US20230068425A1

US20230068425A1 - Clothing Article with an Obscured Crotch-Area Opening

Info

Publication number: US20230068425A1
Application number: US17/445,784
Authority: US
Inventors: Kelly Diane McCombs
Original assignee: Elira Apparel Inc
Current assignee: Elira Apparel Inc
Priority date: 2021-08-24
Filing date: 2021-08-24
Publication date: 2023-03-02

Abstract

This disclosure describes lower torso coverings that are assembled to create a crotch-area access point that can be opened by the wearer, without the wearer needing to remove an article of clothing. The lower torso coverings incorporate a crotch-area opening that is created by parting counterpart portions of the lower torso covering. The crotch-area opening is typically covered while the wearer adopts a standing, walking, or running stance. In some embodiments, the wearer is required to stretch apart, counterpart portions of the lower torso covering to create the crotch-area opening. Accordingly, digital manipulation of a crotch-area fastening mechanism, such as buttons, zippers, or another suitable fastening mechanism is no longer required.

Description

BACKGROUND

Lower-body clothing can make some activities particularly difficult when access to the groin becomes necessary. For instance, policewomen, must first remove their duty belt, before having to remove the entirety of their pants and undergarments in order to relieve themselves. Similarly, mountaineers wearing a climbing harness must either wait to relieve themselves, or completely remove their harness in order to remove their pants and undergarments.
While some lower-body clothing has attempted to rectify the challenge facing women in outdoor environments, these garments often require the wearer to digitally manipulate a crotch access point that is secured using a button, zipper, or other suitable fastening mechanism. Such digital manipulation can often create unsanitary conditions, particularly problematic in circumstances where hand washing may be a readily available option.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items or features.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a lower torso covering with an obscured crotch-area opening.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear elevation view of the first lower torso covering.

FIG. 3 illustrates a right-side elevation view of the first lower torso covering.

FIG. 4 illustrates a left-side elevation view of the first lower torso covering.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front elevation view of the first lower torso covering.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear elevation view of the first lower torso covering.

FIG. 7 illustrates a first flat pattern view of the first lower torso covering.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second flat pattern view of the first lower torso covering.

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of a lower body garment with a stitched gusset to obscure a crotch-area opening.

FIG. 10 illustrates a rear elevation view of the second lower torso covering.

FIG. 11 illustrates a right-side elevation view of the second lower torso covering.

FIG. 12 illustrates a left-side elevation view of the second lower torso covering.

FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second lower torso covering through section A-A of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section view of the second lower torso covering through section B-B of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 15 describes a lower body garment with an integrated gusset that obscures a crotch-area opening.

FIG. 16 illustrates a rear elevation view of the third lower torso covering.

FIG. 17 illustrates a right-side elevation view of the third lower torso covering.

FIG. 18 illustrates a left-side elevation view of the third lower torso covering.

FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-section view of the third lower torso covering as viewed through section C-C of FIG. 18 .

FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the third lower torso covering as viewed through section D-D of FIG. 18 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure describes a lower body covering that is fabricated to create a crotch-area access point that can be opened by the wearer, without the wearer needing to remove the lower body garment or manipulate a crotch-area fastening mechanism (e.g., buttons, zipper, or other suitable fastening mechanism), In this way, the lower body garment can seemingly rectify the challenge women often face in an outdoor environment.
A crotch-area access point (e.g., opening) is created by separating two portions of the lower body covering that typically overlay one another when the wearer assumes a standing, walking, or running stance. The wearer is required to stretch counterpart portions of the lower torso covering, in opposing directions, to the create the crotch-area opening.
The lower body covering may comprise an undergarment, a swimsuit, a pair of pants, a pair of trousers (e.g., shorts, half-length, three-quarter-length, or full-length trousers), and/or any other one-piece or multi-piece clothing article that is designed to cover at least the crotch and buttocks area of an individual wearer.
The article may be fabricated from a fabric material, such as polyester, cotton, wool, nylon, a synthetic fabric such as a polyether-polyurea copolymer fabrics, or any other fabric composition that is stretchable in a longitudinal and lateral direction relative to the fabric fibers. The elasticity of the fabric material ensures that the separated portions of the lower torso covering return to their original overlayed state in response to the wearer releasing stretched portions of the article, and further assuming a typical standing, walking, or running stance.
This disclosure describes an improvement upon existing embodiments by designing the crotch-area opening of the clothing article to obscure the edges of the crotch-area opening from view, when the clothing article is viewed from the front, thus providing the wearer with an additional assurance of privacy.
In a first embodiment, a first lower torso covering is described with an obscured crotch-area opening. The first lower torso covering may include an inner layer and an outer layer that overlay one another to form a barrier between the body of the wearer and the external environment. The first lower torso covering may be fabricated in such a way that the act of simultaneously stretching a portion of the inner layer that overlays the crotch-covering region in one sideways direction, and a corresponding portion of the outer layer in an opposing sideways direction, creates an opening at the crotch-covering region that exposes the crotch of the wearer. Further, the lower torso covering may be fabricated from an elastic (e.g., two-way stretchable) fabric such that the act of releasing the stretched inner layer and outer layer portions causes each layer to return to its original, overlaid disposition, thereby covering the crotch of the wearer.
In a second embodiment, a second lower torso covering is described with an obscured crotch-area opening. The obscured crotch-area opening may be formed by a gusset that overlays a crotch covering region of the second lower torso covering. The gusset may be stitched onto a first legging portion, whereby the gusset is designed to abut an adjacent surface of the second legging portion.
The second lower torso covering may comprise a pair of shorts, an undergarment, full-length pants, partial-length pants (e.g., three-quarter length pants), or any other suitable lower torso covering. The second lower torso covering may include a waistband, a first legging portion, a second legging portion, and a gusset. The first legging portion and the second legging portion may be fixedly attached to at least the waistband and further configured to include opposing leg openings to allow for insertion of a wearer’s legs. A gusset may be stitched onto an edge of the first legging portion that overlays the crotch covering region of the second lower torso covering. The gusset may have a free edge that overlays onto and abuts the second legging portion. The gusset may be oversized such that its abutment onto the second legging portion provides a sufficient barrier to protect the crotch of the wearer from inadvertent exposure to the external environment, particularly while the wearer adopts various leg movements and gait positions.
In a third embodiment, a third lower torso covering is described with an integrated gusset that obscures a crotch-area opening. The third lower torso covering may comprise a pair of shorts, an undergarment, full-length pants, partial-length pants (e.g., three-quarter length pants), or any other suitable lower torso covering. The first lower torso covering may include a waistband, a first legging portion, and a second legging portion. The first legging portion may be fixedly attached to at least the waistband and further configured to include opposing leg openings to allow for insertion of a wearer’s legs. A gusset may be integrated as part of the first legging portion to overlay the crotch covering region of the second legging portion. The integrated gusset may be oversized such that its abutment onto the second legging portion provides a sufficient barrier to protect the crotch of the wearer from inadvertent exposure to the external environment, particularly while the wearer adopts various leg movements and gait positions.
FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of a first lower torso covering with an obscured crotch-area opening. The first lower torso covering 102 may comprise a swimsuit, undergarment, or lingerie. In one example, the first lower torso covering 102 may be an integrated portion of a one-piece full-body swimsuit or a full-body undergarment. The first lower torso covering 102 may also be one part of a multi-piece swimsuit, one part of a multi-piece undergarment, or one part of any other suitable type of multi-piece garment.
The first lower torso covering 102 may include a hips-covering region 104, a front pelvic-covering region 106, a crotch-covering region 108, and a buttocks-covering region 110 (shown on FIG. 2 ). The first lower torso covering 102 may also incorporate a pair of opposing leg openings that allow for insertion of a wearer’s legs.
In one embodiment, the first lower torso covering 102 may include an inner layer 112 and an outer layer 114. The inner layer 112 may be designed to lie against the body of the wearer 116. The outer layer 114 may be designed to overlay onto the inner layer 112, such that the outer layer 114 provides a barrier between the inner layer 112 and the external environment. Accordingly, the outer layer 114 of the first lower torso covering 102 is exposed to the external environment, while the inner layer 112 remains concealed between the outer layer 114 and the body of the wearer 116. The profile of the inner layer 112 may mirror the profile of the outer layer 114 such that when overlaid, the edges of the inner layer 112 substantially align with the edges of the outer layer 114.
