U.S. patent application number 14/535470 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-14 for sports garment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Stefani Grosse. Invention is credited to Stefani Grosse.
Application Number | 20150128331 14/535470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49818389 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150128331 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grosse; Stefani |
May 14, 2015 |
Sports Garment
Abstract
A sports garment is disclosed for covering the lower torso,
hips, crotch and behind of a wearer. The sports garment comprises:
a first layer of material providing a front bodice panel, one or
more backside panels and a gusset panel of the garment, and a
second layer of material providing one or more pocket panels. The
second layer of material extends across the entire back width of
the garment so as to completely cover the backside panel, to
thereby form at least one pocket opening towards the bottom of the
garment.
Inventors: |
Grosse; Stefani; (London,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Grosse; Stefani |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
49818389 |
Appl. No.: |
14/535470 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/400 ; 2/227;
2/228 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 31/185 20190201;
A41D 2400/48 20130101; A41D 27/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/400 ; 2/227;
2/228 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/08 20060101
A41D001/08; A41D 27/20 20060101 A41D027/20; A41D 1/22 20060101
A41D001/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 11, 2013 |
GB |
1319816.3 |
Claims
1. A sports garment for covering the lower torso, hips, crotch and
behind of a wearer, the sports garment comprising: a first layer of
material providing a front bodice panel, one or more backside
panels and a gusset panel of the garment, and a second layer of
material providing one or more pocket panels, the second layer of
material extending across the entire back width of the garment so
as to completely cover the backside panel, to thereby form at least
one pocket opening towards the bottom of the garment.
2. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein the front bodice
panel is attached at two side seams to the backside panel(s), and
the pocket panel(s) are attached at the two side seams and to the
gusset panel, to thereby form two pockets opening towards the
bottom of the garment.
3. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein the front bodice
panel is attached at two side seams to the backside panel(s), and
the gusset panel is attached to the front bodice panel and the
backside panel(s).
4. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein the first layer
of material and/or the second layer of material comprises a stretch
material.
5. A sports garment according to claim 1, further comprising an
elastic trim binding provided along the bottom edge of the pocket
panel(s).
6. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein the second layer
of stretch fabric is divided by a centre back seam, such that two
separate pockets are provided.
7. A sports garment according to claim 2, wherein the opening of
each ball pocket extends from the gusset panel to one of the side
seams.
8. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein each ball pocket
is closed by a seam along its top at which the second layer of
fabric is joined to the first layer of fabric.
9. A sports garment according to claim 1, further comprising front
and back leg panels, the front leg panels being attached to the
front bodice panel, the gusset panel and the back leg panels, and
the back leg panels further being attached to the backside panel(s)
and the gusset panel.
10. A sports garment according to claim 9, further comprising thigh
control panels inside the front and back leg panels and attached to
the front bodice panel, the backside panels, and the gusset panel,
the thigh control panels being cut smaller and tighter than the
front and back leg panels.
11. A sports garment according to claim 10, wherein the thigh
control panels are attached to the front and back leg panels at the
leg openings.
12. A sports garment according to claim 1, wherein the sports
garment is one of: a pair of shorts, underwear, leggings, trousers,
tights or pants.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a sportswear garment with fitted
pockets, preferably adapted to carry sports balls such as tennis
balls. The garment is particularly designed for use by female
sports players but is not limited in this respect.
[0002] When engaged in practicing sports such as tennis, or playing
a match, players often face the problem of not having enough space,
in the pockets of their sports garments, to fit in their tennis
balls in a convenient and secure way.
[0003] Also, when engaged in tennis practice and match playing,
female players are often confronted to the problem of not being
able to find some undergarment that gives sufficient support to
their behind.
[0004] A similar issue may occur when playing squash or any other
type of ball sports, where the ball is of a size small enough to
fit into the pockets of sports garments.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0005] To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a
sports garment for covering the lower torso, hips, crotch and
behind of a wearer, the sports garment comprising: a first layer of
material providing a front bodice panel, one or more backside
panels and a gusset panel of the garment, and a second layer of
material providing one or more pocket panels, the second layer of
material extending across the entire back width of the garment so
as to completely cover the backside panel, to thereby form at least
one pocket opening towards the bottom of the garment.
[0006] Optionally, the garment (which is preferably tight and
close-fitted) may also cover the wearer's thighs or legs. It can be
worn on its own, or under a skirt or under a dress. This invention
is primarily for the use on tennis shorts, skirts and leggings, but
it is envisaged for other types of sports garments such as squash
shorts, skirts and leggings, yoga, pilates, cycling, running or
fitness pants. This list of sports garments is not deemed to be an
exhaustive list.
[0007] Thus the disclosed garment, which may be described as a cut
and sew garment, comprises two layered fabric sections. The garment
offers the combined advantages of secure and spacious carriage of
several sports balls, as well as additional support of the behind,
for the female wearer. Both benefits are achieved by the provision
of a second layer of material across the full width of the backside
of the garment as described. The second layer of material is
preferably provided on the outside of the first layer of material,
i.e. such that the first layer is adjacent the wearer in use.
Sports balls can be inserted into the pocket(s) formed between the
two layers of fabric through the downward-facing openings(s) and
will be securely held in place by the material. The second layer of
material also acts to reinforce the backside of the garment thereby
provided the wearer with greater support across the rear of the
garment.
[0008] The panels provided by the first layer of material can take
various different configurations. For instance, each panel may in
fact be made of more than one panel sewn together. Preferably, the
front bodice panel is attached at two side seams to the backside
panel(s), and the pocket panel(s) are attached at the two side
seams and to the gusset panel, to thereby form two pockets opening
towards the bottom of the garment. In this way one pocket is formed
on either side of the sports garment, in which the player can
store, and retrieve, the sports balls, whether she is left or
right-handed. In particularly preferred implementations the opening
of each ball pocket extends from the gusset panel to one of the
side seams. This results in a large opening so as not to impede the
insertion or retrieval of sports balls.
[0009] In preferred constructions the front bodice panel is
attached at two side seams to the backside panel(s), and the gusset
panel is attached to the front bodice panel and the backside
panel(s).
[0010] Preferably, the first layer of material and/or the second
layer of material comprises a stretch (i.e. elastic) material. For
example, a material containing Lycra.TM. such as a stretch jersey
fabric may be used. The material used to form the first and second
layers of material may be the same or different.
[0011] The fabric used to form one or both of the layers of
material may be sufficiently elastic so as to securely retain balls
within the pocket(s) by itself However in other preferred
embodiments, the garment may further comprise an elastic trim
binding provided along the bottom edge of the pocket panel(s). This
biases the opening more strongly towards its closed configuration
thereby improving the retention of the pockets' contents.
[0012] The pocket panel formed by the second layer of material
could form a single pocket area, e.g. such that a ball inserted
through either opening can be retrieved from the other. However in
preferred examples, the second layer of stretch fabric is divided
by a centre back seam, such that two separate pockets are provided.
In this way the contents of each pocket will remain separate from
one another and must be retrieved from the same opening through
which they were inserted.
[0013] The pocket(s) could also be open along their top edge but in
more preferred embodiments, each ball pocket is closed by a seam
along its top at which the second layer of fabric is joined to the
first layer of fabric. This prevents the pockets' contents exiting
via the top of the garment.
[0014] As mentioned above, the garment may also over all or a
portion of the wearer's legs and so in preferred embodiments, the
garment further comprises front and back leg panels, the front leg
panels being attached to the front bodice panel, the gusset panel
and the back leg panels, and the back leg panels further being
attached to the backside panel(s) and the gusset panel. In a
particularly preferred embodiment, the garment may still further
comprise thigh control panels inside the front and back leg panels
and attached to the front bodice panel, the backside panels, and
the gusset panel, the thigh control panels being cut smaller and
tighter than the front and back leg panels (i.e. than the outer
shell of the garment). This inside layer construction, provides a
highly supportive region in the garment's thigh area, giving the
wearer additional control in such body parts. Preferably, the thigh
control panels are attached to the front and back leg panels at the
leg openings. The preferred double inside construction of the
garment in this area controls and supports the lower hip and thigh
area.
[0015] It should be noted that the provision of leg panels and
thigh control panels is independent of the provision of the second
material layer and resulting pockets described above. The present
inventors also envisage the provision of a sports garment without
such pockets, having the presently described leg and thigh control
panels.
[0016] The invention is primarily for the use of tennis balls, but
it is envisaged for other sports balls such as squash balls. The
list of sports balls is not deemed to be an exhaustive list.
[0017] In a preferred configuration the sports garment comprises
two large ball pockets made of extra layers of stretch fabric that
extends across the entire back width of the garment, in which balls
can easily be inserted or retrieved, the pocket opening towards the
bottom and its bottom edge being bound with an elastic trim binding
which prevents balls from falling out.
[0018] Advantageously, the pockets are not separately applied
patches (e.g. squares or circles), but are made out of extra fabric
panels, taken into the back panel seams of the sports garment, in
the same material and identical shape as the one used to make the
sports garment itself. Preferably the extra stretch fabric layers,
taken into the back panel seams of the sports garment, and made of
the same fabric as the one used to make the sports garment itself,
are divided by the centre back seam, to create two separate
pockets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] As described above, the ball pockets are constructed from a
panel of fabric (which may be the same material from which the rest
of the garment is made, such as jersey fabric) that extends across
the entire width of the back of the sports garment. Therefore, the
pockets are larger and easier to access to, as compared with
pockets provided on conventional garments, and can contain more
than one sports ball. The special pocket construction gives the
wearer's backside additional support and lift.
[0020] Preferably, the panel of stretch fabric is intersected in
two, by a vertical seam line located at the centre of the back of
the garment, so that the balls stay either on one side, or the
other side, of that panel of stretch fabric. Thus, the wearer of
the sports garment can easily and quickly access the balls, on each
side of the panel of stretch fabric, regardless of the fact that
she is either left-handed or right-handed.
[0021] Due to the fact that the ball pockets are spread evenly
across the entire behind of the sports garment, no lines or ridges
caused by usual pocket fittings are visible, when such sports
garment is worn as an undergarment.
[0022] These "ball compartments" don't look like pockets, but look
rather like a supporting and flattering seam-line.
[0023] In addition, the ball pockets are aesthetically pleasing and
do not alter the shape of the sports garment, when they are
empty.
[0024] The second layer of material on both sides, constituted by
the panel of stretch fabric that equally extends across the entire
width of the sports garment, provides greater support to the wearer
as well as increased opacity. As a result, the sports garment will
also be very useful for non-ball sports, such as yoga, pilates and
fitness, where opaque and supportive garments are essential.
[0025] Preferably, the optional high stretch and high-support
inside control layer in the thigh area of the sports garment
provides additional control to the wearer, in this part of the
body, and has a lifting effect of the wearer's behind, without
extending the layer into the crotch area. It is therefore more
comfortable for the wearer and allows for better breathability of
the skin in the crotch area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] Examples of the invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 shows the front view of an embodiment of a sports
garment when worn on a female's body;
[0028] FIG. 2 shows the back view of the garment of FIG. 1, showing
the ball pockets, one of which is illustrated with a tennis ball
retained therein;
[0029] FIG. 3 shows the side view of the garment of FIG. 1, showing
one ball pocket with a tennis ball retained therein;
[0030] FIG. 4 shows the inside front view of the garment of FIG. 1,
the leg panels being removed so as to illustrate the thigh support
layer construction;
[0031] FIG. 5 shows the inside back view of the garment of FIG. 1,
the leg panels being removed so as to illustrate the thigh support
layer construction;
[0032] FIG. 6 shows the inside side view of the garment of FIG. 1,
the leg panels being removed so as to illustrate the thigh support
layer construction; and
[0033] FIG. 7 shows the side view the garment of FIG. 1,
illustrating one empty ball pocket as well as the leg panel
appearance and construction when not worn on a body.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0034] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers
identify like parts:
[0035] In this example, the sports garment is a pair of sports
tights but more generally could comprise a pair of shorts,
leggings, trousers or pants. The garment may be formed from a
stretch material such as jersey.
[0036] The functional shell of the garment is formed by a first
layer of material providing a front bodice panel 3 (FIGS. 1 and 4),
one or more backside panels 12 (FIG. 5) and a gusset panel 4 (FIGS.
1, 4 and 5). The front bodice panel 3 is joined to the backside
panel(s) at two side seams 6 (FIG. 6). The gusset panel 4 is joined
to the front bodice panel 3 and to the backside panels 12 at
respective seam lines so as to form two openings for the wearer's
legs therebetween. Optionally the shell may also include a
waistband panel 16 and/or a back panel 15. The waistband panel 16
is configured to fit around the wearer's waist or hips and is
joined to the top of the bodice panel 3 and to the backside panels
12 or, if provided, to the back panel 15 which spans the rear of
the garment between the waistband 16 and the backside panels
12.
[0037] Referring to several figures of the drawings, general
reference number 1 depicts an elasticated style seam of the sports
tights, which curves around the body in a continuous line from the
front to the back of the garment, wherein the front bodice panel 3,
as well as the backside panels 12, and in this case the back panel
15 are attached, preferably by a flat-lock machine stitch.
[0038] The front bodice panel 3 is preferably unlined. The small
gusset panel 4 of the sports tights is preferably formed from a
breathable material.
[0039] Optionally, the garment may also be configured to cover all
or part of the wearer's legs (e.g. the upper thigh area only, or to
the knee, or to the ankle) In this case, as shown in the drawings,
the garment further comprises front leg panels 2a and back leg
panels 2b, joined to one another along the side seams 6. The front
leg panels 2a are joined to the front bodice panel and the back leg
panels 2b are joined to the backside panels. Reference number 5
indicates the leg opening.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the general reference number 7
illustrates the large ball pockets made of an extra layer of
material (e.g. stretch jersey fabric) that extends across the
entire back width of the garment, in which balls can easily be
inserted or retrieved, the pockets opening towards the bottom of
the garment. The backside panels 12 are completely covered by the
second layer of fabric forming the pocket panels 7. The second
layer of fabric 7 is attached at the side seams 6 (which is
preferably an elasticated flat-locked side seam) and also to the
gusset panel 4. This creates two pocket openings, each running from
the gusset panel to the respective side seam. Preferably the second
layer of fabric is also joined along the seam 1 so as to close the
top of the pockets.
[0041] Optionally, the bottom edges of the pockets are bound with
an elastic trim binding 8 which helps prevents the balls from
falling out. The elastic trim binding 8, which is attached to
either bottom edge of the two ball pockets, helps to ensure secure
carriage of sports balls, i.e. tennis balls, by pulling the pocket
opening firmly against the body. However the provision of binding 8
is not essential if the material from which the garment panels are
made is of sufficient elasticity.
[0042] The gusset panel 4 adds to the wearer's movability and
comfort by preventing the pocket openings from running all the way
into the crotch, which would result in bulkiness and friction
between the legs.
[0043] The second layer of fabric 7 could form a single pocket
across the back of the garment into which objects can be inserted
from either pocket opening. However, preferably the second layer of
fabric is joined to the first layer of fabric along a centre back
seam, illustrated by reference number 9, which divides the extra
layer of self-fabric to create two separate pockets. Again the
centre back seam is preferably a flat-locked seam.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, the reference number 10 indicates how a
tennis ball can easily be inserted into one of the large ball
pockets.
[0045] FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate a further optional feature of
the garment. FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show the garment with the leg panels
2a, 2b removed for illustration purposes. Inside the leg panels 2a,
2b are provided thigh control panels 11, which are cut smaller and
tighter than the outside panels 2a, 2b, and are made of a highly
supportive stretch material. The thigh control panels 11 are
anchored into seam 1 and seam 13, which connects the backside
panels 12 to the back leg panels 2b. The inside thigh support
panels also attach to the outer shell 2a, 2b of the sports tights
at the hem 5.
[0046] FIG. 7 shows the complete garment when not worn by a person,
the inside thigh control layer now being concealed by leg panels
2a, 2b. The imaginary line of the inside thigh control layer 11 is
depicted by dotted line 14. As shown, the inside thigh control
layer 11 is cut tighter and closer to the body (than the outer
panels) for better support, which results in an uneven leg shape
when off the body.
[0047] While the present inventions have been illustrated by a
description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have
been set forth in considerable detail, it is intended that the
scope of the inventions be defined by the appended claims. It will
be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications to
the foregoing preferred embodiments may be made in various aspects.
It is deemed that the spirit and scope of the inventions encompass
such variations to be preferred embodiments as would be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art and familiar with the teachings of
the present application.
* * * * *