CN113873976A

CN113873976A - Wearable tension device

Info

Publication number: CN113873976A
Application number: CN202080023377.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: W·J·舒尔茨
Original assignee: Irene Macdow
Current assignee: Irene Macdow
Priority date: 2019-01-23
Filing date: 2020-01-23
Publication date: 2021-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2040-01-23
Also published as: WO2020154539A1; JP2022523675A; CA3127787A1; CN113873976B; EP3914210A4; EP3914210A1

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments contained herein include garments having biomechanical components including nerve bands, postural fixations, expansion bands and combinations thereof.

Description

Wearable tension device

Background

From birth to death, we are given a living body to help us develop the best condition. Unfortunately, there are a wide variety of musculoskeletal, neurological and circulatory diseases and disorders due to injury, environmental, occupational, genetic and disease problems. Dynamic anatomical apparel will provide an interface for therapeutic support and resistance to the body in motion to interfere with body diseases associated with injury, arthritis, chronic pain, sensory processing disorders, muscle imbalances, joint misalignment, and poor posture.

Women are particularly susceptible in view of their anatomy and physiology of the upper body. The female's chest provides a weight projection that extends forward of the center of gravity and imposes a force distribution specific to the female on the upper body. The female chest is also made up of soft and sensitive tissue, and the compression and application of force can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Garments used to readjust the posture and/or intervene, influence, or otherwise assist in the process of body balance, alignment, circulation, and/or postural misalignment face obstacles relative to the female upper body anatomy. Conventional garment or tape solutions provide linear stretching of the body. However, the force across or around the woman's breast area can be uncomfortable.

Disclosure of Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the wearable tension device described herein may include an active mechanism that includes an anatomical arrangement of elastic bands, and seams, collectively referred to as a neuroband (neuroband). The neuro-belts can apply a tensile resistance to activate the muscles in a kinematic sequence. Thus, resistance on a particular muscle may be trained, retrained, and maintained to otherwise activate muscle tissue according to the example methods described herein. This treatment is unique in that it applies a tensile resistance to the target muscle through a wearable tension garment. One exemplary advantage of such a wearable tension device is that it provides a passive therapy that does not require voluntary exercise or altered behavior to produce a measurable effect, other than wearing comfortable, fitting clothing on a regular basis, even during sleep. The interface of the nerve band with the body in motion provides an extraordinary way to capture the energy of the motion, thereby benefiting your body well in the right time. Therefore, the nerve band can be used as an adjuvant therapy in caregiver strategies for physical rehabilitation, pain management, and injury prevention. In an occupational environment where repeated, uncomfortable movements can cause injury over time, garments are designed to be comfortably worn over clothing as a convenient and economical ergonomic intervention to meet the needs of both overuse and underused muscle groups.

The exemplary embodiments of the garment described herein provide for seamless transfer of forces from the front of the garment to the back of the garment. For example, a garment for an upper body may have a seamless transition from a front portion of the garment to a rear portion of the garment over the shoulders of the wearer when in use on the wearer.

The exemplary embodiments of the garment described herein accommodate the unique physiology of the female anatomy and allow the garment to expand around and cover the wearer's breast area. Thus, the garment may be configured to form a structural support for distributing the front weight of the wearer towards the rear of the wearer.

Exemplary embodiments described herein include garments worn by women to affect neuromuscular activity to obtain therapeutic results or improve body orientation. One example is a form-fit garment that is worn to assist with muscle balance, body coordination, circulation, and/or postural health. The fitted garment can be used as an adjunct to the treatment of chronic pain, injury, disease and disorders. The fitted garment may also be used for support and bridging to support the frontal weight applied by the female anatomy to the rear of the wearer. Exemplary embodiments generally relate to garments or devices worn by a person for functional improvement in posture, health and fitness, comfort, range of motion, reduction in interference with range of motion, and combinations thereof.

Exemplary embodiments may include wearable devices, such as garments, that define non-linear and/or non-orthogonal configurations of anatomical garment portions for systematically interacting and affecting the intrinsic processes of human physiology to improve health and fitness.

Exemplary embodiments may include dynamic materials with a particular elastic resistance, collectively referred to as a nerve band. The nerve bands can be placed in an interactive matrix (matrix) to influence the strength and direction of body movement and sensory information sent to and from the spinal cord and brain. Thus, normalization of function can be achieved by reversing or slowing the dysfunction of muscles and joints over time and injury.

The example methods described herein may use nerve bands to apply dynamic tensile resistance and tactile touch to prevent or reduce muscle atrophy by actively forcing natural motion and neutral anatomy.

