A PHYSIOLOGICAL PROTECTOR FOR A PART OF THE BODY

Abstract: A physiological protector (17, 18, 19), for a part of the body, is manufactured from a finely structured cloth comprising a carrying layer (11) of chemically expanded elastomeric material, which, at least on one of its faces, is laminated with a porous textile fabric (13, 14). The elastomeric material hall be so porous that it permits "breathing", but it shall only retain an amount of moisture which is less than 5% of the weight of the material, preferably only 2,5%. The cloth is formed into tubular elements (17, 18, 19) which form a self-supporting cover fitting the part of the body in question and kept together by a longitudinal seam (10).

Description: A PHYSIOLOGICAL PROTECTOR FOR A PART OF THE BODY Recovery from many kinds of injuries to joints , tendons and the back can be promoted by keeping the injured part of the body warm and protected. The heat will increase the circulation of blood in the pro- tected region, and it has been established that the per¬ formance of athletes will be improved if certain parts of the body, for instance the knees and the elbows, are provided with a "heat insulation". A satisfactory physiological action of a protector presupposes that it shall be retained by it¬ self in the intended position without hindering the movements of the wearer, it shall not irritate the skin, and it shall absorb a minimum of moisture (sweat). Warming covers of textile material, for in— stance muffetees and girdles, have been used for a- long time, but they cannot retain their form, and do, on many occasions, absorb far too much moisture. There are many kinds of foamed rubber materials, which have good heat insulating properties, but which are unsuitable to be used in protectors for parts of the body. On the one hand they tend to harden due to the conditions prevalent during contact with the body, . their odour is often not agreeable, and on many occasions the moisture absorption is unacceptable. The conditions to be imposed upon the mate¬ rial are i.a. that it shall have a fine and smooth structure, which is so porous as to permit "breathing", while simultaneously the capacity to retain moisture at normal atmospheric pressure is less than 5 °/° of the weight of the material, preferably about 2,5 °/° - A suitable material is neoprene rubber or other elastomeric material into which a cellular form¬ ing additive producing nitrogen is introduced during the manufacturing process. The rubber mixture is formed into 'BϋKtAt/ OMPI ^KNATlCg^' a sheet of suitable thickness in a high-pressure press, and when this is opened a rapid reduction of the pres¬ sure occurs, which brings about the desired "blowing- up" of the material. In order to prevent irritation of the skin the elastomeric material is laminated with a thin, porous textile fabric,, at least at the face to be turned towards • the body. Preferably both faces of the elastomeric mate¬ rial are laminated. The textile material makes it possib- le to strengthen the seam by sewing in a manner which is impossible with rubber material alone. A physiological protector according to the invention is characterized in that it is manufactured from a portion of a finely structured protecting cloth comprising a carrying layer of chemically expanded elas- tomeric material, which at least at the face to be turned towards the part of the body to be treated is laminated with textile fabric, the portion of cloth being cut in such a manner that it , formed into a tubular member will provide a self-support unit, fitting the said part of the body, and being held together by a longitudinal running seam, where the edges of the elastomeric material are bonded together, and the textile lamination is sewn to¬ gether. The invention will below be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 ,on a somewhat enlarged scale, shows a section through a protector according to the invention, adjacent to a seam, Figure 2 shows a protector for the calf, Figure 3 shows a protector for a knee, and Figure shows a protector for an elbow. The elastomeric material to be used in the protectors has a cellular structure, preferably based upon NEOPRENE, which through chemical treatment and sub¬ jected to heat and pressure has been given the desired structure and been formed into sheets or boards. In order to facilitate the fitting and the removal of the protectors, and to avoid irritating of the skin, the sheet of elastomeric material is laminated with a porous layer of textile fabric, preferably on both of its faces. The elastomeric material shall be light and ductile, and has such a thickness, usually about mm » that the protectos will be self-supporting and will re¬ tain its position also during movements of the wearer. Essential features of the material are, as mentioned above, that it will permit "breathing", i.e. it must not be impervious, and the cellular structure shall retain a limited amount of moisture (sweat) only. The laminated cloth is delivered in sheets or boards, and is cut up into pieces which will be formed into tubular elements , which will closely follow the part of the body to be protected. Preferably a series of various sizes is produced for each part to be protect¬ ed, but the material is so elastic that it, without causing any constrictions, may be used within certain tolerance limits.. When producing the protectors at least one longitudinal seam will be required, which is glued along the edges of the elastomeric material, while the textile lamination is sewn together. Figures 1 shows, on a somewhat enlarged scale, a section at the seam 10 of a protector. The elastomeric material is denoted by 11 and the glue bond by 12. The inner and the outer laminations are denoted by 13 and 1 , respectively, and sewn seams thereat are denoted by 15 and 16, respectively. Figure 2 shows a tubular protector 17 intend¬ ed to enclose the skin and the calf from knee to ankle. The seam 10 is preferably made to run along the back of the protector, and it is evident that it is important that the protector will not slip down. Figure 3 shows a protector 18 adapted to enclose a knee, and also here the seam 10 runs along its back. Figure h shows a protector 19 for an elbow, which in its basic shape is bent more than is possible to obtain with a piece of a sheet formed into a tube and held by a single seam. The main longitudinal seam 10 here runs along the upper face of the protector. Wedgeformed pieces have been notched from the edges to be joined, and the edges of these notches have been joined along transverse seams 20. The embodiments described above are examp¬ les only, and it is evident that the protectors may be formed in many ways depending upon the actual part of the body. For the small of the back may thus a broad girdle, enclosing the torso be suitable.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A physiological protector for a part of the body, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that it is manufactured from a portion of a finely structured pro¬ tecting cloth comprising a carrying layer (li) of che- ically expanded elastomeric material, which at least at the face to be turned towards the part of the body to be treated is laminated with textile fabric (13 » 10 the portion of cloth being cut in such a manner that it, formed into a tubular member (17 > 8, 19) will pro— vide a self-support unit, fitting the said part of the body, and being held together by a longitudinally running seam (lθ) , where the edges of the elastomeric material (li) are bonded together, and the textile lamination (13, 1*0 is sewn together. 2. A protector according to claim 1 , c h a ¬ r a c t e r i z e d in that the layer of elastomeric material (11) is provided with textile laminates (13 > 1 on both faces. 3. A protector according to either of claims 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the elasto¬ meric material (li) is NEOPRENE.

Inventors: WULCAN A
Applicants: WULCAN A
Application year: 1980
Main classification: A61F13
IPC codes: A61F7, A61F13