Title: A bodice for therapeutic use.
Technical Field
The invention relates to a bodice for therapeutic use and including a back member and a chest member optionally being seamlessly interconnected and jointly defining two armholes, and where said chest member is divided along a vertical centre line.
The invention is based on the recognition that it has been found that a light massage or stimulation of a wearer's ribs, intermittent over a long period of time, from the lower end of the breastbone to about a hand's width down may improve the respiratory function of the wearer. The reason why the respiratory function is improved is not clear, but probably the wearer is consciously or unconsciously more inclined to use his/her abdominal musculature for breathing.
Background Art
A garment, particularly for women, is known, which is designed for warming the chest and abdomen. This garment can be fastened around the neck of the wearer by means of upper straps and around the waist of the wearer at the wearer's back by means of lower straps. This garment is not suitable as a therapeutic bodice, as it cannot exert pressure on the wearer's ribs directly above the rib curvature.
Disclosure of Invention
The object of the invention is to provide a bodice of the above type providing a light and intermittent massage or stimulation of the ribs located from the wearer's breastbone to about a hand's width down.
The present invention is characterised in that the length of the back member in relation to the perimeter of the armhole is in the range of 0.3 to 0.55 and that at the bot-
torn the chest member is provided with two oblong joinable portions projecting towards the centre of the bodice, said portions having a length of 0.5 to 1.2 times the length of the back member.
By the features of the invention it is obtained that when wearing the bodice with the oblong portions joined at the wearer's front and tight to the body, the wearer is provided with a light and intermittent massage or stimulation of his/her ribs located from the lower end of the breastbone to about a hand's width down. The massage or simulation is not only provided when the wearer is moving while wearing the bod- ice, but also when the person is sitting still. The bodice is suited for both adults and children. The bodice affects the mechano receptors in the skin along the ribs (contact receptors and pressure receptors), said receptors transmitting signals via nerves to the parts of the brain controlling the respiration. This process has an advantageous effect on the lower lobes of the lung, i.e. three to the right and two to the left of the front centre line of the patient; also the bronchial system seems to be straightened, perhaps because the bodice makes the person adopt a more straight posture.
According to the invention, the two oblong portions may differ in length, thereby making the bodice more comfortable to wear.
In addition, according to the invention, the width of the oblong portions may be 0.30 to 0.58 times the length of the back member, thereby allowing the massage or the stimulation to cover a suitable number of ribs.
Furthermore, according to the invention, the length of the back member in relation to the perimeter of the armhole may be in the range of 0.4 to 0.5, particularly of 0.44, and the width of each oblong portion may be 0.34 to 0.48, preferably 0.43 times the length of the back member. These proportions have proved to be particularly advantageous.
According to the invention, a layer may be provided on the inner side of or form part of the oblong portions, said layer having a slightly rough surface structure, for example a terry layer or a plastic or nylon ribbon with a slightly upright surface. A particularly advantageous chest physiotherapeutic massage or stimulation is thus ob- tained.
According to the invention, the oblong portions may be joined by means of a zipper, buttons or hooks, thereby allowing the bodice to be fastened suitably tight on the wearer in a simple manner.
Moreover, according to the invention the oblong portions, which may overlap each other when the bodice is in use, may be adjustably joined, one oblong portion being provided with a burr (Velcro) fastening member being 2 to 6 times as long as the corresponding burr (Velcro) fastening member on the other oblong portion, and that each burr (Velcro) fastening member has a width substantially corresponding to the width of the oblong portion onto which the burr (Velcro) fastening member is fixed. This allows for easy adjustment of the bodice to the proportions of a given person such that the person feels a constant light pressure on the above ribs when wearing the bodice.
According to the invention, the bodice may be made from a washable, breathable textile having a high regain, thereby making the bodice particularly comfortable to wear.
Finally, according to the invention, the oblong portions may have a width of approx. 10 to 12 cm, which has proved to be particularly advantageous.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the bodice according to the invention,
Fig. 2 is a side view of the same,
Fig 3 is a rear view of the same,
Fig. 4 is the same showing the positioning of the burr (Velcro) fastening member on the oblong portions,
Fig. 5 is an oblique front view of a woman wearing the bodice, and
Fig. 6 is a front view of a man wearing the bodice.
Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention
The bodice 1 shown in Fig. 1 includes a back member 3 and a chest member divided into two halves 2a and 2b; the back member and the chest member jointly defining two armholes 5, which jointly define shoulder straps 7. The back member and the chest member can optionally be seamlessly interconnected, as shown in Figs 2 and 3. The length 1 of the back member in relation to the perimeter p_ of the armhole 5 is in the range of 0.3 to 0.55. At the bottom, the chest member, which includes the two parts 2a and 2b, is provided with two oblong joinable portions 6a and 6b projecting towards the centre of the bodice, which is explained in greater detail below. These oblong portions have a length a of 0.5 to 1.2 times the length 1 of the back member 3.
The two oblong portions 6a and 6b can differ in length and can have a width b being 0.30 to 0.58 times the length 1 of the back member 3. The length 1 of the back member 3 in relation to the perimeter of the arm hole 5 can be in the range of 0.4 to 0.5, particularly of 0.44, while the width b of each oblong portion 6a, 6b can be in the range of 0.34 to 0.48, preferably 0.43 times the length 1 of the back member.
As shown in Fig 4, a layer 9 can be provided on the inner side of or form part of the oblong portions, said layer 9 having a slightly rough surface structure. It can for example be a patched terry layer or a plastic or nylon ribbon with a slightly upright surface.
The oblong portions 6a and 6b can be joined by means of a zipper, buttons or hooks.
It is particularly advantageous when the joint of the two oblong portions 6a and 6b, the oblong portions overlapping each other - can be adjusted; this can be obtained by one oblong portion 6b being provided with a burr (Velcro) fastening member 8b being 2 to 6 times as long as the corresponding burr (Velcro) fastening member 8a on the other oblong portion 6a, each burr (Velcro) fastening member having a width substantially corresponding to the width b of each the oblong portions 6a, 6b.
The bodice is preferably made from a washable, breathable textile having a high regain. As a result the bodice is more comfortable to wear and is easy to keep clean.
The width b of the oblong portions 6a and 6b is most preferably approx. 10 to 12 cm.
Figs 5 and 6 show how the bodice 1 is worn. The bodice is tight fitting, for which reason it is advantageous that is does not have too many seams.
The bodice is worn night and day and should therefore be washable.
The term "therapeutic" should be interpreted very broadly since it relates to both ill and healthy persons. Thus, the bodice can be used for strengthening the respiratory musculature, particularly the diaphragm, in for example athletes.
The invention can be varied in many ways without deviating from the scope of the present invention.