TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparel arrangement.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

[0003] The spine is a complex, flexible structure which can change its shape and move in all directions. It consists of vertebrae, intervertebral discs, and intervertebral joints (which are attached to ribs in the thoracic area) which house the spinal cord and the nerves leading out to the body. Protection of this complex and vulnerable structure during sustained or heavy loading which involves the spine can only be achieved by appropriate muscle function which serves to hold the spine in its 'neutral' position.

[0004] The neutral spine, which is formed by three spinal curves (cervical, thoracic and lumbo-sacral curves), is usually described as the ' S' shape, neutral spine position. The curves are formed by the shape of the vertebrae and the intervertebral discs, and, most importantly, by muscles which hold the shape of the three curves. The three curves allow the spine to act as a spring to withstand stress and negate impact loads caused by the vertical force of gravity. The individual curves making up the neutral spine position lie each side of the vertical line of good posture, that is, the imaginary line, viewed from the side, through the mastoid process, centre of the shoulder joint and the centre of the hip joint. Descriptions of the individual curves are as follows:

(i) curve of the neck region - the concave cervical spinal curve lies in front of the vertical line and is closely linked to the position of the head;

(ii) curve of the low back - the concave lumbo-sacral spinal curve also lies in front of the vertical line, and is closely linked to movement of the pelvis and lower limb; and

(iii) curve of the thorax (ribs attached) - in contrast to the neck and low back regions, the convex thoracic curve lies behind the vertical line of good posture.

[0005] The convex thoracic curve is closely linked to movement and position of the scapula and associated upper limb. To hold the thoracic curve firm, the scapulo-thoracic muscles (mainly serratus anterior) must produce a backwardly directed muscle force on the spine whilst also causing the scapula to become flat against the chest wall. This action can only be produced with concomitant activation and strengthening of the scapulo-thoracic muscles (mainly serratus anterior) through weight-bearing exercise for the upper limb [see the 'weightbearing' test for serratus anterior described in Kendall et al. 'Muscles: Testing and Function, with Posture and Pain', Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005]. In a healthy spine with scapulo-thoracic muscles (mainly serratus anterior) working correctly, the thoracic spine retains its curve, and the scapula is held flat against the rib cage.

[0006] The complex structure of the spine is protected and managed through a specialised deep muscle system which supports and holds the three individual curves of the neutral spine. Serratus anterior muscle forms an important part of this deep muscle system. Maintenance of the neutral spine position is important when the spine is dealing with sustained or heavy loading and importantly, to provide a firm central axis for axial rotation (twisting) activities of the spine. Activities where maintenance of a neutral spine is important include the following:

(i) walking (low loading for the spine), where the neutral spine is held firm and supported for sustained periods in a upright position and gives the classic 'good postural form';

(ii) prolonged leaning forward activities requiring increased sustained loading (as required by certain occupations, for example, dentist or factory worker) where the spine requires strong muscles to support it in the neutral spine position;

(iii) sports such as golf, cricket and tennis which involve trunk twisting, where the spine requires short periods of using even stronger spinal muscles to allow the neutral spine position to form a strong central axis for trunk rotation (in the lean forward position); and

(iv) lifting, as safe lifting techniques depend on maintaining a strong neutral spine position. In particular, when lifting very heavy loads, the spine requires even stronger spinal muscles to maintain the neutral spine position in a lean forward position which is often accompanied by twisting movements.

[0007] As a result of more sedentary modern lifestyles and robotic technology, people are developing poor spinal postures. In other words, people's spines are weakening and they are losing the ability to hold the upright neutral spine position. Weakness of the muscles controlling the spinal curves is also a result of lack of weight-bearing exercise for the upper limbs. Consequently, spinal structures are becoming far more vulnerable to injury, increasing spinal pain, disc injury and referred pain, osteoarthritis and other painful joint problems of the shoulder and hip.

[0008] General weakness of the spine is demonstrated with a loss of the normal, natural spinal curves each side of the vertical line of good posture. Loss of the natural spinal curves can take many forms, but during exercise it mostly results in the spine having a 'C shaped curve or a reversed 'C shape. Exercise with the spine in either of these positions will weaken, rather than strengthen, the spine.

[0009] Thus the neutral spine position is considered important for our musculo -skeletal health as, in this position, the muscles are capable of supporting and protecting the spine from injury. It is particularly the activation and strengthening of muscles that maintain the thoracic curve that has not been addressed in exercises currently used to strengthen the neutral spine.

[0010] Specifically for the thoracic curve, weakness of the serratus anterior muscle when standing upright is demonstrated by a flattened thoracic curve and 'winging' of the scapula, where the medial border of the scapula lifts away from the chest wall and protrudes far more posteriorly than the thoracic spine.

[0011] The serratus anterior muscle lies very deep under the large bone of the scapula, so facilitation techniques normally used to activate and train superficial muscles cannot be used. In addition, because the serratus anterior lies under bone, it cannot be viewed, facilitated or strengthened using real-time ultrasound imaging techniques (which are used as feedback techniques).

[0012] To ensure the stability and strength of the scapula-thoracic region, a specific type of strengthening exercise is required. This consists of an upper limb weight-bearing exercise, with axial (weight-bearing) resistance providing axial-compression longitudinally through the whole upper limb, as well as producing a backwardly directed muscle force to strengthen the curve of the thoracic spine. It is important when performing upper limb weight-bearing exercise that correct postural form is maintained in order to maintain the correct position of the thoracic curve.

[0013] International Patent Publication, WO 2014/026249, describes a feedback exercise device that assists in strengthening weak muscles of the scapula-thoracic region as well as helping monitor and maintain good posture. The feedback exercise device allows the user to feel the position of the thoracic spine and the position of the scapula in relation to the thoracic spine.

The user of the exercise device can therefore undertake upper limb weight-bearing exercise to strengthen the scapulo-thoracic muscles (mainly serratus anterior) whilst maintaining correct postural form and thus properly maintaining the curve of the thoracic spine. The exercise device can also be used to maintain correct postural form and thus the correct position of the thoracic curve, during daily activities or when sitting for prolonged periods. The device specifically strengthens the serratus anterior in its weight-bearing role of displacing the thorax posteriorly and holding the scapula flat against the chest wall. This type of exercise strengthens the thoracic curve and in turn strengthens the whole neutral spine position.

[0014] It would be desirable to have an item of apparel that allows the wearer to obtain feedback regarding the position of the thoracic spine and the position of the scapula in relation to the thoracic spine. The wearer of the apparel could thus monitor correct postural form and therefore correct position of the thoracic curve during daily activities. The apparel could also be worn during upper limb weight-bearing exercise to monitor and therefore maintain the curve of the thoracic spine.

[0015] Further, to properly maintain the curve of the lumbar spine, the deep lumbar core muscles need to be activated and strengthened. By ' stretching tall' and gently narrowing the waist, the lumbar core muscles are activated and this helps maintain the correct postural form for the lumbar curve. It would be desirable to have the same item of apparel that allows the wearer to obtain feedback regarding the position of the thoracic spine and the position of the scapula in relation to the thoracic spine, to also provide feedback to the wearer regarding the ' stretch tall' cue and the narrowing of the waist, thereby allowing the wearer to monitor and maintain the curve of their lumbar curve.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparel arrangement including:

apparel to be worn by a wearer; and

posture sensing means incorporated into or for attaching to the apparel so as to sense the posture of the wearer.

[0017] The arrangement may include a portable computational device (e.g. mobile phone, tablet, smart watch) for receiving signals from the posture sensing means. The device may be in wireless communication with the posture sensing means. The device may include alarms for generating one or more alarms or sounds responsive to the sensing means sensing poor or incorrect posture and may include data and/or data analytics to indicate postural alignment over time or during activities. The device may monitor postural alignment (and thus activation of the deep spinal core muscles) based upon determining scapula position relative to the thoracic spinal curve (or hunching across the wearer's upper back) and/or the relative narrowing and widening of the wearer's waist. The alarms may be audible or alternatively, the alarms may provide a gentle vibration of the posture sensing means to alert the wearer regarding poor or incorrect posture. The device may not generate each alarm until after a period of poor posture has expired.

[0018] The posture sensing means may include pressure sensors for sensing pressure. The posture sensing means may include one or more conductors threaded within the apparel. The conductors may include metal fibres within thread.

[0019] The apparel may include any one or more of: a top, singlet, brassiere, crop top, and compression suit. Furthermore, the apparel can comprise separate top and bottom portions or can be a one-piece article. The posture sensing means may be integrally formed with, or retro-fittable to the apparel.

[0020] The posture sensing means may sense the postural alignment of the thoracic region of the spine of the wearer. The posture sensing means may be of the type described in

AU 2013302326. The posture sensing means may include pressure sensors located across the upper back of the wearer. Preferably, the pressure sensors include a triplet of pressure sensors measuring pressure of both scapula and the thoracic curve of the wearer, thereby enabling the neutral position of the spine to be monitored. The posture sensing means may include any electronic means of determining (and monitoring) the position of each scapula relative to the thoracic region of the spine (and whether a particular position across these 3 areas can be maintained).

