GB2554466A

GB2554466A - Sports garment

Info

Publication number: GB2554466A
Application number: GB1616681.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hodivala Jamas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-09-30
Filing date: 2016-09-30
Publication date: 2018-04-04
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-30
Also published as: GB2557399B; GB2557399A; GB201715615D0; GB2554466B; GB201616681D0; WO2018060743A1

Abstract

A garment 1 comprises at least one fabric layer laying adjacent a wearers body with rigid portions (21, figure 2) constructed to follow the natural human muscle structure when worn. The rigid portions (21, figure 2) may comprise a different material from the material of the fabric. The fabric layer may comprise gripper dot clusters 4 formed on the fabric layer so as to be in contact with the wearers skin. The gripper dot diameter may vary in relation to muscle groups and joints of the human body. The gripper dot 4 concentration may increase as size decreases at muscle group ends. The garment may be formed from panels, each panel corresponding to a given region of the human body. Also disclosed is the panels arranged to form a bra comprising gripper dots 4 and gripper portions (21, figure 2). Further disclosed is the panels arranged to form a wrist, ankle or knee support. The advantage is a garment to aid injury rehabilitation without impeding normal function.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Sports garment Abstract Title: Sports garment (57) A garment 1 comprises at least one fabric layer laying adjacent a wearer’s body with rigid portions (21, figure 2) constructed to follow the natural human muscle structure when worn. The rigid portions (21, figure 2) may comprise a different material from the material of the fabric. The fabric layer may comprise gripper dot clusters 4 formed on the fabric layer so as to be in contact with the wearer’s skin. The gripper dot diameter may vary in relation to muscle groups and joints of the human body. The gripper dot 4 concentration may increase as size decreases at muscle group ends. The garment may be formed from panels, each panel corresponding to a given region of the human body. Also disclosed is the panels arranged to form a bra comprising gripper dots 4 and gripper portions (21, figure 2). Further disclosed is the panels arranged to form a wrist, ankle or knee support. The advantage is a garment to aid injury rehabilitation without impeding normal function.

[1/3]

[2/3]

Figure 2

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Figure 3 ' 14

F--

Sports Garment

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to support garments.

Review of the Art Known to the Inventor

Sports injury rehabilitation is a heavily lucrative field in today's society. As a result of the rise in competition in distance as triathlons, marathons, cycling and other associated endurance sports, amateur as well as professional athletes are seeking the best prevention and treatment options possible. Throwing sports, that require the athlete to exert a high power output to generate an explosive action place an increased amount of stress on the athletes body. Some sports place an increased strain on the human body due to the repetitive nature of the training involved. Athletes of all levels seek to find the options that will reduce the likelihood of injury and encourage their recovery and allow their continued training, reducing loss of training time.

Current injury rehabilitation methods include rest and methods including heat treatment of an injured region. To the inventor's knowledge, there are currently no support garments that enable a wearer to carry out their normal function without consciously focussing on how tasks are carried out. Consciously overthinking each task can hinder the wearers natural proprioceptive responses, and decrease effectiveness of the wearer.

Current injury rehabilitation methods include the work of physiotherapists, sports therapists, osteopaths, and others. Many of these professionals now incorporate the use of kinesio taping and/or joint supports in to their methods. This tape remains on the user for up to three days at a time. Basic joint supports tend to be uncomfortable and slip out of position.

The kinesio taping method has potential drawbacks. Keeping tape on the body for three consecutive days, including during bouts of exercise attracts dirt and act as a sponge that keeps sweat in contact with the wearer's skin. Maintaining this contact is arguably unhygienic practice.

Conventionally, the current kinesio taping method requires a second party to apply the tape. Application methods can vary between physicians, which can lead to varied applications and differing effects. Applying the tape in position is also complicated by the requirement for the application of the same tension, the tape is stretched upon application, which is combined by the wearer adopting specific stance or stretch to receive the taping. It is clear that the stretching of the tape can vary between applications as there is no measure that can provide the same tension each time. Preferably, the tape is reapplied with the same tension and placement over the desire site each re-application. With continued exposure to the skin throughout exercise, the taping is exposed to sweat and body movement. With increased exposure to the sweat, the adherent used for the tape becomes less effective, with the edges of the tape often peeling away from the user's skin. The peeling away reduces the effective action of the tape in use. It would be advantageous to provide a method for maintaining skin contact without loss of grip at any point of the supporting material.

