U.S. patent application number 14/026189 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-19 for garment with improved fly opening and related system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Drawbridge Worldwide LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Drawbridge Worldwide LLC. Invention is credited to Harrison Ferber.
Application Number | 20150074874 14/026189 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52666577 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150074874 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferber; Harrison |
March 19, 2015 |
GARMENT WITH IMPROVED FLY OPENING AND RELATED SYSTEM
Abstract
An undergarment is configured to be wearable by a wearer and
includes a waist portion positionable around a portion of the torso
of the wearer. The undergarment also includes a front panel
extending from the waist portion. The front panel defines a pouch
portion positionable so as to extend outwardly and upwardly from an
area between the legs of the wearer. The front panel further has an
opening defining spaced apart lateral ends and an apex vertically
disposed above the lateral ends. A flap extends from the pouch
portion and defines first and second lateral edges extending away
from the lateral ends of the opening to a free end of the flap. The
flap is releasably attachable with a portion of the front panel
adjacent the opening so as to be selectively moveable between a
closed position and an open position.
Inventors: |
Ferber; Harrison; (New York,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Drawbridge Worldwide LLC |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Drawbridge Worldwide LLC
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
52666577 |
Appl. No.: |
14/026189 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/401 ; 2/400;
2/404 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/06 20130101; A41B
9/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/401 ; 2/400;
2/404 |
International
Class: |
A41B 9/14 20060101
A41B009/14; A41B 9/02 20060101 A41B009/02 |
Claims
1. An undergarment, comprising: a waist portion positionable around
a portion of the torso of a wearer; and a front panel extending
from the waist portion, the front panel defining a pouch portion
positionable so as to extend outwardly and upwardly from an area
between the legs of the wearer, the front panel further including
an opening defining an edge with spaced apart lateral ends and an
apex vertically disposed above the lateral ends and a flap
extending from the pouch portion and defining first and second
lateral edges detached from the edges of the opening and extending
away from the lateral ends of the opening to a free end of the
flap; wherein the flap is releasably attachable with a portion of
the front panel adjacent the opening so as to be selectively
moveable between a closed position, such that the flap extends over
the opening, and an open position, such that the flap is withdrawn
from the opening.
2. The undergarment of claim 1, further including a back panel
extending from the flap at the portion thereof positionable between
the legs of the wearer and connecting with the waist portion
opposite the front panel.
3. The undergarment of claim 1, further including first and second
leg portions partially extending from opposing sides of the front
panel and positionable around portions of respective legs of the
wearer.
4. The undergarment of claim 1, the first and second lateral edges
of the flap are substantially equal in respective lengths
thereof.
5. The undergarment of claim 4, wherein the lengths of the first
and second lateral edges of the flap are at least 1.5''.
6. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the front panel includes an
upper portion and a lower portion that includes the pouch and the
flap, the upper portion and the lower portion being of separate
pieces of material that are sewn together along portions
thereof.
7. The undergarment of claim 6, wherein the lower portion is
attached to the upper portion along an edge of the lower portion
that extends from the lateral edges of the flap.
8. The undergarment of claim 6, wherein the lower portion is
attached to the upper portion along an edge of the upper portion
that extends from the edge of the opening.
9. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein first and second gores
extend between portions of respective lateral edges of the flap and
corresponding portions of the edge of the opening.
10. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the undergarment is
generally configured as a pair of boxer shorts.
11. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the undergarment is
generally configured as one of a pair of briefs or
boxer-briefs.
12. A garment, comprising: a waist portion positionable around a
portion of the torso of the wearer, the waist portion defining a
notch disposed along a central portion of an upper edge thereof;
and a front panel extending outwardly and upwardly from an area
between the legs of the wearer to attach with the waist portion
along an area including the central portion; wherein the notch
extends inward relative to the waist portion in a direction away
from the upper edge toward the front panel through at least 50% of
a thickness of the waist portion.
13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the waist portion is a
waistband including an elastic member extending around a perimeter
thereof, the notch being defined at least in the elastic
member.
14. The garment of claim 13, wherein the waistband includes a
resiliently stretchable fabric sheath surrounding the elastic
member, and wherein the notch is defined in portions of the elastic
member and the fabric sheath.
15. The garment of claim 12, wherein the notch extends along a
width thereof in a direction parallel to the upper edge of the
waist portion, the width being at least 1''.
