Clothing

p0001The present invention relates to a garment, in particular a shirt.

p0002Such garments are known.

p0003Also known is, for recording and monitoring of body functions, especially the heart action, a human body function sensors, such as a heart rate monitor to use, the body function sensor in question is held by belts or straps on the body of the monitored person. In this way a non-stationary detection and monitoring, for example, of cardiac activity of creating a long-term ECG is possible.

p0004When mounting such a body function sensors at the monitored person by straps and belts, however, the movement of the monitored person is significantly impaired.

p0005The <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US2004009731A1"><text>US 2004/009731 A1</text></patcit> discloses a garment having the features of the preamble of claim. 1

p0006The present invention has for its object, a possibility for non-stationary detection of body function data to create, in which the freedom of movement of the person whose body function data are recorded, as little as possible.

p0007This object is achieved by an item of clothing, in particular a shirt, Claim 1.

p0008A housing of a body function sensor can be introduced into the receptacle of the garment so as to maintain at least one contact element of the body function sensor in a simple and rapid manner in physical contact with the wearer of the garment, without the need for additional fastening means such as belts or straps are needed.

p0009The garment can, apart from the inclusion of the housing of the body function sensor, a conventional garment correspond, as it is already worn by the person whose body function data to be collected. Therefore, this garment does not restrict the freedom of movement of the wearer.

p0010The garment according to the invention allows a comfortable and flexible, the carrier adapted supervision of body functions of the support in particular in the medical field, especially in the monitoring of patients at risk, but also in sports, for example, for training monitoring and optimization.

p0011The garment according to the invention is for the wearer easy to handle, use and maintain.

p0012In order to achieve that the body function sensor can be worn inconspicuously as possible, the receptacle for the housing of the body function sensor on the inside of the base body of the garment is disposed.

p0013In this case, among the inside of the base body is the body of the wearer facing side to be understood as opposed to the side facing away the wearer's body outside.

p0014it when recording is arranged on the base body that it is not visible in the worn state of the garment is particularly favorable.

p0015The receptacle is formed as a receiving pocket.

p0016It is particularly favorable when the receiving pocket comprises a textile material.

p0017In particular, the receiving pocket, a knitted fabric, a knitted fabric or a fabric include.

p0018The receiving pocket is substantially tubular.

p0019Further, the receiving pocket preferably along its circumference is substantially free of seams, so there are no irritating seams can sign off on the garment.

p0020To be able to handle the whole garment as a unit, it is advantageous if the receiving pocket is fixed to the main body of the garment.

p0021In particular it can be provided that the receiving pocket is connected by knitting-, sewing, gluing and / or welding to the main body of the garment.

p0022It is preferably provided that the receiving pocket is connected to a collar of the basic body of the garment. A arranged in the region of the collar receiving pocket is easily accessible in the worn state of the garment to the wearer.

p0023The manufacture of the garment according to the invention is particularly simple if the receiving pocket comprises a material from which the base body of the garment is formed at least in sections.

p0024it when the receiving pocket is formed substantially entirely of the same material as the main body of the garment is particularly favorable.

p0025In order to achieve that the receiving pocket conforms as closely as possible to the outer contour of the body function sensor, is preferably provided that the receiving pocket, an elastic material, preferably Elastan comprises.

p0026Furthermore, it is advantageous if the receiving pocket is flexible.

p0027To the casing of the body function sensor be able to remove from the recording at any time in a simple manner, for example, to read a memory of the body function sensor to use new batteries in the body function sensor and / or clean the garment, it is advantageous if the receiving an access opening which can be introduced by means of which the housing of the body function sensor in the receptacle and removed therefrom.

p0028In order to ensure that the access opening during the introduction or discharge of the housing of the body function sensor is deformable so that the housing of the body function sensor can pass the access opening, the access opening preferably has a flexible edge.

p0029To prevent tearing of the edge of the access opening, the edge of the access opening is advantageously secured against an unwanted extension of the access opening.

p0030In particular, the edge of the access opening by sewing, welding and / or adhesive bonding can be secured against an unwanted extension of the access opening.

p0031To bring in the housing of the body function sensor also being worn the garment in a simple manner in the recording or to be taken from the recording, it has proven to be advantageous when the access opening is arranged in an upper edge region of the receptacle.

p0032In order to achieve that the housing of the body function sensor assumes a desired operative position within the receptacle, it is advantageous if the receiving comprises an edge portion having a shape adapted to an edge portion of the body function sensor shape, so that the body function sensor after introduction into the up to a predetermined position moves, in which huddles the relevant edge portion of the recording to the associated edge portion of the body function sensor.

p0033In particular, such a peripheral portion of the recording form a closed, rounded end of the recording. At this end, the receptacle can be closed by a seam, by gluing or the like.

