(12) Ulllted States Patent
`Horii et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,089,597 B2
`Aug. 15, 2006
`
`US007089597B2
`
`4,698,847 A * 10/1987 Yoshihara ...................... .. 2/69
`4,731,882 A *
`3/1988 Ekman .......................... .. 2/69
`5,109,546 A *
`5/1992 Dicker
`.......................... ..
`70
`
`5,606,745 A *
`3/1997 Gray . . . . . .
`. . . .. 2/69
`.......................... .. 2/69
`5,708,976 A *
`1/1998 Dicker
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`
`JP
`JP
`
`JP
`JP
`
`-‘P
`JP
`
`61_124611 A1
`
`6/1986
`
`61-239002 A1
`62-117802 A1
`
`10/1986
`5/1987
`
`3019336 A1
`09-250008 A1
`
`10/1995
`9/1997
`
`3046735 A‘
`10—292209 A1
`
`13/1997
`11/1998
`
`(54) CLOTHES FOR THE UPPER HALF OF BODY
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors; Katsuko Horfi, Kyoto (JP); l\Iak0to
`Oyama, Kyoto (JP); Toshiko
`Murakami, Kyoto (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee: VVacoal Corporation, Kyoto (JP)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject. to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent 1S extended or adiusted under 35
`USC 1540)) by 119 days
`.
`i
`i
`.
`
`(2,) AWL N0:
`
`10,432,060
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Aug. 9, 2002
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/JP02/08188
`
`§ 371 (CX1),
`(2)= (4) Date: May 14’ 2003
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: W02004/014166
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Feb. 19, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`(51)
`
`Jul’ 15’ 2004
`
`US 2004/0133959 A1
`Int Cl
`(2006 01)
`A423 /20
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`................................................. 2/69; 2/106
`(58) Field of Classification Search .................... .. 2/69,
`2/44, 79, 115, 108, 105, 106, 2.11, 459, 46],
`2/467, 16, 92, 125, 133, 134, 95, 85; 602/19,
`602/6(L63, 75; 482/124
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner—Gloria M. Hale
`74 A
`1A
`F ’ —D b &D b
`(
`) ”°r"e” gem’ 0’ W"
`at y
`ar y
`ABSTRACT
`
`57
`
`(
`
`)
`
`An upper body garment which selectively supports the
`muscles used during inhalation without hindering the move-
`ment of the spinal column. The upper body garment
`is
`constructed by stitching, to a shirt that adheres closely to the
`body, a plurality of band-form fabrics having a stretchability
`12$:S‘1::‘:$:‘a?;;:heS:3;::1T(ffif:;:f1;?§0f1i‘:‘§
`g
`as: the first lines that extend from the left and right acroinia
`to a portion that corresponds to the center of the sternum,
`second lines which extend from this portion corresponding
`to the center of the sternum, pass beneath the breast area, and
`extend to the left and right armpit areas, and third lines
`which connect the left and right armpit areas of the second
`lines to each other on the back surface.
`
`3,186,412 A
`
`6/1965 Kurland
`
`14 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`DMC Exhibit 2032_001
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 15,2006
`
`Sheet 1 of 7
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`Us 7,089,597 B2
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`12A
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`12B
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`12C
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`12
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`
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`DMC Exhibit 2032_002
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`

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`U.S. PatentU.S. Patent
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`
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`Aug. 15,2006Aug. 15,2006
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`
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`Sheet 2 of 7Sheet 2 of 7
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`Us 7,089,597 B2Us 7,089,597 B2
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`
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`DMC Exhibit 2032_003DMC Exhibit 2032_003
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 15,2006
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`Sheet 3 of 7
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`Us 7,089,597 B2
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`3
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`N "
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`2
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`LL
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`<5.
`-9
`LL
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`1OY
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`DMC Exhibit 2032_004
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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 15,2006
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`Sheet 4 of 7
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`Us 7,089,597 B2
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`102
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`Fig. 4A
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`14h
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`J
`I
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`\=o9
`\.
