Shock absorbing garment

Abstract

Provided is a shock absorbing garment that can suppress discomfort felt by a user when worn, and can be handled in the same manner as a usual garment. The shock absorbing garment includes a bulging portion 10 that is formed by using a knitted fabric 1a and that partially bulges. The bulging portion 10 is formed of an inlay wire material 11 that is inserted when the knitted fabric 1a is knitted. When a desired garment is knitted using the knitted fabric 1a, a knitting machine operates according to a predetermined program specifying how to slip stitches or the like. By specifying the insertion position of the inlay wire material 11 and the kind of the inlay wire material 11 in the program, the bulging portion 10 can be formed in the process of knitting the desired garment.

Description

shock-absorbing clothing

[0001] The present invention relates to shock-absorbing clothing that can absorb shock when falling and contribute to preventing injuries such as fractures and bruises.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses skirts and trousers with shock-absorbing functions that can be worn comfortably by elderly people, prevent lower back injuries caused by falls or collisions, and are fashionable. Cushioning materials made of sponge, felt, urethane fiber material, padding material, various synthetic fiber cotton materials, etc. are attached to the waist area of ​​the skirt or trousers using hook-and-loop fasteners or by sewing.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for protecting the proximal femur by attaching pockets or pouches to skirts or trousers at positions corresponding to both sides of the waist and accommodating shock-absorbing pads in these pockets. The shock-absorbing pads are made of isobutylene-based thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-based elastomers, polyurethanes, air cushions, etc.

[0004] On the other hand, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique of weaving an inlay wire into a knitted fabric to form a bulge.

[0005] Utility Model Registration No. 3140277 Utility Model Registration No. 3208287 JP 2017-36520 A

[0006] Cushioning materials in clothing tend to hinder body movement when worn. To improve shock absorption, it is usually necessary to use thicker materials, which can further hinder body movement. Therefore, it is desirable to use cushioning materials in clothing that can minimize the increase in thickness even while improving shock absorption.

[0007] In addition, in both Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, cushioning material is attached to the inside of a skirt or trousers by sewing or the like, or is stored in a pocket. Therefore, the cushioning material may come into direct contact with the body, which may cause discomfort to the user. When the cushioning material is stored in a pocket, the inner fabric prevents direct contact with the body, but the process of storing the cushioning material in the pocket is necessary, which is cumbersome. The cushioning material also needs to be removed from the pocket when washing. On the other hand, the technology in Patent Document 3 forms a bulge by knitting an inlay wire into a knitted fabric, and by applying this technology, it may be possible to form a bulge with shock-absorbing function during the process of forming a garment using knitting.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide shock-absorbing clothing that can enhance shock absorption while minimizing an increase in thickness and reducing discomfort to the user when worn, and that does not require the attachment or removal of cushioning material when worn or washed, and can be handled in the same way as normal clothing.

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a wearable shock-absorbing garment having a bulging portion with a plurality of shock-absorbing layers with different rigidities along the thickness direction.

[0010] It is preferable that the outermost impact mitigating layer has a higher rigidity than the adjacent impact mitigating layer on the inside thereof.It is also preferable that the impact mitigating layer constituting at least one layer located between the outermost and innermost impact mitigating layers has a higher rigidity than both the outermost and innermost impact mitigating layers.

[0011] The cushioning layer may be formed from a knitted fabric or a fabric, and the bulge portion may have a cushioning material covered with the knitted fabric or fabric, and the cushioning material may constitute the impact absorbing layer. Preferably, the cushioning material is formed from a knitted fabric, and the cushioning material is constituted from an inlay wire knitted into the forming area. Preferably, the knitted fabric constituting the bulge portion is formed in a bag-like shape, and the inlay wire is disposed within the bag-like knitted fabric.

[0012] It is preferable that a heat-sealing thread is used as part of the inlay wire material, and the fibers are bonded together by the thermal adhesiveness of the heat-sealing thread, thereby forming a region with different rigidity in the thickness direction of the bulge portion.

[0013] The bulging portion is preferably provided to correspond to at least one of the thighs, waist, buttocks, knees, elbows, shoulders, and head, which are areas susceptible to impact. The bulging portion is preferably provided to correspond to the proximal femur, which is located in the area from the thighs to the waist, and is a skirt-shaped portion worn to cover the pelvis. The bulging portion is preferably a head-worn type having a shape that covers at least a part of the head.

