Leg Garment

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/571,251 filed Mar. 28, 2024, entitled LEG GARMENT CHALLENGER, STABILIZER and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/709,788 filed Oct. 21, 2024, entitled LEG GARMENT. The entire contents of each of those patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

U.S. Patent Publication 2023/0240386A1 filed Feb. 1, 2023, entitled “Leg Garment with Adjustable Support Elements” describes garments that provide support for reducing loads at the knee, hip, ankle, and/or spine. The garments described in that patent application can also provide leg shape contouring, muscle training, pain reduction, and injury treatment. The garments generally include a base layer with reinforced portions disposed in various places with adjustable support elements. The size, shape, position, quantity, and material composition of the reinforced portions and the adjustable support elements may be selected to achieve desired tensive properties.

In preferred embodiments, garments are configured to provide support for reducing loads at the knee, hip, ankle, and/or spine. The garments generally include a base layer with reinforced portions disposed in various places with adjustable support elements. The size, shape, position, quantity, and material composition of the reinforced portions and the adjustable support elements may be selected to achieve desired tensive properties. For example, the garments can also provide leg shape contouring, muscle training, pain reduction, and injury treatment.

An example leg garment includes a base layer extending down from a waist past a knee portion. The base layer has a waistband portion, left and right hip portions, and left and right leg portions that include respective left and right thigh portions. The left and right thigh portion may each be reinforced in a selected particular pattern to provide increased resistance to stretching. A first pair of sagitally mirrored anchor points are positioned on the left and right hip portions, and a second pair of sagitally mirrored anchor points are positioned on the left and right thigh portions. A first support element, is attached to the left hip portion and a second end extends to a left thigh portion. A second support element is attached near the right hip portion and extends to a right thigh portion.

The garment may have reinforced portions that surround the knee portion.

The reinforced portions may include fingers of reinforced material extend inward towards the knee portion of the base layer.

The reinforced portions may be patterned such that the fingers of reinforced material extend outward from the knee portion.

The paths of the first and second support elements may span from points located on a back section of the waistband portion.

The first and second support elements may also extend from respective locations adjacent an inner thigh portion.

The first and second support elements may be formed of alternating sections of elastic and inelastic material.

Implementations of garments will now be described in detail with reference to the enclosed drawings. It should be understood that these drawings function as illustrative examples, and are not meant to limit the scope of this patent application to any single implementation or implementations. Therefore, it is understood that other implementations are possible by way of interchange, substitution, or combination with some or all of the elements described or illustrated.

The garments described herein can provide one or more of the following benefits:

By choosing the elasticity of the garment in certain areas, one can impact muscle activation and movement, as well as change the loads on muscles, joints and tendons. By integrating adjustable cables and straps into the garment, one can further impact muscle activation and movement as well to change the loads on muscles, joints and tendons. Furthermore, by externally applying adjustable or nonadjustable straps and cables as well as rigid structures, one can better achieve maximum support.

An example garment is shown in.is a front view of the garment,is of the back of the garment, andis a split view of the left leg (with the outside portion of the leg shown above the line, and the inside portion of the leg below the line). The image inis a detailed view of the waistband portion.

The garment shown inis a product called “Challenger”. This version is designed to be worn by women. As will be explained in detail below, the garment has a particular arrangement of reinforced portions and adjustable tensioning straps to support the skeletal muscles of the lower extremities. The muscles supported by this garment may include the abductors, rectus femoris and tensor fascia latae. This garment also provides resistance to other muscles such as the vastus medialis, rectus femoris, sartorius, tensor fascia latae, gluteus medius, gluteus maximus and biceps femoris.

More particularly, the garment ofincludes a base layer(shown unshaded) that extends down from a waistband portionto a thigh portionand then further down to a calf portion. The calf portionmay extend, if desired, further down to or near a wearer's ankles, or, alternatively, to below the ankle and around the foot.

The base layermay be weakly elastic such that the base layer weakly resists stretching under tensile forces. Preferred materials for the base layer include spandex or other weakly elastic materials. The base layer generally has thigh portions, knee portions, and calf portions.

Parts of the base layer are reinforced or bonded to have an increased resistance to stretching. The reinforced portions(shown with various types of shading) may be of a stronger elastic than the base layer. The reinforced portionsmay be formed from two or more materials that are bonded together. The reinforced portionsshould resist stretching under tensile forces. Preferred materials for the reinforced portionsinclude nylon, or other strongly elastic materials, or materials with no elastic properties but which can contain low or moderate or high flexural modulus.

These reinforced portionsmay be disposed within or on the base layerthrough sewing or adhesives, as well as through other common physical or chemical means known in the art. Alternatively, the reinforced portionsare formed by gluing or bonding a polyurethane film or silicone or some other suitable material onto the base layerto create strongly elastic or inelastic areas. These bonded reinforced portions may be thinner than non-reinforced portions of the base layer.

The waistband portionis positioned on or near the hips. The waistband portionmay fully encircle the waistline of the leg garment or alternatively, may be split into two waistband portions positioned laterally on the hips.

In the example garment of, the reinforced portions(shown with the cross-hatched shading) extend down from a waist portion with a defined shape. In this example, each reinforced portion follows an “S” or serpentine-shape that becomes progressively thinner as it travels down the thigh and approaches the knee.

A first pair of sagitally mirrored anchor pointsare positioned on or sewn to the waistband portion. A second pair of sagitally mirrored anchor pointsare positioned on the thigh portions above or near the knee. The anchor points,may be reinforced as compared to the base layer.

The anchor points provide a location to attach a support element. There are two support elements, one for each of the left and right side. In this example, each support elementconsists of a tensioning strap(shown in black) enclosed within a sleeve(shown in white). The illustrated strapsare formed from a particular arrangement of elastic and inelastic materials as more fully explained below. However other types of straps and other types of support elements are possible.

An upper end of each support elementis attached or sewn to an anchor pointon the waistband. A lower end of each support element attaches near a corresponding one of the anchor pointson the thigh. Each support elementfollows a path that starts near or at the side of the waist, wraps around the back of the leg, and then to the anchor point on the thigh. The upper end of the support elementmay be sewn to the waistband such as through an eyelet.

The distance between the ends of each support element is adjustable. This can be provided by attaching the lower end of the support element to an adjustable tensioning mechanism. Examples of tensioning mechanismsthat can adjust the force applied by the support element are described in the patent application referenced above (which is hereby incorporated by reference).

Another fabric portion, called a bayonet panel, is preferably formed as a single piece of material that extends from inside one leg around the crotch area to the inside of the other leg. The bayonet panelmay also be formed of a bonded fabric that further evenly spreads tension in this area.

The waistmay enclose a beltwhich itself may also include an adjustable tensioning mechanism.

illustrate a men's version of the Challenger product. ChallengerSimilar to the women's version of, this garment has anchor points and reinforced/bonded portionsto control and provide resistance to the same muscles mentioned above. The reinforced/bonded portionextends down from the waist portionbut has a different shape than the women's version. Rather than a continuous “S” shape, the reinforced/bonded portion in this garment branches as it runs down the leg, with a first branchextending from the front and then around the back of the thigh and a second branchextending straight down the front of the thigh.

As with the other garments, this garment has a first pair of sagitally mirrored anchor pointsare positioned on or sewn to a waistband portion. A second pair of sagitally mirrored anchor pointsare positioned on the thigh portions above or near the knee. The anchor points,may be reinforced as compared to the base layer.

This garment also has a pair of adjustable straps, with each strap including a tensionerlocated at the end on the thigh. The strapsconsist of a sleeveinto which fits an inner portion. The inner portionhas a particular arrangement of elastic and inelastic materials as more fully explained below.

Note that the buckleof the men's version may be of a different design than the buckleused for the women's version.

A women's version of another garment design called “Stabilizer” is shown in. This garment has some features in common with the Challenger but is intended to control a different set of muscles and therefore has different uses. For example, the Challenger garments primarily support and “add” to workouts. This Stabilizer garment ofprimarily supports and “subtracts” building proper body function over time.

The Stabilizer is configured to support muscles such as the vastus medialis and the patella along with selected abductors. The Stabilizer also provides engagement and/or resistance to other muscles such as the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, satorious, gluteus medius and gluteus maximus.

The women's Stabilizer consists of a base layerthat extends downward from a waistband portionto a thigh portionand further down to a calf portion. The calf portion may extend, if desired, further down to or near a wearer's ankles, or, alternatively, to below the ankle and around the foot.

The base layer may be weakly elastic such that the base layer weakly resists stretching under tensile forces. Preferred materials for the base layer include spandex or other weakly elastic materials. The base layer generally has thigh portions, knee portions, and calf portions.

Reinforced portionsof the base layerprovide an increased resistance to stretching in selected areas. The reinforced portions(shown with shading) may be of a stronger elastic than the base layer. The reinforced portionsmay be formed from two or more materials that are bonded together. The reinforced portions should resist stretching under tensile forces.

Preferred materials for the reinforced portionsinclude nylon, or other strongly elastic materials, or materials with no elastic properties but which can contain low or moderate or high flexural modulus.

A section of reinforced/bonded materialextends above, below, and around the front of the knees. This reinforced portionprovides support and increased stability to the patella and underlying ligaments (such as the ACL, MCL, meniscus, etc.).

In the example shown in, the reinforced portionsmay be formed from a material which is a woven, non-stretch, film. The hypoallergenic latex-free adhesive layer ensures excellent adhesion to materials that are used to protect the skin and/or that mimic the skin's elasticity. It possesses high adhesion and tensile properties, and the stiffness of the material has a stabilizing effect both mechanically and at a proprioceptive level. However, it should be noted that other types of materials may be used for reinforcement.

These reinforced portionsmay be disposed within or on the base layerthrough sewing or adhesives, as well as through other common physical or chemical means known in the art. Alternatively, the reinforced portionsare formed by gluing or bonding a polyurethane film or silicone or some other suitable material onto the base layer to create strongly elastic or inelastic areas. These bonded reinforced portions may be thinner than non-reinforced portions of the base layer.

In the example women's Stabilizer garment of, the reinforced portionsextend above, below, and around the front of the knees. This provides support and increased stability to the patella and underlying ligaments (such as the ACL, MCL, meniscus, etc.). Note that sections of the reinforced portions may include “fingers”that extend inward towards the knee.

A reinforcement panel or gussetmay be provided inside the thigh and down at least a portion of the leg, again similar to the other garments described herein.

A first pair of sagitally mirrored anchor pointsare positioned or sewn to the back of the waistband portion. A second pair of sagittally mirrored anchor pointsare positioned on the inner thigh portions above or near the knee. A lower pair of anchor pointsare on the lower end below the knee. The anchor points,,may be reinforced as compared to the base layer.

The anchor points,,provide a location to attach a support element. There are two support elements, one for each of the left and right side. In this example, each support elementconsists of an adjustable tensioning strap(shown in black) enclosed within a sleeve(shown in white). The illustrated strapsare formed from a particular arrangement of elastic and inelastic materials and attached or sewn to the garment as described below.

The garment ofhas a total of four support elements(or two tensioning straps, each strap having two sections). A tensioning strap sectionon the top of each leg attaches to the back of the waistband and wraps around to an attachment point on the front of the thigh. A second tensioning strap on the lower portion of each leg attaches from the thigh to the calf, wrapping around the lower portion of the leg.

Note that tension on each of the upper and lower strapscan be adjusted independently of each other.

The strapson each leg wrap in opposite directions. That is, the upper strap on the right leg wraps counter-clockwise and the lower strap on the right leg wraps clockwise, and the upper strap on the left leg wraps clockwise and the lower strap on the left leg wraps counter-clockwise.

A portion of the waistbandcan be formed of bonded film to provide further abductor support.

is an example of the Stabilizer design adapted for men having analogous components including at least a base layer, reinforced portionssurrounding the kneeand adjustable strapsconnected to anchor points,,. The strapsand bonded/reinforced portionsare provided in the same manner as the women's Stabilizer. The waistbandhere can be a drawstring.

are another example of a women's Stabilizer garment. As for the other Stabilizer garments described above, this garment has a particular arrangement of reinforced portionsand adjustable tensioning strapsto support the skeletal muscles of the lower extremities. These may include support for the vastus medialis and the patella along with selected abductors, and/or provide engagement and/or resistance to other muscles such as the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, satorious, gluteus medius and gluteus maximus.