PRESSURE-DISTRIBUTING UNDERGARMENT

Abstract

This invention relates to undergarments for use in active environments, where the wearer of such an undergarment is engaged in an activity that results in accelerating movements. In some preferred embodiments, these undergarments may be athletic or sports bras that redirect momentum related to a wearer's accelerating movements, for example, during exercise.

Claims

1. A pressure-distributing reinforcing structure for an article of apparel comprising: a chest band configured to be positioned around a top portion of a wearer's breast tissue and configured to anchor a root of the breast tissue; an upper base band configured to provide support around an underside of the root of the wearer's breast tissue, wherein a part of the upper base band forming a side wing that is configured to support a side portion of the root of the wearer's breast tissue; a lower base band; and a pair of straps, wherein the chest band, the upper base band, and the side wing are configured to support breast tissue directly around a root of the breast tissue in a first amount of support in order to control accelerating movements of the wearer's breast tissue, wherein the first amount of support is different than a second amount of support provided by the lower base band, and wherein each of the pair of straps includes an outer shoulder strap and an inner shoulder strap, the outer shoulder strap and the inner shoulder strap having different pressure modulus values attributable to structural properties of materials comprising the outer shoulder strap in comparison to structural properties of materials comprising the inner shoulder strap.

2. The pressure-distributing reinforcing structure according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the structure is constructed using three-dimensional knitting.

3. The pressure-distributing reinforcing structure according to claim 1, wherein the chest band includes an upper chest band and a lower chest band, the upper chest band and the lower chest band having different pressure modulus values attributable to differences in the structural properties of materials comprising the upper chest band in comparison to structural properties of materials comprising the lower chest band.

4. The pressure-distributing reinforcing structure according to claim 1, wherein the pressure distributing reinforcing structure comprises an intermediate layer in the article of apparel.

5. The pressure-distributing reinforcing structure according to claim 1, wherein the pressure reinforcing structure is further configured to be layered within the article of apparel.

6. A system configured to manage accelerating movements of breast tissue comprising: a reinforcing structure constructed with materials of varying moduli, wherein a material with highest modulus values are configured to be positioned adjacent to a root of the breast tissue wherein the reinforcing structure includes a chest band configured to be positioned around a top of a wearer's breast tissue in order to anchor a root of the breast tissue, an upper base band configured to provide support around an underside of the root of the wearer's breast tissue, a part of the upper base band forming a side wing configured to support a side of the root of the wearer's breast tissue, a lower base band and a pair of straps, wherein the chest band, the upper base band and the side wing are configured to support breast tissue directly around a root of the breast tissue in a first amount to control accelerating movements of the wearer breast tissue, wherein the first amount of support is different than a second amount of support provided by the lower base band of the reinforcing structure, and wherein each of the pair of straps includes an outer shoulder strap and an inner shoulder strap, the outer shoulder strap and the inner shoulder strap having different pressure modulus values attributable to structural properties of materials comprising the outer shoulder strap in comparison to structural properties of materials comprising the inner shoulder strap.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the reinforcing structure is coupled with at least one additional layer of material having substantially uniform modulus.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the reinforcing structure is constructed using three-dimensional knitting.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the reinforcing structure is configured to be an intermediate layer in an article of apparel.

10. A method for providing pressure-distributing reinforcement in an article of apparel comprising: positioning a chest band around a top portion of a wearer's breast tissue in order to anchor a root of the breast tissue; positioning an upper base band around an underside of the root of the wearer's breast tissue, wherein a part of the upper base band forms a side wing that supports a side portion of the root of the wearer's breast tissue; positioning the chest band, the upper base band, and the side wing in order to support breast tissue directly around a root of the breast tissue in a first amount of support in order to control accelerating movements of the wearer's breast tissue, wherein the first amount of support is different than a second amount of support provided by a lower base band.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a pair of straps, wherein each of the pair of straps includes an outer shoulder strap and an inner shoulder strap, the outer shoulder strap and the inner shoulder strap having different pressure modulus values attributable to structural properties of materials comprising the outer shoulder strap in comparison to structural properties of materials comprising the inner shoulder strap.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the chest band, upper base band, and lower base band are provided as a layer within the article of apparel.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the layer is provided through three-dimensional knitting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying drawings are fully incorporated in, and form part of, this specification, and illustrate embodiments of the invention that, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the invention:

[0008] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C depict an example embodiment of a pressure-distributing undergarment according to the invention;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a table showing the modulus of the pressure-distributing undergarment depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, for different percentage extensions at identified locations;

[0010] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C depict example embodiments of a pressure-distributing undergarment over a secondary undergarment according to the invention;

[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a pressure-distributing undergarment with lower border intarsia reinforcement in combination with a secondary undergarment according to the invention;

[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a pressure-distributing undergarment with upper border intarsia reinforcement in combination with a secondary undergarment according to the invention;

[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a pressure-distributing undergarment with upper and lower border intarsia reinforcement in combination with a secondary undergarment according to the invention; and

[0014] FIG. 7 depicts a rear view of a secondary undergarment over a pressure-distributing undergarment according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in conjunction with these embodiments, it will be understood that the descriptions herein are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Detailed description of components that are well known in the art may be omitted if that detailed description would confuse or obscure the description of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0016] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C depict front, side, and back perspectives of an example embodiment of a pressure-distributing undergarment 100 according to the invention. Pressure-distributing undergarment 100 includes outer shoulder strap 101, inner shoulder strap 102, upper chest band 103, lower chest band 104, upper base band 105, lower base band 106, center base band 107, front center piece 108, side wing 111, inner back strap 120, outer back strap 121, and back center piece 122. The components of pressure-distributing undergarment 100 may be constructed as a single piece through a three-dimensional knitting process. This knitting process allows for an undergarment that requires minimal seams, finishing, and edge stitching, which is ultimately more comfortable for the wearer than an undergarment made through traditional cut-and-sew techniques. The knit construction is also designed to allow the structure of the pressure-distributing undergarment to provide decoupled movement of the breasts such that each breast can move independently in response to the wearer's movements. As will be described in later embodiments, in order to provide improved performance, pressure-distributing undergarment 100 may be used by the wearer in combination with a secondary undergarment that provides low to medium support. This secondary undergarment may be attached to the pressure-distributing undergarment at several key structural points, but the two undergarments should be substantially decoupled, so that the undergarments move independently and allow the breast tissue to also move independently.

[0017] In some embodiments, pressure values at outer shoulder strap 101, inner shoulder strap 102, upper base band 105, and lower base band 106 should measure less than or equal to 10 mmHg, for optimal comfort of the wearer. The pressure values may vary depending on the size, configuration, and construction of the undergarment. Limiting the pressure at these bands and straps of the undergarment minimizes the wearer's perceived distractions while allowing the load to be distributed effectively across the wearer's torso.

[0018] As depicted in FIG. 1A, rather than being positioned straight across the top of the breast tissue, upper chest band 103 and lower chest band 104 are positioned to move around the top of the breast tissue so that the bands anchor the root of the breast tissue—the area where the breast tissue attaches to the torso. In this position, the bands are more effective at controlling accelerating movements of the breast tissue in the upward direction, than when material is placed straight across the chest.

[0019] Similarly, upper base band 105 is designed to provide support around the underside of the root of the wearer's breast tissue, and thereby limit accelerating movements in the downward direction. Lower base band 106 and center band 107 provide support for upper base band 105.

[0020] As depicted in FIG. 1B, outer strap 101 and upper base band 105 meet at the side of the breast at side wing 111. This provides support at the side of the base of the breast tissue to limit accelerating movements in a side-to-side direction.

[0021] As depicted in FIG. 1C, inner back strap 120, outer back strap 121, upper base band 105, and lower base band 106 are all joined at back center piece 122.

[0022] In some embodiments, the pressure-distributing undergarment has a modulus that varies depending upon location on the undergarment, and depending on how far the undergarment is extended. The variation of the modulus values across the pressure-distributing undergarment contributes to its ability to control accelerating movements of the wearer's breast tissue. For example, in one embodiment, the lowest modulus values of the pressure-distributing undergarment are located at the under band and shoulder straps, whereas segments of increased modulus values encapsulate the breast tissue along the lateral borders and over the top of the breast. FIG. 2 contains a table that relates the stretching force at identified locations for different extension lengths.

[0023] FIG. 2 depicts a table showing the modulus of an example pressure-distributing undergarment depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, for different percentage extensions at identified locations. For example, the modulus at upper chest band 103 is measured at 10% extension, 30% extension, 50% extension, and 80% extension. This data is repeated for all labelled components described in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C above. A pre-stretch was applied to the example pressure-distributing undergarment before testing in order to ensure consistency throughout the process. Furthermore, it should also be noted that recovery of the pressure-distributing undergarment material was reviewed, and it achieved greater than ninety percent approval for recovery after resting between 1 and 30 minutes. As can be seen in the table, the modulus varies depending on the location in the pressure-distributing undergarment. For example, locations that are near the root of the breast have an increased modulus value, while other locations such as the straps and lower base band have a lower modulus value. In some embodiments, variation in modulus values may be achieved by introducing stiffer, higher powered material, for example, through knit intarsia or cut-and-sew construction techniques.

[0024] FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C depict pressure-distributing undergarment 300 in combination with secondary undergarment 310. Secondary undergarment 310 may be a medium to low support undergarment. Secondary undergarment 310 may be attached to pressure-distributing undergarment 300 at several discrete locations. These locations may include strap points 301, front points 302, and/or back center point 303. As described earlier, pressure-distributing undergarment 300 performs optimally when the breasts are decoupled, in order to allow independent breast movement. Pressure-distributing undergarment 300 also performs optimally when it is minimally fastened to secondary undergarment 310, such that the pressure-distributing undergarment and the secondary undergarment are substantially decoupled. As depicted in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the shoulder straps of the secondary undergarment may be arranged differently from those of the pressure-distributing undergarment, so that pressure is more evenly distributed across the wearer's shoulders and back.

[0025] FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of the invention where upper base band of pressure-distributing undergarment 400 is reinforced with lower border intarsia 401. Lower border intarsia 401 of a material with a higher power material property than the rest of the undergarment can also be integrated through a three-dimensional knitting process in order strengthen the upper base band at the lower root of the breast tissue. In this case, lower border intarsia 401 may be knit from a stiffer material than that of the rest of pressure-distributing undergarment 400. As depicted, and as described with respect to previous embodiments, intarsia-reinforced pressure-distributing undergarment 400 can be used in combination with secondary undergarment 410, which may be, for example, a low to medium support undergarment.

[0026] FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the invention where the lower chest band of pressure-distributing undergarment 500 is reinforced with upper border intarsia 501. As described with respect to FIG. 4, upper border intarsia 501 may be knit from a material that is has a higher power material property and is stiffer than that used for the rest of pressure-distributing undergarment 500. Also, as with previously described embodiments, intarsia-reinforced pressure-distributing undergarment 500 can be used in combination with secondary undergarment 510, and the two undergarments may be fastened together at discrete locations.

[0027] FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of the invention where both lower chest band 601 and upper base band 602 of pressure-distributing undergarment 600 are reinforced with intarsia. As described above with respect to other embodiments, these intarsias may be knit from a stiffer material with a higher power material property that reinforces these areas of pressure-distributing undergarment 600. Also, as with previously described embodiments, intarsia-reinforced pressure-distributing undergarment 600 can be used in combination with a secondary undergarment 610, and the two undergarments may be fastened together at discrete points.

[0028] FIG. 7 depicts a rear view of a pressure-distributing undergarment 700 according to the invention. In this embodiment, secondary undergarment 710 may be layered over pressure-distributing undergarment 700. The front view of this embodiment may include intarsia reinforcements, as described with respect to other embodiments above. Furthermore, secondary undergarment 710 may be fastened to pressure-distributing undergarment 700 at discrete points, as described with respect to embodiments above. Finally, as depicted in other embodiments, pressure-distributing undergarment 700 and secondary undergarment 710 may have different shoulder strap arrangements, in order to distribute the load effectively and reduce pressure on the wearer's back and shoulders.

[0029] While the above embodiments have relied upon intarsia to reinforce certain bands and straps in the pressure-distributing undergarment, it should be noted that alternative methods of strengthening these areas may be employed as well. For example, in a cut-and-sew construction, stiffer fabric may be sewn into areas for which there is desired reinforcement. It should also be noted that alternative configurations of the depicted undergarments, such as alternative back and shoulder strap arrangements, are contemplated in this application, and within the scope of the embodiments of the invention described herein.

[0030] Although a number of example embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments of the invention can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the inventive subject matter within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses and applications of the invention will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.