CA2702097C - A gel pad insert to protect and cushion pelvic region - Google Patents
A gel pad insert to protect and cushion pelvic region Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2702097C CA2702097C CA2702097A CA2702097A CA2702097C CA 2702097 C CA2702097 C CA 2702097C CA 2702097 A CA2702097 A CA 2702097A CA 2702097 A CA2702097 A CA 2702097A CA 2702097 C CA2702097 C CA 2702097C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- pad insert
- garment
- user
- friction
- gel pad
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 210000004197 pelvis Anatomy 0.000 title claims abstract description 23
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 claims description 29
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 claims description 27
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 claims description 27
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims description 5
- 206010020751 Hypersensitivity Diseases 0.000 claims description 2
- 208000030961 allergic reaction Diseases 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000002538 fungal effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000000813 microbial effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000344 soap Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 claims 2
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 abstract description 13
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 10
- 230000001351 cycling effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 9
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 6
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 210000000988 bone and bone Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 210000003689 pubic bone Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 241001481789 Rupicapra Species 0.000 description 4
- 210000001217 buttock Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 210000000689 upper leg Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 208000034656 Contusions Diseases 0.000 description 3
- 238000005299 abrasion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000740 bleeding effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000033764 rhythmic process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000004013 groin Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000003116 impacting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002045 lasting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003205 muscle Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000003252 repetitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
- A41B9/00—Undergarments
- A41B9/12—Protective undergarments
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D1/00—Garments
- A41D1/06—Trousers
- A41D1/08—Trousers specially adapted for sporting purposes
- A41D1/088—Trousers specially adapted for sporting purposes with crotch reinforcement
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/0506—Hip
Abstract
This invention relates to a gel pad insert and a garment, which is worn by a user when engaged in activities such as horse riding or cycling. The gel pad insert is shaped to fit comfortably between the legs of the user and to fasten into the crotch area of the underwear or shorts or pants or like garment of the user. The gel pad insert is comprised of a gel material and has a smooth low-friction upper surface of the gel material and a fabric lower surface. The smooth low-friction upper surface of the gel pad insert is worn directly against the skin of the user to reduce discomfort or friction or pressure, and to protect or cushion the pelvic region when said pelvic region is subjected to friction or pressure.
Description
Title A Gel Pad Insert To Protect And Cushion Pelvic Region la Technical Field This invention relates to a gel pad insert which is to be attached within a garment and worn by a user, when the user is engaged in activities such as horse riding or cycling, where the gel pad insert protects or cushions the pelvic region of the user and prevents injury to the pelvic region of the user when said region is subjected to friction or pressure.
Background Information The present invention relates to a gel pad insert, which is to be used in association with a pair of underwear or shorts or pants or like garment, to protect or cushion all or part of the pelvic region of the user including, but not limited to, the pubic bone or the seat bones or the crotch or the buttocks or the upper thighs, when said areas are subjected to friction or pressure, where the gel surface of said gel pad insert is in direct contact with the skin of the user, whereby reducing said friction or pressure, and reducing injury related to said friction or pressure.
It has been found in instances where persons are involved in an activity that results in continuous friction or pressure being applied to a portion of the body that said friction or pressure can result in discomfort or injury, where said injury can include, but is not limited to, rubbing or chafing or abrasion or bruising or bleeding or breaking of the skin.
Such activities include horse riding or cycling or like activities, where said pelvic region is subjected to friction or pressure for a period of time sufficient enough to cause discomfort or injury.
lb In horse riding, it is a primary goal of an educated equestrian or an equestrian student, to sit in a balanced position over the horse's centre of gravity and to move in rhythm with the horse. The nature of riding can make this a very difficult and sometimes impossible task, due to discomfort or injury created through excessive friction or pressure in said pelvic region of the rider.
Furthermore, in the case of horse riding, the appropriate body movements for horse riding, particularly in said pelvic region, can result in considerable discomfort or friction or pressure for the rider, which can result in said injury.
Furthermore, in the case of horse riding, some inexperienced riders, due to imbalance or lack of strength, can suffer from unequal pressure in said pelvic region, which can result in considerable discomfort or friction or pressure for the rider.
