GARMENT HAVING FRICTION REDUCING PART

Technical field

The present disclosure relates to a garment for increasing performance and comfort and/or preventing injury of a computer user, using a mouse, a keyboard or the like and reducing risk of fatigue caused by performing hand and arm movements on a supporting surface while operating a computer.

The garment finds particular use for improving performance and/or comfort in conjunction with computer gaming, while various repetitive movements are performed, or as an ergonomic or comfort increasing implement intended for use by any computer operator.

Background

Many computer games are controlled at least partially by a computer mouse. Especially in so-called first-person-shooter games, the mouse may be used to control the aim of the player’s weapon. Such control may require a large range of movements, from minute ones to relatively large ones. Moreover, such movements often need to be performed very quickly, leading to a very high movement speed.

The need for the movements in computer gaming being performed at a high speed create a need for an aid to facilitate the movements being performed during gaming. Friction between the player’s arm/hand, and the supporting surface counteracts fast movement of the arm/hand, and thereby preventing the optimal performance and creating an unnecessary fatigue in the arm/hand of the player.

It is also well known, that use of computer mice, keyboards and the like may lead to repetitive strain injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and the like. Various devices have been produced with the aim to reduce the risks associated with the use of computer mice and keyboards.

WO 2019158554A1 discloses a wearable device worn on the forearm of a user, for providing an increased performance and comfort by providing a lowered friction on an outer surface of the device. The device is solid (rigid), enclosing a large part of the arm and limiting the range of arm movement in proximity of a mouse and/or a keyboard, leading to restrictions in the mouse- and keyboard operating and enclosing the arm of the user in a manner that may contribute to overheating, if worn for a long period of time, which often happens while gaming.

Thus, gaming not only requires fast movements being performed by a mouse by a first hand, but also fast movements performed on the keyboard by a second hand, and sometimes switching moving the first hand between the mouse and the keyboard. Moving one hand between a keyboard and a mouse are often performed even in other kind of computer operating.

There is another interesting aspect to movements of a computer operator. Thus, not being aware of the movements made, the computer operator or gamer cannot learn from their mistakes.

Yet another consideration is the need for a garment to be washable.

Therefore, there is a need for further improvements of the solutions provided. There is a need for a more comfortable, breathable and flexible means for enhancing performance, increasing comfort and lowering the risk for fatigue for gamers and computer operators in general.

Summary

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a garment for improving performance and comfort for computer users, in particular in gaming. The invention is defined by the appended independent claims, with embodiments being set forth in the appended dependent claims, in the following description and in the drawings.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a garment, comprising a fabric sleeve, which is sized and adapted for receiving at least a forearm of a user. A detachable friction reducing part is arranged on an outside of the sleeve.

By providing a detachable friction reducing part, it is possible to remove this part when the garment is washed, or when it needs to be replaced due to wear. This is advantageous as some friction reducing materials may be damaged by washing, and since they may be subject to wear.

In some embodiments, the sleeve may be provided in the form of a sleeve, which may take the form of a compression sleeve that fits tightly along its entire length, or which may take the form of a more loosely fitting sleeve, provided with at least one elastic cuff for retaining the sleeve by tightly engaging an upper portion of a forearm and/or a lower portion of an upper arm.

In other embodiments, the sleeve may form part of an upper body garment.

The detachable friction reducing part may comprises a friction reducing material, such as an olefin polymer or a fluoropolymer, such as Teflon®.

The detachable friction reducing part may comprise a carrier, to which the friction reducing material is bonded.

The friction reducing material may be formed as a sheet of material which is bonded to the carrier by means of at least one of adhesion, melt bonding and stitching.

The friction reducing material may be formed in situ on the carrier.

The detachable friction reducing part may comprise a first fastener part and the sleeve may comprise a second fastener part, which is configured to interact with the first fastener part to releasably connect the friction reducing part to the sleeve.

The fastener may comprise at least one of a zipper type fastener, a hook-and-loop type fastener, a magnetic fastener and a button-type fastener.

It is understood that a combination of fasteners may be used. For example, a first type of fastener may be used at a short side of the detachable friction reducing part, in particular at a distal portion of the detachable friction reducing part, and a second type of fastener may be used along a long side of the detachable friction reducing part.

The friction reducing part may be located on a portion of the sleeve which is usually in contact with a supporting surface, such as at a lower side of a forearm portion of the sleeve, and/or at an elbow portion of the sleeve.

The friction reducing part may extend along at least 10 %, preferably at least 30 %, of a length of the sleeve.

The gar friction reducing part may extend over less than 60 %, preferably less than 40 %, of a circumference of a cross section of the sleeve.

The friction reducing part may form a continuous part.

The friction reducing part may comprise at least two spaced apart surface portions.

At least one friction reducing part may be arranged at a wrist joint portion of the sleeve.

At least one friction reducing part may be arranged at an elbow portion of the sleeve.

The garment may further comprise a separate thumb opening provided at a hand opening of the sleeve.

A distal portion of the sleeve may be provided with a cuff portion and wherein the detachable friction reducing part is arranged proximally of said cuff portion.

The sleeve may comprise a padded portion located on a portion of the sleeve which is usually in contact with a supporting surface, such as at a lower side of a forearm portion of the sleeve, and/or at an elbow portion of the sleeve.

A padding can be provided by the attachment of a padding material, such as an expanded polymer, to the fabric of the sleeve.

The detachable friction reducing part may comprise a padded portion.

The sleeve may present an elongate tubular sleeve body having a hand opening at a first end of the tubular sleeve body and an arm opening at a second end of the tubular sleeve body.

The garment may be an upper body garment comprising a torso portion and the sleeve may be integrated with, or attached or attachable to, the torso portion at a shoulder portion or at an upper arm portion of the garment.

The garment may be provided with a hood, said hood comprising a first material portion and a second material portion, the second material portion being arranged at an ear portion of the hood and the second material portion having greater air permeability than the first material portion.

With a more air-permeable material at ear portions of a hood, it is possible to wear headphones outside the hood, with maintained sound quality and with increased comfort.

The torso portion may comprise a first material portion and a second material portion, with the second material portion being arranged at an armpit portion of the torso portion and the second material portion having greater air permeability than the first material portion.

With a more air permeable material at armpit regions of the garment, a the comfort of the garment may be enhanced.

According to a second aspect, there is provided an upper body garment, comprising a torso portion, and a hood, wherein the hood comprises a first material portion and a second material portion, the second material portion being arranged at an ear portion of the hood and the second material portion having greater air permeability than the first material portion. The torso portion may comprise a first material portion and a second material portion, with the second material portion being arranged at an armpit portion of the torso portion and the second material portion having greater air permeability than the first material portion.

Brief description of the drawings

Figs 1a-1 h schematically illustrate an upper body garment.

Figs 2a-2c schematically illustrate a sleeve body provided with a detachable friction reducing part, using a first attachment mechanism.

Figs 3a-3c schematically illustrate a sleeve body provided with a detachable friction reducing part, using a second attachment mechanism.

Figs 4a-4c schematically illustrate a sleeve body provided with a detachable friction reducing part, using a third attachment mechanism.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an upper body garment provided with a detachable friction reducing part on one of its sleeve bodies.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a hood of an upper body garment.

Detailed description

The invention will be described with reference to an upper body garment, however it is understood that the invention may also be implemented as a separate sleeve, i.e. a sleeve which does not form part of an upper body garment, but that is wearable on a forearm and optionally upper arm independently of what upper body garment is being worn by the user.

Such a separate sleeve would include a sleeve body, which typically would be made of fabric and which would be elongate and have a hand opening, intended to be arranged closest to the user’s hand, and an arm opening, intended to be arranged proximally of the arm opening, such as at an upper arm or at a proximal portion of the user’s forearm. Such a sleeve may be formed of a stretch material that fits snugly, and optionally tightly, around the user’s arm. Alternatively, the sleeve may be formed to be loosely fitting, but with one or more cuffs for holding the sleeve in place by more tightly engaging the user’s arm.

In either case, friction increasing surface portions may be provided on an inside of the sleeve, such as portions of silicone or the like.

The sleeve may also be provided with a garment fastener, such that the sleeve may be releasably connectable to an upper body garment. For example a zipper, a series of buttons or magnets or a hook-and-loop type fastener may be arranged at and around an arm opening of the sleeve for connection to a corresponding fastener which is arranged on the upper body garment, either at a shoulder portion there of or at a distal portion of a short sleeve forming part of the upper body garment.

In figs 1 a-1 h, there are illustrated various embodiments of an upper body garment, a sleeve of which is provided with a detachable friction reducing part 3. The disclosure relating to the sleeve applies equally to separate sleeve and to sleeves which are included in an upper body garment.

Figs 1a-1c illustrate an upper body garment in the form of a long sleeve t-shirt, which may be formed of a compression material, from a breathable material or from a cotton based material.

The upper body garment will typically comprise a torso portion 21 , covering at least part of the user’s upper body and at least one, preferably two, sleeves 22, connected to the body portion 21 at a shoulder area. Each sleeve has a hand opening 23 at a distal portion of the sleeve 22.

One or both sleeves 22 may be provided with detachable friction reducing parts 3, which may be identical between the right and left sleeves, or which may differ between the right and left sleeves.

A detachable friction reducing part 3 is provided on a portion of the sleeve body that is to abut a base, such as a desktop, on which the computer user uses the computer mouse. The detachable friction reducing surface part 3 presents a friction reducing material 31 that provides a lower coefficient of friction towards a typical desktop surface, as compared with the material of the sleeve body. Such desktop surfaces may be of e.g. wood, plastic, fabric or leather.

For example, the friction reducing material 31 may be formed of a friction reducing material, such as a polymeric material having a low surface friction, such as a fluoropolymer.

The friction reducing material 31 may have the form of a continuous film or sheet of friction reducing material, which is attached to a carrier 32.

The carrier 32 may be provided in the form of a flexible web of fabric (woven or non-woven), polymer film, mesh, leather, or the like.

Alternatively, the friction reducing material 31 may be provided in the form of a plurality of spaced apart patches, lines, dots, or in any other shape, which are bonded to the carrier 32. The friction reducing material patches, or the friction reducing material bonded to the carrier 32, may have any shape suitable for forming the friction reducing surface.

The friction reducing material 31 may be formed of a film or sheet of the friction reducing material, which may be adhered to a surface of the carrier 32. To this end, a friction reducing material provided on one side of the carrier with an adhesive layer may be provided. The adhesive layer may be bonded to the carrier 32 by an adhesive which may be pressure or heat activated.

Alternatively, or as a supplement, the friction reducing material 31 may be attached to the carrier 32 by stitching.

As an alternative, the friction reducing material 31 may also be bonded to a separate piece or pieces of fabric and subsequently attached to the carrier 32 by adhesive, welding or stitching.

As yet another alternative, the friction reducing material 31 may be applied to the carrier 32 by spraying or printing of a solution or melt, followed by a drying, setting or cooling step. The carrier 32, in its turn, may be provided with one or more detachable fasteners 33 by which the carrier 32 can be attached to the sleeve 22 of the garment.

The garment, and in particular the sleeve 22 of the garment, may be provided with a corresponding fastener 34.

The detachable friction reducing surface part 3 may extend along the length direction L of the sleeve 22 by about 40-60% or about 60-80% or about 80-100% of a total length of the sleeve 22.

As seen along the circumference of the cross-section C, the detachable friction reducing surface part 3 may extend about 20-60 %, preferably about 20-50 % or about 30-40 %, of the cross-section circumference length of the sleeve 22.

As exemplified in fig 1a, the friction reducing part 3 may be formed on the sleeve 22.

As exemplified in fig 1 b, a plurality of friction reducing parts 3 may be formed on the sleeve 22.

As exemplified in fig 1c, the friction reducing part 3 may be formed on the sleeve 22.

Fig. 1d schematically illustrates a hooded sweater, with the friction reducing part 3 formed on the sleeve 22.

Figs 1 e-1 f schematically illustrate a buttoned jersey type garment.

As exemplified in fig 1 e, the friction reducing part 3 may be formed on the sleeve 22.

