NZ747239B2 - Compression garment - Google Patents

Abstract

Compression pants or tights having a predetermined tension against twisting of the leg or knee of a wearer or the lateral displacement or longitudinal stretching of the leg of a wearer, or to provide a useful alternative. A compression garment extending longitudinally from a waist to a distal end of the gastrocnemius or soleus, said garment comprising panels of stretchable material having a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 150% to 225%, and comprising frictive elements attached to the inside of the compression garment extending from the waist to the distal end of the gastrocnemius or soleus; the frictive elements having a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 101% to 125%; wherein a first frictive strip extends from the waist about the tensor fasciae latae or sartorius muscle head down to the vastus medialis, a second frictive strip extends from the waist about the gluteus medius around the vastus intermedius and converging with the first strip over the Sartorius muscle, and a third strip extends from the gluteus maximus at the waist adjacent the spine around the vastus lateralis to converge with the second frictive strip over the iliotibial tract; whereby the converged second and third strips extend along the vastus intermedus and converge with the first strip at the sartorius muscle and extending along the rectus femoris a predetermined distance above the patella bifurcating along each side thereof, the frictive element extending a predetermined distance below the patella and around the tibia about the iliotibial tract joining at the distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius muscles or the soleus muscle.

Description

Compression pants or tights having a predetermined tension against twisting of the leg or knee of a wearer or the lateral displacement or longitudinal stretching of the leg of a wearer, or to provide a useful alternative. A compression garment extending longitudinally from a waist to a distal end of the gastrocnemius or soleus, said garment comprising panels of stretchable material having a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 150% to 225%, and comprising frictive elements attached to the inside of the compression garment extending from the waist to the distal end of the gastrocnemius or soleus; the frictive elements having a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 101% to 125%; wherein a first frictive strip extends from the waist about the tensor fasciae latae or sartorius muscle head down to the vastus medialis, a second frictive strip extends from the waist about the gluteus medius around the vastus intermedius and converging with the first strip over the Sartorius muscle, and a third strip extends from the gluteus maximus at the waist adjacent the spine around the vastus lateralis to converge with the second frictive strip over the iliotibial tract; whereby the converged second and third strips extend along the vastus intermedus and converge with the first strip at the sartorius muscle and extending along the rectus femoris a predetermined distance above the patella bifurcating along each side thereof, the frictive element extending a predetermined distance below the patella and around the tibia about the iliotibial tract joining at the distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius muscles or the soleus muscle.

NZ 747239 B2 COMPRESSION GARMENT Field of the Inven on The present inven on relates to compression garments and, in par cular, to compression pants or ghts and methods of providing same.

The inven on has been developed primarily in respect of compression garments in the form of long pants or trousers extending from the waist of a user to past their knees and will be described hereina er with reference to this applica on. However, it will be appreciated that the inven on is not limited to this par cular speci ?c length.

Background of the Inven on Compression garments in the form of pants or ghts have been long known. For example, US Patent No. 6,186,970 and 5,263,923 disclose the use of a strip of di ?eren al compression fabric or fabrics having a di ?erent stretchability to a base fabric. The strip extends from the waist of a user to the inside of the hamstrings and extending downwardly. For example, in the ‘970 patent, a pair of panels having di ?erent elas city or stretchability in a longitudinal direc on are aligned and where an intermediate panel is disposed having its warp or longitudinal axis disposed perpendicular or across the ?rst two panels. This is disclosed to provide support for the garment wearer in use according to the ‘970 patent.

In US Patent Publica on No. 2008/0120757, compression garments in the form of ghts are provided. These use strips running from the waist down each leg from the hip and waist region to the inside of the thighs where they then extend substan ally down the leg. This garment is said to assist in providing ac on which is supposed to draw the knee upward toward the waist to promote forward movement of the thighs.

US Patent No. 8,296,864 provides a compression garment having strips running down each leg where the strips are adapted to have less longitudinal stretchability than a base material. These strips include apertures in various loca ons and extend from the waist to the ankles with the stated aim of stabilising the knee of a wearer in use.

US Patent No. 8,356,363 a empts to provide stability to a wearer of a compression garment in the form of short pants or bicycle shorts. Similarly to the above US patent the ‘363 patent discloses the use of a compression garment having elas c elements a ached to the compression garment base to provide support. US Patent No. 8,533,864 discloses a compression garment having a fabric of less elas city than the base material that is disposed on the inside. The base material is connected together or a ached with the elas c fabric disposed intermediate forming a joint seam.

