U.S. patent application number 11/148881 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for body support for cyclists' shorts or trousers.
Invention is credited to Hogan, Thomas Bradford.
Application Number | 20050223478 11/148881 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46304697 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050223478 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hogan, Thomas Bradford |
October 13, 2005 |
Body support for cyclists' shorts or trousers
Abstract
A body support for placement within cyclists' shorts or trousers
includes an elastic top layer having a back portion arranged to
extend beneath a cyclist's buttocks, and a front portion arranged
to extend in the region of the cyclist's crotch. An elastic bottom
layer has a generally inverted Y-shaped configuration, a back
portion of the bottom layer has first and second edges joined to
corresponding edges on the back portion of the top layer, and a
front portion of the bottom layer has one or more edges joined to
corresponding edges on the front portion of the top layer. An
intermediate cushion layer is joined to the bottom layer so that a
top surface of the cushion layer faces toward but is free from
attachment to a bottom surface of the top layer.
Inventors: |
Hogan, Thomas Bradford;
(Fishkill, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Office of Leo Zucker
Suite 221-L
P.O. Box 1194
White Plains
NY
10602-1194
US
|
Family ID: |
46304697 |
Appl. No.: |
11/148881 |
Filed: |
June 9, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11148881 |
Jun 9, 2005 |
|
|
|
10651429 |
Aug 29, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/466 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/466 |
International
Class: |
A41D 027/26; A41D
013/02 |
Claims
1. A body support for placement within cyclists' shorts or
trousers, comprising: an elastic top layer having a back portion
dimensioned and arranged to extend beneath a cyclist's buttocks,
and a front portion dimensioned and arranged to extend in the
region of the cyclist's crotch; an elastic bottom layer having a
generally inverted Y-shaped configuration, and edges of the bottom
layer are joined to corresponding edges of the top layer; and an
intermediate layer of cushion or padding material joined to the
bottom layer so that a top surface of the intermediate layer faces
toward but is free from attachment to a bottom surface of the top
layer.
2. A body support according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate
layer has a generally inverted Y-shaped configuration.
3. A body support according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate
layer has one or more elongated slots configured to reduce bunching
of the cushion or padding material.
4. A body support according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate
layer has an elasticity that is less than the elasticity of either
the top or the bottom layer.
5. A body support according to claim 1, wherein a front portion of
the bottom layer is configured to support a male cyclist's lower
anatomy.
6. A body support according to claim 1, wherein a front portion of
the bottom layer is configured to reduce pressure exerted by the
support against a female cyclist's lower anatomy.
7. A body support according to claim 1, wherein the top layer
comprises an elastic fabric blend suitable for imprinting of ink
sublimated text or graphics.
8. A body support according to claim 7, wherein imprinted text on
the top layer provides size and care information.
9. Cyclist's shorts or trousers, comprising: a pair of shorts or
trousers constructed and arranged for use by a cyclist; a body
support fastened inside the shorts or trousers so as to extend over
the seat and the crotch region of a cyclist, wherein the body
support comprises: an elastic top layer having a back portion
dimensioned and arranged to extend beneath the cyclist's buttocks,
and a front portion dimensioned and arranged to extend in the
region of the cyclist's crotch; an elastic bottom layer having a
generally inverted Y-shaped configuration, and edges of the bottom
layer are joined to corresponding edges of the top layer; and an
intermediate layer of cushion or padding material joined to the
bottom layer so that a top surface of the intermediate layer faces
toward but is free from attachment to a bottom surface of the top
layer.
10. Cyclist's shorts or trousers according to claim 9, wherein the
intermediate layer of the body support has a generally inverted
Y-shaped configuration.
11. Cyclist's shorts or trousers according to claim 9, wherein the
intermediate layer of the body support has one or more elongated
slots configured to reduce bunching of the cushion or padding
material.
12. Cyclist's shorts or trousers according to claim 9, wherein the
intermediate layer of the body support has an elasticity that is
less than the elasticity of either the top or the bottom layer.
13. Cyclist's shorts or trousers according to claim 9, wherein a
front portion of the bottom layer of the body support is configured
to support a male cyclist's lower anatomy.
14. Cyclist's shorts or trousers according to claim 9, wherein a
front portion of the bottom layer of the body support is configured
to reduce pressure exerted by the support against a female
cyclist's lower anatomy.
15. Cyclist's shorts or trousers according to claim 9, wherein the
top layer of the body support comprises an elastic fabric blend
suitable for imprinting of ink sublimated text or graphics.
16. Cyclist's shorts or trousers according to claim 15, wherein
imprinted text on the top layer of the body support provides size
and care information for the shorts.
17. A body support according to claim 1, wherein a back portion of
the bottom layer has first and second edges that are joined to
corresponding edges on the back portion of the top layer, and a
front portion of the bottom layer has one or more edges that are
joined to corresponding edges on the front portion of the top
layer.
18. Cyclists' shorts or trousers according to claim 9, wherein a
back portion of the bottom layer of the support has first and
second edges that are joined to corresponding edges on the back
portion of the top layer of the support, and a front portion of the
bottom layer has one or more edges that are joined to corresponding
edges on the front portion of the top layer.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/651,429 filed Aug. 29, 2003,
and entitled "Trousers for Athlete Particularly for Cyclist and
Method of Making Same".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to body support pads or cushions of
the kind used in cycling shorts or trousers.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Known Art
[0005] As a competitive sport, recreational activity or means for
daily exercise, cycling remains very popular. Cycling shorts or
trousers (hereafter referred to collectively as "shorts") are
available with padding to absorb shocks and vibrations transmitted
through the seat or saddle of a bicycle. The shorts may also be
manufactured so as to wick moisture away from the body and reduce
chafing.
[0006] Cycling shorts with padding disposed in the crotch region to
prevent or reduce soreness, chafing or blistering, are known.
Conventional shorts generally have a four, six, or eight panel
construction, elastic ribbing around the bottom of the leg openings
and the waist, and padding disposed in the buttocks and crotch
regions of the shorts. This padding is sometimes referred to as a
"chamois." The chamois is typically formed from layers of various
materials that are stitched or laminated to one another. For
example, some cycling shorts have a chamois liner with layers of
Ultrasuede.TM. polyurethane foam, and a polyurethane outer layer.
Ultrasuede.TM. is a synthetic suede material made by Dupont of
Wilmington, Del.
[0007] Some cycling shorts include a two-ply chamois and have
layers of polyurethane foam, terry cloth, or fleece; while others
feature an eight panel construction and a three-ply chamois with a
zigzag baseball stitching design. The chamois is typically cut to
fit between the cyclist's legs. The multi-ply chamois construction
is relatively stiff and thus not conducive to obtaining a
comfortable, anatomically conforming fit, however.
[0008] Cycling shorts available from ASSOS of Switzerland feature
an elastic, padded insert at the crotch region. The insert consists
of a dynamic memory foam that is positioned inside the crotch area
and stitched directly to the shorts. An anti-friction skin contact
textile extends over and beyond the perimeter of the foam, and the
textile is separately stitched at its periphery to the shorts.
According to ASSOS, the foam and the contact textile have similar
elastic properties.
[0009] Other known cycling shorts have a heat formed chamois made
from a laminate of Ultrasuede.TM. and a knitted polyester fleece,
which are bonded together by an adhesive. The laminate is first
heated and then molded between shaped dies which correspond to a
desired anatomical shape. When cooled, the molded chamois is cut
from the fabric piece and sewn into the cycling shorts. Thus, an
anatomically conforming chamois is obtained for the one position at
which the chamois was molded. When the cyclist moves to other
positions, however, the excess material still presents a problem
and a less than conforming fit is obtained. The heat molding
process used to obtain the shaped chamois also requires additional
expense, labor and time for manufacturing. Therefore, there is a
need for a cushion support that can be made economically and which
provides an anatomically conforming fit for various positions of
the cyclist, whether male or female.
[0010] Cycling shorts should be cut with a high waist to prevent
bunching of the waistband fabric. Current practice in cycling is to
use shorts made of a material that may be partially elasticized, so
that the shorts will cling snugly to the body and may even be worn
without underwear. The problem for the cyclist is that during races
or training, the crotch region is subjected to continuous stresses
including shocks produced by ground unevenness and vibrations
transmitted to the bicycle seat.
[0011] As a partial solution to the mentioned drawbacks, cycling
shorts have been produced in which a textile padding of suitable
thickness is sewn at the crotch. Although the thickness of the
padding may offer initial relief, it has been found that the
padding tends to overheat the crotch region and continuous slippage
between the cyclist's body and the padding occurs due to sweating.
Thus, any initial benefits are lost. It is also known to provide
cycling shorts having a bottom with multiple chambers sewn at the
crotch region, the chambers being arranged laterally to the
longitudinal axis of the bicycle seat to form distinct regions of
support for the crotch.
[0012] While some cycling shorts are cut specifically to conform
with the male anatomy, the same pattern is sometimes used for
female sized shorts as well. Cycling shorts preferably should be
cut and sized to accommodate the different anatomical features of
the two sexes, however. That is, cycling shorts intended for sale
to women should conform comfortably with the female anatomy whether
the wearer is cycling for pleasure or competition. See generally,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,687,917 (Feb. 10, 2004); U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,618
(May 28, 2002); U.S. Pat. No. 5,978,970 (Nov. 9, 1999); U.S. Pat.
No. 5,271,101 (Dec. 21, 1993); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,233 (Oct. 9,
1990).
[0013] Accordingly, there remains a need for cycling shorts that
will allow either male or female cyclists to peddle actively over
long periods of time and with a reasonable degree of comfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] According to the invention, a body support suited for
placement in the seat of cyclists' shorts or trousers includes an
elastic top layer having a back portion for extending beneath a
cyclist's buttocks, and a front portion for extending in the region
of the cyclist's crotch. The support also includes an elastic
bottom layer having a generally inverted Y-shaped configuration. A
back portion of the bottom layer has first and second edges that
are joined to corresponding edges of the back portion of the top
layer, and a front portion of the bottom layer has one or more
edges that are joined to corresponding edges of the front portion
of the top layer. An intermediate layer of cushion or padding
material is joined to the bottom layer so that a top surface of the
intermediate layer faces toward but is free from attachment to a
bottom surface of the top layer.
[0015] For a better understanding of the invention, reference is
made to the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawing and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] In the drawing:
[0017] FIG. 1. is a plan view of a top layer of a cyclist's body
support according to the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a bottom layer of the inventive
support, wherein the layer is cut to conform with a male
anatomy;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an intermediate cushion or padding
layer of the inventive support;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inventive support showing
relative positions of the layers of FIGS. 1-3, as seen from a
bottom side of the support;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, exploded view of the support of FIG.
4;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a detail view of a front portion of the inventive
support, wherein the bottom layer is cut to accommodate a female
anatomy;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the support of FIG. 6, showing
relative positions of the support layers as seen from a bottom side
of the support; and
[0024] FIG. 8 is a transparent view of a pair of cyclist's shorts,
showing the inventive support fixed inside the shorts to support
and cushion the cyclist's body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a top or cover layer 10 of a
cyclist's body support according to the invention. The layer 10 is
formed preferably from a smooth, elasticized (stretchable) fabric
blend that is breathable and will not irritate the cyclist's skin,
such as, for example, a Lycra.RTM. blend. The particular material
or fabric blend chosen for the layer 10 may, if desired, be one
that can be imprinted (see FIG. 8) without degradation, damage or
melting of the fabric as may occur with a typical nylon/Lycra blend
fabric used for conventional bicycle shorts.
[0026] As seen in FIG. 1, top layer 10 has a back portion 12 that
is dimensioned and sized to extend beneath the cyclist's buttocks,
and a front portion 14 dimensioned and sized to extend over the
crotch region, when the inventive support is sewn or otherwise
fixed in place inside a pair of shorts as depicted in FIG. 8.
[0027] As mentioned, the layer 10 may optionally be imprinted with
text and/or graphics, e.g., a trademark or trade dress using, for
example, ink sublimation graphics. In such a process, a transfer
design is comprised of a carrier paper and inks (typically printed
on the paper with an inkjet printer). Imprinted text on the top
layer 10 of the inventive body support may also provide size and
care information for a pair of shorts in which the support was
fastened at the time of manufacture.
[0028] When heated and pressed over a certain amount of time, the
inks transfer onto the layer material. Some inks may adhere to the
surface of the material, while others (namely, sublimation)
penetrate a coating on the material. The temperatures, pressures
and time used in the transfer process could be determined by a
skilled worker considering, for example, the type of fabric, the
saturation of the design, and the sublimation penetrable aspects of
the fabric. Ink sublimation is a preferred printing technique
because the ink is impregnated into the fabric substrate, and the
fabric remains breathable. Techniques such as screen printing only
coat the fabric and do not allow breathability. Because the top
layer 10 extends over the crotch region when worn inside shorts,
breathability over most all of the layer area is important for
wearer's comfort.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an elastic bottom layer 20 of the
inventive support. Like the top layer 10, the bottom layer is
formed preferably from a smooth, elasticized fabric blend that is
stretchable, breathable, and which will not irritate the cyclist's
skin, for example, a Lycra.RTM. blend. Bottom layer 20 has a
generally inverted Y-shaped configuration, wherein a back portion
22 of the layer 20 has first and second edges 22a, 22b dimensioned
and arranged to be sewn or otherwise joined to corresponding edges
12a, 12b (FIG. 1) of the back portion 12 of the top layer 10.
[0030] In FIG. 2, the configuration of a front portion 24 of the
layer 20 is such as to overlie the front portion 14 of the top
layer 10 (see FIG. 4), thus providing support for a male cyclist's
lower anatomy when the inventive pad is properly secured in a pair
of shorts worn by the cyclist. A continuous edge 24a of the front
portion of layer 20 is dimensioned and arranged to be sewn or
otherwise joined to a corresponding edge 14a (FIG. 1) of the front
portion 14 of the top layer, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a plan view of an intermediate layer 30 of the
inventive support. The layer 30 has a generally inverted Y-shaped
configuration, and is made from a foam or cushion material that
provides adequate padding for the cyclist's anatomy, specifically,
the cyclist's public bone region and the buttocks. The density and
thickness of the layer 30 can be determined by one of ordinary
skill in the art considering factors such as, e.g., the degree of
protection that a given thickness can provide, and the amount of
bunching that such a thickness may cause. The layer 30 may have
some elasticity, but it is not required that the layer 30 be as
elastic or stretchable as the top and the bottom layers 10, 20. In
the disclosed embodiment, the layer 30 has an elongated depression
or slot 32 through a central portion of the layer, wherein the slot
32 coincides with the long axis of the layer. The slot helps to
avoid bunching of the material of the layer 30 and associated
discomfort of the cyclist when the layer is subjected to various
stresses during use. See the earlier mentioned U.S. Pat. No.
5,271,101 which is incorporated by reference.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the inventive support,
showing the relative positions of the layers 10, 20 and 30 when the
three layers are sewn or otherwise joined to form the inventive
support. FIG. 5 is an enlarged, exploded view of the support.
[0033] The support is assembled by joining the intermediate cushion
or padding layer 30 to the bottom layer 20, preferably with
stitching that runs at or near the outer periphery of the layer 30
and the edge of the slot 32. The bottom layer 20 is then stitched
near the edges 22a, 22b and 24a of its front and back portions, to
corresponding edges 12a, 12b and 14a of the top layer 10, with a
top surface of the intermediate layer 30 facing toward a bottom
surface of the top layer 10 as shown in FIG. 5. Note that the
intermediate cushion layer 30 is not directly sewn or otherwise
fixed to the elastic top layer 10.
[0034] Accordingly, the top layer 10 is free to encounter
stretching and/or shifts in position in response to peddling motion
of the cyclist's legs, without any restraint by the intermediate
cushion layer 30 which is kept substantially stationary under the
weight of the cyclist's body. Instead, such stretching or other
movement of the top layer 10 is complied with by those elastic
sections of the bottom layer 20 that extend between the
intermediate layer 30 and the edges of the top layer 10 at which
the bottom layer 20 is joined. That is, unlike the known body
supports or chamois, any inherent stiffness of the cushion layer 30
in the inventive support will not act to limit the cyclist's
freedom of movement.
[0035] FIG. 6 is an enlarged, detail view of a front portion of the
inventive support, wherein a bottom layer 40 is cut to accommodate
a lower female anatomy. FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the support
of FIG. 6, showing the relative positions of the layers 10, 20 and
40 when the three layers are assembled to form the inventive
support.
[0036] In contrast to the bottom layer 20 of FIG. 2, a front
portion 40a of the bottom layer 40 is cut away or contoured as seen
in FIG. 7 so as to relieve or reduce pressure, chaffing, bunching
and/or discomfort that the layer 40 might otherwise cause in the
vicinity of a female cyclist's lower anatomy. Similar to the male
support of FIG. 4, the female support of FIG. 7 is assembled by
joining the intermediate cushion layer 30 to the bottom layer 40,
preferably with stitching that runs at or near the outer periphery
of the cushion layer 30 and the edge of slot 32 in the layer 30.
The bottom layer 40 is then stitched at or near two outer edges
44a, 44b on its front portion, and at or near the two outer edges
42a, 42b on its back portion, to corresponding edges of the top
layer 10 so that the top surface of the intermediate cushion layer
30 faces toward the bottom surface of the top layer 10. As in the
male support of FIG. 4, the intermediate layer 30 is not directly
sewn or otherwise fixed to the top layer 10.
[0037] Similar to the male version of FIG. 4, the female support of
FIGS. 6 and 7 cushions the public bone region and buttocks of the
cyclist. The bottom layer 40 is cut away (at 40a) at the front
portion of the support, however, to avoid bunching or other
discomfort in a sensitive region of a female cyclist's anatomy when
the cyclist is actively peddling for long periods of time.
[0038] The inventive cyclist body support, whether male or female
version, can be sewn or otherwise fixed in place inside a pair of
cycling shorts in a manner that would be apparent to a skilled
worker in view of the present disclosure. For example, as depicted
in FIG. 8, the support is stitched at 50 along the outer periphery
of the top layer 10 into the seat and crotch region of cycling
shorts 60. Other suitable methods of adhering the support to the
shorts 60 may be used such as, e.g., thermal bonding.
[0039] In the disclosed embodiment, the inventive support is
prefabricated separately from the shorts 60, and the top layer 10
of the support may have imprinted desired text and graphics. It
will be understood, however, that the support may be integrated
with the shorts 60 at the time the shorts are manufactured.
[0040] Because the intermediate cushion layer 30 is not fastened
directly to the shorts 60, bunching of the support and cyclist
discomfort are reduced or eliminated. It should be noted that while
the top layer 10 is shown in the drawing as one continuous piece of
material, the layer 10 may alternatively be formed from several
pieces of material that are joined to one another. An advantage of
this alternate embodiment is that different fabrics may be used,
some of which may feature desired imprinting while others provide
desired breathability and/or stretchability.
[0041] FIG. 6 also illustrates the stretchability or compliance of
the inventive support. Because only the elastic top and bottom
layers 10, 20 of the support are fastened directly to the material
of the shorts 60 (which as mentioned may also be elastic), the
intermediate cushion layer 30 can remain at a substantially optimum
position beneath the cyclist's body while the top layer and those
sections of the bottom layer extending beyond the cushion layer may
stretch easily in the same or opposite directions (arrows A and B)
to comply with changing positions of the cyclist and the shorts
while the cyclist peddles. The cyclist thus enjoys both comfort as
well as enhanced performance because no layer of the inventive
support will act to restrain his or her leg movement.
[0042] While the present invention has been disclosed and described
with reference to various embodiments thereof, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications
can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention, which is pointed out by the following claims.
* * * * *