Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ORTHOPEDIC SUPPORT GARMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of orthopedics, in
particular, to an orthopedic
support garment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Proper technique and coordinated muscle activation is critical for
athletes seeking to
perform biomechanical correct movements in sports. Athletes are constantly
working on
improving their proprioception ¨ the sense of the relative position of
neighbouring parts of the
body and strength of effort being employed in movement ¨ to master sport-
specific movements.
While there is no substitute for proper conditioning and training, certain
aids have been
developed to assist athletes with the enhancement of proprioception.
100031 In some cases, such aids have come in the form of a garment to be worn
by the athlete
during the performance of certain movements. In its most basic form, such a
garment may be
made of a stretchable or elastic fabric and is intended to be worn tightly on
the body in a form-
fitting manner (in some cases, this garment is fashioned as compression
garment). Because of the
resistance encountered by the wearer as a result of the stretch in the fabric,
the wearer tends to
become more aware of the relative position of his limbs. While this type of
garment can enhance
proprioception, it tends not to be anatomically focused and thus tends not to
perform a genuine
orthopedic function.
[0004] United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2009/0062704 of
Brown et at.
provides an example of a garment designed specifically for proprioceptively
treating a wearer.
The garment is preferably configured like a short-sleeved undershirt or T-
shirt and may be
fabricated of a stretchable material to achieve the desired form-fitting fit.
The garment includes
an anterior portion and a posterior portion joined to the anterior portion.
Each of the anterior
portion and the posterior portion are fabricated of a thin, elastomeric
material. The material used
is form-fitting to allow pressure to be applied to the surface of the wearer's
skin to enhance
neuromuscular stimulation. Integrated with the posterior garment portion, is a
proprioceptive
panel. This panel is positioned to extend over the upper back or inter
scapular region of the
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wearer. In one embodiment, the proprioceptive panel is positioned to extend
along substantially
an entire length of the spine of the wearer. In still another embodiment, the
proprioceptive panel
is generally triangular in shape, and is positioned to extend downwardly from
the shoulders of
the wearer toward an apex positioned to be disposed at approximately the small
of the wearer's
back. The proprioceptive panel may be fabricated of the same elastomeric
material as the
posterior portion or may be made of a heavier, more dense elastomeric material
than that used
for the posterior portion.
[0005] The garment described in United States Patent Application Publication
No. US
2009/0062704 of Brown et al. appears to be specifically configured to enhance
proprioception in
the wearer for the purposes of improving or enhancing posture. To this end, it
uses strategically
placed proprioceptive panels that primarily target muscles and other
anatomical structures of the
wearer's back. While this garment may be effective at providing some back
support and may
assist in the improvement of the wearer's posture, it tends to be too narrowly
focused on the
muscles of the back to be a useful aid to athletes performing complex
movements which recruit
other muscle groups of the upper body.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a genuine need for a garment which is capable of
providing
enhanced anatomically appropriate proprioceptive (and kinesthetic) feedback to
the wearer for
various muscle groups of the upper body, including those of the chest, back,
shoulders and arms.
Advantageously, such a garment could help athletes perfect their technique or
form in
performing complex sport-specific movements which recruit multiple muscle
groups of the
upper body. A garment of this nature would tend to be a very versatile aid to
athletes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a broad aspect of an embodiment of the present invention,
there is
provided an orthopedic support garment. The orthopedic garment includes a
garment body made
of stretchable fabric and configured to be worn in a form-fitting manner on
the upper body of a
wearer. The garment body has a front body portion, a rear body portion joined
to the front body
portion, and right and left sleeve portions attached to the front and rear
body portions. Also
provided is at least one tensor band laid out along one of the front and rear
body portions in a
manner intended to substantially correspond to at least one of the fascial
lines extending along
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the upper body of the wearer. When the garment is worn by the wearer, the at
least one tensor
band may be placed in tension so as to provide proprioceptive (and
kinesthetic) feedback to the
wearer during movement.
[0008] In another feature, the at least one tensor band includes a first
tensor band and a second
tensor band. The first and second tensor bands are disposed in a crosswise
fashion along the front
body portion in a manner intended to substantially correspond to the front
functional line
extending along the upper body of the wearer.
[0009] In a further feature, the garment body further includes a waistband
attached along the
lower margins of the front and rear body portions. The first tensor band
extends between the
waistband and the juncture of the right sleeve and front body portions. The
second tensor band
extends between the waistband and the juncture of the left sleeve and front
body portions.
[0010] In an additional feature, the first and second tensor bands are made
from a plurality of
fabric panels. Alternatively, the first and second tensor bands are made from
a single fabric
panel.
[0011] In yet another feature, the at least one tensor band includes a third
tensor band. The
third tensor band is disposed vertically along the front body portion at a
location intended to
substantially correspond to the superficial front line extending along the
upper body of the
wearer.
[0012] In still another feature, the at least one tensor band is disposed
diagonally across the
front body portion in a manner intended to substantially correspond to one of
the fascial lines
that make up the front functional line which extends along the upper body of
the wearer. In one
feature, the garment body further includes a waistband attached along the
lower margins of the
front and rear body portions. The at least one tensor band extends between the
waistband and the
juncture of the right sleeve and front body portions. In an alternate feature,
the at least one
tensor band extends between the waistband and the juncture of the left sleeve
and front body
portions.
[0013] In an additional feature, the at least one tensor band includes a first
tensor band and a
second tensor band. The first and second tensor bands are disposed in a
crosswise fashion along
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the rear body portion in a manner intended to substantially correspond to the
back functional line
extending along the upper body of the wearer. The garment body further
includes a waistband
attached along the lower margins of the front and rear body portions. The
first tensor band
extends between the waistband and the juncture of the right sleeve and rear
body portions. The
second tensor band extends between the waistband and the juncture of the left
sleeve and rear
body portions.
[0014] In one feature, the first and second tensor bands are made from a
plurality of fabric
panels. In an alternate feature, the first and second tensor bands are made
from a single fabric
panel.
[0015] In still another feature, the at least one tensor band includes a third
tensor band. The
third tensor band is disposed vertically along the rear body portion at a
location intended to
substantially correspond to the superficial back line extending along the
upper body of the
wearer.
[0016] In yet another feature, the at least one tensor band is disposed
diagonally across the rear
body portion in a manner intended to substantially correspond to one of the
fascial lines that
make up the rear functional line which extends along the upper body of the
wearer.
[0017] In a further feature, the garment body further includes a waistband
attached along the
lower margins of the front and rear body portions. The at least one tensor
band extends between
the waistband and the juncture of the right sleeve and rear body portions. In
an alternate feature,
the at least one tensor band extends between the waistband and the juncture of
the left sleeve and
rear body portions.
[0018] In another feature, the at least one tensor band includes first and
second, third and
fourth tensor bands. The first and second tensor bands are disposed in a
crosswise fashion along
the front body portion in a manner intended to substantially correspond to the
front functional
line extending along the upper body of the wearer. The third and fourth tensor
bands are
disposed in a crosswise fashion along the rear body portion in a manner
intended to substantially
correspond to the back functional line extending along the upper body of the
wearer.
Additionally, the orthopedic garment comprises fifth and sixth tensor bands.
The fifth tensor
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band is laid out along the right sleeve portion in a manner intended to
correspond to one of the
fascial arm lines extending along the wearer's right arm. The sixth tensor
band is laid out along
the left sleeve portion in a manner intended to correspond to one of the
fascial arm lines
extending along the wearer's left arm.
[0019] In a further feature, the one fascial arm line extending along the
wearer's right arm is
selected from the group consisting of: (a) the superficial front arm line; (b)
the deep front arm
line; (c) the superficial rear arm line; and (d) the deep rear arm line. The
one fascial arm line
extending along the wearer's left arm is selected from the group consisting
of: (a) the superficial
front arm line; (b) the deep front arm line; (c) the superficial rear arm
line; and (d) the deep rear
arm line.
[0020] In still another feature, the orthopedic garment comprises fifth and
sixth tensor bands.
The fifth tensor band is laid out along the right sleeve portion in a manner
intended to correspond
to the superficial front arm line extending along the wearer's right arm. The
sixth tensor band is
laid out along the left sleeve portion in a manner intended to correspond to
the superficial front
arm line extending along the wearer's left arm.
[0021] In a different feature, the orthopedic garment of claim 18 further
comprises fifth and
sixth tensor bands. The fifth tensor band is laid out along the right sleeve
portion in a manner
intended to correspond to the superficial rear arm line extending along the
wearer's right arm.
The sixth tensor band is laid out along the left sleeve portion in a manner
intended to correspond
to the superficial rear arm line extending along the wearer's left arm.