16. The garment of claim 12, wherein: the garment is an
undergarment; the front panel defines a pouch portion including the
portion of the front panel that extends outwardly and upwardly from
an area between the legs of the wearer, the front panel further
including an opening defining an edge with spaced apart lateral
ends and an apex vertically disposed above the lateral ends and a
flap extending from the pouch portion and defining first and second
lateral edges detached from the edges of the edge of the opening
and extending away from the lateral ends of the opening to a free
end of the flap; and the flap is releasably attachable with a
portion of the front panel adjacent the opening so as to be
selectively moveable between a closed position, such that the flap
extends over the opening, and an open position, such that the flap
is withdrawn from the opening.
17. A system, comprising: an inner garment, including: a waist
portion positionable around a portion of the torso of a wearer; and
a front panel extending from the waist portion, the front panel
including an inner opening defining an edge with spaced apart
lateral ends and an apex vertically disposed above the lateral ends
and an inner flap defining first and second lateral edges detached
from the edges of the inner opening and extending away from the
lateral ends thereof to a free end of the inner flap; an outer
garment, including an outer opening, the garment being positionable
on a wearer over the inner garment with the outer opening aligned
with the inner opening, the outer garment further including an
outer flap with lateral edges extending to an apex, the lateral
edges and apex being positionable adjacent the lateral edges of the
inner flap, and the outer flap being configured to selectively open
and close the outer opening; and a connector configured to
releasably attach the flap of the inner garment with the flap of
the outer garment such that the selective opening and closing of
the outer opening by the outer flap also causes the inner flap to
correspondingly open and close the inner opening.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the front panel of the inner
garment defines a pouch portion positionable so as to extend
outwardly and upwardly from an area between the legs of the wearer,
the inner flap extending from the pouch portion.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the outer flap is configured to
substantially close the outer opening by one of a hook and eye
fastener or a zipper.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the inner flap includes a
button hole that is selectively attachable with a button attached
with the front portion of the inner garment adjacent the opening
and a button attached on an inside of the outer flap.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Underwear has been provided in a number of different styles
and configurations. Such styles and configurations are often
designed or developed for optimal comfort or performance depending
on varying wearer preferences and varying activities. Underwear of
different types has been offered in many colors, fabrics, and of
styles that provide varying level of coverage. The overall design
of the different types of men's underwear, however, often follows a
general layout or template within the particular configuration
(e.g. briefs, boxers, boxer briefs, etc., with subtle variations in
fit and styling. In particular, the fly most often included in
men's underwear is usually of a particular type depending on the
style of underwear. For example, boxer short style underwear often
simply has a vertical fly formed by slightly overlapping portions
of fabric that may or may not be enclosed by a button. In other
examples both briefs and boxer briefs often provide a fly that is
diagonally positioned to one side of the garment (or horizontally
positioned in some cases) and is formed by a significant fabric
overlap.
[0002] Often such configurations result in a fly is merely
decorative and sometimes even detrimental to the product and its
use. For example, some flies do not properly close and can result
in exposure or escape of portions of the male body therefrom. In
some instances the extra fabric from the fly may add unneeded
bulkiness to the garment as well. Manny current fly configurations
are so inconvenient that many people simply refuse to use it
altogether, instead simply pulling down their underwear to
urinate.
[0003] Most current fly configurations require opening an access
point, followed by manual removal of the penis and manual
reinsertion back into the undergarment. This requires contact that
can be unsanitary and uncomfortable, especially in public
bathrooms, as the wearer may come into contact with residual bodily
fluids. Additionally, many people with disabilities have difficulty
fully removing their clothing, thus making convenient accessibility
of utmost importance to those who may be required to assist them.
Further, in instances of athletic wear and athletic underwear in
particular, people often sacrifice comfort for protection,
requiring stiff and uncomfortable garments that require much time
and effort to remove. Accordingly an undergarment is needed that
can offer support within the undergarment, particularly in the case
of men's undergarments, while being worn, and further providing a
comfort and a convenient point of access therethrough.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present disclosure relates to an undergarment having a
functional collapsible drawbridge-like fly that can provide
convenient, easier urination as well as coverage and comfort,
without unintended exposure during regular wear. The undergarment
can also provide a unique aesthetic to the front portion thereof.
