AN IMPROVED COMPRESSION GARMENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an improved compression garment and method of manufacture and in particular a compression garment for Increasing circulation, or reducing or assisting recovery from soft tissue injury.

BACKGROUND ART Sports are an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Playing with a social team encourages camaraderie, and provides purpose, stress relief and exercise in everyday life. Additionally, individual recreational sports provide a goal to strive for to improve individual performance. At the top level, sports allow elite competitors to build a career based on their athletic prowess. Injury from sports including strains and physiological stresses can have a dramatic effect, both for social and elite competitors alike. Such injury to the legs muscles such as quadriceps, hamstrings, groin or calves can affect the ability to walk or run, with major injuries to tendons, ligaments and cartilage resulting in the need for surgery. These leg injuries can seriously affect the mobility of a person, whether in performance for competitive sports or in every day life. Further, injuries to shoulder or arm muscles such as the deltoids, triceps and biceps can result in a person having a reduced range in arm movements and in extreme cases requiring reconstructive surgery.

Injuries are understood to include, muscle, tendon and ligament tears, strain and physiological stresses, minor discomfort, major injuries and fatigue. Targeted compression allows for both injury recovery and injury prevention. To understand soft tissue injuries it is Important to consider the physiology of exercise. When exercising, the muscles require extra oxygen and energy. The body goes through three cycles of glucose metabolism to produce this energy, namely anaerobic glycolysis for short energy bursts (eg 100m dash, 25m swim), glycosis for medium energy bursts - producing the bi-product of lactic acid (eg 400m run, 50m swim) and aerobic glycolysis for long distance events (eg marathon, 1500m swim). The first of these cycles provides about 15 seconds of energy, and the second provides about 30 to 40 seconds of energy before the third cycle begins. The body temperature rises as the amount of oxygen used increases and the oxygen available for cooling drops, leaving a person hot at the end of the exercise session .

If an activity falls within the glycosis range, the person will have "heavy" muscles from the build up of lactic acid, This dissipates as the lactic acid is broken back down into pyruvic acid with time. Injuries occur during this cycle due to pushing the muscle beyond endurance when lactic acid is present. With short sprints, the muscle is used to maximum physical strength in a short amount of time, thereby over straining the amplitude of the muscle contractions. If an injury occurs here it is usually due to too much strength being required from the muscle over a short period of time causing tetanus of the muscles. Alternatively

the muscle strain during the distance metabolism is due to fatigue from low levels of strength being exerted over long periods of time. In this case, the muscle fatigues due to the time spent exercising rather than the strength exerted. Injuries usually occur in the first or second cycle due to over-exertion or fatigue during the lactic acid build up. Delayed Muscle Soreness occurs when the muscles are being used in an unusual way resulting in strains for Instance after starting a new sport, or after an extended break from a familiar sport.

By Improving the blood flow and general circulation, additional oxygen and nutrients are delivered to the muscles, while waste products such as lactic acid are removed from the muscles. Thus the threshold for lactic acid build up is reduced, and oxygen uptake is increased, thereby lowering the body temperature and reducing the likelihood of muscle fatigue. Additionally, increased oxygen levels assist with delayed muscle strain, allowing the muscles to heal faster. Targeted compression improves the flow of oxygen and thereby improves the circulation. This results in decreased lactic acid, thereby reducing the risk of injury from over straining.

With soft tissue injury, the muscles, cartilage, tendons or ligaments are damaged causing pain or discomfort when moving the injured joints or limbs. There is a need to contain the injury under compression to distribute the load more evenly over the muscles and away from the injury. Thus there is a need for a product that allows the muscles and joints to move, while compressive^ supporting the injury. For prevention of injury, the compression on the muscles

allows enhanced muscle alignment, improving efficiency and efficacy of movement.

Recovery from injury and injury prevention is important for both elite athletes, whose career depends on recovering quickly, and amateur competitors who are trying to make their mark in a sport, or social sports players, whose lifestyle can be affected by injury. Thus, products that speed the recovery of injuries or are able to reduce injuries also reduce the disruption injuries cause.

This can result in the earlier return of a player to the sport, or a reduction in the time taken for an injured person to recover. An industry has been built around sports injuries, with sports medicine being currently recognised as a major branch of medicine. Thus products that can aid recovery or prevent injury are in demand.

It is well known that strapping an injury can assist recovery, by reducing the likelihood of further injury due to the applied compression. Thus compression bandages and tapes are commonly applied to injured joints and limbs. Further compression garments are known to be used by sports players to prevent injury. However, these garments do not provide the targeted protection of strapping.

