Unweighting garments

Abstract

An unweighting garment includes an article of clothing having two leg portions configured to fit around legs of a user, a buttocks portion configured to fit around the user's buttocks, and a waist portion configured to fit proximate to hips of the user. A pair of attachment mechanisms is in the waist portion. The pair of attachment mechanisms is configured to attach the article of clothing to a device for unloading a portion of the user's weight. One or more force distribution sections are configured to extend from the pair of attachment mechanisms and along both leg portions or the buttocks portion. The one or more force distribution sections are configured to distribute a force acting on the attachment mechanisms to the legs or buttocks of the user when the article of clothing is attached to the device and the portion of the user's weight is unloaded.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An unweighting garment, comprising:
 an article of clothing having two leg portions configured to fit around legs of a user and a waist portion configured to fit proximate to hips of the user;   a pair of attachment mechanisms in the waist portion, the pair of attachment mechanisms configured to attach the article of clothing to a device for unloading a portion of the user's weight; and   a pair of force distribution sections within or attached to the article of clothing, each force distribution section extending from one of the attachment mechanisms and along one of the leg portions,   the pair of force distribution sections configured to distribute a force acting on the pair of attachment mechanisms to the legs of the user when the article of clothing is attached to the device and the portion of the user's weight is unloaded.   
     
     
         2 . An unweighting garment, comprising:
 an article of clothing having two leg portions configured to fit around legs of a user, a waist portion configured to fit proximate to hips of the user, and a buttocks portion configured to fit over the user's buttocks;   a pair of attachment mechanisms in the waist portion, the pair of attachment mechanisms configured to attach the article of clothing to a device for unloading a portion of the user's weight; and   at least one force distribution section attached to the article of clothing, the at least one force distribution section coupled to the pair of attachment mechanisms and extending through the buttocks portion,   the at least one force distribution section configured to distribute a force acting on the attachment mechanisms to the buttocks of the user when the article of clothing is attached to the device and the portion of the user's weight is unloaded.   
     
     
         3 . An unweighting garment, comprising:
 an article of clothing having two layers, the main body including two leg portions configured to fit around legs of a user, a buttocks portion configured to fit around the user's buttocks, and a waist portion configured to fit proximate to hips of the user;   a pair of attachment mechanisms in the waist portion, the pair of attachment mechanisms configured to attach the article of clothing to a device for unloading a portion of the user's weight; and   one or more force distribution sections configured as straps between two of the layers of the main body, the one or more force distribution sections extending from the pair of attachment mechanisms and along both leg portions or the buttocks portion, the one or more force distribution sections configured to distribute a force acting on the attachment mechanisms to the legs or buttocks of the user when the article of clothing is attached to the device and the portion of the user's weight is unloaded.   
     
     
         4 . An unweighting garment, comprising:
 an article of clothing including two leg portions configured to fit around legs of a user, a buttocks portion configured to fit around the user's buttocks, and a waist portion configured to fit proximate to hips of the user;   a pair of attachment mechanisms in the waist portion, the pair of attachment mechanisms configured to attach the article of clothing to a device for unloading a portion of the user's weight; and   one or more force distribution sections attached to the article of clothing, the one or more force distribution sections comprising a material of different load response characteristics than the rest of the garment so as to apply that load characteristic to the user in a desired physiologic zone when the article of clothing is attached to the device and the portion of the user's weight is unloaded.   
     
     
         5 . An unweighting garment, comprising:
 an article of clothing including two leg portions configured to fit around legs of a user and a waist portion configured to fit proximate to hips of the user;   a pair of attachment mechanisms in the waist portion, the pair of attachment mechanisms configured to attach the article of clothing to a device for unloading a portion of the user's weight; and   one or more force distribution sections, the one or more force distribution sections including panels configured to tighten or loosen relative to one another so as to provide custom-adjusted loading to the user's hips and legs when the article of clothing is attached to the device and the portion of the user's weight is unloaded.   
     
