Abstract:
A band is described for providing support and/or protection to the wearer. In one embodiment, the band is a wrist band having pockets for several longitudinal reinforcement elements. Thus, for example, a wrist band may be formed from an elastic material had be stitched to form pockets. In one embodiment, the pockets are closed, and the band is provided with a given amount of protection or support. In yet another embodiment, one or more pockets have an opening, which allows a user to adjust the amount of protection and/or support in each pocket.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/298,478, filed Jan. 26, 2010, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made part of this specification. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to an elastic garment, and more particularly to a reinforced elastic wrist guard. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     Many people inflict damage to their bodies while exercising, either due to impact or by straining muscles or joints. 
     When exercising using kettlebells, for example, stress is placed on the wrist from movement of the kettlebell and from the impact of the kettlebell on the wrist and forearm. 
     There is a need for a device to protect the wrist and forearm from the stress of movement and impact during exercising. Such a garment should be lightweight, easy to use, and should provide flexibility for the user&#39;s wrist. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art by providing an elastic band having a user-adjustable reinforcement. Such a structure provides impact protection for the wearer and may also provide support. 
     In one embodiment, a garment is provided for a portion of the body, such as the wrist. The garment includes an elastic band capable of containing one or more longitudinal reinforcing elements. 
     In another embodiment, the elastic band includes openings such that a user may adjust the amount of reinforcement in the band. 
     In certain embodiments, a wrist guard is provided comprising a tube including a fabric, where the tube has a longitudinal axis. one or more pockets extending along the tube; where at least one of the one or more pockets has an opening, and one or more inserts each adapted to removably fit through an opening into one of the one or more pockets. The inserts provide longitudinal stiffness to the tube. 
     In certain other embodiments, a wrist guard is provided comprising a tube including an elastic fabric, where the tube has a longitudinal axis, eight pockets extending along the tube; where at least one of the eight pockets has an opening, and one or more bendable inserts each adapted to removably fit through an opening into the at least one of the eight pockets. The inserts provide longitudinal stiffness to the tube. 
     In yet other certain embodiments, a wrist guard for accepting one or more inserts is provided. The comprises a tube including a fabric, where the tube has a longitudinal axis, and one or more pockets extending substantially longitudinally along the tube, where at least one of the one or more pockets has an opening to removably accept at least one of the one or more inserts. The inserts provide longitudinal stiffness to the tube. 
     In certain embodiments, a wrist guard is provided having a closed pocket that contains at least one of insert. 
     In certain other embodiments, a wrist guard is provided having 6 pockets, 7 pockets, or 8 pockets. 
     In yet certain other embodiments, a wrist guard is provided using an elastic fabric. 
     In certain embodiments, a wrist guard is provided, having a length of 2.5 inches to 6 inches. 
     In certain other embodiments, a wrist guard is provided including inserts that include includes a bendable plastic or metal. 
     These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are attained by the garment of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wrist guard as worn on the wrist; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view  2 - 2  of a first embodiment wrist guard; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an inverted, second embodiment wrist guard; 
         FIG. 4A  is a sectional view  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4B  is a sectional view  4 - 4  of a third embodiment wrist guard; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate a method of manufacturing the wrist guard; 
     
    
    
     Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects or features shown therein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a device which may be used to provide support for a body part, and which may be, for example and without limitation, a wrist guard  100  which may provide support to a wrist W. Wrist guard  100  is formed from a material  10  into a generally cylindrical, or tubular, band having diameter D, and having an outer surface  101 , a first open end  102 , and a second open end  104 . Open ends  102  and  104  form openings through wrist guard  100 , separated by a length L, and permit the wrist guard to surround a body part, such as wrist W. 
       FIG. 1  further shows wrist guard  100  as including several longitudinal segments  103  which may be separated by dividers  105 . The size and shape of each segment  103  may be approximately the same, or may be differently sized and shaped. Segments  103  may be fabric, or may be a combination of fabric and one or more stiffening elements, as described subsequently. In certain embodiment, one or more of segments  103  includes a pocket formed from material  10 , where the pocket may be open or closed, and divider  105  includes stitching in material  10 . The segments may provide reinforcement of wrist guard  100 , as discussed subsequently. 
     In certain embodiments, the number of segments  103  is between 6 and 12. Thus, for example and without limitation, the number of segments is 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12. In yet other certain embodiments, the number of segments is greater than 4, greater than 5, greater than 6, greater than 7, greater than 8, greater than 9, greater than 10, greater than 11, or may be greater than 12. 
     In certain embodiments, material  10  is a fabric, which may be elastic, and which may include natural and/or synthetic fibers. Material  10  may be, for example and without limitation, be an elastic fabric, which may, for example, include fibers of cotton, NYLON™, and SPANDEX™, such as a combination of 80% Cotton, 10% NYLON™, and 10% SPANDEX™. 
     For use as a wrist guard, the length L is preferably from 2.5 to 6 inches, and may be sized for different portions of the population. L may, for example and without limitation, be 2.5 inches, 3 inches, 3.5 inches, 4 inches, 4.5 inches, 5 inches, or 5.5 inches, or 6 inches. Thus, for example, L may be from approximately 3 inches to approximately 4 inches for use by women or children, or approximately 5 inches for use by men. The diameter D is preferably from 2 to 4 inches, and may also be sized for different populations. Thus, for example, D may be from approximately 2.5 inches to approximately 3 inches for use by women or children, and approximately 3 inches to approximately 3.5 inches for use by men. 
       FIG. 2  is a sectional view  2 - 2  of a first embodiment wrist guard  100 , which may be generally similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Wrist guard  100  of  FIG. 2  has eight equal sized segments  103  that each includes a pocket  202  having a length L and a width A. Thus segments  103   a ,  103   b ,  103   c ,  103   d ,  103   e ,  103   f ,  103   g , and  103   h , have corresponding pockets  202   a ,  202   b ,  202   c ,  202   d ,  202   e ,  202   f ,  202   g , and  221   h . The total width of all pockets  202 , 8 A, is approximately the circumference of wrist guard  100 , or π D. Each pocket  202  may be empty, or may contain one or more elements  203  to provide longitudinal reinforcement to the flexing of wrist guard  100 . It is preferred, though not required, that the one or more elements  203  also have a length of approximately L and a width of approximately A. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 2  is an inner surface  201 . The reference to “inner surface  101 ” and “outer surface  201 ” is not meant to limit the use of wrist guard  100 , since, in certain embodiments, wrist guard  100  is flexible, and the cylinder can be inverted so that either one of surface  101  or  201  may be an inner or outer surface. 
     In certain embodiments, one or more elements  203  is a sturdy and bendable material having rectangular dimensions, with a width B (see  FIG. 3 ) of from approximately 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, and may be, for example and without limitation, 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, 1 inch, 1.25 inches, or 1.5 inches, and a length C (see  FIG. 4 ) of from 2.5 to 6 inches, such as 2.5 inches, 3 inches, 3.5 inches, 4 inches, 4.5 inches, 5 inches, 5.5 inches, or 6 inches. Elements  203  may be formed from, or include layers of materials including, but not limited to: metals; plastics, which may include, for example and without limitation, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE), a foam which may include, for example and without limitation, a visco-elastic polyurethane or an ethylene vinyl acetate foam; or a rubber such as neoprene. Elements  203  may, for example and without limitation, have a thickness E (see  FIG. 4A ) be from 1/64 inch to 1/16 inch thick and may be, for example and without limitation, be 1/64 inch, 1/32 inch, 3/64 inch, or 1/16 inch thick. Thus, for example and without limitation, elements  203  may be HDPE plastic with E= 1/32 inch, B=0.75 inch and C=4.75 inch. 
