The present invention relates to articles of apparel that provide enhanced body position sensory information to the wearer. Structures for providing the enhanced body position information to the wearer may be separate elements engaged with an article of apparel or integrally formed as part of the fabric of the apparel structure.
Many athletic activities require the participants to perform the same or similar activities a repeated number of times, both in practice and during competitive events. For example, golfers repeatedly swing golf clubs over the course of a round or a practice session; baseball, softball, or cricket players repeatedly swing a bat or throw a ball over the course of a game or practice; yoga enthusiasts, gymnasts, and dancers repeatedly perform similar steps, maneuvers, or routines; basketball players repeatedly shoot free throws and other types of shots; football players repeatedly run, throw, kick, block, rush, run, etc.; sailors, kayakers, canoers, crew team members, or other “boat” based athletes repeatedly perform rowing or other motions; runners have repeated and cyclic arm and leg motions; etc.
Correct body positioning and/or motion during various portions of athletic performances can help the athlete in a variety of ways. For example, proper body positioning and/or posture during an activity can help the athlete: apply or exert a force more efficiently and/or in a better direction with respect to another object; avoid injury due to awkward positioning or landing; prevent muscle soreness; perform a more aesthetically pleasing or sound routine; etc. Trainers and coaches spend a great deal of time helping athletes develop proper body positioning and working on their “form,” in order to enhance the athletic performance and to build a repeatable and reliable action.
Working under the watchful eye of a coach or trainer can greatly improve an athlete's form or body positioning, which can result in improved athletic performances. For most people, however, a coach or trainer is not always available, and there often is no great way for the athlete, on his or her own, to check their body positioning and form because many areas of the athlete's body are not visible to him or her during the practice or performance. Human beings cannot readily “feel” the locations of various parts of their body in normal body posture or positions and/or during typical motions (e.g., a human typically cannot “feel” the position of his or her lower back or a position of the foot arch during stances or certain motions). Therefore, an athlete can easily adopt poor posture or body positioning and/or form other habits over time in a manner that deleteriously affects his/her performance.
The following presents a general summary of aspects of the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention and various example features of it. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but it simply provides a general overview and context for the more detailed description that follows.
Aspects of this invention relate to body position feedback systems and garment structures having body position feedback systems incorporated therein. The body position feedback systems may include one or more layers of material that have a compressive force application capability (or resistance to stretching) that is greater than the compressive force application capability (or resistance to stretching) of a material element making up a majority of the garment structure. The body position feedback system does not function to “brace” or alter the position of the wearer's body. Rather, by applying compressive forces at spaced apart locations on the body, the wearer has a heightened tactile feel of the body position feedback system (e.g., amplified sensory information), and therefore, greater awareness of the body's position. In other words, the closely spaced and juxtaposed compressed and uncompressed areas (but not too small or closely spaced) enhances the wearer's “feel” and awareness of the garment on the body and thus the body's position.
In some example structures according to this invention, body position feedback systems for engagement with articles of apparel may include: (a) a first material layer having a first compressive force application capability, wherein the first material layer includes a base area and plural independent legs extending from the base area, and wherein a continuous first opening extends along the plural independent legs and through the base area; and (b) a second material layer engaged with the first material layer and at least partially covering the first opening (optionally, completely covering the first opening), wherein the second material layer has a second compressive force application capability that is lower than the first compressive force application capability. Optionally, if desired, the feedback system further may include a third material layer, wherein a first surface of the third material layer is engaged with at least one of the first material layer or the second material layer, and wherein the second material layer is sandwiched between the first material layer and the third material layer. A second surface of the third material layer (located opposite the first surface) may include a material for engaging the third material layer with a garment structure.
Other example body position feedback systems in accordance with this invention may take the form of different materials, different stitches, different knitting constructions, or different weaving constructions that are integrally incorporated into the material making up the garment structure, e.g., during knitting, weaving, or sewing processes. As some more specific examples, the different region(s) or material layer(s) providing the higher compressive force application capability may be integrally provided, for example, by incorporating different materials (materials having different elasticities) into the garment structure at selected locations; by using different stitching, knitting, or weaving patterns; by providing different material thicknesses and/or texturing; etc.
The body position feedback systems may be incorporated into a garment structure at a location so as to enhance the wearer's awareness of the positioning of that portion of the body. As some more specific examples, the material layer(s) including the higher compressive force application capability (or higher resistance to stretch) may be located around the abdominal region, around the lower back region, around or across the upper back region, in the shoulder region, in the pectoral region, near the knee joint, near the elbow joint, around the ankle, etc.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making body position feedback systems and/or articles of apparel that include one or more body position feedback systems. For example, a body position feedback system including one or more layers of material may be constructed and then attached to a garment structure, e.g., by stitching or sewing, by adhesives or cements, by mechanical connectors, etc. As another example, as described above, the body position feedback system may be integrally incorporated into the garment structure, e.g., during sewing, stitching, weaving, or knitting of the garment structure.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals indicate the same or similar elements throughout, and in which:
The reader is advised that the various parts shown in these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The following description and the accompanying figures disclose features of body position feedback systems, articles of apparel, and methods of making such systems and articles in accordance with examples of the present invention.
