U.S. patent application number 16/570587 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-19 for elongate elastic member for use in lower-body garments.
The applicant listed for this patent is NIKE, Inc.. Invention is credited to Amie J. Achtymichuk, Oksana Anilionyte, Baron C. Brandt, Joseph L. Helseth, Alison Sheets-Singer, Alexander S. Siegel.
Application Number | 20200085123 16/570587 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69773581 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200085123 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Achtymichuk; Amie J. ; et
al. |
March 19, 2020 |
ELONGATE ELASTIC MEMBER FOR USE IN LOWER-BODY GARMENTS
Abstract
An elongate elastic member for assisting an athletic motion and
a lower-body garment incorporating the elongate elastic member are
provided herein. The elongate elastic member may have various
configurations that permit it to be attached to a foot or shoe of a
wearer and a torso of the wearer. The structure and as-worn
configuration of the elongate elastic member and associated
lower-body garment augment or inhibit joint moments during an
athletic motion, improving the actual or perceived amount of energy
expended to complete the athletic motion.
Inventors: |
Achtymichuk; Amie J.;
(Portland, OR) ; Anilionyte; Oksana; (Beaverton,
OR) ; Brandt; Baron C.; (Portland, OR) ;
Helseth; Joseph L.; (Plano, TX) ; Sheets-Singer;
Alison; (Beaverton, OR) ; Siegel; Alexander S.;
(Beaverton, OR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
NIKE, Inc. |
Beaverton |
OR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69773581 |
Appl. No.: |
16/570587 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62731604 |
Sep 14, 2018 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0015 20130101;
A63B 21/0555 20130101; A41D 2300/22 20130101; A63B 21/0552
20130101; A63B 21/4013 20151001; A63B 21/4009 20151001; A41D 31/185
20190201; A63B 21/065 20130101; A63B 21/0407 20130101; A41D 1/08
20130101; A41D 2500/20 20130101; A41D 2600/10 20130101; A41F 15/02
20130101; A63B 21/4011 20151001; A41D 2500/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 31/18 20060101
A41D031/18; A41D 1/08 20060101 A41D001/08 |
Claims
1. A lower-body garment comprising: a torso portion having a waist
opening; a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending
from the torso portion, the first leg portion defining a first leg
opening and the second leg portion defining a second leg opening; a
first textile layer having a first surface and a second surface
opposite the first surface; a second textile layer positioned at
least at a first area of the lower-body garment, the second textile
layer having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the
third surface, where the third surface of the second textile layer
is positioned adjacent to the second surface of the first textile
layer at the first area of the lower-body garment; and a first
elongate elastic member continuously extending from a first
location adjacent to the first leg opening to a second location
adjacent to the waist opening, the first elongate elastic member at
least partially disposed between the first textile layer and the
second textile layer at the first area of the lower-body
garment.
2. The lower-body garment of claim 1, wherein the first elongate
elastic member is disposed on an anterior side of the lower-body
garment in a first zone, disposed on a posterior side of the
lower-body garment in a third zone, and disposed on both a medial
side and a lateral side of the lower-body garment in a second
zone.
3. The lower-body garment of claim 2, wherein the third zone is
disposed between the first zone and the second zone.
4. The lower-body garment of claim 1, the first elongate elastic
member further comprising a stirrup configured for receiving a foot
of a wearer.
5. The lower-body garment of claim 1, the first elongate elastic
member further comprising one or more adjusting components operably
configured to modify a length of the first elongate elastic
member.
6. The lower-body garment of claim 1, wherein at a second area of
the lower-body garment, the lower-body garment comprises the first
textile layer and not the second textile layer, and wherein the
first elongate elastic member is disposed adjacent to the second
surface of the first textile layer at the second area.
7. The lower-body garment of claim 1, wherein the first elongate
elastic member further continuously extends from the second
location adjacent to the waist opening, to a third location
adjacent to the second leg opening.
8. The lower-body garment of claim 1, wherein the lower-body
garment further comprises a second elongate elastic member, the
second elongate elastic member continuously extending from a third
location adjacent to the second leg opening to the second location
adjacent to the waist opening.
9. The lower-body garment of claim 8, wherein the first elongate
elastic member is coupled to the second elongate elastic
member.
10. An elongate elastic member for assisting an athletic motion
comprising: a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and
an intervening length therebetween; and at least a first slit and a
second slit, each of the first slit and the second slit disposed
lengthwise parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate elastic
member.
11. The elongate elastic member of claim 10, further comprising a
third slit positioned adjacent to the second end, the third slit
disposed lengthwise parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
elongate elastic member.
12. The elongate elastic member of claim 10, further comprising a
pair of apertures positioned adjacent to the second end, the pair
of apertures configured to be coupled to a shoelace of a shoe of a
wearer.
13. The elongate elastic member of claim 10, further comprising a
stirrup extending from the second end, the stirrup configured to
receive a foot of a wearer.
14. The elongate elastic member of claim 10, further comprising an
adjusting component coupled to the elongate elastic member, the
adjusting component configured to operably adjust a length of the
elongate elastic member.
15. A lower-body garment comprising: a torso portion having a waist
opening; a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending
from the torso portion, the first leg portion defining a first leg
opening and the second leg portion defining a second leg opening; a
first area comprising: a first textile layer having a first surface
and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a second
textile layer having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite
the third surface, wherein the third surface of the second textile
layer is positioned adjacent to the second surface of the first
textile layer at the first area; a second area comprising the first
textile layer and not the second textile layer; and an elongate
elastic member continuously extending from a location adjacent to
the first leg opening, to a location adjacent to the waist opening,
to a location adjacent to the second leg opening, the elongate
elastic member disposed between the first textile layer and the
second textile layer at the first area, the elongate elastic member
further disposed on the second surface of the first textile layer
at the second area.
16. The lower-body garment of claim 15, wherein the elongate
elastic member is disposed in the first area on a lateral side of
the lower-body garment and disposed in the second area on a medial
side of the lower-body garment.
17. The lower-body garment of claim 15, wherein the elongate
elastic member further comprises a stirrup configured for receiving
a foot of a wearer.
18. The lower-body garment of claim 15, wherein the second textile
layer is integrally knit or woven with the first textile layer.
19. The lower-body garment of claim 15, wherein the second textile
layer is a separate panel piece from the first textile layer, and
wherein the first textile layer and the second textile layer are
coupled together at one or more perimeter edges of the second
textile layer.
20. The lower-body garment of claim 15, wherein the elongate
elastic member further comprises a plurality of adjusting
components operably configured to modify a length of the elongate
elastic member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application, having attorney docket number
331271/170352US02 and entitled "Elongate Elastic Member for use in
Lower-Body Garments," claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/731,604, filed Sep. 14, 2018, and entitled,
"Elongate Elastic Member for use in Lower-Body Garments," the
entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Aspects herein relate to elongate elastic members and
lower-body garments featuring one or more elongate elastic members
configured to have a kinesiologic effect on a wearer.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Running, whether recreationally or competitively, is a
cardiovascular activity often involving high metabolic cost.
Whether running for general fitness or competing, runners often
experience muscle and joint fatigue in the lower-body before
achieving the desired cardiovascular effect. Further, some runners
may use improper form when running, increasing the likelihood they
will injure one or more muscles, tendons, or ligament groups (e.g.,
hip flexors, knee ligaments, Achilles tendon).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Examples of the present invention are described in detail
below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates an example elongate elastic member for
assisting an athletic motion wherein the elastic member comprises a
split or bifurcated first end in accordance with aspects
herein;
[0006] FIG. 2a illustrates an example elongate elastic member
having anchors for attaching the elongate elastic member to a torso
or a wearer and apertures configured to be coupled to a shoelace of
a shoe of a wearer in accordance with aspects herein;
[0007] FIG. 2b illustrates an example elongate elastic member
having an adjusting component and apertures configured to be
coupled to a shoelace of a shoe of a wearer in accordance with
aspects herein;
[0008] FIG. 2c illustrates an example elongate elastic member
constructed of a first elastic strip and a second elastic strip in
accordance with aspects herein;
[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates another alternative elongate elastic
member having a stirrup configured to receive a foot of a wearer in
accordance with aspects herein;
[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates yet another elongate elastic member
configured to continuously extend from a first leg opening of a
lower-body garment to a waist opening of the garment, to a second
leg opening of the garment in accordance with aspects herein;
[0011] FIG. 5a illustrates a front view of an example lower-body
garment having an elongate elastic member at least partially
disposed between a first and second textile layer at one or more
portions of the lower-body garment in accordance with aspects
herein;
[0012] FIG. 5b illustrates a back view of the lower-body garment of
FIG. 5a in accordance with aspects herein;
[0013] FIG. 5c illustrates a side view of the lateral aspect of the
lower-body garment of FIG. 5a in accordance with aspects
herein;
[0014] FIG. 5d illustrates a side view of the medial aspect of the
lower-body garment of FIG. 5a in accordance with aspects
herein;
[0015] FIG. 5e illustrates an example stirrup configuration having
tread-like features incorporated therewith in accordance with
aspects hereof;
[0016] FIG. 5f illustrates an example stirrup configuration having
a straddle formed by a first stirrup strap and a second stirrup
strap in accordance with aspects hereof;
[0017] FIG. 6a illustrates a front view of an example lower-body
garment having an elongate elastic member at least partially
disposed between a first and second textile layer on one or more
portions of the lower-body garment in accordance with aspects
herein;
[0018] FIG. 6b illustrates a back view of the lower-body garment of
FIG. 6a in accordance with aspects herein;
[0019] FIG. 6c illustrates a side view of the lower-body garment of
FIG. 6a in accordance with aspects herein;
[0020] FIG. 7a illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of
the example lower-body garment of FIGS. 5a-5d and 6a-6c depicting a
first alternative construction having a first textile layer and
second textile layer coupled at a perimeter edge of the second
textile layer, in accordance with aspects herein;
[0021] FIG. 7b illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of
the example lower-body garment of FIGS. 5a-5d and 6a-6c depicting a
second alternative construction having a first textile layer and
second textile layer coupled at multiple points, in accordance with
aspects herein;
[0022] FIG. 7c illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of
the example lower-body garment of FIGS. 5a-5d and 6a-6c depicting a
third alternative construction having an integrally knit first
textile layer and second textile layer, in accordance with aspects
herein;
[0023] FIG. 8a illustrates a cross section of a first tread pattern
that may implemented in connection with a stirrup in accordance
with aspects hereof;
[0024] FIG. 8b illustrates a cross section of a second tread
pattern that may implemented in connection with a stirrup in
accordance with aspects hereof;
[0025] FIG. 8c illustrates a cross section of a third tread pattern
that may implemented in connection with a stirrup in accordance
with aspects hereof; and
[0026] FIG. 8d illustrates a cross section of a fourth tread
pattern that may implemented in connection with a stirrup in
accordance with aspects hereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The subject matter of the present invention is described
with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However,
the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this
disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the
claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other
ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar
to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other
present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms "step"
and/or "block" might be used herein to connote different elements
of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as
implying any particular order among or between various steps herein
disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is
explicitly stated.
