Full Length Padded Compression Garment

Abstract

A garment having both compression and integrated padding extending from the waist of a wearer to the lower extremities of the wearer. Preferably the garment includes hip pads, tailbone pads, thigh pads, and kneepads. The integration of full-length compression with padding provides support and protection during activities.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/927,662 filed 15 Jan. 2014 to the above named inventors, and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an extended length padded compression pant.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that an increase in muscle temperature can result in an increase of muscle performance. One way to increase muscle temperature is through the use of a compression tight, girdle, or sleeve. These compression garments are often tight fitting and worn underneath a uniform or clothing. Typically, a user may use multiple types of compression garments in practice or competition. For example, a user may wear a compression tight extending to their knee and then a separate compression sleeve on their lower leg over the muscle area.

Alternately, compression tights, girdles, and sleeves, can be provided with integrated padding or sleeves for the insertion of padding. Typically, garments with integrated padding and compression are only provided in selective lengths and do not extend the entire length of a wearers lower extremities. Often, a user will wear a girdle with padding having a length from the lower back to the mid or lower thigh and an additional pair of knee pads or shin pads contained within a compression sleeve. This configuration provides a break in compression and adds unnecessary seams, layers, and bulk.

Further, it is known that some competition requirements and uniform rules only allow for one continuous compression garment or, if multiple compression garments are worn, there must a distinct segmentation between regions of the various garments. This gap can create a loss of protection and a loss of heat and desired compression. Due these disadvantages it desired that a garment have, in combination, a full-length compression region with integrated padding in distinct protective zones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved compression garment with integrated padding in key protection areas. The garment is provided in a length extending from the waist of a wearer to the lower legs. The garment includes compression and thermal warming regions in key areas to protect, heat, and support muscles. The padding is located in distinct areas to protect the body of the wearer from impact and abrasive injuries. These key areas include but are not limited to the tailbone, hips, things, knees, and shins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to further explain the principles of the invention. Other aspects of the invention and the advantages of the invention will be better appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the Detailed Description when considered in conjunction with accompanying drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front side view of the garment, according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a rear side view of the garment, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Before the present invention is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries.

References in the specification to “one embodiment” indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The following explanations of certain terms are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. These terms have their ordinary meanings given by usage in the art and in addition include the following explanations.

As used herein, the term “and/or” refers to any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms “include,” “for example,” “such as,” and the like are used illustratively and are not intended to limit the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.

As used herein, the terms “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGS, with “front,” “back,” and “rear” being relative to the apparatus. These terms are not meant to limit the elements that they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2 a front side and rear side view of a full length padded compression garment according to the present invention and generally referred to as 10. The garment 10 is designed to provided both direct and regionalized compression to designated areas of the lower body of a wearer. The full-length nature of the garment 10 provides a continuous structure to warm muscles, joints, tendons and the bones of the wearer. The garment 10 is sized according to the size of the wearer and therefore will be provided in several sizes to accommodate wearers of differing sizes and heights. Preferably, the garment 10 sizes will provide a size range to accommodate most wearer's physical characteristics.

The garment 10 includes a waistband 100 designed to secure the garment 10 around the torso of the wearer. The garment 10 extends the length of the wearer's lower extremities and culminates at a cuff 105. The cuff 105 secures the garment 10 around the lower part of legs of the wear and is designed to help hold the garment 10 in place and keep the garment from riding up during use. The preferred lengths of the garment 10 are full-length with the cuff 105 extending to the ankle of the wearer or ¾ length with the cuff 105 extending to the mid calf or shin region of the wearer. The garment 10 includes compression-designated zones 104 throughout the garment 10. The compression-designated zones 104 are constructed of elastic or spandex like material and designed to compress the wearer's body to aid in blood flow and the removal of lactic acid.

