Support garment testing system
Inventors
Campbell, Lisa • Dufour, Gregory Paul • Munro, Bridget • Wright, Ian • Blair, Kim B • Kingsley, Daniel A • Middleton, Luri Robert • Pye, John David • Rapp van Roden, Elizabeth A.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12000856-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-04
Expiration Date
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Abstract
Aspects herein are directed to a support garment testing system comprising a torso form having a motion tracking sensor associated with one or more breast structures of the torso form. A support garment is secured to the torso form, and the torso form is mounted on a motion platform that, when actuated, causes displacement of the breast structures. The amount of displacement is measured by the sensor, and the data is used to assign a level of support provided by the support garment.
Core Innovation
Aspects herein are directed to a support garment testing system comprising a torso form having a motion tracking sensor associated with one or more breast structures of the torso form. A support garment is secured to the torso form, and the torso form is mounted on a motion platform that, when actuated, causes displacement of the breast structures. The amount of displacement is measured by the sensor, and the data is used to assign a level of support provided by the support garment.
Historically it has been difficult to assign a level of support provided by a support garment to a wearer's breasts in a reproducible and measurable way. The testing system is able to assess the level of support provided by multiple different support garments in a reproducible and measurable way with the result that a consumer can confidently select a support garment with the appropriate level of support for her needs.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes three independent claims. The main inventive features of the independent claims concern (1) a torso form with breast structures combined with markers, a motion platform, a motion capture system, and a computing system to determine breast displacement; (2) a torso form with external markers, a video camera, and a computing system to determine breast displacement; and (3) a torso form configured to support a support garment, a motion platform, and a motion capture system recording image data for the torso form and the support garment with a computing system to determine breast displacement.
Torso form with breast structures and markers
A torso form comprising a first breast structure and a second breast structure; one or more markers coupled to the torso form; a motion platform that is coupled to the torso form and that is configured to move the torso form in at least one degree of movement; a motion capture system configured to record image data associated with one or more of the torso form and the marker; and a computing system communicatively coupled to the motion capture system and configured to determine, based on the image data, displacement of the first breast structure and the second breast structure relative to the torso form.
Video camera and external marker based displacement determination
A torso form having a first breast structure and a second breast structure; at least one external marker coupled to the torso form; a video camera that records image data associated with the external marker; and a computing system communicatively coupled to the video camera and configured to determine, based on the image data, displacement of the first breast structure and the second breast structure relative to the torso form.
Motion capture of torso form and support garment to determine breast displacement
A torso form having a first breast structure and a second breast structure, the torso form being configured to support a support garment positioned on the torso form; a motion platform that is coupled to the torso form and that is configured to move the torso form in at least one degree of movement; a motion capture system configured to record first image data associated with the torso form and second image data associated with the support garment positioned on the first breast structure and the second breast structure; and a computing system communicatively coupled to the motion capture system configured to determine, based on the image data, displacement of the first breast structure and the second breast structure relative to the torso form.
The independent claims collectively cover systems that combine a torso form with breast structures, markers or external markers, motion platforms, motion capture or video recording of image data for the torso form and optionally the support garment, and computing systems configured to determine breast-structure displacement relative to the torso form based on captured image data.
Stated Advantages
Able to assess the level of support provided by multiple different support garments in a reproducible and measurable way so that a consumer can confidently select a support garment with the appropriate level of support.
Positioning the sensor within one or more of the breast structures reduces wear and tear on the sensor and reduces inadvertent displacement or movement of the sensor.
Configuring the torso form so that the size of the breast structures can be changed by addition or removal of materials expands use to determine support provided to wearers with small, medium, and large breasts.
Associating the sensor with the nipple area enables the sensor to accurately capture the displacement experienced by the breast structures and to capture the maximum amount of displacement experienced by the breast structures.
Documented Applications
Assessing the level of support provided by a support garment to a female wearer's breasts, including assigning a level of support to support garments.
Testing various support garment constructions such as a bra, a sport bra, a tank top, a camisole, a bandeau, and a bralette to determine levels of support.
Using a male torso form to determine the level of support provided by male undergarments such as a compression short, a lower-body undergarment, and a jock strap by mounting the male torso form to a motion platform and capturing displacement data with a sensor.
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