Abstract
Garments and patches for garments incorporating a grip surface at contact points between the garment and a surface.
Claims
1. A garment comprising a primary material having at least one contact point, and a grip material, wherein the grip material is positioned to at least partially cover the at least one contact point.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the contact point is a point which bears weight of a wearer of the garment against a surface.
3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the surface is a surface of a wheelchair.
4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is a garment selected from a group consisting of a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, a shirt, a skirt, a dress, a set of sleeves, a set of leg warmers, a pair of gloves, and a hat.
5. A grip patch for application to a garment, the grip patch comprising a grip material, and the grip patch shaped to cover a contact point of the garment.
6. The grip patch of claim 5, wherein the contact point is a point which bears weight of a wearer of the garment against a surface.
7. The grip patch of claim 6, wherein the surface is a surface of a wheelchair.
8. A grip patch kit comprising: a grip patch, a set of instructions comprising (i) an identification of a contact point on an article of clothing and (ii) an instruction to apply the grip patch to the contact point.
9. The grip patch kit of claim 8, wherein the grip patch comprises a grip material on an obverse side of the grip patch and an adhesive on a reverse side of the grip patch.
10. The grip patch kit of claim 8, wherein the contact point is a point which bears weight of a wearer of the garment against a surface.
11. The grip patch kit of claim 10, wherein the surface is a surface of a wheelchair.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a back side view of a pair of shorts as set forth herein.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a back side view of a patterned pair of shorts as set forth herein
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a back side view of a pair of shorts having an extra strong waistband as set forth herein
[0023] FIG. 4 shows a waistband as set forth herein.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows a waistband as set forth herein
[0025] FIG. 6 shows a back side view of a pair of shorts as set forth herein.
[0026] FIG. 7 shows a flexible band as set forth herein.
[0027] FIG. 8A shows a bottom view of an armband as set forth herein.
[0028] FIG. 8B shows a side view of an arm band as set forth herein.
[0029] FIG. 8C shows an arm band as set forth herein in contact with a wheel.
[0030] FIG. 9A shows a front view of a shirt as set forth herein
[0031] FIG. 9B shows a back view of a shirt as set forth herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a back view of an embodiment in the form of a pair of shorts 11, which may especially be athletic shorts. The shorts include a primary material 12 which forms the legs of the shorts and a waistband 13. The shorts also include grip material 14 which is located on the back portion of primary material 12, which forms backside of shorts 11. Grip material 14 is positioned on the back of the shorts, such that when a wearer is seated in a chair, the contact point between the wearer and the chair is approximately equivalent to the area occupied by grip material 14. Accordingly, the action of grip material 14 against the chair will assist in holding the wearer onto the chair. In a further embodiment, waistband 13 may also be made of a grip material to further improve total grip and to improve the stability of a user. Further, the use of a grip material in the waistband may increase the hold between the user and shorts 11, such that when forth is applied to shorts 11 through the grip 14, shorts 11 are less likely to shift on the body of a wearer.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a back view of an embodiment in the form of pair of shorts 21 with a waistband 23 and a primary material 22. Shorts 21 feature grip material 24 which has a pattern incorporating gaps 25. Gaps 25 lack grip material. In embodiments, a patterned grip material may be used to increase breathability or ventilation by permitting airflow through the gaps, thereby increasing cooling and evaporation, and providing comfort for the user. In embodiments, the gaps may also increase the flexibility of the shorts; in particular the gaps may be placed near a joint of the wearer in order to increase flexibility at that location. In embodiments, the pattern may incorporate a visual feature, such as a team symbol or mascot.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a back view of an embodiment in the form of a part of shorts 31 formed from waistband 33 and primary material 32. Shorts 31 feature a layer of grip 36 material to strengthen waistband 33 and to provide further drip at the user's waist. Embodiments may be provided with grip on the interior portion, exterior portion, or both, such that grip between the wearer and the garment and the garment and an exterior surface are both improved. Improving grip between the wearer and the garment may reduce slipping of the garment when force is applied from grip material located in other portions of the garment.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows a waistband 46, which is a waistband made of grip material. Waistband 46 also represents an embodiment in which a grip material according to the present disclosure may be available in a patch form so that the user may apply to grip material patch to a garment such as a pair of athletic shorts. The grip material patch may be affixed to the garment, e.g., by sewing, by a rivet, by a removable fastener, or by an adhesive. In embodiments, a waistband patch may be provided with an adhesive, such that the waistband patch may be applied to a garment using the adhesive without requiring any additional adhesive, sewing etc. An adhesive as described herein may be a heat activated adhesive, or an adhesive with a removal backing, i.e., a peel-and-stick-type adhesive system.