As described above, humans cannot readily “feel” the locations of various parts of their body in normal body posture or positions and/or during typical motions or activities. For example, a human's back, and particularly the lower back, has a relatively sparse “touch sensing” neural population. The human body core, its positioning, and its motion (including the back), however, are very important for many athletic activities. For example, the body core is a center point of rotation and power generation in a golf swing. Moreover, being able to repeatedly place the body in the proper posture and correctly positioning the body at the beginning of and over the course of the swing are critical to developing a consistent and repeatable swing (and thereby improving one's golf game).
Aspects of this invention relate to garments that help make wearers more aware of the positioning of various selected parts of the body, e.g., due to enhanced stimulation of nerves, joint mechanorecptors, and/or deep tissue receptors at the selected parts of the body. Garments can be designed to closely fit (and optionally at least partially wrap around) one or more of the various areas or zones described above in conjunction with
Advantageously, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention, the body position feedback structures or regions will include juxtaposed regions in which compressive forces are applied and regions in which compressive forces are not applied. The differential in the applied compressive forces at the adjacent regions tends to enhance the wearer's feel and awareness of the body position at these locations. Various structures and ways of creating this differential in applied compressive forces at adjacent locations will be described below. The garments need not support or affect the movement or positioning of the area of the body (e.g., need not act as a brace), but rather, these garments may simply increase sensory awareness of the positioning of that region of the body.
As mentioned above, aspects of this invention relate to body position feedback systems that may be used with or integrated into articles of apparel, such as upper and/or lower torso clothing (e.g., shirts, blouses, tank tops, leotards, leggings, form fitting garments, pants, shorts, skirts, undergarments, etc.); socks or other garments that at least partially contain a human foot or leg; gloves or other garments that at least partially cover or contain at least a portion of a human hand or arm; etc. Special garments may be provided to at least partially contain or fit over or against the desired part of the body, such as a sleeve or wrap for insertion of a leg or arm, garments or wraps to contain or cover any of the areas illustrated in
A. Feedback Systems According to Examples of the Invention
Body position feedback systems and garment structures having separately engaged body position feedback systems will be described in more detail. In some example structures according to this invention, body position feedback systems for engagement with articles of apparel may include: (a) a first material layer having a first compressive force application capability, wherein the first material layer is made from a textile or polymer material, wherein the first material layer includes a base area and plural independent legs extending from the base area, and wherein a continuous first opening extends along the plural independent legs and through the base area; and (b) a second material layer engaged with the first material layer and at least partially covering the first opening (optionally, completely covering the first opening), wherein the second material layer is made from a fabric or polymer material, and wherein the second material layer has a second compressive force application capability that is lower than the first compressive force application capability. Optionally, if desired, the feedback system further may include a third material layer, wherein a first surface of the third material layer is engaged with at least one of the first material layer or the second material layer, and wherein the second material layer is sandwiched between the first material layer and the third material layer. A second surface of the third material layer (located opposite the first surface) may include a material for engaging the third material layer with a garment structure. The third material layer (as well as the second material layer) also may be shaped consistent with the first material layer, optionally to provide a tackle twill type appearance.
The legs of the first material layer (and optionally also the second and/or third material layers) may extend away from the base area in substantially parallel directions or in different directions. In some example structures in accordance with this invention, the base area will include an elongated longitudinal direction and the plural independent legs will include three to six legs that extend away from this base area in a direction away from the elongated longitudinal direction. In other example structures in accordance with this invention, the plural independent legs of the various material layers will include three (or more) legs that extend away from the base area such that the free ends of the plural independent legs are arranged as points of a triangle (e.g., an equilateral triangle). Other arrangements of the base area and the various legs are possible without departing from this invention.
In other body position feedback systems in accordance with this invention, the system may constitute one or more layers of material wherein at least one material layer has a first compressive force application capability that is greater than a compressive force application capability of the fabric element making up a largest proportion of the garment structure to which the system is to be attached. The first material layer may be made from a textile or polymer material, and it may take on a variety of forms. For example, the first material layer may constitute a matrix structure, two or more intersecting elongated strips of material (continuous or discontinuous strips), or the like. Other structures and arrangements of the material layer are possible without departing from this invention.
Optionally, if desired, at least some portions of body position feedback systems in accordance with examples of this invention may take the form of different materials, stitches, knitting, or weaving structures that are integrally incorporated into the material making up the garment structure, e.g., during knitting, weaving, or sewing processes. As some more specific examples, the different region(s) or material layer(s) providing the higher compressive force application capability may be integrally provided, for example, by incorporating different materials (materials having different elasticities) into the garment structure at selected locations; by using different stitching, knitting, or weaving patterns; by providing different material thicknesses and/or texturing; etc.