Of all the aforemen oned prior art, it is believed that improved stability can be achieved by con?guring compression pants providing a tension against the twis ng of the leg or knee or the lateral displacement or longitudinal stretching of the leg of a wearer.

Genesis of the Inven on The genesis of the present inven on is a desire to provide compression pants or ghts having a predetermined tension against twis ng of the leg or knee of a wearer or the lateral displacement or longitudinal stretching of the leg of a wearer, or to provide a useful alterna ve.

Summary of the Inven on There is disclosed herein a compression garment extending longitudinally from a waist to at least a distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius or the soleus of each leg of a wearer, the garment comprising: at least one panel of stretchable material s tched together by a plurality of seams to form a compression garment outer having a waist por on and a pair of leg por ons wherein the compression garment outer includes an inside surface facing the user and an external surface, the panel having a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 150% to 225%; at least one fric ve element a ached to the inside of the compression garment outer and extending from the waist to the distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius or to the soleus wherein the fric ve element has a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 101% to 125%, the fric ve element having a plurality of strips of predetermined constant or non-constant width; wherein a ?rst fric ve strip extends from the waist about the tensor fasciae latae or sartorius muscle head down to the Sartorius muscle near a top of the vastus medialis, a second fric ve strip extending from the waist about the gluteus medius around the vastus intermedius and converging with the ?rst strip over the Sartorius muscle, and a third strip extending from the gluteus maximus at the waist adjacent the spine around the vastus lateralis to converge with the second fric ve strip over the ilio bial tract whereby the converged second and third strips extend along the vastus intermedus and converge with the ?rst strip at the sartorius muscle and extending along the rectus femoris a predetermined distance above the patella bifurca ng along each side thereof, the fric ve element extending a predetermined distance below the patella and around the bia about the ilio bial tract joining at the distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius muscles or the soleus muscle.

It can therefore be seen that there is advantageously provided a compression garment having a fric ve element advantageously disposed intermediate a compression garment base and the skin of a wearer so as to resist twis ng of the knee or leg as well as longitudinal or lateral stretching or lateral displacement.

Descrip on of the Drawings A preferred embodiment of the inven on will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a compression garment according to a ?rst preferred embodiment; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the garment of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a right hand side view of the garment of Fig. 1 (le hand side equals mirror); Fig. 4 is a front view of a compression garment according to a second preferred embodiment; Fig. 5 is a rear view of the compression garment of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a right hand side view of the compression garment of Fig 4 (le hand side equals mirror); Fig. 7 is a front view of the compression garment according to another preferred embodiment; Fig. 8 is a rear view of the garment of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a right hand side view of the garment of Fig. 7 (le hand side equals mirror); Fig. 10 are various photographic views of the garment of Fig. 1 worn by a user; Fig, 11 is a schema c diagram of a compression garment according to Fig. 1 without panels shown over the muscles of a wearer; and Fig. 12 is a schema c diagram of the garment of Fig. 11 showing garment panels.

Detailed Descrip on It will be appreciated that throughout the descrip on of the preferred embodiments that like reference numerals have been used to denote like components unless expressly noted otherwise.

In Figs. 1-3, there is shown views of a compression garment 1 in the form of long pants or trousers.

The compression garment 1 extends longitudinally from a waist 2 to a distal end 3 adapted to be disposed at least at the distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius (calf) muscle or soleus on each leg of a wearer. The compression garment 1 is formed from at least one panel (e.g. 5) of stretchable material. The panel(s) 5 or cut out(s) is joined or s tched together by a plurality of seams 6 to form the trouser compression garment 1.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, a second panel of stretchable material is s tched into the panel 5 forming a crotch por on 7 from that second panel. The second panel is provided to account for the contour of the crotch region and is s tched by a seam 8 to the panel 5. However, it will be appreciated that the s tched seams are not limited to simple thread seams but can be glued, melted or welded amongst any preferred method of joining/a achment.