[0037] Waistband 46 also features a pull-up notch 47. Pull-up notch 47 provides a point at which the wearer may pull the garment in order to put on the garment or to adjust the garment while wearing. In particular, pull-up notch 47 may assist the wearer in correcting slippage of the garment during wear.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows waistband 56 with pull-up notch 57. Pull-up notch 57 is wider, permitting more area to grasp the garment.
[0039] FIG. 6 shows a pair of shorts 31 with grip material lining 68. Grip material lining 68 is positioned to provide grip at the wearers knee in order to maintain contact between the shorts and the users knee and to assist in stabilizing the wearer. Shorts 31 also feature reinforced waistband 66. By providing grip material at both the waistband 66 and grip material lining 68, shorts 31 may be affixed to the user with limited shifting.
[0040] FIG. 7 shows flexible band 71 which has a primary material 72 and a grip material 73 located on the interior portion of the band. Flexible band 71 may be affixed to an interior portion of a garment to form a lining similar to grip material liming 68 of FIG. 6.
[0041] FIG. 8A shows a front view of an armband or sleeve 81 which includes primary material 82 and grip material 83. Grip material 83 is located on the portion of armband or sleeve 81 that corresponds to the bottom forearm of the user from the elbow. Specifically, grip material 83 includes an elbow portion 85 proximate or surrounding the area where the user's elbow would be placed. Sleeve 81 also features cuff 84. In embodiments, cuff 84 may be provided with an interior and/or exterior layer of grip material which may increase grip between the user and the sleeve in order to reduce slippage of the sleeve and to provide grip with an external surface. Grip at this location may particularly assist a user in holding an object in his or her hand. FIG. 8B shows a side view of armband or sleeve 81.
[0042] FIG. 8C shows armband or sleeve 81 in position with wheel 88, showing that, in use, grip material 83 would bear upon the wheel and/or handrim of wheelchair wheel 88, permitting the wearer to exert greater force on wheel 88 through armband of sleeve 81.
[0043] FIG. 9A shows a front view of shirt 91 according to the present disclosure which features a primary material 92 and grip material 93. In embodiments, the grip material may be a lining on the interior of the shirt 92, or may be positioned on the exterior of shirt 92 or both In particular, use of grip material 93 may enhance grip between the user and shirt 91 whereas us of external grip material 93 may enhance the connection between the user and a chair. The use of grip material 93 as positioned within the bottom torso portion of shirt 91 may provide that advantage of increasing the connection between the user and the seat at a position where the user's shirt is proximate the seat while minimizing the total amount of grip material that would be required for a full shift grip material. In particular, a full shirt grip material would be expected to increase the weight of the shirt and reduce ventilation.
[0044] FIG. 9B show a back view of shirt 91 according to the present disclosure. The back view shows grip material 94 which is an additional portion of grip material positioned at the lower lumbar vertebral area of the wearer, when in use. FIG. 9B also shows ventilated area 95 positioned around grip material 94, providing ventilation and cooling near the area of grip material 94, to increasing drying of sweat and comfort of the user. Grip material 94 provides additional grip between the user and the seat, particularly between the seatback and may further assist in stabilizing the user.
[0045] The patches may also be modified to a particular shape for consistence with the body of an individual. For example, the size of the clothing itself may indicate to a degree the size of the individual, however, different options may be provided within a given size, for example to locate the patch in different portions so that a user may select a preferred type that is preferable given the dimensions and posture of the individual.
[0046] The grip material may be configured to address different scenarios where the user is at risk of sliding forward or backward in their seat, for example to be positioned so that the user may maintain stability will moving and turning during a road race, basketball game, etc. Customizing the location for a given activity may reduce the total amount of grip material needed, improving overall weight and breathability without sacrificing desired grip.
Friction/Wear Resistance
[0047] In an embodiment, the garment may include fabrics and garment integrated with abrasion resistant fabrics and materials to prevent tearing or garments when coming in contact with garments that are worn. For example, a patch may be provided to cover a worn area on a garment and provide reinforcement. The abrasion resistant fabric may connect the grip material to the primary material to reduce wear at the point of connection between the two materials and to strengthen the border between the two and may promote maintaining the individual's contact in the wheelchair, especially when making turns or running into a bump.
[0048] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