[0022] In yet another feature, the orthopedic garment further comprises fifth,
sixth, seventh
and eighth tensor bands. The fifth tensor band is laid out along the right
sleeve portion in a
manner intended to correspond to the superficial front arm line extending
along the wearer's
right arm. The sixth tensor band is laid out along the left sleeve portion in
a manner intended to
correspond to the superficial front arm line extending along the wearer's left
arm. The seventh
tensor band is laid out along the right sleeve portion in a manner intended to
correspond to the
superficial rear arm line extending along the wearer's right arm. The eighth
tensor band is laid
out along the left sleeve portion in a manner intended to correspond to the
superficial rear arm
line extending along the wearer's left arm. Additionally, the first, second,
third, fourth, fifth,
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sixth, seventh and eighth tensor bands are made of a first stretchable
material and the remainder
of the garment body is made of at least one stretchable material different
than the first stretchable
material. The first stretchable material is stiffer than the at least one
stretchable material used to
make the remainder of the garment body.
[0023] In a further feature, the left sleeve portion includes a first sleeve
body, and a first
shoulder part disposed at the upper end of the first sleeve body and nestled
between each of the
front and rear body portions. The first shoulder part including at least one
shoulder tensor band
laid out in a manner intended to substantially correspond to a portion of the
wearer's left deltoid.
The right sleeve portion includes a second sleeve body, and a second shoulder
part disposed at
the upper end of the second sleeve body and nestled between each of the front
and rear body
portions. The second shoulder part includes at least one shoulder tensor band
laid out in a
manner intended to substantially correspond to a portion of the wearer's right
deltoid.
[0024] In an additional feature, the at least one shoulder tensor band of the
first shoulder part
includes first and second shoulder tensor bands. The first shoulder tensor
band is laid out in a
manner intended to substantially correspond to the muscle fibers of the
wearer's front left
deltoid. The second shoulder tensor band is laid out in a manner intended to
substantially
correspond to the muscle fibers of the wearer's rear left deltoid. The at
least one shoulder tensor
band of the second shoulder part includes third and fourth shoulder tensor
bands. The third
shoulder tensor band is laid out in a manner intended to substantially
correspond to the muscle
fibers of the wearer's front right deltoid. The fourth shoulder tensor band is
laid out in a manner
intended to substantially correspond to the muscle fibers of the wearer's rear
right deltoid.
[0025] In still another feature, the first and second shoulder tensor bands
meet at a point
intended to substantially correspond to the deltoid tuberosity of the wearer's
left arm. The third
and fourth shoulder tensor bands meet at a point intended to substantially
correspond to the
deltoid tuberosity of the wearer's right arm. Additionally, the left sleeve
portion includes a first
circumferential band into which the first and second shoulder tensor bands
converge and the
right sleeve portion includes a second circumferential band into which the
third and fourth
shoulder tensor bands converge.
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100261 In a different feature, the left sleeve portion includes a first sleeve
body terminating in a
first cuff portion, and a first shoulder part disposed at the upper end of the
first sleeve body and
nestled between each of the front and rear body portions. The fifth tensor
band is disposed on the
first sleeve body between the upper end thereof and the first cuff portion.
The right sleeve
portion includes a second sleeve body terminating in a second cuff portion,
and a second
shoulder part disposed at the upper end of the second sleeve body and nestled
between each of
the front and rear body portions. The sixth tensor band is disposed on the
second sleeve body
between the upper end thereof and the second cuff portion.
[0027] In a further feature, the at least one tensor band is made of a first
stretchable material
and the remainder of the garment body is made of at least one stretchable
material different than
the first stretchable material. The first stretchable material is stiffer than
the at least one
stretchable material used to make the remainder of the garment body.
[0028] In an alternate feature, the garment body has a configuration selected
from the group
consisting of: (a) a long-sleeved shirt; (b) a t-shirt, (c) a bodysuit; and
(d) a jumpsuit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The embodiments of the present invention shall be more clearly
understood with
reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments of the
invention taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0030] FIG. la is a schematic front end view of the upper body portion of a
human body
showing the arrangement of the superficial front arm lines, the front
functional line and the front
superficial line along the upper body portion;
[0031] FIG. lb is a schematic rear end view of the upper body portion of a
human body
showing the arrangement of the superficial rear arm lines, the back functional
line and the back
superficial line along the upper body portion;
[0032] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of an orthopedic support garment in
accordance with
an embodiment of the present invention shown being worn by a wearer;
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100331 FIG. 3 is another front elevation view of the wearer and the orthopedic
support garment
similar to that illustrated in FIG. 2, with the wearer's arms raised laterally
away from their body;
[0034] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the wearer and the orthopedic
support garment shown
in FIG. 2;
[0035] FIG. 5 is another rear elevation view of the wearer and the orthopedic
support garment
similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4, with the wearer's arms raised laterally
away from their body;
[0036] FIG. 6 is a left hand side elevation view of the wearer and the
orthopedic support
garment shown in FIG. 2;
[0037] FIG. 7 is a right hand side elevation view of the wearer and the
orthopedic support
garment shown in FIG. 2;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the wearer and the orthopedic support
garment illustrated in
FIG. 2, with the wearer's arms raised laterally away from the body to better
reveal details of the
left and right sleeve portions of the garment;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the front body portion shown in
FIG. 3;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the rear body portion shown in
FIG. 4;
[0041] FIG. 11A is a front elevation view of a first alternate front body
panel to that shown in
FIG. 9;
[0042] FIG. 1111 is a front elevation view of a second alternate front body
panel to that shown
in FIG. 9;
[0043] FIG. 12 is a left hand side elevation view of an orthopedic support
garment in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the garment
provided with
alternate sleeve portions to those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;
[0044] FIG. 13a is a front elevation view of the wearer and the orthopedic
support garment
shown in FIG. 2 showing the wearer's left arm raised overhead;
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[0045] FIG. 13b is a rear elevation view of the wearer and the orthopedic
support garment
illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the wearer's left arm raised overhead;
[0046] FIG. 14 is a left side elevation view of the wearer and the orthopedic
support garment
illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the wearer's left arm raised to shoulder level
and forwardly
extended;
[0047] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the wearer and the orthopedic
support garment
illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the wearer's right arm lifted overhead in the
cocking phase position
which precedes a baseball pitcher's throw; and
[0048] FIG. 16 is a rear perspective view of the wearer and the orthopedic
support garment
illustrated in FIG. 2 showing the wearer's right arm fully extended in the
release phase position
which follows a baseball pitcher's throw.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0049] The description, which follows, and the embodiments described therein
are provided by
way of illustration of an example, or examples of particular embodiments of
principles and
aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes
of explanation
and not of limitation, of those principles of the invention. In the
description that follows, like
parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same
respective
reference numerals.
[0050] In the following description, the terms "left" and "right" are used
with reference to a
wearer of the orthopedic support garment as described and shown herein.
Accordingly, the term
"left" relates to elements that would be positioned towards or on the left
side of the wearer's
body if the wearer were wearing the orthopedic support garment, while the term
"right" relates to
elements that would be positioned towards or on the right side of the wearer's
body, if the wearer
were wearing the orthopedic support garment.
[0051] Moreover, the term "medial" is be used to refer to a direction pointing
towards the
center of the wearer's body, if the wearer were wearing the orthopedic support
garment, while
the term "lateral" is used to refer to a direction pointing away from the
center of the wearer's
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body, if the wearer were wearing the orthopedic support garment, either toward
the left or right
side of the wearer's body.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 8, there is an orthopedic support garment
designated generally
with reference numeral 10, shown being worn by a wearer 12. The garment 10 is
intended to be
worn tight-fitting or form-fitting on the upper part of a wearer's body.
Advantageously, the
garment 10 is configured to provide at least some resistance to movement of
the wearer's upper
body for enhanced support and injury prevention, and for fostering increased
proprioception in
the wearer 12. But, in contrast to conventional upper body compression or
support garments, the
support and resistance afforded by the garment 10 is directed at least in part
along some of the
fascial planes or lines running through the wearer's upper body.
[0053] By way of background, fascias are bands of fibrous connective tissue
that lie below the
skin in broad continuous planes in the body. Fascia envelops, separates or
binds together
muscles, organs and other soft structures of the body and provides support and
protection to such
body structures. Fascia works as a communication system between the tissues
that are
responsible for movement, including bone, joint structures (capsules,
ligaments), and
muscle/tendon units.
