Anti-osteoarthritis and anti-hypothermia garment and device

• US 6,996,848 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2002
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Archie R. Donaldson
• Original Assignee: Archie R. Donaldson
• Inventors: Donaldson, Archie R.
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, TAJASH D
• Application Number:
  US10/317,144
• Publication Number:
  US 20030079268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,160 Days
• Field of Search: 245/5, 245/6, 2 1/6, 2 5/9, 2 6/0, 2 6/1, 2 6/2, 2 6/9, 246/5, 2 2/2, 2 2/4, 2/215, 2 7/9, 2/1, 245/8, 246/8, 2 44- 45, 2 8/7, 2/216, 2 9/3, 2 9/4, 2 9/7, 210/2, 210/8, 211/4, 215/9, 216/2, 223/9, 222/7, 231/1, 226/8, 291/0, 291/5, 291/7, 291/9, 212/5, 212/6, 217/0, 290/5, 290/6, 128/878, 128881-882, 602 2- 7, 602/20, 602/23, 602/25, 602/26, 602/27, 602/61, 602/63, 602/64, 602/65, 602/75, 602/76, 607/96, 607/108, 607/117, 219/527, 219/529, 219/211
• US Class Current: 2/16
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1236 Patients' garments
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/1263 Suits
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2400/32 Therapeutic use
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/065 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/102 Waterproof and breathable
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/185 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/26 another layer next to it also being fibrous or filamentary relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 9/04 comprising such particular substance as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a glass layer B32B17/06; layered products with at least two ceramic layers composed mainly of ceramic B32B18/00

Abstract

A multilayered material is provided that exhibits therapeutic effects for relieving the pain and swelling of various forms of arthritis (particularly osteoarthritis), delaying the onset of osteoarthritis, or preventing hypothermia or alleviating conditions caused by hypothermia. The flexible, breathable multilayered material includes a first layer of soft and hypoallergenic material (e.g., cotton, silk, linen), a second layer of soft, heat retentive material (e.g., wool, cashmere) contacting the first layer, and a third layer of water repellent material contacting the second layer. Additionally, the multilayered material provides a thin, flexible, breathable fabric that can be used to construct various garments, devices, and gears to combat harsh weather conditions.

Claims

1. A breathable body joint covering, comprising:

a breathable multilayered material applied to a joint and retaining body heat in the joint for providing one of treatment of arthritis and reducing effects of hypothermia, wherein the multilayered material includes,

an inner tubular layer of soft, lightweight flexible fabric material that is hypoallergenic,

a middle tubular layer of soft, lightweight flexible fabric material having high heat retention characteristics, and

an outer tubular layer of lightweight flexible synthetic material having water repellent characteristics,

wherein the inner layer is loosely worn around the joint while retaining retain heat thereabout.

2. A body joint covering according to claim 1, wherein the body joint covering is sewn into a garment.

3. A therapeutic pad for covering a body part, comprising:

a breathable multilayered material loosely applied to the body part as to retain body heat for providing one of treatment of arthritis and reducing effects of hypothermia, wherein the multilayered material includes,

an inner tubular layer of soft, lightweight flexible fabric material that minimizes irritation to the body part,

a middle tubular layer of soft, lightweight flexible fabric material having high heat retention characteristics, and

an outer tubular layer of lightweight flexible synthetic material having water repellent characteristics.

4. A pad according to claim 3, wherein the multilayered material is breathable.

5. A pad according to claim 3, wherein the pad is sewn into a garment.

6. A method of constructing a therapeutic device for covering a body part, comprising:

stitching a panel of a breathable multilayered material, the multilayered material being breathable and loosely applied to the body part to create an air gap as to retain body heat for providing one of treatment of arthritis and reducing effects of hypothermia, wherein the multilayered material includes,

an inner tubular layer of soft, lightweight flexible fabric material that minimizes irritation to the body part,

a middle tubular layer of soft, lightweight flexible fabric material having high heat retention characteristics, and

an outer tubular layer of lightweight flexible synthetic material having water repellent characteristics.