As exemplified in fig 1 f, the friction reducing parts 3 may be formed on the sleeve 22.

Figs 1 g-1 h schematically illustrate a zippered jacket type garment.

As exemplified in fig 1g, the friction reducing part 3 may be formed on the sleeve 22.

As exemplified in fig 1 h, the friction reducing parts 3 may be formed on the sleeve 22. Hence, the upper body garment may be a long-sleeved t-shirt, a shirt, a crop top, a jersey, a sweater, a hoodie, a jacket or a coat. It is also possible that the upper body garment may be provided with detachable sleeves or sleeve portions, such that the sleeve or sleeve portion may be connectable to an upper body garment, such as by a zipper, buttons, snap buttons, hook- and-loop type fasteners, or the like. While it is preferred that the sleeve body 22 is tightly fitting and possibly also compressive, the body portion 21 may be tightly or loosely fitting.

Male or female upper body garments may be provided, as desired.

Figs 2a-2c schematically illustrate an embodiment of a sleeve 22 with a detachable friction reducing part 3.

It is understood that the sleeve 22 illustrated in figs 2a-2c can be a sleeve of any one of the garments disclosed herein (see figs 1 a-1 h). Moreover, it is understood that the detachable friction reducing part 3 may be positioned at one or more position along such sleeve. It is also understood that the detachable friction reducing part 3 may be shaped with respect to its contour, as desired.

The detachable friction reducing part 3 comprises a friction reducing material 31 , as described above, a carrier 32, also as described above, and an attachment device 33, 34, which here is illustrated in the form of a pair of zippers with one part 33 attached to the carrier 32 and another part 34 attached to the sleeve 22.

The zippers may thus extend along a length direction of the sleeve, and preferably on both longitudinal sides of the carrier 32.

Alternatively, a single zipper may be used and provided so as to extend along the contour of the carrier 32 on at least three sides thereof.

The zipper may also extend all the way around the carrier 32.

Figs 3a-3c schematically illustrate an embodiment of a sleeve 22 with a detachable friction reducing part 3. It is understood that the sleeve 22 illustrated in figs 3a-3c can be a sleeve of any one of the garments disclosed herein. Moreover, it is understood that the detachable friction reducing part 3 may be positioned at one or more position along such sleeve. It is also understood that the detachable friction reducing part 3 may be shaped with respect to its contour, as desired.

The detachable friction reducing part 3 comprises a friction reducing material 31 , as described above, a carrier 32, also as described above, and an attachment device 33, 34, which here is illustrated in the form of a hook- and-loop type fastener with one part 33 attached to the carrier 32 and another part 34 attached to the sleeve 22.

The hook-and-loop type fastener may be attached to extend only along the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 22 and of the carrier 32, as illustrated.

Alternatively, hook-and-loop type fastener may extend all around the carrier 22, and correspondingly on the sleeve 22.

As yet another alternative, the hook-and-loop type fastener may extend only along short sides of the carrier 32, and correspondingly on the sleeve 22.

As yet another alternative, the hook-and-loop type fastener may extend over the entire carrier 32, and correspondingly on the sleeve 22.

Figs 4a-4c schematically illustrate an embodiment of a sleeve 22 with a detachable friction reducing part 3.

It is understood that the sleeve 22 illustrated in figs 4a-4c can be a sleeve of any one of the garments disclosed herein. Moreover, it is understood that the detachable friction reducing part 3 may be positioned at one or more position along such sleeve. It is also understood that the detachable friction reducing part 3 may be shaped with respect to its contour, as desired.

A magnetic fastener may comprise one part with magnetic elements and a corresponding part with magnetizable material or material portions, or with magnetic elements. The magnetic elements may extend along the entire fastener and they may be flexible. Alternatively, the magnetic elements may be provided in the form of a plurality of spaced apart magnetic elements.

The detachable friction reducing part 3 comprises a friction reducing material 31 , as described above, a carrier 32, also as described above, and an attachment device 33, 34, which here is illustrated in the form of a magnetic fastener with one part 33 attached to the carrier 32 and another part 34 attached to the sleeve 22.

The magnetic fastener may be attached to extend only along the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 22 and of the carrier 32, as illustrated.

Alternatively, magnetic fastener may extend all around the carrier 22, and correspondingly on the sleeve 22.

As yet another alternative, the magnetic fastener may extend only along short sides of the carrier 32, and correspondingly on the sleeve 22.

As yet another alternative, the magnetic fastener may extend over the entire carrier 32, and correspondingly on the sleeve 22.

As further alternatives, a combination of two different fastener techniques may be used, for example a zipper, buttons or magnets running along a long side (along the longitudinal direction) of the sleeve supplemented by a hook-and-loop type fastener provided at at least one short side of the sleeve, such as at the distal portion of the sleeve.

Referring to fig. 5, there is disclosed a garment in the form of a hoodie, having a torso portion 21 , a pair of sleeves 22 and a hood 25. At least one of the sleeves 22 is provided with a friction reducing part 3.

At a distal portion of the sleeve, there is provided a cuff portion, which may be formed of a flexible and more elastic fabric than the sleeve, such that the cuff portion 24 will fit snugly around a user’s wrist, while a remainder of the sleeve 22 may fit more loosely.

The friction reducing part 3 may be provided at a distal portion of the sleeve, but proximally of the cuff portion 24, such that all or most of the cuff portion is positioned distally of the friction reducing part 3. It is understood that in all of the embodiments disclosed herein, a detachable friction reducing part may be attachable to the left sleeve, to the right sleeve or to both sleeves 22.

Referring to fig. 6, there is disclosed an upper portion of a garment in the form of a hoodie, where the torso portion 21 and the hood 25 are visible.

The hood 25 comprises two different materials 251 , 252, wherein a first material portion 251 has greater air permeability than the second material portion 252.

The second material portion is positioned on at least one side portion of the hood 25, in an area corresponding to a position of a user’s ear or ears.

The second material portion 252 may have a size which may correspond to 50-500 % of a size of a typical human ear. Hence, the second material portion may be on the order of 50-400 cm ² , in particular 40-100 cm ² , 100-150 cm ² , 150-200 cm ² , 200-250 cm ² , 250-300 cm ² , 300-350 cm ² or 350- 400 cm ² .

The second material portion 252 may have a shape which may be approximately circular or approximately oval. Moreover, the second material portion 252 may extend to a front edge of the hood 25.

While the first material portion 251 of the hood may be made of a material which is the same or similar to that of the remainder of the garment, the second material portion 252 may be made from a material which is thinner and/or perforated.

As non-limiting examples, the first material portion 251 , as well as the remainder of the garment, may be made of a cotton, polyester or cotton/polyester blend material. The material may comprise spandex to provide stretch properties. Another possible material is fleece type materials. The first material portion may also be formed of patches of one, two or more different materials.

The second material portion 252 may be formed from a thinner material than the first material portion 251 . As non-limiting examples, the second material portion may be formed of a cotton, linen, polyester, lycra, rayon or poly/cotton blend material. The second material portion 252 may be formed of a loose-knit material or a mesh material, i.e. a fabric having through-going holes. A hole-per-inch value of the material may be 6-16 HPI.

The garment torso portion 21 may also be formed of at least two different materials, with a first material portion 211 making up a majority of the torso portion and a second material portion 212 being arranged at an armpit area of the garment.

The disclosure relating to the first material portion 251 of the hood 25 applies in its entirety to the first material portion 211 of the torso portion 21 .

The disclosure relating to the second material portion 252 of the hood 25 applies in its entirety to the second material portion 212 of the torso portion 21.

Referring to fig. 5, there is also illustrated a padded area 25 at an elbow and/or forearm section of the sleeve 22.

Such a padded area 25 can be provided by attaching a padding to the fabric of the sleeve 25. A padding may be provided by e.g. an additional fabric layer, expanded polymer material and/or by a gel cushioning mat, all of which are known as such.

In some embodiments, the padding may be provided on the detachable friction reducing part 3. For example a padding may be attached to the carrier 32, or a padding may be used as the carrier 32, in which case the friction reducing surface 31 and the fastener 33 may be provided directly on the padding.