[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the posture sensing means comprises three sensors, such that two of the sensors are positioned one over each scapula and the third sensor is positioned on the thoracic curve of the wearer. The two sensors positioned over the scapulas are preferably pressure sensors, whilst the sensor positioned on the thoracic curve of the wearer is an angle sensor. That is, the sensor on the thoracic curve, being the central sensor, monitors the position of each scapula sensor relative to the central sensor, thereby monitoring the thoracic curve based on the relative positions of the scapulas and the thoracic region.

[0022] In a further alternative embodiment, the posture sensing means comprises a semi- flexible bar incorporated into the top portion of the apparel such that the semi-flexible bar is positioned across the thoracic region of the spine of the wearer of the apparel (over the two scapula and across the thoracic spinal curve) and can monitor the position of each scapula relative to the thoracic curve. The semi-flexible bar can be made from any suitable material. Preferably the semi-flexible bar is made from a plastic that has some rigidity, but is sufficiently flexible so as to not be uncomfortable for the wearer. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the semi-flexible bar has hinge lines on its interior side (the side adjacent the wearer) such that when the wearer bends forward (or moves their shoulders forward), the semi-flexible bar bends forward to follow the scapula and the curve across the thoracic region. The absence of hinge lines on the exterior side (the side facing outwards from the wearer) prevents the semi-flexible bar from curving outwards when the wearer sits up straight or extends the shoulders back. The semi-flexible bar can further comprise one or more sensors. In a preferred embodiment, the semi-flexible bar comprises one sensor. In this preferred embodiment, in use the sensor is at the centre of the semi-flexible bar and so is positioned on the thoracic curve to monitor the the position of the thoracic spine relative to the scapulas.

[0023] The apparel arrangement can further include a strap system for correct positioning of the posture sensing means across the upper back of the wearer proximal the scapulas and the thoracic curve of the wearer. The strap system can be any suitable combination of straps that will hold the posture sensing means in position. The strap system can be fixed or can be adjustable. Providing a strap system that is adjustable enables the posture sensing means to provide correct feedback irrespective of the relative position of the scapulas with respect to the thoracic curve, which can vary from person to person.

[0024] Preferably the strap system comprises at least one flexible strap. The at least one flexible strap can be made from any suitable material such as a rubberized strip of material. Particularly preferred is the material commonly used in the exercise industry for elastic resistant bands or elastic resistant straps.

[0025] The strap system preferably comprises straps adapted to fit over the shoulders and under the arms of a wearer, in the form of a harness. A strap system that fits around the arms of a wearer in this way, enables the posture sensing means to be positioned proximal the scapulas and the thoracic curve of the wearer.

[0026] In embodiments having an adjustable strap system, the adjustable strap system can comprise any suitable adjustment means. The strap system can thus comprise one or more buckles. Alternatively, the adjustment means can comprise one or more clip devices or tensioners which allow the length of a strap to be adjusted. [0027] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the strap system comprises a single continuous elastic band of sufficient length to extend from the posture sensing means, over and under each shoulder of a wearer of the apparel.

[0028] The further posture sensing means to monitor the lumbar curve may sense the posture of the lumbar region of the spine of the wearer and/or any change in the diameter of the waist. The posture sensing means may be of the type described in AU 2007252291. The posture sensing means may include one or more pressure sensors aligned with the waist region of the wearer to determine good postural position and/ or the relative narrowing or widening of the waist. Preferably, the pressure sensors include a pressure sensor located proximal the belly button of the wearer. In a particular embodiment, the pressure sensor located proximal the belly button senses the force at the waist region of the apparel and can therefore provide a measure of how tight (or loose) the apparel is at the waist of the wearer and monitor changes to this pressure on the waist. The posture sensing means may include any electronic means of determining (and monitoring) the narrowing and widening of the waist relative to the standard resting waist position.

[0029] The posture sensing means to monitor the lumbar curve may comprise a belt. The belt can be made from any suitable material such as a rubberized strip of material and therefore has elastic properties. Alternatively, the belt can be made from a non-elastic material.

[0030] The belt can be fixed or can be adjustable. In embodiments having an adjustable belt, the adjustable belt can comprise any suitable adjustment means, including a buckle or one or more clip devices or tensioners. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adjustable belt is incorporated into the waist region of the item of apparel and allows the pressure of the lumbar sensing means at the waist region of the apparel to be adjusted.

[0031] Posture and breathing are interconnected, such that poor posture results in reduced ability to breath deeply and easily. Therefore monitoring breathing can also be used to monitor posture and consequently monitoring and providing feedback on breathing also provides feedback on posture. In certain embodiments, the apparel arrangement further comprises one or more sensors to monitor breathing. Preferably, the one or more sensors to monitor breathing are positioned in the vicinity of the lower portion of the rib cage of the wearer. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the one or more sensors to monitor breathing comprises one sensor located in the vicinity of the lower portion of the rib cage of the wearer. The one or more sensors may utilise any electronic means of monitoring breathing. [0032] Preferably the one or more sensors to monitor breathing are associated with a belt.

The belt can be made from any suitable material such as a rubberized strip of material and therefore has elastic properties. Alternatively, the belt can be made from a non-elastic material.

[0033] The belt can be fixed or can be adjustable. In embodiments having an adjustable belt, the adjustable belt can comprise any suitable adjustment means, including a buckle or one or more clip devices or tensioners. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the adjustable belt is incorporated into the region of the item of apparel proximal to the lower portion of the rib cage of the wearer.

[0034] In some embodiments of the invention, the sensors of the posture sensing means are removable from the apparel for servicing of the sensors or for washing the apparel.

[0035] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an apparel arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 2 is a front (A) and rear (B) view of a top according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0039] Figure 3 is a front (A) and rear (B) view of the top of Figure 2 showing features on the interior of the top.

[0040] Figure 4 is a front (A) and rear (B) view of a crop top according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0041] Figure 5 is a front (A) and rear (B) view of leggings according to an embodiment of the invention showing features on the inside.

[0042] Figure 6 is a front (A) and rear (B) view of the crop top of Figure 4 and the leggings of Figure 5 worn in combination.

[0043] Figure 7 is a front (A) and rear (B) view of a body suit according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparel arrangement 100 as shown in Figure 1. The apparel arrangement includes apparel 101 to be worn by a wearer. Posture sensing means 102a, 102b is attached to the rear of the apparel 101 so as to sense the posture of the wearer.

[0045] The arrangement 100 includes a mobile phone 104 (i.e. portable computational device) for wirelessly receiving sensed signals from the posture sensing means 102a, 102b. In particular, the phone 104 is in wireless Bluetooth™ communication 106 with the posture sensing means 102a, 102b. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the central sensing means 108c is in wireless Bluetooth™ communication 106 with the phone 104.

[0046] The mobile phone 104 includes Application software (i.e. an App) for monitoring the wearer's posture and providing required audible sounds or vibration or other data output. In particular, the mobile phone 104 generates audible alarms and data analytics responsive to the sensing means 102a, 102b sensing poor posture. The audible alarm for each sensing means is different, and the mobile phone 104 may not generate each alarm until after a fixed period (e.g. 20 seconds) of poor posture has expired. The mobile phone (or other electronic device) may generate graphs or other data analytics to indicate postural alignment over a set period of time.

[0047] The posture sensing means 102a has pressure sensors for sensing pressure in the wearer's thoracic region (the outward pressure being exerted by the thoracic curve) and other means of sensing the position of each scapula relative to the thoracic region of the wearer. The posture sensing means 102b has pressure sensors for measuring the pressure around the waist of the wearer (between the apparel and the waist of user) and other means of sensing the narrowing and widening of the wearer's waist. The posture sensing means 102a, 102b include conductors threaded with the apparel 101. The conductors include metal fibres within thread.

[0048] Thoracic Stabiliser

[0049] The upper posture sensing means 102a senses the posture (or alignment) of the thoracic region of the spine of the wearer. The upper posture sensing means 102a includes the type described in AU 2013302326 which is incorporated herein by reference. The upper posture sensing means 102a includes a triplet of sensors 108a, 108b, 108c located across the upper back of the wearer. In particular, there is provided two scapula sensors 108 a, 108b and a thoracic curve sensor 108c for sensing pressure against the outward force of the thoracic curve and for sensing the relative position of each scapula compared to the thoracic spinal curve. The mobile phone 104 uses the upper sensing means 102a to determine poor thoracic posture based upon a change in the alignment of the sensors 108a, 108b and 108c or a change in the relative pressure of these sensors to each other (for example, hunching over would increase the pressure of the thoracic curve sensor 108c compared to the two scapula sensors 108a and 108b). Postural alignment is indicated and monitored by the scapula being held in relative alignment (or position) compared with the thoracic curve of the spine or where the pressure across the triplet of sensors 108a, 108b and 108c is equally maintained. The upper posture sensing means 102a may only include the thoracic curve sensor 108c together with the semi-flexible bar that extends over the two scapula. The semi-flexible bar is semi-flexible in that it bends to follow the scapula and curve of the back when the wearer moves the shoulders forward (wherein the pressure against with thoracic curve sensor 108c would increase) but the semi-flexible bar is prevented from bending the other way (outwards) when the wearer extends the shoulders backbends (due to an absence of hinge lines on the exterior side) wherein the pressure against the thoracic curve sensor 108c would decrease.

[0050] Core Awareness

[0051] The lower posture sensing means 102b senses the activation of the lumbar core muscles and thereby sensing postural form of the lumbar region of the spine of the wearer. The lower posture sensing means includes the type described in AU 2007252291 which is incorporated herein by reference. The lower posture lower sensing means 102b is aligned with the waist region of the wearer. In particular, there includes a front pressure sensor 110a located proximal to, and just beneath, the belly button of the wearer. One or more rear pressure sensors 110b can sense the curvature of the lumbar region of the spine. The lower sensing means may also include any electronic means of determining a change in the size (or diameter) of the waist compared the standard resting position. The mobile phone 104 uses the lower sensing means 102b to determine poor posture based upon a widening of the wearer's waist or increase in the pressure sensing means around the waist. Conversely, narrowing of the wearer's waist is indicative of activation of the lumbar core muscles and therefore good lumbar postural form.

[0052] Advantageously, the wearer can conveniently use their phone 104 to monitor and correct their thoracic or lumbar posture in the event of a generated alarm, vibration or other data output or alert.

[0053] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[0054] The apparel 101 shown in Figure 1 is a singlet top. Alternatively, the apparel 101 may be in the form of a full top, brassiere, crop top, or a compression suit for use by athletes.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the posture sensing means 102a, 102b is integrally formed with the apparel 101. In another embodiment, the posture sensing means 102a, 102b is retro-fittable to the apparel 101, and the arrangement 100 may be provided in kit form.

[0056] Turning to Figure 2, there is shown a front (A) and rear (B) view of a top 200 according to one embodiment of the invention. The top 200 has a pressure sensor 202 located proximal the belly button of the wearer of the top. The top 200 also has a pressure sensor 204 located at the thoracic curve of the wearer of the top.

[0057] Front (A) and rear (B) views of the top 200 of Figure 2 are shown in Figure 3. In addition to the pressure sensor 202 located proximal the belly button of the wearer of the top and the pressure sensor 204 located at the thoracic curve of the wearer of the top, features on the interior of the top 200 are indicated. The top 200 has an adjustable belt 206 incorporated into the waist region. The adjustable belt 206 allows the pressure sensor 202 located proximal the belly button of the wearer of the top 200 to be adjusted.

[0058] The top 200 also has a semi-flexible bar 208 incorporated into the upper region of the top 200 such that the semi-flexible bar 208 is positioned across the thoracic region of the spine of the wearer of the top 200 (over the two scapula and across the thoracic spinal curve), so that pressure sensors located on the semi-flexible bar 208 can monitor the position of each scapula relative to the thoracic curve.

[0059] Turning to Figure 4, there is shown a front (A) and rear (B) view of a crop top 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. The crop top 300 has a pressure sensor 302 which is positioned to be located at the thoracic curve of the wearer of the crop top 300.

[0060] The crop top 300 has a semi-flexible bar 304 incorporated into the upper region of the crop top 300 such that the semi-flexible bar 304 is positioned across the thoracic region of the spine of the wearer of the crop top 300 (over the two scapula and across the thoracic spinal curve), so that pressure sensors located on the semi-flexible bar 304 can monitor the position of each scapula relative to the thoracic curve.

[0061] Figure 5 is a front (A) and rear (B) view of leggings 400 according to an embodiment of the invention. The leggings 400 have a pressure sensor 402 incorporated into the waistband 404 such that the pressure sensor 402 is located proximal the belly button of the wearer of the leggings 400. The waistband 404 is adjustable.

[0062] In Figure 6 there is shown a front (A) and rear (B) view of the crop top 300 of Figure 4 and the leggings 400 of Figure 5 worn in combination. The crop top 300 has a pressure sensor 302 which is positioned to be located at the thoracic curve of the wearer of the crop top 300.

[0063] Figure 7 is a rear (A) and front (B) view of a body suit 500 according to an embodiment of the invention. The body suit 500 has a pressure sensor 502 located at the thoracic curve of the wearer of the body suit 500. The body suit 500 also has a pressure sensor 504 located proximal the belly button of the wearer of the body suit 500.

[0064] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0065] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[0066] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.