The fly configuration described herein can be included in all types
of undergarments. A method of opening and closing the fly,
discussed herein, allows for convenient use of the undergarment
(including opening and closing of the fly), while maintaining the
placement of all contents in the undergarment during wear, and
further without requiring touching of parts of the body during
urination. The undergarment described herein facilitates such a
method, while providing improved comfort through minimal excess
bulk, and breathability through air vents therein. The fly of the
garment is also associated with a pouch that can be configured in a
hammock-like shape that, when opened, provides support to offer
easy, comfortable access through the fly. The hammock can also be
made of different materials (including hard materials such as
plastic or the like, or more compliant materials such as layers of
foam), which can provide protection and support in athletic and
activewear garments.
[0005] An undergarment according to an aspect of the disclosure is
configured to be wearable by a wearer and includes a waist portion
positionable around a portion of the torso of the wearer. The
undergarment also includes a front panel extending from the waist
portion. The front panel defines a pouch portion positionable so as
to extend outwardly and upwardly from an area between the legs of
the wearer. The front panel further has an opening defining spaced
apart lateral ends and an apex vertically disposed above the
lateral ends. A flap extends from the pouch portion and defines
first and second lateral edges extending away from the lateral ends
of the opening to a free end of the flap. The flap is releasably
attachable with a portion of the front panel adjacent the opening
so as to be selectively moveable between a closed position, such
that the flap extends over the opening, and an open position, such
that the flap is withdrawn from the opening.
[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an
undergarment configured to be wearable by a wearer. The
undergarment and includes a waist portion positionable around a
portion of the torso of the wearer. The waist portion defines a
notch along a centrally disposed portion of an upper edge thereof.
The undergarment can further include the above-described front
panel, including the opening and flap described with respect
thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an undergarment
according to an aspect of the disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the undergarment of FIG.
1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the undergarment of FIG.
1 in an open configuration.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the undergarment in the
open configuration of FIG. 3.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of another undergarment
according to a further aspect of the disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of an outer garment adapted
to be used in a system with the undergarment of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the outer garment of
FIG. 6 in an open configuration and showing portions of an
undergarment similar to that of FIG. 1 there through.
[0014] FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional detail views of the
outer garment and undergarment of FIG. 7 in respective closed and
open configurations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Turning to the drawing figures, wherein similar reference
numbers are used in connection with similar features, FIG. 1 shows
an undergarment 10 in the form of a pair of men's underwear. The
particular example of undergarment 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a pair of
boxer-briefs, which are configured to be worn at or below the waist
of a wearer with front and back panels thereof extending downward
from the garment's waistband respectively over the anterior and
posterior of the wearer and to extend between the wearer's legs
where the front and back panels are attached together (or
continuously extend together in a unitary structure). The
boxer-briefs shown are also configured with leg portions that
extend outwardly and downwardly around respective legs of the
wearer. Such an undergarment can be configured to provide a close
or snug fit for the wearer and can be sized or selected based on
the individual wearer's personal fit preferences (such as a
relatively tighter or relatively looser fit). Generally, such
undergarments are configured to provide concealment and comfortable
enclosure of the area which they cover and to provide a degree of
support for the male-specific body parts. Although illustrated in
the context of boxer-briefs, certain features of undergarment 10
can be implemented in other forms of undergarments such as briefs,
or boxer shorts, as discussed further below.
[0016] Returning to the undergarment 10 shown in FIG. 1, as
discussed above, undergarment 10 includes a waist opening 18
configured to fit around the lower portion of the wearer's torso,
such as around the waist or around an area below the waist. The
waist opening 18 can be encircled by a waistband that can be an
additional piece of material that is attached to undergarment 10 or
can be material unitary with the adjacent portions of undergarment
10 such that waistband is defined by stitching and/or folding
imparted on the material. Waistband 50 can be of or can include an
elastic material to provide a retention force around the wearer's
waist to keep undergarment 10 from sagging out of its desired
position. In one example, waistband 50 can be of a cotton or
cotton-spandex material with an elastic backing sewn thereto. In a
further example, waistband 50 can be of a cotton or cotton-spandex
material that is wrapped around or otherwise fully encloses an
elastic band. Such a configuration can provide for increased
comfort against the wearer's skin compared to direct contact with
the elastic.
[0017] A front panel 22 extends downwardly from waistband 50. Front
panel 22 is configured to cover and to provide support for a male
wearer's body parts. Accordingly, front panel can be shaped to form
a pouch or other appropriately-configured area to enclose the body
parts within an area of the undergarment 10. A rear panel 22 can
extend downwardly from waistband 50 opposite front panel 22 and can
be configured extend over and cover at least portions of the
wearer's buttocks. The front panel 22 and rear panel 20 can extend
toward the area between the wearer's legs and can be attached
together within such an area. In some examples, a seam can connect
the front panel 22 with the rear panel 20. Such a seam can be
positioned directly between the wearer's legs or to the front or
back of such an area. In another example, the front panel 22 and
rear panel 20 can be particular areas or a unitary piece of fabric
or material that includes both the front panel 22 and the rear
panel 20 and is connected with waistband 50 on both opposing
sides.
[0018] Leg portions 12 and 14 are attached with front panel 22 and
rear panel 20 on respective, opposite lateral sides of undergarment
20. Each of the legs 12,14 includes a leg opening defined around an
edge of the lower portions of the respective legs 12,14. The legs
12,14 are generally of the same overall length, which itself can
vary among examples of undergarment 10, of which some examples can
have relatively short legs 12,14 (one or two inches along the
inseam thereof, for example), while other examples can have
relatively longer legs (4 to five or more inches, for example).
Different examples of undergarment 10 having different lengths for
legs 12,14 can be provided so as to be selected based on user
preference. Leg portions 12,14 can be attached with front panel 22
and rear panel 20, along with waistband 50 in some examples, by
corresponding seams or the like. The particular location of such
seams can vary depending on the style or desired fit of the
undergarment 10, and the locations thereof shown in FIGS. 1 and 2
are merely examples. In a variation, leg portions 12,14 can be of
the same piece of material as one or more of front panel 22 and
rear panel 20.
[0019] Undergarment 10 includes a fly 24 that is configured to
provide improved overall comfort for undergarment 10 and improved
access and communication between the interior and exterior thereof.
In particular, fly 24 can include a flap 34 that is configured to
span at least a portion of the width of front panel 22, over which
it is attached on opposing sides 36,38 thereof. Flap 34 extends
upwardly from the attached sides to an apex 32 vertically disposed
from the attached portions of sides 36,38. As such, flap 34 has a
portion thereof that is not permanently attached with the remaining
portions of front panel 22 and extends over a portion of the width
and height thereof.
[0020] Flap 34 is sized and positioned to cover and close an
opening 26 that is also within front panel 22. As shown in FIG. 3,
opening 26 extends both laterally and vertically within a portion
of front panel 22 that is smaller than flap 34 such that a portion
of flap 34 overlaps with the areas of front panel 22 surrounding
opening 26. Such an overlap allows flap 34 to fully enclose opening
26 such that the portions of the wearer's body uncovered by opening
26 can be concealed beneath flap 34.
[0021] In addition, flap 34, can be a part of or otherwise extend
continuously from the pouch area 46. As discussed above, the pouch
area 46 can be defined within an outwardly and/or downwardly
extending area in front panel 22 that can be configured to provide
additional room for the male body parts, while providing a desired
degree of support therefore so as to be contained within a specific
area. As such, pouch area 46 and any portions of flap 34 that
extend therefrom can be generally hammock-shaped. That is, the
portions to the center and, in some examples, the lower-center of
the front panel 22 can billow outward and/or downward of the
portions thereof toward the outer portions of the front panel 22
(e.g. toward the leg portions 12,14) as in the shape of a hammock.
The flap 34 can extend from pouch area 46 in a manner that
continues to define the hammock-shape such that the lower center
portions and relatively higher or more inward side portions come
together in the area of apex 32, again in the manner of a
hammock.
[0022] In such a construction, front panel 22 can include a number
of different sections of fabric or the like sewn together in the
configuration described above. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and
3, flap 34 and pouch 46 include one or more (e.g. two, as shown)
pieces of material that are configured to give such features the
hammock shape as just described. Similarly, one or more pieces of
material (e.g. one, as shown) can make up the remaining portions of
front panel 22 and can have a cutout in the desired shape of
opening 26 therein. As shown, the portions of front panel 22
flanking the opening 26 can be included on such a piece of material
or sub-assembly thereof. In such a manner, portions of the sides 28
and 30 of flap 34 can be attached to the upper portion of front
panel 22 outside of opening 26 by corresponding seams 29 and 30
that can be configured to allow flap 34, as it extends into pouch
46, to maintain the desired hammock shape, while configuring the
free portions of flap 34 in an appropriate size and positioning to
cover opening 26, as discussed above.
[0023] The free portion of flap 34 can be made
releasably-attachable with an adjacent portion of front panel 22.
In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a button 42 can be affixed
to front panel 22 adjacent opening 26 in a position to align with
the flap 34 in the area of the apex 32 thereof. Flap 34 can include
a corresponding button hole 44 so that flap 34 can be maintained in
a closed position by assembling button 42 with button hole 44.
Similarly, flap 34 can be released and allowed to open by removing
button 42 from button hole 44. Other structures can be used to
facilitate such attachment, such as Velcro, zippers, snaps, or the
like. Such an attachment not only helps to maintain flap 34 closed
but can provide support for the pouch area 46 by the hammock-like
configuration of pouch 46 and flap 34, as described above.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the release of flap 34 from the
above-describe attachment structure can allow flap 34 to fall or
otherwise be moved away from its position over opening 26. As
particularly shown in FIG. 4, flap 34 can open by moving in an
anterior direction away from opening 26 and away from button 42.
Because of such detachment from button 42 and the movement of flap
34 away from opening 26, not only is the anatomy of the wearer
within opening 26 made accessible, but the pouch 46 can be somewhat
loosened, further facilitating access through opening 26, while
maintaining the contents of the pouch 46 in a generally central
position (due to the lower center thereof achieved by the hammock
configuration).
[0025] The configuration of opening 26 and flap 34, discussed
herein can be adapted to be included in a pair of boxer shorts, for
example. Boxer shorts are typically loose-fitting undergarments
that can have otherwise similar waist, front, back, and leg
sections as boxer-briefs. Accordingly, the fly typically found on
most types of boxer shorts can be replaced with an opening and flap
combination, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. Still further, an
undergarment similar to undergarment 10 can be provided without
legs 12 and 14 in the form of a brief style undergarment. The
configurations of both boxer-briefs and briefs can be adapted to
function as protective athletic garments by providing pockets
within the pouch and flap to retain either a hard plastic cup or
specially adapted foam inserts therein.
[0026] Accordingly, undergarment 10 can provide a larger opening 26
for communication between the inside and outside thereof. This can
be particularly useful during urination, for example, wherein a
male will often leave his undergarments 10 in place, while reaching
through the fly of his pants and underwear to access necessary body
part(s) therefor. Often, this must be done while holding open a
typical fly (which may open in a sideways manner or can
additionally or alternatively require holding open of overlapping,
fixed flaps), often with one hand, while "aiming" with the other
hand. Undergarment 10, however, can make urination easier by
providing an opening 26 that remains at least partially open by
itself (i.e. by gravity causing flap 42 to fall open when
unbuttoned), eliminating the need for the fly 24 to be held open.
Further, the direction of opening (i.e. vertical) means that,
should the user wish to hold the fly 24 open, it can be done with
the same hand that is used for aiming. Even further, the flap 42
can itself be extended outwardly of the fly of the wearer's pants
such that the user does not have to actually contact the penis to
aim during urination, which can improve the sanitary aspects of
using the bathroom, for example. Similarly, the size of opening 24
and the direction of the opening action means that at least some
users can remove body parts from the undergarment 10 by simply
pulling downward on flap 42 to expand the size of opening 26 such
that the penis is freed from behind pouch 46 so as to move
outwardly from opening 26, without having to be grasped by the
wearer. Such an arrangement can also make urination easier for
those who require assistance in doing so (e.g. the fully or
partially disabled), by making access to the body parts within
undergarment 10 easer for those assisting them.
[0027] Even with the improvements in the structure of the fly 24
described herein, some may still prefer to urinate by moving the
waistband 50 downward and removing the body part over the top of
the undergarment 50. To facilitate such action, undergarment 10,
and other examples of undergarment with or without similar
structures of fly 24, can include a notch 52 formed in waistband
50. A waistband with a straight upper edge can make such action
difficult by requiring movement of waistband 50 over a great
distance. Such a waistband can also present difficulty in aiming
and can disrupt the flow during urination. Notch 52 can provide a
place for body parts to rest during over the top urination and can
reduce the distance of movement for waistband 50 to achieve such a
position, which can help the user aim and can be less disruptive to
flow. The notch can, for example, have a depth of about 50% of the
overall height of the waistband 50. In an example, waistband can be
about 1.25'' high, and notch 52 can have a depth of about 0.75''.
Further, notch 52 can have a width about equal to the height of
waistband 50 (e.g. 1.25'' in the example given). Other
configurations are possible and can be made to provide adequate
strength of waistband 50, overall, and to allow for the shape and
structure of notch 52 to be maintained during wearing of
undergarment 10 (or another undergarment including a similar notch
52).
[0028] A variation of the undergarment described above is shown in
FIG. 5. Such an undergarment 110 includes a pair of inserts 154 (of
which only one is shown in FIG. 5, the other being similar in
structure and positioned opposite opening 126 from the insert 154
shown) attached between portions of flap 134 and the underlying
areas of the upper portion of front panel 122 (e.g. in the location
of seams 29 and 31 in undergarment 10). Such inserts 154, 156 can
be made of elastic or another resiliently-stretchable material so
that they add as little bulk as possible when fly 124 is closed,
while facilitating even farther opening of flap 134 compared to
flap 34, discussed above. Inserts 154, 156 can be positioned to add
material to enclose flap 134 along portions of the sides 136, 138
thereof so as to limit exposure or escape of the contents of
undergarment 110, while providing the aforementioned additional
opening 126 size.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 6-8, an outer garment 60 can be configured
to take particular advantage of the ease of access provided by the
above-described structure of fly 24 (and/or fly 124, as shown in
FIG. 5). In particular, outer garment 60 can be configured with a
fly 64 that opens in a manner similar to that of undergarment 10.
As such, a flap 68 can extend between attached lateral sides, as
well as vertically along a detached portion thereof. Flap 68 can
align with an opening 66 positioned in garment 60 to align with the
opening 26 of undergarment 10. As shown in FIG. 6, flap 68 does not
necessarily have to be the same shape as the flap 34 of
undergarment 10 and can, for example, be in a more rounded
configuration (similar to an upside-down "U" or a rotated "D").
Further opening 66 can be sized to be larger than flap 24 so that
flap 34 can easily pass therethrough.
[0030] The closure mechanism 70 incorporated into fly 64 can also
vary from that included in fly 24. In particular, fly 64, which can
be intended to be external to any clothing, can include a closure
70 that extends along the entire free portion of flap 68. In the
example shown, a zipper is used for closure 70, and extends around
the mating peripheries of flap 68 and opening 66. In another
example, flap 68 can be triangular and can have two zippers on
either side thereof that meet at an apex of flap 68 when closed. In
yet another example, flap 68 can be rectangular in shape and can
include zippers on opposite sides thereof. The upper edge of such a
rectangular flap can close, for example, using a hook-and-eye
closure. In such examples, a flexible piece of material (such as
webbing, a cord or the like) can connect between zippers to provide
easy simultaneous opening and closing thereof.
[0031] When opened, as shown in FIG. 7, fly 64 can uncover opening
66 such that fly 24 of undergarment 10 can be opened by the wearer,
as described above. Such a fly 64, in combination with undergarment
10 can provide increased ease of access to the interior of the
undergarment 10 and the contents thereof. In an additional example,
as shown in FIGS. 8A, the interior of flap 68 can include a second
attachment feature 72 that can connect with the flap 34 of
undergarment 10 such that flap 34 can be connected with flap 68
instead of with the area adjacent opening 26 such that flap 34 can
be opened simultaneously in a single action with flap 68, as shown
in FIG. 8B. In the example shown, the attachment feature 72 is in
the form of another button that can pass through the button hole 44
in flap 34 for connection therewith, leaving button 42 (not shown
in FIGS. 8A or 8B) unconnected with flap 34. The outer garment 60
in such a system can be any type of lower outer garment, but may be
additionally useful in sportswear, such as in ski pants or the
like. Additionally, the outer garment 60 can be configured as a
pair of pants typically associated with an emergency-response
uniform, such as a fireman's suit or the like, which are often
bulky, and are worn in situations where ease and speed of using the
bathroom, for example can be critical. Other configurations for
outer garment 60 are possible, including configurations as jeans,
trousers, or the like. As further shown in FIG. 7, an outer garment
(which may or may not include the fly structure 64 discussed above)
can include a notch that can be similar to notch 52 described above
with respect to undergarment 10. In the example of an outer garment
60 with a fly 64 adapted to attach with a fly 24 of an undergarment
10 that also includes a notch 52, notch 80 can be configured to
align with notch 52.
[0032] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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