Patent Application
20160374405
The present invention relates to a chest binder. More particularly, the present invention relates to a chest binder for holding breast tissue substantially flat relative to a thorax of a wearer's body.
A mismatch between sex and gender identity can lead some people to experience distressing and uncomfortable feelings that may lead to a recognized medical condition called gender identity disorder (GID) also known as gender dysphoria. People with GID have a strong and persistent desire to live according to their gender identity, rather than their biological sex. Chest binding is one way for many transgender men to curb GID and is a fairly common step in female-to-male transition.
Because chest binders are compression garments, they can seriously restrict breathing, cause fluid build-up in your lungs and other serious injuries, such as broken ribs.
Further, chest binder can cause pain, discomfort, sweating, and irritation.
Accordingly, there is a need for a garment that holds breast tissue substantially flat relative to a thorax of a wearer's body while being safe and comfortable to wear.
Briefly stated, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a chest binder for holding breast tissue flat relative to a thorax of a wearer's body. The chest binder comprises an outer front panel of an elasticized fabric, an inner front panel of a non-stretch material, and an outer back panel of the elasticized fabric. The outer front panel and the inner front panel are at least partially joined along corresponding peripheral edges by seams of stitching and are slidable with respect to each other between the peripheral edges. The outer front panel and the outer back panel are at least partially joined along corresponding peripheral edges by seams of stitching. The beast tissue of the wearer is held substantially flat relative to the thorax of the wearer's body when the chest binder covers the thorax.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
In the drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the description of the invention herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.
As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The words “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The words “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof
The words “right,” “left,” “lower” and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.
The following description is directed towards various embodiments of a chest binder in accordance with the present invention.
Referring to the drawings in detail, where like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in
The chest binder 10 comprises an outer front panel 12 of an elasticized fabric, an inner front panel 14 of a non-stretch material, and an outer back panel 16 of the elasticized fabric. The outer front panel 12 and the inner front panel 14 are at least partially joined along corresponding peripheral edges by seams “S” of stitching such that the outwardly facing surface of the inner front panel is adjacent the inwardly facing surface of the outer front panel and the inner and outer front panels are slidable with respect to each other between the peripheral edges. The outer front panel 12 and the outer back panel 16 are at least partially joined along corresponding peripheral edges by seams “S” of stitching. The breast tissue of the wearer is held substantially flat relative to the thorax of the wearer's body when the chest binder covers the thorax.
In some embodiments, the elasticized fabric may comprise nylon fiber and spandex (or elastane) and may be exactly 80% nylon fiber and 20% spandex fiber, suggestedly at least about 70% nylon fiber and 30% spandex fiber, desirably 75% or more nylon fiber and 25% or less spandex fiber, preferably between about 85% nylon fiber and 15% spandex fiber, and less preferably up to 90% nylon and 10% spandex but no more than 95% nylon and 5% spandex. In some embodiments, the elasticized fabric may have directionally dependent moduli of elasticity and therefore able to sustain a first strain in a first direction greater than a second strain in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.
In some embodiments, the non-stretch material may comprise cotton fiber and polyester fiber and may be exactly 80% cotton fiber and 20% polyester fiber, suggestedly at least about 70% cotton fiber and 30% polyester fiber, desirably 75% or more cotton fiber and 25% or less polyester fiber, preferably between about 85% cotton fiber and 15% polyester fiber, and less preferably up to 90% cotton and 10% polyester but no more than 95% cotton and 5% polyester.
Referring to
Referring to
Preferably, the right shoulder panel 20 and the left shoulder panel 30 are generally shoulder-strap shaped giving the chest binder 10 the general overall shape of a tank top.
Alternatively, in some embodiments, the right shoulder panel 20 and the left shoulder panel 30 may have a sleeve-like shape (not shown) giving the chest binder 10 the general overall shape of a t-shirt with either a semi-circular or “V” shaped neck line.
Referring to
Referring to
In use, the wearer dons the chest binding such that the chest binder encircles the thorax with the inwardly facing surface of the inner front liner adjacent the breast tissue and the elasticized fabric causes a compression of the beast tissue of the wearer thereby holding the breast tissue substantially flat relative to the thorax of the wearer's body.
The foregoing detailed description of the invention has been disclosed with reference to specific embodiments. However, the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. Therefore, the disclosure is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
