U.S. patent application number 12/311511 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-01 for underpants.
Invention is credited to Jin Bok Kim.
Application Number | 20100162470 12/311511 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38502949 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100162470 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Jin Bok |
July 1, 2010 |
UNDERPANTS
Abstract
Disclosed herein are underpants, which are configured by
combining ergonomic three dimensional patterns with the basic
function as underwear, thus allowing a wearer to have an effect of
lifting and shaping the buttocks and feel comfortable. The
underpants of the present invention are characterized in that
several front and rear pieces having different patterns, which are
produced through cutting a fabric sheet that is stretchable in one
way or in two ways such that the pieces have predetermined sizes
and different shapes corresponding to respective parts of the body
of a wearer in consideration of both the body line of the wearer
and the movement of the muscles of the wearer's body during active
movement of the wearer, are sewn together, so that, when the wearer
moves, the force caused by the movement uniformly and diagonally
acts in the underpants upwards and outwards from the lower portion
of a vertical central axis in a symmetrical Y-shaped or V-shaped
line of action due both to the stretchable directions in the
pattern pieces and to the movement of the parts of the wearer's
body.
Inventors: |
Kim; Jin Bok; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JORDAN AND HAMBURG LLP
122 EAST 42ND STREET, SUITE 4000
NEW YORK
NY
10168
US
|
Family ID: |
38502949 |
Appl. No.: |
12/311511 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
October 1, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2007/004777 |
371 Date: |
May 26, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/403 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 9/02 20130101; A41D
2400/38 20130101; A41B 9/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/403 |
International
Class: |
A41B 9/02 20060101
A41B009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 2, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0097001 |
Claims
1. Underpants comprising a waist band surrounding the waist of a
wearer and defining an upper opening having a predetermined size;
and an underpants body comprising front and rear sheet parts formed
through cutting into predetermined sizes, the front and rear sheet
parts being sewn along a lower edge of the waist band and sewn
together along edges thereof into a single body, with two lower
openings having predetermined sizes defined at respective opposite
locations on the lower end of the underpants body, wherein the
front sheet part comprises: a plurality of fabric pattern pieces
having pre-determined sizes and different shapes, which are formed
through cutting a fabric sheet such that the pattern pieces are
stretchable in one way or in two ways, wherein the fabric pattern
pieces of the front sheet part comprise: one-way stretchable
left/right-upper-front pieces, which are not stretchable in upward
and outward diagonal directions from a lower portion of a vertical
central axis in the front sheet part and are sewn to
left/right-upper-rear pieces, which extend forwards from a rear
side of the underpants, using left/right mesh tapes, which have
predetermined widths and air permeability and are stretchable in
two ways; left/right scrotal pieces, which are coupled together
into a three-dimensional structure and are stretchable in two ways
and are sewn to the left/right-upper-front pieces using a middle
mesh tape, which is curved downwards to form a U-shaped appearance
and has air permeability and is stretchable in two ways; and
left/right-lower-front pieces, which have two-ply structures and no
rubber band and are stretchable in two ways and are sewn to a
central-lower piece, which is stretchable in two ways, at a lower
end of the front sheet part, in which the left/right scrotal pieces
are sewn to the left/right-upper-front pieces using the middle mesh
tape, wherein a scrotal pattern part, which comprises both the
left/right scrotal pieces and the middle mesh tape, is inclined to
the left or right from the vertical central axis at a
pre-determined angle of inclination and the front sheet part is
connected to the waist band, which is designed as a curved shape to
lower a middle portion thereof rather than left and right side
portions when a person wears the underpants, and a force diagonally
acts in the underpants upwards and outwards from the lower portion
of the vertical central axis in a V-shaped line of action due to
both movements of parts of the body of the wearer and the
directions of actions relatively acting in the respective pattern
pieces, which are the left/right mesh tapes connected both to the
one-way stretchable left/right-upper-front pieces and to the
left/right-upper-rear pieces extending forwards from the rear side
of the underpants such that the left/right mesh tapes release
transmission of lifting and shaping functional strong pressure to
the front sheet part; the middle mesh tape releasing both the
lifting and shaping functional pressure reduced by the left/right
mesh tapes and pressure acting both on the left/right-upper-front
pieces and on the left/right scrotal pieces, thus preventing the
pressure from being strongly exerted on a scrotal part of the
wearer; the central-lower piece connected to the middle mesh tape;
and the left/right-lower-front pieces symmetrically connected to
left and right sides of the central-lower piece.
2. The underpants according to claim 1, wherein the rear sheet part
comprises: a plurality of fabric pattern pieces having
predetermined sizes and different shapes, which is formed through
cutting a fabric sheet such that the pattern pieces are stretchable
in one way, wherein the fabric pattern pieces of the rear sheet
part comprise: the left/right-upper-rear pieces connected to the
left/right mesh tapes sewn to the left/right-upper-front pieces;
and left/right-lower-rear pieces and left/right middle pieces
symmetrically sewn to lower ends of the left/right-upper-rear
pieces such that they are stretchable in one predetermined way,
wherein the rear sheet part is connected to the waist band, which
is designed as a curved shape to lower a middle portion thereof
rather than at the left and right side portions when a person wears
the underpants, and a force diagonally acts in the rear sheet part
upwards and outwards from a lower portion of a vertical central
axis in the rear sheet part in either a symmetrical Y-shaped or a
symmetrical V-shaped line of action due to both movements of parts
of the body of the wearer and the directions of actions relatively
acting in the respective pattern pieces, which are the
left/right-upper-rear pieces and the left/right-lower-rear pieces,
which are not stretchable in upward and outward diagonal directions
from the lower portion of the vertical central axis; and the
left/right middle pieces, which are not stretchable in upward
directions from the lower portion of the vertical central axis.
