US20130174328A1

US20130174328A1 - Undergarment with integrated support apparatus and pouch

Info

Publication number: US20130174328A1
Application number: US13/345,426
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert L. Rolon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-06
Filing date: 2012-01-06
Publication date: 2013-07-11

Abstract

An undergarment with integrated support apparatus includes a main body having a front panel, a back panel, an elastic waistband defining a tubular body portion, two leg openings, a genital opening tailored to receive male genitals and a cover panel defining a pocket for accommodating and supporting the male genitalia.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to undergarments and more particularly to men's undergarments with an integrated comfort panel tailored to support and lift male genitalia, thus effectively extending comfort for the wearer during use.
Several modifications have been made to the male undergarment since its initial design resulting in a number of variations in color, shape and fabric. The most popular and classically known men's undergarment is a snug fitting brief or boxer brief, made to separate the male genitalia from rough outer garments that may rub, chafe or otherwise injure the genitals. The restrictive designs of traditional undergarments press the entire male genitalia against the body and/or below the trunk which can sometimes cause an uncomfortable resting position and/or amount of heat to be transferred from the body to the genitals.
Additionally, though the common design of today's undergarments address issues of overall comfort with regards to protection from outer garments, it apportions minimal, if any, attention to the actual position of the genitalia. As such, conventional undergarments do not act to eliminate the need of a user to constantly readjust the position of their genitalia.
In addition to the above, it is accepted scientific fact that heat is an enemy to sperm production. Accordingly, males attempting to procreate may be hindered by traditional undergarments which position the genitalia in close/direct contact with other body parts, thus causing the genitals to absorb additional body heat.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide an improved undergarment capable of overcoming the drawbacks described above while positioning the genitalia away from the body to enhance the overall appearance, healthfulness, comfort and protection of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to supportive male undergarments. One embodiment of the present invention can include a main body having a front panel, a back panel, an elastic waistband defining a tubular body portion, two leg openings, a genital opening tailored to receive male genitals, namely the penis and the testicles, and a cover panel that defines a space to accommodate and support the male genitalia.
This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the supportive undergarment device that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 a is a magnified view of the garment cover panel in an open position according to one embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 2 b is a magnified view of the garment cover panel in a closed position according to one embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the supportive garment according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the supportive garment in use according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Although described throughout this document as an undergarment, one of skill in the art will recognize that the inventive concepts disclosed herein can be integrated into other men's garments, such as running shorts, workout pants, and the likes with minimal deviation from the disclosed device. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.
Through extensive research and study, the inventor has discovered a novel undergarment design which can assist in the reduction of health and comfort issues. The undergarment described herein can act to lift and support the penis and testicles up and away from the body thus placing the genitals towards the front of the body where ventilation is increased and the amount of heat transferred from the body to the testicles is drastically lowered. In circumstances where temperature regulation is essential, such as in cases of decreased fertility, the undergarment can assist in providing a comfortable way to manage the amount of heat being transmitted to the testicles according to the desire of the user. Moreover, by separating the genitals from the thigh area and increasing ventilation to the same, the undergarment can act to further reduce the possibility of health related issues such as chafing, rashes, skin ailments and the likes.
FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of an undergarment with an integrated support apparatus 10 that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. As shown, the undergarment support apparatus 10 can include a main body 11 having a front panel 12, a back panel 13, an elastic waistband defining a tubular body portion 14, two leg openings 15, a genital opening 31 tailored to receive male genitals, and a cover panel 20 that defines a space to accommodate and support the male genitalia.
FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrate a magnified view of the cover 20 in both an open and closed position. As shown, the cover panel 20 can include a top edge 23 positioned parallel to the waistband 14 at the upper portion of the main body 11, a bottom edge 22, positioned at the lower end of the main body at the convergence point of the leg openings, and two side edges 24 that radiate up and outward, meeting the top edge at their terminal ends.
In one preferred embodiment, support panel 20 can be constructed from flexible, breathable material, such as nylon, polyester or other known fabric blends and joined to the main body in a conventional manner such as stitching, for example. Of course, other known materials and manufacturing processes such as the use of fabric adhesives, and fusible webbing, for example are also contemplated.
In one preferred embodiment, the bottom portion 22 of the cover 20 can be permanently affixed to the front panel 12 just below the opening 31. Additionally, each of the top edge 23, and opposing side edges 24 can be removably secured to the front panel 12 via a connector 24 configured to allow the cover 20 to create a cavernous pocket 41 around the opening 31 (see FIG. 4).
In one preferred embodiment, connectors 24 can include hook and loop strips positioned along the inside perimeter of the cover panel 20 at the top and side edges. The hook and loop structures 24 attached to the inner portion 19 of the panel can be affixed to engage opposite and opposing hook and loop strips 24 on the main body of the garment thereby allowing a user easy access to the pocket area 41. Of course, any number of other known devices capable of removably securing two elements together such as snaps, buttons, zippers and/or strips of opposing magnetic elements, for example, can be used herein. Each of these elements can be sewed, glued or otherwise permanently secured to the appropriate location of the apparatus 10 utilizing known methodologies.
As depicted in FIG. 3, the main body 11 of the integrated support garment can have a defined opening 31 through which the penis and/or the testicles 33 can be received, and positioned within the pouch 41 created by the cover panel 20. In one embodiment, the perimeter of the opening 31 can be lined with a flexible/elastic band 32 having the ability to extend and distend without losing elasticity after extended use. The perimeter band 32 can be pliable and have excellent tensile strength but can be resistant enough to accommodate male genitals of varying sizes and girths while supporting the same by lifting the genitalia up and away from the body without constriction and/or slippage.
Although illustrated as circular in nature, one of skill in the art will recognize that opening 31 can comprise of any number of distinct shapes capable of performing the above described function.
In one alternate embodiment, a penis adjustment strap 34 can be secured to the front panel 12 just above the opening 31 and within the pocket 41. The adjustment strap 34 can preferably include an elastic loop through which a portion of the penis can be inserted, in order to allow the user to position the penis in an upright manner, thus preventing movement and/or chafing. Doing so effectually eliminates contact between the penis and the testes 33 and, in turn, eliminates any discomfort that contact between the two typically causes. In an alternate embodiment, not shown, the elastic loop 34 can have a detachable, adjustable end to allow adjustments for user comfort.
In accordance with the present invention, the method of use would require that the user 5 pull the penis and/or testicles 33 through the genital aperture 31, thus effectively separating the genitalia away from the body. Once both the penis and/or testicles 33 have been extended through the genital opening 31 of the undergarment 10, the upper segment of the penis can be secured in an upright position via the elastic band 34.
Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the option to forego use of the elastic loop 34 exists without having to modify the dimensions and flexible nature of the cover panel 20. When in use, the cover panel 20 forms a pocket or pouch space 41 where the genitals 33 are lifted and supported. By separating the genitalia from the users body, the inventive concepts disclosed herein act to allow the user to experience decreased heat, absence of chafing (such as between the testicles and the users legs, for example), and increased overall comfort, while simultaneously eliminating the need to maneuver and readjust the genitals.
As described herein, one or more elements of the undergarment with integrated support apparatus and pouch 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, stitching, fabric glue, and fusible webbing, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individual elements such as the main body 11, the elastic waistband 14, leg openings 15, and/or cover panel 20, including all sub components, for example, may be formed together as one continuous element through conventional garment manufacturing processes, or can be created as separate parts and secured together to form the above identified components. Accordingly, in one preferred embodiment, each above described element of the supportive undergarment 10 can be constructed from nylon, cotton or any blend of fabric having the qualities suitable for use by individuals of varying preferences; however, other materials are also contemplated.
As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An undergarment with integrated support apparatus and pouch for supporting male genitalia, said apparatus comprising:

a main body having a tubular waistband, a front panel, a back panel and a pair of leg openings, said main body being configured to encompass a mid section of a user;

an opening positioned along a center portion of the front panel, said opening being configured to receive male genitalia; and

a cover panel having front section, a back section, a top section, a bottom section and a pair of opposing side sections, said cover panel being configured to create a cavernous pocket surrounding the opening,

wherein said bottom section is permanently affixed to the front panel at a location beneath the opening, and each of said top and opposing side sections are removably secured to the front panel via a connector.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cover panel is configured to move between an open position and a closed position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cover panel is configured to comfortably enclose the male genitalia.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an elastic band encompassing a perimeter of the opening, said band being configured to allow the opening to extend and distend.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an adjustment loop secured within the cavernous pocket, said loop being configured to position a penis in an upright manner.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said loop is adjustable.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises:

strips of hook and loop material.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises:

at least one of snaps, buttons, zipper and strips of opposing magnetic elements.