The compression garment 1 formed from the panels (e.g. 5 and 7) includes a waist por on 4 and a pair of leg por ons 9. The panels of stretchable material 5 and 7 when s tched together with seams (e.g. 6 and 8) have the compression garment 1 with an inside surface intended to be con guous with the skin of a user when worn thereby and an outer surface or external facing surface. In the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1, the fabric of the panels (e.g. 5 and 7) have a warp or longitudinal stretch value being an average of about 175%. It will be appreciated that the stretchability of the material forming the panels (e.g. 5 and 7) can be di ?erent to each other and is preferably in the range of 150% to 225% for longitudinal or warp stretch. A waist band 10 is provided about the opening of the waist por on 4 to elas cise the waist of the garment to maintain a ?t on the user. The panels (e.g. 5 and 7) being formed from stretchable material naturally conform to the shape of a wearer.

A pair of fric ve elements 12 and 13 are a ached to the inside facing surface of the leg por ons 9 forming the compression garment 1. It will be appreciated that the panels (e.g. 5 and 7) forming the compression garment 1 are termed "compression garment outer". The fric ve elements 12 and 13 extend along each leg of the compression garment 1 from the waist to a por on of the leg near the distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius or soleus. Fig. 3 is a right side view of the compression garment of Fig. 1 showing fric ve element 12 and it will be appreciated that the le side view is a mirror of the right side view. As such, only one side of the fric ve element is described and the other side has a corresponding like fric ve element 13 not shown in Fig. 3.

The fric ve elements 12 and 13 are formed from a material having a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 110% and 125%. The fric ve elements 12 and 13 are preferably formed from a non-woven material such as a natural or synthe c rubber or polymeric material. However, it will be appreciated that the fric ve elements 12 and 13 can also be formed from impregnated fabrics or otherwise be provided with a rough surface to increase the fric on between the fric ve elements 12 and 13 and the skin of a user. In this regard, the co- e?cient of sta c fric on of the fric ve elements on the skin of a user is preferably between 0.5 and 1.25. The co-e ?cient of sta c fric on of the fric ve elements 12 and 13 is selected so that when in contact with a wearer a resistance to movement across the surface of the skin of the fric ve elements 12 and 13 is provided. In the case of a natural or synthe c rubber forming the fric ve elements 12 and 13, it will be appreciated that the stretchability will be substan ally isotropic, or substan ally iden cal along and across each element. This is because in the preferred embodiment, the fric ve elements 12 and 13 are made from synthe c rubber or natural rubber and are not woven so have a stretch substan ally independent of direc on, such as a direc on of warp and w e . As shown in Figs. 1-3 and described below, the fric ve elements 12 and 13 are of a non- constant width and are a ached to the inside facing surface of the compression garment outer formed from the panels (e.g. 5 and 7) s tched or otherwise a ached together. The fric ve elements 12 and 13 are s tched to the panel(s) (e.g. 5) in the preferred embodiment, however, it will be appreciated that other means of a aching the fric ve elements 12 and 13 to the panel 5 can be used. For example, fric ve elements 12 and 13 may be glued to the panel(s) or they may be welded or melted to the panel(s) by the applica on of heat. Similarly, means of joining panels other than s tching can be used, such as welding. It will be appreciated that any preferred means of a aching the fric ve elements 12 and 13 to the panel 5 forming the compression garment outer can be used as desired provided the loca on of the fric ve elements 12 and 13 rela ve to the panel 5 forming the compression garment outer remains ?xed.

With respect to fric ve element 12, and no ng fric ve element 13 on the le hand side of a garment 1 is symmetrically iden cal to the right hand side, only the fric ve element 12 on the right hand side will be described. Muscle groups are referred to as a loca onal indica on of the nearest skin surface only, and it will be appreciated that there may be muscles or ssues disposed between those muscles referred to for this purpose and the compression garment itself.