B. Article of Apparel Structures According to Examples of the Invention
Additional aspects of this invention relate to articles of apparel that include one or more body position feedback systems in accordance with examples of this invention. Such articles of apparel may include, for example: (a) a garment structure for covering at least a portion of a torso of a human (e.g., an abdominal area, a shoulder area, an upper back area, a pectoral area, etc.), wherein the garment structure includes one or more fabric elements, and wherein the garment structure is structured and arranged so as to provide a close fit to at least some of the torso (e.g., the abdominal area, the shoulder area, the upper back area, the pectoral area, etc.); and (b) at least a first body position feedback system engaged with the garment structure. The first body position feedback system may include: (i) a first material layer having a first compressive force application capability that is greater than a compressive force application capability of the fabric element making up a largest proportion of the garment structure, wherein the first material layer is made from a textile or polymer material, wherein the first material layer includes a base area and plural independent legs extending from the base area, and wherein a continuous first opening extends along the plural independent legs and through the base area; and (ii) a second material layer engaged with the first material layer and at least partially covering the first opening, wherein the second material layer is made from a fabric or polymer material, and wherein the second material layer has a second compressive force application capability that is lower than the first compressive force application capability. An individual garment structure may include more than one body position feedback system, e.g., arranged in a spaced apart and/or overlapping manner.
The different region(s) or material layer(s) providing the higher compressive force application capability also may be integrally provided as part of the garment structures in any desired manners, for example, in the various ways described above (e.g., by incorporating different materials (materials having different elasticities) into the garment structure at selected locations; by using different stitching, knitting, or weaving patterns; by providing different material thicknesses and/or texturing; etc.). When multiple regions of higher compressive force application capability are provided in a single garment structure, the different regions may be constructed in the same manner or in different manners without departing from this invention.
Various examples of the arrangements and structures of the material layer(s) providing the high compressive force properties are provided in the detailed description of the figures below.
C. Example Methods According to the Invention
Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making body position feedback systems and/or articles of apparel that include one or more body position feedback systems. For example, a body position feedback system including one or more layers of material may be constructed and then attached to a garment structure, e.g., by stitching or sewing, by adhesives or cements, by mechanical connectors, etc. As another example, as described above, the body position feedback system may be integrally incorporated into the garment structure, e.g., during sewing, stitching, weaving, or knitting of the garment structure. Other method steps used in conventional garment manufacture may be incorporated into the methods without departing from this invention.
Given the general description of various examples and aspects of the invention provided above, more detailed descriptions of various specific examples of body position feedback systems, garment structures, and methods according to the invention are provided below.
The following discussion and accompanying figures describe various example body position feedback systems, articles of apparel, and methods of making these items in accordance with the present invention. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts throughout.
The garment structure 200 may be made from one or more fabric elements, e.g., in conventional manners, from conventional materials, and/or of conventional constructions (e.g., using any desired number of individual fabric elements or pieces 220 engaged together via sewing or in another desired manner), without departing from this invention. In some examples, the garment structure 200 may be made at least in part from an elastomeric material, such as a spandex material, or other material that provides a tight, close fit over the body or at least over a portion of the body where the body position feedback systems 202a and 202b are to be located (in the abdominal core, sides, lower back and/or sacrum areas of the body core, in this illustrated example structure 200). As one more specific example, the base fabric 220 of at least part of the garment structure 200 may be a DRI-FIT® fabric material of the type commercially available from NIKE, Inc. of Beaverton, Oreg. If desired, all or some portions of the base fabric 220 may be made from a mesh material or other breathable material to provide a cool and comfortable fit.
The body position feedback systems 202a and 202b in this example structure 200 include various vertically staggered legs 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214 that extend from a base area 204 located at the central back area. The legs 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214 extend from the central back area, around the garment sides, and to the central front area of the garment structure 200. The body position feedback systems 202a and 202b, including at least some of the legs 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214, will have a higher “modulus of elasticity” (e.g., resistance to stretching, compressive force applying capability, etc.) as compared to the modulus of elasticity (e.g., resistance to stretching, compressive force applying capability, etc.) associated with a material 220 or structure making up the largest proportion of the garment structure 200 and/or the material 220 or structures that the feedback systems 202a or 202b cover.
While the body position feedback systems 202a and 202b can take on a wide variety of sizes and shapes without departing from this invention, as illustrated in the example structure 200 of
The first material layer 300 includes one or more openings 302 defined therein. The openings 302 may take on a wide variety of configurations without departing from this invention, such as continuous, discontinuous, in a repeating pattern, in an irregular pattern, etc. In this illustrated example, the first material layer 300 has a single, continuous opening 302 defined therein, which generally extends throughout the base area 304 and along a majority of the length of the legs 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314. While shown as stopping at the start of the expanded free ends 306a, 308a, 310a, 312a, and 314a in this example structure, the opening(s) 302, if any, may extend any desired amount of the base area 304 and/or the leg elements 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314 without departing from this invention. While not necessary in all body position feedback systems, the opening(s) 302 provide somewhat greater flexibility to the first material layer 300 (to help reduce or eliminate “bunching” when flexed), and they help reduce the heat retention of the garment structure at the areas around the first material layer 300.
