U.S. patent application number 10/910141 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-02 for waistband construction for undergarments.
Invention is credited to Joseph Protting.
Application Number | 20060021116 10/910141 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35730462 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060021116 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Protting; Joseph |
February 2, 2006 |
Waistband construction for undergarments
Abstract
An undergarment with an improved elastic waistband comprises a
fabric garment body defining a pair of shorts with a circular waist
portion, and a waistband which includes an annular band of
longitudinally elastic tape. The waistband has a lower edge
contiguous to the circular waist portion and a free upper edge, and
a plurality of laterally oriented upward V-shaped notches therein
providing openings in the upper edge. The undergarment can further
include a fabric covering coextensive with elastic tape which is
elastically stitched to the elastic tape. The waistband can
comprise a plurality of stress relief points including at least one
member selected from the group consisting of a plurality of
laterally oriented upward V-shaped notches therein providing
openings in said waistband upper edge, a plurality of perforations
formed integral within said waistband for stress relief and
including a notches, cutouts, perforations or combinations thereof
and a plurality of laterally oriented downward V-shaped notches
which provide openings in the lower edge. In a preferred
embodiment, the upward V-shaped notches and the downward V-shaped
notches are in an alternating arrangement with one another so that
the downward V-shaped notches define interstitial lower edge
portions which are contiguous to the circular waist.
Inventors: |
Protting; Joseph; (West Palm
Beach, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCHALE & SLAVIN, P.A.
2855 PGA BLVD
PALM BEACH GARDENS
FL
33410
US
|
Family ID: |
35730462 |
Appl. No.: |
10/910141 |
Filed: |
August 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/404 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41F 9/02 20130101; A41B
9/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/404 |
International
Class: |
A41B 9/02 20060101
A41B009/02 |
Claims
1. An undergarment providing enhanced comfort comprising: a fabric
garment body defining a pair of leg receiving portions with a
circular waist, a waistband comprising at least one segment of
longitudinally elastic tape constructed to provide an annular band
and having a lower edge contiguous to said circular waist and a
free upper edge, said waistband further including a plurality of
laterally oriented stress relief points; whereby said waistband
comfortably conforms to a user's torso.
2. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein said waistband further
comprises a fabric covering coextensive with said at least one
segment of longitudinally elastic tape wherein said fabric covering
is elastically stitched to said elastic tape.
3. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein said stress relief points
include a plurality of laterally oriented V-shaped notches, and
said waistband includes reinforcement stitching proximate to and
aligning with said edges.
4. The undergarment of claim 3, wherein said plurality of V-shaped
notches have opposing edges, and said waistband includes a
plurality of V-shaped reinforcement fabric portions which are
respectively aligned with said V-shaped notches and attached to
said waistband by stitching.
5. The undergarment of claim 3, wherein said waistband further
comprises a plurality of laterally oriented downward V-shaped
notches providing openings in said lower edge, wherein said upward
V-shaped notches and said downward V-shaped notches are in an
alternating arrangement with one another with said downward
V-shaped notches defining interstitial lower edge portions which
are contiguous to said circular waist.
6. The undergarment of claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of
V-shaped notches have opposing edges, and said waistband includes
reinforcement stitching proximate to and aligning with said
edges.
7. The undergarment of claim 5, wherein said plurality of V-shaped
notches have opposing edges, and said waistband includes a
plurality of V-shaped reinforcement fabric portions which are
respectively aligned with said V-shaped notches and attached to
said waistband by stitching.
8. A waistband construction for pull-on type garments for the lower
torso comprising at least one segment of longitudinally elastic
tape constructed to provide an annular band attachable to a waist
portion of a garment, said at least one segment providing a
plurality of laterally oriented stress relief points whereby said
waistband comfortably conforms to a user's torso.
9. The waistband of claim 8, wherein said stress relief points
include a free upper edge having a plurality of laterally oriented
V-shaped notches therein providing openings in said upper edge,
said plurality of V-shaped notches having opposing edges, and said
waistband including reinforcement stitching proximate to and
aligning with said edges.
10. The waistband of claim 9, wherein said plurality of V-shaped
notches have opposing edges, and said waistband includes a
plurality of V-shaped reinforcement fabric portions which are
respectively aligned with said V-shaped notches and attached to
said waistband by stitching.
11. The waistband construction of claim 9, wherein said lower edge
includes a plurality of laterally oriented downward V-shaped
notches providing openings in said lower edge, wherein said upward
V-shaped notches and said downward V-shaped notches are in an
alternating arrangement with one another with said downward
V-shaped notches define interstitial lower edge portions for
attachment to the garment.
12. The waistband of claim 11, wherein each of said plurality of
V-shaped notches have opposing edges, and said waistband includes
reinforcement stitching proximate to and aligning with said
edges.
13. The waistband of claim 11, wherein said plurality of V-shaped
notches have opposing edges, and said waistband includes a
plurality of V-shaped reinforcement fabric portions which are
respectively aligned with said V-shaped notches and attached to
said waistband by stitching.
14. A sock adapted to be worn on a foot comprising a tubular body
having an upper edge forming an opening for insertion of said foot,
wherein said upper edge includes an elastic band constructed and
arranged to conform to a wearer's ankle, said band including a
plurality of laterally oriented stress relief points whereby said
upper elastic band comfortably conforms to a user's ankle, said
stress relief points including at least one member selected from
the group consisting of a plurality of laterally oriented upward
V-shaped notches therein providing openings in said elastic band
upper edge, a plurality of perforations formed integral within said
band for stress relief and including notches, cutouts, perforations
or combinations thereof.
15. The undergarment of claim 1 wherein said stress relief points
include at least one member selected from the group consisting of a
plurality of laterally oriented upward V-shaped notches therein
providing openings in said waistband upper edge, a plurality of
laterally oriented downward V-shaped notches which provide openings
in the lower edge, a plurality of perforations formed integral
within said waistband for stress relief and including a notches,
cutouts, perforations, or combinations thereof.
16. The garment of claim 8 wherein said stress relief points
include at least one member selected from the group consisting of a
plurality of laterally oriented upward V-shaped notches therein
providing openings in said waistband upper edge, a plurality of
laterally oriented downward V-shaped notches which provide openings
in the lower edge, a plurality of perforations formed integral
within said waistband for stress relief and including a notches,
cutouts, perforations, or combinations thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is related to garment construction, and in
particular to an improved waistband construction for boxer shorts
and other similar undergarments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Undergarments for the lower torso such as boxer shorts,
briefs, and the like usually have elastic waistbands which conform
to the waist of the wearer. The elastic waistband must be
sufficiently taut to maintain the garment in place on the waist of
the wearer. However, since body sizes and proportions can differ
greatly between individuals, it often happens that the elastic is
too tight and causes discomfort to the wearer. Discomfort can also
result due to the fact that the approximately cylindrical shape of
the waistband may not smoothly conform to the natural topography of
the body's surface.
[0003] An example of a prior art attempt to create a waistband with
more "give" can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,332, which discloses
an expandable waistband for a garment. The garment has a
non-elastic waistband, with vertical slits cut therein which are
webbed with a resilient material to accommodate stresses caused by
movement of the wearer or by changes in the wearer's girth. U.S.
Pat. No. 1,048,633 discloses a pair of trousers having openings in
the tops of the vertical side seams with the edges connected by
loop having an elastic band extending therethrough.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,339 discloses a waistband for trousers
which comprises an elastic band and a fabric web which is attached
to the garment and to the elastic band. The fabric web partially
covers and restrains the elongation of the elastic band. The fabric
web does not cover the area of the elastic band near the side seams
of the garment, allowing the elastic band to stretch more easily in
this area to provide added comfort to the wearer.
[0005] Prior art patents specifically directed to undergarment
waistbands include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,207,155 and 1,998,140. U.S.
Pat. No. 3,207,155 is directed to a man's undergarment which
including side openings to facilitate the donning and subsequent
removal of the garment. The side openings are formed by severing
the front and back parts along a vertical line for a distance
extending below the upper edges. A binding or tape is sewn around
the marginal edges, forming a slot which opens at the waistband.
The waistband is also severed at the side opening and is provided
with a suitable fastening means for detachably securing the ends
together. U.S. Pat. No. 1,998,140 discloses a garment having front
and back non-elastic portions which are connected by side elastic
waistband portions.
[0006] It is nowhere shown or suggested in the prior art to provide
a boxer short-type undergarment with an improved elastic waistband
for added comfort. Thus, what is proposed herein is a novel elastic
waistband construction which is designed to closely conform to the
body of the wearer while including integral means for stress
relief, for example notches, cutouts, perforations or the like,
thereby allowing freedom of movement to provide a greatly improved,
comfortable fit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an objective of the invention to provide an elastic
waistband construction for articles of clothing which utilizes an
elastic band having a plurality of integral means for stress
relief, for example laterally oriented V-shaped notches, cutouts,
perforations or combinations thereof for added resiliency and
comfortable fit.
[0008] It is another objective to provide a waistband construction
for undergarments which is more comfortable for the wearer than
conventional elastic waistbands.
[0009] It is still another objective to provide a waistband
construction for undergarments which when worn lends a smoother
appearance to outerwear by diminishing the appearance of the
waistline.
[0010] It is a further objective of the invention to provide a
waistband construction for undergarments which is suitable for use
with a variety of types of undergarments for the lower torso.
[0011] In accordance with the above objectives, articles of
clothing, illustrated by, albeit not limited to undergarments and
stockings, provided with an improved elastic band are provided
which comprise a fabric garment body defining (in the case of
undergarments) a pair of leg receiving portions with a circular
waist portion, and a waistband which includes an annular band of
longitudinally elastic tape. The waistband has a lower edge
contiguous to the circular waist portion and a free upper edge. A
plurality of stress relieving apertures or notches are provided for
achieving a comfortable fit. For example, stress relief may be
provided in the form of laterally oriented upward V-shaped notches
positioned along the upper edge, and thereby providing openings in
said upper edge. The undergarment can further include a fabric
covering coextensive with elastic tape which is elastically
stitched to the elastic tape.
[0012] The waistband can further comprise a plurality of laterally
oriented downward V-shaped notches which provide openings in the
lower edge. In a preferred embodiment, the upward V-shaped notches
and the downward V-shaped notches are in an alternating arrangement
with one another so that the downward V-shaped notches define
interstitial lower edge portions which are contiguous to the
circular waist.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, a waistband construction
for pull-on type garments for the lower torso is provided which
comprises at least one segment of longitudinally elastic tape
constructed to provide an annular band attachable to a waist
portion of a garment and including a plurality of laterally
oriented V-shaped notches therein providing openings in the upper
edge of elastic tape. The lower edge of the elastic tape can
include a plurality of laterally oriented downward V-shaped notches
providing openings in the lower edge. The upward V-shaped notches
and the downward V-shaped notches can be in an alternating
arrangement with one another with the downward V-shaped notches
define interstitial lower edge portions for attachment to the
circular waist portion of a garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0014] FIG. 1A is a perspective illustration of a garment having a
waistband constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the invention;
[0015] FIG. 1B illustrates the garment of FIG. 1A with
reinforcement fabric portions attached to the V-shaped notches
therein;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a portion of the elastic tape utilized in the
garment shown in FIG. 1A;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective illustration of a garment having a
waistband constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment
of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a portion of the elastic tape utilized in the
garment shown in FIG. 3;
[0019] FIG. 5 a perspective illustration of a garment having a
waistband constructed in accordance with an another alternative
embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective illustration of a garment having a
waistband constructed in accordance with yet another alternative
embodiment of the invention; and
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates a sock having an upper edge constructed
in accordance with still another alternative embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Although the invention will be described in terms of a
specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled
in this art that various modifications, rearrangements, and
substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims
appended hereto.
[0023] FIG. 1A pictorially illustrates a garment 10 having a
waistband 12 constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the invention. The garment 10 as illustrated herein is a boxer
short type undergarment, however the invention is not limited in
this regard. The garment 10, although illustrated as a pair of
shorts, could be any garment which is constructed with an elastic
band to aid in positioning about the wearer, e.g. a waistband,
ankle band on a stocking, or the like.
[0024] The garment 10 includes a fabric garment body 111 defining a
pair of shorts with a circular waist portion 17. The waistband 12
has a lower edge 13 which is contiguous to the circular waist
portion 17 and a free upper edge 15. The waistband 12 can be
attached to the garment body 11 by stitching, or can include fabric
portions 18 integral to the garment body 11. The waistband 12
includes longitudinally elastic tape 14 constructed to provide an
annular band 16, of which a portion is visible in FIG. 1A. The
annular band 16 can be constructed using any number of segments of
longitudinally elastic tape, shown separate from the garment in
FIG. 2. In the conventional method of garment construction as would
be used in the illustrated example, segments of elastic tape 14 are
first attached to unassembled front and rear portions of the
garment body 11 then stitched at the side seams, thus forming
annular band 16. The fabric portions 18 can be attached to the
elastic tape 14 using rows of elastic stitching 32. The elastic
tape 14 can be any conventional knitted or woven elastic tape as is
typically used in garment construction.
[0025] Referring again to FIG. 1A, the invention contemplates the
inclusion of a plurality of stress relief points formed integral
with the elastic band. In the illustrated embodiment it can be seen
that the waistband 12 includes a plurality of laterally oriented
upward V-shaped notches 22 which provide openings in the upper edge
15 of the waistband 12. The notches 22 can include stitched
finished edges 26. Alternatively, a plurality of openings 25 could
be provided within the confines of the waistband, e.g., squares,
diamonds, ovals, circles, or the like, either singly or in
combination.
[0026] In FIG. 1B, an alternative embodiment is illustrated in
which the waistband 12 can also include V-shaped reenforcement
fabric portions 19 which are stitched to the waistband 12 to align
with the notches 22. The reinforcement fabric portions 19 serve to
prevent portions of the waistband from folding downward or being
otherwise displaced when the garment 10 is worn. In the illustrated
example, the fabric portions 19 are shown on the exterior of the
garment 11, however they can also be placed on the interior of the
waistband 12.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the elastic band 14 can be constructed
by cutting and removing V-shaped portions of conventional elastic
tape to form notches 22a. The resulting raw edges can be finished
using finishing stitching 25. Alternatively, the finishing
stitching 26 (FIG. 1A) can penetrate the fabric portions 18 of the
waistband 12 and th elastic band 14 to simultaneously secure the
elements together and also finish the raw edges of the notches 22a.
The elastic band 14 can also be knitted or woven at the time of
manufacture to include notches 22a or perforations 25a.
[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
invention. The garment 30 in FIG. 3 is constructed in a manner
similar to that of the garment 10 shown in FIG. 1A, and includes a
waistband 32 having a series of upward V-notches 42 which define
openings in an upper edge 35. In this embodiment, he waistband 32
further includes a plurality of laterally oriented downward
V-shaped notches 39 which provide openings in a lower edge 33 of
the waistband 32. The upward V-shaped notches 32 and said downward
V-shaped notches 39 are preferably in an alternating arrangement
with one another. The downward V-shaped notches 39 define
interstitial lower edge portions 36 which are contiguous to the
circular waist portion 37. FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the
elastic band 34 from the garment 30 shown in FIG. 3 showing the
upward V-shaped notches 32a and downward V-shaped notches 39a. As
discussed above with respect to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A,
the elastic band 34 can be constructed by modifying conventional
elastic tape, or alternatively, can be manufactured with the
desired configuration.
[0029] FIG. 5 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the
invention represented as garment 50 having a waistband 52. The
garment 50 is shown as a pair shorts, however in the practice of
the invention the waistband 52 can be used with any type of garment
for the lower torso. The garment 50 includes a garment body 51
which has a circular waist portion 57. The waistband 52 includes at
least one segment of longitudinally elastic tape 54 constructed to
provide an annular band 65. The elastic tape 54 can be formed using
the methods described above in relation to the previous
embodiments. The waistband 52 has a lower edge 53 which is attached
to the circular waist portion 57, preferably by stitching, and a
free upper edge 55. To construct the garment 50, segments of
elastic tape 54 can first stitched to unassembled front and rear
portions of the garment body 51 then stitched at the side seams to
provide the annular band 66.
[0030] The waistband 52 includes a plurality of laterally oriented
upward V-shaped notches 62 which provide openings in the upper edge
55 of the waistband 52. The waistband 52 can also include V-shaped
reenforcement fabric portions similar to those shown in FIG. 1A
which are stitched to the waistband 52 to align with the notches
22. As shown in FIG. 6, the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 can
alternatively be in the form of the garment 60 shown in FIG. 6, in
which the waistband 62 includes a plurality of upward V-shaped
notches 72 and plurality of downward V-shaped notches 79 in an
alternating arrangement. The downward V-shaped notches 79 define
interstitial lower edge portions 82 which are stitched to the
circular waist portion 67.
[0031] The above-described embodiments are directed to a waistband
construction, however the invention is not limited in this regard.
The principles of the invention can be applied to any elasticized
garment of a generally tubular configuration. FIG. 7 illustrates
still another alternative embodiment of the invention in which a
sock 100 includes a plurality of laterally oriented upward V-shaped
notches 220 which provide openings in the upper edge 150 of the
sock 100. Not illustrated, but nevertheless a part of the instant
invention, is the inclusion of alternative or additional stress
relief points including at least one member selected from the group
consisting of a plurality of laterally oriented upward V-shaped
notches therein providing openings in said elastic band upper edge,
and a plurality of perforations (equivalent to elements 25
illustrated in FIG. 1A) formed integral within said band for stress
relief and including notches, cutouts, perforations or combinations
thereof. The sock 100 is preferably knitted as a unitary garment
with the notches 220 created at the time of manufacture.
[0032] All patents and publications mentioned in this specification
are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which
the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein
incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual
publication was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference.
[0033] It is to be understood that while a certain form of the
invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific
form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention
is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in
the specification. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate
that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the
objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as
those inherent therein. The articles of manufacture, methods,
procedures and techniques described herein are presently
representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be
exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes
therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which
are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined
by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has
been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments,
it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be
unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various
modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention
which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *