Integrated supportive device in garments

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a device integrated in a piece of garment for the purpose of providing core abdominal and pelvic, or lower leg and foot support to a user comprising: an elastic band that wraps around a waist, a lower leg, or a foot of the user and provides upward and inward physical support to an abdominal and pelvic region, or lower leg and foot region of the user upon wearing; an interface that attaches the elastic band to the piece of garment; at least one mechanically adjustable connection, wherein the mechanical adjustable connection adjusts a length of the elastic band upon wearing; and an integration of the elastic band to the piece of garment, wherein the integration prevents at least a portion of the elastic band from directly contacting a body of the user upon wearing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device integrated in a piece of garment for providing abdominal and pelvic support to a user comprising:
 a) an elastic band that wraps around a waist and pelvis of the user thereby providing upward and inward physical support to an abdominal region and a pelvic region of the user upon wearing;   b) a mechanical interface that attaches the elastic band to the piece of garment;   c) at least one adjustable connection, wherein the adjustable connection allows adjustment of a length of the elastic band upon wearing; and   d) an integration element of the elastic band to the piece of garment, wherein the integration element prevents at least a portion of the elastic band from directly contacting a body of the user upon wearing.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic band is elastic in one, two, or three dimensions. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical interface is a permanent connection to the elastic band and the piece of garment. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical interface is a mechanically reversible interface that allows removal and attachment of the device to the piece of garment. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one mechanically reversible connection is close to a peripheral side of a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic band comprises a width of about 1 mm to about 10 cm when the device is a relaxed state. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the band comprises a length of about 1 cm to about 100 cm when the device is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic band comprises a length that fits around an abdominal region upon wearing. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the abdominal region is below a waist, or a belly button at least, on the front side of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a second interface that connects to a supporting strap. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the supporting strap is a shoulder strap. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein location of the connection between the second interface and the supporting strap is adjustable. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanically adjustable connection comprises a belt eyelet, a belt buckle, a Velcro® fastener, a zipper, a button, a hook, a loop, a tie, a strap, a ring, a clip, a loop tape, a hook tape, an adhesive tape, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of garment, the mechanical interface, the integration element, or a combination thereof prevents shifting of the device relative to a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the integration element is underneath a top layer of the piece of garment. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the piece of garment is a top, a bottom, or a piece of clothing comprising a top or a bottom. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 1  provides maternity support upon wearing. 
     
     
         18 . A device integrated in a piece of garment for providing abdominal support to a user comprising:
 a) at least two elastic straps, wherein the at least two elastic straps are not substantially parallel to each other upon wearing;   b) a mechanical interface that attaches one or more of the at least two elastic straps to the piece of garment; and   c) at least one mechanically adjustable connection, wherein the at least one mechanical adjustable connection allows adjustment of a length of one or more of the at least two elastic straps,   
       wherein the device provides abdominal support to the user upon wearing, and 
       wherein the device is integrated in the piece of garment such that at least a portion of the at least two elastic straps does not directly contact a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein each elastic strap is elastic in one, two, or three dimensions. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the mechanical interface comprises one or more permanent connection connecting the at least two elastic bands and the piece of garment optionally, at least one of the one or more permanent connection being close to a peripheral side of a body of the user upon wearing of the device. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the mechanical interface is a mechanically reversible interface that allows removal and attachment of the device to the piece of garment. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one mechanically reversible connection is close to a peripheral side of a body of the user upon wearing of the device. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein each of the at least two elastic straps comprises a width of about 1 cm to about 20 cm, when the device is a relaxed state. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein each of the at least two elastic straps comprises a length of about 5 cm to about 100 cm, when the device is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein each of the at least two elastic straps comprises a length that fits around an abdominal region upon wearing. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the abdominal region is below a waist, near a waist, or near a belly button. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 25 , wherein the abdominal region is below breasts of the user and substantially above a waist or a belly button of the user. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the integration element is underneath a top layer of the piece of garment. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the piece of garment is a top. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the piece of garment is a breast feeding top. 
     
     
         31 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the mechanically adjustable connection comprises a belt eyelet, a belt buckle, a Velcro® fastener, a zipper, a button, a hook, a loop, a tie, a strap, a ring, a clip, a hook take, a loop take, an adhesive tape, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the piece of garment, the mechanical interface, the integration element, or a combination thereof prevents shifting of the device relative to a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         33 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least two elastic straps overlap partially with each other. 
     
     
         34 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least two elastic straps are not attached to each other where they overlap. 
     
