Undergarment embodying an internal compartment to support and shield male genitalia from radiation and the wearer's thighs

Abstract

An undergarment having an internal pouch for shielding male genitalia from radiation as well as separating the scrotum from the inner thighs, the undergarment providing a crotch gusset defining an anterior opening of the undergarment. An anterior panel depends from the waistband of the undergarment adjacent to the anterior opening. A barrier layer extends downwardly in a sloped configuration between the waistband and a posterior portion of the crotch gusset. A longitudinal slit formed in and centrally located in the barrier layer allows the male genitalia to be received in a phallic pouch defined by the anterior panel. A lateral connection between each of two opposing lateral edges of the barrier layer and the crotch gusset defines a gap between the anterior panel and the barrier layer as well as define a scrotal pouch disposed posterior to pendulous pouch.

Claims

1. An undergarment having an internal pouch for shielding male genitalia from radiation as well as separating the scrotum from the inner thighs, the undergarment comprising: a crotch gusset interconnecting two leg holes of the undergarment, wherein an anterior edge of the crotch gusset defines an anterior opening of the undergarment; an anterior panel depending from a superior portion of the undergarment adjacent the anterior opening; a barrier layer extending in a sloped configuration between said superior portion to a posterior portion of the crotch gusset; a lateral connection between each of two opposing lateral edges of the barrier layer and the crotch gusset, wherein the lateral connections extend between said anterior edge and said posterior portion of the crotch gusset, thereby defining a gap between each lateral connection and the anterior panel and below the superior portion; and an inferior edge of the anterior panel connected to said anterior edge of the crotch gusset so as to form an inflection point between a phallic pouch and a scrotal pouch posterior thereof.

2. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the phallic pouch is configured to accommodate a penis of a wearer of the undergarment.

3. The undergarment of claim 2, wherein the scrotal pouch is configured to accommodate a scrotum of the wearer of the undergarment.

4. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the anterior panel and the barrier layer comprise radiation blocking material.

5. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein an anterior connection directly connects the barrier layer and the superior portion.

6. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein a posterior connection directly connects the barrier layer and said posterior portion.

7. The undergarment of claim 1, further comprising a front panel depending directly from said superior portion, wherein an inferior edge of the front panel defines, in part, a superior edge to the anterior opening.

8. The undergarment of claim 7, wherein a superior edge of the anterior panel directly connects to the front panel.

9. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the superior portion is a waistband.

10. The undergarment of claim 9, wherein the waistband is superior to a superior edge of the anterior panel.

11. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the inflection point is defined by a distal medial edge, wherein the scrotal pouch depends lower than the phallic pouch relative to the distal medial edge.

12. The undergarment of claim 11, wherein the distal medial edge acts as a weight bearing connection from which the scrotal pouch and the phallic pouch bear.

13. The undergarment of claim 1, wherein the anterior panel defines a curvature along a bottom portion of the phallic pouch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with the remainder of the undergarment shown in dashed lines or otherwise hidden for the sake of clarity.

(2) FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a top rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the remainder of the undergarment shown in dashed lines or otherwise hidden for the sake of clarity.

(6) FIG. 6 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4.

(7) FIG. 7 is a detailed section view, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

(8) FIG. 8 is a section view, analogous to FIG. 6, of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

(10) Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention provides an internal compartment 100 embodied in an undergarment 10 for supporting and protecting male genitalia 34, 36.

(11) The undergarment 10 may have the typical elements of an undergarment, including a waistband 60 to engage the waist of the wearer. Though it is understood that the waistband 60 may, in some embodiments, not be an identifiable band, but merely an upper periphery of the undergarment. From the waistband 60 a front panel 50 and rear panel 70 depend. Typically, these front and rear panels depend from a waistband seam, though not in all embodiments. Bottom peripheries of these front and rear panels define, in part left and right leg holes 90. A crotch gusset 80 interconnects these left and right leg holes 90 along a medial, inferior portion of the undergarment 10. The rearward latitudinal edge of the crotch gusset 80 is attached to the rear panel 70 by way of the rear seams 87.

(12) The internal compartment 100 includes a barrier layer 12 spanning the crotch region of the undergarment 10, along the interior thereof. The barrier layer 12 extends from an anterior point 18 to a posterior connection point(s) 26 of said interior of the undergarment 10. The anterior connection point 18 may be adjacent or at the waistband of the undergarment 10. In some embodiments, the anterior connection point 18 may be along a waistband seam. The posterior connection point(s) 26 are at a substantial lower elevation along the crotch reach of the undergarment 10, thereby resulting in the barrier layer 12 sloping downward at an approximately 45-degree angle as it extends from the anterior point 18. The posterior connection point(s) 26 may be along the rear seam 87 of the crotch gusset 80.