Favourably, a method of providing muscle and joint support would be removable and washable to reduce the length of contact with the wearer's skin, as well as constructed within a set tension value. It is favourable to provide wearer's with an aid that doesn't hinder their proprioceptive responses when carrying out training or competition.

It is to these problems, that the invention attempts to offer a solution.

Summary of the invention.

In its broadest aspect, the invention comprises a garment, intended to be worn by and move with the human body, said garment comprising at least one fabric layer in contact, in use, with the wearers body, and portions that are more rigid, the rigid portions being so constructed as to be intended to follow the composition of natural human muscle structure on a given region of the human body when the garment is worn.

Thus the garment provides support to the wearer's body, in use, through the support provided by the rigid portions in combination with the garment's material and shape. The rigid portions act to provide the wearer with a reinforcement to the muscles and joints of the body that may be carrying an injury. The rigid portions follow the natural muscular structure, so as to provide the wearer with support.

Secondly, the rigid portion composition is flexible enough to allow the garment to move with the wearer's body, by having a specifically designed structure that maintains the garments positioning, as well as the garments structure.

Preferably the invention comprises rigid portions comprising material, different from the material of the fabric.

Advantageously, the innermost layer of cloth has gripper dots applied to strategic positions that coincide with the placement of the rigid sections. The garment provides support to the wearer's body, in use, by acting to draw the skin away from an inflamed or injured region of muscle. The support is provided by the unique combination of the material being cut in a particular way and the rigid portions adhering to the body at points associated with the gripper dots. Drawing the skin away from the inflamed or injured region reduces pressure and friction that slows recovery, providing the support along the whole length of the muscle, to reduce pressure at other muscular portions that would otherwise increase friction at injured portions. The adhering properties of the garment maintain the positioning over specific regions of the body. This maintaining of positioning of the garment ensures that the rigid portions remain over the specific portions they are designed to aid. The adhering nature of the top ensures that the rigid portions remain close to the skin of the wearer so as to facilitate the function of the garment.

In a subsidiary aspect, wherein parts of the fabric layer comprise gripper dot clusters, the clusters being formed on the fabric layer so as to lie, in use, in contact with the wearer's skin.

With the garment comprised of a specific arrangement of gripper dots, the specific arrangement is organised so as to enable the garment to grip the desired areas of the wearer's body. The garment is designed so that the rigid portions correspond with muscle group composition and joint structure. The gripper dots are arranged to provide specific positioning that maintains positioning of the shirt, as well as the rigid portions, thus providing the wearer with optimum support from the rigid portions.

Preferably, wherein the gripper dot clusters are on that surface of the fabric layer other than the one on which the rigid portions are formed.

The gripper dot positioning is correlated with the rigid portions so as to provide a close to skin hold for the rigid portions to be close enough to the wearer’s skin to carry out their supporting function. The stresses to the rigid portions generated by the gripper dots acting on the skin as the body moves creates a proprioceptive function.

Preferably, the gripper dots are comprised of material having water resistant properties.

The water resistant properties of the gripper dots provide the wearer with a wider variety of options of support and wear. By providing a water resistant gripper dot, the wearer is afforded the ability to wear the garment during physical activity, this allows the garment to aid recovery without loss of training time due to prevention of slip or displacement.

The water resistant properties accommodate use in warmer climates by the wearer or any physical exertion producing sweat. A further advantageous benefit is that the garment remains in position under further layers worn over it, therefore reducing discomfort experienced from shifting of base layers during wear.

Preferably, the gripper dots are characterised in that their individual diameter is within the range of about 1 to around 10 millimeters.

In a subsidiary aspect, the gripper dot diameter varies in relation to muscle groups and joints of the human body.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the gripper dot concentration that increases as size decreases at muscle group ends, said increase providing reduced spacing between dots, said reduction in spacing in use, provides the garment with increased surface area of grip to the user's body.