[0028] By way of background, it may be desirable to assist an
athletic motion, such as running, by augmenting or inhibiting a
joint moment (force applied or motion about a point or axis), or by
creating a perception in a wearer that the athletic motion is
easier to perform. For example, a recreational runner may find it
helpful to have a device or garment comprising a device that
assists with knee flexion during a running stride. By augmenting
the joint moment associated with knee flexion, the runner may more
efficiently use their hamstrings and quadriceps during the stride,
reducing the actual or perceived energy expenditure required to
run. In so doing, the runner may be enabled to run farther or run
faster, for example. Conventionally, devices that augment joint
moments tend to be bulky, rigid, unwieldy, or difficult to don and
doff--significantly reducing their usefulness outside of
rehabilitation or laboratory environments. In order to assist with
an athletic motion, aspects herein contemplate an elongate elastic
member and a lower-body garment comprising an elongate elastic
member that augment joint moments, is conveniently used in multiple
configurations, and is easily donned and doffed.
[0029] At a high level, aspects herein relate to an elongate
elastic member and lower-body garments incorporating the elastic
member. In example aspects, the elongate elastic member assists an
athletic motion, such as running, where the elastic member has a
first end and a second end, and an intervening portion continuously
extending between the first end and the second end. Disposed on the
intervening portion, the elongate elastic member comprises at least
a first slit and a second slit, each of the first slit and the
second slit disposed lengthwise parallel to a longitudinal axis of
the elongate elastic member. In some aspects, the intervening
portion may also comprise a third slit for receiving the foot or
shoe of a wearer, a pair of apertures configured to be coupled to a
shoelace of a shoe of the wearer, and/or a stirrup configured to
receive the foot or shoe of the wearer. The elastic member may, in
aspects, comprise various features that facilitate anchoring the
first end to an area adjacent to the torso of the wearer.
[0030] Continuing, the elastic member can be donned in various
orientations that impart varying kinesiologic effects on a wearer.
For example, a wearer can don the elastic member such that the
first end is disposed on an anterior portion of the wearer's lower
torso, the thigh/upper leg extends through an opening formed by the
first slit and the lower leg extends through an opening formed by
the second slit, where the intervening portion of the elastic
member between the first slit and the second slit is disposed on
the posterior side of the leg. In such an orientation, the elastic
member may augment joint moments generated during the swing phase
of a running motion, including ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion,
and/or hip flexion. The aforementioned as-donned orientation is but
one application of the elastic member; in other as-donned
orientations, the elastic member may supplement ankle moment at
push off and augment ankle plantarflexion, knee flexion, and/or hip
flexion during the swing phase. In yet another as-donned
orientation, the elastic member may augment joint moments generated
during the stance phase of a running motion, including ankle
plantarflexion, knee flexion, and/or hip extension. In any
orientation, the augmentation of joint moments may provide
kinesiologic benefits that make running easier or more efficient
and/or may provide a user with the perception or sensation that
running feels easier.
[0031] When aspects of the elastic member are integrated into a
lower-body garment, the elastic member may be positioned such that
it is at least partially disposed between a first textile layer and
a second textile layer of the lower-body garment in one or more
portions of one or more zones of the lower-body garment. By at
least partially disposing portions of the elastic member between
the textile layers, the elastic member is less likely to move from
a desired as-donned orientation to an undesired orientation.
Further, by incorporating aspects of the elastic member into the
lower-body garment, a wearer can more easily don the elastic member
and use it as intended. In aspects where the elastic member
comprises a detachable stirrup or a stirrup that can be concealed,
the lower-body garment may permit a wearer to convert the
lower-body garment from a functional, running-augmenting garment,
to more of an aesthetic garment without having the stirrup
protruding from a location adjacent to the leg opening of the
lower-body garment.
[0032] Accordingly, aspects herein are directed to a lower-body
garment comprising a torso portion having a waist opening, a first
leg portion defining a first leg opening, and a second leg portion
defining a second leg opening. The lower-body garment may comprise
a first textile layer having a first surface and a second surface
opposite the first surface, and a second textile layer, positioned
at least at a first area of the lower-body garment, having a third
surface and a fourth surface, wherein the third surface of the
second textile layer is positioned adjacent to the second surface
of the first textile layer in the first area of the lower-body
garment. The lower-body garment may also comprise a first elongate
elastic member that continuously extends from a first location
adjacent to the first leg opening to a second location adjacent to
the waist opening, and which is at least partially disposed between
the first textile layer and the second textile layer at the first
area of the lower-body garment.
[0033] Aspects herein are additionally directed to a lower-body
garment comprising a torso portion having a waist opening, a first
leg portion defining a first leg opening, and a second leg portion
defining a second leg opening. The lower-body garment has a first
area comprising a first textile layer having a first surface and a
second surface opposite the first surface, and a second textile
layer having a third surface and a fourth surface opposite the
third surface, wherein the third surface of the second textile
layer is positioned adjacent to the second surface of the first
textile layer at the first area. The lower-body garment also has a
second area comprising the first textile layer and not the second
textile layer. The lower-body garment additionally comprises an
elongate elastic member continuously extending from a location
adjacent to the first leg opening, to a location adjacent to the
waist opening, to a location adjacent to the second leg opening,
where the elongate elastic member is disposed between the first
textile layer and the second textile layer at the first area, and
the elongate elastic member is further disposed on the second
surface of the first textile layer at the second area.
[0034] Additional aspects herein are directed to an elongate
elastic member for assisting an athletic motion. The elongate
elastic member has a first end, a second end opposite the first
end, and an intervening length therebetween. The elongate elastic
member may comprise at least a first slit and a second slit, each
of the first slit and the second slit being disposed lengthwise
parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate elastic member.
[0035] Positional terms as used herein to describe a garment or an
extremity covering portion of the garment such as "anterior,"
"posterior," "medial," "lateral," "distal," "proximal," "front,"
"back," "upper," "lower," "inner-facing surface," "outer-facing
surface," and the like are with respect to the lower-body garment
being appropriately sized and being worn as intended by a
hypothetical wearer standing in an upright position. The term
"continuous" as used herein is meant to encompass an elongate
elastic member without gaps or breaks other than those specifically
disclosed and/or claimed; it also is meant to encompass any textile
layer which extends without interruption (e.g., gaps, breaks, and
the like). However, with respect to both the elongate elastic
member and the textile layers, it is contemplated that two or more
pieces, panels, and the like, may be mechanically coupled where
their respective ends meet (e.g., by a seam) to form a "continuous"
structure, even if a seam line or small gap results.
[0036] Continuing, the term "elongate elastic member" as used
herein, means any elastic member characterized by a modulus of
elasticity, and capable of resisting/storing kinetic energy during
a portion of a kinesiologic motion and releasing the kinetic energy
during a different portion of the kinesiologic motion. Examples of
an elongate elastic member may include elastic straps, bands,
cables, and the like and may comprise any material having a
desirable modulus of elasticity, including natural and synthetic
materials such as natural rubber, or other elastomers, or a
combination of materials having elastomeric properties. In some
aspects, such a material may have a modulus of elasticity that
exhibits stretch and recovery properties, allowing energy to be
stored and released. The term "about" as used herein means within
.+-.10% of a given value. The term "slit" refers to a cut, hole, or
other through-member opening, including openings formed between two
elastic strips that have been joined (e.g., stitched) such that the
area between their unions comprise an opening that extends through
the thickness of an elongate elastic member such that it provides a
passage.
[0037] As used herein, the term "grip yarns" as used herein means
yarns having a single yarn strand that may comprise up to 7000 or
greater number of filaments such that the denier per filament of
the single yarn strand is less than or equal to about 0.01. In
aspects, the grip yarn may comprise PET (commonly known as
polyester). The large number of filaments provides a large
surface-to-volume ratio for the single yarn strand which
contributes to the gripping function of the yarn. To describe it
differently, the large number of filaments within the single yarn
strand causes the single yarn strand to have a higher coefficient
of friction as compared to, for example, more typical yarns that
incorporate a smaller number of filaments within a single yarn
strand such as yarns that incorporate from between, for example, 50
filaments to 500 filaments per single yarn strand. As used herein
when referring to a lower-body garment, terms such as "waist
portion," "thigh region," "knee region," "calf region," "shin
region," and the like may be used to describe various locations on,
for instance, a leg portion of the lower-body garment. These terms
generally correspond to an underlying region of a wearer when the
lower-body garment is in an as-worn configuration and is sized
appropriately for the given wearer. As such, in one example, the
knee region of the lower-body garment would correspond to an
approximate knee region of a wearer.
[0038] Turning now to FIG. 1, an elongate elastic member 100 for
assisting an athletic motion is shown in accordance with aspects
herein. The elongate elastic member 100 comprises a first end 104
and a second end 102. The first end 104 may comprise, in aspects, a
pair of anchoring straps 108. The elongate elastic member 100
continuously extends along an intervening length 106 between the
first end 104 and the second end 102. In aspects, the elongate
elastic member 100 may comprise any one or more of: a first slit
114, a second slit 112, and a third slit 110. If present, each of
the first slit 114, second slit 112, and the third slit 110 are
configured to define an opening for a portion of a leg of a wearer.
Each of the first slit 114, the second slit 112, and the third slit
110 may be disposed lengthwise parallel to a longitudinal axis of
the elongate elastic member 100, where the longitudinal axis runs
parallel to the intervening length 106, and is centered along a
midline that generally bisects the width of the elongate elastic
member 100.
[0039] The intervening length 106 between the first end 104 and the
second end 102 may further be divided into portions. A first
portion 126 of the elongate elastic member 100 may be defined as
the portion between the first slit 114 and the point at which the
elongate elastic member 100 splits or bifurcates to form the pair
of anchoring straps 108. A second portion 124 of the elongate
elastic member 100 may be defined as the portion between the first
slit 114 and the second slit 112. A third portion 122 may be
defined as the portion between the second slit 112 and the third
slit 110. A fourth portion 120 may be defined as the portion
between the third slit 110 and the second end 102.
