Sports garment

Abstract

The present invention provides a garment (1) for covering a wearer's thighs. The garment comprises a pair of front resistance elements (6) each of which, in use, extends obliquely across the front of a respective one of the wearer's thighs. It also comprises a pair of rear resistance elements (10) each of which, in use, extends obliquely across the rear of a respective one of the wearer's thighs. Each of the front and rear resistance elements extends from a respective upper position (7, 11) located proximal to the midline (8) of the garment to a respective lower position (9, 12) located distal from the midline of the garment. This provides a stabilizing effect on the wearer's hip joint.

Claims

1. A lower torso and leg covering garment that comprises material forming a torso covering portion and two leg portions including thigh covering portions extending therefrom configured to cover the thighs of a wearer, wherein the garment includes front resistance elements formed therein and constructed of the garment material itself, each of which, in use, extends obliquely across the thigh covering portions of the garment leg portions, and a pair of rear resistance elements, each of which, in use, extends obliquely across the rear of a respective one of the wearer's thighs, wherein each of said front and rear resistance elements extends from a respective upper position located proximal to a midline of the garment to a respective lower distal position located outwardly, farther from the midline of the garment than the proximal upper portion.

2. A garment according to claim 1 wherein, in use, each respective upper position is configured to be substantially horizontally level with the wearer's respective greater trochanter.

3. A garment according to claim 1 wherein each respective upper position is located spaced from but proximal to the midline of the garment.

4. A garment according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said resistance elements comprises an elastic seam.

5. A garment according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said resistance elements comprises a splice of elastic material.

6. A garment according to claim 1 wherein each respective resistance element upper front position is located and is configured, in use, on the center front of the wearer's respective thigh and each resistance element respective lower front position is located and is configured, in use, on the wearer's respective outer thigh.

7. A garment according to claim 1 wherein each respective resistance element upper rear position is located and is configured, in use, on the center rear of the wearer's respective thigh and each resistance element respective lower rear position is located and is configured, in use, on the wearer's respective outer thigh.

8. A garment according to claim 1 wherein the front and/or rear resistance elements extend over the lower torso covering portion to a waist band.

9. A garment according to claim 8 wherein each rear resistance element extends from its respective upper rear position over said lower torso covering portion either side of the midline of the garment and is configured such that, in use, each of the pair of the rear resistance elements extends across a respective one of the wearer's buttocks.

10. A garment according to claim 8 wherein said rear resistance elements extend over said lower torso covering portion substantially parallel to the midline of said garment.

11. A garment according to claim 1 where each front resistance element abuts the corresponding rear resistance element at a position on the garment which, in use, is configured to be located on the wearer's outer thigh.

12. A garment according to claim 1 wherein the garment further comprises an upper torso covering portion.

13. A garment according to claim 12 further comprising a rear midline resistance element which extends at least partly along the rear midline of the garment such that, in use, the rear midline resistance element is configured to extend at least partly along the wearer's spine.

14. A garment according to claim 13 wherein the rear midline resistance element extends from a rear neckline of the garment to a crotch of the garment.

15. A garment according to claim 12 wherein each front resistance element extends from its respective upper front position over the front of said upper torso covering portion either side of and towards the midline of the garment such that, in use, each of the pair of the front resistance elements are configured to extend from the wearer's respective thigh towards the wearer's sternum.

16. A garment according to claim 15 wherein each of the front resistance elements on the upper torso covering portion extends obliquely away from the midline of the garment above a point which, in use, is configured to be positioned on the wearer's sternum.

17. A garment according to claim 1 wherein the garment is a swimming garment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 is a rear side view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is a front side view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 4 is a rear side view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 5 is a front side view of a third embodiment of the present invention; and

(6) FIG. 6 is a rear side view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows a front view of a pair of jammers 1 typically used by male swimmers, especially in competitive swimming.

(8) The jammers comprise: thigh-covering portions 2 terminating at their lower ends in leg bands 3; lower torso-covering portion 4; and a waistband 5.

(9) The jammers include a pair of front resistance elements 6, each of which is positioned so that, when the garment is being worn, they extend obliquely across the front of the respective thigh-covering portion 2.

(10) Each front resistance element 6 extends from a respective upper front position which, when the garment is worn, is located on the centre of the front of the wearer's respective thigh (spaced from but proximal to the midline 8 of the garment) substantially horizontally level with the wearer's greater trochanter to a respective lower front position 9 on the wearer's respective outer thigh adjacent the knee (distal from the midline 8 of the garment). Thus the front resistance elements span the entire length of the front of the thigh and are angled to support the hip joint by keeping the legs adducted.

(11) Each front resistance element 6 extends from its respective upper front position 7 over the lower torso-covering portion 4 either side of the garment midline 8 up to the waist band 5. This helps to anchor the thigh muscles to the core muscles in the wearer's lower torso thus further stabilising the muscles and hip joint.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a rear side view of the jammers shown in FIG. 1.

(13) The jammers include a pair of rear resistance elements 10 each of which is positioned so that, when the garment is being worn, they extend obliquely across the rear of the respective thigh-covering portion 2.

(14) Each rear resistance element 10 extends from a respective upper rear position 11 which, when the garment is worn, is located on the centre of the rear of the wearer's respective thigh under the gluteal crease (proximal the midline 8 of the garment) to a respective lower front position 12 on the wearer's respective outer thigh adjacent the knee (distal from the midline 8 of the garment). Thus the rear resistance elements span the entire length of the rear of the thigh and are angled to support the hip joint by keeping the legs adducted.

(15) Each rear resistance element 10 extends from its respective upper rear position 11 over said lower torso-covering portion 4 either side of and substantially parallel to the midline 8 of the garment so that, when the jammers 1 are worn, each of the pair of the rear resistance elements 10 extends across a respective one of the wearer's buttocks. This helps to anchor the thigh muscles to the core muscles in the wearer's lower torso thus further stabilising the muscles and hip joint. It also allows the rear resistance elements to store energy when the leg is flexed, the release of the stored energy acting to assist movement of the leg to its unflexed position.

(16) Each front resistance element 6 abuts the corresponding rear resistance element 10 at a position 13 which is located on the wearer's outer thigh (just above the knee). This abutment creates a cradle of resistance elements which helps further support the thigh muscles and keeps the leg adducted.

(17) FIG. 3 shows a front side view of an open-backed knee skin suit 14 typically used by female swimmers, especially in competitive swimming.

(18) The suit comprises: thigh-covering portions 2 terminating at their lower ends in leg bands 3; a lower torso-covering portion 4; and an upper torso-covering portion 15.

(19) The suit includes a pair of front resistance elements 6, each of which is positioned so that, when the garment is being worn, they extend obliquely across the front of the respective thigh-covering portion 2.

(20) Each front resistance element 6 extends from a respective upper front position 7 which, when the garment is worn, is located on the centre of the front of the wearer's respective thigh (spaced from but proximal to the midline 8 of the garment) substantially horizontally level with the wearer's greater trochanter to a respective lower front position 9 on the wearer's respective outer thigh adjacent the knee (distal from the midline 8 of the garment). Thus the front resistance elements span the entire length of the front of the thigh and are angled to support the hip joint by keeping the legs adducted.

(21) Each front resistance element 6 extends from its respective upper front position 7 over the lower torso-covering portion 4 either side of the garment midline 8 up over the upper torso-covering portion 15. This helps to anchor the thigh muscles to the core muscles in the wearer's torso thus further stabilising the muscles and hip joint.

(22) The front resistance elements 6 extend symmetrically either side of the midline 8 of the garment and the oblique angle created on the thigh-covering portion 2 is continued on the lower and upper torso-covering portions 4, 15 until the front resistance elements 6 reach a position 16 proximal the wearer's sternum when the garment is being worn. At this position 16, the front resistance elements 6 divert away from the midline 8 of the garment and extend obliquely towards the armholes 17 of the suit. By extending the front resistance elements over the upper torso, an improved connectivity and power transfer between the upper and lower body is achieved.

(23) FIG. 4 shows a rear side view of the suit shown in FIG. 3.

(24) The suit includes a pair of rear resistance elements 10 each of which is positioned so that, when the garment is being worn, they extend obliquely across the rear of the respective thigh-covering portion 2.

(25) Each rear resistance element 10 extends from a respective upper rear position 11 which, when the garment is worn, is located on the centre of the rear of the wearer's respective thigh under the gluteal crease (proximal the midline 8 of the garment) to a respective lower front position 12 on the wearer's respective outer thigh adjacent the knee (distal from the midline 8 of the garment). Thus the rear resistance elements span the entire length of the rear of the thigh and are angled to support the hip joint by keeping the legs adducted.

(26) Each rear resistance element 10 extends from its respective upper rear position 11 over said lower torso-covering portion 4 either side of and substantially parallel to the midline 8 of the garment so that, when the suit is worn, each of the pair of the rear resistance elements 10 extends across a respective one of the wearer's buttocks. This helps to anchor the thigh muscles to the core muscles in the wearer's lower torso thus further stabilising the muscles and hip joint. It also allows the rear resistance elements 10 to store energy when the leg is flexed, the release of the stored energy acting to assist movement of the leg to its unflexed position.

(27) Each front resistance element 6 abuts the corresponding rear resistance element 10 at a position 13 which is located on the wearers outer thigh (just above the knee). This abutment creates a cradle of resistance elements which helps further support the thigh muscles and keep the leg adducted.

(28) FIG. 5 shows a front side view of a closed-back knee skin suit 14′ typically used by female swimmers, especially in competitive swimming.

(29) The suit comprises: thigh-covering portions 2 terminating at their lower ends in leg bands 3; a lower torso-covering portion 4; and an upper for so-covering portion 15.

(30) The suit includes a pair of front resistance elements 6, each of which is positioned so that, when the garment is being worn, they extend obliquely across the front of the respective thigh-covering portion 2.

(31) Each front resistance element 6 extends from a respective upper front position 7 which, when the garment is worn, is located on the centre of the front of the wearer's respective thigh (spaced from but proximal to the midline 8 of the garment) substantially horizontally level with the wearer's greater trochanter to a respective lower front position 9 on the wearer's respective outer thigh adjacent the knee (distal from the midline 8 of the garment). Thus the front resistance elements span the entire length of the front of the thigh and are angled to support the hip joint by keeping the legs adducted.

(32) Each front resistance element 6 extends from its respective upper front position 7 over the lower torso-covering portion 4 either side of the garment midline 8 up over the upper torso-covering portion 15. This helps to anchor the thigh muscles to the core muscles in the wearer's torso thus further stabilising the muscles and hip joint.

(33) The front resistance elements 6 extend symmetrically either side of the midline 8 of the garment and the oblique angle created on the thigh-covering portion 2 is continued on the lower and upper torso-covering portions 4, 15 until the front resistance elements 6 reach a position 16 proximal the wearer's sternum when the garment is being worn. At this position 16, the front resistance elements 6 divert away from the midline 8 of the garment and extend obliquely towards the armholes 17 of the suit. By extending the front resistance elements over the upper torso, an improved connectivity and power transfer between the upper and lower body is achieved.

(34) FIG. 6 shows a rear side view of the suit shown in FIG. 5.

(35) The suit includes a pair of rear resistance elements 10 each of which is positioned so that, when the garment is being worn, they extend obliquely across the rear of the respective thigh-covering portion 2.

(36) Each rear resistance element 10 extends from a respective upper rear position 11 which, when the garment is worn, is located on the centre of the rear of the wearer's respective thigh under the gluteal crease (proximal the midline 8 of the garment) to a respective lower front position 12 on the wearer's respective outer thigh adjacent the knee (distal from the midline 8 of the garment). Thus the rear resistance elements span the entire length of the rear of the thigh and are angled to support the hip joint by keeping the legs adducted.

(37) Each rear resistance element 10 extends from its respective upper rear position 11 over said lower torso-covering portion 4 either side of and substantially parallel to the midline 8 of the garment so that, when the suit is worn, each of the pair of the rear resistance elements 10 extends across a respective one of the wearer's buttocks. This helps to anchor the thigh muscles to the core muscles in the wearer's lower torso thus further stabilising the muscles and hip joint. It also allows the rear resistance elements 10 to store energy when the leg is flexed, the release of the stored energy acting to assist movement of the leg to its unflexed position.

(38) Each front resistance element 6 abuts the corresponding rear resistance element 10 at a position 13 which is located on the wearer's outer thigh (just above the knee). This abutment creates a cradle of resistance elements which helps further support the thigh muscles and keep the leg adducted.

(39) The suit further comprises a rear midline resistance element 18 which extends from the neckline 19 of the suit to the crotch 20. When worn, this resistance element follows the path of the wearer's spine and helps them maintain an advantageous posture in the water.

(40) In all three embodiments described, the rear resistance elements 10 as they extend over thigh-covering and lower torso-covering portions comprise splices of elastic material joined to the base fabric of the suit/jammers by elastic ultrasonically welded seams, heat bonded with a high stretch tape backing. For example, the suit/jammer may be formed from a base fabric such as a warp knit fabric including both inelastic threads (such as nylon) and elastic threads (such as Lycra®). The percentage of elastic threads (e.g. Lycra®) may be around 40 wt %. The resistance elements are formed of a high stretch woven fabric including both inelastic threads (such as nylon) and elastic threads (such as Lycra®).

(41) As the rear resistance elements extend over the upper-torso covering portion in the third embodiment, they are formed solely of the elastic ultrasonically welded seams, heat bonded with a high stretch tape backing.

(42) Preferably the seam tape (high stretch tape backing) is a woven fabric. More preferably, it is a woven fabric tape measuring 18 mm in width including both inelastic threads (such as polyamide and polyurethane) and elastic threads (such as Lycra®). Preferably, the tape has stretch of 150%. In order for the seam tape to be bonded to create the completed seam, one side is applied with a temperature melt adhesive.

(43) In all three embodiments described, the front resistance elements 10 as they extend over thigh-covering portions comprise splices of elastic material joined to the base fabric of the suit/jammers by elastic ultrasonically welded seams, heat bonded with a high stretch tape backing as described above in relation to the rear resistance elements.

(44) As the front resistance elements extend over the lower and upper-torso covering portions in the second and third embodiments, they are formed solely of elastic seams as described above.

(45) In the third embodiment, the rear midline resistance element comprises a splice of elastic material joined to the base fabric of the suit/jammers by elastic ultrasonically welded seams, heat bonded with a high stretch tape backing. This splice of material extends from just below the neckline to the middle of the lower torso-covering portion. From the neckline to the splice of material and from the splice of material to the crotch of the suit, the resistance element takes the form of an elastic seam alone.

(46) The skilled person will appreciate that the suit/jammers illustrated in the Figures and described above are examples embodying inventive concepts described herein and that many and various modifications can be made without departing from the invention.