Exemplary embodiments described herein may include materials having elastic system properties including unidirectional and/or multidirectional orientations. In an exemplary embodiment, the material is knitted or woven in an oblique direction to avoid or reduce vertical alignment of the fibers. Exemplary embodiments include warp yarns with or without weft yarns.

In an exemplary embodiment, the garment may include a front band with greater stretch to allow for expansion or change in the user's breast area. In an exemplary embodiment, the bias of stretch in the front portion of the garment configured to cover the wearer's chest region is horizontal or cross-body direction.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a garment configured as a half top (half top) according to embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2 shows a rear view of an exemplary embodiment of the garment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the garment of FIG. 1 with the front of the garment removed to show the inside of the back of the garment;

fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary front view of an exemplary embodiment of a garment configured as a full top (full top) according to embodiments described herein;

fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary front view of an exemplary embodiment of a garment configured as a full top, according to embodiments described herein.

Detailed Description

Preferred embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present invention.

As mentioned above, exoskeleton interventions that conform to the unique environment in which we work and play contribute to the symptoms of a variety of human conditions with impaired muscles, joints, sensation and circulatory system. Wearable tension devices described herein may include lifestyle technology designed to be worn comfortably, systematically, under or over clothing for a convenient period of time. Wearable tension technology is intended to impact the social and economic burden of musculoskeletal health.

Exemplary embodiments of wearable tension devices described herein include a garment that fits snugly over an individual's upper anatomy using a conformable elastic fabric with a specific elastic memory (nerve band) and non-linear configuration to accommodate different motions of the human body in static and dynamic motions. The nerve band provides multi-directional horizontal spring forces adjacent to corresponding horizontal spring forces. Depending on the placement of the nerve band, local resistance may be applied to the body to train, retrain, or maintain the afflicted anatomy, resulting in a reduction of symptoms.

Current tights do not locally limit the therapeutic resistance to a specific and precise level, so excessive and inadequate muscle training does not provide optimal training. Current compression garments and functional garments target a physically fitting sports population due to the inability to fit well and the difficulty of comfortably fitting anatomical structures with excessive weight and mass. Furthermore, the compression of adipose tissue (adipose tissue) does not address means to reduce the dysfunction associated with obesity, such as poor posture, early fatigue, muscle imbalance, joint dislocation, and impaired circulation. By employing a high proportion of elastic material in the chest and breast areas, and non-linear construction techniques throughout the garment, conformal expansion of the garment can be achieved at the soft tissues of the breast while maintaining structural integrity to apply support to the body.

Sometimes, the nerve bands (including the bands, bands and seams) vary in location and density to account for the amount of therapeutic force required. The elastomeric nature of each band, band and seam can be described as having precise anatomical and physiological objectives.

The exemplary embodiments described herein use a nerve band. Exemplary embodiments may include processes and techniques for using belts with variable stretch characteristics. The exemplary embodiments described herein are in terms of bands, but the invention is not limited to a particular geometric configuration of "bands". Rather, any configuration of material portions having the desired relative stretch properties and/or position with respect to the body is encompassed within the definition of "belt". Thus, the belt may include any combination of linear or elongated members, circular members, arcs, and geometric or non-geometric portions as described herein or as would be understood by one of skill in the art.

In an exemplary embodiment, the described processes and techniques may include positioning and orienting nerve bands such that they are anchored to begin and end in correspondence with or above respective neuromuscular anatomical features. Thus, the configuration and location may reflect or correspond to neuromuscular kinematics or neuromuscular mapping. Exemplary embodiments of the nerve band may be used to physically facilitate muscles and their function to support, load and unload joints. Exemplary embodiments may be used to position joints in specific locations that conform to good posture and optimal body mechanics. Exemplary embodiments may be used to enhance posture, relieve pain, and aid recovery.

The exemplary embodiments can be used with garments having a fit, such as functional clothing, tights, body-shaping clothing, maternity wear, and the like. Such exoskeletal garments can create irregular tensions and pressures that can be restrictive, ill-fitting, improperly positioned, or uncomfortable. Exemplary embodiments can be used to improve anatomical conformability using construction techniques and materials that address the inherent properties of human anatomy and physiology. Exemplary embodiments may utilize, configure and position materials and component bands to cooperatively assist or correspond to the contraction characteristics of the muscle groups they cover, contact or span. Exemplary embodiments may configure the material sections to define or correspond to an anatomical form having boundaries and/or seams corresponding to anatomical anchoring locations to account for the dynamic sequence of the muscle tissue they abut. Example embodiments may use, configure, and position materials and component bands to reduce forces or associated discomfort applied to the soft tissue of the wearer. Exemplary embodiments may allow the garment to expand to accommodate various anatomies of different wearers without requiring a new garment. Thus, a single garment construction may be used and accommodate many different body shapes.

