Upper body garment with adjustable tensioning apparatus, system and method(s) associated therewith

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed at upper body garments that provide engageable support and/or strength for the upper body, as well as options for muscle shape contouring, muscle training, pain reduction, and injury treatment. The upper garments may comprise a base layer with reinforced portions disposed throughout. The upper garments may comprise adjustable tensioning segments. Various tensioning mechanisms may be positioned at strategic areas to further control the upper body garments' tensive properties, improving effectiveness and comfort.

1 . An upper body garment comprising:
 a base layer having a front portion and a back portion, the base layer extending down from a pair of shoulder portions to a torso portion;   a pair of front anchor points disposed on the front portion near the shoulder portion or a collar portion, the pair of front anchor points mirrored about a sagittal plane of the garment;   a pair of guide points disposed on the back portion, the pair of guide points mirrored about the sagittal plane;   a back anchor portion disposed on a lower section of the back portion of the base layer;   a pair of tensioning segments, each tensioning segment extending from a respective one of the front anchor points, over a respective one of the shoulder portions, to a respective one of the guide points;   a tensioning mechanism, disposed on the back anchor portion;   a cable disposed through the guide points and the tensioning mechanism such that the tensioning mechanism controls a tension applied to the tensioning segments,   the garment thereby providing constraint, control, support or resistance to at least one muscle or at least one joint of a wearer's upper body.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the base layer is formed of a different material than the tensioning segments. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1  further configured to induce or resist shoulder rotation. 
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 1  further provides support for a trapezius, deltoid, pectoral, rhomboid, or latissimus dorsi. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the base layer is configured to fit snugly against an upper portion of the torso. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the back portion extends down a center line of the garment, onto which the back anchor is placed. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the tensioning mechanism adjusts a length of a section of cable disposed between the guide points. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the tensioning segments are attached via seam/stich to the base layer. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1  further including a second pair of tensioning segments and a second pair of guide points. 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 9  wherein the first pair of tensioning segments is located on a outer edge of the shoulder portions and the second pair of tensioning segments is located on a inner edge of the shoulder portions. 
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein a tightening band is disposed on a bottom edge of the garment. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the tensioning mechanism comprises one or more of a fastening mechanism or a rotary dial. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the tensioning segments are detachable from the base layer. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 1  additionally comprising flexible peltier plates and/or conductive fibers disposed within the garment configured to provide cold and/or heat therapy. 
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 sensors disposed within the garment comprising one or more step count sensors, extension sensors, muscle activation sensors, tension sensors, or other sensors. 
 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 15  wherein the sensors have outputs that are provided to a software application. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 16  additionally wherein the software application monitors one or more of posture, heart rate, calories, distance, or other parameters. 
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 16  additionally wherein the software application alerts when monitored parameters pass a threshold. 
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein each tensioning segment also extends under the arm and terminates at a pair of termination points on the back portion. 
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 1  additionally comprising section of neoprene material on the lower back. 
     
     
         21 . The garment of  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 a second pair of tensioning segments extends from front anchor points to guide points located on the front portion; 
 a second tensioning mechanism disposed on the front; and 
 a second cable disposed through the front guide points to control tension on the second tensioning segments. 
 
     
     
         22 . The garment of  claim 1  wherein the front portion has a mesh section in a center portion. 
     
     
         23 . The garment of  claim 1  additionally comprising two or more tensioning segments extend over each shoulder. 
     
     
         24 . The garment of  claim 23  wherein two or more tensioning segments disposed on each side terminate at a guide piece.