SPORTS TROUSER

Abstract

A sports trouser is provided, comprising: a trouser portion having a waistband portion (11) from which a bifurcated leg portion (12) depends; and a halter portion (13) extending from the waistband portion to loop, when worn, around the back of the neck of the wearer, thereby to apply an upward force to the waistband portion, wherein the halter portion is anchored to the waistband portion so as to apply force at at least two positions arranged on either side of the body sagittal plane each being rearward of the body coronal plane, the halter portion being anchored so as to extend to the neck crossing the body coronal plane beneath the arms of the wearer. The trouser may thereby be more convenient to don and doff, and may thereby be more comfortable to wear.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

21. A cycling trouser comprising: a lower body part having a trouser portion with a bifurcated leg portion; and an upper body part having a halter portion extending to loop, when worn, around the back of the neck of a wearer, and a bib portion extending between the trouser portion and the halter portion to at least partially cover the torso of the wearer, the upper body part thereby applying, when worn, an upward force to the lower body part and distributing load from the halter portion.

22. The cycling trouser according to claim 21, wherein the upper body part is arranged so as to apply force to the lower body part at first and second positions arranged on each side of the body sagittal plane.

23. The cycling trouser according to claim 22, wherein the upper body part is arranged to apply force to the lower body part at positions both forward and rearward of the body coronal plane but not at at least an intermediate position between the forward and rearward position on each side.

24. The cycling trouser according to claim 21, further comprising a closure portion extending from the halter portion in a loop so as to encircle the neck, when worn.

25. The cycling trouser according to claim 21, wherein the bifurcated leg portion extends to terminate above the knees of the wearer, when worn.

26. The cycling trouser according to claim 21, wherein the bifurcated leg portion extends to terminate below the knees of the wearer, when worn.

27. The cycling trouser according to claim 21, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the halter portion.

28. The cycling trouser according to claim 22, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the halter portion.

29. The cycling trouser according to claim 23, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the halter portion.

30. The cycling trouser according to claim 24, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the halter portion.

31. The cycling trouser according to claim 25, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the halter portion.

32. The cycling trouser according to claim 21, wherein the upper body part is configured so as to apply an upward tension on a rear portion of the lower body part when the wearer stands erect, and so as to release the tension such that the trouser portion may be dropped below the buttocks of the wearer when the wearer squats.

33. The cycling trouser according to claim 22, wherein the upper body part is configured so as to apply an upward tension on a rear portion of the lower body part when the wearer stands erect, and so as to release the tension such that the trouser portion may be dropped below the buttocks of the wearer when the wearer squats.

34. The cycling trouser according to claim 23, wherein the upper body part is configured so as to apply an upward tension on a rear portion of the lower body part when the wearer stands erect, and so as to release the tension such that the trouser portion may be dropped below the buttocks of the wearer when the wearer squats.

35. The cycling trouser according to claim 24, wherein the upper body part is configured so as to apply an upward tension on a rear portion of the lower body part when the wearer stands erect, and so as to release the tension such that the trouser portion may be dropped below the buttocks of the wearer when the wearer squats.

36. The cycling trouser according to claim 25, wherein the upper body part is configured so as to apply an upward tension on a rear portion of the lower body part when the wearer stands erect, and so as to release the tension such that the trouser portion may be dropped below the buttocks of the wearer when the wearer squats.

37. The cycling trouser according to claim 26, wherein the upper body part is configured so as to apply an upward tension on a rear portion of the lower body part when the wearer stands erect, and so as to release the tension such that the trouser portion may be dropped below the buttocks of the wearer when the wearer squats.

38. The cycling trouser according to claim 1, wherein the halter portion substantially is formed of a stretch fabric.

39. The cycling trouser according to claim 1, wherein the bib portion is substantially formed of a stretch fabric.

40. The cycling trouser according to claim 1, wherein the trouser portion is substantially formed of a stretch fabric.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] To better understand the present invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a sports trouser in a wearing configuration;

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the sports trouser in the wearing configuration;

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a front view of an embodiment of the sports trouser when worn in a crouching posture;

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of the sports trouser when worn in a crouching posture;

[0034] FIG. 5a shows a side view of an embodiment of the sports trouser when worn in a squatting posture;