Furthermore, in the case of horse riding, during long training periods in the saddle or when riding in an uncomfortable or ill-shaped or hard saddle, the rider can suffer from discomfort or friction or pressure in said pelvic region which can result in said injury.
Furthermore, it is a characteristic of horse riding, and in particular with those riders who lack experience, that the body of the rider cannot move in rhythm with the horse which can result in the rider impacting the saddle, and in particular the pommel of the saddle (i.e., the raised portion at the front of the saddle and in front of the rider), or the seat of the saddle (i.e., the portion of the saddle directly beneath the rider) which can result in repetitive or unusually heavy contact or friction with said saddle.
Furthermore, it is a characteristic of horse riding, and in particular with those riders who are more experienced, that the rider sit on and use the "seat" (i.e., the muscles within the triangular area of the rider's body formed by the rider's two seat bones behind and by the rider's pubic bone in front) and that most of said rider's weight is directed down through the saddle in the area found within said "seat", and by nature of this task said "seat" is subjected to potential discomfort or injury whereby reducing or eliminating the rider's effectiveness, and risking lasting damage to said "seat" where said damage is detrimental to the rider's continued sporting performance.
2a Similarly, cyclists experience friction-related injury or pressure-related injury due to the body position required when cycling. By nature of the shape of the cyclist's saddle seat, considerable friction or pressure is applied to all or part of the pelvic region, including but not limited to, the pubic bone or the seat bones or the crotch or the buttocks or the upper thighs of the cyclist.
2b Furthermore, with regards to long cycling periods or when riding in an uncomfortable or ill-shaped or ill-fitting or hard saddle seat, the cyclist can suffer from additional friction or pressure in said pelvic region which can result in considerable discomfort or injury, including but not limited to, rubbing or chafing or abrasion or bruising or bleeding or breaking of the skin.
Technical Problems Of Previous Inventions and Prior Art Previously, persons involved in sports which involved pressure being applied to portions of the body for extensive periods of time, such as horse riding or cycling, may have worn, beneath their sporting garment, conventional underwear which may be formed of a simple woven material such as being a cotton or cotton-synthetic blend or a specialty padded garment or a specialty pad insert where said pad is covered with a cotton or cotton-synthetic blend or a natural or synthetic chamois cloth or like material, or a sheepskin pad insert as sited in US Patent Number 6,029,281, or other specialty garment, where said cotton or cotton-synthetic blend, or natural or synthetic chamois cloth or sheepskin or like material is in direct contact with the pressured portions of the user's body.
I have found the disadvantages of wearing conventional underwear or like garment beneath sporting garments is that conventional underwear lacks a cushioning pad to absorb pressure and, furthermore, the cotton or cotton-synthetic blend fabric of the woven crotch area of said underwear is in direct contact with the user's skin and said woven crotch area creates an abrasive surface against the skin of the user, and whereby can result in friction-related injury. I have found conventional underwear to lack the properties required to eliminate friction-related injury or pressure-related injury.
I have found the disadvantage of wearing a padded garment or a pad insert within a garment where said pad is covered in a cotton or cotton-synthetic blend or like fabric or material, and said fabric is in direct contact with the user's skin is said fabric creates an abrasive surface against the skin of the user, and can result in friction-related injury. I have found padded garments or pad inserts to lack the properties required to eliminate friction-related injury or pressure-related injury.
3a I have found the disadvantage of wearing a natural chamois-covered pad attached within a garment or a natural chamois-covered pad insert within a garment or a specialty garment with an attached natural chamois-covered anatomically shaped groin pad is the natural chamois covering can result in friction-related injury. I have found a garment where chamois cloth is in direct contact with the user's skin to lack the properties required to eliminate friction-related injury or pressure-related injury.
3b Technical Problems Addressed It is an object of this invention to reduce the friction or pressure between the user's skin and the user's garment and provide a smooth, low-friction gel surface as one side of a shaped gel pad insert, which can serve to alleviate the difficulties which have been found to occur in circumstances where the pelvic region of a person is subjected to friction or pressure conditions such as when riding a horse or cycling or like activity.
