SUPPORT SHIRT

Abstract

Embodiments are directed to a support shirt providing sleeve reinforcement regions on sleeve portions about a centerline. The centerline exists as a curvilinear axis across the support shirt. The support shirt comprises a shirt body, and shirt body sleeves positioned near the upper shirt body. The shirt body provides support for the wearer around the chest region. Sleeve portions are attached to the shirt body at the sleeve body holes. In an embodiment, the sleeve reinforcement regions comprise a length of taut material extending from the sleeve holes to an outer portion of the sleeve about the centerline. The sleeve portions extend in an outward direction relative to a frontal plane of the shirt body and in a downward direction relative to a transverse plane of the shirt body.

Description

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the current invention are related to a shirt or garment which covers the upper torso. Specifically, embodiments are directed to a support shirt providing support along the chest and shoulder regions of the wearer. The support shirt of embodiments of the invention can be used for sporting activities where support of the chest and shoulders is desired. One such application of the support shirt of embodiments of the invention is a bench press shirt for support in weightlifting activities.

Bench press shirts provide an increase in the amount of weight a bench presser can lift as well as increased safety to the bench presser. Typically, bench press shirts are made of taut materials with high strength, such as double knit polyester, canvas or denim. Such bench press shirts have portions covering the sleeves and chest which may provide tightness during lifting. Bench press shirts can also be made of spandex type fabric and be effective for support. As distinguished from ordinary shirts or t-shirts, bench press shirts have at least one area of increased support/strength, designed to augment movement of a body part by increased strength of material and/or compression.

In a bench pressing exercise, a weightlifter lies substantially flat on his back, with arms upraised. The weightlifter then lowers a weight to the chest, and then pushes it upward straight until the arms are straight. The tautness provides assistance and increased support for the underlying muscles, thereby allowing the weightlifter to lift more weight.

Weightlifting shirts typically provide a peak area of support from the bench press, referred to as a “support bubble.” Typically, the lifter tries to push the weight upward in line with the support bubble of the bench press shirt. Shirt and lifter do not always have the perfect peak support area, so the lifter adjusts the bar path as much as possible to meet the peak of the shirt's support bubble. Moreover, the lifter can adjust the fitting position of the shirt to match the lifter's bar path. For example, the lifter could adjust the position of the neck band of a bench press shirt, or could adjust the position of the sleeves in relation to the lifter's deltoid muscles. Lifters can also employ both techniques of adjusting the bar path in combination with adjusting the fitting position of the shirt. Moreover, such shirts often do not have shoulder reinforcement such that would provide adequate support for the lifter during elevation and descent of a weight through the bar path.

Other problems exist in such bench press shirts. During a bench press exercise, slack exists in the material of the shirt just below the lifter's arm from the front deltoid. The slack material tightens up as the bar lowers. Additionally bench press shirts may tear or shred at the shoulder seams and neck area where most the stress happens. Therefore, a problem exists for providing lack of support across the shoulders of the wearer through the bar path of a bench press exercise.

Attempts have been made to provide a bench press shirt providing support. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,235 applies to a shirt wherein the circumference and tightness of the area across the upper torso is less than that of the area around the waist. Other designs focus on the type of material and configuration of the compressible fabrics used across the upper chest. Such designs employ fabric or material across the shirt which fails to reinforce the front shoulder portion during the bench press exercise. Additionally, such designs fail to provide support to the shoulders which allows the weightlifter full range of motion and support in shoulders and chest through the bar path. As a result, the lifter must expend additional energy to manually correct and stabilize the weight through the bar path. Therefore, a need exists for a support shirt which provides support across the shoulders and chest of the wearer through the bar path of a bench press exercise.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the current invention solve the need for a support shirt which provides support across the shoulders and chest of the wearer through the bar path of a bench press exercise. According to an embodiment of the current invention, a support shirt has a shirt body, and shirt body sleeves positioned near the upper shirt body. The shirt body has at least one section comprised of taut supporting fabric extending across the upper torso. Sleeve portions are attached to the shirt body at the sleeve body holes.

