Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Garment
BACKGROUND
[0001] In general, garments are worn by persons for different purposes
including
protection from environmental elements, modesty, adornment and fashion. Some
garments are
worn to support, or to influence neuromuscular activity for therapeutic
results, or to improve
physical position. An example is a form-fit garment, worn to aid muscle
balance, body
alignment, circulation and/or postural fitness. A form-fit garment may be used
as an adjunctive
treatment for chronic pain, injury, disease and disorder.
[0002] Taping techniques have been used for many generations to provide
an exterior
support and stability to muscles and joints to assist and facilitate the
body's natural healing
processes. Techniques similar to taping have been applied to exterior garments
worn by a user.
These garments provide a close fitting apparel that have bands or restrictive
mechanisms
integrated therein and/or in which separate bands are applied thereto. The
apparel provides a
base to attach or secure the bands so that contact or adhesion to the skin is
not necessary.
However, the idea is the same, the bands are configured to applied support
and/or pressure to the
body by attaching bands at different points on the body.
[0003] When using apparel as an intermediary to taping or applying
pressure to or pull on
body parts, the obvious drawback is the movement of the apparel relative to
the body. For
example, if a fitted shirt is used to attach one or more bands, the shirt
anchoring locations may be
pulled or relocated under the pressure imposed by the bands. Not only are the
locations affected
at the attachment points, but other portions of the apparel are also adversely
influenced and
generally pulled out of alignment. One of the most uncomfortable distortion in
an underlying
garment in in the armpit where the fabric of the garment may pull and bunch
around the sensitive
skin of the underarm.
[0004] In addition or alternatively thereto, most apparel or taping
solutions provide linear
applications of pull on the body. However, the underlying body mechanics are
not so restrictive.
Most appendages and muscle groups permit body movement in circular or
spherical orbits.
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Linear apparel configurations may therefore impose uncomfortable pulling on a
body part or a
muscle group.
SUMMARY
[0005] Exemplary embodiments described herein include garments worn by
persons for
different purposes including protection from environmental elements, modesty,
adornment,
fashion, support, influence neuromuscular activity for therapeutic results, or
improve physical
orientation. An example is a form-fit garment, worn to aid muscle balance,
body alignment,
circulation and/or postural fitness. A form-fit garment may be used as an
adjunctive treatment
for chronic pain, injury, disease and disorder.
[0006] Exemplary embodiments relate generally to a garment or device worn
by a person
for functional improvements in postural form, health and fitness, comfort,
range of motion,
reduced interference with range of motion, and combinations thereof.
[0007] Exemplary embodiments described herein include different design
shapes for
garments. The garments may combine comfortable, form-fitting posture garments
for the upper
and lower extremity or that traverse the upper and lower extremity. The
posture garments may
have built in attachment points which are anatomically positioned to accept
panels of various
elastic properties, shapes, tensile resistance and tactile feel. The panels
may be attached to the
garment or integrated therein.
[0008] Exemplary embodiments may include a wearable device, such as a
garment,
defining a non-linear and/or non-orthogonal construction of anatomic apparel
portions used to
systematically interact and influence the innate processes of human physiology
for improvement
in health and fitness.
[0009] Exemplary embodiments may comprise dynamic materials with specific
elastic
resistance, collectively referred to as neurobands. Neurobands may be placed
in an interactive
matrix to influence the force and direction of body movement and sensory
information sent to
and from the spinal cord and brain. Thus, a normalization of function can be
achieved by
reversing or slowing down dysfunctional adaptations that muscles and joints
take on with time
and injury.
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[0010] Exemplary methods described herein may use neurobands to apply
dynamic
tensile resistance and tactile touch to prevent or reduce muscle atrophy by
actively enforcing
natural movement and neutral anatomy.
[0011] Exemplary embodiments of garments described herein provide for the
seamless
transfer of forces from a front of the garment to the back of the garment. For
example, a garment
for use on an upper body may have a seamless transition from the front of the
garment to the
back of the garment over a shoulder portion of the wearer when in an in use
configuration on a
wearer.
[0012] Exemplary embodiments described herein incorporate non-linear
apparel
construction. For example, embodiments described herein may be created by
patterns and/or
panels within linear portions or edges. Embodiments described herein may
include patterns
and/or panels without any linear portions or edges. Embodiments described
herein may include
patterns and/or panels in which edges configured to attach to another portion
or panel consists of
only curved, non-linear edges. In an exemplary embodiment, panels may be
attached to avoid or
minimize perpendicular seams, perpendicular panels, or perpendicular patterned
pieces.
[0013] Exemplary embodiments described herein may comprise materials
having a
systematic property of elasticity including single and/or multi-directional
orientations. In an
exemplary embodiment, materials are knit or woven in an oblique orientation to
avoid or reduce
perpendicular alignment of the fibers. Exemplary embodiments comprise a warp
weave with or
without a weft.
[0014] Exemplary embodiments orient material panels such that a direction
of a bias of
stretch are oriented with respect to and/or aligned with a portion of the
underlying muscle group
for which the material is intended to overlay when in a worn position on a
wearer. Exemplary
embodiments include configurations, orientations, and material configured to
mimic the natural
underlying physiologic properties of the neuromuscular movement of the wearer.
Exemplary
embodiments include panels, orientations, configurations, and materials to
create anatomic
anchoring points such that portions of the garment correspond to underlying
anatomic areas to
provide a natural anchor of the garment relative to the body of the user when
in a worn position.
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[0015] In an exemplary embodiment, a garment may include a front panel
with greater
stretch to permit the expansion or variation of abdominal areas of a user. In
an exemplary
embodiment, the bias of stretch of the front portion of the garment configured
to overlay the
abdominal section of the wearer is in a horizontal or across the body
direction. In an exemplary
embodiment, the bias of stretch may be configured such that the garment is
configured to stretch
approximately or at least 25% more in the direction of the bias of stretch in
the horizontal
direction than in other directions. Other bias of stretch described herein may
include a similar or
the same 25% bias of stretch factor.
DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary garment according to embodiments
described
herein.
[0017] FIG. 1B illustrates the garment of FIG. 1A overlayed with the
underlying muscle
groups of an exemplary wearer in an in use position.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary neuroband configuration according
to
embodiments described herein.
[0019] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an exemplary garment according to
embodiments
described herein.
[0020] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an exemplary garment according to
embodiments
described herein.
[0021] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrates an exemplary garment according to
embodiments
described herein.
[0022] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrates an exemplary garment according to
embodiments
described herein.
[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary feature that may be incorporated
into any garment
described herein.
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[0024] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary modular neuroband according to
embodiments
described herein.
[0025] FIGS. 9A-9C illustrates an exemplary neuroband configuration for
use as a half
top.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] In the following description of preferred embodiments, reference
is made to the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which it is shown by
way of
illustration specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. It
is to be understood
that other embodiments can be used and structural changes can be made without
departing from
the scope of the embodiments of this invention.
[0027] Exemplary embodiments described herein use neurobands. Exemplary
embodiments may include procedures and techniques that use bands of variable
stretch
characteristics to mirror the innate physiology of the related muscle to which
the band is
positioned over. Exemplary embodiments described herein are in terms of bands,
but the
invention is not limited to a specific geometric configuration of "band".
Instead, any
configuration of a material portion having the desired relative stretch
characteristics and/or
positions relative to the body are encompassed within the definition of
"band". Accordingly,
bands may include linear or elongated pieces, circular pieces, and any
combination of geometric
or non-geometric portions as described herein or would be understood by a
person of skill in the
art.
[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the described procedures and
techniques may
include positioning and orienting neurobands such that they are anchored to
start and end in line
with or over corresponding neuromuscular anatomical features. The
configuration and position
may therefore mirror or correspond to neuromuscular kinesiology or
neuromuscular mapping.
Exemplary embodiments of neurobands may be used to physically facilitate
muscles and their
function to support, load, and unload joints. Exemplary embodiments may be
used to position
joints in certain positions that are in line with good posture and optimal
body mechanics.
