AU2023200604B1

AU2023200604B1 - A garment

Info

Publication number: AU2023200604B1
Application number: AU2023200604A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Amanda Jennifer DEAN
Original assignee: Salty Cheeks Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Salty Cheeks Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-25
Filing date: 2023-02-06
Publication date: 2023-09-14
Anticipated expiration: 2043-02-06
Also published as: US20240172817A1; AU2023270355A1

Abstract

A garment to be worn over at least a portion of a lower body of a wearer, the garment comprising: a rear pocket including an opening, the rear pocket configured for receiving a removable pad, wherein, the garment is adapted such that when the removable pad is positioned in the rear pocket and the wearer is seated on a surface, the removable pad is aligned with the wearer's ischial tuberosity such that the removable pad is between the wearer's ischial tuberosity and the surface.

Description

A garment

Field of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to a garment, and in particular to a garment for wearers engaging in seated paddle sports.

[2] The invention has been developed primarily for use in paddle sports and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

Background of the Invention

[3] When engaging in seated paddle sports, such as Surfski, Kayak, or Canoe paddling, many people experience discomfort due to bursitis inflammation around the area of their Ischial Tuberosity (i.e., the 'sit bones'), shown in Figure 1 and numbered 1 and 2. This discomfort is due to the major muscle covering the sit bones, the Gluteus Maximus, retracting when the person is in a seated position and is flexing their leg muscles. This position and movement is necessary for a paddler to gain what is referred to as 'leg drive' when engaging the most efficient paddle stroke. When the Gluteus Maximus retracts, the Ischial Tuberosity is exposed and is unprotected from the hard seat of the Surfski, Kayak, Canoe, or the like (watercraft). The seat is usually made from a hard plastic or composite material.

[4] Presently, people add padding to the seat of the watercraft, by gluing a piece of foam or rubber to the seat. One problem with this is that the padding must be attached to the watercraft seat to prevent the padding moving whilst paddling. Generally, people prefer to use their own padding and sometimes, attachment is not possible (e.g. where it is glued) and other times it is inconvenient to remove the padding. This problem usually arises when the person is part of a club and they are using the club's watercraft or when the person is paddling at a club that is not local to them. Another problem is that if the padding is attached to the seat, the padding cannot be changed based upon the paddler's current padding needs or length of paddle session.

[5] Presently, there are padded pants available for paddlers. However, problems with padded pants currently available are the padding is not removable and the padded pants do not suit the female anatomy.

[6] The present invention seeks to provide a garment, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[7] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Invention

[8] An aspect of the present invention provides a water sports garment to be worn over at least a portion of a lower body of a wearer, the garment comprising:

a rear pocket spanning across the wearer's gluteal muscles when in use, the rear pocket including an opening, the rear pocket configured for receiving a removable pad, the removable pad including a foam core enclosed within a neoprene outer,

wherein, the garment is adapted such that when the removable pad is positioned in the rear pocket and the wearer is seated on a surface, removable pad is aligned with each of the wearer's ischial tuberosities such that the removable pad is between the wearer's ischial tuberosities and the surface.

[9] Advantageously, the rear pocket allows the wearer to interchange the removable pad with other removable pads that are customised for their needs. Furthermore, the garment with removable pads allows the removable pads to be taken out of it so that they can be washed separately.

[10] Advantageously, the garment and removable pad distribute the force acting on the wearer's Ischial Tuberosities, when they are seated on the surface of the watercraft, particularly when the wearer is engaging their legs and the Gluteus Maximus retracts, thus exposing the Ischial Tuberosities.

[11] Advantageously, the removable pad can be placed into another garment that is shorter or longer, depending on if the weather is hot or cold and if the wearer needs more warmth or cooling.

[12] In one embodiment, the garment is made of a material that provides compression to the at least a portion of the lower body of the wearer.

[13] Advantageously, the garment being made of a material that provides compression to the lower body of the wearer reduces muscle fatigue by reducing lactic build up. This also aids recovery of the wearer.

[14] In one embodiment, the material is tri-layer material.

