Clothing that covers parts of the human body, including the wrists.

Abstract

The arm cover, etc., is designed to allow easy exposure of the watch body while appropriately preventing the user's wrist from being exposed between the watch body and the arm cover, etc. [Solution] An arm cover 10A used with a wristwatch 80, made of an elastic fabric, with an opening 20 formed in the part corresponding to the user's wrist. The opening 20 is smaller than the watch body 82 except for the part of the watch body 82 that connects to the belt 84. The opening 82 can be tightened by a string 35 that goes around the opening 82 at least almost once.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to clothing that covers at least a part of the human body including the wrist, such as arm covers, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, etc.

Background Art

[0002] When the temperature is high or when the body temperature rises during sports or the like, upper garments such as short sleeves are often worn. In that case, the arms are exposed from the upper garment. However, especially during periods with strong sunlight, ultraviolet rays are strong, so the exposed arms will get sunburned. Therefore, arm covers are often worn, especially by women who are highly concerned about beauty. In addition, there are also cases where an arm cover is worn for cold protection over a short-sleeved upper garment. An arm cover is generally formed of a cloth material and has a tubular shape to cover the arm. Also, when doing sports or the like, gloves are often worn.

[0003] Here, as described above, an arm cover covers the arm of the user (human body), and also covers the user's wrist. Among gloves, there are also those that reach up to the user's wrist. Furthermore, even when wearing a long-sleeved T-shirt or the like, the wrist is covered thereby.

[0004] By the way, since a wristwatch is worn on the wrist, if the wrist is covered by an arm cover, gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, etc., and the wristwatch is also covered, the user cannot visually recognize the wristwatch (accurately, its watch body part).

[0005] On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a certain arm cover. In this arm cover, a slit extending circumferentially is formed in the portion corresponding to the wearer's wrist, and a pair of buttons (one on the back of the hand side and one on the arm side) are provided on either side of this slit. A loop provided at the arm-side end of the slit is fastened to the arm-side button to open the slit, and fastened to the back-of-hand button to close the slit. However, as mentioned above, manipulating the loop to expose the wristwatch (the watch body) is cumbersome. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-021198 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a way to easily expose the watch body in clothing that covers at least a portion of the human body, including the wrist, such as arm covers, gloves, or long-sleeved shirts. It also aims to prevent the wrist from being exposed between the watch body and the clothing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a garment that covers a portion of the human body including the wrist, and is made of a flexible and stretchable material, and covers at least the wrist in a tubular shape, with an opening formed in the portion corresponding to the wrist.

[0009] Here, "opening" refers to a hole that extends in two dimensions, such as a rectangular, approximately rectangular, or elliptical shape, and does not include "cuts" or other one-dimensional openings.

[0010] In this embodiment of clothing, a wearer wearing a wristwatch may be able to expose the watch body through an opening while wearing the clothing. In this way, it becomes possible to see the exposed watch body even while wearing the clothing in question. Note that the term "wristwatch" also includes so-called "smartwatches."

[0011] Incidentally, smartwatches are worn on the user's wrist with the back of the watch body in contact with the user's bare skin, and they have a mechanism that checks the user's health status (pulse, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, etc.) by irradiating the bare skin with a predetermined light (infrared). Furthermore, in this type of clothing, it is possible to wear the clothing with a smartwatch attached to the bare skin, exposing the watch body, allowing the wearer to check their health status and other information while viewing the watch body.

[0012] Furthermore, as described above, this type of clothing is worn by the user while wearing a wristwatch, exposing the watch body through the opening, and this exposure can be easily performed. In other words, it can be done more easily than opening and closing a slit by manipulating a loop. Furthermore, in arm covers and the like that which simply have a slit, the watch body can be easily exposed through the opening rather than through the slit.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention is a garment according to the first aspect, which is used in conjunction with a wristwatch having a watch body and a strap, wherein the opening is smaller than the watch body in at least the portion of the watch body other than the portion connected to the strap.

[0014] The specific dimensional relationship for "the opening is smaller than the main body of the watch" is as follows: For example, the vertical dimension (length in the direction corresponding to the circumference of the user's wrist) of the main body of a smartwatch is generally 40mm to 50mm, and the width (length in the direction corresponding to the length of the user's wrist) is 35mm to 45mm, while the vertical dimension of the rectangular, semi-rectangular, or elliptical (including circular) opening is 32mm to 38mm, and the width is 27mm to 34mm.