     
         35 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein an acute angle between a length of each elastic band is between 10 degrees and 89 degrees, the acute angle optionally being adjustable by a user. 
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 18  provides postnatal support and helps reduce diastasis recti upon wearing. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one mechanically reversible connection is directionally wrapped to cinch or close a midline of a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 18  provides postnatal or postpartum support of abdominal core muscles and reduces diastasis recti. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the device is directionally wrapped and cinches or closes a midline of a body of the user upon wearing 
     
     
         40 . A device integrated in a piece of garment for providing diastasis closure and postpartum abdominal support to a user comprising:
 a) an elastic strap that wraps around a waist of the user thereby providing inward physical support to an abdominal region of the user upon wearing;   b) a mechanical interface that attaches the elastic strap to the piece of garment;   c) at least one mechanically adjustable connection, wherein the mechanical adjustable connection allows adjustment of a length of the elastic strap upon wearing; and   d) an integration element of the elastic strap to the piece of garment, wherein the integration element prevents at least a portion of the elastic band from directly contacting a body of the user upon wearing.   
     
     
         41 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the band is elastic in one, two, or three dimensions. 
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the mechanical interface is a permanent connection connecting the elastic strap and the piece of garment. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the mechanical interface is a mechanically reversible interface that allows removal and attachment of the device to the piece of garment. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one mechanically reversible connection is close to a midline of a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one mechanically reversible connection is directionally wrapped to cinch or close a midline of a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the elastic strap comprises a width of about 1 cm to about 20 cm when the device is a relaxed state. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the band comprises a length of about 6 cm to about 150 cm when the device is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the elastic strap comprises a length that fits around an abdominal region upon wearing. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the abdominal region is below a waist, or a belly button at least on an anterior side of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the mechanically adjustable connection comprises a belt eyelet, a belt buckle, a Velcro® fastener, a zipper, a button, a hook, a loop, a tie, a strap, a ring, a clip, a loop tape, a hook tape, an adhesive tape, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the piece of garment, the mechanical interface, the integration element, or a combination thereof prevents shifting of the device relative to a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the integration element is underneath a top layer of the piece of garment. 
     
     
         53 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the piece of garment is a top, a bottom, or a piece of clothing comprising a top and a bottom. 
     
     
         54 . The device of  claim 40  provides postnatal or postpartum support of abdominal core muscles and reduces diastasis recti. 
     
     
         55 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the device is directionally wrapped and cinches or closes a midline of a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         56 . The device of  claim 40 , wherein the elastic strap overlap partially at least at or close to the midline of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         57 . A device integrated in a piece of garment for providing groin hernia, sports hernia, and groin strain support to a user comprising:
 a) at least two elastic straps, the at least two elastic straps are not substantially parallel to each other upon wearing;   b) a mechanical interface that attaches the at least two elastic straps to the piece of garment; and   c) at least one mechanically adjustable connection, wherein the at least one mechanical adjustable connection allows adjustment of a length of one or more of the at least two elastic straps,   
       wherein the device provides pelvic, hip, groin, and thigh support to the user, and 
       wherein the device is integrated in the piece of garment such that at least a portion of the at least two elastic straps does not make direct contact with a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         58 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein each elastic strap is elastic in one, two, or three dimensions. 
     
     
         59 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein the mechanical interface is a permanent connection connecting the at least two elastic bands and the piece of garment. 
     
     
         60 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein the mechanical interface is a mechanically reversible interface that allows removal and attachment of the device to the piece of garment. 
     
     
         61 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein the at least one mechanically reversible connection is close to a peripheral side of the body upon wearing of the device. 
     
     
         62 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein each of the at least two elastic straps comprises a width of about 1 cm to about 20 cm when the device is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         63 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein each of the at least two elastic straps comprises a length of about 2 cm to about 80 cm when the device is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         64 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein each of the at least two elastic straps comprises a length that fits around at least part of a lower abdominal region upon wearing. 
     
     
         65 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the lower abdominal region is below a waist, near a waist, or below a belly button. 
     
     
         66 . The device of  claim 64 , wherein the lower abdominal region comprises a hip, a pelvis, a groin, a thigh, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         67 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein the piece of garment is a bottom. 
     
     
         68 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein the mechanically adjustable connection comprises a belt eyelet, a belt buckle, a Velcro® fastener, a zipper, a button, a hook, a loop, a tie, a hook tape, a loop tape, an adhesive tape, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         69 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein the piece of garment, the mechanical interface, the integration element, or a combination thereof prevents shifting of the device relative to an area of body upon wearing of the device. 
     
     
         70 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein the at least two elastic straps: 1) overlap partially with each other, 2) intersect with each other, or 3) do not overlap with each other. 
     
     
         71 . The device of  claim 57 , wherein a length of two of the at least two elastic bands intersects with an acute angle between 10 degrees and 89 degrees, the acute angle being adjustable. 
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 57  further comprising at least two additional elastic straps. 
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 57  provides prevention, support, and protection of groin hernia, sports hernia, groin strain, or a combination thereof to the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 57  further comprising one or more plates close to coccyx or hip region of the user upon wearing that protects the coccyx or hip region of the user. 
     
     
         75 . A device integrated into a sock for mechanical support and compression of a user comprising:
 a) a first elastic strap at a foot portion of the sock; and   b) a second and a third elastic strap at a leg portion of the sock, wherein the second and the third elastic straps are not substantially parallel to each other and overlap at least partially with each other,   
       wherein the first, second, and third elastic straps are integrated into the sock such that at least a portion of the elastic strap does not make direct contact with a body of the user upon wearing, and wherein the device provides compression and mechanical support to at least two muscles, at least one tendon, or both of the user. 
     
     
         76 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein one or more of the first, second, or third elastic strap is elastic in one, two, or three dimensions. 
     
     
         77 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the first, second, or third elastic strap comprises a width of about 1 mm to about 4 cm, when the device is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         78 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the first, second, or third elastic strap comprises a length of about 1 cm to about 50 cm when the device is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         79 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the first, second, or third elastic strap comprises a length that fits around a calf region, a forefoot, an arch, an Achilles' tendon region, or a combination thereof upon wearing. 
     
     
         80 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the device prevents shifting of the first, second, and third elastic straps with respect to a lower leg and a foot upon wearing. 
     
     
         81 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein a length of any two of the first, second, or third elastic straps intersects with an acute angle between 10 degrees and 89.9 degrees. 
     
     
         82 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the at least two muscles include a calf muscle, a soleus muscle, a gastrocnemius muscle, a plantaris muscle or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         83 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the at least one tendon is the Achilles' tendon. 
     
     
         84 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the first elastic strap is substantially a closed loop wrapped around a part of a foot of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         85 . The device of  claim 84 , wherein the part is a forefoot, an arch, a plantar fascia, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         86 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein at least one of the second and the third elastic straps is not a closed loop. 
     
     
         87 . The device of  claim 75 , wherein the second and the third elastic straps intersect in a region higher than an Achilles' tendon region of the user. 
     
     
         88 . A device integrated in a piece of garment for providing abdominal support to a user comprising:
 a) at least two elastic straps, wherein the at least two elastic straps are substantially parallel to each other upon wearing;   b) a mechanical interface that attaches one or more of the at least two elastic straps to the piece of garment; and   c) at least one mechanically adjustable connection, wherein the at least one mechanical adjustable connection allows adjustment of a length of one or more of the at least two elastic straps by the user,   
       wherein the device is that provides abdominal support to the user upon wearing, and 
       wherein the device is integrated in the piece of garment such that at least a portion of the at least two elastic strap does not directly contact a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         89 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein each elastic strap is elastic in one, two, or three dimensions. 
     
     
         90 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the mechanical interface is a permanent connection connecting the at least two elastic straps and the piece of garment. 
     
     
         91 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the mechanical interface is a mechanically reversible interface that allows removal and attachment of the device to the piece of garment. 
     
     
         92 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the at least one mechanically reversible connection is close to a peripheral side of a body of the user upon wearing of the device. 
     
     
         93 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the at least one mechanically reversible connection comprise two connections, one of the two connections being close to a first peripheral side of a body of the user and the other of the two connection being close to a second peripheral side of a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         94 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein each of the at least two elastic straps comprises a width of about 1 cm to about 15 cm, when the device is a relaxed state. 
     
     
         95 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein each of the at least two elastic straps comprises a length of about 1 cm to about 100 cm, when the device is in a relaxed state. 
     
     
         96 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein each of the at least two elastic straps comprises a length sufficient to cover a front side of the user in an abdominal region upon wearing. 
     
     
         97 . The device of  claim 96 , wherein the abdominal region is below breasts of the user. 
     
     
         98 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the integration element is underneath a top layer of the piece of garment. 
     
     
         99 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the piece of garment is a top. 
     
     
         100 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the mechanically adjustable connection comprises a belt eyelet, a belt buckle, a Velcro® fastener, a zipper, a button, a hook, a loop, a tie, a strap, a ring, a clip, a hook take, a loop take, an adhesive tape, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         101 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the piece of garment, the mechanical interface, the integration element, a combination thereof, prevents shifting of the device relative to a body of the user upon wearing. 
     
     
         102 . The device of  claim 88 , wherein the at least two elastic straps does not overlap with each other. 
     
     
         103 . The device of  claim 88  provides maternity support of an expanding abdomen, an obese abdomen, and abdomen hernia of the user upon wearing.