WO2023187846A1

WO2023187846A1 - Pad for horse riding and relative production method and sports garment

Info

Publication number: WO2023187846A1
Application number: PCT/IT2023/050094
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefano Coccia
Original assignee: Cytech S.R.L.
Priority date: 2022-03-31
Filing date: 2023-03-30
Publication date: 2023-10-05

Abstract

The invention refers to a pad (10) for horse riding comprising a base (11) with which there are associated a perineal insert (12), two ischial inserts (13, 14) and a coccygeal insert (15) for protection. The invention also refers to a method for producing a pad (10) for horse riding and to a sports garment (100) comprising at least one pad (10) according to the invention and/or a pad (10) made by a method according to the invention.

Description

"PAD FOR HORSE RIDING AND RELATIVE PRODUCTION METHOD AND SPORTS GARMENT"

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention concerns a pad for horse riding and relative production method. The pad according to the present invention may be made separately, and may be used in conjunction with a garment such as pair of trousers or undergarments, but may also be integrated into the aforesaid garments.

The present invention further concerns a sports garment comprising a said pad.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the sports field the use of elements for protection that comprise one or more paddings in order to improve the comfort and safety of athletes is known.

For example, in cycling it is known to use shorts comprising one or more paddings, located in the part astride the legs, in order to protect the zone of the body that during sports activity is in contact with the saddle, and therefore subjected to continuous friction and compression stresses. In the present text, the portion comprising the padding, insertable or inserted in a sports garment such as a pair of shorts or an undergarment, for example underpants, a boxer brief or the like, will be referred to as a "pad".

In cycling, in particular, pads are known having, in plan, a conformation with zones of different relief.

Document WO 2013/002262 Al discloses a pad for a pair of cycling trousers comprising in this order a portion covering the ischium, a portion covering the pubis and an auxiliary covering portion of the front part.

Document WO 2011/063503 Al discloses a pad for a cycling garment comprising a rear portion oriented so as to align with the gluteal region of a cyclist and an intermediate portion oriented so as to align with the perineum region of the cyclist.

It is also known that the position assumed on the saddle by a rider is different from that of a cyclist, and also the same position varies depending on the gait assumed by the horse and the riding style: from a more "seated" position assumed during the step it can be switched to a forward bent position assumed in the gallop, for example in the English riding. The force of the stresses on the anatomical parts of the jockey also varies, just think of the stresses in the coccygeal area 53 during galloping in the American riding.

Fig. 1 shows the anatomical parts 50 most affected by the stresses during equestrian practice: the uro-genital, or perineal area, 51 , the ischial areas 52 and the coccygeal area 53. Unlike to what happens in cycling, where the area most affected by stresses is the perineal area 51 , in horse riding the greatest stresses can be found at the ischial areas 52 and at the coccygeal area 53.

The stresses in such areas 51, 52, 53 may affect the nerve endings lying on them, leading over time to pathologies such as pudendal neuralgia and the like. It can be noted in this regard that the aforesaid known solutions, since there is no need for them, do not provide portions specifically dedicated to the protection of the coccygeal area.

A further problem is that the riding trousers have a very classic shape and adhering to the body; therefore, excessively protruding pads cannot be used, so as not to cause discomfort during use and also for an aesthetic issue.

Document DE 202016 104164 U1 discloses a pair of riding trousers comprising an insert adapted to cushion shocks at the parts of the body most sensitive to them.

There is therefore the need to perfect a pad for horse riding that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art. To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of producing a pad that ensures high breathability and guarantees high comfort for the user.

In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to produce a pad, and to develop a relative production method, specifically suitable for the application in the field of horse riding. One purpose is also to be able to adapt the pad to the riding style and/or to the type of activity carried out, for example a simple walk or a horse race.

Another purpose is to produce a pad that allows a high freedom of movement, both in the saddle and in other wearing moments, for example when walking.

