Classifications

• • 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
  • A41D1/089—Shorts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D1/00—Garments
  • A41D1/04—Vests, jerseys, sweaters or the like
• • 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
  • A41D13/0015—Sports garments other than provided for in groups A41D13/0007 - A41D13/088
• • 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
• • 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
  • A41D13/055—Protector fastening, e.g. on the human body
  • A41D13/0556—Protector fastening, e.g. on the human body with releasable fastening means
  • A41D13/0575—Protector fastening, e.g. on the human body with releasable fastening means in an openable pocket
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D27/00—Details of garments or of their making
  • A41D27/20—Pockets; Making or setting-in pockets
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
  • A41D2600/00—Uses of garments specially adapted for specific purposes
  • A41D2600/10—Uses of garments specially adapted for specific purposes for sport activities

Definitions

• the described embodiments generally relate to apparel for wheelchair athletes.
• Athletic apparel such as sports jerseys and athletic shorts are generally designed to facilitate athletic activity.
• athletic apparel can have features that contribute toward achieving objectives such as range of motion, comfort, and breathability.
• athletic shorts may be designed to extend relatively high on a wearer's back to cover most or all of an area of a wearer that would rest against the seat of a wheelchair.
• an athletic jersey may be designed to offset a seam from a lower end of an arm opening to reduce abrasion on the wearer's arm when the wearer operates the wheelchair.
• a first embodiment (1) of the present application is directed to athletic shorts.
• the athletic shorts can comprise a front fabric panel formed of a first type of fabric and configured to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer.
• the athletic shorts can also comprise a back fabric panel formed of a second type of fabric and joined to the front fabric panel and configured to cover a portion of the back side of the wearer.
• the back fabric panel can have a greater area than the front fabric panel.
• the second type of fabric can be different from the first type of fabric.
• the front fabric panel can have a first length in a longitudinal direction defined relative to the athletic shorts.
• the back fabric panel can have a second length in the longitudinal direction. The first length can be less than the second length.
• a lateral direction can be defined perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.
• the back fabric panel can be joined to the front fabric panel at lateral seams.
• the front fabric panel can comprise an upper end and a lower end that are opposite ends of the front fabric panel along the longitudinal direction.
• the back fabric panel can comprise an upper end and a lower end that are opposite ends of the back fabric panel along the longitudinal direction.
• the upper end of the back fabric panel can be higher along the longitudinal direction than the upper end of the front fabric panel.
• the lower end of the front fabric panel can be lower along the longitudinal direction that the lower end of the back fabric panel.
• the portion of the back side of the wearer can extend higher on the wearer than the portion of the front side of the wearer.
• the athletic shorts can comprise a waistband defining an upper end of the athletic shorts.
• the waistband can comprise a curved shape configured to rise higher above the back fabric panel than above the front fabric panel.
• the waistband can have an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpoint of the front fabric panel to above a midpoint of the back fabric panel.
• the second type of fabric can comprise a fabric weight heavier than a fabric weight of the first type of fabric.
• the first type of fabric can comprise a breathability less than a breathability of the second type of fabric.
• the first type of fabric can comprise a stretchablity less than a stretchablity of the second type of fabric.
• the first type of fabric can comprise an abrasion resistance greater than an abrasion resistance of the second type of fabric.
• the first type of fabric can be woven and the second type of fabric can be knitted.
• the first type of fabric can be twill and the second type of fabric can be mock eyelet.
• the athletic shorts can comprise left and right pockets located between the front fabric panel and the back fabric panel, and pads located within the pockets.
• the left pocket and the right pocket can each be configured to be positioned at a respective hip of the wearer.
• the pockets can be open pockets and the pads can be removably disposed in the pockets.
• a sixteenth embodiment (16) is directed to an athletic outfit comprising the athletic shorts according to any one of embodiments (1)-(15) and a jersey.
• the jersey can comprise a front fabric panel and a back fabric panel.
• the front fabric panel of the jersey can be formed of the first type of fabric.
• the back fabric panel of the jersey can be formed of the second type of fabric.
• a cut of the athletic shorts and a cut of the jersey can be configured to cause the athletic shorts to overlap the jersey by a greater distance on a back side of the athletic outfit than on the front side of the athletic outfit when the athletic outfit is worn.
• the jersey can comprise two fabric panels, two lateral seams that join the two fabric panels, and two arm openings.
• Each of the two arm openings can comprise a lowest point, a front most point, a back most point, and an intersect point at which a respective one of the two lateral seams intersects the arm opening.
• the intersect point can be nearer to either the front most point or the back most point than to the lowest point.
• the athletic shorts can comprise a waistband defining an upper end of the athletic shorts.
• the waistband can have an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpoint of the front fabric panel of the athletic shorts to above a midpoint of the back fabric panel of the athletic shorts.
• a lower end of the jersey can slopes downward from a front end to a back end of the lower end of the jersey such that a back of the jersey overlaps the back fabric panel of the athletic shorts when the athletic outfit is worn.
• references to “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. are not intended to denote order, or that an earlier-numbered feature is required for a later-numbered feature. Also, unless specified otherwise, the use of “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. does not necessarily mean that the "first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. features have different properties or values.
• An article of apparel has many purposes. Among other things, apparel can provide a unique aesthetic look, provide warming or cooling characteristics, provide support for portions of an individual's body, and provide other performance characteristics, such as air permeability, moisture wicking properties, compression properties. Each of these purposes, alone or in combination, provides for comfortable apparel suitable for use in a variety of scenarios (for example, exercise and every day activities).
• the features of an article of apparel (for example, the materials and components used to make apparel, and the way these materials/components are made) can be altered to produce desired characteristics, for example, durability, stiffness, weight, tackiness, texture, haptics, tackiness, and/or air permeability.
• FIGS. 1-3 show athletic shorts 100 according to some embodiments.
• Athletic shorts 100 can comprise a front fabric panel 110 and a back fabric panel 120.
• Front fabric panel 110 can be configured to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer.
• Back fabric panel 120 can be configured to cover a portion of a back side of the wearer.
• the back fabric panel 120 can have a greater area than the front fabric panel 110.
• the portion of the back side of the wearer extends higher on the wearer than the portion of the front side of the wearer. This configuration of athletic shorts 100 can protect a wearer's back from abrasion or discomfort when the wearer uses a wheelchair.
• front fabric panel 110 can comprise dart shaping 112.
• front fabric panel 110 can comprise left side dart shaping 112 and right side dart shaping 112.
• the dart shaping 112 can be fisheye dart shaping.
• a longitudinal direction 101 can be defined relative to athletic shorts 100
• front fabric panel 110 can have a first length in longitudinal direction 101
• back fabric panel 120 can have a second length in longitudinal direction 101
• the first length is less than the second length.
• the first length can be at least 5% less than the second length.
• front fabric panel 110 can be formed of a first type of fabric
• back fabric panel 120 can be formed of a second type of fabric
• the first type of fabric can be different than the second type of fabric.
• the second type of fabric can comprise a fabric weight heavier than a fabric weight of the first type of fabric.
• the first type of fabric can comprise a breathability less than a breathability of the second type of fabric.
• the first type of fabric can comprise a stretchablity less than a stretchablity of the second type of fabric.
• the first type of fabric can comprise an abrasion resistance greater than an abrasion resistance of the second type of fabric.
