US20120272439A1 - Protective garment for lower abdomen and upper legs - Google Patents
Protective garment for lower abdomen and upper legs Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20120272439A1 US20120272439A1 US13/544,498 US201213544498A US2012272439A1 US 20120272439 A1 US20120272439 A1 US 20120272439A1 US 201213544498 A US201213544498 A US 201213544498A US 2012272439 A1 US2012272439 A1 US 2012272439A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- garment
- wearer
- front panel
- lateral side
- rear panel
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
- A41D13/0525—Loin or waist area
-
- 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
-
- 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
- A41D2600/102—Motorcycling
Definitions
- Garments designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer are described herein.
- Chaps are commonly worn by, e.g., motorcyclists and others seeking protection from wind, debris, etc. Chaps do not, however, typically extend onto the lower abdomen of a rider for a variety of different reasons such as, for example, comfort (to avoid bunching or gathering of excess material, etc.), etc.
- the garments described herein are designed to be worn in conjunction with conventional chaps to protect the lower abdomen of the wearer and upper legs of a wearer.
- Potential advantages of at least some embodiments of the garments described herein include, for example, the ability of a user to don the garment while wearing a pair of conventional chaps.
- the ability to don the garments over or under an existing pair of conventional chaps as described herein may be particularly useful because, in many instances, a rider may unexpectedly encounter rain while riding. In the event of an unplanned encounter with rain, a rider wearing a conventional pair of chaps may stop and quickly don a garment as described herein without removing his or her chaps.
- the garments are preferably made of waterproof materials such that at least the front panel of the garment resists the passage of moisture such as rain. Although essentially no garment is completely waterproof, the garments described herein preferably provide substantial protection from rain to a wearer.
- the garments designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer as described herein include: a front panel permanently connected to a rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are sized to cover a wearer from a waistband to first and second leg openings when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other in a crotch area between the first and second leg openings, and wherein a lateral distance between the waistband and a bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings is selected such that the garment terminates above the wearer's knees on each leg when the garment is assembled on a wearer; and a leg opening seal proximate the bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings, wherein the leg opening seal forms a compression seal extending around an interior surface of the leg opening.
- the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along a first lateral side of the garment on a first lateral side of the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer.
- the front panel and the rear panel are releasably connected to each other by a releasable connection apparatus located along a second lateral side of the garment that extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband and the second leg opening on a second lateral side of the wearer, wherein the releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment
- the front panel and the rear panel of the garments described herein are permanently connected to each other along the first lateral side of the garment
- the leg opening seal of the garments described herein comprises a cinching element comprising a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration, wherein the cinching element compresses the interior surface of the leg opening against the wearer to form the compression seal when in the tightened configuration.
- the compression seal is not formed when the cinching element is in the loosened configuration.
- the cinching element is in tension when in the tightened configuration.
- at least a portion of the cinching element is located within a sleeve that extends around a portion of the leg opening.
- the leg opening seal of the garments described herein comprises a resilient gasket member on the interior surface of the leg opening.
- the leg opening seal of the garments described herein comprises an inflatable bladder extending at least partially around the leg opening.
- the garments described herein include a cover flap extending over the releasable connection apparatus when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the cover flap is fixedly attached to the front panel of the garment.
- the releasable connection apparatus is selected from the group consisting of: zippers, hook and loop closure systems, adhesives, snap fasteners, buttons, ties, and clips.
- the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along the entire first lateral side of the garment along a line extending from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening.
- the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along only a first portion of the first lateral side of the garment, and wherein the garment further comprises a supplemental releasable connection apparatus connecting the front panel to the rear panel along a second portion of the first lateral side of the garment, wherein the first portion and the second portion taken together extend from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening; wherein the supplemental releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus.
- the supplemental releasable connection apparatus extends from the bottom edge of the first leg opening towards the waistband.
- the garments may include a cover flap extending over the supplemental releasable connection apparatus when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the cover flap is fixedly attached to the front panel of the garment.
- the supplemental releasable connection apparatus is selected from the group consisting of: zippers, hook and loop closure systems, adhesives, snap fasteners, buttons, ties, and clips.
- the releasable connection apparatus located along the second lateral side of the garment extends along a line that is canted relative to a medial centerline of the wearer.
- the front panel is waterproof when the garment is assembled on a wearer such that water entry through the front panel is substantially prevented in normal use.
- the front panel comprises waterproof leather.
- the garments designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer as described herein include: a front panel permanently connected to a rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are sized to cover a wearer from a waistband to first and second leg openings when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other in a crotch area between the first and second leg openings, and wherein a lateral distance between the waistband and a bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings is selected such that the garment terminates above the wearer's knees on each leg when the garment is assembled on a wearer; a leg opening seal proximate the bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings, wherein the leg opening seal forms a compression seal extending around an interior surface of the leg opening, wherein the leg opening seal comprises a cinching element comprising a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration, wherein the cinching element compresses the
- the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along a first lateral side of the garment, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along the entire first lateral side of the garment along a line extending from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening.
- the front panel and the rear panel are releasably connected to each other by a releasable connection apparatus located along a second lateral side of the garment that extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband and the second leg opening on a second lateral side of the wearer, wherein the releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment.
- the garments designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer as described herein include: a front panel permanently connected to a rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are sized to cover a wearer from a waistband to first and second leg openings when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other in a crotch area between the first and second leg openings, and wherein a lateral distance between the waistband and a bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings is selected such that the garment terminates above the wearer's knees on each leg when the garment is assembled on a wearer; and a leg opening seal proximate the bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings, wherein the leg opening seal forms a compression seal extending around an interior surface of the leg opening, wherein the leg opening seal comprises a cinching element comprising a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration, wherein the cinching element compresses
- the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along a first lateral side of the garment, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along only a first portion of the first lateral side of the garment, and wherein the garment further comprises a supplemental releasable connection apparatus connecting the front panel to the rear panel along a second portion of the first lateral side of the garment, wherein the first portion and the second portion taken together extend from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening; wherein the supplemental releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus.
- the front panel and the rear panel are releasably connected to each other by a releasable connection apparatus located along a second lateral side of the garment that extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband and the second leg opening on a second lateral side of the wearer, wherein the releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment.
- a method of protecting the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer may include donning a garment as described herein such that the front panel is proximate the lower abdomen and the right and left legs are located within the first and second leg openings of the garment, and wherein the bottom edges of the first and second leg openings extend over a top edge of a pair of chaps on the right and left legs; closing the releasable connection apparatus along the second lateral side of the garment; and forming a compression seal around the first and second leg openings, wherein, on each leg, an upper edge of the chap is compressed between the leg of a wearer and the leg opening seal.
- the method may further include closing a supplemental releasable connection apparatus along the first lateral side of the garment.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a garment as described herein.
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the garment of FIG. 1 taken along line 2 - 2 in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative leg opening seal.
- FIG. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a releasable connection apparatus that may be used in connection with the garments described herein.
- FIG. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a releasable connection apparatus that may be used in connection with the garments described herein.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garment as described herein.
- FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of a garment as described herein.
- FIG. 1 One illustrative embodiment of a garment as described herein is depicted in FIG. 1 in the form of a perspective view taken from a front of the garment 10 .
- the garment 10 includes a waistband 12 , a front panel 20 , and a rear panel 30 .
- the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 are described as panels, it should be understood that they may be constructed a variety of smaller pieces that are connected to each other to form a composite article that functions as the front panel 20 or rear panel 30 .
- the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 can be connected to each other to form a garment 10 that in many respect, resembles a pair of shorts that include leg openings 40 .
- the garment 10 may, for example, be described as having a lateral distance between the waistband 12 and the bottom edges 42 of each of the right and left leg openings 40 that is selected such that the garment 10 terminates above a wearer's knees when the garment 10 is assembled on the wearer (in the manner of a pair of shorts).
- the front panel 20 is permanently connected to the rear panel 30 to form the garment 10 .
- the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 are preferably permanently connected to each other in a crotch area 16 that is located between the right and left leg openings 40 .
- the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 are also permanently connected to each other along a lateral side 14 of the garment 10 which corresponds with a lateral side of a wearer on which the garment 10 is assembled.
- the phrase “permanently connected” (and variations thereof) mean that the components (for example, the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 ) are connected in a manner that would require destruction, mutilation, etc. of one or both of the components to separate them from each other.
- the components for example, the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30
- two components that are connected along a seam that is stitched, glued, etc. are permanently connected because one or both of the components (and/or a component connecting them) would need to be destroyed, mutilated, etc. to separate the components.
- the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 may be permanently connected to each other along substantially the entire first lateral side 14 of the garment 10
- the illustrative embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 is permanently connected along only a portion 13 of the lateral side 14 .
- the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 of the illustrative embodiment of garment 10 can be releasably connected to each other along the remaining portion 15 of the lateral side 14 of the garment 10 using a releasable connection apparatus 60 .
- the portion 13 and the portion 15 of the first lateral side 14 of the garment 10 preferably, when taken together, extend from the waistband 12 to the bottom edge 42 of the leg opening 40 along the lateral side 14 of the garment 10 .
- the releasable connection apparatus 60 has a connected configuration in which the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 are connected to each other by the releasable connection apparatus 60 (not shown) and a detached configuration as shown in which the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 are not connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus 60 .
- the releasable connection apparatus 60 extends from the bottom edge 42 of the leg opening 40 towards the waistband 12 , although the position of the releasable connection apparatus 60 may be reversed (i.e., it may extend from the waistband 12 towards the leg opening 40 while the permanent connection extends from the leg opening 40 towards the waistband).
- the illustrative embodiment of garment 10 depicted in FIG. 1 also includes releasable connection 62 on the lateral side 16 of the garment 10 (where the lateral side 16 is on the opposite side of the garment 10 from the lateral side 14 ).
- the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 are releasably connected to each other by the releasable connection apparatus 62 on the lateral side 16 of the garment 10 .
- the releasable connection apparatus 62 extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband 12 and the bottom edge 42 of the leg opening 40 on lateral side 16 , although it may preferably extend along substantially the entire lateral side from the waistband 12 to the leg opening 40 .
- the releasable connection apparatus 62 has a connected configuration (not shown in FIG. 1 ) in which the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 are connected to each other along the lateral side 16 of the garment 10 and a detached configuration (shown in FIG. 1 ) in which the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 are not connected to each other along the lateral side 16 of the garment 10 .
- the garment 10 can be described as assembled and, if worn by a wearer, would take the general form of a pair of shorts.
- the releasable connection apparatus 60 and 62 are both useful for allowing a user to easily don the garment 10 without requiring the removal of other clothing such as, for example, chaps, pants, etc.
- the releasable connection apparatus 60 on lateral side 14 is optional (i.e., the front panel 20 and the rear panel 30 may be permanently connected along the entire lateral side 14 ), providing the releasable connection apparatus 60 on the lateral side 14 in addition to the releasable connection apparatus 62 on the opposing lateral side 16 may make it easier for a wearer to put on and/or remove the garment 10 .
- the releasable connection apparatus 60 and 62 can take a number of different forms, at least some of which will be described below in connection with FIGS. 3A and 3B .
- leg opening seals 70 located proximate the bottom edges 42 of the leg openings 40 of the garment 10 .
- the leg opening seals 70 preferably form a compression seal that extends around the interior surfaces 44 of the leg openings 40 .
- the leg opening seals 70 are preferably capable of resisting the passage of water (for example; rain, etc.) between the interior surfaces 44 of the leg openings 40 and the underlying clothing and/or skin of a wearer.
- the leg opening seals 70 may include a cinching apparatus in the form of a belt or strap 73 that extends around a significant portion of the leg opening 40 and that can be tightened using, for example, a buckle 74 to provide the compression that assists in the formation of the compression seal described herein.
- the cinching apparatus preferably has a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration.
- the cinching apparatus is depicted in the loosened configuration in FIG. 1 .
- the compression seal is not formed when the cinching apparatus is in the loosened configuration.
- the cinching apparatus compresses the interior surface 44 of the leg opening 40 against the wearer to form the compression seal when the cinching apparatus is in the tightened configuration.
- the cinching apparatus is in tension when in the tightened configuration.
- the size of the leg opening 40 is preferably smaller when the cinching apparatus is in the tightened configuration than when the cinching apparatus is in the loosened configuration.
- the leg opening seal 70 may include a resilient gasket member 80 on the interior surface 44 of the leg opening 40 .
- the gasket member 80 may, for example, be constructed of an elastomeric polymer (e.g., silicone, etc.) that assists in preventing the infiltration of water underneath the interior surface 44 of the leg opening 40 .
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 2 - 2 in FIG. 1 and depicts the belt 73 located within a sleeve 75 formed above the bottom edge 42 of the leg opening 40 .
- gasket member 80 is also depicted in FIG. 2 .
- the belt 73 may be fixedly or permanently attached to the material forming the sleeve only at its ends to provide for movement of the belt 73 within the sleeve 75 during the tightening and loosening processes.
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of leg opening seal that may be provided in connection with the garments described herein.
- the leg opening seal 170 depicted in FIG. 3 may include an inflatable bladder 172 that can be expanded to provide a compression seal that can reduce leakage between the interior surface 144 and the leg of a wearer.
- Inflatable bladders and the mechanisms for inflating and deflating them are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,779 (Litchfield et al.).
- the use of a cinching apparatus may be optional, i.e., a cinching apparatus may or may not be provided in addition to the inflatable bladder.
- the garments preferably include one or more releasable connection apparatus to make it easier to put on and/or remove the garments.
- the releasable connection apparatus can take many different forms so long as the apparatus can perform its basic function of connecting the front panels and the rear panels of the garments described herein.
- the releasable connection apparatus may be provided in the form of, for example, mechanical sheet fastener materials (e.g., hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO, etc.), stem fasteners, etc.), zippers, buttons, snap fasteners, ties, magnetic fasteners, etc.
- a releasable connection apparatus 160 that may be used in connection with the garments described herein is depicted in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 4A , wherein the cross-sectional plane is oriented transverse to the line along which the connection is made between the front panel 120 and rear panel 130 .
- the depicted embodiment of releasable connection apparatus 160 includes one component 163 of a mechanical sheet fastener material attached to the front panel 120 and the mating component 164 of the mechanical sheet fastener material attached to the rear panel 130 .
- the mechanical sheet fastener materials of components 163 and 164 may be, e.g. hook and loop closure materials, interlocking stem fastener sheets, etc.
- the components 163 and 164 may be attached to the front and rear panels 120 and 130 by any suitable technique, e.g., stitching, adhesives, melt bonding, etc.
- a potential advantage of the mechanical sheet fasteners is that the fit of the garment may potentially be adjusted by adjusting the position of the components relative to each other.
- FIG. 4A Another optional feature depicted in FIG. 4A is the addition of a cover flap 165 attached to the front panel 120 .
- the cover flap 165 preferably extends past the line along which the front panel 120 is connected to the rear panel by the connection apparatus 160 , such that the cover flap 165 is located over an exterior surface 131 of the rear panel 130 .
