Patent Grant
10124205
Resistance training, sometimes known as weight training or strength training, is a specialized method of conditioning designed to increase muscle strength, muscle endurance, tone and muscle power. Resistance training refers to the use of any one or a combination of training methods which may include resistance machines, dumbbells, barbells, body weight, and rubber tubing.
The goal of resistance training, according to the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI), is to “gradually and progressively overload the musculoskeletal system so it gets stronger.” This is accomplished by exerting effort against a specific opposing force such as that generated by elastic resistance (i.e. resistance to being stretched or bent). Exercises are isotonic if a body part is moving against the force. Exercises are isometric if a body part is holding still against the force. Resistance exercise is used to develop the strength and size of skeletal muscles. Full range of motion is important in resistance training because muscle overload occurs only at the specific joint angles where the muscle is worked. Properly performed, resistance training can provide significant functional benefits and improvement in overall health and well-being.
Research shows that regular resistance training will strengthen and tone muscles and increase bone mass. Resistance training should not be confused with weightlifting, power lifting or bodybuilding, which are competitive sports involving different types of strength training with non-elastic forces such as gravity (weight training or plyometrics) an immovable resistance (isometrics, usually the body's own muscles or a structural feature such as a door frame).
Whether or not increased strength is an objective, repetitive resistance training can also be utilized to elevate aerobic metabolism, for the purpose of weight loss, and to enhance muscle tone.
Resistance exercise equipment has therefore developed into a popular tool used for conditioning, strength training, muscle building, and weight loss. Various types of resistance exercise equipment are known, such as free weights, exercise machines, and resistance exercise bands or tubing.
Various limitations exist with the prior art exercise devices. For example, many types of exercise equipment, such as free weights and most exercise machines, are not portable. With respect to exercise bands and tubing, they may need to be attached to a stationary object, such as a closed door or a heavy piece of furniture, and require sufficient space. This becomes a problem when, for example, the user wishes to perform resistance exercises in a location where such stationary objects or sufficient space are not readily found.
Resistance bands are also limited to a single resistance profile in which the amount of resistance changes as a function of angular displacement of the joint under load. This may result in under working the muscles at the front end of a motion cycle, and over working the muscles at the back end of the cycle. Conventional elastic devices also provide a unidirectional bias that varies in intensity throughout an angular range but not in direction. Such devices thus cannot work both the flexor and extensor muscles of a given motion segment without adjustment, and may be uncomfortable due to the constant bias even in the absence of motion.
A need therefore exists for low profile resistance based wearable toning garments that may be used on their own without the need to employ other types of equipment, that free the wearer for other simultaneous activities, and that can apply a non-elastic load throughout both a flexion and extension range of motion.
There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a technical garment configured to receive a modular, interchangeable resistance element. The garment comprises a waist portion with right and left lateral sides, and right and left legs. A first connector is carried by the right lateral side and a second connector is carried by the left lateral side of the garment. The first and second connectors are rotatable with respect to the waist portion of the garment in an as worn configuration through an angle of no more than about 5 degrees upon application of a rotational torque of about 8 inch pounds to the first and second connector.
In some implementations the first and second connectors are rotatable with respect to the waist portion of the garment in an as worn configuration through an angle of no more than about 15 degrees or 10 degrees or no more than about 5 degrees upon application of a rotational torque of about 12 inch pounds to the first and second connector. The first and second connectors may be rotatable with respect to the waist portion of the garment in an as worn configuration through an angle of no more than about 10 degrees or 5 degrees upon application of a rotational torque of about 8 inch pounds to the first and second connector. The first and second connectors may be rotatable with respect to the waist portion of the garment in an as worn configuration through an angle of no more than about 3 degrees upon application of a rotational torque of about 12 inch pounds to the first and second connector.
At least one of the first and second connectors may comprise a post. The post may comprise at least one spline. Alternatively, at least one of the first and second connectors may comprise an aperture.
At least one of the first and second connectors may be carried by a docking platform. The docking platform may be attached to the garment either directly or by a force transfer layer. The docking platform may be attached to the force transfer layer or the garment by stitching and/or adhesive. The force transfer layer may be attached to the garment such as by adhesive and/or stitching.
The technical garment may comprise at least one panel of compression fabric. In some implementations, at least the waist portion comprises a compression fabric. The compression fabric may exhibit at least 30% stretch prior to tensile failure. The compression fabric may exhibit at least 50% or at least 80% stretch prior to tensile failure.
The technical garment may comprise a third connector carried by the right leg and a fourth connector carried by the left leg for cooperating with the first and second connectors to receive a right and left resistance assembly spanning the axis of rotation of the hip. The third and fourth connectors may comprise openings on the right and left leg of the garment for receiving femoral levers on the right and left resistance units. The technical garment may further comprise a lever extending from each of the right and left docking platform and attached to the waist portion of the garment. The lever may extend superiorly within 90 degrees in an anterior posterior direction from the coronal plane. The lever may extend superiorly within 45 degrees in an anterior posterior direction from the coronal plane. The lever may extend superiorly and reside on the coronal plane. The lever may comprise a longitudinal axis and a transverse “T” section which extends in a circumferential direction with respect to the waist portion. The lever may alternatively comprise a “V” configuration with a connector at the apex.