[0015] Furthermore, in this type of clothing, since the opening is smaller than the watch body, no gap is created between the watch body and the opening. Therefore, sunlight entering through the gaps and causing sunburn on the wearer's wrists is essentially prevented.

[0016] A third aspect of the present invention is a garment according to the first or second aspect, wherein the opening is provided with a string that encircles the opening at least substantially once, and the length of the portion of the string corresponding to the opening is adjustable.

[0017] In this embodiment of clothing, in addition to the effects and benefits of the clothing of the first or second embodiment, the following effects and benefits are obtained. By adjusting the cord so that the portion corresponding to the opening is shorter, the opening is tightened, which more effectively prevents gaps from forming between the watch body and the opening, resulting in more effective sun protection.

[0018] In other words, in the garment of the first embodiment, there may inherently be a gap between the watch body and the opening. Furthermore, in the second type of clothing, although there is inherently no gap between the watch body and the opening, when the user moves their arm, the relative position between the arm (watch) and the clothing may change from its original position, in which case a gap may occur. Also, because the clothing is stretchable, the opening may try to become larger than its original size, in which case a gap may also occur.

[0019] However, in the clothing of this embodiment, since the opening is constricted by the string, the opening becomes smaller than the watch body part, and accordingly, a gap between the watch body part and the opening is more effectively prevented from occurring. Also, the string prevents / restricts the opening from becoming larger (when the string does not have elasticity, the opening is prevented from becoming larger, and when the string has elasticity, it is prevented). In that regard as well, a gap between the watch body part and the opening is more effectively prevented from occurring.

[0020] A fourth embodiment of the present invention is the clothing of the first or second embodiment, wherein the opening is provided with a rubber string that goes around at least substantially once around the opening and biases the opening in a direction of elastic contraction.

[0021] In the clothing of this embodiment, in addition to the operational effects of the clothing of the first or second embodiment, the following operational effects are obtained. Since the opening is biased in a direction of elastic contraction by the rubber string, a gap between the watch body part and the opening is more effectively prevented from occurring, and sunburn prevention is more effectively achieved.

[0022] That is, as described in the explanation of the third embodiment, in the clothing of the first embodiment, a gap may inherently exist between the watch body part and the opening, and in the clothing of the second embodiment, a gap may occur between the watch body part and the opening. However, in the clothing of this embodiment, since the opening is biased in a direction of elastic contraction by the rubber string, the opening is restricted from becoming larger, and a gap between the watch body part and the opening is prevented from occurring.

[0023] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a garment according to the first or second aspect, which is used in conjunction with a wristwatch having a watch body and a strap, and which has a frame member attached to the opening, the watch body being fitted into the frame member, and the portions of the garment in the longitudinal direction of the opening are joined together via the frame member.

[0024] In this embodiment of clothing, in addition to the effects and benefits of the clothing of the first or second embodiment, the following effects and benefits are obtained. In other words, a frame is attached to the opening, and the portions of the garment in the length direction of the opening are connected via the frame, thereby preventing the opening from widening in that direction, and ensuring that the relative positional relationship between the watch body fitted into the frame and the opening remains unchanged. In this way, gaps between the watch body and the opening are more effectively prevented, and sun protection is more effectively achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0025] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an arm cover according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2A] This is an enlarged view showing a part of the arm cover of Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. [Figure 2B] This is a magnified section of Figure 2A(a). [Figure 3] This figure shows the state of use of the arm cover according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4A] This is a partially enlarged view showing the use of the arm cover according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. [Figure 4B] This is a partially enlarged plan view showing the state of use of the arm cover according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (a) is a diagram showing the basic state, and (b) is a diagram showing the state when the drawstring function is used. [Figure 5]This is an enlarged view showing a part of the arm cover of Embodiment 2 of the present invention. (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. [Figure 6] This is a partially enlarged view showing the use of the arm cover according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The wristwatch is virtually indicated by a dashed line. [Figure 7] This is a partially enlarged plan view showing the usage state of the arm cover according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged view showing a part of the arm cover of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. (a) is a perspective view and (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing a part of the arm cover of Embodiment 3 of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a partially enlarged view showing the usage state of the arm cover according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. (a) is a perspective view, and (b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. [Figure 11A] This figure shows an arm cover of another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11B] This figure shows a glove according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11C] This figure shows a long-sleeved T-shirt according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] [Example 1] Next, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4B. As shown in Figure 3, this arm cover 10A is used in conjunction with a wristwatch 80. The wristwatch 80 has a watch body 82 and a strap 84. The width of the watch body 82 is greater than the width of the strap 84 (specifically, the ends that connect to the watch body 82).

