Toning garment with modular resistance unit docking platforms

• US 10,124,205 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2016
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tau Orthopedics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tau Orthopedics, LLC
• Inventors: Matsuura, Belinko K., Matsuura, David G., von Hoffmann, Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): Atkinson, Garrett
• Application Number:
  US15/069,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20170259102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 1/08 specially adapted for sporting purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/18 Elastic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00061 Replaceable resistance units of different strengths, e.g. for swapping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0414 with both ends stationary during the actual exercise, i.e. moving only at intermediate locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/045 having torsion or bending or flexion element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0557 Details of attachments, e.g. clips or clamps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4009 to the waist
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4011 to the lower limbs means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057

Abstract

Disclosed is a muscle toning garment configured for use with modular, interchangeable resistance elements. The garment provides resistance to movement throughout an angular range of motion. The garment may be low profile, and worn by a wearer as a primary garment or beneath conventional clothing. Toning may thereby be accomplished throughout the wearer'"'"'s normal daily activities, without the need for access to conventional exercise equipment. Alternatively, the device may be worn as a supplemental training tool during conventional training techniques.

Claims

1. A technical garment, having a waist portion with right and left lateral sides, and right and left legs;

a first connector carried by fabric on the right lateral side and a second connector carried by fabric on the left lateral side of the garment;

wherein the first and second connectors are rotatable with respect to the waist portion of the garment in an as worn configuration by stretching the fabric in a twisting pattern concentrically about an axis of rotation through an angle of no more than about 10 degrees upon application of a rotational torque of about 8 inch pounds to the first and second connector.

2. A technical garment as in claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors are rotatable with respect to the waist portion of the garment in an as worn configuration through an angle of no more than about 10 degrees upon application of a rotational torque of about 12 inch pounds to the first and second connector.

3. A technical garment as in claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors are rotatable with respect to the waist portion of the garment in an as worn configuration through an angle of no more than about 10 degrees upon application of a rotational torque of about 14 inch pounds to the first and second connector.

4. A technical garment as in claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors are rotatable with respect to the waist portion of the garment in an as worn configuration through an angle of no more than about 3 degrees upon application of a rotational torque of about 12 inch pounds to the first and second connector.

5. A technical garment as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second connectors comprises a post.

6. A technical garment as in claim 5, wherein the post comprises at least one spline.

7. A technical garment as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second connectors is carried by a docking platform.

8. A technical garment as in claim 7, wherein the docking platform is attached to the garment by a force transfer layer.

9. A technical garment as in claim 8, wherein the docking platform is attached to the force transfer layer by stitching.

10. A technical garment as in claim 8, wherein the docking platform is attached to the force transfer layer by adhesive.

11. A technical garment as in claim 8, wherein the force transfer layer is attached to the garment by stitching.

12. A technical garment as in claim 8, wherein the force transfer layer is attached to the garment by adhesive.

13. A technical garment as in claim 1, comprising at least one panel of compression fabric.

14. A technical garment as in claim 13, wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 30% stretch prior to tensile failure.

15. A technical garment as in claim 13, wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 50% stretch prior to tensile failure.

16. A technical garment as in claim 15, wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 80% stretch prior to tensile failure.

17. A technical garment as in claim 1, wherein at least the waist portion comprises a compression fabric.

18. A technical garment as in claim 1, further comprising a third connector carried by the right leg and a fourth connector carried by the left leg for cooperating with the first and second connectors to receive a right and left resistance unit.

19. A technical garment as in claim 18, wherein the third and fourth connectors comprise openings on the right and left leg of the garment for receiving femoral levers on the right and left resistance units.

20. A technical garment as in claim 1, wherein the first connector is secured to the fabric by a first docking platform, and the second connector is secured to the fabric by a second docking platform.

21. A technical garment as in claim 20, further comprising a lever extending from each of the first and second docking platform and attached to the waist portion of the garment.

22. A technical garment as in claim 21, wherein the lever extends superiorly within 90 degrees in an anterior posterior direction from the coronal plane.

23. A technical garment as in claim 22, wherein the lever extends superiorly within 45 degrees in an anterior posterior direction from the coronal plane.

24. A technical garment as in claim 23, wherein the lever extends superiorly and resides on the coronal plane.

25. A technical garment as in claim 24, wherein the lever comprises a longitudinal axis and a transverse section which extends in a circumferential direction with respect to the waist portion.

26. A technical garment as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second connectors comprises an aperture.