(13) A superior lateral connection point 20, on each side of the barrier layer 12, may connect a superior portion of a lateral edge the barrier layer 12 to a front panel 50 of the undergarment 10. An inferior lateral connection point 24, on each side of the barrier layer 12, may connect inferior portions of the lateral edge of the barrier layer 12 to the crotch gusset 80 of the undergarment 10 adjacent to the wearer's perineum is. The inferior lateral connection points 24 extend from the posterior connection points 26 toward the respective superior lateral connection point 20, but not all the way thereto, thereby defining a gap 22 (or unconnected edge of the barrier layer 12) therebetween. The gap 22 exists between the anterior superior lateral connection point 20 and a distal end of respective inferior lateral connection point 24.

(14) An anterior slot 14 may be formed in the barrier layer 12. The anterior slot may extend from adjacent the waistband/anterior connection point 18 to more than half of the longitudinal length of the barrier layer 12 (the longitudinal axis deemed extending between the anterior and posterior connection points 18 and 26). A rear slot 16 may extend from adjacent the posterior connection points to less than a third of the longitudinal length of the barrier layer 12. Each of the anterior and posterior slots 14, 16 may be generally U-shaped and have a rounded end that face each other as illustrated in FIG. 3.

(15) The anterior slot 14 communicates with an anterior, phallic pouch 60. The phallic pouch 60 is defined, along an anterior portion, by an anterior panel 28. The anterior panel 28 depends from the waistband of the undergarment 10, and, on its other, inferior end, connects along a distal medial edge 38 of the crotch gusset 80, as shown in FIG. 6, generally at elevation between the anterior and posterior connection points 18, 26. The inferior edge of the anterior panel 28 may connect along a portion of a front latitudinal edge 85, by way of a front seam. Because of the pendulous sizing of the anterior panel 28, the anterior, phallic pouch 60 is defined between the anterior panel and the barrier layer 12.

(16) When worn, the penis 34 of the wearer resides in the anterior or phallic pouch 60, as illustrated in FIG. 8, while their scrotum 36 resides in an adjunct, scrotal pouch 62. To so reside in the phallic pouch 60 and the scrotal pouch 62, the penis 34 and scrotum 36, respectively are first placed through the anterior slot 14, Then, to so place the penis 34 in the anterior pouch 60, the penis 34 is urged through a pouch opening defined, along a superior perimeter, by the inferior edge 32 of the front panel 50. The scrotal pouch 62 is separated by the anterior, phallic pouch 60 by way of the distal medial edge 38, which is critical to the comfort of the wearer. Specifically, the sub-pouch depends or extends inferiorly more than the anterior pouch 60, whereby the distal medial edge 38, in effect, acts a fulcrum that bears some of the weight the anterior panel 28 and the barrier layer 12. Also, the front panel 50 may be disconnected from the anterior panel 28 so as to define a horizontal fly, through which the wearer can place their penis 34 through to urinate.

(17) Along the surface of the anterior panel 28 a radiation-blocking liner 30 may be provided. This radiation-blocking liner 30 may be present along an inner surface of the barrier layer 12, in some embodiments. Alternatively, barrier layer 12 may be made with radiation-blocking fabric. When the male genitalia pass through the anterior slot 14 so that the barrier fabric 12 rests on the sides and behind the male genitalia, the barrier layer 12 blocks radiation coming from the sides and behind the genitalia from reaching the male genitalia. The anterior panel 28, in some embodiments, may be made with radiation-blocking fabric. The anterior panel 28 and barrier layer 12 are dimensioned and adapted so that when the wearer wears the undergarment, the anterior panel 28 rests in front of and partially below the genitals, while the barrier layer 12 shields the remaining bottom coverage of the genitals as well as left and right sides of the male genitalia and therefore blocks radiation coming from the front, below and left and right directions of the genitalia from reaching the male genitalia.

(18) The undergarment holds the barrier layer 12 and anterior panel 28 in place and around the male genitalia so that the barrier layer 12 and the anterior panel 28 properly form the three-dimensional enclosure inside the undergarment for the male genitalia to rest in when the undergarment is worn.

(19) A method of manufacturing the present invention may include the following. A manufacturer may provide a U-shaped piece (barrier layer 12) cut out from the center to form the anterior slot 14 for the male genitalia to pass through. After the genitalia passes through the smaller U-shaped opening, the barrier layer 12 rests behind and to the sides of the male genitalia as well as rests below the perineum area because the anterior of the barrier layer 12 is connected (through stitching, adhesion, bonding, or the like) to waistband of the undergarment 10 (near the mons pubis), the posterior of the barrier layer 12 is connected (through stitching, adhesion, bonding, or the like) to the posterior portion of the crotch gusset 80 along its rear gusset seam 87 of the undergarment 10 (near the wearer's perineum and gluteal cleft), and the left and right sides of the posterior half of the barrier layer 12 are connected (through stitching, adhesion, bonding, or the like) to the crotch gusset 80 or gusset of the underwear 10. By connecting the barrier layer 12 to the undergarment 10 in these locations, a deeper, more spacious three-dimensional shape is created by the barrier layer 12 when wearing the undergarment. By connecting the barrier layer 12 to the anterior gusset seam in a downward sloped configuration, the pouch is constructed in a way where wearing the garment causes the barrier layer 12 to stretch and form a three-dimensional, diagonal shape inside the undergarment 10. The bottom part of the barrier layer 12 conforms around a wearer's perineum, and the top part of the barrier layer 12 conforms around the wearer's mons pubis.

(20) In addition to the U-shaped anterior slot 14 cut out from the center of the barrier layer 12, the left and right sides of the top half of the barrier layer 12 is cut in a straight vertical line. When connecting the barrier layer 12 to the undergarment 10, the straight vertical left and right sides of the barrier layer 12 are not connected to the undergarment 10, therefore, creating a hole between the undergarment and the barrier layer 12 on the left and right sides. This enables the barrier layer 12 to stretch more and create a 3-dimensional shape that offers more room for the male genitalia, to create a more form-fitting fit for the undergarment, have a better fit for the male genitalia and create the barrier layer 12 for the wearer to separate their genitalia from their thighs. The two-gap 22 construction method, when combined with connecting the barrier layer 12 to the posterior gusset seam of the crotch gusset 80, are essential for achieving the deep, diagonal three-dimensional shape inside the undergarment.

(21) The bottom part of the barrier layer 12 has a smaller, upside-down U-shape cut out from the barrier layer 12 to create the posterior slot 16 near the wearer's perineum. The primary purpose of this posterior slot 16 is to reduce the amount of fabric required to make the barrier layer 12 as well as to increase airflow around the wearer's genitals. The combination of the posterior slot 16 and the side gaps 22 is to offer greater airflow and ventilation around the wearer's genitals and perineum area.

(22) The second component is the anterior panel 28 that sits in front of the male genitalia, even when the genitalia pass through the opening in the barrier layer 12. The anterior panel 28 is secured to the crotch area of undergarments that is usually located where the undergarment fly opening is. When the undergarment is worn, the anterior panel 28 curves to the left and right sides of the male genitalia as well as curves below the male genitalia.

(23) The third component is an undergarment. Both the barrier layer 12 and anterior panel 28 are connected to the inside of an undergarment to create the three-dimensional genital enclosure.

(24) A method of using the present invention may include the following. A male would wear the present invention very similarly to how they would wear regular undergarments. First, by placing their legs through the large waistband opening at the top and two large leg openings at the bottom of the undergarment and then pulling the undergarment up to their waist. Because the barrier layer is connected to the waistband of the undergarment as well as to the posterior gusset seam of the undergarment, the barrier layer stretches to a sloped configuration to create a three-dimensional enclosure for the male genitalia to rest in. When the undergarment is worn by the wearer, the barrier layer stretches vertically and therefore the U-shaped anterior slot at the superior portion of the barrier layer stretches well enough for the male genitalia to pass through the U-shaped opening naturally and unassisted (i.e., the wearer is not required to use their hands to assist in guiding or placing the male genitalia through the U-shaped opening).

(25) After the undergarment is worn properly and securely at the wearer's waist, the male genitalia will naturally rest inside the three-dimensional enclosure that is made by the barrier layer and anterior panel. Because the barrier layer and anterior are both made with radiation-blocking fabric and because of how the barrier layer and anterior are connected to the undergarment, radiation will be blocked and not reach the male genitalia from several directions including the front, below, the sides and behind the male genitalia.

(26) As used in this application, the term about or approximately refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. And the term substantially refers to up to 80% or more of an entirety. Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

(27) For purposes of this disclosure, the term aligned means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term transverse means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term length means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term width means the dimension of an object from side to side. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term above generally means superjacent, substantially superjacent, or higher than another object although not directly overlying the object. Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term mechanical communication generally refers to components being in direct physical contact with each other or being in indirect physical contact with each other where movement of one component affect the position of the other.

(28) The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as, or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiments.

(29) In the following description, it is understood that terms such as first, second, top, bottom, up, down, and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms unless specifically stated to the contrary.

(30) It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.