U.S. patent application number 11/865983 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-02 for composite garment for exercising.
This patent application is currently assigned to BODSANA, INC.. Invention is credited to Nancy CAUSEY-GABBE.
Application Number | 20090083894 11/865983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40506528 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090083894 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CAUSEY-GABBE; Nancy |
April 2, 2009 |
COMPOSITE GARMENT FOR EXERCISING
Abstract
A composite garment particularly suited for exercise includes an
inner garment connected at the waistband with an outer garment. The
inner element includes a torso element made of a body control
material such as Lycra.RTM. to provide full body control
circumferentially about a wearer and a finishing element made of a
lacy material and terminating with a scalloped edge to prevent the
formation of a panty line under the outer garment. The outer
garment is also made of a stretchable fabric that contours the body
and is comfortable to wear.
Inventors: |
CAUSEY-GABBE; Nancy;
(Clinton Corners, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GOTTLIEB RACKMAN & REISMAN PC
270 MADISON AVENUE, 8TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10016-0601
US
|
Assignee: |
BODSANA, INC.
|
Family ID: |
40506528 |
Appl. No.: |
11/865983 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/78.1 ; 2/109;
2/236; 2/237; 2/243.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 9/08 20130101; A41D
1/08 20130101; A41C 1/003 20130101; A41D 31/14 20190201 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/78.1 ; 2/109;
2/236; 2/237; 2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A41B 9/00 20060101
A41B009/00; A41D 1/06 20060101 A41D001/06; A41D 27/00 20060101
A41D027/00; A41F 9/00 20060101 A41F009/00 |
Claims
1. A composite garment for wearing on the lower torso comprising:
an outer garment having a waistband and made of a stretchable
flexible material; and an inner garment coupled to said outer
garment at said waistband, said inner garment including a torso
element made of a body control fabric and a finishing element
extending downwardly of said torso element and having a generally
scalloped lower edge.
2. The composite garment of claim 1 wherein said torso element is
substantially thicker then said finishing element to provide a
smooth transition region under said outer garment.
3. The composite garment of claim 2 wherein said waistband is
formed by folding the outer garment over the inner garment.
4. The composite garment as in claim 1, where said finishing
element is made of a frilly material.
5. The composite garment as in claim 1, where said finishing
element is made of a lacy material.
6. A composite garment comprising: an inner garment including a
torso element made of a flexible stretchable material providing
body control when worn and a finishing element extending around the
legs and attached to said torso element; and an outer garment
having a waistband and being made of a body contouring material,
said outer garment being thicker then said inner garment and
forming a smooth transition zone as it extends over said inner
garment.
7. The composite garment of claim 6 wherein said torso element
includes two leggings and said finishing element has two
corresponding portions extending downwardly from said legging.
8. The composite garment of claim 6 wherein said torso element is
thicker then said finishing element.
9. The composite garment of claim 6 wherein said finishing element
is thinner then said torso element.
10. The composite garment of claim 6 wherein said finishing element
has a bottom end that has a scalloped shape to prevent the
formation of a panty line when worn.
11. The composite garment of claim 6 wherein said inner garment is
a panty.
12. The composite garment of claim 6 wherein said outer garment
forms a pair of pants.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention pertains to a composite garment consisting of
a pair of exercise pants and a built in undergarment. Both
components are made of stretching fabrics that provide muscle
control while allowing freedom of movement of the legs. Moreover,
the undergarment is constructed to preclude the visibility of a
panty line.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Exercising has become a major past-time in the US and
throughout the world. This activity became popular for various
reasons, including weight loss and improvements in mental and
physical health. In fact, some forms of exercise have also become
social events, and this in turn brought on a need for exercising
garments that not only provide high performance but, at the same
time, look good as well.
[0006] However, as types of exercise and physical fitness
activities have evolved and expanded, appropriate clothing for such
activities has not kept pace. Women in particular are interested in
clothing that is concurrently functional to the activity,
comfortable to wear, provides body support, and creates an
attractive appearance for the wearer. A garment that may be used
for both exercise purposes and for additional social circumstances
is also desired. For a variety of fitness activities, separate
inner and outer garments are undesirable for numerous reasons,
including lack of comfort during the physical activity. A single
(or composite) garment, which includes both an inner and an outer
garment is desired for reasons of exercise comfort and has been
available for particular uses, such as for running. However, these
garments are generally used for unique exercise applications and
are not functionally appropriate to other exercise and fitness
programs. For example, running shorts are not appropriate for
applications such as yoga because they do not concurrently allow
for the wearer's requisite flexibility, do not provide the
requisite support, or are unsightly for the desired purpose.
[0007] When it comes to participation in group fitness activities,
including yoga and pilates, comfort, support, and appearance are
all important considerations. For these activities, a garment that
provides physical support is important for successful
participation. In particular, the need exists to provide for
midriff, hip, and buttock support, similar to what a girdle might
provide, yet retain the requisite flexibility for the exercise
needs. As the aging population becomes more exercise-active, the
need for an appropriately flexible garment that also provide such
support grows. For example, when participating in yoga or pilates,
body flexibility is a necessity, so a girdle would be too
restrictive, but the support provided by a girdle remains a
priority. Hard stays within the garment would also be counter
productive.
[0008] Also, many types of garments become dysfunctional under the
stresses of many exercise regimes by "creeping" uncomfortably on
the body. To avoid the creep, some garments include a brief that
has a finished bottom. Many women are uncomfortable with the
visible appearance of "panty lines" and wish to have the form
fitting undergarment without the visible lines.
[0009] Various types of exercising garments, including garments
having multiple components, are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
3,678,514 to Safrit, U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,058 to Mueller, and U.S.
Pat. No. 6,550,288 to Browder all disclose a combined garment
having an outer and an inner component. U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,062 to
Amsel and U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,086 to Woodward disclose garments
with some form of body control. However, none of these references
disclose an exercising garment that provides both outstanding body
control and an invisible panty lining.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention merges the requirements for a high
performance exercise garment with the need for a garment that is
esthetically pleasing, and therefore socially acceptable. The
subject garment has a composite structure including an inner and
outer garment, with the inner garment providing the requisite
support yet also providing the requisite flexibility. In addition,
the inner garment includes leggings that are finished with a jagged
or scalloped edge to both mitigate creep and avoid panty lines.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a combined garment
constructed in accordance with this invention as worn by an
individual;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the garment taken along
section lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows a partial front view of the inner garment of
FIGS. 1 and 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0014] The present invention is a single combined garment 10,
including an inner garment 20 and an outer garment 30. The two
garments 20, 30 are attached with a common elasticized waistband
12. This elasticized waistband 12 can be made of one or more
suitable stretchable material and may include interior or exterior
elastic portions, including a plurality of elastomeric yarn or an
elastic waistband. The exposed portion should be suitable for
public view and in aesthetic conformity to the outer garment. In
the preferred embodiment, the exposed portion of the waistband is
an extended and folded-over portion of the outer garment with the
inner garment and an internal elastic waistband 40 within it with
both the elastic waistband and inner garment sewn to the outer
garment with the elasticized material within the outer garment's
formed cavity. Other embodiments may include a separate elasticized
member which is sewn to the remaining portions of the combined
garment.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the preferred embodiment of the inner
garment 20 includes three distinct but interconnected portions--a
torso element 21, a crotch element 22, and a finishing element
23--with all elements sewn together through traditional sewing
methods.
[0016] In the preferred embodiment, the torso element 21 is
composed of Lycra.RTM. or similar material such that it is form
fitting and stretchable to the wearer but retaining reversionary
characteristics. When worn, torso element 21 encircles the wearer,
covers the wearer's lower torso, and extends beyond the wearer's
buttocks to cover the upper portion of both legs. The element's
material allows it to stretch in conformity with a wearer's body
while providing midriff, hip, and buttock support. When worn while
standing, element 21 appears to form an inverted letter Y, as
distinct from a more traditional fitted brief. The torso element 21
includes an upper waist portion which, in the preferred embodiment,
is sewn to the interior of waistband 10. The crotch element 22 is
used to cover the area of the body where the inner legs join the
trunk. In the preferred embodiment, the element is composed of
cotton such that the wearer is not prone to chaffing from normal
use. In other embodiments, the element is composed of cotton-like
material. In the preferred embodiment, element 22 is sewn to
element 21 using traditional sewing methods but may be attached in
other ways. Element 22 may be made of the same material as element
21 and may have the same color. Both elements are preferably knit
fabrics sized and shaped to provide the body control described
above.
[0017] A finishing element 23 is attached in full circle to the
ends of each of the leg portions of torso element 21 by a sewing
25. In the preferred embodiment, this finishing element 23 is
composed of lace or a lace-like material that is elastic so that it
conforms to the leg of the wearer. In the preferred embodiment, the
bottom of element 23 includes an uneven or scalloped edge 24.
Element 23 is thinner then elements 21, 22. Moreover, the element
23 can be made with an open weave having a plurality of openings
(not shown) forming esthetically pleasing designs. This kind of
weave further insures that the element 23 is very thin as compared
to the thickness of elements 21, 22.
[0018] In the preferred embodiment, element 23 is attached at its
top through sewing of its inner portion to the outer portion of the
inner leggings of the elements 21 and 22 with element 23 being sewn
to the outside of elements 21 and 22.
[0019] In the preferred embodiment, the outer garment 30 is
composed of a single layer of knit fabric made of spandex fibers or
other similar material to allow the fabric to stretch with wearer
movement, yet remain form-fitting and contouring to the wearer.
Preferably the fabric is knit in a manner that allows air and water
vapor to flow through the fabric thereby insuring that the wearer
does not get too hot during an exercising session.
[0020] In the preferred embodiment, the outer garment 30 includes
form fitting leg portions which extend below the knees, but
additional embodiments could also extend to the ankles, be shorter
and not extend to the knees, or be more free-flowing, such as
similar to a skirt, traditional Capri pants, or culottes.
[0021] Importantly, the outer garment 30 is several times thicker
then the inner garment 20, and especially, its element 23.
Referring to FIG. 2, as the outer garment 30 extends downwardly
over the bottom portion of inner garment 20 in region A, two
transitions take place. The first transition is defined by sewing
25 between the elements 21/22 and 23 (sewing 25). This sewing is
made in a manner that insures that the overall thickness of the
garment 20 across the sewing 25 changes gradually. As a result, the
slope of outer garment 23 as it passes over the sewing 25 remains
does not change abruptly and therefore no line is visible therein
to indicate the location of sewing 25.
[0022] Moreover, as the outer garment 30 flows downwardly in region
A, it passes the second transition zone defined by the end of inner
garment 20. In this zone, the scalloped edge 24 of element 23 and
the thin fabric making up element 23 cooperate to insure that
again, the slope of the outer garment 30 changes slowly enough that
no line appears at this second transition either. In other words,
the transitions in region A are smooth and no line is seen to
indicate where the inner garment 20 terminates.
[0023] Obviously numerous modifications can be made to the
invention without departing from its scope as defined in the
appended claims.
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