[0027] The arm cover 10A (Figures 1 and 3) is made of a stretchable fabric. Because it is made of fabric, it is also flexible. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, this arm cover 10A is of a type that covers the part of the user's (human body) arm from the upper part to the fingertips. The portion of the arm cover 10A that corresponds to the user's arm is cylindrical, and its base end corresponds to the upper part of the user's arm (near the base end) and is open. On the other hand, the tip of the arm cover 10A corresponds to the entire user's hand. That is, it branches into five sections corresponding to the five fingers, and each of these tips is closed.

[0028] As mentioned earlier, the part of the arm cover 10A that corresponds to the user's arm is cylindrical, and its thickness (circumference) corresponds to the thickness of the user's arm. As shown in Figure 1, an opening 20 is formed in the outer part (the part on the back of the hand) of the arm cover 10A that corresponds to the user's wrist. The opening 20 is roughly rectangular, and its four corners are rounded off. Note that the shape of the opening 20 is not limited to rectangular; it may also be elliptical or other shapes.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the opening 20 is shaped like a drawstring bag. In other words, the area near the inner edge of the opening 20 is folded inward and sewn to the arm cover 10A (its main body) with sewing thread 34 (Figures 2A(b) and 2B). In this way, a tubular cord-passing section 30 is formed that almost completely encircles the opening 20. A portion of the lace-threading section 30 (on the thumb side when worn by the user) is missing, forming a pair of lace entry / exit points 32 (Figure 2B). The two lace entry / exit points 32 are adjacent to each other, facing each other across the portion of the lace-threading section 30 that is missing. The cord 35 is threaded through the cord-threading section 30 in a circular motion, with both ends of the cord exposed through the cord entry / exit 32 and passing through the hole in the bead 38, with each end secured to prevent it from coming loose. The cord 35 is not elastic.

[0030] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B(a), the size of the opening 20 is slightly smaller than the size of the watch body 82 of the wristwatch 80. In other words, the width of the opening 20 (length in the direction of the user's arm) is slightly shorter than the width of the watch body 82, and the vertical dimension of the opening 20 (length in the direction of the user's arm circumference) is slightly shorter than the vertical dimension of the watch body 82.

[0031] Next, we will explain the usage method and effects of this arm cover 10A. As shown in Figures 3 and 4A, a user wearing a short-sleeved or similar garment first puts on the wristwatch 80, and then puts on the arm cover 10A. At that time, the opening 20 is elastically widened, exposing the watch body 82 through the opening 20. When worn in this manner, as shown in Figure 4B(a), the opening 20 is located inward from the outer edge of the watch body 82 of the wristwatch 80 (excluding the part connected to the belt 84). Furthermore, the portion of the opening 20 corresponding to the connection point between the watch body 82 and the strap 84 may have its vertical dimension extended to follow the outer edge of the watch body 82, or it may fit into the gap between the watch body 82 and the strap 84. Note that this portion of the opening 20 may be larger than the watch body 82 and correspond to the strap 84. Therefore, under normal circumstances, no gap is formed between the watch body 82 and the opening 20, preventing sunlight from entering through the gap and causing sunburn to the user.

[0032] Furthermore, when engaging in sports or other activities, the arm moves significantly, which may cause the relative position of the arm cover 10A with respect to the user's arm (and consequently the wristwatch 80) to shift, or the opening 20 to widen. In such cases, a gap may form between the watch body 82 and the opening 20. Therefore, to prevent that, we use the drawstring function. In other words, as shown in Figure 4B(b), both ends of the string 35 are pulled away from the pair of string inlet / outlet 32 ​​(Figure 2B). This tightens the opening 20. Furthermore, the ball 38 is moved away from both ends of the string 35 and positioned near the pair of string entry and exit points 32. In this way, the opening 20 is kept in a constricted state. Therefore, as described above, even if the relative position of the arm cover 10A with respect to the wristwatch 80 shifts or the opening 20 tries to widen, no gap is created between the watch body 82 and the opening 20, preventing sunlight from entering through the gap and causing sunburn.

[0033] [Example 2] Next, Example 2 of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from Example 1, based on Figures 5 to 7. Elements common to both Example 1 and Example 2 will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. The same applies hereafter.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, in this arm cover 10B, the opening 20 is biased in a direction that elastically reduces in size by the elastic cord 36. In other words, the area near the inner edge of the opening 20 is folded inward and sewn to the arm cover 10B (its main body) with sewing thread 34 (Figure 5(b)). In this way, a tubular elastic cord passage 31 is formed that encircles the opening 20. The elastic cord 36 is threaded through the elastic cord threading section 31 so as to go all the way around, and both ends of the cord are joined together. The length (circumference) of the elastic cord 36 in its natural state is shorter than the circumference of the elastic cord threading section 31. Therefore, when not being worn, the opening 20 is considerably narrowed by the elastic cord 36 compared to its original size. As a result, numerous wrinkles form in the vicinity of the opening 20 of the arm cover 10B.

[0035] As shown in Figure 6, when the user wears the garment, the elastic cord 36 is stretched, making the opening 20 larger than the state described above. However, the elastic cord 36 is biased in a direction that causes it to shrink, so the opening 20 is narrower than its original size.

[0036] Next, we will explain how to use this arm cover 10B and its effects. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, similar to the arm cover 10A of Embodiment 1, when this arm cover 10B is worn, the opening 20 is located inward from the outer edge of the watch body portion 82 of the wristwatch 80 (excluding the portion connected to the belt portion 84). In other words, even if the elastic cord 36 were not present and the opening 20 were of its original size, the opening 20 would be located inside the outer edge of the watch body 82. However, the opening 20, tightened by the elastic cord 36, is located even further inside the outer edge of the watch body 82. Furthermore, the elastic cord 36 restricts the opening 20 from expanding further.

[0037] Therefore, as mentioned above, even when the arm moves significantly during sports or other activities, causing the relative position of the arm cover 10B to shift relative to the wristwatch 80 or causing the opening 20 to widen, no gap is created between the watch body 82 and the opening 20, preventing sunlight from entering through the gap and causing sunburn.

[0038] [Example 3] Next, Example 3 of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from Example 1, based on Figures 8 to 10.

[0039] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, in this arm cover 10C, a frame material 40 is attached to the opening 20. The frame material 40 is made of synthetic resin and has a frame material body portion 41 and a pair of mounting portions 45. The frame body portion 41 is rectangular in shape and has four sides 42. The base of each side 42 corresponds to the opening 20. The mounting portion 45 is formed on a pair of sides 42 of the frame body portion 41 that extend along the circumferential direction of the arm cover 10C. Each mounting portion 45 is flange-shaped and extends from the lower edge of each side 42 in a direction that is in the longitudinal direction of the arm cover 10C and away from the opposing side 42.

[0040] Each attachment portion 45 is sewn to the inner surface (the surface facing the user's skin) of the arm cover 10C near the opening 20 (near the length of the arm cover 10C) using sewing thread 46. In this way, the frame material 40 is attached to the opening 20, and the main body portion 41 of the frame material is exposed from the opening 20.

[0041] Each side portion 42 of the frame material body portion 41 is basically curved upward from its base end (away from the user's skin) and curved at its tip towards the opposing side portion 42. More precisely, of the four sides 42 of the frame body portion 41, a pair of sides 42 that face each other in the longitudinal direction of the arm cover 10C extend in a direction near their base end that is upward (away from the user's skin) and also has a component that moves away from the opposing sides 42. Thus, as shown in Figure 10, the clock body 82 is fitted into the frame body 41. This is the dimensional relationship. In addition, any portion protruding from the clock body 82 is exposed through the hole 43.

[0042] Next, we will explain how to use this arm cover 10C and its effects. Similar to the arm cover 10A in Example 1, under normal circumstances, no gap is formed between the watch body 82 and the opening 20, preventing sunlight from entering through the gap and causing sunburn on the user.

[0043] Furthermore, when participating in sports or other activities, the arm moves significantly, which may cause the relative position of the arm cover 10C to shift with respect to the user's arm (and consequently, the wristwatch 80). In such cases, a gap may form between the watch body 82 and the opening 20. However, in this arm cover 10C, the watch body 82 of the wristwatch 80 is housed inside the frame material 40, and the frame material 40 is connected to the arm cover 10C at a pair of mounting parts 45. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the watch body 82 and the opening 20 does not change. Therefore, even when the arm moves significantly during sports or other activities, causing the relative position of the arm cover 10C to shift relative to the user's arm (and consequently the wristwatch 80), no gap is created between the watch body 82 and the opening 20, preventing sunlight from entering through the gap and causing sunburn.

[0044] [Other examples] Examples 1 to 3 are of a type in which the arm covers 10A to 10C cover the upper part of the user's arm and the entire hand (including the tips of each finger). However, the present invention is also applicable to other types of arm covers, gloves, and the like.

