U.S. patent application number 11/364057 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-14 for cycling pants.
This patent application is currently assigned to Shimano Inc.. Invention is credited to Shinpei Okajima.
Application Number | 20060277645 11/364057 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37402130 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060277645 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Okajima; Shinpei |
December 14, 2006 |
Cycling pants
Abstract
A pair of cycling pants is provided with a pants unit, a pair of
shoulder straps and a pair of buckles to form a bib or shoulder
strap type cycling pants. The pants unit has a front waist section,
a rear waist section configured to form a waist opening together
with the front waist section, and a crotch section positioned
between a pair of leg-openings. The shoulder straps have fixed ends
connected to the rear waist section of the pants unit and free ends
positioned on the opposite side as the fixed ends. The shoulder
straps extend from the rear waist section to the front waist
section by way of the rider's shoulders when the cycling pants are
worn. The two buckles are each configured such that one of the
shoulder straps can pass there-through and arranged on the front
waist section for adjusting the lengths of the shoulder straps.
Inventors: |
Okajima; Shinpei; (Sakai,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLOBAL IP COUNSELORS, LLP
1233 20TH STREET, NW, SUITE 700
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-2680
US
|
Assignee: |
Shimano Inc.
Sakai
JP
|
Family ID: |
37402130 |
Appl. No.: |
11/364057 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41F 3/00 20130101; A41D
1/084 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/069 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 24, 2005 |
JP |
JP 2005-151185 |
Claims
1. A pair of cycling pants for a rider to wear when riding a
bicycle, comprising: a pants unit including a front waist section,
a rear waist section coupled to the front waist section to form a
waist opening, and a crotch section positioned between the front
and rear waist sections to define a pair of leg openings; a pair of
shoulder straps having fixed ends connected to the rear waist
section of the pants unit and free ends positioned on the opposite
side as the fixed ends, the shoulder straps being configured such
that they can be extended from the rear waist section to the front
waist section by way of a rider's shoulders when the cycling pants
are worn; and a pair of buckles coupled to the front waist section
and configured such that the shoulder straps can pass therethrough
to adjust an effective length of each of the shoulder straps,
respectively.
2. The cycling pants recited in claim 1, wherein the front waist
section has an upper portion with the buckles arranged thereon, the
upper portion being configured such that the buckles are arranged
between the chest and waist of the rider when the cycling pants are
worn.
3. The cycling pants recited in claim 2, wherein the front waist
section is configured to have a tapered shape such that its width
narrows gradually in a direction from the crotch section toward the
upper portion.
4. The cycling pants recited in claim 1, wherein the shoulder
straps have tapering widths along a majority of the shoulder straps
such that the widths of the shoulder straps narrow gradually from
the fixed ends toward the free ends of the shoulder straps.
5. The cycling pants recited in claim 1, wherein each of the
buckles has a passage part through which one of the shoulder straps
can pass and a cam lever part configured to pivot between a
fastening position where the shoulder strap can be fastened in the
passage part and a release position where the fastened state is
released.
6. The cycling pants recited in claim 5, wherein each of the
shoulder straps includes a main body part formed at a corresponding
one of the fixed ends and a passable part arranged between the free
end and a tip end of the main body part, the passable part being
configured to be passed through the passage part of a corresponding
one of the buckles, the passable part being made of natural leather
or synthetic leather.
7. The cycling pants recited in claims 6, wherein each of the
passable parts has an embossing treatment applied to a surface that
mates with the cam lever part of a corresponding one of the
buckles.
8. The cycling pants recited in claim 6, wherein each of the
shoulder straps further includes a passage restraining part
arranged on a tip end of each of the passable part, the passage
restraining part being dimensioned such that the passage
restraining part is difficult to pass through the passage part of a
corresponding one of the buckles.
9. The cycling pants recited in claim 8, wherein each of the
passage restraining parts is configured to have a larger thickness
than a corresponding one of the passable parts.
10. The cycling pants recited in claim 9, wherein the passage
restraining part is formed by overlapping and fastening two layers
material together with the material of the passage restraining part
being identical to a material of the passable part.
11. The cycling pants recited in claim 6, wherein the main body
parts are made of a stretchy material.
12. The cycling pant recited in claim 1, wherein the front waist
section is made of a stretchy material.
13. The cycling pants recited in claim 1, wherein the pants unit is
made of a stretchy material.
14. The cycling pants recited in claim 6, wherein at least a
portion of the rear waist section and at least a portion of each of
the main body parts in a vicinity of the base ends of the shoulder
straps are made of a perforated mesh material.
15. The cycling pants recited in claim 1, wherein at least a
portion of the front waist section is made of a perforated mesh
material.
16. The cycling pants recited in claim 10, wherein each of the main
body parts of the shoulder straps has a pair of longitudinally
extending side edge sections that are made of a material that is
less stretchy than a center section a corresponding one of the main
body parts.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-151185. The entire
disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-151185 is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention generally relates to pants. More
particularly, the present invention relates to cycling pants for a
rider to wear when riding a bicycle.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of
recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover,
bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both
amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for
recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is
constantly improving the products that the rider uses during the
bicycling. For example, there are many types of garments that are
especially designed for use during the bicycling.
[0006] Cycling pants are intended for riders (cyclists) to wear
when riding a bicycle and are generally made of a stretchy
material. There are known examples of cycling pants of an overall
type having shoulder straps. For example, Campagnolo offers cycling
pants for sale on their website under the Racing Series Man--Spring
Summer 2005 line of clothing (http://www.campagnolo.com/apparel as
of May 19, 2005). These conventional cycling pants have a pants
unit, and shoulder straps that run from the front side to the back
side by way of the rider's shoulders. The shoulder straps are
formed as homogenous, integral parts of the front side of the pants
unit and are sewn to the back side of the pants unit. Cycling pants
having this sort of shoulder strap are frequently used by riders
participating in road races because the shoulder straps do not
easily shift out of place during the intense and strenuous movement
that can occur during a road race. Such conventional cycling pants
are worn by first passing both legs through the pants unit and then
placing the shoulder straps on the shoulders.
[0007] Since the shoulder straps of the conventional cycling pants
described above are formed integrally with the front side of the
pants unit and sewn to the back side of the pants unit, the lengths
of the shoulder straps are fixed. Consequently, depending on the
body type of the rider, there is the possibility that the shoulder
straps will be loose and fall from the shoulders of the rider.
Conversely, there is also the possibility that the shoulder straps
will be too tight on the shoulders of the rider. Thus, with the
conventional shoulder strap type cycling pants described above,
there is the possibility of comfort problems occurring in relation
to the lengths of the shoulder straps.
[0008] In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for
improved cycling pants. This invention addresses this need in the
art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] One object of the present invention is to provide a shoulder
strap type cycling pant that can resolve comfort problems regarding
the lengths of the shoulder straps.
[0010] The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing
a pair of cycling pants for a rider to wear when riding a bicycle.
The cycling pants basically comprise pants unit, a pair of shoulder
straps and a pair of buckles. The pants unit includes a front waist
section, a rear waist section coupled to the front waist section to
form a waist opening, and a crotch section positioned between the
front and rear waist sections to define a pair of leg openings. The
shoulder straps have fixed ends connected to the rear waist section
of the pants unit and free ends positioned on the opposite side as
the fixed ends. The shoulder straps are configured such that they
can be extended from the rear waist section to the front waist
section by way of a rider's shoulders when the cycling pants are
worn. The buckles are coupled to the front waist section and is
configured such that the shoulder straps can pass therethrough to
adjust an effective length of each of the shoulder straps,
respectively.
[0011] When this cycling pant is put on, the free ends of the
shoulder straps are brought to the buckles and connected to the
buckles in advance. The wearer passes his or her legs through the
leg openings first and then places the shoulder straps on his or
her shoulders. The wearer then adjusts the lengths of the shoulder
straps using the pair of buckles. Since the shoulder straps are not
fixed to the front waist section and, instead, have free ends that
can be passed through the buckles, the length of each shoulder
strap can be adjusted independently so as to match the body type of
the rider (wearer). As a result, comfort problems regarding the
lengths of the shoulder straps can be resolved.
[0012] In cycling pants in accordance with a second aspect of the
present invention, the front waist section has an upper portion
with the buckles arranged thereon. The upper portion is configured
such that the buckles are arranged between the chest and waist of
the rider when the cycling pants are worn. With this cycling pant,
since the two buckles arranged on the front waist section are
arranged between the chest and waist of the rider, the buckles are
arranged in a place that is easy for the rider to reach and, thus,
the rider can easily adjust the lengths of the shoulder straps
using the buckles even while riding.
[0013] In cycling pants in accordance with a third aspect of the
present invention, the front waist section is configured to have a
tapered shape such that its width narrows gradually in a direction
from the crotch section toward the upper portion. With this cycling
pant, the tensile forces imposed on the pants unit by the shoulder
straps are dispersed and a comfortable fit can be maintained even
if the lengths of the shoulder straps are adjusted such that the
shoulder straps are tight. Additionally, since the portions
directly below the buckles are shaped such that the widths thereof
gradually expand toward the closely positioned end, these portions
are easy to grip while riding and the gripping hand will not easily
slip when the buckles are operated by gripping these portions.
[0014] In cycling pants in accordance with a fourth aspect of the
present invention, the shoulder straps have tapering widths along a
majority of the shoulder straps such that the widths of the
shoulder straps narrow gradually from the fixed ends toward the
free ends of the shoulder straps. With this cycling pant, the
tensile forces imposed on shoulders by the shoulder straps can be
dispersed and, thus, a comfortable fit can be maintained even if
the lengths of the shoulder straps are adjusted such that the
shoulder straps are tight. Additionally, since the shoulder straps
are tapered, they are easy to pass through the buckles.
[0015] In cycling pants in accordance with a fifth aspect of the
present invention, each of the two buckles has a passage part
through which one of the shoulder straps each of the buckles has a
passage part through which one of the shoulder straps can pass and
a cam lever part configured to pivot between a fastening position
where the shoulder strap can be fastened in the passage part and a
release position where the fastened state is released. With this
cycling pant, the length of either shoulder strap can be adjusted
by merely pivoting the cam lever part from the fastening position
to the release position.
[0016] In cycling pants in accordance with a sixth aspect of the
present invention, each of the shoulder straps includes a main body
part formed at a corresponding one of the fixed ends and a passable
part arranged between the free end and a tip end of the main body
part. The passable part is configured to be passed through the
passage part of a corresponding one of the buckles, and is made of
natural leather or synthetic leather. With this cycling pant, since
the passable part is made of a tough leather material that does not
readily stretch, the length of a shoulder strap can be adjusted
with ease by grasping the passable part. Furthermore, when the cam
lever part of one of the buckles is pivoted to the fastening
position, the characteristics of the leather material are such that
the cam lever part can be pivoted smoothly without applying
excessive force and a sufficient fastening force can be
obtained.
[0017] In cycling pants in accordance with a seventh aspect of the
present invention, each of the passable parts has an embossing
treatment applied to a surface that mates with the cam lever part
of a corresponding one of the buckles. With this cycling pant, the
holding force resulting from the mating of the cam lever part with
the passable part can be increased without increasing the force
(torque) required to pivot the cam lever part and a sufficient
fastening force can be obtained between the shoulder strap and the
buckle.
[0018] In cycling pants in accordance with an eighth aspect of the
present invention, a each of the shoulder straps further includes a
passage restraining part arranged on a tip end of each of the
passable part, the passage restraining part being dimensioned such
that the passage restraining part is difficult to pass through the
passage part of a corresponding one of the buckles. With this
cycling pant, it is difficult for one of the shoulder straps to
accidentally become detached from the buckle when the length of the
shoulder strap is being adjusted.
[0019] In cycling pants in accordance with a ninth aspect of the
present invention, each of the passage restraining parts is
configured to have a larger thickness than a corresponding one of
the passable parts. With this cycling pant, the passage through the
passage part can be made more difficult by means of a difference in
thickness.
[0020] In cycling pants in accordance with a tenth aspect of the
present invention, the passage restraining part is formed by
overlapping and fastening two layers material together with the
material of the passage restraining part being identical to a
material of the passable part. With this cycling pant, the passage
restraining part matches the other portions well (does not clash)
and can be formed in a simple fashion.
[0021] In cycling pants in accordance with an eleventh aspect of
the present invention, the main body parts are made of a stretchy
material. Since the shoulder straps can stretch, the cycling pants
can fit riders having a variety of upper body types.
[0022] In cycling pants in accordance with a twelfth aspect of the
present invention, the front waist section is made of a stretchy
material. With this cycling pant, even if the shoulder straps pull
on the front waist section, the force will be dispersed because the
front waist section is stretchy. Thus, the cycling pant will fit
riders having various shapes and sizes of waists.
[0023] In cycling pants in accordance with a thirteenth aspect of
the present invention, the pants unit is made of a stretchy
material. With this cycling pant, since the pants unit can stretch,
the cycling pants can fit riders having a variety of lower body
types.
[0024] In cycling pants in accordance with a fourteenth aspect of
the present invention, at least a portion of the rear waist section
and at least a portion of each of the main body parts in a vicinity
of the base ends of the shoulder straps are made of a perforated
mesh material. With this cycling pant, the ventilation is improved
in at least the portion of the rear waist section positioned on the
upper body and the base end portions of the shoulder straps.
Consequently, moisture is less likely to accumulate on the wearer's
upper body when the wearer perspires.
[0025] In cycling pants in accordance with a fifteenth aspect of
the present invention, at least a portion of the front waist
section is made of a perforated mesh material. With this cycling
pant, the ventilation of the front waist section is improved,
thereby reducing the amount of perspiration occurring at the front
side of the rider's upper body.
[0026] In cycling pants in accordance with a sixteenth aspect of
the present invention, each of the main body parts of the shoulder
straps has a pair of longitudinally extending side edge sections
that are made of a material that is less stretchy than a center
section a corresponding one of the main body parts. With this
cycling pant, the stretchiness of the shoulder straps is held to an
appropriate degree and an appropriate tensile force is obtained
from the shoulder straps when the cycling pant is worn.
Furthermore, the occurrence of wrinkling in the pants unit can be
suppressed and aerodynamic characteristics can be improved.
[0027] With the present invention, since the shoulder straps are
not fixed to the front waist section and, instead, have free ends
that can be passed through the buckles, the length of each shoulder
strap can be adjusted independently so as to match the body type of
the rider (wearer). As a result, comfort problems regarding the
lengths of the shoulder straps can be resolved.
[0028] These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of
the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the following detailed description, which, taken in
conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of
this original disclosure:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a front side elevational view of a pair of cycling
pants in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a rear side elevational view of the cycling pants
illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with the illustrated embodiment
of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the cycling pants
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the illustrated
embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 4 is a partial front side elevational view of an upper
part of the cycling pants illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the
buckles removed from the cycling pants;
[0034] FIG. 5 is an enlarged front side elevational view of one of
the buckles of the cycling pants illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4;
and
[0035] FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional view of one of the
buckles and one of the shoulder straps of the cycling pants
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be
explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to
those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following
descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are
provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting
the invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0037] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 3, a pair of cycling pants
10 is illustrated in accordance with a first embodiment of the
present invention. The cycling pants 10 are intended to be worn
mainly when riding a road bike, mountain bike, or other bike for
sports purposes. The cycling pants 10 basically includes a pants
unit 12, a pair of left and right shoulder straps 14 fastened to
the pants unit 12, and a pair of left and right buckles 16 fastened
to the pants unit 12.
[0038] The pants unit 12 is made of polyester or other fabric
having a stretchy quality. The figures depict the pants unit 12 in
a non-stretched state. The pants unit 12 has a front waist section
20, a rear waist section 22 and a crotch section 24. The front and
rear waist sections 20 and 22 are coupled together to cover the
upper body of the rider. The upper edges of the front and rear
waist sections 20 and 22 form a waist opening 26. The crotch
section 24 is positioned between the front and rear waist sections
20 and 22. The crotch section 24 is configured to define a pair of
leg openings 28.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 4, the front waist section 20 has a pair of
left and right closely positioned ends 20a arranged near the crotch
section 24 and a pair of left and right distantly positioned ends
20b. The buckles 16 are arranged on the distantly positioned ends
20b of the front waist section 20. The closely positioned ends 20a
and the distantly positioned end 20b serve to cause the buckles 16
to be arranged between the chest and waist of the rider when the
cycling pant 10 is worn. The front waist section 20 is curved from
the left-hand distantly positioned end 20b and the closely
positioned end 20a to the right-hand closely positioned end 20a and
the distantly positioned end 20b so as to have generally the shape
of a letter U.
[0040] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the front waist section 20 has a
front upper portion 20c that is curved in the shape of a letter U
and made of a stretchy perforated mesh material and a front lower
portion 20d that connects to the crotch section 24 and is made of a
stretchy non-perforated material. The front upper portion 20c
includes the closely positioned ends 20a and the distantly
positioned ends 20b. The front lower portion 20d extends to the
edge portions on both sides. The front waist section 20 is
configured to have a tapered shape such that its width narrows
gradually from the closely positioned ends 20a toward the distantly
positioned ends 20b, i.e., in a direction from the crotch section
24 towards the front upper portion 20c.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the rear waist section 22 is formed
integrally and homogeneously with respect to the pair of shoulder
straps 14. However, it is also acceptable for the shoulder straps
14 to be separate entities from the rear waist section 22. The rear
waist section 22 has a rear upper portion 22a that is made of a
stretchy perforated mesh material and connects to the shoulder
straps 14 and a rear lower portion 22b that is made of a stretchy
non-perforated material and connects to the crotch section 24. The
rear upper portion 22a is configured to project toward the rear
lower portion 22b in the shape of a letter U. Similarly to the
front lower portion 20d, the rear lower portion 22b extends to the
edge portions on both sides. Both side portions of the cycling pant
where the front waist section 20 and the rear waist section 22 meet
are cut very low in a generally U-shaped manner.
[0042] The crotch section 24 is positioned between the pair of leg
openings 28 and configured to cover the insides of the rider's
thighs. The crotch section 24 is made of a stretchy material. The
crotch section 24 is sewn such that the leg openings 28 lean
slightly forward from the front and rear waist sections 20 and
22.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the two shoulder straps 14 have fixed
ends 30 connected to the rear waist section 22 of the pants unit 12
and free ends 32 positioned on the opposite side as the fixed ends
30. The shoulder straps 14 are configured such that they can be
extended from the rear waist section 22 to the front waist section
20 by way of the rider's shoulders when the cycling pant 10 is
worn. Each of the two shoulder straps 14 is configured to have a
tapered shape such that its width narrows gradually from the fixed
ends 30 toward the free ends 32.
[0044] Each shoulder strap 14 has a main body part 34 whose base
end is the fixed end 30 of the shoulder strap 14 and a passable
part 36 that is arranged at least between the free end 32 of the
shoulder strap 14 and the tip end of the main body part 34 and
configured to be passed through the passage part 40 of one of the
buckles 16. Preferably, the passable part 36 is configured to
include the free end 32. The main body part 34 is made of a
stretchy perforated mesh material and is formed so as to be
integral and homogeneous with respect to the rear upper portion 22a
of the rear waist section 22. Edge sections 39 made of a material
that is less stretchy than other portions of the cycling pant 10
are provided on both side portions of the main body part parts 34
and the edge portions of the rear waist section 22 and the front
waist section 20 that join with the side portions in a continuous
manner.
[0045] The passable part 36 is made of natural leather or synthetic
leather formed to substantially the same width. Preferable the
front surface of the passable part 36 is embossed so as to have an
embossed section 36a. A passage restraining part 38 configured to
be difficult to pass through the passage part 40 is provided on the
tip end of each passable part 36. The passage restraining part 38
is formed to protrude on the front side so as to be thicker than
the rest of the passable part 36. More specifically, the passage
restraining part 38 is made of the same material as the passable
part 36 and is formed by overlapping a piece of the material over
the front surface of a tip end portion of the passable part 36 and
fastening the piece of material in place with stitching (sewing).
Thus, when the passable part 36 is passed through the buckle 16 in
the direction of removing the passable part 36 from the buckle 16,
the passage restraining part 38 catches on the buckle 16 slightly
such that the passable part 36 does not readily slip out of the
buckle 16. Consequently, it is difficult for the shoulder strap 14
to accidentally become detached from the buckle 16 when the length
of the shoulder strap 14 is being adjusted.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the left and right buckles 16 are
fastened to the tip ends of the upper portions 20c of the front
waist section 20, and preferably comprise molded members made of
synthetic resin. Each of the buckle sections 16 has a passage part
40 through which the passable part 36 of a shoulder strap 14 can
pass and a cam lever part 42 capable of fastening the passable part
36 of a shoulder strap 14 in the passage part 40. The passage part
40 is a generally rectangular frame-like member and the cam lever
part 42 is mounted in a freely pivotal manner on an inside wall of
the passage part 40. The cam lever part 42 is configured to pivot
between a fastening position where the passable part 36 can be
fastened in any desired position and a release position where the
fastened state of the passable part 36 is released. In FIG. 6 the
fastening position is drawn with a double-dot chain line and the
release position is drawn with a solid line. The cam lever part 42
has a lever part 42a that extends from the pivot axis thereof and a
cam protrusion part 42b that is arranged on the back side of the
lever part 42a and engages with an inside surface of the passage
part 40 when the cam lever part 42 is in the fastened position.
[0047] With this cycling pant structure, the cycling pant 10 is
worn by first passing both legs through the leg openings 28 of the
pants unit 12 with the shoulder straps already inserted through the
buckles 16 and secured with the cam lever parts 42 in the fastening
positions. Then, after the pants unit 12 is put on, the shoulder
straps 14 are placed over the shoulders. To adjust the length of a
shoulder strap 14, the cam lever part 42 is lifted upward from the
fastening position. When a shoulder strap 14 is to be lengthened,
one method is to grasp the distantly positioned end 20b of the
front waist section 20 and pull downward. After the adjustment is
completed, the cam lever part 42 is pivoted downward to the
fastening position. When a shoulder strap 14 is to be shortened,
one method is to grasp the passage part 40 of the buckle 16 and
pull the passage restraining part 38 of the shoulder strap 14,
thereby shortening the length of the shoulder strap 14. After the
adjustment is completed, the cam lever part 42 is pivoted downward
to the fastening position.
[0048] Since the shoulder straps 14 are not fixed to the front
waist section 20 and, instead, have free ends that can be passed
through the buckles, the length of each shoulder strap 14 can be
adjusted independently so as to match the body type of the rider.
As a result, problems regarding the lengths of the shoulder straps
14 can be resolved.
[0049] Each shoulder strap 14 comprises a main body part 34 made of
a stretchy material and a passable part 36 that is arranged between
the free end 32 and the tip end of the main body part 34 and made
of a leather material. Consequently, the passable part 36 is tough
and does not readily stretch and the length of the shoulder strap
14 can be adjusted easily by grasping the tip end of the passable
part 36. Additionally, when the cam lever part 42 of one of the
buckles 16 is pivoted to the fastening position, the
characteristics of the leather material (i.e., the stiffness of the
leather material with respect to compression in the thickness
direction) are such that the cam lever part 42 can be pivoted
smoothly without applying excessive force (i.e., the leather
material readily compresses to an appropriate degree) and a
sufficient fastening force can be obtained (since the leather
material can still exert an appropriate reaction force even after
it is compressed, a sufficient holding force is obtained when the
cam lever part 42 clamps into the leather material). Furthermore,
when an embossed section 36a is provided on the front surface of
the passable part 36 by means of an embossing process, the holding
force resulting from the mating of the cam lever part 42 with the
passable part 36 can be increased without increasing the force
(torque) required to pivot the cam lever part 42.
[0050] Also, the ventilation of the cycling pant 10 is improved and
moisture is less likely to accumulate on the rider's upper body
when the rider perspires because the main body part parts 34
arranged on the rider's upper body, the front upper portion 20c of
the front waist section 20, and the rear upper portion 22a of the
rear waist section 22 are made of a perforated mesh material.
[0051] Although in the previously described embodiment, all
portions of the cycling pant other than the passable part 36 are
made of a stretchy material, it is also acceptable made those
portions out of a non-stretchy material.
[0052] Although in the previously described embodiment the cycling
pants 10 are configured to cover only the thighs of the rider, it
is also acceptable for the cycling pants 10 to be configured to
cover the calves of the rider as well.
GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS
[0053] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the
term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended
to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated
features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but
do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements,
components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also
applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms,
"including", "having" and their derivatives. Also, the terms
"part," "section," "portion," "member" or "element" when used in
the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a
plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as
"substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a
reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the
end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms
can be construed as including a deviation of at least .+-.5% of the
modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the
word it modifies.
[0054] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to
illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and
modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore,
the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the
present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for
the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *
References