Multifunctional Support Leggings

Abstract

A multifunctional support garment for support of a pelvic region and abdomen of a wearer having an open torso portion extending into a respective pair of integral hollow leg members, a waistband configured for supporting the abdomen region, a gusset member adjoined to corresponding upper edges of the pair of hollow leg members configured for providing an adaptive pelvic support junction and a hammock member having a pair of opposed elongate detached side edges disposed between an anterior terminus and a posterior terminus, wherein the hammock member bolsters the pelvic support junction and providing a platform for adhering an absorbent pad.

Claims

1. A multifunctional support garment, comprising an open torso portion having an upper portion configure for fitted conformance about a lower torso of a wearer bifurcating to a unitary lower portion configured to form leg members having an inner top periphery adjoined to a gusset member configured and oriented for providing a pelvic support junction; a waistband having a front portion which widens to span about at least a portion of the wearer's abdomen and tapering to a rear portion configured to span at least a portion of the wearer's lower back, wherein a bottom periphery of the waistband is adjoined to an upper periphery of the open torso portion so as to provide compressive support of at least a portion of the wearer's abdomen; and a hammock member having opposed elongate side edges disposed between an anterior terminus and a posterior terminus, wherein the anterior terminus is affixed to a front side of the open torso portion and the posterior terminus is adjoined to a rear side of the open torso region such that such that the hammock member is centered at a midline extending from the front side to the back side, and wherein the elongate side edges of the hammock member are detached to thereby form a sling underlying the pubic crease and adjacent pelvic region of the hammock member between the front side of the open torso portion and a rear side of the open torso portion to thereby bolster the pelvic support junction of the wearer.

2. The multifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein the anterior terminus of the hammock member is adjoined between upper edge of a front side of the open torso portion and a lower edge of the front portion of the waistband.

3. The multifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein the posterior terminus of the hammock member is adjoined between a posterior edge of the gusset member and a corresponding edge of the rear side of the open torso portion.

4. The multifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein the anterior terminus of the hammock member is adjoined between an upper edge of a front side of the open torso portion and a lower edge centered on a midline of the front portion of the waistband and wherein the posterior terminus of the hammock member is adjoined between a posterior edge of the gusset member and a corresponding edge of a rear side of the open torso portion.

5. The multifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein the hammock member is configured for detachable attachment of an absorbent pad.

6. The multifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein the hammock member includes an absorbent material.

7. The multifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein the front portion of the waistband extends toward a midline in a substantially oval shape for fitted conformance to the abdomen of a prenatal wearer.

8. The multifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein the waistband is comprised of a compression material.

9. The multifunctional support garment of claim 8, wherein the compression material includes spandex.

10. The multifunctional support garment of claim 1, wherein the hollow leg members comprise leggings configured for fitted conformance with at least a portion of the wearer's legs.

11. Multifunctional support leggings, comprising: a waistband having a broader front portion configured for spanning at least a portion of the wearer's abdomen and tapering to a rear portion configured for spanning at least a portion of the wearer's lower back; a pair of symmetrical front panels adjoined at a front seam to form a front torso portion having a top edge and an elongate side edge extending from the top edge to form a unitary lower front leg portion; a pair of symmetrical rear panels adjoined along a rear seam to form a rear torso portion having a top edge and an elongate side edge extending from the top edge to form a unitary lower rear leg portion, wherein the pair of symmetrical front panels and the pair of symmetrical rear panels are adjoined so as to align corresponding elongate side edges of the front panels with corresponding elongate side edges of the rear panels and thereby form an upper torso portion configured for fitted conformance with at least a portion of the wearer's abdomen and a pair of symmetrical hollow leg enclosures configured for fitted conformance with at least a portion of the wearer's legs, and wherein an inner top periphery of the hollow leg enclosures adjoins corresponding edges of a gusset member configured to provide a pelvic support junction for the wearer, and wherein a bottom edge of the waistband is adjoined to a corresponding top edge of the open torso portion such that the anterior terminus of the hammock member is adjoined between the bottom edge of the waistband and the top edge of the adjoined front panels of the open torso portion such that the anterior terminus is centered on the front portion of the waistband and the front seam where the pair of symmetrical front panels are adjoined and the posterior terminus of the hammock member is adjoined along a midline centered on a rear edge of the open torso member and a posterior edge of the gusset member such that the posterior terminus is centered on the rear seam where the rear edges of the rear panels and gusset member are adjoined, such that the hammock member is centered along a midline extending from the front side to the back side, wherein the elongate side edges of the hammock member are detached so as to thereby form a sling underlying the pubic crease and adjacent pelvic region of the wearer.

12. The multifunctional support leggings of claim 11, wherein the hammock member provides a nexus of pelvic floor support whereby the pelvic support junction is bolstered.

13. The multifunctional support leggings of claim 11, wherein the waistband is comprised of a compression material.

14. The multifunctional support leggings of claim 13, wherein the compression material includes spandex.

15. The multifunctional support leggings of claim 11, wherein the hammock member is configured for detachable attachment of an absorbent pad.

16. The multifunctional support leggings of claim 11, wherein the front portion of the waistband is configured in a substantially oval shape for fitted conformance to the abdomen of a prenatal wearer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1A is a front exterior of the multifunctional support garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 1B is a rear exterior of the multifunctional support garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 1C illustrates aside exterior of the multifunctional support garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2A illustrates an inside of the front of the multifunctional support garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2B illustrates the inside of the back of the multifunctional support garment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows separate pattern pieces for multifunctional support according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 2A consistent with the longitudinal midline of a user's pelvic region illustrating use of an embodiment of the present invention for attachment of an absorbent pad.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a close-up of the inside hammock member abridging the crotch region broken out from the garment demonstrating how the hammock member is adapted for attachment of an absorbent pad thereupon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 1-5 depicting the support garment 10 in the form of leggings to support a wearer's pelvic floor and abdomen and further providing a platform for absorbent pads and facilitating a wide range of movement as detailed below. Features of the illustrated embodiment are especially efficacious for support of a developing fetus and associated strain on the abdominal organs of a maternal woman as further detailed below.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, more specific aspects of the illustrated embodiments include a waistband 6 having a broad, oval-shaped anterior portion configured to span about and thereby provide compression to support a prenatal woman's expanded belly that tapers to a less wide posterior portion wrapping about the lower back. Compressive support may be further enhanced by folding the long waistband 6 downwardly toward the pubic bone to increase the upward pressure, which is particularly efficacious during the latter maternal stages and may provide essential support post-delivery in order to create more compression and support of the wearer's abdominal organs and pelvic floor. Such compression imparted by waistband 6 is particularly efficacious to enhance bonding of the skin and healing of a Cesarian section incision site.

[0021] Now referring to FIG. 3 illustrating pattern pieces of support garment 10, a pair of symmetrical front panels 2A, of which one is shown, having an open torso portion with a top edge extending at a perpendicular angle to form a front side edge adjoined to form an upper portion for fitted conformance to a wearer's abdomen and a second elongate side edge forming a unitary lower front leg portion, a pair of symmetrical rear panels 2B, of which FIG. 3 shows one, Including an open torso portion having a top edge extending to a rear side edge adjoined to form an upper portion for fitted conformance to a wearer's lower back and a second elongate side edge forming a unitary lower rear leg portion of symmetrical rear panels 2B. Now referring to FIG. 3 in context of assembled support garment 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, hammock member 12 configured for adaptive cradling of a crotch region of the wearer, a hammock member 14 providing a sling for protective lining of the crotch region of the wearer wherein the hammock member has an anterior terminus 14A and a posterior terminus 14B and a pair of opposed elongate side edges therebetween. A pair of symmetrical front panels 2A (one shown) and the pair of symmetrical rear panels 2B (one shown) have concave perimeters of respective front inner edges of the pair of symmetrical front panels 2A and the respective concave peripheries 2C inner top edges of the pair of symmetrical rear panels 2B such that adjoined alignment of corresponding front edges of front panels 2A and adjoining corresponding rear edges of rear panels 2B form a combined inner concave periphery 2C along an upper inner periphery of the hollow leg enclosures whereto corresponding edges of gusset member 12 are adjoined.

[0022] Still referring to FIGS. 1-3, adjoined alignment of elongate side edges of the front panels 2A with corresponding elongate side edges of the rear panels 2B form a pair of symmetrical hollow leg enclosures for fitted conformance with the wearer's legs and further forms an open lower torso enclosure having a top periphery for fitted conformance with the wearer's lower torso. A bottom periphery of waistband 6 is adjoined to a corresponding upper periphery of the open torso portion 2, wherein the anterior terminus 14A of hammock member 14 is adjoined between the bottom periphery of the waistband 6 and the top edge of the adjoined front panels lower torso portion such that anterior terminus 14A is centered on the front of the waistband 6 and a front seam where the front side edges of the two front panels 2A and the posterior terminus 14B is adjoined between a rear edge of the hammock member 12 and the concavity perimeter 2C of the adjoined rear leg portions of the symmetrical rear panels 2B such that the posterior terminus 14B is centered on a rear seam where the rear side edges of the rear panels 2B and gusset member 12 are adjoined.

[0023] A particular advantageous feature of preferred embodiments such as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, side edges of hammock member 14 are detached and thereby open forming a sling for underlying the pubic crease and adjacent pelvic region and imparting pelvic floor support region for a wearer along the crotch portion of the multifunctional support garment 10. As may be most clearly depicted in FIG. 2A, anterior terminus 14A of hammock member 14 is adjoined, e.g., by sewing, to a middle portion the upper torso portion 2 so it is oriented proximal to the pubic bone of a wearer, preferably along a bottom edge along a mid-center front of the waistband 6. Now referring to FIG. 2B, posterior terminus 14B of hammock member 14 is adjoined between a back edge of gusset member 12 and inner edge of hollow leg portions of open torso portion 2 proximate to the crotch region such that opposed side edges of the hammock member 14 are left detached. Thus adjoining hammock member 14, gusset member 12, waistband 6 and upper torso portion as depicted in the illustrated configuration provides a nexus of pelvic floor support. In preferred embodiments such as illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, opposing anterior and posterior terminuses of the hammock member 14 respectively sewn to the front of the open torso portion 2 along a bottom edge of the waistband 6 and in the back of the open torso portion along a back edge of gusset member 12 while opposing side edges of hammock member 14 are detached.

[0024] Moreover, such attachment of the anterior terminus 14A of the hammock member 14 to a front of the open torso portion 2 at or near the lower edge of the waistband 6 so the attachment seam is proximal to the pelvic bone when worn and the anterior terminus 14A to gusset member 12 back edge comfortably orients the hammock member 14 along the sensitive perineum region of the pubic crease and leverages compressive pressure imparted by the pelvic support junction and supporting the pelvic floor when properly fitted about a wearer. The configuration and juxtaposition of gusset member 12, hammock member 14, waistband 6 and open torso portion 2 imparts upward compression for support of the pelvic floor and organs thereby enhancing lifting action to thereby support a wearer's pelvic floor and surrounding musculature, as well as, and associated skeletal structure, circulatory system and organs.

[0025] A yet further advantage imparted by the conjoined configuration and orientation of gusset member 12, hammock member 14, open torso portion 2 and waistband 6 of support garment 10 is an expanded range of motion enabled by the added flexibility of the sling configuration and seam configuration, as detailed in the following paragraph, of the pelvic support junction depicted as a hammock member 14 in the accompanying figures whereby the crotch region of the support garment 10 may comfortably move with the wearer. It can therefore be seen that when properly fitted, the configuration of gusset member 12 and hammock member 14 together with their tethered conjunction to waistband 6 and open torso portion 2 enhances freedom of movement and averts clinging to the pubic crease, including the sensitive perineum region and adjacent pelvic surface. Hence, the pelvic support junction of the present support garment exemplified by the illustrated embodiment provides a flexible and durable yet comfortable sling platform readily adaptable to a wearer's motion.

[0026] In addition to adaptively conforming and thereby enhancing a wearer's range of motion, the adjoined orientation and juxtaposition of gusset member 12, hammock member 14 relative to waistband 5 and open torso portion 2 imparts a yet further advantage of improving adaptive strength and durability by distributing pressure or strain exerted in the crotch region by hip and pelvic motion along the curvilinear seams converging at opposed anterior terminus 14A and posterior terminus 14B junctions. This configuration disperses the strain that is imposed on a single point where four seamsinner seams of leg members and front and back lower torso seamsconverge in a corner rendering the crotch region of such conventional designs prone to splitting and tearing due to the focused strain of a wearer's movement. In contrast, the multifunctional support garment 10 distributes such strain of movement across dual seams between gusset member 12 and inner hollow leg portion of open torso portion 2 and the fabric therebetween attenuates wear and tear exerted on the crotch region by leg, hip and pelvic motion associated with walking, bending, stretching and any movement involving the lower body. Hence, in addition to providing enhanced range of motion, the configuration of gusset member 12 enhances the strength and durability of the present invention as compared to conventional leggings and pant designs having four corners joining four seams together in the crotch region which are prone to splitting and tearing.

[0027] Among the multifarious efficacies and advantages provided by the open-sided sling configuration of hammock member 14 is the unconstrained range of movement about the pelvic region facilitated thereby. That is, the dual point attachment of the anterior terminus 14A apex portion to waistband 6 and the posterior terminus 14B to the hammock member 14 harnessing the pelvic support junction imparts a firmly supportive yet adaptable fit comfortably accommodates wide range of motion.

[0028] Another advantage of hammock member 14 configuration of the present invention such as exemplified the accompanying illustrated embodiment is an adaptive platform for attaching an absorbent pad 16, and is particularly adaptable and facile as a platform for comfortably securing a bulky postpartum absorbent pad 16 and is configured to enable adhering wing tabs 16A to an underlying portion of hammock member 14. In obviating the need for multiple garments or layers for lower torso support and attaching absorbent pads or shields to protect against inadvertent leakage of bodily fluids, support garment 10 provides a streamlined single layered garment without bulky layers or unsightly bulges, lines, or crevices associated with uneven peripheries and seams of multiple layers of garments.