Any desired type of material may be used for the first material layer 300 without departing from this invention. In this illustrated example, the material layer 300 may be a material having a higher modulus of elasticity (e.g., more resistant to tensile stretching forces and/or providing a higher compression force) as compared to that of the fabric elements making up other portions of the garment structure (e.g., compared to the stretch resistance or compressive force applying capability for the spandex, cotton, polyester, or other fabric elements 220 making up the garment structure 200). As some more specific examples, material layer 300 may be materials commonly used in tackle twill production, a canvas type material, a polyester type material, a thermoplastic polyurethane adhesive material, etc. In some structures, the material layer 300 will be made from or contain a suitable material so as to allow material layer 300 to be joined to another material later in the body position feedback system construction process (e.g., by lamination processes, through application of heat and/or pressure, by adhesives, etc.).
If desired, the opening(s) 302 in the first material layer 300 may be covered.
The second material layer 320 may be made from any desired material without departing from this invention, including any type of material conventionally used in garment and apparel manufacture. In at least some examples of this invention, the second material layer 320 will be made from a flexible material, such as cotton, polyester, etc., and optionally from the same material included in at least one of the other fabric elements 220 of the garment structure 200. While in some example structures the second material layer 320 may be made from a material having a higher resistance to stretching or higher compressive force application capability than that of the fabric element making up the largest proportion of the garment structure 200 and/or a higher resistance to stretching or higher compressive force application capability than the first material layer 300, in this illustrated example structure the second material layer 320 will have the same or a lower resistance to stretching than the first material layer 300. As some more specific examples, the second material layer 320 may be made from a mesh material, such as high performance sweat management materials (e.g., thin, lightweight fabrics made from or containing polyester microfibers, polyester microfiber/cotton blends, polyester microfiber/cotton/spandex blends, polyester/spandex blends, and the like), such as “Sphere Dry” polyester knit materials and/or a Dri-FIT® polyester materials, e.g., as included in various commercial products available from NIKE, Inc., of Beaverton, Oreg. (this same material or similar materials also may be used as other fabric elements 220 in the overall garment structure 200).
As shown in
As noted above, in this illustrated example structure 202a, at least one of the legs 206, 208, 210, 212, and/or 214 will have a sufficient overall length (dimension “L1” from one free end 206a, 208a, 210a, 212a, and/or 214a of a leg 206, 208, 210, 212, and/or 214 to the opposite end of the base area 204—see
As mentioned above, body position feedback systems in accordance with this invention may be separately attached to a garment structure (e.g., overlaying one or more fabric elements of a conventional article of apparel structure, etc.) or it may be integrally formed as part of the garment structure. Both of these types of body position feedback systems may take on a wide variety of different forms and/or constructions without departing from this invention. One example of a suitable body position feedback system (e.g., systems 202a and 202b of
The body position feedback system of this example of the invention may be constructed, for example, by the method illustrated in
This illustrated example structure 300 includes plural extending regions 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314 of high stretch resistance connected by a common base member 304 (e.g., that extends along the central back portion of the garment structure, in this example), like the structure illustrated in
The second material layer 320 may be made from any desired material 322 without departing from this invention, including any type of material conventionally used in garment and apparel manufacture. In at least some examples of this invention, the second material layer 320 will be made from a flexible material, such as cotton, polyester, etc., and optionally from the same material included in at least one of the other fabric elements 220 of the garment structure 200. While in some example structures the second material layer 320 may be made from a material having a higher resistance to stretching than that of the fabric element making up the largest proportion of the garment structure 200 and/or a higher resistance to stretching than the first material layer 300, in this illustrated example structure the second material layer 320 will have the same or a lower resistance to stretching than the first material layer 300. As some more specific examples, the second material layer 320 may be made from a mesh material, such as high performance sweat management materials (e.g., thin, lightweight fabrics made from or containing polyester microfibers, polyester microfiber/cotton blends, polyester microfiber/cotton/spandex blends, polyester/spandex blends, high compression meshes, and the like), such as “Sphere Dry” polyester knit materials and/or a Dri-FIT® polyester materials, e.g., as included in various commercial products available from NIKE, Inc., of Beaverton, Oreg. (this same material or similar materials also may be used as other fabric elements 220 in the overall garment structure 200).
Once the material layers 300 and 320 are cut from their respective blanks 316 and 322, they may be joined to one another as illustrated in
The base layer 330 need not be the same shape as the other layer 300. For example, if desired, the base layer 330 may simply be a relatively large block of material to which the other layers can be easily applied (as described below) without the need to precisely align the various parts. Multipart constructions for base layer 330 (multiple base layer parts to engage a single layer 300) also may be used without departing from this invention.
In the next step in this illustrated example procedure, as illustrated in
Next, as illustrated in
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various methods described above may be varied significantly without departing from this invention. For example, while various independent steps are described in conjunction with
When the overall body position feedback system is less air permeable than other fabric elements of the garment structures (including the fabric elements immediately adjacent the feedback system), this can have an advantageous tactile effect. The decreased air permeability of the higher compressive force applying regions can cause some localized sweating at these areas. The differential created by the presence of sweat in the higher sweating areas can further enhance the differential feel, and thus the wearer's feel and awareness of these portions of his/her body.
