Patent Application
20210007872
The present invention generally relates to athletic taping for sports activities. More specifically, the present invention relates to athletic tape for application to an athlete's joints, including knees, elbows, shoulders and fingers, among others.
Athletic tape is known in the art, and is typically applied directly to the skin in order to maintain a stable musculature at points of flexion, such as at knee and elbow joints, and including shoulders and fingers. Although a specialty apparatus may be procured with the aid of a physician, these are typically expensive and are not intended as a non-prescription solution to joint weakness and pain. Currently known in the art are four basic types of off-the-shelf apparatus uses by athletes with joint ailments. These include braces, compression sleeves, athletic tape, and kinesiology tape.
Non-prescription braces are typically made of polyester, spandex, or a blend of the two. They are usually bulky and incorporate mundane designs and colors, intended for older consumers. Braces are disfavored because they must be periodically readjusted throughout the day or during a given activity, and require washing after use. Compression sleeves are similar in structure, but fail to function as a joint support. This is because compression sleeves offer almost no support, and function more as muscle warmers and/or fashion accessories. Athletic tape is arguably the best currently known solution for addressing joint ailments, but can be difficult to use. Proper taping techniques must be learned and studied, and the conventional athletic tape is very difficult to apply without a partner or trainer's assistance. Kinesiology tape is similar to athletic tape, but is an elastic adhesive tape, but has shown no effectiveness for joint ailments.
Hence, what is needed is an athletic tape that combines the support of a brace and the flexibility and convenience of a kinesiology tape. Additionally, an athletic tape is needed that can be easily applied and removed, for example, in a manner similar to a band aid. An athletic tape is also needed including stabilizers that help keep joints—including knee or elbow joints—aligned, which is secure during sports activities, and which can simply be peeled off and discarded after use. These, and other object of the present invention are more fully disclosed in the following summary, description, and claims.
A sports tape for placement at the location of a joint, including a user's knee, elbow, shoulder, or fingers, includes a first stabilizer portion and a second stabilizer portion, with the first stabilizer portion configured for placement on one side of the user's knee or elbow joint, and the second stabilizer configured for placement on an opposing side of the user's knee or elbow joint. A central portion connects the first stabilizer portion and the second stabilizer portion, with the central portion configured to wrap around the front of a user's knee or rear of the user's elbow joint. A first stabilizer is embedded in the first stabilizer portion, and a second stabilizer is embedded in the second stabilizer portion. The first stabilizer and the second stabilizer are preferably each centered on the first stabilizer portion and the second stabilizer portion, respectively. The first stabilizer and the second stabilizer are preferably disposed inside the sports tape, sandwiched between sports tape layers.
The sports tape preferably comprises a non-woven tape with adhesive, and the stabilizers comprise steel corset boning material. The sports tape also preferably comprises a transfer tape adhesive for adhering the sports tape to the user's knee, elbow, shoulder, or finger. The first stabilizer portion and the second stabilizer portion are also preferably elongated members with a middle bend in the direction of the user's joint, for example, knee or elbow joint. In some preferred embodiments, the central portion may be a bar between the first stabilizer portion and the second stabilizer portion. In other preferred embodiments, the central portion is a planar circle, with the first stabilizer portion and the second stabilizer portion located on opposing sides of the circle. Preferably, the sports tape also includes a non-woven tape layer covering the first stabilizer and a non-woven tape layer covering the second stabilizer.
The manufacture of the sports tape for placement at the location of a user's knee, elbow, shoulder, or finger joints, includes a method incorporating in general the following steps: A sheet of non-woven tape is obtained, the sheet of non-woven tape having an adhesive side and a non-adhesive side. A sheet of transfer tape adhesive is then obtained, along with a length of corset boning. Thereafter a design according to the desired shape of the sports tape is printed on the non-woven tape. Preferably a design is printed corresponding to the sports tape outline on the non-adhesive side of the non-woven tape. Thereafter, the transfer tape adhesive is laminated to the adhesive side of the non-woven tape.
The non-woven tape is cut, after laminating, into a plurality of sports tape shapes for placement at the location of a user's joint (i.e., knee, elbow, shoulder, or finger joint), and a plurality of second non-woven tape layers, and the boning is placed on the transfer tape adhesive and encased between the sports tape and one of the second non-woven tape layers. Preferably, this is accomplished by placing one of the second non-woven tape layers over the boning on the printed side of the second non-woven tape layer, thereby forming a uniform transfer tape adhesive coverage over the boning. In one exemplary embodiment, the sports tape is then placed proximal the user's knee joint for use. In other embodiments, the sports tape may be placed proximal the user's elbow, shoulder, or finger.
In some embodiments, the method may include the step of cutting the non-woven tape, after laminating, into a shape having a bar configured for placement at the user's knee, elbow, shoulder or finger joint. The non-woven tape may also be made, after laminating, into a shape having a planar circle configured for placement at the user's joint. Additionally, the non-woven tape may be cut, after laminating, to form two stabilizer portions on either side of a central portion. The stabilizer portions are preferably angled complimentary to the user's knee, elbow, shoulder, or finger joint, and the lengths of corset boning are located on the stabilizer portions, including being centered on the stabilizer portions. In another preferred embodiment, a wax paper layer is placed on the transfer tape adhesive opposite the non-woven tape.
After manufacture, one method of using the improved sports tape includes the steps of shaving the area around the user's knee, elbow, shoulder, or finger joint as necessary, applying rubbing alcohol around the area around the user's joint, and in the case of a knee or elbow joint, matching the user's knee or elbow joint to a pair of side stabilizers on the sports tape. The backing is peeled off the sports tape to expose the transfer tape adhesive, and while centering the sports tape, the middle of the sports tape is placed adjacent the middle of the user's knee or elbow joint. Working the sports tape against the user's knee or elbow from the center outward, the sports tape is held against the user's knee or elbow joint for approximately twenty seconds. The user may then engage in athletic activity while wearing the sports tape.
The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
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The sports tape 10, 100 includes a non-woven tape 114, which is formed of a non-woven cloth, preferably around 30 grams per square meter, which is breathable and easy to tear by hand. The non-woven tape 114 includes an adhesive (not shown) covering the non-woven tape 114 on one side. A transfer tape adhesive 116, which is preferably an approximately 4.5 mil rubber transfer adhesive, is adhered to the adhesive bearing side of the non-woven tape 114. One of the stabilizers (20, 22, 110, or 112) is affixed to the transfer tape adhesive 116 on one of the stabilizer portions (14, 16, 104, or 106). A second non-woven tape layer 120, also having the transfer tape adhesive 116 is located on the opposite side of the stabilizer 12, 22, 110, 112.
The sports tape for knee and elbow placement having been shown and described, it's method of construction will now be discussed.
In order to manufacture the first embodiment sports tape 10 and the second embodiment sports tape 100, the raw materials are first provided, including the non-woven tape 114, the transfer tape adhesive 116, and the stabilizers 20, 22, 110, 112. The stabilizers 20, 22, 110, 112 are preferably all of the same manufacture and shape, preferably being made of sturdy, durable but flexible galvanized metal wires. In one preferred embodiment, the stabilizers 20, 22, 110, 112 are cut to pieces approximately one centimeter wide by approximately 10.8 centimeters long, and having a thickness of preferably approximately one millimeter. Each of the stabilizers 20, 22, 110, 112 are also preferably bent at their lengthwise midpoint at approximately 101 degrees, to have an angle matching the stabilizer portions 14, 16, 104, 106, and have safety caps at their ends to prevent wires from puncturing the non-woven tape 114 or transfer adhesive tape 116.
The manufacturing process begins with rolls of the non-woven tape 114 being sent to a printing facility, and transfer adhesive tape 116 being sent to a converting facility, and with the stabilizers being assembled. An entire roll of non-woven tape 114 is printed with a pattern and/or color, according to preference, and the shapes of the first embodiment sports tape 10 and second embodiment sports tape 100 are printed thereon as shown in
To laminate the non-woven tape roll and transfer adhesive tape roll together, the paper backing on the printed non-woven tape roll is peeled away to expose the adhesive. The transfer tape adhesive roll is unrolled and transferred to the adhesive side of the printed non-woven tape, in the process making the two rolls into one laminate roll. The assembled roll is thus layered with 1) a printed side of the non-woven tape, 2) the original non-woven tape adhesive combined with the transfer tape adhesive, and 3) a wax-paper backing originally part of the transfer tape adhesive. The paper backing that was originally part of the non-woven tape roll is disposed.
After the laminated non-woven tape and transfer adhesive tape roll is created, the assembled roll is cut, by using, for example, a die-cutting machine for high volume production, or a laser or similar cutter for low volume production. Thus, for each of the first embodiment sports tape 10 and the second embodiment sports tape 100, there will be one main design piece, and two second non-woven tape layers 120, as shown in
The final product is assembled by peeling back the wax-paper backing (formerly of the transfer tape adhesive) from one of the stabilizer portions 14, 16, 104, 106, and removing the wax-paper backing from one of the second non-woven tape layers 120 entirely. A stabilizer 20, 22, 110, 112 is then centrally aligned with the stabilizer portion 14, 16, 104, 106. Once the stabilizer 20, 22, 110, 112 is in position, the wax-paper backing is peeled from a second non-woven tape layer 120 (it having been laminated with the transfer adhesive tape).
The non-adhesive side of the second non-woven tape layer 120 is centered over the stabilizer 20, 22, 110, 112 and the stabilizer portion 14, 16, 104, 106. Preferably the second non-woven tape layer 120 is slightly smaller than each stabilizer portion 14, 16, 104, 106, such that once applied, both the adhesive side of the laminated second non-woven tape layer, and the adhesive side of the non-woven tape and transfer tape adhesive 120 laminate are both exposed. Thereafter the wax-paper backing can be re-installed over the sports tape 10, 100.
The tabs 18, 108 extend outside the main portion of the sports tape 10, 100 to make it easier for a user to split open the product, and expose the stabilizers 20, 22, 110, 112 for future use or recycling. Preferably the non-woven tape material is made from a biodegradable or semi-biodegradable material, along with the transfer adhesive tape, and the stabilizers, and the ink material used for printing on the non-woven tape is also eco-friendly.
To use the sports tape 10, 100, a user first shaves all hair around the knee area and/or elbow area, followed by applying alcohol to the area so that it is clean and dry. The user's knee (or elbow) is matched to the same angle as the side stabilizers, with the stabilizers on either side of the user's knee or elbow. The backing of the sports tape 10, 100 is completely removed. Thereafter, the middle bar is placed just under the user's knee cap (or elbow), or centers the circle on the user's knee cap or elbow. Starting at the middle bar (or circle), a user firmly presses the users fingers and hands across the sports tape 10, 100, working outward toward the stabilizer portions 14, 16, 104, 106. The sports tape 10, 100 is held in place for approximately twenty seconds. To remove the sports tape 10, 100, a user peels the tape with one hand while the other holds the user's skin from rising with it. Materials such as soaps or oil-containing products may help with the removal process.
Additional embodiments of the sports tape are shown in
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The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the present invention have been presented only for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Additionally, the above disclosure is not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.