The first lower torso covering 102 may be manufactured using an elastic fabric material, such as polyester, cotton, wool, nylon, a synthetic fabric such as a polyether-polyurea copolymer fabrics, or any other fabric composition that is stretchable in a longitudinal and lateral direction relative to the fabric fibers. In this way, the first lower torso covering 102 may permit the wearer 116 to elastically stretch the inner layer 112 that overlays the crotch-covering region 108 in one sideway direction (e.g., towards one leg opening), and simultaneously stretch an overlaid portion of the outer layer 114 in an opposing sideway direction (e.g., towards the opposing leg opening). The opposing stretch of the inner layer 112 and outer layer 114 may act to create an opening at the crotch-covering region 108 of the first lower torso covering 102 that exposes the crotch of the wearer 116.
Upon the wearer’s release of the inner layer 112 and the outer layer 114, each layer may elastically return to its original, overlaid disposition, thereby covering the crotch of the wearer 116 (e.g., crotch-covering region 108).
In the illustrated example, the first lower torso covering 102 may include a waistband 118 that overlays the hips-covering region 104 and nests at the hips of the wearer 116. The waistband 118 may comprise two waistband segments. Each of the waistband segments may have two ends, a fixed end and a free end. Each fixed end may be attached to the inner layer 112 and outer layer 114 may be integrated as part of the first lower torso covering 102, at the hips-covering region 104. In another embodiment, the fixed ends of the waistband segments at the centerline of the buttocks-covering region 110. The fixed ends of the waistband segments may be stitched onto the first lower torso covering 102 using any stitching pattern known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
Further, the free ends of the waistband segments may extend around the hips of the wearer, in opposing directions, to meet at the centerline of the front-pelvic covering region 106. The free ends may attach to one another via a knot, a buttonhole, a VELCRO (Registered Trademark) type attachment mechanism, or any other suitable attachment mechanism.
The inner layer 112 may attach to the outer layer 114 at the waistband 118 using any stitching pattern known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, aside from the attachment at the waistband 118, the inner layer 112 and the outer layer 114 may be otherwise free to move (e.g., stretch) relative to one another. Accordingly, portions of the inner layer 112 and the outer layer 114, which are offset from the waistband 118, can be stretched in opposing directions to create an opening (e.g., the crotch area opening).
The first lower torso covering 102 of FIG. 1 illustrates a swimsuit or undergarment embodiment. However, one of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that variations and modifications can be made such that the first lower torso covering 102 may be adapted as part of a pair of briefs, a pair of shorts, a pair of boxers, or a pair of pants.
In one embodiment, the waistband 118 may comprise an elastic waistband that threads through a channel opening created on at least one of the inner layer 112 or the outer layer 114, at the circumferential edge of the hips-covering region 104 of the first lower torso covering 102. The elastic waistband is intended to assist nesting the first lower torso covering 102 to the hips of the wearer 116. The elastic waistband may be fabricated from a polypropylene fabric cord or similar elastic material that causes the elastic waistband to stretch under force and return to its nominal length once the stretching force has been removed.
To incorporate the elastic waistband onto the first lower torso covering 102, the circumferential edge of the inner layer 112 and/or outer layer 114, at the hips-covering region 104 may be separately, or collectively, folded back and stitched to create a channel opening. The elastic waistband may thread through the channel opening, with each free end of the elastic waistband attaching together to form a closed loop. Accordingly, when the wearer 116 sports the first lower torso covering 102, the elastic waistband may cause the circumferential edge of the inner layer 112 and/or outer layer 114, at the hip-region, to nest against (e.g., press against, cuddle, or hub) the hips-covering region 104 of the wearer 116.
The elastic waistband may be an alternative to the two waistband segments discussed earlier with reference to FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the elastic waistband may complement the two waistband segments, such that the two waistband segments serve as a functional redundancy to nesting the first lower torso covering 102 to the hips-covering region 104 of the wearer 116. Also, the inclusion of the elastic waistband may class the two waistband segments as ornamental features of the first lower torso covering 102.
Further, the first lower torso covering 102 may include an elastic thread that threads through a channel opening created on the inner layer 112, at the circumferential edge of each opposing leg opening. The elastic thread may be fabricated from a polypropylene fabric cord or similar elastic material that causes the elastic thread to stretch under force and return to its nominal length once the stretching force has been removed. To receive the elastic thread, the circumferential edge (e.g., at the opposing leg openings) of the inner layer 112 may be folded back and stitched onto itself to create the channel opening. The elastic thread may pass through the channel opening, with each of its free ends attaching together to form a closed loop. Accordingly, when a wearer inserts their legs into the first lower torso covering 102, the elastic thread may cause the circumferential edge of the inner layer 112, at the opposing leg openings, to nest against (e.g., press against, cuddle, or hug) the legs of the wearer 116.
Additionally, or alternatively, the first lower torso covering 102 may include an elastic thread that threads through a channel opening created on the outer layer 114, at the circumferential edge of each opposing leg opening. The elastic thread incorporated within the outer layer 114 may be incorporated in a substantially similar way to the elastic thread described with reference to the inner layer 112.