[0029] An additional efficacy imparted by the detached side edges of hammock member 14 enables attaching adhesive backed wing tabs 16A to the underside of hammock member 14. By thus adhering wing tabs 16A of absorbent pad 16 around the opposed side of edges to the bottom surface of hammock member 14 imparts advantages of enhancing the secure bonding and shielding from leakage of bodily fluids of a wearer in a single garment thereby affording the efficacies afforded by support garment 10 including without limitation convenience and streamlined appearance.

[0030] In addition to simultaneously providing compressive support of the pelvic floor abdomen that simultaneously enhances range of motion and comfort, as well as, a platform for attaching absorbent pads for shielding bodily fluid discharges from leakage, a yet further advantage of the gusset member 12 and hammock member 14 configuration is the capability of sizing the support junction in accordance with the size of the leggings 10 and a particular application. In particular, the parameters of the support junction may be conformed by adapting the parameters of gusset member 12 and hammock member 14 to the size grading of the leggings 10. Hence, unconstrained orientation of the innovative gusset member 14 configuration provides enhanced convenience, comfort, range of movement, smooth appearance and enables attachment of protective absorbent pads without additional undergarments.

[0031] It can therefore readily be seen that multiple efficacies and advantages are provided by the sling configuration and juxtaposition of hammock member 14 and gusset member 12 in the pelvic support junction and waistband 6 of the support garment 10 according to the present invention. As described in detail and illustrated herein, the present invention simultaneously provides in a single garment, durable and adaptable fit that optimizes range of motion while maintaining firm pelvic floor and abdominal support without the inconvenience, unsightly lines, bulk and/or potential discomfort of an added layer of underwear or support bands or accessories, or undergarments.

[0032] Suitable materials for the present support garment include any flexible fabric or textile having a smooth, comfortable surface and texture adaptable to the contour of a wearer, and are preferably stretchable, durable, wicking and/or absorbent. It is particularly preferred to include an absorbent material in hammock member 14. Exemplary fabric include may be synthetic and include, for example, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, spandex and blends thereof. Suitable textiles also include natural fibers including cotton, bamboo, wools, silks and blends of synthetic materials and/or natural fibers. Preferred embodiments also include elasticized or stretchable components such as, for example, spandex, polyester, neoprene, rubber and blends thereof. The waistband 6 of the current invention is preferably composed of highly expandable compression material including, for example, commercially available spandex and polyester blends.

[0033] Embodiments including the illustrated design utilize expandable seams that may be sewn with slack capable of expanding when pulled and/or configured with commercially available elasticized thread. Some preferred embodiments employ triple stitching in adjacent parallel lines are sewn such as illustrated in the figures to thereby provide flat, even, durable and flexible or expandable seams. Alternatively, zig zag stitching, laser or heat welding or other suitable mode for affixing the seams of this invention may be employed.

[0034] In sum, the multifunctional support garment of the present invention simultaneously provides comfortable, streamlined, adaptable, reliable and durable support of the pelvic floor and lower abdomen and a well-positioned platform along the pubic crevice and pelvic region for absorbing body fluids and free range of motion in the crotch region while imparting a pelvic support junction. By so providing compressive pelvic floor support together with abdominal support, a platform for incorporating and/or attaching absorbent feminine or adult outerwear shields in a comfortable in a flexibly adaptive pelvic support junction enabling free range of motion in the crotch, the present multifunctional support garment integrates functionalities of undergarments, support accessories and absorbent pads and shield mounting systems in a single, streamlined and versatile garment that can be worn as a single layer or overlaid by outerwear.

[0035] The description herein is not intended to delimit the scope of this invention which extends to various embodiments of the support garment of the present invention. For example, the pelvic support junction could be integrated with the open torso portion and hollow leg members of the present invention. In alternative embodiments, the pelvic support junction could extend downwardly and be joined along a seam in the upper portion of the leg members. Other embodiments may employ a waistband disposed about the waste or upper abdomen or even gird the rib cage of the wearer. In further alternative embodiments, gusset member 14 portion may alternatively be tacked onto upper edges of the hollow leg members in spaced intervals or along seams, that may be configured a mirrored parabolic shaped along opposed peripheral edges of the gusset member.

[0036] It is therefore contemplated that other embodiments not illustrated in the drawings or described herein are considered to be within the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims. Accordingly, configurations and combinations shown and described not specifically shown may diverge from those claimed and specified herein. The scope of the present invention thus includes any equivalent configuration or combination of the embodiments described herein.