COMPRESSION GARMENT

Abstract

In one representative embodiment, a compression garment can comprise a front portion, a rear portion, first and second side portions, wherein the first and the second side portions each have first and second end portions, a lower pelvic portion extending from the rear portion to the front portion, wherein the lower pelvic portion is releasably connected to the front portion, and a plurality of flexible support members coupled to the first and the second side portions, wherein each of the flexible support members is configured to at least substantially extend from the first end to the second end of one of the first and the second side portions.

Description

FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to the compression garments and, more specifically, to foundation garments or shapewear for post-pregnancy use.

BACKGROUND

Compression garments have many uses. For example, a foundation garment (also known as shapewear or shaping underwear) is a type of compression garment designed to temporarily alter the wearer's body shape in order to achieve a more fashionable figure. The function of a foundation garment is not to enhance a bodily feature but to smooth or control the display of one.

Compression garments can also be used, for example, to treat various medical conditions, such as diastasis recti. Diastasis recti is a medical condition where the right and left sides of the rectus abdominus (the muscle that makes up the front wall of the abdominals, also known as the “six-pack” muscle) spread apart at your midline. Diastasis recti negatively affects the strength of the abdominal wall and can aggravate lower back pain.

Diastasis recti is commonly associated with pregnancy because stretching of the abdominal area by as much as 50% can occur while a baby grows. Diastasis recti occurs most often in response to the uterus pushing against the abdominal wall during pregnancy. Increased levels of hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin, can also contribute to this condition, as they can soften connective tissue, allowing the separation to occur more easily. Diastasis recti can also occur when there is an overabundance of sub-muscular (visceral) abdominal fat.

Without treatment, diastasis recti can cause health problems including: chronic pain in the waistline, back pain, and/or an alteration of your posture due to a lack of abdominal strength and support. Although compression garments are commonly used to treat diastasis and other medical conditions, many compression garments are uncomfortable to wear. As a result, many people forego wearing compression garments or improperly wear them due to improper fit or discomfort. Thus, there is a continuing need for improved compression garments.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of improved compression garments are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the compression garment can be a foundational garment, such as girdle, which can be used during post-pregnancy recovery.

In one representative embodiment, a compression garment can comprise a front portion, a rear portion, first and second side portions, wherein the first and the second side portions each have first and second end portions, a lower pelvic portion extending from the rear portion to the front portion, wherein the lower pelvic portion is releasably coupled to the front portion, and a plurality of flexible support members coupled to the first and the second side portions, wherein each of the flexible support members is configured to at least substantially extend from the first end to the second end of one of the first and the second side portions.

In some embodiments, the flexible support members can be removably coupled to the first and the second side portions. In some embodiments, the flexible support members can be formed of metal, such as stainless steel. In some embodiments, the flexible support members can be formed of a polymeric material.

In some embodiments, the flexible support members can each comprise an elongate shaft having a serpentine portion. In some embodiments, the flexible support members can each comprise a plurality of segments connected end-to-end along a length of the flexible support member, each segment having two 180-degree turns. In some embodiments, a length of each of the flexible support members can be between 5-15 inches, or between 10-12 inches.

In some embodiments, the compression garment can further comprise a plurality of adjustable closure elements. In some embodiments, a first closure element of the plurality of closure elements can be a hook and eye closure which releasably couples the lower pelvic portion to the front portion. In some embodiments, the first closure element comprises at least two rows of eyes, each row having three eyes, and a row of three hooks. In some embodiments, a second closure element of the plurality of closure elements can be centrally positioned on the front portion of the compression garment, wherein the second closure element extends from a first end portion of the front portion toward the lower pelvic portion.

In some embodiments, a third closure element of the plurality of closure elements can be centrally positioned on the first or the second side portion of the compression garment, wherein the second closure element extends from the first end portion of the first or the second side portion toward the second end portion of the first or the second side portion. In some embodiments, at least one of the flexible support members can be disposed between the third closure element of the plurality of closure elements and the rear portion of the compression garment.

In another representative embodiment, a compression garment can comprise first and second side portions, wherein the first and the second side portions each have first and second end portions, and a plurality of flexible support members coupled to the first and the second side portions, wherein each of the flexible support members is configured to at least substantially extend from the first end to the second end of one of the first and the second side portions and comprises a serpentine portion.

In some embodiments, the compression garment can further comprise a lower pelvic portion having a width between 2-2.5 inches.

In some embodiments, the compression garment can further comprise end caps disposed on ends of each of the flexible support members.

In another representative embodiment, a compression garment can comprise first and second side portions, wherein the first and the second side portions each have first and second end portions, and a plurality of flexible support members coupled to the first and the second side portions, wherein each of the flexible support members is configured to at least substantially extend from the first end to the second end of one of the first and the second side portions and comprises a plurality of segments connected end-to-end along a length of the flexible support member, each segment having two 180-degree turns.

In some embodiments, the compression garment can further comprising a lower pelvic portion having a width of less than three inches.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of one embodiment of a compression garment with first and second closure elements each in a closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the compression garment with the second closure element in an open configuration.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the compression garment with the first closure element in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a first side of the compression garment with a third closure element in an open configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the first side of the compression garment with the third closure element in a closed configuration.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second side of the compression garment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an example of a flexible support member of the compression garment, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of an example of a flexible support member of the compression garment, according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The described methods, systems, and apparatus should not be construed as limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus are not limited to any specific aspect, feature, or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The invention is not restricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Although the operations of some of the disclosed methods are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatus can be used in conjunction with other systems, methods, and apparatus.

As used herein, the terms “a,” “an,” and “at least one” encompass one or more of the specified element. That is, if two of a particular element are present, one of these elements is also present and thus “an” element is present. The terms “a plurality of” and “plural” mean two or more of the specified element.

As used herein, the term “and/or” used between the last two of a list of elements means any one or more of the listed elements. For example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” means “A,” “B,” “C,” “A and B,” “A and C,” “B and C,” or “A, B, and C.”

As used herein, the term “coupled” generally means physically coupled or linked and does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled items absent specific contrary language.

As used herein, the term “torso portion” means the portion of a compression garment that covers the stomach and/or midsection of a wearer, and the term “lower pelvic portion” means the portion of a compression garment that extend between the legs of a wearer.

Embodiments of improved compression garments are described herein. In some embodiments, the compression garment can be a foundational garment, such as girdle, which can be used during post-pregnancy recovery. In some embodiments, the compression garment can be configured to treat, or to help treat, diastasis recti.

FIGS. 1-6 show an example of a compression garment 100, according to one embodiment. FIGS. 1-2 and 4-6 show a wearer 300 wearing the compression garment 100. The compression garment 100 can comprise a torso portion 102, a lower pelvic portion 104 releasably coupled to the torso portion 102, and a plurality of support members 106 coupled or secured to the torso portion 102.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the torso portion 102 and the lower pelvic portion 104 of the compression garment 100 can be can be formed from a single, unitary piece of material, as best shown in FIG. 3. In other embodiments, the torso portion 102 and the lower pelvic portion 104 can be formed from separate pieces of material which are coupled or secured together (e.g., sewn together and/or bonded together with an adhesive).

In some embodiments, the torso portion 102 and the lower pelvic portion 104 can be formed or at least substantially formed from a single type of material or fabric. In other embodiments, the torso portion 102 can be formed from various types of material or fabric. The torso portion 102 and/or the lower pelvic portion 104 of the can be formed from a material or fabric comprising approximately 85% polyamide and approximately 15% spandex.

As best shown in FIGS. 1-2, the torso portion 102 and the lower pelvic portion 104 can be releasably and/or adjustably coupled together by a first or lower pelvic closure element 108 which is disposed on a front portions 114, 115 of the torso portion 102 and the lower pelvic portion 104, respectively. Referring now to FIG. 3, the first closure element 108 can, for example, comprise a hook-and-eye type closure element having a row of hooks 110 secured to the front portion 115 of the lower pelvic portion 104 which are configured to releasably engage at least one row of eyes 112 which are secured to the front portion 114 of the torso portion 102. As shown, in some embodiments, the first closure element 108 can have two spaced-apart rows of eyes 112, each row have three eyes 112, and one row of hooks 110. In other embodiments, the first closure element 108 can have more or fewer than two rows of eyes 112, each row of eyes 112 can have more or fewer than three eyes 112, and there can be more or fewer than three hooks 110. In one particular embodiment, the rows of eyes 112 can be spaced by about one inch.

In lieu of or in addition to a hook-and-eye type closure, the first closure element 108 can comprise a hook-and-loop type closure (e.g., Velcro®).

Referring still to FIG. 3, the torso portion 102 can have the front portion 114, a rear portion 116, a first or left side portion 118 (FIG. 5), and a second or right side portion 120 (FIG. 6). As shown in the illustrated embodiment, one or more of the portions 114, 116, 118, 120 can be formed from a single, unitary piece of material. In other embodiments, one or more of the portions 114, 116, 118, 120 can be formed from separate pieces of material which are coupled or secured together (e.g., sewn together and/or bonded together with an adhesive).

Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, the front portion 114 of the torso portion can have a centrally disposed second or main closure element 122 extending from a first or upper end 124 of the front portion 114 toward a second or lower end 126 of the front portion 114 (e.g., toward the lower pelvic portion 104). As best shown in FIG. 2, the second closure element 122 can, for example, be a hook-and-eye type closure having a plurality of hooks 128 and a plurality of eyes 130. The eyes 130 can be configured in rows, and the hooks 128 can be configured to engage the eyes 130. As such, the torso portion 102 can be adjustably tightened by engaging a desired row of eyes 130 with the hooks 128.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, at least one of the side portions (e.g., the first side portion 118 in the illustrated embodiment) can comprise a centrally disposed closure third or side closure element 132. The third closure element 132 can extend from a first or upper end 134 of the first side portion 118 toward a second or lower end 136 of the first side portion 118. The third closure element 132 can comprise one or more types of closure elements. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the third closure element 132 comprises a hook-and-eye type closure 138 (e.g., similar to the second closure element 122) and/or a zipper type closure 140.

Referring to FIG. 3, the lower pelvic portion 104 can be a relatively narrow, elongate strip having a width W. In some embodiments, the width W can be configured to be approximately equal or slightly less than a width of a female pubic arch. For example, in some embodiments, the width W can be less than three inches. In preferred embodiments, the width W can be between 2-2.5 inches. In one particular embodiment, the width W can be 2.3 inches.

Configuring the lower pelvic portion 104 in this manner can, for example, advantageously prevent (or at least reduce the extent to which) the lower pelvic portion 104 rubs or presses against the groin muscles (e.g., the upper portion of the gracilis muscle). This can thus significantly improve the comfort of the compression garment 100.

Referring to FIGS. 5-7, each of the support members 106 (which can be called boning) can be formed from an elongate, relatively thin piece of flexible material and can be configured to be coupled or secured to a respective side portion 118, 120 of the torso portion 102. In some embodiments, the support members 106 can be removably coupled or secured to the side portions 118, 120, for example, by inserting the support member 106 into a respective receiving chamber or pocket (not shown). This can, for example, allow a wear to remove the support members 106 when washing the compression garment 100. The pockets can, for example, be formed on inwardly facing surfaces (e.g., the surfaces that face toward a wear's body) of the side portions 118, 120.

As best shown in FIGS. 5-6, the support members 106 can be configured to extend at least substantially from a first or upper end portion (e.g., the first end 134) to a second or lower end portion (e.g., the second end 136) of a respective side 118, 120. For example, in some embodiments, each of the support members 106 can have a length L between 5-15 inches. In preferred embodiments, the length L can be between 10-12 inches. In one particular embodiment, the length L can be 10.5 inches. Configuring the support members 106 in this manner can, for example, advantageously prevent the compression garment from rolling downwardly and doubling-up upon itself which can prevent the compression garment from adequately supporting the wearer and can cause discomfort.

In some embodiments, the support members 106 can be formed from a relatively flexible metal such as stainless steel or titanium. In other embodiments, the support members can be formed from a suitable relatively flexible polymeric or composite material, such as a carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CRFP). Configuring the support members in this manner can provide several significant advantages. For example, the support members 106 can provide support to a wear's sides, which can thus improve the wear's posture, while also allowing the wearer to move and bend relatively more easily compared to support members form from relatively rigid materials. It can also prevent the support members 106 from causing discomfort when the support members 106 press against the wear's body (e.g., against the external obliques and/or latissimus dorsi muscles)

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown an example of a support member 200, according to another embodiment. As shown, the support member 200 can have a serpentine portion 202 and end caps 204 disposed at opposite ends of the serpentine portion 202.

In some embodiments, the serpentine portion 202 of the support member 200 has a plurality of segments 206 connected end-to-end along a length of the flexible support member, each segment having two 180-degree turns. The serpentine portion 202 of the support member can be formed, for example, by shape-setting a flexible metal wire (e.g., a Nitinol wire) or by laser-cutting a piece of metal (e.g., stainless steel) in a serpentine shape. Configuring the support member 200 with the serpentine portion 202 can advantageously improve the flexibility of the support member 200 compared to a support member without a serpentine portion.

The end caps 204 can be configured to provide a smooth and blunt surface which can prevent the serpentine portion from uncomfortably pressing against the skin of a wearer.

In some embodiments, the serpentine portion 202 and the end caps 204 can be formed from a single, unitary piece of material. In other embodiments, the serpentine portion 202 and the end caps 204 can be formed from a separate pieces of material that are coupled or secured to each other (e.g., by welding, an adhesive, etc.).

The support member 200 can be coupled or secured to a respective side portion 118, 120 of the torso portion 102 and can be configured to extend at least substantially from a first or upper end portion to a second or lower end portion of a respective side 118, 120 (e.g., in a manner similar to the support member 106).

The technologies from any example can be combined with the technologies described in any one or more of the other examples. In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed technology may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the disclosed technology.

Claims

1. A compression garment, comprising:

a front portion;

a rear portion;

first and second side portions, wherein the first and the second side portions each have first and second end portions;

a lower pelvic portion extending from the rear portion to the front portion, wherein the lower pelvic portion is releasably coupled to the front portion;

a plurality of flexible support members coupled to the first and the second side portions, wherein each of the flexible support members is configured to at least substantially extend from the first end to the second end of one of the first and the second side portions; and

a plurality of adjustable closure elements.

2. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the flexible support members are removably coupled to the first and the second side portions.

3. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the flexible support members are formed of metal.

4. The compression garment of claim 3, wherein the flexible support members are formed from stainless steel.

5. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the flexible support members are formed of a polymeric material.

6. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the flexible support members each comprise an elongate shaft having a serpentine portion.

7. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the flexible support members each comprise a plurality of segments connected end-to-end along a length of the flexible support member, each segment having two 180-degree turns.

8. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein a length of each of the flexible support members is between 5-15 inches.

9. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the length of each of the flexible support members is between 10-12 inches.

10. (canceled)

11. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein a first closure element of the plurality of closure elements is a hook and eye closure which that releasably couples the lower pelvic portion to the front portion.

12. The compression garment of claim 11, wherein the first closure element comprises at least two rows of eyes, each row having three eyes, and a row of three hooks.

13. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein a second closure element of the plurality of closure elements is centrally positioned on the front portion of the compression garment, wherein the second closure element extends from a first end portion of the front portion toward the lower pelvic portion.

14. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein a third closure element of the plurality of closure elements is centrally positioned on the first or the second side portion of the compression garment, wherein the second closure element extends from the first end portion of the first or the second side portion toward the second end portion of the first or the second side portion.

15. The compression garment of claim 14, wherein at least one of the flexible support members is disposed between the third closure element of the plurality of closure elements and the rear portion of the compression garment.

16. (canceled)

17. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the lower pelvic portion has a width between 2-2.5 inches.

18. The compression garment of claim 1, further comprising end caps disposed on ends of each of the flexible support members.

19. (canceled)

20. The compression garment of claim 1, wherein the lower pelvic portion has a width of less than three inches.