Exemplary embodiments may incorporate stretch and tension characteristics that are directionally placed and conform to the dynamics of the human body. This may be accomplished using various anchor points on one or more fitted postural garments. The nerve band may connect the front of the wearer to the back of the wearer to transfer weight and forces generated by the upper body anatomy of the woman to the support chassis toward the back of the wearer.

Exemplary embodiments include a garment and method that actively affects the body's own resources to maintain and maintain optimal alignment, uses biofeedback to enhance proprioception, kinesthetic perception, haptics and other components of the central, peripheral and somatosensory nerves to maintain and maintain good posture, uses biofeedback to support optimal body mechanics while enhancing muscle memory and muscle retraining, and combinations thereof.

Exemplary embodiments may include a nerve band. Exemplary nerve bands may include synthetic and/or natural materials with tensile properties designed to mimic the contraction properties of the muscle tissue covered by the nerve band. Exemplary nerve band configurations and fiber orientations can be adjusted to assist specific muscles and joints in performing specific functions. An exemplary nerve band may be configured to allow its force to be spread over a wider area. An exemplary nerve band may include tensile and tactile properties configured to dynamically provide biofeedback to facilitate movement of muscles and joints in human activities. The exemplary nerve bands may be passively placed and may be adjusted to assist muscles and joints in performing specific functions.

According to embodiments described herein, exemplary embodiments may include a gesture fixture to form an attachment point for an exemplary nerve band. According to embodiments described herein, the postural supports may be configured to provide an anchor point to support the stretching (i.e., pulling) function of the nerve band. The position fixing member may correspond to or cover the position of the tendons and/or ligaments when the garment is on the wearer. Thus, the postural support may provide specific anatomical locations to serve as starting and ending locations for the relevant nerve bands that cover corresponding muscle regions of the body. The postural support appendages may be configured to assist muscles and joints in performing particular functions when one or more nerve bands are attached to the muscles and joints. The postural supports may define rigid or semi-rigid mounting locations to assist and support the attached nerve band.

Example embodiments may include garments configured to avoid compression in one or more areas of the body. For example, an exemplary garment may include expansion bands configured to allow less restrictive movement or reduce pressure on underlying anatomical features of the body. Exemplary expansion bands may be included on or around the abdomen, breast, or combinations thereof. Example expansion bands may include a bi-directional or multi-directional stretch orientation to provide greater expansion of the band over a selected area of the body.

Exemplary embodiments of the garment include exemplary seam configurations to coordinate specific elastic and tensile support throughout the garment. Exemplary seam configurations and placements may correspond to the human dynamics and directional transfer of tensile strength of the associated nerve band to which the seam may be coupled.

Example embodiments may include a garment according to embodiments described herein. According to embodiments described herein, an exemplary garment may include different portions or components to define a nerve band and/or a postural support. Exemplary embodiments may include material portions having unidirectional, bidirectional, multidirectional spring bias. According to embodiments described herein, exemplary embodiments may orient the resilient bias in a particular configuration and orientation to support the underlying bodily anatomy. Exemplary embodiments may include postural fixation positions in which the elasticity of the material is reduced compared to the nerve band, such that the postural fixation position may position and anchor the nerve band in a position relative to the underlying anatomy of the body.

As used herein, elastic generally refers to the amount a material can stretch under a given force. Thus, greater elasticity indicates greater extension when a force is applied thereto. Rigid or semi-rigid materials are considered to have low elasticity and to not stretch or only include very limited stretching under applied forces. As used herein, stretch bias generally indicates that the material is more elastic in the direction of the stretch bias than in other directions. The material may have one or more than one tensile bias. Each direction of the stretch bias of the material may have the same elasticity or different elasticity. Thus, the material may have a primary tensile bias in a first direction and a secondary tensile bias in a second direction, where the first tensile bias has greater elasticity than the elasticity associated with the second tensile bias.

Fig. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary nerve band configuration for use as a semi-coat. The exemplary garment 1 includes a back portion 4 and a front portion 4 as shown in fig. 2 and 3, respectively. Fig. 3 shows an exemplary view of the inside of the rear side of the garment, generally corresponding to fig. 1, wherein the front of the garment, including 8A, 8B, 8C, is removed from view for better understanding of the interaction of the

nerve bands

6 and 20.

