Self-supporting garment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-supporting garment for the lower body, closed either only in front or in back, or partially open in front and in back, comprising a lower support strap (5; 11) and one or two upper support straps (4; 9,10), which are connected to one another at a front connecting point (6; 12) and/or at a rear connecting point (7; 13), where the support straps lying against the pelvis (4,5) or support straps (9,10) and their respective connecting points (6; 7; 12,13) are manufactured of a dimensionally stable and elastic material.

Claims

1. A self-supporting garment, comprising: a dimensionally stable and elastic first upper support strap; a dimensionally stable and elastic lower support strap extending from a front end to a single rear end; and a first connection point connecting the lower support strap to the upper support strap, wherein the first upper support strap, when in use, extends partially around a wearer's pelvis area, extending from the first connection point more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees around the wearer's body, and wherein the lower support strap, when in use, extends between the wearer's legs and cover's the wearer's crotch.

2. The self-supporting garment as in claim 1, further comprising a second upper support strap arranged opposite the first upper support strap, wherein the second upper support strap, when in use, extends from the first connection point more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees around a wearer's pelvis area.

3. The self-supporting garment as in claim 2, wherein the first connection point, when in use, is arranged on the wearer's front and wherein an opening extends between a rear end of the first upper support strap and a rear end of the second upper support strap.

4. The self-supporting garment as in claim 2, wherein the first connection point, when in use, is arranged on the wearer's back and wherein an opening extends between a front end of the first upper support strap and a front end of the second upper support strap.

5. The self-supporting garment as in claim 2, wherein the first upper support strap, the second upper support strap, and the lower support strap are releasably connected at the first connection point.

6. The self-supporting garment as in claim 2, wherein at least two members of the group consisting of the first upper support strap, the second upper support strap, and the lower support strap are formed as an integral component.

7. The self-supporting garment as in claim 2, further comprising a crotch piece arranged at the front end of the lower support strap.

8. The self-supporting garment as in claim 2, wherein the width of the lower support strap is selected such that the lower support strap, when in use, covers the crotch area of the wearer.

9. A self-supporting garment, comprising: a dimensionally stable and elastic first upper support strap; a dimensionally stable and elastic lower support strap; and a rear connection point connecting a rear end of the lower support strap to a rear end of the first upper support strap, wherein the first upper support strap, when in use, extends more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees around a wearer's pelvis area from the rear connection point at the wearer's back, and wherein the lower support strap, when in use, extends between the wearer's legs.

10. The self-supporting garment as in claim 9, further comprising a second upper support strap arranged opposite the first upper support strap, wherein the second upper support strap, when in use, extends from the rear connection point more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees around a wearer's pelvis area.

11. A self-supporting garment, comprising: a dimensionally stable and elastic first upper support strap; a dimensionally stable and elastic second upper support strap; a dimensionally stable and elastic lower support strap; a rear connection point connecting a rear end of the lower support strap to a rear end of the first upper support strap; and a front connection point connecting a front end of the lower support strap to a front end of the second upper support strap, wherein the first upper support strap, when in use, extends more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees around a wearer's pelvis area from the rear connection point at the wearer's back, and wherein the second upper support strap, when in use, extends more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees around a wearer's pelvis area from the front connection point at the wearer's front, and wherein the lower support strap, when in use, extends between the wearer's legs.

12. The self-supporting garment as in claim 11 wherein two or more members selected from the group consisting of the first upper support strap, the second upper support strap, the lower support strap, the rear connection point, and the front connection point are formed as an integral component.

13. The self-supporting garment as in claim 11, wherein a front end of the first upper support strap is not connected to any other element and wherein a rear end of the second upper support strap is not connected to any other element.

14. The self-supporting garment as in claim 11, further comprising a crotch piece arranged at the front end of the lower support strap.

15. The self-supporting garment as in claim 11, wherein the width of the lower support strap is selected such that the lower support strap covers the crotch area of the wearer.

16. The self-supporting garment as in claim 11, further comprising a rear covering piece arranged at the rear end of the lower support strap.

17. The self-supporting garment as in claim 11, wherein the first upper support strap and the second upper support strap are arranged on opposite sides of the wearer's pelvis area.

18. The self-supporting garment as in claim 11, wherein the first upper support strap and the second upper support strap are arranged on the same side of the wearer's pelvis area.

19. The self-supporting garment as in claim 18, wherein a front end of the first upper support strap and a rear end of the second upper support strap are releasably connected by a closure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further objectives, features, advantages, and possible applications of the garment in accordance with the invention, may be gleaned from the following description of an exemplary embodiment on the basis of the drawing.

(2) The drawings depict the following:

(3) FIG. 1 depicts a pair art T- or G-string with tied load-bearing straps as a closure for opening;

(4) FIG. 2 depicts a prior art String Tanga;

(5) FIG. 3 depicts a prior art Delta- or V-String;

(6) FIG. 4 depicts a prior art C-string.

(7) FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 depict a thong with a rear opening, with different length support straps; the lower support strap aids in covering the crotch;

(8) FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 each depict a thong as above, but with a front opening;

(9) FIG. 9 through FIG. 12 depict the embodiments of FIG. 5 through FIG. 8 with a separate front crotch piece;

(10) FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 depict a thong with an opening on the front left and right rear, with upper support straps of different length (view of front of body);

(11) FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 depict a thong as above, but with an opening on the right front and left rear (view of front of body);

(12) FIG. 17 through FIG. 20 depict the embodiments of FIG. 13 through FIG. 16 with a separate front crotch piece and with a separate rear covering;

(13) FIG. 21 depicts a thong with an open left side (view of front of body);

(14) FIG. 22 depicts a thong with an open left side (view of front of body);

(15) FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 depict the embodiments of FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 with a separate crotch piece and with a separate rear covering;

(16) FIG. 25 depicts a thong with an open right side and front and rear support straps releasably connected on the left side of the body with a closure (view of front of body);

(17) FIG. 26 depicts a thong with an open left side and front and rear support straps releasably connected on the right side of the body with a closure (view of front of body);

(18) FIG. 27 and FIG. 28 depict the embodiments of FIGS. 25 and 26 with a separate crotch piece and with a separate rear covering.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(19) FIG. 5 through FIG. 28 depict the garment as worn. Due to its dimensional stability in the preferred embodiment, it is almost identical in this condition to its condition when not worn. As the support straps must supply the necessary tension to conform to the body, they are drawn together more strongly in the unworn state.

(20) If the elasticity of the material in a further version is chosen accordingly, the garment can also be folded up e.g. for packing, provided that it still provides the necessary tractive force in its unpacked, worn, and thus body-conforming state.

(21) The garment itself comprises a single (4) upper or a front (9) and a rear (10) upper load-bearing support strap, and a lower support strap connected to them (5 respectively 11), where each upper support strap is connected at exactly one point (6 or 7 respectively 12 or 13) with the lower support strap (5 respectively 11) near the center of the body. The length, thickness, and width of all support straps (4,5 respectively 9,10,11) are variable in accordance with the shape of the areas of the body to be covered and with the design, provided that the function is achieved. Thus, the two ends of the upper support straps (4 respectively 9,10) as realized may also touch one another, overlap, etc., as long as they are not connected to one another.

(22) As shown in FIG. 6, the self-supporting garment may comprise a dimensionally stable and elastic first upper support strap 41 and a second upper support strap 42 arranged opposite the first upper support strap. The upper support straps 41,42 are connected to a lower support strap 5 at a first connection point 6. The lower support strap 5 is, like the upper support straps 41,42 dimensionally stable and elastic. The lower support strap 5 extends from a front end 51 to a single rear end 52. The first upper support strap 41, when in use, extends partially around a wearer's pelvis area, extending from the first connection point 6 more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees around the wearer's body. The second upper support strap 42, when in use, extends from the first connection point more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees around a wearer's pelvis area opposite the first support strap. Thus, an opening extends between a rear end 43 of the first upper support strap 41 and a rear end 44 of the second upper support strap 42.

