric of the garment. The gripping areas may
be placed on a multiplicity of suitable garments including, without
limitation, long sleeve shirts, short sleeve shirts, tank tops,
pants, tights, shorts, one-piece outfits, singlets, wetsuits,
stringers, sleeveless shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets, and
aprons
[0063] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate an exemplary garment 100
with gripping areas 101, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic front view of garment
100. FIG. 1B is a diagrammatic rear view of garment 100, and FIG.
1C is a diagrammatic rear view of garment 100 being worn by a user
105. In the present embodiment, garment 100 may be a short sleeve
shirt with gripping areas 101 located on the upper back area and a
large portion of the front surface. It is contemplated that in some
embodiments gripping areas of various different shapes and sizes
may be located in a multiplicity of suitable areas of the garments.
For example, without limitation, in some embodiments gripping areas
may be located on the sleeves of a shirt, wherein the sleeves with
the gripping areas may be permanently attached to the shirt or
detachable. In other embodiments gripping areas may be located,
without limitation, on the upper chest portion of a shirt, on the
lower chest portion of the shirt, on the entire back portion of a
shirt, on the upper back portion of the shirt, on the mid back
portion of the shirt, on the bottom portion of the shirt around the
base of the shirts front area, on the bottom portion of the shirt
around the base of the shirts back area, on the seat portion of a
pair of pants, on the thigh portions of a pair of pants, on the
inside portion of the pants front area, and on the inside portion
of the pants back rear area. Some such embodiments are described by
way of example below. In some embodiments the gripping areas may be
located on only the front or the back of the garment rather than
both.
[0064] In the present embodiment, gripping areas 101 may be applied
to the outer surface of the fabric of garment 100. Those skilled in
the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with
the teachings of the present invention, that a multiplicity of
suitable fabrics may be used to make garment 100 including, without
limitation, cotton or other natural fabrics, polyester or other man
made fabrics, cotton and polyester blends, spandex and polyester
blends, other blended fabrics, moisture wicking fabrics,
performance fabrics, etc. Gripping areas 101 may be made of a grip
material that exerts a greater frictional force on an object or
surface in contact with gripping areas 101 than the frictional
force exerted by the fabric of garment 100, such as, but not
limited to, a silicone, a blend of silicone and plastic, a blend of
silicone and other material, a plastic, a rubber, a rubberized
material, an elastomer material, a polymer material, etc. In
addition, various different methods may be used to apply gripping
areas 101 to garment 100 including, but not limited to, screen
printing, other types of printing, applications using adhesives,
applications using stitching, heat setting, removable application,
etc. In the present embodiment, gripping areas 101 may comprise
multiple hexagonal gripping members 110, which may form a honeycomb
grip pattern. Holes disposed in a proximate middle of each
hexagonal member and gaps in between and surrounding each hexagonal
member may provide breathability of the garment. This grip pattern
may enable gripping areas 101 to cover large portions of garment
100 while typically maintaining the breathability of the fabric
from which garment 100 is made. It is contemplated that some
embodiments may be implemented with multiple gripping members of
various different shapes and patterns such as, but not limited to,
circular gripping members, square gripping members, rectangular
gripping members, hexagonal gripping members, stripes of gripping
material, dots of gripping material, gripping members in the shapes
of various logos or emblems, gripping members in decorative shapes,
etc. In some alternate embodiments, the gripping surface may
comprise large perforated patches of the gripping material rather
than multiple gripping members. The perforations in these types of
gripping surfaces may provide some breathability to the garment. In
the present embodiment the thickness of gripping members 110 may be
between 1 micrometer and 5 centimeters. It is believed that the
gripping location, gripping shapes, gripping patterns, gripping
surfaces, gripping thickness and/or gripping material of the
present embodiment may provide an aesthetically pleasing and
functional garment 100, which may be used by individuals that
desire to reduce slipping and sliding between their garments and a
piece of, but not limited to, equipment, weight, bar, rod or
object. In doing exercises, including, but not limited to, weight
lifting, body building, weight training, muscle building, anaerobic
exercise, and/or any type of exercise and/or activity that involves
lifting and/or carrying equipments, weights, bars, rods, or
objects, individuals may often be challenged by slippage between
themselves and different types of equipments, weights, bars, rods,
or objects and surfaces. In typical use of the present embodiment,
garment 100 may be worn on the upper body of user 105 similarly to
a conventional T-shirt. User 105 may then perform any number of
exercises with gripping areas 101 in contact with an object or
surface to provide frictional support that may help resist the
relative motion of the object or surface with respect to gripping
areas 101. For example, without limitation, referring to FIG. 1C,
garment 100 may be worn when performing barbell squats so that the
barbell may rest against gripping area 101 across the upper back of
user 105 to provide added grip and a more secure base for the
barbell. In addition, user 105 may also wear garment 100 when bench
pressing where gripping area 101 across the back of garment 100 may
grip the bench press to hold user 105 secure and to help minimize
sliding on the bench press. In yet another exemplary application
user 105 may also wear garment 100 when log pressing or lifting
atlas stones as gripping area 101 on the front of garment 100 may
provide added grip for easier movement. Furthermore, it is
contemplated that garment 100 may help to increase frictional force
during the execution of various different forms of exercise,
activities and/or movements. For example, without limitation, some
users may find benefits in barbell front squats, hip thrusts, yoke
carries, log press exercises, stone lifts, tire flips, wall squats,
sit ups, etc. It is believed that garment 100 may be able to
benefit nearly any user who may desire increased friction when
performing an exercise.