p0034In order to achieve that the body function sensor can be in direct contact with the skin of the wearer preferably, the the housing of the body function sensor receiving receptacle on at least one passage opening for the passage of an electrical contact element through a boundary wall of the receptacle therethrough.

p0035Number, position and shape of the openings may be chosen adapted to the technical requirements of the body function sensor being used.

p0036Preferably, the at least one passage opening is arranged in a facing in wearing condition of the garment to the skin of the wearer of the garment boundary wall of the receptacle.

p0037In order to reinforce this boundary wall and / or to avoid slipping of the body function sensor within the receptacle, provision can be made that the boundary wall of the receptacle in which the at least one passage opening is arranged, is provided with a coating.

p0038This coating may for example comprise a laminate.

p0039Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous when the coating comprises a polyurethane material.

p0040The coating may be connected with the boundary wall of the receptacle, in particular by the application of elevated pressure and / or with respect to the room temperature, elevated temperature.

p0041The base body of the garment preferably comprises a textile material.

p0042In particular, the base body may be a knitted fabric, a knitted fabric or a woven fabric comprise.

p0043In order to avoid unpleasant sensations when wearing the garment, which are triggered by sutures, it is advantageous if the base body is essentially seamless.

p0044To a body-hugging fit of the body function sensor on the body of the wearer and thus to ensure a proper functioning of the body function sensor, it is advantageous if the base body, an elastic material, preferably spandex comprises.

p0045In particular it can be provided that the main body of the garment using elastane yarn is produced in conjunction with a seamless knit technology on a so-called seamless knitting machine.

p0046By using a basic body comprising an elastic material, the body function sensor can be biased against the body of the wearer.

p0047The recording is arranged on the garment and designed so that the body function sensor is in its working position precisely positioned at the part of the body of the wearer, the function of which is to be detected.

p0048Especially when cardiac function data of the carrier to be detected, it is advantageous if the receptacle is disposed on the garment, that received in the receiving housing of the body function sensor in the worn state of the garment on the chest of the wearer, especially in the area of ​​the sternum of the wearer is located.

p0049Claim 29 is directed to an inventive item of clothing, comprising at least one body function sensor, the housing is arranged in the receptacle.

p0050Preferably, the housing of the body function sensor is destructively removed from the receptacle, so that the housing of the body function sensor can be removed at any time for readout purposes, maintenance purposes or for the cleaning of the garment from the recording and / or replaced with another case of a body function sensor.

p0051Basically any body function data can be recorded and evaluated with the body function sensor.

p0052In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the body function sensor is formed as a heart rate sensor.

p0053A suitable heart rate sensor which is used in the garment according to the invention is, for example, the heart rate monitor with the label "Vitaphone LS Bluetooth", who turns 18 in 68161 Mannheim, Germany, marketed by the company Vitaphone Telemedicine, O 7.

p0054To bring the body function sensor in a simple manner and without the interposition of additional cables, etc. in direct contact with the skin of the wearer of the garment, comprises the body function sensor advantageously at least one electrical contact element which extends in the worn state of the garment through a passage of the recording through ,

p0055Further preferably, the body function sensor comprises at least one body contact element which is in direct contact with the body, in particular with the skin of the wearer of the garment in wearing condition of the garment.

p0056The body function sensor may comprise a device for storing body function data and / or a device for wirelessly transmitting body function data to a body function data receiver.

p0057Furthermore it can be provided that the body function sensor is equipped with a GPS module, which makes it possible at any time to determine the whereabouts of the wearer of the garment exactly so that in case of a crisis situation, which can be seen from the transmitted by the body function sensor on the body function data receiver body function data is localized to the wearer of the garment and can be supplied with any necessary assistance.

p0058In a preferred embodiment of the garment according to the invention it is provided that the garment comprises a vest is being worn the garment the wearer's chest covering chest.

p0059The garment according to the invention may be formed with or without armrests.

p0060In a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the garment comprises arm parts.

p0061The garment according to the invention is preferably carried out as part laundering, which is worn directly on the body of the wearer.

p0062Further features and advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings illustrating one embodiment.

p0063In the drawings:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a schematic front view of a garment in the form of a shirt, which is provided on its inside with a receiving pocket for a heart rate monitor, being worn;</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a partially sectioned side view of the garment of <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, With the line of sight in the direction of arrow 2 in <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a schematic longitudinal section through the garment with the receiving pocket for the heart rate monitor and the recorded therein heart rate sensor and the wearer's skin;</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>a schematic plan view of the receiving pocket of the garment, seen from the wearer of the garment facing side of the receiving bag; and</dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>a schematic perspective view of a heart rate sensor, the housing can be introduced into the receiving pocket of the garment.</dd></dl>

p0064Similar or functionally equivalent elements are designated in the figures with the same reference numerals.