[0035] FIG. 5b shows a side view of an embodiment of the sports trouser when partially doffed in a squatting posture;

[0036] FIG. 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of the sports trouser when worn in a standing posture;

[0037] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the principal planes of the human body; and

[0038] FIG. 8 shows a front and three-quarter rear view of a conventional bib trouser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In the following description, as is conventional, explanation will be made of the features of the disclosed trouser with reference to the well-known body planes of a typical wearer, shown for example in FIG. 7. The coronal plane B divides the body from top to bottom and left to right through the centre of gravity into a front portion and a rear portion. The sagittal plane A divides the body along the axis of symmetry from top to bottom and front to back into a right portion and a left portion. The transverse plane C divides the body from left to right and front to back at the waist into a top portion and a bottom portion. Due to the characteristic shape of the human body, a garment, including a trouser, is most easily defined in an oriented fashion with regard to the body planes of a typical wearer.

[0040] According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a sports trouser as shown in FIG. 1.

[0041] Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a front view of the sports trouser being worn by a wearer. The sports trouser has a waist portion 11, from which two leg portions 12a and 12b depend. Each of waist portion 11 and right and left leg portions 12a and 12b are roughly tubular portions of fabric, such that each of right and left leg portions 12a and 12b bifurcate from waistband portion 11 away from a crutch region of the trouser to provide accommodation for the lower torso of the wearer and the left and right legs.

[0042] In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a halter portion in the form of a band of material extends upwardly from the waistband so as to loop around and lie against the neck of the wearer. The halter portion is anchored to the waistband on positions approximately equidistant of the sagittal plane of the wearer to the front of the waistband portion 11 via right and left front anchor portions 16a and 16b. The left and right front anchor portions 16a and 16b are formed as roughly triangular portions of material such that load applied upwardly to the waistband via the upper part 13a of the halter portion 13 is evenly distributed across at least a portion of the waistband portion 11. The sides of the anchor portions may be curved for a better anatomical fit, while the apex of the anchor portions at which the upper part of the halter portion 13 joins the respective anchor portion may be lengthened into the form of a band to merge with the halter portion 13. Also shown in FIG. 1 is bib portion 14, which connects the left and right paths of halter portion 13 across the sagittal plane so as to cover at least a portion of the torso of the wearer.

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a rear view of the sports trouser of FIG. 1 in a wearing configuration. Aside from right and left leg portions 12a and 12b and waistband portion 11, also visible in FIG. 2 but not visible in FIG. 1 is the manner in which halter portion 13 loops around the back of the neck of the wearer, thereby to apply tension to the halter portion and thus indirectly to the front of the waistband. Additionally, visible in FIG. 2 are rear right and rear left anchor portions 17a and 17b, which connect halter portion 13 to positions on the rear of waistband portion 11, thereby to transfer tension in the halter portion 13 to the rear of the waistband portion 11. The rear right and rear left anchor portions 17a and 17b have a similar configuration and purpose to the front right and front left anchor portions 16a and 16b.

[0044] In the exemplary trouser, each of the upper part of the halter portion, the various anchor portions depending from the upper part of the halter portion, the waistband portion and the leg portion is integrally formed from fabric. However, it is also possible that all the various portions, or some of the various portions, are formed separately and then joined by known fabric joining techniques such as stitching, bonding, gluing, melting and the like. If the trouser is made by joining individually formed portions, then each individually formed portion may correspond with a named portion in the present disclosure, or may correspond to part of or more than one such portion.

[0045] In the exemplary trouser, the anchor portions have triangular form, although triangular form with inwardly-curved sides. However, the anchor portions could also be formed as straight-sided triangular forms, semi-circular forms, rectangular forms, band forms, or other forms without limitation. Once skilled in the art will be able to achieve, by straightforward adjustment of the dimensions and geometry of the anchor portions, a good anatomical fit as desired or required.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a figure equivalent to FIG. 1, but with the wearer in a crouched posture, as though engaged in cycling, for example. In this configuration, due to the relatively more bent torso position compared with the erect posture shown in FIG. 1, the tension applied via halter portion 13 between the neck of the wearer and waistband portion 11 is relatively reduced. In this position, the length of the halter is selected or adjusted so as to provide a good balance between applying sufficient tension to the waistband portion 11 so as to retain the trouser in position and not applying so much tension to the waistband portion as to exceed a comfortable pressure applied on the back of the neck of the wearer via halter portion 13. It will be appreciated by the reader that the preferable and/or tolerable amount of tension to achieve in the halter portion while in the crouched configuration will depend on the dimensions and the preferences of the wearer, as well as, for example, their riding style or discipline.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows the sports trouser of FIG. 3 in the same crouched position as demonstrated in FIG. 3, but from a side view. Here, it can be seen that the halter portion 13 crosses the body coronal plane at a position underneath the arms, and extends rearward via rear anchor portion 17a to apply tension to the rear of the waistband. In FIG. 4, it can be seen how the tension provided by halter portion 13 prevents both the front and rear portions of the waistband undesirably descending during activity, contributing to the security of the trouser.

[0048] Also visible in FIG. 4 is an aperture formed between the halter portion 13 and front and rear anchor portions 16a and 17a. This aperture, defining a position between the front anchor portion 16a and rear anchor portion 17a where the halter portion 13 is substantially not anchored is improves the fit of the trouser and increases the tension transferred from the halter portion 13 to the rear of the trouser via e.g. anchor portion 17a. However, in some configurations, this aperture may be completely or partially closed by fabric, such that, for example, portions 16a, 17a and the fabric between the two form an integral layer

[0049] Such a configuration can include a halter whose length, geometry and/or width is adapted to follow anatomical contours when worn, for example, the side contours of the female breast, for increased comfort and security. In female variants of the trouser, especially, the halter portion may attach to the triangular front and rear attachment portions to lie much under the armpit and just under the line of the nipples, to help to guide the front straps round the side of the female breast.

[0050] Therefore, by considering FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen how the disclosed sports trouser configuration is able to securely and reliably retain the trouser in a wearing configuration without obscuring the back of the wearer with unnecessary material, as in conventional bib trouser designs. Furthermore, it can be seen how, in the disclosed configuration, it is effectively impossible for the halter portion 13 to become inadvertently disengaged from the neck, in contrast to the suspender portions 103a and 103b of FIG. 8 which may inadvertently be displaced sideways from the shoulders.

[0051] Considering FIGS. 5a and 5b, another advantage of the disclosed sports trouser becomes evident. When the wearer adopts a squatting position, as shown in FIG. 5a, such that the neck is relatively more forward of the waistband, the tension applied by halter portion 13 to waistband portion 11 via front and rear anchor portions e.g. 16a and 17a is reduced. In this squatting configuration, it is relatively easy for the wearer to displace at least the rear portion of waistband portion 11 downwardly even as far as the upper thigh region so as to expose the buttocks of the wearer, as shown in FIG. 5b. This enables necessary or desirable activities including the use of bathroom facilities for which such exposure is advantageous without the need for the garment to be fully removed. Again, this is in contrast to the arrangement disclosed in FIG. 8, in which the garment must be almost fully removed before the buttocks may be exposed. This can even be achieved in the case where a top garment such as a riding top or a riding jacket is worn, without removing the top garment.

[0052] Of course, if full or even partial removal of the trouser is desired, the halter portion can be lifted over the head to release tension on the waistband portion, and the trouser can then be dropped as desired in the conventional manner. Doing so is possible even when wearing a top garment, since the halter portion can be retrieved beneath the top garment to enable the halter to be donned.

[0053] Conversely, when the rider stands fully erect, as shown in FIG. 6 in a side view, the disclosed sports trouser does not provide unnecessary additional tension to the trouser, but, especially when at least the halter portion 13 is formed of a stretch fabric, permits a relatively wide range of postures to be adopted, such as might be desirable in triathlon or similar combined sports disciplines.

[0054] Although one embodiment has been described above, a number of variants are possible. Particularly, although the above embodiment has been described with reference to a configuration in which the halter portion is integrally formed with the remainder of the garment, it is possible to provide a variant wherein the halter portion is connected to the waistband via hook-and-loop fastenings, press studs, clips or another detachable fastening mechanism, to further improve the ease with which the garment may be donned and doffed.

[0055] In a variant embodiment, a closure portion may be provided extending from either side of the halter portion passing about the neck of the wearer so as to connect each side of the halter portion in front of the neck. Such a configuration may provide an openable closure either on the sagittal plane, to one side of the sagittal plane, where the closure portion connects to the halter portion at one or other side.

[0056] Such a closure portion may be made openable by provision of, or example, a hook-and-loop fastening, a press-stud fastening, a clip fastening or another fastening means such as may be known in the art.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the Figures illustrate leg portions 12a and 12b which extend to terminate above the knee of the wearer. However, in variant embodiments, the leg portions may extend to terminate below the knee of the wearer, such that the knees and optionally the calves are covered. In such a configuration, the leg portions may even extend to the ankle of the user, and may terminate in a loop portion configured to pass underneath the sole of the wearer.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the halter portion 13 has been described as being of fixed length. However, in some embodiments, the halter portion may be provided with an adjustment mechanism, such as a length adjustment slide, whereby the length of the halter portion may be adjusted to vary the tension provided by the halter portion to best suit the preferences of the wearer. Alternative mechanisms to a length adjustment slide include a buckle type adjustment, wherein at least one side of the halter portion is divided into two, and a buckle is provided such that one portion is secured to the other portion at a relatively higher or lower position, for example by a friction clip or a hook-and-loop type fastening. In some embodiments, it may be preferably to provide both sides of the halter portion with such an adjustment slide.

[0059] In the disclosed configuration, the halter portion essentially consists of a band of material extending from the anchor portions around the neck of the wearer. However, different configurations are possible, and substantial variation in the width of the halter portion is possible as it passes from one side of the waistband, around the neck of the wearer, to the other side of the waistband. Particularly, it may be desired to provide a relatively wider or narrower portion at the neck region to provide for, on the one hand, greater load distribution and on the other hand, a more contoured fit to the shape of the neck, depending on the preferences of the wearer.

[0060] The above disclosure has been made with regard especially to a cycling trouser, although equivalent principles apply for a sports trouser for any other sport in which a crouching position is generally adopted while engaging in the activity. Therefore, an equivalent construction is possible for, for example, triathlon trousers, skiing trousers or snowboarding trousers. Further, the trouser need not be an external trouser, but could, for example, be an underwear layer or a base layer over which a shell trouser or a shell suit is worn for improved protection. Alternatively, such a configuration is suitable for an external shell trouser intended to be worn over, for example, a base layer or underwear layer.

[0061] In the disclosed configuration, the bib portion 14 is relatively small, and is formed by the join of the two front anchor portions across the sagittal plane. However, the bib portion can be relatively larger, and can extend from the waistband to cover a substantial portion of the torso, leaving sufficient aperture between the bib portion and the halter portion to permit the neck to be placed through the aperture to don the garment. With such a relatively larger bib portion, more protection and coverage is provided to the front of the torso of the wearer, and an enlarged area for the depiction of graphics, logos, text and similar indications may be provided. Further, although the bib portion has been depicted in the above-described embodiment as extending to the waistband, it is also possible for an aperture to be provided between the bib portion and the waistband, and, for example, the bib portion can take the form of a cross-brace portion extending between the two halves of the halter portion, across, for example, the chest region.

[0062] In the above embodiments, it is envisaged that at least portions, such as the halter portion, the bib portion, the waistband portion, and the leg portions may be formed of a stretch material such as elastane, known under the trade name Lycra. Such a material may be advantageous in terms of improving the fit to the wearer's body, improving body contact for wicking moisture, and reducing the likelihood of the trouser displacing in use. However, the selection of materials is not limited, and, for example, only parts of these respective portions may be formed of a stretch fabric, or not at all.

[0063] For example, it may be envisaged that only, for example, side panels of the waistband portion 11 are formed of a stretch fabric, with intermediate portions being formed of another material selected for alternative technical properties, such as the ability to wick moisture or the ability to provide thermal insulation or ultraviolet protection. The same is true for, for example, the leg portions, the bib portion, and indeed the halter portion, none of which necessarily need to be made wholly or even partly from a stretch fabric.

[0064] For example, with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the garment could be made of a substantially inelastic fabric, and be provided with a closure extending from the rear portion of the waistband to the crotch portion to enable the garment to be divided in the crouching position shown in FIG. 5, thereby to expose the buttocks. Of course, the garment would then need to be appropriately dimensioned to permit the wearer to adopt the crouching position shown in FIG. 4, and in which case it is then unlikely that the erect posture shown in FIG. 6 would be comfortably achievable. Nevertheless, in some circumstances, it may be preferred by those in the art to select materials for reasons other than their elasticity when constructing the trouser.

[0065] The particular dimensions and shapes of the various portions of the trouser may be varied, provided the above-described functional requirements are satisfied. In an exemplary embodiment, designed for a conventional male large or female extra large size, the following dimensions may be adopted.

[0066] The waistband circumference a may be selected as 86 cm. The position b on the waistband (measured from the front centre of the waistband, on the sagittal plane) above which the halter portion attaches to the triangular front attachment portions may be selected as 14 cm. The position c on the waistband (measured from the front) above which the halter portion attaches to the triangular rear attachment portion may be selected as 22 cm, or on or slightly to the rear of the coronal plane. The length d of the triangular rear portions from the waistband to the halter portion may be selected as 20 cm. The length e of the triangular front portions from the waistband to the halter portion may be selected as 17 cm. The length of the halter f from the point where the triangular rear portions join to the back of the neck may be selected as 32 cm. The widths g, h of the halter strap may be selected to be 8 cm at the chest and 6 cm at the neck.

[0067] Of course, it may be necessary to scale the trouser to accommodate male and female and adult and juvenile users of differing heights and builds. Assuming that the human body linear dimensions scale with each other, for a 78 cm waist, corresponding to a conventional male small or female medium size, the above dimensions could each be reduced by approximately 10%.

[0068] As a general guide, the following dimensions could be considered to be appropriate for the measurements b to h based on the measurement a.

[0069] For the measurement b, the range may be 10%-20%, preferably about 15% of a. For the measurement c, the range may be 20-30%, preferably about 25% of a. For the measurement d, the range may be 15-30%, preferably about 23% of a. For the measurement e, the range may be 15-25%, preferably 20% of a. For the measurement f, the range may be 30-45%, preferably 35% of a. For the measurement g, the range may be 5%-15%, preferably 10% of a. For the measurement h, the range may be 5 to 10%, preferably 7% of a.

[0070] However, despite the disclosure of the above exemplary dimensions, given the variation in human body size, the skilled reader will appreciate that it is in general especially appropriate to characterise the trouser in terms of its structure and function, and particularly in terms of its having a halter portion which is anchored to the waistband portion at at least two positions arranged on either side of the body sagittal plane each being rearward of the body coronal plane so as to extend to the neck crossing the body coronal plane beneath the arms of the wearer. More particularly, the halter portion is configured so as to apply an upward tension on a rear portion of the waistband portion when the wearer starts erect, and so as to release the tension such that the waistband portion may be dropped below the buttocks of the wearer when the wearer squats. Advantages of the disclosed configuration are achieved when these criteria are separately or together fulfilled.

[0071] Especially, in addition to the advantages described with reference to the ability easily to permit the trouser to be partially removed, aspects of the present disclosure may in certain configurations present further advantages. Firstly, whereas in a conventional bib trouser, the back portion is required to extend sufficiently far up the wearer's back so as to prevent the left and right suspender portions from slipping off the shoulders, the disclosed configuration avoids excess body coverage and therefore may able to enhance cooling performance during strenuous activity. In a conventional bib trouser, a relatively greater area of the fabric of the garment is required to be in contact with the wearer's body.

[0072] In some embodiments, it may be possible to dispense with, for example, the front anchors 16a and 16b, since in a crouched riding position, the principal risk of exposure is at the rear. However, by providing the front anchor positions, the tendency of the halter portions to drift in use from an intended position at the front of the torso is minimised, tending to reduce chafing at the chest and armpits.

[0073] Generally, once the advantage of providing a halter portion anchored to the waistband portion at at least two positions arranged on either side of the body sagittal plane, each being rearward of the body coronal plan so as to extend to the neck crossing the body coronal plane beneath the arms of the wearer is appreciated, those skilled in the art will be able to realise other configurations which achieve advantageous effect, including improving security and versatility. Any and all such variations are considered to be within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.