[0014] According to the present invention, a bulging portion is provided with multiple impact-absorbing layers with different rigidities along the thickness direction. This allows the relatively high-rigidity impact-absorbing layers to effectively disperse impact forces, while the relatively low-rigidity impact-absorbing layers absorb the dispersed impact forces. Therefore, impact forces can be efficiently absorbed, even with a thinner structure compared to a garment composed solely of impact-absorbing layers with the same rigidity. Because the impact-absorbing layers can be made thinner, discomfort during wear can be reduced. Positioning the bulging portions formed by the impact-absorbing layers in at least one of the thighs, hips, buttocks, knees, elbows, shoulders, and head can reduce impacts during falls and contribute to preventing or reducing injuries. This garment is particularly suitable for elderly people, who are prone to injuries from falls.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferable that the cushioning material formed using the knitted fabric and constituting the shock-absorbing layer be an inlay wire that is inserted when the knitted fabric is knitted. When the desired garment is knitted using the knitted fabric, the knitting machine operates according to a predetermined program that specifies the skipping of stitches, etc. If the insertion position of the inlay wire and the type of inlay wire are specified in this program, the cushioning material that constitutes the shock-absorbing layer can be arranged during the process of knitting the desired garment. Because it is knitted integrally with the knitted fabric, it is possible to further reduce discomfort when worn, and there is no need to attach or detach the cushioning material when wearing or washing, so it can be handled in the same way as regular clothing.

[0016] It is preferable to use a thermal adhesive yarn as part of the inlay wire material used in the bulge. The thermal adhesive yarn melts at a predetermined temperature and bonds the fibers together using its thermal adhesiveness, solidifying. This forms a partially hard layer (a layer with relatively high rigidity) in the bulge, making it easy to form an impact-absorbing layer with varying rigidity in the thickness direction.

[0017] Fig. 1(a) is a perspective view showing an example of a shock-absorbing garment according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 1(b) is a perspective view showing another example. Fig. 2(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views taken along line A-A in Fig. 1, where (a) shows an example in which the rigidity of the intermediate layer is increased, and (b) shows an example in which the rigidity of the outer layer is increased. Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining the knitting process.

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams showing an impact-reducing garment 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The impact-reducing garment 1 of this embodiment is designed to reduce impacts on the pelvis and is a skirt-type garment that can cover the area around the pelvis. While a trouser-type or pants-type two-pronged undergarment (bottoms) can be used as long as it can cover the area around the pelvis, a skirt-type garment is preferred in terms of ease of wear, especially for elderly people. By incorporating various designs into a skirt-type garment, it is preferable for women, who are prone to osteoporosis. Elderly people may find skirts difficult to wear due to factors such as the size of their buttocks. In this regard, a wrap-around skirt type is preferable because it does not pose such concerns. However, even if the wrap-around skirt type garment is designed to require fastening with a belt after wrapping around the waist and buttocks, the fastening process with the belt may be cumbersome. Therefore, it is preferable to use a simple structure in which the belt has a portion with projections and recesses in the width and thickness directions near the tip, and when this portion near the tip is inserted into a belt insertion hole provided at a predetermined distance from the tip, the projections catch and stay in the belt insertion hole. Also, in the case of a normal skirt as shown in Figure 1, elasticity can be given near the waist or from the waist to the buttocks with rubber cords or other elastic threads, making it easy for even elderly people to wear.

[0019] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1( a ), the impact-mitigating garment 1 of this embodiment has a bulge 10 provided corresponding to the proximal portion of the femur, which is located in the area from the thigh to the waist. The proximal portion of the femur is particularly susceptible to fractures during falls, and it is preferable to provide the bulge 10 at this location. However, the location of the bulge 10 is not limited thereto. As shown in FIG. 1( b ), the bulge 10 may be provided near the thigh, waist, or buttocks, or may correspond to at least one of the areas susceptible to impact, such as the knee. Furthermore, if the impact-mitigating garment 1 is configured as a top, such as a sweater or jacket, the bulge 10 may be provided in areas corresponding to the elbows or shoulders. Furthermore, the impact-mitigating garment 1 may be a head-worn type that can be worn on the head and has a bulge 10 that covers a portion of the head (e.g., the top, back, or sides). Examples of head-worn garments include hoods and hats, but are not limited thereto as long as they can be worn to stay on the head.

[0020] The shock-absorbing garment 1 of this embodiment is formed using a knitted fabric 1a. That is, it is constructed by knitting appropriate yarn. The knitting machine used to form the knitted fabric 1a is not limited, but it is preferable to use a flat knitting machine. For example, Shima Seiki Mfg. Co., Ltd. has proposed a seamless knitted fabric called "WHOLEGARMENT" (registered trademark) using a flat knitting machine. This knitted fabric has the advantage of having no seam allowance and being comfortable to wear. In addition, using a flat knitting machine allows for efficient knitting of the inlay wire 11 as a cushioning material to form the bulge 10.

[0021] When forming the shock-absorbing garment 1 as a knitted fabric, a flat knitting machine is used as described above, and a knitting process is programmed in the control unit of the flat knitting machine so that the yarn is knitted into a desired configuration. In this embodiment, a program is stored in which the inlay wire 11 is supplied at a predetermined location and knitted into the knitted fabric 1a while the yarn that forms the knitted fabric 1a is supplied and knitted, and the flat knitting machine is operated.

[0022] The process of knitting the knitted fabric while weaving the inlay wire 11 can be the same as the process described in Patent Document 3. Figures 3(a) to 3(d) show some of the steps. These figures show an example of the knitting process when knitting using a two-bed flat knitting machine.

[0023] First, a carriage (not shown) is moved back and forth in the drawing to form one row of base stitches, and then, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), predetermined stitches on the front needle bed (FB) are moved to predetermined knitting needles on the back needle bed (BB). By moving the stitches in this manner, a bag-shaped knitted fabric 1a, 1a that forms a bulge 10 is formed. In the range in which the bulge 10 is formed, the stitches on the front needle bed (FB) are moved to predetermined knitting needles on the back needle bed (BB), and the carriage that supplies the inlay wire 11 is moved back and forth, and the inlay wire 11 is knitted in (Figures 3(c) and 3(d)). As a result, the inlay wire 11 is knitted between the bag-shaped knitted fabrics 1a, 1a at the desired position, and the bulge 10 is formed.

[0024] The amount of inlay wire 11 inserted is not limited, and the amount is such that the bulge 10 has the desired thickness. The material of the inlay wire 11 is also not limited, and examples include wool, silk, cotton, acrylic, rayon, nylon, polyester, aramid, polypropylene, carbon fiber, and metal (including alloys). However, materials with high elasticity when inserted overlapping each other are preferred, and it is preferable to use rubber strings made of natural rubber or polyurethane elastic threads. The thickness is also not limited, but to achieve a predetermined elasticity, it is preferable to use a string that is thicker than the thread forming the knitted fabric 1a. The inlay wire 11 can be in the form of a knitting thread, string, tape, chain, or the like.

[0025] However, as shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), it is preferable to use a heat-sealing yarn 11a in part of the inlay wire 11. The heat-sealing yarn 11a melts at a predetermined temperature and solidifies by bonding the fibers together due to its thermal adhesiveness. Examples of the heat-sealing yarn 11a include products manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc. under the trade name "Elder" (registered trademark) and Fujibo Holdings, Inc. under the trade name "Joiner" (registered trademark). The position at which the heat-sealing yarn 11a is mixed in the bulge 10 can be adjusted as appropriate, but for example, it can be inserted centered in the middle layer 10a in the thickness direction of the bulge 10.

[0026] When the thermal adhesive threads 11a are inserted, the knitted fabric is exposed to high temperatures such as steam after knitting. This melts the thermal adhesive threads 11a, exerting adhesive power to bond and solidify the fibers of the surrounding inlay wire 11. As a result, the inlay wire 11 near the inserted thermal adhesive threads 11a becomes harder and more rigid than other parts.

[0027] 2(a), when the thermally fused yarn 11a is inserted centered around the intermediate layer 10a, the thermally fused yarn 11a of the inlay wire 11 located in the intermediate layer 10a melts and hardens, increasing the hardness, while the inlay wire 11 located in the outer layer 10b and inner layer 10c sandwiching the intermediate layer 10a is not hardened. Therefore, the intermediate layer 10a has a relatively higher rigidity than the outer layer 10b and inner layer 10c, while the outer layer 10b and inner layer 10c have a relatively lower rigidity than the intermediate layer 10a. Furthermore, it is preferable that the outer layer 10b and inner layer 10c have a higher elasticity than the intermediate layer 10a in order to enhance shock absorption, and especially the inner layer 10c to reduce the sensation of impact on the human body.

[0028] In the embodiment of FIG. 2( a), the intermediate layer 10a, outer layer 10b, and inner layer 10c, which are adjacent in the thickness direction of the bulging portion 10, constitute an impact absorbing layer, and when comparing rigidity, they are stacked in the order of relatively low rigidity, high rigidity, and low rigidity, from the outermost outer layer 10b to the innermost inner layer 10c.

[0029] Therefore, when an impact is applied to the bulging portion 10 due to a fall or the like, the impact is absorbed by the outer layer 10b, and the highly rigid intermediate layer 10a receives and distributes the force over its surface, and the impact is further absorbed by the entire inner layer 10c, thereby providing a high level of impact absorption. In the embodiment of Figure 2(a), the intermediate layer 10a is formed using heat-fused yarn 11a as a highly rigid impact absorption layer, but if an attempt were made to provide similar shock absorption using layers with the same rigidity as the outer layer 10b and inner layer 10c without forming such a highly rigid layer, the thickness of the bulging portion 10 would become thicker, making it uncomfortable to wear.

[0030] However, according to this embodiment, when knitting the knitted fabric 1a, it is possible to provide the bulging portion 10 with multiple shock-absorbing layers at the desired position simply by knitting so that the inlay wire 11 is inserted. In other words, the bulging portion 10 is not attached to the knitted fabric 1a later by sewing or formed by providing a pocket to house it, but is formed integrally with the knitted fabric 1a, so there is little discomfort when wearing it and it does not need to be removed when washing. Therefore, it can be handled like regular clothing, is easy to handle, and even elderly people will not feel hesitant to wear it, can wear it casually when going out, and is effective in preventing injury.

[0031] The shock-absorbing garment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2(a), the central intermediate layer 10a has the highest rigidity, while the outer and inner layers 10b and 10c have low rigidity. However, as shown in FIG. 2(b), a thermally fused yarn 11a may be inserted as one of the inlay wires 11 in the area constituting the outermost outer layer 10b, and heat may be applied as described above to create a relatively high-rigidity portion. In this case, the impact force received during a fall is dispersed by the outer layer 10b and transmitted to the lower-rigid intermediate layer 10a and inner layer 10c, absorbing the impact force as it travels through the intermediate layer 10a and inner layer 10c. In either configuration, the innermost inner layer 10c is preferably relatively less rigid and more elastic than the other layers. Because the inner layer 10c is closest to the human body, it is preferable that it feel soft against the human body.

[0032] In the above embodiment, the knitted fabric 1a and the inlay wire 11 are used as cushioning materials that form the shock-absorbing layer of the bulge 10. However, the cushioning material may be fabric (woven fabric) instead of knitted fabric. For example, two pieces of fabric may be sandwiched and sewn together to form a cushioning material made of wool, silk, cotton, acrylic, rayon, nylon, polyester, aramid, polypropylene, carbon fiber, metal (including alloys), natural rubber, polyurethane, etc. In this case, the bulge can be formed by sewing the two pieces of fabric together at appropriate positions and forming a stitch pattern to create a quilted look. Furthermore, the cushioning material may be formed by layering materials with different rigidities in the thickness direction to form multiple shock-absorbing layers with different rigidities.

[0033] Furthermore, the shock-absorbing garment 1 of the above embodiment is comfortable to wear, even for elderly people, and can be worn casually when going out. In other words, because it can be worn as everyday clothing, even if a person is wearing a skirt or a top, for example, it can be easily repurposed to protect vital areas such as the head in the event of an emergency such as an earthquake. Therefore, it is suitable for protecting vital areas in an emergency, even if the head-worn type described in the above embodiment or a hood to be worn in the event of a disaster is not available.

[0034] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Impact-absorbing garment 1a Knitted fabric 10 Bulging portion 11 Inlay wire 11a Heat-sealing yarn

Claims

1. A wearable shock-absorbing garment having a bulge with multiple shock-absorbing layers of different rigidity along the thickness direction.

2. The impact absorbing garment according to claim 1, wherein the outermost impact absorbing layer has a higher rigidity than the adjacent impact absorbing layer on the inside thereof.

3. The impact mitigating garment according to claim 1, wherein the impact mitigating layer constituting at least one layer located between the outermost impact mitigating layer and the innermost impact mitigating layer has a higher rigidity than both the outermost impact mitigating layer and the innermost impact mitigating layer.

4. The impact absorbing garment according to claim 1, which is made of knitted fabric or cloth, the bulging portion is configured with a cushioning material covered with the knitted fabric or cloth, and the impact absorbing layer is configured with the cushioning material.

5. The shock absorbing garment according to claim 4, which is formed using knitted fabric, and the cushioning material is composed of an inlay wire material knitted into the formed area.

6. The impact absorbing garment according to claim 5, wherein the knitted fabric constituting the bulge is formed in a bag shape, and the inlay wire is disposed within the bag-shaped knitted fabric.

7. The impact absorbing garment according to claim 5, wherein heat-sealed yarn is used as part of the inlay wire material, the fibers are bonded together by the thermal adhesiveness of the heat-sealed yarn, and a region of different rigidity is formed in the thickness direction of the bulge.

8. The shock absorbing garment according to claim 1, wherein the bulging portions are provided in correspondence with areas susceptible to shock, including at least one of the thighs, waist, buttocks, knees, elbows, shoulders, and head.

9. The shock-absorbing garment according to claim 8, wherein the bulging portion is provided in correspondence with the proximal part of the femur located in the area from the thigh to the waist, and is a skirt-shaped garment worn to cover the pelvis.

10. The shock-absorbing garment according to claim 8, wherein the bulge is a head-mounted type having a shape that covers at least a part of the head.

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