[0045] The arm cover 11A shown in Figure 11A(a) is of a type in which the tip of the cover extends to a position corresponding to the base of the user's thumb and the other four fingers, and has an opening at the tip. The arm cover 11B shown in Figure 11A(b) is of a type whose tip extends to a position corresponding to the user's wrist, and has an opening at that tip. The arm cover 11C shown in Figure 11A(c) is a type in which a pair of left and right arm covers are connected. Its tip is the same as that of the arm cover 11A shown in Figure 11A(a), but it is not limited to this, and various types are possible, such as those in Examples 1 to 3 and Figure 11A(b). In each case, an opening 20 is formed in the part corresponding to the user's wrist (specifically on the side facing the back of the user's hand), and a mechanism similar to that in any of Examples 1 to 3 is provided. Thus, the same effects and advantages as those of any of the arm covers 10A to 10C in Examples 1 to 3 can be obtained.

[0046] Figure 11B shows gloves 12A and 12B, not arm covers. In both cases, the base of the glove extends to a position corresponding to the user's wrist. The glove 12A shown in Figure 11B(a) is a basic type, with an opening 20 formed in the part corresponding to the user's wrist, and is provided with a mechanism similar to any of Examples 1 to 3. Thus, the same effects and advantages as those of any of the arm covers 10A to 10C in Examples 1 to 3 can be obtained.

[0047] In the glove 12B shown in Figure 11B(b), a notch 21 is formed on the back of the user's hand, and a belt portion 22 is provided corresponding to it. The notch 21 is roughly U-shaped and extends from the base end of the glove 12B to the part corresponding to the user's wrist. The belt portion 22 is flexible and is attached to one side of the glove 12B near the base end, straddling the notch portion 21 (on the base end side). A hook-and-loop fastener 23 is provided on the back surface of the tip end side and on the other side of the glove 12B where the notch portion 21 is located. Then, the belt portion 22 is detachably attached to the other side of the notched portion 21 of the glove 12B by the hook-and-loop fastener 23, thereby forming an opening corresponding to the opening 20 (Figure 11B(a)). The opening is smaller than the watch body 82 of the wristwatch 80 (Figure 3).

[0048] Figure 11C shows a long-sleeved T-shirt 13. Both sleeves extend to the position corresponding to the wearer's wrists. Furthermore, an opening 20 is formed in the left sleeve portion corresponding to the user's wrist, and a mechanism similar to that in any of Examples 1 to 3 is provided. Thus, the same effects and advantages as those of any of the arm covers 10A to 10C in Examples 1 to 3 can be obtained. Furthermore, similar to the glove 12B, the opening 20 may simply be smaller than the watch body 82 of the wristwatch 80 (Figure 3). An opening 20 may also be formed in the right sleeve. Alternatively, an opening 20 may be formed only in the right sleeve.

[0049] The above are merely some embodiments of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modified forms based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0050] Furthermore, although the description in Example 1 and other examples assumes that the user is wearing a short-sleeved top, the user may wear a long-sleeved top in addition to the garment of the present invention. This is especially true when the present invention is applied to gloves. Furthermore, even when the present invention is applied to arm covers, the user's bare skin is covered by a long-sleeved top and arm covers, which provides more reliable protection against ultraviolet rays and cold. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0051] 10A, 10B, 10C Arm Covers 11A, 11B, 11C Arm Covers 12A,12B Gloves 13 Long-sleeved T-shirt 20 openings 30. String threading section 31 Elastic cord threading section 35 string 36 elastic cord 40 Frame material 80 Wristwatch 82 Watch body 84 Belt section

Claims

1. Clothing that covers parts of the human body including the wrists, It is made of a flexible and stretchable material and covers at least the wrist in a tubular shape, A garment in which an opening is formed in the part corresponding to the wrist.

2. The garment described in claim 1, which is used in conjunction with a wristwatch having a watch body and a strap, The aforementioned opening is smaller than the watch body in at least the portion of the watch body other than the portion connected to the belt portion.

3. The garment according to claim 1 or claim 2, The garment is provided with a cord that encircles the opening at least substantially once, with the length of the portion corresponding to the opening being adjustable.

4. The garment according to claim 1 or claim 2, The garment is provided with an elastic cord that encircles the opening at least substantially once and biases the opening in a direction that elastically reduces its size.

5. The garment according to claim 1 or claim 2, which is used in conjunction with a wristwatch having a watch body and a strap, It has a frame member that is attached to the aforementioned opening, The frame material is into which the clock body is fitted. A garment in which portions of the opening in the garment along its length are joined together via a frame material.

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