Aspects of this invention may be used in conjunction with any desired garment type or style without departing from this invention. Various examples of inclusion of body position feedback systems in garment structures are illustrated in conjunction with
Any desired gap distance G may be maintained without departing from this invention, including, for example, gaps within the range of 1 cm to 40 cm, and in some examples, from 2 cm to 20 cm, or even from 5 cm to 15 cm. The bands 602a through 602e may have any desired widths W, and may be separated from one another by any desired separation distances S, including, for example, the widths W1 and W2 and separation distances S1 and S2 described above with reference to
If desired, the bands 602a through 602e may extend around the garment structure 600, always maintaining at least some separation between the individual bands 602a through 602e. Alternatively, if desired, at least some of the bands 602a through 602e may cross one another and/or overlap one another, without departing from this invention. Also, if desired, the bands may extend only approximately halfway around the garment structure 600 (e.g., in an arrangement like that shown in
Any desired gap distance G, widths W, separation distances S, and leg lengths L may be provided without departing from this invention, including, for example, the gaps, widths (including widths W1 and W2), separation distances (including separation distances S1 and S2), and leg lengths L (including leg lengths L1 and L2), described above in conjunction with
The feedback devices 700 may be made of any desired material(s), including the various materials described above for the multilayered construction of
The feedback device 700 of
The body position feedback device of
While any desired spacing between the bands 904 may be maintained without departing from this invention, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention, the generally parallel bands 904 may be spaced apart by at least 2 cm, and in some examples, within the range of 2 cm to 16 cm, or even within the range of 4 cm to 10 cm.
The bands 904 within a given garment structure 900 may have the same or different compressive force application capability or resistance to stretching without departing from this invention. As some examples, the compressive force application capability may change over the area of the overall feedback device structure 902, or the bands 904 extending in one direction may have a different compressive force application capability or resistance to stretching as compared to the bands 904 extending in another direction.
The feedback device 902 may have any desired construction without departing from this invention, including a single layer construction (such as a single urethane film lamination directly on the garment structure at the desired location(s)) or a multi-layered construction (such as those described above). Also, the feedback device 902 may be engaged with the underlying garment material in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including the various manners described above.
While any desired spacing between the bands 1004 may be maintained without departing from this invention, in accordance with at least some examples of this invention, the generally parallel bands 1004 may be spaced apart by at least 2 cm, and in some examples within the range of 2 cm to 16 cm, or even within the range of 4 cm to 10 cm.
The bands 1004 within a given garment structure 1000 may have the same or different compressive force application capability or resistance to stretching without departing from this invention. As some examples, the compressive force application capability may change over the area of the overall feedback device structure 1002a and 1002b, or the bands 1004 extending in one direction may have a different compressive force application capability or resistance to stretching as compared to the bands 1004 extending in another direction.
The feedback devices 1002a and 1002b may have any desired construction without departing from this invention, including a single layer construction or a multi-layered construction as described above. When separate devices, the feedback devices 1002a and 1002b may be the same or different without departing from this invention. Also, the feedback devices 1002a and 1002b may be engaged with the underlying garment material in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including the various manners described above.
While the bands 904 and 1004 may be individually formed and separate from one another within a single matrix structure 902 and 1002 (e.g., joined to a common perimeter member), respectively, other structures are possible. For example, if desired, the entire devices 902 and 1002 may be formed as single pieces without departing from this invention.
The legs 1106 may be made from a material having compressive force application capability or resistance to stretching. The areas between the legs 1106, the open central base area 1104, and the discontinuities in the legs 1106 (if any) help create the feel “differential” described above and enable the wearer to better “feel” the positioning of the shoulders and arms. The legs 1106 within a given garment structure 1100 may have the same or different compressive force application capability or resistance to stretching without departing from this invention. As some examples, the compressive force application capability may differ for the two shoulders, or the vertical legs 1106 may have different compressive force application capability or resistance to stress properties from the horizontal legs 1106.
The feedback devices 1102 may have any desired construction without departing from this invention, including a single layer construction or a multi-layered construction as described above. Also, the feedback devices 1102 may be engaged with the underlying garment material in any desired manner without departing from this invention, including the various manners described above.