Advantageously, the gripper dots are variable in size to allow for increasing of concentration in their number in a specific area, and decreasing in number where gripping of specific muscle groups demands. The scope of range of the organisation of the gripper dots allows for the rigid portions to grip the skin in the optimum fashion, their design is configured to account for the movements where the body naturally twists and moves. Where the body turns and twists, requires the use of dots with a smaller diameter to ensure that that garment remains gripped on to the contours of the body. Where the larger portions of the body exert less rotation and movement, dots with larger diameters provide the required grip that holds the garment in place to maintain positioning of the rigid portions and to enhance the proprioceptive function of the garment.

The benefit of reducing the diameters of the gripper dots, is that a higher concentration of gripper dots can be attached to a specific portion of the garment. An increased concentration provides with wider, more specific gripping that ensures the desired portion moves with the specific region of the wearer's body, by allowing adhering and re-adhering across the concentration of dots. Larger dot diameter provides the optimum adherence to larger, flatter surfaces of the wearer's body that do not move with as much rotation or direction change than, for example, the limbs.

Preferably, some at least of rigid portions are formed as strips.

With rigid portions formed as strips, and constructed to follow the composition of natural human muscle structure on a given region of the human body, the strips can run from end to end of muscles to provide the support along a full muscle group. The strips can also run along the outer edges of muscle groups to reduce pressure from other groups of specific muscular or joint regions and support. The benefit of strips includes running along, and over joints. By running over a joint, the strip can follow the line of major as well as minor joint muscle groups. The strips can advantageously be arranged in a number of smaller portions so as to provide support across the wider portion of the joint.

Preferably, the rigid portions are characterised in diameter, said diameter is of about 5 to around 70 millimetres.

Advantageously, the diameter of the rigid portions varies depending on positioning within the garment. By altering the diameter, or width, and depth, of the portions, both large and small muscle groups can be provided relief. Larger groups of muscles, such as, but not limited to, the quadriceps and back, can be accommodated by wider thickness. Joints and smaller muscle groups, such as, but not limited to, the hinge joint structure of the knee and the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder, can be accommodated for by narrower width strips that are constructed so as to reduce any restriction to the movement of the wearer. Strip variation is ideal for providing the user with support from a number of increased smaller strips that cover an area, such as, for example, the shoulder. A number of smaller strips can spread the relief to the wearers shoulder across a wider area, by drawing more of the skin off around the injury, allowing freer movement.

Preferably, wherein said strips correlate with the positioning of the arrangement of the gripper dots with intent to aid support of the users muscles and joints.

Advantageously, the rigid portions are designed to work in unison with the gripper dot arrangement. By correlating these arrangements, the rigid portions act to support the gripper dot target regions of the wearer's body. The gripper dots correlate with the composition of the natural human muscle structure, which in unison with the rigid portions, provides the wearer with support and a proprioceptive effect. By drawing the skin away from the area, the rigid portions act to reinforce the area surrounding an injury as well as supporting regions that are commonly exposed to greater loading and subsequent higher prevalence of injury that include, but are not limited to, the joints and muscle group ends. By adhering the skin and garment inner layer together, the rigid portions are held close to the wearer's body and in position relative to the wearer's body, thereby creating a proprioceptive effect and supporting muscles and joints.

Preferably, the invention comprises gripper dots and rigid portions which tend to prevent fabric gathering.

This combination of the rigid portions and gripper dots maintains the garments placement and shape, allowing it to move with the body, without gathering or shifting out of shape or position over the specific position in relation to muscle and joint structure. This ensures that the function of the garment continues to operate while the wearer is in motion, whilst also maintaining comfort.

Preferably, the garment is formed of panels, each panel corresponding to a given region of the human body.

If the panels each correspond with portions of the human body, which then form the garment when joined together, each panel may comprise its own specific composition of gripper dots and rigid portions, so as to provide optimum benefit, and relief to the wearer. By forming the garment of panels, the garment can be constructed in an assembly that best suits the needs of the individual. Changes within the rigid portion construction and layout between panels allows the garment to be tailored for treating different injury requirements and/or improving poor muscle and joint alignment or positioning.