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`Fig. 43
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`1
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`4k
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`14:
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`
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`DMC Exhibit 2032_005
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Aug. 15,2006
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`Sheet 5 of 7
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`Us 7,089,597 B2
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`/
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`TENTH
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`
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`DMC Exhibit 2032_006
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`Fig.6
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`SEVENTH AND EIGHTH
`
`THORACIC VERTEBRAE
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 15,2006
`
`Sheet 6 of 7
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`Us 7,089,597 B2
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`94
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`94
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`K3
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`Fig. 7A
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`Fig. 73
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`DMC Exhibit 2032_007
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`

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`DMC Exhibit 2032_008DMC Exhibit 2032_008
`
`

`
`1
`CLOTHES FOR THE UPPER HALF OF BODY
`
`2
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`US 7,089,597 B2
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATION
`
`This is a U.S. national phase application under 35 U.S.C.
`§37l of International Patent Application No. PCT/.IP02/
`08188, filed Aug. 9, 2002, and has not published as of the
`date of filing of the instant application.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to an upper body garment
`which has a main body part that adheres closely to at least
`the chest portion of the upper body. Such ar1 upper body
`garment
`is not
`limited to men’s garments or women’s
`garments, but includes, for example, shirts (long sleeve
`shirts, half sleeve shirts, athletic shirts), body suits, swim
`wear, leotards and the like.
`Furtl1err11ore,
`ir1 the present specification, the term “low
`stretcl1ability” means that the garment tends not to stretch in
`response to external forces, and shows a strong rebound
`force (contractile force) when stretched. Furthermore, the
`term “high stretchability” means that the garment readily
`stretches in response to external forces, and shows a weak
`rebound force (contractile force) when stretched.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`I11 recent years, the physique of the Japanese population
`l1as
`improved, and the average body height
`l1as also
`increased. On the other hand, it has been reported that there
`is an increase i11 the number of persons with rounded backs
`and poor posture. It has been reported that such a deterio-
`ration in posture has occurred as a result of a drop in the
`muscular power of the back muscles and the like in the case
`of elderly persons, and as a result of a lack of knowledge of
`how to use the muscles (especially in the back) in the case
`of persons in younger age groups. Especially in the case of
`persons in younger age groups,
`it may be said that these
`persons do not sufficiently exhibit their own physical ability.
`Many garments with structures that focus on posture and
`straighten the spinal column by pulling the shoulders to the
`rear have been proposed as means of solving the problem of
`such a deterioration in posture.
`However, such garments suffer from the following prob-
`lem: specifically, even though these garments straighten the
`spinal column, the garments fix the movement of the spinal
`column so that the degree of freedom of the operation of the
`muscles (especially in the back) is lowered, thus leading to
`the danger of a drop in muscular power.
`Meanwhile, when a human being breathes deeply, the
`back muscles are stretched a11d the chest is expanded so that
`a good posture is formed. However, although conventional
`techniques relating to the support of the upper body or chest
`include techniques for supporting the muscles and skeleton
`of the back (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
`HEI 9-250008) and brassieres that have abreast shaping
`function (U.S. Pat. No. 309,602), tl1e point of supporting the
`muscles used to breathe has not been proposed in any of
`these techniques.
`The present invention was devised in order to solve the
`above mentioned problems; it
`is an object of the present
`invention to provide an upper body garment which can
`provide focused support of the muscles used during inhala-
`tion without hindering the movement of the spinal column.
`
`5
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`20
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`25
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`40
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`60
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`65
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`As a result of long years of research conducted by the
`applicant of the present application, it was discovered that
`the curvature of the posterior arch 90 of the thoracic verte-
`brae decreases when a human being takes a deep breath, as
`may clearly be seen by comparing the ordinary state shown
`in FIG. 7A and the state during deep inhalation shown i11
`FIG. 7B. Furthermore, FIG. 6 shows the movement of the
`sternum 80 during deep breathing by the position 80A prior
`to the taking of a deep breath and the position 8013 following
`the taking of a deep breath. As is shown in this FIG. 6 as
`well, it was discovered that the muscles act so that sternum
`80 is lifted in the forward and upward direction indicated by
`the arrows K1 and K2 (in the direction indicated by the
`arrow K3 in FIG. 7B). It has been ascertained that the
`principal muscles that act during such respiration are the
`external intercostal muscles, and that the latissir11us dorsi
`muscles and greater pectoral muscles are used to assist these
`intercostal muscles.
