EP2449901A2 - Close-fitting sports garment - Google Patents

Abstract

The garment has a textile base that is arranged in contact with a body of a user. A compression zone (5) encloses a member e.g. thigh, of the user. The compression zone is obtained by affixing a latticed film on the base. A postural maintenance zone (52) is included in the compression zone. The compression zone is designed to enclose a part of a trunk of the user. The postural maintenance zone is placed along a part of the trunk of the user without turning the postural maintenance zone.

Description

The present invention relates to fitted sportswear and in particular clothing intended for activities requiring postural support. Postural support is particularly important for endurance sports, such as running in the mountains or on rough terrain, tennis, cycling, Nordic or alpine skiing. The invention may also be useful for other balance sports such as water sports.

Requirement FR 2,889,033 describes fitted sportswear comprising portions composed of a laminated compound having one of the layers being elastic and having a plurality of cuts. Such clothing improves blood circulation and facilitates recovery after exercise but does not provide sufficient muscle support.

Speak WO 98/36652 It is known to produce fitted garments made of an elastic base fabric such as Lycra ® on which elastic resistance bands are sewn. These elastic bands exert an elastic resistance to the movement so as to help bodybuilding. However, the purpose of this garment is to muscularize the body so that it is built to resist muscle rather than postural support.

The document US 7,631,367 also describes a sports garment that includes elastic bands stuck or sewn onto the fabric, the purpose of which is to store a portion of energy produced by a muscle during a movement, to be able to restore it during the next opposite movement. Such strips are narrow and have a small size relative to the length of between 1 and 5 cm because wider bands, for example that would go around a thigh or arm would be too much resistance and would be a problem. embarrassment for the athlete rather than help.

All the prior art documents showing sportswear that have been designed for joggers or runners have been designed for sports being played on the flat, athletic track, road, etc., these sports not requiring or little postural support. Thus, these clothes are not suitable for sports requiring such maintenance and including the new practice of "Trail-running", or race on the road, including running in the mountains or rough terrain.

The trail-running is characterized by a race in a rugged environment with in particular portions with high elevation gain (amount) and portions with high altitude drop (down). When it comes up, the muscular energy developed is a power energy that requires a good blood circulation with an optimal venous return but also a good ventilation of the body. On the way down, the muscular energy developed is mainly directed towards postural maintenance. The athlete must maintain his posture, at each step, not to sag under penalty of losing the balance of the body which results in additional energy expenditure to compensate for this imbalance. The balance of the body is directly related to the position of the athlete's center of gravity. With postural support, the position of the center of gravity varies less, which is beneficial for the balance of the body. When running, the athlete adds a dynamic balance linked to his inertia. This is what makes the difference between walking down where a relative slump of the posture with each step can dampen the pace, and the current descent where this slump is much less. Consequently, also in the race, a poor postural support causes a considerable variation of the center of gravity at the origin of an additional energy expenditure, the dynamic equilibrium not allowing to completely compensate this oscillation.

The trail-running is characterized on the other hand by a very large variety of land on which the practitioners run, rocks, scree, sand, grass, earth, mud, etc ... but also by the fact that the land is usually not flat and are dotted with stones, roots, ruts, puddles, etc ... Adaptation to this variety of terrain and obstacles not only solicit the feet as is the case in the traditional jogging, but the whole body so that it constantly maintains its balance whatever the local inclination of the ground.

The practice of trail running is very recent, there is no specific product developed for it.

These balance problems and this need for compression are also found for endurance sports and / or balance as mentioned above. In alpine trekking, the constraints related to ascent and descent are similar.

An object of the invention is to provide sportswear that allow the athlete to free themselves from the disadvantages of current clothing, including providing a garment that offers an optimal compromise between compression, ventilation and postural support.

An object of the invention is also to provide clothing particularly suitable for the practice of trail running.

This or these objectives of the invention are solved by the provision of a sportswear intended to cover at least one member of a user having a textile base carried essentially in contact with the body and comprising a compression zone surrounding said member, said compression zone comprising at least one film affixed to the textile base, said film comprising a plurality of openings. The compression zone includes an exclusive compression zone and a postural support zone. The resistance to elongation of the portion of clothing constituting the postural support zone is greater than that of the portion of garment constituting the exclusive compression zone in at least one direction of stress.

The postural support zone, combined with an exclusive compression zone, enhances body support. Thus, this construction allows the user to keep a good posture during his effort. In this posture, the joints are correctly aligned which balances the stresses undergone. The user does not suffer from excessive pressure on the neck, shoulders, back, hips, knees or ankles. As a result, the joints are less stressed which allows the improvement of the range of motion, the flexibility and the functioning of the internal organs. The alignment head (ears), shoulders, hips, ankles thus contributes to the stability of the body. This postural stabilization allows a better guidance of the limbs during a movement.

In the compression zone, the garment supports the external and internal muscles, ligaments and tendons, determining factors for the user's posture. Postural support prevents sagging and therefore provides balance, stability and control of movement. The improvement of these three features significantly improves the user's performance by reducing his fatigue.

Indeed, the internal muscles supporting the spine, shoulders and pelvis directly affect the stability of the body.

The garment also allows muscle stabilization which results in a limitation of internal vibrations, especially in the muscles and joints.

According to the invention, there are two distinct compression zones whose compression characteristics vary.

The first so-called circulatory compression zone consists of body parts located below the abdominal belt. The objective sought for this zone, in addition to stability, is the improvement of the blood circulation and in particular the return of blood. For these garments, a compression of 10 to 20 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is targeted. The clothing targeted for this first compression zone is the shorts or leggings.

The second so-called detection zone of compression consists of the parts situated above the abdominal belt. The objective sought for this area is proprioception. At this level, the compression zone acts as a sensor to inform the user of the evolution of his posture. Postural support is preferred over compression. For these garments, a compression of 5 to 15 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) is targeted. Preferably, it will be sought to have a compression in this second zone corresponding substantially to half the compression obtained in the first zone. The clothing targeted for this second compression zone is T-shirts or shorts.

In this second area of compression, the internal muscles of the abdominal and lower back are responsible for the body's sensitivity to where one is in space. For example, when you lose your balance, these internal muscles in the "deep" layers of the spine can react quickly to readjust the weight distribution to regain balance. The center of gravity of the body can be adjusted quickly as soon as the body detects an imbalance. Postural maintenance limits the sagging of the body and therefore the energy expenditure necessary to make up the imbalance. The user saves forces to regain stability. It spends less energy since it must realize less compensatory movements. As a result, the athlete gets tired less.

It is therefore interesting to support these internal muscles via, for example, a T-shirt and / or shorts according to the invention.

This garment structure also allows good proprioception all along the body. The garment acts as a set of sensors allowing the user to react when his body weakens. The modification of the posture causes a local action on the garment that results in a local pressure accentuated on the body so as to alert the user of this change. The user can then react quickly. This delays his fatigue as stated previously.

• la figure 1 est une vue ¾ d'un pratiquant de trail-running équipé de trois pièces de vêtement selon des premiers modes de l'invention : un tee-shirt, un short, et une paire de jambières ;
• les figures 2, 3 représentent respectivement les vues de face et de dos d'un tee-shirt selon un des premiers modes de l'invention ;
• la figure 4 représente une vue de détail d'une portion d'une zone de compression exclusive ;
• la figure 5 représente une vue de détail d'une portion d'une zone de maintien postural ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe de détail du vêtement porté, au niveau de la zone de maintien postural ;
• les figures 7 et 8 représentent respectivement les vues de face et arrière d'un short selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en coupe de détail d'une partie de la zone de compression d'un vêtement selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 10 et 11 représentent respectivement les vues de face et arrière d'une jambière selon un des premiers modes de l'invention ;
• la figure 12 représente une vue de détail d'une portion de la zone de maintien postural selon un autre mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 13 représente une vue de détail d'une portion d'une zone de compression d'un short selon un mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 14 est une vue en coupe de détail d'une partie de la zone de compression d'un vêtement selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention ;

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating, according to non-limiting embodiments, how the invention may be implemented, and in which :

• the figure 1 is a view un of a trail-running practitioner equipped with three pieces of clothing according to the first modes of the invention: a T-shirt, shorts, and a pair of leggings;
• the Figures 2, 3 represent respectively the front and back views of a T-shirt according to one of the first modes of the invention;
• the figure 4 represents a detail view of a portion of an exclusive compression zone;
• the figure 5 represents a detail view of a portion of a postural support zone;
• the figure 6 is a detail sectional view of the garment worn, at the level of the postural support zone;
• the Figures 7 and 8 respectively represent the front and rear views of shorts according to another embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 9 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the compression zone of a garment according to another embodiment of the invention;
• the Figures 10 and 11 represent respectively the front and rear views of a leggings according to one of the first modes of the invention;
• the figure 12 is a detail view of a portion of the postural holding zone according to another embodiment;
• the figure 13 is a detail view of a portion of a compression zone of a short according to one embodiment;
• the figure 14 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the compression zone of a garment according to another embodiment of the invention;

According to the invention, each of its garments includes areas where a compression effect is obtained by a particular configuration. In a nonlimiting manner, four zones are described here: compression zone of the calf 4, compression zone of the thigh 5, compression zone of the thorax 6 and the compression zone of the arm 7. Of course, the clothes being symmetrical right / left, there is a right thigh area and a left thigh area and the same for the arm and calf, but for simplicity we will speak later of the thigh / arm / calf area. In addition, it is possible to envisage other common compression zones at the level of the forearms in the case of a long-sleeved T-shirt.

T-shirt 1 of Figures 1 to 3 consists of a textile base 10 on which are placed at different locations films. The textile base 10 consists of different main panels: a front panel 101, two side panels 102, a back panel 103, two handle panels 104, and a number of secondary panels such as that used to make the neck 11 The main panels can be assembled by various processes such as sewing, gluing or welding. The textile base can be woven or knitted. In the various embodiments described herein, the textile base is extensible and is obtained by knitting.

A first compression zone 6 is provided on the T-shirt 1, it is the chest compression zone, it completely surrounds the chest in a strip 6 of average thickness between 5 and 15 cm. In some places, such as the sternum, the local thickness of the strip may be slightly less than 4 cm. However, a certain continuity of the compression band is always achieved so that the compression zone completely surrounds the member concerned, here the torso.

