AU2009208143A1 - Support garment - Google Patents

Description

Pool Secton 29 Regulation 3.2(2) AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: Support garment The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 SUPPORT GARMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a support garment, such as a support 5 garment for providing control to areas of the body, in particular for flattening, slimming or contouring areas of the body, particularly the torso region. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Garments to support or mould the human body for the purpose of 10 achieving and conforming to a desired shape or silhouette are known. One of the most common and well known of these garments is the corset, which is traditionally worn about the torso in order to slim the body and, for example, narrow the waist, accentuating the hips and bust. Corsets are typically constructed of a flexible material, such as cloth, and stiffened with stays or ribs, 15 which are inserted into channels in the cloth. The stays can be manufactured from a range of materials, such as metal or plastic. The stays in corsets are positioned in the channels such that they extend in a substantially vertical or longitudinal direction. The desired shape, usually a cinching at the waist, is achieved by tightly lacing the corset about the torso, 20 pulling inwardly about the waist. The stays assist in maintaining the upright shape of the corset and prevent buckling. Therefore, corsets also assist in maintaining an upright posture in the wearer. However, with increasing use of cheaper materials for the stays, such as plastic in the place of metal, it *is typical that after the corset has been worn more than a few times, some bending of the 25 stays will occur, leading to overall buckling of the garment. In order to avoid this sort of problem, the only solution thus far has been to use completely rigid stays, such as those made from metal or actual boning. This obviously increases the overall cost of the garment and is therefore a limiting factor in manufacture and sale, particularly for the mass-produced garment. In 30 order to effectually attain the desired outcome and appearance of wearing a corset, it is generally necessary for the corset to be individually and custom fitted. This clearly restricts availability to a significant market proportion, at least partially 2 due to the greatly increased costs of manufacture over those garments that can be mass produced. In addition, corsets are generally manufactured so that the lacing or fastening is located at the rear of the corset. For this reason, it is extremely 5 difficult, if not impossible, for a wearer to properly lace the corset themselves. Assistance from another person is required if the corset is to be laced properly and with the required degree of tension. The corset in its present and traditional form therefore appears to be inherently unsuitable and unattainable for a mass market, comprised of those who simply desire some control and support over the 10 shape of the torso. The corset has to a certain extent, been functionally replaced in recent times by the girdle, which is usually constructed from elasticised fabric, which can either be pulled over the body part without fastenings, or fastened with suitable closures, such as hooks and eyes. The girdle, unlike the corset, has no stays 15 and instead relies on constriction and smoothing of the body by the elasticised material. A similar mode of effect is achieved in the newer "bodyshapers" which use strong elastic material, sometimes in conjunction with one or more supportive reinforced panels, to smooth and contour areas of the body. These girdles and bodyshapers are most useful in providing assistance to 20 wearers who are naturally relatively slim in the first instance, but who want to achieve an accentuation of a specific body part, such as a narrowed waist. These people can also often achieve some appearance of an overall reduction in the size of that body part. However, if the wearer has any amount of excess or loose skin 6r flesh, it is often the case that the action of compressing or 25 smoothing the body part can cause some flesh or skin to bulge out from or over edges of the garment. This problem is particularly accentuated when the garment is worn by those who are relatively larger in size. Whilst some degree of aesthetic enhancement may be achieved by the wearing of these known garments, at least within a portion of the population 30 desiring to achieve such an effect, girdles and bodyshapers currently available on the market are notoriously difficult to put on and are often uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time. For at least these reasons, known girdles and bodyshapers have enjoyed only a moderate commercial success. It is typical that 3 those who have purchased such a girdle or bodyshaper for the first time, do not become repeat purchasers of even similar products as they find them to be overall unsatisfactory in use and effect. It is therefore apparent that there exists a need for a support or control 5 garment that can provide a controlling or smoothing effect to areas of the body, but is also able to minimise undesirable effects such as bulging of skin or flesh from edges of the garment. It is also desirable that a wearer is able to dress themselves in the garment with relative ease and wear the garment for extended periods of time without significant discomfort or restriction. It is further desirable 10 that any such garment is able to be manufactured relatively cheaply and without necessitating custom fitting to each wearer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a support 15 garment providing shaping control to an area of the human body and/or providing a support structure for other garments to go over the support garment, the support garment having a body portion arranged to fit about an area of the human body and has at least one rib extending diagonally between a lower region of the body portion and an upper region of the body portion. 20 A further aspect of the present invention provides a support garment for providing control to an area of the human body for the purpose of flattening, smoothing or contouring to a desired shape, the support garment comprising a body portion, arranged to fit about an area of the human body, the body portion having at least one rib extending diagonally from a lowermost region of the body 25 portion towards an upper region of the body portion. In a preferred embodiment, the body portion is arranged to fit about a torso, so as to contour the shape of the torso, particularly the waist and/or region around and adjacent the rib cage. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the garment has a pair of ribs, 30 wherein each rib of the pair is arranged upon opposing sides of the body portion in a substantially mirrored configuration. Further preferably, each side of the body portion has two or more ribs, spaced apart from each other and extending diagonally along the body portion.

4 It is preferred that each rib extends from a lower region of a rear of the body portion, upwardly towards an upper region adjacent to or in close proximity to a front of the body portion. This arrangement of ribs advantageously acts to support and give form to the structure of the garment and affords comfort to the 5 wearer when the garment is worn, whilst also creating an alteration of the contour of the wearer's body. Any number of diagonal ribs can be provided as required. Typically, a greater number of ribs will be provided if greater support and control is required. The ribs on each side can be arranged on the diagonal in parallel or can 10 be disposed on the body portion at varying angles. Each rib in a pair, located on opposing sides of the body portion, is disposed at the same angle as the corresponding rib in the pair, only in a mirrored arrangement. It is preferable that the body portion is also provided with at least one rib extending substantially vertically adjacent a mid-region of the back. The vertical 15 rib preferably extends the full length of the back of the body portion and is located adjacent the spine of the wearer when the garment is worn. It is desirable, particularly to enable ease in dressing, that the body portion is provided as a single panel, with opposing vertical edges arranged to be fastened together with a suitable fastening means. Preferably, the body portion is 20 worn upon the wearer such that the vertical edges fasten at the front. The garment can optionally have an attachment means to enable attachment of a secondary garment, such as a brassiere. The or each rib may extend partly between a lowermost portion and a top most portion of the body portion. The or each rib may therefore extend 25 intermediate but not reach the lowermost and topmost portions. However, the or each rib may extend from an area at or adjacent one or other of the lowermost or topmost portions but not extend so far as to reach the other of the topmost or lowermost portions. 30 DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: 5 Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of the garment of the present invention in an opened, flat position; Figure 2 is a front view of the garment of Figure 1 in a closed position as 5 intended to be worn by a wearer; Figure 3 is a rear view of the garment of Figure 1 in a closed position as intended to be worn; 10 Figure 4 is a side view of the garment of Figure 1 in a closed position; Figure 5 is a front view of a secondary garment arranged to attach to the garment of Figure 1; 15 Figure 6 is a front view of a second embodiment of a garment of the present invention in an open, flat position; Figure 7 is a front view of a third embodiment of a garment of the present invention; and 20 Figure 8 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of a garment of the present invention. Figures 9a and 9b show respective inside and outside views of a support garment according to an embodiment of the present invention. 25 DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION It will now be convenient to describe the present invention by way of example and with reference to the accompanying Figures. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the examples are illustrative only and that 30 modification to the specifics of the examples is possible whilst still remaining within the scope and generality of the present invention. Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown a support garment 10 for providing control or support to an area of the human body, in particular to the 6 torso region. The garment 10 comprises a body portion 12 which is arranged, in use, to fit about the torso to flatten, smooth or contour the body to a desired shape. The body portion 12 comprises a panel of a suitable material or fabric, such as spandex or lycra, having an upper region 14, a lower region 16 and a pair 5 of opposing vertical edges 18. The body portion 12 may also be comprised of any number of panels, having varying shape and configuration, the sum of the number of panels being joined together by suitable means to form the body portion 12. The vertical edges 18 are arranged to be fastened together with a suitable 10 fastening means, such as a plurality of hooks and corresponding eyes. Once fastened, the body portion 12 is arranged such that there is a front 22 and a back 24, located in use, adjacent the front and back of the wearer. It is desirable, particularly for enabling the wearer to put the garment 10 on with ease, that the vertical edges 18 are located adjacent the front of the wearer 15 in use. This enables the wearer to fasten and unfasten the fastening means themselves, without necessitating assistance from another, as is the case when putting on traditional corsets. Optionally, but preferably, the fastening means is concealed by a cover portion 26, which in the embodiment shown, is a flap of material extending longitudinally along one of the vertical edges 18. This acts not 20 only to conceal the fastening means from view, but also to prevent the fastening means from catching upon outer clothing. It is preferred, that the vertical edges 18 have a longitudinal length such that the upper edge of the front 22 of the garment 10 extends to just under or adjacent the underside of the breast of the wearer. The front 22 may therefore be 25 shorter in length relative to the back 24, as shown in Figure 4. This arrangement of the front 22 advantageously permits for the wearer to comfortably wear another garment, such as a normal brassiere, if desired. Further, the arrangement enhances the comfort of wear and minimizes flattening of the breast area, which is generally undesirable. In fact, this present arrangement can advantageously 30 assist in lifting of the breasts, to further achieve the desired effect from the garment 10. The body portion 12 has at least one rib 20 extending diagonally from the lower region 16, preferably from a lower edge, towards the upper region 14, 7 preferably to an upper edge located under a breast of the wearer when the garment 10 is worn, or towards an upper region of the vertical edge 18. It is desirable that the body portion 12 has at least two of these ribs 20, forming a pair of ribs 20 in a mirrored arrangement, with one rib 20 of the pair disposed upon 5 each side of the body portion. That is, each side of the body portion 12 has at least one rib 20 corresponding to a rib 20 disposed at an equal but mirrored position upon the other side of the body portion. It is preferred however, that more than one pair of ribs 20 is provided. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, two pairs of ribs 20 are shown. However, it 10 should be understood that any number of pairs of ribs 20 can be provided as required. Generally, more ribs 20 are provided, depending on the degree of support required from the garment 10. In a typical example, three pairs of ribs 20 are provided. Each rib 20 in a pair is disposed at an equal but opposite angle and at 15 substantially the same location upon each side of the body portion 12 as the corresponding rib 20 in the pair. The ribs 20 on each side can be disposed upon the body portion 12 in parallel with the or each rib 20 of another pair, or more desirably, the ribs 20 of each pair extend from the lower portion 16 at slightly different angles relative to a 20 lowermost edge of the lower portion 16, as shown in Figure 1. In this arrangement, the rib 20 most proximal to the vertical edge 18 extends upwardly at an angle of about 20 to 400 relative to the lowermost edge. The next rib 20 along is positioned upon the body portion 12 at a slightly greater angle, for example, about 2 to 100 more, relative to the lowermost edge. 25 This is shown in the embodiment in Figure 1, where the rib 20a of a first pair extends from the lower edge of the rear of the body portion 12 towards an upper region of the vertical edge 18. The rib 20b of a second pair extends from the lower edge of the rear of the body portion 12 towards an upper edge of the body portion 12, located just below a breast of the wearer when the garment 10 is 30 worn. The rib 20b is disposed at a slightly greater angle than rib 20a, relative to the lower edge. The ribs 20 and in particular, the specific diagonal arrangement of ribs 20, advantageously acts to support and give form to the structure of the garment 10.

8 This arrangement has been found to provide the most support to the garment 10 and hence also to the wearer, enabling smoothing, flattening and contouring of the body whilst also affording comfort of wear. When presented in this particular arrangement, the ribs 20 offer greater resistance to buckling than does the ribs of 5 known garments, which are generally arranged longitudinally. Any number of ribs 20 may be provided on the garment. The overall number largely depends on the degree of support and control required from the garment. For example, additional ribs 20 can be added to accommodate garments 10 of larger sizes. These ribs 20 are disposed upon the body portion 10 12 substantially as described above, that is, on the diagonal, and are spaced apart from each other at intervals, determined as required. The garment 10 also includes at least one vertical rib 28, disposed adjacent a mid-region of the back. The vertical rib 28 extends substantially the full length of the back of the body portion 12 and is located adjacent the spine of 15 the wearer when the garment 10 is worn. It is preferred that two vertical ribs 28 are provided, spaced apart and in parallel with each other, as shown in Figure 1. The individual ribs 20 can be manufactured from any suitable rigid and durable material. In order to minimize costs of manufacture, it is preferred that a plastic material is used, which advantageously also permits relative ease of 20 cleaning the garment 10. However, alternative materials, such as metal may also be employed. It is preferred that ends of each rib 20 are provided with a latex tip to minimize the risk of ends of the ribs 20 protruding through the fabric of the body portion 12 and also to reduce any discomfort to the wearer that the ends of the ribs 20 may cause whilst wearing the garment 10. 25 In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the garment 10 is provided with arm portions 30, each having a shoulder strap 32, to enable the garment 10 to be worn over and supported by the shoulders. In this manner, the garment 10 is worn essentially as a type of vest. Each shoulder strap 32 preferably extends upwardly from a support portion 34. The support portion 34 -is essentially a 30 portion of material which extends upwardly from the body portion 12 and contours high and wide enough to contain and support flesh or skin from around or adjacent the chest or breasts, the underarms and the adjacent area of the back. This advantageously minimizes the possibility of any skin or flesh from bulging 9 outwardly from the top of the garment 10 and distracting from the overall aesthetic appearance achieved from wearing the garment 10, which is a problem known to be experienced when wearing some support garments known to the art. The garment 10 also further includes an attachment means, to facilitate 5 attachment of a secondary garment, such as the brassiere 40 shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the attachment means comprises at least one hook (not shown) arranged upon the body portion 12 below each arm portion 30. The hook is preferably hidden from outside view by the provision of a cover or the like, not only so as to not detract from the overall appearance of the garment 10, but also 10 so that the hook does not become caught on outerwear garments. The hook is arranged to connect or otherwise fasten with a corresponding device, such as an eye, on the secondary garment. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 5, sides 42 of the brassiere 40 have eyes 44 which correspond to hooks of the attachment means on the body portion 12 of the garment 10. 15 The brassiere 40 can be further supported and attached to the garment 10 by attaching hooks adjacent an upper portion of each cup, similar to those to which bra straps are normally attached, to the strap 32 of each arm portion 30. In this manner, the attached brassiere 40 finds support from the straps 32 in the same way that a standard brassiere 40 is supported by the shoulders. 20 It is preferred that the garment 10 further has a portion of absorbent material 42 located around the arm portion 30, adjacent the underarm in use. The absorbent material 42 assists in drawing away and absorbing perspiration from the body of the wearer, particularly from around the underarm area. Referring now to Figure 6, there is shown a second embodiment of the 25 present invention, wherein the garment 110 is particularly suited for shaping and contouring of the waist. As with the first embodiment, the garment 110 comprises a body portion 12 having ribs 20 extending diagonally from a lower edge of the rear of the body portion 12 to an upper edge of the front. The ribs 20 are substantially as described above with reference to the first embodiment. 