Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Wearable Tension Apparatus
BACKGROUND
[0001] From birth to death, we are all given one body to live in and help
us perform our
best. Unfortunately, a wide range of musculoskeletal, neurological and
circulatory diseases and
disorders exist as a matter of injury, environment, occupation, genetics and
disease. A dynamic
anatomic garment would provide an interface of therapeutic support and
resistance to a body in
motion, and thus intervene in the physical maladies associated with injury,
arthritis, chronic pain,
sensory processing disorder, muscle imbalance, joint misalignment and poor
posture.
[0002] Women are particularly susceptible given their anatomy and
physiology of their
upper body The woman's chest provides a projection of weight that extends in
front of the
center of gravity and imposes a force distribution unique to women on the
upper body. The
woman's chest is also made of soft and sensitive tissues that make compression
and application
of force uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Garments for realigning posture
and/or to
intervene, influence or otherwise aid the process of body balance, alignment,
circulation and/or
postural misalignment face hurdles relative to the female upper body anatomy.
Conventional
garments or taping solutions provide linear applications of pull on the body.
But, forces across
or around the breast area of a woman can be uncomfortable.
SUMMARY
[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the wearable tension apparatus described
herein may
include an active mechanism including anatomic arrangements of elastic panels,
bands and
seams, collectively referred to as neurobands. Neurobands may apply tensile
resistance to
activate muscles in a kinetic sequence. Thus, resistance on specific muscles
may be according to
exemplary methods described herein to train, retrain and maintain otherwise
activate muscle
tissue. This therapeutic approach is unique to use tensile resistance to
targeted muscles through a
wearable tension garment. An exemplary advantage of such a wearable tension
apparatus is to
provide a passive therapy which requires no discipline or change in behavior
to have measurable
effects, outside of periodically wearing a comfortable, form-fit garment ¨
even during sleep The
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interface of neurobands with a body in motion provides and extraordinary way
to harvest the
energy of movement and thus get more out of your body ¨ over suitable periods
of time. As
such, neurobands may serve as an adjunctive treatment in caregiver strategies
for physical
rehabilitation, pain management and injury prevention. In occupational
environments where
repetitive, awkward movements cause injury over time, the garments are
designed to be worn
comfortably over clothing, as a convenient and economical bio-ergonomic
intervention to
correspond with the needs of overused and underused muscle groups.
[0004] 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.
[0005] Exemplary embodiments of garments described herein accommodate the
unique
physiology of the female anatomy and permit expansion of the garment around
and covering the
breast area of the wearer. The garment may therefore be configured to create a
structural support
for the distribution of the frontal weight of the wearer toward the back of
the wearer.
[0006] Exemplary embodiments described herein include garments worn by
woman to
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. The form-fit garment may also be used to support
and bridge to
support the frontal weigh imposed by the woman's anatomy toward the back of
the wearer.
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 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.
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[0008] 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.
[0009] 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
[0010] 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.
[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, a garment may include a front panel
with greater
stretch to permit the expansion or variation of the breast area of of a user.
In an exemplary
embodiment, the bias of stretch of the front portion of the garment configured
to overlay the
chest section of the wearer is in a horizontal or across the body direction.
DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a
garment
according to embodiments described herein configured as a half top.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the exemplary embodiment of the
garment of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a cutaway view of the garment of FIG 1 in which
the front
portion of the garment is removed to show the interior side of the back
portion of the garment.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary front view of an exemplary
embodiment of a
garment according to embodiments described herein configured as a full top.
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[0016] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary front view of an exemplary
embodiment of a
garment according to embodiments described herein configured as a full top.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] 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.
[0018] As stated above, the symptoms of a wide variety of human conditions
in which
muscles, joints, sensory and circulatory systems are compromised, could be
helped with an
exoskeletal intervention that conforms to the unique environments in which we
work and play.
The wearable tension apparatus described herein may include a lifestyle
technology designed to
be comfortable, worn systematically, under or over clothing, over convenient
periods of time.
Wearable tension-technology is aimed to impact the sociologic and economic
burden of
musculoskeletal health.
[0019] Exemplary embodiments of the wearable tension apparatus described
herein
includes a garment that fits snugly on the individuals upper body anatomy
using conformable
elastomeric textiles with specific elastic memory (neurobands) and non-linear
construction to
address the distinct movements of a human body in both static and dynamic
motion.
Neurobands provide a multidirectional level of elastic force that is adjoined
with a corresponding
level of elastic force Depending on the placement of the neurobands, localized
resistance may be
applied to the body to train, retrain or maintain afflicted anatomy, thereby
resulting in symptom
reduction.
[0020] Current compression garments do not localize therapeutic resistance
to a specific
and precise level and consequently do not offer optimal training of over
overused and underused
muscles. Current compression garments and performance apparel target athletic
of physically fit
demographics due to the vanity of a form-fit and the difficulty in comfortably
fitting anatomy
with excessive weight and mass. In addition, the compressing of fat tissue
(adipose tissue), does
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not address a means to reduce dysfunctional adaptions associated with obesity,
such as poor
postures, early fatigue, muscle imbalance, joint misalignment and compromised
circulation. By
having high ratios of elastane materials in the pectorals and breast area, and
non-linear
construction techniques throughout the garment, a conformable expansion of the
garment may be
achieved at the soft tissue of the breast while maintaining structure
integrity to impose support to
the body.
[0021] Sometimes the neurobands, including panels, bands, and seams vary
in location
and density to account for the amount of therapeutic force required. The
elastomeric properties
of each panel, band and seam can be described as having precise anatomic and
physiologic
purpose.
[0022] Exemplary embodiments described herein use neurobands. Exemplary
embodiments may include procedures and techniques that use bands of variable
stretch
characteristics. 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, arcs, and any
combination of
geometric or non-geometric portions as described herein or would be understood
by a person of
skill in the art.
[0023] 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.
[0024] Exemplary embodiments may be used with garments having a form fit,
such as
performance apparel, compression apparel, shapewear, maternal wear, among
others. Such
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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. Exemplary embodiments may
use, configured,
and position materials and component panels to reduce imposed forces or
associated discomfort
on soft tissue of a wearer. Exemplary embodiments may permit garment expansion
to
accommodate various anatomies of different wearers without requiring a new
garment. A single
garment configuration may therefore be used and accommodate many different
body shapes.
[0025] 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 front of
the wearer to the back of the wearer to transfer the weight and forces created
from the upper
body anatomy of a woman to a support infrastructure toward the back of the
wearer.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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
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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.
[0028] 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
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.
[0029] 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, breast, 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.
[0030] 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
[0031] 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,
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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.
[0032] 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
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.
[0033] FIGS. 1-3 illustrates an exemplary neuroband configuration for use
as a half top.
The exemplary garment 1 includes a back portion 4 and a front portion 4 as
illustrated in FIGS. 2
and 3, respectively. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of the interior side
of the back side of
the garment, corresponding approximately to FIG. 1 with the front portions of
the garment
including 8A, 8B, 8C removed from view for a better understanding of the
interaction of
neurobands 6 and 20.
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the front of the garment 2 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 8 may be elastic
to accommodate
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the variability of chest sizes of individual users. In an exemplary
embodiment, the front panel 8
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 8 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 8 may include two, three, or more sections.
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, a section 8C may correspond to a
lower or bottom
region of the garment. The first section 8C 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.
[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, a section 8B may corresponding to
an interior
portion of the front panel 8 that generally covers the soft tissue of a
wearer's breast in an in use
position. The second section 8B 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 8C, or by reducing the fiber
density, fiber
pattern, or combinations thereof.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the front panel 8 may include a
section 8A that
corresponds to an upper portion of the front panel 8. The top section 8A may
be an extension of
the section 8B with the same elasticity or may have a different elasticity
from the interior portion
of section 8B. The top section 8A 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 8A may extend
around and
across the back of the garment. The top section 8A 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 8A may
have an elasticity between that of the bottom section 8C and the central
section 8B. The top
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section 8A may have an elasticity that is approximately the same as the bottom
section 8C or as
the central section 8C.
[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the front panel 8 may be separable,
and/or
attachable. The front panel 8 may include a zipper 12, hook/eye fastener 10,
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 14 to replace a
hem. The hem
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.
100391 FIG. 9B illustrates an exemplary back 4 of the garment according to
embodiments
described herein including neurobands. As illustrated, the back of the garment
includes a
plurality of neurobands 6, 20. In an exemplary embodiment, a first pair of
neurobands 20 create
a boarder or frame for which the second pair of neurobands 6 are positioned.
The boarder may
be similar to the perimeter 12, neuroband 16, and/or boarder 18 of FIG. 8. The
pair of
neurobands 20 define an arc, or ovoid opening at the back of the garment. The
opening may
have a hem 914 as described herein. The pair of neurobands 20 may comprise a
directional
elasticity. As illustrated by solid arrows, the bias of elasticity of the
neuroband 20 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 20 may be adjacent or define a portion of the
arm aperture.
The pair of neurobands 20 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 20 to the front
panel 8. The top
edge traversing the pair of neurobands 20 defines an arc across the back of
the wearer in an in
use position The top edge of the neuroband 20 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.
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[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the garment includes a pair of
neurobands 6. 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 6 extend across the aperture created by the pair of
neurobands 20 along the
bottom of the garment. The pair of neurobands 6 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 6
may define an
posture mount. The pair of neurbands 6 are unattached along a length of the
bands toward the
top or toward the neck aperture of the garment The pair of neurobands are
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 6 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 8
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 2 along a portion of the
respective neurobands
along a top region of the neurobands. In an exemplary embodiment, the pair of
neurobands 6
couple to the front panel 8 at a top portion of the neuroband 906 on the back
of the garment 4.
[0041] The relationship of an exemplary first pair of neurobands 20
relative to a second
pair of neurobands 6 is illustrated by the cut away view of FIG. 3
illustrating an interior side of
the back portion of the garment. A first one of a first pair of neurobands 20
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 20 is in mirrored relationship from the first one of the first
pair of neurobands 20.
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 20.
The second pair of neurobands 6 are positioned within the separation created
by the first pair of
neurobands 20. A first one of the second pair of neurobands is coupled to the
first one of the
first pair of neurobands along a length 22 along a lower portion of the
respective neurobands.
The first one of the second pair of neurobands 6 is coupled along a second
length to the second
one of the second pair of neurobands 6 along approximately a center, vertical
orientation of the
garment. The second length of the attachment of the second pair of neurobands
6 to each other
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may be longer than the attachment length 22 between one of the second pair of
neurobands to
one of the first pair of neurobands. The second pair of neurobands 6 diverge
upwardly and away
from each other after the end of the attachment length. The second pair of
neurobands 6 are
illustrated as extending on an interior side of the first pair of neurobands
20 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 6 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 of the first pair of neurobands away from
the separation
space. An exemplary connection location 22 is at a terminal end of the
neuroband 6 toward a
shoulder of the garment. The first pair of neurobands 20 and second pair of
neurobands 6 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 6 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.
100421 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.
10043] The garment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is configured to support a
wearer and
transfer the supporting forces for the weight in the front of the body to the
posterior side of the
body. The garment includes a top section of the garment that extends from a
first side of the
front of the garment around the back of the garment, across from one side to
the other, and then
over the front of the garment to the other side of the front of the garment.
This section may be
used to support a force from the front of the garment to the back of the
garment. The back side
of the garment is configured with the pair of neurobands to transfer forces to
the back of the
wearer.
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[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a full shirt
configuration. The full
shirt configuration may be configured similar to that of the half shirt as
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3.
The full shirt configuration of a garment 21 may include a front of the
garment and a back of the
garment. The front of the garment may include a front panel that extends from
the bottom of the
garment, over the top of the garment, around the back of the garment, and back
down on the
other side of the front of the garment to the bottom of the garment.
[0045] The front panel may include two or more different regions of
elasticity. As
illustrated, the front of the garment may include four different regions of
elasticity 8A, 8B, 8C,
8D traversing from the top of the garment to the bottom of the garment. A
given region of
elasticity may be different from one or more regions on one or more adjacent
sides of a given
region. The regions of elasticity may be the same as one or more other regions
of elasticity. As
illustrated, the regions configured to cover anatomical features of the wearer
in an in use position
over the abdomen 8D and/or breast 8B of the wearer may include regions of
elasticity that are
greater than one or more other regions of elasticity. In an exemplary
embodiment, the regions at
the top of the garment 8A may be less elastic to impose support and pulling
forces on the upper
body to support the chest of the wearer and transfer the forces to support the
wearer from the
front of the body to the posterior side of the body or back of the garment. In
an exemplary
embodiment, the regions under the breast of the wearer in an in use
configuration and positioned
over a portion of the rib cage of the wearer 8C may have a reduced elasticity
than one or more
other regions of the front of the garment. The portion over the rib cage may
include a region of
least elasticity as compared to other regions on the front of the garment. The
portion of the
garment over the rib cage and under the breast of the wearer may act as an
anatomical anchor to
support the garment relative to the wearer.
[0046] The garment may be configured to separate along a front side of the
garment. In
an exemplary embodiment, the garment may include a zipper along a front side
of the garment.
The zipper may be a two way zipper such that the garment may zip and/or unzip
from the top
and bottom of the garment independent of the other end of the garment. For
example, the
garment may be fully zipped from the bottom to the top of the garment. A
wearer may then be
able to unzip the garment a portion of the way from both the bottom and the
top ends of the
garment, while maintaining the attachment in a middle portion of the garment.
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[0047] The back of the garment illustrated in FIG. 4 may be similar
to the garment
illustrated in FIGS. 2-3. The garment may be extended downward, such that the
bottom terminal
ends of the first and second pair of neurobands simply extend downward to move
the terminal
end of the garment downward to a lower position on the wearer. Alternatively,
the garment may
include one or more regions extending from the bottom of the neurobands to
define a bottom
panel portion of the garment on the back side
[0048] Exemplary embodiments of the garment may include one or more
outer layers
that may cover any embodiment of the garments described herein For example, a
garment
similar to FIGS. 1-3 may include an outer layer positioned over the front,
back, or a combination
thereof. The outer layer may be coupled to one or more seams or edges of the
garment. For
example, the outer layer 22 may be positioned over the garment of either FIGS.
1-3 or FIG. 4
and extend from the top of the garment to a bottom of the garment. The top
layer 22 may be
coupled to the underlying layer(s) at apertures for the neck, and/or aperture
for the arms The top
layer 22 may be a form fitting configuration or may be of a larger
configuration to permit
separation between the outer layer and the body of a wearer in a worn position
on the wearer.
The top layer 22 may therefore be used to provide a loose cover over the form
fitting
underlayer(s). The outer layer may also be of a half top length or a full top
length. The outer
layer may be of the same or different length than the underlying layers. The
outer layer may the
same length or greater length than underlying layer(s). For illustration
purposes only, the
underlying layer(s), including different regions of elasticity, are
illustrated in dotted lines to
indicate presence of the layer under the outer layer 22.
[0049] 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.
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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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] 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. 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.
[0052] 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,
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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.
[0053] 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.
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.
[0054] 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.
[0055] Exemplary embodiments include an upper body garment including a
front portion
and a back portion, the garment comprising a plurality of neurobands. The
garment' s front
portion may be configured to extend from the back portion over the shoulder of
a wearer over the
breast area of the wearer and to a position under a breast of the wearer at a
position over a
portion of a rib cage of the wearer in an in use position on a wearer. The
garment may be
configured as a half top such that it terminates at a lower edge proximate the
rib cage of a wearer
in the in use position. The front portion may include a panel that extends
from the lower edge of
the garment on a front first side of the garment, over the breast area of the
wearer in the in use
position, over the shoulder of the wearer, across a back of the garment and
across a neck and
spine of the wearer in the in use position, and over a second shoulder of the
wearer and down a
front second side of the garment over the breast area and to the lower edge of
the garment. The
panel may be made of a single, unitary material that incorporates different
fabric characteristics
to create different elasticities in the front portion. The panel may be folded
over at the front first
side and the front second side at the lower edge of the garment to define the
first area of reduced
elasticity at the lower edge of the garment. The first area may be at least 2
inches to create a
band that provides support for the wearer.
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[0056] The exemplary garment's front portion may include at least two
areas, a first area
of reduced elasticity than a second area of greater elasticity, the first area
positioned toward the
lower edge of the garment than the second area. The garment front portion may
include at least
three sections of different elasticity compared to an adjacent section.
[0057] The exemplary garment's front portion may be separable between the
front first
side and the front second side of the garment, and the front first side and
the front second side are
removably attachable.
[0058] The exemplary garment may include a first pair of neurobands,
wherein each of
the first pair of neurobands comprises a directional elasticity A direction of
a major bias of
stretch of the directional elasticity is oblique to a vertical axis of the
garment in a position on a
wearer in an in use position. That garment may also include a second pair of
neurobands. The
first pair of neurobands are positioned to create an arc defining a space
along a bottom edge of
the garment, and at least a portion of the second pair of neurobands may be
positioned in the
space of the arc of the first pair of neurobands. The second pair of
neurobands may be directly
attached along a length to each other in an area within the arc of the first
pair of neurobands. A
portion of the first pair of neurobands overlap with a portion of the second
pair of neurobands
The second pair of neurobands may be separated from each other in a region
that the second pair
of neurobands overlap with the first pair of neurobands. The first pair of
neurobands may not be
attached to the second pair of neurobands for an interior portion of the
region where the second
pair of neurobands overlap with the first pair of neurobands. 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 region where
a portion of one of the first pair of neurobands overlaps a portion of one of
the second pair of
neurobands. The front portion of the garment may include sections of
variable/different
elasticity.
[0059] 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
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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
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.
[0060] 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.
[0061] 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
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embodiment, the fabric may comprise nylon or a nylon blend. The elastic may be
an elastomer,
such as spandex.
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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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