FIGS. 2 through 8 present various views of the first lower torso covering 102. FIG. 2 illustrates a rear elevation view of the first lower torso covering. Moreover, FIG. 2 presents the buttocks-covering region 110 of the first lower torso covering 102. In FIG. 2 , the waistband attachment point 120 is shown to align with the centerline of the buttocks-covering region 110 and the hips of the wearer 116 (e.g., hips-covering region 104). Moreover, the inner layer 112 and the outer layer 114 are shown to substantially overlay one another, particularly at edges of the waistband 118 and the edges at the opposing leg openings.
FIG. 3 illustrates a right-side elevation view of the first lower torso covering. In FIG. 3 , the inner layer 112 and the outer layer 114 of the first lower torso covering 102# are shown to substantially overlay one another, particularly at the edges of the waistband 118 and edges at the opposing leg openings.
FIG. 4 illustrates a left side elevation view of the first lower torso covering. More specifically, FIG. 4 presents a view of the first lower torso covering 102 from the left-side of the wearer 116. FIG. 4 comprises a mirror image of FIG. 3 and illustrates a substantially similar view of the first lower torso covering 102, as viewed from the left-side of the wearer 116.
FIG. 5 illustrates a front elevation view of the first lower torso covering. FIG. 5 comprises an illustration of the first lower torso covering 102 that is substantially similar to FIG. 1 , sans the wearer 116.
FIG. 6 illustrates a rear elevation view of the first lower torso covering. FIG. 6 comprises an illustration of the first lower torso covering 102 that is substantially similar to FIG. 2 , sans the wearer 116.
FIG. 7 illustrates a first flat pattern view of the first lower torso covering. Central to FIG. 7 is the inner layer 112. In FIG. 7 , the first flat pattern view illustrates the segments of the inner layer 112 that comprise the front pelvic-covering region 106, the crotch-covering region 108, and the buttocks-covering region 110. For clarity, a portion of the waistband 118 that adjoins the front pelvic-covering region 106 is shown separate from a counterpart portion of the waistband 118 that adjoins the buttocks-covering region 110. The separation between the portion and counterpart portion of the waistband 118 is presented for clarity only and does not impute a means of fabricating the inner layer 112. Further, the inner layer 112 and the outer layer 114 are shown to substantially overlay one another, particularly at edges of the waistband 118 (e.g., portion and counterpart portion) and the edges at the opposing leg openings.
FIG. 8 illustrates a second flat pattern view of the first lower torso covering. Central to FIG. 8 is the outer layer 114. In FIG. 8 , the second flat pattern view illustrates the segments of the outer layer 114 that comprise the front pelvic-covering region 106, the crotch-covering region 108, and the buttocks-covering region 110. For clarity, a portion of the waistband 118 that adjoins the front pelvic-covering region 106 is shown separate form a counterpart portion of the waistband 118 that adjoins the buttocks-covering region 110. The separation between the portion and counterpart portion of the waistband 118 is presented for clarity only and does not impute a means of fabricating the outer layer 114. Similar to FIG. 7 , the outer layer 114# and the inner layer 112 are shown to substantially overlay one another, particularly at the edges of the waistband 118 (e.g., portion and counterpart portion) and the edges of the opposing leg openings.
FIG. 9 illustrates a front elevation view of a second lower torso covering with a stitched gusset that obscures a crotch-area opening. The second lower torso covering 902 may comprise a pair of shorts, an undergarment, full-length pants, partial-length pants (e.g., three-quarter length pants), or any other suitable lower torso covering. The second lower torso covering 902 may also be integrated into a one-piece garment (e.g., a combined upper body and lower body garment), such as a pair of overalls.
The second lower torso covering 902 may include a hips-covering region 904, a front-pelvic covering region 906, a crotch-covering region 908, and a buttocks-covering region 910 (shown on FIG. 10 ). The second lower torso covering 902 may also incorporate a pair of opposing leg openings that allow for insertion of a wearer’s legs.
In one embodiment, the second lower torso covering 902 may include a waistband 912, a first legging portion 914, a second legging portion 916, and a gusset 918. The waistband 912 may be formed to wrap around the hips-covering region 904. In one embodiment, the waistband 912 may be fabricated from an elastic material such that when the second lower torso covering 902 is worn by the wearer 116, the waistband 912 may act to nest the hips-covering region 904 against (e.g., press against, cuddle, or hug) the hips of the wearer 116.
The first legging portion 914 may comprise a fabric material with a starting edge 920 (shown on FIG. 13 ) and a terminating edge 922. The starting edge 920 may be positioned to intersect a point on the waistband 912 that is proximate to a centerline of the front-pelvic covering region 906, and further extend, diagonally downward in a direction that vectors away from the fabric-run of the first legging portion 914 (e.g., towards the first leg opening 924). In one embodiment, the starting edge 920 may extend diagonally downward towards a point on the front-pelvic covering region 906 that is approximately midway between the waistband 912 and crotch-covering region 908. Controlling the length, position, and orientation of starting edge 920 may act to control the amount of fabric that overlays the wearer’s leg across the second leg opening 926. Less fabric overlay can result in less fabric resistance that is experienced by the wearer 116 while moving through a gait motion. A further benefit is to improve breathability because less fabric results in a reduced moisture barrier across the wearer’s lower torso.
From the starting edge 920, the first legging portion 914 may wrap around the buttocks-covering region 910, continue toward and across the front-pelvic covering region 906 to create the first leg opening 924, and further continuing across the front-pelvic covering region 906 to end at the terminating edge 922. The terminating edge 922 may overlap the starting edge 920. The terminating edge 922 may substantially align with the centerline of the second leg opening 926 at the front-pelvic covering region 906. Further, the terminating edge 922 may be positioned to intersect a point on the waistband 912, and further extend downward, diagonally, in a direction towards the fabric-run of the first legging portion 914 (e.g., towards the first leg opening 924). The length of the terminating edge 922 may be substantially equivalent to a height of the waistband 912. Similar to the length of the starting edge 920, the length, position, and orientation of the terminating edge 922 acts to control the amount of fabric that overlays the wearer’s leg across the second leg opening 926. Less fabric overlay can result in less fabric resistance that is experienced by the wearer while the wearer is moving through a gait motion. A further benefit is to improve breathability because less fabric results in a reduced moisture barrier across the wearer’s lower torso.
Moreover, the height of the first legging portion 914, as measured from the waistband 912, may progressively increase in taper from the starting edge 920 (e.g., length of the starting edge measured from the waistband 912) to a height that substantially covers the buttocks of the wearer 116 across the buttocks-covering region 910 (e.g., refer to FIG. 10 ). Further, the first legging portion 914 may be fabricated to integrate the first leg opening 924, and then progressively taper to the reduced height at the terminating edge 922. The height of the first legging portion 914 may begin to taper down to the height of the terminating edge 922 at the intersection of the crotch-covering region 908 and the first leg opening 924. At this intersection, the height of the first legging portion 914 may be measured from the waistband 912 to the lower extremity of the crotch-covering region 908. The progressive tapering may adopt an arc profile across the crotch-covering region 908 to the terminating edge 922. The arc profile may act to provide less fabric resistance between the first leg opening 924 and the second leg opening 926, while the wearer is moving through a gait motion.
Limiting the overlap of fabric by tapering the height of the first legging portion 914 at the starting edge 920 and the terminating edge 922 creates less fabric resistance across the front-pelvic covering region 906, thereby creating a more comfortable and practical fitment. A further benefit is to improve breathability because less fabric results in a reduced moisture barrier across the wearer’s lower torso.
The second legging portion 916 may be fabricated to create the second leg opening 926. The second legging portion 916 may overlap and nest against abutting regions of the first legging portion 914, such that in areas of overlap, the first legging portion 914 is exposed to the external environment and the second legging portion 916 lies against the body (e.g., upper leg and hip) of the wearer 116.
The second legging portion 916 may be fixedly attached to at least the waistband 912. By limiting the attachment of the second legging portion 916 to the waistband 912, the wearer’s leg movement at the second leg opening 926 is not impeded by fabric stitching.
The gusset 918 may be stitched to the edge of the first legging portion 914 that progressively tapers from the crotch-covering region 908 to the terminating edge 922. The gusset 918 may have a gusset free edge 928 (shown on FIG. 13 ) that overlays onto and abuts the second legging portion 916 (e.g., fabric material of the second legging portion 916 that creates the second leg opening 926). The abutment onto the second legging portion 916 may be oversized such that the gusset 918 provides a sufficient barrier to protect the wearer from an inadvertent exposure of their crotch to the external environment, particularly while the wearer adopts various leg movement and gait positions.
The second lower torso covering 902 may be fabricated from a fabric material, such as polyester, cotton, wool, or nylon. The fabric material may also include a synthetic fabric such as a polyether-polyurea copolymer fabrics, or any other fabric composition that is stretchable in a longitudinal and lateral direction relative to the fabric fibers. Further, the components of the second lower torso covering 902, namely the waistband 912, the first legging portion 914, the second legging portion 916, and gusset 918 may be stitched together via any embroidery stitching pattern known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
FIGS. 10 through 14 present various views of the second lower torso covering 902. FIG. 10 illustrates a rear elevation view of the second lower torso covering. In FIG. 10 , the height of the first legging portion 914, as measured from the waistband 912, is shown to substantially cover the buttocks of the wearer 116, following a progressive increase in taper from the starting edge 920 at the front-pelvic covering region 906.
FIG. 11 illustrates a right-side elevation view of the second lower torso covering. In FIG. 11 , the height of the first legging portion 914 is shown to taper from its initial height at the starting edge 920 to a height that substantially covers the buttocks of the wearer 116 at the buttocks-covering region 910. Further, the second legging portion 916 is shown to nest within abutting regions of the first legging portion 914.
FIG. 12 illustrates a left-side elevation view of the second lower torso covering. In FIG. 12 , the first legging portion 914 is shown.
FIG. 13 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the second lower torso covering through section A-A of FIG. 12 . In FIG. 13 , the starting edge 920 and the terminating edge 922 of the first legging portion 914 are shown. FIG. 14 illustrates a cross-section view of the second lower torso covering through section B-B of FIG. 12 .
FIG. 15 illustrates a front view of a third lower torso covering with an integrated gusset that obscures a crotch-area opening. The third lower torso covering 1502 may comprise a pair of shorts, an undergarment, full-length pants, partial-length pants (e.g., three-quarter length pants), or any other suitable lower torso covering. The third lower torso covering 1502 may also be integrated into a one-piece garment (e.g., a combined upper body and lower body garment), such as a pair of overalls. The third lower torso covering 1502 may include a hips-covering region 1504, a front-pelvic covering region 1506, a crotch-covering region 1508, and a buttocks-covering region 1510 (shown in FIG. 16 ). The third lower torso covering 1502 further incorporates a pair of opposing leg openings that allow for insertion of a wearer’s legs.
In one embodiment, the third lower torso covering 1502 may comprise a waistband 1512, a first legging portion 1514, and a second legging portion 1516. The waistband 1512 may be fabricated to wrap around the hips-covering region 1504. In one embodiment, the waistband 1512 may be fabricated from an elastic material such that when the third lower torso covering 1502 is worn by a wearer, the waistband 1512 may act to nestle the hips-covering region 1504 (e.g., press against, cuddle, or hug) against the hips of the wearer.
The first legging portion 1514 may comprise a fabric material with a starting edge 1518 (shown on FIG. 19 ) and a terminating edge 1520 (shown on FIG. 16 ). The starting edge 1518 may be positioned to intersect a point on the waistband 1512 that is proximate to a centerline of the front-pelvic covering region 1506 and extend downward toward the crotch-covering region 1508. The length of the starting edge 1518 may be substantially equivalent to a height of the waistband. Controlling the length of the starting edge 1518 may act to control the amount of fabric that overlays the wearer’s leg across the second leg opening 1522. Less fabric overlay can result in less fabric resistance that is experienced by the wearer while the wearer is moving through a gait motion.
From the starting edge 1518, the first legging portion 1514 may wrap around the buttocks-covering region 1510, continue toward and across the front-pelvic covering region 1506 to create the first leg opening 1524, and further continuing across the front-pelvic covering region 1506 to end at the terminating edge 1520. The terminating edge 1520 may be positioned at an outer-side of the second leg opening 1522 (e.g., the side of the second leg opening 1522 that opposes the crotch-covering region 1508), thereby creating an overlap with the starting edge 1518. The terminating edge 1520 may be positioned to intersect a point on the waistband 1512, and further extend downward, diagonally, in a direction towards the fabric-run of the first legging portion 1514 (e.g., towards the first leg opening 1524).
The length of the terminating edge 1520 may be substantially equivalent to a height of the waistband 1512. Similar to the length of the starting edge 1518, by controlling the length of the terminating edge 1520, the amount of fabric that overlays the wearer’s leg across the second leg opening 926 can be controlled. Less fabric overlay can result in less fabric resistance that is experienced by the wearer while the wearer is moving through a gait motion. A further benefit is to improve breathability because less fabric results in a reduced moisture barrier across the wearer’s lower torso.
Moreover, the height of the first legging portion 1514, as measured from the waistband 1512, may progressively increase from the starting edge 1518 (e.g., length of the starting edge 1518 measured from the waistband 1512) to a height that substantially covers the buttocks of the wearer across the buttocks-covering region 1510. Further, the first legging portion 1514 may be fabricated to integrate the first leg opening 1524, and then progressively taper to the reduced height at the terminating edge 1520.
The height of the first legging portion 1514 may begin to taper down to the height of the terminating edge 1520 at the intersection of the crotch-covering region 1508 and the second leg opening 1522. At this intersection, the height of the first legging portion 1514 may be measured from the waistband 1512 to the lower extremity of the crotch-covering region 1508. The progressive tapering of the first legging portion 1514 may adopt an arc profile across the second leg opening 1522, towards the buttocks-covering region 1510, and to the terminating edge 1520. The arc profile may act to provide less fabric resistance between the second leg opening 1522 while the wearer is moving through a gait motion. A further benefit is to improve breathability because less fabric results in a reduced moisture barrier across the wearer’s lower torso.
Further the rate of the progressive tapering of the first legging portion 1514 may create an integrated gusset that overlays onto and abuts the fabric material that creates the second leg opening 1522. The abutment on the second leg opening 1522 may be oversized such that the overlaying segment of the first legging portion 1514 (e.g., progressive tapering segment) provides a sufficient barrier to protect the wearer from inadvertent exposure of their crotch to the external environment, particularly while the wearer adopts various leg movement and gait positions.
The second legging portion 1516 may be fabricated to create the second leg opening 1522. The second legging portion 1516 may nestle within abutting regions of the first legging portion 1514, such that in areas of overlap, the first legging portion 1514 is exposed to the external environment and the second legging portion 1516 lies against the body (e.g., upper leg and hip) of the wearer 116.
The second legging portion 1516 may be fixedly attached to at least the waistband 1512. By limiting an attachment of the second legging portion 1516 to the waistband 1512, the wearer’s leg movement at the second leg opening 1522 is not impeded by fabric stitching.
The third lower torso covering 1502 may be fabricated from a fabric material, such as polyester, cotton, wool, or nylon. The fabric material may also include a synthetic fabric such as a polyether-polyurea copolymer fabrics, or any other fabric composition that is stretchable in a longitudinal and lateral direction relative to the fabric fibers. Further, the components of the third lower torso covering 1502, namely the waistband 1512, the first legging portion 1514, and the second legging portion 1516, may be stitched together via any embroidery stitching pattern known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
FIGS. 16 through 20 present various views of the third lower torso covering 1502. FIG. 16 illustrates a rear elevation view of the third lower torso covering. In FIG. 16 , the terminating edge 1520 of the first legging portion 1514 is shown. Further, the height of the first legging portion 1514, as measured from the waistband 1512, is shown to substantially cover the buttocks of the wearer 116.
FIG. 17 illustrates a right-side elevation view of the third lower torso covering. In FIG. 17 , the first legging portion 1514 is shown.
FIG. 18 illustrates a left-side elevation view of the third lower torso covering. In FIG. 18 , the first legging portion 1514 is shown to taper from its height at the front pelvic-covering region 1506 to the terminating edge 1520. Further, the second legging portion 1516 is shown to nest within abutting regions of the first legging portion 1514.
FIG. 19 illustrates a cross-section view of the third lower torso covering as viewed through section C-C of FIG. 18 . In FIG. 19 , the stitching pattern associated with the starting edge 1518 of the first legging portion 1514 is shown.
FIG. 20 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the third lower torso covering as viewed through section D-D of FIG. 18 . In FIG. 20 , the stitching pattern associated with the terminating edge 1520 of the first legging portion 1514 is shown.