30 Similarly, at least one, preferably a pair, of vertical ribs 28 are provided, arranged to lie adjacent the spine of the wearer when the garment 110 is worn in use. The garment 110 is optionally further provided with one or more support ribs 21, which extend generally in the opposite diagonal to the ribs 20. As shown 10 in Figure 6, the support rib 21 extends diagonally from adjacent a lower edge of the body portion 12, or at a lower part of the vertical edge 18, towards an upper edge of the body portion 12. As shown in the Figure, the support rib 21 extends only until it reaches a rib 20. However, it is possible for the support rib 21 to 5 extend completely towards the upper edge of the body portion 12. The garment 110 has a pair of indents 44 in the upper edge of the body portion 12. The indents 44 are each equally spaced apart from the opposing vertical edges 18. The indents 44 are each substantially concave, shaped to accommodate a fitting under each breast of the wearer. In this manner, the body 10 portion 12 and ribs 20 may extend substantially the full length of the torso from at least the waist upwards, without pinching or pushing into the breast tissue. The indents 44 thus increase the overall comfort of wearing of the garment 110. Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown yet a further embodiment of the present invention, wherein the garment 210 again has ribs 20 extending 15 diagonally in the manner described above. One or more support ribs 21 are also provided, extending in an opposite diagonal to the ribs 20, as described with reference to the second embodiment. The garment 210 of this embodiment further includes at least one contoured rib 23, wherein the contoured rib 23 has at least one curve to contour the shape of the torso as it extends from adjacent the 20 lower edge at the rear of the body portion 12, towards an upper edge of the front of the body portion 12. The contour rib 23 acts to provide a contoured form to the overall body portion 12, such that the body portion 12 has an inwards contour at the waist even before it is worn by the wearer. In providing the overall shape of the garment 210 in this manner, a greater degree of control and shaping of the 25 torso can be attained. The different types of ribs, 20, 21 and 23 further facilitates this greater degree of control and shaping. The garment 210 shown in Figure 7 further has arm portions 30 as previously described. However, the garment 210 may also be strapless so that it can be worn under strapless outer clothing. Whilst shoulder straps do provide 30 some additional longitudinal support, the ribs 20, support ribs 21 and contour ribs 23 provide sufficient strength to the overall garment 210 so as to afford the required degree of shaping and support without buckling. The garment 210 may 11 also optionally be provided with a brassiere 40, which can be detachable as described above, or be formed integrally with the body portion 12. A further embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 8, wherein the support garment 310 has a brassiere portion 40 is preferably integrally 5 manufactured with the body portion 12. That is, the garment 310 is provided as an all-in-one support and brassiere garment. It is also possible to provide the garment 310 with a detachable brassiere portion 40. Again, the body portion 12 is fastened at the front by fastening the opposing vertical edges 18. Similarly, the brassiere portion 40 is fastened at the 10 front, with a suitable fastening means being provided between each cup so as to fasten them together when the garment 310 is being worn. The garment 310 has an opening 46 between the base of each cup of the brassiere 40 and the upper front edge of the body portion 12. Advantageously, this opening 46 not only permits ventilation to the skin, but also prevents the 15 brassiere 40 from being pulled downwards by the body portion 12. This arrangement, whereby the base of the brassiere 40 is free, prevents unwanted flattening of the breast area by any downward movement of the body portion 12 when the garment 310 is worn. In this manner, the torso area can be shaped and contoured as desired, whilst also lifting and supporting the breasts. 20 Whilst the above description has focused particularly on application of the present invention to garments intended to be worn under outer clothing, it should be understood that the present invention finds ready application to other types of garments also. For example, the garments 210 and 310 depicted in each of Figures 7 and 8 are particularly suitable for implementation in swim suit garments. 25 The overall design can be readily transferred to manufacture of a contouring or shaping swimsuit with only minor adjustments. The concept of the overall invention remains unchanged in application to other types of garments such as swimsuits. In addition, the garments as hereinbefore described can be adapted as 30 required to attach secondary garments, such as brassieres, where appropriate. In these instances, the brassiere can be provided as a separate, discrete component, which is then attached to the main garment by suitable fastening means, or may be formed integrally as a single garment.