[0054] Fascia can be seen to extend along meridians, planes or lines. FIGS. IA
and 1B show
some of the fascial planes or lines running along the upper body portion 600
of a human body
602. In FIG. 1A, the diagonally intersecting lines 604 and 606 which extend
along the torso 608
correspond to the front functional line 610; the vertical line 612 extending
along the medial
portion of the torso 608 corresponds to the superficial front line 614; and
the lines 616 and 618
extending along the inside of the right and left arms 620 and 622,
respectively, correspond to the
superficial front arm lines 624.
[0055] In FIG. 1B, the diagonally intersecting lines 626 and 628 which extend
along the torso
608 correspond to the back functional line 630; the vertical line 632
extending medially along
the torso 608 corresponds to the superficial back line 634; and the lines 636
and 638 extending
along the outside of the right and left arms 620 and 622, respectively,
correspond to the
superficial rear arm lines 640.
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[0056] The lines of fascia described above are engaged during specific
movement patterns.
Imbalances within the fascia can lead to improper activation of muscles, which
can ultimately
predispose an individual to injury. By providing localized resistance (i.e.
tension) along the
fascial planes or lines (also known as myofascial meridians) of the wearer's
upper body, the
garment 10 recruits the neuromusculoskeletal fascial network to enhance
proprioceptive (and
kinesthetic) response. More specifically, the pressure applied by the shirt
along the fascial
anatomical planes tends to play a significant role, by enhancing proper muscle
firing patterns
during complex movements such as throwing a ball, serving in tennis, swinging
a golf club to
name a few. In this way, the garment can be used to facilitate an individual's
kinesthetic sense, or
knowledge of where their body is positioned in space during movement which can
be very
beneficial in improving athletic performance, rehabilitation from injury or
preventing injury.
[0057] In this embodiment, the garment 10 takes the shape of a long-sleeved
shirt 24. The
shirt 24 has a body made up of front and rear body portions 28 and 30 joined
to each other along
left and right vertically extending seams (not shown) and right and left
sleeve portions 36 and 38
attached to the front and rear body portions 28 and 30.
[0058] As best shown in FIGS. 9, the boundaries or margins of the front body
portion 28 are
defined by an upper edge 40; a lower edge 42; a pair of opposed, relatively
short, right and left
upper lateral edges 44 and 46; and a pair of opposed, relatively long, right
and left lower lateral
edges 48 and 50. The edge 48 is joined to like edge 168 of the rear body
portion 30 to form the
left vertically extending seam. Similarly, the edge 50 attached to like edge
170 of the rear body
portion 30 to form the right vertically extending seam. The edges 48 and 50
extend substantially
upwardly from the lower edge 42 to meet the right and left upper lateral edges
44 and 46,
respectively. In turn, the edges 44 and 46 connect to the upper edge 40.
[0059] The upper edge 40 includes a right upper edge portion 52, a left upper
edge portion 54
and an intermediate upper edge portion 56 disposed between the right and left
upper edge
portions 52 and 54. The intermediate upper edge portion 56 has a downwardly
concave shape
that conforms to a correspondingly convex shape of collar portion 58. As shown
in FIG. 2, the
collar portion 58 is attached to the front body portion 28 along the
intermediate upper edge
portion 56.
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[0060] The right upper edge portion 52 runs diagonally downward away from the
intermediate
upper edge portions 56 to meet the right upper lateral edge 44. On the
opposite side, the left
upper edge portion 54 is disposed in a mirror image to the right upper edge
portion 52. The edge
portion 54 extends diagonally downward from the intermediate upper edge
portion 56 to join the
left upper lateral edge 46.
[0061] In contrast to the upper edge 40, the lower edge 42 runs substantially
straight from the
right lateral lower edge 48 to the left lateral lower edge 50. As shown in
FIG. 2, the waistband
portion 60 is attached to the front body portion 28 along the lower edge 42.
[0062] The front body portion 28 can be seen to be formed by a plurality of
fabric panels
assembled to each other. In this embodiment, the front body portion 28 is made
up of nine (9)
panels stitched together ¨ a right lateral panel 62; a left lateral panel 64;
first, second and third
diagonally-extending panels 66, 68 and 70; first second and third upper medial
panels 72, 74 and
76; and a lower panel 78. It will be appreciated that, in other embodiments,
the front body
portion of the orthopedic support garment could be made with a greater or
lesser number of
panels.
[0063] Each of the panels 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78 will now be
described in greater
detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 9. The right lateral panel 62 vaguely
resembles a triangle
with two truncated corners. The boundaries or margins of the panel 62 are
defined by the lower
part 80 of the right upper lateral edge 44, the right lower lateral edge 48, a
lower medial edge 84
and an upper medial edge 86. The lower part 80 of the right upper lateral edge
44 runs
diagonally downward to join to the right lower lateral edge 48. The edge 48
extends
downwardly toward the waistband portion 60 until it meets the lower medial
edge 84. The edge
84 extends diagonally in a medial direction to meet the upper medial edge 86.
Lastly, the edge
86 runs diagonally in a lateral direction to join the lower part 80 of the
right upper lateral edge
44.
[0064] The left lateral panel 64 has substantially the same shape as the right
lateral panel 62 ¨
it too vaguely resembles a triangle with two truncated corners. The panel 64
is arranged to be the
mirror image of the panel 62. In the case of the left lateral panel 64 its
boundaries are defined by
the lower part 90 of the left upper lateral edge 46, the left lower lateral
edge 50, a lower medial
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edge 94 and an upper medial edge 96. The lower part 90 of the left upper
lateral edge 44 runs
diagonally downward to join to the left lower lateral edge 50. The edge 50
extends downwardly
toward the waistband portion 60 until it meets the lower medial edge 94. The
edge 94 extends
diagonally in a medial direction to meet the upper medial edge 96. Lastly, the
edge 96 runs
diagonally in a lateral direction to join the lower part 90 of the left upper
lateral edge 46.
[0065] The first diagonally-extending panel 66 is shaped to vaguely resemble a
rectangle with
one of its corners truncated. The margins of the panel 66 are defined by the
lower part 100 of the
right upper edge portion 52, a relatively short upper lateral edge 102, a
relatively long lower
lateral edge 104, the part 106 of the lower edge 42, and a relatively long
medial edge 108
disposed substantially parallel to the lower lateral edge 104. The panel 66
extends diagonally
from right to left from the upper edge 40 to the lower edge 42 in effect tying
the right sleeve
portion 38 to the waistband portion 60. Along its lower lateral edge 104, the
panel 66 is attached
to the right lateral panel 62, the third diagonally-extending panel 70 and the
lower panel 78.
Along its medial edge 108, the panel 66 is joined to the left lateral panel
64, the second
diagonally-extending panel 68 and the first and second upper medial panels 72
and 74.
[0066] The second diagonally-extending panel 68 is similar to panel 66 in that
it too has a
shape that is vaguely similar to that of a rectangle with one of its corners
truncated. However,
panel 68 is relatively shorter than panel 66. Delimiting the boundaries of the
panel 68 are the
lower part 110 of the left upper edge portion 54, a medial edge 112, a
relatively short upper
lateral edge 114, a relatively long lateral edge 116 and a lower edge 118. The
panel 68 is
disposed in the upper left region of the front panel portion 28 and attaches
the left sleeve portion
36 to the panel 66. The panel 68 is bounded on one side by the second and
third medial panels
74 and 76 and on the other side by the left lateral panel 64.
[0067] The third diagonally-extending panel 70 has a generally frusto-conical
shape defined by
an upper edge 120, a lower edge 122, a relatively short medial edge 124 and a
relatively long
lateral edge 126 disposed substantially parallel to medial edge 124. The panel
70 is disposed in
the lower right region of the front panel portion 28 and attaches the first
diagonally-extending
panel 66 to the waistband portion 60, and the right lateral panel 62 to the
lower panel 78.
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[0068] The first, second and third diagonally-extending panels 66, 68 and 70
co-operate with
each other to define an X¨shaped or cross-like structure 130 extending across
the front panel
portion 28. The first panel 66 defines a first arm 132 of the cross-like
structure 130, while the
second and third panel 68 and 70 together define the second arm 134 of the
structure 130. The
arms 132 and 134 are disposed on the front panel portion 28 in a manner
intended to
substantially correspond to, follow, or trace, the diagonal fascial lines 604
and 606 that run along
the front of the wearer's upper body and define the front functional line 610
(see FIG. 1A).
Having the arms 132 and 134 disposed in this manner provides at least some
tension and
resistance to movement along the diagonal fascial planes thereby affording
enhanced
anatomically appropriate orthopedic support and proprioceptive (and
kinesthetic) feedback to the
wearer 12. Each arm 132, 134 is capable of functioning as a front diagonal
tensor band,
stretching (and providing resistance), when engaged by the wearer's movement.
[0069] In this embodiment, the arms 132 and 134 of the cross-like structure
have straight
edges. In other embodiments, the edges of the arms could be configured
differently. For instance,
they could be zig-zagging, ondulated or the like.
[0070] The orthopedic support garment 10 shown in FIG. 2 is specifically
designed to be worn
by a right-handed person as the first diagonally-extending panel 66 extends
continuously and
uninterruptedly between the right sleeve portion 38 and the waistband portion
60 for superior
support. However, it will be appreciated that with proper modification the
orthodontic support
garment could be configured for a left-handed person. In such case, the
arrangement of first,
second and third diagonally-extending panels in the front body portion of such
a garment would
be the mirror image of that shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, there would be
a continuous and
an uninterrupted diagonally-extending panel running from the left sleeve
portion to the
waistband portion. Modifications would also be required to be made to the
position and
orientation of the diagonally-extending panels of the rear body portion; these
are described in
greater detail below.
[0071] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that additional
modifications could be
brought to the cross-like structure 130. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2,
the arms 132 and
134 of the cross-like structure 130 are arranged in a non-overlapping fashion
made possible by
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the fact that the arm 134 is built up of two panels that are connected to each
other only via the
arm 132. This need not be the case in every application. In an alternative
embodiment, it may
be possible to fabricate each arm of the cross-like structure from a single
panel of fabric and
arrange such panels in an overlapping fashion such that one panel partially
overlies the other
panel when forming the cross-like structure. In still another embodiment, the
cross-like structure
could be made of a single fabric panel. Such an embodiment is illustrated in
FIG. 11B wherein
an alternative front body portion 650 is provided with a cross-like structure
652 having two
diagonally extending panels 654 and 656 integrally formed with each other from
a single fabric
panel.
[0072] Moreover, while in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each panel 66, 68
and 70 is made
up of a single piece of fabric, in alternative embodiments, it may be possible
to fabricate one or
more panels from a plurality of elongate fabric strips disposed side-by-each
and stitched
together. In such embodiments, the strips could be made of the same fabric
material or could be
made of different materials having different elasticity characteristics for
variable resistance or
stiffness along a particular line or plane.
[0073] Lastly, while it is generally preferred that the front panel portion be
provided with two
arms arranged in a cross-like structure that function as tensors bands, in
certain special
applications, it may be desirable to have only a single diagonally-extending
panel which
connects only one of the sleeve portions to the waistband.
[0074] Turning now to the first second and third upper medial panels 72, 74
and 76, the first
and third panels 72 and 76 are relatively small panels and are similar to each
other in that each
has a triangular shape. The first are third panels 72 and 76 are disposed on
either side of the
second panel 74 in a mirror image arrangement. The panel 72 serves to
reinforce the connection
between the right sleeve portion 38 and the first diagonally-extending panel
66. Similarly, the
panel 76 reinforces the connection between the left sleeve portion 36 and the
second diagonally-
extending panel 68 and act as stabilizers of the back fascial lines.
[0075] The second upper medial panel 74 is intended to be oriented along the
superficial front
line 614 when the garment 10 is worn by the wearer 12. The panel 74 has a
wedge-like shape and
is nestled between the first and second upper medial panels 72 and 76, the
first and second
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diagonally-extending panels 66 and 68, and the collar portion 58. The
intermediate upper edge
portion 56 to which is secured the collar portion 58, defines the uppermost
margin of the panel
74.
[0076] Lastly, the lower panel 78 has a triangular shape and is positioned
between the first and
third diagonally-extending panels 66 and 70 and the waistband portion 60. Like
the second upper
medial panel portion 74, the lower panel 78 is intended to be oriented along
the superficial front
line 614 when the garment 10 is worn by the wearer.
[0077] In this embodiment, the panels 66, 68, 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78 of the
front body portion
28 are sewn together along several seams, namely: first and second, relatively
long, diagonal
seams 140 and 142; first, second, third and fourth, relatively short, diagonal
seams 144, 146, 148
and 150; and first and second, relatively short, vertical seams 152 and 154.
The lower lateral
edge 104 of the panel 66 is attached to the upper medial edge 96 of the right
lateral panel 62, the
upper edge 110 of the panel 70 and the lower portion 78 along the first long
diagonal seam 140.
The medial edge 108 of the panel 66 is joined to the first and second upper
medial panels 72 and
74, the lower edge 118 of the panel 68, and the lower medial edge 84 of the
left lateral panel 64
along the second long diagonal seam 142.
[0078] The first short diagonal seam 144 connects the medial edge 112 of the
panel 68 to the
panels 72 and 74. The second short diagonal seam 146 joins the lateral edge
116 of the panel 68
to the upper medial edge 86 of the left side panel 64. The long lateral edge
126 of the panel 70 is
attached to the lower medial edge 84 of the right side panel 62 along the
third short diagonal
seam 148, while the short medial edge 124 of the panel 70 is joined to the
lower portion 78 along
the fourth short diagonal seam 150. Lastly, the first short vertical seam 152
joins the panel 72 to
the panel 74 and the second short vertical seam 154 connects the panel 74 to
the panel 76.
[0079] In other embodiments, the number, orientation and location of the
various seams could
be different to match an alternate configuration of the front body portion.
[0080] In other embodiments, the front body portion could be configured
differently, for
instance, with a greater or lesser number of panels. FIG. 11A shows an
alternate front panel
portion designated generally with reference numeral 470 that is provided with
additional panels
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for improved support and increased tensile resistance. The front panel portion
470 is generally
similar to the front panel portion 28 shown in FIG. 10 in that it too is
formed by a plurality of
fabric panels assembled to each other. However, in contrast to the front body
portion 28 which
is made up of nine (9) panels, the front panel portion 470 is made up of
eleven (11) panels (i.e.
with two additional panels). The front panel portion 470 includes a right
lateral panel 472; a left
lateral panel 474; first, second and third diagonally-extending panels 476,
478 and 480; first
second and third upper medial panels 482, 484 and 486; and first, second and
third lower medial
panels 488, 490 and 492.
[0081] The configuration and arrangement of the panels 472, 474, 476, 478 and
480 resemble
that of counterpart panels 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70, except that diagonally-
extending panels 476,
478 and 480 are formed with a narrower width than the diagonally extending
panels 66, 68 and
70 and their upper ends flare out slightly. This is to accommodate the
different arrangement of
upper and lower medial panels 482, 484, 486, 488, 490 and 492.
[0082] The first, second and third upper medial panels 482, 484 and 486 are
disposed between
the first and second diagonally-extending panels 476 and 478. The panels 482,
484 and 486 are
shaped differently than the panels 72, 74 and 76 of the front panel portion
28. More specifically,
the first and third panels 482 and 486 are sized bigger than their counterpart
panels 72 and 76,
while the second panel 484 is sized smaller than the second panel 74. The
first and third upper
medial panels 482 and 486 are similar to each other in that each has a
substantially triangular
shape. The first and third panels 482 and 486 are disposed on either side of
the second panel 484
in a mirror image arrangement. The second upper medial panel 484 has an
elongated shape with
a tapering end. The panel 484 is nestled between the first and second upper
medial panels 482
and 486, the first and second diagonally-extending panels 476 and 478, and a
collar portion (not
shown).
[0083] The first, second and third lower medial panels 488, 490 and 492 are
disposed between
the first and third diagonally-extending panels 476 and 480. The first and
third lower medial
panels 488 and 492 are similar to each other in that each has a triangular
shape. The first and
third panels 488 and 492 are disposed on either side of the second panel 490
in a mirror image
arrangement, and are bounded by the first and third diagonally-extending
panels 476 and 480,
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respectively. The second lower medial panel 490 has an elongated shape with a
tapering end.
The panel 490 is nestled between the first and second lower medial panels 488
and 492, the first
and third diagonally-extending panels 476 and 480, and a waistband portion
(not shown).
[0084] In this embodiment, the first, second and third diagonally-extending
panels 476, 478
and 480 co-operate with each other to define an X¨shaped or cross-like
structure 494 extending
across the front panel portion 470 (not unlike, the cross-like structure 130
of front panel 28
shown in FIG. 10). The first panel 476 defines a first arm 496 of the cross-
like structure 494,
while the second and third panel 478 and 480 together define the second arm
498 of the structure
494. The arms 496 and 498 are disposed on the front panel portion 470 in a
manner intended to
substantially correspond to, follow, or trace, the diagonal fascial lines 604
and 606 that run along
the front of the wearer's upper body and define the front functional line 610
(see FIG. 1A). Each
arm 496, 498 is capable of functioning as a front diagonal tensor band,
stretching (and providing
resistance), when engaged by the wearer's movement.