Preferably, the panels are at least partially bound by flatlock seams. The invention, also, preferably comprising panels that are at least partially bound by lapped seams. The joining seams act to provide a strong binding between the panels, as well as accurately lining up the rigid portions between panels.

Preferably, the gripper dots are arranged around garment openings with the intent of maintaining positioning of openings on the wearers body.

Such an arrangement of the dots around the openings prevents the garment from shifting out of place. This provides the wearer with the optimum benefit and comfort during use.

A garment without a securing means is likely to shift out of place during movement, whether this is through normal activity or through sporting activity, also resulting in movement of the rigid portions and gripper dots.

Preferably, wherein there are two overlying fabric layers with the rigid portions situated in the space between them.

The layers are formed so as to provide a garment where the rigid portions are concealed between the layers. The outer layer can comprise a pre-selected design, which covers the rigid portions. The rigid portions are located between the two layers, so as to carry out their function of aiding proprioception, support and recovery to the wearer.

The invention also comprises a garment substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated by, any appropriate combination of the text and/or drawings.

Brief Description of the Figures

The invention will now be described with reference to the Figures, of which:

Figure 1 is a frontal view of the garment in the form of a sports top;

Figure 2 is a rear view of the garment in the form of a sports top;

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the top, partially constructed.

Detailed Description of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

Before the present systems and methods are described, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

At figure 1, the garment is displayed as a top 1, comprising a front chest panel 3, with internal gripper dot 4 pattern displayed. The top is comprised of panels including; a left side panel 5, right side panel 7, front abdomen panel 9, left arm and shoulder panel 10 and right arm and shoulder panel 12. Further panels are located at sleeve ends 11 and the front waist 13 with a collar panel 15 also present. Panels are joined by a number of means including, but not limited to, as shown in figure 1, bonded lap seam 17 and bonded flatlock seam 19. Diamond insert 22 is positioned under the wearer's shoulder, at the underarm.

The top 1 displays the embodiment of the rigid portions 21 running from the chest panel 3 to respective upper arm and shoulder panels 10, 12. The rigid strips 21 form a support portion to the wearer, by providing an external rigid portion that supports the wearer's shoulder through a rear extension. Gripper dots 4 are constructed to provide a desirably close hold between the wearer's skin and the rigid portions 21. It is desirable that the gripper dots range from about 0.01 millimetres to around 4 millimetres in height. The gripper dots 4 can be formed from a thin flat sheet adhesive before joining to a garment panel. The gripper dots 4 are designed so as to keep the distance between the wearer's skin and the rigid portions 21 to a minimum. It is desirable that the distance between the wearer's skin and rigid portion is from about 0.01 to around 10 millimetres. For the rigid portions 21 to provide the optimum external support to the wearer, they are desirably positioned close to the wearer's skin. The construction of the garment panels is designed so as to keep the rigid portions to as close a proximity of the skin as possible, the gripper dots 4 act as a connection between the skin and rigid portion 21. By maintaining the closeness with the wearer's skin, the gripper dots 4 and rigid portions 21 of top 1 can follow the natural flow of the body, enabling them to move with the wearer's body. Too great a distance between rigid portion 21 and wearer's skin would result in loss of supportive function to the wearer, and reduced ability to flow freely with the body, rather it would act as a means that could overly restrict motion. The rigid portions 21, by their nature, provide a stiffness to the movement of the wearer, this can provide an initial resistance to the wearer's motion as the rigid portions 21 act to support the wearer. The rigid portions 21, by their rigid nature, prevent the garment fabric from grouping or shifting when in use, by providing a rigid portion 21 in each panel, the garment maintains its shape throughout wear.

An outer layer, when present, conceals the rigid portions 21, remaining taught against the rigid portions 21 and moving in unison with the inner layer comprising the gripper dots 4. An inner layer comprises gripper dots 4 on the other side of the material to the rigid portions 21. An outer layer conceals the rigid portions, situated in the space between the two layers.

The chest panel 3 covers the pectoralis major and upper portion of the rectus abdominus to provide support for the pectoralis muscles from the rigid portions 21.