The combination of the fabric of the garment, the docking platform and the force dissipation layer provide sufficient resistance to rotation of the connectors on the docking platform relative to the garment to allow sufficient transfer of force between the docking platform and the garment without significant twisting or wrinkling of the fabric of the garment under the intended loads imposed by resistance units mounted on the connectors. Each of the left and right resistance units provide at least about 2 inch pounds of torque, and in some embodiments at least about 5 or 7 or 10 or 12 or 15 or more inch pounds of torque for toning garments built on a platform such as a compression pant, non-compression (non-stretch) tight fit pant, 4 way stretch denim or other depending upon the desired performance.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of skill in the art in view of the detailed description of preferred embodiments which follows, when considered together with attached drawings and claims.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various other forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.
In general, the devices in accordance with the present invention are designed to provide resistance to motion between a first region and a second region of the body such as across a simple or complex joint, (e.g., hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, etc.), throughout an angular range of motion. The resistance can be either unidirectional, to isolate a single muscle or muscle group, or preferably bidirectional to exercise opposing muscle pairs or muscle groups. Optionally, the device will be user adjustable or interchangeable to select uni or bidirectional resistance, and/or different resistance levels.
The specific levels of resistance will vary depending upon the targeted muscle group, and typically also between flexion and extension across the same muscle group and the training or toning goal. Also wearer to wearer customization can be accomplished, to accommodate different training objectives. In general, resistances of at least about 10, and often at least about 15 or 18 or 20 or more inch-pounds will be used in heavy toning or strength building applications on both flexion and extension. All torque ratings described herein represent the torque measured at 40 degrees per second, which is an angular velocity that approximates walking.
Toning garments intended for long term wear or lighter toning may have lower resistance, with extension normally equal to or greater than flexion. Torque provided by a resistance element intended for the hip for toning garments may be at least about 4 in-lbs., sometimes at least about 6 or 8 or 10 or more in-lbs. depending upon the desired result, measured at 40 degrees per second. Torque will typically be less than about 20 in-lbs., and often less than about 16 or 14 in-lbs. In some implementations, torque will be within the range of from about 2-6 in-lbs. for a ‘light’ toning element; within the range of from about 6-12 in-lbs. for a ‘medium’ toning element; and within the range of from about 12-20 in-lbs. for a ‘heavy’ toning element.
Devices specifically configured for rehabilitation (following stroke, traumatic injury or surgical procedure) may have the same or lower threshold values as desired.
Resistance experienced by the wearer is generated by a resistance element having a housing and a lever rotatable about a pivot point with respect to the housing. Rotation of the lever with respect to the housing encounters a preset level of rotational resistance generated by the internal operation of the resistance element.
The lever is secured within the leg of the garment so that it moves with the wearer's leg throughout the stride relative to a pivot point on the upper, lateral side of the hip. During a normal stride, the femur rotates about a transverse axis of rotation which extends from side to side through the approximately spherical right and left femoral heads, as they rotate within the corresponding right and left complementary acetabular cups in the pelvis. The pivot point on each of the right and left sides of the garment aligns approximately with that natural axis of rotation.
A connector is attached to the garment approximately at the pivot point and secured to prevent rotation of the connector. As long as the connector is restrained from rotating relative to the wearer's waist, the wearer will experience resistance imparted by the resistance element throughout the stride cycle. However, if the resistance exceeds a predetermined rating for a given garment, torque from the wearer's stride may cause the connector to rotate, by stretching the fabric in a twisting pattern concentrically about the axis of rotation. Twisting of the connector about its axis will absorb torque generated by the resistance element, thereby reducing the resistance perceived by the wearer, and the effectiveness of the system.
In view of the foregoing, the connector is secured with respect to the garment in a manner that will not permit it to rotate during use of a resistance element for which the garment is rated. Thus, there is an interplay between the stretch of the garment, the maximum anticipated torque applied by the wearer, and the manner in which the resistance element is secured to the garment. A connector mounted on a non-stretch garment, a garment fabricated with non-stretch panels or straps, or a harness constructed with non-stretch materials may be able to function under substantial applied loads without failure. Garments with higher stretch fabric and/or lower tensile strength to failure levels will only support relatively lower applied torque levels, unless supplemented with lower stretch filaments, lower stretch fabrics or other reinforcement straps or materials as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
In general, a garment ‘failure’ point is considered to have been achieved when the amount of rotational torque applied to the connector will rotate the connector (by stretching/deforming the garment) at least about 15 degrees, while the garment is being worn by a person or equivalent three dimensional fixture that stretches the garment within the range intended by the manufacturer (the garment is of the appropriate size for the wearer or fixture). Preferably, the connector will rotate no more than about 10 degrees, or no more than about 5 degrees, or optimally no more than about 3 degrees upon application of the maximum rated torque for that garment.