During upward movement of the arms, a centerline exists along the chest, extending over the shoulder regions. The centerline extends longitudinally across the front portion of the sleeves. Sleeve reinforcement regions extend from the sleeve holes to an outer portion of the sleeve along each sleeve portion. The sleeve reinforcement regions extend along the path of the centerline along the sleeves. The sleeve reinforcement regions provide an increased area of support along the centerline, thereby stabilizing and providing support to the shoulders through the upward lifting motion.

In a first embodiment, the sleeve reinforcement regions have coupling seams extending from the sleeve holes to an outer portion of the sleeve along each sleeve portion. The sleeve reinforcement regions comprise a taut length of material located on the coupling seams and attached to the sleeve portions. The sleeve reinforcement regions provide reinforcement proximate to the centerline along the front portions of the sleeve portions.

In alternate embodiments, the sleeve reinforcement regions exist as a waveform. For example, in a first alternate embodiment, the sleeve reinforcement regions exist as a taut length of material located on coupling seams attached to the sleeve portions. The amplitude of the waveform is measured from the centerline. The sleeve reinforcement regions provide reinforcement proximate to the centerline. Each sleeve portion has a front and back portion, which are joined at a seam and the coupling seam.

The structure and configuration of the sleeve reinforcement regions may vary. For example, the sleeve reinforcement regions may comprise a strip of material extending along the centerline with or without a coupling seam. Moreover, the sleeve reinforcement regions may also employ densely woven stitching along the centerline, with or without coupling seams. A strip of material may be separated by a coupling seam, and extend along the centerline. The purpose of the sleeve reinforcement regions is to provide an area of augmented support along the centerline, extending along the front portion of the sleeve portions.

The support shirt of embodiments herein may implement shirt sleeves which can be placed in a more downward tilted position, or less downward position, to accommodate different benching styles. Some lifters bench with a “flat back” on the bench which gives them a more straight upward bar path in relation to their torso. Many lifters arch their back, which makes the bar path closer to that of a decline-bench bar path. The sleeve reinforcement regions on the front of the shirt can be placed in various positions to suit various bar path preferences, and various sleeve-tilt constructions.

The shirt body and sleeve portions are comprised of a taut fabric. The shirt body and sleeve members may be the same or of different material. Both the shirt body and sleeve members may be stretchable or non-stretchable material. The shirt body may or not have a back portion.

It is an object of the current invention to provide a support shirt with a supporting fabric across the upper torso of an individual.

It is a further object of the current invention to provide a support shirt with sleeve reinforcement regions providing support along a centerline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the support shirt of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the support shirt of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a back view of the support shirt of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the support shirt of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the support shirt of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the support shirt of an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a sleeve portion of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the support shirt of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 shows a back view of the support shirt of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the support shirt of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of the support shirt of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an individual wearing a support shirt, and illustrates the centerline during the bench press exercise, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a top view of an individual wearing a support shirt, and illustrates the approximate centerline during the bench press exercise, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 14 shows a front view of the support shirt, and the configuration of the reinforced sleeve arrangement in relation to the centerline, of the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 15 shows a front view of the support shirt, and the assembled sleeve portions before sleeve reinforcement regions are attached to the support shirt, according to the embodiment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 16 illustrates a side view of an individual wearing a support shirt, and illustrates the support bubble during the bench press exercise, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of a bar path during the bench press exercise, according to embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 18 shows a front view of the support shirt of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 shows a front view of the support shirt of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 shows a front view of the support shirt of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 shows a front view of the support shirt of an embodiment of the invention.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to an exemplary preferred embodiment of the invention, a support shirt 10 comprises a shirt body 11 worn across the torso of an individual in accordance with FIGS. 1-5. The shirt body 11 comprises an upper shirt body 13 and lower shirt body 15, as shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the shirt body 11 has a shirt front 51 and shirt back 52 joined at a body seam 53. The shirt body 11 is comprised of a taut supporting fabric, extending across at least the upper shirt body 13. The taut material provides support across the upper torso of the individual, so that there is increased pressure exerted across the pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscles of the wearer. The shirt body 11 provides support during raising of the bar through a bar path 33. The fabric may be comprised of stretchable or non-stretchable material. Additionally, the fabric may be single ply or multi-ply and may be comprised of: canvas fabric; polyester; spandex type fabric; nylon fabric; organic cotton; or any kind of fabric that holds tautness. Shirt body sleeve holes 17 are positioned near the upper shirt body 13, corresponding with the area of traversal of the wearer's arms. In the preferred embodiment, the shirt body 11 has a strength of 90 psi, although differing strengths of shirts may be used.