p0065A in the <figref idrefs="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGS. 1-4</figref> shown as a whole by 100 designated garment is designed for example as a short-sleeved shirt and comprises a main body 102 which is provided at its upper edge with a collar 104, which is a neck through opening 106 of the garment surrounding the 100th Further, the basic body has 102 of the garment 100 on its lower edge a hull through opening 108 and at its upper portion two arm portions 110 which terminate at Armdurchtrittsöffnungen 112th

p0066The body portion of the main body 102 of the garment 100 is preferably formed without seam.

p0067The base body 102 is formed as a knitted fabric, which may be formed from any textile fiber material, in particular a natural fiber yarn, a synthetic fiber yarn from and / or made of a mixed yarn.

p0068Preferably, the fabric of the base body 102 comprises an elastic yarn, especially spandex, creating a strict concern of the base 102 on the wearer's body and thus a form fitting of the garment is 100 achieved.

p0069In particular it can be provided that the main body 102 is knitted from a covered yarn, which comprises a central filament of spandex, which is wound helically with a yarn made of polyamide.

p0070As best seen in <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> As can be seen, the garment 100 is provided with a receptacle 114 in the form of a flexible storage bag 116th

p0071The receiving pocket 116 is formed as a hose which is closed at its lower end by a circular segment-shaped edge region of 118th

p0072At its upper end, the receiving pocket 116 is provided with an access port 120, which is surrounded by a flexible edge 122 ring.

p0073To prevent tearing of the edge 122 of the access port 120, the edge 122 is folded and stitched runproof sure welded and / or glued.

p0074Further, the (in the direction of view <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> sewn viewed) rear half of the edge 122 to the collar 104 of the garment 100 to 116 attach the receiving pocket on the base body 102 of the garment 100th

p0075This attachment can alternatively or additionally take place at a sewing by gluing and / or welding.

p0076The receiving pocket 116 is disposed on the in the worn state of the garment 100 facing the wearer inside the garment 100th

p0077The receiving pocket 116 may be formed of any textile material.

p0078In particular it can be provided that the receiving pocket 116 is knitted from a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber and / or a mixed yarn.

p0079It is preferably provided that the receiving pocket 116, an elastic material, in particular elastane comprises.

p0080it when the receiving pocket 116 is formed of the same material as the base body 102 of the garment is particularly favorable.

p0081Through the access opening 120, the housing 128 of the in <figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> Heart rate sensor exemplified 124 introduced into the receiving pocket 116 and are removed again from the storage bag 116 as required, in particular for the purpose of maintenance of the heart rate monitor 124 and / or for cleaning the garment 100.

p0082Due to gravity, the housing 128 of the heart rate sensor 124 slides into the receiving pocket 116 down until it rests with its lower edge portion 126 at the bottom portion 118 of the storage bag 116th And situated in this working position Housing 128 of the heart rate monitor 124 is in<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> indicated by the broken lines.

p0083The length of the receiving pocket 116 is sized so that the heart rate monitor 124 is positioned in its working position exactly at the level of the sternum of the wearer.

p0084To allow the most accurate positioning of the heart rate monitor 124 in the working position, the shape of the bottom portion 118 of the receiving pocket 116 is adapted to the shape of the bottom portion 126 of the heart rate sensor 124th

p0085As best seen in <figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> As can be seen, 124 includes the heart rate monitor includes a housing 128 having a substantially planar contact surface 130, on which several, for example four, body contact elements 132 protruding from an electrically conductive material in the form of substantially disc-shaped contact plates 134th

p0086As best seen in <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> As can be seen, the back of each of the contact plates 134 provided with a receptacle, which corresponds to the spring portion 136 of a push button.

p0087In the operating state of the heart rate sensor 124, each of the contact plates 134 is fitted with this spring part 136 to a complementary thereto formed spherical part 138, which protrudes from the housing 128 of the heart rate sensor 124, and engaged with this ball part 138, so that s each of the contact plates 134 removably attached to the each ball part is held 138th

p0088The ball members 138 are also formed of an electrically conductive material so that electrical signals from the contact plates 134 via the ball members 138 into the interior of the housing 128 of the heart rate sensor 124 can be transmitted.

p0089The ball part 138 thus form electrically conductive contact elements 140, 134 which connect the contact plates with an electrical circuit in the housing 128 of the heart rate sensor 124th

p0090To allow the passage of electrical contact elements 140 by the wearer of the garment 100 facing flexible boundary wall 142 of the receiving pocket 116, this boundary wall 142 provided with a plurality of through holes 144, the number of the number of contact elements 140 of the heart rate monitor 124 and their position on the receiving pocket 116 the position of the contact elements 140 in the working position the heart rate monitor 124 corresponds to (see <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>).