Rotational deformation of the fabric garment is illustrated in
A light weight toning garment, for example, depending upon the garment stretch characteristics, may be able to withstand application of at least about 6 or 8 or 10 inch pounds of torque, before rotation of the connector through an angle of 5 degrees or other specified rating. A higher resistance garment may be able to withstand application of at least about 10 or 12 or 14 inch pounds of torque, before exceeding its rating. More athletic garments or harnesses, with woven nylon or leather straps for example, can be configured to withstand applied torques of at least about 20 or 25 or 30 or more inch pounds, depending upon the intended performance. Optimization of the foregoing variables for a particular product can be accomplished by those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein, to obtain a garment and resistance unit pairing that meet the desired performance characteristics.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the right leg 52 is provided with a hip resistance unit 58. Right leg 52 is additionally provided with a knee resistance unit 60. Each leg of the toning garment 50 may be provided with either the hip resistance unit 58 or the knee resistance unit 60, with or without the other. The left and right hip resistance units will preferably have an axis of rotation that is functionally aligned with a transverse axis of rotation which extends through the wearer's left and right hip axes of rotation. See, e.g.,
Referring to
The hip resistance unit 58 is provided with a first attachment such as a first lever 62, and a second attachment such as a second lever 64 connected by a pivotable connection 66. The pivotable connection 66 comprises a resistance element 68 which provides resistance to angular movement between a primary longitudinal axis of first lever 62 and a primary longitudinal axis of second lever 64. In the as worn orientation, the axis of rotation 69 is preferably substantially aligned with an axis of rotation of the joint with which the resistance element is associated.
A lever as used herein refers to a structure that mechanically links a docking plate, connector, housing or resistance element to a portion of the garment or wearer at or above or below the resistance unit, so that movement of the wearer is resisted by the resistance unit and applies a torque to the point of attachment to the garment without undesirable stretching or wrinkling of the garment. The lever may take a conventional form, as illustrated in
The inferior and superior lever arms may be similar to each other for a resistance unit mounted at the knee. For a resistance unit mounted at the hip, the lever arms may be distinct. For example, the inferior lever arm at the hip may conveniently comprise an elongated femoral lever, such as that illustrated in
The superior lever arm may have a vertical component extending upward in the coronal plane towards the waist, with a bend or “T” so that a superior component extends in a transverse direction, either partially or completely circumferentially around the waist of the wearer. The transverse component may comprise a stretch fabric or relatively inelastic belt with a buckle or fastener. The superior lever may take the form of a “V” with the connector at the bottom (apex) of the V and the legs of the V stitched or otherwise bonded to the waist.
Alternatively, the superior lever arm may comprise a fabric, polymeric, or metal (e.g. Nitinol mesh) force transfer patch, such as a circular, square, rectangular, oval, “T” or other shape which can be secured to the rotational damper or a docking station for receiving the rotational damper, and also secured to the garment or the wearer in a manner that resists rotation of the damper with respect to the garment during movement of the inferior lever. Thus, “lever” as used herein is a force transfer structure which resists rotation of the dock and is not limited to the species of a conventional elongate arm.
Either the superior or inferior lever may comprise a docketing platform for attachment to the resistance unit, and a plurality of two or three or four or more legs such as straps that are secured such as by stitching or adhesive bonding to the garment. See
The hip resistance unit 58 may be secured to the toning garment 50 in any of a variety of ways. Referring to
Since torque equals force times radius or length, a lever is convenient to distribute force to the garment. The inferior lever can extend inferiorly along the coronal plane, along a portion of the length of the femur. The longitudinal axis of the first, superior attachment at the hip may be transverse to the longitudinal axis of the second lever 64 at the midpoint of its range of motion, such that the first lever is aligned like a belt, circumferentially extending along a portion of or approximately parallel to the wearer's waist displaced superiorly from the axis of rotation of the wearer's hip. Normally the hip axis of rotation will be offset inferiorly by at least about 3 inches, and often 5 inches or more from the iliac crest, which approximates the top of the belt line for many wearers. Alternatively, the housing of the resistance element or docking platform may be sewn or adhesively bonded or otherwise attached directly to reinforced fabric at the hip such as by circular weaving or stitching techniques known in the art.
The resistance element 68 may be any of the resistance elements disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/665,947 filed Mar. 23, 2015, now published as U.S. 2015/0190669, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. In one embodiment, resistance element 68 may comprise a rotary damper containing a fluid such as air, water or a viscous media such as silicone oil. The rotary damper may be rated to provide anywhere within the range of from about 0.1 inch pounds to about 50 inch pounds torque at a rotational velocity of 40 degrees per second depending upon the joint or other motion segment to be loaded and desired intensity. Typical torque ranges are disclosed elsewhere herein.
Resistance imposed at the knee will generally be less than at the hip. Values of generally no more than about 85% or 50% or 35% of the torque at the hip may be desirable in a toning garment at the knee, measured at 40 degrees per second. As discussed elsewhere herein, the resistance element at any given joint can provide the same or different resistance (including zero) upon flexion or extension.