Another purpose is to produce a pad having high breathability, to avoid high sweating during use and consequently the onset of skin irritations and the proliferation of bacteria.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims.

The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a pad for horse riding according to the present invention comprises a base with which there are associated a perineal insert, two ischial inserts and a coccygeal insert for protection, separated from each other.

Advantageously, it is thus possible to obtain a pad with a plurality of zones having mechanical properties different from each other, therefore capable of responding more or less effectively based on the type of stress applied at each respective anatomical part, between the perineal, ischial and coccygeal area. In accordance with a further aspect, said coccygeal insert has a central zone that is empty or concave inward, suitable during use to accommodate the coccyx, and a solid peripheral zone, suitable during use to accommodate the anatomical parts positioned around the coccyx.

Advantageously, the coccygeal insert, having the solid peripheral zone surrounding, in its entirety or almost, the empty central zone suitable to accommodate the coccyx, allows to avoid any pressure on it. In this way, the coccyx is protected from impacts by the solid peripheral zone, finding, at the same time, a seat in which to position itself; the comfort of use is therefore high.

In accordance with a further aspect, said coccygeal insert has a shape selected from a U shape, a donut shape, a soap bar-like shape with a central part concave inward.

In accordance with a further aspect, said perineal and coccygeal inserts have thicknesses different from each other and/or different from the thicknesses of said ischial inserts. In accordance with a further aspect, the thickness of the coccygeal insert increases, starting from a peripheral part thereof and at least in a portion thereof, according to a quadratic law.

In accordance with a further aspect, the thickness of the peripheral zone of the coccygeal insert has a value comprised between 0.2mm and 35mm.

In accordance with a further aspect, said ischial inserts are made of one or more micro-perforated high-density polymeric materials, said perineal and coccygeal inserts are made of one or more solid or micro-perforated high-density polymeric materials.

Advantageously, the perineal and coccygeal inserts can provide higher protection from any kickback due to the movements of the horse, while the ischial inserts can increase comfort during the use of the pad.

Embodiments refer to a method for producing a pad for horse riding, which provides to make a perineal insert, two ischial inserts and a coccygeal insert for protection, separated from each other and to associate them with a base. According to said method, said inserts can be made by means of a technique selected from thermoforming starting from a polymer plate or 3D printing by deposition of a filament of an elastomeric thermoplastic polymer. Embodiments further refer to a sports garment comprising at least one pad as described above and/or a pad made by a method as described above.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid sports garment may be a pair of trousers, shorts or undergarment, such as underpants, a boxer brief or the like. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 is a bottom view of the anatomical parts affected by the stresses during equestrian practice;

- fig. 2 is a schematic bottom view of the pad according to the present invention;

- figs. 3a, 3b, 3c are plan views of inserts of the pad of fig. 2;

- figs. 4, 5, 6 are plan views of inserts of the pad of fig. 2 according to embodiments;

- figs. 4a, 5 a, 6a are sectional views of the inserts of figs. 4, 5, 6 according to section plans IVa-IVa, Va-Va and Via- Via, respectively;

- fig. 7 is a top view of a counter-mould of the pad of fig. 2;

- figs. 8a, 9a are sectional views of the counter-mould of fig. 7, according to section planes Villa- Villa and IXa-IXa, respectively; - figs. 8b, 9b are sectional views of the counter-mould of figs. 8a, 9a, in closed configuration with the relative mould;

- figs. 10a, 10b are three-dimensional schematic views of materials of inserts of the pad of fig. 2 according to embodiments;

- fig. 11 is a three-dimensional schematic view of the pad of fig. 2, during use in a pair of shorts.

We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications. DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

With reference to fig. 2, a pad 10 for horse riding according to the present invention comprises a base 11 with which there are associated a perineal insert 12, two ischial inserts 13 and 14 and a coccygeal insert 15 for protection.