- cover flap 165 may assist in prevent leakage through the connection between the front panel 120 and the rear panel 130 , particularly where air, etc. may be moving at relatively high speeds over that connection in the direction of arrow 101 . In such a situation, the cover flap 165 shelters the connection.
- the garment may include an auxiliary fastener 166 to hold the flap 165 against the exterior surface 131 of the rear panel 130 .
- the auxiliary fastener 166 may take any suitable form, e.g., mechanical sheet fastener materials (e.g., hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO, etc.), stem fasteners, etc.), zippers, buttons, snap fasteners, ties, magnetic fasteners, etc.
- the auxiliary fastener 166 may take the form of magnetic elements affixed to each of the rear panel 130 and the flap 165 .
- FIG. 4B Another illustrative embodiment of a releasable connection apparatus 260 that may be used in connection with the garments described herein is depicted in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 4B , wherein the cross-sectional plane is oriented transverse to the line along which the connection is made between the front panel 220 and rear panel 230 .
- the depicted embodiment of releasable connection apparatus 260 includes a zipper that includes one component 263 attached to the front panel 220 and the mating component 264 attached to the rear panel 230 .
- the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4B also includes an optional cover flap 265 attached to the front panel 220 .
- the garment may also include an auxiliary fastener 266 to hold the flap 265 against the exterior surface 231 of the rear panel 230 as described herein.
- a belt 18 with a buckle 19 located proximate the waistband 12 is a belt 18 with a buckle 19 located proximate the waistband 12 .
- the belt 18 and buckle 19 can be used to secure the waistband 12 of the garment 10 around the waist of a wearer.
- the belt 18 may be located with a sleeve that extends around the waistband 12 or, as in the depicted embodiment, belt loops 17 may be provided.
- garment 310 as depicted in FIG. 5 includes one alternative in the form of ties 318 that may be threaded through sleeves 313 that extend around the waistband 312 of the garment 310 .
- the garment 310 also includes an alternative cinching apparatus 372 in the form of ties 373 that are located in sleeves 375 that extend around the leg openings 340 of the garment 310 .
- garment 310 is also an illustrative embodiment of a garment described herein that includes a front panel 320 connected to a rear panel 330 along substantially the entire lateral side 314 of the garment 310 from the waistband 312 to the leg opening 340 .
- the opposite lateral side 316 of the garment 310 includes a releasable connection apparatus 360 similar to the garment 10 described in connection with FIG. 1 to assist a user with putting on and/or removing the garment 310 .
- the orientation of the releasable connection apparatus may not be vertical as depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 1 .
- the releasable connection apparatus 360 and the edges of the front panel 320 and the rear panel 330 connected by the apparatus 360 may extend at an angle relative to a vertical lateral line of the wearer.
- the upper end of the releasable connection apparatus 360 (that is, the end by the waistband 312 ) may be located along the front of the wearer while the lower end of the releasable connection apparatus 360 (that is, the end by the bottom of the leg opening 340 ) may be located along the side and/or back of the wearer's thigh) (or vice versa).
- Such an orientation of the releasable connection apparatus can be described as “canted”—which may alternately be characterized as extending along a line that extends in a direction that is not aligned (e.g., parallel or substantially parallel) with the medial centerline of the wearer.
- garments 10 and 310 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 5 include releasable connection apparatus that extend from the waistbands to the bottoms of the right legs while at least a portion of the front and rear panels are permanently connected to each other on the left sides of the garments, it should be understood that the arrangements could be changed, i.e., a garment could be provided with permanent connections along the right side and releasable connections along the left side.
- the garments are described as having front and rear panels that connect along the lateral sides of the garment, the precise locations of the connections may vary, i.e., the front and rear panels may not extend equally around the user such that the connections may be located either forward of or to the rear of the exact lateral lines of the wearer along the right and/or left side of the wearer.
- the garment 410 may be designed for use with a longer garment 490 such as, e.g., a pair of chaps and the two garments 410 and 490 may include cooperating elements to limit infiltration of water, etc. at the junction between the bottoms of the leg openings 440 and the upper ends of the legs 491 and 492 of the chaps 490 .
- cooperating elements may include, e.g., mating gasket members, mechanical fastener sheet materials, snaps, buttons, zippers, etc.
- the upper edges of the legs 491 and 492 may preferably extend over the exterior surface of the leg openings to create a flap that may be, for example, constructed similarly to the flaps depicted and described in connection with FIGS. 4A and 4B .
- FIG. 6 may also be used to described one embodiment of a method donning a garment as described herein over a pair of conventional chaps.
- the method may include donning garment 410 such that the front panel of the garment is proximate the lower abdomen of a wearer and the right and left legs are located within the first and second leg openings of the garment.
- the bottom edges of the first and second leg openings may preferably extend over the top edge of the chaps 490 on the right and left legs 491 and 492 .
- the method may further include closing a releasable connection apparatus along the second lateral side of the garment (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 & 5 and the corresponding discussions); and forming a compression seal around the first and second leg openings, wherein, on each leg, an upper edge of the chap is compressed between the leg of a wearer and the leg opening seal on the inner surface of the leg opening.
- the method may also include closing a supplemental releasable connection apparatus along the first lateral side of the garment.
- the garments described herein may be made any suitable material or combination of materials. It may be preferred that at least the front panels be constructed of waterproof materials, while the rear panels may or may not be constructed of waterproof materials.
- waterproof includes materials that may be permeable to liquid water under extreme conditions, but that will be otherwise impermeable to liquid water under the conditions of normal use for the garments described herein (which may include traveling at high rates of speed during rainstorms). Examples of some potentially suitable waterproof materials for the garments described herein may include, but are not limited to, waterproof leathers, waterproof fabrics (e.g., GORE-TEX and similar fabrics), etc.
- the garments described herein may include additional features such as, e.g., one or more pockets, a fly, etc. that may potentially enhance use of the garment.
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
Abstract
Garments designed to be worn in conjunction with conventional chaps to protect the lower abdomen of the wearer and upper legs of a wearer are described herein. Also described are garments that replace conventional chaps.
Description
- Garments designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer are described herein.
- Chaps are commonly worn by, e.g., motorcyclists and others seeking protection from wind, debris, etc. Chaps do not, however, typically extend onto the lower abdomen of a rider for a variety of different reasons such as, for example, comfort (to avoid bunching or gathering of excess material, etc.), etc.
- Various chap designs are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,391 (Rodman); U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,303 (Ross); and others.
- The garments described herein are designed to be worn in conjunction with conventional chaps to protect the lower abdomen of the wearer and upper legs of a wearer.
- Potential advantages of at least some embodiments of the garments described herein include, for example, the ability of a user to don the garment while wearing a pair of conventional chaps. The ability to don the garments over or under an existing pair of conventional chaps as described herein may be particularly useful because, in many instances, a rider may unexpectedly encounter rain while riding. In the event of an unplanned encounter with rain, a rider wearing a conventional pair of chaps may stop and quickly don a garment as described herein without removing his or her chaps.
- As described herein, the garments are preferably made of waterproof materials such that at least the front panel of the garment resists the passage of moisture such as rain. Although essentially no garment is completely waterproof, the garments described herein preferably provide substantial protection from rain to a wearer.
- In one aspect, the garments designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer as described herein include: a front panel permanently connected to a rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are sized to cover a wearer from a waistband to first and second leg openings when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other in a crotch area between the first and second leg openings, and wherein a lateral distance between the waistband and a bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings is selected such that the garment terminates above the wearer's knees on each leg when the garment is assembled on a wearer; and a leg opening seal proximate the bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings, wherein the leg opening seal forms a compression seal extending around an interior surface of the leg opening. The front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along a first lateral side of the garment on a first lateral side of the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer. The front panel and the rear panel are releasably connected to each other by a releasable connection apparatus located along a second lateral side of the garment that extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband and the second leg opening on a second lateral side of the wearer, wherein the releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment
- In some embodiments, the front panel and the rear panel of the garments described herein are permanently connected to each other along the first lateral side of the garment
- In some embodiments, the leg opening seal of the garments described herein comprises a cinching element comprising a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration, wherein the cinching element compresses the interior surface of the leg opening against the wearer to form the compression seal when in the tightened configuration. In some embodiments, the compression seal is not formed when the cinching element is in the loosened configuration. In some embodiments, the cinching element is in tension when in the tightened configuration. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the cinching element is located within a sleeve that extends around a portion of the leg opening.
- In some embodiments, the leg opening seal of the garments described herein comprises a resilient gasket member on the interior surface of the leg opening.
- In some embodiments, the leg opening seal of the garments described herein comprises an inflatable bladder extending at least partially around the leg opening.
- In some embodiments, the garments described herein include a cover flap extending over the releasable connection apparatus when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the cover flap is fixedly attached to the front panel of the garment.
- In some embodiments of the garments described herein, the releasable connection apparatus is selected from the group consisting of: zippers, hook and loop closure systems, adhesives, snap fasteners, buttons, ties, and clips.
- In some embodiments of the garments described herein, the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along the entire first lateral side of the garment along a line extending from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening.
- In some embodiments of the garments described herein, the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along only a first portion of the first lateral side of the garment, and wherein the garment further comprises a supplemental releasable connection apparatus connecting the front panel to the rear panel along a second portion of the first lateral side of the garment, wherein the first portion and the second portion taken together extend from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening; wherein the supplemental releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus. In some embodiments, the supplemental releasable connection apparatus extends from the bottom edge of the first leg opening towards the waistband. In some embodiments, the garments may include a cover flap extending over the supplemental releasable connection apparatus when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the cover flap is fixedly attached to the front panel of the garment. In some embodiments, the supplemental releasable connection apparatus is selected from the group consisting of: zippers, hook and loop closure systems, adhesives, snap fasteners, buttons, ties, and clips.
- In some embodiments of the garments described herein the releasable connection apparatus located along the second lateral side of the garment extends along a line that is canted relative to a medial centerline of the wearer.
- In some embodiments of the garments described herein the front panel is waterproof when the garment is assembled on a wearer such that water entry through the front panel is substantially prevented in normal use. In some embodiments, the front panel comprises waterproof leather.
- In another aspect, the garments designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer as described herein include: a front panel permanently connected to a rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are sized to cover a wearer from a waistband to first and second leg openings when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other in a crotch area between the first and second leg openings, and wherein a lateral distance between the waistband and a bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings is selected such that the garment terminates above the wearer's knees on each leg when the garment is assembled on a wearer; a leg opening seal proximate the bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings, wherein the leg opening seal forms a compression seal extending around an interior surface of the leg opening, wherein the leg opening seal comprises a cinching element comprising a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration, wherein the cinching element compresses the interior surface of the leg opening against the wearer to form the compression seal when in the tightened configuration, and wherein the compression seal is not formed when the cinching element is in the loosened configuration, and further wherein the cinching element is in tension when in the tightened configuration. The front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along a first lateral side of the garment, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along the entire first lateral side of the garment along a line extending from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening. The front panel and the rear panel are releasably connected to each other by a releasable connection apparatus located along a second lateral side of the garment that extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband and the second leg opening on a second lateral side of the wearer, wherein the releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment.
- In another aspect, the garments designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer as described herein include: a front panel permanently connected to a rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are sized to cover a wearer from a waistband to first and second leg openings when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other in a crotch area between the first and second leg openings, and wherein a lateral distance between the waistband and a bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings is selected such that the garment terminates above the wearer's knees on each leg when the garment is assembled on a wearer; and a leg opening seal proximate the bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings, wherein the leg opening seal forms a compression seal extending around an interior surface of the leg opening, wherein the leg opening seal comprises a cinching element comprising a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration, wherein the cinching element compresses the interior surface of the leg opening against the wearer to form the compression seal when in the tightened configuration, and wherein the compression seal is not formed when the cinching element is in the loosened configuration, and further wherein the cinching element is in tension when in the tigthtened configuration. The front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along a first lateral side of the garment, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along only a first portion of the first lateral side of the garment, and wherein the garment further comprises a supplemental releasable connection apparatus connecting the front panel to the rear panel along a second portion of the first lateral side of the garment, wherein the first portion and the second portion taken together extend from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening; wherein the supplemental releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus. The front panel and the rear panel are releasably connected to each other by a releasable connection apparatus located along a second lateral side of the garment that extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband and the second leg opening on a second lateral side of the wearer, wherein the releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment.
- In one aspect, a method of protecting the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer may include donning a garment as described herein such that the front panel is proximate the lower abdomen and the right and left legs are located within the first and second leg openings of the garment, and wherein the bottom edges of the first and second leg openings extend over a top edge of a pair of chaps on the right and left legs; closing the releasable connection apparatus along the second lateral side of the garment; and forming a compression seal around the first and second leg openings, wherein, on each leg, an upper edge of the chap is compressed between the leg of a wearer and the leg opening seal.
- In some embodiments, the method may further include closing a supplemental releasable connection apparatus along the first lateral side of the garment.
- The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the garments described herein. Rather, a more complete understanding of the garments will become apparent and appreciated by reference to the following Description of Illustrative Embodiments and claims in view of the accompanying figures of the drawing.
