PERSPIRATION ABSORBING GARMENT

Abstract

In an embodiment, a perspiration-absorbing garment may comprise perspiration-absorbing material having an increased thickness at one or more edges so that, when worn on an individual's head, perspiration may be channeled away from the individual's eyebrows towards one or more side portions of the individual's forehead.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This disclosure relates to garments, such as garments that may be worn during exercise, for example, to absorb, retain, and/or dissipate perspiration.

2. Information

At times, such as during or after strenuous and/or prolonged periods of physical activity an individual may perspire profusely. Such profuse perspiration may, at times, become a nuisance to the individual, especially, for example, if the perspiration enters the individual's eyes, ears, and/or mouth. To reduce, or perhaps preclude entirely, the occurrence of perspiration entering an individual's eyes, for example, a person may temporarily halt strenuous activity, so that the individual may mop perspiration from the forehead area, for example. However, at least in some instances, such occasional or periodic halting of exercise may represent a nuisance, which may decrease the individual's inclination to perform strenuous, beneficial exercise. In other instances, such as during a competitive endurance event, such as running or cycling, a momentary pause merely for the purpose of mopping perspiration from the individual's forehead may consume precious seconds, which may place the individual at a disadvantage relative to his or her competitors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Claimed subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. However, both as to organization and/or method of operation, together with objects, features, and/or advantages thereof, claimed subject matter may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description if read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment showing placement of a perspiration-absorbing garment about an individual's head according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a perspiration-absorbing garment placed on a substantially flat surface according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing stitching of at least a portion of a perspiration-absorbing garment according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a cross-section of the perspiration-absorbing garment of FIG. 3A, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a perspiration-absorbing garment incorporating a heart function monitor along with a hook and loop fastener according to an embodiment.

Reference is made in the following detailed description to accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, wherein like numerals may designate like parts throughout to indicate corresponding and/or analogous components. It will be appreciated that components illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale, such as for simplicity and/or clarity of illustration. For example, dimensions of some components may be exaggerated relative to other components. Further, it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized. Furthermore, structural and/or other changes may be made without departing from claimed subject matter. It should also be noted that directions and/or references, for example, up, down, top, bottom, and so on, may be used to facilitate discussion of drawings and/or are not intended to restrict application of claimed subject matter. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken to limit claimed subject matter and/or equivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “one feature,” “one embodiment,” “an example,” “a feature,” “an implementation,” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the feature, example, or embodiment is included in at least one feature, example, or embodiment of claimed subject matter. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in one example,” “an example,” “in one implementation,” “an implementation,” “an embodiment,” or “in one embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same feature, example, or embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in one or more examples, features, or embodiments.

In an embodiment, a perspiration-absorbing garment may provide a comfortable, effective, and stylish solution toward absorbing and/or dissipating perspiration from the forehead, temple, or brow of an individual, especially during and after strenuous and/or endurance types of exercise. An expandable strap, such as an elastic strap, for example, may be used to join end portions of the perspiration-absorbing garment to form an approximately elliptical band, which may be worn about an individual's head. The perspiration-absorbing garment may comprise a synthetic or natural chamois material that permits absorption, retention, and/or dissipation of perspiration generated, for example, by an individual during strenuous exercise. The garment may comprise an increased width towards a middle portion of an absorbent material, which may permit increased absorption of perspiration towards the center region of the forehead than at the left and/or right sides of the forehead. In embodiments, edge portions, such as upper and lower edges when being worn by an individual standing in an upright position, may be used to join layers of absorbent material to one another. At an edge portion, such as a lower edge that may be disposed proximate with and/or immediately above one or more an individual's eyebrows, the perspiration-absorbing garment may comprise an increased thickness. Increased thickness of the perspiration-absorbing garment may enable excess perspiration to be channeled from a center region of the forehead towards right and/or left portions of the individual's forehead. Such channeling may reduce, or preclude entirely, entrance of perspiration into, for example, one or more of the individual's eyes.