(23) An optional crotch piece 8 respectively 14 may be added either as a connector between support straps 4 and 5 (FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) respectively 9 and 11 (FIG. 17 through FIG. 20, FIG. 23, FIG. 24, FIG. 27 and FIG. 28), affixed or connected at the open end of the lower support strap 5 (FIG. 11 and FIG. 12), or optionally be attached on the front of the support strap 5 or 11 if the garment consists of only two (FIG. 5 through FIG. 8) respectively three (FIG. 13 through FIG. 16, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 25 and FIG. 26) support straps. If a separate crotch piece 8 respectively 14 is lacking, a lower support strap 5 shaped in accordance with the necessary coverage requirements (FIG. 5 through FIG. 8) respectively 11 (FIG. 13 through FIG. 16, FIG. 21, FIG. 22, FIG. 25 and FIG. 26) itself provides coverage of the crotch. In the embodiment with three support straps, the lower support strap 11 can also be continuous through to the upper support strap 10, or a separate covering piece 15 for the buttocks/back may be inserted between them. The rear covering may also be attached only on the lower support strap 11.

(24) If with three support straps the ends of the front upper support strap 9 and the rear upper support strap 10 meet on one side of the body, both can optionally be releasably connected with one another by means of a closure 16, where the closure 16 is preferably self-closing due to its design when the two ends of the support straps contact one another, and self-opening when pulled on (FIG. 25 through FIG. 28).

(25) In a further embodiment, the optional closure 16 may also comprise one or more buttons, hooks, adhesive- and zipper closures.

(26) As can first be seen in FIG. 5 through FIG. 12, in the embodiment of the garment in accordance with the invention with an upper load-bearing support strap 4 has, either in the front or in the rear, no connection between the upper support strap 4 and the lower support strap 5 running between the legs (as is found in FIG. 1 through FIG. 3). As a connection between the two support straps 4,5 is absent on one side, the garment can be put on or pulled off from the opposing, open side by the elasticity of the support straps.

(27) As can also be seen from FIG. 13 through FIG. 28, in the case of the garment in accordance with the invention having two upper load-bearing support straps 9,10, the front upper support strap 9 is connected in front by one end to the lower support strap 11, and the rear upper support strap 10 also connected by one end in the back with the lower support strap 11. The lower support strap 11 always runs between the legs. As a connection between the other ends of the two support straps 9,10 is absent on one side, the garment can be pulled up or down between the legs through the elasticity of the support straps. The ends of the two upper support straps 9,10 connected with the lower support strap 11 may also extend beyond the connecting points 12,13.

(28) As a result of the direct front (6) or rear (7) connection between the support straps 4,5 that is still given in the case of a single upper support strap 4 opposite of the opening, or by means of the optional crotch piece 8 between them, the support straps are nonetheless held together, as the stability of the material of all components provides a good fit of the support straps 4,5 to the body. The upper support strap 4 is consequently held in position by the lower support strap 5, and the lower support strap 5 cannot fall off.

(29) Similarly, in the case of two upper support straps 9 and 11, they are also held together by the front connection 12 between the support straps 9,11 and the rear connection 13 between the support straps 10,11, or by means of the optional crotch piece 14 between the support straps 9,11, or the optional rear covering 15 between the support straps 10,11, as here again, the stability of the material of all components ensures a good fit of the support straps 9,10,11 to the body. The upper support straps 9,10 are held in place against the body by the lower support strap 11, and the lower support strap 11 in turn cannot fall off downward due to the retention provided by the upper support straps 9,10.

(30) The lower support strap 5 respectively 11 thus needs no or only minimal lateral tension between the legs to stay in place. The form and fit of the entire construction are determined by the rigidity and elasticity of the material chosen in accordance with the task for the two support straps 4,5 or the three support straps 9,10,11 and their connecting point(s) 7 or 6 or 12 and 13, as well as the optional components of the front crotch piece and rear covering piece.