[0040] In aspects, the first slit 114 may be from about 20 cm to
about 30 cm, or about 25 cm in length. The second portion 124 may
be from about 4 cm to about 7 cm, or about 5.5 cm in length. The
second slit 112 may be from about 15 cm to about 25 cm, or about 19
cm in length. The third portion 122 may be from about 5 cm to about
8 cm, or about 6.5 cm in length. The third slit 110 may be from
about 6 cm to about 10 cm, or about 8 cm in length. The length or
other dimensions of the elongate elastic member 100, and any
features, such as the intervening length 106, the first slit 114,
the first portion 126, the second slit 112, the second portion 124,
the third slit 110, the third portion 122, and the fourth portion
120, may be different from that shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 1 is provided
for illustrative purposes only and is not meant to be limiting. For
example, in aspects, the dimensions of the elongate elastic member
may be longer or shorter but have the same proportions, relative to
each other, as set forth by the dimensions herein. In aspects, the
elongate elastic member 100 is constructed of a single elastomeric
material; however, it is contemplated herein that each of the first
portion 126, second portion 124, and the third portion 122 may be
constructed of varying thicknesses, imparting a variable modulus of
elasticity amongst the various portions.
[0041] The elongate member 100 may comprise a structure for
attachment to the leg of a wearer and one or more features for
anchoring the elongate member 100 to the torso of a wearer. In an
aspect, the structure for attaching the elongate elastic member 100
to the leg of the wearer comprises the third slit 110. The third
slit 110 defines an opening that may be configured to receive the
foot or shoe of a wearer. The elongate elastic member 100 may also
comprise one or more features for anchoring the first end 104 to
the torso of a wearer. In aspects, the one or more features for
anchoring may be an anchor 128 located on one or more of the
anchoring straps 108. Though the anchor 128 is shown in FIG. 1 as
being on both of the anchoring straps 108, it is conceived that the
anchor 128 may be located on only one of the anchoring straps 108.
The anchor 128 may take the form of a button, snap, magnet, hook
and loop fastener, or any other mechanical structure of attaching
the anchor 128 to a garment or article (e.g., a belt) worn by the
wearer, which, in some aspects, may comprise a complementary point
of attachment (e.g., the loops of hook-and-loop, the male side of a
button to receive a female side on the anchoring straps 108). In
some aspects, the anchor 128 and anchoring straps 108 may be
configured such that a first of the anchoring straps 108 wraps
around the posterior side of a wearer's torso and fastens, via a
first anchor 128 to a second anchor 128 on a second of the
anchoring straps 108 that wraps around the anterior side of the
wearer's torso.
[0042] The elongate elastic member 100 may be donned in various
configurations depending on the kinesiologic effect desired by the
wearer. For example, in certain as-worn configurations, the first
slit 114 may define an opening for receiving the thigh of a wearer,
the second slit 112 may define an opening for receiving the lower
leg of the wearer, and the third slit 110 may define an opening for
receiving the foot of wearer (with or without a shoe being worn).
In such a configuration, the first portion 126 of the elongate
elastic member 100 may be present on the anterior portion of the
wearer's leg in a first zone (e.g., a thigh), the second portion
124 may be present on the posterior portion of the wearer's leg in
a second zone (e.g., between the thigh and calf), the third portion
122 may be present on the anterior portion of the wearer's leg in a
third zone (e.g., a shin), and the fourth portion 120 may be distal
to the foot in a fourth zone. In such a configuration, the elongate
elastic member 100 may augment joint moments associated with ankle
dorsiflexion, knee flexion, and hip flexion.
[0043] In an alternate configuration, the first slit 114 may define
an opening for receiving the thigh of a wearer, the second slit 112
may be unused, and the third slit 110 may define an opening for
receiving the foot of a wearer. In such a configuration, the first
portion 126 of the elongate elastic member 100 may be present on
the anterior portion of the wearer's leg in a first zone (e.g., a
thigh), the second portion 124 may be proximate to the posterior
portion of the wearer's leg in a second zone, the third portion 122
may continue to be proximate to the posterior portion of the
wearer's leg in a third zone and extend under the plantar surface
of the foot on the posterior aspect, and the fourth portion 120 may
be on the upper portion of the foot. In this configuration, the
elongate elastic member 100 may augment joint moments associated
with ankle plantarflexion, knee flexion, and hip flexion. The
aforementioned as-donned configurations are only two examples, it
is contemplated that many other configurations are possible based
on the features of the elongate elastic member 100.
[0044] FIG. 2a shows an aspect of an alternative example elongate
elastic member 200 for assisting an athletic motion in accordance
with aspects herein. The elongate elastic member 200 comprises a
first end 204 and a second end 202. The elongate elastic member 200
continuously extends along an intervening length 206 between the
first end 204 and the second end 202. In aspects, the elongate
elastic member 200 may comprise any one or more of: a first slit
214, a second slit 212, a third slit 210, and a pair of apertures
221. Each of the first slit 214, the second slit 212, the third
slit 210, and the pair of apertures 221 may be disposed lengthwise
parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate elastic member 200,
where the longitudinal axis runs parallel to the intervening length
206, and is centered along a midline that bisects the width of the
elongate elastic member 200. If present, each of the first slit
214, second slit 212, and the third slit 210 are configured to
define an opening for a portion of the leg of a wearer. If present,
the pair of apertures 221 may be positioned adjacent to the second
end 202 ("adjacent" as used with respect to this aspect means
within about 10 cm of the respective second end 202), and comprise
a pair of slits or holes configured to be coupled to one or more
shoelaces of a shoe of a wearer.
[0045] The intervening length 206 between the first end 204 and the
second end 202 may further be divided into portions. A first
portion 226 of the elongate elastic member 200 may be defined as
the portion between the first slit 214 and one or more anchors 228,
the one or more anchors 228 being adjacent to the first end 204
("adjacent" as used with respect to this aspect means within about
20 cm of the respective first end 204). A second portion 224 of the
elongate elastic member 200 may be defined as the portion between
the first slit 214 and the second slit 212. A third portion 222 may
be defined as the portion between the second slit 212 and the third
slit 210. A fourth portion 223 may be defined as the portion
between the third slit 210 and the pair of apertures 221. A fifth
portion 220 may be defined as the portion between the pair of
apertures 221 and the second end 202. It is conceived herein that
aspects that do not comprise one or more of the first slit 214,
second slit 212, third slit 210, and the pair of apertures 221,
will accordingly not comprise one or more of the first portion 226,
the second portion 224, the third portion 222, the fourth portion
223, and the fifth portion 220. The length or other dimensions of
the elongate elastic member 200, and any features, such as the
intervening length 206, the first slit 214, the first portion 226,
the second slit 212, the second portion 224, the third slit 210,
the fourth portion 223, and the like may be different from that
shown in FIG. 2a; FIG. 2a is provided for illustrative purposes
only and is not meant to be limiting. In aspects, the elongate
elastic member 200 is constructed of a single elastomeric material;
however, each of the first portion 226, second portion 224, and the
third portion 222 may be constructed of varying thicknesses,
imparting a variable modulus of elasticity amongst the various
portions.
[0046] The elongate elastic member 200 may comprise a structure for
anchoring to the leg of the wearer and one or features for
anchoring the elongate member 200 to the torso of a wearer. In
aspects, the elongate elastic member 200 may be anchored to the leg
of the wearer via at least one of the third slit 210 and the pair
of apertures 221. The third slit 210 defines an opening that may be
configured to receive the foot or shoe of a wearer. In some
aspects, the third slit 210 may receive the foot or shoe of the
wearer in addition to the pair of apertures 221 being attached to
the shoe of the wearer. The elongate elastic member 200 may also
comprise at least one feature for anchoring the first end 204 to
the torso of a wearer. As seen in FIG. 2a, the at least one feature
for anchoring may be one or more anchors 228 located adjacent to
the first end 204. Though two anchors 228 are shown, the elongate
elastic member 200 may comprise only one anchor 228 or as many as
four or more anchors 228. Each of the one or more anchors 228 may
take the form of a button, snap, magnet, hook and loop fastener, or
any other mechanical device of attaching the anchor 228 to a
garment or article (e.g., a belt) worn by the wearer, which in some
aspects may comprise a complementary point of attachment (e.g., the
loops of a hook-and-loop fastener, the male side of a button
configured to receive a female side near the first end 204, and the
like).
[0047] FIG. 2b shows an aspect of an elongate elastic member 201
for assisting an athletic motion in accordance with aspects herein.
In addition to comprising the slits and intervening portions of the
elongate elastic member 200, elongate elastic member 201 may
comprise one or more adjusting components 229. In some aspects, the
elongate elastic member 201 may additionally comprise the one or
more anchors 228 of elongate elastic member 200. Though the
adjusting component 229 is shown as adjacent to the first end 204,
the adjusting component 229 may additionally or alternatively be
disposed in any one or more of the first portion 226, second
portion 224, third portion 222, and fourth portion 223. The
adjusting component 229 may comprise any mechanical device for
adjusting the length (and thus tension) of the elongate elastic
member 200. For example, the adjusting component 229 may take the
form of a slider, bracket, hook and loop fastener, buckle and
notch, or any other device of holding a desired adjustment to
withstand an athletic motion. The length or other dimensions of the
elongate elastic member 201, and any features, such as the
intervening length 206, the first slit 214, the first portion 226,
the second slit 212, the second portion 224, the third slit 210,
the fourth portion 223, and the like may be different from that
shown in FIG. 2b; FIG. 2b is provided for illustrative purposes
only and is not meant to be limiting.
[0048] The elongate elastic member 200/201 may be donned in various
configurations depending on the kinesiologic effect desired by the
wearer. For example, in certain as-worn configurations, the first
slit 214 may define an opening for receiving the thigh of a wearer,
the second slit 212 may define an opening for receiving the lower
leg of the wearer, and the third slit 210 may define an opening for
receiving the foot of wearer (with or without a shoe being worn).
In such a configuration, the first portion 226 of the elongate
elastic member 200 may be located on the anterior portion of the
wearer's leg in a first zone (e.g., a thigh), the second portion
224 may be present on the posterior portion of the wearer's leg in
a second zone (e.g., between the thigh and calf), the third portion
222 may be present on the anterior portion of the wearer's leg in a
third zone (e.g., a shin), the fourth portion 223 may extend away
from the anterior portion of the wearer's leg in the third zone
(e.g., the shin), the pair of apertures 221 may be coupled to one
or more shoelaces on the shoe worn by a user, and the fifth portion
220 may be adjacent to the upper side of the wearer's shoe.
Alternatively, the elastic member 200 and/or the elastic member 201
could assume other configurations, such as those described in
relation to the elastic member 100.
[0049] FIG. 2c shows an aspect of an elongate elastic member 203
for assisting an athletic motion in accordance with aspects herein.
In some aspects, any one or more of the elongate elastic members
100, 200, 201, 300, and 400 may be constructed using features of
the elongate elastic member 203. The elongate elastic member 203
may be constructed of a first elastic strip 240 and a second
elastic strip 250. The first elastic strip 240 may be said to have
a first edge 242 and a second edge 244 opposite the first edge 242.
The second elastic strip 250 may be said to have a third edge 252
and a fourth edge 254 opposite the third edge 252. Beginning at the
first end 204, the second edge 244 may be coupled to the fourth
edge 254 via a first stitching 266 in the first portion 226.
Proceeding towards the second end 202, each of the first strip 240
and the second strip 250 are twisted 180 degrees and remain
uncoupled to form the first slit 214. Because each of the first
strip 240 and the second strip have been twisted 180 degrees, the
first edge 242 may be coupled to the third edge 252 via a second
stitching 264 in the second portion 224. Continuing towards the
second end 202, each of the first strip 240 and the second strip
250 may be twisted 180 degrees again and remain uncoupled to form
the second slit 212. Because each of the first strip 240 and the
second strip 250 have been twisted 180 degrees, the second edge 244
and the fourth edge 254 may be coupled via a third stitching 262 in
the third portion 222. In aspects, the second end 202 of each of
the first strip 240 and the second strip 250 may be coupled to a
stirrup, coupled to a shoe of a wearer, or may receive or be
coupled to any other device for anchoring/coupling the second end
202 to the lower-body of a wearer.
[0050] Continuing, FIG. 3 shows an alternative configuration for an
elongate elastic member 300 for assisting an athletic motion in
accordance with aspects herein. The elongate elastic member 300
comprises a first end 304 and a second end 302. The elongate
elastic member 300 continuously extends along an intervening length
306 between the first end 304 and the second end 302. In aspects,
the elongate elastic member 300 may comprise any one or more of: a
first slit 314, a second slit 312, and a stirrup 308. Each of the
first slit 314 and the second slit 312 may be disposed lengthwise
parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate elastic member 300,
wherein the longitudinal axis runs parallel to the intervening
length 306, and is centered along a midline that bisects the width
of the elongate elastic member 300. If present, each of the first
slit 314, the second slit 312, and the stirrup 308 are configured
to define an opening for a portion of the leg of a wearer.
[0051] The intervening length 306 between the first end 304 and the
second end 302 may further be divided into portions. A first
portion 326 of the elongate elastic member 300 may be defined as
the portion between the first slit 314 and one or more anchors 328,
the one or more anchors 328 being adjacent to the first end 304. A
second portion 324 of the elongate elastic member 300 may be
defined as the portion between the first slit 314 and the second
slit 312. A third portion 322 may be defined as the portion between
the second slit 312 and the stirrup 308. A fourth portion 320 may
be defined as the portion between the stirrup 308 and the second
end 302. In aspects, the elongate elastic member 300 is constructed
of a single elastomeric material; however, each of the first
portion 326, second portion 324, and the third portion 322 may be
constructed of varying thicknesses, imparting a variable modulus of
elasticity amongst the various portions. The fourth portion 320 may
comprise a non-slip coating with a relatively higher coefficient of
friction compared to other portions of the first elongate elastic
member 300, such as silicon, polyurethane, thermoplastic rubber, or
textured rubber on one or both of the surfaces of elastic member
300. The fourth portion 320 may comprise a texture (e.g., bumps,
waves, or the like), holes, or other 3-dimensional features (such
as configuring at least one surface of the fourth portion 320 to
have a pattern that corresponds to and/or mates with a portion of
shoe (e.g., treads of an outsole, apertures on an upper, or the
like) that enhance the ability of the fourth portion 320 to remain
in the as-donned configuration. The aforementioned features may
hold the stirrup 308 in place under the shoe of the wearer or
between the foot and the shoe worn by the wearer to prevent
slippage or displacement during the performance of the athletic
motion.
[0052] The elongate member 300 may comprise a structure for
attachment to the leg of the wearer and at least one component for
anchoring the elongate member 300 to the torso of a wearer. In
aspects, the elongate elastic member 300 may be attached to the leg
of the wearer via the stirrup 308 wherein the stirrup 308 defines
an opening that may be configured to receive the foot or shoe of a
wearer. The elongate elastic member 300 may also comprise at least
one component for anchoring the first end 304 to the torso of a
wearer. In aspects, the at least one component for anchoring may be
one or more anchors 328 located adjacent to the first end 304.
Though only one anchor 328 is shown, the elongate elastic member
300 may comprise multiple anchors 328. Each of the one or more
anchors 328 may take the form of a button, snap, magnet, hook and
loop fastener, or any other mechanical device of attaching the
anchor 328 to a garment or article (e.g., a belt) worn by the
wearer.
[0053] The elongate elastic member 300 may be donned in various
configurations depending on the kinesiologic effect desired by the
wearer. For example, in certain as-worn configurations, the first
slit 314 may define an opening for receiving the thigh of a wearer,
the second slit 312 may define an opening for receiving the lower
leg of the wearer, and the stirrup 308 may define an opening for
receiving the foot or shoe of the wearer. In such a configuration,
the first portion 326 of the elongate elastic member 300 may be
located on the anterior portion of the wearer's leg in a first zone
(e.g., a thigh), the second portion 324 may be present on the
posterior portion of the wearer's leg in a second zone (e.g.,
between the thigh and calf), the third portion 322 may be present
on the anterior portion of the wearer's leg in a third zone (e.g.,
a shin), and the fourth portion 320 may be adjacent to the plantar
side of the wearer's foot, between, for instance, the foot and the
inside sole of a worn shoe or between the outsole of the shoe and a
ground surface.
[0054] Turning now to FIG. 4, an elongate elastic member 400 for
assisting an athletic motion is shown in accordance with aspects
herein. The elongate elastic member 400 comprises a first end 404
and a second end 402. The elongate elastic member 400 continuously
extends along an intervening length between the first end 404 and
the second end 402. In aspects, the elongate elastic member 400 may
take the form of two of any of elongate elastic members 100, 200,
300 joined end-to-end, with an added torso portion 408. Whereas
each of elongate elastic members 100, 200, 300 are configured such
that a distinct member is used for each leg, the elongate elastic
member 400 is configured as a single member that spans both
legs.
[0055] The elongate elastic member 400 may comprise any one or more
of: a pair of first slits 414, a pair of second slits 412, and a
pair of third slits 410. Each of the first pair of slits 414, the
second pair of slits 412, and the third pair of slits 410 may be
disposed lengthwise parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongate
elastic member 400 and centered along a midline that bisects the
width of the elongate elastic member 400. If present, each of the
first pair of slits 414, second pair of slits 412, and the third
pair of slits 410 are configured to define an opening for a portion
of the leg of a wearer. Though not shown in FIG. 4, the elongate
elastic member 400 may, in addition to or as an alternative to the
pair of third slits 410, comprise a pair of apertures at each of
the first end 404 and the second end 402, configured to be coupled
to a shoelace of a shoe of the wearer, and/or a stirrup configured
to receive the foot or worn shoe of the wearer.
[0056] The intervening length between the first end 404 and the
second end 402 may further be divided into portions, wherein each
portion exists on each side of the torso portion 408. A first
portion 426 of the elongate elastic member 400 may be defined as
the portion between one of the first pair of slits 414 and an
adjusting component 428, where the adjusting component 428 is
adjacent to the torso portion 408. A second portion 424 of the
elongate elastic member 400 may be defined as the portion between
one of the first pair of slits 414 and one of the second pair of
slits 412. A third portion 422 may be defined as the portion
between one of the second pair of slits 412 and one of the third
pair of slits 410. A fourth portion 420 may be defined as the
portion between one of the third pair of slits 410 and one of the
first end 404 or the second end 402.
[0057] The elongate member 400 may comprise a structure for
attachment to the leg of the wearer and at least one component for
anchoring the elongate member 400 to the torso of a wearer. In
aspects, the elongate elastic member 400 may be attached to the leg
of the wearer via the third pair of slits 410. Each of the third
pair of slits 410 defines an opening that may be configured to
receive the foot or shoe of a wearer. In other aspects, the
elongate elastic member 400 may comprise a stirrup adjacent to each
of the first end 404 and the second end 402, configured to receive
the foot or worn shoe of a wearer. The elongate elastic member 400
may also comprise at least one component for anchoring the torso
portion 408 to the torso of a wearer. In aspects, the torso portion
408 may be anchored to the torso of a wearer by having enough
length as to permit the wearer to wrap the torso portion 408
circumferentially around the torso, holding it in place above a
waist or hip (like a belt). In other aspects, the torso portion 408
may comprise one or more mechanical anchors. Each of the one or
more mechanical anchors may take the form of a button, snap,
magnet, hook and loop fastener, or any other mechanical device for
attaching the torso portion 408 to a garment or article (e.g., a
belt) worn by the wearer. In other aspects, the torso portion 408
may be attached to the garment by stitching or other permanent
attachment mechanisms (e.g., bonding, welding, adhesives, and the
like).
[0058] The elongate elastic member 400 may comprise one or more
adjusting components 428. Though two adjusting components 428 are
show in FIG. 4, it is conceived there may be more or less adjusting
components disposed in various portions of the elongate elastic
member 400. Similarly, though the adjusting component 428 is shown
between the first portion 426 and the torso portion 408, any one or
more of the adjusting components 428 may additionally or
alternatively be disposed in any one or more of the first portion
426, second portion 424, third portion 422, and torso portion 408.
The adjusting component 428 may consist of any mechanical device
for adjusting the length (and thus tension) of the elongate elastic
member 400. For example, the adjusting component 428 may take the
form of a slider, bracket, hook and loop fastener, buckle and
notch, or any other device of holding a desired adjustment to
withstand an athletic motion.
[0059] The elongate elastic member 400 may be donned in various
configurations depending on the kinesiologic effect desired by the
wearer. For example, in certain as-worn configurations, each of the
first pair of slits 414 may define an opening for receiving a thigh
of a wearer, each of the second pair of slits 412 may define an
opening for receiving a lower leg of the wearer, and each of the
third pair of slits 410 may define an opening for receiving a foot
of wearer (with or without a shoe being worn). In such a
configuration, the first portion 426 of the elongate elastic member
400 may be present on the anterior portion of the wearer's leg in a
first zone (e.g., a thigh), the second portion 424 may be present
on the posterior portion of the wearer's leg in a second zone
(e.g., between the thigh and calf), the third portion 422 may be
present on the anterior portion of the wearer's leg in a third zone
(e.g., a shin), and the fourth portion 420 may be adjacent to the
plantar side of the wearer's foot or worn shoe.
[0060] Though certain features of various elongate elastic members
have been discussed with respect to a particular aspect, it is
conceived that each of elongate elastic member 100, elongate
elastic member 200, elongate elastic member 300, and elongate
elastic member 400 may have any combination of features disclosed
with respect to any other aspect.