• the first type of fabric can be woven and the second type of fabric can be knitted. In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can be twill and the second type of fabric can be mock eyelet.
• the differentiated properties of the fabrics making up front fabric panel 110 and back fabric panel 120 can contribute to comfort, breathability, and protection from abrasion.
• a lateral direction 102 is defined perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction.
• back fabric panel 120 can be joined to front fabric panel 110 at lateral seams 122.
• lateral seams 122 can be positioned such that a portion of back fabric panel 120 wraps around interior and exterior sides of a left leg of shorts 100 to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer, and a portion of back fabric panel 120 wraps around interior and exterior sides of a right leg of shorts 100 to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer.
• back fabric panel 120 can be formed of a type of fabric with cushioning, breathability, and abrasion properties beneficial for contact with the seat of the wheelchair, extending back fabric panel 120 around side portions of a wearer's legs can achieve the same benefits in contact with sidewall or arm rest portions of the wheelchair.
• front fabric panel 110 can comprise an upper end 114 and a lower end 116 that are opposite ends of the fabric panel along longitudinal direction 101.
• back fabric panel 120 can comprise an upper end 124 and a lower end 126 that are opposite ends of back fabric panel 120 along longitudinal direction 101.
• upper end 124 of back fabric panel 120 can be higher along longitudinal direction 101 than upper end 114 of front fabric panel 110.
• lower end 116 of front fabric panel 110 is lower along longitudinal direction 101 that lower end 126 of back fabric panel 120.
• Athletic shorts 100 comprise an upper end 150 and a lower end 152 that are opposite ends of athletic shorts 100 along longitudinal direction 101.
• athletic shorts 100 can comprise a waistband 140.
• Athletic shorts 100 can also comprise drawstring 142 configured to tighten waistband 140.
• Drawstring 142 can extend through waistband 140.
• waistband 140 can define upper end 150 of athletic shorts 100.
• waistband 140 can comprise a curved shape configured to rise higher above back fabric panel 120 than above the front fabric panel 110. That is, waistband 140 can be configured to tend toward a shape wherein a portion of waistband 140 above back fabric panel 120 is higher along longitudinal direction 101 than a portion of waistband 140 above front fabric panel 110 as shown in FIG. 3 .
• a back portion of waistband 140 can rise higher than a front portion of waistband 140 when waistband 140 is in a neutral, unstressed position.
• This configuration of athletic shorts 100 can protect a wearer's back from abrasion or discomfort when the wearer is seated in a wheelchair.
• waistband 140 can have an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpoint 111 of front fabric panel 110 to above a midpoint 121 of back fabric panel 120 as shown in FIG. 3 .
• Midpoint 111 of front fabric panel 110 can be a lateral midpoint, meaning a midpoint of front fabric panel 110 with respect to lateral direction 102.
• half of a total area of front fabric panel 110 can be to the left of midpoint 111 of front fabric panel 110 and another half of the total area of front fabric panel 110 can be to the right of midpoint 111 of front fabric panel 110.
• midpoint 121 of back fabric panel 120 can be a lateral midpoint, meaning a midpoint of back fabric panel 120 with respect to lateral direction 102.
• half of a total area of back fabric panel 120 can be to the left of midpoint 121 of back fabric panel 120 and another half of the total area of back fabric panel 120 can be to the right of midpoint 121 of back fabric panel 120.
• athletic shorts 100 can comprise pockets 130 located between front fabric panel 110 and back fabric panel 120. Pockets 130 can comprise laterally spaced pockets 130, such as one left pocket 130 and one right pocket 130. Pockets 130 can each be configured to be positioned at a respective hip of the wearer when athletic shorts 100 are worn.
• Athletic shorts 100 can also comprise pads 132 located within pockets 130, such as one pad 132 in each pocket 130. Pads 132 can protect the wearer from impact and abrasion when the wearer is seated in a wheelchair.
• pockets 130 are open pockets and pads 132 can be removably disposed in pockets 130 as shown in FIG. 3 .
• FIGS. 4-7A show a jersey 200 according to some embodiments.
• a longitudinal direction 201 is defined relative to jersey 200.
• a lateral direction 202 is defined perpendicular to longitudinal direction 201.
• Longitudinal direction 201 of jersey 200 can be aligned with longitudinal direction 101 of athletic shorts 100 when jersey 200 and athletic shorts 100 are arranged as an outfit. Accordingly, lateral direction 202 of jersey 200 can be parallel to lateral direction 102 of athletic shorts 100.
• Jersey 200 can comprise a front fabric panel 210 and a back fabric panel 220.
• front fabric panel 210 of jersey 200 can be formed of the same first type of fabric as front fabric panel 110 of athletic shorts 100.
• back fabric panel 220 of jersey 200 can be formed of the same second type of fabric as back fabric panel 120 of athletic shorts 100.
• Jersey 200 comprises two arm openings 230. Each of the two arm openings 230 comprises a lowest point 234, a front most point 236, and a back most point 237 as shown in FIG. 7A .
• jersey 200 can comprise two lateral seams 222 that join front fabric panel 210 and back fabric panel 220.
• Each arm opening 230 can comprise an intersect point 238 at which a respective one of the two lateral seams 222 intersects the arm opening 230.
• intersect point 238 can be nearer back most point 237 than to lowest point 234 as shown in FIG. 7A .
• intersect point 238 can be nearer to front most point 236 than to lowest point 234.
• intersect point 238 can be nearer to either front most point 236 or back most point 237 than to lowest point 234. Offsetting intersect point 238 from lowest point 234 of each arm opening 230 in this manner can cause lateral seams 222 to be positioned away from a portion of jersey 200 across which a wearer's arm is likely to move the most when the wearer operates a wheelchair. Thus, offsetting intersect point 238 from lowest point 234 of each arm opening 230 in this manner can reduce abrasion caused by rubbing arms across seams 222.
• Jersey 200 comprises a head opening 240.
• front fabric panel 210 of jersey 200 can comprise perforations 212 below head opening 240.
• Perforations 212 can be located within a perforation zone 214.
• Perforation zone 214 can have a longitudinal height and a lateral width. In some embodiments, the lateral width of perforation zone 214 can be from 1.25 to 1.75 times as great as the longitudinal length of perforation zone 214. Perforation zone 214 can contribute to a breathability of jersey 200.
• jersey 200 can comprise a rib knit neck band 242 located at a border of head opening 240. Rib knit neck band 242 can protect a back of a wearer's neck from abrasion. In some embodiments, jersey 200 can comprise a rib knit shoulder band 232 at a border of each arm opening 230. Rib knit shoulder bands 232 can protect a wearer's shoulders and arms from abrasion.
• FIG. 8 shows an athletic outfit 300 comprising athletic shorts 100 and jersey 200.
• Jersey 200 is shown as partially transparent in FIG. 8 for clarity.
• a longitudinal direction 301 defined relative to athletic outfit 300 is aligned with longitudinal direction 101 of athletic shorts 100 and longitudinal direction 201 of jersey 200.
• a lateral direction of athletic outfit 300 may similarly be defined perpendicular to longitudinal direction 301 of athletic outfit 300 and parallel to lateral direction 102 of athletic shorts 100 and lateral direction 202 of jersey 200.
• athletic shorts 100 can comprise a waistband 140 defining an upper end 150 of athletic shorts 100, and according to some embodiments waistband 140 can have an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpoint 111 of front fabric panel 110 of athletic shorts 100 to above a midpoint 121 of back fabric panel 120 of athletic shorts 100.
• a lower end 250 of jersey 200 can slope downward from a front end to a back end of lower end 250 of jersey 200 such that a back of the jersey overlaps back fabric panel 220 of athletic shorts 100 when athletic outfit 300 is worn.
• a cut of athletic shorts 100 and a cut of jersey 200 can be configured to cause athletic shorts 100 to overlap jersey 200 by a greater distance on a back side of athletic outfit 300 than on a front side of athletic outfit 300 when athletic outfit 300 is worn.
• the cut of athletic shorts 100 and the cut of jersey 200 can be configured to cause athletic shorts 100 to overlap jersey 200 on a back side of athletic outfit 300 by at least two times as great a distance as on the front side of athletic outfit 300.
• FIG. 8 An overlap range 322 of back fabric panel 220 of jersey 200 over back fabric panel 120 of athletic shorts 100 is shown in FIG. 8 .
• the overlap of the back of jersey 200 and the back of athletic shorts 100 can protect a portion of a back of the wearer that may contact a wheelchair from impact or abrasion.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=94969834

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Citations (3)

• 2024
  • 2024-04-19 US US18/641,115 patent/US20250325046A1/en active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-03-18 EP EP25164406.8A patent/EP4635353A1/de active Pending
  • 2025-04-09 CN CN202510439113.XA patent/CN120827228A/zh active Pending

Patent Citations (3)

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