Figure 2, shows the top 1 from perspective rear view, comprising gripper dots 4, as displayed as a cut away in their internal location on the rear section of the left arm and shoulder panel 10, and right arm and shoulder panel 12. Sleeve ends 11 are displayed in their rear view with bonded flatlock seam 19 displayed. Figure 2 also comprises the rear waist panel 14, centre back panel 23 and lower back panel 25. Figure 2 shows the shaded sections of the rigid portions 21, on the left and right arm and shoulder portions 10, 12.

The sleeve ends 11, are comprised of a high concentration of small diameter gripper dots 4. The high concentration provides increased adherence or grip to the wearer's arm, which prevents the garment sleeve portions 10, 12 from shifting out of position during wear. The higher concentration of smaller diameter gripper dots 4, provides an increased surface area of contact that can move with the wearer's body. By providing a greater number of smaller gripper dots 4, the sleeve portion is able to respond to the wearer's muscle flexing and maintain grip across its surface without slipping, or moving off position.

Larger diameter gripper dots 4, can benefit the grip of the shirt over a larger, flatter portion of the wearer's body, for example the abdomen or back. A combination of gripper dot 4 sizes across the garment provide a more versatile result. The combination of the diameters provides the optimum grip for maintenance of rigid portion 21 positioning as it follows muscle groups and joints.

Gripper dots 4 can run beneath the whole length of the rigid portions 21, this ensures the rigid portions 21 provide the support to the wearer. It is advantageous to provide grip along the length of the rigid portion 21 so as to maintain contact with the skin throughout the full length; spreading load and reducing intermuscular friction. The gripper dots 4 ensure that the rigid portions 21 remain in position over the muscle groups, to provide support to specific regions.

The gripper dots 4 adhere to the wearer's skin, holding each panel and subsequently the garment, in position. When combined with the specific arrangement of the rigid portions 21 and the shape of the garment, the garment draws the wearer's skin toward the rigid portion 21, reducing the friction and pressure exerted over an injured muscle portion or joints by the wearers movement, as well as altering posture by marginally lifting and drawing back the shoulder joints. The ends of rigid portions 21 provide extra adherence to the wearer's skin by providing a surface area of grip that is larger than that of the width of the rigid portion 21 strips. The larger concentration of the gripper dots 4 provides the top with extra hold around the functional start portions at the ends of the rigid portions 21. Gripper dots 4 situated outside the muscle portion provide a wider area of pressure reduction; the load is drawn from the target portion, spreading the pressure reduction to neighbouring regions, reducing the pressure and friction resulting from muscle to muscle contact. The larger concentration of the gripper dots 4 at the ends of the rigid portions 21 ensures that the rigid portions 21 remain in position, in use. The rigid portions 21 are constructed to apply torsional pull on the wearer's skin when combined, in use, with gripper dots 4, providing a more effective draw of the skin away from the injured region and enhancing the garment's proprioceptive effect. The rigid portions 21 are constructed to provide torsional support across their length by working in unison with the gripper dots 4 to adhere and draw the skin of the wearer toward the rigid portion 21; this advantageously provides a draw to the skin across the full surface of the rigid portion 4.

The function is applied to the wearer's skin across the length of the rigid portions 21. The gripper dot concentration increase at the rigid portion 21 ends, ensures that the support provided, is provided from end to end of each rigid portion 21.

The gripper dots 4 are comprised of material with water resistant properties. The gripper dots 4 are designed to adhere to the wearer's skin to enhance the recovery process and enhance the garment's proprioceptive effect. It is desirable that wearers are able to continue their training whilst wearing the garment. By use of a water resistant material, for the gripper dots 4 remain in position through wear, and do not lose their grip as a result of the sweating of the wearer. The water resistant properties ensure that the garment moves with the skin when the user sweats. Sweat runs between the gripper dots 4, the gripper dots 4 remain in contact with, and adhering to, the skin. It is advantageous that the gripper dots 4 maintain the positioning of the rigid portions 21 whilst in use, and maintains the optimum functioning without loss of support to the wearer, across the complete surface of each rigid portion 21.

