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`BEDGEAR 1014
`IPR of U.S. Pat. No. 8,402,580
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 10, 1997
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`Sheet 1 of 2
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`5,636,380
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 10, 1997
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`Sheet 2 of 2
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`5,636,380
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`1
`THERMOREGULATORY APPAREL
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`CROSS—REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICKFIONS
`
`This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 08/239,590 filed May 9, 1994, now abandoned.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to thermoregulatory apparel and in
`particular to close fitting skin contacting garments for the
`regulation of body temperature.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is known in the art that human performance. ir1 work or
`athletic competition, is dependent upon maximal muscle
`efficiency. Muscles function most efficiently in an optimized
`cellular environment which is defined as:
`
`1) Homeothermic temperature——37° C.il° C.
`2) Homeostatic Ph range--7.4-_*.-.2
`3) Adequate/Abundant Energy Sources (glycogenl
`glucose)
`'
`4) Adequate/Abundant Oxygen Sources
`5) Maximized Blood Circulation (to bring in nutrients,
`oxygen; and remove waste products-lactic acids and
`CO2)
`During human work (or athletic performance) muscle
`metabolism creates a tremendous heat load which must be
`
`dissipated by the human thermoregulatory system.
`The skin.
`through the production and evaporation of
`perspiration, dissipates this heat
`load. Radiation,
`conduction, and convection contribute to this heat dissipa-
`tion. However,
`in the active athlete, 80% of this heat
`dissipation is accomplished by the evaporation, at the skin
`level, of perspiration.
`Humans (and their muscles) function best in a homeo-
`thermic state, (37° C.i1° C.). Thus the proper management
`of this “heat load of metabolism” assumes a high priority in
`the circulatory physiologic response of athletes in competi-
`tion (or in high-intensity workers).
`The circulation (blood flow) eventually finds itself with
`two high demand requirements:
`1) Carry blood flow to the skin to dissipate excess heat of
`muscle metabolism.
`
`2) Carry blood flow to the muscle to replenish glycogenl
`glucose stores, oxygen, and remove acidic waste prod-
`ucts (Lactic acid and CO2).
`A competition then develops between the skin and muscle
`for blood flow in the high performance athlete or intense
`Worker.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides thermoregulatory apparel
`in the form of garments including diverse panels which
`enhance the skins ability to dissipate or retain heat as
`necessary to maintain a body temperature or homeotherrnic
`muscle environment of 37° C.il° C. The garments may
`include various apparel items applicable for use on different
`parts of the body and include, but are not limited to, pants,
`shorts, stockings, body suits, wraps, braces, pads, supports,
`socks, leggings, sleeves, shirts, hats, gloves and the like.
`Each garment includes a combination of heat dissipation
`panels and heat retention panels which are to be worn in
`contact with the skin. The heat dissipation panels increase
`the skin’s ability to evaporate perspiration by wicking
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`moisture from the skin to an outer portion of the garment. In
`preferred embodiments, the evaporation of perspiration, and
`thus cooling, is enhanced by increasing the fiber surface area
`which is available in the garment for exposure of the
`perspiration to the air so that evaporation occurs more
`quickly. Thus the garment does not become soaked and
`prevent the circulation of air through its fibers.
`The heat retention panels in each garment increase the
`skin’s ability to maintain and develop heat in major muscle
`groups of the body. These heat retention panels reflect heat,
`or lessen heat loss, and are placed to cover superficial major
`muscle groups prone to injury. Preferably, these heat retain-
`ing panels utilize fibers of hollow construction which trap air
`within each fiber for insulation of the heat retaining panel.
`These fibers are, preferably, also configured to wick mois-
`ture to the exterior of the insulating panels and, in some
`cases, to adjacent cooling panels for rapid moisture elimi-
`nation.
`
`The unique interaction of cooling panels and heat retain-
`ing panels in the same garment is the essence of Ther-
`moregulatory Apparel. By design, such a garment enhances
`the skin’s eiforts to:
`
`1) Evaporate perspiration and cool the body and/or
`2) Retain heat from selected body portions and wick
`moisture away for rapid evaporation, thus keeping the
`garment dry and warm.
`Thermoregulatory Apparel potentiates and improves the
`skin’s efforts to maintain a steady thermoregulatory, homeo-
`thermic muscle environment of 37° C.i1° C. Either cooling
`or heat retention is improved, depending on the variation
`from the desired 37° C. As a result, the human thermoregu-
`latory system becomes more efficient in managing environ-
`mental temperature changes. Greater temperature variances
`(hot or cold) can be managed with less stress on the
`thermoregulatory system, less skin blood flow, and less
`perspiration production. This decreases dehydration, allows
`more blood flow to be directed to active muscle groups, and
`enhances performance. Injury rates are lessened and post-
`activity recovery times are shortened. Thermoregulatory
`Apparel has positively aflected the competition between
`skin and muscle for blood flow in the maximally stressed
`athlete or worker. In addition, areas prone to injury can be
`cooled or heated, as required, to lessen soft tissue injury
`rates.
`
`The invention herein drastically reduces muscle injury
`and encourages the healing process through the material
`composition which is used to make apparel which causes the
`heat generated by the muscle to retain and to be reflected
`back (vasodilation) into the muscle to maintain an optimal
`level of heat and oxygenation and to reduce the rapid cooling
`(vasoconstriction-which restricts the capillaries and reduces
`the oxygen causing the spindles and fibers to shorten which
`results in the damaging effects mentioned above) and reheat-
`ing which may lead to muscle injLn'y.
`An added benefit relates to the energy producing results of
`this effect. Depending upon the type and intensity of physi-
`cal exertion, one will observe different levels of heat pro-
`duction. The body will transfer the energy caused via the
`cellular metabolism to the skeleton, making movement
`possible. During, the aforementioned, elevation of body core
`temperature occurs. This resulting increase of body core
`temperature and the maintenance of the higher body core
`temperature also causes a condition which will improve the
`kinetic output due to a faster rate of metabolism. This effect
`is a result of the thermoregulatory apparel. The biochemical
`response at the cellular level of the muscle unit will thus
`become lower in its viscosity. This unique efiect is a direct
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`result of the thermoregulatory apparel and is completely
`unique from any other product available. This in turn will
`allow for reduction in resistance and improvement in the
`musc1e’s ability to contract along with the increased tem-
`perature. The benefits described herein are uniquely attrib-
`utable to the thermoregulatory apparel which is the subject
`of this patent application.
`The thermoregulatory apparel isolates the long muscula-
`tendon units in a state of vasodilation which by its properties
`cause an increase in oxygen delivery. The capillaries will not
`be cut olf due to vasoconstriction caused via the sweat
`response. More oxygen is emitted from hemoglobin and
`delivered into the cellular level of the muscle. There will
`exist less constriction of the spindles and fibers of the muscle
`and greater elasticity. This unique result is the performance
`enhancement property of the thermoregulatory apparel.
`The result is: a reduction in muscle injuries such as
`sprains, strains. and pulls; an improved environment for the
`healing process; and greater efficiency of performance out-
`put.
`In referring to the drawings, it should be understood that
`the broad concept involves use of a dual fabric garment to
`control body temperature. Such garments may be of any
`useful type, including shirts, compression shorts, socks,
`leggings, hats, gloves, pants and so forth, which may be
`useful in accomplishing the purpose of retaining controlled
`heat in commonly injured or stressed areas, such as ham-
`strings and gluteal muscles and quadriceps, and providing
`maximum cooling for other areas of the body. The drawings
`therefore illustrate only examples of such garments which
`are subject to changes in their details and configurations of
`the various panels to accomplish the desired purposes.
`These and other features and advantages of the invention
`will be more fully understood from the following description
`of certain exemplary embodiments of the invention taken
`together with the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the drawings:
`FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional View of a cloth panel assembly
`including cooling and insulating fabrics according to the
`invention;
`
`FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a compression shorts garment
`for athletes according to the invention;
`FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of a compression slacks garment
`with insulating panels according to the invention;
`FIG. 4 is a pictorial view of a close fitting shirt formed
`with an insulating panel according to the invention; and
`FIG. 5 is a pictorial view illustrating one of a pair of socks
`having an insulating panel in the leg portion according to the
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Referring first to FIG. 1 of the drawings in detail, numeral
`10 generally indicates a thermoregulatory cloth material
`which includes a base layer of fabric 12 made of a polyester
`fiber blend which enhances evaporation of perspiration and
`wicking. Examples of polyester fiber are found in clothing
`made with fabric certified with the name Coolmax"" by the
`Dupont Company. Cloth 10 additionally includes at least one
`insulating panel 14, made from a heat retaining polyester
`fiber blend and internally applied in a garment over the areas
`where controlled heat retention is desired. Examples of fiber
`for use in such insulating panels may be found in fabrics
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`certified by the Dupont Company with the names Ther-
`max‘”‘ and Thermastat‘”’. Such fibers have hollow cores
`which provide insulating air space within the fibers. The
`Thermasta "” fiber is additionally configured to form lin-
`early extending groove-like passages that promote wicking
`of perspiration along the fiber away from the body. The
`insulating panel 14 is preferably sewn onto the base fabric
`layer 12 on the inner side so that it contacts the skin of the
`body directly. However, if desired, an insulating panel could
`be edge-attached to a base layer without forming a double
`cloth layer as in the preferred embodiment.
`While the materials mentioned above are preferred for
`thermoregulatory cloth according to the invention, it would
`be possible, if desired, to make the base fabric and insulating
`panel from other materials. For example, the base cloth
`could in addition to polyester be formed of cotton, lycra,
`spandex, rayon or even nylon, although these are not as
`effective in removing heat from the body as the Coolmax"”
`polyester material. In like manner, other materials might be
`used for the insulating panels, although with less eifective
`results. Obviously, if improved fibers or manners of making
`the cloth for the base layer and insulating panels are
`developed, these improved materials and weaves could be
`substituted for those disclosed in the preferred embodiment
`of this invention.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown an example of
`compression shorts for athletes, and the like, generally
`indicated by numeral 16. The shorts are formed with a
`waistband 18 sewn to a garment having the base fabric layer
`12 formed with a lower body enclosing portion 20 and a pair
`of legs 22. Preferably the legs will be long enough to extend
`down to just above the knee of the wearer in order to obtain
`the most efiective results from the garment. However,
`shorter length compression shorts may be of value and are
`to be included within the scope of the invention. The shorts
`16 further include insulating panels 14 sewn, or otherwise
`attached, to the interior of the base fabric 12. Panels 14
`extend generally from the waistband 18 to the lower ends of
`the legs 22 and along the rear portions of the body and legs.
`Optionally, similar panels can be applied to the front por-
`tions of the legs and lower body. The shapes of the panels
`may be varied as desired to cause controlled heat retention
`on those portions of the body where muscles and related
`stressed structure are located which it is desired to protect by
`allowing faster warmup and increased blood flow to these
`areas during exercise or activity and thereafter while cooling
`off.
`
`Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a pair of slacks or
`pants 24 having a waistband 26 attached to a lower body
`enclosing portion 28 connected with fulllength legs 30, the
`portions 28 and 30 being formed completely from Cool-
`max"” polyester fabric 12. Within this garment fabric are
`formed insulating panels 14 extending from the waistband
`26 to the bottom of the full-length legs in a manner similar
`to that described for the compression shorts of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a close fitting shirt 32 which is again
`formed fully of Coolmax‘”' fabric 12 and includes upper and
`lower body portions 34, 36 connected with arms 38. Within
`this garment shell, an insulating panel 14 is sewn which
`extends over the front and rear portions of the upper body
`portion of the garment and the upper portions of the arms
`down to about the elbows. The lower portions of the arms
`are left free of the insulating panel 14 to allow rapid cooling
`and evaporation of perspiration in the under arm area as well
`as along the sides of the upper body portion.
`Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a sock 40 having
`a foot portion 42 and a leg portion 44. As in the other
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`portion of each leg and extends upward into said lower body
`enclosing portion.
`3. Thermoregulatory apparel including a garment adapted
`for close-fitting skin-contacting wear upon a portion of a
`human body, said garment comprising:
`a base fabric made of heat dissipating fiber generating
`substantial moisture evaporation from skin contacted
`by said fabric; and
`an insulating panel attached to an inner side of the base
`fabric for wearing against the skin, said panel made of
`a hollow core heat insulating fiber for retaining body
`heat in the area of the body contacted by the panel;
`wherein said garment is a pair of slacks having a pair of
`full length legs connected with a lower body enclosing
`portion and one of said insulating panels extends down
`at least a rear portion of each leg.
`4. The invention as in claim 3 wherein one of said
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`insulating panels extends down a front portion and a rear
`portion of each leg and extends upward into said lower body
`enclosing portion.
`5. Thermoregulatory apparel including a garment adapted
`for close-fitting skin-contacting wear upon a portion of a
`human body, said garment comprising:
`a base fabric made of heat dissipating fiber generating
`substantial moisture evaporation from skin contacted
`by said fabric; and
`an insulating panel attached to an inner side of the base
`fabric for wearing against the skin, said panel made of
`a hollow core heat insulating fiber for retaining body
`heat in the area of the body contacted by the panel;
`wherein said garment is a shirt having body and arm
`portions and said insulating panel extends over at least
`an upper part of the arm portions.
`6. The invention as in claim 5 wherein said insulating
`panel also extends over front and rear upper parts of the
`body portion.
`7. Thermoregulatory apparel including a garment adapted
`for close-fitting skin-contacting wear upon a portion of a
`human body, said garment comprising:
`a base fabric made of heat dissipating fiber generating
`substantial moisture evaporation from skin contacted
`by said fabric; and
`an insulating panel attached to an inner side of the base
`fabric for wearing against the skin, said panel made of
`a hollow core heat insulating fiber for retaining body
`heat in the area of the body contacted by the panel;
`wherein said garment is a stocking including a foot
`portion and a leg portion and said insulating panel
`extends over at least part of the leg portion but does not
`cover the foot portion.
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`garments, the complete sock 42 may be formed with an
`exterior layer of the base fabric 12 while the leg portion from
`the ankle upward is formed with an interior layer of the
`insulating panel 14 material. The combination controls the
`temperature for heat rejection from the easily injured ankle
`and leg muscular areas while the foot portion is made from
`the Coolmax‘"‘ material which maximizes evaporation of
`perspiration and cooling. Alternatively, the leg portion of the
`sock may be made only from the insulating panel material,
`such as Thermax°"' and Thennastat°”‘ fabric materials,
`which may be sewn to the foot portion 42 made of Cool-
`max"" fabric.
`
`In use. a thennoregulatory garment made of a dual fabric
`cloth. such as cloth 10, helps maintain the desired body
`temperature under all conditions. When the rate of perspi-
`ration is high. as during high stress bodily activity, the
`insulating panels carry the moisture to the Coolmax°’” fabric
`so that the protected muscle areas are adequately cooled and
`the fabric remains open to air flow. When activity is reduced
`and perspiration slows or stops, the insulating panels main-
`tain body heat of the protected muscles to prevent their rapid
`cooling. In areas of a gannent unprotected by insulating
`panels. the Coolmax°”' fabric provides maximum cooling by
`evaporation of perspiration when activity is high and cooling
`is naturally reduced during periods of low activity. The high
`wicking ability of Coolmax"" fabrics and the good wicking
`ability of T'hermax"" and Thermosta ‘”‘ fabrics make them
`ideal for use in thennoregulatory garments in accordance
`with the invention.
`
`While the invention has been described by reference to
`various specific embodiments, it should be understood that
`numerous changes may be made within the spirit and scope
`of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly,
`it is
`intended that the invention not be limited to the described
`
`embodiments, but that it have the full scope defined by the
`language of the following claims.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. Thernioregulatory apparel including a garment adapted
`for close-fitting skin-contacting wear upon a portion of a
`human body, said garment comprising:
`a base fabric made of heat dissipating fiber generating
`substantial moisture evaporation from skin contacted
`by said fabric; and
`an insulating panel attached to an inner side of the base
`fabric for wearing against the skin, said panel made of
`a hollow core heat insulating fiber for retaining body
`heat in the area of the body contacted by the panel;
`wherein said garment is a pair of shorts having a pair of
`mid-length legs connected with a lower body—enclosing
`portion and one of said insulating panels extends down
`at least a rear portion of each leg.
`2. The invention as in claim 1, wherein one of said
`insulating panels extends down a front portion and a rear
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