[15] Advantageously, the tri-layer material provides more comfort and less irritation to the wearer as the three distinct layers can move independently as the wearer moves, rather than the wearer's body moving against the fabricorthefabric against the watercraft. Additionally, the piece of fabric in direct contact with the wearer's skin does not have a centre seam as this would cause irritation during movement.

[16] In one embodiment, the material is one or more selected from:

a. polyester;

b. elastane;

c. nylon;

d. spandex;

e. silicon; and

f. cotton.

[17] In one embodiment, the material is made in part from ocean recovered plastics.

[18] Advantageously, making the garment from ocean recovered plastics reduces the environmental impact associated with manufacturing clothing.

[19] In one embodiment, the garment further comprises a garment body.

[20] In one embodiment, the rear pocket is internal and is attached to the garment body by one or more flat lock seams.

[21] Advantageously, the flat lock seams reduce irritation for the wearer that would arise if standard seams were used as flat lock seams are less raised than regular seams. A regular seam gathers the fabric and stitches it together creating a 'lump' along the seamed area. This causes irritation when the skin rubs against it during repetitive motion, like paddling and using 'leg drive'.

[22] In one embodiment, the rear pocket spans across the wearer's gluteal muscles.

[23] Advantageously, the single rear pocket provides space for the single removable pad that spans across the wearer's gluteal muscles, which is less likely to move than if two separate removable pads are used. A single, larger, removable pad is less likely to move and expose the Ischial Tuberosities as there is more friction to keep the removable pad in the correctly aligned position.

[24] In one embodiment, the removable pad includes a foam core and a neoprene outer.

[25] Advantageously, the foam core is a marine grade foam which is 'closed cell'. Closed cell foam is less likely to retain water and will therefore dry quicker, reduce mould and retain its shape/density for longer. The foam core is covered in clothed neoprene as neoprene does not grip/stick to the skin when wet so it is less likely to cause irritation if it comes in contact with the skin when paddling.

[26] In one embodiment, the foam core has a thickness of 6 millimetres to 12 millimetres.

[27] In one embodiment, the foam core has a density of 25 kg/m3 and 35 kg/m3.

[28] In one embodiment, the rear pocket is adapted to receive removable pads of various foam densities.

[29] Advantageously, the removable pads are interchangeable with removable pads of different foam densities based on the needs of the wearer in a specific paddle session. For example, a denser removable pad may be used for shorter paddle sessions where more performance is required.

[30] In one embodiment, the rear pocket is adapted to receive removable pads of various thicknesses.

[31] Advantageously, the removable pad is interchangeable with removable pads of different foam thicknesses based on the needs of the wearer in a specific paddle session. For example, a thicker removable pad may be used for longer paddle sessions where more cushioning is required.

[32] In one embodiment, the rear pocket is defined by a lower seam and a lateral seam on each side of the garment.

[33] In one embodiment, the lower seam is adjacent or below the wearer's Infragluteal Fold, when in use.

[34] In one embodiment, each lateral seam is adjacent the wearer's Gluteus Medius, when in use.

[35] In one embodiment, each lateral seam is adjacent a lateral edge of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus.

[36] In one embodiment, the garment further comprises an elastic waistband defining an opening.

[37] In one embodiment, the waistband at the rear of the garment is proximal to the wearer's Iliac Crest and the waistband at the front of the ferment is distal to the wearer's Iliac Crest, relative to the waistband at the rear of the garment, when in use.

[38] A garment arrangement according as described by any one of the above paragraphs, the garment arrangement including a removable pad located in the rear pocket arrangement.

[39] This invention may also be said broadly to comprise in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

[40] To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

[41] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[42] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[43] Figure 1 shows a front view of a human pelvis;

[44] Figure 2 shows a rear view of a garment according to an embodiment;

[45] Figure 3 shows a right side view of the garment shown in Figure 2;

[46] Figure 4 shows a front view of the garment shown in Figure 2;

[47] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a removable pad according to an embodiment;

[48] Figure 6 shows a top view of the removable pad shown in Figure 5;

[49] Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the layers of the removable pad shown in Figure 5; and

[50] Figures 8A and 8B show a schematic side view of the layers of the removable pad shown in Figure 5.

Description of Embodiments

[51] It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

[52] Figures 2 to 4 show a garment 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The garment 10 is intended to be worn over at least the lower body of a wearer. The lower body of a wearer is the region from the waist to groin area or the waist to knee area or the waist to ankle area of the wearer. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the garment 10 is in the form of shorts which substantially cover a region from the wearer's waist to their thigh. Alternatively, the garment 10 may be in the form of a full length or three quarter length pant which substantially cover a region from the wearer's waist to their mid calf or ankle.

[53] The garment 10 comprises a rear pocket 12 which includes a pocket opening 14. The removable pad 30 fits snugly in the rear pocket such that the removable pad does not come out of the pocket opening 14 when in use. However, in alternative embodiments it is envisaged that the pocket opening 14 may be closable via one or more fasteners such as a hook and loop fastener, button, snap button or press stud or the like (not shown). The rear pocket 12 is configured for receiving a removable pad 30 via the opening 14. The removable pad 30 is shown in Figures 5 to 8B and will be described later.

[54] The garment 10 is adapted such that when the removable pad 30 is positioned in the rear pocket 12 and the wearer is seated on a surface, the removable pad 30 is aligned with the wearer's ischial tuberosity 1, 2 such that the removable pad 30 is between the wearer's ischial tuberosity 1, 2 and the surface, when the wearer is seated on the surface. When the wearer's gluteus maximus moves out of alignment between the wearer's ischial tuberosity 1, 2 and the surface, the removable pad 30 remains in alignment between the wearer's ischial tuberosity 1, 2 and the surface to provide cushioning.

[55] The garment 10 may be made from a variety of materials and may be made, in part, from recovered ocean plastics. Materials made to provide compression to the lower body or legs of the wearer may also be used or materials such as nylon, spandex, silicon or cotton may be used. Providing compression to the lower body helps with performance and recovery. Preferably, the material is a tri-layer material and is a hydrophobic or a fast-drying material for use in water sports.

[56] The garment 10 is comprised of a garment body 11 which forms the overall material and shape of the garment. The rear pocket 12 is attached to the garment body 11, specifically the inside of the garment body 11. In this way, the rear pocket 12 is internal to the garment 10. The rear pocket 12 is attached to the garment body 11 via one or more seams 16. The one or more seams 16 may be a single continuous seam to form the rear pocket 12 or two or more separate seams joined together. The one or more seams 16 are flatlock seams so as to minimise skin irritation for the wearer by reducing friction between the seam and the wearer's skin.

[57] The rear pocket 12 is stitched to the garment body such that the rear pocket 12 spans across the wearer's gluteal muscles, when in use, i.e., when worn by the wearer. Accordingly, the rear pocket 12 is defined or bound by a lower seam 18 and two lateral seams 20 on each side of the garment body 11. Shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the lower seam 18 is adjacent or below the wearer's Infragluteal Fold, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer). Additionally, each lateral seam 20 is adjacent the wearer's Gluteus Medius, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer). Each lateral seam 20 is also adjacent a lateral edge of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer).

[58] The garment 10 also comprises a waistband portion 22 defining a garment body opening 24 and a pair of garment body leg openings 26, opposite the garment body opening 24. The elastic waist band 22 comprises a front portion and a rear portion. The rear portion of the elastic waistband 22 sits higher on the wearer as compared to the front portion of the elastic waistband 22. In other words, the front portion of the waistband portion 22 is proximal to the wearer's Iliac Crest, relative to the rear portion of the waistband 22 which is distal to the wearer's Iliac Crest, when in use. The rear of the garment 10 is designed such that the waistband 22 is near or above the wearer's Iliac Crest, whereas the front of the garment 10 is lower than the wearer's Iliac Crest, when in use. This is to prevent the garment 10 from moving down while engaging in seated paddling activities. In the embodiment shown, the rear portion sits about 25mm higher than the front portion, when worn by the wearer.