Panels 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15 all form top 1 when bound together. The panels are arranged to specifically enhance the kinesio function of the gripper dots 4 and rigid portions 21 with respect of muscular and joint positioning. Each panel is specifically designed to follow, and mirror the natural muscular contour configuration of the wearer's body, as well as follow the flow of the joint structure. By assembling the garment from panels, each gripper dot 4 and hardened portion 21 assembly can be matched with the wearer's body. The seam assembly is aligned to ensure that the panel sections cover the major focus areas of the wearer's body to provide their support, and so that they minimally impact the joins between rigid portions 21 of the panels. The seamed join between panels is so constructed as to encompass rigid portion 21 transfer across panels.

Gripper dot 4 patterns in adjoining panels are so constructed to enable adhering contact to the wearer's skin, allowing the rigid portions 21 to flow across panels without loss of relief to the specific regions of the wearer's body between panels.

The panels are designed to provide tightened portions on the wearer's body, so as to ensure the garment follows the natural human body structure. The tightened portions enhance the gripping of the gripper dots 4.

The front abdomen panel 9 covers the rectus abdominus and external oblique muscle groups. The front abdomen panel 9 sits tight to the wearer's body, with a range of gripper dot diameters that mimic the natural contours of the abdomen. The front abdomen panel 9 can optionally comprise gripper dots 4 that maintain garment positioning over the wearer's abdomen.

The diamond inserts 22, provide comfort for the wearer, as well as functionally reducing underarm fabric bunching while in use. The diamond insert 22 provides a panel that allows the wearer to move their arms freely, without the stretching of the underarm portion causing a draw of the fabric away from the wearer's skin. The diamond inserts 22 can be bound in to the garment by bonded lap 17 or flatlock seam 19.

At figure 2, the top 1 comprises a centre back panel 23 that sits atop the upper end of the thoracic spine and runs between the arm and shoulder panels 10 and 12. The centre panel 23 acts to allow stretch between the two arm and shoulder panels 10 and 12, allowing these panels to remain in position over the specific rigid portion 21 end points. The centre panel 23 accounts for the movement of panels 10 and 12 which, in motion, require movement to hold the rigid portions in line with their target muscle groups. The centre panel 23 allows the movement of panels 10 and 12 by providing a means of stretch that doesn't pull on other portions 10, 12 and 25. Centre panel 23 can be constructed from higher tensile material than panels 10 and 12 in order to alter the position of the shoulder joint and thoracic spine.

Gripper dots 4 on the rear of the arm and shoulder panels 10, 12, provide functional grip areas for the end points of a number of rigid portions 21. The location of the rigid portion ends provides a support for the muscle ends of the wearer's trapezius muscle, the rigid portion 21 and gripper dot 4 combination provide muscular pull away from the thoracic spine, providing postural support to the wearer. The rigid portions 21 extending from the breakaway diagram of gripper dots 4 on the arm and shoulder panels 10, 12, extend along the trapezius toward the shoulder, passing over the deltoids, provide relief to the wearer's shoulder and enhancing the garment's proprioceptive effect. The rigid portions 21 pass along differing parts of the trapezius muscle which is too large to benefit from one sole rigid portion 21. The rigid portions 21 pass over the wearer's shoulder, combined with the gripper dots, provides support by spreading the load along the rigid portion 21, away from the shoulder. The arm and shoulder panel 10, 12 is worn over the top of the shoulder, encompassing the sides of the shoulder, and moves with the wearer. The rigid portions 21, when in use, act as an external support for the shoulder muscles and joint, allowing the shoulder to rotate and extend whilst the rigid portion 21 and gripper dots 4 maintain adherence with the skin, drawing the skin away from the muscle, reducing pressure on the shoulder, and muscles and creating a proprioceptive effect.

Advantageously, the lower back panel 25 extends from the thoracic spinal region to the rear waist panel 14. The lower back panel 25 provides support to the latissimus dorsi connection to the spine via the thoracolumbar fascia. The lower back panel 25 is structured to account for rotational movement of the user, the panel allows stretch to maintain positioning over the lower portion of the spine. The central back panel 23 stretches to maintain lower back panel 25 positioning when the wearer is in motion, curving their spine forward. The stretchable property of the lower back panel 25, combined with the central back panel 23 ensures the lower back panel 25 remains in position over the wearers back.

Side panels 5 and 7 provide support to the external oblique and serratus anterior muscle groups as well as the outer end of the latissimus dorsi. The side portions 5 and 7 are supported in place between the garment panels of the body 3, 9, 10, 12, 25 and act to maintain shirt positioning by holding tight to the body and mirroring the natural muscle flow the torso side. Side panel 5 and 7 stitching runs from waist panels 13 and 14 to sleeve ends 11. Stitching in this manner ensures central body panels 3, 9, 25 and shoulder and arm panels 10 and 12 remain over the specific target portions.

At figure 3, the top 1 is displayed in a part assembled form with sleeve end 11 panels and side panels 5, 7 unassembled.

Collar 15 forms the centre of connections between arm and shoulder panels 10, 12 centre back panel 23 and front chest panel 3. Collar 15 is comprised of 2 parts, collar front panel 27 and collar rear panel 28. Collar front panel 27 sits, in use, across about one quarter to one third of the wearer's neck, from collar bone to collar bone, sitting above the top of the rib cage. The collar rear panel 28 sits around about the rear two thirds to three quarters of the user's neck, joined to the arm and shoulder panels 10, 12 and centre back panel 23.

The two panels 27, 28 form a fitted collar panel 15 that sits against the skin of the wearer's neck, maintaining the locations of the panel joins, allowing the panel gripper dots 4 to sit in position.

The garment panels optionally consisting of two layers, the inner layer comprising gripper dots 4, and an outer layer concealing the rigid portions 21 from visibility. The outer layer being bound by flatlock to the inner layer, moving with the inner layer through the wearer's movement. The outer layer creates an inner portion, where the rigid portions 21 remain.

Embodiment described and illustrated thus comprises in summary a sports garment, more specifically, a sports garment providing injury relief and support for muscle and joints and a proprioceptive effect aiding performance and rehabilitation. And the garment is constructed so as to follow the natural human muscle structure and provide support to healthy or injured areas and joints.

Such a garment has many potential uses, for example armed forces personnel wear base layers under their armour that sits beneath their kit when on duty. The current invention provides a means for enabling a soldier to wear a recovery aid underneath their kit which doesn't lose its grip while on duty. It provides support, strength and a proprioceptive effect for athletes involved in any throwing activity, such as cricket, baseball or American Football. It can be used as a training aid to improve posture and shoulder positioning for athletes who place stress on the shoulder joint and surrounding muscles, such as swimmers or golfers. It provides core stability, joint and muscle protection and a proprioceptive effect in sports requiring upper body strength and power, such as rugby or American Football.

The garment can also be worn by athletes under a number of outer layers without losing positioning. Many athletes also choose to invest in training camps abroad to warmer climates, the current invention provides a garment that will enable them to train without loss of grip in the warmer climate.

In an alternative embodiment, the garment is comprised of two or more layers, the separate layers providing a means for affixing triboelectric generators thereby generating friction between their surfaces in order to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy can be used to power any monitoring device requiring a power source that is fabricated into the garment. Such a monitoring device commonly found in elite sport team garments, the triboelectric power generated by movement of the wearer is used as a power source for such a monitoring device without the requirement for any battery or additional external power source.

In another alternative embodiment, the panels can be arranged so as to form a garment for wear on a human's legs. The panels arranged so as to provide support to but not limited to the wearer's glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius and soleus muscle groups (calf), as well as hip, knee and ankle joints.

In another embodiment, the panels can be arranged so as to form a garment for wear as a support bra. The bra comprises gripper dots 4 and rigid portions 21 so as to be able to provide a number of support options, from the underwire section, to the shoulder straps, the back sections, as well as the breast cups.

A further embodiment comprises the panels arranged so as to form a wrist, ankle, or knee support. The garment comprised of panels that are arranged so as to follow the natural structure of each of these joints.

Claims

1. A garment, intended to be worn by and move with the human body, said garment comprising at least one fabric layer intended to lie adjacent, in use, the wearers body, and portions that are more rigid, the rigid portions being so constructed as to be intended to follow the composition of natural human muscle structure on a given region of the human body when the garment is worn.

2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein said rigid portions comprise material, different from the material of the fabric.

3. A garment according to either preceding claim, wherein parts of the fabric layer comprise gripper dot clusters, the clusters being formed on the fabric layer so as to lie, in use, in contact with the wearer's skin.

4. A garment according to claim 3, wherein the gripper dot clusters are on that surface of the fabric layer other than the one on which the rigid portions are formed.

5. A garment according to either of claims 3 and 4, wherein the gripper dots are comprised of material having water resistant properties.

6. A garment according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the gripper dots are characterised in that their individual diameter lies within the range of about 1 to around 10 millimetres.

7. A garment according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the gripper dot diameter varies in relation to muscle groups and joints of the human body.

8. A garment according to any of claims 3 to 7, wherein the gripper dot concentration increases as size decreases at muscle group ends, said increase providing reduced spacing between dots, said reduction in spacing in use, provides the garment with increased surface area of grip to the user's body.

9. A garment according to any preceding claims, with some at least of the gripper dot clusters formed as strips.

10. A garment according to claim 9, wherein said strips are characterised in diameter, of about 5 to around 70 millimetres.

11. A garment according to any of claims 3 to 10, wherein said strips correlate with the positioning of the arrangement of the gripper dots with intent to aid support of the users muscles and joints.

12. A garment according to any of claims 3 to 11, wherein said gripper dots and rigid portions are so positioned as to tend to prevent fabric gathering.

13. A garment according to any preceding claims, wherein the garment is formed of panels, each panel corresponding to a given region of the human body.

14. A garment according to claim 13, wherein the panels are at least partially bound by flatlock seams.

15. A garment according to any preceding claim and in which there are two overlying fabric layers with the support portions situated in the space between them.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1616681.1 Examiner: Dr Caroline Bird

15. A garment according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the panels are at least partially bound by lapped seams.

16. A garment according to any of claims 3 to 15, wherein said gripper dots are arranged around garment openings with the intent of maintaining positioning of openings on the wearers body.

17. A garment according to any preceding claim and in which there are two overlying fabric layers with the rigid portions situated in the space between them.

18. A garment substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated by, any appropriate combination of the text and/or drawings.

Amendment to Claims have been filed as follows

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1. A garment, intended to be worn by and move with the human body, said garment comprising at least one fabric layer intended to lie adjacent, in use, the wearers body, and a number of support portions that are more rigid than the fabric layer, the support portions being so constructed as to be intended to follow the composition of natural human muscle structure on a given region of the human body when the garment is worn; wherein parts of the fabric layer comprise gripper dot clusters, the clusters being formed on the fabric layer so as to lie, in use, in contact with the wearer's skin; and wherein the gripper dot clusters are on that surface of the fabric layer other than the one on which the support portions are formed.

2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein said support portions comprise material, different from the material of the fabric.

3. A garment according to either preceding claim, wherein the gripper dots are comprised of material having water resistant properties.

4. A garment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper dots are characterised in that their individual diameter lies within the range of 1 to 10 millimetres.

5. A garment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper dot diameter varies in relation to muscle groups and joints of the human body.

6. A garment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the gripper dot concentration increases as size decreases at muscle group ends, said increase providing reduced spacing between dots, said reduction in spacing in use, provides the garment with increased surface area of grip to the user's body.

7. A garment according to any preceding claims, with some at least of the gripper dot clusters formed as strips.

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8. A garment according to claim 7, wherein said strips are characterised in width, of 5 to 70 millimetres.

9. A garment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said support portions correlate with the positioning of the arrangement of the gripper dots.

10. A garment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said gripper dots and support portions are so positioned as to tend to prevent fabric gathering.

11. A garment according to any preceding claims, wherein the garment is formed of panels, each panel corresponding to a given region of the human body.

12. A garment according to claim 11, wherein the panels are at least partially bound by flatlock seams.

13. A garment according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the panels are at least partially bound by lapped seams.

14. A garment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said gripper dots are arranged around garment openings with the intent of maintaining positioning of openings on the wearers body.