p0091The passage openings 144 are formed, for example, substantially circular. Their diameter is larger than the diameter of the contact elements 140, so that the contact elements 140 can pass through the passage openings 144th The diameter of the openings 144 is smaller than the diameter of the contact plates 134 to prevent the contact plates 134 reach 116 through the openings 144 into the interior of the receiving pocket and thus remove from the skin 146 of the carrier.

p0092The contact elements 140 may be formed on its body side end up and rest directly on the skin of the wearer.

p0093In order to avoid tearing of the edges of the openings 144, it is provided that the interior space of the receiving pocket 116 facing side of the boundary wall 142 is provided with a reinforcing coating.

p0094This coating may be in particular as a laminate, for example of polyurethane, is formed, which is glued to the inside of the boundary wall 142nd

p0095The connection between the laminate and the material of the storage bag 116 is carried out under superatmospheric pressure and at an elevated temperature in the range of about 160 ° C.

p0096The coating is designed to be flexible so as not to adversely affect the deformability of the receiving pocket 116, and thus the adaptation of the shape of the receiving pocket 116 to the shape of the heart rate monitor 124th

p0097Preferably, the coating is made thin. In particular it can be provided that the thickness of the coating is less than about 60 microns, preferably less than about 30 microns.

p0098The coating on the inside of the boundary wall 142 has the additional effect that slipping of the heart rate sensor 124 is prevented from working position within the receiving pocket 116th

p0099In the manufacture of the garment 100 is preferably to proceed such that first of the boundary wall 142 is provided on its inner side with the coating and then the openings 144 are produced by punching.

p0100The inside of the boundary wall 142 opposite inside of the receiving pocket 116 is preferably uncoated.

p0101In order to make ready for the 124 located at first outside the receiving pocket 116 heart rate monitor, the contact plates 134 are removed from the contact elements 140 and adhered to the skin 146 of the carrier (see <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref>).

p0102The housing 128 of the heart rate monitor 124 is inserted through the access opening 120 in the receiving pocket 116 and moves down until it reaches the working position, in which the contact elements 140 of the heart rate sensor 124 are arranged in the region of the respective associated through opening 144 and through the respectively assigned through opening 144 protruding from the receiving pocket 116th If one or 140 not protrude more of the contact elements by the respective associated through opening 144, the flexible boundary wall 142 of the receiving pocket 116 can be moved relative to the housing 128 of the heart rate monitor 124 so that the contact elements 140 protrude from the respective associated through opening 144th

p0103Subsequently, the garment 100 is created by the support, said contact elements 140 come to rest in the area of ​​glued to the skin 146 of the carrier the contact plates 134 and locked by pressure of the carrier on the garment 100 from the outside in the region of the heart rate monitor 124 with the contact plates 134 can.

p0104If the base body 102 of the garment 100 comprises an elastic material, so also carries the basic body 102, a resilient bias on the heart rate monitor 124, which is directed such that it pushes the heart rate monitor 124 against the skin 146 of the wearer of the garment 100th

p0105After making the connection between the contact plates 134 and the contact elements 140 of the heart rate monitor 124 is ready for operation.

p0106The signals received via the contact plates 134, heart rate sensor 124 are analyzed by an electronic circuit inside the housing 128, and the data thus obtained is stored in a memory within the housing 128, the read out after removal of the housing 128 of the heart rate sensor 124 of the receiving pocket 116 is stored and / or transmitted via a wireless transmission technology, for example by means of Bluetooth, WLAN, UMTS or mobile technology, to one of the wearer of the garment 100 remote receiver and stored there, and / or evaluated.

p0107In addition, the heart rate sensor 124 may comprise a GPS module, through which the wearer of the garment is locatable.

p0108The heart rate sensor 124 may be further provided with a buzzer which generates in dependence on the determined by the heart rate sensor data, for example, at a certain predetermined heart rate, a warning sound is exceeded.

p0109The heart rate monitor 124 is powered by batteries, which are housed in the housing 128.

p0110The housing 128 of the heart rate sensor 124 has for example a height of about 100 mm, a width of about 80 mm and a depth of approximately 15 mm.

p0111When the housing 128 of the heart rate monitor 124 is removed from the receiving pocket 116, the garment 100 can be cleaned in the usual manner by washing.

p0112Furthermore, the garment 100 is usable without any restriction and without the heart rate monitor 124th

p0113The garment 100 thus has no restrictions in its wear and care properties.

p0114The holder 114 of the housing 128 of the heart rate monitor 124 is not visible from the outside. At most, one caused by the housing 128 of the heart rate monitor 124 is bulging in tight on the wearer's body-fitting base 102 in the chest area of ​​the garment 100 perceptible (see<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>).