`
`the external intercostal muscles are
`In concrete terms,
`muscles that are positioned in the gaps between the ribs, and
`that connect the ribs to each other. During inhalation, as
`shown in FIG. 8A, these external intercostal muscles act to
`lift the ribs 92 as a whole in the direction indicated by the
`arrow L (i.e., to cause the sternum to move forward and
`upward).
`Furthermore, the latissimus dorsi muscles 94 shown i11
`FIG. 8B pull the chest wall toward the back center ir1 the
`direction indicated by the arrow M during inhalation, and
`thus act to spread the chest wall to the outside and expand
`the chest. Moreover, the greater pectoral muscles 96 shown
`in FIG. 8C pull the chest wall toward the armpit areas in the
`direction indicated by the arrow N during inhalation, and
`thus act to widen the chest wall to the outside and expand the
`chest.
`
`On the basis of these actions, in order to achieve the
`abovementioned object,
`the upper body garment of the
`present invention is an upper body gam1e11t which has a
`main body part that adheres closely to at least the chest
`portion of the upper body, this garment being characterized
`in that band-form fabrics which have lower stretchability
`than the main body part are stitched to the main body part
`along first lines which extend from the left and right acromia
`to a part corresponding to the center of the sternum, second
`lines which extend from this part corresponding to the
`sternum, pass beneath the breast area and extend to the areas
`of the left and right armpits, and a third lir1e which connects
`the areas of the left and right armpits in the second lines o11
`the back surface.
`
`In the present invention, the band-form fabrics with lower
`stretchability that are stitched along the first lines extending
`fror11 the left and rigl1t acror11ia to the part corresponding to
`the center of the sternum and the second lines extending
`from the part corresponding to the center of the sternum,
`passing beneath the breast area and extending to the areas of
`the left and right armpits are positioned in directions that are
`oriented along the muscle fibers of the external intercostal
`muscles that act to lift the chest wall forward and upward
`when the garment is worn.
`Furthermore, the band-form fabric with low stretchability
`which is stitched along the third line that connects the areas
`of the left and right armpits in the second li11es on the back
`surface is positioned in a direction that is oriented along the
`muscle fibers of the latissimus dorsi muscles that face
`
`toward the center of the back from the armpit areas (in
`
`DMC Exhibit 2032_009
`
`

`
`US 7,089,597 B2
`
`3
`concrete terms, the muscles that face the vicinity of the
`seventh and eighth thoracic vertebrae) when the garment is
`wom.
`
`Since the stretchability of thc band-form fabrics is lower
`tl1an those of the r11air1 body part, an appropriate degree of 5
`pressure is applied along the first through third lines, i.e.,
`along the respective muscle fibers of the external intercostal
`muscles and latissimus dorsi muscles, when the upper body
`garment of the present invention is worn, so that the mus-
`cular contractile movement of the external
`intercostal
`muscles a11d latissimus dorsi muscles as muscles that are
`
`10
`
`used during inhalation can be supported. In this case, since
`the muscles are naturally supported along the muscle fibers,
`there is no hindrance of muscular movement and the like by
`the application of an excessive force to the body as there is
`in the case of conventional corrective garments or the like
`that forcibly pull the shoulders to the rear.
`Thus, if the upper body garment of the present invention
`is worn, a force that expands the chest acts naturally, so that
`the muscles used during inhalation can be supported selec-
`tively without hindering the movement of the spinal column.
`Furthermore, the third line connects the areas of the left
`and right armpits in the second lines on the back surface; in
`this case, the third line may have a construction that is
`connected with the second lines, or may have a construction
`that is not directly connected, but is rather connected slightly
`above or slightly below the left and right armpit areas of the
`second line.
`
`15
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`20
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`25
`
`4
`Furthermore, in the upper body garment of the present
`invention, if a construction is used in which the direction of
`stretch of the fabrics is oriented along the longitudinal
`direction of these fabrics, then the direction of contraction of
`the muscles that are contacted and the direction of stretch of
`the fabrics will more or less coincide, so that the fabrics will
`expand and contract in accordance with the movement ofthe
`muscles of the wearer while maintaining low stretchability.
`Accordingly, the movement of the muscles can be supported
`so that a natural feeling of wearing can be realized without
`imparting any feeling of constriction or feeling of restraint
`to the wearer.
