FABRIC GARMENT FOR MEN

Abstract

A fabric garment for men configured to be worn around the pelvic area of a wearer and having one or more leg opening. The garment comprises a concealing panel and an external front portion configured to cover the genital organs of a wearer and partly overlying the concealing panel. An access is defined between the front portion and the concealing panel. First and second linear access edges are provided on the front portion, together defining a V-shape. Two intersecting lines of support stitching are also provided on the front portion, adjacent the access edges, the lines extending beyond the vertex of the access edges so as to form an X-shape. The front portion is at least partly resiliently deformable so as to facilitate access between the concealing panel and the X-shape, in use, for at least part of the external male genitalia.

Claims

1. A fabric garment (10,11) for men configured to be worn around the pelvic area of a wearer, to cover genital organs of the wearer, and having one or more leg opening (15), the garment comprising: a concealing panel (23); an external front portion (18) configured to cover the genital organs of the wearer and partly overlying the concealing panel (23); an opening (27) defined between the front portion (18) and the concealing panel (23); first and second linear access edges (30,31) on the front portion (18) providing access to the opening (27), the first and second access edges (30,31) together defining a V-shape; and two intersecting lines of support stitching (33,34) on the front portion (18) and adjacent the access edges (30,31), the lines (33,34) extending beyond a vertex (29) of the access edges (30,31) so as to form an X-shape, wherein the front portion (18) is at least partly resiliently deformable so as to facilitate access between the concealing panel (23) and the X-shape, in use, for at least part of the genital organs.

2. A fabric garment (10,11) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening (27) is centrally disposed on the front of the garment (10,11).

3. A fabric garment (10,11) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support stitching (33,34) is on the front portion (18), below the opening (27).

4. A fabric garment (10,11) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the support stitching (33,34) comprises a flatlock over-seam (20).

5. A fabric garment (10,11) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the concealing panel (23) includes a lower edge (26) and the distance between that and the vertex (29) on the overlying part of the front portion (18), is substantially 30-45 mm when closed.

6. A fabric garment (10,11) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a griping tab (32) extending from the vertex (29) of the first and second linear access edges (30,31).

7. A fabric garment (10,11) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment (10,11) comprises an undergarment.

8. A fabric garment (10,11) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the garment (10,11) comprises underwear.

9. A fabric garment (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment comprises boxer briefs (10).

10. A fabric garment (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the distance between a top (24) of the concealing panel (23) and the vertex (29) of the first and second linear access edges (30,31) is substantially 30 mm when closed.

11. A fabric garment (11) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment comprises trunks (11).

12. A fabric garment (11) as claimed in claim 11, wherein the distance between a top (24) of the concealing panel (23) and the vertex (29) of the first and second linear access edges (30,31) is substantially 25 mm when closed.

13. A fabric garment (10,11) as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an inner support panel (36).

14. A fabric garment as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inner support panel (36) comprises a flexible mesh fabric.

15. A fabric garment (10,11) as claimed in claim 13, wherein the inner support panel (36) defines an opening (40) for a penis to separate this part from the rest of the genital organs.

16. A fabric garment (10,11) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the inner support panel (36) comprises a base panel (37) configured in use to support the wearer's testicles.

Description

[0028] By way of example only, an embodiment of this invention will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:—

[0029] FIG. 1 is a front view of a pair of men's boxer briefs according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the boxer briefs of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 3 is a front view of a pair of men's trunks according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the boxer briefs of FIG. 3;

[0033] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an internal part of the fabric garment of the present invention; and

[0034] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of an internal part of the fabric garment of the present invention showing more clearly the relationship between the internal and external parts of the front section.

[0035] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 4, there are shown two forms of fabric garment, namely a pair of boxer briefs, generally indicated 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a pair of trunks, generally indicated 11 in FIGS. 3 and 4. The boxer briefs 10 and trunks 11 each comprise a fabric construction 12, having an elasticated waist band 13 defining an upper aperture 14 for the waist of a wearer and two lower apertures 15, defined by leg regions 16, for receipt of a wearer's legs. The waist band 13 of the trunks 11 is intended to be worn a little lower than the waist band 13 of the boxer briefs 10 and the length of the leg regions 16 of the trunks 11 is less than that of the boxer briefs 10. Other than these differences, the configuration of the boxer briefs 10 and the trunks 11 is substantially the same and so the remaining features described, unless specified otherwise, shall be deemed as applicable to both and shall be described collectively with reference to the “underwear 10, 11”.

[0036] Referring now to all of the Figures, the underwear 10, 11 is provided with a front portion 18 which is designed to cover the genital region of a wearer and a rear portion 19 arranged to cover the wearer's buttocks. The front and rear portions 18, 19 are defined by flatlock stitching 20, which may serve to add strength in the pelvic and buttock areas and may also serve a connective function, in instances where the front and rear portions 18, 19 comprise separate material sections. The flatlock stitching 20 ensures that the seams have no perceptible ribs.

[0037] A substantially rectangular concealing panel 23 extends from the waist band 13, along a longitudinal edge 24, and is also connected to the leg regions 16 at each side edge 25. The remaining longitudinal edge 26 of the concealing panel 23 is at least partly a free unconnected edge. The concealing panel 23 may be formed from a shell fabric to enhance comfort for the wearer. The front portion 18 partly overlies the concealing panel 23 so that, when the underwear 10, 11 is worn, the genitalia remains concealed.

[0038] The front portion 18 overlaps part of the concealing panel 23 so that an opening 27 is defined between the concealing panel 23 and the front portion 18 into the interior of the underwear 10, 11. The overlapping part of the front region 18 is terminated externally by two linear access edges 30, 31, configured to form a v-shape. The vertex 29 of the v-shaped access edges 30, 31 is centrally located on the front portion 18 of the underwear 10, 11. A gripping tab 32 is provided at the vertex 29 of the access edges 30, 31 to enable quick and easy access to the opening 27.

[0039] The distance between the vertex 29 of the access edges 30, 31 (identified by the griping tab 32) and the lower edge 26 of the concealing panel 23 is very important to ensure that the genitalia remains concealed when the underwear 10, 11 is worn but that access through the opening 27 can easily be had when required. The distance between the vertex 29 (identified by the griping tab 32) and the lower edge 26 of the concealing panel 23 is substantially 30-45 mm, depending on the elasticity of the fabric material and the type of garment.

[0040] Support stitching is provided by two intersecting lines 33, 34 immediately adjacent the access edges 30, 31, the lines of the support stitching 33, 34 extending beyond the vertex of the access edges 30, 31 so as to form an X-shape. The end regions 35 of the X-shape defined by the intersecting lines 33, 34 of the support stitching terminate at the support stitching 20 defining the front portion 18. These four connection points 35 effectively provide support to the X-shaped area and deliver enhanced strength.

[0041] As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the interior of the underwear 10, 11 includes an inner support panel. The inner support panel comprises a flexible mesh fabric which is connected to the leg region 16 by the support stitching 20 defining the front portion 18 and is connected to part of the lower edge 26 of the concealing panel 23. The inner support panel comprises two support slings 36 connected together at their lower ends by a base panel 37. An aperture 40 is defined between the support slings 36 and the base panel 37. The aperture 40 allows access to a compartment defined between inner support panel and the front portion 18 which is designed to receive the wearer's penis, thereby separating this part of the male genitalia from the testicles. The base panel 37 effectively operates as a shelf for supporting the testicles.

[0042] When the underwear 10, 11 is worn, the wearer can open/access the opening by pulling the griping tab 32 in a downward direction until the vertex 29 of the access edges 30, 31 passes the lower edge 26 of the concealing panel 23. This action reveals the opening 27 into the interior of the underwear 10, 11. The wearer is able easily and quickly to transfer the penis out of the opening 27 in order to carry out sanitary functions. The concealing panel 23 may also deform upwards to facilitate access. Thereafter, once the genitalia has been placed back in the interior of the underwear 10, 11, the resiliency of the underwear material and the presence and configuration of the support stitching 33, 34 will allow the access edges 31, 32 of the front portion 18 to return back to their original concealing arrangement.

[0043] As can be appreciated from the Figures and the description hereinbefore, the underwear 10, 11 seeks to improve access to the interior, when required in a speedy and effective manner. The configuration ensures a hygienic setting may be maintained and ensures modesty at all times. The wearer's comfort levels are greatly increased and the risk of injury is greatly reduced.