The compressive force application areas or stretch resistant areas described above in conjunction with
The present invention is described above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of example structures, features, elements, and combinations of structures, features, and elements. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide examples of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims. For example, the various features and concepts described above in conjunction with
Additionally, aspects of this invention can be extended to use with other garment structures and garment structures designed for providing feedback information for different targeted areas of the body (e.g., any of the zones illustrated in
This application is: (a) a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/196,496 filed Mar. 4, 2014, which application is (b) a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/679,641 filed Nov. 16, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,677,512 issued Mar. 25, 2014), which application is (c) a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/277,914 filed Nov. 25, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,336,118 issued Dec. 25, 2012), which application is (d) a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/756,291 filed May 31, 2007 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,934,267 issued May 3, 2011). Each of these parent applications is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
907050 | Hestness | Dec 1908 | A |
1112387 | Schneer | Sep 1914 | A |
1373211 | Frederick | Mar 1921 | A |
1465970 | Cleveland et al. | Aug 1923 | A |
1544934 | Prankard | Jul 1925 | A |
1811786 | Frei | Jun 1931 | A |
1899092 | Hogan | Feb 1933 | A |
1980486 | King et al. | Nov 1934 | A |
1999929 | Hearn | Apr 1935 | A |
2102368 | Martel | Dec 1937 | A |
2179124 | Jesnig | Nov 1939 | A |
2219235 | Morton | Oct 1940 | A |
2293714 | Craig et al. | Aug 1942 | A |
2334206 | Knohl | Nov 1943 | A |
2632894 | Louis | Mar 1953 | A |
2831196 | Scheiber | Apr 1958 | A |
2837748 | Manning et al. | Jun 1958 | A |
2845723 | Arnold | Aug 1958 | A |
2926433 | Kramer | Mar 1960 | A |
2994322 | Cullen et al. | Aug 1961 | A |
3015943 | Loizillon | Jan 1962 | A |
3049120 | Edith | Aug 1962 | A |
3124945 | Moretta | Mar 1964 | A |
3298036 | Chalfin | Jan 1967 | A |
3338776 | Blair | Aug 1967 | A |
3350100 | Carmines | Oct 1967 | A |
3526229 | Blair | Sep 1970 | A |
3537281 | Harrington et al. | Nov 1970 | A |
3554190 | Kaplan | Jan 1971 | A |
3823712 | Morel | Jul 1974 | A |
3894542 | Sacristan | Jul 1975 | A |
4089064 | Chandler, Jr. | May 1978 | A |
4222569 | DeMascolo | Sep 1980 | A |
4322894 | Dykes | Apr 1982 | A |
4519148 | Sisco | May 1985 | A |
4625336 | Derderian | Dec 1986 | A |
4644940 | Nakamura | Feb 1987 | A |
4670913 | Morell et al. | Jun 1987 | A |
4698847 | Yoshihara | Oct 1987 | A |
4706524 | Fischer et al. | Nov 1987 | A |
4728538 | Kaspar et al. | Mar 1988 | A |
4730625 | Fraser et al. | Mar 1988 | A |
4862523 | Lipov | Sep 1989 | A |
4946453 | Monson | Aug 1990 | A |
5007412 | DeWall | Apr 1991 | A |
5009420 | Martelli | Apr 1991 | A |
5088728 | Deden | Feb 1992 | A |
5103656 | Hanson, II | Apr 1992 | A |
5109546 | Dicker | May 1992 | A |
5176600 | Wilkinson | Jan 1993 | A |
5179942 | Drulias et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5257969 | Mance | Nov 1993 | A |
5263923 | Fujimoto | Nov 1993 | A |
5282277 | Onozawa | Feb 1994 | A |
5337418 | Kato et al. | Aug 1994 | A |
5351340 | Aldridge | Oct 1994 | A |
5367708 | Fujimoto | Nov 1994 | A |
5402742 | Kiaulehn | Apr 1995 | A |
5410755 | Obujen | May 1995 | A |
5412957 | Bradberry et al. | May 1995 | A |
5445598 | Nguyen-Senderowicz | Aug 1995 | A |
5445601 | Harlow | Aug 1995 | A |
5465428 | Earl | Nov 1995 | A |
5472414 | Detty | Dec 1995 | A |
5473781 | Greenberg | Dec 1995 | A |
5536246 | Saunders | Jul 1996 | A |
5537690 | Johnson | Jul 1996 | A |
5582583 | Ballantyne | Dec 1996 | A |
5591122 | Yewer, Jr. | Jan 1997 | A |
5603232 | Throneburg | Feb 1997 | A |
5606745 | Gray | Mar 1997 | A |
5611084 | Garry et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5617745 | Della Corte et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
5620413 | Olson | Apr 1997 | A |
5638548 | Kawakami | Jun 1997 | A |
5640714 | Tanaka | Jun 1997 | A |
5640719 | Ritchie | Jun 1997 | A |
5659895 | Ford, Jr. | Aug 1997 | A |
5699559 | Sano | Dec 1997 | A |
5706524 | Herrin et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5708976 | Dicker | Jan 1998 | A |
5708985 | Ogden | Jan 1998 | A |
5782790 | Allen | Jul 1998 | A |
5792034 | Kozlovsky | Aug 1998 | A |
5799328 | Harlem et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
5823886 | Murray | Oct 1998 | A |
5823980 | Kopfer | Oct 1998 | A |
5842959 | Wilkinson | Dec 1998 | A |
5857947 | Dicker et al. | Jan 1999 | A |
5913592 | Moore | Jun 1999 | A |
5928173 | Unruh | Jul 1999 | A |
5937442 | Yamaguchi et al. | Aug 1999 | A |
5960474 | Dicker et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5960565 | Lochbaum | Oct 1999 | A |
5978965 | Summers | Nov 1999 | A |
5996120 | Balit | Dec 1999 | A |
6006363 | Karlin | Dec 1999 | A |
6018888 | Wilkenfeld et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6047406 | Dicker et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6061832 | Morrison, Jr. | May 2000 | A |
6068606 | Castel et al. | May 2000 | A |
6076187 | Wallerstein | Jun 2000 | A |
6076284 | Terlizzi | Jun 2000 | A |
6080038 | Sano | Jun 2000 | A |
6082146 | Dahlgren | Jul 2000 | A |
6086551 | Allen | Jul 2000 | A |
6092397 | Cortinovis | Jul 2000 | A |
6142967 | Couch | Nov 2000 | A |
6146240 | Morris | Nov 2000 | A |
6176816 | Dicker et al. | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6178781 | Myers | Jan 2001 | B1 |
6186970 | Fujii et al. | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6192519 | Coalter | Feb 2001 | B1 |
6195801 | Meyers | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6231488 | Dicker et al. | May 2001 | B1 |
6260201 | Rankin | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6279164 | Martin | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6286151 | Lambertz | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6314580 | Greenberg et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6336227 | Liput et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
6364851 | Nafpliotis | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6375581 | Urban et al. | Apr 2002 | B1 |
6430752 | Bay | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6430753 | Duran | Aug 2002 | B2 |
6454628 | Shunichirou | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6520926 | Hall | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6539551 | Jones, Jr. | Apr 2003 | B1 |
6546560 | Fusco et al. | Apr 2003 | B2 |
6620026 | Guilani et al. | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6623419 | Smith et al. | Sep 2003 | B1 |
6641550 | Johnson | Nov 2003 | B1 |
6675391 | Morrison | Jan 2004 | B2 |
6684410 | Robinett et al. | Feb 2004 | B2 |
6700031 | Hahn | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6708348 | Romay | Mar 2004 | B1 |
6719712 | Zigmont | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6799331 | Griesbach, III et al. | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6800063 | Iwata | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6805681 | Yokoyama | Oct 2004 | B2 |
6862820 | Farys et al. | Mar 2005 | B2 |
6908445 | Watts | Jun 2005 | B2 |
7082703 | Greene et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7087032 | Ikeda | Aug 2006 | B1 |
7117538 | Bosne et al. | Oct 2006 | B2 |
7169249 | Nordstrom | Jan 2007 | B1 |
7192411 | Gobet et al. | Mar 2007 | B2 |
7225472 | McDonald, Jr. et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7241252 | Gagliardi | Jul 2007 | B1 |
7243444 | Selner | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7246381 | Green | Jul 2007 | B2 |
7322050 | Heatherly | Jan 2008 | B2 |
7395557 | Ledyard | Jul 2008 | B1 |
7559093 | Sudo et al. | Jul 2009 | B2 |
7562541 | Hermanson et al. | Jul 2009 | B2 |
7614257 | Araki et al. | Nov 2009 | B2 |
7631367 | Caillibotte et al. | Dec 2009 | B2 |
7669250 | Baron et al. | Mar 2010 | B2 |
7748056 | Mickle | Jul 2010 | B2 |
7871388 | Brown | Jan 2011 | B2 |
7886367 | Chapuis et al. | Feb 2011 | B2 |
7913323 | Takamoto et al. | Mar 2011 | B2 |
7934267 | Nordstrom et al. | May 2011 | B2 |
7971280 | Kaneda | Jul 2011 | B2 |
7996924 | Wright et al. | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8007457 | Taylor | Aug 2011 | B2 |
8336118 | Nordstrom et al. | Dec 2012 | B2 |
8341772 | Flores | Jan 2013 | B1 |
8375468 | Okamoto | Feb 2013 | B2 |
8516616 | Nordstrom et al. | Aug 2013 | B2 |
8533864 | Kostrzewski | Sep 2013 | B1 |
8677512 | Nordstrom et al. | Mar 2014 | B2 |
8832863 | Yang | Sep 2014 | B2 |
9009863 | Decker | Apr 2015 | B2 |
9345275 | Albin | May 2016 | B2 |
9895569 | Yao | Feb 2018 | B2 |
10265564 | Kehler | Apr 2019 | B2 |
10271581 | Kehler | Apr 2019 | B2 |
10575569 | Montoya | Mar 2020 | B2 |
20010041855 | Voskuilen | Nov 2001 | A1 |
20020029409 | Coccia | Mar 2002 | A1 |
20020078591 | Morrone | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20020169403 | Voskuilen | Nov 2002 | A1 |
20030028952 | Fujii et al. | Feb 2003 | A1 |
20030041364 | Donaldson | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030131397 | Sloan | Jul 2003 | A1 |
20030196239 | Zic et al. | Oct 2003 | A1 |
20030208829 | Ragot et al. | Nov 2003 | A1 |
20030230121 | Yokoyama | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20030233062 | McCormick et al. | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040016041 | Uno et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040016043 | Uno et al. | Jan 2004 | A1 |
20040033743 | Worley | Feb 2004 | A1 |
20040078865 | Culhane | Apr 2004 | A1 |
20040107479 | Dicker et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040111781 | Miyake et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040111782 | Lenormand et al. | Jun 2004 | A1 |
20040133959 | Horii et al. | Jul 2004 | A1 |
20040192133 | Kim | Sep 2004 | A1 |
20040260226 | Gilmour | Dec 2004 | A1 |
20050005340 | Roux et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050038367 | McCormick et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050081277 | Matechen et al. | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050086721 | Lambertz | Apr 2005 | A1 |
20050114978 | Benini | Jun 2005 | A1 |
20050155137 | Berger | Jul 2005 | A1 |
20050187071 | Yamashita et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050193461 | Caillibotte et al. | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050204449 | Baron | Sep 2005 | A1 |
20050223753 | Nordstrom | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20060010559 | Hamlet | Jan 2006 | A1 |
20060021112 | Roser et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060026732 | Nordt et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060026733 | Nordt et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060026736 | Nordt et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060026740 | Vargas et al. | Feb 2006 | A1 |
20060048266 | Kim | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060070164 | Nordt et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060070165 | Nordt et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060085894 | Yakopson et al. | Apr 2006 | A1 |