Exemplary embodiments may be used to enhance posture, reduce pain, and aid in
recovery.
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[0029] Exemplary embodiments described herein include a wearable device.
The
wearable device may use non-restrictive, anatomically fit, elastomeric
(stretchable) materials
configured and attached together corresponding to anatomic anchoring
locations, and having
material fiber orientations in-line with contractual properties of the muscles
where the material
sections overlay or link together, and combinations thereof. When worn,
exemplary
embodiments of a garment having features described herein may be used to
interact with the
shape and motion of the wearer to generate and/or deliver therapeutic
modalities including, but
not limited to, tactile biofeedback, muscle support, tensile resistance used
to train, retrain,
maintain, or otherwise improve the wearer's muscle balance, circulation,
physical appeal and
overall postural fitness. Exemplary embodiments may be used for muscle and
postural training
when worn intermittently.
[0030] Exemplary embodiments may be used with garments having a form fit,
such as
performance apparel, compression apparel, shapewear, maternal wear, among
others. Such
exoskeletal apparel may produce atypical tensions and pressures which can be
restrictive, ill-
fitting, ill-positioned, or uncomfortable. Exemplary embodiments may be used
to improve
anatomic conformability using construction techniques and materials that
address the innate
properties of human anatomy and physiology. Exemplary embodiments may use,
configure, and
position materials and component panels to synergistically assist or
correspond with contractual
properties of the muscle groups in which they overlay, contact, or traverse.
Exemplary
embodiments may configure material sections to define or correspond to an
anatomical form
having boarders and/or seams corresponding to anatomical anchoring locations
to address the
kinetic sequence of the muscle tissue they adjoin.
[0031] Exemplary embodiments may incorporate stretch and tensile
characteristics that
are placed directionally and in line with human kinetics. This may be done
using a variety of
anchor points on one or more form-fitting posture garments. Neurobands can
link the upper
and/or lower extremity using one or more garments.
[0032] Exemplary embodiments include using fabric fiber orientation and
bias of stretch
within a material as a mechanism of action to provide neurobiofeedback to the
wearer. The use
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of fiber orientation within exemplary embodiments may provide a precision
based application of
tensile resistance when placed in the kinetic direction of muscle force.
[0033] Exemplary embodiments include a garment and method that actively
influences
the body's own resources to preserve and maintain optimal alignment, that uses
biofeedback to
enhance the senses of proprioception, kinesthesia, touch and other components
of the central,
peripheral and somatosensory nerves to maintain and preserve good posture,
that uses
biofeedback to support optimal body mechanics while simultaneously enhancing
muscle memory
and muscle retraining, and combinations thereof
[0034] Exemplary embodiments may include neurobands. Exemplary neurobands
may
include synthetic and/or natural materials with stretch characteristics
designed to mimic the
contractual properties of muscle tissue for which the neuroband overlays.
Exemplary neuroband
construction and fiber orientation can be adjusted to assist specific muscles
and joints to perform
specific functions. Exemplary neurobands may be constructed to allow their
forces to be spread
over a broad area. Exemplary neurobands may include tensile and tactile
properties configured
to dynamically provide biofeedback to facilitate muscle and joints movement in
the performance
of human mobility. Exemplary neurobands may be kinetically placed and may be
adjusted to
assist muscles and joints in performing specific functions.
[0035] Exemplary neurobands can be used to attain an optimal fit by
adjustment in the
banding and at the attachment site. Exemplary neurobands may be categorized
based upon the
exact arrangement between fibers and/or upon the respective pull on muscle
tissue. Exemplary
neurobands can be more uniform in diameter with essentially all fibers
arranged in a long
parallel manner or a cross section diameter depending on the muscle tissue it
addresses and its
ability to exert force and the corresponding muscle ability to shorten through
range of motion.
[0036] Exemplary embodiments may include posture mounts to create
attachment points
for exemplary neurobands according to embodiments described herein. Posture
mounts may be
configured to provide anchor points to support the tensile (i.e. pull)
function of neurobands
according to embodiments described herein. Posture mounts may correspond or
overlay tendon
and/or ligament locations when the garment is positioned on the wearer.
Therefore, posture
mounts may provide specific anatomic locations to act as start and stop
locations for associated
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neurobands that overlay corresponding muscle areas of the body. Posture mount
attachment may
be configured to assist muscle and joints to perform specific functions when
one or more
neurobands are attached thereto. Posture mounts may define rigid or semi-rigid
mounting
locations to assist and support attached neurobands.
[0037] Exemplary embodiments may include garments constructed to avoid
compression
in one or more areas of the body. For example, exemplary garments may include
expansion
panels configured to permit less restrictive movement or reduce pressure on
the underlying
anatomic features of the body. Exemplary expansion panels may be included over
or around the
abdomen, neck, thorax, armpit, other soft tissue areas, or combination
thereof. Exemplary
expansion panels may include bi-directional or multi-directional stretch
orientations to provide
greater expansion of the panel over select areas of the body.
[0038] Exemplary embodiments of a garment include exemplary seam
constructions to
coordinate specific elasticity and tensile support throughout the garment.
Exemplary seam
constructions and placement may correspond to human kinetics and directional
transfer of tensile
strength of associated neurobands to which the seam may be coupled.
[0039] Exemplary embodiments may include a garment according to
embodiments
described herein. Exemplary garments may include different portions or
component parts to
define neurobands and/or posture mounts according to embodiments described
herein.
Exemplary embodiments may include material portions having unidirectional,
bidirectional,
muti-directional bias of elasticity. Exemplary embodiments may orient the bias
of elasticity in
specific configuration and orientations to support the underlying body anatomy
according to
embodiments described herein. Exemplary embodiments may include posture mount
locations
in which the elasticity of the material is reduced compared to the neurobands
such that posture
mount locations may position and anchor the neurobands to locations relative
to the underlying
anatomy of the body. Exemplary embodiments may include form fitting garments
having a front
portion, a back portion, and arm portions. The exemplary garment may include
lateral side
portions that are incorporated into the front and/or back portions or may be
separate thereto.
[0040] As used herein, elasticity generally refers to the amount a
material can stretch
under a given force. Therefore, a greater elasticity indicates a greater
amount of stretch when a
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force is imposed thereon. Rigid or semi-rigid materials are considered to have
low elasticity and
do not stretch or only include a very limited stretch under an imposition of
force. As used
herein, the bias of stretch generally indicates that the material has a
greater elasticity in the
direction of the bias of stretch than in other directions. A material may have
one or more than
one bias of stretch. Each direction of a material's bias of stretch may have
the same elasticity or
different elasticities. Therefore, a material may have a major bias of stretch
in a first direction
and a second bias of stretch in a second direction, where the first bias of
stretch has a greater
elasticity than the elasticity associated with the second bias of stretch.
[0041] FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary back side of a garment according
to
embodiments described herein made up of a plurality of neurobands 1120 and
posture mounts
1110. FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary illustration of the garment of FIG. 1A
overlaid upon an
exemplary muscle groups to illustrate the corresponding muscle tissue for
which the neuroband
overlays. The posture mounts 1110 may comprise separate panels or may be
created from an
overlap of adjacent neurobands, such that the posture mount provide a more
rigid material
support than the adjacent neurobands that may have a higher elasticity. The
exemplary garment
may include neurobands 1120 according to embodiments described herein directed
over the
shoulder of the wearer and toward and around a lateral side of the wearer. The
exemplary
neurbands 1120 approximates and corresponds to the muscle groups trapezius
muscle and
latissimus dorsi muscle of the wearer when positioned in a worn position over
a body of the
wearer. The exemplary posture mounts correspond to areas overlaying the spine
of the wearer
when positioned in a worn position over a body of the wearer.
[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary neuroband configuration according
to
embodiments described herein. A neuroband may be configured to be positioned
over the
trapezius muscle and latissimus dorsi muscle of a wearer when positioned in an
in use position.
A pair of neurobands may be configured in mirrored arrangement to be
positioned on respective
sides of the spine of the wearer. In an exemplary embodiment, the neuroband
may define a
generally curved upward seam that corresponds to an upper portion of the
trapezius muscle and
run along a top shoulder portion of a wearer. The neuroband may cross the
spine of a wearer
onto the opposing side of the body and then progress downward toward the waste
of the wearer.
On the downward, spine edge of the neuroband, the neuroband may cross the
spine approximate
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to a middle of the back adjacent or between the shoulder blades or at a lower
portion of the
shoulder blades. A gap may be made and/or filled with a posture mount, or
another neuroband
between the neurobands illustrated in FIG. 2. The exemplary neuroband may wrap
around an
abdominal section of the wearer and up under the arm of the wearer. The
exemplary
embodiment of the neuroband may include an indentation corresponding to a
shoulder blade or
teres minor and/or teres major of the user. In an exemplary embodiment the
bias of stretch of the
neuroband of FIG. 2 is generally radially outward from a center of the back,
generally horizontal
when in a worn position, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis or axis of
symmetry of the back
portion, oblique to the longitudinal axis or axis of symmetry of the back
portion, or combinations
thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, two neurobands according to FIG. 2 are
positioned in
mirrored positions about the axis of symmetry of the back portion of the
garment. The two
neurobands may overlap at an upper, center portion overlaying a spine of the
wearer in the worn
position.
[0043] FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B illustrate an exemplary garment according to
embodiments described herein. The illustrations of FIGS. 3A-3B represent and
exemplary
combination of neurobands and posture mount panels in which the neurobands
overlay
exemplary muscle groups such as the trapezius, rhomboid, latissimus dorsi, and
gluteus
maximus. The exemplary seams between panels, bands, and combinations thereof
include
approximations of muscle attachment locations and/or in natural body anchor
positions such as
the bones and fascia locations. FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate exemplary neurobands
and posture mount
panels in solid lines in which exemplary fiber directions are illustrated by
line arrows, bias of
elasticity and/or directions of pull are illustrated by solid arrows, regions
having similar bias of
elasticity are indicated by letters, and exemplary underlying muscle and/or
body anatomy are
illustrated by dotted lines and labeled. As seen, an exemplary garment
according to
embodiments described herein may include a plurality of neurobands that may be
configured to
be positioned over the trapezius muscle and latissimus dorsi muscle of a
wearer when positioned
in an in use position. A combination of neurobands may be configured in
mirrored arrangement
to be positioned on respective sides of the spine of the wearer. In an
exemplary embodiment, a
combination of neurobands may be configured to be positioned to overlay
respective
musculature groups of the body.
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[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, a garment 300 may include a back
portion 304
made up of a plurality of neurobands and posture mount portions. As
illustrated, the garment
may include at least three neurobands on each side of the wearer. The garment
may include at
least three posture mount portions on the back portion. The posture mount
portions may be
separate panels integrated into the garment and/or may be formed by
overlapping portions, such
as adjacent neurobands and/or by seams between neurobands, posture mount
portions, or
combinations thereof. The neurobands may be more elastic than the posture
mount portions.
The neurobands may include directional bias of elasticity. FIGS. 3A-3B
illustrates the
exemplary garment in which exemplary bias of elasticity and different panel
portions are
illustrated. The bias of elasticity is indicated by the bidirectional arrow.
The terminal ends of
the respective panels are indicated in lines and may indicate a seam. In an
exemplary
embodiment, a seam may include overlapping panels that are bonded together,
sewn, adhered, or
otherwise attached.
[0045] As illustrated, exemplary neurobands may include a bidirectional
bias of
elasticity. The bidirectional bias of elasticity may be generally outwardly
away from the spine of
the wearer, and/or upward over the top of the garment. The bidirectional bias
of elasticity may
be oblique to the spine or vertical axis of symmetry of the garment and/or the
wearer. In an
exemplary embodiment, the bias of elasticity is oblique or angled relative to
the vertical
orientation (along the spine) of the garment. The bidirectional bias of
elasticity may be
perpendicular or may be oblique to each other.
[0046] As illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 4B, an exemplary garment may
include a back
portion 304 configured to be worn to cover a back of a wearer in an in use
position. The back
portion may include a plurality of neurobands and a plurality of posture mount
portions. In an
exemplary embodiment, the posture mount portions may be created through panels
of reduced
elasticity and/or may be created through the attachment between panels, such
as between
neurobands or between neurobands and posture mount portions, and/or through
the use a seams.
[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, anchor points are created along the
spine of a
wearer. The anchor points are achieved through positioning of a posture mount
panel and/or
seams along the spine of a wearer. As illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 4B, and
exemplary garment
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may include a posture mount panel 424 that starts at approximately the middle
of a back of a
wearer. In an in use or as worn position, the top of the posture mount panel
424 is positioned at
or proximate to the lower rhomboid muscle group at the top of the thoraco-
lumbar fascia. The
posture mount panel 424 tapers outwardly from a point at the spine positioned
in the middle of
the garment proximate or below a position between the arm apertures. The
posture mount panel
424 then tapers outward to a greater thickness as the panel traverses downward
along the spine of
a wearer or toward the bottom hem of the garment. The posture mount panel 424
is shaped to
approximate the thoraco-lumbar fascia and run adjacent or along a lower edge
of the latissimus
dorsi of a wearer in an in use position. The posture mount panel 424 may then
narrow, remain
approximately constant or continue to taper outward toward the lower edge of
the garment. As
illustrated, the posture mount panel 424 narrows at the lower back of a wearer
following or
approximating the shape of the thoraco-lumbar fascia at the edge of the
gluteus maximus.
[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, anchor points are created along the
rest of the spine
of the wearer. The anchor points extending above posture mount panel 424
toward a top of the
garment may be defined or created by seams of neurobands, posture mount
panels, and
combinations thereof. As illustrated, a posture mount panel is created by seam
428 extending
from a top of the posture mount panel 424 along the central region of the
garment toward the
opening for a head and neck of a user in an in use position.
[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, a neuroband 406 is configured to
position over the
top of the garment and extend over the top should of a wearer in an in use
position,
approximating the position of the trapezius muscle group. The neuroband 406 is
configured in
combination with the posture mounts, such as posture mount 428 and 424 to
actively influence
the body's own resources to preserve and maintain optimal alignment using
biofeedback to
enhance senses of proprioception, kinesthesia, and touch. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
neuroband 406 is configured to impose a tensile function on the trapezius
muscle group directed
upward from the anterior portion of the garment 302 over the should toward the
anterior or back
of the garment 304. The neuoband 406 may have terminal ends at posture mount
locations
corresponding to fascia of the underlying body anatomy. For example, the
approximate posture
mount of the neuroband 406 may correspond on the front of the garment at,
over, or proximate to
the collar bone, and may correspond on the back of the garment at, over, or
proximate the fascia
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between the trapezius and deltoid muscle proximate the shoulder blade when the
garment is in an
worn position. The posture mounts of neuroband 406 are positioned
approximately a quarter to a
half of an arm aperture from the top of the garment toward the bottom of the
garment. The
posture mount of neuroband 406 on the front of the garment may be positioned
lower toward the
bottom hem of the garment than the posture mount of neuroband 406 on the back
of the garment.
An exemplary representation of the relative locations of the posture mounts of
neuroband 406
can be seen in FIG. 3A.
[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, a neuroband 404 extends from the
portion of the
arm aperture, under the arm pit of a wearer in an in use position, toward the
back of the garment.
The neurob and 404 is configured to impose a pulling force on the garment to
counter the pulling
force of neuroband 406 and reduce the pull of the garment into the armpit of
the wearer. As
illustrated, the exemplary garment is configured to redirect the upward force
created by
neuroband 404 downward and around the armpit around the body of the wearer.
Neuroband 404
interacts with posture mount 418 on the front of the garment. The lower edge
of the posture
mount at the lower edge of neuroband 404 on the front of the garment 302
approximates the
lower rib(s) of the wearer in an in use configuration. The posture mount may
be angled upward
from the side of the garment traveling toward the center and top of the
garment approximately
the lower rib cage of a wearer. Posture mount 418 at the seam or edge of
neuroband 404 on the
front of the garment 302 extends inward toward the sternum of a wearer in an
in use
configuration or center of the garment. The posture mount or edge of neuroband
404 may
thereafter extend generally upwardly toward the arm aperture and/or upper
portion of the
garment. The edge of the neuroband 404 may intercept the arm aperture and/or
neuroband 406.
The neuroband 404 may extend outwardly, away from the center of the garment as
it extends
upwardly to position the edge of the neroband 404 and posture mount on the
outside region of
the chest toward the arm apertures. The location of the neurband away from the
central chest
and moving the posture mount to an outside location of the nipples or soft
tissue of the chest of
the wearer may improve comfort and reduce compression of sensitive soft
tissue. The neuroband
therefore may create a projection toward the center of the garment at the
lower portion of the
neuroband on the front of the garment over a low rib cage of the garment in an
in use position,
under the soft tissue of the breast of the wearer.
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[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 4A, neurobands 406 and 404 may include
portions that
define terminal edges of the garment and/or apertures for the body of the
wearer. These
apertures may be positioned against soft and/or sensitive tissue of the
wearer, such as the armpit
and neck. Creating pulling forces along these surfaces may therefore cause
discomfort to the
user. Exemplary embodiments may include features to direct pulling forces
around these
apertures and/or configure the aperture and/or garment to reduce discomfort at
these locations.
For example, seams 426 and 416 of neurobands 404 and 406, respectively, may be
terminal ends
of a neuroband but may retain elasticity of the neuroband by not including
standard sewn,
bonded, adhered, or otherwise restrictive or limiting components. In an
exemplary embodiment,
neurobands 404 and 406 are created by a single, integrated monolithic, piece
of material folded
over onto itself to create seams 426 or 416. The terminal end of the garment
and/or neuroband
therefore does not correspond to a terminal end or edge of the material
creating the neuroband.
As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the neuroband 404 may include a fold over portion
along seam 426
such that the interior layer 404a is created on an inside of the garment under
an exterior layer
404b. For stability and/or in areas that are less prone to discomfort,
conventional seams, such as
from bonding, sewing, etc. may be incorporated into the garment. As
illustrated in FIG. 4A, the
arm aperture includes a folded seam 426 along the lower portion of the
aperture and a sewn or
bonded seam 410 along the top of the aperture. The top of the aperture along
seam 410 may
define or create another posture mount for the garment. The dual layer of the
neurobands 406
and 404 may impact the elasticity of the panels. Their corresponding
elasticity characteristics
are indicated in FIG. 3A by letter "B". Other areas of the garment may include
single layers. As
illustrated with respect to embodiments including sleeves, the neuroband 404
may be a single
layer and may circumscribe the arm aperture of FIGS. 4A-4B as described herein
creating either
a short, partial, or long sleeve configuration.
[0052] The front of the garment 302 may include a panel 402 configured to
accommodate the relative size of a user. For example, as seen in FIG. 3A, the
panel 402 on the
front of the garment may permit lateral expansion of the wearer and
accommodate the expansion
of the stomach of the wearer. As illustrated, the front panel 402 covers the
chest of the wearer
and the abdominals or stomach of the wearer. In an exemplary embodiment, the
front panel 402
may include a posture mount, vertically from the top to the bottom of the
garment in the center
of the garment. The posture mount 414 may include a seam, or other reduced
elasticity
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component. In an exemplary embodiment, the posture mount 414 comprises a
zipper along part
or all of the length of the garment. The zipper may permit easier positioning
of the garment for
use by a wearer. In an exemplary embodiment, the zipper may extend from the
top of the
garment toward a lower portion of the garment to approximately or at least the
sternum of the
wearer. The zipper may overlay the sternum to create an anchor point. In the
embodiment in
which the zipper extends the entire length of the garment, bi direction zipper
may be included.
This may permit a wearer to couple or decouple the zipper from either end of
the garment. In
this case, the wearer may have the zipper extended and closed along an entire
length of the
garment. The garment may also be configured to permit the unzipping of the
garment from
either of the top and/or the bottom of the garment. This may facilitate
expansion or reduced
compression caused by the garment, such as when seated or after eating. In an
exemplary
embodiment, the panel 402 may include a high elasticity as compared to other
neurobands and/or
posture mounts.
[0053] The back of the garment 304 may also include panels 422 to permit
expansion of
the garment about the back of the wearer. The panel 422 may extend between the
posture mount
424 over the spine toward the lateral side of the wearer. The panel 422 may
extend from the
posture mount 428 and/or 424. The panel 422 may be narrower at an top end of
the garment
about the rib cage at the arm and arm aperture level of the garment. The panel
422 may therefore
provide limited expansion of the garment along the upper back of the garment
to maintain the
pulling effects of the neurobands. The panel 422 may taper and increase in
width as the panel
422 extends toward the bottom of the garment. This may permit greater
expansion of the
garment around the waist and midsection of the wearer to accommodate different
physical
anatomical structures of different users. The panel 422 may be mirrored on
both sides of the
garment about the central, vertical axis of the garment. The panel 422 may be
of the same
elastomeric material as the neuroband or may be of another material. In an
exemplary
embodiment, the panel 422, identified as panels A on FIGS. 3A-3B are of a
greater elasticity
than neurobands 406 or 404 or regions indicated by areas B. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
panel 402 and 422 that permit expansion of the garment may contact creating a
continual band of
elasticity from the back of the garment around the lateral side and to the
front of the garment
about a midsection of the garment corresponding to the stomach or belly button
height of the
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wearer in an in use position. The maximum expansion and variation of sizes
and/or in dynamic
sizes of the wearer may be accommodated.
[0054] The back of the garment 304 may include posture mounts about the
back rib cage
of the wearer that may extend laterally around a side of the wearer. For
example, the garment
may include posture mount 420. The posture mount 420 may provide an anchor
point for the
neurobands 406 and/or neuroband 404. The posture mount 420 may cover a portion
of the
wearer's rib cage approximating the latissimus dorsi of the user. The posture
mount 420 may
also extend around a lateral side of the wearer for stability. The posture
mount 420 may extend
between panel 422 neuroband 406 and 404 and/or posture mount 428.
[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, additional posture mounts may be added
to the
garment. For example, posture mount 408 may be added about the lateral sides
of the garment
corresponding to the lower portion at the hem of the garment. The posture
mount 408 may be
configured to position over or approximate the hip area of the wearer. The
posture mount 408
may be created by adding another layer over panel 402 and/or from another
stand along,
integrated panel into the garment. In an exemplary embodiment, a second layer
is added from
the panel 422 overlaying a portion of panel 402. The second layer 408 may be
coupled to the
underlying layers by a seam 412. The seam and/or combination of the second
layer may reduce
the elasticity of this area and create an anchor point to the body. In an
exemplary embodiment,
the first and second layer may move independent of each other and may be
unattached along a
portion of the layer. For example, the top edge of layer 408 may be unattached
to the underlying
garment to permit separation of the garment at this location. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
second layer 408 may be used to create a pocket or holder having an opening at
a top of the
pocket. In an exemplary embodiment, the second layer 408 may be removably
attached to the
underlying layer 402. In this way, the relative size of the garment may be
configurable, such as
by relocating the attachment point of the forward terminal end of the panel
408 to the panel 402.
The removable attachment may be through hook and loop fastener, hook/eye,
snaps, buttons, or
other desired coupling.
[0056] In an exemplary embodiment, seams may be created by a bonding of
the material,
and/or in the addition of an elastic band sewn to a panel, or other method
used at an edge of a
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garment and/or to couple panels of a garment together. As illustrated, seams
410 and 408
include an elastic band sewn and/or bonded to the panel.
[0057] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate exemplary embodiments of a garment
including sleeves.
For sake of illustration only, various sleeve configurations are illustrated
on opposite sides of the
garment. Garments according to embodiments described herein may include the
same sleeve
configuration and/or length on both sides of the garment. Exemplary
embodiments of a sleeved
garment may include a sleeve of any length. A short sleeve and long sleeve are
illustrated for
sake of example, but other sleeve lengths, such as 1/2 or 3/4 sleeves are also
within the scope of the
present description.
[0058] As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the exemplary garment includes a
neuroband 405
similar to neuroband 404 of FIGS. 4A-4B. The neuroband 405 extends from
posture mount and
circumferentially wraps around the previous arm aperture of FIGS. 4A-4B
created by posture
mount 420 and neuroband 406. Therefore, instead of seam 410 and 426, the
neuroband 504
continues around the aperture to contact itself along seam 506. The
configuration of the
extension of neuroband 504 repositions any seam away from the arm pit of the
wearer to reduce
pulling of the garment into the armpit. In an exemplary embodiment, seam 506
starts on the
back of the garment about the middle of previous arm aperture. The position of
the seam starts
over or proximate a shoulder blade or other anchor point of the wearer. The
seam then extends
outward and upward to spiral over the top of the garment and along the length
of the sleeve. In
an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the seam 406 follows the deltoid fascia
of the user in an
as worn position. The seam 406 then extends along the length of the sleeve
along the triceps
extending along the forearm. Adjacent a wrist of the wearer or terminal end of
a long sleeve
version of the garment, the seam 406 may spiral around about a quarter of the
sleeve
circumference and extend across the wrist of the wearer from adjacent the
brachio radialis across
the radius toward the flexor retinaculum. The seam therefore traverses across
the sleeve from a
top region of the sleeve (thumb side of a wearer's hand) to a lower region of
the sleeve (pinky
side of a wearer's hand). The sleeve may provide additional pulling of the
garment out of the
armpit and influence the orientation of the arm and/or shoulder posture of the
wearer in an in use
position. Therefore, the sleeve from neuroband 504 may be a single layer as
opposed to the dual
layer of FIGS. 4A-4B. The neuroband 504 may therefore have a greater
elasticity than the
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corresponding neuroband 406. As illustrated, areas indicated with a letter A
may have a greater
elasticity or amount of stretch than compared to panels identified by letter
B; both of which A
and B may have greater elasticity or amount of stretch than compared to panels
identified by
letter C.
[0059] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an exemplary garment according to
embodiments
described herein. FIG. 6A illustrates a back portion of the garment having a
plurality of
neurobands and posture mount portions. A neuroband may be configured to be
positioned over
the trapezius muscle and latissimus dorsi muscle of a wearer when positioned
in an in use
position. A combination of neurobands may be configured in mirrored
arrangement to be
positioned on respective sides of the spine of the wearer. In an exemplary
embodiment, a
combination of neurobands may be configured to be positioned to overlay
respective
musculature groups of the body. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, a
first neuroband 624
may position adjacent and/or overlay the spine of the wearer and extend
radially upward and
outward toward and the shoulder of the wearer. The exemplary first neuroband
624 is
configured to position and overlay the trapezius. The exemplary first
neuroband 624 may extend
at approximately near or over the lower trapezius and extend upward along a
spine and outward
along the supraspinatus muscle of the wearer. A second neuroband 626 may be
positioned
adjacent the spine of a wearer and be configured to overlay the latissimus
dorsi muscle of the
wearer in an in use position. A third neuroband 622 may be positioned over the
teres minor,
teres major, and infraspinatus muscle areas.
[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, a garment may include a back portion
made up of a
plurality of neurobands and posture mount portions. As illustrated, the
garment may include at
least three neurobands on each side of the wearer. As illustrated, the garment
may include at
least three posture mount portions. The posture mount portions may be separate
panels
integrated into the garment and/or may be formed by overlapping portions, such
as adjacent
neurobands. The neurobands may be more elastic than the posture mount
portions. The
neurobands may also include directional bias of elasticity. FIG. 6B
illustrates the exemplary
garment of FIG. 6A in which exemplary bias of elasticity and overlapping panel
portions are
illustrated. The bias of elasticity is indicated by the bidirectional arrow.
The overlapping
portions of adjacent panels are indicated by the dotted cross-hatched lines,
and the terminal ends
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of the respective panels are indicated in lines, in which the exterior
terminal end of a panel is
solid and an interior terminal end of a panel is dashed. For example, the
first neuroband
overlaying the trapezius overlays or is exterior to the third neuroband
overlaying the
infraspinatus. However, the reverse configuration is also encompassed by the
present disclosure.
[0061] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a garment
according to
embodiments described herein. An exemplary first pair of neurobands may be
positioned on
opposing sides of the back of the garment at a lower portion of the garment.
The first pair of
neurobands may overlap in a central region of the garment overlaying a spine
of a wearer in an in
use position. The overlapping neurobands may create a first posture mount
portion. The first
pair of neurobands may extend generally below the shoulder blade area around
the eighth or
ninth rib of a wearer proximate and/or below the infraspinatus muscle area of
the wearer in an in
use position. As illustrated the first pair of neurobands extend from below
the armpit area of the
garment to a lower or bottom end of the garment. In an exemplary embodiment,
the first posture
mount portion defines an ovoid area. A second pair of neurobands are
vertically above the first
pair of neurobands and overlap over a central area of the garment covering the
upper spine of the
wearer when in an in use position. The overlapping area of the second pair of
neurobands may
define a second posture mount. The second posture mount may define an avoid
area. The
second pair of neurobands extend from the first pair of neurobands up and over
a shoulder and/or
arm of the wearer. An ovoid shape is generally curved in which opposing ends
of the shape may
be tapered. Ovoid shapes may also include circular shapes.
[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the respective second pair of
neurobands
extend from a corresponding each of the first pair of neurobands and extend up
and over the top
of the garment. Each of the respective second pair of neurobands may then
circumscribe, or
wrap around an arm aperture of the garment and reattach to either the
respective one of the first
pair of neurobands and/or to itself on the back side of the garment. For
example, a single panel
may create and define the arm aperture of the garment. As illustrated in FIG.
6B, the double dot-
dashed arrow shows the projection of a single, unified, non-segmented, panel
extending from one
of the first pair of neurobands upward over a shoulder portion of the garment,
wrapping around
the arm aperture, and around to define and create the sleeve.
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[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, the garment sleeve is made of a single
panel having
only a single, continuous seam coupling the sleeve to the garment and to
itself. The exemplary
garment defines a curved seam that extends along and proximate the shoulder
blade of the
wearer in a worn position. For example, a portion of the seam may overlay the
bone of the
shoulder blade, the infascpinatus fascia, and outward along the spine of
scapua. The seam may
define a pasture mount and may overlay anatomical attachment areas of the
muscle groups to the
body, such as over fascia or bone. In an exemplary embodiment, the seam
created between one
of the second pair of neurobands and itself is a non-woven seam. The seam may
be created by
overlapping the neuroband and adhering the neuroband to itself The adhesion
may be through
an infusion of an elastic material into the material of the neuroband.
Exemplary embodiments
include an elastic seam. The elastic seam may be creating through impregnating
an elastic into
the material, by adhering elastic materials, by using elastic materials, and
combinations thereof
[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, garment may include expansion panel
632. The
expansion panel may extend around a substantial majority of the neck aperture
around the back
of the wearer, and around the front of the garment. The expansion panel 632
may form the front
of the garment. The expansion panel have a reduced bias of elasticity as
compared to the bias of
elasticity of the neurobands. FIG. 6C illustrates an exemplary front portion
of a garment as
illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0065] Exemplary embodiments described herein may include exemplary
neuroband with
markings and/or apertures. The markings or apertures may be used to indicate
an amount of
stretch of the material at or along the panel. For example, the spacing
between markings, and/or
the elongation of the shape of an aperture may indicate an amount and/or
direction of pull on the
garment. This may be useful, especially when the garment is used with
additional taping or
imposed forces. The apertures may also or alternatively be used for
breathability, cooling,
wicking, or other purpose or benefit.