[0065] Moreover, the arrangement of gripping members 110 may
provide breathability to user 105 which may enhance the comfort of
user 105. Some embodiments may comprise a multiplicity of suitable
features that may also enhance the comfort of the user such as, but
not limited to, moisture wicking fabric, vents in various locations
on the garment, cushioned portions in the garment in locations
where heavy weights may likely rest or locations against which the
user may lie, etc.
[0066] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary garment 200 with
gripping areas 201, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 2A is a diagrammatic front view of garment 200, and
FIG. 2B is a diagrammatic rear view of garment 200. In the present
embodiment, gripping areas 201 cover nearly the entire front and
back surface of garment 200. The large coverage of gripping areas
201 may enable garment 200 to provide frictional support in a wide
range of exercises and movements.
[0067] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic front view of an exemplary garment
300 with gripping areas 301 and 305, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment,
garment 300 may be worn as a shirt that may be particularly useful
for performing front squat exercises when holding a weight as a
gripping area/s 305 on the chest/back and a gripping area 301 on
the shoulders may correspond to the areas where a weight bar may
contact a user when performing front squat exercises. It is
contemplated that various different embodiments may be implemented
to be worn when performing particular exercises. For example,
without limitation, a garment with a gripping area on the back only
may be worn during back squat exercises, bench press exercises,
circus dumbbell and yolk carrying exercises. In another
non-limiting example, gripping areas 301 305 may be placed on the
shin and calf areas of a garment to provide added friction when
performing leg extensions and leg curls. In additional embodiments,
gripping area 301 on the shoulders may comprise of a plurality of
stripes of gripping members, and gripping area/s 305 on the
chest/back may comprise an outer hexagonal shape with an inner maze
patterned gripping members. These patterns may enable gripping
area/s 301 305 to cover large portions of garment 300, typically
maintain the breathability of the fabric from which garment 300 is
made, and add an aesthetically pleasing look to the garment 300. It
is contemplated that some embodiments may be implemented with
multiple gripping members of various different shapes and patterns
such as, but not limited to, circular gripping members, square
gripping members, rectangular gripping members, hexagonal gripping
members, stripes of gripping material, dots of gripping material,
gripping members in the shapes of various logos or emblems,
gripping members in decorative shapes, combination of various
shapes and patterns, etc.
[0068] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic rear view of an exemplary garment
400 with gripping areas 401, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. In the present embodiment garment 400 may be
compression or compression type pants. Gripping areas 401 are shown
as stripes on the seat and thighs of garment 400. It is
contemplated that gripping areas 401 may be applied to the front
and/or back area of pants in some embodiments, and in some
embodiments gripping areas 401 may be located below in knee in
addition to or instead of gripping areas above the knee. In
addition, gripping areas 401 of various different shapes may be
applied to some embodiments implemented on pants including, but not
limited to, multiple hexagonal gripping members, dots of gripping
material, perforated patches of gripping material, etc.
Furthermore, in some embodiments various different types of pants
may incorporate gripping areas such as, but not limited to,
breakaway pants, looser sweat pants, shorts, etc. It is
contemplated that various different embodiments may be implemented
to be worn when performing particular exercises. For example,
without limitation, a garment with a gripping area on the rear of
pants may allow for greater frictional support with the bench or
other during a bench press or similar movement where the lower body
experiences force against the object. This grip application on the
pants may also be useful in the leg press or various other machine
work where the rear. The front grip area may be beneficial but not
limited to stone lifts, log presses or similar variants of the
exercise.
[0069] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic rear view of an exemplary garment
500 with gripping areas 501, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. In the present embodiment, garment 500 is a
pair of shorts. Gripping areas 501 are shown as stripes on the seat
of garment 500. It is contemplated that gripping areas 501 may be
applied to the front and/or back area of garment 500. In addition,
gripping areas 501 of various different shapes may be applied to
some embodiments implemented on the pair of shorts including, but
not limited to, multiple hexagonal gripping members, dots of
gripping material, perforated patches of gripping material, etc.
Furthermore, in some embodiments various different types of shorts
may incorporate gripping areas 501 such as, but not limited to,
basketball shorts, tennis shorts, running shorts, swimming trunks,
etc. It is contemplated that various different embodiments may be
implemented to be worn when performing particular sports and/or
exercises.
[0070] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of
and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that
garments with gripping areas according to some embodiments may be
made in a wide variety of different colors. In some embodiments the
gripping areas may be made to match the fabric of the garment, and
in other embodiments the gripping areas may contrast the fabric of
the garment. Additionally, garments may be sold as single pieces,
for example, without limitation, a shirt or a pair of pants, or may
be sold as a complete outfit with a shirt piece and pants. Some
embodiments may be made available with additional accessories such
as, but not limited to, detachable sleeves, gloves, belts, socks,
etc.
[0071] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic front and rear view of an exemplary
garment with gripping areas, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention. The gripping area 601 603 along the base of
the shirt 600 may be useful to hold the shirt 600 in place during
the exercise or movement. In additional embodiments, the shirt
includes, but not limited to, short sleeve and/or long sleeve
shirts. A corresponding pant includes, but not limited to, a short
and/or long pant. The gripping area 605 607 along the interior or
exterior front 605 and/or back 607 area of the pants 604 may also
help to hold the shirt 600 in place during exercises or movements.
The gripping area 601 603 at the front and/or back base of shirt
600 and interior or exterior front 605 and/or back 607 area of the
pants 604 may make contact with one another for greater frictional
support during the exercise or movement. In addition, gripping
areas 601 603 605 607 of various different shapes and patterns may
be applied to the base of shirt 600 and interior of pants 604
including, but not limited to, multiple hexagonal gripping members,
dots of gripping material, perforated patches of gripping material,
etc.
[0072] Bar Grip is different from any other filings as it directly
helps to improve frictional support in various exercises. Bar Grip
frictional support may help users in bench press, barbell back
squat, barbell front squat, log press, stone lift movements, circus
dumbbell lifts, yoke carries, and other exercises or sport
movements where the user may benefit from additional frictional
support. The various positioning of the grip may provide multiple
benefits for the user where they would previously be limited by
movement during an exercise or movement. The areas of grip may
allow the user to remain stable and balanced during the exercise or
movements. The application of Bar Grip may carry over to other
applications where the user experiences the benefit of the
frictional support in the various grip patterns and/or placements,
both functional and aesthetic.
[0073] All the features disclosed in this specification, including
any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by
alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar
purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a
generic series of equivalent or similar features.
[0074] It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC .sctn.112 (1),
all claims must be supported by sufficient disclosure in the
present patent specification, and any material known to those
skilled in the art need not be explicitly disclosed. However, 35
USC .sctn.112 (6) requires that structures corresponding to
functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC .sctn.112 (6) must
be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification. Moreover, the
USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating and searching
prior art under the broadest interpretation of a "mean for" claim
limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6)
functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a
legally valid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest
interpretation of "mean for" claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will
have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents including
disclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable
to act as corresponding structures to satisfy all functional
limitations in the below claims that are interpreted under 35 USC
.sctn.112 (6) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly
disclosed in the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any
invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim
limitation(s), in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC
.sctn.112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the
foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/or
non-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching,
Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding
structures and related enabling material herein by reference for
the purpose of providing explicit structures that implement the
functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders
during any claims construction proceedings and/or examination of
patent allowability properly identify and incorporate only the
portions of each of these documents discovered during the broadest
interpretation search of 35 USC .sctn.112 (6) limitation, which
exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patent documents
found during the course of normal USPTO searching and or supplied
to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporate by
reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all
such documents comprising functionally corresponding structures and
related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise
any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the
present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any
3.sup.rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later
amend the present application to explicitly include citations to
such documents and/or explicitly include the functionally
corresponding structures which were incorporate by reference
above.
[0075] Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s)
corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below
claims, that are interpreted under 35 USC .sctn.112 (6), which
is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent
specification, Applicant(s) have explicitly prescribed which
documents and material to include the otherwise missing disclosure,
and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patent and/or
non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference for
the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC
.sctn.112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents
above which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC
.sctn.112 (6) necessarily have a filing and/or publication date
prior to that of the instant application, and thus are valid prior
documents to incorporated by reference in the instant
application.
[0076] Having fully described at least one embodiment of the
present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of
implementing a garment comprising a grip surface on the fabric
according to the present invention will be apparent to those
skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been
described above by way of illustration, and the specific
embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to
the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of
the garment may vary depending upon the particular context or
application. By way of example, and not limitation, the garments
described in the foregoing were principally directed to
implementations that may be worn when performing various exercises;
however, similar techniques may instead be applied to garments that
may be useful when being worn during various different types of
activities such as, but not limited to, when carrying heavy and/or
large items like furniture or boxes, when horseback riding to
provide frictional support between the user and the saddle, or when
paddling a surfboard to provide frictional support between the user
and the surfboard, which implementations of the present invention
are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The
invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following
claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the
disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will
necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or
improvements described in the foregoing specification.
[0077] Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered
and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding.
Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and
should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or
steps in the claims.
[0078] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed.
[0079] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and
description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the
invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations
will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The
embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the
principles of the invention and the practical application, and to
enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0080] The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section
1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to
ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. That is,
the Abstract is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and
not to identify any key or essential features of the claimed
subject matter. It is submitted with the understanding that it will
not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the
claims.
[0081] The following claims are hereby incorporated into the
detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a
separate embodiment.
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