Support accessory which can be worn during running

This invention relates to an accessory which can be worn to be used preferably during sports activities, and in particular during running activities, with a view to contributing to the support of the upper limbs of the user, in order to allow energy to be saved which would otherwise be used for this purpose, and therefore to the benefit of the physical activity aimed directly at the movement of the lower limbs. During running activities, the oscillating movement of the upper limbs contributes to the stability of the rotation of the runner's body, to deal with the alternating thrusts which are exerted and, therefore, received from the ground due to the variation of the quantity of motion of the body one wishes to obtain. The runner must therefore exert forces on the upper limbs which are sufficient to keep them raised relative to their condition of maximum extension, in particular to reduce the angular moment relative to their centres of rotation relative to the trunk of the body, the centres of which correspond more or less to the shoulders.

The energy which the runner uses to exert these forces on the upper limbs decreases that which, under equal conditions of total energy, the runner may make use of for directly moving the lower limbs.

The aim of this invention is to provide an accessory which can be worn designed to be used by a runner to support the upper limbs, in such a way as to allow important energy to be saved which would otherwise be used for that purpose, to the benefit of the energy which the runner may use directly in the movement of the lower limbs.

Another aim of this invention is to provide an accessory which can be worn designed to be used by a runner to support the upper limbs, and which is light and easily portable.

These aims are achieved by a support accessory which can be worn, preferably for sports activities, comprising means for retaining on the chest of a user, and two supporting portions associated with the retaining means, wherein each of the supporting portions comprises at least one slot for inserting at least a part of an upper limb of the user, the slot being designed to define at least one supporting point for the at least one part of the limb.

A possible embodiment of the invention may have at least one of the following technical aspects.

Preferably, each of the supporting portions comprises a plurality of slots each designed for inserting at least a part of the limb and designed to define, respectively, at least a supporting point for the at least one part of the limb.

Preferably, the slots of the plurality are positioned in such a way as to define, respectively, at least as many points for supporting the at least a part of the limb, even simultaneously on the same part.

Preferably, the slots are designed to define several configurations of use for the support of the at least one part of the limb.

In this way, the user can advantageously adjust the mode with which to be supported by the accessory during the sports activity, depending on the runner's size and/or other parameters such as, for example, the type or speed of running or the characteristics of the ground.

Preferably, at least two of the slots of the plurality of slots have different dimensions.

In that way, more slots can define different sections of passage for, respectively, sections of different size relative to the same part of the limb of the user.

Preferably, the means for retaining the accessory on the chest of the user comprise a central portion of the accessory which defines a central opening.

Preferably, the central portion is designed to remain at least partly around the neck of the use, therefore contributing to holding the accessory on the chest of the user. Preferably, the supporting portions are associated with the central portion relative to the retaining means.

Preferably, the central portion comprises a front portion designed to cover at least partly the pectoral zone of the user.

Preferably, in a first embodiment and in a second embodiment of this invention, the supporting portions face opposite sides of the centre line of the front portion. Preferably, in a third embodiment of this invention the supporting portions are directly integrated in the front portion.

In the first embodiment and second embodiment, in the same way as in the fourth embodiment of this invention, the supporting portions are preferably connected to the central portion on opposite sides of the central portion, relative to the central opening.

In the first embodiment, second embodiment and fourth embodiment of this invention, the supporting portions preferably have at least one end connected the central portion and at least one free end.

Preferably, in the fourth embodiment of this invention, the supporting portions face opposite sides of the centre line of the front portion.

Preferably, in the second and fourth embodiments of this invention, the supporting portions extend at least in part along, respectively, two axes of extension mutually diverging and directed on opposite sides relative to the centre line of the front portion.

Preferably, for each supporting portion, at least two slots of the supporting portion are located at different heights along the respective axis of extension.

In that way the accessory lends itself to define various configurations of use so that the user's limbs are supported in positions more inside or more outside with respect to the trunk of the user's body.

Preferably, the accessory defines at least two lateral openings designed for the passage respectively of the upper limbs of the user.

In the fourth embodiment of this invention, preferably the supporting portions respectively comprise two lateral bands defining a closed perimeter and which delimit at least partly, respectively, the at least two lateral openings of the accessory.

At least part of the accessory is preferably made of elastic material.

At least part of the accessory is preferably made of synthetic material.

The features of this invention are described in detail below relating to possible embodiments of the invention to be considered by way of a non-limiting example of the more general concepts claimed.

The detailed description which follows relates to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of this invention, in a condition of normal use;

- Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of this invention, in a condition of normal use;

- Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of this invention, irrespective of the method of use of the invention;

- Figures 4-7 show different views of a fourth embodiment of this invention, in a condition of normal use;

- Figure 8 shows a further view of the fourth embodiment of this invention, irrespective of the method of use of the invention;

- Figure 8a shows a detailed view of a part of Figure 8.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a support accessory 1 which can be worn, preferably for sports activities, according to this invention. The accessory 1 comprises means for retaining on the chest of a user U, and two supporting portions 3 and 4 which are associated with the retaining means. The retaining means are not indicated for reasons of clarity of the drawings.

Each of the supporting portions 3 and 4 has at least one slot 3 a and 4a for inserting at least a part P of an upper limb of the user U. The slot 3 a or 4a is designed to define at least one supporting point for at least a part P of the limb. This supporting point may be close to the wrist, on the arm, or even on the hand. Each of the supporting portions 3 and 4 advantageously comprises a plurality of slots 3a and 4a, each of which is designed for inserting at least a part P of the limb. Each of the slots 3a and 4a of the plurality is also designed to define respectively at least a point for supporting the at least a part P of the limb.

In that way, the slots 3a and 4a are positioned preferably in such a way as to form, respectively, at least as many supporting points, even simultaneously on the same part P. The slots 3a and 4a are advantageously designed to define several configurations of use for the support of the at least one part P of the limb.

Preferably, at least two of the slots 3 a and 4a of the plurality of slots 3 a and 4a have different dimensions. In the embodiments shown in drawings, the means for retaining the accessory on the chest of the user comprise a central portion 2 of the accessory 1 which defines a central opening A. The central portion 2 is designed to remain at least partly around the neck of the user U, therefore contributing to holding the accessory 1 on the chest of the user U.

The retaining means could also comprise retaining means of the type used to transport a bag or a rucksack. In effect, in a possible embodiment not illustrated of this invention, the accessory 1 may comprise and/or be associated with a bag or a rucksack.

The supporting portions 3 and 4 are preferably associated with the central portion 2.

The central portion 2 advantageously comprises a front portion 7, designed to cover at least partly the pectoral zone of the user U.

One or more of the features described above may also be present in the second embodiment of Figure 2, with reference to the supporting portions 3' and 4', the slots 3a' and 4a', and the central portion 2' with the relative opening A'.

Preferably at least part of the accessory is made of elastic and/or synthetic material.

One or more of the features described above may also be present in the third embodiment 1 " of Figure 3, with reference to the supporting portions 3" and 4", the slots 3a" and 4a", and the central portion 2" with the relative opening A". One or more of the features described above may also be present in the fourth embodiment Γ" of Figures 4 to 8, with reference to the supporting portions 3"' and 4"', the slots 3a"' and 4a'", and the central portion 2"' with the relative opening A"'.

In the first embodiment 1 and in the second embodiment 1 ' of this invention, the supporting portions 3 and 4 or 3' e 4' have the shape of tabs or strips or flaps. The drawings also show the front portions 7', 7" and 7"' of the second, third and fourth embodiments, respectively, of this invention.

In the first embodiment 1 of Figure 1 and in the second embodiment 1 ' of Figure 2 of this invention, the supporting portions 3 and 4 or 3' and 4' face opposite sides of the centre line of the front portion 7.

In the third embodiment 1 " of this invention shown in Figure 3, the supporting portions 3" and 4" are directly integrated in the front portion 7.

In the first embodiment 1 of this invention shown in Figure 1, the supporting portions 3 and 4 are connected to the central portion 2 on opposite sides of the central portion 2, relative to the central opening A.

In the second embodiment 1 ' of this invention shown in Figure 2, the supporting portions 3' and 4' are connected to the central portion 2' on opposite sides of the central portion 2', relative to the central opening A'.

In the fourth embodiment Γ" of this invention shown in Figures 4 to 8, the supporting portions 3"' and 4'" are connected to the central portion 2"' on opposite sides of the central portion 2"', relative to the central opening A"'. In the first embodiment 1 , the second embodiment 1 ' and the fourth embodiment " of this invention, shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4 to 8, respectively, the supporting portions 3 and 4 or 3' and 4' or 3"' and 4"', respectively, have at least one end connected to the central portion respectively 2, 2' or 2"', respectively, and at least a free end.

Also in fourth embodiment " of Figures 4 to 8, the supporting portions 3"' and 4"' face opposite sides relative of the centre line of the front portion 7.

Preferably, the accessory 1 or or 1 " or Γ", in the embodiments shown, defines at least lateral two openings 5 and 6 or 5' and 6' or 5" and 6" or 5" and 6'", respectively, designed for the passage, respectively, of the upper limbs of the user U.

In the fourth embodiment " of this invention, preferably the supporting portions 3"' and 4"' respectively comprise two lateral bands defining a closed perimeter and which delimit at least partly, respectively, the at least two lateral openings 5'" and 6"' of the accessory 1 "'.

In the second embodiment 1 ' of this invention shown in Figure 2, the supporting portions 3' and 4' extend at least in part along, respectively, two axes of extension mutually diverging and directed on opposite sides relative to the front portion 7'. Preferably, for each supporting portion 3' or 4', at least two slots 3a' or 4a' of the supporting portion 3' or 4' are located at different heights along the respective axis of extension.

In the fourth embodiment " of this invention shown in Figures 4 to 8, the supporting portions 3'" and 4"' extend at least in part along, respectively, two axes of extension mutually diverging and directed on opposite sides relative to the centre line of the front portion 7"'.

Preferably, for each supporting portion 3'" or 4"', at least two slots 3a'" or 4a'" of the supporting portion 3"' or 4"' are located at different heights along the respective axis of extension.

With regard to the third embodiment shown in Figures 4 to 8, Figures 4 and 5 shows a condition of use such that a single slot 3 a or 4a is used, respectively, for each band 3 or 4. More specifically, each upper limb is supported at a supporting point situated approximately on the wrist of the user U.

Figures 6 and 7 show, on the other hand, a condition of use such that for each band 3 or 4 at least two slots, respectively 3 a or 4a, are used, in such a way that each upper limb is supported at a supporting point situated close to the elbow and at another supporting point situated approximately on the wrist.

At least one supporting point, in any embodiment, might also be situated on the shoulder or on the hand or even on the fingers, considering that the hand, shoulder and fingers may be considered as being part of the upper limb.

Preferably, the accessory is made at least partly of elastic and/or synthetic material.

This invention fulfils the preset aim of allowing a runner to save important energy which would otherwise be used in supporting the upper limbs to achieve the necessary stability for the relative movement.

Moreover, the accessory according to this invention is also suitable for using simultaneously as a garment, as well as being light and easily portable. Moreover, it allows the mode of supporting the upper limbs to be effectively adjusted by the accessory, according to the specific requirements of the case.