In particular embodiments, a perspiration-absorbing garment may comprise a smooth material having a relatively low coefficient of friction. Use of a smooth material at a first side may, for example, reduce likelihood of the perspiration-absorbing garment chafing or abrading an individual's forehead area. A smooth material at a second side of a perspiration-absorbing garment may be useful in reducing friction between the garment and, for example, a helmet, such as a bicycle helmet, which may be worn by an individual during a competitive cycling event, just as one possible example. Accordingly, a bicycle helmet, again, just to name one possible example, may be easily slid over the perspiration-absorbing garment prior to securing the bicycle helmet to the individual's head.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment showing placement of a perspiration-absorbing garment about an individual's head according to an embodiment 100. In FIG. 1, it may be seen that garment 110 may be tapered such that a middle portion of garment 110 may comprise a width (w₁) greater than a width towards the left and or right side portions of the garment (w₂). In embodiments, tapering may permit increased absorption of perspiration at or near a center region of the individual's forehead relative to the individual's right and left side temples, for example. Elastic band 120 may join left and right side portions of the perspiration-absorbing garment to one another, which may permit an individual to situate the garment and comfortably wear the garment during many types of strenuous physical exercise.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a perspiration-absorbing garment laid flat according to an embodiment 200. In FIG. 2, elastic portions 220 and 221 may be separated from one another for ease of illustration. In embodiments, it is contemplated that elastic portions 220 and 221 would form a single, elliptically shaped band. However, in other embodiments, elastic portions 220 may be joined to one another by way of a fastener, such as a clip, clasp, catch, press-stud, button/buttonhole combination, or any other approach toward joining and/or securing portions 220 and 221 to one another. In FIG. 2, middle portion 210, which may be suitable for absorbing perspiration from a center forehead region of an individual, is shown as defining an increasing distance (e.g., width) between upper edge 230 and lower edge 240, for example.

Perspiration-absorbing material 205 may comprise two or more layers of synthetic and/or natural chamois material, for example. In embodiments, material 205 may comprise one or more layers of pliant, hypoallergenic, absorptive elements suitable for wicking perspiration away from human skin so as to promote evaporation and/or channeling of perspiration. Material 205 may comprise a high thread count material, such as a material having a thread count of 500, 800, 1000, 2000, or a greater number, for example, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this regard. Elastic portions 220 (left side) and 221 (right side) may comprise a material constructed of at least 25 percent silk, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this regard.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing stitching of at least a portion of a perspiration-absorbing garment according to an embodiment 300. As seen in FIG. 3A, stitch lines 310 and 311 may divide an edge into inner and outer zones. At an outer zone, a first stitch may tightly wrap from an inner surface of the garment, such as the surface that may make contact with an individual skin, to an outer surface of the garment, such as a surface exposed to ambient air. At an inner zone, a looping stitch may be used to join wrapping stitches through the one or more layers of the absorptive material. In embodiments, looping and wrapping stitches may form a dense weave in which, for example, individual stitches may be separated by, for example, a distance of between approximately 1.0 and 3.0 millimeters.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a cross-section of the view of FIG. 3A, at line “A” according to an embodiment. In FIG. 3B, line 350 may represent division of a first layer of absorptive material from a second layer of absorptive material, for example. As shown in FIG. 3B, an effect of wrapping and looping stitches about stitch lines 310/311 may be to increase thickness of upper and lower edge portions of the garment. Accordingly, edge portions 330 and/or 340 may be placed into closer contact with an individual's brow relative to an inner portion of the absorptive garment, such as inner portion 360. In embodiments, closer contact of edge portions 330 and/or 340 may permit excess perspiration to be channeled along, for example, stitch line 311 for drainage towards one or more of the left or right hand portions of the absorptive garment. Thus, when worn by an individual, perspiration originating, for example, from a central portion of the forehead may be drained to the side portions of the forehead, thereby reducing or precluding entirely the possibility of perspiration entry into the eyes, for example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a perspiration-absorbing garment incorporating a heart function monitor along with a hook and loop fastener according to an embodiment 400. In FIG. 4, monitoring chip 410 may include one or more piezoelectric sensors, for example, which may permit monitoring of an individual's heart rate. Electrical signals representing a monitored heart rate may be reported to heart monitor 430 worn on an individual's wrist. In one embodiment, monitoring chip 410 may transmit heart monitoring parameters using a wireless link 420, which may comprise a Bluetooth wireless link, for example, although other embodiments may make use of communications protocols other than Bluetooth, for example. In an embodiment, heart monitor 430 may record and/or display the individual's heart rate, along with the percentage of maximum heart rate recommended for the individual's age group.

In another embodiment, monitoring chip 410 may additionally comprise signal processing capabilities which may allow measurement of a heart rate waveform. Monitoring of a heart rate waveform may permit analysis of one or more portions of the heart rate waveform, such as the QRS complex or other portion of a PQRST waveform, which may indicate atrial and/or ventricular contraction. In an embodiment, heart monitor 430 may display a warning, which may indicate an anomaly in a monitored waveform, an excessive heart rate, and/or other parameters. It should be noted that monitoring chip 410 may be positioned so as to approximately correspond with the location of an individual's superficial temporal artery, although claimed subject matter is intended to embrace any location of monitoring chip 410 on the perspiration-absorbing garment of embodiment 400. Further, embodiments of claimed subject matter may include additional monitoring chips, which may be utilized to monitor heart rate parameters at other locations, and claimed subject matter is not limited in this respect.

FIG. 4 additionally indicates loop 440 and hook 450, which may permit securing the perspiration-absorbing garment of embodiment 400 about individual's head. Although embodiment 400 indicates securing by way of a hook and loop, claimed subject matter is intended to embrace any approach toward fastening a first end of a perspiration-absorbing garment to a second end of a perspiration-absorbing garment, such as by way of a clip, clasp, catch, press-stud, button/buttonhole combination, or any combination thereof.

While there has been illustrated and/or described what are presently considered to be example features, it will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art that various other modifications may be made and/or equivalents may be substituted, without departing from claimed subject matter. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation to teachings of claimed subject matter without departing from one or more central concept(s) described herein. Therefore, it is intended that claimed subject matter not be limited to particular examples disclosed, but that claimed subject matter may also include all aspects falling within appended claims and/or equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A perspiration-absorbing garment, comprising:

a perspiration-absorbing material having an increased thickness at one or more edges so that, when worn on an individual's head, perspiration is channeled away from the individual's eyebrows towards one or more side portions of the individual's forehead.

2. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 1, wherein the increased thickness at the one or more edges is provided at a lower edge of the perspiration-absorbing material which, when worn on the individual's head, is disposed proximate to one or more of the individual's eyebrows.

3. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 1, further comprising one or more elastic portions.

4. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 3, wherein a first elastic portion of the one or more elastic portions includes a fastener to fasten the first elastic portion to a second elastic portion of the one or more elastic portions.

5. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 4, wherein the fastener comprises a clip, clasp, catch, press-stud, button/buttonhole combination, or any combination thereof.

6. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 1, wherein a middle portion width is greater that a width of a left and/or right side portion of the perspiration-absorbing garment.

7. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 1, wherein the perspiration-absorbing material comprises natural or artificial chamois.

8. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 1, wherein the perspiration-absorbing material comprises a material having a thread count of between 500 and 2000.

9. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 1, further comprising a looping or wrapping stitch at the one or more edges.

10. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 9, wherein individual stitches of the looping or wrapping stitch are separated by approximately 1.0 to 3.0 millimeters.

11. A perspiration-absorbing garment, comprising:

two or more layers of perspiration-absorbing material to form at least a portion of an approximately elliptical band, the two or more layers of perspiration-absorbing material joined by a stitching along at least two edges of the approximately elliptical band, the at least two edges being separated by a larger distance at a first portion of the approximately elliptical band than at a second portion of the approximately elliptical band.

12. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 11, wherein the approximately elliptical band additionally comprises an elastic material.

13. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 11, wherein at least one of the two or more layers comprises a natural or synthetic chamois material.

14. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 11, wherein the stitching along the at least two edges of the approximately elliptical band forms an increased thickness along the at least two edges in relation to an inner portion of the perspiration-absorbing garment.

15. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 14, wherein the stitching along the at least two edges of the approximately elliptical band wrap from an inner surface of the perspiration-absorbing garment to an outer surface of the perspiration-absorbing garment.

16. The perspiration-absorbing garment of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the stitching along one or more of the at least two edges comprises individual stitches separated by approximately 1.0 to 3.0 millimeters.

17. A garment, comprising:

one or more layers of natural or synthetic chamois material stitched to one another;

an elastic material, the elastic material and the one or more layers of natural or synthetic chamois material joined to form an approximately elliptical band, the natural or synthetic chamois material stitched to one another to: channel perspiration from a center region of an individual's forehead to towards one or more side portions of the individual's forehead.

18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the one or more layers of natural or synthetic chamois material stitched to one another comprise a greater width at a first portion of the approximately elliptical band than at a second portion of the approximately elliptical band.

19. The garment of claim 17, wherein the elastic material comprises at least one fastener to fasten a first portion of the elastic material to a second portion of the elastic material.

20. The garment of claim 17, further comprising a monitoring chip to transmit one or more heart monitoring parameters.