[0066] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary front of a garment including
features that may be
incorporated into any configuration described herein. The exemplary embodiment
may include a
plurality of panels 732, 734. The panels may have the same or different
attributes. As illustrated
a second expansion panel 734 is positioned on a lower portion of the front of
the garment that
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would overlay a stomach area of a wearer in a worn position. The second
expansion panel 734
may be made of a substantially higher elasticity and in one or more directions
to assist in the
expansion and accommodation of different sizes of the anatomical region across
different users.
The first expansion area 732 may be used as described herein to support and
permit general
movement of the wearer, but provide reduced elasticity to provide support for
the rest of the
garment and the neurobands as described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a
transition to or
top of the second expansion panel 734 corresponds proximate to or at the lower
rib cage of the
wearer.
[0067] Exemplary embodiments include a system of using exemplary
embodiments
described herein. Exemplary embodiments may use, place, or adjust the location
and tension of
neurobands to create a form fitting posture garment corresponding to a
specific user. Exemplary
embodiments may include positioning a posture garment according to embodiments
described
herein on a portion of a body part of a user, such as the torso, arm, leg,
etc. For positioning of a
shirt garment over the torso of a user, the garment may be positioned over the
hips of the user.
Exemplary embodiments include positioning neurobands according to embodiments
described
herein onto the garment using the posture mount locations. Exemplary
embodiments include
selecting neurobands according to their bias of stretch and tensile strength
to correspond to an
associated muscle group for which the neuroband will overlay once positioned
at the posture
mounts. Exemplary embodiments include positioning the neurobands between at
least two
posture mounts to position and orient the neuroband to support, facilitate,
correspond to, or
combinations thereof to the underlaying muscle group to which the neuroband is
positioned
thereover.
[0068] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary modular system for neurobands and
applications
thereof according to embodiments described herein. In an exemplary embodiment,
modular
system 10 according to an exemplary embodiment includes a perimeter 12 and an
interior portion
14. In the illustrated embodiment, the perimeter 12 is circular. Other
perimeter shapes may be
provided instead, including oval, rectangular or other shapes. The perimeter
12 of certain
embodiments is closed, forming a continuous perimeter, although modular
systems having an
open perimeter may also be provided. The perimeter 12 may include neuroband 16
such as
fabric tape, single, or multiple biased elasticity strip, or other
configuration, that may be sewn or
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otherwise attached to a garment. The neuroband 16 may be of woven material or
non-woven
material. The neuroband may be of an extruded or otherwise formed material.
The neuroband
16 may be affixed to a perimeter by thread, by adhesive, by welding or other
affixing means, or
by a combination of affixing means, such as those described herein. The
neuroband 16 of certain
embodiments is flexible but may be generally resistant to stretching. In other
embodiments, the
tape 16 is of a stretchable material.
[0069] The perimeter 12 of certain embodiments may also include a border
18. The
border 18 of certain embodiments may include cording or other material within
the border 18
and may be wrapped in a fabric or other cover. The border 18 may instead
include a unitary
member. For example, an extruded material may be provided as the border 18. In
certain
embodiments, the border 18 is resistant to stretching. In other embodiments,
the border is of
stretchable material.
[0070] The border 18 of certain embodiments encloses the interior portion
14. In the
illustrated example, the interior includes two portions 20 and 22 that are
connected at their ends
to the border 18. In particular, the portion 20 extends along a diameter of
the circular
biomechanical component 10 in one direction and the portion 22 extends along a
diameter of the
circular biomechanical component 10 in another direction. The two portions 20
and 22 cross
generally at a center of the component 10. The portions 20 and 22 may be
formed of elastic
material, such as elastic fabric straps, that apply tension along their
lengths. The straps 20 and
22 may be positioned at right angles to one another, as shown, or at other
angles as desired. The
primary direction of force for the component 10 may be defined by the straps
20 and 22.
[0071] The interior portion 14 may also include an area 24 that is not
covered by the
straps 20 and 22. The area 24 may be left open or may include a fabric, such
as a stretch fabric,
which covers the area not covered by the straps 20 and 22. For example, a
thin, stretch fabric
may be provided within the border 18, either under or over the straps 20 and
24.
[0072] The biomechanical component 10 may be provided in a garment or
other article
of clothing. In certain embodiments, the biomechanical component 10 is
provided in tight fitting
clothing or in a tight fitting portion of an article of clothing. The active
tension provided by the
perimeter 12 and interior portion 14 may have the most effect in tight fitting
portions of clothing.
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Exemplary embodiments of the biomechanical component 10 may be attached,
either
permanently or removably, to an underlying garment. Permanent attachment may
include an
semi-permanent attachment that may require additional intervention to remove,
such as adhesion,
sewing, bonding, etc. Removable attachment may be any attachment that a user
and add or
remove during the normal course of use, that may not require application or
use of outside
components or products. For example removable attachment may be through hook
and loop,
buttons, snaps, etc. Exemplary embodiments of the biomechanical component 10
may be to
provide additional neurobands to a garment in specific and configurable
locations to an
individual user.
[0073] FIGS. 9A-9C illustrates an exemplary neuroband configuration for
use as a half
top. The exemplary garment 900 includes a back portion 904 and a front portion
904 as
illustrated in FIGS. 9B and 9A, respectively. FIG. 9C illustrates an exemplary
view of the
interior side of the back side of the garment, corresponding approximately to
FIG. 9A with the
front portions of the garment including 908A, 908B, 908C removed from view for
a better
understanding of the interaction of neurobands 906 and 920.
[0074] In an exemplary embodiment, the front of the garment 902 may
include a single
panel that extends from the bottom of the garment, over the chest of a wearer
in an in use
position, over the shoulder of the wearer or over the top of the garment,
traversing from the front
to the back of the garment, across the back of the garment, traversing around
the back of the neck
or upper shoulder/spine of the wearer in an in use configuration, and over the
should of the
wearer or over the top of the garment, and back down the other front side of
the garment, over
the chest, and to the bottom of the garment. The front panel 908 may be
elastic to accommodate
the variability of chest sizes of individual users. In an exemplary
embodiment, the front panel
908 may include one or more sections to permit different elasticity within
regions of the garment.
The sections may be created through various fabric patterns, reduced density
fabric areas,
reinforcement layers, or in separate panels attached together. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
front panel 908 is made of a single, unitary panel that incorporates different
fabric orientations,
densities, patterns, weaves, etc. to create different elasticities in the
various sections. For
example, the front panel 908 may include two, three, or more sections.
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[0075] In an exemplary embodiment, a section 908C may correspond to a
lower or
bottom region of the garment. The first section 908C may have a reduced
elasticity compared to
one or more other sections to stabilize and create support for the user's soft
tissue of the chest
and for supporting the rest of the garment including the neurobands described
herein. In an
exemplary embodiment, the first second 908C may be created by multiple layers
of material.
For example, two layers may be separately attached and/or a single material
panel may be folded
over. In an exemplary embodiment, a bottom edge of the garment is created by a
fold over of the
material that is sewn, bonded, or otherwise attached to the garment to define
a lower band.
[0076] In an exemplary embodiment, a section 908B may corresponding to an
interior
portion of the front panel 908 that generally covers the soft tissue of a
wearer's breast in an in
use position. The second section 908B may have a greater elasticity as
compared to one, more,
or all of the panels of the garment. The increased elasticity may be created
by reducing the
material panel layers as compared to, for example, section 908C, or by
reducing the fiber
density, fiber pattern, or combinations thereof.