`
`Furthermore, in the upper body garment of the present
`invention, it is desirable to construct the fabrics that are
`stitched along the first lines and the fabrics that are stitched
`along the second lines from the sa1ne strip of fabric. In this
`case, a construction is used in which the fabric that extends
`from the top of the left shoulder to the right armpit area
`through the portion that corresponds to the center of the
`sternum and the fabric that extends from the top of the right
`shoulder to the left armpit area through the portion that
`corresponds to the center of the sternum intersect in the
`portion that corresponds to the center of the sternum;
`however, since the overall lines that extend from the acromia
`to thc armpit arcas arc supported by thc samc strip of fabric,
`the required stretchability car1 easily be applied, so that tl1e
`external intercostal muscles can be more effectively sup-
`ported along the muscle fibers.
`Furthermore, in the upper body garment of the present
`invention,
`it is desirable to use a construction in which
`band-form fabrics are stitched to the mai11 body part along
`fourth lines which extend from the portion corresponding to
`the center of the sternum, pass above the breast area, and
`extend to the annpit areas. 111 this case, the band-forn1 fabrics
`with low stretchability that are stitched along these fourth
`lines are positioned in directions oriented along the muscle
`fibers of the greater pectoral muscles that face the armpit
`areas from the portion corresponding to the center of the
`sten1um when tl1e gan11er1t is wom; accordingly, a11 appro-
`priate pressure is applied along these fourth lines, i.e., along
`the muscle fibers of the greater pectoral muscles, so that the
`greater pectoral muscles can be further supported as muscles
`used during inhalation. As a result, the effect of supporting
`muscles used during inhalation is increased.
`Furthermore, in thc upper body garmcnt of thc prcscnt
`invention,
`it is desirable to use a construction i11 which
`band-form fabrics are stitched to the main body part along
`fifth lines extending from specified positions on the first
`lines located on the upper portion of the breast to the armpit
`areas. In this case, such band-form fabrics with low stretch-
`ability that are stitched along tl1e fifth lines are positioned in
`directions that are oriented along the muscle fibers of the
`greater pectoral muscles facing toward the armpit areas froin
`the portion corresponding to the center of the sternum.
`Accordingly, an appropriate degree of pressure is applied
`along these fifth lines, i.e., along the muscle fibers of the
`greater pectoral muscles, so that the greater pectoral muscles
`can be further supported as muscles used during inhalation.
`As a result,
`tl1e effect of supporting muscles used during
`inhalation is increased.
`Furthermore, it is desirable to use a construction in which
`band-form fabrics are stitched to the mai11 body part along
`a sixth line which connects the left and right armpit areas of
`the fifth lines on me back surface. In this case, iii the same
`manner as that described above, the band-form fabric with
`low stretchability that is stitched along tl1e sixth line is
`positioned in a direction that is oriented along the muscle
`
`DMC Exhibit 2032_010
`
`40
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Furthermore, the fabric oriented along the third line and
`the fabrics oriented along the second lines may have the
`same width, or may have different widths. For example, a
`construction may be used in which the fabric oriented along
`the third line and the fabrics oriented along the second lines
`are connected at a width of approximately 1 cm, while
`portions of other widths are not connected. Furthermore, in
`cases where portions of different widths are used as
`described above, an effect in which a force that pulls the
`chest wall toward the center of the back can easily be applied
`can be obtained if the garment is constructed so that the
`width of the fabric that is oriented along the third line
`positioned on the side of the back is wider than the widtl1 of
`the fabrics oriented along the second lines.
`The upper body garment of the present invention may also
`be described as “an upper body garment comprising a main 45
`body part, and band—forrn fabrics with stretchability lower
`than those of the main body part, which are stitched to the
`main body part along first lines that extend from the left and
`right upper end portions of the front side of the main body
`part to the central portion of the front side, second lines that 50
`extend from the central portion of the front side to the left
`and right armpit areas on the front side, and a third line that
`connects the left and right armpit areas of the second lines
`or1 the back side of the r11air1 body part”.
`I11 the upper body garment of the present invention, the 55
`garment may be constructed so that the third line coimects
`the left and right armpit portions of the second li11es to each
`other on the side of the back surface of the main body part.
`In this case, a construction ir1 wl1icl1 the fabric oriented along
`the third line and the fabrics oriented along the second lines 60
`are directly connected or a construction in which these
`fabrics are continuous is used; accordingly, a pressure can be
`more easily applied along the respective muscle fibers of the
`external
`intercostal muscles and the latissimus dorsi
`
`muscles, so that the advantage of more effective support of 65
`the muscular contractile movements of the external ir1ter-
`costal muscles and latissimus dorsi muscles is obtained.
`
`

`
`US 7,089,597 B2
`
`5
`fibers of the latissimus dorsi muscles facing toward the
`center of the back from the armpit areas (specifically, in the
`vicinity of or slightly above the seventh and eighth thoracic
`vertebrae) when the garment is worn. Accordingly, an appro-
`priate pressure is applied along this sixth line, i.e., along the
`muscle fibers of the latissimus dorsi muscles, so that the
`effect of supporting the latissimus dorsi muscles as muscles
`used during inhalation is increased.
`Furthermore, the sixth line connects the left and right
`armpit areas of the fifth lines on the back surface; in this
`case, a construction in which the sixth line is connected with
`the fifth lines may be used, or a construction in which these
`lines are not directly connected, but are rather connected
`slightly above or slightly below the left and right armpit
`areas of the fifth lines, may be used.
`Furthermore, the fabric that is oriented along the sixth line
`and the fabrics that are oriented along the fifth lines may
`have the same width, or may have different widths. For
`example, a construction may be used in which the fabric
`oriented along the sixth line and the fabrics oriented along
`the fifth lines are connected at a width of approximately 1
`cm. while portions of other widths are not connected.
`Furthermore, in cases where portions of different widths are
`used as described above, an effect in whicl1 a force that pulls
`thc chcst wall toward the ccntcr of thc back can casily bc
`applied can be obtained if tl1e garr11er1t is constructed so that
`the width of the fabric that is oriented along the sixth line
`positioned on the side of the back is wider than the width of
`the fabrics oriented along the fifth lines.
`Of course, a construction may also be used in which the
`sixth line connects the left and right armpit areas of the fifth
`lines to each other on the back surface. In this case, a
`construction is used in which the fabric that is oriented along
`the sixth line and the fabrics that are oriented along the fifth
`lines are directly connected, or a construction i11 which these
`fabrics are continuous, is used. Accordingly, pressure can
`easily be applied along the respective muscle fibers of the
`greater pectoral muscles and latissimus dorsi muscles, so
`that tl1e advantage of 111ore effective support of tlie muscular
`contractile movements of the greater pectoral muscles and
`latissimus dorsi muscles is obtained.
`
`I11 the upper body gannent of the present invention, it is
`desirable to use a construction in which band-form fabrics
`are stitched to the main body part along seventh lines which
`arc continuous with thc first
`lincs at thc lcft and right
`acromia, and which connect the tops of these shoulders with
`either specified positions on the third lines or specified
`positions on the sixth line, or both. I11 this case, the seventh
`lines are continuous with the first lines at the left and right
`acromia, and either connect both specified positions on the
`third lines and specified positions on the sixth lines with the
`acromia, or coimect either specified positions on the third
`lines or specified positions on the sixth lines with the
`acromia.
`
`Such band-form fabrics with low stretchability that are
`stitched along the seventh lines perform an action which
`maintains a force that pulls the shoulders to the rear and lifts
`the shoulders along the first lines on the side of the back.
`Accordingly, the effect that supports tl1e external intercostal
`muscles along the muscle fibers and expands the chest can
`be reinforced.
`Furthermore, it is desirable to use a construction in which
`band-form fabrics are stitched to the main body part along
`eighth lines which are continuous with a first lines at the left
`and right acromia, and which connect the acron1ia with
`specified positions or1 tl1e third lines. In this case, ir1 tl1e sar11e
`manner as described above, the band-fomi fabrics with low
`
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`6
`stretchability that are stitched along the eighth lines perfonn
`an action which maintains a force that pulls the shoulders to
`the rear and lifts the shoulders along the first lines on the side
`of the back. Accordingly, the effect that support the external
`intercostal muscles along the muscle fibers and expands the
`chest can be reinforced.
`
`In the upper body garment of the present invention, it is
`desirable to use a construction in which a padding material
`with stretchability that are lower than those of the fabrics is
`applied to the left and right armpit areas so that the longi-
`tudinal direction of this padding material is oriented in the
`vertical direction of the armpit areas. In this case, as a result
`of this padding material being applied to the left and right
`armpit areas in the vertical direction, the abovementioned
`padding material acts as a supporting point in cases where a
`force acts on the left and right armpit areas along the second
`lines, third lines and the like; accordingly, support of the
`external
`intercostal muscles along the second lines and
`support of the latissimus dorsi muscles along the third lines
`can be more effectively achieved.
`Furthermore, it is desirable that a construction be used i11
`which the main body part
`is constructed by stitching
`together a front body part and a rear body part in the left and
`right armpit areas, and in which the stretchability of the left
`and right armpit areas is sct to bc lowcr than that of thc
`fabrics. In this case, there is almost no stretch of the r11aterial
`in the locations where the front body part and rear body part
`are stitched together in the left and right armpit areas.
`Accordingly, in tlie same manner as described above, the
`stitching locations act as supporting points in cases where a
`force is applied to the armpit areas along the second lines,
`third lines and the like. Consequently,
`tl1e support of the
`external intercostal muscles along the second lines and the
`support of the latissimus dorsi muscles along the third lines
`can be more effectively achieved.
`The abovementioned object and other special features and
`advantages of the present invention will be evident to a
`person skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed
`description with reference to tl1e attached figures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a projection of the
`front surface of an upper body garment constituting an
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 1B is a back view of this upper body garment
`constituting an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing a projection of the
`front surface of an upper body garment constituting another
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2B is a back view of this upper body garment
`constituting another embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a projection of tlie
`front surface of an upper body garment constituting another
`embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 3B is a back view of this upper body garment
`constituting another embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing a projection of the
`front surface of an uppcr body garmcnt constituting anothcr
`er11bodin1ent of the present invention;
`FIG. 4B is a back view of this upper body garment
`constituting another embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a structural diagram in which a fabric used to
`prevent collapse during wear is further disposed on the
`upper body garment shown in FIG. 1A;
`FIG. 6 is a diagram which shows tl1e r11over11er1t of the
`sternum during deep breathing;
`
`DMC Exhibit 2032_011
`
`

`
`US 7,089,597 B2
`
`7
`FIG. 7A is a diagram which shows the ordinary state of
`the posterior arch of the thoracic vertebrae;
`FIG. 7B is a diagram which shows the state of the
`posterior arch of the thoracic vertebrae during inhalation;
`FIG. 8A is a diagram which is used to illustrate the action
`of the external intercostal muscles during inhalation;
`FIG. 8B is a diagram which is used to illustrate the action
`of the latissimus dorsi muscles during inhalation; and
`FIG. 8C is a diagram which is used to illustrate the action
`of the greater pectoral muscles during inhalation.
`
`BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Embodiments of the upper body garment of the present
`invention will be described below with reference to the
`attached figures. Furthermore,
`the same symbols are
`assigned to the same elements, and a redundant description
`is omitted.
`
`FIG. 1A is a perspective View showing one example of the
`construction of an upper body garment constituting the
`present embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a back view of the
`same. As is shown in these FIGS. 1A and 1B, the upper body
`garment 10 is constructed so that this garment comprises a
`long-sleeve round-neck shirt 12 which adheres closely to the
`body, and a plurality of band-form fabrics 14a, 14b .
`.
`. that
`are stitched to this shirt 12 in the specified positions
`described below. Furthermore, The plurality of band-form
`fabrics 14a, 14b .
`.
`. are collectively referred to as “fabrics
`14”.
`
`The shirt 12 is constructed by stitching together a front
`body part 12A, a rear body part 12B, and sleeve parts 12C.
`In the armpit areas 18 and 20 (which are the locations where
`the front body part 12A and rear body part 12B are stitched
`together) and shoulder tops 16, there is almost no stretch of
`the material; accordingly, these parts function effectively as
`supporting points in the action of the forces described below.
`The respective fabrics 14 consist of tricot, power net or
`the like, and are constructed so that the stretchability of these
`fabrics is lower than the stretchability of the shirt 12.
`Furthermore, a construction is used in which the direction of
`stretch of the respective fabrics 14 is the longitudinal
`direction of these fabrics.
`The fabrics 14 are constructed from fabrics 14c and 140/
`
`which are stitched along first lines that extend from the left
`and rigl1t shoulder tops 16 to a portion P corresponding to the
`center of the sternum, fabrics 14a and 14b which are stitched
`along second lines that extends from the portion I’ corre-
`sponding to the center of the sternum, pass beneath the
`breast portion, and extend to the left and right armpit areas
`18, a fabric 14e which is stitched along a third line that
`connects thc armpit arcas 18 of thc sccond lincs to cach other
`on the back surface, fabrics 14k and 141' which are stitched
`along fifth lines that extend from specified positions Q above
`the breast portion on tl1e first lines 1 to the armpit areas 20,
`a fabric 14]’ which is stitched along a sixth line that connects
`the left and right armpit areas 20 of the fifth lines to each
`other on the back surface, and fabrics 14k and 14] which are
`stitched along seventh lines that are continuous with the first
`lines at the shoulder tops 16, and that connect these shoulder
`tops 16 with specified positions R on the sixth line.
`Among these fabrics, the fabrics 14a, 14c, 14b and 14d
`that are stitched along the first lines and second lines are
`positioned in directions along the muscle fibers of the
`external intercostal muscles that have the action of lifting the
`chest wall in the forward and upward direction. Accordingly,
`an appropriate pressure is applied along the first and second
`
`10
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`40
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`45
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`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`8
`lines, i.e., along the muscle fibers of the external intercostal
`muscles, so that the external
`intercostal muscles can be
`supported as muscles that are used during inhalation. Fur-
`thermore, the fabric 14a and fabric 14c are not stitched at the
`point P, but are rather construction from the same strip of
`fabric. Similarly, the fabric 14b and fabric 14d are also
`constructed from the same strip of fabric. Accordingly, this
`construction is advantageous in that the external intercostal
`muscles can be more effectively supported along the muscle
`fibers.
`
`Furthermore, the fabric 14e that is stitched along the third
`line is positioned in a direction that is oriented along the
`muscle fibers of the latissimus dorsi muscles that have the
`
`action of expanding the chest by pulling the armpit areas
`toward the back center so that the chest wall is spread
`outward during inhalation. Accordingly, an appropriate
`degree of pressure is applied along the third line, i.e., along
`the muscle fibers of the latissimus dorsi muscles, so that the
`latissimus dorsi muscles can be supported as muscles that
`are used during inhalation.
`Furthermore, the fabrics 14/1 and 141' that are stitched
`along the fifth lines are positioned in directions oriented
`along the muscle fibers of the greater pectoral muscles that
`have the action of expanding the chest by pulling the chest
`wall toward thc armpit arcas so that thc chcst wall is spread
`outward during inhalation. Accordingly, an appropriate
`degree of pressure is applied along the fifth lines, i.e., along
`the muscle fibers of the greater pectoral muscles, so that the
`greater pectoral muscles can be supported as muscles that
`are used during inhalation.
`Furthermore, the fabric 14]’ that is stitched along the sixth
`line is positioned in a direction that is oriented along the
`muscle fibers of the latissimus dorsi muscles that face
`
`toward the rear center from the armpit areas (in concrete
`terms, in the vicinity of or slightly above the seventh and
`eighth thoracic vertebrae). Accordingly, an appropriate
`degree of pressure is applied along the sixth line, i.e., along
`the muscle fibers of the latissimus dorsi muscles, so that the
`latissimus dorsi muscles car1 be supported as muscles that
`are used during inhalation.
`Furthermore, the fabrics 14k and 14] that are stitched
`along the seventh lines have the action of maintaining the
`force that pulls the shoulders to the rear and lifts the chest
`wall along the first lines on the side of the back. Accordingly,
`thc cxtcrnal intercostal musclcs can bc supportcd along the
`muscle fibers, so that the effect that expands the chest can be
`reinforced.
`
`Thus, the muscles that are used in inhalation (external
`intercostal muscles.
`latissimus dorsi muscles and greater
`pectoral muscles) can be supported along the respective
`lines. In this case, since the muscles are naturally supported
`along the muscle fibers, the garment of the present invention
`differs from conventional corrective garments, and the like
`that forcibly pull the shoulders to the rear in that hindrance
`of the movement of the spinal column can be avoided even
`if the spinal column is straightened.
`Thus, if the upper body garment 10 is worn, a force that
`expands the chest acts naturally, so that the muscles that are
`used in inhalation car