In an exemplary embodiment, the front portion of the garment 2 may include a single band that extends from the bottom of the garment, across the wearer's chest in the use position, across the wearer's shoulders or top of the garment, across the front to the back of the garment, across the back or upper shoulders/spine of the wearer's neck in the use position, and across the wearer's shoulders or across the top of the garment, and back down the chest along the other front side of the garment to the bottom of the garment. The front band 8 may be elastic to accommodate variations in the chest size of the individual user. In an exemplary embodiment, the front band 8 may include one or more sections to allow for different elasticity in the area of the garment. These sections may be formed by various fabric patterns, reduced density fabric regions, reinforcing layers, or in separate bands attached together. In the exemplary embodiment, the front bezel 8 is made of a single unitary bezel that includes different fabric orientations, densities, patterns, weaves, etc. to create different elasticities in the various sections. For example, the front bezel 8 may include two, three, or more sections.

In an exemplary embodiment, section 8C may correspond to a lower or bottom region of the garment. The first segment 8C may have reduced elasticity compared to one or more other segments to stabilize and create support for the user's chest soft tissue, as well as for supporting the remainder of the garment including the nerve band described herein. In an exemplary embodiment, the first section 8C may be formed from multiple layers of material. For example, two layers may be separately attached and/or a single band of material may be folded. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom edge of the garment is formed from a fold of material that is sewn, glued, or otherwise attached to the garment to define the lower strap.

In an exemplary embodiment, the section 8B may correspond to an inner portion of the front band 8 that substantially covers the soft tissue of the wearer's breast in the use position. The second section 8B may be more elastic than one, more or all of the panels of the garment. Increased elasticity may be created by reducing the material band layer as compared to, for example, section 8C, or by reducing fiber density, fiber pattern, or a combination thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment, the front bezel 8 may include a section 8A corresponding to an upper portion of the front bezel 8. The top section 8A may be an extension of section 8B with the same elasticity, or may have a different elasticity than the interior of section 8B. The top section 8A may extend over the top of the garment and from the front of the garment to the back of the garment. The top section 8A may extend around and across the rear of the garment. The top section 8A may define and/or be adjacent to at least a portion of the neck opening and/or the arm opening of the garment. The top section 8A may have an elasticity between that of the bottom section 8C and the central section 8B. The top section 8A may have substantially the same elasticity as the bottom section 8C or the central section 8C.

In an exemplary embodiment, the front bezel 8 may be detachable and/or attachable. The front band 8 may include a zipper 12, hook/eye fasteners 10, or a combination thereof, such as buttons, hooks, snaps, hooks and loops, or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the garment includes a neck aperture and two arm apertures. In an exemplary embodiment, the aperture includes an elastic portion 14 instead of a hem. A hem according to embodiments described herein may include a separate elastic folded around the edges of one or more panels to form the edges of a garment. The hem may also include a material bonded or impregnated into the fabric to hold the fabric while allowing elastic flexibility.

Fig. 9B shows an exemplary back portion 4 of a garment according to embodiments described herein, including a nerve band. As shown, the back of the garment includes a plurality of

nerve bands

6, 20. In an exemplary embodiment, the first pair of nerve bands 20 forms a border or frame in which the second pair of nerve bands 6 is positioned. The boundary may be similar to the perimeter 12, the nerve band 16, and/or the boundary 18 of fig. 8. The pair of nerve bands 20 define an arc-shaped or oval-shaped opening at the rear of the garment. The opening may have a hem 914 as described herein. The pair of nerve bands 20 may include directional elasticity. As indicated by the solid arrows, the elastic bias of the nerve band 20 is oblique relative to a vertical axis of the garment which is located along the spine of the wearer in the use position. The pair of nerve bands 20 may be adjacent to or define a portion of the arm aperture. The pair of nerve bands 20 may be coupled to the front band 908 at the rear side of the garment and to the front band 8 along the top of the nerve bands 20 at the rear of the garment. The top edges across the pair of nerve bands 20 define an arc across the back of the wearer when in the use position. The top edge of the nerve band 20 begins at the middle region of the arm aperture and extends upwardly toward the neck aperture as the top edge passes through the garment. In an exemplary embodiment, the top edge is located proximate to the edge of the deltoid and/or infraspinatus muscles and crosses the trapezius muscle.