12 Figures 9a and 9b show respective inside and outside views of a support garment 50 embodying the present invention. Inside view 51 of 9a shows diagonally extending support ribs or boning 52. 53 indicates the top centre back portion. Respective hooks 54 and eyes 55 are shown running along the opposite 5 side edges of the garment. These hooks and eyes wrap with the garment around to the front of the wearer for front fastening. It will be appreciated that alternative rear fastening may be employed with the ribs or boning running in the opposite diagonal direction i.e. in effect the edges bearing the hooks and eyes in Fig 9a would be permanently joined and the centre back line would be parted to form 10 side edges with respective fastening means. Figure 9b shows the exterior view of the support garment i.e. the view when worn. It is apparent that the ribs or boning are not visible but still provide the required structural support. Support can be provided for shaping a wearer or for providing underlying structure to a cover garment for improved garment support and shape, such as providing a foundation 15 garment for a period costume or fashion garment. The exterior view shows garment panels 56. Modifications and variations as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of this invention.

Claims (8)

1. A support garment providing shaping control to an area of the human body and/or providing a support structure for other garments to go over the support garment, the support garment having a body portion arranged to fit about an area 5 of the human body and has at least one rib extending diagonally between a lower region of the body portion and an upper region of the body portion.

2. A support garment for providing shaping control to an area of the human body, the support garment comprising a body portion, arranged to fit about an area of the human body, the body portion having at least one rib extending 10 diagonally from a lowermost region of the body portion towards an upper region of the body portion.

3. The support garment of claim 1 or 2, wherein the garment has a pair of ribs, each rib arranged upon opposing sides of the body portion.

4. The support garment of claim 3, wherein the garment has at least one pair 15 of ribs and each rib of each pair is arranged upon opposing sides of the body portion in a substantially mirrored arrangement.

5. The support garment of claim 3 or 4, wherein each rib in a pair, located on opposing sides of the body portion, is disposed at an equal and opposite angle as the corresponding rib in the pair. 20

6. The support garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body portion is arranged to fit about a torso of the wearer.

7. The support garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the garment is a swim suit.

8. A support garment substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 5 WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS