Undergarment

Abstract

Novel undergarments, in particular briefs and panties, are described. The undergarments comprise a front panel and back panel secured to one another, further including a torso-encircling band integral therewith. The longitudinal length of the back panel is sufficiently short such that when the undergarment is worn, a portion of the wearer's buttocks, in particular the proximal portion of the crevice between the wearer's buttocks, is visible.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] There are several types of undergarments designed to be worn around the lower abdomen, and include panties or underwear briefs, thongs, and G-strings. The art is replete with different designs of such undergarments to provide or accommodate a variety of functions and/or aesthetic tastes. The present invention is directed to a novel type of undergarment, namely panties or briefs designed to be worn by the wearer beneath shorts, pants, skirts, and the like such that this outer apparel, in combination with the inventive undergarment, leaves uncovered a portion of the crevice between the wearer's buttocks when it is worn.

[0002] In particular, the inventive undergarment comprises (a) a torso encircling band adapted for wearing about the lower abdomen of the wearer within an area between the upper iliac crests of the wearer's hips and upper thighs, wherein the band has a top edge, a front portion, and a back portion; (b) a front panel adapted to cover the pubic area of the wearer, the front panel being integral with the front portion of the band and having right and left sides corresponding to the right and left hip areas of the wearer; and (c) a back panel adapted to cover a portion of the buttocks of the wearer, the back panel being integral with the back portion of the band and having right and left sides corresponding to the right and left and hip areas of the wearer, the back panel further comprising a distal end, the distal end being integral with a portion of the front panel to cover the wearer's crotch area. The right and left sides of the front and back panels are secured to one another to define right and left leg openings of the undergarment. The band of the undergarment has a transverse length measured along the band's top edge, while the back panel has a longitudinal length measured from the top edge to the distal end of the back panel, such that the ratio of the band length to the back panel length range is at least 1.6:1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0003] FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a rear view of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 as worn by a person.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a front view of illustration in FIG. 3.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a front view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0009] FIG. 7 is a rear view of embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-6 as worn by a person.

[0010] FIG. 8 is a front view of illustration in FIG. 7.

[0011] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-2.

[0012] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the embodiments shown in FIG. 5-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present in invention is directed to a novel design of undergarments, namely panties or briefs, to be worn by the wearer beneath shorts, pants, skirts, and similar outer apparel such that this outer apparel, in combination with the inventive undergarment, leaves uncovered a portion of the crevice between the wearer's buttocks as it is worn. As discussed in more detail below, the design provides for a brief having, in particular, a back panel that is sized such that it lies low enough beneath the wearer's hips such that the proximal portion of the crevice between the wearer's buttocks is uncovered, and consequently visible, when worn. Such a design is particularly desirable by teenagers and younger adults who enjoy wearing very low cut shorts, pants, and the like which, when worn, reveal a portion of the wearer's upper buttocks and proximal portion of the crevice between the buttocks.

[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention is directed to an undergarment, such as panties or briefs 10. The undergarment includes a torso encircling band 11 that may be worn about the lower abdomen of the wearer within an area between the hips (i.e. upper iliac crest) H and the upper thighs T. The undergarment further includes a front panel 12 that is integral with the band and adapted to cover the pubic area (not shown but covered by the front panel 12 referenced generally at P.sup.1) and a portion of the lower front abdomen A of the wearer. (see FIG. 4) The undergarment also includes a back panel 13 integral with the band 11 and a distal end 14 integral with a portion of the front panel to cover the wearer's crotch area (not shown). The back panel 13 is adapted to cover a portion of the wearer's buttocks B. Both the front and back panels 12, 13 have corresponding right sides 30, 31 and left sides 32, 33 that are secured to one another to define right 40 and left leg openings 41 of the undergarment. The front and back panels may be sewn together at these respective junctures (30-33) or along other points along the undergarment (i.e., locations other than the far right and left sides of the undergarment). Alternatively, the front and back panels may comprise a single piece of fabric cut from a pattern to form the shell of the undergarment, and thus having no seam or point of securement along the sides 30-33.

[0015] In addition, the terms "secured" and "integral", as used herein, are intended to be synonymous in meaning. Thus, whenever reference is made herein with respect to portions of the undergarment being "secured" to one another, it will be understood that the same two portions may be integral with one another, forming a single piece with no seam or similar evidence of attachment. Likewise, whenever reference is made herein to portions of the undergarment being "integral" with one another, it will again be understood that these portions may be separate pieces, sewn or fastened by some means to one another.

[0016] It will be further recognized that the band 11 may be a separate elastic band sewn onto or within the front and back panels of the undergarment. Alternatively, in embodiments where the material used to construct the front and back panels is elastomeric, the band may simply comprise the top edges 15, 16 of the front and back panels. Thus, as used herein, the term "band" includes any separate elastic band secured onto or within the front and back panels of the undergarment as well as the mere top edges 15,16 of the entire undergarment, especially in instances where the front and back panels are formed of an elastomeric material.

[0017] The term "back panel" as used herein means the entire back portion of the undergarment, regardless of its shape, that extends from the top edge or band 11 of the undergarment down to the distal end 14 of the back panel, the distal end of the back panel being defined with respect to the undergarment lying in a flattened positioned, as illustrated in the figures and discussed in greater detail below.

[0018] The inventive undergarment may further be described with respect to the relative dimensions of the top edge 16 of the undergarment and the longitudinal length of the back panel. In particular, the back panel 13 has a longitudinal length 20 that is sufficiently short such that when the inventive undergarment is worn, a portion of the upper buttocks B, and in particular the proximal end P of the crevice C (partially shown in phantom in FIG. 3) between the buttocks B, is uncovered, and thus visible (see FIGS. 3 and 7. The relative dimensions that are described, illustrated, and claimed in part herein are so defined with respect to the undergarment when the undergarment is not worn, but instead as the undergarment is laid in a flattened position such that the entire inner surfaces of the back and front panels are flush with one another, such that the inner surface of the front and back portions of the band 11 or top edges 15, 16 of the undergarment are also flush with one another. In this foregoing position, the transverse length 21 of the top edge 16 of the back panel and the longitudinal back panel length 20 of the undergarment may be defined and measured. While it is well recognized that in order to accommodate different size individuals these lengths will vary, certain aspects of the present invention may be defined by the relative ratios of these lengths, namely the ratio of the transverse length 21 to longitudinal back panel length 20. As illustrated in the figures, the transverse length 21 is measured from an extreme right side to left side of the undergarment when the undergarment is in this particular position. The longitudinal length 20 of the back panel is measured from the top edge 15 of the back panel at the center 23 of the back portion of the band (as shown) to the distal end 14 of the back panel, again, as the undergarment is lying in a flattened, un-worn position, as illustrated and described above. In order to comfortably accommodate the wearer and allow the proximal portion P of the crevice C to be uncovered by the undergarment and thus visible, the back panel 13 must be sufficiently short in length 20 relative to the waist size (i.e., transverse length 21) compared to bikini briefs, for example, having the same waist size for the same size brief. A preferable ratio of transverse length to longitudinal back panel length is at least 1.6:1. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention falling within this range includes an undergarment having a transverse length 21 of about 11 inches and a longitudinal length 20 of about 5.5 inches for a ratio of 2:1. Comparatively, a conventional full-size brief having a similar transverse length of 11 inches may have a longitudinal back panel length of 8 inches. Even a thong, having a transverse length of 11 inches may typically have a longitudinal back panel length of 8 inches to 9 inches for a ratio of 1.2:1 to 1.4:1, notwithstanding that a portion of the thong back panel may have a very narrow, tapering width, much of which is worn within the crevice of the wearer's buttocks, and thus not readily seen.

[0019] Preferred ratios described above for the inventive undergarment range from at least 1.6:1 and most preferably about 1.8:1 to about 2.8:1. Exemplary longitudinal lengths 20 may range from about 5.5 inches to about 7.5 inches, while transverse lengths 21 may range from about 8 inches to about 13 inches. Moreover, the distal end 14 of the back panel preferably has a transverse width of at least 1.5 inches for added comfort.

[0020] For ease of illustration and discussion, the present invention was described with references to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. However, it will be appreciated that other designs may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. FIGS. 5-8, for example, illustrate a similar style of undergarment 100 to that shown in FIGS. 1-4, wherein the respective top edges 150, 160 of the front and back panels do not comprise all of the torso-encircling band 110, but rather the band extends about the right and left sides as a single string or similar component, for example, as shown. Like the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, however, the embodiment in FIGS. 5-8 and 10 also comprises leg openings 400, 410, a front panel 120, and a back panel 130. Notwithstanding the different configurations, both embodiments illustrated herein have back panels that are sufficiently short in length, as described above, so that when worn, do not cover the proximal portion P of the crevice C (partially shown in phantom in FIG. 7) between the buttocks.

Claims

I claim:

1. An undergarment for covering a portion of the lower abdomen of a wearer, said undergarment comprising: a torso encircling band adapted for wearing about the lower abdomen of the wearer within an area between the upper iliac crests of the wearer's hips and upper thighs; a front panel adapted to cover the pubic area of the wearer, said front panel integral with said band and having right and left sides corresponding to the right and left hip areas of the wearer; a back panel adapted to cover a portion of the buttocks of the wearer, said back panel integral with said band and having right and left sides corresponding to the right and left and hip areas of the wear, said back panel further comprising a distal end, said distal end integral with a portion of said front panel to cover the wearer's crotch area; said front and back panels secured to one another to define right and left leg openings of said undergarment; said band having a transverse length measured from said right and left sides of said back panel; said back panel having a longitudinal length measured from a top edge of said undergarment to said distal end of said back panel; and wherein a ratio of said transverse length to said longitudinal length is at least 1.6:1.

2. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein said ratio is at least 1.7:1.

3. The undergarment of claim 2, wherein said ratio is from about 1.8 to about 2.8:1

4 The undergarment of claim 1, wherein said distal end of said back portion has a transverse width of at least 1.5 inches.

5. The undergarment of claim 4, wherein said ratio is at least 1.7:1.

6. The undergarment of claim 5, wherein said ratio is from 1.8:1 to about 2.8:1.

7. An undergarment for covering a portion of the lower abdomen of a wearer, said undergarment comprising: a torso encircling band adapted for wearing about the lower abdomen of the wearer within an area between the upper iliac crests of the wearer's hips and upper thighs; a front panel adapted to cover the pubic area of the wearer, said front panel integral with said band and having right and left sides corresponding to the right and left hip areas of the wearer; a back panel adapted to cover a portion of the buttocks of the wearer, said back panel integral with said band and having right and left sides corresponding to the right and left and hip areas of the wear, said back panel further comprising a distal end, said distal end integral with a portion of said front panel to cover the wearer's crotch area; said front and back panels secured to one another to define right and left leg openings of said undergarment; and said back panel having a longitudinal length measured from a top edge of said undergarment to said distal end of said back panel, wherein said longitudinal length is sufficiently short to allow a proximal portion of the crevice between the wearer's buttocks to be uncovered by said back band and back panel, in combination, when said undergarment is worn by the wearer.

8. The undergarment of claim 7, wherein when said back panel lies below the distal portion of the crevice.

9. The undergarment of claim 7, said back panel further comprising a longitudinal length measured from said top edge to said distal end of said back panel, wherein said band comprise a transverse length measured from said right and left sides of said back panel, and wherein a ratio of said transverse length to said longitudinal length is at least 1.6:1.

10. The undergarment of claim 9, wherein said ratio is at least 1.7:1.

11. The undergarment of claim 10, wherein said ratio is from about 1.8 to about 2.8:1

12 The undergarment of claim 9, wherein said distal end of said back portion has a transverse width of at least 1.5 inches.

13. The undergarment of claim 12, wherein said ratio is at least 1.7:1.

14. The undergarment of claim 13, wherein said ratio is from about 1.8 to about 2.8:1

15. The undergarment of claim 9, wherein said undergarment lies below the distal portion of the crevice between the wearer's buttocks.

16. The undergarment of claim 15, wherein said ratio is at least 1.7:1.

17. The undergarment of claim 16, wherein said ratio is from about 1.8 to about 2.8:1

18. The undergarment of claim 15, wherein said distal end of said back portion has a transverse width of at least 1.5 inches.

19. The undergarment of claim 18, wherein said ratio is at least 1.7:1.

20. The undergarment of claim 19, wherein said ratio is from about 1.8 to about 2.8:1.

21. A method of wearing an undergarment, said undergarment comprising (a) a torso encircling band adapted for wearing about the lower abdomen of the wearer within an area between the upper iliac crests of the wearer's hips and upper thighs; (b) a front panel adapted to cover the pubic area of the wearer, said front panel integral with said band and having right and left sides corresponding to the right and left hip areas of the wearer; (c) a back panel adapted to cover a portion of the buttocks of the wearer, said back panel integral with said band and having right and left sides corresponding to the right and left and hip areas of the wearer, said back panel further comprising a distal end, said distal end integral with a portion of said front panel to cover the wearer's crotch area; and (d) said front and back panels are secured to one another to define right and left leg openings of said undergarment; said method comprising (a) placing the right leg and the left leg of the wearer through corresponding said right and left leg openings of said undergarment; and (b) pulling the undergarment upward to cover at least a portion of the wearer's pubic area, crotch area, and a portion of the wearer's buttocks such that said band lies below the proximal portion of the crevice between the buttocks so that the proximal portion of the said crevice is not covered by any portion of the undergarment.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said band of said undergarment comprises a transverse length measured from said right and left sides of said back panel and said back panel comprises a longitudinal length measured from a top edge of said undergarment to said distal end of said back panel; and wherein a ratio of said transverse length to said longitudinal panel length is at least 1.6:1.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said ratio is at least 1.7:1.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said ratio is from about 1.8 to about 2.8:1

25 The method of claim 22, wherein said distal end of said back portion has a transverse width of at least 1.5 inches.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said ratio is at least 1.7:1.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said ratio is from about 1.8 to about 2.8:1.