In one form, this invention resides in a gel pad insert to be secured within a pair of underwear or shorts or pants or like garment, of the user, where the gel pad insert is to be worn between the skin of the user and said garment, where the gel pad insert is configured to overlie all or part of the pelvic region which may include, but is not limited to, the pubic bone or the seat bones or the crotch or the buttocks or the upper thighs of the user, where said pelvic region is subjected to friction or pressure, and that said gel pad insert is formed on one side by a smooth gel surface and that the other side being a fabric layer and that when secured in its usable position, the smooth gel side of the gel pad insert is in direct contact with the skin of the user and that the smooth gel surface reduces friction or pressure to the area, and the reduced friction or pressure eliminates friction-related injury or pressure-related injury including rubbing or chafing or abrasion or bruising or bleeding or the breaking of the skin or other like injury, and that the fabric side of the gel pad insert includes a fastening device, such as a hook of a hook-and-loop fastening device and the underwear or shorts or pants or like garment include a fastening device, such as a loop of a hook-and-loop fastening device so, when in use, the gel pad insert is secured in position, and when not in use, the gel pad insert can be removed.
According to a preferred feature of the invention, the gel pad insert has the characteristics or properties of a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone elastomer including, but not limited to, a composition that is durable or long wearing or does not cause allergic reaction in most persons or resists microbial growth or resists fungal growth or is washable with soap and water or, when molded into the appropriate shape, provides a flat, low-friction gel surface that is smooth or slippery or slick or supple or pliable or flexible or springy or cushioned, and where said surface is in direct contact with the pressured areas of the user, said surface reduces friction or pressure and reduces or eliminates discomfort or injury related to such.
Diagrams The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment. The description of one specific embodiment is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of smooth side of a gel pad insert.
Figure 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of fabric side of a gel pad insert, with the hook side of a hook-and-loop fastener attached Figure 3 is an end view of a cross section taken along line A to A' of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a schematic isometric view of a pair of underwear having a gel pad insert according to the embodiment located therein.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the crotch part and its vicinity of the underwear shown in Figure 4, viewed from the inside of the underwear, where said gel pad insert of Figure 1 is not attached.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the crotch part and its vicinity of the underwear shown in Figure 4, viewed from the inside of the underwear. The gel pad insert (Figure 1) is attached.
With reference to the drawings, the embodiment relates to a specifically shaped gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) which overlies all or part of the pelvic region of the user where said gel pad insert is used in association with a garment such as a pair of underwear or shorts or pants or like garment (4), where said garment has been modified (Figures 4-5)(5)(6) to accept the secured attachment of said gel pad insert (Figure 6).
The embodiment relates to a gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) which is used in association with a garment (4) to be secured over an area of the body when said area of the body may be subjected to friction or pressure where friction or pressure may be excessive and cause discomfort or injury.
5a The embodiment relates to a gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) which is to be used in association with a pair of underwear or shorts or pants or like garment (4), which are to be worn by persons who are involved in an activity requiring them to be positioned for an extensive period of time such that excessive friction or pressure may be applied to contact points in all or part of the pelvic region of the body. In particular the embodiment has application for use by persons involved in horse riding or cycling or like activities.
5b The embodiment comprises of a shaped gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) formed through the process of injection molding of a thermoplastic elastomer gel or a silicone elastomer gel or a like material (1).
One surface, henceforth known as the `upper surface' of said gel pad insert, is to be the smooth low-friction gel surface of a thermoplastic elastomer gel or a silicone elastomer gel or like material (1).
When in use, said smooth low-friction gel surface of said `upper surface' of said gel pad insert is to be located directly against the skin of the user (Figure 6)(1).
The other surface, henceforth known as the `lower surface' of said gel pad insert, is to be covered with a fabric material (2). Attached to said fabric material is a fastening device (3), such as a strip of the hooked component of a hook-and-loop fastening device so when in use the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) is secured in position in the garment (Figures 4 & 6), and so, when not in use, the gel pad insert can be removed.
The configuration of said gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) is such that when worn within a garment (Figure 4)(4), it will overlie all or part of the pelvic region of the user which includes but is not limited to, the pubic bone or the seat bones or the crotch or the buttocks or the upper thighs of the user, where said area is subjected to friction or pressure.
As a result the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) can be manufactured in select predetermined shapes as said shape will be determined by all or part of the pelvic region area to be covered by the user, where said select predetermined shape may include but is not limited to, oval (Figures 1-3) or round or rectangular or winged or T-shaped or other shape to cover a select predetermined area of said pelvic region.