A ?rst fric ve strip 15 extends from the waist 2 of the garment 1 from about the tensor fasciae latae or sartorius muscle head. The ?rst strip 15 extends downwardly approximately along the Sartorius muscle to near a distal end of of the vastus medialis, a second fric ve strip 16 also extends from the waist 2 of the compression garment 1 from about the gluteus medius or a posterior por on of the gluteus medius, and across the ilio bial tract or tensor fasciae latae (or preferably across the vastus medius), to converge with the ?rst fric ve strip 15 approximately over a central por on of the Sartorius muscle or a central por on of the rectus femoris, or approximately above the distal end of the adductor longus or pec neus muscle (or preferably the vastus medius) on an anterior side of the A third fric ve strip 17 extends approximately from an anterior region of the Gluteus maximus at the waist 2 of the compression garment 1 adjacent the spine. The third fric ve strip 17 extends approximately parallel or subparallel to the gluteus maximus muscle ?bres (or preferably the vastus lateralus ?bres) before converging with the second fric ve strip approximately over the ilio bial tract near its head with the tensor fasciae latae or gluteus maximus muscles or the tendons thereof. The converged second and third fric ve strips 16 and 17 further extend approximately parallel or subparallel to the vastus lateralis muscle ?bres (or in an alternate embodiment the vastus intermedus ?bres) and converge with the ?rst strip near the satorius muscle as described previously.

Preferably the ?rst, second, and third fric ve strips are approximately equal or at least reasonably comparable in width prior to their respec ve ?rst points of convergence.

The converged fric ve strips 15, 16, 17 extend downward as a single fric ve strip 21 approximately over a central por on of the rectus femorus, then approximately over a distal por on of the vastus medialis, and down past the knee of a wearer (preferably extending along the rectus femorus).

Preferably the combined fric ve element 21 has an approximate width of at least two of the individual fric ve strips at its proximal end, and preferably widens towards the patella 22. The combined fric ve element 21 bifurcates above and runs around the patella 22, approximately along the ilio bial tract towards its a achment near gerdy’s tubercle on the outside of the knee, approximately along and/or over the Sartorius muscle on the inside of the knee, and re-converging below the patella 22. A predetermined distance below the knee, which may substan ally coincide with the aforesaid point of re-convergence of the combined fric ve element 21 below the patella 22, the converged fric ve material 21 bifurcates or wraps around the bia, preferably approximately at the distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius muscleto the distal end of the soleus muscle. Preferably, the two fric ve strips that bifurcate around the bia re-converge on the posterior side of the leg.

In this way, the fric ve elements 12 and 13 are discouraged from moving rela ve to adjacent skin.

This has the advantageous e?ect of providing a tension against movement of the garment 1 over the skin. Fric ve strips 15, 16 and 17 act singularly and when converged to anchor the fric ve strip to the skin of the wearer underneath the panel(s) (e.g. 5) forming the compression garment outer. It is believed by the inventors that disposing the fric ve elements 12 and 13 substan ally about the muscle groups as shown, that a tension is provided against twis ng or rota on of the knee and also against longitudinal separa on or lateral movement of the leg or knee joint. Further, it is also believed that the proprioceptors of the adductor, quadriceps, gluteal and ilio bial musculoskeletal groups, and golgi tendon organs and associated joint receptors thereof, are s mulated by the fric ve elements 12 and 13, as well as the gastrocnemius muscle proprioreceptors.

Referring to Figs. 4-6, there is shown a second preferred embodiment of the compression garment 1.

In the second preferred embodiment, the fric ve elements 12 and 13 are each formed from two parts. Par cularly, and no ng that the le hand fric ve element 13 is a mirror image of the right hand fric ve element 12, the fric ve elements are formed from two separate components that are disposed con guously or closely adjacent each other. In this way, fric ve strips 12 and 13 are formed by upper fric ve strips 12A and 13A respec vely, and lower fric ve strips 12B and 13B respec vely.

Fric ve strips 12A and 13A include their respec ve ?rst, second and third fric ve strips 15-17, and the lower por on of the fric ve strips 12B and 13B extend from above the knee downwardly. It will be appreciated that any preferred number of elements can be used to form fric ve elements 12 or 13 and that each of the elements forming fric ve elements 12 or 13 need only be disposed con guous with or closely adjacent each other so as to provide a substan ally con nuous fric ve element extending from the waist to below the knees.

Reference is made to Figs. 7-9, also showing a front, rear and right hand side view of compression garment 1 according to a third preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the fric ve elements 12 and 13 are formed from a single con nuous fric ve element most preferably a rubber or synthe c rubber material. However, the compression garment outer is formed from a plurality of panels s tched together with a plurality of seams. For example, ?ve por ons and waist por ons 31 and 30 respec vely, are formed from a ?rst type of stretchable material having a ?rst stretchability between 150% and 225%. Crotch panel 7 is formed from a second type of stretchable material having a di ?erent stretchability to the panels 30 or 31. Shin panels 32 are also provided about a lower end of each leg of the garment. As best seen in the rear view, garment 1 includes panels adjoining the shin panels 32 corresponding to the loca ons of the Achilles tendons. These are denoted the Achilles panels 33 and are formed from a stretchable material having a di ?erent stretchability to panels 30, 31, 32, and preferably also 7. In a more preferred embodiment, the same stretchable material is used for the crotch as for the Achilles panels. However, it will be appreciated that the stretchability of any panels rela ve to any other panel can be the same or di ?erent as desired.