Sleeve portions 19 are attached to the shirt body 11 at the shirt body sleeve holes 17, as shown in FIG. 2. The sleeve portions 19 provide compression across the shoulders of the wearer, corresponding with the anterior deltoid, coracobrachialis, scapulae fixer, biceps, and triceps of the wearer. The sleeve portions 19 are comprised of a taut material, providing support for the shoulders during lifting. The fabric may be comprised of stretchable or non-stretchable material. Additionally, the fabric may be single ply or multi-ply and may be comprised of: canvas fabric; polyester; spandex type fabric; nylon fabric; organic cotton; or any kind of fabric that holds tautness. The sleeve portions 19 may be arranged in differing positions according to embodiments of the invention. For example, sleeve portions 19 can be placed in a more downward tilted position, or less downward position, to accommodate different benching styles. Some lifters bench with a “flat back” on the bench which gives them a more straight upward bar path 33 in relation to their torso. Many lifters arch their back, which makes the bar path 33 closer to that of a decline-bench bar path 33. In the preferred embodiment, the sleeve portions 19 extend in an outward direction relative to a frontal plane 4 of the shirt body 11 and a downward direction relative to a transverse plane 6 of the shirt body 11 as shown in FIGS. 4, 5. According to FIG. 5, sleeve portions 19 have a first central angle 37 of approximately 85° relative to the frontal plane 4. According to FIG. 4, sleeve portions 19 have a second central angle 39 of approximately 30° relative to the transverse plane 6 of the shirt body 11. In the preferred embodiment, the sleeve portions 19 have a strength of 90 psi, although differing strengths may be used.

FIG. 16 illustrates a support bubble 35 during a bench press exercise, according to embodiments of the invention. The support bubble 35 is a peak area of support from the support shirt 10. During the bench press exercise, the lifter tries to press the bar upward in line with the peak of support from the support shirt 10. Bench press shirts are designed to have a peak point of support at the most natural point of pressing for the lifter, referred to as a centerline 31 according to embodiments of the invention. The centerline 31 refers to the longitudinal axis corresponding with the weightlifting bar, as shown in FIGS. 12, 13. The centerline 31 corresponds to an area of support for the support shirt 10, extending along the upper shirt body 13, located slightly below the sleeve body holes 17, which corresponds with the axis of a bar during the bench press exercise. The centerline 31 extends across the upper torso of the individual and the frontal shoulder areas and forms a curvilinear axis, as shown in FIG. 2. According to the preferred embodiment, the centerline 31 extends across the bench press shirt 10 across the lifter's body, above the serratus anterior muscles, and across the pectoralis major muscle.

Sleeve reinforcement regions 27 are located on each of the sleeve portions 19. The sleeve reinforcement regions 27 comprise a length of material stitched to the sleeve portions as shown in FIGS. 1-5. The sleeve reinforcement regions 27 extend longitudinally, from the shirt body sleeve holes 17 to the outer edge of the sleeve portions 19. The sleeve reinforcement regions 27 of the preferred embodiment are comprised of a taut fabric stitched to the support shirt 10. The area comprising the sleeve reinforcement regions 27 has a greater strength than that of the shirt body 11. Therefore, the sleeve reinforcement regions 27 provide greater support for the wearer's shoulders, biceps, and triceps during lifting, and assists the lifter during movement through the bar path 33. In the preferred embodiment, the area comprising the sleeve reinforcement regions 27 has a strength of 100 psi, however differing strengths may be used. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the sleeve reinforcement regions 27 are aligned such that they extend across the centerline 31 during the bench press exercise. The sleeve reinforcement regions 27 form a support area which provides support for the lifter in the support bubble 35 through the bar path 33. An exemplary bar path is illustrated in FIG. 17.

The fabric and structure comprising the upper shirt body 13, lower shirt body 15, and sleeve portions of the support shirt 10 of the embodiment differs from conventional shirts or t-shirts. As distinguished from a conventional shirt or t-shirt, the support shirt 10 has at least one area of increased support/strength, designed to augment movement of a body part by increased strength of material and/or compression. The support shirt 10 of the preferred embodiment utilizes such a supporting fabric with a greater tensile strength and thickness than ordinary shirts. Moreover, the support shirt 10 utilizes fabric which utilizes compression and support across the chest area, thereby allowing support for athletic activities such as bench pressing exercises. The sleeve reinforcement regions 27 extend this area of support along the shoulders through the path of the centerline 31, as defined herein. Therefore, the support shirt 10 naturally augments motion of the wearer's arms forward from the frontal plane of the wearer's body during athletic activities such as bench press exercises.

Alternatives

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. In accordance with FIGS. 6-11, an alternate embodiment is shown. In the embodiment, a support shirt 110 comprises a shirt body 111, upper shirt body 113, lower shirt body 115, shirt body sleeve holes 117, sleeve portions 119, and sleeve reinforcement regions 127 extending longitudinally about a centerline 131. According to the embodiment, the sleeve reinforcement regions extend in a sinusoidal waveform shape, with an amplitude measured from the centerline 131.

The sleeve portions 119 extend in an outward direction relative to a frontal plane 104 of the shirt body 111 and a downward direction relative to a transverse plane 106 of the shirt body 111 as shown in FIGS. 10, 11. According to FIG. 11, sleeve portions 119 have a first central angle 137 of approximately 85° relative to the frontal plane 104. According to FIG. 10, sleeve portions 119 have a second central angle 139 of approximately 30° relative to the transverse plane 106 of the shirt body 111. In the embodiment, the sleeve portions 119 have a strength of 90 psi, although differing strengths may be used.

FIG. 18 shows a support shirt 210 of an alternate embodiment. In the embodiment, the support shirt 210 comprises a shirt body 211, upper shirt body 213, lower shirt body 215, shirt body sleeve holes 217, sleeve portions 219, and sleeve reinforcement regions 227 extending longitudinally about a centerline 231. According to the embodiment, the sleeve reinforcement regions 227 extend in a square wave shape.

FIG. 19 shows a support shirt 310 of an alternate embodiment. In the embodiment, the support shirt 310 comprises a shirt body 311, upper shirt body 313, lower shirt body 315, shirt body sleeve holes 317, sleeve portions 319, and sleeve reinforcement regions 327 extending longitudinally about a centerline 331. According to the embodiment, the sleeve reinforcement regions 327 extend in a triangle wave shape.

FIG. 20 shows a support shirt 410 of an alternate embodiment. In the embodiment, the support shirt 410 comprises a shirt body 411, upper shirt body 413, lower shirt body 415, shirt body sleeve holes 417, sleeve portions 419, and sleeve reinforcement regions 427 extending longitudinally about a centerline 431. According to the embodiment, the sleeve reinforcement regions 427 extend in a sawtooth wave shape.

FIG. 21 shows a support 510 of an alternate embodiment. In the embodiment, the support shirt 510 comprises a shirt body 511, upper shirt body 513, lower shirt body 515, shirt body sleeve holes 517, sleeve portions 519, and sleeve reinforcement regions 527 extending longitudinally about a centerline 531. According to the embodiment, the sleeve reinforcement regions 527 extend approximately perpendicular with the centerline 531.

The construction, material, and configuration of the elements described herein may vary.

For example, the bench press shirt could also exist without a lower torso area, and/or without a shirt back.

Bench press shirts may be composed of numerous materials including synthetic and non-synthetic fibers. The bench press shirts of the embodiments herein provided support/and or compression during athletic activities, and therefore have greater tensile strength than conventional shirts. Bench press shirts may or may not have elastic properties. For example, embodiments may utilize fabrics such as neoprene or spandex. Additionally, bench press shirts may comprise stretch fabric including either 2-way or 4-way stretch.

The sleeve reinforcement regions may comprise a strip of material extending along the centerline with or without a coupling seam. Moreover, the sleeve reinforcement regions may also employ densely woven stitching along the centerline, with or without coupling seams. A strip of material may be separated by a coupling seam, and extend along the centerline. The sleeve reinforcement regions may or may not extend the entire distance from the sleeve body holes to the lower edge of the shirt. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred versions herein.

Claims

1. A support shirt fitting over the torso of an individual, comprising: a. a shirt body comprising an upper shirt body, said shirt body having at least one area of increased support/strength, augmenting movement of the arms of said individual;b. shirt body sleeve holes positioned near said upper shirt body;c. sleeve portions attached to said shirt body at said shirt body sleeve holes, said sleeve portions comprising front sleeve portions and back sleeve portions, said sleeve portions comprised of a taut fabric; andd. sleeve reinforcement regions located on each of said sleeve portions, extending along said front sleeve portions about a centerline; wherein said centerline is a curvilinear longitudinal axis along said upper shirt body, located slightly below said sleeve holes.

2. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said sleeve reinforcement regions comprise a length of material attached to said sleeve portions.

3. The support shirt of claim 2, wherein said length of material is attached to said sleeve portions by stitching.

4. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said sleeve reinforcement regions have a coupling seam.

5. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said sleeve reinforcement regions comprise a length of densely woven fabric across said centerline.

6. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said upper shirt body is either stretchable or non-stretchable.

7. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said upper shirt body is either single ply or multi-ply.

8. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said upper shirt body is either of: canvas fabric; polyester; spandex type fabric; nylon fabric; or any fabric which holds tautness.

9. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said sleeve portions are either stretchable or non-stretchable.

10. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said sleeve portions are either single ply or multi-ply.

11. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said sleeve portions are constructed of either: canvas fabric; polyester; spandex type fabric; nylon fabric; or any fabric which holds tautness.

12. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said sleeve portions extend in an outward direction relative to a frontal plane of said shirt body and a downward direction relative to a transverse plane of said shirt body.

13. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said sleeve reinforcement regions extend in waveform shape, with an amplitude measured from said centerline.

14. The support shirt of claim 12, wherein said waveform shape is either of: a sine wave shape; a square wave shape; a triangle wave shape; or a sawtooth wave shape.

15. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said sleeve reinforcement regions extend approximately parallel with said centerline.

16. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said sleeve reinforcement regions extend approximately perpendicular with said centerline.

17. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said fabric does not extend around the back of said shirt body.

18. The support shirt of claim 1, wherein said fabric does not extend around a lower portion of said shirt body.

19. A support shirt fitting over the torso of an individual, comprising: a. a shirt body comprising an upper shirt body, said shirt body having a defined frontal plane and a defined transverse plane relative to said torso of said individual, wherein said upper shirt body is comprised of a taut fabric;b. shirt body sleeve holes positioned near said upper shirt body;c. sleeve portions attached to said shirt body at said shirt body sleeve holes, said sleeve portions comprising front sleeve portions and back sleeve portions, wherein said sleeve portions extend in an upward direction relative to said frontal plane of said shirt body, and wherein said sleeve portions extend in a downward direction relative to said transverse plane of said shirt body, wherein said sleeve portions are comprised of a taut fabric;d. sleeve reinforcement regions located on each of said sleeve portions, extending along said front sleeve portions about a centerline;e. wherein said centerline is a longitudinal curvilinear axis along said upper shirt body, located slightly below said sleeve holes; andf. wherein said sleeve reinforcement regions extend as a waveform along said centerline.

20. A support shirt fitting over the torso of an individual, comprising: a. a shirt body comprising an upper shirt body, said shirt body having a defined frontal plane and a defined transverse plane relative to said torso of said individual, wherein said upper shirt body is comprised of a taut fabric;b. shirt body sleeve holes positioned near said upper shirt body;c. sleeve portions attached to said shirt body at said shirt body sleeve holes, said sleeve portions comprising front sleeve portions and back sleeve portions, wherein said sleeve portions extend in an upward direction relative to said frontal plane of said shirt body, and wherein said sleeve portions extend in a downward direction relative to said transverse plane of said shirt body, wherein said sleeve portions are comprised of a taut fabric;d. sleeve reinforcement regions located on each of said sleeve portions, extending along said front sleeve portions about a centerline; ande. wherein said centerline is a longitudinal curvilinear axis along said upper shirt body, located slightly below said sleeve holes.