     In one embodiment, wrist guard  100  of  FIG. 2  is formed from a single piece of material  10  having an approximate length 2 L and an approximate width 8 A. The material may be doubled over, for example, and dividers  105   a ,  105   b ,  105   c ,  105   d ,  105   e ,  105   f ,  105   g ,  105   h  and  105   i  may be provided as lengthwise stitching in material  10  to form pockets  202   a ,  202   b ,  202   c ,  202   d ,  202   e ,  202   f ,  202   g , and  202   h . Divider  105   i  may be sewn near divider  105   a  to form a cylindrical band. A circumferential stitch, which may be near and end, such as opening  107  may provided to form one or more closed pockets  202 . Alternatively, a circumferential stitch may not be provided and the form one or more pockets that may be opened. 
     In various embodiments, one or more of pockets  202   a ,  202   b ,  202   c ,  202   d ,  202   e ,  202   f ,  202   g , and  202   h  may contain one or more elements  203 .  FIG. 2  shows, for example and without limitation, element  203   a ,  203   b ,  203   c ,  203   d ,  203   e ,  203   f ,  203   g , and  203   h , within a separate pocket  202   a ,  202   b ,  202   c ,  202   d ,  202   e ,  202   f ,  202   g , and  202   h.    
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second embodiment wrist guard  300 ,  FIG. 4  is a sectional view  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 5  is a sectional view  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 . Wrist guard  300  may be generally similar to wrist guard  100 , except as further detailed below. Where possible, similar elements are identified with identical reference numerals in the depiction of the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     Wrist guard  300  as show in  FIGS. 3-5  is inverted, with “inner surface”  101  facing outwards and “outer surface”  201  facing inwards. This configuration is useful for providing reinforcing elements to wrist guard  300 , as discussed subsequently. Wrist guard  300  may be worn about wrist W in this configuration, or un-inverted as shown for wrist guard  100  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Wrist guard  300  is configurable, in that a user may modify the number and distribution of elements  203  within some or all pockets  202 . Thus pockets  202   a ,  202   b ,  202   c ,  202   d , and  202   e , for example, have corresponding openings  301   a ,  301   b ,  301   c ,  301   d , and  301   e  through which one or more elements  203  may be inserted or removed.  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate providing an element  203  with a width B, a length C and a thickness F, and having ends  303  and  305 , into pocket  202   a . As discussed above, elements  203  may, for example, have a width B of from approximately 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, a length C of from approximately 2.5 to 6 inches, and a thickness of from 1/64 inch to 1/16 inch. 
     A user may place end  303  into opening  301 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , and then place end  305  into the opening. As shown in  FIG. 4 , pockets  202  may contain more than one element, such as two elements as illustrated by elements  203   a ,  203   b ,  203   c , and  203   d . This is further illustrated in  FIG. 5 , which shows the pockets having, for example and without limitation, one, two, or three elements. 
       FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C illustrate one method of making wrist guard  600 . Wrist guard  600  may be generally similar to wrist guard  100  or  300 , except as further detailed below. As shown in  FIG. 6A , a rectangular piece of material  10  has widthwise edges  601  and  603  and lengthwise edges  605  and  607  is used for constructing a wrist guard  600  having N pockets  202  (specifically, pockets  202 - 1 ,  202 - 2 , . . . ,  202 -N). The width of material  10  is thus N times A, where A is the width of each pocket  202 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6A , material  10  has parallel folds  602  and  604  (also shown in  FIG. 4A ,  402  and  404 ). In  FIG. 6B , material  10  has been folded along folds  602  and  604 , bringing edges  601  and  603  near each other, and a plurality of stitches  105  are sewn lengthwise. Thus, for example and without limitation, N pockets may be formed by N+1 stitches, as shown in  FIG. 6B . The space between edges  601  and  603  provides openings  301  in the finished wrist guard  300 . Alternatively, one or more elements  203  may be placed within a pocket, and a stitch may be provided between edges  601  and  603  to non-removably hold the one or more elements within the pocket. 
     In  FIG. 6C , one embodiment having, for example and without limitation, N=8 pockets is shown. Material  10  is folded to bring edges  605  and  607  (that is, stitch  105 - 1  and  105 -(N+1), which is  105 - 9 ) together, and an additional stitch is applied at or near stitches  105 - 1  and  105 -(N+1) to form wrist guard  600 . 
     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. 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. 
     Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary 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 are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention. 
     Thus, while there has been described what is 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.