U.S. patent application number 13/547319 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-17 for article of clothing.
This patent application is currently assigned to SALOMON S.A.S.. The applicant listed for this patent is Serge CHAPUIS. Invention is credited to Serge CHAPUIS.
Application Number | 20130014311 13/547319 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46396976 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130014311 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHAPUIS; Serge |
January 17, 2013 |
ARTICLE OF CLOTHING
Abstract
The invention provides an article of clothing that includes: a
snugly fitting inner portion having at least one connecting band
extending along at least one member (arm, leg, neck) of the body; a
more loosely fitting outer portion partially covering the inner
portion, the outer portion being connected to the connecting band;
the outer portion including at least one interface band extensible
along at least one direction, an edge of which is connected to the
connecting band.
Inventors: |
CHAPUIS; Serge; (Lepin Le
Lac, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CHAPUIS; Serge |
Lepin Le Lac |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SALOMON S.A.S.
Metz-Tessy
FR
|
Family ID: |
46396976 |
Appl. No.: |
13/547319 |
Filed: |
July 12, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 ; 2/227;
2/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/08 20130101; A41D
2600/10 20130101; A41D 27/00 20130101; A41D 2300/22 20130101; A41D
1/089 20180101; A41D 27/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 ; 2/227;
2/228 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/06 20060101
A41D001/06; A41D 1/00 20060101 A41D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 13, 2011 |
FR |
11/02208 |
Claims
1. An article of clothing comprising: a snugly fitting inner
portion comprising at least one connecting band extending along at
least one member of the body; a more loosely fitting outer portion
partially covering the inner portion , the outer portion being
connected to the connecting band; the outer portion comprising at
least one interface band extensible along at least one direction,
an edge of the at least one interface band being connected to the
connecting band.
2. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the
interface band is structured and arranged to be extensible along a
longitudinal direction.
3. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the
interface band is structured and arranged to be extensible along a
transverse direction.
4. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the outer
portion comprises two extensible interface bands arranged on
respective sides of the connecting band.
5. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the outer
portion comprises an inextensible main portion.
6. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the outer
portion comprises at least one portion made of a breathable
fabric.
7. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the at
least one extensible interface band is made of a breathable
fabric.
8. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the
connecting band is located in a friction zone of the article of
clothing.
9. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the
connecting band is a piece of the article of clothing distinct from
other portions of the inner portion.
10. An article of clothing according to claim 1, wherein: the
article of clothing is an article comprising two legs; the
connecting band is located along a crotch area of each of the two
legs.
11. An article of clothing according to claim 10, wherein: the
article of clothing comprises shorts.
12. An article of clothing according to claim 10, wherein: the
article of clothing comprises pants, each of the two legs of the
pants extending below a respective knee area of a wearer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon French Patent Application No.
11/02208, filed Jul. 13, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority
of which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an article of clothing
comprising at least one extensible portion.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] This invention provides an improvement to the article of
clothing disclosed in the French Patent Application Publication No.
2 853 498 and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 7,849,522. A garment
according to these documents includes a snugly fitting inner
portion and a loosely fitting outer portion, the portions being
assembled together by a connecting band extending along at least
one member of the body, such as an arm, a leg, or the neck. This
design makes it possible to partially or completely hide the
snuggly fitting inner portion while minimizing the risk of local
wear of the more loosely fitting portion.
[0006] However, that solution has some disadvantages during use,
especially during movement of the parts of the body, or body
members, that are dressed with the garment. Indeed, the outer
portion is generally made of a flexible, low-stretch fabric, such
as polyester. However, during practice of a sport, an athlete is
typically required to perform many large movements of his/her body,
including the parts of the body covered with such garment. The
inner portion is particularly suited for this type of range of
motion. This is however not the case for the fabric of the outer
portion. This aspect is not a hindrance if the outer envelope is
separate from the inner portion. The problem arises from the
junction between the inner portion and outer portion in the area of
the connecting band extending along the moving member. The lack of
elasticity of the outer portion in the vicinity of the connecting
band imparts rigidity on the inner portion. As a result, this may
limit the freedom of movement and cause discomfort, depending upon
the materials used and/or the morphology of the wearer.
[0007] Beyond a certain range of motion, the athlete may be
hindered and the garment may become damaged. The discomfort of the
wearer is expressed by localized muscle support that can generate
local pain. The garment can also be torn in the area of the outer
portion, or the seam may come undone locally due to the excessive
deformation of the outer portion. Moreover, this connection between
the two shorts can cause unpleasant friction.
[0008] Furthermore, the relative stiffness of the outer portion in
the area of junction with the connecting band results in a
deformation of the moving garment, which is visually not desired:
folds appear, thereby making the line of the garment unsightly.
SUMMARY
[0009] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned
disadvantages and particularly provides an article of clothing
combining a pleasant external appearance and good support and/or
heating/proprioceptive sensing with minimal limiting effect on the
freedom of movement of the athlete.
[0010] To this end, an article of clothing according to the
invention includes a snugly fitting inner portion, comprising at
least one connecting band extending along at least one member (arm,
leg, neck, e.g.) of the body, and an outer, more loosely fitting
portion partially covering the inner portion, the outer portion
being connected to the connecting band.
[0011] The outer portion of the article of clothing includes at
least one interface band extensible along at least one direction,
an edge of which is connected to the connecting band.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
better understood from the following description, with reference to
the annexed drawings illustrating, by way of non-limiting
embodiments, how the invention can be embodied, and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an article of clothing, such as
shorts, incorporating the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, along the line II-II of
FIG. 1, of a first variant thereof;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, along the line II-II of
FIG. 1, of a second variant thereof; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating a second
exemplary embodiment of the invention, illustrating a pair of
pants.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an article of clothing, such as
shorts according to the invention.
[0018] These shorts 1 are comprised of two portions, namely: [0019]
inner snugly fitting shorts 10 made at least partially of a stretch
fabric; [0020] outer loosely fitting shorts 20 comprised of
portions 23 made of a low-stretch fabric and portions 21, 24a, 24b,
25 made of a stretch fabric.
[0021] In the context of the invention, a stretch fabric is one
that is capable of being stretched significantly along at least one
bias. The fabric can thus deform elastically with high elongation
when one exerts a low tensile force. The force needed to obtain a
predetermined deformation is low. Thus, the modulus of elasticity
of the fabric is low.
[0022] This property, that is to say, stretchability, can be
obtained in several ways. It can be obtained by selecting a fabric
incorporating a material having good stretchability properties,
such as spandex (elastane) or Lycra.RTM.. It can be obtained via
the manufacturing of the fiber used to make the fabric. It can also
be obtained by manufacturing the fabric using a suitable technique,
such as weaving or knitting (e.g., by allowing air through the
mesh). It can also be obtained through a combination of several
techniques and/or choices of materials.
[0023] The stretch fabric does not necessarily have the same
characteristics, depending upon whether it is biased along a
direction parallel to the weft of the fabric or along a direction
parallel to the warp of the fabric.
[0024] By way of example, a stretch fabric can be characterized by
a tensile force of less than 15 N to obtain a deformation of 15%
when it is biased along a "warp" direction, and by a tensile force
of less than 10 N or, in a particular embodiment less than 8 N, to
obtain a deformation of 15% when it is biased along a "weft"
direction.
[0025] Conversely, a low-stretch fabric is more rigid. The force
for obtaining a predetermined deformation is more substantial than
for a stretch fabric. It has a higher modulus of elasticity.
[0026] By way of example, a low-stretch fabric can be characterized
by a tensile force of 90 to 100 N to obtain a deformation of 15%
when it is biased along a "warp" direction, and by a tensile force
of 60 to 70 N to obtain a deformation of 15% when it is biased
along a "weft" direction.
[0027] An example of low-stretch fabric is standard polyester.
[0028] The use of low-stretch fabrics makes it possible to reduce
the cost and weight of the garment. Indeed, cheaper and lighter
low-stretch fabrics are more readily available than stretch
fabrics. Therefore, the combination of stretch and low-stretch
fabrics to make the outer shorts optimizes weight and cost.
[0029] The inner shorts 10 comprise a waistband 11 and two legs
12.
[0030] Each leg 12 is comprised of a substantially tubular portion
13 made of stretch fabric in a semi-cylindrical shape and a
connecting band 14 covering the crotch area. The connecting band 14
can be made of a stretch fabric or, conversely, a non-stretch
fabric.
[0031] The outer shorts 20 also comprise a waistband 21 and two
substantially tubular portions each forming a leg 22. Each leg 22
includes a plurality of extensible or inextensible portions. In the
example shown, the portions forming each leg 22 are arranged so
that a main portion 23, comprised of a non-stretch fabric, is
connected on each side 23a, 23b to the edge of an extensible
interface band 24a, 24b. Each extensible interface band 24a, 24b is
connected, on the opposite edge, to the connecting band 14. Thus,
each extensible interface band 24a, 24b forms an interface zone
between the main portion 23 and the connecting band 14, that is to
say, the inner shorts 10.
[0032] As a result, the garment includes, in the area of each
thigh, a first tubular envelope formed by the leg 12 and a second
tubular envelope formed by the leg 22, the connecting band 14 being
common to both envelopes. The second tubular envelope surrounds the
first tubular envelope, except in the area of the connecting band,
where the two envelopes merge.
[0033] As a result, the inner shorts 10 and the outer shorts 20
actually have a common portion, namely, the connecting band 14
located in the area of the crotch.
[0034] Thus, friction, which generates noise and wear, is avoided
between the two legs of the more loosely fitting outer shorts 20
during use.
[0035] To improve the ease of movement for the athlete, extensible
interface bands 24a, 24b are positioned between the main portion 23
of the outer shorts 20 and the leg 12 of the inner shorts 10. These
interface bands 24a, 24b provide flexibility to the garment by
making it possible to increase the relative displacement of the leg
22 in relation to the leg 12. The movement of the inner shorts is
thus dissociated or isolated from the outer shorts due to this
buffer zone comprised of these extensible interface bands 24a,
24b.
[0036] The extensible interface bands 24a, 24b, in a particular
embodiment, have an area markedly smaller than the inextensible
main portion 23, as it makes it possible to optimize the weight and
cost of the leg 22.
[0037] The embodiment shown includes two interface bands 24a, 24b,
each band being arranged on a respective one of the two sides of
the connecting band. This solution completely isolates the outer
shorts 20 from the inner shorts 10. Alternatively, the garment may
include only one interface band. In this case, the outer shorts are
only partially isolated.
[0038] The interface bands are designed to be extensible along at
least one bias.
[0039] The interface bands can be extensible along a longitudinal
direction L, i.e., along a direction parallel to the axis of the
dressed member of the body. This direction is represented by the
vector L in FIG. 1. When an athlete runs, his/her thighs move in a
vertical plane, which results in a relative movement between the
two shorts along the longitudinal direction L. In order not to
hinder these movements of large amplitude, the relatively rigid
outer shorts should not block the inner shorts along this
longitudinal direction L. The elasticity of the interface bands
along this longitudinal direction L makes it possible to avoid this
blocking, and thereby improves the comfort of the athlete,
especially during a race.
[0040] The interface bands 24a, 24b can be extensible along a
transverse direction T, i.e., along a peripheral direction in
relation to the dressed member of the body. This direction is
represented by the vector T in FIG. 1. The flexibility along this
direction is particularly important for lateral movements of the
athlete, such as sideways jumps or flexibility exercises, for
example. Here again, the relatively rigid outer shorts should not
block the inner shorts along this transverse direction T. The
elasticity of the interface bands along this transverse direction T
makes it possible to avoid this blocking, and thereby improves the
comfort of the athlete when performing certain lateral
movements.
[0041] Advantageously, the interface bands are extensible along any
bias. Thus, they are extensible along the longitudinal direction L
and along the transverse direction T. This homogeneity, or
uniformity, provides comfort, regardless of the movements of the
athlete.
[0042] Similarly, the interface bands can have different
characteristics of extension depending upon the bias. In the
previous example, the band can be oriented so that the weft of the
fabric is parallel to the longitudinal direction L, and the warp of
the fabric is parallel to the transverse direction T, the fabric
then being more stretchable longitudinally. One might wish to
reverse the orientation of the fabric so that the weft of the
fabric is parallel to the transverse direction T. This depends on
the desired stretchability properties.
[0043] The elasticity of the interface bands 24a and 24b can be
characterized in relation to the elasticity of the main portion 23
of the leg 22. The modulus of elasticity of the interface bands 24a
and 24b is at least four times greater than the modulus of
elasticity of the main portion 23.
[0044] According to the illustrated embodiment, the interface bands
are made with a breathable fabric. This breathable fabric is
characterized by the presence of an aerated mesh or a
perforated/honeycomb fabric forming openings capable of allowing
air between the two shorts 10 and 20. This breathable fabric thus
enables aeration or ventilation of the zone spacing the two shorts
apart.
[0045] To improve this ventilation, the main portion 23 of the
outer shorts 20 also includes portions 25 made of breathable
fabric. Thus, these portions 25, coupled with the interface bands
24a, 24b, provide better air circulation between the two shorts of
the garment.
[0046] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the inner shorts 10 extend
beyond the outer shorts 20; this provides a mixed visual aspect.
Moreover, this representation more clearly shows the arrangement
between the two shorts.
[0047] Alternatively, the inner shorts have the same length as, or
are shorter than, the outer shorts. This design ensures an
appearance which is that of the loosely fitting shorts 20, because
the snugly fitting inner shorts 10 remain hidden by the outer
shorts.
[0048] In a particular embodiment, the legs 12 of the inner shorts
are not longer than, and can even be shorter than, the legs of the
outer shorts so as to hide any visual impression of a snug fit.
[0049] Connecting the two shorts together is particularly important
in this context, in order to prevent a relative slip of the legs
during the practice of a sport and to maintain the visual
appearance of the loosely fitting shorts.
[0050] The waistbands 11, 21 of the respective shorts 10, 20 can be
independent. In this case, the shorts are only connected together
at the crotch, so as to ensure better adaptation to movements, the
outer shorts thereby not hampering the movements of the inner
shorts.
[0051] Alternatively, the waistbands 11, 21 are connected in the
area of the belt of the garment. This connection can be permanent,
such as by means of a seam 30, such as a stitched seam, or the
connection can be removable, such as by means of buttons or snap
fasteners.
[0052] It is then advantageous that the waistband 21 be an
extensible interface band, surrounding the waist of the wearer for
reasons similar to those described above. The interface band 21
provides flexibility to the garment by isolating the relatively
rigid main portion 23 of the legs 22 in relation to the waistband
11.
[0053] The extensible interface band 21 can also be made of a
breathable fabric to increase ventilation inside the garment. The
breathable fabric portion can only partially cover the waist of the
athlete.
[0054] The connecting band 14 of the crotch can have a
substantially rectangular shape, or a triangular shape, for
example, depending upon to the cut of one or both shorts 10,
20.
[0055] Similarly, the term "band" as used herein also encompasses a
panel or piece having a large width, or which are wider, i.e.,
transverse to the wearer's torso, than they are long, i.e., along
the length of the torso. The dimensions of the bands may be related
to the dimensions of the garment. For example, shorts have a
greater width to length ratio than pants.
[0056] The connecting band 14 can be provided in the form of a
piece that is distinct from the inner shorts 10, as shown in FIG.
2, or, on the contrary, can be integral or unitary with each leg
12, as shown in FIG. 3, the latter then being obtained for example
by knitting. This is particularly the case when the connecting band
14 is made of a stretch fabric.
[0057] According to the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2, a seam
15a, such as a stitched seam, associates an edge of the portion 13,
an edge 14a of the attached connecting band 14, and an edge of the
interface band 24a. Similarly, a seam 15b, such as a stitched seam,
associates the other edge of the portion 13, an edge 14b of the
attached connecting band 14, and an edge of the interface band
24b.
[0058] According to the alternative embodiment of FIG. 3, a seam
15a, such as a stitched seam, associates an edge of the interface
band 24a directly with the portion 13 forming the leg 12.
Similarly, a seam 15b, such as a stitched seam, associates an edge
of the interface band 24b directly with the portion 13. In this
case, the visible portion of the leg 12 demarcated by the two seams
15a, 15b forms the connecting band 14.
[0059] In the case in which each band 14 is comprised of a distinct
piece, it can be either in the same fabric as the associated leg
12, or in a different fabric, including a non-stretch fabric. As
the case may, the fabric can also be a breathable fabric, such as a
breathable mesh, or a perforated fabric for better ventilation.
[0060] FIG. 4 shows pants 101, for which similar or identical
elements are designated by the same reference numerals increased by
100. Each of the two legs of the pants 101 extends at least below a
respective knee area of a wearer. The invention encompasses an
article of clothing in which the legs extend along any desired
length of the legs of the wearer.
[0061] In this case, the pants 101 also comprise inner pants 110,
provided with a waistband 111 and legs 112, and outer pants 120,
provided with a waistband 121 and legs 122. These legs 122 include
a main portion 123 made of non-stretch or very low-stretch fabric
and two extensible interface bands 124b connecting the main portion
123 to a connecting band 114 common to both pants 110 and 120. The
connecting band is located in the area of the crotch.
[0062] In this example, both pants 110, 120 are connected by
detachable connecting mechanisms 130, such as buttons or snap
fasteners.
[0063] The variations shown and described with respect to FIGS. 2
and 3, are applicable to the embodiment of FIG. 4, as well as to
that of FIG. 1.
[0064] The present invention is not limited to the particular
embodiments described hereinabove by way of non-limiting examples,
but encompasses all embodiments that are similar or equivalent
and/or seek to solve the same problems.
[0065] In particular, the invention could be transposed to other
types of garments, such as articles covering the upper body, for
example, jackets, sweaters, etc. Such garments are described in the
aforementioned French Patent Application Publication No. 2 853 498
and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 7,849,522.
[0066] The invention disclosed herein by way of exemplary
embodiments suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element
or structure which is not specifically disclosed herein.
* * * * *