Garment for elevating physiological load under motion

• US 9,375,603 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2015
• Issued: 06/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2009
• 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): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US14/887,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20160038783A1
• Time in Patent Office: 253 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1-148
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/002 Monitoring the patient using a local or closed circuit, e.g. in a room or building A61B5/0017 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1118 Determining activity level
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/22 Ergometry; Measuring muscular strength or the force of a muscular blow exercising apparatus A63B21/00 ; measuring of work or force in general G01L
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/389 Electromyography [EMG]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4866 Evaluating metabolism A61B5/083 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0004 Exercising devices moving as a whole during exercise bar bells or dumb bells A63B21/072; on wheels A63B22/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00185 using resistance provided by the user, e.g. exercising one body part against a resistance provided by another body part A63B21/068 takes precedence; isometric exercise A63B21/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00189 using resistance provided by plastic deformable materials, e.g. lead bars or kneadable masses resilient force-resistors made of material having high internal friction A63B21/028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0083 of the piston-cylinder type using pneumatic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0087
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00845 using electrorheological or magnetorheological fluids
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0087 of the piston-cylinder type using hydraulic piston-cylinder type force resistors A63B21/0083
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/02 using resilient force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/023 Wound springs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/028 made of material having high internal friction, e.g. rubber, steel wool, intended to be compressed resistance provided by plastic deformable materials A63B21/00189
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0552 : Elastic ropes or bands
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/159 : Using levers for transmitting forces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/16 : Supports for anchoring force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4001 : Arrangements for attaching the exercising apparatus to the user's body, e.g. belts, shoes or gloves specially adapted therefor weights worn on the user's body A63B21/065; exoskeletons in general B25J9/0006, for aiding patients or disabled persons to walk about A61H3/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4011 : to the lower limbs means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B69/0057
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4017 : to the upper limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4025 : Resistance devices worn on the user's body A63B21/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4039 : contoured to fit to specific body parts, e.g. back, knee or neck support arrangements for attaching exercising apparatus to the user's body A63B21/4001; handles, pedals, bars or platforms A63B21/4033
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 : Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4047 : Pivoting movement weight pivoting A63B21/0615
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/14 : specially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/02 : with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 : with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/44 : Angular acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 : Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 : with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 : Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 : Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/202 : glucose
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/205 : P-CO2, i.e. partial CO2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/207 : P-O2, i.e. partial O2 value
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/42 : rate
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/50 : temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/60 : muscle strain, i.e. measured on the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/65 : skin conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 : calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/02 : for the abdomen, the spinal column or the torso muscles related to shoulders (e.g. chest muscles)
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/04 : for lower limbs training appliances for special sports A63B69/00; for the purpose of producing mechanical power F03G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0482 : primarily by articulating the hip joints A63B23/0211, A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0494 : primarily by articulating the knee joints A63B23/0405, A63B23/0476 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1245 : Primarily by articulating the shoulder joint A63B23/129 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/1281 : primarily by articulating the elbow joint
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 : for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02

Abstract

Disclosed is a garment configured to receive resistance elements for elevating physiological load under motion. The garment includes left and right docking platforms for receiving left and right resistance elements which provide 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. Force transfer layers may be provided to transmit torque from the docking platforms to the garment while minimizing stretching or wrinkling of the garment. The garment may be a compression garment, including or constructed from fabric having at least about 30% stretch prior to tensile failure. Sensors may be provided for sensing any of a variety of biometric parameters and for determining exerted power or calories consumed.

Claims

1. A garment for elevating physiological loading at the hip of a wearer, comprising:

a waist;

a left leg, extending across a left hip;

a right leg, extending across a right hip;

a left docking platform at the left hip, for receiving a left resistance unit;

a right docking platform at the right hip, for receiving a right resistance unit;

a left force transfer layer connected to the left docking platform and the garment;

a right force transfer layer connected to the right docking platform and the garment;

a left connector on the left docking platform for engaging a left resistance unit; and

a right connector on the right docking platform for engaging a right resistance unit;

wherein the left connector comprises a post carried by the left docking platform.

2. A garment as in claim 1, further comprising an opening on the left leg of the garment for receiving a femoral lever on left the resistance unit.

3. A garment as in claim 1, wherein the left force transfer layer comprises a plurality of strands extending approximately at a tangent around the left docking platform to optimize resistance to rotation of the docking platform relative to the garment.

4. A garment as in claim 3, wherein the left force transfer layer comprises a fabric.

5. A garment, as in claim 1, wherein the left docking platform is attached to the force transfer layer by stitching.

6. A garment as in claim 1, wherein the left docking platform is attached to the force transfer layer by adhesive.

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

8. A garment as in claim 7, wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 30% stretch prior to tensile failure.

9. A garment as in claim 7, wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 50% stretch prior to tensile failure.

10. A garment as in claim 8, wherein each of the left and right docking platforms can receive at least about 10 inch pounds of rotational torque while minimizing stretching or wrinkling of the garment.

11. A garment as in claim 8, wherein each of the left and right docking platforms can receive at least about 15 inch pounds of rotational torque while minimizing stretching or wrinkling of the garment.

12. A garment as in claim 7, wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 80% stretch prior to tensile failure.

13. A lower body toning garment as in claim 8, wherein each of the left and right docking platforms is configured to removably receive left, and right resistance units.

14. A lower body toning garment as in claim 8, wherein each of the left and right docking platforms is configured to permanently carry left and right resistance units.

15. A garment for elevating physiological loading at the hip of a wearer, comprising:

a waist;

a left leg, extending across a left hip;

a right leg, extending across a right hip;

a left docking platform at the left hip, for receiving a left resistance unit;

a right docking platform at the right hip, for receiving a right resistance unit;

a left force transfer layer connected to the left docking platform and the garment;

a right force transfer layer connected to the right docking platform and the garment;

a left connector on the left docking platform for engaging a left resistance unit; and

a right connector on the right, docking platform for engaging a right resistance unit;

wherein the left connector comprises an aperture carried by the left docking platform.

16. A garment as in claim 15, further comprising an opening on the left leg of the garment for receiving a femoral lever on left the resistance unit.

17. A garment as in claim 15, wherein the left force transfer layer comprises a plurality of strands extending approximately at a tangent around the left docking platform to optimize resistance to rotation of the docking platform relative to the garment.

18. A garment as in claim 17, wherein the left force transfer layer comprises a fabric.

19. A garment as in claim 15, wherein the left docking platform is attached to the force transfer layer by stitching.

20. A garment as in claim 15, wherein the left docking platform is attached to the force transfer layer by adhesive.

21. A garment as in claim 15, comprising at least one panel of compression fabric.

22. A garment, as in claim 21, wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 30% stretch prior to tensile failure.

23. A garment as in claim 21, wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 50% stretch prior to tensile failure.

24. A garment as in claim 22, wherein each of the left and right docking platforms can receive at least about 10 inch pounds of rotational torque while minimizing stretching or wrinkling of the garment.

25. A garment as in claim 22, wherein each of the left and right docking platforms can receive at least about 15 inch pounds of rotational torque while minimizing stretching or wrinkling of the garment.

26. A garment as in claim 21, wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 80% stretch prior to tensile failure.

27. A lower body toning garment as in claim 22, wherein each of the left and right docking platforms is configured to removably receive left and right resistance units.

28. A lower body toning garment as in claim 22, wherein each of the left and right docking platforms is configured to permanently carry left and right resistance units.