AU2012201104A1 - Summer stockings - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present invention there is disclosed an improved pantyhose or stocking for wear during warm or hot weather conditions, the pantyhose including: a panty portion having a waistband attached to an upper end thereof, the waistband extending slightly above the panty portion, wherein in use the panty portion extends adjacent the crotch area of a wearer to the waist of the wearer and the waistband fastening about a portion of the torso above the waistline; upper leg portions integral with the panty portion wherein the leg portions extend between about one half to two thirds of the length of the panty portion, the leg portions being open at their ends to receive the leg of a wearer therethrough; a band of elastic material attached to the open end of the leg portions such that the band extends about the leg of a wearer substantially above the knee, wherein in use as a wearer's upper leg is inserted through a leg portion the band of elastic material expands; and an effective length of a material attached to the band of elastic material, the material extending for a substantial distance below the elastic band; wherein as the elastic band expands to accommodate a wearer's leg, the material changes geometry from a non-use condition to an in-use condition such that the material frictionally engages a portion of the upper leg of the wearer forming a visible band substantially above the knee of the wearer.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to improved summer stockings for use in summer season as a fashion garment. More particularly the present invention relates to an improved summer stockings for wear in warm to hot weather conditions usually experienced in summer, which is practical for use in such warm or high seasonal temperature conditions without detracting from, aesthetics.

Background of the invention

Pantyhose (also called tights) are sheer, close-fitting leg-wear, covering a person’s body from the waist to the feet. Traditionally considered a woman's garment, pantyhose appeared in the 1960s and provided a convenient alternative to stockings.

Stockings have historically comprised a pair of separate knitted leg receiving portions adapted to be fitted over a leg of a wearer, the leg portion ending in a welt portion. A separate garter belt or hosier}· supporter attachments to a foundation garment is necessary in order to provide a fastening means for the welt to retain the stocking in a taut condition while on the wearer’s leg. Often this arrangement produced, 'runs’ in the stockings as a result of improper fastening means or occasional adjustment to the stockings.

In the 1950’s a unitary garment combining a party and stocking, garment was first launched onto the international market. Like stockings, pantyhose are usually made of nylon. Pantyhose are designed to:

• be fashionable;

• ease chafing between the foot and footwear and inner thighs;

• keep the legs and feet warm; and • hide physical imperfections such as blemishes, bruises, scars, hair, or varicose veins.

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Pantyhose generally has a standard construction: the top of the waist is a strong elastic; the part covering the hips (parity area) is composed of a thicker material than the legs; the gusset or crotch is also a stronger material, sometimes made of cotton; while the legs of the pantyhose are made of the thinnest material which has a consistent construction down to the toes, which may be reinforced to guard against wear.

Most pantyhose are composed of nylon and. a mixture of spandex, which provides the elasticity and form fitting that is characteristic of modern pantyhose. The nylon fabric is somewhat prone to tearing and it is common for very sheer hose to 'run' soon after snagging on something rough or sharp.

In cold, weather, pantyhose can help keep the legs and feet warm. In low humidity conditions, they can help prevent the legs from becoming too dry. Support hosiery can help those who work on their feet by preventing/helping varicose veins and resolving pain in rhe back and legs by regulating blood circulation.

In hot weather such as in summer conditions, one particular drawback of conventional pantyhose is that it is often too warm to wear comfortably. However in the absence of pantyhose chafing from shoes or frictional contact between legs can lead to general soreness. It is often the case soreness outweighs discomfort, hence to avoid soreness some wearing discomfort is generally acceptable. An alternative is that many women simply do not wear skirts or dresses in summer.

Further, in summer conditions a wearer usually wears open shoes. When pantyhose is worn with open shoes the pantyhose can be readily observed through the openings hence is aesthetically detracting from the overall appearance of the wearer. A further drawback is that pantihose when worn during summer weather conditions tends to slip over the wearer’s, skin with perspiration and requires constant adjustment.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to ameliorate one or more of the disad vantages of the prior art. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved pantyhose or stocking for wear in warm to hot weather conditions which is comfortable for the wearer and pleasing to the eye.

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Summary of the invention

In the present invention there is disclosed an improved pantyhose or stocking for wear during warm or hot weather conditions, the pantyhose including:

a parity portion having a waistband attached to an upper end thereof, the waistband extending slightly above the panty portion, wherein in use the panty portion extends adjacent the crotch area of a wearer to the waist of the wearer and the waistband fastening about a portion of the torso above the waistline;

upper leg portions integral with the panty portion wherein the leg portions extend between about one half to two thirds of the length of the panty portion, the leg portions being open at their ends to receive the leg of a wearer therethrough;

a band of elastic material attached to the open end of the leg portions such that the band extends about the leg of a wearer substantially above the knee, wherein in use as a wearer’s upper leg is inserted through a leg portion the band of elastic material expands; and an effective length of a material attached to the band of elastic material, the material extending for a substantial distance below the elastic band;

wherein as the elastic band expands to accommodate a wearer’s leg, the material changes geometry from a non-use condition to an in-use condition such that the material frictionally engages a portion of the upper leg of the wearer forming a visible band substantially above the knee of the wearer .

The improved pantyhose of the present invention for wear during hot weather represents an. improvement over the prior art. The instant pantyhose allows a person to wear a pantyhose during hot weather whil.e remaining relatively cool, and minimises effects of chaffing caused by rubbing of inner thighs. The pantyhose of the present invention may also be worn with open-toe shoes without detracting from overall aesthetics. In comparison, it is evident that prior art pantyhose if worn with open toed shoes detract from the overall appearance of a wearer not to mention that the full length conventional pantyhose does not aid cooling.

In one embodiment, the panty portion of the improved pantyhose can include a heavier yarn than the leg portion.

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The material can include a design applied thereto so that in-use the material forms a circumferential band about a wearer’s upper leg portion which is pleasing to the eye. The material can also include a backing material such as rubber or the like to improve frictional engagement with upper leg portions of a wearer when in an in-use condition.

In this embodiment the material serves both a functional purpose of maintaining the pantyhose in a secure position so as to minimise the need for adjustment, and provides an aesthetic appearance.

Further exemplifications of the present invention will be described as follows with reference to the accompanying drawings. A brief description of the drawings follows:

Brief description of the drawings

Fig 1 is a photograph showing a front view of improved pantyhose for use in summer in accordance with the present invention;

Fig 2 is a schematic representation of the improved pantyhose for use in summer in accordance with the present invention in perspective side elevation.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings

Referring to Fig 1 there is shown an improved pantyhose construction (1) for use in hot weather conditions in accordance with the present invention. For reference, figure 1 also shows a metric ruler. The improved pantyhose construction (1) includes a panty portion (2) integral with upper leg portions (3) and (4), the leg portions being open at their ends to receive the leg of a wearer therethrough.

The panty portion (2) includes a waistband (6) of elastic material, the waistband extending above the panty portion and adapted to expand to receive a lower portion of the torso and thereafter contract to support the pantyhose on the wearer.

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As best shown in figure 2, in a fitted condition, the panty portion (2) extends from adjacent the waist of a wearer to a position immediately below the crotch portion of the wearer. The leg portions (3) and (4) extend integrally from the panty portion to a position substantially above the knee of a wearer in a fitted condition.

The leg portions of the improved pantyhose include tubular knitted yam sections with open ends, the leg portions being sized smaller than the wearer’s upper leg, wherein the leg portions of the pantyhose expand as a wearer’s leg is passed therethrough to accommodate the wearer’s upper leg in a sheer fitted condition.

Both the panty portion and leg portions of the improved pantyhose are made from a knit of thermoplastic stretch yam such as nylon material, the panty portion being made from a higher denier yam. As shown in figure 1 the leg portions extend between about one half to two thirds of the length of the panty portion.

At or close to the open ends of the leg portions a circumferential band of elastic material (5) is attached thereto. Attachment of the elastic band to the leg portions can be by stitching or glue or other attachment means. The band of elastic material (5) has a diameter substantially coextensive with the diameter as the tubular leg portions, and is expandable upon insertion of a wearer’s leg.

As shown in figures 1 and 2, the improved pantyhose further includes a length of material (7) attached by stitching means to the band of elastic material (5). In a non-use condition (see figure 1) the improved pantyhose exhibits a first configuration in which the material (7) flare substantially outwardly of the leg portions. In a fitted or in-use condition (best shown in figure 2), the material (7) forms a circumferential band about a leg portion of the wearer above the knee. In the fitted condition, the band of material (7) frictionally engages the leg portion of the wearer.

It has been found that in combination, the waistband (6) and band of material (7) maintain the improved pantyhose in position on a wearer substantially without adjustment.

Claims (1)

1. The length of material (7) attached to the elastic band (5) is effective to form a band about a leg portion of the wearer in a fitted condition such that there is frictional engagement between an inner or contact surface of the material (7) in contact with the wearer’s leg portion above the knee.

   To help maintain frictional engagement between the contact surface of the material (7) and leg portion of the wearer, the contact surface can include a rubber backing or like material (not shown) which improves resistance to slidable movement over a surface of the leg.

   As shown in figures 1 and 2 the material (7) includes a feature of pattern or ornamentation applied to the material so that when a circumferential band is formed in a fitted condition, the band of material presents a fashionable element discernable by the eye.