U.S. patent application number 11/798686 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for male sport and multipurpose active wear undergarment.
Invention is credited to Diana M. Gravette, Eugene S. Gravette.
Application Number | 20070277285 11/798686 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38788403 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070277285 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gravette; Eugene S. ; et
al. |
December 6, 2007 |
Male sport and multipurpose active wear undergarment
Abstract
A male personal comfort sport and multipurpose
underwear/undergarment that includes, as an integral part thereof,
a specially configured penis and genital pouch secured to the
interior of the undergarment that includes a frontal elastic
opening for receiving and comfortably securing a male penis, and
coincident slit-like opening on the opposite side of the pouch to
allow the penis to be easily and comfortably removed through the
front panel of the undergarment. The undergarment significantly
reduces the possibility of crushing or otherwise injuring the penis
and/or genitalia during any sudden movement of the wearer, such as
vigorous exercise occurring during sports activities. The pouch
also serves to isolate the genitalia from the thigh area, so that
in humid conditions or conditions in which the wearer is perspiring
due to physical activity, the penis and genitalia skin do not touch
the wearer's thigh region. Alternatively, the inside portions of
the pouch can be lined with a water-impermeable material if the
undergarment is intended for use by male individuals who may be
incontinent or otherwise incapable of controlling the bodily
discharge of urine, particularly during aggressive physical
activities.
Inventors: |
Gravette; Eugene S.; (Dale
City, VA) ; Gravette; Diana M.; (Dale City,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, 11TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Family ID: |
38788403 |
Appl. No.: |
11/798686 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60800441 |
May 16, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/78.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 9/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/78.1 |
International
Class: |
A41B 9/00 20060101
A41B009/00 |
Claims
1. A male undergarment comprising, a front fabric portion
sufficient in size to cover male genitalia and having an opening
therein sufficient to allow for displacement of male genitalia
outside said undergarment; a rear fabric portion secured along two
opposing edges corresponding to the edges of said front fabric
portion and configured to define a pair of leg openings in said
undergarment at the lower end thereof and a single large trunk
opening at the top of said undergarment; and an integral fabric
pouch specially configured to enclose and protect said genitalia,
said pouch being disposed inside said undergarment and secured at
the top thereof to said front fabric portion and at the bottom to
said rear fabric portion, said integral fabric pouch including at
least one elastic opening in the front sized for receiving a male
penis when the undergarment is being worn and a second opening
sufficient in size to allow the penis to be removed through said
front fabric portion.
2. The male undergarment according to claim 1, wherein the
configuration of said integral fabric pouch is trapezoidal.
3. The male undergarment according to claim 1, wherein the bottom
edge of said integral fabric pouch extends substantially across the
entire lower portion of said undergarment between said leg
openings.
4. The male undergarment according to claim 1, wherein said second
opening in said fabric pouch comprises a slit-like configuration
disposed substantially on the opposite side of said first
opening.
5. The male undergarment according to claim 1, further comprising a
water impermeable liner material secured to inside surface portions
of said integral fabric pouch.
6. The male undergarment according to claim 1, wherein said
integral fabric pouch is sized to allow the penis to be positioned
inside said fabric pouch and genitalia to be positioned outside
said pouch during normal use.
7. The male undergarment according to claim 1, wherein said
integral fabric pouch is formed by securing two longitudinal edges
directly to said front portion of said undergarment.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to active wear garments for
males, and more particularly to undergarments tailored and fitted
to support and protect the male genitalia during, for example,
vigorous physical activities such as sporting events. In the past,
undergarments for accommodating male genitalia have been designed
to satisfy various objectives such as improved sanitation, comfort
and support. Generally, such undergarments are designed to isolate
the entire genitalia from the body of the user by incorporating a
separate fabric layer that prevents the genitalia from touching the
legs. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,621,846; 4,345,337;
4,414,971; 4,660,551; 5,029,345; 5,070,869; and 5,283,912.
[0002] A popular and well-known style of men's underwear consists
of a snug fitting garment that normally comprises woven cotton
woven forming stretchable, band-like sections for circling and
resiliently engaging waist and upper leg portions of a wearer's
lower torso. Typically, they provide a pocket-shaped section
adapted to snugly engage the wearer's genitals forwardly of the
crotch and hold them against the body. The pocket or bulge-shaped
garment section usually includes a pair of abutting, selectively
separable, panel sections that cooperate to provide a front-opening
fly that affords manual access to the wearer's penis.
[0003] Another well-known commercialized style of men's
undergarments sold under the trademark Jockey.RTM. include shorts
formed of woven, cotton-like material and constructed to provide an
elastic waistband for the garment and stretchable or elastic bands
or other body-encircling parts secured to lower edge portions that
surround the leg openings. Other similar known male undergarments
assist in shaping, forming, and lifting the male genitalia. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,093 issued to Tsuchiya discloses an
undergarment that includes an insert provided to shape the
formation of the swell at the front of the garment. U.S. Pat. No.
5,237,706 issued to Nalbandian similarly discloses a male garment
with a scrotal pouch designed to enable the user to displace the
male genitalia from the normal position below the truck of the body
to a more prominent position.
[0004] Only a relatively few known undergarment configurations
provide the comfort, support and genital protection necessary
during vigorous physical activity or even when the wearer bends at
the waist such as when entering and exiting a motor vehicle. Nor do
the current designs fully satisfy the needs of men suffering from
medical ailments such as kidney, bowel, bladder or prostrate
disorders.
[0005] Accordingly, a need remains for a male garment that is
comfortable and easy to wear and yet will provide improved
protection during active use, particularly sports activities. The
present invention thus provides a new and improved form of
construction of a man's underwear garment with distinct advantages
over the prior art constructions described above.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a new male personal comfort
sport and multipurpose underwear/undergarment that includes, as an
integral part thereof, a specially configured penis and genital
pouch secured to the interior of the undergarment. The integral
pouch includes a frontal elastic opening for receiving and
comfortably securing a male penis when the undergarment is worn, as
well as a coincident slit-like opening on the opposite side of the
pouch to allow the penis to be easily and comfortably removed
through the front of the undergarment. The underwear/undergarment
according to the invention also provides a structure that allows
the male scrotum to remain outside the integral pouch for increased
comfort and to allow the genitals to remain at a lower temperature
when the undergarment is being worn, particularly during vigorous
physical activity.
[0007] The personal comfort sport and multipurpose
underwear/undergarment according to the present invention
significantly reduces the possibility of crushing or otherwise
injuring the penis and/or genitalia during any sudden movement of
the wearer. The integral pouch also serves to isolate the genitalia
from the thigh area during normal use. Thus, in humid conditions or
conditions in which the wearer is perspiring due to physical
activity, the penis and scrotum do not touch the wearer's thigh
region which often causes discomfort with known prior art
undergarments, including conventional products designed to protect
against impact to the genitalia. The present invention also
protects and secures the penis and scrotum in a more comfortable
manner than prior art undergarment designs when the user is sitting
or engaging in bending movements of the middle torso. An
alternative embodiment of the invention has additional benefits for
males who may be incontinent or who suffer from other medical
ailments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a first embodiment
of the personal comfort sport and multipurpose undergarment in
accordance with the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the undergarment of FIG. 1
depicted in manner to illustrate the undergarment structure turned
inside out;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation view of the undergarment
depicted in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a partial front elevation view of the undergarment
depicted in FIG. 2 turned inside out;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the undergarment
depicted in FIG. 2, again turned inside out;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the undergarment of FIG.
1 taken along the line 6-6 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a frontal perspective view of a second embodiment
of the multipurpose undergarment in accordance with the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the undergarment of FIG. 7
depicted in manner to illustrate the undergarment turned inside
out;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a partial front elevation view of the undergarment
depicted in FIG. 7;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a partial front elevation view of the
undergarment depicted in FIG. 2 turned inside out; and
[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the undergarment of
FIG. 7 taken along the line 11-11 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] As noted above, the undergarment for securing male genitalia
(penis and scrotum) according to the present invention includes a
specially configured pouch secured (typically by stitching) to an
interior portion of the underwear/undergarment. Nominally, the
pouch forms an enclosure with front and rear openings for the penis
as described above and is generally trapezoidal in configuration.
In order to ensure maximum comfort and temperature compatibility
for the user, the pouch consists of a soft cloth-like material that
allows air to circulate into and through the pouch. As an
alternative, the pouch can be lined on the inside with a
water-impermeable material (such as thin Latex.RTM.) if the
undergarment is intended for use by male individuals who may be
incontinent or otherwise incapable of controlling the bodily
discharge of urine, particularly during aggressive physical
activities such as sports. In either embodiment, the longer, bottom
edge of the pouch and corresponding shorter top edge nominally are
secured via stitching to the lower and upper interior portions of
the undergarment as described below to substantially enclose the
penis during normal use while allowing for the genitals (scrotum)
to be positioned outside the pouch.
[0020] In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom edge of the pouch
extends substantially across the entire lower portion of the
undergarment defining the juncture between the two undergarment leg
openings. In like manner, the top section of the pouch comprising
the smaller of the two ends of a trapezoidal configuration can be
secured to the top part of the undergarment, typically the interior
of the top elastic band. The frontal elastic opening for receiving
the male penis as described above normally will be positioned a few
inches above the lower pouch horizontal seam. The slit-like opening
on the opposite side of the pouch allows the penis to be removed
through the front of the pouch and nominally is positioned a few
inches above the top of the elastic opening.
[0021] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the
substantially trapezoidal pouch can be formed by securing the lower
and upper edge portions of the undergarment in the manner described
above. However, unlike the first embodiment, the pouch is formed by
securing the two longitudinal side edges to the front portion of
the undergarment itself, thereby making the pouch an integral part
of the front panel and eliminating the need for a separate slit
opening in the pouch. This alterative embodiment includes an
elastic opening for the penis on one side thereof as described
above, as well as a longitudinal slit on the opposite side that
also serves as the front opening in the undergarment itself.
[0022] With particular reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment
of the male personal comfort sport and multipurpose
underwear/undergarment according to the invention is shown
generally at 10. The undergarment includes front leg portions 11
and 12 with corresponding leg openings 18a and 18b and is shown
with a conventional front opening 13 or "fly" secured by stitching
to the front panel as shown at 15. A front longitudinal slit
opening for the undergarment is shown at 14 and is generally
coincident with a longitudinal opening in the front of the
specially configured pouch.
[0023] In one embodiment, the top edge of the pouch can be secured
to the interior of the undergarment via the elastic waste band
(shown generally at 19) and the bottom edge can be secured along
the bottom portion 16 of the undergarment as shown at 17. Thus, in
this embodiment, the pouch extends the entire distance between the
top edge at the elastic waste band 19 to the lower undergarment
pouch seam at 17. However, the pouch could be formed at other
positions along the top and bottom sections of the undergarment,
depending on the size and body type of the wearer.
[0024] In FIGS. 2 and 5, the undergarment has been turned inside
out in order to better illustrate the general configuration and
features of the pouch as secured to the inside panels of the
undergarment. Once secured into position, the pouch forms a
substantially trapezoidal enclosure for the penis and genitals as
described above. The enclosure is defined by the top and bottom
ends stitched to the undergarment along the lines at 22 and 23,
respectively, with the longer, longitudinal pouch edges shown at 24
and 25. The stitched bottom edge 23 of the pouch extends
substantially across the entire lower portion of the undergarment
that defines the juncture between the two leg openings 18a and 18b.
In like manner, the top section of the stitched pouch at 22, i.e.,
the smaller of the two ends of the substantially trapezoidal
configuration, is secured to the top part of the undergarment along
the lower edge of elastic band 19. The frontal elastic opening for
receiving the male penis is shown at 21 and is substantially
circular in configuration and positioned only a short distance
above the lower pouch seam as shown. The slit-like opening 26 on
the opposite side of the pouch allows the penis to be removed
through the front the pouch, with the slit nominally positioned
slightly above the top of the elastic opening 21. FIG. 5 also shows
the relative location of the opening 14 in the front panel of the
undergarment itself (see also FIG. 1).
[0025] FIG. 3 is a partial front elevation view of the undergarment
10 depicted in FIG. 1 while FIG. 4 is a similar partial elevation
with the undergarment shown turned inside out for purposes of
illustrating the configuration and relative position of the pouch
attached to and integral with the front portion. The pouch is
attached generally as shown at 20 and thus coincident with front
flap 31 covering the openings in both the pouch and undergarment,
with the edge of the front flap shown at 32. FIG. 4 likewise
illustrates the relative position of longitudinal edges 24 and 25.
The pouch is shown secured to the undergarment along the bottom
edge (seam 23) and along at the top at edge (seam 22) along the
lower edge of elastic band 19. FIG. 4 also shows the generally
circular elastic opening for pouch 21 and the relative position of
longitudinal slit 26 on the opposite side of the pouch.
[0026] The cross sectional view shown in FIG. 6 is taken along line
6-6 in FIGS. 3 and 4 and shows the genital pouch according to the
invention as nominally attached to and made and integral part of
undergarment 10. As noted above, the pouch comprises front and back
portions or panels, shown as 20a and 20b, respectively, in FIG. 6
with the top and bottom ends of the pouch being secured to
undergarment 10 along the lines at 22 and 23, respectively, to form
a substantially trapezoidal shape and a secure enclosure for the
penis. The shorter, top end of the pouch can be secured as shown to
the top of elastic band at 19a, or alternatively to the bottom edge
of the elastic band as described above along a line at 19b. The
frontal elastic opening for receiving the male penis is shown at 21
with the slit-like opening 26 on the opposite side of pouch 20
positioned slightly above the top of the elastic opening 21. FIG. 6
also shows the relative location of the opening 14 in the front
panel 13.
[0027] The pouch depicted in FIG. 6 can be formed from any soft
cloth-like fabric that allows air to circulate into and through the
pouch. Alternatively, the entire inside portions of the pouch,
including front and back portions 20a and 20b, can be lined with a
water-impermeable material if the undergarment is intended for use
by male individuals who may be incontinent or who otherwise are
incapable of controlling the bodily discharge of urine,
particularly during aggressive physical activities such as
sports.
[0028] FIG. 7 shows is a frontal perspective view of a second,
alternative embodiment of the multipurpose undergarment in
accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the undergarment
shown generally at 70 again includes front leg portions 71 and 72
with corresponding leg openings 78a and 78b and includes a
conventional front opening (fly) 73 secured by stitching to the
front panel as shown at 75. A front longitudinal slit opening for
the specially configured pouch secured to the inside of the
undergarment is shown at 74 and, in this embodiment, forms the
longitudinal opening for the front panel of the undergarment
itself. In that respect, the pouch is formed by using the front
panel of the undergarment to form the genital enclosure. See also
FIG. 11.
[0029] Not unlike the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the top edge
of the pouch as shown in FIG. 7 can be secured to the interior of
the undergarment along the elastic waste band (shown generally at
79). The bottom edge can likewise be secured along the bottom
portion 76 of the undergarment as shown along line 77. Thus, the
substantially trapezoidal pouch extends for the entire distance
between the top edge at the elastic waste band 79 to the lower
undergarment pouch seam at 77. Again, however, it could be formed
at other positions along the top and bottom sections of the
undergarment, depending on the size and body type of the
wearer.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment
of the undergarment in FIG. 7 depicted to illustrate the
undergarment turned inside out. After being secured into position,
the pouch forms a substantially trapezoidal enclosure for the penis
and genitals as described above and defined by the top and bottom
ends stitched to the undergarment along the lines at 82 and 83,
respectively, with the longer, longitudinal pouch edges shown at 84
and 85. The bottom edge 83 of the pouch extends substantially
across the entire lower portion of the undergarment 70 defining the
juncture between the two leg openings 78a and 78b.
[0031] In like manner, the top edge of the pouch at 82, i.e., the
smaller of the two ends of the substantially trapezoidal
configuration, is secured to the top part of the undergarment along
the lower of edge of elastic band 79. The frontal elastic opening
for receiving the male penis is shown at 81, substantially circular
in configuration and positioned only a short distance above the
lower pouch seam 83 as shown. In this embodiment, the slit-like
opening 86 on the pouch is positioned on the same side as the
elastic opening 81 and thus different from the position depicted in
the embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 6. As in the earlier embodiment,
however, longitudinal opening 86 allows the penis to be removed
through the front the pouch and is positioned slightly above the
top of the elastic opening 81.
[0032] FIG. 8 also illustrates how the pouch in this particular
embodiment utilizes the front portion of the undergarment itself to
form the completed enclosure. Thus, in that respect, the pouch is
completely integral with and part of the front panel of
undergarment 70.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a partial front elevation view of undergarment 70
as depicted in FIG. 7; FIG. 10 is a similar partial elevation, but
with the undergarment shown turned inside out for purposes of
illustrating the configuration and relative position of the pouch
as attached to the undergarment front panel. Again, the pouch will
be positioned generally as shown at 70 and thus coincident with the
front fly portion 91 having a front flap to cover the opening in
both the pouch and undergarment, with the edge of the front flap
shown at 92. FIG. 9 likewise illustrates the relative position of
the pouch with longitudinal edges 84 and 85. The pouch is shown
secured to the undergarment along the bottom edge (seam) 83 and
along at the top edge (seam 82) of elastic band 79. FIG. 10 also
shows the generally circular elastic opening for pouch 81 and the
relative position of longitudinal slit 86 in the pouch.
[0034] The cross sectional view shown in FIG. 11 is taken along
line 11-11 in FIGS. 9 and 10 and shows the pouch according to the
invention as nominally attached to and made part of undergarment
70. As noted above, the pouch comprises front and back portions 20a
and 20b, respectively, with the top and bottom ends of the pouch
being secured to undergarment 70 along the lines at 82 and 83,
respectively to form a substantially trapezoidal shape and a secure
enclosure for the penis. The shorter, top end of the pouch can be
secured as shown to the top of elastic band 79. The frontal elastic
opening for receiving the male penis is shown at 81 with the
slit-like opening 86 on the opposite side of the pouch positioned
slightly above the top of elastic opening 81. FIG. 11 also shows
the relative location of the opening 84 in the front panel 83 of
the undergarment.
[0035] The pouch depicted in FIG. 11 can be formed from any soft
cloth-like fabric that allows air to circulate into and through the
pouch. Alternatively, the entire inside portions of the pouch,
including front and back panels 80a and 80b, can be lined with a
water-impermeable material if the undergarment is intended for use
by male individuals who may be incontinent or otherwise incapable
of controlling the bodily discharge of urine, particularly during
aggressive physical activities such as sports.
[0036] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *