IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,375,603
Granted Patent B2
US 9,375,603 · App. 14/887,046 · Granted Jun 28, 2016

Garment for elevating physiological load under motion

Inventors: Belinko K. Matsuura (Solana Beach, CA); David G. Matsuura (Solana Beach, CA); Gerard von Hoffmann (Coto de Caza, CA)
Assignee: Tau Orthopedics, LLC
A63B21/4025A63B21/0004A63B21/008A63B21/00185A63B21/02A63B21/159A63B21/16A63B21/4001A63B21/4011A63B21/4017A63B21/4039A63B21/4043A63B23/04A63B23/0494A63B21/0083A63B21/0087A63B21/023A63B21/0552A63B23/02A63B23/1281A63B2208/14
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,375,603
App. No.
14/887,046
Granted
Jun 28, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed is a garment configured to receive resistance elements for elevating physiological load under motion. The garment includes left and right docking platforms for receiving left and right resistance elements which provide resistance to movement throughout an angular range of motion. The garment may be low profile, and worn by a wearer as a primary garment or beneath conventional clothing. Force transfer layers may be provided to transmit torque from the docking platforms to the garment while minimizing stretching or wrinkling of the garment. The garment may be a compression garment, including or constructed from fabric having at least about 30% stretch prior to tensile failure. Sensors may be provided for sensing any of a variety of biometric parameters and for determining exerted power or calories consumed.

Claims (46)

1. A garment for elevating physiological loading at the hip of a wearer, comprising:

a waist;

a left leg, extending across a left hip;

a right leg, extending across a right hip;

a left docking platform at the left hip, for receiving a left resistance unit;

a right docking platform at the right hip, for receiving a right resistance unit;

a left force transfer layer connected to the left docking platform and the garment;

a right force transfer layer connected to the right docking platform and the garment;

a left connector on the left docking platform for engaging a left resistance unit; and

a right connector on the right docking platform for engaging a right resistance unit; wherein the left connector comprises a post carried by the left docking platform.

2. A garment as in claim 1 , further comprising an opening on the left leg of the garment for receiving a femoral lever on left the resistance unit.

3. A garment as in claim 1 , wherein the left force transfer layer comprises a plurality of strands extending approximately at a tangent around the left docking platform to optimize resistance to rotation of the docking platform relative to the garment.

4. A garment as in claim 3 , wherein the left force transfer layer comprises a fabric.

5. A garment, as in claim 1 , wherein the left docking platform is attached to the force transfer layer by stitching.

6. A garment as in claim 1 , wherein the left docking platform is attached to the force transfer layer by adhesive.

7. A garment as in claim 1 , comprising at least one panel of compression fabric.

8. A garment as in claim 7 , wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 30% stretch prior to tensile failure.

9. A garment as in claim 7 , wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 50% stretch prior to tensile failure.

10. A garment as in claim 8 , wherein each of the left and right docking platforms can receive at least about 10 inch pounds of rotational torque while minimizing stretching or wrinkling of the garment.

11. A garment as in claim 8 , wherein each of the left and right docking platforms can receive at least about 15 inch pounds of rotational torque while minimizing stretching or wrinkling of the garment.

12. A garment as in claim 7 , wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 80% stretch prior to tensile failure.

13. A lower body toning garment as in claim 8 , wherein each of the left and right docking platforms is configured to removably receive left, and right resistance units.

14. A lower body toning garment as in claim 8 , wherein each of the left and right docking platforms is configured to permanently carry left and right resistance units.

15. A garment for elevating physiological loading at the hip of a wearer, comprising:

a waist;

a left leg, extending across a left hip;

a right leg, extending across a right hip;

a left docking platform at the left hip, for receiving a left resistance unit;

a right docking platform at the right hip, for receiving a right resistance unit;

a left force transfer layer connected to the left docking platform and the garment;

a right force transfer layer connected to the right docking platform and the garment;

a left connector on the left docking platform for engaging a left resistance unit; and

a right connector on the right, docking platform for engaging a right resistance unit; wherein the left connector comprises an aperture carried by the left docking platform.

16. A garment as in claim 15 , further comprising an opening on the left leg of the garment for receiving a femoral lever on left the resistance unit.

17. A garment as in claim 15 , wherein the left force transfer layer comprises a plurality of strands extending approximately at a tangent around the left docking platform to optimize resistance to rotation of the docking platform relative to the garment.

18. A garment as in claim 17 , wherein the left force transfer layer comprises a fabric.

19. A garment as in claim 15 , wherein the left docking platform is attached to the force transfer layer by stitching.

20. A garment as in claim 15 , wherein the left docking platform is attached to the force transfer layer by adhesive.

21. A garment as in claim 15 , comprising at least one panel of compression fabric.

22. A garment, as in claim 21 , wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 30% stretch prior to tensile failure.

23. A garment as in claim 21 , wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 50% stretch prior to tensile failure.

24. A garment as in claim 22 , wherein each of the left and right docking platforms can receive at least about 10 inch pounds of rotational torque while minimizing stretching or wrinkling of the garment.

25. A garment as in claim 22 , wherein each of the left and right docking platforms can receive at least about 15 inch pounds of rotational torque while minimizing stretching or wrinkling of the garment.

26. A garment as in claim 21 , wherein the compression fabric exhibits at least 80% stretch prior to tensile failure.

27. A lower body toning garment as in claim 22 , wherein each of the left and right docking platforms is configured to removably receive left and right resistance units.

28. A lower body toning garment as in claim 22 , wherein each of the left and right docking platforms is configured to permanently carry left and right resistance units.

Assignments (2)
CERTIFICATE OF CONVERSION Recorded Mar 20, 2019
From: TAU ORTHOPEDICS, LLC
To: TAU ORTHOPEDICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 050153/0134 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2016
From: MATSUURA, BELINKO K.; MATSUURA, DAVID G.; VON HOFFMANN, GERARD
To: TAU ORTHOPEDICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 037813/0966 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 14665947 · Mar 23, 2015
Continuation In Part 12951947 · Nov 22, 2010
Continuation In Part 12797718 · Jun 10, 2010
Continuation In Part 14450228 · Aug 2, 2014
Continuation In Part 14217576 · Mar 18, 2014
Continuation In Part 14192805 · Feb 27, 2014
Provisional Application 61218607 · Jun 19, 2009
Related Publication 20160038783A1 · Feb 11, 2016