[0085] However, in addition to having front diagonal tensors bands defined by
arms 486 and
498 of the cross-like structure 494, the front panel portion 470 also has a
front vertical tensor
band defined cooperatively by the second upper medial panel 484 and the second
lower medial
panel 490. This vertical tensor band is disposed on the front panel portion
470 in a manner
intended to substantially correspond to, follow, or trace, the center fascial
line 612 that runs
along the front of the wearer's upper body and defines the superficial front
line 614 (see FIG.
1A). The vertical tensor band can be engaged when the wearer extends his/her
trunk.
[0086] The rear body portion 32 will now be described in greater detail with
reference to
FIGS. 4, 5 and 10. The boundaries or margins of the rear body portion 30 are
defined by an
upper edge 160; a lower edge 162; a pair of opposed, relatively short, left
and right upper lateral
edges 164 and 166; and a pair of opposed, relatively long, left and right
lower lateral edges 168
and 170. The edges 168 and 170 extend substantially upwardly from the lower
edge 162 to meet
the left and right upper lateral edges 164 and 166, respectively. In turn, the
edges 164 and 166
connect to the upper edge 160.
[0087] The upper edge 160 includes a left upper edge portion 172, a right
upper edge portion
174 and an intermediate upper edge portion 176 disposed between the left and
right upper edge
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portions 172 and 174. As shown in FIG. 4, the collar portion 58 is attached to
the rear body
portion 30 along the intermediate upper edge portion 176.
[0088] The left upper edge portion 172 curved slightly concavely and runs
downwardly from
the intermediate upper edge portions 176 to meet the left upper lateral edge
164. On the opposite
side, the right upper edge portion 174 is disposed in a mirror image to the
left upper lateral edge
portion 172. The edge portion 174 extends downwardly from the intermediate
upper edge portion
176 to join the right upper lateral edge 166.
[0089] In contrast to the upper edge 160, the lower edge 162 runs
substantially straight from
the left lateral lower edge 168 to the right lateral lower edge 170. As shown
in FIG. 4, the
waistband portion 60 is attached to the rear body portion 30 along the lower
edge 162.
[0090] The rear body portion 30 is generally similar to the front body portion
28 in that it too
is formed from a plurality of fabric panels assembled to each other. In this
embodiment, the rear
body portion 30 is made up of nine (9) panels stitched together ¨ a left
lateral panel 182; a right
lateral panel 184; first, second and third diagonally-extending panels 186,
188 and 190; first
second and third upper medial panels 192, 194 and 196; and a lower panel 198.
It will be
appreciated that, in other embodiments, the rear body portion of the
orthopedic support garment
could be made with a greater or lesser number of panels.
[0091] Each of the panels 182, 184, 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196 and 198 will
now be
described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 4, 5 and 10. The left
lateral panel 182 is
substantially similar to the left lateral panel 62 of the front body portion
28 described above. The
panel 182 has boundaries or margins that are defined by the lower part 200 of
the left upper
lateral edge 164, the left lower lateral edge 168, a lower medial edge 204 and
an upper medial
edge 206. The lower part 200 of the left upper lateral edge 164 runs
diagonally downward to
join to the left lower lateral edge 168. The edge 168 extends downwardly
toward the waistband
portion 60 until it meets the lower medial edge 204. The edge 204 extends
diagonally in a medial
direction to meet the upper medial edge 206. Lastly, the edge 206 runs
diagonally in a lateral
direction to join the lower part 200 of the left upper lateral edge 164.
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[0092] The right lateral panel 184 closely resembles the right lateral panel
64 of the front body
portion 28. Its boundaries are defined by the lower part 210 of the right
upper lateral edge 166,
the right lower lateral edge 170, a lower medial edge 214 and an upper medial
edge 216. The
lower part 210 of the right upper lateral edge 164 runs diagonally downward to
join to the right
lower lateral edge 170. The edge 170 extends downwardly toward the waistband
portion 60 until
it meets the lower medial edge 214. The edge 214 extends diagonally in a
medial direction to
meet the upper medial edge 216. Lastly, the edge 216 runs diagonally in a
lateral direction to join
the lower part 210 of the right upper lateral edge 166.
[0093] The first diagonally-extending panel 186 has a shape very similar to
that of the first
diagonally-extending panel 66 of the front body portion 28, except that it
somewhat shorter than
panel 66. The margins of the panel 186 are defined by the lower part 220 of
the left upper edge
portion 172, a relatively short upper lateral edge 222, a relatively long
lower lateral edge 224, the
part 226 of the lower edge 162, and a relatively long medial edge 228 disposed
substantially
parallel to the lower lateral edge 124. In contrast to the first diagonally-
extending panel 66
which extends from right to left from the upper edge 40 to the lower edge 42,
the panel 186
extends from left to right from the upper edge 160 to the lower edge 162,
tying the left sleeve
portion 36 to the waistband portion 60. Along its lower lateral edge 224, the
panel 186 is
attached to the left lateral panel 182, the third diagonally-extending panel
190 and the lower
panel 198. Along its medial edge 228, the panel 186 is joined to the right
lateral panel 184, the
second diagonally-extending panel 188 and the first and second upper medial
panels 192 and
194.
[0094] The second diagonally-extending panel 188 is shaped similar to its
counterpart panel 68
in the front body portion 28. The boundaries of the panel 188 are delimited by
the lower part 230
of the right upper edge portion 174, a medial edge 232, a relatively short
upper lateral edge 234,
a relatively long lower lateral edge 236 and a lower edge 238. The panel 188
is disposed in the
upper right region of the rear panel portion 30 and attaches the right sleeve
portion 38 to the
panel 186. The panel 188 is bounded on one side by the second and third medial
panels 194 and
196 and on the other side by the right lateral panel 184.
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[0095] The third diagonally-extending panel 190 is shaped to resemble panel 70
of the front
body portion 28. It has an upper edge 240, a lower edge 242, a relatively
short medial edge 244
and a relatively long lateral edge 246 disposed substantially parallel to
medial edge 244. The
panel 190 is disposed in the lower left region of the rear panel portion 30
and attaches the first
diagonally-extending panel 186 to the waistband portion 60, and the left
lateral panel 182 to the
lower panel 198.
[0096] The first, second and third diagonally-extending panels 186, 188 and
190 co-operate
with each other to define an X¨shaped or cross-like structure 250 (not unlike
cross-structure 130)
extending across the rear panel portion 30. The first panel 186 defines a
first arm 252 of the
cross-like structure 250, while the second and third panel 188 and 190
together define the second
arm 254 of the structure 250. The arms 252 and 254 are disposed on the rear
panel portion 30 in
a manner intended to substantially correspond to, follow, or trace, the
diagonal fascial lines 626
and 628 (shown in FIG. 1B) that run along the rear of the wearer's upper body.
As is the case
with arms 132 and 134, having the arms 252 and 254 disposed in this manner
provides at least
some tension and resistance to movement along the diagonal fascial planes
thereby affording
enhanced anatomically appropriate orthopedic support and proprioceptive (and
kinesthetic)
feedback to the wearer 12. Each arm 252, 254 is capable of functioning as a
rear diagonal tensor
band, stretching (and providing resistance), when engaged by the wearer's
movement.
[0097] As mentioned previously, the orthopedic support garment 10 is
specifically designed to
be worn by a right-handed person. However, it will be appreciated that with
proper modification
the orthodontic support garment could be configured for a left-handed person.
In such case, the
arrangement of first, second and third diagonally-extending panels in the rear
body portion of
such a garment would be the mirror image of that shown in FIG. 4. More
specifically, there
would be a continuous and an uninterrupted diagonally-extending panel running
from the right
sleeve portion to the waistband portion. Additionally, the position and
orientation of the
diagonally-extending panels of the front body portion would be modified as
described above.
[0098] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications similar
to those described
above in the context of the cross-like structure 130, could also be brought to
the cross-like
structure 250 such that there is no need to repeat the description thereof
here. In addition, in
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other embodiments, the rear body portion could be configured differently, for
instance, with a
greater or lesser number of panels. In this regard, the rear panel portion
could be made to
resemble the alternate front panel portion shown in FIG. 11A or FIG. 11B.
[0099] Turning now to the first second and third upper medial panels 192, 194
and 196, these
are generally similar to their counterpart panels 72, 74 and 76 of the front
body portion 28. Like
panels 72 and 76, the first and third panels 192 and 196 are relatively small
triangular panels.
The first are third panels 192 and 196 are disposed on either side of the
second panel 194 in a
mirror image arrangement. The panel 192 serves to reinforce the connection
between the left
sleeve portion 36 and the first diagonally-extending panel 186. Similarly, the
panel 196
reinforces the connection between the right sleeve portion 38 and the second
diagonally-
extending panel 188.
[00100] The second upper medial panel 194 is intended to be oriented along the
superficial back
line 634 (shown in FIG. 1B) when the garment 10 is worn by the wearer 12. The
panel 194 is
shaped similar to an arrowhead and is nestled between the first and second
upper medial panels
192 and 196, the first and second diagonally-extending panels 186 and 188, and
the collar
portion 58. The intermediate upper edge portion 176 to which is secured the
collar portion 58,
defines the uppermost margin of the panel 194.
[00101] Lastly, the lower panel 198 has a triangular shape and is positioned
between the first
and third diagonally-extending panels 186 and 190 and the waistband portion
60. Like the
second upper medial panel 194, the lower panel 198 is intended to be oriented
along the
superficial back line 634 when the garment 10 is worn by the wearer 12.
[00102] In this embodiment, the panels 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196 and 198 of
the rear body
portion 30 are sewn together along several seams, namely: first and second,
relatively long,
diagonal seams 260 and 262; first, second, third and fourth, relatively short,
diagonal seams 264,
266, 268 and 270; and first and second, relatively short, vertical seams 272
and 274. The lower
lateral edge 124 of the panel 186 is attached to the upper medial edge 106 of
the left lateral panel
182, the upper edge 240 of the panel 190 and the lower portion 198 along the
first long diagonal
seam 260. The medial edge 128 of the panel 186 is joined to the first and
second upper medial
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panels 192 and 194, the lower edge 238 of the panel 188, and the lower medial
edge 214 of the
right lateral panel 184 along the second long diagonal seam 262.
[00103] The first short diagonal seam 264 connects the medial edge 232 of the
panel 188 to the
panels 192 and 194. The second short diagonal seam 266 joins the lateral edge
236 of the panel
188 to the upper medial edge 216 of the right side panel 184. The long lateral
edge 246 of the
panel 190 is attached to the lower medial edge 104 of the left side panel 182
along the third short
diagonal seam 268, while the short medial edge 244 of the panel 190 is joined
to the lower
portion 198 along the fourth short diagonal seam 270. Lastly, the first short
vertical seam 272
joins the panel 192 to the panel 194 and the second short vertical seam 274
connects the panel
194 to the panel 196.
[00104] In other embodiments, the number, orientation and location of the
various seams could
be different to match an alternate configuration of the rear body portion.
[00105] Turning to FIGS. 2 to 8, the left and right sleeve portions 36 and 38
will now be
described in greater detail. The left sleeve portion 36 includes a sleeve body
280 and a shoulder
part 282 disposed on the upper end of the sleeve body 280 and nestled between
the collar portion
58 and each of the front and rear body portions 28 and 30. When viewed in top
plan (see FIG. 8),
the shoulder part 282 can be seen to have a partially truncated oval shape
made up of an inner
cup section 284 and an outer section 286 surrounding the inner cup section
284. As shown in
FIGS. 6 and 8, the boundaries of the outer section 286 are defined by a front
curved outer edge
portion 288; a front curved inner edge portion 290 spaced apart from the edge
portion 288; a rear
curved outer edge portion 292; a rear curved inner edge portion 294 spaced
apart from the edge
portion 292; a first, relatively short, edge portion 296 extending between the
front curved outer
edge portion 288 and the front curved inner edge portion 290; and a second,
relatively short,
edge portion 298 (visible only in FIG. 4) extending between the rear curved
outer edge portion
292 and the rear curved inner edge portion 294. The outer section 286 has a
first band 300
defined between the front curved outer edge portion 288 and the front curved
inner edge portion
290, and a second band 302 defined between the rear curved outer edge portion
292 and the rear
curved inner edge portion 294. Each band 300, 302 is capable of functioning as
a shoulder
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tensor band (the band 300 as a front shoulder tensor band and the band 302 as
a rear shoulder
tensor band), stretching (and providing resistance), when engaged by the
wearer's movement.
[00106] The outer section 286 is attached to the front body portion 28 by a
first seam 304 that
joins the front curved outer edge portion 288 to the left upper edge portion
52, and to the rear
body portion 30 by a second seam 306 that joins the rear curved outer edge
portion 292 to the
left upper edge portion 172 (see FIG. 6). The first and second seams 304 and
306 also serve to
attach the outer section 286 to the sleeve body 280. At juncture 308, the
first and second seams
304 and 306 meet.
[00107] Defining the margins of the inner cup section 284 are a front curved
edge portion 314;
an opposed rear curved edge portion 316; a relatively short edge 318 joining
the edge portion
314 to the edge portion 316. The front curved edge portion 314 is attached to
the front curved
inner edge portion 292 of the outer section 286 by a third seam 312, while the
rear curved edge
portion 316 is attached to the rear curved inner edge portion 294 of the outer
section 286 by a
fourth seam 324. The third and fourth seams 312 and 324 meet at a juncture 326
(see FIG. 6).
The inner cup section 284 is connected to the collar portion 58 along the
short edge 318.
[00108] When the garment 10 is worn by the wearer, the shoulder part 282
locates on the
wearer's left shoulder with the inner cup section 284 roughly aligned with the
middle muscle
fibers of the shoulder (or deltoid), the first band 300 roughly aligned with
the anterior muscle
fibers of the shoulder, and the second band 302 roughly aligned with the
posterior muscle fibers
of the shoulder. The location 312 where the first and second bands 300 and 302
meet
corresponds roughly to the deltoid tuberosity of the wearer's left arm.
[00109] In other embodiments, the shoulder part could be configured
differently. For instance, it
could be formed with three clearly defined subsections corresponding to the
anterior, middle and
posterior heads of the deltoid (shoulder), thereby mimicking the anatomical
structures of the
shoulder. One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 wherein an alternate
orthopedic support
garment 500 sleeve portion is designated generally with reference numeral 501.
The sleeve
portion 501 is generally similar to the sleeve portion 280 in that it too
includes a sleeve body 502
and a shoulder part 504. The sleeve body 502 is generally similar to the
sleeve body 280 shown
in FIG. 6. The shoulder part 504 is disposed on the upper end of the sleeve
body 502 and nestled
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between the collar portion 506 and each of the front and rear body portions
508 and 510. The
shoulder part 504 is made up of three elongate sections ¨ an anterior shoulder
section 512, a
middle shoulder section 514 and a posterior shoulder section 516 ¨ which
extend between the
collar portion 506 and the sleeve body 502. The middle shoulder section 514 is
disposed
between, and attached to, the anterior and posterior shoulder sections 512 and
516. The shoulder
part 504 is joined to the front body portion 508 along the outer edge of the
anterior shoulder
section 512. Similarly, the shoulder part 504 is joined to the rear body
portion 510 along the
outer edge of the posterior shoulder band 516. The distal ends of the shoulder
sections 512, 514
and 516 converge toward each and are tied into a circumferential connector
band 518 formed in
the upper region of the sleeve body 502. The insertion of the shoulder
sections 512, 514 and 516
into the connector band 518 corresponds approximately to the anatomical
insertion of the
anterior, middle and posterior deltoid muscle fibers into the brachialis
muscle. The sleeve body
502 also attaches to the circumferential connector band 518.
[00110] Referring now to FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 8, the sleeve body 280 has a
proximal end 328 and
a distal end 330 and is formed by a plurality elongate fabric panels stitched
together and
extending from the proximal end 328 to the distal end 330. In this embodiment,
the plurality of
panels includes four (4) panels - a first panel 334, a second panel 336, a
third panel 338 and a
fourth panel 340. In other embodiments, greater or lesser number of panels
could be employed
to form the sleeve body. The first panel 334 is joined to the second panel 336
by a first elongate
seam 342 (visible in FIG. 3); the second panel 336 is joined to the third
panel 338 by a second
elongate seam 344 (visible in FIG. 4); the third panel 338 is joined to the
fourth panel 340 by a
third elongate seam 346 (visible in FIG. 2); and the fourth panel 340 is
joined to the first panel
334 by a fourth elongate seam 348 (visible in FIGS. 2 and 5). Additionally,
the distal ends of the
first and second panels 334 and 336 are joined to the left upper lateral edge
44 of the front body
portion 28 by a first short seam 350 (visible in FIG. 3), while the distal end
of the third panel 336
is joined to left upper lateral edge 164 of the rear body portion 30 by a
second short seam 352
(visible in FIG. 5). In other embodiments, the number, orientation and
location of the various
seams could be different to match an alternate configuration of the sleeve
body.
[00111] At the distal end 330 of the sleeve body 280, the panels 334, 336, 338
and 340 are
attached to a sleeve cuff 354 (visible in FIGS. 3 and 5). The cuff 354 may be
elasticized to
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snugly embrace or engage the wearer's wrist. In an alternative embodiment, the
cuff could be
provided with an aperture defined therethrough to permit passage of the
wearer's thumb. This
arrangement would tend to ensure that the sleeve body 280 remains extended and
properly
positioned on the wearer's arm when the garment 10 is worn.
[00112] The second and fourth panels 336 and 340 form bands 360 and 362 that
are laid out in
such a manner as to substantially correspond to, follow, or trace, the
superficial fascia of the
wearer's left arm. More specifically, the band 360 is slightly bowed and is
configured to follow
the superficial front arm line. When the garment 10 is worn by the wearer 12,
the band 360 can
be seen to be running from the wearer's left underarm to the medial
epicondyle. At that location,
the band 360 changes orientation and extends over the anterior side of the
wearer's left forearm
ultimately terminating at the anterior side of the wearer's wrist (See FIGS. 3
and 4).
[00113] The band 362 has a generally dog-legged shape and is designed to
follow the
superficial rear arm line 640 (shown in FIG. 1B). When the garment 10 is worn
by the wearer 12,
the band 362 can be seen to run from the outside of the wearer's upper arm to
the lateral
epicondyle. At that location, the band 362 changes orientation and extends
over the posterior side
of the wearer's left forearm ultimately terminating at the posterior side of
the wearer's wrist
(See FIGS. 5 and 6).
[00114] In this embodiment, the sleeve body 280 is provided with bands 360 and
362 which
substantially trace both the superficial front arm line 624 (shown in FIG. 1A)
and the superficial
rear arm line 640 (shown in FIG. 1B) and which are capable of functioning as
arm tensor bands,
stretching (and providing resistance), when engaged by the wearer's movement.
This need not be
the case in every application. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve body
could be configured
with a single band tracing only one of the superficial arm lines. In yet
another embodiment, a
pair of bands could be arranged to substantially trace both deep front and
rear arm lines.
Alternatively, a single band could be provided to trace only one of the deep
arm lines. In a
different embodiment, bands could be laid out to substantially trace one or
both superficial arm
lines, and one or both deep arm lines. In still another embodiment, the tensor
bands could be
omitted from the sleeve body.
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1001151 Modifications may be brought to the left sleeve portion 36. For
instance, in other
embodiments, the left sleeve portion could be provided with a circumferential
connector band
not unlike circumferential connector band 518 shown in FIG. 12. In such a
case, the
circumferential connector band could be disposed between the shoulder part and
the sleeve body.
The bands of the shoulder part defining the front and rear shoulder tensor
bands could tie into the
circumferential connector band. Similarly, the various panels of the sleeve
body could be
attached to the circumferential connector band.
[00116] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, 7 and 8, the right sleeve portion 38
resembles the left sleeve
portion 36 in that it too includes a sleeve body 370 and a shoulder part 372
disposed on the upper
end of the sleeve body 370 and nestled between the collar portion 58 and each
of the front and
rear body portions 28 and 30. When viewed in top plan, the shoulder part 372
can be seen to
have a partially truncated oval shape made up of an inner cup section 374 and
an outer section
376 surrounding the inner cup section 374. The boundaries of the outer section
376 are defined
by a front curved outer edge portion 378; a front curved inner edge portion
380 spaced apart
from the edge portion 378; a rear curved outer edge portion 382; a rear curved
inner edge portion
384 spaced apart from the edge portion 382; a first, relatively short, edge
portion 386 extending
between the front curved outer edge portion 378 and the front curved inner
edge portion 380; and
a second, relatively short, edge portion 388 extending between the rear curved
outer edge portion
382 and the rear curved inner edge portion 384. The outer section has a first
band 390 defined
between the front curved outer edge portion 378 and the front curved inner
edge portion 380, and
a second band 392 defined between the rear curved outer edge portion 382 and
the rear curved
inner edge portion 384. Each band 390, 392 is capable of functioning as a
shoulder tensor band
(the band 390 as a front shoulder tensor band and the band 392 as a rear
shoulder tensor band),
stretching (and providing resistance), when engaged by the wearer's movement.
[00117] The outer section 376 is attached to the front body portion 28 by a
first seam 400 that
joins the front curved outer edge portion 378 to the right upper edge portion
54, and to the rear
body portion 30 by a second seam 402 that joins the rear curved outer edge
portion 382 to the
right upper edge portion 174 (see FIG. 7). The first and second seams 400 and
402 also serve to
attach the outer section 386 to the sleeve body 370. At juncture 404, the
first and second seams
400 and 402 meet.
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[00118] Defining the margins of the inner cup section 374 are a front curved
edge portion 394;
an opposed rear curved edge portion 396; a relatively short edge 398 joining
the edge portion
394 to the edge portion 396. The front curved edge portion 394 is attached to
the front curved
inner edge portion 382 of the outer section 376 by a third seam 406, while the
rear curved edge
portion 396 is attached to the rear curved inner edge portion 384 of the outer
section 376 by a
fourth seam 408. The third and fourth seams 406 and 408 meet at a juncture
409. The inner cup
section 374 is connected to the collar portion 58 along the short edges 398.
[00119] When the garment 10 is worn by the wearer, the shoulder part 372
locates on the
wearer's right shoulder with the inner cup section 374 roughly aligned with
the middle muscle
fibers of the shoulder (or deltoid), the first band 390 roughly aligned with
the anterior muscle
fibers of the shoulder, and the second band 392 roughly aligned with the
posterior muscle fibers
of the shoulder. The location 402 where the first and second bands 390 and 392
meet
corresponds roughly to the deltoid tuberosity of the wearer's right arm.
[00120] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications similar
to those described
above in the context of the shoulder part 282, could also be brought to the
shoulder part 372 such
that there is no need to repeat the description thereof here.
[00121] Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8, the sleeve body 370 is
generally similar to the
sleeve body 280 described above. It has a proximal end 410 and a distal end
412 and is formed
by a plurality elongate fabric panels stitched together and extending from the
proximal end 410
to the distal end 412. In this embodiment, the plurality of panels includes
four (4) panels - a first
panel 424, a second panel 426, a third panel 428 and a fourth panel 430. In
other embodiments,
greater or lesser number of panels could be employed to form the sleeve body.
The first panel
424 is joined to the second panel 426 by a first elongate seam 432 (visible in
FIG. 3); the second
panel 426 is joined to the third panel 428 by a second elongate seam 434
(visible in FIG. 4); the
third panel 428 is joined to the fourth panel 430 by a third elongate seam 436
(visible in FIGS. 4
and 5); and the fourth panel 430 is joined to the first panel 424 by a fourth
elongate seam 438
(visible in FIGS. 2 and 5). Additionally, the distal ends of the first and
second panels 424 and
426 are joined to the right upper lateral edge 46 of the front body portion 28
by a first short seam
440 (visible in FIG. 3), while the distal end of the third panel 428 is joined
to right upper lateral
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edge 166 of the rear body portion 30 by a second short seam 442 (visible in
FIG. 5). In other
embodiments, the number, orientation and location of the various seams could
be different to
match an alternate configuration of the sleeve body.
[00122] At the distal end 412 of the sleeve body 370, the panels 424, 426, 428
and 430 are
attached to a sleeve cuff 444. The cuff 444 may be elasticized to snugly
embrace or engage the
wearer's wrist. As is the case with 352, cuff 444 could be provided with an
aperture defined
therethrough to permit passage of the wearer's thumb. This arrangement would
tend to ensure
that the sleeve body 370 remains extended and properly positioned on the
wearer's arm when the
garment 10 is worn.
[00123] The second and fourth panels 426 and 430 form bands 456 and 458 that
are laid out in
such a manner as to substantially correspond to, follow, or trace, the
superficial fascia of the
wearer's left arm, and capable of functioning as arm tensor bands, stretching
(and providing
resistance), when engaged by the wearer's movement. The band 456 is slightly
bowed and is
configured to follow the superficial front arm line 624 (shown in FIG. 1B).
When the garment 10
is worn by the wearer 12, the band 456 can be seen to be running from the
wearer's right
underarm to the medial epicondyle. At that location, the band 456 changes
orientation and
extends over the anterior of the wearer's right forearm ultimately terminating
at the anterior side
of the wearer's wrist (see FIGS. 3 and 4).
[00124] The band 458 has a generally dog-legged shape and is designed to
follow the
superficial rear arm line 640 (show in FIG. 1B). When the garment 10 is worn
by the wearer 12,
the band 458 can be seen to run from the outside of the wearer's upper arm to
the lateral
epicondyle. At that location, the band 458 changes orientation and extends
over the posterior
side of the wearer's right forearm ultimately terminating at the posterior
side of the wearer's
wrist (see FIGS. 5 and 7).
[00125] In like fashion to the sleeve body 280, the sleeve body 370 could be
configured with a
different number and/or arrangement of bands. An alternate sleeve body could
have a single
band substantially tracing one of the superficial or deep arm lines, or could
have multiple bands
substantially tracing one or more of the superficial arm lines and one or more
of the deep arm
lines.
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[00126] Modifications similar to those discussed in the context of the left
sleeve portion 36,
could be brought to the right sleeve portion 38 as well.
[00127] Referring to FIGS 3 and 5, the waistband portion 60 can be seen to
extend
circumferentially about the lowermost margin of the garment. The waistband
portion is
elasticized and also includes friction enhancing means on its underside. In
this embodiment, the
friction enhancing means take the form of a plurality of very small rubber
loops or nubs (not
shown) that depend from the waistband portion. The loops are designed to
frictionally engage the
surface against which they bear. This arrangement tends to hold the orthopedic
support garment
in place thereby preventing the garment 10 from lifting up as the wearer
moves. In this
embodiment, the garment 10 is configured so that the waistband portion 60
rides at hip level on
the wearer. In other embodiments, the garment 10 could be worn higher or lower
on the wearer.
[00128] The garment 10 and the various panels of the front and rear body
portions 28 and 30,
and the left and right sleeve portions 36 and 38 are fabricated from an
elastic or stretchable fabric
selected to provide a tight, compression-like (or form-fitting) fit on the
wearer. Preferably, the
fabric would have four-way stretch. However, in certain cases, a fabric having
two-way stretch
could be employed. The fabric could contain one or more of polyester, spandex,
elastic, nylon, or
the like.
[00129] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 10, the garment is constructed
of fabrics
exhibiting different stiffness, resistance or elasticity characteristics. More
specifically, different
fabrics have been employed for different panels depending on the desired
resistance to
movement to be created by the panel. The panels 66, 68, 70, 186, 188, and 190
which function as
tensor bands on the front and rear body portions 28 and 30 are made of an
elastic cotton material.
The other panels 62, 64, 72, 74, 76, 78, 182, 184, 192, 194, 196 and 198 that
make up the front
and rear body portions 28 and 30 are made of a less stiff fabric exhibiting
greater elastic
properties than the fabric used for the front and rear body tensor bands. The
fabric used for these
latter panels may be a combination of nylon, spandex and polyester.
[00130] Regarding the right and left sleeve portions 36 and 38, the panels
336, 340, 426 and 430
which define the right and left arm tensor bands, and the bands 300, 302, 390
and 392 which
define the right and left front and rear shoulder tensor bands, are made from
a stiffer or heavier
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fabric than that used for the front and rear body tensors. For example, one or
more of the right
and left arm tensor bands and the right and left shoulder tensor bands could
be made with
OMNISKYNTm produced by BodyHelix, LLC, in Greensboro, NC. Advantageously, such
fabric
tends to grip the wearer's skin for further enhanced proprioception.
[00131] Optionally, one or more of the front and rear body tensor bands, the
arm tensor bands
or the shoulder tensor bands could be provided with a textured or friction-
enhancing surface on
their underside for contact with the wearer's skin. In a further alternative,
the underside of these
tensor bands could have small projecting nubs or other like structures for
bearing against the
wearer's skin. Such friction-enhancing surfaces or projecting nubs could be
provided to heighten
the proprioception experienced by the wearer.
[00132] It will thus be appreciated that by selecting fabrics of varying
stiffness and elasticity
greater or lesser resistance of movement may be provided to accommodate the
wearer's physical
condition. In this way, the garment can be made to suit a patient which is
rehabilitating from
injury, or an athlete seeking to improve his/her conditioning, proprioceptive
function.
[00133] In alternative embodiments, all the panels of the garment could be
made using the same
fabric.
[00134] For enhanced comfort for the wearer, it is preferred that the fabrics
used in the garment
be breathable and have moisture wicking properties. In this regard, the
fabrics may have
incorporated therein metal ions, or other mechanical sweat wicking,
temperature regulating
materials.
[00135] In this embodiment, flat-lock stitching is used to form the seams 140
to 154, 260 to
274, 304, 306, 312, 324, 342 to 352, 400, 402, 408 and 432 to 442. In other
embodiments, a
different type of stitching could be used. While in the embodiment described,
the various panels
are sewn to each other. In other embodiments, the panels could be attached to
each other
differently, of further still the panels could be merged or incorporated with
each other using
advanced production techniques.
[00136] Having described the structure of the orthodontic support garment 10
and its constituent
parts, what follows is a brief description of how the various tensor bands
formed in the garment
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may be engaged by the wearer's movements. Only a few basic movements are
described to
illustrate the engagement of the tensors. These movements are representative
only. Accordingly,
the description of the engagement of the tensor bands is not intended to be
exhaustive or limiting
and is merely provided to enhance comprehension.
[00137] FIGS. 13A and 13B show the wearer 12 of the garment 10 with his/her
left arm raised
above his/her head. It can be seen that in that position, the second
diagonally-extending panel 68
of the front panel 28 is extended or stretched (as depicted by the arrows) and
that consequently,
the front diagonal tensor band defined by the second arm 134 of the cross-like
structure 130 is
engaged (see FIG. 13A), mimicking the engagement of the front functional line
630 in the
wearer's anatomy. In FIG. 13A, the tensor band 360 can also be seen to be in
tension (as
depicted by the arrows) in a manner not unlike the engagement of the
superficial front arm line
624.
[00138] Similarly, when the wearer 12 is in that position, the first
diagonally-extending panel
186 of the rear panel 30 is extended or stretched and the rear diagonal tensor
band defined by the
first arm 252 of the cross-like structure 250 is engaged (see FIG. 13B),
imitating the engagement
of the back functional line 630 in the wearer's anatomy. In FIG. 13B, the
tensor band 362 can
also be seen to be in tension in a manner not unlike the engagement of the
superficial rear arm
line 640.
[00139] FIG. 14 shows the wearer 12 of the garment 10 with his/her left arm
raised to shoulder
level and forwardly extended. In that position, it can be seen that the rear
shoulder tensor band
defined by the second band 302 of the shoulder part 282 is engaged. In
addition, the first
diagonally-extending panel 186 (defining one of the rear diagonal tensor
bands) can be seen to
be in tension, imitating the engagement of the back functional line 630 in the
wearer's anatomy.
[00140] FIG. 15 shows the wearer 12 of the garment 10 with his/her right arm
overhead in the
cocking phase position preceding a baseball pitcher's throw. In that position,
it can be seen that
the right arm tensor 456 defined by the second panel 426 is engaged, mimicking
the anatomical
engagement of the superficial front arm line 624. In addition, the first
diagonally-extending
panel 66 (defining one of the front diagonal tensor bands) can be seen to be
in tension, imitating
the engagement of the front functional line 610 in the wearer's anatomy.
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[00141] FIG. 16 shows the wearer 12 of the garment 10 with his/her right arm
fully extended in
the release phase position following a baseball pitcher's throw. In that
position, it can be seen
that the right arm tensor 458 defined by the fourth panel 430 is engaged,
mimicking the
anatomical engagement of the superficial rear arm line 640. In addition, the
second diagonally-
extending panel 188 (defining one of the rear diagonal tensor bands) can be
seen to be in tension,
imitating the engagement of the back functional line 630 in the wearer's
anatomy.
[00142] While in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 10 the garment 10 takes
the form of a
long-sleeved shirt, it should be appreciated that in other embodiments, it
could take a different
form. Applying the principles of the present invention with appropriate
modifications, the
orthopedic support garment could be configured as a t-shirt, a bodysuit, a
jumpsuit, or any
similar garment. Additionally, the garment could be worn as stand alone
athletic wear or could
be used as an underlayer to be worn beneath clothing or equipment.
[00143] It will thus be appreciated that by having various tensor panels
disposed along certain
key fascial planes or lines of the body, the garment is able to elicit an
enhanced anatomically
appropriate proprioceptive (and kinesthetic) feedback to the wearer for
various muscle groups of
the upper body during the wearer's movement. This proprioceptive feedback can
be useful for
teaching athletes in a variety of sports, the proper phases of a movement.
[00144] Although the foregoing description and accompanying drawings relate to
specific
preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by
the inventor, it will
be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations, may be made
without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
DM_T0R/285261-00001/4075053 5