Referring to
Referring to
In an alternative configuration, the levers may be mounted on the same side of the resistance element 68 to provide an overall lower profile. Referring to
Referring to
In one implementation, the fabric comprises one or more strands of yarn or filament 77 having a vector extending in the as worn anterior posterior direction which exhibits relatively low stretch. See
The first force dissipation layer 76 may extend beneath, within the same plane, or across the outside (lateral) surface of the first lever 62, entrapping the first lever 62 between the force dissipation layer 76 and the garment 50. Alternatively, the force transfer layer may function as a lever.
The force dissipation layer may be molded mesh or a technical fabric weave, comprising any of a variety of strands identified in US 2015/0190669 previously incorporated by reference herein. Preferably the fabric has stretch resistance along at least one axis, which can be aligned with an axis under tension during flexion or extension due to the resistance element (e.g. the AP plane). The fabric may exhibit a higher level of stretch along other axes. The fabric also preferably exhibits low weight, high breathability and high flexibility. Some suitable fabrics include shoe upper fabric from running shoes including, for example, that disclosed in US patent publication No. 2014/0173934 to Bell, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. Additional multilayer fabrics having good flexibility, and stretch resistance along one axis and higher stretch along a transverse or nonparallel axis, useful for the force dissipation layer are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,555,415 to Brandstreet et al; U.S. Pat. No. 8,312,646 to Meschter et al; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,849,518 to Moore et al., the disclosures of each of which are incorporated in their entireties herein by reference. Typically, the force transfer layer will have lower stretch along at least one axis than the stretch of the underlying garment.
Referring to
Lever 62 is pivotably connected to a second lever 64 by way of resistance element 68 as has been described. Resistance element 68 may comprise any of a variety of resistance elements, such as friction brakes, malleable materials, clutches, or rotary viscous dampers as has been discussed. Resistance element 68 may be securely permanently or removably mounted to the second lever arm 64 (as illustrated) or to first lever arm 62 or both. A post 74 (
Preferably, a quick release 75 is provided, to engage and disengage the resistance element, and or enable disassembly into component parts. Quick release 75 is illustrated as a knob which may be rotatable, or axially movable between a first and a second position to engage or disengage the damper. Any of a variety of quick release mechanisms maybe utilized, such as a threaded engagement, or a pin or flange which can rotate into engagement behind a corresponding flange or slot. Quick release 75 allows rapid removal of the damper, or the damper and femoral lever arm, as is discussed in more detail below.
Referring to
Connectors 65 may be provided for locking the construct together. Connectors 65 may comprise one or more locking rings, nuts, pins or other structure. Preferably, a quick release mechanism 75 such as a quick release lever, rotatable knob or snap fit that allows the wearer to quickly engage or disengage the resistance unit 58 into component subassemblies, as will be described.
Skeletal motion at the hip during normal activities including walking involves complex, multidirectional movement of the femoral head within the acetabular cup. However when viewed to isolate out the single component of movement in the anterior-posterior (“AP”) plane, the femur swings forward and back like a pendulum, pivoting about a rotational axis 69 (
Many of the resistance elements disclosed herein exhibit a fixed axis of rotation. Ideally, the exercise garment of the present invention of the type having a fixed rotational axis can be worn by a wearer such that the rotational axis of the resistance element is coincident with the rotational axis 69 of the femur. However, due to a combination of factors including the stretch of the fabric and dissimilarities from wearer to wearer in the contour of the soft tissue between the femur and the garment, the two rotational axes may not perfectly align. An imaginary straight-line in the AP plane which connects the anatomical rotational axis and the rotational axis of the resistance element defines a non-zero offset in the case of misalignment between the two axes of rotation which has the effect of a piston like pulling or pushing the second lever 64 along its longitudinal axis relative to the femur throughout the stride cycle. If force in all directions from the second lever 64 is effectively transmitted to the garment, this axial reciprocal movement of the second level 64 with respect to the wearer and garment through the offset distance 26 may cause a variety of undesirable results, including chafing of the garment up and down against the leg, wrinkling, buckling or damaging the fabric of the garment and/or the material of the second lever 64.
It may therefore be desirable to decouple axial movement of the second lever 64 from the garment, while maintaining a high degree of force transmission between the second lever 64 and the garment in the AP plane.
Referring to
The axial length of the pocket 28 is preferably at least about 4 inches, and in some implementations it is at least about 6 inches or 8 inches or more in length, depending upon the garment size, fabric stretch and resistance level of the resistance unit. The length of the pocket will preferably exceed the length of the associated lever by an amount sufficient to compensate for the likely offset between the rotational axis of the hip and the rotational axis of the damper. Typically, that offset will be no more than about 2 inches, and preferably no more than about 1 inch or 0.5 inches.
The lever 64 will preferably axially reciprocate within the pocket 28 with minimal friction. For this purpose, the lever may be constructed from or coated with a lubricious material. In addition, the interior surface of the pocket preferably comprises a material with a low coefficient of friction with respect to the surface of the lever. The interior of the pocket 28 may be provided with one or two or five or 10 or more axially extending filaments or raised ridges, to reduce the contact surface area between the lever 64 and the pocket 28. The interior of the pocket 28 may be lined either partially or completely with a membrane having a low friction surface. Thus, a pocket liner comprising any of a variety of materials such as nylon, PTFE, polyethylene terephthalate, PEEK, metal films or other materials may be utilized depending upon the intended performance characteristics.
The inside width of the pocket is preferably dimensioned such that the lever is not able to move significantly in the AP plane with respect to the pocket. The width of the pocket with the lever installed therefore preferably only exceeds the width of the lever by a sufficient amount to permit the desired axial movement of the lever without transferring axial movement to the garment. The width may be adjustable between a larger width such as for inserting the lever, and a smaller width for efficient lateral force transfer. That may be accomplished by fabricating the pocket from compression fabric so that it stretches to receive the lever. Alternatively, a zipper may be advanced along the length of the pocket to bring two parallel edges closer together, with straps connected to the pant leg on one side of the pocket and connectable (e.g., with Velcro) to the pant leg on an opposite side of the pocket.
Alternatively, the resistance unit 58 can be provided with any of a variety of axial expansion dampers, positioned between the rotational axis of resistance element 68 and a portion of the second lever 64 which is immovably secured to the garment. Axial extension dampers may include first and second side by side or concentric telescoping components, which through relative axial sliding motion allow the second lever 64 or other attachment point to the garment to reciprocally lengthen and shorten. See, e.g.,
Referring to
Referring to
The axis of rotation of the resistance element 68 is displaced inferiorly from the wearer's waist line along an inferior-superior axis 70 by at least about 2 or 3 or 4 or more inches. The posterior connector 65 extends along a longitudinal axis 72 which intersects with the axis 70 at an angle 74. The angle 74 causes the axis 72 to deviate from perpendicular to axis 70 by at least about 2°, and in some embodiments at least about 3° or 5° or more.
The posterior strap 66 may be adjustably connected to the posterior connector 65. In one implementation, one of the posterior strap 66 or connector 65 is provided with a plurality of apertures 76. The other is provided with at least one post 78. In an alternate embodiment, the two components may be secured by Velcro, or a buckle. In a further implementation, the strap 66 is slidably engaged with the posterior connector 65. This may be accomplished, for example, by providing a first raised rail 80 and a second raised rail 82 defining a recess 84 there between within which the posterior strap 66 can slide. Posterior connector 65 may be retained within the recess 84 such as by a flange on one or both of the rails 80 and 82, or by connecting the rails 80 and 82 to form an enclosure for receiving posterior strap 66. Enclosure may be formed by a plastic restraint, integrally formed with the posterior connector 65, or by a fabric enclosure. Alternatively, the posterior strap 66 comprises a fabric or elastic such as a belt or waist band on a pant.
The components of the hip support 60 may comprise polymeric sheet or membranes, various technical fabrics as has been described elsewhere herein, or combinations of the two, in order to optimize comfort, fit and structural integrity of the connection of the hip support 62 to the wearer. Any portions or all of the hip support may be distinct structures attached to or worn over the top or under the garment, or may be structural fabric and components woven or sewn into the garment.
Preferably, the hip support 60 is constructed largely in fabric, such that it has sufficient flexibility and durability to be comfortable, durable, and able to withstand normal washing and drying cycles. In a preferred embodiment, the first lever 62 is provided with a docking station for removably receiving and engaging the resistance element 68 and second lever 64.
Thus, referring to
Referring to
The modular femoral resistance unit 67 may be uncoupled from the docking station such as by manipulating the quick release control, and removed from the garment to permit removing the garment from the wearer, and or placing the garment in the wash. In addition, a wearer may be provided with a plurality of matched pairs of modular femoral resistance units, each pair having matched resistance elements 68 with a different level of resistance from another pair. This modularity enables the wearer to select the desired level of resistance depending upon a given use environment, as well as to facilitate washing, and optimizing the useful life of whichever components of the detachable component resistance toning system have the greatest useful life. Additional details of suitable resistance elements are disclosed in US 2015/0190669, previously incorporated by reference herein.
The training garment preferably comprises at least one stretch panel for providing a snug fit and optional compression. The panel may exhibit stretch in at least a circumferential direction around the leg and waist such as a four way stretch denim. Stretch panels may comprise any of a variety of fabrics disclosed elsewhere herein. The panel may include woven textile having yarns at least partially formed from any of polyamide, polyester, nylon, spandex, wool, silk, or cotton materials, for example. More particularly, the yarns may be eighty percent polyamide and twenty percent spandex in some configurations. When formed from a combination of polyamide and spandex, for example, the stretch woven textile may exhibit at least thirty percent stretch prior to tensile failure, but may also exhibit at least fifty percent or at least eighty percent stretch prior to tensile failure. In some configurations of the garment, the stretch in stretch woven textile may equal or exceed one-hundred percent prior to tensile failure. The optimal amount of stretch will normally be the maximum stretch that still allows the wearer to move comfortably with minimal or no rotation of the docking platform relative to the wearer's hip under normal walking or running conditions, using a resistance unit that is rated for the particular garment. Too much stretch in a direction of force imposed by the resistance unit will allow the docking station to rotate thereby stretching the fabric rather than transfer all of the wearer's motion to the resistance unit.
Referring to
Yarns extending along a non-stretch or low stretch axis within non-stretch woven textile panel may be at least partially formed from any of polyamide, polyester, nylon, spandex, wool, silk, cotton or other high tensile strength strands disclosed herein. Depending upon the materials selected for the yarns, non-stretch woven textile may exhibit less than ten percent stretch prior to tensile failure, but may also exhibit less than five percent stretch or less than three percent stretch at least along the non-stretch axis prior to tensile failure.
A plurality of different panels of each of stretch woven or non-woven textile and non-stretch woven textile may be joined to form garment 51. That is, garment 51 may have various seams that are stitched or glued, for example, to join the various elements of stretch textile and non-stretch textile together. Edges of the various elements of stretch textile and non-stretch textile may be folded inward and secured with additional seams to limit fraying and impart a finished aspect to the garment. The garment 51 may be provided with one or more zippers, hook and loop fasteners or other releasable fasteners disclosed herein, such as one extending the full or partial length of one or both legs, to facilitate getting into and out of the garment. One or more non-stretch panels may be removably secured to the garment using a zipper or equivalent structure, hook and loop sections or otherwise. This enables the garment to be pulled on in a relatively stretchable mode. Following proper positioning of the garment on the wearer, force transfer features such as one or more low stretch features such as in the form of straps or panels can be secured to or tightened on the garment to reduce the stretch along the axes which will experience the most tensile force from the resistance units duriln motion of the wearer.
In general, the low stretch axis will be aligned in the anterior-posterior direction, or at least have a vector resolution component in the anterior posterior direction particularly for the femoral lever. Generally the low stretch axis will be within about 45 degrees up or 45 degrees down of horizontal, with the garment in the normal standing (vertical) orientation. The non stretch axis of the fabric at the hip will be oriented to resist rotation of the docking station, and thus will be oriented differently depending upon the presence or absence of an elongate, structural lever arm. For example, in an implementation having a superior lever, the non-stretch axis may be primarily oriented in the anterior posterior direction. In the absence of a superior lever, the nonstretch axis will be oriented to resist rotation of the connector, such as approximately at a tangent to a circle which is concentric about the connector. This may be accomplished through a variety of techniques, including circular weaving or knitting as is discussed elsewhere herein.
Stretch panels may be formed in the configuration of straps, having a length that exceeds the width, and constructed similar to the watersport waist band of U.S. Pat. No. 7,849,518 or U.S. Pat. No. 8,555,415, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties herein. The longitudinal axis of the strap may extend circumferentially around the waist or leg above and or below each resistance unit to cooperate with the lever or other force transfer structure to shield the stretch fabric from tensile force. Alternatively, if less constriction on fit is desired, the axis of the strap may be angled up or down with respect to horizontal to extend in a spiral path which extends at least about 20%, often at least about 50% and in some embodiments at least about 75% or 100% or more of the circumference of the wearer's leg or waist. See FIGS. 6A-8 of US 2015/0190669 which can illustrate a non-stretch or low-stretch strap configuration or elastic straps which may be embedded within or over a multilayer stretch fabric panel garment. The garments of the present invention can also include elastic bands in the configurations illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/694,900 to Yao, published as US 2015/0306441, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
Resistance generated by elastic stretch generally increases linearly as a function of elongation, assuming efficient force transfer between the wearer and the garment. Thus, at the beginning of a range of motion the resistance is relatively low, and at the end of the range of motion the resistance may be quite high. A combination of the (constant resistance at constant rotational velocity) resistance elements disclosed herein with an elastic restraint can have the effect of flattening out the change in resistance across the range of motion curve otherwise experienced by a purely elastic system. This is because the front end of the range of motion will be subject to a resistance imposed by the resistance unit. Supplemental resistance provided by the elastic band is thus additive to the resistance provided by the resistance element.
In a simple construction, a resistance band can be provided on the garment to resist forward swing at the hip or other joint, such as a panel extending generally vertically along the posterior of the garment. Alternatively or in addition, a resistance element may be provided to resist rearward swing at the hip or other joint such as a resistance element on the anterior side of the garment.
Referring to
The aperture is configured to receive a complimentary connector 108 such as a post 112 on the docking platform 110. The post 112 comprises at least one axially extending slot, flat side or other key to provide rotational interlock with a complementary surface structure on the connector 106. In the illustrated embodiment, post 112 comprises a polygon, such as a hexagon or octagon. Alternatively, the post 112 may have a cylindrical configuration and the complementary aperture comprises the aperture through a spring clutch on the resistance unit 100. A control such as a lever, slider switch or button may be carried by the housing of resistance element 102 to change the inside diameter of the aperture of the spring clutch as is understood in the art. The relative location of the complementary connectors can be reversed between the docking platform 110 and the resistance element 102 depending upon the desired product design.
Connector 108 is carried by a docking platform 110, which includes a base plate 114 secured to the post 112. Post 112 is provided with a quick release button 116, depression of which allows a plurality of interference locks such as a ball or post 118 to retract radially inwardly to disengage a complementary recess within the connector 106. Preferably, the connector 108 is not able to rotate with respect to plate 114.
In use, movement of leg throughout a stride carries the femoral lever 104 through an arcuate path generally within the anterior posterior plane, which pivots about the axis of rotation extending through connector 108. The resistance unit transfers more or less rotational force to the post 112 depending upon the resistance rating of the resistance element 102. The docking platform 110 is configured to distribute rotational force transferred by the post 112 to a larger surface area of the underlying garment or to a point of greater distance from the axis of rotation to prevent the post 112 from rotating in a manner that twists or otherwise deforms the fabric of the compression garment.
Since the force applied to the garment at a given point is equal to the torque applied by the resistance element 102 during a stride times the radius or distance from the center of rotation to that point, a larger diameter docking platform 110 would more effectively distribute rotational force to the fabric without distortion. However, anatomical constraints due to the dynamic three dimensional configuration of the wearer and garment in the vicinity of the hip limit the diameter of the docking platform 110. Accordingly, one or more levers may extend radially outwardly or at a tangent or other angle to a circle concentric about the post 112 such as the best fit circle about the periphery of the docking platform 110.
In the illustrated embodiment, a lever 120 extends outwardly from the post 112 and docking platform 110 to increase the effective distance (radius) from the axis of rotation and better distribute rotational force. Lever 120 may extend at least about one or 2 inches from the periphery of the plate 114 or from the post 112 in an implementation where the plate is the same diameter as and/or an integral portion of the post 112 (effectively no distinct plate).
In some implementations, the lever 120 extends at least about four or 5 inches or more from the post 112. If the lever 120 is configured to reside on a coronal plane (approximately straight up and down) as illustrated, for example, in
The docking platform 110 in the illustrated the embodiment is intended to be permanently secured to the garment. For this purpose, a plurality of apertures 122 may be provided at least around the periphery of the superior lever 120 and an interface 124 for connecting to the plate 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the interface 124 comprises a ring which may be integrally formed with superior lever 120. The ring includes an aperture for receiving the plate 114. To minimize the risk of rotation of the plate 114 within the ring, the inner diameter of the ring may have one or more rotational locking keys such as flat surfaces or radially facing projections or recesses such as the illustrated sinusoidal periphery, which interlocks with a complementary exterior circumference of the plate 114. Alternatively, the lever 120, plate 114 and optionally connector 108 may be integrally formed such as through molding or machining techniques known in the art.
At least one lever 120 and optionally two or more levers may be mechanically linked to the post 112, and the length of the lever or levers can be optimized based upon the stretch of the fabric of the underlying garment, along with the rated torque for the resistance unit 100 intended to be used with that garment.
In one implementation of the invention, applicable to any of the embodiments described herein, the docking plate 114 is mounted with no direct attachment to the underlying garment. This allows the docking plate to float in response to anatomical movement, although not rotate relative to the axis of the post 112. The superior lever 120 will be securely attached to the garment, such as by transverse band 126 or other force transfer layer or attachment technique disclosed herein. Attachment may be constrained to an attachment zone within the upper 75%, upper 50%, upper 25% or less of the length of the superior lever, measured from the rotational axis. The attachment zone may extend inferiorly to the upper limit of the plate 114 or as far inferiorly as the level of the post 112. The remainder of the docking platform 110 below the attachment zone remains floating with respect to the garment. The upper lever 120 may be integrated into the garment or covered by a stretch panel and both the front and back sides remain unattached to the garment or cover layer outside of the attachment zone.
Referring to
The modular resistance unit 100 has generally been illustrated as having a resistance element 102 mounted on a femoral lever 104. It may in some circumstances be desirable to allow the resistance element 102 to be removed from the garment as a separate unit, leaving both of the upper and lower levers permanently or removably coupled to the garment.
Referring to
When mounted on the garment, the first aperture 130 and second aperture 134 are substantially coaxial. First aperture 130 is provided with a keyed cross-section such that it receives a first complementary projection 132 on resistance unit 68 so that rotation of first lever 62 will cause an equal rotation of first projection 132. Keyed projections and complementary apertures may comprise at least one flat side or spline, and in some embodiments comprise a polygon such as a hexagon or octagon or a greater number of rotational interlocking surface structures such as axially extending teeth on a gear and complementary axially extending grooves. At least 8 or 10 and depending upon construction materials at least 15 or 20 or more teeth and complementary grooves may be provided to increase the number of rotational alignments which will allow the resistance element to be mounted on the corresponding post.
The second aperture 134 is larger than the first aperture 130, and additionally comprises a keyed periphery so that it rotationally engages with a complementary second projection 136 carried by the resistance element 68.
The resistance element 68 is configured to provide resistance to relative motion of first projection 132 with respect to second projection 136. In this manner, the first lever 62 engages first projection 132 and second lever 64 engages second projection 136 so that rotation of first lever 62 with respect to second lever 64 about the axis of rotation is subject to the resistance provided by resistance element 68.
Post 74 extends through and beyond keyed ring 140 and is received within a first cavity 142 on the resistance element 68 and is rotationally locked therein. Keyed ring 140 is received within a complementary second cavity 144 and is rotationally locked therein. In one implementation of the invention, illustrated in
Referring to
First strut 206 and second strut 208 are joined at an apex 210, which is concave in an upward direction in the as worn orientation. Apex 210 and force transfer layer 204 are configured to place the apex 210 approximately in alignment with the axis of rotation of the wearer's hip or other joint. Apex 210 is provided with a connector 212, which may be an aperture or post as has been discussed.
Each of first strut 206 and second strut 208 have a length within the range of from about 3 inches to about 8 inches, depending upon garment design. Each strut may have a width within the range of about 0.25 inches and about 2 inches, typically between about 0.5 inches and 1.5 inches, depending upon garment design and the intended resistance rating. Three or four or more struts may be connected to apex 210, depending upon desired performance.
Force transfer layer 204 on a first side of the wearer may have extensions 216 and 218 which extend in a circumferential direction around the waist of the wearer. Extensions 216 and 218 may be integral with or connect with the extensions on the superior attachment assembly 200 on a second side of the wearer.
The force transfer layer 204 may extend along the length of the first strut 206 and second strut 208 to a transition 214. Above the transition 214, the lever 202 is securely attached to the underlying garment such as by way of the force transfer layer 204. Below transition 214, the lever 202 is unattached to the underlying garment, so that the apex 210 can float with respect to the underlying garment.
A superior attachment assembly 200 having multi axial adjustability is illustrated in
In an implementation illustrated in
If the rod 224 remains axially slidably carried within tubular support 220, the post 74 is permitted to float up or down relative to the force transfer layer 204 and or tubular support 220. This adjustability along a vertical axis allows the resistance unit 102 to float, and adapt to minor movements of the wearer and/or initial misalignment between the rotational axis of the resistance unit 102 and the rotational axis of the underlying joint. The range of float may be limited such as by providing opposing interference surfaces on the rod and sleeve, spaced apart by the desired float.
Single or double or more axes of adjustability may be provided in any of the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the apex 210 of lever 202 illustrated in
Referring to
The harness 230 comprises a waistband 232, for removable attachment around the waist of the wearer. Waistband 232 may comprise a strap having foam padding. Waistband 232 is provided with an attachment strap 236 such as a Velcro strap attached to the waistband 232. An attachment structure such as a belt loop (buckle) 234 may be provided, for attachment using Velcro strap. This construction enables a single device to be appropriately sized for any of a wide variety of wearers.
The harness 230 additionally comprises attachment structures for receiving a resistance unit 58. The resistance unit 58 in general includes a connector for receiving a resistance element 68, along with a first superior lever 62 and a second inferior lever 64 as has been discussed.
An inferior connector 90 connects the second lever 64 to a leg band 238. Leg band 238 is a flexible, padded band configured to wrap around and secure to the leg of the wearer. For this purpose, an attachment such as buckle loop 240 may be provided to cooperate with a strap 242 such as an elastic strap with Velcro attachment. The strap may be pulled through the belt loop 240 and secured to itself, to wrap the leg band 238 firmly around the leg of the wearer. One or two or three or more leg bands 238 maybe provided, depending upon the intended load to be applied.
The harness 230 may be constructed of flexible, breathable lightweight materials which have relatively low stretch compared to some of the compression garments disclosed elsewhere herein. As such, the harness 230 may support resistance units having a much higher resistance to rotation, such as at least about 20 inch pounds, at least about 30 or 40 or 50 or more inch pounds of torque. As with other embodiments disclosed herein, the harness 230 is preferably bilaterally symmetrical although only a single side has been shown to simplify the drawing.
Although disclosed primarily in the context of lower body garments, any of the resistance elements and attachment fabrics and structures disclosed herein can be adopted for use for any other motion segment on the body, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, neck, abdomen (core) and various other motion segments of the upper body. Any of the various resistance elements and attachment structures disclosed herein can be interchanged with any other, depending upon the desired performance. In addition, the present invention has been primarily disclosed as coupled to a type of garment resembling a complete article of clothing. However any of the resistance systems disclosed herein may be carried by any of a variety of braces, wearable clothing subassemblies, straps, cuffs or other wearable support construct that is sufficient to mechanically couple one or more resistance elements to the body and achieve the force transfer described herein, that may be worn over or under conventional clothing.
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