As a result of testing it has been found that the skin of the user, when in direct contact with the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3), does not stick to the smooth, slick, thermoplastic elastomer gel or silicone elastomer gel, or like material (1) upper surface of said gel pad insert whereby serving to reduce friction or pressure otherwise experienced under normal conditions and whereby improving the comfort of the user when engaged in activities such as horse riding or cycling or like activities.
If desired, the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) can be removed from said garment (4) when not in use.
In addition, the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) is easily washed after use.
The underwear or shorts or pants or like garment (4) into which the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) is attached, is to be modified (Figure 5) to accept the removable secure attachment of said gel pad insert (Figure 6). In one embodiment of said garment, the crotch area (5) shall be modified to reinforce the section accepting the secure attachment of the looped (6) component of a hook-and-loop fastening device so when in use said gel pad insert is secured in position in the garment (Figures 4 & 6), and so, when not in use, said gel pad insert can be removed.
In addition, the underwear or shorts or pants or like garment (4) can easily be washed after use.
It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiment described above.
Background Information The present invention relates to a gel pad insert, which is to be used in association with a pair of underwear or shorts or pants or like garment, to protect or cushion all or part of the pelvic region of the user including, but not limited to, the pubic bone or the seat bones or the crotch or the buttocks or the upper thighs, when said areas are subjected to friction or pressure, where the gel surface of said gel pad insert is in direct contact with the skin of the user, whereby reducing said friction or pressure, and reducing injury related to said friction or pressure.
It has been found in instances where persons are involved in an activity that results in continuous friction or pressure being applied to a portion of the body that said friction or pressure can result in discomfort or injury, where said injury can include, but is not limited to, rubbing or chafing or abrasion or bruising or bleeding or breaking of the skin.
Such activities include horse riding or cycling or like activities, where said pelvic region is subjected to friction or pressure for a period of time sufficient enough to cause discomfort or injury.
lb In horse riding, it is a primary goal of an educated equestrian or an equestrian student, to sit in a balanced position over the horse's centre of gravity and to move in rhythm with the horse. The nature of riding can make this a very difficult and sometimes impossible task, due to discomfort or injury created through excessive friction or pressure in said pelvic region of the rider.
Furthermore, in the case of horse riding, the appropriate body movements for horse riding, particularly in said pelvic region, can result in considerable discomfort or friction or pressure for the rider, which can result in said injury.
Furthermore, in the case of horse riding, some inexperienced riders, due to imbalance or lack of strength, can suffer from unequal pressure in said pelvic region, which can result in considerable discomfort or friction or pressure for the rider.
Furthermore, in the case of horse riding, during long training periods in the saddle or when riding in an uncomfortable or ill-shaped or hard saddle, the rider can suffer from discomfort or friction or pressure in said pelvic region which can result in said injury.
Furthermore, it is a characteristic of horse riding, and in particular with those riders who lack experience, that the body of the rider cannot move in rhythm with the horse which can result in the rider impacting the saddle, and in particular the pommel of the saddle (i.e., the raised portion at the front of the saddle and in front of the rider), or the seat of the saddle (i.e., the portion of the saddle directly beneath the rider) which can result in repetitive or unusually heavy contact or friction with said saddle.
Furthermore, it is a characteristic of horse riding, and in particular with those riders who are more experienced, that the rider sit on and use the "seat" (i.e., the muscles within the triangular area of the rider's body formed by the rider's two seat bones behind and by the rider's pubic bone in front) and that most of said rider's weight is directed down through the saddle in the area found within said "seat", and by nature of this task said "seat" is subjected to potential discomfort or injury whereby reducing or eliminating the rider's effectiveness, and risking lasting damage to said "seat" where said damage is detrimental to the rider's continued sporting performance.
2a Similarly, cyclists experience friction-related injury or pressure-related injury due to the body position required when cycling. By nature of the shape of the cyclist's saddle seat, considerable friction or pressure is applied to all or part of the pelvic region, including but not limited to, the pubic bone or the seat bones or the crotch or the buttocks or the upper thighs of the cyclist.
2b Furthermore, with regards to long cycling periods or when riding in an uncomfortable or ill-shaped or ill-fitting or hard saddle seat, the cyclist can suffer from additional friction or pressure in said pelvic region which can result in considerable discomfort or injury, including but not limited to, rubbing or chafing or abrasion or bruising or bleeding or breaking of the skin.
Technical Problems Of Previous Inventions and Prior Art Previously, persons involved in sports which involved pressure being applied to portions of the body for extensive periods of time, such as horse riding or cycling, may have worn, beneath their sporting garment, conventional underwear which may be formed of a simple woven material such as being a cotton or cotton-synthetic blend or a specialty padded garment or a specialty pad insert where said pad is covered with a cotton or cotton-synthetic blend or a natural or synthetic chamois cloth or like material, or a sheepskin pad insert as sited in US Patent Number 6,029,281, or other specialty garment, where said cotton or cotton-synthetic blend, or natural or synthetic chamois cloth or sheepskin or like material is in direct contact with the pressured portions of the user's body.
I have found the disadvantages of wearing conventional underwear or like garment beneath sporting garments is that conventional underwear lacks a cushioning pad to absorb pressure and, furthermore, the cotton or cotton-synthetic blend fabric of the woven crotch area of said underwear is in direct contact with the user's skin and said woven crotch area creates an abrasive surface against the skin of the user, and whereby can result in friction-related injury. I have found conventional underwear to lack the properties required to eliminate friction-related injury or pressure-related injury.
I have found the disadvantage of wearing a padded garment or a pad insert within a garment where said pad is covered in a cotton or cotton-synthetic blend or like fabric or material, and said fabric is in direct contact with the user's skin is said fabric creates an abrasive surface against the skin of the user, and can result in friction-related injury. I have found padded garments or pad inserts to lack the properties required to eliminate friction-related injury or pressure-related injury.
3a I have found the disadvantage of wearing a natural chamois-covered pad attached within a garment or a natural chamois-covered pad insert within a garment or a specialty garment with an attached natural chamois-covered anatomically shaped groin pad is the natural chamois covering can result in friction-related injury. I have found a garment where chamois cloth is in direct contact with the user's skin to lack the properties required to eliminate friction-related injury or pressure-related injury.
3b Technical Problems Addressed It is an object of this invention to reduce the friction or pressure between the user's skin and the user's garment and provide a smooth, low-friction gel surface as one side of a shaped gel pad insert, which can serve to alleviate the difficulties which have been found to occur in circumstances where the pelvic region of a person is subjected to friction or pressure conditions such as when riding a horse or cycling or like activity.
In one form, this invention resides in a gel pad insert to be secured within a pair of underwear or shorts or pants or like garment, of the user, where the gel pad insert is to be worn between the skin of the user and said garment, where the gel pad insert is configured to overlie all or part of the pelvic region which may include, but is not limited to, the pubic bone or the seat bones or the crotch or the buttocks or the upper thighs of the user, where said pelvic region is subjected to friction or pressure, and that said gel pad insert is formed on one side by a smooth gel surface and that the other side being a fabric layer and that when secured in its usable position, the smooth gel side of the gel pad insert is in direct contact with the skin of the user and that the smooth gel surface reduces friction or pressure to the area, and the reduced friction or pressure eliminates friction-related injury or pressure-related injury including rubbing or chafing or abrasion or bruising or bleeding or the breaking of the skin or other like injury, and that the fabric side of the gel pad insert includes a fastening device, such as a hook of a hook-and-loop fastening device and the underwear or shorts or pants or like garment include a fastening device, such as a loop of a hook-and-loop fastening device so, when in use, the gel pad insert is secured in position, and when not in use, the gel pad insert can be removed.
According to a preferred feature of the invention, the gel pad insert has the characteristics or properties of a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone elastomer including, but not limited to, a composition that is durable or long wearing or does not cause allergic reaction in most persons or resists microbial growth or resists fungal growth or is washable with soap and water or, when molded into the appropriate shape, provides a flat, low-friction gel surface that is smooth or slippery or slick or supple or pliable or flexible or springy or cushioned, and where said surface is in direct contact with the pressured areas of the user, said surface reduces friction or pressure and reduces or eliminates discomfort or injury related to such.
Diagrams The invention will be more fully understood in the light of the following description of one specific embodiment. The description of one specific embodiment is made with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of smooth side of a gel pad insert.
Figure 2 is a plan view of an embodiment of fabric side of a gel pad insert, with the hook side of a hook-and-loop fastener attached Figure 3 is an end view of a cross section taken along line A to A' of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a schematic isometric view of a pair of underwear having a gel pad insert according to the embodiment located therein.
Figure 5 is a plan view of the crotch part and its vicinity of the underwear shown in Figure 4, viewed from the inside of the underwear, where said gel pad insert of Figure 1 is not attached.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the crotch part and its vicinity of the underwear shown in Figure 4, viewed from the inside of the underwear. The gel pad insert (Figure 1) is attached.
With reference to the drawings, the embodiment relates to a specifically shaped gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) which overlies all or part of the pelvic region of the user where said gel pad insert is used in association with a garment such as a pair of underwear or shorts or pants or like garment (4), where said garment has been modified (Figures 4-5)(5)(6) to accept the secured attachment of said gel pad insert (Figure 6).
The embodiment relates to a gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) which is used in association with a garment (4) to be secured over an area of the body when said area of the body may be subjected to friction or pressure where friction or pressure may be excessive and cause discomfort or injury.
5a The embodiment relates to a gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) which is to be used in association with a pair of underwear or shorts or pants or like garment (4), which are to be worn by persons who are involved in an activity requiring them to be positioned for an extensive period of time such that excessive friction or pressure may be applied to contact points in all or part of the pelvic region of the body. In particular the embodiment has application for use by persons involved in horse riding or cycling or like activities.
5b The embodiment comprises of a shaped gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) formed through the process of injection molding of a thermoplastic elastomer gel or a silicone elastomer gel or a like material (1).
One surface, henceforth known as the `upper surface' of said gel pad insert, is to be the smooth low-friction gel surface of a thermoplastic elastomer gel or a silicone elastomer gel or like material (1).
When in use, said smooth low-friction gel surface of said `upper surface' of said gel pad insert is to be located directly against the skin of the user (Figure 6)(1).
The other surface, henceforth known as the `lower surface' of said gel pad insert, is to be covered with a fabric material (2). Attached to said fabric material is a fastening device (3), such as a strip of the hooked component of a hook-and-loop fastening device so when in use the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) is secured in position in the garment (Figures 4 & 6), and so, when not in use, the gel pad insert can be removed.
The configuration of said gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) is such that when worn within a garment (Figure 4)(4), it will overlie all or part of the pelvic region of the user which includes but is not limited to, the pubic bone or the seat bones or the crotch or the buttocks or the upper thighs of the user, where said area is subjected to friction or pressure.
As a result the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) can be manufactured in select predetermined shapes as said shape will be determined by all or part of the pelvic region area to be covered by the user, where said select predetermined shape may include but is not limited to, oval (Figures 1-3) or round or rectangular or winged or T-shaped or other shape to cover a select predetermined area of said pelvic region.
As a result of testing it has been found that the skin of the user, when in direct contact with the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3), does not stick to the smooth, slick, thermoplastic elastomer gel or silicone elastomer gel, or like material (1) upper surface of said gel pad insert whereby serving to reduce friction or pressure otherwise experienced under normal conditions and whereby improving the comfort of the user when engaged in activities such as horse riding or cycling or like activities.
If desired, the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) can be removed from said garment (4) when not in use.
In addition, the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) is easily washed after use.
The underwear or shorts or pants or like garment (4) into which the gel pad insert (Figures 1-3) is attached, is to be modified (Figure 5) to accept the removable secure attachment of said gel pad insert (Figure 6). In one embodiment of said garment, the crotch area (5) shall be modified to reinforce the section accepting the secure attachment of the looped (6) component of a hook-and-loop fastening device so when in use said gel pad insert is secured in position in the garment (Figures 4 & 6), and so, when not in use, said gel pad insert can be removed.
In addition, the underwear or shorts or pants or like garment (4) can easily be washed after use.
It should be appreciated that the scope of the present invention need not be limited to the particular scope of the embodiment described above.
Claims (5)
1. A pad insert where said pad insert is adapted to be located within said garment, where said pad insert is worn between a user's skin and said garment, where said pad insert is being configured to overlie all or part of the pelvic region of said user, where said pad insert has a body of a certain material and where said pad insert has a low-friction upper surface in contact with said user's skin, and where said pad insert has an opposite lower surface, where said lower surface has attachment means mounted on said lower surface.
2. A pad insert, as claimed at claim 1, where said low-friction upper surface is comprised of a gel material, where said gel material is having the properties of a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone elastomer, including smooth or durable or long wearing or does not cause allergic reaction in most persons or resists microbial growth or resists fungal growth or is washable with soap and water, whereby said properties allow the user's skin to move in contact with said low-friction upper surface without injury where said user's skin is subjected to the forces of friction or pressure.
3. A pad insert, as claimed at claim 1, further comprising an adaptation to said attachment means including the hook side of a hook and loop fastening device, whereby said pad insert may be removed and attached to a garment where said garment is modified to accept attachment of said pad insert.
4. A combination of a garment and the pad insert of claim 1, where said garment includes a pair of underwear or a pair of shorts or a pair of pants or a pair of trousers, where said garment has a second attachment means mounted in the crotch or pelvic area of said garment, where said garment is worn by said user.
5. The combination of Claim 4, wherein the garment further comprises an adaptation to said second attachment means including a fastening device, comprising the loop side of a hook-and-loop fastening device so that said pad insert may be removed and attached to said garment.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2702097A CA2702097C (en) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-05-03 | A gel pad insert to protect and cushion pelvic region |
| US13/097,122 US20110265255A1 (en) | 2010-05-03 | 2011-04-29 | Gel pad insert to protect and cushion pelvic region |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2702097A CA2702097C (en) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-05-03 | A gel pad insert to protect and cushion pelvic region |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2702097A1 CA2702097A1 (en) | 2011-11-03 |
| CA2702097C true CA2702097C (en) | 2013-01-22 |
Family
ID=44857064
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2702097A Expired - Fee Related CA2702097C (en) | 2010-05-03 | 2010-05-03 | A gel pad insert to protect and cushion pelvic region |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US20110265255A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2702097C (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITMI20120907A1 (en) * | 2012-05-24 | 2013-11-25 | Freddy Spa | CLOTH TO MODEL THE BABIES AND THE FEMALE SIDES, A PARTICULAR SPORTS DANCE OR GYMNASTICS |
| USD768360S1 (en) * | 2014-03-06 | 2016-10-11 | Karen E Jones | Body pad encased in membranous cover |
| PT3190909T (en) * | 2014-09-12 | 2020-09-17 | Trere Innovation S R L | Garment for cyclists |
| USD790157S1 (en) | 2015-01-09 | 2017-06-27 | Born Primitive, Llc | Padded weight lifting short |
| TW202133751A (en) * | 2020-02-25 | 2021-09-16 | 加拿大商０９１２１３９不列顛哥倫比亞有限公司 | Male garment |
| US11523641B2 (en) | 2020-09-25 | 2022-12-13 | Frederick Williams | Lined and padded trouser assembly |
| USD948167S1 (en) * | 2020-11-24 | 2022-04-12 | Jockey International, Inc. | Undergarment |
| USD948843S1 (en) * | 2020-11-24 | 2022-04-19 | Jockey International, Inc. | Undergarment |
| USD948168S1 (en) * | 2020-11-24 | 2022-04-12 | Jockey International, Inc. | Undergarment |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5388275A (en) * | 1991-05-01 | 1995-02-14 | Oram; Stephen W. | Protective wear for female water skiers |
| CA2139257C (en) * | 1992-06-29 | 1999-09-21 | Anne Catherine Battley | Clothing insert |
| ES2266263T3 (en) * | 2000-09-22 | 2007-03-01 | Michael Reschewitz | SEAT ELEMENT FOR A CYCLIST HEAD. |
| EP2055202B1 (en) * | 2007-10-30 | 2013-04-17 | Assos of Switzerland S.A. | Cyclist trousers with protection pads |
-
2010
- 2010-05-03 CA CA2702097A patent/CA2702097C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2011
- 2011-04-29 US US13/097,122 patent/US20110265255A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2702097A1 (en) | 2011-11-03 |
| US20110265255A1 (en) | 2011-11-03 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20220503 |