CONCLUSION

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to features and methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described herein. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A garment for a lower torso of a wearer, comprising:

a lower torso covering that includes a buttocks-covering region, a hips-covering region, a front pelvic-covering region, and a crotch-covering region, the lower torso covering having a pair of opposing leg openings for insertion of legs of the wearer;

the lower torso portion including an inner layer and an outer layer, wherein a first profile of the inner layer corresponding to a second profile of the outer layer, the inner layer overlaying the outer layer such that side edges of the inner layer overlap and match side edges of the outer layer; and

the lower torso portion permitting a wearer of the lower torso covering to stretch the inner layer toward a leg opening of the opposing leg openings, and to stretch the outer layer in an opposing direction toward a counterpart leg opening of the opposing leg openings, whereby stretching the inner layer and the outer layer in opposing directions creates an opening that exposes a crotch of the wearer.

2. The garment of claim 1, further comprises:

a first side waistband segment intended to nestle at hips of the wearer, the first side waistband segment having a first fixed end and a first free end, the first fixed end being attached to an upper horizontal edge of the buttocks-covering region of the lower torso portion; and

a second side waistband segment that mirrors the first side waistband segment, the second side waistband segment having a second fixed end and a second free end, the second fixed end mirroring the first fixed end, and

wherein, the first side waistband segment and the second side waistband segment extend around the hips of the wearer such that the first free end interfaces with the second free end at a centerline of the front pelvic covering region.

3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the first free end and the second free end interface via a knot or a VELCRO attachment mechanism.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment corresponds to one of a swimsuit, underwear, a pair of briefs, a pair of shorts, a pair of boxers, or a pair of pants.

5. The garment of claim 1, further comprising:

an elastic waistband that encircles an upper horizontal edge of the hips-covering region.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is attached to the inner layer via stitches along the hips-covering region.

7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the lower torso covering is fabricated from two-way stretchable material.

8. The garment of claim 1, wherein a first inner elastic band is attached to side edges of the inner layer, the first elastic band extending from a first point on a lower horizontal edge of the hips-covering region, around the leg opening and back to the first point on the lower horizontal edge of the hips-covering region, and

wherein a second inner elastic band is attached to an opposing side edge of the inner layer, the second elastic band extending from a second point on the lower horizontal edge of the hips-covering region, around the counterpart leg opening and back to the second point on the lower horizontal edge of the hips-covering region, the second point mirroring a location of the first point on the hips-covering region.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein a first outer elastic band is attached to side edges of the outer layer, the first elastic band extending from a first point on a lower horizontal edge of the hips-covering region, around the leg opening and back to the first point on the lower horizontal edge of the hips-covering region, and

wherein a second outer elastic band is attached an opposing side edge of the outer layer, the second elastic band extending from a second point on the lower horizontal edge of the hips-covering region, around the counterpart leg opening and back to the second point on the lower horizontal edge of the hips-covering region, the second point mirroring a location of the first point on the hips-covering region.

10. The garment of claim 9, wherein a first inner elastic band is attached to side edges of the inner layer, the first inner elastic band replicating the first outer elastic band that is attached to the side edges of the outer layer, and

wherein a second inner elastic band is attached to sides edges of the inner layer, the second inner elastic band replicating the second outer elastic band that is attached to the side edges of the outer layer.

11. A lower body garment for a lower torso of a wearer, comprising:

a lower torso covering that comprises a buttocks-covering region, a hip region, a crotch region, and a frontal region, the lower torso covering having a pair of opposing leg opening that are sized to receive legs of the wearer;

the lower torso covering including a waistband, a first legging portion, a second legging portion, and a gusset portion, wherein:

the waistband creates a hip covering for the hip region, the waistband extending from a centerline of the buttocks-covering region, around the hip region, and terminating at the centerline of the buttocks-covering region;

the first legging portion having a starting edge and a terminating edge, the starting edge extending downward diagonally from a starting point on the waistband that is proximate to a centerline of the frontal region, the first legging portion extending diagonally downward from the waistband towards the buttocks-covering region to create a buttocks-covering region covering and further towards the frontal region to create a first leg opening, the first legging portion to further terminate at a terminating edge that extends diagonally from an intersection between the first leg opening and the crotch region to a terminating point on the waistband that substantially aligns with a centerline of a second leg opening, the terminating edge overlapping the starting edge;

the second legging portion creates a second leg opening, the second legging portion nestling within abutting regions of an inner face of the first legging portion, the second legging portion being fixedly attached to at least the waistband;

a gusset creating a crotch covering over the crotch region, the gusset being fixedly attached to the terminating edge of the first legging portion, the gusset further having a free edge that overlays onto and abuts the second leg opening; and

the lower torso portion permitting the wearer to stretch the gusset towards the first leg opening to create an opening that exposes a crotch of the wearer.

12. The lower body garment of claim 11, wherein the terminating edge of the first legging portion comprises an arc that directionally tends towards a horizontal parallel of the waistband.

13. The lower body garment of claim 11, wherein the lower body garment comprises a pair of shorts or a pair of pants.

14. The lower body garment of claim 11, wherein the waistband is stitched to the first legging portion and the second legging portion.

15. The lower body garment of claim 11, wherein at least the first legging portion and the second legging portion are fabricated from two-way stretchable material.

16. A clothing article, comprising:

a lower torso covering that comprises a buttocks-covering region, a hip region, a crotch region, and a frontal region, the lower torso covering having a pair of opposing leg openings that include a first leg opening and a second leg opening that are sized to receive legs of a wearer;

the lower torso covering including a waistband, a first legging portion, and a second legging portion, and wherein:

the waistband creates a hip covering over the hip region, the waistband extending from a centerline of the buttocks-covering region, around a hips-covering region, and terminating at the centerline of the buttocks-covering region;

the first legging portion has a starting edge and a terminating edge, the starting edge extending downward diagonally from a starting point on the waistband that is located proximate to the centerline of the frontal region, the starting edge extending downward from the waistband, the starting edge having a starting edge height that is less than a frontal region height, the frontal region height corresponding to a length between the waistband and an lower extremity of the crotch region,

the first legging portion extends from the starting edge towards the buttocks-covering region to create a buttocks-covering region covering and further towards the frontal region to create a first leg opening, a frontal region covering, and a crotch region covering, the first legging portion to further terminate at a terminating edge at the buttocks-covering region;

the second legging portion creates a second leg opening of the pair of opposing leg openings, the second legging portion nestling within an inner face of the first legging portion, the second legging portion is fixedly attached to at least the waistband; and

the lower torso portion further permitting the wearer to stretch at least the first legging portion at the crotch region in a direction towards the first leg opening to create an opening that exposes a crotch of the wearer.

17. The clothing article of claim 16, wherein a legging portion height of the first legging portion increases from the starting edge height at the starting edge to a frontal region height at a location proximate to an outer extreme of the hip region at the second legging opening.

18. The clothing article of claim 16, wherein the height of the first legging portion tapers from a first height that is measured between the waistband and crotch-region to a second height at the terminating edge, the second height being less than or equal to the first height.

19. The clothing article of claim 16, wherein the terminating edge of the first legging portion extends diagonally downward from waistband.

20. The clothing article of claim 16, wherein the overlap between the starting edge and the terminating edge of the first legging portion creates at least a portion of the second leg opening.