Close-fitting garment

• US 7,886,367 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2006
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Salomon SA (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Salomon SA (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Chapuis, Serge, Roux, Isabelle
• Primary Examiner(s): Welch; Gary L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson; Amber R
• Application Number:
  US11/460,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20070022510A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,663 Days
• Field of Search: 2 6/9, 222/7, 222/8, 2239-242, 2 2/2
• US Class Current: 2/69
• CPC Class Codes: A41B 11/14 Panti-hose; Body-stockings
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/0015 Sports garments other than provided for in groups A41D13/0007 - A41D13/088
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2400/322 Massage
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 2400/38 Shaping the contour of the body or adjusting the figure
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/28 Means for ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/065 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/185 using layered materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/06 specially adapted for feet or legs; Corn-pads; Corn-rings
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/10 specially adapted for fingers, hands, or arms; Finger-stalls; Nail-protectors restraining devices for arms A61F5/37; shoulder bandages A61F13/14
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/143 Thorax bandages or bandaging garments

Abstract

A sports garment made mainly of a laminate of a stretchable fabric and an elastic film. The elastic film is a PU, PVC, silicone film. The film is precut prior to laminating so as to provide ventilation zones on the fabric.

Claims

1. A sports garment comprising:

a limb portion for extending along a length of a limb of the wearer, said limb portion extending lengthwise across a joint portion;

a laminate comprising a stretchable fabric/elastic film located in at least one area of the garment, the garment adapted for a tight fit around a torso, abdomen, and arms or legs of a wearer;

the laminate extending completely around the limb portion of the garment to form a tubular portion;

the laminate including a lengthwise extension along the limb, said lengthwise extension of the laminate not extending lengthwise across the joint portion of the limb portion of the garment;

said elastic film being directly affixed to the stretchable fabric;

said elastic film having a plurality of cutouts arranged in said elastic film according to a repetitive pattern;

the laminate extending throughout a majority of the garment.

2. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the elastic film comprises a film consisting of one of PU, PVC, and silicone.

3. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the elastic film is a continuous film.

4. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the film is precut prior to laminating to provide ventilation zones on the fabric.

5. A sports garment according to claim 4, wherein:

the cuts demarcate holes having a curved periphery.

6. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the cuts demarcate polygonal holes.

7. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the film is applied in the form of studs.

8. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

areas of the garment adapted to generate the most heat by the wearer do not include the film.

9. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the fabric is ventilated.

10. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the garment is a pair of tights;

the laminate covers at least a leg portion of the pair of tights.

11. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the elastic film is located in at least one zone of the garment adapted to surrounds an area of the body.

12. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the stretchable fabric extends lengthwise across the joint portion of the limb portion of the garment.

13. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein:

the cutouts extend to an outer surface of the garment.

14. A sports garment comprising:

a limb portion for extending along a length of a limb of the wearer, said limb portion extending lengthwise across a joint portion;

a stretchable fabric providing the garment with a tight fit around a torso, abdomen, and arms or legs of a wearer;

the stretchable fabric extending completely around the limb portion of the garment to form a tubular portion;

an elastic constraint arrangement directly affixed to the stretchable fabric, both the elastic constraint arrangement and the stretchable fabric extending throughout a major extent of the garment;

the elastic constraint arrangement includes a lengthwise extension along the limb, the lengthwise extension of the elastic constraint arrangement not extending lengthwise across the joint of the limb portion of the garment;

said elastic constraint arrangement comprising a repetitive scheme of polygonal, elliptical, or circular cutouts.

15. A sports garment according to claim 14, wherein:

said elastic constraint arrangement comprises an elastic film laminated to said stretchable fabric, said cutouts having been pre-cut prior to lamination.

16. A sports garment according to claim 14, wherein:

the stretchable fabric extends lengthwise across the joint portion of the limb portion of the garment.

17. A sports garment according to claim 14, wherein:

the stretchable fabric extends lengthwise from a first laminate portion on a first side of the joint portion of the limb portion of the garment, across the joint portion, and to a second laminate portion on a second side of the joint portion of the limb portion of the garment.

18. A sports garment according to claim 14, wherein:

the joint portion is a knee joint.

19. A sports garment according to claim 14, wherein:

the joint portion is an elbow joint.

20. A sports garment according to claim 14, wherein:

the cutouts extend to an outer surface of the garment.

21. A garment comprising:

a stretchable fabric providing the garment with a tight fit around portions of a wearer'"'"'s body, said portions comprising limb portions and joint portions, each of said limb portions extending lengthwise across a respective one of said joint portions;

the stretchable fabric extending completely around the limb portions of the garment to form tubular portions;

an elastic constraint arrangement affixed to the stretchable fabric, the elastic constraint arrangement and stretchable fabric comprising a garment composite;

said garment composite constituting a majority of an outer surface area of the garment;

said garment composite includes a lengthwise extension extending along said limb portions and being interrupted in at least a plurality of said joint portions;

wherein the lengthwise extension of the garment composite not extending lengthwise across the joint of the limb portion of the garment

said elastic constraint arrangement comprising a repetitive scheme of ventilation openings.

22. A garment according to claim 21, wherein:

said elastic constraint arrangement comprises an elastic film laminated to said stretchable fabric.

23. A garment according to claim 21, wherein:

said limb portions comprise leg portions or arm portions.

24. A garment according to claim 21, wherein:

said joint portions comprise leg/pelvis joints or arm/shoulder joints.

25. A garment according to claim 23, wherein:

said joint portions comprise knee joints or elbow joints.

26. A garment according to claim 21, wherein:

the ventilation openings extend to the outer surface area of the garment.

27. A garment according to claim 21, wherein:

the elastic constraint arrangement is directly affixed to the stretchable fabric.

28. A garment comprising:

a limb portion for extending along a length of a limb of the wearer, said limb portion structured and arranged to extend lengthwise along a wearer'"'"'s limb;

said limb portion comprising a joint portion structured and arranged to extend lengthwise along the wearer'"'"'s limb across a wearer'"'"'s joint;

a stretchable fabric providing the garment with a tight fit around portions of a wearer'"'"'s body, said portions comprising said limb portion and said joint portion;

an elastic constraint arrangement affixed to the stretchable fabric, the elastic constraint arrangement and stretchable fabric comprising a garment composite;

said garment composite being structured and arranged to extend around the wearer'"'"'s limb to form a tubular portion;

said tubular portion of said garment extending lengthwise along the wearer'"'"'s limb, said tubular portion being interrupted in at least said joint portion, whereby said tubular portion does not extend lengthwise across said joint portion of said limb portion of the garment;

said elastic constraint arrangement comprising a repetitive scheme of ventilation openings.

29. A garment according to claim 28, wherein:

said garment composite constitutes a majority of an outer surface area of the garment.

30. A garment according to claim 28, wherein:

said elastic constraint arrangement comprises an elastic film laminated to said stretchable fabric.

31. A garment according to claim 28, wherein:

the stretchable fabric extends lengthwise across the joint portion of the limb portion of the garment.

32. A garment according to claim 28, wherein:

the stretchable fabric extends lengthwise from a first garment composite portion on a first side of the joint portion of the limb portion of the garment, across the joint portion, and to a second garment composite portion on a second side of the joint portion of the limb portion of the garment.

33. A garment according to claim 28, wherein:

the joint portion is a knee joint portion.

34. A garment according to claim 28, wherein:

the joint portion is an elbow joint portion.