In addition to compression, the garment 10 includes integrated padding to protect the wearer. This padding can be provided permanently within the garment 10 or be removable and located within a sleeve on either an exterior or an interior side of the garment 10. Preferably, this padding is breathable and permanently affixed to the garment 10. Preferably, the padding is formed of an individual gel or foam cell and arranged in groups with other cells to form a mass of padding. The small gaps between individual cells of padding allow for breathability. In the preferred embodiment, the pads are located in distinct regions to provide protection, these area include, but are not limited to the hip region, the thigh region, the tailbone region, the knee region, and the shin region.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the garment 10 is shown with a pair of hip pads 101 designed and placed to protect the hip bones of the user, a pair of thigh pads 102 designed and placed to protect the quadriceps or thighs of the user, a tailbone pad 103 designed and placed to protect the coccyx or tailbone of the user, and a pair of knee pads 106 designed in an elongated fashion to protect both the knees and the shins of the wearer.

In addition to padding and compression, the garment 10 may include a pouch 107 to support a protective cup or a pelvic protector to offer protection for the genital region of the wearer. This pouch is designed to be universal and allow for allow for the insertion of several shapes and sizes of protective cups and protectors.

The garment 10 may be constructed of several different types of materials and distinct panels of differing types of materials may be used to improve the performance of the garment 10. The panels may be comprised of para-aramid synthetic fibers, known by the common trade name of Kevlar® to provide superior strength and abrasion resistance. These materials and panels may allow for added compression in a given area or allow for the flow of air to offer breathable properties. In one such configuration, compression and thermal areas are interspersed throughout the garment to create distinct zones of compression and thermal warming. These zones keep the wearer comfortable and supported throughout the period of wearing.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) but that the invention will include all embodiments falling with the scope of the specification.

Claims

1. A compression garment for sports competition for use by a wearer, the garment comprising:

a waistband, the waistband extending around the torso of the wearer and designed to secure the garment around the torso;

a pair of cuffs, each cuff located on an opposed lower leg of the wearer below the calf muscle of the wearer, the cuff securing the garment to the lower leg region of the wearer;

a fabric having elastic properties and designed to provide a continuous compression force around the lower extremities of a wearer, the fabric extending from the waistband to the cuff and encompassing the legs of the wearer, the fabric defining a hip region, a tailbone region, a thigh region, a crotch region, a shin region, a knee region; and

a plurality of pads, the pads integrated into the fabric and located at the hip region, tailbone region, thigh region, shin region, and knee region, wherein the pads offer protection from contact injuries.

2. A compression garment as in claim 1, wherein the fabric includes a plurality of panels comprised of para-aramid synthetic fibers.

3. A compression garment as in claim 1, wherein the crotch region includes a pouch, the pouch designed to receive a protective cup.

4. A compression garment as in claim 1, wherein the shin region and knee region are protected by one continuous pad.

5. A compression garment as in claim 1, wherein the pads are provided within a sleeve, the sleeve integrated into the fabric.

6. A compression pant for use by a wearer, the compression pant providing continuous compression to support the lower extremities of the wearer, the compression pant comprising:

a garment of multiple fabric panels, the fabric panels sewn together to provide a continuous compression force to the body of the wearer, the garment extending from a torso of the wearer to a lower leg of the wearer culminating at a region below the calf muscle of the wearer, the garment defining a hip region, a tailbone region, a thigh region, a crotch region, a shin region, and a knee region;

a waistband, the waistband extending around the torso of the wearer and designed to secure the garment around the torso;

a pair of cuffs, each cuff located on an opposed lower leg of the wearer below the calf muscle of the wearer, the cuff securing the garment to the lower leg region of the wearer; and

a plurality of pads, the pads integrated into the garment and located at the hip region, tailbone region, thigh region, shin region, and knee region, wherein the pads offer protection from contact injuries.

7. A compression pant as in claim 5, wherein the fabric panels are comprised of elastic fabric panels and fabric panels of para-aramid synthetic fibers.

8. A compression pant as in claim 5, wherein the crotch region includes a pouch, the pouch designed to receive a protective cup.

9. A compression pant as in claim 5, wherein the shin region and knee region are protected by one continuous pad.

10. A compression pant as in claim 5, wherein the pad is removably integrated into a sleeve, the sleeve provided in the garment.