(31) The prevention of the downward slippage and falling off of the lower support strap 5 respectively 11 located between the legs is therefore ensured through adequate dimensional stability of the partially circumferentially upper support strap 4 respectively 9,10 and their connecting point(s) 7 (FIG. 5 through FIG. 12) respectively 12,13 (FIG. 13 through FIG. 28) with the lower support strap 5 respectively 11. Retention in position on the body is ensured by the stiffness and dimensional stability of the support straps 4,5 respectively 9,10,11 which nonetheless possess sufficient elasticity as a result of their constituent material to avoid slippage or falling off. The adequate dimensional stability of the lower support strap 5 also ensures that the latter does not dangle like a thread suspended at one end, but always conforms to the body between the legs. The only condition for the good fit of the garment as a whole against falling down is that both ends of the upper support strap 4 extend beyond the middle of the body on both sides, or that the outer ends of each of the upper support straps 9,10 also extend beyond the middle of the body on each side, and thus partially enclose the body minimally a little further than to the middle of the body's side as shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 FIG. 10 and FIG. 12 respectively FIG. 14, FIG. 16, FIG. 18, FIG. 20 through FIG. 24, or, in the case of two upper support straps, are connected with one another in their non-preferred embodiment (FIG. 25 through FIG. 28). The more pronounced the pelvis depending on the position of the support straps 4 respectively 9,10 (in the preferred embodiment, FIG. 5 through FIG. 24), the further the ends of the two support straps must generally extend at least beyond the middle of the body on the sides (FIG. 5, FIG. 7, FIG. 9 and FIG. 11 respectively FIG. 13, FIG. 15, FIG. 17, FIG. 19). A condition for conforming to the body is, in the case of an upper support strap 4, that the lower support strap 5 also extends beyond the middle of the body, and, in the case of two upper support straps 9,10, that the lower support strap 11 connects the two upper support straps 9,10 between the legs.

(32) The width, length, thickness, and form (such as, e.g., an optional multi-part or multi-stay construction) of the support straps 4,5 in FIG. 5 through FIG. 12 respectively 9,10,11 in FIG. 13 through FIG. 28 may be selected arbitrarily, provided that functionality is assured. The upper support straps 4 respectively 9,10 need not enclose the body horizontal; they may provide a good fit in any other position. The lower support straps 5 respectively 11 need not connect vertically and at right angles to the upper support straps 4 respectively 9,10, but may attach to/be connected at any points on the closed side of the upper support strap 4 or in front with the front upper support strap 9 and in the rear with the rear upper support strap 10 and accordingly run downward at an angle, so that they can pass through between the legs and cover the required areas of the body.

(33) In a further embodiment, the support straps 4,5 respectively 9,10,11 and the optional crotch pieces 8 respectively 14 and/or the optional rear covering 15 may also be releasably connected to one another at the connecting points 7 or 6 respectively 12 and/or 13 by closures, adhesive-, plug-, or other connectors, e.g. in order that the garment may be disassembled into its component parts when not worn so as to occupy less space, provided that the necessary dimensional stability and elasticity of the garment are retained. This can additionally or supplementarily be achieved through corresponding joints, and/or through components that are collapsible or foldable.

(34) In a further embodiment, the support straps 4 and 5 and the optional crotch piece 8 may also be formed as a single piece.

(35) Likewise in a further embodiment, the support straps 9,10,11, the optional crotch piece 14, and the optional rear covering 15 may all or in part be formed as a single piece.

(36) Depending on their material, design, and shape, the support straps 4,5 respectively 9,10,11 follow possible expansions of the body (e.g. during breathing, pulling in the stomach, etc.). Proper design ensures that the areas of the body to be concealed remain covered during permitted movements of the wearer.

(37) Possible materials include, e.g., preferably plastic or metal, but also tissues or fabrics with or without a (partial) (fabric) covering. The materials may be decorated with prints, ornaments, or other designs, provided that they have the necessary dimensional stability.

(38) The invention provides that with an upper support strap 4 (FIG. 5 through FIG. 12), the lack of a connection between the support straps 4,5 and the non-continuous upper support strap 4 resulting from the one-sided opening in the front or back allows the garment can be put on and taken off by putting it on and pulling it off from the opposite side without needing to open closures, and without the need for drawing it over the legs.