- The present invention will be further described with reference to the figures of the drawing, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a garment as described herein. -
FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the garment ofFIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an alternative leg opening seal. -
FIG. 4A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a releasable connection apparatus that may be used in connection with the garments described herein. -
FIG. 4B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a releasable connection apparatus that may be used in connection with the garments described herein. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garment as described herein. -
FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of a garment as described herein. - In the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
- One illustrative embodiment of a garment as described herein is depicted in
FIG. 1 in the form of a perspective view taken from a front of thegarment 10. Thegarment 10 includes awaistband 12, afront panel 20, and arear panel 30. Although thefront panel 20 and therear panel 30 are described as panels, it should be understood that they may be constructed a variety of smaller pieces that are connected to each other to form a composite article that functions as thefront panel 20 orrear panel 30. - The
front panel 20 and therear panel 30 can be connected to each other to form agarment 10 that in many respect, resembles a pair of shorts that includeleg openings 40. Thegarment 10 may, for example, be described as having a lateral distance between thewaistband 12 and thebottom edges 42 of each of the right andleft leg openings 40 that is selected such that thegarment 10 terminates above a wearer's knees when thegarment 10 is assembled on the wearer (in the manner of a pair of shorts). - The
front panel 20 is permanently connected to therear panel 30 to form thegarment 10. Thefront panel 20 and therear panel 30 are preferably permanently connected to each other in acrotch area 16 that is located between the right andleft leg openings 40. - In some embodiments, such as the illustrative embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1 , thefront panel 20 and therear panel 30 are also permanently connected to each other along alateral side 14 of thegarment 10 which corresponds with a lateral side of a wearer on which thegarment 10 is assembled. - As used herein, the phrase “permanently connected” (and variations thereof) mean that the components (for example, the
front panel 20 and the rear panel 30) are connected in a manner that would require destruction, mutilation, etc. of one or both of the components to separate them from each other. For example, two components that are connected along a seam that is stitched, glued, etc. are permanently connected because one or both of the components (and/or a component connecting them) would need to be destroyed, mutilated, etc. to separate the components. - Although in some embodiments, the
front panel 20 and therear panel 30 may be permanently connected to each other along substantially the entire firstlateral side 14 of thegarment 10, the illustrative embodiment depicted inFIG. 1 is permanently connected along only aportion 13 of thelateral side 14. Thefront panel 20 and therear panel 30 of the illustrative embodiment ofgarment 10 can be releasably connected to each other along the remainingportion 15 of thelateral side 14 of thegarment 10 using areleasable connection apparatus 60. Theportion 13 and theportion 15 of the firstlateral side 14 of thegarment 10 preferably, when taken together, extend from thewaistband 12 to thebottom edge 42 of theleg opening 40 along thelateral side 14 of thegarment 10. - The
releasable connection apparatus 60 has a connected configuration in which thefront panel 20 and therear panel 30 are connected to each other by the releasable connection apparatus 60 (not shown) and a detached configuration as shown in which thefront panel 20 and therear panel 30 are not connected to each other by the supplementalreleasable connection apparatus 60. In the depicted embodiment of thegarment 10, thereleasable connection apparatus 60 extends from thebottom edge 42 of theleg opening 40 towards thewaistband 12, although the position of thereleasable connection apparatus 60 may be reversed (i.e., it may extend from thewaistband 12 towards theleg opening 40 while the permanent connection extends from theleg opening 40 towards the waistband). - The illustrative embodiment of
garment 10 depicted inFIG. 1 also includesreleasable connection 62 on thelateral side 16 of the garment 10 (where thelateral side 16 is on the opposite side of thegarment 10 from the lateral side 14). Thefront panel 20 and therear panel 30 are releasably connected to each other by thereleasable connection apparatus 62 on thelateral side 16 of thegarment 10. Thereleasable connection apparatus 62 extends along at least a portion of the distance between thewaistband 12 and thebottom edge 42 of theleg opening 40 onlateral side 16, although it may preferably extend along substantially the entire lateral side from thewaistband 12 to theleg opening 40. Thereleasable connection apparatus 62 has a connected configuration (not shown inFIG. 1 ) in which thefront panel 20 and therear panel 30 are connected to each other along thelateral side 16 of thegarment 10 and a detached configuration (shown inFIG. 1 ) in which thefront panel 20 and therear panel 30 are not connected to each other along thelateral side 16 of thegarment 10. - When both
releasable connection apparatus 60 onlateral side 14 andreleasable connection apparatus 62 onlateral side 16 are in their respective connected configurations, thegarment 10 can be described as assembled and, if worn by a wearer, would take the general form of a pair of shorts. - The
releasable connection apparatus garment 10 without requiring the removal of other clothing such as, for example, chaps, pants, etc. Although thereleasable connection apparatus 60 onlateral side 14 is optional (i.e., thefront panel 20 and therear panel 30 may be permanently connected along the entire lateral side 14), providing thereleasable connection apparatus 60 on thelateral side 14 in addition to thereleasable connection apparatus 62 on the opposinglateral side 16 may make it easier for a wearer to put on and/or remove thegarment 10. - The
releasable connection apparatus FIGS. 3A and 3B . - With respect to the illustrative embodiment of
garment 10 depicted inFIG. 1 , another feature depicted there are leg opening seals 70 located proximate thebottom edges 42 of theleg openings 40 of thegarment 10. The leg opening seals 70 preferably form a compression seal that extends around the interior surfaces 44 of theleg openings 40. The leg opening seals 70 are preferably capable of resisting the passage of water (for example; rain, etc.) between theinterior surfaces 44 of theleg openings 40 and the underlying clothing and/or skin of a wearer. - In the illustrative embodiment of
garment 10 depicted inFIG. 1 , the leg opening seals 70 may include a cinching apparatus in the form of a belt orstrap 73 that extends around a significant portion of theleg opening 40 and that can be tightened using, for example, abuckle 74 to provide the compression that assists in the formation of the compression seal described herein. - The cinching apparatus preferably has a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration. The cinching apparatus is depicted in the loosened configuration in
FIG. 1 . In at least some embodiments, the compression seal is not formed when the cinching apparatus is in the loosened configuration. In the tightened configuration, the cinching apparatus compresses theinterior surface 44 of theleg opening 40 against the wearer to form the compression seal when the cinching apparatus is in the tightened configuration. In at least some embodiments, the cinching apparatus is in tension when in the tightened configuration. The size of theleg opening 40 is preferably smaller when the cinching apparatus is in the tightened configuration than when the cinching apparatus is in the loosened configuration. - In some embodiments, the
leg opening seal 70 may include aresilient gasket member 80 on theinterior surface 44 of theleg opening 40. Thegasket member 80 may, for example, be constructed of an elastomeric polymer (e.g., silicone, etc.) that assists in preventing the infiltration of water underneath theinterior surface 44 of theleg opening 40. - In the illustrative embodiment of cinching apparatus as depicted in
FIG. 1 , at least a portion of thebelt 73 of the depicted embodiment of cinching apparatus may be located within a sleeve that extends around at least a portion of theleg opening 40.FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 inFIG. 1 and depicts thebelt 73 located within asleeve 75 formed above thebottom edge 42 of theleg opening 40. Also depicted inFIG. 2 is the illustrative embodiment ofgasket member 80. Thebelt 73 may be fixedly or permanently attached to the material forming the sleeve only at its ends to provide for movement of thebelt 73 within thesleeve 75 during the tightening and loosening processes. -
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of leg opening seal that may be provided in connection with the garments described herein. Theleg opening seal 170 depicted inFIG. 3 may include aninflatable bladder 172 that can be expanded to provide a compression seal that can reduce leakage between theinterior surface 144 and the leg of a wearer. Inflatable bladders and the mechanisms for inflating and deflating them are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,779 (Litchfield et al.). In the embodiments of leg opening seals described herein that include an inflatable bladder, the use of a cinching apparatus may be optional, i.e., a cinching apparatus may or may not be provided in addition to the inflatable bladder. - As discussed herein, the garments preferably include one or more releasable connection apparatus to make it easier to put on and/or remove the garments. The releasable connection apparatus can take many different forms so long as the apparatus can perform its basic function of connecting the front panels and the rear panels of the garments described herein. As discussed herein, the releasable connection apparatus may be provided in the form of, for example, mechanical sheet fastener materials (e.g., hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO, etc.), stem fasteners, etc.), zippers, buttons, snap fasteners, ties, magnetic fasteners, etc.
