WO2015058276A1

WO2015058276A1 - Athletic garment with partially removable bottom

Info

Publication number: WO2015058276A1
Application number: PCT/CA2013/050800
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rob GILL; Youngji KIM; Victoria CHAN
Original assignee: Sugoi Performance Apparel Limited Partnership
Priority date: 2013-10-23
Filing date: 2013-10-23
Publication date: 2015-04-30

Abstract

An athletic garment with a partially removable bottom particularly for cycling and other athletic activities. The athletic garment including a lower portion for at least partially covering the legs of the wearer and an upper portion at least partially covering the upper body of the wearer, the lower portion being at least partially removable such that the wearer may easily partially remove the lower portion of the garment for restroom breaks without removing the upper portion of the garment and method of the same.

Description

ATHLETIC GARMENT WITH PARTIALLY REMOVABLE BOTTOM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of athletic garments, in particular for cycling, although other applications are also contemplated. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved athletic garment that allows the wearer to partially remove the bottom portion of cycling bib shorts or cycling bib pants, without having to remove the upper portion of the bib-style garment.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Professional and recreational athletes have been known to wear athletic garments to obtain better performance or greater comfort. For example, in cycling, athletes have a wide variety of choices for shorts, pants, or other garments for their lower body and legs. Some cyclists prefer cycling-specific shorts or pants, having padding in the groin area. But even among cycling-specific shorts or pants, there is a wide variety of garments that cyclists can choose from, including, for example, conventional style bicycle shorts or bib-style shorts or pants. Conventional cycling shorts are usually made in part from a stretchable material and are held in place in part by the waistband of the garment and the stretchable nature of the material. By contrast, bib-style shorts or pants are held in place in part by fabric or straps on the shoulders and upper body as well as the stretchable nature of the material itself.

[0003] One disadvantage of conventional shorts or pants is that the waistline can be uncomfortable especially when an athlete leans forward in a typical cycling position. Another disadvantage of conventional shorts or pants is that unless the shorts fit well, they can be prone to rubbing or chafing on the thighs or in the crotch area. Yet another disadvantage of conventional shorts or pants is that when an athlete is leaning forward on a bicycle, the back of the waistline of the short may drop or pull down exposing the athlete's lower back or backside.

[0004] While known bib-style garments address some of the above described problems with conventional cycling shorts or pants, one disadvantage of bibs has been that they make bathroom stops difficult. Often an athlete will wear bibs and some type of shirt, jersey, and/or jacket. This means that the straps of the bibs are hidden under these upper garments. In order for an athlete to expose his or her backside to use a restroom, those garments must be removed, and the straps must be pulled off of the shoulders to allow the shorts portion of the bibs to be pulled down. Such maneuvering can be difficult when a shirt is worn over the bibs and usually requires the athlete to remove the upper body garments before pulling the straps of the bibs to the side. This maneuvering can be cumbersome and time consuming, potentially resulting in an increased finishing time and/or a poorer finishing place if undertaken during a competition. The removal of one's shirt can also be rather exposing and embarrassing, especially for women.

[0005] Others have attempted to solve the bathroom break problem of bibs with limited success. One such attempted solution is described in U.S. Publication No.

2012/0073028, which describes a two zipper system. However, the two zipper system is not without substantial disadvantages. One such disadvantage is that the hard plastic or metal of the zippers contacts the wearer's skin above each hip. This is both

uncomfortable and permits rubbing and/or chaffing. Additionally, the zippers could wear or break, and the zippers could become unintentionally un-zipped. Another disadvantage of the two zipper system is that the wearer's shirt or jersey can become caught in the zippers making the zippers non-operational and can damage the shirt and/or zippers.

[0006] Another attempted solution is that used in Pearl Izumi's Women's P.R.O. In-R-Cool product. The front straps of Pearl Izumi's drop tail system continue from the user's front side over the shoulder until they converge together into one strap near the top of the back. The single rear strap has a snap that can be unsnapped to detach the rear single strap from the rear shorts portion of the bib. The wear can then pull down the rear of the shorts to expose the wearer's backside. Pearl Izumi's drop tail system is also not without substantial disadvantages. One such disadvantage is that the snap is at the center of the wearer's back. Reaching the snap can be awkward or unreachable for some wearers. Reattaching the rear strap to the shorts portion of the bib can be difficult as well because the wearer must be able to reach back with both hands to hold each end of the snap and reconnect them.

[0007] The prior art systems also share a further disadvantage in that both have a fixed clip in the front between the two front straps. The location of clip can be uncomfortable depending on the physiological makeup of the wearer, and is especially true for athletes with larger chests. The discomfort realized over a lengthy bicycle ride, whether recreational or in competition, negates any potential advantage gained during the short period of time one has to use the bathroom.

