GARMENT

Abstract

A water sports garment to be worn over at least a portion of a lower body of a wearer includes a rear pocket spanning across the wearer's gluteal muscles when in use. The rear pocket has an opening and is configured for receiving a removable pad. The removable pad includes a foam core enclosed within a neoprene outer. The garment is adapted such that when the removable pad is positioned in the rear pocket and the wearer is seated on a surface, the removable pad is aligned with each of the wearer's ischial tuberosities such that the removable pad is between the wearer's ischial tuberosities and the surface.

Claims

1. A water sports garment to be worn over at least a portion of a lower body of a wearer, the garment comprising: a rear pocket spanning across the wearer's gluteal muscles when in use, the rear pocket including an opening, the rear pocket configured for receiving a removable pad, the removable pad including a foam core enclosed within a neoprene outer, wherein, the garment is adapted such that when the removable pad is positioned in the rear pocket and the wearer is seated on a surface, the removable pad is aligned with each of the wearer's ischial tuberosities such that the removable pad is between the wearer's ischial tuberosities and the surface.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is made of a tri-layer material that provides compression to the at least a portion of the lower body of the wearer, each layer of the tri-layer material is a material selected from a group of materials consisting of a polyester, elastane, nylon, spandex, silicon, cotton, and combinations thereof.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the rear pocket is adapted to receive removable pads of various thicknesses and various foam densities.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the foam core of the removable pad has a thickness of between 6 and 12 millimetres.

5. The garment of claim 3, wherein the foam core of the removable pad has a density of between 25 kg/m.sup.3 and 35 kg/m.sup.3.

6. The garment of claim 1 further comprising a garment body, wherein the rear pocket is internal and is attached to the garment body by one or more seams, the rear pocket being defined by a lower seam and a lateral seam on each side of the garment.

7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the lower seam is adjacent or below the wearer's Infragluteal Fold, when in use.

8. The garment of claim 6, wherein each lateral seam is adjacent the wearer's Gluteus Medius, when in use.

9. The garment of claim 8, wherein each lateral seam is adjacent a lateral edge of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus, when in use.

10. The garment of claim 1 further comprising a waistband defining an opening, wherein the waistband at the rear of the garment sits higher on the wearer's body than the waistband at the front of the garment, when in use.

11. A water sports garment to be worn over at least a portion of a lower body of a wearer, the garment comprising: a rear pocket spanning across at least: (i) a portion of a sacrum, (ii) a portion of a coccyx, and (iii) an upper portion of the wearer's gluteal muscles when in use, the rear pocket including an opening, the rear pocket configured for receiving a removable pad, the removable pad including a foam core enclosed within a neoprene outer, wherein, the garment is adapted such that when the removable pad is positioned in the rear pocket and the wearer is seated on a surface, a coccyx bearing portion of the removable pad is aligned with the wearer's coccyx such that the coccyx bearing portion is between the wearer's coccyx and the surface.

12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the garment is made of a tri-layer material that provides compression to the at least a portion of the lower body of the wearer, each layer of the tri-layer material is a material selected from a group of materials consisting of a polyester, elastane, nylon, spandex, silicon, cotton, and combinations thereof.

13. The garment of claim 11, wherein the rear pocket is adapted to receive removable pads of various thicknesses and various foam densities.

14. The garment of claim 13, wherein the foam core of the removable pad has a thickness of between 6 millimetres and 18 millimetres.

15. The garment of claim 13, wherein the foam core of the removable pad has a density of between 25 kg/m.sup.3 and 35 kg/m.sup.3.

16. The garment of claim 11 further comprising a garment body, wherein the rear pocket is internal and is attached to the garment body by one or more seams, the rear pocket being defined by a lower seam and lateral seams located at opposite lateral sides of a rear portion of the garment.

17. The garment of claim 16, wherein the lower seam is above the wearer's Infragluteal Fold and is disposed over a portion of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus, when in use.

18. The garment of claim 16, wherein each lateral seam is further from the median plane than the outer region of the wearer's posterior superior iliac spine, when in use.

19. The garment of claim 18, wherein each lateral seam is disposed over or above a portion of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus, when in use.

20. The garment of claim 11 further comprising a waistband defining an opening, wherein the waistband at the rear of the garment sits higher on the wearer's body than the waistband at the front of the garment, when in use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0093] FIG. 1 shows an anterior view of a human pelvis;

[0094] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of a first embodiment of a garment according to the present invention;

[0095] FIG. 3 shows a right side view of the garment shown in FIG. 2;

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the garment shown in FIG. 2;

[0097] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a removable pad according to the present invention;

[0098] FIG. 6 shows a top view of the removable pad shown in FIG. 5;

[0099] FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the layers of the removable pad shown in FIG. 5;

[0100] FIGS. 8A and 8B show a schematic side view of the layers of the removable pad shown in FIG. 5;

[0101] FIG. 9 shows a rear view of a second embodiment of a garment according to the present invention;

[0102] FIG. 10 shows a right side view of the garment shown in FIG. 9;

[0103] FIG. 11 shows a front view of the garment shown in FIG. 9;

[0104] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a removable pad according to the present invention;

[0105] FIG. 13 shows a top view of the removable pad shown in FIG. 12;

[0106] FIG. 14 shows a schematic perspective view of the layers of the removable pad shown in FIG. 12;

[0107] FIGS. 15A and 15B show a schematic side view of the layers of the removable pad shown in FIG. 12;

[0108] FIG. 16 shows an anterior view of a human pelvis with the removable pad of FIG. 12 positioned behind the human pelvis.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0109] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

Sit Bones Pad

[0110] FIGS. 2 to 4 show a garment 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The garment 10 is intended to be worn over at least the lower body of a wearer. The lower body of a wearer is the region from the waist to groin area or the waist to knee area or the waist to ankle area of the wearer. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the garment 10 is in the form of shorts which substantially cover a region from the wearer's waist to their thigh. Alternatively, the garment 10 may be in the form of a full length or three-quarter length pant which substantially cover a region from the wearer's waist to their mid-calf or ankle.

[0111] The garment 10 comprises a rear pocket 12 which includes a pocket opening 14. The removable pad 30 fits snugly in the rear pocket such that the removable pad does not come out of the pocket opening 14 when in use. However, in alternative embodiments it is envisaged that the pocket opening 14 may be closable via one or more fasteners such as a hook and loop fastener, button, snap button or press stud or the like (not shown). The rear pocket 12 is configured for receiving a removable pad 30 via the opening 14. The removable pad 30 is shown in FIGS. 5 to 8B and will be described later.

[0112] The garment 10 is adapted such that when the removable pad 30 is positioned in the rear pocket 12 and the wearer is seated on a surface, the removable pad 30 is aligned with the wearer's ischial tuberosity 1, 2 such that the removable pad 30 is between the wearer's ischial tuberosity 1, 2 and the surface, when the wearer is seated on the surface. When the wearer's gluteus maximus moves out of alignment between the wearer's ischial tuberosity 1, 2 and the surface, the removable pad 30 remains in alignment between the wearer's ischial tuberosity 1, 2 and the surface to provide cushioning.

[0113] The garment 10 may be made from a variety of materials and may be made, in part, from recovered ocean plastics. Materials made to provide compression to the lower body or legs of the wearer may also be used or materials such as nylon, spandex, silicon or cotton may be used. Providing compression to the lower body helps with performance and recovery. The materials used also provide flexibility to the garment 10. Preferably, the material is a tri-layer material and is a hydrophobic or a fast-drying material for use in water sports.

[0114] The garment 10 is comprised of a garment body 11 which forms the overall material and shape of the garment. The rear pocket 12 is attached to the garment body 11, specifically the inside of the garment body 11. In this way, the rear pocket 12 is internal to the garment 10. The rear pocket 12 is attached to the garment body 11 via one or more seams 16. The one or more seams 16 may be a single continuous seam to form the rear pocket 12 or two or more separate seams joined together. The one or more seams 16 are flatlock seams so as to minimise skin irritation for the wearer by reducing friction between the seam and the wearer's skin. The rear pocket 12 is also made of materials with flexible properties, allowing the rear pocket to stretch from the seams and accommodate removable pads 30 of varying thicknesses.

[0115] The rear pocket 12 is stitched to the garment body such that the rear pocket 12 spans across the wearer's gluteal muscles, when in use, i.e., when worn by the wearer. Accordingly, the rear pocket 12 is defined or bound by a lower seam 18 and two lateral seams 20 on each side of the garment body 11. Shown most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower seam 18 is adjacent or below the wearer's Infragluteal Fold, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer). Additionally, each lateral seam 20 is adjacent the wearer's Gluteus Medius, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer). Each lateral seam 20 is also adjacent a lateral edge of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer).

[0116] The garment 10 also comprises a waistband portion 22 defining a garment body opening 24 and a pair of garment body leg openings 26, opposite the garment body opening 24. The elastic waist band 22 comprises a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion of the elastic waistband 22 sits higher on the wearer as compared to the front portion of the elastic waistband 22. In other words, the front portion of the waistband portion 22 is proximal to the wearer's Iliac Crest, relative to the rear portion of the waistband 22 which is distal to the wearer's Iliac Crest, when in use. The rear of the garment 10 is designed such that the waistband 22 is near or above the wearer's Iliac Crest, whereas the front of the garment 10 is lower than the wearer's Iliac Crest, when in use. This is to prevent the garment 10 from moving down while engaging in seated paddling activities. In the embodiment shown, the rear portion sits about 25 mm higher than the front portion, when worn by the wearer.

[0117] Turning to FIGS. 5 to 8B, a removable pad 30 is shown. The removable pad 30 has lateral edges 32, a lower edge 34 and an upper edge 36. The removable pad 30 is sized to fill the rear pocket 12 such that the lateral edges 32 is adjacent the wearer's Gluteus Medius, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer) and in the rear pocket 12. Additionally, the removable pad 30 is sized to fill the rear pocket 12 such that the lower edge 34 is adjacent or below the wearer's Infragluteal Fold, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer). The upper edge 36 should not protrude from the rear pocket 12 when in use so that the removable pad 30 is contained wholly or substantially within the rear pocket 12.

[0118] The removable pad 30 comprises a foam core 40 and a neoprene outer 42. The foam core has a thickness, t, of anywhere between 6 millimetres to 12 millimetres. The foam core also has a density of anywhere between 25 kg/m.sup.3 and 35 kg/m.sup.3. As the removable pad 30 is readily removable from the rear pocket 12, the removable pad 30 is interchangeable by the wearer with other removable pads 30 having different thicknesses and/or densities. In this way, the removable pad is customisable in thickness, density and shape for the wearer to select based upon the intensity and duration of their paddling activity. FIG. 8A shows the removable pad 30 with a foam core 40 that is thinner compared to the foam core 40 shown in FIG. 8B.

[0119] In another embodiment, it is envisaged that the foam core 40 may comprise regions of different density and/or different thickness. The removable pad 30 and therefore the foam core 40, span across the wearer's gluteal muscles, when in use. Thus, in one embodiment, the foam core 40 may comprise a softer lower density foam under the wearer's Ischial Tuberosity, compared to the foam around the wearer's Gluteus Medius. In another embodiment, the reverse may be used. In yet another embodiment, the thickness of the foam may vary across the foam core 40, such that thicker foam is located under the wearer's Ischial Tuberosity, compared to the thickness of the foam around the wearer's Gluteus Medius. In these embodiments, it may be said that the foam core 40 is a foam core of variable density and variable thickness, to distribute the force onto the wearer whilst seated in a bespoke manner.

Tailbone Pad

[0120] FIGS. 7 to 9 show a garment 50 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The garment 50 is intended to be worn over at least the lower body of a wearer. The lower body of a wearer is the region from the waist to groin area or the waist to knee area or the waist to ankle area of the wearer. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the garment 50 is in the form of shorts which substantially cover a region from the wearer's waist to their thigh. Alternatively, the garment 50 may be in the form of a full length or three-quarter length pant which substantially cover a region from the wearer's waist to their mid-calf or ankle.

[0121] The garment 50 comprises a rear pocket 12 which includes a pocket opening 14. The removable pad 60 (as shown in FIGS. 12-15B) fits snugly in the rear pocket such that the removable pad 60 does not come out of the pocket opening 14 when in use. However, in alternative embodiments it is envisaged that the pocket opening 14 may be closable via one or more fasteners such as a hook and loop fastener, button, snap button or press stud or the like (not shown). The rear pocket 12 is configured for receiving a removable pad 60 via the opening 14. The removable pad 60 is shown in FIGS. 12-15B and will be described later.

[0122] The garment 50 is adapted such that when the removable pad 60 is positioned in the rear pocket 12 and the wearer is seated on a surface, a coccyx bearing portion of the removable pad 60 is aligned with the wearer's coccyx 3 (as shown in FIG. 1) such that the coccyx bearing portion of the removable pad 60 is between the wearer's coccyx 3 and the surface. When the wearer is seated on a watercraft seat, the coccyx may be exposed and may make contact with the surface of the watercraft seat. Since the removable pad is securely positioned in the rear pocket of the garment, a bearing area of the removable pad remains in alignment between the wearer's coccyx and the surface to provide cushioning.

[0123] The garment 50 may be made from a variety of materials and may be made, in part, from recovered ocean plastics. Materials made to provide compression to the lower body or legs of the wearer may also be used or materials such as nylon, spandex, silicon or cotton may be used. Providing compression to the lower body helps with performance and recovery. The materials used also provide flexibility to the garment 10. Preferably, the material is a tri-layer material and is a hydrophobic or a fast-drying material for use in water sports.

[0124] The garment 50 is comprised of a garment body 11 which forms the overall material and shape of the garment. The rear pocket 12 is attached to the garment body 11, specifically the inside of the garment body 11. In this way, the rear pocket 12 is internal to the garment 50. The rear pocket 12 is attached to the garment body 11 via one or more seams 16. The one or more seams 16 may be a single continuous seam to form the rear pocket 12 or two or more separate seams joined together. The one or more seams 16 are flatlock seams so as to minimise skin irritation for the wearer by reducing friction between the seam and the wearer's skin. The rear pocket 12 is also made of materials with flexible properties, allowing the rear pocket to stretch from the seams and accommodate removable pads 30 of varying thicknesses.

[0125] The rear pocket 12 is stitched to the garment body such that the rear pocket 12 spans across at least a portion of the wearer's sacrum, a portion of the wearer's coccyx, and an upper portion of the wearer's gluteal muscles, when in use, i.e., when worn by the wearer. Accordingly, the rear pocket 12 is defined or bound by a lower seam 18 and two lateral seams 20 on each side of the garment body 11. Shown most clearly in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lower seam 18 is above the wearer's Infragluteal Fold and is disposed over a portion of the wearer's gluteus maximus, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer). Additionally, each lateral seam 20 is further from the median plane than the outer region of the wearer's posterior superior iliac spine 4, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer). Each lateral seam 20 is also disposed over a portion of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer).

[0126] The garment 50 also comprises a waistband portion 22 defining a garment body opening 24 and a pair of garment body leg openings 26, opposite the garment body opening 24. The elastic waist band 22 comprises a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion of the elastic waistband 22 sits higher on the wearer as compared to the front portion of the elastic waistband 22. In other words, the front portion of the waistband portion 22 is proximal to the wearer's Iliac Crest, relative to the rear portion of the waistband 22 which is distal to the wearer's Iliac Crest, when in use (as shown in FIG. 11). The rear of the garment 50 is designed such that the waistband 22 is near or above the wearer's Iliac Crest, whereas the front of the garment 50 is lower than the wearer's Iliac Crest, when in use. This is to prevent the garment 50 from moving down while engaging in seated paddling activities. In the embodiment shown, the rear portion sits about 25 mm higher than the front portion, when worn by the wearer.

[0127] Turning to FIGS. 12 to 15B, a removable pad 60 is shown. The removable pad 60 has lateral edges 32, a lower edge 34 and an upper edge 36. As shown in FIG. 16, the removable pad 60 is sized to fill the rear pocket 12 such that the lateral edges 32 are further from the median plane than the outer region of the wearer's posterior superior iliac spine 4, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer) and inside the rear pocket 12. The lateral edges 32 may likewise be disposed over a portion of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus, when in use. Additionally, the removable pad 60 is sized to fill the rear pocket 12 such that the lower edge 34 is above the wearer's Infragluteal Fold and is disposed over a portion of the wearer's gluteus maximus, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer). The upper edge 36 does not protrude from the rear pocket 12 when in use so that the removable pad 60 is contained wholly or substantially within the rear pocket 12.

[0128] The removable pad 60 comprises a foam core 40 and a neoprene outer 42. The foam core has a thickness, t, of anywhere between 6 millimetres to 18 millimetres. The foam core also has a density of anywhere between 25 kg/m.sup.3 and 35 kg/m.sup.3. As the removable pad 60 is readily removable from the rear pocket 12, the removable pad 60 is interchangeable by the wearer with other removable pads 30 having different thicknesses and/or densities. In this way, the removable pad is customisable in thickness, density and shape for the wearer to select based upon the intensity and duration of their paddling activity. FIG. 15A shows the removable pad 60 with a foam core 40 that is thinner compared to the foam core 40 shown in FIG. 15B.

[0129] In another embodiment, it is envisaged that the foam core 40 may comprise regions of different density and/or different thickness. The removable pad 60 and therefore the foam core 40, span across the wearer's gluteal muscles, when in use. Thus, in one embodiment, the foam core 40 may comprise a softer lower density foam under the wearer's coccyx, compared to the foam around a portion of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus and the foam around a portion of the wearer's sacrum. In another embodiment, the reverse may be used. In yet another embodiment, the thickness of the foam may vary across the foam core 40, such that thicker foam is located under the wearer's coccyx, compared to the thickness of the foam around a portion of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus and around a portion of the wearer's sacrum. In these embodiments, it may be said that the foam core 40 is a foam core of variable density and variable thickness, to distribute the force onto the wearer whilst seated in a bespoke manner.

Interpretation

Markush Groups

[0130] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

Chronological Sequence

[0131] For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

Embodiments

[0132] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[0133] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0134] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[0135] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives first, second, third, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[0136] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[0137] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as forward, rearward, radially, peripherally, upwardly, downwardly, and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0138] As used herein the term and/or means and or or, or both.

[0139] As used herein (s) following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Comprising and Including

[0140] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word comprise or variations such as comprises or comprising are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0141] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[0142] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0143] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0144] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the apparel industries.