Protective garment for use under gear

Abstract

The invention is a garment designed for wear under equipment, such as a shin guard, which protects from contact dermatitis and other skin concerns while preserving elements to maintain or improve user comfort and performance. The garment may incorporate antimicrobial function by utilizing silver, copper, or another skin-safe component, as well as individual or combinations of elements including cooling, insulating, venting, padding, compression, odor control and other elements to protect the skin and improve function specific to the demands of the activity.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment for use under equipment comprising an antimicrobial panel positioned on the garment at the point of contact with the equipment when the equipment is used, wherein the antimicrobial panel includes antimicrobial fibers. 
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1  further comprising a cooling region which includes a cooling textile. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1  further comprising vents. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 1  further comprising a compression region including an elastomeric fiber. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the antimicrobial fibers are fibers embedded with at least one of the group consisting of silver, copper, silver alloys, and copper alloys. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the antimicrobial fibers are fibers bonded to at least one of the group consisting of silver, copper, silver alloy, and copper alloys. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 3  wherein the vents include at least one of the group consisting of material thinner than the garment's surrounding material, regions of no material, and regions of perforated material 
     
     
         8 . A sock for use under a shin guard, the sock comprising:
 (a) an antimicrobial panel at the shin portion of the sock, wherein the antimicrobial panel includes antimicrobial fibers;   (b) an antimicrobial panel at the bottom of the foot portion of the sock, wherein the antimicrobial panel includes antimicrobial fibers;   (c) vents at the top of the foot portion of the sock;   (d) a cooling region at the lower calf portion of the sock, wherein the cooling region includes a cooling textile; and   (e) a compressive region at the upper calf portion of the sock, wherein the compressive region includes an elastomeric fiber.   
     
     
         9 . The sock of  claim 8  wherein the vents include at least one of the group consisting of material thinner than the surrounding material, regions of no material, and regions of perforated material. 
     
     
         10 . The sock of  claim 8  wherein the antimicrobial fibers are fibers embedded with at least one of the group consisting of silver, copper, silver alloys, and copper alloys. 
     
     
         11 . The sock of  claim 8  wherein the antimicrobial fibers are fibers bonded to at least one of the group consisting of silver, copper, silver alloys, and copper alloys. 
     
     
         12 . The sock of  claim 8  further comprising a seamless toe. 
     
     
         13 . A garment comprising:
 (a) a region comprising an elastomeric fiber; and   (b) a means for protecting against exposure to microbes through the garment.   
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 13  further comprising a region comprising a cooling fiber.