Compression stockings have been found to increase circulation and reduce limb swelling, which assists in the recovery of injuries and reduction of blood clots. However, these stockings are not focused on the injured region, but merely provide overall compression to the legs.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved compression garment, and method of manufacture thereof, which may partially ameliorate or overcome the abovementioned problems or at least provide the consumer with a useful commercial choice.

According to a first broad form of the invention, there is provided improved compression garment for providing compressive forces to one or more targeted regions on a user comprising:

a compression fabric formed into a sheath to cover one or more body parts of a user;

at least one targeted compression delivery means attached to said sheath and adapted to deliver compression to at least one targeted region on said one or more body parts of said user;

wherein said at least one targeted delivery means is adapted to deliver compression locally and specifically to said at least one targeted region, said at least one targeted region being a muscle group such that the compression delivery means com presses only said at least one targeted region.

According to a second broad form of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an improved compression garment comprising the steps of :

forming a sheaf out of compression fabric; forming compression delivery means adapted to target at least one muscle group in isolation; making attachment means to attach the compression delivery means to the sheath; and attaching the compression delivery means to the sheaf such that compression can be delivered to at least one targeted muscle group on a user.

In one embodiment, the compression means is a pane! formed to correspond with the anatomy of a particular muscle group when the garment is worn.

In a second embodiment the compression garment is integrally formed with the compression delivery means such that enhanced compression is applied at targeted muscle groups.

Preferably, the seams are flat locked, Further preferably panels are used to define a number of major muscles anatomy groups.

Alternatively compression delivery means comprises patches applied to the garment corresponding to the desired targeted muscle groups.

Further alternatively compression delivery means comprises reinforced compression fabric at the desired targeted muscle groups.

Further alternatively compression delivery means comprises additional layer of compression fabric over the desired target muscle groups.

Alternatively the compression delivery means is integral the compression garment and comprises increased gradient in the fabric.

Further preferably, lower body garments include a compression delivery means for the groin muscle group. Further preferably, lower body garments Include a compression delivery means for the quadriceps muscle group.

Further preferably, longer lower body garments include a compression delivery means for the hamstring muscle group.

Further preferably, long lower body garments include a compression delivery means for the calf muscle group.

Further preferably, upper body garments include a compression delivery means for the trapezius and pβctoralis muscle group.

Further preferably, upper body garments include a compression delivery means for the abdominal muscle group. Further preferably, upper body garments include a compression delivery means for the oblique and latissimus dorsi muscle groups.

Further preferably, sleeved upper body garments include a compression delivery means for the deltoid muscle groups.

Further preferably, longer sleeved upper body garments include a compression delivery means for the deltoid and lateral triceps muscle groups.

Preferably, the compression fabric comprises polyester and elastomeric qualities.

Further preferably polyester is in the range of 60 to 85%, while elastomer is in the range of 40 to 15%.

Further preferably the ration of polyester to elastomer is 73.1% to 26.9%. Further preferably, the fabric is graduatedly compressed.

Further preferably, the fabric contains a multidirectional muscle fit hyper compressive weave.

Further preferably, the fabric has wick properties to disseminate moisture. In one embodiment, the garment is a one piece body suit.

In another embodiment the garment is a pair of pants. In another embodiment the garment is a pair of shorts. In another embodiment the garment is a top. In another embodiment the garment is a vest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in reference to the following drawings in which:

FIG 1 shows isometric views of two whole body garment according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG 2 shows a method of manufacturing a compression garment according to the first embodiment of the invention;

FIG 3 shows a front, back and side view of a lower body garment according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG 4 shows a front, back and side view of a lower body garment according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIG 5 shows a front, back and side view of a lower body garment according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG 6 shows a front, back and side view of a lower body garment according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

FlG 7 shows a front and back view of an upper body garment according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

FIG 8 shows a front and back view of an upper body garment according to an seventh embodiment of the invention;

FlG 9 shows a front and back view of an upper body garment according to an eighth embodiment of the invention; FIG 10 shows a front, back and side view of an upper body garment according to a ninth embodiment of the invention;

FIG 11 shows a front, back and side view of an sock garment according to a tenth embodiment of the invention; and

FIG 12 shows a front, back and side view of a whole body garment according to a eleventh embodiment of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As can be seen in FIG 1 , the invention is a garment 10 for reducing or preventing soft tissue injury comprising a compression fabric formed to be able to mold to cover one or body parts of a user and including a compression delivery means to deliver pressure to targeted regions on said body parts.

The shape of the each compression delivery means is formed to deliver compression to targeted muscle group according to the surface anatomy of the target body part such that the garment compresses the said muscle group and follows the contour of the surface anatomy of the musculature. The outline of a preferred position for the compression delivery means is shown in white. The white lines define the outline of the specific muscle groups to be targeted.