[0008] While the aforementioned systems provide ways to pull down the rear of the bottom portion of a bib when the need to use a bathroom arises, the ease, efficiency, convenience and comfort of such garments still have not been fully optimized. As such, there remains a need for an improved athletic garment that allows the wearer to at least partially remove the bottom portion of a cycling bib-style garment. An athletic garment with a partially removable bottom as described further below addresses many of these problems and can be used in cycling bib-style garments (with or without padding) as well as other garments having similar performance requirements, e.g. , ballet, gymnastics and cheerleading leotards, wrestling and track singlets, swimsuits, wetsuits, etc.

[0009] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can lead to certain other objectives. Other objects, features, benefits and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in this summary and descriptions of the disclosed

embodiments, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Such objects, features, benefits and advantages will be apparent from the above as taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An athletic garment includes a lower portion, the lower portion having a front side and a back side, and an upper portion made from a stretchable material and comprising one or more straps, where the one or more straps are connected to the back side of the lower portion and are detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion.

[0011] An athletic garment for cycling includes a lower portion for at least partially covering the legs of the wearer of the athletic garment, the lower portion having a front side and a back side, and an upper portion at least partially covering the upper body of the wearer, the upper portion having a front side and a back side, and having a left-side strap and a right-side strap for being worn over the shoulders of the wearer; the left-side strap being detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion at a first connection point, and the right-side strap being detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion at a second connection point, and wherein the lower portion of the garment may be partially removed while being worn, without removing the right-side strap or the left-side strap from the shoulders of the wearer.

[0012] A method for a cyclist to partially remove the lower portion of a cycling garment, including the steps of: donning a cycling garment including a lower portion for at least partially covering the legs of the cyclist, the lower portion having a front side and a back side, an upper portion at least partially covering the upper body of the cyclist, the upper portion having a front side and a back side, and having a left-side strap and a right- side strap for being worn over the shoulders of the cyclist, the left-side strap being detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion at a first connection point, and the right-side strap being detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion at a second connection point, and partially removing the lower portion of the garment without removing the right-side strap or the left-side strap from the shoulders of the cyclist by detaching the right-side strap and the left-side strap at the first connection point and the second connection point and by pulling down the back side of the lower portion of the garment.

[0013] These and other features and advantages in accordance with this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following description and accompanying Figures and descriptions contained herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of an athletic garment in accordance with the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the athletic garment shown in FIG. 1.

[0016] FIGs. 3A-F are a series of drawings showing how the athletic garment of FIG. 1 may be used.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a connector that could be used with the athletic garment in FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the connector in FIG. 4, showing the connector in an un-fastened state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] FIGs. 1-5 show an embodiment of an athletic garment 10 with a partially removable bottom portion. The athletic garment 10 shown has a lower portion 12 and an upper portion 14. In one embodiment, the lower portion 12 is shorts. In alternative embodiments, the lower portion 12 may comprise other types of pant garments, for example, long pants, leggings, knickers, or three-quarter length pants.

[0020] In the Figures, the upper portion 14 of athletic garment 10 has a left strap 16 and a right strap 18. The front portion 20 of right strap 18 and front portion 21 of left strap 16 are operably connected to the lower portion 12 of the athletic garment 10 by a right 24 and left connector 26, shown in FIG. 1 as clips. Connectors 24 and 26 allow the wearer to connect and disconnect the front portion 20 of right strap 18 and front portion 21 of left strap 16 from the lower portion 12 with ease. The front portion 20 of right strap 18 and front portion 21 of left strap 16, together with the lower portion 12 may form a front aperture 28.

[0021] As shown in the Figures, an athletic garment 10 with partially removable bottom may also contain a cross member 32, slidably or otherwise connected to the front portion 20 of right strap 18 and front portion 21 of left strap 16 across the front aperture 28. Cross member 32 may be positionable in a variety of locations on the user's front for comfort while cycling or otherwise wearing the garment. Cross member 32 is shown in FIG. 1 near the lower portion 12 of the garment, but it may be worn higher as well, depending on the preferences of the wearer. As alternatives to cross member 32, right strap 18 and left strap 16 could be connected to a common piece of fabric, or form X or V-shaped formations on the wearer's front, or back, or both. The rear portion 23 of right strap 18 and rear portion 22 of left strap 16, together with the top of the lower portion 12 may form a rear aperture 30.

[0022] As shown in FIGs. 3A-3F, the lower portion 12 of athletic garment 10 can be partially removed to allow the wearer to expose his or her backside in order to facilitate urination or defecation. FIG. 3 A shows the athletic garment 10 as being worn for use during an athletic activity. FIGs. 3B and 3C illustrate the athletic garment 10 after the font left connector 26 of the front portion 21 of left strap 16 and front right connector 24 of the front portion 20 of right strap 18 have been disconnected from the lower portion 12. The connectors 24 and 26 can be disconnected as described for example with regards to FIGs. 4-5 below. In this embodiment, the front portion 20 of right strap 18 and front portion 21 of left strap 16 are made of a stretchable material, and once disconnected from the lower portion 12, resort back to their unstretched position. In an alternative embodiment, straps 16 and 18 could be adjustable rather than stretchable, or partially stretchable as well. FIG. 3D shows the user beginning to pull the rear of the lower portion 12 down to expose the wearer's backside. Because the rear portion 23 of right strap 18 and rear portion 22 of left strap 16 are made of a stretchable material, such straps stretch in response to the user pulling down the rear of lower portion 12. The cross member 32 prevents the front portion 20 of right strap 18 and front portion 21 of left strap 16 from being pulled over the wearer's shoulders or off the sides of the wearer's shoulders. Having the front portion 20 of right strap 18 and front portion 21 of left strap 16 remain on the front of the wear as shown in FIGs. 3D-3F, allows the wearer to easily grab the straps and reconnect them to the front of the lower portion 12. FIG. 3E shows that once the rear of lower portion 12 has been fully pulled down past the wearer's backside and the wearer squats down, the wearer's backside will protrude through the rear aperture 30. FIG 3F illustrates that once the rear portion 23 of right strap 18 and rear portion 22 of left strap 16 are pulled to the right and left of the wearer's backside respectively, the wearer's backside will be exposed to facilitate urination or defecation.

[0023] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one of the connectors 24 and 26 in a connected state. This embodiment shows a clip 34, but many other connectors and methods of connecting two portions of a garment are known. Such examples include, but are not limited to buttons, hooks and loops, snaps, ties, magnets, etc. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the clip 34 has a bottom portion 36 and a top portion 38. The top portion 38 of the clip 34 has a button 40. When the top 38 and bottom portion 36 of clip 34 are in a connected state as shown in FIG. 4, the button 40 fits in an opening 42 of the bottom portion 36 of clip 34. [0024] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the front portion 21 of left strap 16, front left connector 26 and the top front of lower portion 12. In FIG. 5, the connector 26 is shown as clip 34, which is disconnected. The clip 34 can be disconnected by pushing the button 40 out of opening 42 and pulling top portion 38 of clip 34 up and out of bottom portion 36.

[0025] Although the invention has been herein described in what is perceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth above. Rather, it is recognized that modifications may be made by one of skill in the art of the invention without departing from the spirit or intent of the invention and, therefore, the invention is to be taken as including all reasonable equivalents to the subject matter of the appended claims and the description of the invention herein.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An athletic garment comprising:

a lower portion, the lower portion having a front side and a back side;

an upper portion made from a stretchable material and comprising one or more straps;

wherein the one or more straps are connected to the back side of the lower portion and are detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion.

2. The athletic garment of claim 1 wherein the lower portion further comprises shorts.

3. The athletic garment of claim 1 wherein the lower portion further comprises pants.

4. The athletic garment of claim 1 wherein the lower portion further comprises three-quarter length pants.

5. The athletic garment of claim 1 wherein the one or more straps comprises two straps, and wherein the two straps are each detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion.

6. The athletic garment of claim 5 further comprising an adjustable cross member, the adjustable cross member slidably attached to the two straps.

7. An athletic garment for cycling comprising:

a lower portion for at least partially covering the legs of the wearer of the athletic garment, the lower portion having a front side and a back side; an upper portion at least partially covering the upper body of the wearer, the upper portion having a front side and a back side, and having a left-side strap and a right-side strap for being worn over the shoulders of the wearer; the left-side strap being detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion at a first connection point, and the right- side strap being detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion at a second connection point;

wherein the lower portion of the garment may be partially removed while being worn, without removing the right-side strap or the left-side strap from the shoulders of the wearer.

8. The athletic garment of claim 7 wherein the lower portion further comprises shorts.

9. The athletic garment of claim 7 wherein the lower portion further comprises pants.

10. The athletic garment of claim 7 wherein the lower portion further comprises three-quarter length pants.

11. The athletic garment of claim 10 further comprising an adjustable cross member, the adjustable cross member slidably attached to the right-side strap and the left-side strap.

12. The athletic garment of claim 11 wherein the right-side strap and the left-side strap are made from a stretchable material.

13. A method for a cyclist to partially remove the lower portion of a cycling garment, comprising the steps of:

donning a cycling garment comprising: a lower portion for at least partially covering the legs of the cyclist, the lower portion having a front side and a back side;

an upper portion at least partially covering the upper body of the cyclist, the upper portion having a front side and a back side, and having a left-side strap and a right-side strap for being worn over the shoulders of the cyclist; the left-side strap being detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion at a first connection point, and the right-side strap being detachably connected to the front side of the lower portion at a second connection point;

partially removing the lower portion of the garment without removing the right-side strap or the left-side strap from the shoulders of the cyclist by detaching the right-side strap and the left-side strap at the first connection point and the second connection point and by pulling down the back side of the lower portion of the garment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lower portion of the athletic garment further comprises shorts.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the lower portion of the athletic garment further comprises pants.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the lower portion of the athletic garment further comprises three quarter length pants.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the upper portion of the athletic garment further comprising an adjustable cross member, the adjustable cross member slidably attached to the right-side strap and the left-side strap.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the right-side strap and the left-side strap are made from a stretchable material.