Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
  • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
  • A41D13/0525—Loin or waist area
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
  • A41B9/00—Undergarments
  • A41B9/12—Protective undergarments
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D1/00—Garments
  • A41D1/06—Trousers
  • A41D1/08—Trousers specially adapted for sporting purposes
  • A41D1/089—Shorts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D1/00—Garments
  • A41D1/06—Trousers
  • A41D1/08—Trousers specially adapted for sporting purposes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
  • A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
  • A41D13/0543—Legs
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
  • A61F5/01—Orthopaedic devices, e.g. splints, casts or braces
  • A61F5/24—Trusses

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an article of apparel and particularly to such apparel for providing support and comfort to the groin, pelvic and
• Severe groin and adductor injuries that require surgical restorative procedures are common in sports activities involving highly strenuous movement in the pelvic area, such as athletics, football, tennis and rugby.
• the body organs tend to rip apart in the vulnerable regions.
• Numerous 'specialist' support briefs, lycra cycling shorts and groin adductor straps are known, which purport to address the injury known as "Gilmore's Groin” or "Sports Hernia”.
• the inventor of the present invention has pinpointed the problem to a lack of intensive support or compression to the inguinal ligament, the adductors and the lower back regions of the body. All the prior art documents simply flatten and spread out the vulnerable regions, which is contrary to that which is needed in order to prevent the problem occurring.
• an article of apparel for covering at least the groin region of the human body to provide compressive support and insulation to the said region, wherein the article of apparel comprises a region of material tapering downwardly towards the lower groin region, which tapering region comprises rows of parallel spaced lines of stitching in a substantially cross-hatched configuration, which rows extend across a substantial part of the said material in the groin region.
• the material in the groin region may comprise a generally V shaped region tapering towards the lower groin region, which region comprises rows of generally parallel spaced uniting lines in a generally cross-hatched configuration.
• the uniting means may comprise rows of stitching.
• the article of apparel may comprise an aperture in the lower groin region for accommodating the male member.
• the aperture may be surrounded by rows of uniting means extending circumferentially around the aperture.
• the uniting means may comprise space rows of stitching.
• V shaped rows and the circumferential rows may intermesh with each other in the region of the aperture.
• the article of apparel may comprise a pair of shorts.
• the article of apparel may comprise thigh regions for covering at least a part of the .adductor region of each thigh.
• Each thigh region may comprise compression means for exerting pressure on the adductor regions.
• the compression means may comprise straps adapted to extend
• the article of apparel may comprise an upper region provided with receptacle means for the accommodation of means having a warming or cooling effect.
• the material may comprise a synthetic rubber.
• the material may comprise a polymerised chloroprene.
• the material may comprise neoprene.
• the material in the thigh region may comprise rows of generally parallel spaced stitch lines.
• Figure 1 shows a front view of a pair of shorts embodying the present invention
• Figure 2 shows the rear view of the shorts illustrated in figure 1
• Figure 3 shows a side view of the shorts illustrated in figures 1 and 2
• Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the body region of the shorts illustrated in figure 1
• Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the leg region of the shorts illustrated in figure 1.
• figure 1 shows a front view of a pair of shorts 1 comprising a lower abdomen region 2 incorporating one or more pockets 3 at its rear region for the accommodation of heat and/or cooling pads.
• a groin region 4 having a generally oval shaped aperture 5 so as to enable the male member to breath, rather than be constrained and restricted as in conventional garments.
• the aperture is covered with a loose piece of for example lycra to give light support and protection to the genitals.
• a female version of the shorts will not have this aperture.
• the groin and inner thigh regions comprise a strong neoprene fabric 7 which provides beneficial compressive support, comfort and warmth to the areas of the body most susceptible to injury during sudden the movements involved in sports such as football and rugby.
• adjustable straps 8 are provided to give suitable pressure to the susceptible adductor muscles inside the inner thigh.
• the neoprene fabric is in the form of a quilt type padding having a series of stitch lines 9.
• the stitch lines are cross hatched and in the inner high region they parallel.
• the cross-hatched 'V section extends from the area of the inguinal ligaments, down and around the pubic area gives warmth and support to a part of the abdomen not supported by conventional support undergarments.
• Figure 2 shows the rear view of the shorts 1.
• the back part 10 comprises neoprene whilst the outer thighs 11 which do not require the same high level of support comprises a soft lycra material to provide warmth and comfort.
• Figure 3 shows the side view of the shorts and illustrates the division 12 between the neoprene and the lycra.
• Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the body region of the shorts illustrated in figurel and clearly shows the configuration of the cross hatched stitching 9. Furthermore, around the region of the aperture 5 there are rows of stitching 13 which extend circumferentially around the aperture. This configuration of stitching provides grater support and warmth to that part of the body.
• the enlarged view of the thigh region shown in figure 5 clearly illustrates the parallel rows of stitching 9 which give support and warmth to the adductor regions of the thigh.
• the strength of the neoprene fabric gives excellent all-round support but an additional strengthened section is incorporated in the rear of the lower abdomen 2 in the form of a waist band to support the lower back area.
• back supports are common to weightUfters, these are usually in the form of belts that are strapped round the waist whereas in the illustrated embodiment the back support is built into the shorts.
• the shorts are suitable for both pre-operation and post-operation usage, they are prophylactic. They can also be worn daily or during training sessions.
• shorts embodying the present invention help prevent the occurrence of injury in the first place, as well as to provide support after surgery.
• the shorts support the groin/ adductor region, pubic symphysis (muscles), pelvis, hip flexers and lower back and also assist ostispubis condition. They help to stabilise and control the inguinal (groin area) and pelvic area
• the shorts help to prevent lower back injuries, which are common in the condition known as 'Gilmore's Groin'.
• the shorts improve pelvic balance and core stability therefore reducing the risk of groin and adductor injuries.
• the shorts are carried slightly higher up the body for greater stability and the incorporation of a pouch to accommodate a heat/cold pad for the lower back region enables the participant to continue an activity session, or daily duties, without dislodging the commonly used heat/cold pad.
• Strips of sturdy neoprene run along the adductor and hamstrings to create warmth, and promote blood flow and support to areas that are extremely vulnerable during strenuous exercise and after restorative surgery.
• the built-in thigh straps 8 allow the wearer to adjust the amount of pressure to be applied to the adductor muscles in the thighs to meet his/her individual needs and comfort. This helps to prevent adductor tendiopathy (extreme tightness of the adductor tendons), which is a common cause of tears to the adductors.
• the straps 8 are sewn-in to the shorts to prevent them becoming detached during wear.
• the shorts offer more physiological support than simple mechanical support, and the main area of injury targeted by these shorts is the condition known as 'Gilmore's Groin' or 'Sports hernia' , plus associated trauma to the adductors and lower back. These conditions prevent many keen sportsmen and energetic individuals from participating in their chosen activity.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Nursing (AREA)
• Undergarments, Swaddling Clothes, Handkerchiefs Or Underwear Materials (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=43923350

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (2)

Family Cites Families (11)

• 2011
  • 2011-03-08 GB GBGB1103883.3A patent/GB201103883D0/en not_active Ceased
  • 2011-05-03 GB GB1107327.7A patent/GB2482934B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2012
  • 2012-03-05 EP EP12709352.4A patent/EP2683263A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2012-03-05 WO PCT/GB2012/000217 patent/WO2012120255A1/en active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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