- One illustrative embodiment of a
releasable connection apparatus 160 that may be used in connection with the garments described herein is depicted in a cross-sectional view inFIG. 4A , wherein the cross-sectional plane is oriented transverse to the line along which the connection is made between thefront panel 120 andrear panel 130. The depicted embodiment ofreleasable connection apparatus 160 includes onecomponent 163 of a mechanical sheet fastener material attached to thefront panel 120 and themating component 164 of the mechanical sheet fastener material attached to therear panel 130. - The mechanical sheet fastener materials of
components components rear panels - Another optional feature depicted in
FIG. 4A is the addition of acover flap 165 attached to thefront panel 120. Thecover flap 165 preferably extends past the line along which thefront panel 120 is connected to the rear panel by theconnection apparatus 160, such that thecover flap 165 is located over anexterior surface 131 of therear panel 130. - The addition of a
cover flap 165 may assist in prevent leakage through the connection between thefront panel 120 and therear panel 130, particularly where air, etc. may be moving at relatively high speeds over that connection in the direction ofarrow 101. In such a situation, thecover flap 165 shelters the connection. - To assist in holding the
cover flap 165 in position, the garment may include anauxiliary fastener 166 to hold theflap 165 against theexterior surface 131 of therear panel 130. Theauxiliary fastener 166 may take any suitable form, e.g., mechanical sheet fastener materials (e.g., hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO, etc.), stem fasteners, etc.), zippers, buttons, snap fasteners, ties, magnetic fasteners, etc. In the depicted embodiment, theauxiliary fastener 166 may take the form of magnetic elements affixed to each of therear panel 130 and theflap 165. - Another illustrative embodiment of a
releasable connection apparatus 260 that may be used in connection with the garments described herein is depicted in a cross-sectional view inFIG. 4B , wherein the cross-sectional plane is oriented transverse to the line along which the connection is made between thefront panel 220 andrear panel 230. The depicted embodiment ofreleasable connection apparatus 260 includes a zipper that includes onecomponent 263 attached to thefront panel 220 and themating component 264 attached to therear panel 230. - The embodiment depicted in
FIG. 4B also includes anoptional cover flap 265 attached to thefront panel 220. The garment may also include anauxiliary fastener 266 to hold theflap 265 against theexterior surface 231 of therear panel 230 as described herein. - Referring back to
FIG. 1 , among the features depicted in connection with the garment depicted there is abelt 18 with abuckle 19 located proximate thewaistband 12. Thebelt 18 andbuckle 19 can be used to secure thewaistband 12 of thegarment 10 around the waist of a wearer. Thebelt 18 may be located with a sleeve that extends around thewaistband 12 or, as in the depicted embodiment,belt loops 17 may be provided. - Many other structures may be used in place of the belt to secure the garments described herein around the waist of a wearer. The illustrative embodiment of
garment 310 as depicted inFIG. 5 includes one alternative in the form ofties 318 that may be threaded throughsleeves 313 that extend around thewaistband 312 of thegarment 310. - The
garment 310 also includes analternative cinching apparatus 372 in the form ofties 373 that are located insleeves 375 that extend around theleg openings 340 of thegarment 310. - It should be noted that
garment 310 is also an illustrative embodiment of a garment described herein that includes afront panel 320 connected to arear panel 330 along substantially the entirelateral side 314 of thegarment 310 from thewaistband 312 to theleg opening 340. The oppositelateral side 316 of thegarment 310 includes areleasable connection apparatus 360 similar to thegarment 10 described in connection withFIG. 1 to assist a user with putting on and/or removing thegarment 310. - Another variation depicted in connection with the illustrative embodiment of
garment 310 is that the orientation of the releasable connection apparatus may not be vertical as depicted in the embodiment ofFIG. 1 . In other words, thereleasable connection apparatus 360 and the edges of thefront panel 320 and therear panel 330 connected by theapparatus 360 may extend at an angle relative to a vertical lateral line of the wearer. As a result, the upper end of the releasable connection apparatus 360 (that is, the end by the waistband 312) may be located along the front of the wearer while the lower end of the releasable connection apparatus 360 (that is, the end by the bottom of the leg opening 340) may be located along the side and/or back of the wearer's thigh) (or vice versa). Such an orientation of the releasable connection apparatus can be described as “canted”—which may alternately be characterized as extending along a line that extends in a direction that is not aligned (e.g., parallel or substantially parallel) with the medial centerline of the wearer. - Although the illustrative embodiments of
garments FIGS. 1 and 5 include releasable connection apparatus that extend from the waistbands to the bottoms of the right legs while at least a portion of the front and rear panels are permanently connected to each other on the left sides of the garments, it should be understood that the arrangements could be changed, i.e., a garment could be provided with permanent connections along the right side and releasable connections along the left side. - Further, although the garments are described as having front and rear panels that connect along the lateral sides of the garment, the precise locations of the connections may vary, i.e., the front and rear panels may not extend equally around the user such that the connections may be located either forward of or to the rear of the exact lateral lines of the wearer along the right and/or left side of the wearer.
- Yet another illustrative embodiment of the garments described herein is depicted in
FIG. 6 . Thegarment 410 may be designed for use with alonger garment 490 such as, e.g., a pair of chaps and the twogarments leg openings 440 and the upper ends of thelegs chaps 490. Such cooperating elements may include, e.g., mating gasket members, mechanical fastener sheet materials, snaps, buttons, zippers, etc. In some embodiments, the upper edges of thelegs FIGS. 4A and 4B . - In addition,
FIG. 6 may also be used to described one embodiment of a method donning a garment as described herein over a pair of conventional chaps. The method may include donninggarment 410 such that the front panel of the garment is proximate the lower abdomen of a wearer and the right and left legs are located within the first and second leg openings of the garment. The bottom edges of the first and second leg openings may preferably extend over the top edge of thechaps 490 on the right and leftlegs FIGS. 1 & 5 and the corresponding discussions); and forming a compression seal around the first and second leg openings, wherein, on each leg, an upper edge of the chap is compressed between the leg of a wearer and the leg opening seal on the inner surface of the leg opening. - In those garments that include a supplemental releasable connection apparatus on the first lateral side of the garment (see, e.g.,
FIG. 1 and the corresponding discussion), the method may also include closing a supplemental releasable connection apparatus along the first lateral side of the garment. - The garments described herein may be made any suitable material or combination of materials. It may be preferred that at least the front panels be constructed of waterproof materials, while the rear panels may or may not be constructed of waterproof materials. As used herein, the term “waterproof” includes materials that may be permeable to liquid water under extreme conditions, but that will be otherwise impermeable to liquid water under the conditions of normal use for the garments described herein (which may include traveling at high rates of speed during rainstorms). Examples of some potentially suitable waterproof materials for the garments described herein may include, but are not limited to, waterproof leathers, waterproof fabrics (e.g., GORE-TEX and similar fabrics), etc.
- Although not depicted, it should be understood that the garments described herein may include additional features such as, e.g., one or more pockets, a fly, etc. that may potentially enhance use of the garment.
- The complete disclosure of the patents, patent documents, and publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each were individually incorporated.
- Illustrative embodiments of this invention are discussed and reference has been made to possible variations within the scope of this invention. These and other variations and modifications in the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the claims provided below and equivalents thereof.
Claims (21)
1-20. (canceled)
21. A garment designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer, the garment comprising:
a front panel permanently connected to a rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are sized to cover a wearer from a waistband to first and second leg openings when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other in a crotch area between the first and second leg openings, and wherein a lateral distance between the waistband and a bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings is selected such that the garment terminates above the wearer's knees on each leg;
wherein the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along a first lateral side of the garment on a first lateral side of the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer;
and wherein the front panel and the rear panel are releasably connected to each other by a releasable connection apparatus located along a second lateral side of the garment that extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband and the second leg opening on a second lateral side of the wearer, wherein the releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment.
22. A garment according to claim 21 , wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along the first lateral side of the garment.
23. A garment according to claim 21 , wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along the entire first lateral side of the garment along a line extending from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening.
24. A garment according to claim 21 , wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along only a first portion of the first lateral side of the garment, and wherein the garment further comprises a supplemental releasable connection apparatus connecting the front panel to the rear panel along a second portion of the first lateral side of the garment, wherein the first portion and the second portion taken together extend from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening; wherein the supplemental releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus.
25. A garment according to claim 24 , wherein the supplemental releasable connection apparatus extends from the bottom edge of the first leg opening towards the waistband.
26. A garment according to claim 24 , further comprising a cover flap extending over the supplemental releasable connection apparatus when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the cover flap is fixedly attached to the front panel of the garment.
27. A garment according to claim 21 , wherein the releasable connection apparatus located along the second lateral side of the garment extends along a line that is canted relative to a medial centerline of a wearer.
28. A garment according to claim 21 , wherein the garment further comprises a leg opening seal proximate the bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings, wherein the leg opening seal extends around an interior surface of the leg opening.
29. A garment according to claim 28 , wherein the leg opening seal is configured to final a compression seal.
30. A garment according to claim 28 , wherein the leg opening seal comprises a cinching element comprising a loosened configuration and a tightened configuration, wherein the cinching element compresses the interior surface of the leg opening against the wearer to form a compression seal when in the tightened configuration.
31. A garment according to claim 30 , wherein the compression seal is not formed when the cinching element is in the loosened configuration.
32. A garment according to claim 30 , wherein the cinching element is in tension when in the tightened configuration.
33. A garment according to claim 30 , wherein at least a portion of the cinching element is located within a sleeve that extends around a portion of the leg opening.
34. A garment according to claim 28 , wherein the leg opening seal comprises a resilient gasket member on the interior surface of the leg opening.
35. A garment according to claim 28 , wherein the leg opening seal comprises an inflatable bladder extending at least partially around the leg opening.
36. A garment according to claim 21 , further comprising a cover flap extending over the releasable connection apparatus when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the cover flap is fixedly attached to the front panel of the garment.
37. A garment designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer, the garment comprising:
a front panel permanently connected to a rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are sized to cover a wearer from a waistband to first and second leg openings when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other in a crotch area between the first and second leg openings, and wherein a lateral distance between the waistband and a bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings is selected such that the garment terminates above the wearer's knees on each leg;
wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along a first lateral side of the garment on a first lateral side of the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer;
wherein the front panel and the rear panel are releasably connected to each other by a releasable connection apparatus located along a second lateral side of the garment that extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband and the second leg opening on a second lateral side of the wearer, wherein the releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment;
and wherein the garment comprises a cover flap extending over the releasable connection apparatus when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the cover flap is fixedly attached to the front panel of the garment.
38. A garment according to claim 37 , wherein the garment further comprises a leg opening seal proximate the bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings, wherein the leg opening seal extends around an interior surface of the leg opening.
39. A garment designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer, the garment comprising:
a front panel permanently connected to a rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are sized to cover a wearer from a waistband to first and second leg openings when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other in a crotch area between the first and second leg openings, and wherein a lateral distance between the waistband and a bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings is selected such that the garment terminates above the wearer's knees on each leg;
a leg opening seal proximate the bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings, wherein the leg opening seal extends around an interior surface of the leg opening, and wherein each leg opening seal is configured to selectively form a compression seal between the bottom edge of the leg opening and the leg of wearer when the garment is assembled on a wearer;
wherein the front panel and the rear panel are permanently connected to each other along only a portion of a first lateral side of the garment on a first lateral side of the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer, and wherein the garment further comprises a supplemental releasable connection apparatus connecting the front panel to the rear panel along a second portion of the first lateral side of the garment, wherein the first portion and the second portion taken together extend from the waistband to the bottom edge of the first leg opening; wherein the supplemental releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other by the supplemental releasable connection apparatus;
wherein the front panel and the rear panel are releasably connected to each other by a releasable connection apparatus located along a second lateral side of the garment that extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband and the second leg opening on a second lateral side of the wearer, wherein the releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment;
wherein the garment comprises a first cover flap extending over the supplemental releasable connection apparatus when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the first cover flap is fixedly attached to the front panel of the garment, and wherein the garment further comprises a second cover flap extending over the releasable connection apparatus when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein the second cover flap is fixedly attached to the front panel of the garment.
40. A garment designed to protect the lower abdomen and upper legs of a wearer, the garment comprising:
a front panel permanently connected to a rear panel, wherein the front panel and the rear panel are sized to cover a wearer from a waistband to first and second leg openings when the garment is assembled on a wearer, wherein a lateral distance between the waistband and a bottom edge of each of the first and second leg openings is selected such that the garment terminates above the wearer's knees on each leg;
wherein the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along a first lateral side of the garment on a first lateral side of the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer;
and wherein the front panel and the rear panel are releasably connected to each other by a releasable connection apparatus located along a second lateral side of the garment that extends along at least a portion of the distance between the waistband and the second leg opening on a second lateral side of the wearer, wherein the releasable connection apparatus comprises a connected configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment and a detached configuration in which the front panel and the rear panel are not connected to each other along the second lateral side of the garment.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/544,498 US20120272439A1 (en) | 2010-01-13 | 2012-07-09 | Protective garment for lower abdomen and upper legs |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/686,666 US8214927B1 (en) | 2010-01-13 | 2010-01-13 | Protective garment for lower abdomen and upper legs |
US13/544,498 US20120272439A1 (en) | 2010-01-13 | 2012-07-09 | Protective garment for lower abdomen and upper legs |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/686,666 Continuation US8214927B1 (en) | 2010-01-13 | 2010-01-13 | Protective garment for lower abdomen and upper legs |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20120272439A1 true US20120272439A1 (en) | 2012-11-01 |
Family
ID=46395782
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/686,666 Expired - Fee Related US8214927B1 (en) | 2010-01-13 | 2010-01-13 | Protective garment for lower abdomen and upper legs |
US13/544,498 Abandoned US20120272439A1 (en) | 2010-01-13 | 2012-07-09 | Protective garment for lower abdomen and upper legs |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/686,666 Expired - Fee Related US8214927B1 (en) | 2010-01-13 | 2010-01-13 | Protective garment for lower abdomen and upper legs |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US8214927B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9198469B2 (en) * | 2012-03-19 | 2015-12-01 | Hayabusa Fightwear Inc. | Short pant having a seamless body |
US10973265B2 (en) * | 2015-07-27 | 2021-04-13 | Inzer Advance Designs, Inc. | Adjustable support pants or briefs |
US9999264B2 (en) * | 2015-07-27 | 2018-06-19 | John Inzer | Adjustable suit |
US20170035123A1 (en) * | 2015-08-04 | 2017-02-09 | Donald Rodd | Convertible garments |
USD851863S1 (en) * | 2017-01-26 | 2019-06-25 | Juventas Innovations, LLC | Garment for applying topical medication to a lower body |
US11439545B2 (en) * | 2017-07-06 | 2022-09-13 | Denise Ramos | Disposable pants |
US20220395034A1 (en) * | 2021-06-11 | 2022-12-15 | Michael a. Tycon | System for securing a load to a garment |
USD1020179S1 (en) | 2022-09-12 | 2024-04-02 | Denise Ramos | Pants |
JP7406280B1 (en) * | 2023-01-25 | 2023-12-27 | 拓己 山縣 | Nursing care pants |
Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US824456A (en) * | 1905-10-20 | 1906-06-26 | Jeanne Walter | Garment. |
US1329119A (en) * | 1919-06-07 | 1920-01-27 | George Maude Sinclair | Baby-pants |
US1470999A (en) * | 1923-04-03 | 1923-10-16 | Morganstern Alice | Bloomers |
USRE15757E (en) * | 1924-02-12 | Garment | ||
US1523794A (en) * | 1922-08-07 | 1925-01-20 | Edna T Swaine | Undergarment |
US1633607A (en) * | 1923-08-17 | 1927-06-28 | Sam Rosenbaum & Sons Company | Knickerbockers |
US1645369A (en) * | 1927-08-16 | 1927-10-11 | Eva G Biberman | Lady's and child's bloomers |
US2142479A (en) * | 1939-01-03 | Garment | ||
US3601130A (en) * | 1969-06-25 | 1971-08-24 | Wimbledon Organization Ltd | Undergarment provided with elastic-fixing means of adjustable length |
US4258440A (en) * | 1978-05-19 | 1981-03-31 | Mcgowan Malissa | Clothes for the physically handicapped |
US5592953A (en) * | 1996-04-02 | 1997-01-14 | Delao; Wenda K. | Tubular sleeve with elasticized sealing means |
US20040002690A1 (en) * | 2002-07-01 | 2004-01-01 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Disposable absorbent article having elasticized outer leg cuff |
US7686794B2 (en) * | 2002-09-17 | 2010-03-30 | Mitchell Diane M | Feminine hygiene short |
Family Cites Families (30)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1308457A (en) * | 1919-07-01 | Planooraph-co | ||
US36125A (en) * | 1862-08-05 | elizabeth higgins | ||
US973918A (en) * | 1907-10-23 | 1910-10-25 | Eleanor Moore Chapman | Buckle-fastening. |
US1003811A (en) * | 1910-11-12 | 1911-09-19 | Max Schorr | Garment. |
US1232531A (en) * | 1917-03-21 | 1917-07-10 | Anthony N Grefig | Trousers band and fastener. |
US1709177A (en) * | 1926-06-22 | 1929-04-16 | Kenilworth Mfg Co Inc | Garment |
US2132117A (en) * | 1937-04-21 | 1938-10-04 | Samuel R Korolick | Trousers |
US2411922A (en) * | 1945-03-10 | 1946-12-03 | Keohane Katherine | Snow and rain protector garment |
US2618266A (en) * | 1951-08-10 | 1952-11-18 | Leone John B De | Diaper cover |
US3800330A (en) | 1972-02-22 | 1974-04-02 | D Bowcut | Action jeans |
DE2509449B2 (en) * | 1975-03-05 | 1976-12-23 | adidas Sportschuhfabrik Adi Dassler KG, 8522 Herzogenaurach | PANTS, IN PARTICULAR TRAINING OR LEISURE PANTS |
US4145763A (en) | 1976-12-07 | 1979-03-27 | Abrams Joe L | Separable medical undergarment |
US4506391A (en) | 1983-05-19 | 1985-03-26 | Rodman Fred K | Chaps |
US4675918A (en) | 1986-10-27 | 1987-06-30 | Brien Ann N O | One piece brief with hook and pile closures |
US4800595A (en) * | 1986-10-30 | 1989-01-31 | Askew Robert J | Circumferential suppression system |
US5987779A (en) | 1987-08-27 | 1999-11-23 | Reebok International Ltd. | Athletic shoe having inflatable bladder |
US4894867A (en) * | 1988-04-14 | 1990-01-23 | Soft Short, Inc. | Sports trunk |
US4984303A (en) | 1990-01-30 | 1991-01-15 | Ross Stanley M | Rain chaps |
US5123120A (en) | 1991-05-07 | 1992-06-23 | Ross Stanley M | Protective pants |
US5315716A (en) | 1992-11-30 | 1994-05-31 | Baum Gregory H | Easily removable and donnable pants |
US5359731A (en) * | 1993-02-03 | 1994-11-01 | Cavalier Earl J | Protective garment |
US5572737A (en) * | 1994-12-12 | 1996-11-12 | Valice; Steven F. | Padded skating shorts |
US5598586A (en) * | 1995-09-05 | 1997-02-04 | Munjone; Deon C. | Athletic shorts with inner and outer layers |
US5706523A (en) | 1996-03-04 | 1998-01-13 | Witzel; Marshall | Lower body garment apparatus |
US6049913A (en) * | 1998-09-09 | 2000-04-18 | Harrigan, Jr.; Charles M. | Waterproof outer garment |
US6675389B1 (en) * | 2002-08-14 | 2004-01-13 | Louise Marie Kublick | Garment with zippers enabling easy access |
US20060021115A1 (en) * | 2004-07-29 | 2006-02-02 | Stanley Tracy L | Undergarment for traction patients |
US7000261B1 (en) | 2004-10-12 | 2006-02-21 | Anna Loffredo | Ostomy bag support garment |
US20100125926A1 (en) * | 2008-11-21 | 2010-05-27 | Concetta Simonetti | Protective swimwear garment/undergarment |
USD630415S1 (en) * | 2009-04-20 | 2011-01-11 | Nunn Daron D | Pants |
-
2010
- 2010-01-13 US US12/686,666 patent/US8214927B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2012
- 2012-07-09 US US13/544,498 patent/US20120272439A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2142479A (en) * | 1939-01-03 | Garment | ||
USRE15757E (en) * | 1924-02-12 | Garment | ||
US824456A (en) * | 1905-10-20 | 1906-06-26 | Jeanne Walter | Garment. |
US1329119A (en) * | 1919-06-07 | 1920-01-27 | George Maude Sinclair | Baby-pants |
US1523794A (en) * | 1922-08-07 | 1925-01-20 | Edna T Swaine | Undergarment |
US1470999A (en) * | 1923-04-03 | 1923-10-16 | Morganstern Alice | Bloomers |
US1633607A (en) * | 1923-08-17 | 1927-06-28 | Sam Rosenbaum & Sons Company | Knickerbockers |
US1645369A (en) * | 1927-08-16 | 1927-10-11 | Eva G Biberman | Lady's and child's bloomers |
US3601130A (en) * | 1969-06-25 | 1971-08-24 | Wimbledon Organization Ltd | Undergarment provided with elastic-fixing means of adjustable length |
US4258440A (en) * | 1978-05-19 | 1981-03-31 | Mcgowan Malissa | Clothes for the physically handicapped |
US5592953A (en) * | 1996-04-02 | 1997-01-14 | Delao; Wenda K. | Tubular sleeve with elasticized sealing means |
US20040002690A1 (en) * | 2002-07-01 | 2004-01-01 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Disposable absorbent article having elasticized outer leg cuff |
US7686794B2 (en) * | 2002-09-17 | 2010-03-30 | Mitchell Diane M | Feminine hygiene short |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US8214927B1 (en) | 2012-07-10 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8214927B1 (en) | Protective garment for lower abdomen and upper legs | |
US8122520B2 (en) | Lower-body garment having a secure waist assembly | |
EP1689257B1 (en) | Powder skirt zipper system | |
US20120117714A1 (en) | Compound garment | |
US8656514B2 (en) | Padding system | |
US20130031698A1 (en) | Sporting apparel | |
US6449775B1 (en) | Connecting band between articles of clothing or parts of them | |
CA3003845C (en) | Barrier panel for selective coupling between jacket and trousers | |
CA2577696A1 (en) | Protective garment | |
BR112018004838B1 (en) | PANTS WITH WAIST PROTECTION BELT | |
US20130254963A1 (en) | Two Piece Drysuit | |
US20120210495A1 (en) | Article of clothing with waist assembly | |
US9398778B2 (en) | Water-resistant waders incorporating a waist lock system | |
US11944135B2 (en) | Watersports garment | |
EP2583571B1 (en) | Improvements relating to chaps | |
JP4940320B2 (en) | Snow protection | |
JP6637509B2 (en) | Outdoor activity suit | |
JP2005068562A (en) | Garment with knee-protective pad | |
AU2009238215B2 (en) | Protective work wear | |
US20140082813A1 (en) | Pants guard | |
JP2021507129A (en) | Waistband system for clothing | |
GB2166039A (en) | Clothing for aquatic sports | |
KR200349919Y1 (en) | Leisure slacks for removable of hip protection cover | |
JP2007077516A (en) | Garment |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |