Adjustable support pants or briefs

Abstract

Adjustable support pants or briefs are provided which include one or more of a waist section, hip support section, or leg section with leg openings. The support pants or briefs include first and second adjustable members positioned on opposite sides of a sagittal plane of the support pants or briefs which extend generally longitudinally along the garment. The adjustable members are adapted to increase or decrease at least one of the waist, hip, or leg opening circumferences to reduce the time and effort needed to don (and take off) the garment. The adjustable features of the support pants or briefs also permit the wearer to tighten one or more sections of the garment to accommodate the different physiques of wearers while providing a snug fit and support during athletic or work activities.

Claims

1. Adjustable support pants comprising: a fabric and including a waist section having a front portion and a back portion and a waist section circumference and a leg section including a pair of legs, each of said legs including a leg opening, each of said leg openings having a leg opening circumference; said front and back portions of said waist and leg sections joined together with an elastic material positioned on opposite sides of a sagittal plane of said adjustable support pants and continuously extending generally longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said waist and leg sections; and first and second adjustable members positioned on opposite sides of said sagittal plane of said adjustable support pants and extending generally longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said waist and leg sections, said first and second adjustable members adapted to increase or decrease said waist and leg opening circumferences, said first and second adjustable members comprising laces overlying said elastic material.

2. The adjustable support pants as claimed in claim 1 in which said laces comprise an elastic material.

3. The adjustable support pants as claimed in claim 1 further including third and fourth adjustable members, said third and fourth adjustable members positioned on opposite sides of said sagittal plane of said adjustable support pants and extending generally longitudinally along at least one of said waist section and said leg section.

4. The adjustable support pants as claimed in claim 3 in which said third and fourth adjustable members comprise zippers.

5. The adjustable support pants as claimed in claim 4 in which said third and fourth adjustable members extend generally longitudinally along opposite sides of the length of said front portion of said waist section.

6. The adjustable support pants as claimed in claim 4 in which said third and fourth adjustable members extend diagonally along opposite sides of the length of said front portion of said waist section.

7. The adjustable support pants as claimed in claim 4 in which said third and fourth adjustable members are selected from the group consisting of laces, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or buttons.

8. The adjustable support pants as claimed in claim 1 further including a lumbar support section positioned around an upper portion of said waist section.

9. The adjustable support pants as claimed in claim 8 in which said lumbar support section is integral with said waist section.

10. The adjustable support pants as claimed in claim 1 in which said leg section includes a crotch panel sewn to said pair of legs of said leg section.

11. Adjustable support briefs comprising: a fabric and including a hip support section having a front portion and a back portion and a hip support section circumference, said adjustable support briefs including a pair of leg openings, each of said leg openings having a leg opening circumference; said front and back portions of said hip support section joined together with an elastic material positioned on opposite sides of a sagittal plane of said adjustable support briefs and continuously extending generally longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said hip support section; and first and second adjustable members positioned on opposite sides of said sagittal plane of said adjustable support briefs and extending generally longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said hip support section, said first and second adjustable members adapted to increase or decrease said hip support section circumference and said leg opening circumferences, said first and second adjustable members comprising laces overlying said elastic material.

12. The adjustable support briefs as claimed in claim 11 in which said laces comprise an elastic material.

13. The adjustable support briefs as claimed in claim 11 in which said hip support section has a top and a bottom and wherein said first and second adjustable members extend from adjacent the top of said hip support section to adjacent said leg openings.

14. The adjustable support briefs as claimed in claim 11 further including third and fourth adjustable members.

15. The adjustable support briefs as claimed in claim 14 in which said third and fourth adjustable members comprise zippers.

16. The adjustable support briefs as claimed in claim 14 in which said third and fourth adjustable members extend generally longitudinally along opposite sides of the length of said front portion of said hip support section.

17. The adjustable support briefs as claimed in claim 14 in which said third and fourth adjustable members extend diagonally along opposite sides of the length of said front portion of said hip support section.

18. The adjustable support briefs as claimed in claim 14 in which said third and fourth adjustable members are selected from the group consisting of laces, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, or buttons.

19. Adjustable support pants comprising: a fabric including a waist section having a front portion and a back portion and a waist section circumference, and a leg section including a pair of legs, said adjustable support pants including a pair of leg openings, each of said leg openings having a leg opening circumference; said front and back portions of said waist and leg sections joined together with an elastic material positioned on opposite sides of a sagittal plane of said adjustable support pants and extending generally longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said waist and leg sections; first and second adjustable members positioned on opposite sides of said sagittal plane of said adjustable support pants and extending generally longitudinally along the length of said waist and leg sections, said first and second adjustable members adapted to increase or decrease said waist section circumference and said leg opening circumferences; and further including third and fourth adjustable members, said third and fourth adjustable members positioned on opposite sides of said sagittal plane of said adjustable support pants and extending generally longitudinally along both of said waist and leg sections.

20. The adjustable support pants as claimed in claim 19 in which said third and fourth adjustable members comprise zippers.

21. Adjustable support briefs comprising: a fabric and including a hip support section having a front portion and a back portion and a hip support section circumference, said adjustable support briefs including a pair of leg openings, each of said leg openings having a leg opening circumference; said front and back portions of said hip support section joined together with an elastic material positioned on opposite sides of a sagittal plane of said adjustable support briefs and extending generally longitudinally along substantially the entire length of said hip support section; first and second adjustable members positioned on opposite sides of said sagittal plane of said adjustable support pants and extending generally longitudinally along the length of said hip support section, said first and second adjustable members adapted to increase or decrease said hip and leg opening circumferences; and third and fourth adjustable members extending along the length of said hip support section.

22. Adjustable support briefs as claimed in claim 21 in which said third and fourth adjustable members comprise zippers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The following detailed description of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented by way of example and can be best understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the adjustable support pants;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of the adjustable support pants of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the adjustable support pants of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a rear view of the adjustable support pants of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the adjustable support briefs;

(7) FIG. 6 is a front view of the adjustable support briefs of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is a side view of the adjustable support briefs of FIG. 5;

(9) FIG. 8 is a rear view of the adjustable support briefs of FIG. 5;

(10) FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view, in section, of the arrangement of the laces of the adjustable support pants of FIG. 1;

(11) FIG. 10A is an enlarged view of the zipper and laces in the waist section of the adjustable support pants of FIG. 1;

(12) FIG. 10B is an enlarged view of the zipper, partially unzipped, elastic material behind the zipper, and laces in the waist section of the adjustable support pants of FIG. 1;

(13) FIG. 11 is an enlarged section showing detail for an alternative embodiment of the adjustable support pants;

(14) FIG. 12 is an enlarged section showing detail for an alternative embodiment of the adjustable support pants; and

(15) FIG. 13 is an enlarged section showing detail for an alternative embodiment of the adjustable support pants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(16) Referring initially to a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, adjustable support pants 10 are shown and which include a waist section generally indicated at 15, and a leg section generally indicated at 20. The adjustable pants 10 are preferably made from a high tensile strength (e.g., 90 psi or greater), relatively inelastic material such as single or multi-ply polymeric fabric including polyester or nylon, and natural fibers including cotton (such as, for example, canvas or denim). By “relatively inelastic” it is meant that the fabric does not noticeably stretch when subjected to the stresses and strains associated with its use in a variety of lifting activities. The material forming pants 10 may comprise a solid sheet of material, or may be of woven fabric.

(17) Waist section 15 includes a front portion 16 and a back portion 17. The pants provide a waist section circumference 18. In this embodiment, the pants include a lumbar support section 14 positioned around the upper portion of the waist section. Lumbar support 14 encircles the midsection and lower lumbar region of the wearer to provide additional support during lifting. Lumbar support 14 may be integral with waist section 15, or may be formed from a separate piece of fabric which is secured (e.g., by stitching) to the waist section. Also included within waist section 15 is support for the hips of a wearer.

(18) Leg section 20 includes a pair of legs 21, 22, each having respective leg openings 27, 28, and with each leg having respective front 23, 24 and back 25, 26 portions. Each of the legs also has respective leg opening circumferences 29, 30. A crotch panel 42 provides support to the wearer. Sections of the adjustable support pants may be fabricated from a unitary piece of fabric, or may be fabricated from pieces of fabric stitched or otherwise bonded or adhered together.

(19) To aid in making it easier for a wearer to put on and take off the garment, adjustable support pants 10 include first and second adjustable members 32 which are adapted to increase or decrease at least one of the waist and leg opening circumferences. The materials used in the adjustable member are selected so that the adjustable member has a tensile strength that is able to withstand the stresses and strains placed on the suit during a variety of lifting activities. Typically, the materials are selected to be able to withstand stresses of up to several hundred pounds. The adjustable members may comprise laces 33, zippers 35, hook and loop fasteners 36, snaps 37, buttons 38, or any other suitable means which provides the capability of adjusting the circumference of one or more sections of the support pants. As shown, the adjustable members, in this embodiment zippers and laces, are positioned on opposite sides of a sagittal plane of the support pants (i.e., a vertical plane passing from the anterior of the garment to the posterior, dividing the pants into right and left halves).

(20) To provide further adjustability, and as best shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, one or more of the respective front and back portions of one or more of the waist and leg sections of the garment are joined together with an elastic material 40. In this embodiment, elastic material 40 forms a gusset and may comprise a fabric woven to provide some degree of stretch when pulled. The elastic material 40 may comprise an elastomer such as Neoprene® rubber. Alternatively, the elastic material may comprise a fabric having an elastomeric material woven therein such as a Lycra® or Spandex® fabric. As such, the elastic material 40 has an elasticity greater than an elasticity of the fabric of the pants 10. Elastic material 40 may be sewn to or otherwise bonded to the respective front and back portions 16, 17 of, for example, waist section 15. In some embodiments, the elastic material 40 continuously extends generally longitudinally along substantially the entire length of the waist section 15 and the leg section 20.

(21) In the embodiment illustrated, there are four adjustable members, two zippers 35 and two sets of laces 33. Laces 33 extend substantially longitudinally (i.e., lengthwise) along the length of the waist and leg sections of the support pants, adjustably joining together respective front and back portions of the waist and leg sections. The laces may comprise any suitable length of material which will withstand the stresses and strains of supporting the wearer. The laces may be made of woven fabric or of a solid length of material, and may include a reinforcing core. For example, there are several grades of paracord (parachute cord) that are commercially available which are suitable for use as laces. Generally, paracord is fabricated from a lightweight, braided material such as nylon, cotton, polyester, or polypropylene which is woven around a core material. Paracord is relatively inelastic. Alternatively, one can use an elastic cord such as cord material commonly-known as Bungee cord. Typically, Bungee cord includes a lightweight braided exterior layer woven around a core of natural or synthetic rubber. Such elastic cord material will stretch when placed under sufficient strain. When engaging in lifting activities, the laces will stretch and store energy which is then released to aid the lifter.

(22) As best seen in FIG. 9, laces 33 are laced in a criss-cross fashion through fabric loops 34 and then may be tightened and tied off as is conventional. While loops are shown, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that eyelets or other holes, openings, or perforations may be utilized. When loosened, the laces, and elastic material 40, permit the circumferences of the waist and leg sections of support pants 10 to increase so that a user may more easily don the garment. Once in the support pants, the wearer can tighten the laces to create a snug fit which provides support to the hips of a wearer.

(23) Similarly, zippers 35 extend substantially longitudinally along the length of the front portions of the waist and leg sections of the support pants. As shown, the zippers may be angled from a generally vertical orientation. Typically, the zippers are angled at between about 10° to about 30° from vertical. As with the laces, when zippers 35 are unzipped, the waist and leg section circumferences of the support pants increase so that a user may more easily don the garment. The zippers can then be zipped to a closed position to provide a snug fit for the wearer.

(24) Alternatively, laces 33 or zippers 35 may be replaced by buttons 38 (see, FIG. 11), hook and loop fasteners 36 (see FIG. 13), or snaps 37 (see FIG. 12). In each alternative embodiment, unbuttoning the buttons, separating the hook and loop fasteners, or unsnapping the snaps allows the circumferences of the waist and leg sections of the support pants to increase, making it easier for a user to don the garment. Generally, all of these adjustable members are interchangeable, and different combinations of any of them may be utilized.

(25) Referring now to FIGS. 5-8, another embodiment of the adjustable support briefs is illustrated. Adjustable support briefs 110 are shown which include a hip support section generally indicated at 115. Briefs 110 do not include a separate leg section, although there are respective leg openings 127, 128. As in the previous embodiment, the support briefs 110 are preferably made from a high tensile strength (e.g., 90 psi or greater), relatively inelastic material such as single or multi-ply polymeric fabric including polyester or nylon, and natural fibers including cotton (such as, for example, canvas or denim).

(26) Hip support section 115 includes a front portion 116 and a back portion 117. The support briefs provide a hip support section circumference 118. Leg openings 127, 128, respectively, are provided. Each leg opening has a respective circumference 129, 130. Sections of the adjustable briefs may be fabricated from a unitary piece of fabric, or may be fabricated from pieces of fabric stitched or otherwise bonded or adhered together.

(27) To aid in making it easier for a wearer to put on and take off the garment, adjustable support briefs 110 include first and second adjustable members 132 which are adapted to increase or decrease at least one of the hip and leg opening circumferences. As in the previous embodiment, the adjustable members are positioned on opposites sides of a sagittal plane of the support briefs. The adjustable members may comprise laces 133, zippers 135, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, or any other suitable means which provides the capability of adjusting the circumference of one or more sections of the garment. To provide further adjustability, one or more of the respective front and back portions of the hip support section of the garment may be joined together with an elastic material (not shown; see FIGS. 10A and 10B of previous embodiment). The elastic material may be sewn to or otherwise bonded to the respective front and back portions 116, 117 of, for example, hip support section 115.

(28) In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, there are four adjustable members, two zippers 135 and a pair of laces 133. Each of the laces 133 extend substantially longitudinally along the length of the hip support section of the support briefs, adjustably joining together respective front and back portions of the hip section of the garment. The laces may comprise any suitable length of material which will withstand the stresses and strains of supporting the wearer.

(29) As in previous embodiments, laces 133 are laced in a criss-cross fashion through fabric loops 134 and then may be tightened and tied off as is conventional. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that eyelets or other holes, openings, or perforations may be utilized. When loosened, the laces, and elastic material, permit the circumference of the hip section and the circumferences of the leg openings of support briefs 110 to increase so that a user may more easily don the garment. Once in the briefs, the wearer can tighten the laces to create a snug fit.

(30) Similarly, zippers 135 extend substantially longitudinally along the length of the front portions of the hip support section 115 of the suit. As shown, the zippers may be angled from a generally vertical orientation. Typically, the zippers are angled at between about 10° to about 30° from vertical. As with the laces, when zippers 135 are unzipped, the hip support section circumference of the suit increases so that a user may more easily don the garment. The zippers can then be zipped to a closed position to provide a snug fit for the wearer.

(31) As in previous embodiments, laces 133 or zippers 135 may be replaced by buttons. hook and loop fasteners, or snaps as shown in FIGS. 11-13. In each alternative embodiment, unbuttoning the buttons, separating the hook and loop fasteners, or unsnapping the snaps allows the circumferences of the hip section and leg openings of the support briefs to increase, making it easier for a user to don the garment. Generally, all of these adjustable members are interchangeable, and different combinations of any of them may be utilized.

(32) It is noted that terms like “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically” are not utilized herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, these terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the present invention.

(33) For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it is noted that the term “substantially” is utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term “substantially” is also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

(34) Unless the meaning is clearly to the contrary, all ranges set forth herein are deemed to be inclusive of all values within the recited range as well as the endpoints.

(35) Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, although some aspects of the present invention are identified herein as preferred or particularly advantageous, it is contemplated that the present invention is not necessarily limited to these preferred aspects of the invention.