     
         6 . An unweighting garment, comprising:
 an article of clothing including two leg portions configured to fit around legs of a user and a waist portion configured to fit proximate to hips of the user; and   a force distribution section configured as a belt in the waist portion, the belt configured to extend circumferentially around the user and including at least one rigid member; and   a pair of attachment mechanisms coupled to the belt, the pair of attachment mechanisms configured to attach the article of clothing to a device for unloading a portion of the user's weight, and the belt configured to distribute force from the attachment mechanisms to a circumferential area around the user's hips when the article of clothing is attached to the device and the portion of the user's weight is unloaded.   
     
     
         7 . An unweighting garment, comprising:
 an article of clothing including two leg portions configured to fit around legs of a user and a waist portion configured to fit proximate to hips of the user;   a pair of attachment mechanisms in the waist portion, the pair of attachment mechanisms configured to attach the article of clothing to a device for unloading a portion of the user's weight; and   at least one force distribution section attached to the article of clothing, the force distribution section configured to transfer a lifting force acting on the attachment mechanisms from outside of the hips to in-line with the hips so as to prevent rotation of the legs caused by the lifting force when the article of clothing is attached to the device and the portion of the user's weight is unloaded.   
     
     
         8 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , or  7  wherein the article of clothing is a pair of shorts. 
     
     
         9 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  3 ,  4 , or  5 , wherein the force distribution section(s) is configured to distribute force placed on the attachment mechanism to a thigh or hamstring of the user when the article of clothing is attached to the device. 
     
     
         10 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , or  7 , wherein the force distribution section(s) does not overlap with a crotch area of the article of clothing. 
     
     
         11 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , or  7 , wherein the force distribution sections(s) is configured to distribute force placed on the attachment mechanism to the legs or buttocks of the user while the user is running or walking. 
     
     
         12 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , or  7 , wherein the force distribution section(s) at least partially encircles each of the leg portions of the article of clothing. 
     
     
         13 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  7 , wherein the at least one force distribution section is a strap. 
     
     
         14 . The unweighting garment of  claim 13 , wherein there are a plurality of straps, and wherein the plurality of straps overlap one another such that the pair of attachment mechanisms is coupled with each strap of the plurality of straps. 
     
     
         15 . The unweighting garment of  claim 4 , wherein the material is a two-way stretch fabric that, when pulled in one direction, shrinks in another direction. 
     
     
         16 . The unweighting garment of  claim 6 , wherein the belt includes a plurality of rigid members, the rigid members articulatable with respect to one another. 
     
     
         17 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , or  7 , wherein the force distribution section(s) is configured to apply tensile force to the user along predetermined lines, sectors, or portions. 
     
     
         18 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , or  7 , wherein the force distribution section(s) is configured to apply circumferential force to the user. 
     
     
         19 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , or  7 , wherein the force distribution section(s) comprises nylon, neoprene, spandex, elastic fibers, an elastomeric polymer, cotton, or canvas. 
     
     
         20 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , or  7 , wherein the force distribution section(s) comprises a woven structure with biaxial or triaxial weaving. 
     
     
         21 . The unweighting garment of  claim 4 , wherein the material includes a garment having a fiber orientation, weave, or strand orientation that is different from the rest of the garment. 
     
     
         22 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , or  7 , wherein the force distribution section(s) and the article of clothing are sewn together or seamlessly joined. 
     
     
         23 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 , or  7 , wherein the force distribution section(s) is under or overlaid on top of a layer of the article of clothing. 
     
     
         24 . The unweighting garment of claim of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , or  7 , further comprising at least one additional attachment element. 
     
     
         25 . The unweighting garment of  claim 5 , wherein the panels are configured to tight or loosen with a closing mechanism. 
     
     
         26 . The unweighting garment of  claim 25 , wherein the closing mechanism includes a lacing system, a cinching mechanism, hooks, laces, buckles, buttons, Velcro, or a zipper. 
     
     
         27 . The unweighting garment of  claim 25 , wherein the closing mechanism is configured to extend axially down a lateral side of the user's leg. 
     
     
         28 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , or  7 , wherein the pair of attachment elements is attached to the article of clothing through a panel. 
     
     
         29 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , or  7 , further comprising a rigid member configured to further distribute the force. 
     
     
         30 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , or  7 , wherein the pair of attachment mechanisms comprises hooks, clips, loops, rollers, or Velcro. 
     
     
         31 . The unweighting garment of  claim 3  or  13 , wherein a strap is configured to extend substantially axially down a lateral side of the user's leg. 
     
     
         32 . The unweighting garment of  claim 3  or  13 , wherein a strap is configured to extend across a user's thigh. 
     
     
         33 . The unweighting garment of  claim 3  or  13 , wherein a strap is configured to extend across a portion of the user's buttocks. 
     
     
         34 . The unweighting garment of  claim 1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , or  7 , wherein a crotch area of the article of clothing comprises four-way stretch fabric. 
     
     
         35 . An unweighting garment comprising:
 a main body having a waist section, the main body comprising a stretchable, breathable material;   a left leg member and a right leg member, the leg members adapted to cover the left and right thighs of a wearer, and   a force distribution section, wherein the force distribution section is integrated with the main body, the force distribution section adapted to distribute a lifting force applied at the waist section to an area along the user's thighs.   
     
     
         36 . The garment of  claim 35 , wherein each leg member comprises a force distribution section. 
     
     
         37 . The garment of  claim 35 , wherein the force distribution section comprises a fabric weave. 
     
     
         38 . The garment of  claim 37 , wherein the fabric weave comprises a biaxial weave. 
     
     
         39 . The garment of  claim 37 , wherein the fabric weave comprises a triaxial weave. 
     
     
         40 . The garment of  claim 37 , wherein the force distribution section is adapted to compress the user's thighs when the lifting force is applied to the user. 
     
     
         41 . The garment of  claim 35  further comprising an attachment element adapted to couple the garment with an unweighting system. 
     
     
         42 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section comprises a multi-directional stretch fabric. 
     
     
         43 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section partially surrounds the user's thighs. 
     
     
         44 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section distributes the lifting force when stretched. 
     
     
         45 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section compresses the user's thighs when stretched. 
     
     
         46 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section comprises a nonwoven material. 
     
     
         47 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section comprises fabric panels. 
     
     
         48 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section comprises reinforcing fabric panels extending from the waist section to a leg cuff. 
     
     
         49 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section comprises a plurality of fabric panels connecting at an intermediate point. 
     
     
         50 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section comprises a plurality of longitudinal elastic fabric strips extending from the waist section to a leg cuff. 
     
     
         51 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the fabric strips intersect at a point on the waist section. 
     
     
         52 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the main body and the force distribution section comprises the same stretchable, breathable material. 
     
     
         53 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section comprises a tensioning force in a stretched state that is greater than the tensioning force of the main body in a stretched state. 
     
     
         54 . The garment of  claim 35  further comprising a garment leg size adjuster. 
     
     
         55 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the adjuster comprises a lacing system. 
     
     
         56 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the adjuster comprises a zipper. 
     
     
         57 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the adjuster comprises Velcro. 
     
     
         58 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the leg members are adapted to extend beyond the user's thighs. 
     
     
         59 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the leg members are adapted to extend to the user's feet. 
     
     
         60 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the garment is a pair of pants. 
     
     
         61 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein the force distribution section partially surrounds the user's calves. 
     
     
         62 . The garment of  claim 35  further comprising at least one lifting point that is attached to a structural section, wherein the structural section is adapted to distribute lifting force around the hips or waist of the user. 
     
     
         63 . The garment of  claim 35  wherein a portion of the garment is positioned, selected or modified in order to use the gluteus maximus of the user as the primary lifting or support area in an unweighted exercise environment. 
     
     
         64 . A method of unweighting a user, comprising:
 aligning a lifting strap about a portion of a thigh by placing a leg of a user in a garment;   raising the garment to align a pair of attachment mechanisms proximate to a user's hip; and   attaching the attachment mechanisms to an unloading device; and   unloading a portion of the user's weight while the attachment mechanism is attached to the unloading device.