초록 ▼

Articles of apparel include: (a) a garment structure having one or more fabric elements structured and arranged to provide a close fit to at least one predetermined portion of a body (e.g., area(s) of the body for which enhanced position sensing and/or feedback are desired, such as the lower back, t

Articles of apparel include: (a) a garment structure having one or more fabric elements structured and arranged to provide a close fit to at least one predetermined portion of a body (e.g., area(s) of the body for which enhanced position sensing and/or feedback are desired, such as the lower back, the arch of the foot, etc.); and (b) a body position feedback system engaged with or integrally formed as part of the garment structure. The body position feedback system may apply higher tensile or constricting (compressive) forces to selected portions of the wearer's body, which can help stimulate or interact with nerves and deep tissue receptors located in various portions of the body. The increased forces at selected locations of the body give the wearer sensory feedback regarding the position or orientation of these parts of the body and can improve or accelerate development of “muscle memory.”

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. An article of apparel, comprising:a garment structure for a human foot, wherein the garment structure includes one or more fabric elements, and wherein the garment structure is structured and arranged so as to provide a close fit to and completely contain an instep portion of the foot;

We claim: 1. An article of apparel, comprising:a garment structure for a human foot, wherein the garment structure includes one or more fabric elements, and wherein the garment structure is structured and arranged so as to provide a close fit to and completely contain an instep portion of the foot; anda foot position feedback system integrally formed in the garment structure at the instep portion, wherein the foot position feedback system includes a first region that extends across the instep portion of the garment structure, wherein the first region has a higher compressive force application capability than a compressive force application capability of the fabric element making up a largest proportion of the garment structure,wherein the first region extends across the instep portion from a lateral toe area to a medial heel or medial ankle area of the garment structure, wherein the first region includes a terminal end at the lateral toe area,wherein the foot position feedback system includes a second region that extends across the arch portion from a medial side of the garment structure, across a footbed portion of the garment structure, and to a lateral side of the garment structure, wherein the second region has a higher compressive force application capability than a compressive force application capability of the fabric element making up a largest proportion of the garment structure.