(39) With two upper support straps 9 and 10, the opening on both sides, front and back, allows the garment to be put on from beneath and pulled down from beneath in the preferred embodiment (FIG. 13 through FIG. 24) with needing to open closures, and its one front and one rear support strap mechanically prevent the garment from being pulled off from the front or back. In the further version (FIG. 25 through FIG. 28), the garment can be pulled off downward after opening of the closure 16 or put on and the closure 16 closed.

(40) Furthermore, the present garment with a single upper support strap 4 for the first time allows, depending on the position of the opening, bare buttocks/back or an uncovered abdomen, without simultaneously having completely bare, naked sides (FIG. 5 through FIG. 12). In addition, with two upper support straps 9 and 10, the garment for the first times makes it possible to have simultaneously partially uncovered buttocks/back and a partially uncovered back, without having completely uncovered, naked sides, in the versions having one right and one left support strap (FIG. 13 through FIG. 20), respectively only a single uncovered side of the body in the embodiments in FIG. 21 through FIG. 28. For both embodiments, reasons could be of an aesthetic or fashionable nature, or practical (avoidance of tan lines on the buttocks or abdomen).

(41) While constantly ensuring that the area between the legs remains covered, the garment in accordance with the invention permits new forms and designs which were not previously possible. If a single upper support strap 4 is used, panties that do not cover the buttocks or abdomen are possible, while the sides of the body remain wholly or partially covered. If two upper support straps 9,10 are used, panties that partially do not cover the buttocks/back or abdomen are possible, while one side of the body remains covered, in whole or in part, and protection against the uncovering of the area between the legs is assured.

(42) If uncovered buttocks/back are not desired, the upper support strap 4 may be fully encircling, provided that the ends only touch or overlap one another and are not connected by means of a closure. Similarly, the upper support strap 4 can also touch the lower support strap in a non-connection area without being connected to ite.g. by means of a connectorso that the putting on or taking off of the garment is assured without the need to open closures or draw the garment over the legs. In the same way, the upper support straps 9,10 of the preferred version in accordance with FIG. 13 to FIG. 20 can be fully encircling, provided that their ends only touch or overlap one another and are not connected by means of a closure, so that the putting on or taking off of the garment is assured without the need to open closures or draw the garment over the legs. The further versions of FIG. 25 through FIG. 28 also permit the garment to be put on and taken off without the involvement of the legs, as one side is open and the closure 16 of the other side is to be opened.

(43) If the two ends of the upper support strap 4 touch one another or overlap, or if the upper support strap 4 and lower support strap 5 touch in the unconnected area, this does not negatively affect functionality provided that they are not connected, i.e. as long as they do not hinder the putting on and taking off of the garment. The same applies for the unconnected ends of the upper support straps 9,10.

(44) For situations placing higher demands on a secure fit of the garment on the body, e.g. during athletic activities such as ball games, the support straps 4,5 or 9,10,11 and/or the optional crotch piece 8 respectively 14 and/or the optional rear covering 15 may supplementally be directly coated on their inner surfaces, in whole or in part, with a material that sticks to or increases friction on the skin, and/or permanently or releasably have elements attached to them facing the skin that stick to or increase friction on the skin.

(45) The garment in accordance with the invention is not limited in its embodiments to the preferred embodiments listed above.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(46) 4 upper support strap 5 lower support strap 6 front connecting point of upper support strap 4 and lower support strap 5 7 rear connecting point of upper support strap 4 and lower support strap 5 8 optional crotch piece in the case of a single upper support strap 9 front upper support strap 10 rear upper support strap 11 lower support strap between the front (9) and rear (10) upper support strap 12 front connecting point of front support strap 9 and either a lower connector 11 or optional crotch piece 14 13 rear connecting point of rear support strap 10 and either a lower connector 11 or optional rear covering piece 15 14 optional crotch piece in the case of two upper support straps 15 optional rear covering piece in the case of two upper support straps 16 optional closure in the case of two upper support straps