[59] Turning to Figures 5 to 8B, a removable pad 30 is shown. The removable pad 30 has lateral edges 32, a lower edge 34 and an upper edge 36. The removable pad 30 is sized to fill the rear pocket 12 such that the lateral edges 32 is adjacent the wearer's Gluteus Medius, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer) and in the rear pocket 12. Additionally, the removable pad 30 is sized to fill the rear pocket 12 such that the lower edge 34 is adjacent or below the wearer's Infragluteal Fold, when in use (i.e., when worn by the wearer). The upper edge 36 should not protrude from the rear pocket 12 when in use so that the removable pad 30 is contained wholly or substantially within the rear pocket 12.

[60] The removable pad 30 comprises a foam core 40 and a neoprene outer 42. The foam core has a thickness, t, of anywhere between 6 millimetres to 12 millimetres. The foam core also has a density of anywhere between 25 kg/M3 and 35 kg/M 3 . As the removable pad is readily removable from the rear pocket 12, the removable pad 30 is interchangeable by the wearer with other removable pads 30 having different thicknesses and/or densities. In this way, the removable pad is customisable in thickness, density and shape for the wearer to select based upon the intensity and duration of their paddling activity. Figure 8A shows the removable pad 30 with a foam core 40 that is thinner compared to the foam core 40 shown in Figure 8B.

[61] In another embodiment, it is envisaged that the foam core 40 may comprise regions of different density and/or different thickness. The removable pad 30 and therefore the foam core 40, span across the wearer's gluteal muscles, when in use. Thus, in one embodiment, the foam core 40 may comprise a softer lower density foam under the wearer's Ischial Tuberosity, compared to the foam around the wearer's Gluteus Medius. In another embodiment, the reverse may be used. In yet another embodiment, the thickness of the foam may vary across the foam core 40, such that thicker foam is located under the wearer's Ischial Tuberosity, compared to the thickness of the foam around the wearer's Gluteus Medius. In these embodiments, it may be said that the foam core 40 is a foam core of variable density and variable thickness, to distribute the force onto the wearer whilst seated in a bespoke manner.

Interpretation

Markush Groups

[62] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

Chronological sequence

[63] For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

Embodiments:

[64] 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, appearances 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, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

[65] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[66] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

[67] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

[68] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

[69] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[70] As used herein the term "and/or" means "and" or "or", or both.

[71] As used herein "(s)" following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.

Comprising and Including

[72] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[73] Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

[74] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[75] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

[76] It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the apparel industries.

Claims

Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A water sports garment to be worn over at least a portion of a lower body of a wearer, the garment comprising:

wherein, the garment is adapted such that when the removable pad is positioned in the rear pocket and the wearer is seated on a surface, the removable pad is aligned with each of the wearer's ischial tuberosities such that the removable pad is between the wearer's ischial tuberosities and the surface.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is made of a material that provides compression to the at least a portion of the lower body of the wearer.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the material is tri-layer material.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the material is one or more selected from:

a. polyester;

b. elastane;

c. nylon;

d. spandex;

e. silicon; and

f. cotton.

5. The garment of claim 2, wherein the material is made in part from ocean recovered plastics.

6. The garment of claim 2, further comprising a garment body.

7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the rear pocket is internal and is attached to the garment body by one or more flatlock seams.

8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the foam core has a thickness of 6 millimetres to 12 millimetres.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the foam core has a density of 25 kg/M3 and 35 kg/M 3 .

10. The garment of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the rear pocket is adapted to receive removable pads of various foam densities.

11. The garment of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the rear pocket is adapted to receive removable pads of various thicknesses.

12. The garment of claim 7, wherein the rear pocket is defined by a lower seam and a lateral seam on each side of the garment.

13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the lower seam is adjacent or below the wearer's Infragluteal Fold, when in use.

14. The garment of claim 12, wherein each lateral seam is adjacent the wearer's Gluteus Medius, when in use.

15. The garment of claim 14, wherein each lateral seam is adjacent a lateral edge of the wearer's Gluteus Maximus, when in use.

16. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a waistband defining an opening.

17. The garment of claim 16, wherein the waistband at the rear of the garment is proximal to the wearer's Iliac Crest and the waistband at the front of the garment is distal to the wearer's Iliac Crest, relative to the waistband at the rear of the garment, when in use.

18. A garment arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, the garment arrangement including a removable pad located in the rear pocket arrangement.