In an exemplary embodiment, the garment includes a pair of nerve bands 6. The pair of nerve bands are configured to be positioned over the trapezius muscle groups with a resilient bias in the general direction of the muscle fibers of the trapezius. As shown, the pair of nerve bands 6 extend along the bottom of the garment across the opening formed by the pair of nerve bands 20. The pair of nerve bands 6 extend upward and are directly coupled together vertically along a vertical center of the garment, configured to be positioned over the spine of the wearer in the use position. The attachment between the nerve bands 6 may define a postural support. The pair of nerve bands 6 are unattached along the length of the band towards the top of the garment or towards the neck opening. The pair of nerve bands are angled away from a vertical axis of the garment (corresponding to the spine of the user in the use position) and away from each other. The pair of nerve bands 6 extend away from each other, away from the vertical axis of the garment, and upwardly toward the shoulders of the garment, with the front band 8 extending upwardly and over the top of the garment. The pair of nerve bands 906 may extend below or above the pair of nerve bands 2 and overlap the pair of nerve bands 2 along a portion of the respective nerve bands along a top region of the nerve bands. In an exemplary embodiment, the pair of nerve bands 6 is coupled to the front band 8 at a top portion of the nerve band 906 on the back of the garment 4.

The relationship of the exemplary first pair of nerve bands 20 relative to the second pair of nerve bands 6 is illustrated by the cross-sectional view of figure 3, which shows the inside of the back of the garment. A first neuro-band of the first pair of neuro-bands 20 extends from the sides and bottom of the garment up towards the shoulders of the garment and curves towards the neck aperture of the garment and towards the central vertical axis of the garment, beyond the spine of the wearer in the use position. A second nerve band of the first pair of nerve bands 20 is in a mirror image relationship with a first nerve band of the first pair of nerve bands 20. The first pair of nerve bands forms an arcuate configuration from the bottom edge of the garment with a space between the first and second nerve bands in the first pair of nerve bands 20. The second pair of nerve bands 6 is located within the space formed by the first pair of nerve bands 20. A first nerve band of the second pair of nerve bands is coupled to a first nerve band of the first pair of nerve bands along a length 22 of a lower portion of the respective nerve band. A first nerve band of the second pair of nerve bands 6 is coupled to a second nerve band of the second pair of nerve bands 6 along a second length along a substantially central vertical direction of the garment. The second length of attachment of the second pair of nerve bands 6 to each other may be longer than the attachment length 22 between one of the second pair of nerve bands and one of the first pair of nerve bands. The second pair of nerve bands 6 diverge upwardly and away from each other after the end of the length is attached. The second pair of nerve bands 6 is shown extending on the inside of the first pair of nerve bands 20 to form a second layer with the first pair of nerve bands. The dashed line represents the continuation of the first pair of nerve bands behind the second pair of nerve bands. The second pair of nerve bands 6 may span the width of the first pair of nerve bands to couple to the garment and the first pair of nerve bands at the top or outer edges of the first pair of nerve bands remote from the intervening space. The exemplary connection location 22 is at the terminal end of the nerve band 6 facing the shoulder of the garment. The first and second pairs of

nerve bands

20, 6 may be unattached along a length that traverses any of the first pair of nerve bands. Thus, each of the second pair of nerve bands 6 can be moved locally across the width of either of the first pair of nerve bands relative to each of the first pair of nerve bands. The first and second pairs of nerve bands are statically positioned relative to each other only along the outer edges of the nerve bands.

Exemplary embodiments of nerve bands are described herein. Exemplary embodiments of the garment may include any combination of features as described herein. For example, the opening of one embodiment may be combined with one or more nerve band arrangements of another embodiment. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the nerve bands may be combined in any combination, and the selected configuration is provided for illustration purposes only.

The garment shown in fig. 1 to 3 is configured to support a wearer and transmit a supporting force of a weight in a front part of a body to a rear side of the body. The garment includes a top section of the garment that extends from a first side of a front of the garment around a back of the garment, spans from side to side, and then extends across the front of the garment to the other side of the front of the garment. The section may be used to support forces from the front of the garment to the back of the garment. The rear side of the garment is configured with a pair of nerve bands to transmit forces to the rear of the wearer.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a full shirt configuration. The full shirt configuration may be configured similar to the configuration of a half shirt as shown in fig. 1-3. The full shirt configuration of garment 21 may include a front portion of the garment and a back portion of the garment. The front portion of the garment may include a front band that extends from the bottom of the garment, over the top of the garment, around the back of the garment, and on the other side of the front portion of the garment, down and back to the bottom of the garment.

The front band may include two or more distinct elastic regions. As shown, the front of the garment may include four distinct

elastic regions

8A, 8B, 8C, 8D traversing from the top of the garment to the bottom of the garment. A given elastic region may be different from one or more regions on one or more adjacent sides of the given region. The elastic region may be the same as one or more other elastic regions. As shown, the area configured to cover the wearer's anatomical features on the wearer's abdomen 8D and/or breasts 8B in the use position may comprise an elastic region that is larger than one or more other elastic regions. In an exemplary embodiment, the area 8A at the top of the garment may be less elastic to exert support and tension on the upper body to support the wearer's chest and transmit the force supporting the wearer from the front of the body to the back side of the body or the back of the garment. In an exemplary embodiment, the region 8C below the wearer's breasts and positioned above a portion of the wearer's chest in the use position may have reduced elasticity than one or more other regions of the front of the garment. The portion above the chest may include a region of least elasticity compared to other regions on the front of the garment. The portion of the garment above the chest cavity and below the wearer's breasts may serve as an anatomical anchor to support the garment relative to the wearer.

The garment may be configured to separate along a front side of the garment. In an exemplary embodiment, the garment may include a zipper along the front side of the garment. The zipper may be a two-way zipper such that the garment may be pulled up and/or down from the top and bottom of the garment independently of the other end of the garment. For example, the garment may be pulled completely from the bottom to the top of the garment. The wearer can then pull a portion of the garment away from the bottom and top ends of the garment while keeping the middle portion of the garment attached.

The back portion of the garment shown in fig. 4 may be similar to the garment shown in fig. 2-3. The garment may be extended downwardly such that the bottom terminal ends of the first and second pairs of nerve bands simply extend downwardly to move the terminal ends of the garment downwardly to a lower position on the wearer. Alternatively, the garment may include one or more regions extending from the bottom of the nerve band to define a bottom band portion of the garment on the rear.

Exemplary embodiments of the garment may include one or more outer layers that may cover any of the embodiments of the garment described herein. For example, a garment similar to that of FIGS. 1-3 may include an outer layer positioned on the front, back, or a combination thereof. The outer layer may be coupled to one or more seams or edges of the garment. For example, the outer layer 22 may be positioned on the garment of fig. 1-3 or fig. 4 and extend from the top of the garment to the bottom of the garment. The top layer 22 may be coupled to the lower layer(s) at the opening of the neck and/or the opening of the arm. The topsheet 22 may be of a form-fitting construction, or may be of a larger construction to allow separation between the outer layer and the wearer's body in a worn position on the wearer. The topsheet 22 can thus be used to provide a loose coverage over the intimate substrate(s). The outer layer may also have a half coat length or a full coat length. The outer layer may have the same or a different length than the lower layer(s). The outer layer may have the same or a greater length than the lower layer. For purposes of illustration only, the lower layer, including the different elastic regions, is shown in phantom to indicate the presence of the layer below the outer layer 22.

The exemplary embodiments described herein include a component that includes a nerve band. The components may be integrated or define a garment, sleeve or modular accessory. A garment according to embodiments described herein may also include any combination of postural fixators, expansion bands and/or nerve bands, or any combination of any one or more of these. In an exemplary embodiment, the nerve band includes at least one resilient bias. The garment may include a plurality of nerve bands, wherein a first nerve band is configured to surround an arm portion of the wearer and defines a sleeve, and a second nerve band is positioned on a shoulder of the wearer from a front of the garment to a back of the garment. Exemplary embodiments include a postural support that is on the spine and along the scapula and/or clavicle of the wearer in the use position.

In an exemplary embodiment, the nerve band is formed by overlapping materials to form a multi-layer portion of the garment. The nerve band may include an elastic bias, and the overlapping material may be oriented such that the first layer and the second layer are not aligned with the elastic bias. The fold of the nerve band may define a portion of an aperture of the garment, such as a neck or arm aperture.

Exemplary embodiments of a garment having a plurality of nerve bands, a plurality of postural anchors, a plurality of expansion bands, and combinations thereof are described herein. The nerve band may comprise a more resilient material than the postural support and/or the anchoring band. The nerve band may include a bi-directional resilient bias. The elastic axes of the bi-directional elastic bias may be inclined to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, the garment may include a first nerve band pair and a second nerve band pair, wherein the first nerve band pair overlaps the second partial nerve band. The plurality of nerve bands may include a first pair of nerve bands configured to define an arcuate shape having a spacing between at least a portion of a first nerve band in the first pair of nerve bands and at least a portion of a second nerve band in the first pair of nerve bands. The second pair of nerve bands may be positioned in the space between the first pair of nerve bands. The first and second pairs of nerve bands may include a resilient bias. The resiliently biased axes of the first and second pairs of neural bands may be perpendicular or oblique to each other. The axes of resilient bias between each of the first or second pairs of nerve bands may be perpendicular or oblique to each other. For example, a first nerve band of the first pair of nerve bands may be perpendicular or oblique to a second nerve band of the first pair of nerve bands or a first nerve band of the second pair of nerve bands, wherein the first nerve band of the first pair of nerve bands and the first nerve band of the second pair of nerve bands are on the same side of the garment and on an opposite side of the garment from the second nerve band of the first pair of nerve bands and the second nerve band of the second pair of nerve bands. The elastic bias of the first pair of nerve bands may be toward the central axis of the garment when the garment is traversed up or down, and the elastic bias of the second pair of nerve bands may be away from the central axis of the garment when the garment is traversed up or down, such that the elastic biases of the first pair of nerve bands converge or diverge with respect to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, a garment having a first pair of nerve bands may be formed in an oval or arcuate shape with a space formed along a lower edge of the nerve bands, and also have a second pair of nerve bands overlapping the first pair of nerve bands. The first pair of nerve bands may be coupled to a terminal edge of the second pair of nerve bands along the terminal edge such that the first pair of nerve bands may move relative to the second pair of nerve bands along a portion of the overlap.

In one exemplary embodiment, the garment may include a front band having an elastically variable section. The garment may also have a zipper on the front of the garment.

An exemplary embodiment includes an upper body garment including a front portion and a back portion, the garment including a plurality of nerve bands. The front portion of the garment may be configured to extend from the rear portion across the shoulder of the wearer, across the wearer's breast area and to a position below the wearer's breast, above a portion of the wearer's chest cavity, in a use position on the wearer. The garment may be configured as a half-coat such that the garment terminates proximate a lower edge of the wearer's chest in the use position. The front portion may include a band that, in a use position, extends from a lower edge of the garment over a wearer's breast region, over a wearer's shoulder, over a rear of the garment and over a wearer's neck and spine, and over a wearer's second shoulder and down a front second side of the garment over the breast region and to a lower edge of the garment. The band may be made of a single unitary material that combines different fabric properties to create different elasticities in the front portion. The band may be folded at the lower edge of the garment at the front first side and the front second side to define a first region of reduced elasticity at the lower edge of the garment. The first region may be at least 2 inches to form a belt that provides support to the wearer.

The front portion of an exemplary garment may include at least two regions, a first region being less elastic than a second region that is more elastic, the first region being closer to the lower edge of the garment than the second region. The garment front may include at least three sections having different elasticity than adjacent sections.

The front portion of the example garment may be separable between a front portion first side and a front portion second side of the garment, and the front portion first side and the front portion second side may be removably attachable.

An example garment may include a first pair of nerve bands, wherein each of the first pair of nerve bands includes directional elasticity. The direction of the main bias of the directional elastic stretch is inclined to the vertical axis of the garment in a position on the wearer in the use position. The garment may also include a second band of nerves. The first pair of nerve bands may be positioned to form arcs defining a space along the bottom edge of the garment, and at least a portion of the second pair of nerve bands may be positioned in the space of the arcs of the first pair of nerve bands. The second pair of nerve bands may be attached directly to each other along the length in a region within the arc of the first pair of nerve bands. A portion of the first pair of nerve bands overlaps a portion of the second pair of nerve bands. The second pair of nerve bands may be separated from each other in a region where the second pair of nerve bands overlaps the first pair of nerve bands. The first nerve band pair may not be attached to the second nerve band pair for an interior portion of the region where the second nerve band pair overlaps the first nerve band pair. The first pair of nerve bands may be coupled to a terminal edge of the second pair of nerve bands along the terminal edge such that the first pair of nerve bands may move relative to the second pair of nerve bands along a region where a portion of one of the first pair of nerve bands overlaps a portion of one of the second pair of nerve bands. The front of the garment may include sections with variable/different elasticity.

Example embodiments described herein may include materials having system elastic properties including unidirectional and/or multidirectional orientations. In an exemplary embodiment, the material is knitted or woven in an oblique orientation to avoid or reduce vertical alignment of the fibers. Exemplary embodiments include warp yarns with or without weft yarns. Exemplary embodiments include a woven or knitted material impregnated with an elastic material. The woven or knitted material may comprise nylon. The elastic material may include lycra, spandex, elastomers, etc. Exemplary embodiments include materials having a warp knit and/or warp knit, with or without weft yarns. In an exemplary embodiment, the weft yarns may comprise titanium strands. An exemplary nerve band may include a bi-elastic bias. The bi-directional elasticity may allow the nerve band to expand a greater amount in one direction than in the other under the same applied force. The bi-directional elasticity may allow the nerve band to expand the same amount or a different amount along each of the elastic axes or elastic biases. For example, the nerve band may include a warp weave having bi-directional elastic axes, wherein each of the elastic axes is oblique to each other. The first elastic axis or elastic bias may be greater than the second elastic axis or elastic bias such that the material stretches by an amount greater along the first axis than it stretches along the second axis given the same amount of force. However, the material may stretch in a direction perpendicular to either of the elastic axes less than either of the bias or elastic axes. In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary nerve band includes a bi-directional spring bias. Each of the elastic axes is inclined to each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the elasticity along each axis is substantially equal. In an exemplary embodiment, the elasticity along the first axis is about 10% -40% greater than the elasticity along the second axis.