[0061] Turning now to FIGS. 5a-5d, a front view, a lateral side
view, a back view, and a medial side view respectively of a
lower-body garment 500 are depicted in accordance with aspects
herein. In aspects, and at a high level, the lower-body garment 500
may comprise a wearable garment to which an elongate elastic
member, such as any of the elongate elastic members 100, 200, 300
or 400, is applied. The lower-body garment 500 comprises a torso
portion 512 configured to cover a lower torso portion of a wearer
when the garment 500 is in an as-worn configuration. The lower-body
garment further comprises a first leg portion 504 and a second leg
portion 506 extending from the torso portion 512 where the first
leg portion 504 and the second leg portion 506 are configured to
cover respective leg portions of a wearer when the garment 500 is
in an as-worn configuration. The torso portion 512 defines a waist
opening 502 configured to receive the torso of a wearer. The first
leg portion 504 defines a first leg opening 505 and the second leg
portion 506 defines a second leg opening 507 through which a
wearer's foot and/or lower leg may respectively extend.
[0062] In some aspects, the lower-body garment 500 comprises a
first elongate elastic member 516 and a second elongate elastic
member 518, wherein the first elongate elastic member 516 is
applied to the first leg portion 504 and to part of the torso
portion 512 adjacent to the first leg portion 504, and wherein the
second elongate elastic member 518 is applied to the second leg
portion 506 and to part of the torso portion 512 adjacent to the
second leg portion 506. In such aspects, the first elongate elastic
member 516 may continuously extend from a first location adjacent
to the first leg opening 505 to a second location adjacent to the
waist opening 502, and the second elongate elastic member 518 may
continuously extend from a third location adjacent to the second
leg opening 507 to a fourth location adjacent to the waist opening
502. In other aspects, the first elongate elastic member 516 and
the second elongate elastic member 518 may comprise a single
elongate elastic member or be coupled (via, e.g., stitching) to
yield, in effect, a single elongate elastic member (it is expressly
conceived that in such an aspect, any one or more features referred
to with respect to the first and/or second elongate elastic member
may be incorporated in to a right side and/or a left side portion
of the single elongate elastic member). In such an aspect, the
single elongate elastic member may continuously extend from the
first location adjacent to the first leg opening 505 to a second
location adjacent to the waist opening 502, to the third location
adjacent to the second leg opening 507.
[0063] Best seen in FIG. 5c, each of the first elongate elastic
member 516 and the second elongate elastic member 518 may comprise
at least one adjusting component 522 disposed adjacent to the torso
portion 512. In some aspects, each of the first elongate elastic
member 516 and the second elongate elastic member 518 may comprise
as few as one adjusting component 522 or more than one adjusting
component 522 (e.g., three or more) adjacent to the torso portion
512. Further, each of the first elongate elastic member 516 and the
second elongate elastic member 518 may comprise a stirrup 554 and
an optional stirrup adjusting component 552. Though only one
stirrup adjusting component 552 is shown in FIG. 5a, each of the
first elongate elastic member 516 and the second elongate elastic
member 518 may comprise as few as one or as many as four stirrup
adjusting components 552. The adjusting component 522 and the
stirrup adjusting component 552 may comprise any mechanical device
for independently adjusting the length (and thus tension) of each
of the first elongate elastic member 516 and the second elongate
elastic member 518. For example, the adjusting component 522 and
the stirrup adjusting component 552 may take the form of a slider,
bracket, hook and loop fastener, buckle and notch, or any other
device of holding a desired adjustment to withstand an athletic
motion. In aspects, the stirrup 554 may be detachably coupled to
the first elongate elastic member 516 and/or second elongate
elastic member 518 at an attachment point 546 using at least one
slider assembly, button, snap, hook and loop fastener, and the
like.
[0064] With reference to, for example, FIG. 7a, it is contemplated
herein that one or more areas of the lower-body garment 500 may be
comprised of the first textile layer 510, shown in FIG. 7a as a
first textile layer 712 having a first surface 714 and a second
surface 716 opposite the first surface 714 and a second textile
layer 718 having a third surface 720 and a fourth surface 722
opposite the third surface 720. While in other areas of the
lower-body garment 500, the lower-body garment 500 may comprise
just the first textile layer 712 without the second textile layer
718. In the areas of the lower-body garment 500 that comprise the
additional second textile layer 718, the third surface 720 of the
second textile layer 718 is positioned adjacent to the second
surface 716 of the first textile layer 712 to form a channel 728
therebetween.
[0065] Returning to FIGS. 5a-5d, various areas of the lower-body
garment 500 may comprise a first textile layer 510 and a second
textile layer having the configuration shown in, for example, FIG.
7a. In example aspects, the first textile layer 510 may form a
majority of the lower-body garment 500. As an example, it may form
the torso portion 512 and the first and second leg portions 504 and
506. With respect to the second textile layer, the lower-body
garment 500 may comprise a superior panel 514 that, when positioned
adjacent to the first textile layer 510, forms a two-layered
construction (the superior panel 514 being one layer and the first
textile layer being the second layer) where the superior panel 514
may continuously extend from a medial thigh region of the
respective first leg portion 504 and second leg portion 506
anteriorly to opposing lateral sides of the torso portion 512 where
it continues to extend around to the posterior side of the
lower-body garment 500 adjacent to the waist opening 502 as best
seen in FIG. 5b.
[0066] The lower-body garment 500 may further comprise an inferior
panel 544 that, when positioned adjacent to the first textile layer
510 forming the first and second leg portions 504 and 506 forms a
two-layer construction (the inferior panel 544 being one layer and
the first textile layer 510 being the second layer). In aspects,
the inferior panel 544 may be disposed on each of the lower leg
portions of the lower-body garment 500. More particularly, each leg
portion 504 and 506 may comprise an inferior panel 544 that
extends, in example aspects, circumferentially around each of the
first leg portion and second leg portion 504 and 506 on a lower or
inferior aspect of the leg portions 504 and 506 adjacent to the leg
openings 505 and 507 respectively. By positioning the textile
layers adjacent to each other, as shown in, for example, FIG. 7a, a
channel or pocket may be formed in which portions of the first
elongate elastic member 516 and the second elongate elastic member
518 are disposed. Accordingly, each of the superior panel 514 and
the inferior panels 544 comprise a plurality of outlet openings
(described further below) through which one of the first elongate
elastic member 516 and the second elongate elastic member 518
passes.
[0067] In aspects, the lower-body garment 500 may comprise one or
more panels, such as the superior panel 514 and the inferior panel
544, in the portions of the lower-body garment 500 where the first
elongate elastic member 516 and/or the second elongate elastic
member 518 are proximate to the first textile layer 510, distal of
the second superior panel opening 524. In such an aspect, the one
or more panels may form the second textile layer and may create a
channel for the first elongate elastic member 516 and/or the second
elongate elastic member 518, such that said elongate elastic
members are disposed between the first and second textile layers
along the entire length from a proximal opening (e.g., a second
superior panel opening 524) to a distal opening (e.g., a third
inferior panel opening 542) That is, the first textile layer 510
and the second textile layer may work cooperatively to encompass
the first elongate elastic member 516 or the second elongate
elastic member 518 along the entirety of the leg portions 504 and
506 from an area distal of the adjusting component 522 to an area
proximal of the stirrup 554.
[0068] In example aspects, the lower-body garment 500 may be
considered to be divided into a plurality of zones. Because the
zones may be considered to be in about the same position on each
side of the lower-body garment, any characterization of the zones
for the first leg portion 504 and the part of the torso portion 512
adjacent to the first leg portion 504 is equally applicable to the
second leg portion 506 and part of the torso portion 512 adjacent
to the second leg portion 506. In aspects, a first zone 520 exists
between the waist opening 502 and the point at which the first
elongate elastic member 516 divides to proceed, simultaneously,
both medially and laterally down the thigh.
[0069] In the first zone 520, the superior panel 514 may comprise a
first superior panel opening 521 (seen in FIG. 5c), a second
superior panel opening 524 (seen in FIGS. 5a and 5c), and a waist
opening 523 (seen in FIG. 5b). The first elongate elastic member
516 may be anchored, by one or more anchors 519 to an anchoring
strap 517 positioned adjacent to the waist opening 502 on a
posterior aspect of the lower-body garment 500 (the anchoring strap
517 may be either on the poster or anterior side of the first
elongate elastic member 516 and the second elongate elastic member
518). Alternatively, the first elongate elastic member 516 may be
anchored, by one or more of the anchors 519 directly to the second
elongate elastic member 518. Each of the one or more anchors 519
may take the form of a button, snap, magnet, hook and loop
fastener, stitching, adhesive, or any other mechanical device or
chemical treatment for attaching the anchoring strap 517 (or the
second elongate elastic member 518) to the first elongate elastic
member 516.
[0070] In other aspects, the superior panel 514 of the first zone
520 may not comprise a waist opening 523. In such an aspect, the
first elongate elastic member 516 may be unitary with or coupled to
the second elongate elastic member 518, with or without the one or
more anchors 519 and the anchoring strap 517. Further, the superior
panel 514 may comprise an integral channel, through which one or
more of the first elongate elastic member 516 and the second
elongate elastic member 518 passes, which may hold the first
elongate elastic member 516 and/or the second elongate elastic
member 518 in place, preventing proximal or distal slippage on the
posterior side of the garment 500.
[0071] Seen in FIG. 5a, the anterior side of the lower-body garment
500 may comprise an anterior waist panel 570. The anterior waist
panel 570 may exist to resist the forces created by the anchoring
of the first elongate elastic member 516 and/or the second elongate
elastic member 518 to the lower body garment 500 on the posterior
side of said garment 500. As seen in the cross-sectional blow up,
the anterior waist panel 570 may comprise two or more textile
layers. In aspects, the anterior waist panel 570 may comprise four
textile layers. A first anterior waist panel layer 572 and a second
anterior waist panel layer 574 may comprise power mesh or a similar
foundational textile, a third anterior waist panel layer 547 may
comprise a compression textile (e.g., spandex, nylon spandex,
neoprene, and the like), and a fourth anterior waist panel layer
578 may comprise a grip yarn, wherein the first anterior waist
panel layer 572 is an outer-facing layer of the anterior waist
panel 570 and wherein the fourth anterior waist panel layer 578 is
an inner-facing layer (adjacent to the body of a wearer) of the
anterior waist panel 570.
[0072] Seen in FIG. 5b, beginning at the anchoring strap 517, the
first elongate elastic member 516 proceeds laterally adjacent to
the waist opening 502 and enters a channel formed between the
superior panel 514 and the first textile layer 510 by way of the
waist opening 523. As best seen in, for instance, FIG. 7a, an
elongate elastic member 730, such as the first elongate elastic
member 516 of FIG. 5a, is disposed in a channel 728 formed between
the third surface 720 of the second textile layer 718 and the
second surface 716 of the first textile layer 712. As seen in FIG.
5c, the first elongate elastic member 516 remains in the channel
and extends laterally to exit the channel at the first superior
panel opening 521. The first elongate elastic member 516 proceeds
down the lateral side of the torso portion 512 such that an
inner-facing surface of the first elongate elastic member 516 is
positioned adjacent to an outer-facing surface of the superior
panel 514 (e.g., the fourth surface 722 of the second textile layer
718 with respect to FIG. 7a). In example aspects, it is this
portion of the first elongate elastic member 516 that may comprise
the adjusting component 522. Turning to FIG. 5a, the first elongate
elastic member 516 re-enters the channel formed between the first
textile layer 510 and the superior panel 514 at the second superior
panel opening 524, and extends inferiorly and anteriorly along the
torso portion 512.
[0073] A second zone 530 may be defined as a zone abutting the
first zone 520 and extending distally to a point on the anterior
portion of the lower leg portion 504 where the first elongate
elastic member 516 unitarily proceeds down a lower portion of the
first leg portion 504. At the proximal end of the second zone 530,
the first elongate elastic member 516 divides into a first branch
533 and a second branch 535, where the first branch 533 extends
laterally around the first leg portion 504 and the second branch
535 extends medially around the first leg portion 504. With respect
to the first branch 533 of the first elongate elastic member 516,
it exits the channel formed by the first textile layer 510 and the
superior panel 514 via a third superior panel opening 532.
Proceeding medially from the division, the second branch 535 of the
first elongate elastic member 516 remains in the channel formed by
the first textile layer 510 and the superior panel 514 to exit at a
fourth superior panel opening 531 positioned on a medial aspect of
the first leg portion 504 (visible in FIG. 5d). After extending
around lateral and medial aspects of the first leg portion 504 (as
seen in, for instance FIG. 5c), both the first branch 533 and the
second branch 535 of the first elongate elastic member 516 are
positioned on a posterior side of the first leg portion 504 as best
seen in FIG. 5b.
[0074] As best seen in FIG. 5b, the first branch 533 of the first
elongate elastic member 516 reunites with the second branch 535 of
the first elongate elastic member 516 on the posterior side of the
first leg portion 504 generally at or inferior to a knee region of
the first leg portion 504 (e.g., at a calf region of the first leg
portion 504). In aspects, the first leg portion 504 may be
attached, via one or more loops/cords, hook and loop, or other
mechanical means, to the outer-facing surface of the lower body
garment in the vicinity of the posterior side of the knee. By
coupling the first elongate elastic member 516 to the lower-body
garment 500, the elongate elastic member 516 may be less likely to
twist or shift during donning, doffing, or during wear. After
reuniting, the first elongate elastic member 516 divides again to
form a third branch 536 and a fourth branch 537, where the third
branch 536 extends laterally around the first leg portion 504 and
the fourth branch 537 extends medially around the first leg portion
504 towards the anterior side of the first leg portion 504. At the
lower end of the second zone 530, the third branch 536 of the first
elongate elastic member 516 enters a first inferior panel opening
534 of the inferior panel 544, and the fourth branch 537 of the
first elongate elastic member 516 enters a second inferior panel
opening 538 on a medial side of the first leg portion 504, as seen
in FIG. 5d.
[0075] A third zone 540 may be defined as a zone abutting the
second zone 530 and extending distally to the point on the anterior
portion on the lower leg portion of the first leg portion 504 where
the first elongate elastic member 516 attaches to the stirrup 554
or divides to form the stirrup 554. At the proximal end of the
third zone 540 the third branch 536 and the fourth branch 537 of
the first elongate elastic member 516 reunite and proceed down the
lower leg on the anterior side of the first leg portion 504 in a
channel formed by the first textile layer 510 and the inferior
panel 544. The first elongate elastic member 516 then exits the
channel at a third inferior panel opening 542 and proceeds down the
lower leg on the anterior side of the first leg portion 504 towards
the stirrup 554.
[0076] A fourth zone 550 may be defined as a zone abutting the
third zone 540 and extending distally to the lower end of the
stirrup 554. In aspects, at the proximal end of the fourth zone 550
the first elongate elastic member 516 may be detachably coupled to
the stirrup 554. In aspects where the stirrup 554 is detachable,
the stirrup 554 may be detachable at the attachment point 546 via a
stirrup coupling component (e.g., a button, snap, hook and loop,
and the like), or the stirrup 554 may be attached to the first
elongate elastic member 516 via a pair of stirrup adjusting
components 552, which may double as an attachment component and a
length-adjusting component. In other aspects, at the proximal end
of the fourth zone 550 the first elongate elastic number 516 may
divide to form the stirrup 554. The stirrup 554 may comprise a
non-slip coating, such as silicon or polyurethane on one or both of
the surfaces of the stirrup 554. The non-slip coating (e.g., a
silicone deposit) may aid in the holding of the stirrup 554 in
place under the shoe of the wearer or between the foot and the shoe
worn by the wearer to prevent slippage or displacement during the
performance of the athletic motion. It is contemplated that the
non-slip coating may be applied to any region and/or surface of a
stirrup. In addition to or in the alternative of the non-slip
coating, one or more tread-like elements may be implemented in
connection with a stirrup to limit unintentional slippage.
[0077] As seen in FIG. 5e, in some aspects, the stirrup 554 may
additionally comprise a plurality of treads 556, which may increase
traction and prevent slippage of the stirrup 554 from a wearer's
foot or shoe. The treads 556 may be formed in any pattern (e.g.,
triangular, as depicted in FIG. 5a) and may extend outward
(proximally and towards the opening 507) from the proximal surface
of the stirrup 554. Cross-sectional views of exemplary tread
structures are depicted in FIGS. 8a-8d.
[0078] FIGS. 8a-8d depict a simplified cross section of a variety
of contemplated tread configurations that the stirrup 554 may
incorporate, wherein the stirrup may be said to have a proximal
surface 802 and a distal surface 804, opposite the proximal surface
802, and wherein the proximal surface 802 may be considered to be
foot-facing and the distal surface 804 may be considered to be
ground-facing (relative to a foot).
[0079] In a first aspect, FIG. 8a depicts a tread option for the
stirrup 554 having a proximal raised tread 806 on the proximal
surface 802 having a proximal raised tread surface 808 and a distal
recessed tread 809 on the distal surface 804 having a distal
recessed tread surface 810, wherein the proximal raised tread
surface 808 is in a plane that is proximal to a plane in which the
proximal surface 802 of the stirrup 554 is disposed, and wherein
the distal recessed tread surface 810 is in a plane that is
proximal to a plane in which the distal surface 804 of the stirrup
554 is disposed.
[0080] In a second aspect, FIG. 8b depicts a tread option for the
stirrup 554 having a proximal raised tread 806 on the proximal
surface 802 having a proximal raised tread surface 808 and a distal
raised tread 812 on the distal surface 804 having a distal raised
tread surface 814, wherein the proximal raised tread surface 808 is
in a plane that is proximal to a plane in which the proximal
surface 802 of the stirrup 554 is disposed, and wherein the distal
raised tread surface 814 is in a plane that is distal to a plane in
which the distal surface 804 of the stirrup 554 is disposed.
[0081] In a third aspect, FIG. 8c depicts a tread option for the
stirrup 554 having a proximal recessed tread 816 on the proximal
surface 802 having a proximal recessed tread surface 818 and a
distal raised tread 812 on the distal surface 804 having a distal
raised tread surface 814, wherein the proximal recessed tread
surface 818 is in a plane that is distal to a plane in which the
proximal surface 802 of the stirrup 554 is disposed, and wherein
the distal raised tread surface 814 is in a plane that is distal to
a plane in which the distal surface 804 of the stirrup 554 is
disposed.
[0082] In a fourth aspect, FIG. 8d depicts a tread option for the
stirrup 554 having a proximal recessed tread 816 on the proximal
surface 802 having a proximal recessed tread surface 818 and a
distal recessed tread 809 on the distal surface 804 having a distal
recessed tread surface 810 wherein the proximal recessed tread
surface 818 is in a plane that is distal to a plane in which the
proximal surface 802 of the stirrup 554 is disposed, and wherein
the distal recessed tread surface 810 is in a plane that is
proximal to a plane in which the distal surface 804 of the stirrup
554 is disposed.
[0083] The contemplated tread-like patterns may be formed from a
variety of techniques. For example, additional material may be
added to or deposited on a stirrup to form the tread. The
tread-like pattern may be molded with, molded in, and/or molded on
the stirrup. The tread-like pattern may be subtracted from or
embossed from the stirrup. As such, it is contemplated that the
tread-like pattern may be formed from the same material or a
different material than the stirrup, in an example. The tread-like
patterns may extend through the stirrup, the tread-like elements
may be positioned exclusively on a proximal surface of a stirrup.
The tread-like patterns may be positioned exclusively on a distal
surface of a stirrup. The tread-like pattern may be formed from
separate elements or formed from a common unifying material between
the tread-like elements.
[0084] It is contemplated that any combination of tread patterns
may be implemented in a common stirrup. For example, a first tread
pattern (e.g., FIG. 8a) may be implemented in a first location
(e.g., under foot) and a second tread pattern (e.g., 8b-8d) may be
implemented in a second location (e.g., a medial and lateral
position to the first location). Additionally or alternatively, it
is contemplated that two or more tread patterns may be incorporated
in a common location of the stirrup. This adjustment of tread
patterns may be performed to impart different traction
characteristics and/or sensory experiences for a wearer, in an
example.
[0085] Returning to FIGS. 5c-5d, as seen by the phantom locations
of the stirrup 554, the stirrup 554 may be worn under a foot/shoe
in the vicinity of the arch, heel, or ball of the foot/shoe
(different as-worn configurations may impart different
physiological or perceived physiological effects). As seen in FIG.
5f, in some aspects, such as when the stirrup 554 is desired for
wear proximate to the ball of the foot, the stirrup 554 may be
structured as a straddle stirrup that is divided to form a first
stirrup strap 555 and a second stirrup strap 557. In such an
aspect, the ability of the first stirrup strap 555 and the second
stirrup strap 557 to straddle the anterior and posterior sides of
the ball of the foot may improve the ability of the stirrup 554 to
remain in the desired position relative to the ball of the
foot.
[0086] It is therefore contemplated that a stirrup may be formed to
include traction elements and/or a straddle configuration. As such,
it is contemplated that one or more portions of a straddle stirrup
may also include one or more tread-like features, as provided
herein.
