Ellenbogenstulpe

Abstract

Elbow cuff (10) having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the inner side is designed for contact with the arm and can cover the crook of the arm and the tip of the elbow, wherein the elbow cuff has a first section (12) of first stiffness and a second section (14) of second stiffness and the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness and the elbow cuff (10) can cover the crook of the arm with the first section (12) and can cover the tip of the elbow with the second section (14).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an elbow sleeve, i.e., a sleeve that is pulled over the arm and covers the elbow. Such sleeves are used for therapeutic as well as preventative purposes. They are used preventively, particularly in sports, where they support and warm joints. Especially in the sports sector, they are often referred to as sleeves. Background of the invention

[0002] International patent publication WO 97 / 12570 discloses a sleeve that can be used for therapeutic purposes. It can be pulled over the knee, ankle, or thigh. It is generally tubular and made of elastic material. The material should be elastic in several directions. A suitable material is a stretchable textile, which can be made of nylon threads, for example. Neoprene is also used in this sleeve. A neoprene insert is intended to achieve a therapeutic warming effect. Holes are provided in the neoprene layer to facilitate moisture wicking.

[0003] This cuff is certainly practical and can also provide good warmth, but it appears to be complexly constructed and does not provide ideal support.

[0004] US patent application 2012 / 0310129 discloses a sleeve specifically designed for the elbow. This sleeve is designed to snugly enclose the elbow. The sleeve features a pocket into which an additional element, such as a small ball, can be inserted to exert pressure.

[0005] The benefit of this cuff appears to be limited to therapeutic applications.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an improved elbow sleeve that offers good support, particularly for sports applications, especially in weight training. This object is achieved by an elbow sleeve according to claim 1. Further description

[0007] The invention relates to an elbow cuff, i.e., a cuff (or sleeve) that is preferably worn on the elbow. The elbow cuff is also referred to hereinafter as a cuff. The cuff can also be used on other parts of the body, in particular the knee or ankle, possibly with appropriate adaptations.

[0008] The cuff should have an inner and an outer side; the inner side is designed to contact the arm. The inner side will cover the crook of the arm and the tip of the elbow. (In medical terms, the olecranon is located at the tip of the elbow.)

[0009] The elbow sleeve should be constructed from at least two sections. It is advisable for the first and second sections to be provided by separate sections of material. These sections can be provided as parts or sections of a single sheet of material.

[0010] The first section should have a first stiffness, and the second section a second stiffness. The first stiffness should be greater than the second stiffness. In short, the first section is stiffer than the second section.

[0011] It has proven particularly useful if the elbow sleeve can be worn so that the first section covers the crook of the elbow completely or partially. Ideally, the first section is centered around the crook of the elbow. The second section should cover the remaining parts of the elbow, especially the tip of the elbow.

[0012] When the arm moves, the elbow is shortened, causing the material of the first section to be compressed or shrunk. Therefore, choosing a particularly stiff material is counterintuitive. However, it has been shown that in many applications, particularly athletic applications and especially weight training, this counterintuitive high stiffness is appreciated by trainees. A performance-enhancing effect appears possible. It also appears that it could have an injury-preventing effect.

[0013] The stiffness of a material can usually be easily determined intuitively. However, it is useful to measure stiffness in a reproducible manner. A suitable test for stiffness is the cantilever test. In this test, a section of material is pushed over an edge. Behind the edge, the material is unsupported and will therefore bend downward. An imaginary or actual plane is provided below the edge. As soon as the end of the material touches this plane, a measurement is taken. The measured value is the length of the material pushed over the edge. The less material has to be pushed over the edge until the corresponding deflection is achieved, the less stiff the material.

[0014] It is particularly useful to measure stiffness according to a standard, in particular DIN 53362.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, it is advantageous if the first stiffness is at least 10%, or 20%, or 30%, or 30-60%, or 30-100%, or 50-200%, or 100-500% greater than the second stiffness.

[0016] Within the scope of the present invention, a cuff is particularly useful in which both the first and second sections are made of synthetic material. It is particularly useful to use a chemically identical material with different mechanical properties in the first and second sections.

[0017] The cuff can be made of textile materials, for example, flexible textile materials such as woven or knitted fabrics. It is also practical to make the cuff from foam. It has proven particularly effective to make the cuff from neoprene. Neoprene, in this context, generally refers to foamed neoprene. The more common term "neoprene" is chemically more accurate, usually referring to chloroprene rubber, which is produced using an emulsion polymerization process.

[0018] It may be appropriate to manufacture the first and second sections not only with different stiffnesses, but also with different thicknesses. In this case, it is advisable for the first section to have a first thickness and the second section a second thickness. The first thickness should be at least 10% thicker than the second thickness.

[0019] The cuff runs between a first edge and a second edge. For example, the first edge can be the upper edge when the cuff is worn on the arm, and the second edge can be the lower edge. It is advantageous if the first edge has a circumference that is larger than the circumference of the second edge. It can be expedient if the cuff has at least one circumference between the first edge circumference and the second edge circumference, referred to herein as the central circumference, which is smaller than the first edge circumference. In this way, a substantially conical cuff shape can be designed that can be easily pulled over the arm and is anatomically favorable overall.

[0020] Within the scope of the present invention, it has also proven expedient if there is at least one circumference between the first and second edge circumferences that is smaller than the first edge circumference and the second edge circumference. In this way, a kind of hourglass shape can be created. It is particularly expedient if the corresponding circumference lies exactly centrally between the upper edge and the upper edge of the cuff. However, it can also be slightly offset from the center. The cuff then has an approximately hourglass shape. In this way, a particularly strong support effect on the elbow joint can be achieved.

[0021] It's advantageous to trim the top and bottom edges with a hem band or binding tape. The tape can wrap around the edges of the cuff. This creates a particularly stable construction, and the hem band can also provide a better connection between the first and second sections.

[0022] Furthermore, within the scope of the present invention, it has proven expedient to connect the sections by adhesive bonding. In particular, sections of a foam material can be butted together and glued together. It is often even more advantageous for the cuff if seams are used. This can also be done in combination with adhesive bonding. Seams provide a connection that is not only reliable but also easy to inspect. The seams can also be covered with a tape, which can be attached with decorative stitching to at least one section, but preferably to both sections.

[0023] Within the scope of the present invention, an elbow sleeve is also generally useful, comprising a piece of tubing designed for contact with the arm and formed from a first section and a second section connected thereto, wherein the first section has a smaller area than the second section, the first section has a first stiffness, and the second section has a second stiffness, and the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness. Such an elbow sleeve can also be configured with the features described in more detail herein.

[0024] Further features, as well as advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following drawings and the accompanying description. In the figures and the accompanying descriptions, features of the invention are described in combination. However, these features can also be encompassed by a subject matter according to the invention in other combinations. Each disclosed feature is therefore also to be considered as disclosed in technically reasonable combinations with other features. Some of the figures are slightly simplified and schematic. Fig. 1 shows a first side view of an elbow sleeve according to the invention Fig. 2 shows a top view of the cuff, looking towards the part of the cuff that covers the crook of a user’s arm Fig. 3 shows a top view of the cuff, looking at the part of the cuff that covers the elbow tip Fig. 4 shows a pattern for creating a cuff according to the invention

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the elbow sleeve 10 according to the invention. The sleeve is essentially tubular, but the tube has a slightly curved shape, as befits the anatomy of the elbow. The sleeve comprises the first section 12 and, opposite, the second section 14. The first section is intended to cover the crook of the elbow when the sleeve is worn. The sleeve extends from the upper edge 16 to the lower edge 18. A binding band can be provided at both the upper and lower edges, as shown. This binding band can be connected to the sleeve by a seam, as also shown. The circumferential binding band and a circumferential seam ensure the connection of the first section 12 and the second section 14.

[0026] The two sections are additionally connected along the first longitudinal seam 20. The sections can be additionally glued along this longitudinal seam. Often, butt-to-butt bonding is recommended, for example, with foam materials and especially with neoprene. The connection can be made with threads to the left and right of the butt seam. Additionally, the seam can be covered with a hem tape. This can also be sewn to the first section 12 and the second section 14.

[0027] The central axis M is shown, along which the cuff runs, but to which it is slightly curved.

[0028] Fig. 2 shows a top view of the cuff 10. The focus is primarily on the first section 12. This section covers the crook of the arm when the cuff is worn. The first section 12 is bordered on the left by the first longitudinal seam 20 and on the right by the second longitudinal seam 22. The cuff is closed off by the upper edge 16 and the lower edge 18. It is easily seen that both along the upper edge 16 and along the lower edge 18, the first section occupies a smaller part of the circumference compared to the second section. The first section therefore extends - again viewed from the central axis M - over an angular range of less than 180 degrees; in this embodiment, it extends over an angular range of approximately 120 degrees.

[0029] Fig. 3 shows one of the Fig. 2 shows a corresponding view from the opposite direction. Accordingly, the view is directed to the second section 14. When the cuff 10 is worn, this second section 14 covers the elbow tip.

[0030] Fig. 4 shows a cutting pattern that can be used to produce a cuff according to the invention. The section for producing the first section 12 is shown at the top, and the section for producing the second section 14 is shown at the bottom (the reference symbols for parts of the finished cuff are retained for the corresponding sections here). The first section 12 extends between the upper edge 24 and the lower edge 26. The second section 14 extends between the upper edge 28 and the lower edge 30. The upper edge 24, together with the upper edge 28, forms the upper edge 16 of the finished cuff. Similarly, the lower edge 26 of section 12, together with the lower edge 30 of section 14, forms the lower edge 18 of the finished cuff.

[0031] It is advantageous if the upper and lower edges of the first section are slightly concave. It is also advantageous if the upper edge 28 and the lower edge 30 of the second section 14 are slightly convex. In this way, the Fig. 1 clearly visible border line which is anatomically favorable.

[0032] It is also expedient if the left edge 32 and the right edge 34 of the first section 12 are essentially straight. However, it may be advantageous if the left edge 36 and the right edge 38 of the second section 14 are concave. This concave shape creates a slight hourglass shape in the finished cuff. This exerts increased pressure, particularly in the center of the cuff, i.e., at the center of the elbow joint.

[0033] It is often useful if the width of the first section 12 (between the left edge 32 and the right edge 34) is smaller than the width of the second section 14 (between the left edge 36 and the right edge 38) or if the material for the first section 12 contracts more than the material for the second section 14.

[0034] Overall, it's clear how a practical elbow sleeve suitable for mass production can be produced inexpensively. This allows for effective, safe, and comfortable training with weights or other strenuous arm exercises. List of reference symbols 10 cuffs 12 first section 14 second section 16 upper edge 18 lower edge 20 first longitudinal seam 22 second longitudinal seam 24 upper edge of the first section 26 lower edge of the first section 28 upper edge of the second section 30 lower edge of the second section 32 left edge of the cut for the first section 34 right edge of the cut for the first section 36 left edge of the second section cut 38 right edge of the cut of the second section M straight longitudinal axis QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 97 / 12570

[0002] US 2012 / 0310129

[0004]

Claims

[1] Elbow cuff (10) having an inner side and an outer side, wherein the inner side is designed for contact with the arm and can cover the crook of the arm and the tip of the elbow, wherein the elbow cuff has a first section (12) of first stiffness and a second section (14) of second stiffness and the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness and the elbow cuff (10) can cover the crook of the arm with the first section (12) and can cover the tip of the elbow with the second section (14). [2] Elbow sleeve (10) in which the first stiffness is at least 10% greater than the second stiffness. [3] Elbow sleeve (10) in which the first stiffness measured in the cantilever test is at least 10% greater than the second stiffness. [4] Elbow cuff (10) where the first stiffness measured according to DIN 53362 is at least 10% greater than the second stiffness. [5] Elbow cuff (10), in which the first section (12) and the second section (14) are made of synthetic material. [6] Elbow cuff (10), in which the first section (12) and the second section (14) are made of chemically identical material with different mechanical properties. [7] Elbow sleeve (10) in which the first section (12) and the second section (14) are both made of foam. [8] Elbow sleeve (10), in which the first section (12) and the second section (14) are made of foamed neoprene. [9] Elbow sleeve (10), wherein the first section (12) has a first thickness and the second section (14) has a second thickness and the first thickness is higher than the second thickness. [10] Elbow cuff (10) having a first edge (16) and a second edge (18), wherein the first edge (16) has a first circumference and the second edge (18) has a second circumference, and the first circumference is greater than the second circumference. [11] Elbow cuff (10) which has a central circumference between the first edge (16) and the second edge (18) and in which the central circumference is smaller than the first edge circumference. [12] Elbow cuff (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the central circumference is also smaller than the second edge circumference. [13] Elbow cuff (10), in which the first edge (16) and / or the second edge (18) are edged with a hem band. [14] Elbow cuff (10), in which the first section and the second section are connected by adhesive at least at one longitudinal seam. [15] Elbow cuff (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the longitudinal seam is sewn. [16] Elbow cuff (10) according to one of claims 14 or 15, wherein the longitudinal seam is covered with a hem band.

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