In an exemplary embodiment, one or more and/or all seams of the garment may be bonded. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more and/or all seams of the garment may not be sewn. In an exemplary embodiment, the seam may be bonded by integrating material into and between the facings of the seam.

Exemplary embodiments of the nerve bands, seams or bonds described herein may include woven or knitted materials impregnated with an elastomer. In an exemplary embodiment, a method of making such an impregnated material may include providing a fabric material, such as a knitted or woven material, and a sheet of elastic material. In an exemplary embodiment, the fabric and the strips may overlap each other. In an exemplary embodiment, the stretch bias of the strips and fabric may be oriented to a desired orientation. The stretch bias of the strips and fabric may be parallel, oblique, perpendicular, or otherwise oriented. In an exemplary embodiment, the elastic material is heated to impregnate the elastic in the fabric. In exemplary embodiments, the fabric may comprise nylon or a blend of nylons. The elastic member may be an elastomer such as spandex.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, exemplary components are described herein. Any combination of these components may be used in any combination. For example, any components, features, steps or parts may be integrated, separated, subdivided, removed, duplicated, added, or used in any combination and remain within the scope of this disclosure. The embodiments are merely exemplary and provide illustrative combinations of features, but are not limited thereto.

The terms "comprises" and "comprising," and variations thereof, as used in the specification and claims, are meant to encompass the recited features, steps or integers. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. An upper torso garment comprising a front portion and a back portion, the garment comprising: a plurality of nerve bands.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front portion is configured to extend from the rear portion across a shoulder of the wearer across a breast area of the wearer and to extend from a position above a portion of the wearer's chest to a position below the wearer's breast in the wearer's use position, the garment configured to terminate proximate a lower edge of the wearer's chest in the use position.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the front portion of the garment comprises at least two regions, a first region being less elastic than a second region of greater elasticity, the first region being closer to the lower edge of the garment than the second region.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the front portion includes a band that extends from a lower edge of the garment over the wearer's breast area, over the wearer's shoulder, over the garment's back and over the wearer's neck and spine in the use position on a first side of the front portion of the garment in the use position, and over the wearer's second shoulder and down the garment over the breast area and to a lower edge of the garment along a second side of the front portion of the garment.

5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the band is made of a single, unitary material that incorporates different fabric properties to create different elasticities in the front portion.

6. The garment of claim 5, wherein the garment front has at least three sections that differ in elasticity compared to adjacent sections.

7. The garment of claim 5, wherein the band is folded at the lower garment edge at the front first side and the front second side to define a first region of reduced elasticity at the lower garment edge.

8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the first region is at least 2 inches and is formed as a band that provides support to the wearer.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front portion is separable between a front portion first side and a front portion second side of the garment, and the front portion first side and the front portion second side are removably attachable.

10. The garment of claim 1, comprising a first pair of nerve bands, wherein each of the first pair of nerve bands comprises directional elasticity.

11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the direction of the primary bias of the directional elastic stretch is oblique to the vertical axis of the garment in a position on the wearer in the use position.

12. The garment of claim 11, comprising a second pair of nerve bands, and the first pair of nerve bands are positioned to form an arc defining a space along a bottom edge of the garment.

13. The garment of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the second pair of nerve bands is located in the space of the arc of the first pair of nerve bands.

14. The garment of claim 13, wherein the second pair of nerve bands are directly attached to each other along a length in a region within the arc of the first pair of nerve bands.

15. The garment of claim 14, wherein a portion of the first pair of nerve bands overlaps a portion of the second pair of nerve bands.

16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the second pair of nerve bands are separated from each other in a region where the second pair of nerve bands overlap the first pair of nerve bands.

17. The garment of claim 16, wherein the first pair of nerve strips are unattached to the second pair of nerve strips for an interior portion of a region where the second pair of nerve strips overlap the first pair of nerve strips.

18. The garment of claim 16, wherein the first pair of nerve bands is coupled to a terminal edge of the second pair of nerve bands along a terminal edge such that the first pair of nerve bands is movable relative to the second pair of nerve bands along a region where a portion of one of the first pair of nerve bands overlaps a portion of one of the second pair of nerve bands.

19. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front portion of the garment comprises a section having variable elasticity.

20. The garment of claim 19, further comprising a zipper on a front portion of the garment.