Preferably, the inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 can be associated with the base 1 1 in a fixed manner. For attachment, any known association method such as gluing, sewing, ultrasounds, heat-bonded taping, thermoforming, high frequency or the like may be used.

According to embodiments, one or more of the inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 may be attached to the base 11 in a removable manner. By way of example, one or more of the inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 may be extracted from the pad 10.

The base 11, in addition to acting on one side as a support for the inserts 12, 13, 14, 15, is the part designed, on the other side, to come into contact with the skin of a jockey or with undergarments that the jockey wears in contact with the skin.

The base 11 may comprise at least one layer made of anti-slip materials, to prevent the pad 10 from moving from its position during sports activity, and that are suitable for contact with the skin, such as camel skin or elasticized microfibre or the like. The base 11 may comprise a plurality of layers made of materials different from each other and configured to improve comfort and breathability of the pad 10 during its use. For example, it could comprise a first layer as described above, suitable for contact with the skin, a second layer of foam and a third layer of jersey. Such layers may be coupled by methods that provide to use flames, glues, ultrasounds, heat-bonded taping, thermoforming, high frequency or the like.

The inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 are elements separated from each other, as represented by way of example in figs. 3a, 3b, 3c, 4, 4a, 5, 5a.

The inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 may be made of high-density polymeric materials. The aforesaid high-density polymeric materials may be solid foams, microperforated foams, materials made by means of techniques of deposition of thermoplastic filament FDM (Fuse Deposition Modelling), or the like.

The aforesaid high-density polymeric materials may be made of one or more polymers, such as polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, elastomeric thermoplastic polymers (TPE) or any other polymer suitable for contact with a person's skin without causing irritation or other problems. The polymers may also be recycled and/or of plant or natural origin.

As a preferential example, the high-density polymeric material is MTP polyurethane foam. As a further preferential example, the high-density polymeric material is a material made by deposition of thermoplastic filament with FDM technique.

Said inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 can be made of a single polymeric material or of several different polymeric materials. They can be made in different colours.

The inserts 12, 15 may be made of polymeric materials different from each other and/or different from the polymeric materials of the ischial inserts 13, 14.

In this way each insert can be designed to withstand at best the stresses typical of the area 51, 52, 53 that it is designed to protect.

The ischial inserts 13 and 14 may preferably be made of one or more microperforated high-density polymeric materials, the perineal insert 12 and the coccygeal insert 15 may preferably be made of one or more solid or microperforated polymeric materials. For example, the micro-perforated foam may have holes with a diameter of less than 2 mm, preferably substantially of 1 mm.

The inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 can be made by thermoforming, by printing by any 3D printing methodology, for example by sintering or additive printing by deposition of a filament.

According to possible embodiments, the inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 can be printed directly on said base 11 by 3D printing.

The thickness of each of said inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 may be variable within the same insert 12, 13, 14, 15.

The inserts 12, 15 may have thicknesses different from each other and/or different from the thicknesses of the ischial inserts 13, 14.

Like above, also in this way each insert 12, 13, 14, 15 can be designed to better withstand the stresses typical of the area 51, 52, 53 that it is designed to protect.

For example, the thickness of the perineal insert 12 may be less than the thickness of the ischial inserts 13 and 14. Preferably, the thickness of the perineal insert 12 may be comprised between 0.2 and 25mm, preferably between 3 and 12mm.

As a further example, the thicknesses of the lateral bands of the ischial inserts 13 and 14 may be less than the thicknesses of the central bands of the ischial inserts

13 and 14.

For example, the thickness of lateral bands 13a, 14a of the ischial inserts 13 and

14 may increase linearly from their peripheral portions toward the central bands 13b, 14b. In this way the comfort and fit of the pad 10 are improved.

The ratio between the thicknesses may be such that the angle of inclination of the peripheral portions of the lateral bands 13 a, 14a is comprised between 30° and 70°, preferably between 40° and 65°, even more preferably between 45° and 60°.