[0087] In aspects, the stirrup 554, whether detachably coupled to
the first elongate elastic member 516 or whether the first elongate
elastic member 516 divides to form the stirrup 554, the stirrup 554
may be stowed or tucked into a pocket or other similar stowage
compartment integrated into the lower-body garment 500, within, for
instance, about 12 inches of the respective first leg opening 505
or the second leg opening 507. The configuration and components
shown in FIGS. 5a-5d are examples only and other configurations of
panels, components, and the like are contemplated herein.
[0088] Turning now to FIGS. 6a-6c, front, back and side views
respectively of a lower-body garment 600 are depicted in accordance
with aspects herein. In aspects, and at a high level, the
lower-body garment 600 may comprise a wearable garment on which an
elongate elastic member, such as the elongate elastic members 100,
200, 300 or 400, is applied. The lower-body garment 600 comprises a
torso portion 612, a first leg portion 604, and a second leg
portion 606 extending from the torso portion 612. The torso portion
612 defines a waist opening 602 configured to receive a torso of a
wearer. The first leg portion 604 defines a first leg opening 605
and the second leg portion 606 defines a second leg opening 607
through which a wearer's respective foot or lower leg may
extend.
[0089] In some aspects, the lower-body garment 600 comprises a
first elongate elastic member 616 and a second elongate elastic
member 618, where the first elongate elastic member 616 is applied
to the first leg portion 604 and the part of the torso portion 612
adjacent to the first leg portion 604, and wherein the second
elongate elastic member 618 is applied to the second leg portion
606 and the part of the torso portion 612 adjacent to the second
leg portion 606. In such aspects, the first elongate elastic member
616 may continuously extend from a first location adjacent to the
first leg opening 605 to a second location adjacent to the waist
opening 602, and the second elongate elastic member 618 may
continuously extend from a third location adjacent to the second
leg opening 607 to a fourth location adjacent to the waist opening
602. In other aspects, the first elongate elastic member 616 and
the second elongate elastic member 618 may comprise a single
elongate elastic member or be coupled to yield, in effect, a single
elongate elastic member. In such an aspect, the elongate elastic
member may continuously extend from the first location adjacent to
the first leg opening 605 to a second location adjacent to the
waist opening 602, to the third location adjacent to the second leg
opening 607.
[0090] Best seen in FIGS. 6a and 6c, each of the first elongate
elastic member 616 and the second elongate elastic member 618 may
comprise at least one adjusting component 622 disposed adjacent to
the torso portion 612. In some aspects, each of the first elongate
elastic member 616 and the second elongate elastic member 618 may
comprise as few as one adjusting component 622 or more than one
adjusting component 622 adjacent to the torso portion 612. Further,
each of the first elongate elastic member 616 and the second
elongate elastic member 618 may comprise a stirrup 654 and a
stirrup adjusting component 652. Though only one stirrup adjusting
component 652 is shown in FIG. 6a, each of the first elongate
elastic member 616 and the second elongate elastic member 618 may
comprise as few as one or more than one stirrup adjusting
components 652. Each of the adjusting components 622 and the
stirrup adjusting components 652 may comprise any mechanical device
for independently adjusting the length (and thus tension) of each
of the first elongate elastic member 616 and the second elongate
elastic member 618. For example, the adjusting components 622 and
the stirrup adjusting components 652 may take the form of a slider,
bracket, hook and loop fastener, buckle and notch, or any other
device of holding a desired adjustment to withstand an athletic
motion. In aspects, the stirrup 654 may be detachably coupled to
the first elongate elastic member 616 and/or second elongate
elastic member 618. In other aspects, the stirrup 654, whether
detachably coupled to the first elongate elastic member 616 or
whether the first elongate elastic member 616 divides to form the
stirrup 654, the stirrup 654 may be stowed or tucked into a pocket
or other similar stowage compartment integrated into the lower-body
garment 600, within, for example, about 12 inches of the respective
first leg opening 605 or the second leg opening 607.
[0091] Similar to the lower-body garment 500, the lower-body
garment 600 may comprise, in some areas, a two-layered construction
comprising a first textile layer 610 and a second textile layer
positioned adjacent to the first textile layer to form a channel
therebetween, while in other areas, the lower-body garment 600 may
comprise just the first textile layer 610 without a second textile
layer. In example aspects, the lower-body garment 600 may comprise
one or more channeling panels 614 where the channeling panels 614
comprise a second textile layer that is positioned adjacent to the
first textile layer 610 that forms the majority (or entirety) of
the lower-body garment 600. The one or more channeling panels 614
extends circumferentially around the lower leg portion of the first
and second leg portions 604 and 606 and then extends superiorly
along a lateral aspect of the first and second leg portions 604 and
606, to the torso portion 612, where it terminates on an anterior
side and extends across a posterior side adjacent to the waist
opening 602. As previously described, the channeling panel 614 may
be used to form a channel or pocket in which one of the first
elongate elastic member 616 and the second elongate elastic member
618 is at least partially disposed. Accordingly, the one or more
channeling panels 614 comprises a plurality of openings through
which one of the first elongate elastic member 616 and the second
elongate elastic member 618 passes. In the portions of the
lower-body garment 600 (and/or the lower body garment 500) wherein
the first elongate elastic member 616 is not disposed between the
first textile layer 610 and the one or more channeling panels 614,
the first elongate elastic member may be disposed adjacent to an
outer-facing surface of the first textile layer 610.
[0092] FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate how the lower-body garment 600 may be
considered to be divided into a plurality of zones. Because the
zones may be considered to be in about the same position on each
side of the lower-body garment, any characterization of the zones
for the first leg portion 604 and the part of the torso portion 612
adjacent to the first leg portion 604 is equally applicable to the
second leg portion 606 and part of the torso portion 612 adjacent
to the second leg portion 606. In aspects, a first zone 620 exists
between the waist opening 602 and a point at which the first
elongate elastic member 616 divides to proceed, simultaneously,
both medially and laterally down the thigh.
[0093] In the first zone, the one or more channeling panels 614
comprises a waist opening 623 (seen in FIG. 6b), a first opening
621 (seen in FIG. 6c), a second opening 624 (seen in FIGS. 6a and
6c), and a third opening 632 (seen in FIG. 6a). The first elongate
elastic member 616 may be anchored, via one or more anchors 619 on
an anchoring strap 617 to the lower-body garment 600 and/or the
second elongate elastic member 618. Each of the one or more anchors
619 may take the form of a button, snap, magnet, hook and loop
fastener, or any other mechanical device of attaching the anchoring
strap 617 to the first elongate elastic member 616.
[0094] Seen in FIG. 6b, beginning at the anchoring strap 617, the
first elongate elastic member 616 proceeds laterally adjacent to
the waist opening 602 and enters a channel formed between the first
textile layer 610 and the channeling panel 614 by way of the waist
opening 623. As seen in FIGS. 6b-6c, the first elongate elastic
member 616 remains in the channel and extends laterally to exit the
channel at the first opening 621. The first elongate elastic member
then 616 proceeds inferiorly along the lateral side of the torso
portion 612. In this location, the inner-facing surface of the
first elongate elastic member 616 is adjacent to the outer-facing
surface of the channeling panel 614 (e.g., the fourth surface of
the second textile layer with respect to FIG. 7a). It is this
portion of the first elongate elastic member 616 that comprises at
least one adjusting component 622. Turning to FIG. 6a, the first
elongate elastic member 616 re-enters the channel formed between
the first textile layer 610 and the channeling panel 614 at the
second opening 624, and proceeds inferiorly down the torso portion
612 along an anterior side of the torso portion 612.
[0095] A second zone 630 may be defined as a zone abutting the
first zone 620 and extending distally to a point of the lower leg
where the first elongate elastic member 616 unitarily proceeds
downward on the anterior portion the shin region. In the second
zone 630, the one or more channeling panels 614 comprises a fourth
opening 634 (seen in FIG. 6b), a fifth opening 636 (seen in FIG.
6b), and a sixth opening 638 (seen in FIG. 6a). At the proximal end
of the second zone 630, the first elongate elastic member 616
divides into a first branch 633 and a second branch 635, where the
first branch 633 extends laterally around the first leg portion 604
and the second branch 635 extends medially around the first leg
portion 504. With respect to the second branch 365 of the first
elongate elastic member 616, it exits the channel formed by the
first textile layer 610 and channeling panel 614 via the third
opening 632. Proceeding laterally from the division, the first
branch 633 of the first elongate elastic member 616 remains in the
channel formed by the first textile layer 610 and the channeling
panel 614 to exit a fourth opening 634 positioned on a lateral
aspect of the first leg portion 604. After extending around lateral
and medial aspects of the first leg portion 604 (as seen in, for
instance FIG. 6b), both the first branch 633 and the second branch
635 of the first elongate elastic member 616 are positioned on a
posterior side of the first leg portion 604, as best seen in FIG.
6b.
[0096] As best seen in FIG. 6b, the first branch 633 of the first
elongate elastic member 616 reunites with the second branch 635 of
the first elongate elastic member 616 on the posterior side of the
first leg portion 604 inferior to a knee region of the first leg
portion 604 (e.g., at a calf region of the first leg portion 504).
After reuniting, the first elongate elastic member 516 divides
again to form a third branch 639 and a fourth branch 637, where the
third branch 639 extends laterally around the first leg portion 604
to re-enter the one or more channeling panels 614 at a fifth
opening 636 and continues to proceed laterally towards the anterior
side of the first leg portion 604. Simultaneously, the fourth
branch 637 extends medially around the first leg portion 604
towards the anterior side of the first leg portion 604. At the
lower end of the second zone 630, the fourth branch 637 of the
first elongate elastic member 616 re-enters the one or more
channeling panels 614 at a sixth opening 638 on the medial side of
the anterior portion of the first leg portion 604.
[0097] A third zone 640 may be defined as a zone abutting the
second zone 630 and extending distally to the point on the anterior
portion of the lower leg where the first elongate elastic member
616 attaches to the stirrup 654 or divides to form the stirrup 654.
In the third zone 640, the one or more channeling panels 614
comprises a seventh opening 642 (seen in FIG. 6a). At the proximal
end of the third zone 640 the third branch 639 and the fourth
branch 637 of the first elongate elastic member 616 reunite and
proceed down the lower leg on the anterior side of the first leg
portion 604 in the channel formed by the first textile layer 610
and the channeling panel 614. The first elongate elastic member 616
then exits the channel at the seventh opening 642 and proceeds down
the lower leg on the anterior side of the first leg portion 604
towards the stirrup 654.
[0098] A fourth zone 650 may be defined as a zone abutting the
third zone 640 and extending distally to the lower end of the
stirrup 654. In aspects, at the proximal end of the fourth zone
650, the first elongate elastic member 616 may be detachably
coupled to the stirrup 654. In aspects where the stirrup 654 is
detachable, the stirrup 654 may be detachable via a stirrup
coupling component (e.g., a button, snap, hook and loop, and the
like), or the stirrup 654 may be attached to the first elongate
elastic member 616 via a pair of stirrup adjusting components 652,
which may double as an attachment component and as a
length-adjusting component. In other aspects, at the proximal end
of the fourth zone 650, the first elongate elastic number 616 may
divide to form a stirrup 654. The stirrup 654 may comprise a
non-slip coating, such as silicon or polyurethane on one or both of
the surfaces of the stirrup 654. The non-slip coating may hold the
stirrup 654 in place under the shoe of the wearer or between the
foot and the shoe worn by the wearer to prevent slippage or
displacement during the performance of the athletic motion.
[0099] FIGS. 7a-7c illustrate example construction configurations
for portions of the lower-body garment 500 and/or the lower-body
garment 600 comprising a first textile layer 510 and 610 and a
second textile layer forming a channel therebetween in accordance
with aspects herein. As discussed with respect to lower-body
garment 500 and lower-body garment 600, and with respect to, for
instance, FIG. 7a, some portions of the lower-body garments
described herein comprise a first textile layer 510 or 610,
comprising a first textile layer 712 having a first surface 714 and
a second surface 716 opposite the first surface 714 and a second
textile layer 718 having a third surface 720 and fourth surface 722
opposite the third surface 720, where the third surface of the
second textile layer 718 is positioned adjacent to the second
surface 716 of the first textile layer 712 to form a channel 728
therebetween. In the first cross-section 710 shown in FIG. 7a, the
first textile layer 712 and the second textile layer 718 may be
coupled at a joint 726, adjacent to, for instance, a perimeter edge
724 (e.g., a free edge) of the second textile layer 718. The joint
726 may be a permanent mechanical joint (e.g., created by
stitching), a temporary mechanical joint (e.g., using hook and loop
fasteners), or any other desirable manner of joining the first
textile layer 712 to the second textile layer 718 (e.g., fabric
welding, use of an adhesive, and the like). Coupling the second
textile layer 718 to the first textile layer 712 defines the
channel 728 (i.e., pocket, gap, void) within which an elongate
elastic member 730 (such as the first elongate elastic member 516
of lower-body garment 500 or the first elongate elastic member 616
of lower-body garment 600) may be disposed.
[0100] FIG. 7b illustrates a second alternative construction
configuration by way of cross-section 740 for coupling the second
textile layer 718 to the first textile layer 712. In cross-section
740, the second textile layer 718 is coupled to the first textile
layer 712 via a first joint 726 and a second joint 727, the second
joint being a distance 725 from the first joint 726, and where the
second joint 727 is adjacent to the perimeter edge 724 of the
second textile layer 718. Coupling the second textile layer 718 to
the first textile layer 712 at the first joint 726 defines a
channel 728 (i.e., pocket, gap, void) within which an elongate
elastic member 730 (such as the first elongate elastic member 516
of lower-body garment 500 or the first elongate elastic member 616
of lower-body garment 600) may be disposed. Coupling the second
textile layer 718 to the first textile layer 712 at the second
joint 727, ensures that the second textile layer 718 in the
distance 725 between the first coupling point 726 and the perimeter
edge 724 remains adjacent to the first textile layer 712. The first
and second joint 726 and 727 may be a permanent mechanical joint
(e.g., formed by stitching), a temporary mechanical joint (e.g.,
using hook and loop fasteners), or any a joint formed by any other
suitable method of coupling (e.g., fabric welding, use of an
adhesive, and the like).
[0101] FIG. 7c illustrates yet another alternative construction
configuration as depicted by cross-section 760. In this aspect, the
first textile layer 712 may be integrally knit or woven with the
second textile layer 718, in accordance with aspects herein. For
instance, the first and second textile layers 712 and 718 may be
formed during a single knitting or weaving event. The cross-section
760 illustrates how, in a first region 762, the first textile layer
712 and the second textile layer 718, are integrally knit or woven
into a single layer 766. In the second region 764, the first
textile layer 712 and the second textile layer 718 are knit or
woven into discrete textile layers. Because the textile layers 712
and 718 are integrally knit or woven from the single layer 766, a
yarn or other textile element may extend from the single layer 766
into the second textile layer 718 and/or into the first textile
layer 712. Any and all aspects, and any variation thereof, are
contemplated as being within aspects herein.
[0102] Some aspects of this disclosure have been described with
respect to the examples provided in the figures. Additional aspects
of the disclosure will now be described that may be related subject
matter included in one or more claims or clauses of this
application at the time of filing, or one or more related
applications, but the claims or clauses are not limited to only the
subject matter described in the below portions of this description.
These additional aspects may include features illustrated by the
figures, features not illustrated by the figures, and any
combination thereof. When describing these additional aspects,
reference may be made to elements depicted by the figures for
illustrative purposes.
[0103] As used herein and in connection with the claims listed
hereinafter, the terminology "any of clauses" or similar variations
of said terminology is intended to be interpreted such that
features of claims/clauses may be combined in any combination. For
example, an exemplary clause 4 may indicate the method/apparatus of
any of clauses 1 through 3, which is intended to be interpreted
such that features of clause 1 and clause 4 may be combined,
elements of clause 2 and clause 4 may be combined, elements of
clause 3 and 4 may be combined, elements of clauses 1, 2, and 4 may
be combined, elements of clauses 2, 3, and 4 may be combined,
elements of clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be combined, and/or other
variations. Further, the terminology "any of clauses" or similar
variations of said terminology is intended to include "any one of
clauses" or other variations of such terminology, as indicated by
some of the examples provided above.
[0104] Clause 1: A lower-body garment comprising: a torso portion
having a waist opening; a first leg portion and a second leg
portion extending from the torso portion, the first leg portion
defining a first leg opening and the second leg portion defining a
second leg opening; a first textile layer having a first surface
and a second surface opposite the first surface; a second textile
layer positioned at least at a first area of the lower-body
garment, the second textile layer having a third surface and a
fourth surface opposite the third surface, where the third surface
of the second textile layer is positioned adjacent to the second
surface of the first textile layer at the first area of the
lower-body garment; and a first elongate elastic member
continuously extending from a first location adjacent to the first
leg opening to a second location adjacent to the waist opening, the
first elongate elastic member at least partially disposed between
the first textile layer and the second textile layer at the first
area of the lower-body garment.
[0105] Clause 2: The lower-body garment of clause 1, wherein the
first elongate elastic member is disposed on an anterior side of
the lower-body garment in a first zone, disposed on a posterior
side of the lower-body garment in a third zone, and disposed on
both a medial side and a lateral side of the lower-body garment in
a second zone.
[0106] Clause 3: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 1 and 2,
wherein the third zone is disposed between the first zone and the
second zone.
[0107] Clause 4: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 1-3, the
first elongate elastic member further comprising a stirrup
configured for receiving a foot of a wearer.
[0108] Clause 5: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 1-4, the
first elongate elastic member further comprising one or more
adjusting components operably configured to modify a length of the
first elongate elastic member.
[0109] Clause 6: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 1-5,
wherein at a second area of the lower-body garment, the lower-body
garment comprises the first textile layer and not the second
textile layer, and wherein the first elongate elastic member is
disposed adjacent to the second surface of the first textile layer
at the second area.
[0110] Clause 7: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 1-6,
wherein the first elongate elastic member further continuously
extends from the second location adjacent to the waist opening, to
a third location adjacent to the second leg opening.
[0111] Clause 8: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 1-7,
wherein the lower-body garment further comprises a second elongate
elastic member, the second elongate elastic member continuously
extending from a third location adjacent to the second leg opening
to the second location adjacent to the waist opening.
[0112] Clause 9: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 1-8,
wherein the first elongate elastic member is coupled to the second
elongate elastic member.
[0113] Clause 10: An elongate elastic member for assisting an
athletic motion comprising: a first end, a second end opposite the
first end, and an intervening length therebetween; and at least a
first slit and a second slit, each of the first slit and the second
slit disposed lengthwise parallel to a longitudinal axis of the
elongate elastic member.
[0114] Clause 11: The elongate elastic member of clause 10, further
comprising a third slit positioned adjacent to the second end, the
third slit disposed lengthwise parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the elongate elastic member.
[0115] Clause 12: The elongate elastic member of any of clauses 10
and 11, further comprising a pair of apertures positioned adjacent
to the second end, the pair of apertures configured to be coupled
to a shoelace of a shoe of a wearer.
[0116] Clause 13: The elongate elastic member of any of clauses
10-12, further comprising a stirrup extending from the second end,
the stirrup configured to receive a foot of a wearer.
[0117] Clause 14: The elongate elastic member of any of clauses
10-13, further comprising an adjusting component coupled to the
elongate elastic member, the adjusting component configured to
operably adjust a length of the elongate elastic member.
[0118] Clause 15: A lower-body garment comprising: a torso portion
having a waist opening; a first leg portion and a second leg
portion extending from the torso portion, the first leg portion
defining a first leg opening and the second leg portion defining a
second leg opening; a first area comprising: a first textile layer
having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first
surface, and a second textile layer having a third surface and a
fourth surface opposite the third surface, wherein the third
surface of the second textile layer is positioned adjacent to the
second surface of the first textile layer at the first area; a
second area comprising the first textile layer and not the second
textile layer; and an elongate elastic member continuously
extending from a location adjacent to the first leg opening, to a
location adjacent to the waist opening, to a location adjacent to
the second leg opening, the elongate elastic member disposed
between the first textile layer and the second textile layer at the
first area, the elongate elastic member further disposed on the
second surface of the first textile layer at the second area.
[0119] Clause 16: The lower-body garment of clause 15, wherein the
elongate elastic member is disposed in the first area on a lateral
side of the lower-body garment and disposed in the second area on a
medial side of the lower-body garment.
[0120] Clause 17: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 15 and
16, wherein the elongate elastic member further comprises a stirrup
configured for receiving a foot of a wearer.
[0121] Clause 18: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 15-17,
wherein the second textile layer is integrally knit or woven with
the first textile layer.
[0122] Clause 19: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 15-18,
wherein the second textile layer is a separate panel piece from the
first textile layer, and wherein the first textile layer and the
second textile layer are coupled together at one or more perimeter
edges of the second textile layer.
[0123] Clause 20: The lower-body garment of any of clauses 15-19,
wherein the elongate elastic member further comprises a plurality
of adjusting components operably configured to modify a length of
the elongate elastic member.
[0124] From the foregoing, it will be seen that aspects herein are
well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set
forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which
are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain
features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed
without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is
contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many
possible aspects may be made without departing from the scope
thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or
shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *