US20110113532A1

US20110113532A1 - Male underwear openable by means of a grip tab (device)

Info

Publication number: US20110113532A1
Application number: US12/668,994
Authority: US
Inventors: Claude Harout
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-23
Filing date: 2008-07-22
Publication date: 2011-05-19
Also published as: FR2919152A1; WO2009044000A1; EP2205107A1; FR2919151A1; EP2205107B1; WO2009044000A4

Abstract

Male underwear provided with an elastic belt, such as underpants, boxers, boxer-shorts, shorts, thongs, long-johns, G-strings or swimming trunks not provided with an opening, characterised in comprising an additional piece forming a grip tab, arranged on the front upper and central part of the underwear made up of a free lower piece and fixed by the upper part thereof to the underwear by being fixed to the elastic of the belt of said underwear, which permits an easy opening of said underwear by manually gripping and pulling downwards said element through the open fly of a pair of trousers worn outside said underwear.

Description

The present invention relates to any male underwear fitted with an elastic waistband such as briefs, boxers, boxer shorts, shorts, thong, long johns, G-string, swimming trunks, underpants, or analogous closed type underwear and provided in its high central front portion with a grip tab enabling easy opening of the aforementioned underwear through the open fly of trousers worn over the aforementioned underwear.
The usual openings for underwear, when they are provided, are characterized as vertical, horizontal, or double opening. Whatever the case, it is considered that access to the genital organ is difficult and that and the performance of natural functions is not as easy, elegant and comfortable as desirable. As will be easily understood later, the invention completely changes the way of doing things. This invention, which comprises adding a part called grip tab, makes far more comfortable, and facilitates in a very decided manner, the task of wearers of these underwears when they must satisfy a natural need.
Thus, up to present, when there were no opening devices, it is necessary to insert a hand into the fly of the open trousers and then continue to the underwear by the opening provided for this purpose where, failing that, to the elastic of the belt where from the thigh in order to grab the organ and “take it out as one can”, to each according to his practice. Note that these necessary manipulations tend to move the aforementioned underwear, which can be a source of discomfort.
The new invented opening device aims to radically change these practices by providing a new way of doing things. This new system of opening enables easy, elegant, comfortable and quick access to the genital organ. Indeed, it suffices simply, after having opened the fly, to grasp with the fingers the grip tab, pull it down in order that the underwear is thus “wide open” by lowering its front upper portion in order to enable the performance of natural functions in an easy, elegant and comfortable manner. It effectively prevents the cumbersome and inelegant “squirming” phenomena observed, in initial and terminal phases, in men when they satisfy a natural need. Thus, in the given example, the fly of the trousers being open, it suffices to grasp the grip tab which is fitted to the underwear, pull it down in order that the underwear be wide open enabling very easy extraction of the organ. To emphasize that the invention provides the same ease for closing. Indeed, this grip tab, with its intrinsic qualities, enables as well to reposition the upper part of the underwear before reclosing the fly.
Thus the invention relates to male underwear fitted with an elastic waistband such as briefs, boxers, boxer shorts, shorts, thong, long johns, G-string, swimming trunks, not provided with an opening, characterized in that it comprises a supplemental part forming a grip tab positioned on the front, upper central part of the underwear, constituted by a lower free part and fixed by its upper part to the underwear by being fixed on the elastic of the belt of the aforementioned underwear, which enables easy opening of this underwear by manually grasping then pulling down the aforementioned element through the open fly of the trousers worn over the aforementioned underwear.
According to the other characteristics:
the dimensions of the grip tab are at maximum encompassed in a rectangle 60 mm wide by 120 mm high in order that it can pass easily through the open fly of a pair of trousers and that its lower end is located in the upper area of the opening of the fly.
the grip tab is made of fabric, for example, of the same type as that of the underwear and is stiffened with a reinforced cloth that is applied on the inside of the front face of this part using a fusing press.
according to a second implementation mode, the grip tab is made of fabric, for example, of the same type as that of the underwear and is stiffened by a reinforced cloth that is applied below and above this fabric using a thermofusing press on the two parts composing the external envelope of this grip tab.
the fabric stiffened by a thermofused reinforced cloth receives at its periphery a satin stitch produced by a serger in order to further reinforce the stiffness, the indeformability and the firm grip of the assembly.
the grip tab receives on its front face an element in relief such as an embroidery in order to enable a further improved grip of the aforementioned part in both the opening and closing of the underwear.
the tab made of fabric has rounded lateral lower edges extending from the straight lateral edges convergent downwards so as to avoid the phenomenon of fold of the lower edges detrimental to its grip.
the grip tab made from fabric is permanently fixed to the underwear by stitching made in the area where the grip tab is superimposed on the elastic of the belt of the underwear.
in variation, the grip tab is made in the shape of a band of fabric folded on itself and fixed to the belt at its two free ends superimposed on the latter as to enable a gripping using the single forefinger introduced laterally into the loop so formed.
in another possible variation, the grip tab is provided with a removable connection means on the front area of the elastic waistband of the underwear such as at least one snap button.
according to a third implementation mode, the grip tab is a semi rigid part that has an elongated enlarged shape at a lower end for example in shape of an anchor or a ring whose width is less than the width of the open fly and whose upper end has an opening such as a small ring designed for connection by sewing or by reception in a passage provided in a central forward part of the underwear at the elastic waistband of the latter.
according to a fourth implementation mode, the grip tab is constituted by a cord formed as a loop elongated downward and connected to the belt part of the underwear by extending horizontally through an eyelet or an elongated passage provided in the aforementioned belt or by sewing.
finally the underwear has a cut defined by an implementation pattern such that the front part of the belt is located at a level lower than that of the rear part of the belt by at least a centimeter so as not to be located under the area of the belt of the trousers so as not to oppose by blockage the opening of the aforementioned underwear.
Thus, with the aid of the invention, in order to access the genital organ, the grip tab enables the ability to easily pull downward the high front part of these underwears and maintain them comfortably open by simply manipulating the grip tab by hand.
This grip tab may be of various shapes and made of different materials. The grip tab is a free part that will be fixed on the high central front part of the underwears. The fixation system used is variable. It relies on any possible techniques in force. This grip tab must have all the necessary qualities to perform its function perfectly. Thus, its dimensions must enable being easily grasped and being able to pass into an open fly. Thus, the materials, even the assemblies used to implement it, must enable, although this part is mounted free in its lower part, having a good holding position and easy seizure. Thus, it will be appropriate that this grip tab durably resist washing at appropriate temperature, whatever the shape, materials, assemblies used.
Finally, a secondary goal of the invention is to enable totally varied and different developments dedicated to esthetic objectives of underwears.

To better understand the invention and appreciate its advantages, it is advisable to refer to the accompanying drawings which give several implementation examples.

FIGS. 1 and 4 are a simplified general view of a brief having a grip tab with rounded lower edges (B1) and angular edge (B4) made from a fabric assembly and fixed to the elastic.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are variants of a grip tab, in the form of a cord (B2), wherein the form of a semi rigid anchor (B3) still fixed to the elastic but implemented this time with other shapes and with other materials such as for example plastic.

FIGS. 1 and 4 constitute an implementation example according to the present invention. As is particularly visible, a part (B1) (B4) is added to the part of the underwear (A), at the elastic (C). This part is a sewn assemblage of fabrics of different qualities enabling attainment of the sought effect, namely a mixture of flexibility, of stiffness and non deformation in order to have an easy and comfortable manual seizure of the grip tab. This grip tab (B1) (4) is fixed at its upper part to the underwear on its high central front part to the elastic (C). Thus, on the full height of the elastic (C), the grip tab (B1) (B4) is fixed by a stitching (D). The lower part of the grip tab is not sewn and remains therefore free to enable its manual grip during the act of opening and closing. The grip is improved by parts in relief constituted by a peripheral satin stitch (E) and by elements in relief on the front face such as an embroidery (F). Regarding the dimensions of the grip tab, they must meet the following constraints: enabling an easy and comfortable manual seizure as well as being able to pass in an open fly.
Note that, to optimize the quality of performance of this device for opening underwear, it is advantageous that the front part of the elastic waistband of the underwear be lower than the rear part thereof.
The invention relates generally to the industrial and commercial field of manufacturing and distribution of the products enumerated in the first paragraph and can be adapted to any kinds of similar underwear.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. Male underwear fitted with an elastic waistband, such as briefs, boxers, boxer shorts, shorts, thong, long johns, G-string, not provided with an opening, designed to be worn under trousers fitted with a fly and provided with a supplemental part positioned on the upper front central part of the aforementioned underwear, characterized in that the aforementioned part is constituted by a grip tab fixed by its upper part to the underwear by being fixed on the elastic of the belt of the aforementioned underwear and comprises a free lower part that has dimensions such that it can pass easily through the open fly of the trousers and that its lower end is located in the upper area of the opening of the fly, which enables easy opening of this underwear by manual gripping then by pulling the aforementioned element downward through the open fly of the trousers worn over the aforementioned underwear.

15. Underwear according to claim 14 characterized in that the dimensions of the grip tab are at maximum encompassed in a rectangle 60 mm wide by 120 mm high.

16. Underwear according to claim 15 characterized in that the grip tab is made of fabric, for example, of the same type as that of the underwear and is stiffened with a reinforced cloth that is applied on the inside of the front face of this part using a fusing press.

17. Underwear according to claim 15 characterized in that the grip tab is made of fabric and is stiffened by a reinforced cloth that is applied below and above this fabric using a thermofusing press on the two parts composing the external envelope of this grip tab.

18. Underwear according to claim 16 characterized in that the fabric stiffened by a thermofused reinforced cloth receives at its periphery a satin stitch produced by a serger in order to further reinforce the stiffness, the indeformability and the firm grip of the assembly.

19. Underwear according to claim 16 characterized in that the grip tab receives on its front face an element in relief such as an embroidery in order to enable a further improved grip of the aforementioned part in both the opening and closing of the underwear.

20. Underwear according to claim 16 characterized in that the grip tab made of fabric has rounded lateral lower edges extending from the straight lateral edges convergent downwards so as to avoid the phenomenon of fold of the lower edges detrimental to its grip.

21. Underwear according to claim 16 characterized in that the grip tab made from fabric is permanently fixed to the underwear by stitching made in the area where the grip tab is superimposed on the elastic of the belt of the underwear.