Posture support vest

Abstract

A posture support vest, including a bodysuit having an elastic waistband for slimming the abdomen, elastic shoulder straps for helping to keep the shoulders and back straight, and a bottom strap to prevent the waistband from slipping upward. The bottom strap also allows the user to maintain proper vertical tension in the back of the garment. Also included is a method for correcting and maintaining good posture.

Description

Applicant claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/482,868 filed May 5, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to corrective garments for helping individuals to achieve and maintain good posture.

BACKGROUND

Good posture makes a good impression. Most people respect and admire individuals who keep their shoulders back and their spine straight. Also, the many health benefits of good posture have been proven scientifically, by several medical disciplines, including osteopathy, podiatry, chiropractic medicine, and physical therapy. A lifelong habit of good posture can add several years to your life.

Many prior corrective vests have been promoted, consisting primarily of waistbands and shoulder straps. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 7,842,000. Most of the prior vests have been unpopular and relatively ineffective. The waistbands tend to move (or “ride”) upward on the body, which loosens or eliminates the tension intended for shoulder support. If the waistband is tightened enough to prevent riding, it becomes uncomfortable. Some prior designs have caused unsightly bumps and ridges to show through the outer clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention provides a one-piece garment for posture support, comprising a bodysuit having a band that wraps around the abdomen, including one or more elastic segments for holding and firming the waistline. Shoulder straps extending from the upper body portion also include one or more elastic segments for placing tension to keep the shoulders back. In order to prevent the abdominal band from slipping upward, a bottom strap or band is provided, as an extension from the lower rear of the bodysuit, to be placed between the user's legs, and connected to the lower front of the waist band. The bottom strap is preferably connectable to the waist band at several different levels, which provides the strap with adjustable length, in order to maintain proper vertical tension in the back of the garment. This allows the user to select an adjustable amount of tension in the back, so the shoulder straps will place more or less pressure on the shoulders, as desired. Some users will prefer constant pressure on the shoulders, while others may want little or no pressure, until their shoulders begin to slump forward.

All non-elastic parts of the garment are preferably made of lightweight, sturdy fabric, selected to create sleek, slim lines that do not show through the outer clothing. The choice of fabric is a matter of personal preference, including cotton, rayon, linen, and many other fabrics, both natural and synthetic. The shoulder straps may have adjustable length, provided by multiple levels of fasteners.

The waistband is adjustable, to accommodate large and small waistlines. A one-piece garment is preferable, for convenience, but of course the garment can be divided into two or more pieces, without departing from the concept and purpose of the invention.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a mannequin wearing the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the mannequin wearing the garment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EXAMPLE

As shown in FIG. 1, the garment includes a body portion 11, an elastic waistband 12, hooks 13, Waist band extension 14 having plural rows of loops connectable with hooks 13, and tab 15 having plural rows of loops connectable with bottom strap 16 by hooks on extension 17. Elastic shoulder straps 18 extend from the upper end of body 11, and are connected at the other end to an intermediate location at each side of body 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the garment of FIG. 1 is fitted on a mannequin by placing straps 18 over the shoulders, by wrapping waistband 12 around the abdomen, and by connecting hooks 13 with loops provided on extension 14. Bottom strap 16 is placed between the legs, and connected to tab 15 by inserting hooks on 17 into loops provided on tab 15.

The garment is readily adaptable to a variety of body shapes and sizes. It is also adaptable to individuals having more or less severe posture problems. For example, stronger elastic in the waist band is selected for those who need more correction in the abdomen. Stronger elastic in the shoulder straps is selected for those who need more correction in the shoulders. In the example shown, the elastic portion of the waist band measures 10″ long and 6″ wide. Five pounds of force is required to stretch the length by one inch. But stronger or weaker elastic may be selected, within a preferred range of 3 to 8 pounds to stretch the band one inch.

As shown in FIG. 3, the opposite side of the garment reveals loops 19 on extension 14, and multiple rows of hooks on tab 15. The other parts and numbers are the same as in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, bottom strap 16 loops between the legs and fastens in the front to tab 15 (FIG. 1) where it can be adjusted to provide more or less tension in the back, and in shoulder straps 18. Hooks and loops have been selected as fasteners for the waist band, and for the bottom strap, but other fasteners, such as Velcro and snaps are also suitable. One elastic segment has been selected for the waist band, and one for each shoulder strap. But two or more elastic segments are also suitable.

Another aspect of the invention provides a method for correcting and maintaining good posture, including the step of wearing the garment of the invention; the step of adjusting the length of the waist band; and the step of adjusting the length of the bottom strap to provide the desired amount of tension in the shoulder straps.

Claims

1. A garment for improving posture, comprising a body portion that includes an elastic abdominal band for firming the waistline;

elastic shoulder straps for placing tension on the shoulders; and

a bottom portion to be located between the user's legs, said bottom portion connected to the front and rear of the body portion, to prevent the abdominal band from moving upward.

2. A garment as in claim 1, wherein said abdominal band includes at least two elastic segments.

3. A garment as in claim 1, wherein each shoulder strap includes at least two elastic segments.

4. A garment as in claim 1, wherein said bottom portion is a lower extension at the rear of the body portion, and connectable to the front of the body portion.

5. A garment as in claim 1, wherein the length of said bottom portion is adjustable.

6. A garment as in claim 1, wherein the length of each shoulder strap is adjustable.

7. A garment as in claim 1, wherein the length of said abdominal band is adjustable.

8. A method for posture control including the steps of placing the garment of claim 5 on a person's body, and adjusting the length of said bottom portion to provide the desired amount of vertical tension in the back of the garment.

9. A method as in claim 8, further including the step of adjusting the waistband to provide greater slimming of the waistline.