Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
HIP PROTECTIVE UNDERGARMENTS
[1] TECHNICAL FIELD
[2] The disclosure relates to undergarments comprising integrated hip
protectors, methods of
making and methods of using.
BACKGROUND
[31 Elbows, knees, shoulders, ankles, hips and other joints can be
especially susceptible to
impact damage and yet are challenging to protect without restricting the range
of motion and
movement of the individual. Hip fractures are serious fall injuries that often
result in long-term
functional impairment, nursing home admission and increased mortality. Some
reported statistics
show that the leading cause of hip fractures in the elderly, are falls, with
the majority of hip
fractures occurring in those over 65 years of age. Some report that as much as
20% of those who
suffer a hip fracture die within 12 months of the hip fracture. For survivors,
loss of function and
independence is profound, with as much as 40% being unable to walk, or
requiring assistance a year
later.
[4] The CDC reports that in 2007, there were 281,000 hospital admissions
for hip fractures
among people age 65 and older, and that over 90% of hip fractures were caused
by falling, most
often by falling sideways onto the hip. However, women sustain three-quarters
of all hip fractures.
In 1991, Medicare costs for hip fractures were estimated to be $2.9 billion.
[51 In both men and women, hip fracture rates increase exponentially with
age. People 85 and
older are 10 to 15 times more likely to sustain hip fractures than are those
at age 60 to 65.
Osteoporosis, a disease that makes bones porous, increases a person's risk of
sustaining a hip
fracture. The National Osteoporosis Foundation
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estimates that more than 10 million people over age 50 in the U.S. have
osteoporosis
and another 34 million are at risk for the disease.
[006] A large proportion of fall deaths are due to complications following
a hip
fracture. One out of five hip fracture patients dies within a year of their
injury.
Treatment typically includes surgery and hospitalization, usually for about
one week,
and is frequently followed by admission to a nursing home and extensive
rehabilitation.
Up to one in four adults who lived independently before their hip fracture
remain in a
nursing home for at least a year after their injury.
[007] As a result, various types of hip protectors have been
commercialized, in an
attempt to minimize the number, severity and debilitation of hip fracture.
However,
such impact protection can be heavy, non-breathable or restrictive, or may not
accurately target the hip joint, or if it does so, only inconsistently.
[008] One type of hip protector is a padded belt that is worn over the
user's
clothing, which is bulky and conspicuous. Another type of hip protector is an
undergarment with pockets for receiving a removable hip shield. Although this
type of
hip protector is less conspicuous than the external belts, they still may add
unattractive
bulk to the hip region. Although each of the foregoing are somewhat effective,
compliance is often low, because they are conspicuous and/or uncomfortable. As
a
result, compliance is low, reducing their effectiveness.
[009] A need exists for improved hip protection.
SUMMARY
[0010] The present disclosure is directed to, in one embodiment, a hip
protective
garment, comprising a form-fitted body portion and a hip pad disposed on the
body
portion. The hip pad comprises a center, such that when the garment is
disposed on the
user, the center of the hip pad is disposed adjacent to the upper trochanter
region of the
user's hip.
[0011] In one embodiment, the hip pad can comprise an integrated locator
device
that allows the user to verify the position of the center of the hip pad
relative to the
upper trochanter region of the user's hip.
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[0012] In one embodiment, the hip pad can comprise a removable impact sensor
adapted to
measure the force of an impact.
[0013] In one embodiment, the hip pad can comprise an energy absorbing foam
material, such as
an energy absorbing polyurethane foam.
[0014] In one embodiment, the hip pad can comprise a central region of uniform
thickness
extending radially from the center of the hip pad. The central region of
uniform thickness can
extend radially from the center of the hip pad by about 1 cm to about 10 cm.
The central region can
comprise a thickness ranging from about 1 mm to about 30 mm.
[0015] In some embodiments, the hip pad can have an impact-resistance of up to
about 10,000
newtons.
[0016] Another embodiment is directed to a hip protective garment, comprising
a hip pad disposed
on the garment, the hip pad comprising a center, such that when the garment is
disposed on the
user, the center of the hip pad is disposed adjacent to the upper trochanter
region of the user's hip.
The hip pad can comprise a polyurethane foam with a density of about 20 pcf, a
thickness of about
15 mm, and that is capable of absorbing about 7000 newtons of force.
[0017] Another aspect of the disclosure is a hip pad comprising a center, such
that when the
garment is disposed on the user, the center of the hip pad is disposed
adjacent to the upper
trochanter region of the user's hip. The hip pad can comprise a polyurethane
foam with a density of
about 20 pcf, a thickness of about 15 mm, and that is capable of absorbing
about 7000 newtons of
force. The foregoing hip pad can be placed in a pocket at the hip to provide
hip impact resistance.
[0017a] Another aspect of the disclosure is a hip protective garment,
comprising: a form-fitted body
portion; and a conformable hip pad disposed on and integral with the body
portion of the garment,
the hip pad comprising a center, such that when the garment is disposed on the
user, the center of
the hip pad is disposed adjacent to the upper trochanter region of the user's
hip; wherein the
conformable hip pad comprises a plurality of cushioning regions separated by
one or more channels
defining one or more hinges between the cushioning regions whereby the hip pad
may conform to
the contours of the user's hip when the garment is worn.
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[0017b] Another aspect of the disclosure is a conformable hip pad comprising a
center for use with
a garment, such that when the garment is disposed on the user, the center of
the hip pad is disposed
adjacent to the upper trochanter region of the user's hip, wherein the
conformable pad comprises a
plurality of cushioning regions separated by one or more channels defining one
or more hinge
regions between the cushioning regions, whereby the hip pad may conform to
contours of the
user's hip when the garment is worn, wherein the hip pad comprises a foam
material having a
density of from 240 to 400 kg/m3 and a thickness of from 10 to 20 mm and that
is capable of
absorbing about 7000 Newtons of force.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent from
the following more
particular description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as
illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same
parts throughout the
different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead
being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the disclosure.
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[0019] FIG. 1 shows a partial view of a user wearing an exemplary padded
undergarment according to the present disclosure, in a standing position;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a front view of the user in FIG. 1, showing the pad
spaced apart from
the undergarment, and the disposition of the pad on the undergarment, relative
to the
user's hip joint, specifically, the upper trochanter;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a front view of the user in FIG. 1, showing the pad
disposed on the
undergarment in a protective position relative to the user's hip joint,
specifically, the
upper trochanter;
[0022] FIG. 4 shows the user of FIG. 1, in a seated position, showing the
relative
orientation of the pad relative to the greater trochanter during movement;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a top view of a portion of the padded undergarment shown
in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of a portion of the hip pad and
body portion
shown in FIG. 5, through line 4-4;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the hip pad shown in FIG. 5,
without the
body portion;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the hip
pad and
body portion shown in FIG. 6; and
[0027] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the hip protector pad shown in
FIG. 6,
without the body portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0028] The present disclosure is directed to garments, particularly
undergarments,
which comprise improved, self-orienting and conformable hip protection pads.
The
garments are lightweight, soft, flexible and breathable, resulting in improved
compliance by users. The integrated pads are designed to provide sufficient
impact-
resistance to prevent a hip fractures. In some embodiments, the pads can
withstand
forces in the range of about 7000 newtons ("N"). As such, the present garments
provide
sufficient impact-resistance to reduce hip fractures both because they are
designed to
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withstand the force of a fall that would otherwise result in a hip fracture
and due to increased
compliance.
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a partial view of a user wearing a hip protective
undergarment 10 according to
the present disclosure. Undergarment 10 comprises a body portion 20 and a
padded hip protector
portion 30 (hereinafter "pad 30") attached to the body portion 20 at the hip
region, adjacent to the
greater trochanter of the femur bone.
[0030] Undergarment 10 is selected to be form-fitted, rather than loose. The
term "form-fitted" or
"form-fitting," as used herein, means that the garment tightly follows the
contours of the part of the
body being covered, or that is held to the skin by elastic tension. Thus,
undergarment 10 is selected
to closely conform to the user's body and to minimize the amount of lateral
movement, longitudinal
movement and twisting of the undergarment relative to the user's body, when in
use. Suitable
materials for the body portion include knits, woven and nonwoven fabrics,
leather, vinyl or any
other suitable material. A variety of natural and/or synthetic materials can
be used for the body
portion including, but are not limited to, knits, woven and nonwoven fabrics,
leather, vinyl or any
other suitable materials that include elastane or an equivalent thereof. Such
materials provide a
smooth line as well strength when pulled tightly. Other suitable materials
include functional
materials with repellent and/or absorbent characteristics, such as the type
disclosed in U.S.
Publication No. 2010/0249736. The garments can also be made from a wicking
fabric that is
designed to move moisture away from the skin layer.
[0031] FIGS. 5-9 show exemplary hip pad 30 according to the present disclosure
in greater detail.
Pad 30 has a shape, size and configuration adapted to the contours of the
outer hip section,
including a central oval shape, and "wings" extending from the left and right
sides of the oval. It
should be understood that the pad can comprise any shape, size, thickness or
configuration as is
practical or desired to prevent or minimize hip fractures. The hip pad
includes cushioning regions
of various shapes, sizes, configurations and thicknesses. For ease of
discussion, the terms
"cushioning region" and "medallion" will be used interchangeably throughout
the description.
Various materials can be used for the medallions, as will be described below.
The medallions are
spaced apart by channels of various depths and configurations, which define
the perimeter of the
medallions. The upper surface of the medallions may include grooves of various
depths and
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configurations, which define, in part, the contours of the medallions. In some
instances, a perimeter
flange is provided, spaced apart from the perimeter of the pad.
[0032] As shown in cross-section in FIGS. 6 and 7, pad 30 comprises a
cushioning layer 15
disposed between optional outer and inner layers 16,17, which together define
a front surface 10, a
back surface 12 and a perimeter 14. Suitable materials for the cushioning
layer 15, and optional outer
and inner layers 16, 17 arc disclosed in co-pending and commonly owned U.S.
Publication No.
2012/0084896 and U.S. Publication No. 2013/0061377.
[0033] Pad 30 comprises one or more channels 38, which define spaced apart
medallions regions
50, 60a, b and wing medallions 70a, b. As shown, channels 38 have a width "W,"
defined by the
spacing between the perimeter of adjacent medallions, a depth "D," defined by
the spacing between
the upper surface of the medallions and the upper surface of the pad 30, and a
thickness "T1"
defined by the combined thicknesses of the inner and outer layers 16, 17 and
the cushioning
material 15 disposed between the layers. For ease of discussion, the
"channels" will be referred to
hereinafter as hinges throughout the description, without intending to limit
the fact that the grooves
also function as hinging elements.
[0034] The width W, of the hinges can be varied as desired or needed, and can
range from as
narrow as about 1 mil to about 1000 mils, or more. The hinges 38 may be linear
or curved, and the
depth of the hinges between the medallions may be the same or different, and
may vary along the
hinge. Both curved and linear hinges may be used in combination in the pads,
as in the present
embodiment, and may include a combination of curved and linear hinged areas.
In the present
embodiment, the hinges function as locators ensuring that the pad is lined up
properly with the
intersection of
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the X and Y axes of the user's hip joint and/or with the user's greater
trochanter, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0035] An optional perimeter flange 40 (hereinafter "flange") may be
defined in the
upper surface 10 to maintain the medallions in spaced apart relation from the
perimeter of the pad. In the present embodiment, the optional perimeter flange
40 has
a width "W2" defined by the spacing between the perimeter of the outermost
medallions and the perimeter 14 of the pad 30. The width W2 of the perimeter
flange
40 may vary, as desired. As will be described in greater detail below, the
perimeter
flange 40 is thinner than the medallions, allowing the pad to be attached to
items such
as clothing along the flange area using a variety of techniques, such as by
sewing, gluing,
bonding, and the like. When integrated with the body portion, the pad can be
sewn,
glued or otherwise attached to the outside of the sleeve fabric, or it can be
sewn or
attached to the interior surface of the sleeve, and exposed through a
corresponding
opening in the sleeve.
[0036] In some embodiments, center medallion 50 can comprise a central
region "R"
extending radially from center point P, with a substantially uniform
thickness, and the
thickness of the remaining medallions can decrease radially from R toward the
perimeter of the pad 30. Alternatively, the upper surface of a medallion may
comprise
a surface that is defined by a thickness that generally decreases radially
toward the
perimeter of the medallion, or toward the perimeter of the pad.
[0037] Optionally, one or more grooves 42 may be formed in the upper
surface of
the medallions. Like the hinges 38, the grooves 42 increase the flexibility of
the pad,
and as the thickness of the cushioning layer 15 in the grooves 42 is
decreased, the
flexibility of the grooves 42, and pad 100, increases. The width, depth,
orientation and
position of the grooves 42 in the upper surfaces of the medallions may be
varied,
depending on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the desired
direction
and amount of flexibility, and the like.
[0038] Like hinges 38, the grooves 42 may be curved grooves, or linear
grooves that
are disposed along parallel and/or intersecting axes. Both curved and linear
grooves
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may be used in combination, and the grooves may include both curved and linear
regions.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the hip pad 30 comprises a center point P
disposed at the
intersection of horizontal and vertical axes X and Y. Similarly, the greater
trochanter of
the user corresponds to P' at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical
axes X' and
Y' on the user. As shown, the pad 30 is attached to the body portion 20, such
that in
use, the position P of the center medallion 50 corresponds to the user's
greater
trochanter, corresponding to P'. As a result, the center of the hip pad 30 is
maintained
in the same position relative to the greater trochanter during movement, such
as when
the user is in a seated position, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0040] As shown, pad 30 is attached to the body portion 20 by stitching
the
perimeter flange 40 to the body portion 20, such that the center of the hip
pad
corresponds to the greater trochanter of the femur. In use, the combination of
the
flexible hinges 38 and grooves 42 allow the pad 30 to conform to the user's
body,
particularly the hip region, thereby maintaining the pad 30 in close proximity
to the
user's body and maximizing the impact-absorption capability of the pad 30 when
the
user falls.
[0041] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrates another embodiment of an exemplary
cushioning
pad 30' according to the present disclosure. Pad 30' has a similar structure
to pad 30,
other than that the thickness of the cushioning layer 15 disposed between the
upper
and lower layers 16,17 in hinges 38,50 is maximized during the manufacturing
process, to provide greater impact resistance.
[0042] The size, shape, configuration, and dimensions of the pad,
medallions,
medallion contours, hinges, grooves and flange; and the thickness, density and
type of
material; may be varied as desired in order to achieve the desired functional
characteristics for the hip pad, that is, to prevent or minimize hip fractures
by
maximizing the impact resistance to the force that a user would cause a hip
fracture
from a fall, which has been estimated to be in the 7000 newton range. All of
the
foregoing features, alone or in combination, are designed to facilitate the
flexibility of
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the pad either inwardly or outwardly to conform to a user's body during
movement.
However, it should be understood that in each of the foregoing embodiments,
and in
any pad according to the present disclosure, all of the foregoing measurements
can vary
depending on the desired characteristics and design of the pad. For example,
the pads
are designed to provide a variety of characteristics such as, but not limited
to,
cushioning, vibration dampening and/or impact absorption, and the like. The
characteristics of the pad may be varied by changing the thickness and/or
material type
of cushioning layer IS in the medallions, changing the spacing between the
medallions
(i.e., the width of the hinges), and/or changing the contours of the
medallions, and the
like. For example, using a gel for cushioning layer 15 provides a pad with
cushioning
and vibration dampening characteristics; using a foam decreases the weight of
the pad;
using a rate dependent or impact absorbing foam increases the impact
absorption of
the pad; etc. In general, increasing the thickness of the cushioning layer 15
in the
medallions generally increases the foregoing characteristics; and using a
combination of
materials for cushioning layer 15 may provide a combination of
characteristics.
[0043] The cushioning material 15 may comprise a foam material, such as a
low-
density foam material. Examples of suitable low-density foams include
polyester and
polyether polyurethane foams. Various types of impact absorbing materials have
been
found suitable for the cushioning material, particularly energy absorbing
materials,
which are those that are soft to the touch, and temporarily harden on impact
as they
absorb the energy of the impact (rather than transmitting the energy, in this
instance, to
the body), after which they revert to their initial state. One suitable rate
dependent
foam is available from Rogers Corporation under the brand names PORON and
PORON XRD , which is a microcellular polyurethane foam. Desirable densities
for such
foams can range from about 5 to about 35 pounds per cubic foot (pcf), more
particularly
from about 10 to about 30 pcf, and more particularly still from about 15 to
about 25 pcf.
Desirable thicknesses for such foams can range from about 3 mm to about 20 mm,
more
particularly about 6 mm to about 17 mm, more particularly still about 10-15
mm.
[0044] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," and the like
herein do not
denote any order or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element
from
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another, and the terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of
quantity, but
rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Similarly,
it is noted
that the terms "bottom" and "top" are used herein, unless otherwise noted,
merely for
convenience of description, and are not limited to any one position or spatial
orientation. In addition, the modifier "about" used in connection with a
quantity is
inclusive of the stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context
(e.g., includes
the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity).
Unless
defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same
meaning as
is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this disclosure
belongs.
[0045] While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary
embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various
changes may
be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
departing
from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made
to adapt
a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without
departing
from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the
disclosure not be
limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated
for
carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all
embodiments falling
within the scope of the appended claims.
[0046] What is claimed is:
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