A person skilled in the art would understand the compression means could consist of any number of means for delivering compression through the fabric. For example, the compression fabric could be formed into a number of panels with a number of seams joining adjacent panels, the shape of the each panel being formed to define a muscle group according to the surface anatomy of the limb or trunk such that the garment compresses said muscle group and follows the contour of the surface anatomy of the musculature as defined at the seams between adjacent panels when the garment is assembled and worn.

Alternatively, the panels could be welded onto the garment corresponding to the shape of the musculature.

Further alternatively compression delivery means comprises reinforced compression fabric at the desired targeted muscle groups. Further alternatively compression delivery means comprises additional layer of compression fabric over the desired target muscle groups. In another embodiment, the compression means is integral with the compression garment and consists of a weave achieving increased gradient covering the musculature as defined by the white lines on the figures. Other compression means could be employed such as attaching compression patches to the desired musculature, or wrapping a ribbon - like fabric strip around the compression targets.

In FIG 1 a. the garment is a full body garment covering all limbs of the body with openings at the neck, wrists and ankles. Nineteen target regions are shown from the isometric view, with the rear view and therefore the rear target regions hidden. These target regions follow the outline of particular muscle groups to provide targeted compressive support, isolating each muscle group from the other. Thus, when a muscle Is flexed or extended, the fabric remains around that isolated group and moves with the flexion or extension. Thus the Isolated support allows targeted compression to be applied to each muscle group even when the wearer of the garment is in motion/active. In this representation, white lines indicating the compression means correspond to nineteen of the muscle groups in the isometric view. Each fabric compression target region is represented in black and the peripheries &rβ shown in white. On each arm, an outer target region 11 defines the deltoids,

triceps and flexors, while an inner target region 12 defines the rest of the arm, including biceps and extensors. The chest includes two target regions 13, 14 shown to define the left and right pectoralis muscles and extending to the dorsal trapezius. The central chest region 15 defines the target regions of the abdominis group from the neck to the waist, with lateral target regions 16, 17 on each side defining the obliques. The lower regions start at the waist, with two target regions 18, 19 defining the left and right groin regions. The top of the legs include a target region 20 defining the quadriceps between the waist and the upper knee. The patella regions are also defined 21 , 22 enclosing all of the musculature of each knee. Each shin region has a target region 23, 24 defining the peroneus muscle group. Two target regions 25, 26 are shown defining the dorsal region of each knee.

The advantage of this design Is that the panels and seams isolate the muscle groups so that compression is applied to individual muscle groups, allowing the fabric to operate as a sheath surrounding each muscle group. This allows the garment to move with the muscle groups in flexion and extension. Thus the garment encloses each region like a muscle sheath, strengthening and providing support to the targeted muscle groups, rather than acting like skin, which covers the whole body surface without targeted support. The garments are assembled in a way to provide targeted compression to the relevant muscle groups for each target region. This targeted compression allows each muscle group to be independently supported thus ensuring any injury is kept under compression even during movement of the

musculature. For use in injury prevention, the alignment of the muscles the translational movements of the muscles are reduced, while the linear movements are promoted, thereby improving muscle efficacy. This leads to increased efficiency in movement and reduces the likelihood of injury due to muscle misalignment. Also the use of individual panels reduces the push-pull effect of skin type compression garments, which move as a whole rather than responding to a specific muscle group.

The targeted compression allows for both injury recovery and injury prevention. Injuries are understood to include, muscle, tendon and ligament tears, strain and physiological stresses, minor discomfort, major injuries and fatigue.

The gastrocnemius and the soleus form the calf muscle allowing plantar flexion of the foot When these muscles become fatigued, for example during sports, ruptures commonly occur where the Achilles tendon merges with the belly of the calf muscle. Thus by applying compression in the garment to form a continuous section around the calf, the fabric creates a gradient compression which enhances the circulation by increased oxygen flow and therefore assists in quicker lactic acid removal, reduced overheating, thereby reducing delayed muscle soreness. In effect this allows an athlete to get more out of their body due to the increases in efficiency provided by the extra oxygen.

By grouping muscles together, muscle and ligament strain is reduced as muscles are kept in line and at optimal positions with applied

compression. Additionally, muscle vibration is reduced by the sheath further optimizing muscle alignment.

Similarly the hamstrings are made up of the semitendinσsus, semlmembranousus and biceps femorls. which create flexion of the knee and extension of the thigh. As these muscles operate as a group they have been contained within the one target region for optimal alignment to prevent injury or assist in recovery from injury.