According to the invention, the compression zone is not uniformly made. It is decomposed into an exclusive compression zone 61 in which a compression effect is sought and a dorsal postural support zone 62, which is less elastic.

In the compression zone, the pressure exerted on the surrounded limb is substantially uniform over the entire periphery, at a given height. Thus, whether in the exclusive compression zone 61 or in the dorsal postural support zone 62, the force exerted on the limb by the corresponding piece of clothing is equivalent. However, in the exclusive compression zone, the garment portion is more elastic and deforms to conform to the limb morphology inducing a compression effect related to the elasticity of the fabric. Muscle expansion is favored in this area. Conversely, in the postural support zone, the garment portion is more rigid, less extensible. The muscle extends little in this area which brings a muscle maintenance effect.

The dorsal postural holding zone 62 is obtained by gluing a textile film 12 on the back panel 103. The textile film can be laminated. The bonding is for example achieved by the establishment of a thermofusible film between the textile panel and the textile film.

The exclusive compression zone 61 is obtained by bonding a polyurethane film 14 on the side panels 102 and on the front panel 101.

The elongation resistance of the bonded textile film 12 is greater than that of the polyurethane film 14.

The figure 4 represents a portion of the exclusive compression zone 61. In this exemplary embodiment, the polyurethane elastic film 14 which is bonded to the textile base 10 is, beforehand, cut so as to provide a grid 17 which surrounds a plurality of openings 16 of hexagonal shape. The elastic film 14 is arranged so that two opposite sides 16h of the hexagon 16 are horizontal when the T-shirt is worn by the user. In this configuration, we speak of horizontal position of the grid constituted by the elastic film. The polyurethane elastic film 14 is therefore characterized by a film comprising a plurality of openings 16. The distribution of these openings can be regular, as is the case with figure 4 where the cuts reproduce a repetitive pattern. Alternatively, this distribution may be irregular. Other patterns than hexagonal ones can be provided such as rhombuses, rectangles, squares.

The size of the hexagons, defined by the dimension C1 taken between two opposite sides of the hexagon, and the width L1 of the film portions defining the links of the grid that surrounds them are chosen so that the compromise between the contention effect and aeration of the skin is optimized. In practice, the area of an opening 16 (part of the textile base delimited by the polyurethane film) is between 30 mm ² and 200 mm ² and preferably between 60 and 170 mm ² .

Another way of determining the correct sizing of the patterns of the cuts and the width of the links of the grid is to consider the percentage of area of openings relative to the percentage of area covered by the grid on an area entirely covered by the film 14. It will be possible to choose a repeating cutting scheme such that the total area not covered by the film 14 is between 40% and 80% of the total area of the zone considered, when the garment is not worn.

The figure 5 represents a portion of the dorsal postural support zone 62 showing the detail of the cuts made in the textile film 12 before it is glued. In the exemplary embodiment, the textile film 12 is a tight weave much less elastic than the textile base of the main panel 10 constituting the T-shirt. The thickness of this film is between 5 and 30 microns, preferably between 10 and 15 microns. It is provided, for example by laser cutting, a plurality of cuts in a repetitive pattern. It is chosen to make the cuts in a hexagonal form taking into account the advantages offered by this form, although other forms of cuts are also conceivable such as diamonds, rectangles, squares. This is the vertical position of the hexagons or grid because the textile film 12 is arranged so that two opposite sides 16v of the hexagon are vertical when the T-shirt is worn by the user.

The size of the hexagons, defined by the dimension C2 taken between two opposite sides of the hexagon, and the width L2 of the film portions defining the links of the grid which surrounds them are chosen to optimize the compromise between the postural maintenance, effect of restraint and ventilation of the skin. In practice, the area of an opening 16 (part of the textile base delimited by the polyurethane film) is between 30 mm ² and 200 mm ² and preferably between 60 and 170 mm ² .

The width L2 of the film portions defining the links of the grid is between 1 and 7 mm, preferably between 1.5 and 5 mm. Another way to determine the correct sizing of the patterns of the cuts and the width of the links of the grid is to consider the percentage of area of openings relative to the percentage of area covered by the grid on an area entirely covered by the textile film 12. It will be possible to choose a repeating cutting scheme such that the total area not covered by the film 12 is between 40% and 80% of the total area of the area considered, when the garment is not worn.

In the example described in figure 5 , the dimension C2 cutting hexagons, taken between two opposite sides of a hexagon, is equal to 10 mm. The width L2 of the film portions defining the links is equal to 3 mm. Thus, the uncoated area corresponds to about 60% of the area of the postural maintenance zone and the area covered by the film 12 is about 40% of the area of the postural maintenance zone.

It should be noted that these measurements are made while the garment is not worn, and since it is a garment intended to be adjusted to the body of the user and to compress in some places, there is has an elongation of certain portions of the garment when it is worn. It is estimated that the average elongation of the garment when in place on the user is between 5% and 25%. An optimal elongation would be about 15%.

Alternatively, the orientation of the bonded films 12 and 14 may be different.

For example, the garment may have an inverted configuration, i.e., a vertical position of the hexagons or grid in the exclusive compression zone 61 and a horizontal position of the hexagons or grid in the holding zone postural 62.

It will be noted that, in the illustrated example, said textile base 10 is made by assembling at least two panels 101, 102, 103, 104. A first film 14 is affixed to a first panel 101, 102, 104 and a second film 12 is affixed to the second panel 103.

As a variant, the orientations of the glued films are identical in the two zones 61, 62 (exclusive compression zone and postural support zone) either in a vertical position of the hexagons or of the grid, or in a horizontal position of the hexagons or the wire rack.

The figure 6 illustrates two particularly interesting effects of the device according to the invention. This is a detail sectional view of the garment worn at the dorsal postural support zone 62. When the garment is worn, the compressed regions 13a of the epidermis 13 are compressed at the level of the portions of the back panel. 103 The flexible regions 13b of the epidermis 13 which are only covered with the back panel 103 have a certain ease and as can be seen, they can very slightly swell. Thus in these soft regions 13b, the epidermis breathes better and can aerate more easily because the physiological functions that manage the thermoregulation are not hindered by too much compression. The cuts thus allow a better ventilation of the supported limb.

On the other hand, the effect of compression is partial insofar as, unlike the clothes for medical use, it does not apply to the entire surface of the muscle. Thus, it is a compression that is better suited to a sports practice requiring great ventilation to cool the muscle heated by the effort.

Preferably, the sportswear according to the invention will be worn directly on the skin of the user so that the effects of compression, postural maintenance, massage and aeration of the skin are maximum.

Another advantage related to these cuts is the lightening of the garment. Good compression can be obtained without necessarily completely covering the compression zone of a compressive tissue. The cuts significantly reduce the weight of the garment, which is also important especially for the practice of an endurance sport.

According to the invention, the compression zone at the level of the thorax is formed by the exclusive compression zone 61 and the lower part 63 of the dorsal postural holding zone 62, the one which in alignment with the exclusive compression zone 61 is a bandage completely surrounding the thorax. Relative to the circumference of the compression zone, the lower part of the dorsal postural support zone corresponds to a portion between 10% and 40% of the circumference of the compression zone. For an "L" size T-shirt with a chest measurement of 76 cm, the width of the lower part of the dorsal postural support zone is approximately 13 cm. In the example shown, for reasons of aesthetics, the cutting patterns of the PU film 14 (polyurethane) are identical to those of the textile film 12, they give an impression of continuity.

The dorsal postural support zone 62 substantially forms a "1" and comprises three parts: a horizontal low part 63, a vertical central part 64 and a horizontal high part 73. The lower part 63 connects the two ends 61a, 61b of the zone exclusive compression 61 located in the back. Thus, as we have seen, the lower part 63 of the dorsal postural retention zone 62 and the exclusive compression zone 61 form the strip constituting the zone of compression of the thorax. The dorsal postural support zone 62 rises along the spine along a band 64 which connects the center of the lower part 63 to the center of the upper part 73. The upper part corresponds to the postural holding zone of the shoulders 73. postural shoulder support zone 73 extends from the compression zone of the right arm 71 to the compression zone of the left arm 72 passing near the neck of the T-shirt. The compression zones of an arm extend from one shoulder and run along the concerned arm to the end of the T-shirt. Advantageously, the compression zone of the right arm 71 and the compression zone of the left arm 72 are also connected by an exclusive compression zone passing through the front panel 101, just below the neckline 10.

The choice of a bonded PU elastic film for the exclusive compression zone and a bonded textile film for the postural support zone is not limiting in the context of the invention. Indeed, the exclusive compression zones and the postural support zones can be made in different ways. For example, the exclusive compression zone or the postural support zone may be made by printing, that is to say depositing a material according to a repeating pattern of grid or other in liquid or semi-pasty form on a base textile. The postural support zone can also be made by affixing a less elastic PU film than that of the exclusive compression zone. In another embodiment, the textile base, the exclusive compression zones and postural support are integrally performed by knitting. In this case, the knitting of the exclusive compression zone defines a grid tightening the garment by a certain factor relative to the rest of the garment and the holding zone, included in the compression zone, defines a less elastic grid.

The Figures 7 and 8 respectively represent front and rear views of shorts according to one embodiment of the invention. This is a shorts 2 adjusted or sticky jogging mainly made by assembling different textile panels. For example, these textile panels may be made of a material similar to that sold under the trade name lycra®. Of course, many equivalent textile bases may be used in the context of the invention.

To facilitate understanding, the assembly of the different textile panels is not detailed in the figures with the exception of the hems and the belt.

According to the invention, the short is improved by the presence of compression zones comprising an exclusive compression zone and a postural support zone.

The compression zone of each thigh 5 is provided to completely transversely surround the entire limb, here the right or left thigh, or most of it. Longitudinally, the compression zone covers a large part of the main muscles of the thigh, namely, the adductors, the hamstrings and the femoral quadriceps. In practice, the longitudinal extension L5 of the compression zone of the thigh is between 5 and 40 cm, preferably between 8 and 30 cm. In this case, for shorts of size "L" (wide), the compression zone of the thigh extends over 20 cm.

The compression zone of the thigh 5 comprises an exclusive compression zone 51 placed in particular on the front and the back of the thigh, a postural internal support zone thigh 52 and the lower part 54 of an external postural retention zone. Thigh 53. In this example, the postural inner support zone thigh 52 forms a triangle whose base corresponds to a part of the circumference of the shorts at the bottom of the thigh, one side of which runs along the front of the thigh until at the top of the thigh and the third oblique side connects the top of the triangle on the front of the shorts to the end of the base at the back of the shorts, at the bottom of the thigh.

Relative to the circumference of the compression zone, the postural internal and external support zones of the thigh represent a proportion comprised between 10% and 40% of the total circumference of the thigh compression zone, as a function of the height of this zone. compression.

The external postural support zone 53 extends upwards beyond the compression zone of the thigh 5. Associated with the internal postural support zone 52, it ensures a very good stability of the posture of the sportsman, especially during the phases of descent.

In a variant not shown, only an external postural holding zone 53 is placed on the textile base, the inner zone being replaced by the extension of the exclusive compression zone 51. With such shorts, the postural support will remain present but the compression aspect will be privileged.

As for the T-shirt described above, the exclusive compression zone 51 is made by bonding an elastic film on the textile base. The film is cut in a repetitive pattern of openings all having a diamond shape. The area of the areas not covered by the film represents between 40 and 80% of the area of the exclusive compression zone thigh 51.

The outer thigh postural holding zone 53 and the inner thigh postural holding zone 52 are made by bonding a textile film 12 to the textile base 10. The textile film 12 is cut in a repetitive pattern of blanks so as to produce a mesh framing a plurality of apertures each having a diamond shape. The size of the lozenges is slightly smaller than that of the diamonds of the exclusive compression zone of the thigh 51, thus giving it greater resistance to elongation.

In an unrepresented variant of the short of Figures 7 and 8 , the postural outer leg support zone 53 extends to and including in the belt 15.

The figure 9 represents a sectional view of a short 2 according to another embodiment of the invention. The shorts are made in the same way as the shorts described in reference to Figures 7 and 8 and it includes compression zones and postural support zones placed in the same places as those of the short of the Figures 7 and 8 . The difference lies in the shape of the openings in the polyurethane elastic film of the exclusive compression zone and in the textile film of the postural support zones. These are of identical shape and size to those described with reference to Figures 2 to 5 , that is, hexagonal. Moreover, as can be seen at figure 9 , the textile film 12 is placed on the inner face of the textile base while the elastic film 14 is placed on the outer face.

Thus, the mesh film 12 which constitutes the postural support zone is directly in contact with the skin. This has the effect of improving proprioception to help the user to balance his posture, especially in the downhill phase, for trail running or performing technical gestures in other sports activities.

Moreover, we obtain a different aesthetic effect, only the exclusive compression zones being visible (externally). TABLE 1 Traction / textile base Traction / hexagon Force (N) Spacer / textile base Deviation / zone compression Short: textile base only chain 2 weft 1.5 Short: zone compression chain horizontal 5.5 x 2.8 weft vertical 6.25 x 4.2 Short: holding zone chain horizontal 10 x 5 x 1.8 weft vertical 9 x 6 x 1.4 Test tube 1: textile base + PU film chain vertical 7.75 x 3.9 weft horizontal 5.5 x 3.7 Test tube 2: textile base + textile film chain vertical 10 x 5 x 1.3 weft horizontal 10 x 6.7 x 1.8

Table -1- above shows various measures of traction performed on the short of the figure 8 as well as on two test pieces. The measurement protocol is as follows: two layers of one portion of the shorts are attached to 25 mm wide and 100 mm apart shores are pulled until an elongation of 15%. This pulling force is measured in Newton. As the measurement is made on two layers, it is easier to carry out non-destructive measurements on clothes already made.

The shorts are made by assembling warp knitted textile panels arranged in such a way that the warp threads extend vertically when the shorts are worn by the wearer. The hexagonal grids of the exclusive compression zones and the postural support zones are arranged substantially vertically, which corresponds to the configuration detailed previously in FIG. figure 5 . The "horizontal" direction of traction of a hexagon or grid, the direction parallel to two opposite sides of the hexagon and the "vertical" direction of traction of a hexagon or grid, the direction perpendicular to the "horizontal" direction. In the example of shorts, as shown in figure 13 , the "horizontal" direction of traction of a hexagon or grid corresponds to a substantially vertical direction of the shorts when it is worn. Thus, when stretching the shorts along the thigh, that is to say vertically, one exerts traction in the direction "horizontal" H of the hexagon or in the direction "chain" C of the textile base . Conversely, when a circumferential force is exerted on the thighs, that is to say transversely or horizontally, traction is exerted in the "vertical" direction V of the hexagon or in the "weft" direction. T of the textile base. The circumferential force corresponds to the effort obtained during a conventional compression of the thighs.

Specimens 1 and 2 are constituted by a textile base identical to that of the shorts on which is fixed a PU elastic film 14, respectively a textile film 12, similar to those used for the shorts, but with the hexagonal grid placed in such a way that the horizontal direction of the grid is parallel to the "warp" direction of the textile base.

The presence of the elastic film PU increases the tensile strength of the textile base in the transverse direction ("weft" direction) by a factor of between 2 and 7, preferably between 3 and 6. The increase in resistance to the traction due to the presence of the postural holding textile film is of the order of a factor of between 3 and 9, preferably between 4 and 8 in the "warp" direction as in the "weft" direction. For example, for the short described in figure 8 this factor is 4.2 for the increase in transverse tensile strength of the exclusive compression zone and 6 and 5 respectively for the increase of the transverse and vertical tensile strength of the postural retention zone.

The postural support zone is more tensile strength than the exclusive compression zone, in both vertical and horizontal directions by a factor of between 1.1 and 3. In other words, the resistance to elongation of the postural support zone is greater than that of the exclusive compression zone. The higher the resistance to elongation, the greater the tensile stress is to obtain a given elongation.

Specimens 1 and 2 show that it is possible to obtain similar results by modifying the relative orientation of the hexagonal grid with respect to the "warp" direction of the textile base. In practice, to make a sportswear according to the invention, it is possible to combine different textile panels having non-parallel "chain" directions and / or mesh films whose grids have different orientations (cf. Figures 2-5 ).

In one embodiment, shorts are comprised of a textile base, a first film in the exclusive compression zone and a second film in the postural holding zone. The elongation resistance of the second film is 1.5 to 3 times greater than the elongation resistance of the first film, preferably twice as large. The elongation resistance of the first film is 1.5 to 3 times greater than the resistance to elongation of the textile base, preferably twice as large. For a leg, the proportion between the resistance to elongation of different materials is transposable.

The Figures 10 and 11 respectively represent the front and back view of a leggings 3 according to the invention. It consists of a textile base made of an assembly of different woven or knitted panels having a certain elasticity on which a textile film 12 is fixed, defining the postural support zone 42 positioned along the tibia and an elastic film 14 defining an exclusive compression zone calf 41.

According to the invention, the calf compression zone 4 surrounds the calf of the user and is constituted by the juxtaposition of the exclusive compression zone calf 41 and the calf postural support zone 42.

Of course, the alternatives described for the T-shirt apply mutatis mutandis to the other embodiments that are the shorts or the leg and vice versa.

The sportswear according to the invention uses the same textile base 10, for example Lycra ®, to cover the body. This textile base preferably has elasticity and little compression to provide comfort and comfort to the user. To obtain exclusive compression zones and postural support zones, the garment includes complementary elements providing the desired function: compression or holding. Thus, in the absence of these additional elements, the garment comprising only the textile base exerts little or no pressure on the body, in normal use. The compression of such a garment, without reinforcing element, is preferably less than 5%. The patronage of the garment is such that it allows ease and comfort to wear.

As mentioned above, the additional elements may be a coating affixed to the fabric. This may be the bonding of an elastic film 14 for the exclusive compression zone or a reinforcing film 12 for the postural maintenance zone. It may also be the impression or the impregnation of an additional layer of a material having the characteristics of elasticity or desired maintenance. These techniques have the advantage of not adding additional seams and thus limit the risk of deterioration inherent in the seams when they are regularly solicited. In addition, the reduction in the number of seams brings an undeniable comfort of use (reduction of friction, less risk of injury).

Whether for the exclusive compression zone or for the postural support zone, the coating (film or additional layer) comprises a plurality of openings / cuts 16. These openings can take any shape. In the previous examples, they form hexagons or lozenges. The distribution of these openings in the exclusive compression zone or in the postural support zone may be random or regular. In the latter case, these openings form the patterns of a repeating pattern forming a grid. The openings allow a better ventilation of the garment as well as a lightening of the garment. The openings may be larger in the exogenous areas.

In these cases, a preliminary step consists in producing parts of a garment in a flexible pattern so that the assembly of these parts forms a conventional non-compressive or slightly compressive garment. This classic garment can be sized to provide maximum comfort to the user by choosing, for example, materials and a cut allowing little or no compression on the body.

The manufacture of the sportswear according to this embodiment of the invention comprises other steps of affixing the appropriate coating on the textile base in the ad hoc areas. A step allows for an exclusive compression zone. Another step allows for a postural support zone. These steps can be performed during the realization of the parts of the garment, that is to say, before the assembly of the different parts, or after making the classic garment.

Alternatively, the additional element is directly knitted with the textile base. The additional element does not cover the entire textile base but is knitted to reproduce a grid similar to the previous coatings. The garment will therefore have a plurality of zones consisting solely of the textile base. These areas will be surrounded by parts of the garment composed of the additional element knitted with the textile base. These areas form the repeating patterns constituting the grid. Patterns can take any form.

In any case, the number of seams can be reduced compared to a reinforcement panel that would be sewn on or with panels of compressive fabric.

These various additional elements described above are all variants forming a film affixed to a textile base.

The compression zone of the garment according to the invention surrounds the member concerned and comprises an exclusive compression zone and a postural support zone. According to a variant, this compression zone further comprises a free zone composed solely of the textile base. The compression zone may therefore consist of a juxtaposition or succession of exclusive compression zone (s), postural support zone (s) and free zone (s). However, in order to effectively obtain the desired compression at the level of the muscles, it is necessary for the free zone (s) to be weak. Preferably, the free zone represents less than 10% of the compression zone (of the periphery of the surrounded limb). Adding a free area can bring extra comfort. For example, by placing it at the sternum for a T-shirt, the user will feel less oppressed because the compression will be reduced locally, at this level.

