US2939462A

US2939462A - Therapeutic garment

Info

Publication number: US2939462A
Application number: US755061A
Authority: US
Inventors: Marjorie P Mcclung
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1958-08-14
Filing date: 1958-08-14
Publication date: 1960-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 1977-06-07

Description

June 7,1960 M. PQMCCLUNG 2,939,462

THERAPEUTIC GARMENT Filed Aug. 14, 1958 INVENT OR 079mm: A We (Aw/6 U itd States, Pe 0."

THERAPEUTIC GARMENT Marjorie P. McClung, 111 N. Broadway, Apt. G-4, White Plains, N.Y.

Filed Aug. 14, 1958, Ser. No. 755,061

4 Claims. (Cl. 128-454) This invention relates to garments and more specifically to a novel and improved shirt or blouse and to improved means for carriage by such shirt or blouse for supporting the lower portion of the back particularly when the wearer is in a sitting position.

Numerous back supporting devices have been proposed and known structures are generally in the form of belts and the like which are not only expensive, but also uncomfortable particularly in hot weather.

While specially prepared back-supporting belts may be required for serious back difliculties, in cases where support of the back is only required in the sitting position and particularly when driving an automobile, known supportingdevices have not been found satisfactory or convenient.

This invention provides a novel and improved therapeutic garment including back'supporting means that is particularly effective for supporting the lower portion of the back when the wearer is in a sitting position and particularly when driving an automobile and prevents subjection of the back to uncomfortable stresses and strains caused by normal vibration of a moving vehicle.

Another object of the invention resides in a novel and improved shirt lengthgarment carrying back supporting means at a point below the waist of the wearer. Through a novel and improved arrangement of elements, the actual supporting element is removably held by the garment so that it can be easily removed for replacement and laundering of the garment. In this way, the garment can be cleaned in the same manner as any other similar garment and supporting pads of different materials and stiffness can be provided to meet the needs and desires of the individual wearer.

A further object of the invention resides in a novel and improved shirt-like garment adapted to receive and hold a back supporting pad at a point below the waist and held in position by an appropriate waist belt normally used with trousers, skirts and the like.

A still further object of the invention resides in a novel and improved back supporting pad adapted to be retained in position on the back of a shirt or shirt-like garment and at a point below the waist of the wearer to aiford support to the lower portion of the back particularly when the wearer is in a sitting position. In the case of a conventional mans shirt, the utilization of elongated split shirt tails aifords further support for the pad when the wearer is in a sitting position and holds it snugly against the back.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved therapeutic garment.

ment in accordance with the invention and shown position on the wearer;

Figure 2 is a back elevational view of a fragmentary part of the garment shown in Figure 1 illustrating the configuration of the shirt below thebelt line in dotted outline and in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; I

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the inside portion of the garment showing the pad receiving pocket, the tails; of the shirt and a pad about to be inserted into the pocket;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the inside of the pocketmember shown in Figure 3 prior to attachment to a garment; Figure 5 is 'a cross sectional view of the pocket shown in Figure 3 taken along the line 5-5 thereof; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the pocket shown in Figure 3 with a cornerfolded back to show the pad in position in the garment." v i For the'purpose of this description the invention will be described and illustrated in connection with a man's shirt though'it will become apparent that it may be used in connection with any shirt-like structure and similar garments.

The therapeutic shirt in accordance with the invention is generally denoted by the numeral 10 and affords the appearance'of a conventional shirt. The back portion'of the shirt is preferably provided with'elongated tails 11 that The invention also provides an improved shirt or blouse Figure 1 is a rear oblique perspective view of a garextend downwardly and at least partially into the legs of the trousers 12 as shown in Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the adjoining edges of the elongated tails 11 meet at a central point'13 preferably positioned well above the crotch of the wearerso that the tails can extend into the trouser legs as illustrated, and permit the back panel 14 to lie flat against the back of vthe wearer. In normal practice the meeting point 13 of the tails 11 is positioned slightly above the bottom of the spine. 1'

A pocket 15 of a generally square configuration is sewn to the inside of the back panel so that the top edge 16 of the pocket is slightly below the waist of the wearer as defined by the belt B as shown in Figure 2. The bottom of the pocket extends partially into the tails 11 of the shirt and the center portion of the pocket has a V- shaped cut-out coinciding with the configuration of the adjoining edges of the tails. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the pocket 15 is sewn to the shirt along the side edges 17, the bottom edges 18 and along the edges 19 of the apex'13 as shown in Figure 3. The upper edge 16 of the pocket is provided with an internal flap 20 extending downwardly inside the pocket a short distance to receive and hold the back supporting pad 21 as will be observed more clearly in Figure 6. The pad 21 may be formed of any desirable material as, for instance, a heavy fabric felt or felt reinforced by a suitable metallic material that will oifer the desired support. The configuration of the pad 21 coincides with that of the pocket 15 and the bottom edge 22 of the pad includes a V-shaped cut-out 23 to accommodate a V-shaped configuration inthe bottom edge of the pocket as previously described. Inasmuch as the V-shaped indentation terminates at the point 13 which is preferably disposed slightly above the lower end of the spine of the wearer, the pad will afiord support for the back and will not interfere with or press against the bottom end of the spine when the wearer is in a sitting position.

When the pad 21 is inserted in the pocket 15, the pocket flap 20 is lifted up so that the pad can be inserted beneath this flap. This is shown in Figure 6 wherein a corner of the pocket 15 has been folded back to show the pad 21 engaged with the pocket flap 20.

While the pocket 15 may be sewn to the shirt panel 14 in any desired manner, it is preferable to secure it to ,lfatented June7, 1 960.

3 thebacik panel in a manner that will produce seams having bulkiness and afford ample space for receipt of the pad 21. A preferred mode of attachment is shown in Figure 5 wherein inside seams are used along the edges 19 to permitexpansion of the pocket about the V-shaped lower portion should a relatively heavy pad beinserted in the pocket.

The unique design and arrangement of elements in accordance with the invention provides a back supporting pad that will be maintained in its proper position without the need of any auxiliary straps, bands or any other similar device. In the instant embodiment of the invention, the top edge 16 of the pocket 15 is disposed slightly below the waist of wearer so that the belt B functions to hold the pad against upward motion and thereby retain it in proper position on the wearer. The tails 11, which extend downwardly into the pant legs, prevent lateral shifting of the back portion of the shirt, and consequently the pad, so that the pad will be maintained in a centered position. In addition,- the use of extended tails which underlie the-wearer when in the sitting position prevents the pad from shifting upwardly and does not place any stress or pressure on the underside of the spine.

It is to be understood that the improved shirt alone and in combination with the pad may be formed in any desired manner. For instance, the V-shaped opening 13 between the rear tails may be in the form of a sharp V or may be curved or even rectangular provided that the uppermost part of said opening be well above the crotch so that the shirt will lie flat against the back of the wearer. Furthermore, the pocket and pad may be of any desired shapeor configuration as may be desired.

While only one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is apparent that modifications, alterations and changes may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A therapeutic garment comprising a shirt-like structure including a back panel, said back panel terminating at its lower end in apair of elongated tails with the adjoining edges of said tails forming a V-shaped opening, a pocket secured to said back panel with its bottom edge below the meeting point of said adjoining edges and having a central V-shaped cut-out conforming with the V- shaped opening between the tails, and a pad removably positioned in a said pocket, said pad having a V-shaped configuration in the lower edge thereof conforming with said central cut-out in said pocket.

2. A therapeutic garment comprising a shirt-like structure having a back panel adapted to extend substantially below the waist of the wearer, a pocket carried by said back panel at a point just below the waist and overlying the lower portion of the back of the wearer, and a back supporting pad carried in said pocket, said pad and pocket adapted to be maintained in position by a waist encircling belt for supporting a depending lower garment.

3. A therapeutic garment according to claim 2 including means on said pocket for retaining said pad in position therein.

4. A therapeutic garment according to claim 2 wherein the bottom edge of said pad includes a shallow cutout portion disposed centrally thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,129,577 Guerin Sept. 6, 1938 2,398,428 Hirlund Apr. 16, 1946 2,481,291 Coleman Sept. 6, 1949 2,617,412 Steinberger Nov. 11, 1952