According to an alternative embodiment, the thickness of the lateral bands 13 a, 14a of the ischial inserts 13 and 14 may be increased according to a quadratic law. For example and as represented in fig. 8a, it can be made with a counter- mould 40 having, at the parts where the lateral bands 13a, 14a of the ischial inserts 13 and 14 are made, radius R1 comprised between 3.5 and 5 mm, preferably between 4.2 and 4.7 mm, even more preferably corresponding substantially to 4.5 mm.

The thickness of the central bands 13b, 14b may have a value comprised, for example, between 0.2mm and 30mm, preferably between 4mm and 15mm, even more preferably between 6mm and 12mm.

The aforesaid perineal insert 12 is advantageously suitable for the protection of the perineal area 51. In particular, its shape can be configured to be adapted to the perineal area 51 of the jockey. In the present text, the term jockey refers to both a male jockey and a female jockey.

In particular, the perineal insert 12 may have an elliptical, rectangular or similar shape. Preferably, as represented in figs. 2 and 3a, it has a shape having at least one wedge-shaped part 16 thereof, suitable to be inserted between the front portions of the ischial inserts 13, 14.

The perineal insert 12 may have an empty or flared central zone, understood as concave inward, suitable to accommodate the genital organs, and a solid peripheral zone, suitable to accommodate and support the anatomical parts positioned around the genital organs. According to an embodiment variant, the perineal insert 12 may be substantially flat.

The perineal insert 12 can be made of material with greater load or density than the inserts 13, 14, 15, in order to be able to more effectively protect the perineal area 51 from kickbacks that may occur during riding.

The aforesaid ischial inserts 13 and 14 are advantageously suitable for the protection of the ischial areas 52. In particular, their shape may be configured to be adapted to the ischial areas 52 of the jockey.

The ischial inserts 13 and 14 may be mirrored to each other, or symmetrical, with respect to a longitudinal central directrix X of the pad 10.

The aforesaid coccygeal insert 15 is advantageously suitable for the protection of the coccygeal area 53. In particular, its shape may be configured to be adapted to the coccygeal area 53 of the jockey.

The coccygeal insert 15 may have an empty or flared central zone 17, understood as concave inward, suitable to accommodate the coccyx, and a solid peripheral zone 18, suitable to accommodate and support the anatomical parts positioned around the coccyx. Advantageously, in this way the coccyx can be guided to assume the correct position and accommodated so as not to have to undergo pressures and/or crushing, the coccygeal zone 53 being supported by the solid peripheral zone 18.

In fig. 4a the different thickness, respectively S 1 and S2, between the peripheral zone 18 and the central zone 17 is represented, for an exemplary embodiment.

The thickness S 1 of the peripheral zone 18 of the coccygeal insert 15 may have a value comprised, for example, between 0.2mm and 35mm, preferably between 4mm and 25mm, even more preferably between 6mm and 15mm.

In particular, the coccygeal insert 15 may have a U shape, as represented in figs. 2 and 3c, a soap bar-like shape with a central part concave inward, as represented in figs. 4, 4a, a donut shape with substantially elliptical section, as represented in figs. 5, 5a, substantially trapezoidal, as represented in figs. 6, 6a or the like.

According to one embodiment, the thickness S 1 of the coccygeal insert 15 can increase, starting from a peripheral part thereof and at least in a portion thereof, according to a quadratic law. For example and as represented in figs. 8a and in the case of an insert having a U shape, it can be made with a counter-mould 40 having, at the parts where the coccygeal insert 15 is made, radius R2 comprised between 3.0 and 4.5 mm, preferably between 3.5 and 4.2 mm, even more preferably substantially corresponding to 4 mm.

The perineal 12 and coccygeal 15 inserts may have a shape symmetrical with respect to the aforesaid directrix X.

According to embodiments, the aforesaid high-density polymeric materials may comprise materials having a multi-layer structure 19 (fig. 10b) obtained by overlapping a plurality of layers 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e (fig. 10a), also indicated with the generic reference number 20. Said one or more inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 may therefore have a multi-layer structure 19.

In a preferred embodiment, said inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 may be in foam and/or in high-density polymeric materials with multi-layer structure 19.

Said layers 20 can be made by printing by means of any 3D printing methodology, for example by sintering or additive printing by deposition of a thermoplastic filament with FDM technique.

Each layer 20 can be made by deposition of a filament according to a specific deposition pattern, for example open or closed.

Here and in the following description, by pattern, or deposition pattern, is meant the particular trajectory followed by the nozzle with which the filament is deposited, and consequently, the geometric structure of the filament once it is solidified after printing.

For example, the open deposition pattern could be linear, as represented in the layers 20b, 20c, 20d, and 20e, and the closed pattern could be with rings or polygonal, for example with a hexagonal (layer 20a), triangular, or square pattern.

Each layer 20 could be made with multiple deposition patterns. For example, one or more layers 20 could have a portion made with a ring pattern, a portion made with a linear pattern, and a portion made with a hexagonal pattern.

The plan conformation of said layers 20 and/or their number can be variable, at least as a function of the thickness S3 of the multi-layer structure 19, so as to make a plurality of zones of said inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 having mechanical properties, such as elastic modulus, rigidity, resilience and resistance, different from each other.

According to embodiments, the height of each said layer 20 is comprised between 0.05 mm and 20mm, preferably between 0.1mm and 10mm, even more preferably between 0.1mm and 5mm.

The amount of polymer, due to the deposition of the filament, and the arrangement of the voids, will characterize the final shape of the multi-layer structure 19 and therefore the mechanical properties thereof.

In addition, the presence of numerous voids will facilitate the passage of air during use, improving comfort and breathability, allowing better thermal flow and decreasing the proliferation of bacteria. The conformation of the multi-layer structure 19 allows a better compressive strength, decreasing the possibility of failure due to the tip load, also known as "buckling effect", from occurring in the pad 10.

Embodiments described herein concerns a method for producing a pad 10 for horse riding that provides to make a perineal insert 12, two ischial inserts 13, 14 and a coccygeal insert 15, for protection, separated from each other, and to associate them with a base 11.

The method may provide to make said inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 by thermoforming starting from one or more polymer plates.

The thermoforming method provides to make available a mould 41 and a counter-mould 40. The mould 41 and the counter-mould 40 can be suitable to obtain all the inserts in a single working, in case they can be made with the same material, as represented in figs. 7, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b.

In particular, in figs. 8a, 9a the counter-mould 40 is represented in an open configuration, in figs. 8b, 9b the counter-mould 40 and the mould 41 are represented in a closed configuration.

The method may provide to insert one or more polymer plates between mould 41 and counter-mould 40 and bring them into a closed configuration by applying appropriate pressures and heat.

According to alternative embodiments not illustrated, a plurality of moulds each suitable to make an insert type between a perineal insert 12, ischial inserts 13 and 14 and a coccygeal insert 15 may be made available.

The method may provide to make said inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 by printing by means of any 3D printing methodology, for example by sintering or additive printing by deposition of a thermoplastic filament by FDM technique. For 3D printing, elastomeric thermoplastic polymer (TPE) may preferably be used.

In particular, in the case of inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 having a multi-layer structure 19, 3D printing provides to make a plurality of overlapping layers 20, each of which is defined by an alternation of solids and voids.

The plan conformation of each of the layers 20 can be made according to at least an open and/or closed pattern. Said plan conformation of each of the layers 20 may be variable.

According to embodiments, the deposition pattern that in the method defines the plan conformation of one of said layers 20 is different from the pattern that defines the plan conformation of at least another of said layers 20.

Advantageously, the pad 10 with inserts 12, 13, 14, 15 having a multi-layer structure 19 and the method described to obtain it, allow to have a multi-layer structure 19 which, in association with the materials chosen for the production thereof, allows to eliminate the buckling zone at constant load typical of the known pads and of the known paddings. This greatly improves comfort, breathability, elastic behaviour and the recyclability of said pad 10, also increasing the sense of softness perceived by the rider during its use.

Embodiments described herein further refer to a sports garment 100 comprising at least one pad 10 according to the invention and/or a pad 10 made by a method according to the invention.

According to embodiments, said sports garment 100 may be a pair of trousers, a pair of shorts 101 (fig. 11) or an undergarment. It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the pad 10, to the method and to the sports garment 100 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims. It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve other equivalent forms of pads and relative production methods and sports garments, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby. In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Pad (10) for horse riding characterized in that it comprises a base (11) with which there are associated a perineal insert (12), two ischial inserts (13, 14) and a coccygeal insert (15), separated from each other.

2. Pad (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said coccygeal insert (15) has a central zone that is empty or concave inward, suitable during use to accommodate the coccyx, and a solid peripheral zone, suitable during use to accommodate the anatomical parts positioned around the coccyx.

3. Pad (10) as in claim 2, characterized in that said coccygeal insert (15) has a shape selected from a U shape, a donut shape, and a soap bar-like shape with a central part concave inward.

4. Pad (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said perineal and coccygeal inserts (12, 15) have thicknesses different from each other and/or different from the thicknesses of said ischial inserts (13, 14).

5. Pad (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the thickness (SI) of the coccygeal insert (15) increases, starting from a peripheral part thereof and at least in a portion thereof, according to a quadratic law.

6. Pad (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the thickness (SI) of the peripheral zone (18) of the coccygeal insert (15) has a value comprised between 0.2mm and 35mm.

7. Pad (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that the thickness of said perineal insert (12) is less than the thickness of said ischial inserts (13, 14) and is comprised between 0.2 and 25mm, and in that the thickness of the lateral bands (13a, 14a) of the ischial inserts (13, 14) is less than the thickness of the central bands (13b, 14b) of the ischial inserts (13, 14) and the thickness of said central bands (13b, 14b) has a value comprised between 0.2mm and 30mm.

8. Pad (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said inserts (12, 13, 14, 15) are associated with the base (11) in a fixed manner, in that said ischial inserts (13, 14) are made of one or more micro-perforated high-density polymeric materials and said perineal and coccygeal inserts (12, 15) are made of one or more solid or micro-perforated high-density polymeric materials and in that said polymeric materials are selected from polyurethane foams and/or materials made by deposition of thermoplastic filament and/or materials made by deposition of thermoplastic filament.

9. Pad (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that one or more of said inserts (12, 13, 14, 15) comprises a multi-layer structure (19) comprising a plurality of overlapping layers (20), each of which is defined by an alternation of solids and voids, wherein the plan conformation of each of said layers (20) is made according to at least an open and/or closed pattern, and in that the plan conformation of each of said layers (20) is variable at least as a function of the thickness (S3) of said multi-layer structure (19), in such a way as to produce a plurality of zones of the one or more of said inserts (12, 13, 14, 15) having different mechanical properties from each other.

10. Method for producing a pad (10) for horse riding, characterized in that it provides to make a perineal insert (12), two ischial inserts (13, 14) and a coccygeal insert (15), for protection, separated from each other, and to associate them with a base (11).

11. Method as in claim 10, characterized in that said inserts (12, 13, 14, 15) are made by means of a technique selected from thermoforming starting from a polymer plate or 3D printing by deposition of a filament of an elastomeric thermoplastic polymer (TPE).

12. Sports garment (100) characterized in that it comprises at least one pad (10) as in any claim from 1 to 9, said pad (10) being positioned in the crotch portion of said sports garment (100) and in that said sports garment (100) is a pair of trousers, shorts (101) or an undergarment.