According to another embodiment, the elongation resistance of the exclusive compression zones or the postural support zones varies according to the direction of stress. Preferably, the resistance to elongation is substantially uniform, regardless of the direction of stress. However, it may be advantageous to favor a better resistance to elongation in a specific direction of stress. For example, as shown in figure 12 , the postural support zone may have a low resistance to elongation when this part of clothing is biased longitudinally, in a direction V, that is to say, when one exerts a force along the limb surrounded and have a high resistance to elongation when this part of clothing is stressed transversely (perpendicular to the longitudinal force) in a direction H, that is to say, when a circumferential force is exerted. For example, for shorts, it allows a good maintenance of the muscles without hindering the amplitude of the movement of the thigh. It is also desirable to increase the elongation resistance in only one direction and to maintain the elongation resistance of the textile base in the other directions of stress. These illustrations can be transposed to the exclusive compression zone.

To achieve this variation in resistance to elongation, a simple solution is to use cutting patterns to create this difference in behavior. The figure 12 illustrates such a construction for the lateral postural holding zone 53 of a short 2. The textile film 12 bonded to the textile base 10 comprises several hexagonal openings 16 repeated. Each opening 16 defines a link 18 of a grid constituting the bonded film. The width L of the film portions defining the links of the grid is not constant. For example, the two opposite sides 18a, 18d horizontal of each link have a width L greater than that of the other four sides 18b, 18c, 18e, 18f of the link. Thus, when this part of the postural support zone is applied in a horizontal direction H, it stretches more difficult because of the design of the patterns of the reinforcing film. The resistance to elongation of this part of the postural support zone is greater when it is stressed in a horizontal direction H than when it is biased in a vertical direction V because, in the latter case, it is the sides 18b. , 18c, 18e, 18f finer who are solicited.

Of course, other embodiments of the links 18 may be considered to obtain this variation in behavior.

According to another embodiment shown in figure 14 , the exclusive compression zone 41, 51, 61 of the compression zone is produced by assembling a textile film 12 on the textile base 10 with an adhesion means 81 that is more elastic than the adhesion means 82 used for the compression. assembly of the textile film 12 of the postural holding zone 42, 52, 53, 62. For this exclusive compression zone, it is possible to use a hot-melt film 81 having a modulus of elasticity lower than that of the hot-melt film 82 used for the bonding of the textile film in the postural support zone. In other words, the elongation resistance of the hot melt film 82 of the postural holding zone is greater than the elongation resistance of the hot melt film 81 of the exclusive compression zone. Thus, the elongation resistance of the portion of garment constituting the postural support zone 42, 52, 53, 62 is greater than that of the portion of garment constituting the exclusive compression zone 41, 51, 61 because of the variation of the modulus of elasticity of the hot-melt film, whatever the determined direction of loading.

The use of a textile film 12 associated with an elastic adhesion means 81 instead of a polyurethane film 14 for the exclusive compression zone makes the garment more breathable, more pleasant to the touch, more aesthetic and less calorific. Indeed, a polyurethane film 14 is 100% waterproof while the textile film 12 associated with an elastic adhesion means 81 is more ventilated. On the other hand, a polyurethane film 14 exposed to the sun tends to restore heat to the part of the body covered by the film. This is not the case of a textile film 12.

The same textile film can be used for the exclusive compression zone and the postural support zone, which facilitates the manufacture of the garment. It is also possible to use different textile films, which makes it possible to obtain a greater difference in elongation resistance between the exclusive compression zone and the postural support zone by the choice of suitable textile materials.

The figure 14 illustrates an embodiment where the textile film is positioned between the textile base and the epidermis either for the exclusive compression zone or the postural support zone. One can also consider placing the textile film on the other side of the textile base, outside. Alternatively, the textile film can be placed on either side of the textile base in targeted areas. For example, the film is internal in the holding zone while it is external in the exclusive compression zone in a manner similar to the layout of the figure 9 .

By using adhesion means having different elastic characteristics, the elasticity of the different parts of the same compression zone can be varied. It is therefore possible to target specific locations of this compression zone where it is desired to maintain more or more flexibility.

It is also possible to modify the characteristics of the parts of the compression zone by varying the textile base. Indeed, it is the combination of the textile base with its coating that characterizes the compression or the maintenance of the part of the compression zone.

• le choix de la matière du revêtement 12, 14 couvrant une zone : textile, polyuréthane...
• les motifs des découpes 16 dans chaque zone : hexagone, triangle, losange, rectangle, ellipse...
• l'orientation des motifs dans chaque zone : horizontale H, verticale V
• les moyens d'adhésion 81, 82 du revêtement 12, 14 sur la base textile 10: film thermofusible, imprégnation, impression, tricotage...
• le choix de la matière de la base textile 10

Thus, the factors making it possible to vary the resistance to elongation of the portion of garment constituting the postural support zone with respect to that of the portion of garment constituting the exclusive compression zone in at least one direction of stress, can be :

• the choice of the coating material 12, 14 covering an area: textile, polyurethane ...
• the patterns of the cutouts 16 in each zone: hexagon, triangle, rhombus, rectangle, ellipse ...
• the orientation of the patterns in each zone: horizontal H, vertical V
• the adhesion means 81, 82 of the coating 12, 14 on the textile base 10: hot-melt film, impregnation, printing, knitting ...
• the choice of the material of the textile base 10

The invention is not limited to the described embodiments or examples of applications. It applies to all sports for which a similar or equivalent problem arises. <B> CLASSIFICATION </ b> 1 T-shirt 2 Short, tights 3 pad 4 Calf area 5 Thigh area 6 Chest area 7 Arm area 10 Textile base 11 Neck 12 Textile film 13 Epidermis 13a Compressed regions of the epidermis 13b Soft regions of the epidermis 14 Elastic film 15 Belt 16 Opening 16h Horizontal sides of the hexagon of a "horizontal" grid 16v Vertical sides of the hexagon of a "vertical" grid 17 Wire rack 18 link 18a Side (horizontal) of a hexagonal link (film portion) 18b Side of a hexagonal link (film portion) 18c Side of a hexagonal link (film portion) 18d Side (horizontal) of a hexagonal link (film portion) 18th Side of a hexagonal link (film portion) 18f Side of a hexagonal link (film portion) 41 Exclusive compression zone calf 42 Calf postural support zone 51 Exclusive thigh compression zone 52 Internal postural support zone thigh 53 External postural support zone thigh 54 Lower part of the external postural support zone thigh 61 Chest exclusive compression zone 61a End 1 of the exclusive chest compression zone 61b End 2 of the exclusive chest compression zone 62 Dorsal postural support zone 63 Lower part of the dorsal postural support zone 64 Central part of the dorsal postural support zone 71 Compression area right arm 72 Compression area left arm 73 Shoulder postural support zone 81 Bonding medium of the textile film in the exclusive compression zone 82 Bonding medium of the textile film in the postural support zone 101 Front panel 102 Sidebar 103 Back panel 104 Neckboard C1 Distance between 2 opposite sides of a hexagon in the exclusive compression zone L1 Width of film portions defining a link in the exclusive compression zone C2 Distance between 2 opposite sides of a hexagon in the postural support zone L2 Width of film portions defining a link in the postural support zone The Large width of film portions defining a specific link L5 Length of the compression zone of the thigh H "Horizontal" direction of a hexagon V Vertical direction of a hexagon VS Chain direction of the textile base T "Weft" direction of the textile base

Claims (14)

Sportswear intended to cover at least one limb of a user having a textile base (10) carried essentially in contact with the body and comprising a compression zone (4, 5, 6, 7) surrounding said limb, said compression zone comprising at least one film (12, 14) affixed to the textile base (10), said film (12, 14) having a plurality of openings (16) characterized in that said compression zone comprises at least one compression zone (41, 51, 61) and at least one postural support zone (42, 52, 53, 54, 62, 73), the elongation resistance of the portion of clothing constituting the postural support zone being greater than that of the garment portion constituting the exclusive compression zone in at least one direction of stress. Sportswear according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the elongation resistance of the portion of clothing constituting the postural support zone is greater than that of the portion of garment constituting the exclusive compression zone irrespective of the direction of wear. solicitation. Sportswear according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said compression zone (4, 5, 6, 7) is provided to surround a part of a limb or part of the trunk of the user and said area postural support (42, 52, 53, 54, 62, 73) is placed along a limb or part of the trunk of the user without going around it. Garment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the exclusive compression zone (41, 51, 61) comprises a first elastic film (14) of polyurethane (PU) affixed by gluing or printing on the textile base (10) . Garment according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the exclusive compression zone (41, 51, 61) comprises a first textile film (14) affixed by gluing to the textile base (10) by means of a d elastic adhesion. Garment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the postural support zone (42, 52, 53, 54, 62, 73) comprises a second textile film (12) affixed by gluing to the textile base (10). Garment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the exclusive compression zone (41, 51, 61) and / or in the postural support zone (42, 52, 53, 54, 62, 73) the proportion of area not covered by the first film and / or the second film, is between 40% and 80%. Garment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compression zone comprises a plurality of films (12, 14) arranged on the same side of the textile base (10). The garment of one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the compression zone comprises a plurality of films (12, 14) arranged on either side of the textile base (10). The garment of one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said textile base (10) is formed by assembling at least two panels (101, 102, 103, 104) and that said first film (14) is affixed to a first panel and said second film (12) is affixed to the second panel. Garment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the garment is a shorts or leggings whose compression at the compression zone is between 10 and 20 millimeters of mercury. Garment according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the garment is a T-shirt whose compression at the compression zone is between 5 and 15 millimeters of mercury. A method of making a sportswear as defined in the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a preliminary step of producing the parts of a garment according to a flexible pattern such that the assembly of these parts forms a non-compressive or slightly compressive garment; a step of affixing a first coating in a zone of exclusive compression of at least a portion of the garment; - A step of affixing a second coating in a postural holding zone of at least a portion of the garment. A method of making a garment according to the preceding claim characterized in that the coating is glued or printed / impregnated on the textile base in at least one step of affixing a coating.

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