The quadriceps muscles are made up of rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius and vastus lateralis which allow extension of the leg and flexion of the thigh. These have also been treated as one group with a single target region supporting them for optimal alignment.

Further the groin muscles of pectineus adductor, adductor brevis, adductor magnus and adductor longus have also been treated as a special muscle group with target regions defining the left and right groin regions. This is especially important for males who often sustain groin injuries, but less important for females. Thus in the case of garments designed for females there may be no target regions for the groin.

The composition of the fabric, is within the range of 60 to 85% polyester combined with 40 to 15% elastomeric material to provide the adequate level of compression against the muscles. The preferred ratio is 73.1% polyester 26.9% elastomeric material. This compression improves the circulation and thereby assists with recovery and reduces the likelihood of injury occurring. Other suitable compression fabrics can be used to provide the same result as will

be understood by a person skilled in the art. For example, carbon based fabrics may be substituted for the same result.

The fabric creates a graduated compression across the musculature by virtue of the multidirectional tension. The warp and weft recovery load allows compression to be applied in a number of directions. Due to the multidirectional muscle fit hyper compression, the muscles are compressed in a number of directions, thereby improving the ability of the fabric to absorb the impact (dampen) muscle vibration.

Additionally, the fabric can wick moisture quickly, allowing it to be evaporated from the body and thereby increase the thermal properties of the garment. This assists in the reduction of chafing, as moisture build up is reduced. The fabric also has a SPF 50+ rating to reduce the exposure of a competitor's skin to UV radiation in sunlight.

FIG 1 b shows the invention in the form of a short full body suit. Similarly to FIG 1 a with the chest target region shown in white corresponding to the muscle groups defining the left and right pectoral muscles 13, 14 up to the dorsal trapezius. Other chest target regions define the abdominis group, and each lateral oblique group 16, 17. From the waist downwards, two supporting sections define a left and right groin region 18, 19. The quadriceps are divided from the hamstring muscle group 20 by the white line shown along the side of each leg.

FlG 2 illustrates a method of manufacturing one embodiment of a compression garment for injury reduction comprising the steps of:

laying out a compression fabric; applying patterns to the compression fabric that coincides with the surface anatomy of musculature of a number of muscle groups; cutting the compression fabric into panels according to said patterns; and sewing the panels together such that a number of seams define the surface anatomy of the musculature.

The patterns applied to the compression fabric defines the number of muscle groups required. The figures show various target regions for panels and seams defining the muscle groups required.

FlG 3 shows a front view (a) rear view (b) and side view (c) of full length lower body garment designed for improving circulation. As can be seen in the front view, the target regions define the left 19 and right 18 groin regions. Two further target regions enclose each leg ending with a seam between the gluteal muscles. This configuration is designed for increased blood circulation and ideal for travel flying, driving, running, cold feet, muscular support, workers who spend long hours on their feet (eg nurses, doctors, police, retail workers, bar staff etc).

FIG 4 shows a front view (a) rear view (b) and side view (c) of full length lower body garment. This configuration contains twelve target regions representing twelve distinct muscle groups, As can be seen in this view, from the waist downwards, two target regions 18, 19 are formed to define the left and right groin region. Another two target regions 20 define the left and right quadriceps

on the anterior upper surface of each leg. As best shown in the side view, another two target regions 21, 22 define the gluteus medius for each leg extending into the patella region. Another two target regions 27, 28 define the gluteus maximus for each leg, as best shown in the rear view. The hamstring, soleus and also gastrecnominus, for each leg are defined together in another two target regions 25, 26 as shown in the rear view. The final two target regions 23, 24 define the shin muscle groups for each leg as shown in the front view. Although a number of lines are shown on the waist band, this can be provided as one or more sections. This garment is useful for targeted compression of muscles either in the lower, upper or entire leg. This configuration is ideal for contact sports, outdoor sports, field sport, gymnastics, track and field, snow skiing, water skiing, sports aquatics, rowing, skating, racing, riding, cycling, athletic, martial arts, team sports, motor sports, and rock climbing. FIG 5 shows a front view (a) rear view (b) and side view (c) of short lower body garment, As can be seen in this view, the target regions define ten muscle groups. The first two target regions 18, 19 define the left and right groin regions, as shown in the front view. The front view also shows 20 that upper quadriceps are defined and targeted for each leg. The side view shows each leg has a target region 21, 22 defining the gluteus medius and extending into the anterior in the middle of the quadriceps. The rear view shows two target regions 27, 28 define the gluteus maximus. As also shown in the rear view,

another two target regions 25, 26 define the top of the hamstring muscle groups for each leg.