[0077] In an exemplary embodiment, the front panel 908 may include a
section 908A that
corresponds to an upper portion of the front panel 908. The top section 908A
may be an
extension of the section 908B with the same elasticity or may have a different
elasticity from the
interior portion of section 908B. The top section 908A may extend over the top
of the garment
and extend from the front of the garment to the back of the garment. The top
section 908A may
extend around and across the back of the garment. The top section 908A may
define and/or be
adjacent to the neck aperture and/or at least a portion of the arm aperture of
the garment. The top
section 908A may have an elasticity between that of the bottom section 908C
and the central
section 908B. The top section 908A may have an elasticity that is
approximately the same as the
bottom section 908C or as the central section 908C.
[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, the front panel 908 may be separable,
and/or
attachable. The front panel 908 may include a zipper 912, hook/eye fastener
910, or there
combination of connections, such as, for example, buttons, hooks, snaps, hook
and loop, etc. In
an exemplary embodiment, the garment includes a neck aperture and two arm
apertures. In an
exemplary embodiment, the apertures include an elastic portion 914 to replace
a hem. The hem
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according to embodiments described herein may include a separate elastic piece
folded around
the edge of one or more panels to create an edge of the garment. The hem may
also include a
material bonded or impregnated into the fabric to retain the fabric while
permitting elastic
flexibility.
[0079] FIG. 9B illustrates an exemplary back 904 of the garment according
to
embodiments described herein including neurobands. As illustrated, the back of
the garment
includes a plurality of neurobands 906, 920. In an exemplary embodiment, a
first pair of
neurobands 920 create a boarder or frame for which the second pair of
neurobands 906 are
positioned. The boarder may be similar to the perimeter 12, neuroband 16,
and/or boarder 18 of
FIG. 8. The pair of neurobands 920 define a arc, or ovoid opening at the back
of the garment.
The opening may have a hem 914 as described herein. The pair of neurobands 920
may
comprise a directional elasticity. As illustrated by solid arrows, the bias of
elasticity of the
neuroband 920 is oblique to the vertical axis of the garment that would be
positioned along a
spine of a wearer in an in use position. The pair of neurobands 920 may be
adjacent or define a
portion of the arm aperture. The pair of neurobands 920 may couple on the
later sides of the
garment to the front panel 908 and at the back of the garment along the top of
the neurobands
920 to the front panel 908. The top edge traversing the pair of neurobands 920
defines an arc
across the back of the wearer in an in use position. The top edge of the
neuroband 920 starts in a
middle region of the arm aperture and extends upward toward the neck aperture
as the top edge
is traversed across the garment. In an exemplary embodiment, the top edge
approximates the
location of the edge of the deltoid, and/or infraspinatus and traverses the
trapezius.
[0080] In an exemplary embodiment, the garment includes a pair of
neurobands 906.
The pair of neurobands is configured to be positioned over the trapezius
muscle group have a
bias of elasticity in an approximately direction of the muscle fibers of the
trapezius. As
illustrated, the pair of neurobands 906 extend across the aperture created by
the pair of
neurobands 920 along the bottom of the garment. The pair of neurobands 906
extend upward
and are coupled directly together vertically along a vertical center of the
garment, configured to
be positioned over a spine of a wearer in an in use position. The attachment
between neurbands
906 may define an posture mount. The pair of neurbands 906 are unattached
along a length of
the bands toward the top or toward the neck aperture of the garment. The pair
of neurobands are
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angled away from the vertical axis of the garment corresponding to a spine of
a user in an in use
configuration and away from each other. The pair of neurobands 906 extend away
from each
other away from the vertical axis of the garment and up toward the shoulder of
the garment
where the front panel 908 extends up and over the top of the garment. The pair
of neurobands
906 may extend under or over and overlap with the pair of neurobands 902 along
a portion of the
respective neurobands along a top region of the neurobands. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
pair of neurobands 906 couple to the front panel 908 at a top portion of the
neuroband 906 on the
back of the garment 904.
[0081] The relationship of an exemplary first pair of neurobands 920
relative to a second
pair of neurobands 906 is illustrated by the cut away view of FIG. 9C
illustrating an interior side
of the back portion of the garment. A first one of a first pair of neurobands
920 extends from a
lateral side of the garment and a bottom of the garment upward toward the
shoulder of the
garment and arcs toward the neck aperture of the garment and toward the
central vertical axis of
the garment over a spine of the wearer in an in use configuration. A second
done of the first pair
of neurobands 920 is in mirrored relationship from the first one of the first
pair of neurobands
920. The first pair of neurobands creates an arc configuration from the bottom
edge of the
garment with a separation between the first one and the second one of the
first pair of
neurobands 920. The second pair of neurobands 906 are positioned within the
separation created
by the first pair of neurobands 920. A first one of the second pair of
neurobands is coupled to
the first one of the first pair of neurobands along a length 922 along a lower
portion of the
respective neurobands. The first one of the second pair of neurobands 906 is
coupled along a
second length to the second one of the second pair of neurobands 906 along
approximately a
center, vertical orientation of the garment. The second length of the
attachment of the second
pair of neurobands 906 to each other may be longer than the attachment length
922 between one
of the second pair of neurobands to one of the first pair of neurobands. The
second pair of
neurobands 906 diverge upwardly and away from each other after the end of the
attachment
length. The second pair of neurobands 906 are illustrated as extending on an
interior side of the
first pair of neurobands 920 to create a second layer with the first pair of
neurobands. The dotted
line indicates the continuation of the first pair of neurobands behind the
second pair of
neurobands. The second pair of neurobands 906 may traverse a width of the
first pair of
neurobands to couple to the garment and to the first pair of neurobands at a
top or exterior edge
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of the first pair of neurobands away from the separation space. An exemplary
connection
location 922 is at a terminal end of the neuroband 906 toward a shoulder of
the garment. The
first pair of neurobands 920 and second pair of neurobands 906 may be
unattached along a length
traversing any of the neurobands of the first pair of neurobands. The each of
the second pair of
neurobands 906 may therefore move locally relative to each of the first pair
of neurobands across
the width of either of the first pair of neurobands. The first pair of
neurobands and second pair
of neurobands are statically positioned with respect to one another only along
an exterior edge of
the neurobands.
[0082] Exemplary embodiments of neurobands are described herein.
Exemplary
embodiments of garment may include any combination of features as described
herein. For
example, an opening of one embodiment may be combined with one or more
neuroband
arrangement of another embodiment. The neurobands may be combined in any
combination as
would be understood by a person of skill in the art and the selected
configurations are provided
for illustration purposes only.
[0083] Exemplary embodiments described herein include a component
including a
neuroband. The component may be integrated or define a garment, a sleeve, or a
modular
attachment. The garment according to embodiments described herein may also
include any
combination of a posture mount, an expansion panel, and/or a neuroband, or any
combination of
one or more of any of these. In an exemplary embodiment, the neuroband
comprises at least one
bias of elasticity. The garment may include a plurality of neurobands where a
first neuroband is
configured to wrap around an arm portion of a wearer and define a sleeve, a
second neuroband is
positioned over a shoulder of a wearer from the front of the garment to a back
of the garment.
Exemplary embodiments include posture mounts over a spine of a wearer and
along the shoulder
blade and/or collar bone of a wearer in an in use position.
[0084] In an exemplary embodiment, a neuroband is created by overlapping
a material to
create a multi-layered portion of the garment. The neuroband may include a
bias of elasticity
and the overlapping material may be oriented such that a first layer and the
second layer do not
align the bias of elasticity. A fold over of the neuroband may defines a
portion of an aperture of
the garment, such as, for example, a neck or arm aperture.
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[0085] Exemplary embodiments of a garment are described herein having a
plurality of
neurobands, a plurality of posture mounts, a plurality of expansion panels,
and combinations
thereof. An exemplary posture mount may be along a spine of a wearer when the
garment is in
an in use position. The posture mount may include anchor panels, seams,
overlapping layers, or
combinations thereof. For example, a posture mount may include an anchor panel
having a
material that is less elastic than other portions of the garment. The posture
mount may include a
seam extending between the anchor panel and a neck aperture of the garment.
