LACE-UP, STAY IN PLACE LAYERED MATERIAL FOR BODYWEAR

Abstract

A unique crisscross, lace-up accessory designed to enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of bodywear is disclosed. It features a combined material system that incorporates four elements that enable enhanced stability on the body. The four elements are: 1) flexible materials with mechanical stretch on all layers of the bodywear unit; 2) silicone or other adhesive material on the bottom layer that stabilizes the material on the body; 3) a closure mechanism such as, but not limited to, a tie, snap, eyelet, or Velcro; and 4) an arch pad at the middle point of the bodywear unit to indicate placement of the bodywear unit and to provide for further functionality such as pressure points for acupressure of other therapeutic effects. The bodywear unit can be used on legs, arms, and/or torso. The bodywear unit combines style, comfort, and practicality, while maintaining design stability in one cohesive accessory.

Claims

1. A bodywear unit comprising: a flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer; a flexible decorative material layer attached to the flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer; and a closure mechanism wherein a first part of the closure mechanism is attached to a first end of the bodywear unit and a second part of the closure mechanism is attached to a second end of the bodywear unit.

2. The bodywear unit according to claim 1 further comprising: an optional safety/attention layer attached to the flexible decorative material layer.

3. The bodywear unit according to claim 2 wherein the optional safety/attention layer is selected from the group consisting of a reflective tape, a protective tape, a paint, a fabric, and a LED type light.

4. The bodywear unit according to claim 2 wherein the optional safety/attention layer serves as a medium for advertising a group or a team.

5. The bodywear unit according to claim 1 further comprising: an arch pad centered in a middle portion of the bodywear unit.

6. The bodywear unit according to claim 5 wherein the arch pad has a hypoallergenic and/or an antibacterial material attached to the arch pad.

7. The bodywear unit according to claim 5 wherein the arch pad further comprises: at least one node built into the arch pad wherein the at least one node is positioned to align with approximate areas of identified pressure points for acupressure of other therapeutic effects.

8. The bodywear unit according to claim 5 wherein the arch pad further comprises: at least one node built into the arch pad wherein the at least one node has one or more elements that provide a therapeutic effect.

9. The bodywear unit according to claim 8 wherein the one or more elements are selected from the group consisting of a copper element, a silver element, a silicone element, a plastic element, and a magnetic element.

10. The bodywear unit according to claim 1 wherein the closure mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a bow, a snap, an eyelet, and a hook and loop fastener.

11. The bodywear unit according to claim 1 wherein the flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer and/or the flexible decorative material layer have a feature selected from the group consisting of copper, silver, silicone, plastic, and magnet.

12. A method for wearing a bodywear unit, the method comprising the steps of: (a) centering an arch pad of the bodywear unit under an arch of a foot; (b) crisscrossing the bodywear unit up a leg of the foot; and (c) securing a first end of the bodywear unit to a second end of the bodywear unit with a closure mechanism.

13. The method for wearing the bodywear unit according to claim 12 wherein step (a) further comprises: provisioning the arch pad with a hypoallergenic and/or an antibacterial material.

14. The method for wearing the bodywear unit for wearing a bodywear unit according to claim 12 wherein step (a) further comprises: provisioning the arch pad with at least one node wherein the at least one node has one or more elements that provide a therapeutic effect.

15. The method for wearing the bodywear unit according to claim 14 wherein the one or more elements are selected from the group consisting of a copper element, a silver element, a silicone element, a plastic element, and a magnetic element.

16. The method for wearing the bodywear unit according to claim 12 wherein the closure mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a bow, a snap, an eyelet, and a hook and loop fastener.

17. The method for wearing the bodywear unit according to claim 12 wherein step (a) is replaced by the following step (a): centering an arch pad of the bodywear unit under the arch of a shoe worn on a foot.

18. The method for wearing the bodywear unit according to claim 12 further comprising the step of: provisioning the bodywear unit with an optional safety/attention layer selected from the group consisting of a reflective tape, a protective tape, a paint, a fabric, and a LED type light.

19. A bodywear unit formed by fusing a flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer and a flexible decorative material layer together by applying heat and pressure to bond the flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer and the flexible decorative material layer together permanently.

20. The bodywear unit according to claim 19 wherein an optional safety/attention layer is also fused to the flexible decorative material layer.

21. The bodywear unit according to claim 19 wherein an adhesive is used in the fusing process.

22. The bodywear unit according to claim 19 wherein a stitching process is used instead of a fusing process to bond the flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer and the flexible decorative material layer together permanently.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C show the failures of the prior art lace-up, gladiator-style, lace bodywear.

[0019] FIG. 2A shows a short segment of the back and front sides of the bodywear in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2B shows the two and/or three layered bodywear unit of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows the bodywear unit secured between the heel and ball of a shoe or a foot and wrapped around the leg of a user in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows the arch pad area in the middle of the bodywear unit in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 5 shows the bodywear unit secured to a middle finger and wrapped around an arm of a user in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 shows various closure mechanisms for the ends of the bodywear unit in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] To assist in the understanding of the present disclosure the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:

TABLE OF COMPONENTS

TABLE-US-00001 Component # shoe 2 prior art crisscross, lace-up, 4 gladiator-style bodywear bodywear unit 6 skin 8 flexible underside skin-facing 10 adhesive material layer flexible decorative material layer 12 optional safety/attention layer 14 arch 15 foot 16 arch 17 arch pad 18 leg 19 arm 20 nodes 22 closure mechanism 24 bow 24a snap 24b eyelet 24c Velcro strips 24d middle or another finger 26 hand 28

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Referring now to the Figures, in which like reference numerals refer to structurally and/or functionally similar elements thereof, FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C show the failures of the prior art lace-up, gladiator-style, lace bodywear. Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, FIG. 1A shows the desired state of the crisscross, lace-up, gladiator-style, lace body wear on a shoe 2. However, without the improvements disclosed herein, the desired state begins to degrade to the undesirable state shown in FIG. 1B and ultimately into complete failure as shown in FIG. 1C. Current prior art products lack the improved features disclosed herein. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, prior art crisscross, lace-up, gladiator-style bodywear 4 lacks the improved features disclosed herein, including: 1) material mechanical stretch; 2) use of silicone of other stabilizing material at the skin or clothing interface; 3) appropriate closure mechanisms for the material used; and 4) unique identifying arch pad area that provides orientation, stability, and other functions. Without these improvements, FIG. 1C is the resulting undesired state where the crisscross, lace-up style, gladiator-style is no longer evident.

[0027] FIG. 2A shows a short segment of the back and front sides of the bodywear unit in an embodiment, and FIG. 2B shows the two and/or three layered bodywear unit. Referring now to FIG. 2A, a two-layered bodywear unit 6 is shown having a flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer 10 that contacts the skin 8 and a flexible decorative material layer 12. FIG. 2B shows a three-layered bodywear unit 6 having: 1) flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer 10; 2) flexible decorative material layer 12; and 3) an optional safety/attention layer 14 attached to the flexible decorative material layer 12. Depending on the type of material with the appropriate mechanical stretch flexible decorative material layer 12 may be used without the flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer 10. The different materials of the bodywear unit, including the flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer 10, the flexible decorative material layer 12, and the optional safety/attention layer 14 do not need to have the exact stretch property as all materials are designed to meet the lowest stretch requirement of the bodywear unit.

[0028] When assembling the bodywear unit 6, the two or three layers of flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer 10, flexible decorative material layer 12, and optional safety/attention layer 14 are fused, printed, glued and/or sewn together to create a seamless and durable unitary construction. The process of assembling the bodywear unit 6 are combined to ensure strength and seamlessness. Specifically, during assembly, multiple layers of fabric or material (two or three) are used to enhance durability and functionality. These layers are combined into one cohesive unit by four primary methods.

[0029] (1) Fusion. Fusing materials together using heat and/or adhesive involves applying heat and pressure, with or without adhesive to bond the layers permanently. This may be done by hand or by machines known in the art.

[0030] (2) Printing. Silicone or other substances can be printed onto material. This is typically done by machines known in the art.

[0031] (3) Gluing. Gluing materials together with a strong adhesive suitable for textiles and other materials creates a bonded layer. This may be done by hand or by machines known in the art.

[0032] (4) Sewing. Various methods of sewing may also be employed. Layers are stitched together for a secure bond. This may be done by hand or by machines known in the art.

[0033] These techniques produce a cohesive and durable unit that results in a unitary construction such that the bodywear unit 6 functions as a single, integrated piece rather than multiple separate parts. The cohesive sum of the individual parts of the bodywear unit 6 significantly contributes to the functionality of the bodywear unit 6 to retain the position placed by the wearer on the body. This construction ensures stability and position on the body, ease of wear, comfort, flexibility and durability.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows the bodywear unit secured between the heel and ball of a shoe or a foot and wrapped around the leg of a user in an embodiment. Referring now to FIG. 3, bodywear unit 6 on the left is shown wrapped up the leg 19 and has an arch pad 18 that is attached to a middle portion of the bodywear unit 6 that is centered under the arch 15 of the foot 16. Bodywear unit 6 on the right is shown wrapped up the leg 19 and has an arch pad 18 that is attached to a middle portion of the bodywear unit 6 and centered under the arch 17 of the shoe 2. Arch pad 18 is a silicone or other material pad integral within an approximate one to three-inch area central to bodywear unit 6 and attached to either the flexible underside skin-facing adhesive material layer 10 or the flexible decorative material layer 12 as a design choice and serves as an orienting and anchoring point for initial placement of bodywear unit 6 on the body, which in this case is either the arch 15 of the foot 16 or the arch 17 of the shoe 2. Arch pad 18 may have a hypoallergenic and/or an antibacterial material attached by sewing or glue/heat bonding to the arch pad 18.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows the arch pad area in the middle of the bodywear unit in an embodiment. Arch pad 18 in one embodiment may have one or more nodes 22 having copper, silver, silicone, plastic, and/or magnetic elements or other elements built into arch pad 18 for therapeutic effects. Nodes 22 on arch pad 18 may also be positioned to align with approximate areas of identified pressure points for acupressure of other therapeutic effects when the arch pad 18 is worn against the arch of the foot bodywear unit. Arch pad 18 in one embodiment may have an optional safety/attention layer 14 consisting of reflective tape, paint, or other material for added safety for walkers, runners, or bikers at night that is visible when the foot is extended backwards in walking, running, or biking.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows the bodywear unit secured to a middle finger and wrapped around an arm of a user in an embodiment. Referring now to FIG. 5, the bodywear unit 6 may be secured to a middle finger 26 or another finger, or the palm of the hand 28 and wrapped up around the arm 20 or other areas of the torso.

[0037] FIG. 6 shows various closure mechanisms for the ends of the bodywear unit in an embodiment. Referring now to FIG. 6, at each end of bodywear unit 6 a closure mechanism 24 may be used to secure the first end and the second end of the bodywear unit 6 together. Closure mechanism 24 may be a tie of some sort such as a bow 24a attached to each end of the bodywear unit 6, a snap 24b where the stud is attached to one end of the bodywear unit 6 and the socket is attached to the other end of the bodywear unit 6, an eyelet 24c where the hook is attached to one end of the bodywear unit 6 and the round is attached to the other end of the bodywear unit 6, or a hook and loop fastener 24d such as Velcro strips or the like, where the hook strip is attached to one end of the bodywear unit 6 and the loop strip is attached to the other end of the bodywear unit 6.

[0038] Having described the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many and widely differing embodiments and applications will suggest themselves without departing from the scope disclosed herein.