Lastly as illustrated in Figures 10 to 12, the garment can be con ?gured with propriocep ve bands or fric ve elements that externally s mulate the propriocep ve sensors in important muscular groups of the lower body, thereby keeping muscles ac vated and controlled such that the user can exert themselves harder and for longer.

The garment is provided with a waist band (100) that is ergonomically shaped and supports the lower abdominal muscles and the lumbar spine without restric ng hip rota on or movement.

The upper por on of the bands (101) wrap from the front adductors to the gluteal muscles and ilio bial tract receptors to ac vate and support these powerful muscles.

The middle por on of the bands (102) wrap around the adductor and quadriceps muscle receptors thereby keeping them ac vated including a er the onset of fa gue.

The U-shaped por on of the bands (103), principally those that wrap around the lower leg, hug the gastrocnemius muscle receptors to support and protect against involuntary movement and vibra on.

The foregoing describes only one embodiment of the present inven on and modi ?ca ons, obvious to those skilled in the compression garment art, can be made thereto without depar ng from the scope of the present inven on.

The term "comprising" (and its gramma cal varia ons) as used herein is used in the inclusive sense of "including" or "having" and not in the exclusive sense of "consis ng only of".

Claims (8)

1. A compression garment extending longitudinally from a waist to at least a distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius or the soleus of each leg of a wearer, the garment comprising: a plurality of panels of stretchable material s tched together by a plurality of seams to form 5 a compression garment outer having a waist por on and a pair of leg por ons wherein the compression garment outer includes an inside surface facing the user and an external surface, the panel having a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 150% to 225%; at least one fric ve element a ached to the inside of the compression garment outer and extending from the waist to the distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius or to the soleus wherein 10 the fric ve element has a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 101% to 125%, the fric ve element having a plurality of strips of predetermined constant or non-constant width; wherein a ?rst fric ve strip has a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 101% to 125% and extends from the waist about the tensor fasciae latae or sartorius muscle head down to the Sartorius muscle near a top of the vastus medialis, a second fric ve strip wherein the fric ve element has a 15 warp or longitudinal stretch between 101% and 125% and extending from the waist at the gluteus medius around the vastus intermedius and converging with the ?rst strip over the Sartorius muscle, and a third strip wherein the fric ve element ha a warp or longitudinal stretch of between 101% to 125% and extending from the gluteus maximus at the waist adjacent the spine around the vastus lateralis to converge with the second fric ve strip over the ilio bial tract whereby the converged 20 second and third strips extend along the vastus intermedus and converge with the ?rst strip at the sartorius muscle and extending along the rectus femoris a predetermined distance above the patella bifurca ng along each side thereof, the fric ve element extending a predetermined distance below the patella and around the bia about the ilio bial tract joining at the distal or lower end of the gastrocnemius muscles or the soleus muscle. 25

2. A compression garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fric ve element is glued or s tched to the compression garment outer, or the two are welded or melted together.

3. A compression garment as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fric ve element is formed by a le hand fric ve element and a right hand fric ve element each extending from the waist to the lower end or bo om of the gastrocnemius or the soleus of each leg respec vely. 30

4. A compression garment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fric ve element is composed of a natural or synthe c rubber, a polymeric material or an impregnated fabric.

5. A compression garment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the compression garment outer is formed from a plurality of panels of stretchable material s tched together by a plurality of seams.

6. A compression garment as claimed in claim 5 wherein the compression garment outer 5 includes: a crotch panel; an Achilles panel; a lower bia panel; and a pair of upper leg panels. 10

7. A compression garment as claimed in claim 5 wherein the panels forming the compression garment outer are formed from stretchable material wherein at least two of the panels have di ?erent stretchability.

8. A compression garment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fric ve element includes substan ally the same stretchability longitudinally as transversely.