20060107436 | Donaldson | May 2006 | A1 |
20060130215 | Torry | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060143801 | Lambertz | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20060169004 | Belluye et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060211968 | Gordon et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060217649 | Rabe | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20060247566 | Gobet et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20070022510 | Chapuis et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070032359 | Toronto | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070033696 | Sellier | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070049856 | Arensdorf | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070050879 | Etzold et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070074328 | Melhart et al. | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20070271668 | Pape | Nov 2007 | A1 |
20070283483 | Jacober | Dec 2007 | A1 |
20080022431 | Gallo et al. | Jan 2008 | A1 |
20080066211 | Laugt et al. | Mar 2008 | A1 |
20080120757 | Nakazawa | May 2008 | A1 |
20080134409 | Karasina | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080141430 | Rance et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080141431 | Rance et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080155731 | Kasahara | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080178365 | Furgerson et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080189824 | Rock et al. | Aug 2008 | A1 |
20080249454 | Mills | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080255490 | Daley | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080256691 | White et al. | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080269655 | Shoukry | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080295216 | Nordstrom et al. | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20080313793 | Skottheim et al. | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090000339 | Dahlgren | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090013450 | Lambertz | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090018482 | Lambertz | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090025115 | Duffy et al. | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090044313 | Anastsopoulos et al. | Feb 2009 | A1 |
20090095023 | Dong et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090095026 | Araki et al. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090100715 | Broadley | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090105704 | Gordon, Jr. | Apr 2009 | A1 |
20090126081 | Lambertz | May 2009 | A1 |
20090133181 | Nordstrom et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090151051 | Chen | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090158504 | Sparrow et al. | Jun 2009 | A1 |
20090165190 | Araki et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090171259 | Soerensen et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090172858 | Oya et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090223254 | Ishida | Sep 2009 | A1 |
20090265828 | Semba et al. | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090265858 | White | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090276939 | Sho et al. | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20090282607 | Kaneda | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20090288451 | Yokoyama | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20100010568 | Brown | Jan 2010 | A1 |
20100050313 | Shackelford, Jr. | Mar 2010 | A1 |
20100113998 | Mizumoto | May 2010 | A1 |
20100229278 | Bates | Sep 2010 | A1 |
20110271423 | Wright et al. | Nov 2011 | A1 |
20110302686 | Chapuis | Dec 2011 | A1 |
20120174282 | Newton | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20130212767 | Nordstom | Aug 2013 | A1 |
20130232659 | Levian | Sep 2013 | A1 |
20140196190 | Brown | Jul 2014 | A1 |
20180111016 | Brockway, Jr. | Apr 2018 | A1 |
20190216149 | Diaz | Jul 2019 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2584636 | Apr 2006 | CA |
20300208 | Mar 2003 | DE |
20 2006 001381 | Jun 2006 | DE |
1 810 649 | Jul 2007 | EP |
1897983 | Mar 2008 | EP |
2631523 | Nov 1989 | FR |
61-094652 | May 1986 | JP |
61-239002 | Oct 1986 | JP |
H03-101929 | Oct 1991 | JP |
H11124702 | May 1999 | JP |
3119255 | Dec 2000 | JP |
3090737 | Jun 2002 | JP |
2002220708 | Aug 2002 | JP |
2003038207 | Feb 2003 | JP |
2003532800 | Nov 2003 | JP |
2004044070 | Feb 2004 | JP |
2004263362 | Sep 2004 | JP |
2005264394 | Sep 2005 | JP |
2005299070 | Oct 2005 | JP |
2006097213 | Apr 2006 | JP |
2006225833 | Aug 2006 | JP |
2006291399 | Oct 2006 | JP |
5161302 | Mar 2013 | JP |
2013067941 | Apr 2013 | JP |
2013100633 | May 2013 | JP |
2004014495 | Feb 2004 | WO |
2005102083 | Nov 2005 | WO |
2006032096 | Mar 2006 | WO |
WO-2017144938 | Aug 2017 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Mizuno Feb. 23, 2006 Press Release that appears to relate to its “Arch Hammock” Golf Sock product (2 pages). |
“Does Neoprene Stretch,” by Zoe Van-de-Velde, updated Apr. 24, 2017 and printed from http://sciencing.com/neoprene-stretch-7505575.html. |
Definition of “Matrix,” Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition (1997), p. 717. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20180027892 A1 | Feb 2018 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 14196496 | Mar 2014 | US |
Child | 15728788 | US | |
Parent | 12277914 | Nov 2008 | US |
Child | 13679641 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 13679641 | Nov 2012 | US |
Child | 14196496 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 11756291 | May 2007 | US |
Child | 12277914 | US |