This configuration is ideal for sports where a shorter garment is require, or only the groin or upper leg needs support. Also this form of garment allows for targeted muscle compression on upper leg regions between the hip and mid thigh. Examples of sports where this garment would be useful are contact sports, outdoor sports, field sport, gymnastics, track and field, snow skiing, water skiing, sports aquatics, rowing, skating, racing, riding, cycling, athletics, martial arts, team sports, and rock climbing. FIG 6 shows a front view (a) rear view (b) and side view (c) of another short lower body garment. As can be seen In this figure, the target regions define ten muscle groups too. The first two target regions 18, 19 define the left and right groin regions, as shown in the front view. The front view also shows two target regions 20 defining the left and right quadriceps extending from the waist anteriorly to the knee. The side view shows there are target regions 21 , 22 for each leg defining the gluteus mβdius and extending into the anterior enclosing the upper patella region. The rear view shows two target regions 27, 28 define the gluteus maxlmus and gracilis. Another two target regions 25. 26 define the top of the hamstring muscles groups for each leg up to the dorsal region of the knee as seen in the rear view.

This configuration is ideal for contact sports, outdoor sports, field sport, gymnastics, track and field, snow skiing, water skiing, sports aquatics, rowing, skating, racing, riding, cycling, athletics, martial arts, team sports, and

rock climbing. This form of garment allows for targeted muscle compression on upper leg regions between the hip and knee.

FIG 7 shows a front view (a) and rear view (b) of a short sleeve upper body garment. As can be seen in this view, there are five target regions shown in whits outline. The first target region 13 defines the left and right pectoral muscles, both deltoids and lateral triceps and the anterior and dorsal trapezius, with the teres majors. Two more target regions 12, 14 are used for the remaining arm muscles defining the medial triceps and biceps up to mid-arm. The front view shows the anterior abdominal group, defined in white outline extending from the neck to the waist. The final target region 16 defines the lateral obliques and latissimus dorsi (lumbar back) muscle groups.

This form of garment allows for targeted muscle compression on upper body regions between the waist, the neck and shoulder. This configuration is ideal for contact sports, outdoor sports, field sport, gymnastics, track and field, snow skiing, water skiing, sports aquatics, rowing, skating, racing, riding, cycling, athletic, martial arts, team sports, and rock climbing.

FIG 8 shows a front view (a) and rear view (b) of another sleeveless upper body garment. As can bθ seen in this view, three target regions are formed to define the garment. The first target region 13 corresponds to the left and right pectoralis and dorsal trapezius with the teres majors. The second target region 15 defines the anterior abdominis group from the neck to the waist.

The third target region 16 is defined for the lateral obliques, and latissimus dorsi muscle groups.

This form of garment allows for targeted muscle compression on upper body regions focusing on the chest This configuration is ideal for contact sports, outdoor sports, field sport, gymnastics, track and field, snow skiing, water skiing, sports aquatics, rowing, skating, racing, riding, cycling, athletic, martial arts, team sports, and rock climbing.

FIG 9 shows a front view (a) and rear view (b) of a long sleeve upper body garment. In this garment there are five target regions. The front view shows, a first white outline representing the target region 13 and defining the left and right pectoralis and anterior and dorsal trapezius with the deltoids and flexors for each arm. Two more target regions 11 , 17 on the arms define the remaining muscle group including biceps, medial triceps and extensors. The front view shows a single section 15 defining the anterior abdominal group from the neck to the waist. While the final target region 16 defines the lateral obliques, and latissimus dorsi muscle groups. This form of garment allows for targeted musclθ compression on upper body regions especially on the lower arms. This configuration is Ideal for contact sports, outdoor sports, field sport, gymnastics, track and field, snow skiing, water skiing, sports aquatics, rowing, skating, racing, riding, cycling, athletic, martial arts, team sports, and rock climbing, FIG 10 shows a front view (a) and rear vtew (b) of the long sleeve upper body garment shown in FIG 8 with an longer hem to provided additional waist coverage.

FIG 11 shows a (a) rear view (b) and side view (c) of a sock garment which applies targeted compression to the lower legs, with a section 23, 24, 25, 26 for each of the front and back calf regions of each leg corresponding to targeted muscle groups. This garment is used to target the lower legs. FIG 12 shows a front view (a) rear view (b) and side view (c) of the long sleeve upper body garment shown in FlG 1 for a female, with a single groin section.

By wearing the garment during training, pre-training, post training and during matches, the garment can either prevent or reduce likelihood of injury or assist in a quicker recovery of the player.

It will be evident to a person skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.