The anchor panel
may extend from a lower terminal end of the garment upward toward a top of the
garment along
a center of the garment on the back portion of the garment. The anchor panel
may taper near a
top of the anchor panel toward the neck aperture of the garment. The garment
may include a pair
of neurobands extending over a top of the garment from the front portion to
the back portion.
The pair of neurobands may directly connect to each other on the back portion
of the garment
and extend on opposite sides of a neck aperture of the garment. The neurobands
may comprise a
more elastic material than the posture mount and/or anchor panel. The
neurobands may include
a bi-directional bias of elasticity. The axis of elasticity of the bi-
directional bias of elasticity may
be oblique to each other. One of the pair of neurobands may extend from the
front of the
garment around a first lateral side of the garment under a first arm aperture
of the garment and a
second of the pair of neurobands may extend from the front of the garment
around a second
lateral side of the garment under a second arm aperture of the garment. The
garment may
include a first pair of neurobands, a second pair of neurobands, a third pair
of neurobands, or
combinations thereof. The first, second, third, or other combination of
neurobands may have any
configuration in any combination as described herein.
[0086] In an exemplary embodiment, the pair of neurobands wrap around
each of the arm
apertures to form a sleeve on the garment. Each of the pair of neurobands
contacts itself to
circumscribe the arm aperture on the back portion of the garment. A seam along
which each of
the second pair of neurobands contacts itself may extend from the back portion
of the garment
upward toward a top of the garment and onto the front portion of the garment
as the seam
extends along a length of a sleeve.
[0087] In an exemplary embodiment, a pair of neurobands taper toward a
center of the
garment on the front portion of the garment as the second pair of neurobands
extend downward
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toward a bottom portion of the garment. The taper may create an extension of
each of the pair of
neurobands that is configured to be positioned over a lower portion of a
wearer's rib cage in an
in use position. In an exemplary embodiment, a pair of posture mounts extend
on the back
portion of the garment from respective terminal ends of the first pair of
neurobands. The pair of
posture mounts may extend downward along the back portion of the garment from
the pair of
neurobands and around opposite lateral sides of the garment under arm
apertures of the garment
toward the front portion of the garment.
[0088] In an exemplary embodiment, the garment may include a first pair
of neurobands
and a second pair of neurobands, wherein the first pair of neurobands overlap
the second portion
of neurobands. The plurality of neurobands may include a first pair of
neurobands and a second
pair of neurobands, the first pair of neurobands are configured to define an
arcuate shape having
a separation between at least a portion of a first one of the first pair of
neurobands and at least a
portion of a second one of the first pair of neurobands. The second pair of
neurobands may be
positioned in the separation between the first pair of neurobands. The first
pair and second pair
of neurobands may include a bias of elasticity. An axis of the bias of
elasticity of the first pair
and second pair of neurobands may be perpendicular or oblique to each other.
The axis of the
bias of elasticity between each of the first pair or second pair of neurobands
may be
perpendicular or oblique to each other. For example, a first one of the first
pair of the
neurobands may be perpendicular or oblique to either of a second one of the
first pair of the
neurobands or a first one of the second pair of the neurobands where the first
one of the first pair
and the first one of the second pair of neurobands are on the same side of the
garment and on an
opposite side of the garment from the second one of the first pair and the
second one of the
second pair of neurobands. The a bias of elasticity of the first pair of the
neurobands may go
toward the center axis of the garment as the garment is traversed either
upward or downward,
while a bias of elasticity of the second pair of the neurobands may go away
from the center axis
of the garment as the garment is traversed either upward or downward such that
the bias of
elasticities of the first pair converge or diverge with respect to each other.
[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, a garment having a first pair of
neurobands may
create an ovoid or arch shape in which a separation is created along a lower
edge of the
neurobands, and also has a second pair of neurobands that overlap the first
pair of neurobands.
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The first pair of neurobands may be coupled along terminal edges to terminal
edges of the
second pair of neurobands such that the first pair of neurobands can move
relative to the second
pair of neurobands along a portion of overlap.
[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, the garment may include a front panel
that has
sections of variable elasticity. The garment may also have a zipper on the
front portion of the
garment.
[0091] In an exemplary embodiment, the neuroband may be wrapped around
and coupled
to itself to define a sleeve. The sleeve may include a seam extending along a
length, and the
seam is curved along an entire length thereof when the sleeve is in a planar
configuration.
[0092] Exemplary embodiments described herein may comprise materials
having a
systematic property of elasticity including single and/or multi-directional
orientations. In an
exemplary embodiment, materials are knit or woven in an oblique orientation to
avoid or reduce
perpendicular alignment of the fibers. Exemplary embodiments comprise a warp
weave with or
without a weft. Exemplary embodiments comprise woven or knit materials infused
with an
elastic material. Woven or knit materials may include nylon. Elastic materials
may include
lycra, spandex, elastomer, etc. Exemplary embodiments comprise materials
having a warp
weave and/or warp knit with and without a weft. In an exemplary embodiment, a
weft may
comprise titanium strands. An exemplary neuroband may include a dual bias of
elasticity. The
bi-directional direction of elasticity may permit the neuroband to expand a
greater amount in one
direction than in another direction under the same application of force. The
bi-directional
elasticity may permit the neuroband to expand the same amount or different
amounts along each
of the axis or bias of elasticity. For example, a neuroband may comprise a
warp weave having a
bi-directional axis of elasticity, where each of the axis of elasticity are
oblique to each other.
The first axis or bias of elasticity may be greater than the second axis or
bias of elasticity such
that the material stretches along the first axis by a greater amount than it
would along the second
axis given the same amount of force. However, the material may stretch less
than either of the
axis of bias or elasticity in a direction perpendicular to either of the axis
of elasticity. In an
exemplary embodiment, an exemplary neuroband comprises a bi-directional bias
of elasticity.
Each of the axis of elasticity are oblique to each other. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
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elasticity along each axis is approximately equal. In an exemplary embodiment,
the elasticity
along a first axis is approximately 10%-40% more than the elasticity along the
second axis.
[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, one or more and/or all of the seams of
a garment
may be bonded. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more and/or all of the seams
of the
garment may not be sewn. In an exemplary embodiment seams may be bonded by
integrating a
material into and between the panels of the seam.
[0094] Exemplary embodiments of a neuroband, seam, or bond described
herein may
include woven or knit material infused with an elastic. In an exemplary
embodiment, a method
of making such an infused material may include providing a fabric material
such as a knit or
woven material and a sheet of an elastic material. In an exemplary embodiment,
the fabric and
the sheet may be overlayed over each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the
bias of stretch of
the sheet and the fabric may be positioned to desired orientation. The bias of
stretch of the sheet
and the fabric may be parallel, oblique, perpendicular, or other orientation.
In an exemplary
embodiment, the elastic material is heated to infuse the elastic in the
fabric. In an exemplary
embodiment, the fabric may comprise nylon or a nylon blend. The elastic may be
an elastomer,
such as spandex.
[0095] Although embodiments of this invention have been fully described
with reference
to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and
modifications will
become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications
are to be understood
as being included within the scope of embodiments of this invention as defined
by the appended
claims. Specifically, exemplary components are described herein. Any
combination of these
components may be used in any combination. For example, any component,
feature, step or part
may be integrated, separated, sub-divided, removed, duplicated, added, or used
in any
combination and remain within the scope of the present disclosure. Embodiments
are exemplary
only, and provide an illustrative combination of features, but are not limited
thereto.
[0096] When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises"
and
"comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or
integers are
included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other
features, steps or
components.
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[0097] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the
following claims, or the
accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a
means for performing
the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed
result, as appropriate,
may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for
realising the invention in
diverse forms thereof.
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