3. The underpants according to claim 1, wherein the scrotal pattern
part, which comprises both the left/right scrotal pieces and the
middle mesh tape, is inclined to the left from the vertical central
axis at an angle (.theta.1) of 40.degree..about.85.degree..
4. The underpants according to claim 1, wherein the scrotal pattern
part, which comprises both the left/right scrotal pieces and the
middle mesh tape, is inclined to the right from the vertical
central axis at an angle (.theta.2) of
95.degree..about.140.degree..
5. The underpants according to claim 2, wherein the
left/right-upper-rear pieces, the left/right-lower-rear pieces and
the left/right middle pieces, which are connected to the left/right
mesh tapes sewn to the left/right-upper-front pieces, are
symmetrically connected to each other such that they are not
stretchable in the upward and outward diagonal directions from the
lower portion of the vertical central axis, wherein, when the
underpants are worn by a person, a force diagonally acts in the
rear sheet part upwards and outwards from the lower portion of the
vertical central axis in the rear sheet part in either the
symmetrical Y-shaped or the symmetrical V-shaped line of action due
to both the movements of the parts of the wearer's body and the
directions of actions relatively acting in the respective pattern
pieces, such that the component forces are uniform and symmetrical
with each other at a leftward angle (.theta.3) of
10.degree..about.75.degree. and at a rightward angle (.theta.4) of
105.degree..about.170.degree..
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to underpants,
which can provide an effect of lifting and shaping the buttocks and
can provide comfort to wearers. More particularly, the present
invention relates to underpants, in which several front and rear
pieces having different patterns, which are produced through
cutting a fabric sheet that is stretchable in one way or in two
ways such that the pieces have predetermined sizes and different
shapes corresponding to respective parts of the body of a wearer in
consideration of both the body line of the wearer and the movement
of the muscles of the wearer's body during active movement of the
wearer, are sewn together, so that, when the wearer moves, the
force caused by the movement uniformly and diagonally acts in the
underpants upwards and outwards from the lower portion of a
vertical central axis in a symmetrical Y-shaped or V-shaped line of
action due both to the stretchable directions in the pattern pieces
and to the movement of the parts of the wearer's body. Thus, the
underpants of the present invention make the line of the buttocks
become tensioned and attractive and, at the same time, stably and
comfortably support the penis and scrotum of a male wearer using a
scrotal pattern part, which is inclined to one side.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Briefs, which are a kind of simple underpants, were invented
by Ms. Sakurai, a Japanese woman in her fifties, who took notice of
the idea that the underpants functioning as underwear for simply
covering the pubic parts of persons do not need to be long. Thus,
she cut a Tetoron bag, which is a polyester bag, such that openings
were formed in the Tetoron bag to receive the legs of a person
therein, thereby inventing the briefs. As described above, the
underpants in the early days had a simple function of covering the
pubic parts of persons. However, as human culture has developed,
the function of the underpants has variously developed. Thus, the
underpants in recent days have several basic functions, such as the
protection of the skin of the wearer's body, keeping of warmth,
absorption of moisture, improvement in activity and a physiological
function, in addition to the typical function thereof for covering
the pubic parts of the wearer's bodies. Further, a function of
fashion has been added to the underpants in recent days, so that
the underpants have been designed with a variety of patterns,
colors and appearances capable of meeting the requirements of
persons desiring aesthetic value.
[0003] For example, in Korea, to the middle of 1980s, white
underpants for men had occupied the main stream of the market for
underpants. However, as Jockey, the licensed brand of France, was
introduced to Korea in the latter half of 1980s, underpants became
colored and a variety of underpants having various patterns and
colors were developed to meet the requirements of consumers. Of
course, although underpants in recent days are produced to fulfill
the basic functions thereof, new materials having excellent
expansion and contraction capable of providing good comfort to
wearers have been used as the materials of the underpants according
to the emphasis of the recent trend of visual fashion rather than
of the function of a pleasant feeling accomplished by moisture
absorption and moisture emission. In other words, the requirements
of consumers of underpants in recent days have been moved to new
values taking a serious view of activity, comfortable wearing feel
and fashion in addition to the basic physiological function of the
underpants.
[0004] However, the underpants, which have been developed and
marketed in recent days, merely present activity and beauty as
underwear in addition to the basic functions thereof. To meet the
desired roles of underpants in the future, the basic physiological
function of the underpants must be subdivided and the detailed
functions of the subdivided physiological function must be
accomplished. Further, it is necessary to promote the fashion of
the underpants having a new concept developed in consideration of
human aesthetics in addition to the visual beauty as underwear.
[0005] When dressing well, the wearer can present his/her beauty
most efficiently. To dress well, it is very important to present
the beauty of the silhouette of his/her body in addition to the
visual image.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in
mind the above requirements and an object of the present invention
is to provide underpants, which comprise a plurality of pieces
which are designed as three-dimensional patterns and are cut from a
fabric sheet that is stretchable in one way or in two ways such
that the pieces correspond to respective parts of the body of a
wearer and, when the wearer moves, the force caused by the movement
uniformly and diagonally acts in the underpants upwards and
outwards from the lower portion of a vertical central axis in a
symmetrical Y-shaped or V-shaped line of action due both to the
stretchable directions in the pattern pieces and to the movement of
the parts of the wearer's body.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide
underpants, which can provide an effect of lifting and shaping the
buttocks, maintain the beautiful line of the buttocks and reduce
the wearer's discomfort due to the force that uniformly and
diagonally acts in the underpants upwards and outwards from the
lower portion of the vertical central axis in the symmetrical
Y-shaped or V-shaped line of action.
[0008] A further object of the present invention is to provide
underpants, in which the respective pattern pieces are designed as
curved patterns, so that, when wearing the underpants, the
underpants maintain the three-dimensional appearances of the
buttocks and provide natural comfort to the wearer.
[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
underpants, in which a scrotal pattern part, which is configured to
cover and protect the penis and scrotum of a male wearer, is
inclined to one side from the vertical central axis at a
predetermined angle of inclination, so that, when wearing the
underpants, the penis and scrotum of the male wearer can be stably
and comfortably supported in the underpants.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
underpants, in which mesh tapes, having excellent air permeability
and excellent expansion and contraction, are used, such that the
transmission of lifting and shaping functional strong pressure to
the front sheet part of the underpants can be released, thus
providing improved comfort and improved ventilation effects to the
underpants at locations around the penis and scrotum of a male
wearer, thereby maintaining a pleasant and comfortable state in the
underpants.
[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
underpants, in which the patterns of the respective pieces are
ergonomically designed in consideration of both the body line of
the wearer and the movement of the muscles of the wearer's body
during active movement of the wearer, thus providing an excellent
effect of lifting and shaping the buttocks and comfortably
supporting the penis and scrotum of a male wearer.
Technical Solution
[0012] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present
invention provides underpants, which comprise a waist band
surrounding the waist of a wearer and defining an upper opening
having a predetermined size; and an underpants body comprising
front and rear sheet parts formed through cutting into
predetermined sizes, the front and rear sheet parts being sewn
along a lower edge of the waist band and sewn together along edges
thereof into a single body, with two lower openings having
predetermined sizes defined at respective opposite locations on the
lower end of the underpants body, wherein the front sheet part (40)
comprises: a plurality of fabric pattern pieces having
predetermined sizes and different shapes, which are formed through
cutting a fabric sheet such that the pattern pieces are stretchable
in one way or in two ways, wherein the fabric pattern pieces of the
front sheet part (40) comprise: one-way stretchable
left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42), which are not stretchable
in upward and outward diagonal directions from a lower portion of a
vertical central axis in the front sheet part (40) and are sewn to
left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a), which extend forwards from
a rear side of the underpants, using left/right mesh tapes (47,
47a), which have predetermined widths and air permeability and are
stretchable in two ways; left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45), which
are coupled together into a three-dimensional structure, are
stretchable in two ways, and are sewn to the left/right-upper-front
pieces (41, 42) using middle mesh tape (48), which is curved
downwards to form a U-shaped appearance and has air permeability
and is stretchable in two ways; and left/right-lower-front pieces
(43, 43a), which have two-ply structures and no rubber band and are
stretchable in two ways and are sewn to a central-lower piece (46),
which is stretchable in two ways, at a lower end of the front sheet
part, in which the left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45) are sewn to
the left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42) using the middle mesh
tape (48), wherein a scrotal pattern part, which comprises both the
left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45) and the middle mesh tape (48),
is inclined to the left or right from the vertical central axis at
a predetermined angle of inclination and the front sheet part (40)
is connected to the waist band, which is designed as a curved shape
to lower a middle portion thereof rather than left and right side
portions when a person wears the underpants, and a force diagonally
acts in the underpants upwards and outwards from the lower portion
of the vertical central axis in a V-shaped line of action due to
both movements of parts of the body of the wearer and the
directions of actions relatively acting in the respective pattern
pieces, which are the left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a) connected
both to the one-way stretchable left/right-upper-front pieces (41,
42) and to the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) extending
forwards from the rear side of the underpants such that the
left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a) release the transmission of lifting
and shaping functional strong pressure to the front sheet part; the
middle mesh tape (48) releasing both the lifting and shaping
functional pressure reduced by the left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a)
and pressure acting both on the left/right-upper-front pieces (41,
42) and on the left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45), thus preventing
pressure from being strongly applied to a scrotal part of the
wearer; the central-lower piece (46) connected to the middle mesh
tape (48); and the left/right-lower-front pieces (43, 43a)
symmetrically connected to left and right sides of the
central-lower piece (46).
[0013] The rear sheet part (50) comprises: a plurality of fabric
pattern pieces having pre-determined sizes and different shapes,
formed through cutting a fabric sheet such that the pattern pieces
are stretchable in one way, wherein the fabric pattern pieces of
the rear sheet part (50) comprise: the left/right-upper-rear pieces
(51, 51a) connected to the left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a) sewn to
the left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42); and
left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a) and left/right middle pieces
(53, 53a) symmetrically sewn to lower ends of the
left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) such that they are
stretchable in one predetermined way, wherein the rear sheet part
(50) is connected to the waist band, which is designed as a curved
shape to so that a middle portion thereof is lower, rather than the
left and right side portions, when a person wears the underpants,
and a force diagonally acts in the rear sheet part (50) upwards and
outwards from the lower portion of a vertical central axis in the
rear sheet part (50) in either a symmetrical Y-shaped or a
symmetrical V-shaped line of action due to both movements of parts
of the body of the wearer and the directions of actions relatively
acting in the respective pattern pieces, which are the
left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) and the
left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a), which are not stretchable
in upward and outward diagonal directions from the lower portion of
the vertical central axis; and the left/right middle pieces (53,
53a), which are not stretchable in upward directions from the lower
portion of the vertical central axis.
[0014] Further, in the front sheet part, the scrotal pattern part,
which comprises both the left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45) and the
middle mesh tape (48), may be inclined to the left from the
vertical central axis at an angle (.theta.1) of
40.degree..about.85.degree.. Further, the scrotal pattern part may
be inclined to the right from the vertical central axis at an angle
(.theta.2) of 95.degree..about.140.degree..
[0015] Further, in the rear sheet part, the left/right-upper-rear
pieces (51, 51a), the left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a) and
the left/right middle pieces (53, 53a), which are connected to the
left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a) sewn to the left/right-upper-front
pieces (41, 42), are symmetrically connected to each other such
that they are not stretchable in the upward and outward diagonal
directions from the lower portion of the vertical central axis,
wherein, when the underpants are worn by a person, a force
diagonally acts in the rear sheet part (50) upwards and outwards
from the lower portion of the vertical central axis in the rear
sheet part (50) along either the symmetrical Y-shaped or the
symmetrical V-shaped line of action due to both the movements of
the parts of the wearer's body and the directions of actions
relatively acting in the respective pattern pieces, such that the
component forces are uniform and symmetrical with each other at a
leftward angle (.theta.3) of 10.degree..about.75.degree. and at a
rightward angle (.theta.4) of 105.degree..about.170.degree..
[0016] According to the above-mentioned present invention, when a
person wearing the underpants moves, the force caused by the
movement uniformly and diagonally acts in the underpants upwards
and outwards from the lower portion of a vertical central axis in a
symmetrical Y-shaped or V-shaped line of action due both to the
stretchable directions in the pattern pieces and to the movement of
the parts of the wearer's body. Thus, the muscles (glutei maximi)
of the buttocks of the wearer are naturally supported and tensioned
upwards by the underpants without drooping, so that the line of the
buttocks from the buttocks to the tight becomes tensioned and
attractive, and, at the same time, the underpants provide comfort
to the wearer. Further, the scrotal pattern part of the front sheet
part, which is configured to cover and protect the penis and
scrotum of a male wearer, is inclined to one side from the vertical
central axis, so that, when wearing the underpants, the penis and
scrotum of the male wearer can be stably and comfortably supported
in the underpants. Further, the mesh tapes, having excellent air
permeability and excellent expansion and contraction, are used,
such that the transmission of lifting and shaping functional strong
pressure to the front sheet part of the underpants can be released,
thus providing improved comfort and improved ventilation effects to
the underpants at locations around the penis and scrotum of a male
wearer, thereby maintaining a pleasant and comfortable state in the
underpants. Thus, the present invention provides underpants, which
are designed with a new idea seeking human aesthetics and providing
an effect of lifting and shaping the buttocks along with comfort to
the scrotal part of the wearer's body in consideration of the
activity of the wearer's body.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0017] As described above, the present invention provides
underpants. When wearing the underpants, the muscles of the
buttocks of a wearer are naturally supported and tensioned upwards
by the underpants without drooping due to the force uniformly and
diagonally acting in the underpants upwards and outwards from the
lower portion of a vertical central axis in a symmetrical Y-shaped
or V-shaped line of action due both to the stretchable directions
in a plurality of fabric pattern pieces, which are sewn together
such that the pattern pieces are stretchable in one way or in two
ways, and to the movement of the parts of the wearer's body. Thus,
the line of the buttocks from the buttocks to the tight becomes
tensioned and attractive. Further, the penis and scrotum of a male
wearer, regardless of the physical and physiological differences
between Orientals and Occidentals and individual physical and
physiological variation, can be stably and comfortably supported by
a scrotal pattern part, which is inclined to one side at a
predetermined angle of inclination. Further, mesh tapes used in the
underpants release the transmission of lifting and shaping
functional strong pressure to the front sheet part of the
underpants, thus providing improved comfort and improved
ventilation effects to the underpants, thereby maintaining a
pleasant and comfortable state in the underpants.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view showing underpants according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 2 through 8 illustrate the patterns of respective
pieces of the front sheet part shown in FIG. 1, in which:
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates the pattern of a left-upper-front piece
having an asymmetric structure;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates the pattern of a right-upper-front piece
having an asymmetric structure;
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates the patterns of a left-lower-front piece
and a right-lower-front piece, having a symmetric structure;
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates the pattern of a left scrotal piece;
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates the pattern of a right scrotal piece;
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates the pattern of a lower piece having an
asymmetric structure; and
[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates the pattern of a mesh tape;
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates the states of the expansion and
contraction in the pieces of the underpants shown in FIG. 1, which
correspond to respective parts of the wearer's body;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating angles of inclination defined
in a three-dimensional scrotal pattern part comprising the left and
right scrotal pieces shown in FIG. 1;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the underpants according to
the embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIGS. 12 through 14 illustrate the patterns of respective
pieces of a rear sheet part shown in FIG. 5, in which:
[0031] FIG. 12 illustrates the patterns of a left-upper-rear piece
and a right-upper-rear piece, having a symmetric structure;
[0032] FIG. 13 illustrates the patterns of a left-lower-rear piece
and a right-lower-rear piece, having a symmetric structure; and
[0033] FIG. 14 illustrates the patterns of a left-middle-rear piece
and a right-middle-rear piece, having a symmetric structure;
[0034] FIG. 15 illustrates the states of expansion and contraction
in the pieces of the underpants shown in FIG. 11, which correspond
to respective parts of the wearer's body;
[0035] FIG. 16 illustrates the states of expansion and contraction
in the patterns of the left-upper-rear piece and the
right-upper-rear piece, which have the symmetric structure as shown
in FIG. 11 and are removed from the front sheet part of the
underpants;
[0036] FIG. 17 is a view illustrating angles of force acting in the
underpants along the directions D and D' due to the characteristics
of the two-way expansion and contraction in the patterns of the
left-upper-rear piece, the right-upper-rear piece, the
left-middle-rear piece and the right-middle-rear piece, shown in
FIG. 16;
[0037] FIG. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the front part of
the underpants according to the present invention when a person
wears the underpants;
[0038] FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the rear part of
the underpants according to the present invention when a person
wears the underpants; and
[0039] FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating the side part of the
underpants according to the present invention when a person wears
the underpants.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0040] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0041] FIG. 1 is a front view showing underpants according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 through 8 illustrate
the patterns of respective pieces of a front sheet part shown in
FIG. 1, in which FIG. 2 illustrates the pattern of a
left-upper-front piece having an asymmetric structure; FIG. 3
illustrates the pattern of a right-upper-front piece having an
asymmetric structure; FIG. 4 illustrates the patterns of a
left-lower-front piece and a right-lower-front piece, having a
symmetric structure; FIG. 5 illustrates the pattern of a left
scrotal piece; FIG. 6 illustrates the pattern of a right scrotal
piece; FIG. 7 illustrates the pattern of a lower piece having an
asymmetric structure; and FIG. 8 illustrates the pattern of a mesh
tape.
[0042] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes underpants having
upper and lower openings. The underpants comprise a waist band
(20), which closely surrounds the waist of a wearer without
drooping and defines an upper opening having a predetermined size.
An underpants body (30) is sewn along the lower edge of the waist
band and closely covers the body of the wearer, with two lower
openings having predetermined sizes defined at respective opposite
locations on the lower end of the underpants body.
[0043] The underpants body (30) comprises: a front sheet part (40)
comprising a plurality of fabric pattern pieces having
predetermined sizes and different shapes, which are formed through
cutting a fabric sheet such that the pattern pieces are stretchable
in one way or in two ways; and a rear sheet part (50) connected to
the front sheet part and comprising a plurality of fabric pattern
pieces having predetermined sizes and different shapes, which are
formed through cutting a fabric sheet such that the pattern pieces
are stretchable in one way.
[0044] The waist band (20) is designed to have a curved shape so
that the middle portions thereof, rather than the left and right
side portions, are lowered, so that, when a person wears the
underpants, the middle portions of the waste band are moved
upwards, thus allowing the force to diagonally act upwards and
outwards from the lower portions of vertical central axes in the
front and rear sheet parts, sewn to the waist band, along either
Y-shaped or V-shaped lines of action.
[0045] The front sheet part (40) is designed to maintain the
three-dimensional shapes of the buttocks of a wearer and provide
comfort to the scrotal part of the wearer. The front sheet part
(40) comprises left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42), which are
cut to have predetermined sizes and shapes and are not stretchable
in the upward and outward diagonal directions from the lower
portion of a vertical central axis in the front sheet part. The
left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42) are sewn to
left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a), which extend forwards from
the rear side of the underpants, using left/right mesh tapes (47,
47a), which have predetermined widths and air permeability and are
stretchable in two ways. Left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45), which
are coupled together into a three-dimensional structure and are
stretchable in two ways, are sewn to the left/right-upper-front
pieces (41, 42) using a middle mesh tape (48), which is curved
downwards to form a U-shaped appearance and has air permeability
and is stretchable in two ways. Left/right-lower-front pieces (43,
43a), which have two-ply structures and no rubber band and are
stretchable in two ways, are sewn to a central-lower piece (46),
which is stretchable in two ways, at the lower end of the front
sheet part, in which the left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45) are
sewn to the left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42) using the middle
mesh tape (48).
[0046] In FIG. 2, the pattern of the left-upper-front piece (41) of
the front sheet part (40) is made of a fabric sheet, which is
stretchable in one predetermined way, with three straight sides
having different lengths and three curved sides extending between
the three straight sides. Of the three curved sides, the upper
curved side, which extends between a first end of the longest
straight side and a first end of the shortest straight side, is
curved outwards. The remaining two curved sides, which extend
between the respective second ends of the longest and shortest
straight sides and opposite ends of the middle length straight
side, are curved inwards, so that the left-upper-front piece (41)
forms a shape similar to the blade of a spear. The pattern of the
right-upper-front piece (42) is made of a fabric sheet, which is
stretchable in one predetermined way, with two straight sides
having different lengths and three curved sides. Of the three
curved sides, two upper curved sides extend from respective first
ends of the two straight sides and meet together. Described in
detail, the first upper curved side, which extends from the first
end of the longer straight side, is curved inwards, while the
second upper curved side, which extends from the first end of the
shorter straight side, is curved outwards until it meets the first
upper curved side to form an inverted V-shape. The lower curved
side, which extends between the second ends of the two straight
sides, is curved inwards, so that the right-upper-front piece (42)
forms a shape similar to a boomerang. The pattern of each of the
left/right-lower-front pieces (43, 43a) is made of a fabric sheet,
which has a two-ply structure and is stretchable in two ways, into
a rectangular shape, with four sides having different lengths. The
left/right-lower-front pieces (43, 43a) are placed at locations
around which the body of the wearer is not likely to move. Thus,
the left/right-lower-front pieces (43, 43a) are designed as two-ply
structures without rubber bands in an effort to provide comfort to
the active parts of lymph nodes of the wearer's body.
[0047] Further, the pattern of the left scrotal piece (44) is made
of a fabric sheet, which is stretchable in two ways, with one
straight side and two curved sides, which extend from the opposite
ends of the straight side until they meet together. Of the two
curved sides, the left curved side is more rapidly curved outwards
in comparison with the right curved side. The pattern of the right
scrotal piece (45) is made of a fabric sheet, which is stretchable
in two ways, with one straight side and two curved sides, which
extend from opposite ends of the straight side until they meet
together. Of the two curved sides, the right curved side is more
rapidly curved outwards than the left curved side. The
central-lower piece (46) is made of a fabric sheet, which is
stretchable in two ways, with two left and right straight sides
having different lengths and four curved sides. Of the four curved
sides, the first curved side extends between the first ends of the
two straight sides and is located so as to form an upper curved
side, the second and third curved sides extend from the respective
second ends of the two straight sides and are located so as to form
left and right curved sides, and the fourth curved side extends
between the ends of the second and third curved sides and is
located so as to form a lower curved side. The first, second and
third curved sides, which are the upper, left and right curved
sides, are curved inwards such that they form an asymmetric shape.
The fourth curved side, which is the lower curved side, is curved
outwards. Further, the width (W) of the narrowest part between the
left and right curved sides of the central-lower piece (46) may be
differently designed according to the difference between the bodies
of men and women, such that the piece (46) for men is narrow, while
the piece (46) for women is wide. Further, the central-lower piece
(46) is preferably designed to form right angles in consideration
of both the distance (S) from the narrowest part to a part
corresponding to the buttock and the shapes of the buttocks, thus
sufficiently supporting the buttocks.
[0048] Each of the left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a) and the middle
mesh tape (48) is made of a fabric strip, which has air
permeability and is stretchable in two ways. The left/right mesh
tapes (47, 47a) release the transmission of lifting and shaping
functional strong pressure of the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51,
51a), extending forwards from the rear side of the underpants, to
the front sheet part, and elastically move during active movement
of a wearer, thus providing a comfortable wearing feel to the
wearer. The middle mesh tape (48) releases both the lifting and
shaping functional pressure reduced by the left/right mesh tapes
(47, 47a) and pressure acting on the left/right-upper-front pieces
(41, 42), thus preventing the pressure from being strongly exerted
on the scrotal part of the wearer. Further, the middle mesh tape
(48) provides improved ventilation effects to the scrotal part of
the wearer's body and prevents the scrotal part from becoming wet
with sweat, and reduces the body temperature of the wearer, thereby
being good for the health of the wearer.
[0049] Further, in the drawings, the scrotal pattern part, which
comprises both the left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45) and the
U-shaped middle mesh tape (48), which is curved downwards, is
inclined to the right from the vertical central axis at a
predetermined angle of inclination. However, it should be
understood that the scrotal pattern part may be inclined to the
left from the vertical central axis at a predetermined angle of
inclination in consideration of the physical and physiological
characteristics of Orientals and Occidentals. When a man wears the
underpants of the present invention having the above-mentioned
construction, the scrotum of the wearer is naturally located in the
middle portion and the penis is naturally located in the left or
right portion inside the scrotal pattern part according to the
inclined direction of the scrotal pattern part, thus being
comfortable. Further, when the penis of the wearer undesirably
becomes stiff, the penis is stably seated inside the scrotal
pattern part without showing signs, so that the present invention
remarkably reduces the sizes of underpants for men. Further, the
underpants of the present invention can be stably worn by men
having unusual bodies, thus improving the beauty of the silhouettes
of their outer garments.
[0050] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the angles of inclination
defined in the three-dimensional scrotal pattern part comprising
the left and right scrotal pieces shown in FIG. 1. As shown in the
drawing, the three-dimensional scrotal pattern part, which
comprises both the left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45) and the
downward curved U-shaped middle mesh tape (48), sewn together in
the front sheet part, may be inclined to the left from the vertical
central axis at an angle (.theta.1) of 40.degree..about.85.degree.
or to the right from the vertical central axis at an angle
(.theta.2) of 95.degree..about.140.degree. in consideration of the
physical and physiological differences of the penises between
Orientals and Occidentals and individual physical and physiological
variation.
[0051] FIG. 11 is a rear view showing the underpants according to
the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 12 through 14
illustrate the patterns of respective pieces of the rear sheet part
shown in FIG. 11, in which FIG. 12 illustrates the patterns of the
left/right-upper-rear pieces, having a symmetric structure; FIG. 13
illustrates the patterns of left/right-lower-rear pieces having a
symmetric structure; and FIG. 14 illustrates the patterns of
left/right-middle-rear pieces having a symmetric structure.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 11, the rear sheet part (50) is sewn to the
lower edge of the waist band (20), which is designed to have a
curved shape to lower the middle portion thereof, rather than the
left and right side portions, when a person wears the underpants,
thus forming three-dimensional shapes of the buttocks and providing
comfort to the wearer. Described in detail, in the rear sheet part
(50), the left and right sides of the left/right-upper-rear pieces
(51, 51a) are designed as curved shapes such that they are
connected to the left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a) sewn to the
left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42). Further,
left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a) and left/right middle pieces
(53, 53a) are symmetrically sewn to the lower ends of the
left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) such that they are
stretchable in one predetermined way.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 12 through 14, the pattern of each of the
left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a), which constitute the rear
sheet part (50), is made of a fabric sheet, which is stretchable in
one way, with one straight side and two curved sides, which extend
from opposite ends of the straight side until they meet each other.
Of the two curved sides, the upper curved side is curved outwards,
while the lower curved side is primarily curved outwards and
secondarily curved inwards until it meets the upper curved side.
The pattern of each of the left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a)
is made of a fabric sheet, which is stretchable in one way, with
two opposite straight sides having different lengths and two curved
sides extending between the opposite ends of the two straight
sides. Of the two curved sides, the upper curved side is primarily
curved inwards and is secondarily curved outwards in a direction
from the shorter straight side to the longer straight side, while
the lower curved side is curved inwards. The pattern of each of the
left/right middle pieces (53, 53a) is made of a fabric sheet, which
is stretchable in one way, with two opposite straight sides having
different lengths and three curved sides. Of the three curved
sides, the upper curved side, which extends between the first ends
of the two straight sides, is curved inwards, the first lower
curved side, which extends from the second end of the longer
straight side, is curved inwards, and the second lower curved side,
which extends from the second end of the shorter straight side, is
curved outwards until it meets the first lower curved side to form
a V-shape.
[0054] Meanwhile, FIG. 17 is a view illustrating the angles of
force acting in the underpants along the directions D and D' due to
the characteristics of the two-way expansion and contraction in the
patterns of the left/right-upper-rear pieces and the
left/right-middle-rear pieces shown in FIG. 16. As shown in the
drawings, the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a), the
left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a) and the left/right middle
pieces (53, 53a), which are connected to the left/right mesh tapes
(47, 47a) sewn to the left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42), are
symmetrically connected to each other such that they are not
stretchable in the upward and outward diagonal directions D and D'
from the lower portion of the vertical central axis. Thus, when a
person wears the underpants, the force may diagonally act in the
rear sheet part upwards and outwards from the lower portion of the
vertical central axis in the rear sheet part along the symmetrical
Y-shaped line of action due to both the movements of the parts of
the wearer's body and the directions of actions relatively acting
in the respective pattern pieces, such that the component forces
are uniform and symmetrical with each other at a leftward angle
(.theta.3) of 10.degree..about.75.degree. and at a rightward angle
(.theta.4) of 105.degree..about.170.degree.. Alternatively, the
force may diagonally act in the rear sheet part upwards and
outwards in the directions C and C' from the lower portion of the
vertical central axis in the symmetrical V-shaped line of action,
as shown in FIG. 15.
[0055] The fabric sheet used in the present invention must endure
strong pressure in comparison with typical fabric sheets so that
the fabric sheet is preferably made of excellent fibers having long
fiber lengths. To make a strong fabric sheet, the fibers of the
fabric sheet are more intensively twisted in a three-dimensional
manner, unlike typical fibers, so that the fibers of the fabric
sheet have high strength, high elasticity, excellent restoring
force, and excellent moisture absorption and moisture emission in
comparison with typical fibers. Thus, the underpants made of the
fabric sheet always remain in a pleasant and comfortable state.
Further, the underpants produce less fuzz even when the underpants
are used over a lengthy period of time, thus providing a feeling as
if old underpants were new underpants. Described in brief, the
underpants of the present invention are preferably made of one-way
stretchable or two-way stretchable fabric sheets.
[0056] The operational effects of the underpants according to the
present invention having the above-mentioned construction will be
described hereinbelow.
[0057] FIG. 9 illustrates the states of expansion and contraction
in the pieces of the underpants shown in FIG. 1, which correspond
to respective parts of the wearer's body. FIG. 18 is a perspective
view illustrating the front part of the underpants according to the
present invention when a person wears the underpants. FIG. 20 is a
side view illustrating the side part of the underpants according to
the present invention when a person wears the underpants.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 18, at locations around the scrotal
pattern part of the front sheet part (40), the
left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42) are designed such that they
are not stretchable in upward and outward diagonal directions Z and
Z' from the lower portion of a vertical central axis in the front
sheet part. Meanwhile, the left/right-lower-front pieces (43, 43a),
the left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45), the central-lower piece
(46) and the mesh tapes (47, 47a, 48) are designed as curved shapes
such that they are stretchable in two ways. Thus, when a wearer
moves as shown in FIG. 18, the force caused by the movement
uniformly acts in the front sheet part in upward and outward
diagonal directions Z and Z' from the lower portion of a vertical
central axis along a symmetrical V-shaped line of action due both
to the stretchable directions in the pattern pieces and to the
movement of the parts of the wearer's body. In the above state, the
left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42), each of which is
stretchable only in one predetermined way, elastically control the
central-lower piece (46) and the left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45)
according to the application of the force to the front sheet part,
thus providing comfort to the scrotal part of the wearer's body.
Further, in the waist band (20), which is designed to have a curved
shape so that the middle portion thereof, rather than the left and
right side portions, is lowered, the axes of the left/right side
parts (1-C, 1-C') are agreeable with the force, which acts in the
upward and outward diagonal directions Z and Z' from the lower
portion of the vertical central axis along the symmetrical V-shaped
line of action, based on the sides of the wearer's body, due to the
expansion and contraction of the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51,
51a), which extend forwards from the rear side of the underpants.
Thus, the underpants provide an effect of lifting and shaping the
buttocks to the wearer and provide comfort to the scrotal part of
the wearer's body.
[0059] In the underpants, both the pressure of the central-lower
piece (46), which is connected to the middle mesh tape (48), and
the pressure of the left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a), which
are symmetrically connected to the left and right sides of the
central-lower piece (46) and provide the effect of lifting and
shaping the buttocks, are released by the middle mesh tape (48), so
that each of the left/right-lower-front pieces (43, 43a) is
preferably designed as a two-ply structure without a rubber band,
and provides comfort to the active parts of lymph nodes of the
wearer's body.
[0060] Further, the scrotal pattern part, which is made by
combining the left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45) with the middle
mesh tape (48), is inclined to the left or right from the vertical
central axis, thus stably and comfortably supporting the penis and
scrotum of a male wearer therein and improving the beauty of the
silhouettes of outer garments of the wearer.
[0061] The width (W) of the narrowest bottom part of the
central-lower piece (46) may be differently designed according to
the difference between the bodies of men and women such that the
piece (46) for men has a narrow width, while the piece (46) for
women has a wide width. Further, the distance (S) from the
narrowest bottom part of the central-lower piece (46) to a part
corresponding to a buttock of a wearer is designed to form a rapid
angle of inclination in consideration of the shape of the buttocks,
so that the narrowest bottom part provides comfort to the wearer
and the central-lower piece (46) sufficiently supports the
buttocks.
[0062] The left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a) are connected to the
waist band (20), which is designed to have curved shape so that the
middle portion thereof, rather than the left and right side
portions, is lowered. The left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a) are also
connected both to the one-way stretchable left/right-upper-front
pieces (41, 42), which are not stretchable in the upward and
outward diagonal directions Z and Z' from the lower portion of a
vertical central axis in the front sheet part, and to the
left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) extending forwards from the
rear side of the underpants. The left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a)
release the transmission of lifting and shaping functional strong
pressure to the front sheet part. Further, the middle mesh tape
(48) releases both the lifting and shaping functional pressure
reduced by the left/right mesh tapes (47, 47a) and pressure acting
both on the left/right-upper-front pieces (41, 42) and on the
left/right scrotal pieces (44, 45), thus preventing the pressure
from being strongly exerted on the scrotal part of the wearer's
body. The middle mesh tape (48) also provides improved ventilation
effects to the scrotal part of the wearer's body, thus preventing
the scrotal part from becoming wet with sweat and reducing the body
temperature of the wearer, thereby being good for the health of the
wearer.
[0063] FIG. 15 illustrates the states of expansion and contraction
in the pieces of the underpants shown in FIG. 11, which correspond
to respective parts of the wearer's body. FIG. 16 illustrates the
states of expansion and contraction in the patterns of the
left/right-upper-rear pieces, which have a symmetrical structure,
as shown in FIG. 11, and are removed from the front sheet part of
the underpants. FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the rear
part of the underpants according to the present invention when a
person wears the underpants.
[0064] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 19, the left/right-upper-rear
pieces (51, 51a) and the waist band (20) connected to the upper
ends of the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) are designed to
have a symmetrical curved shape. Thus, when a person wears the
underpants, the rubber waist band (20), which is designed to have a
curved shape to lower the middle portion thereof rather than the
left and right side portions, is stretched in the arrow directions
A, A' as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 15, so that the middle
portion (1-A) of the waist band, which is placed lower than a
horizontal line extending between the left and right side portions,
is lifted upwards. Further, due to the force acting both in the
left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a), which are not stretchable
in upward and outward diagonal directions from the lower portion of
a vertical central axis (1-B), and in the left/right middle pieces
(53, 53a), which are not stretchable in upward directions from the
lower portion of the vertical central axis, a force diagonally acts
in the rear sheet part upwards and outwards in directions C and C'
from the lower portion of the vertical central axis along a
symmetrical V-shaped line of action, and also acts in directions B
upwards at locations around the vertical central axis. Thus, the
underpants provide an effect of lifting and shaping the
buttocks.
[0065] Further, the junction parts (2-A) between the lower end of
the waist band (20) and the upper ends of the left/right-upper-rear
pieces (51, 51a) are designed to have curved shapes, which are
curved upwards. Due to the connection of the waist band (20) to the
upper ends of the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a), when the
underpants are worn by a person, the junction parts (2-A) are moved
downwards by the force of the waist band until they form a
horizontal line. Thus, the junction parts (2-A), which have been
moved downwards, become enough and naturally support and shape the
buttocks in a three-dimensional shape. Particularly, as shown in
FIG. 16, the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) are not
stretchable in the upward and outward diagonal directions from the
lower portion of the vertical central axis, and thus they can
prevent the buttocks from spreading out. Further, the opposite
sides (1-C, 1-C') of the waist band function as the hubs of the
force, so that the force uniformly acts in the upward and outward
diagonal directions D and D' from the lower portion of the vertical
central axis along a symmetrical Y-shaped line of action, thus
lifting and shaping the buttocks.
[0066] The curved shapes of the junction parts (2-B) between the
lower ends of the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) and the
upper ends of both the left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a) and
the left/right middle pieces (53, 53a) cooperate with the curved
shapes of the left/right middle pieces (53, 53a) and support the
curved shapes of the buttocks, thus maintaining the beautiful line
of the buttocks.
[0067] The left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) have excellent
expansion and contraction and high restoring force at the pyramid
portion (E) shown in FIG. 16, so that, when a wearer is in a
standing pose, an effect of lifting and shaping the buttocks is
provided by the force naturally acting in the Y-shaped line of
action. Further, due to the excellent expansion and contraction of
the pyramid portion (E), when the wearer is in a seating pose, in
which the surface area of the buttocks is about 1.5 times as large
as the surface area thereof in the case of the standing pose, the
underpants efficiently and naturally cover the expanded
buttocks.
[0068] The left/right middle pieces (53, 53a) are designed to have
curved shapes such that they efficiently and naturally support the
curved buttocks and are not stretchable in vertical directions.
Thus, both the force acting upwards from the middle part (1-A) of
the waist of a wearer and the force diagonally acting upwards from
the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) act vertically in the
left/right middle pieces (53, 53a), so that the left/right middle
pieces (53, 53a) efficiently support the portions of the buttocks,
which may easily droop. Further, the left/right middle pieces (53,
53a) have excellent expansion and contraction and high restoring
force in horizontal directions, thus efficiently and naturally
supporting the enlarged buttocks when the wearer is in a seating
pose.
[0069] The lower portions (4-A) of the left/right middle pieces
(53, 53a) are designed to have almost horizontal shapes through a
horizontal designing technique rather than a typical diagonal
shapes, thus efficiently covering and supporting the most plump
parts of the buttocks.
[0070] The left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a) are designed to
be stretchable in directions opposite to the stretchable directions
of the left/right middle pieces (53, 53a), thus strongly pressing
the buttocks and providing the beautiful line of the buttocks. When
the surface area of the buttocks becomes enlarged in a seating pose
of the wearer, the left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a) cooperate
with the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a), thus efficiently
and naturally covering and supporting the enlarged buttocks.
[0071] Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the left and right ends of the
left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) are designed to extend to
the front sheet part (40) and are connected both to the waist band
(20) and to the mesh tapes (47, 47a). The lower ends of the
left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) are connected both to the
left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a) and to the left/right middle
pieces (53, 53a). Thus, when a wearer moves, a force uniformly acts
in the upward and outward diagonal directions D and D' from the
lower portion of the vertical central axis along a symmetrical
Y-shaped line of action due both to the movement of the parts of
the wearer's body and to the stretchable directions in the pattern
pieces, which are the left/right-upper-rear pieces (51, 51a) and
the left/right-lower-rear pieces (52, 52a), designed to be not
stretchable in the upward and outward diagonal directions from the
lower portion of the vertical central axis, and the left/right
middle pieces (53, 53a), designed to be not stretchable upwardly
from the lower portion of the vertical central axis. Thus, the
underpants provide an effect of lifting and shaping the buttocks
and maintain the beautiful line of the buttocks, and also provide
comfort to the wearer.
[0072] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described for the construction of men's underpants, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may
be adapted to women's underpants, which are appropriately designed
to have specific pattern structures of rear sheet pieces and an
enlarged lower piece corresponding to the characteristics of
women's bodies, thus having the function of lifting and shaping the
buttocks, without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention.
* * * * *