Stabilizing Lower-Body Swimming Garment

Abstract

A stabilizing lower-body swimming garment that enhances a wearer's stability, balance, and control during aquatic activities, especially when swimming in a horizontal position, and is wearable, comfortably and discreetly, for long periods of time in any circumstance in which athletic shorts or pants might be worn, permitting wearers to transition seamlessly from aquatic activities to land-based athletic and non-athletic activities and vice versa. The garment works by incorporating low-density, closed-cell foam along a wearer's outer legs to increase the wearer's righting torque when in water.

Claims

1. A lower-body swimming garment, comprising: a waistband element; a shorts or pants element that: is attached to the waistband element, is made of a knitted or woven fabric, and is configured to fit tightly and conform to the contours of the wearer's waist, hips, buttocks, crotch, and legs; and a closed-cell foam element that: is made of one or more sheets of one or more low-density, flexible or semi-flexible, closed-cell foams cut to correspond with the form of part or all of the shorts or pants element, is shaped and arranged such that the area of the sheet that corresponds with the area of the shorts or pants element that will cover part or all the wearer's outer legs is thicker or includes a closed-cell foam that is less dense than the foam that covers any part of the remainder of the shorts or pants element, and is attached to the parts of the shorts or pants element to which it corresponds in a manner such that the lower-body swimming garment is bilaterally symmetrical or nearly bilaterally symmetrical.

2. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 1, further comprising a shorts or skirt element that: is attached to the waistband element, is made of a knitted or woven fabric, and is configured to fit loosely over the shorts or pants element that conforms to the contours of the wearer.

3. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 1, in which the waistband element is elastic.

4. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 1, in which the shorts or pants element is made of spandex, elastane, nylon, polyester, or a blend thereof.

5. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 1, in which the shorts or pants element is shorts that extend down to the wearer's thigh, knee, or shin.

6. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 1, in which the closed-cell foam is polyethylene foam or polyurethane foam.

7. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 1, in which the thickness of the foam ranges from 1/32 of an inch to 1 inch.

8. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 1, in which the closed-cell foam element is attached to the parts of the shorts or pants element to which it corresponds using an adhesive, sewing, fusing, or molding or by layering a piece of knitted or woven fabric on top of the closed-cell foam that is arranged, possibly with the help of a temporary adhesive, on the shorts or pants element where it will be attached and adhering, sewing, fusing, or molding the two pieces of fabric together.

9. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 1, in which the closed-cell foam element is cut or form-pressed into one or more shapes or a plurality of identical, tessellated shapes, such as triangles, squares, pentagons, or hexagons.

10. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 1, in which the closed-cell foam element is attached to the shorts or pants element in such a manner to leave gaps in between the pieces of foam that cover areas where the shorts or pants customarily would be folded before storing them.

11. A lower-body swimming garment, comprising: a waistband element; a shorts or pants element that: is attached to the waistband element, is made of a knitted or woven fabric, and is configured to fit tightly and conform to the contours of the wearer's waist, hips, buttocks, crotch, and legs; and a closed-cell foam element that: is made of one or more sheets of one or more low-density, flexible or semi-flexible, closed-cell foams cut to create two identical or near identical pieces that correspond with the form of: at least part or all of the area of the shorts or pants element that will cover the wearer's outer legs, and at most all of the area of the shorts or pants element that will cover the wearer's outer, front, and back legs and hips; and are attached to the parts of the shorts or pants element to which it corresponds in a manner such that the lower-body swimming garment is bilaterally symmetrical or nearly bilaterally symmetrical.

12. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 11, further comprising a shorts or skirt element that: is attached to the waistband element, is made of a knitted or woven fabric, and is configured to fit loosely over the shorts or pants element that conforms to the contours of the wearer.

13. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 11, in which the waistband element is elastic.

14. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 11, in which the shorts or pants element is made of spandex, elastane, nylon, polyester, or a blend thereof.

15. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 11, in which the shorts or pants element is shorts that extend down to the wearer's thigh, knee, or shin.

16. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 11, in which the closed-cell foam is polyethylene foam or polyurethane foam.

17. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 11, in which the thickness of the foam ranges from 1/32 of an inch to 1 inch.

18. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 11, in which the closed-cell foam element is attached to the parts of the shorts or pants element to which it corresponds using an adhesive, sewing, fusing, or molding or by layering a piece of knitted or woven fabric on top of the closed-cell foam that is arranged, possibly with the help of a temporary adhesive, on the shorts or pants element where it will be attached and adhering, sewing, fusing, or molding the two pieces of fabric together.

19. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 11, in which the closed-cell foam element is cut or form-pressed into one or more shapes or a plurality of identical or nearly identical, tessellated shapes, such as triangles, squares, pentagons, or hexagons.

20. A lower-body swimming garment as in claim 11, in which the closed-cell foam element is attached to the shorts or pants element in such a manner to leave gaps in between the pieces of foam that cover areas where the shorts or pants customarily would be folded before storing them.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1A shows a front perspective view of a stabilizing lower-body swimming garment in the form of shorts.

[0014] FIG. 1B shows a back perspective view of a stabilizing lower-body swimming garment in the form of shorts.

[0015] FIG. 1C shows a right perspective view of a stabilizing lower-body swimming garment in the form of shorts.

[0016] FIG. 1D shows a left perspective view of a stabilizing lower-body swimming garment in the form of shorts.

[0017] FIG. 1E shows a more detailed view of the closed-cell foam element, which has been dissected.

[0018] FIG. 2A shows a front perspective view of a stabilizing lower-body swimming garment in the form of shorts with outer shorts. The right leg of the outer shorts has been rolled up to show the shorts underneath the outer shorts.

[0019] FIG. 2B shows a back perspective view of a stabilizing lower-body swimming garment in the form of shorts with outer shorts. The right leg of the outer shorts has been rolled up to show the shorts underneath the outer shorts.

[0020] FIG. 2C shows a front perspective view of a stabilizing lower-body swimming garment in the form of shorts with outer shorts. The outer shorts have been turned inside out to show the shorts underneath the outer shorts.

[0021] FIG. 2D shows a back perspective view of a stabilizing lower-body swimming garment in the form of shorts with outer shorts. The outer shorts have been turned inside out to show the shorts underneath the outer shorts.

[0022] FIG. 2E shows a drawstring included in the outer shorts.

[0023] FIG. 2F shows a front perspective view of a front pocket included on the left side of the outer shorts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The following discussion and accompanying drawings disclose a stabilizing lower-body swimming garment. The garment is wearable, comfortably and discreetly, for long periods of time in any circumstance in which athletic shorts or pants might be worn, permitting wearers to transition seamlessly from aquatic activities to land-based athletic and non-athletic activities and vice versa. The garment consists primarily of compression shorts or pants that incorporate low-density, closed-cell foam along a wearer's outer legs to enhance the wearer's stability, balance, and control during aquatic activities, especially when swimming in a horizontal position, by increasing the wearer's righting torque when in water.

[0025] Righting torque is the rotational force that acts to restore an object or system to an upright or balanced position when it is tilted or displaced from its equilibrium. It is the rotational force that counteracts the tilting or tipping force, bringing the object back to its stable position. The placement of low-density foam along the wearer's outer legs increases the upward force exerted by water on those areas. This upward force contributes to a larger moment arm (i.e., the perpendicular distance between the point or axis of rotation and the line of action of a force), resulting in a stronger righting torque to counteract the tilting or tipping caused by destabilizing forces such as body movements or waves.

[0026] FIGS. 1A-1E show a preferred embodiment of the stabilizing lower-body swimming garment. The garment comprises a waistband element 10, a shorts or pants element 20, and a closed-cell foam element 30. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2F, the garment further comprises an outer shorts or skirt element 40. Each of these four elements is described in more detail below.

Waistband Element

[0027] The waistband element 10 consists of a waistband 11 that lays against and completely encircles the wearer's waist. The waistband 11 is the topmost part of the garment and serves to secure the garment around the wearer's waist, preventing the garment from slipping down while allowing for ease of movement. In addition, the waistband 11 provides support and serves as the base to which other components of the garment are attached.

[0028] Various forms of waistbands exist and any waistband that is feasible to use for compression shorts, swim shorts, or athletic shorts may be used as the waistband 11 in the waistband element 10. For example, in some configurations, as in FIGS. 1A-1E and 2A-2F, the waistband 11 may be an elastic waistband. Such a waistband generally is made of an elastic (e.g., rubber, latex, or a blend thereof) that is combined with fibers (e.g., spandex, elastane, nylon, polyester, or a blend thereof) through various methods (e.g., braided, knitted, or woven) to help reinforce and stabilize the elastic. The specific composition of the elastic material may vary depending on the desired characteristics of the waistband 11. For example, different percentages of rubber and fibers may be used to achieve varying levels of stretchiness, durability, and recovery properties. An elastic waistband may stretch to several times its size but holds its form and returns to its original shape when the tension is released.

[0029] The elastic material in the waistband 11 is formed into a narrow band or tape. The width and length of the tape may vary depending on the style of the garment and the waist circumference of the intended wearer. In some configurations, as in FIGS. 1A-1E, the elastic band or tape, by itself, may constitute the waistband 11. In other configurations, as in FIGS. 2A-2F, a knitted or woven fabric (e.g., spandex, elastane, nylon, polyester, or a blend thereof) may be used to encase the elastic band or tape and make it more comfortable to wear. Various methods exist for attaching the fabric to the elastic band or tape, including sewing and bonding. Among those methods are the basic casing method, the fold-over elastic method, the exposed elastic method, and the shirred elastic method.

[0030] FIGS. 2A-2F show an elastic waistband 11 that is constructed using the basic casing method. Such method involves cutting a strip of fabric for the waistband, making sure that it is wide enough to accommodate the width of the elastic band or tape and provide a comfortable fit around the waist. The waistband fabric is folded in half lengthwise to create a crisp crease. The raw edges of the folded waistband are aligned with the upper edge of the garment. The upper edge of the waistband may be secured to the garment by sewing using various stitches (e.g., straight stitch or stretch stitch). An opening approximately 1 to 2 inches wide is left and the elastic band or tape is fed into the opening until it reaches the other end without any twisting. The ends of the elastic may be overlapped by about 1 inch, and then sewn securely together using various stitches (e.g., zigzag stitch). With the elastic secured, the opening in the waistband casing is sewed closed, making sure that the elastic is evenly distributed within the casing. If desired, the waistband may be finished in various manners, including by topstitching along the upper edge of the waistband to provide a decorative or reinforcing element.

[0031] In other configurations, the waistband 11 may not be an elastic waistband. The waistband 11 may be a drawstring waistband in which a drawstring, usually made of cord or ribbon, is threaded through apertures in the waistband casing and the waistband casing itself to allow for adjustable sizing. The waistband 11 may be a button or zipper waistband in which the waistband includes a fly that is secured by fastening buttons or a zipper closure. The waistband 11 may be a fold-over waistband in which the waistband may be folded down or unfolded to adjust the rise of the garment. The waistband 11 may be an adjustable waistband in which various mechanisms, such as elasticized tabs, buckle closures, or adjustable sliders, are incorporated into the waistband to allow for fine-tuning the waist size. The waistband 11 may use velcro or apertures and laces to tie the two sides of the waistband together using a knot (e.g., bow knot).

[0032] The waistband 11 may be a combination of these various forms of waistband. For example, FIGS. 2A-2F show a configuration in which the waistband 11 is elastic and includes a drawstring 12 that is made from stretchy cord that is threaded through apertures in the waistband casing and the waistband casing itself. FIG. 2E shows the drawstring 12 in greater detail. The apertures are in the back of the waistband casing but they may be in the front. The waistband 11 may even include various other unconventional features, such as pockets.

Shorts or Pants Element

[0033] The shorts or pants element 20 is the main body of the garment. The shorts or pants element 20 is made of a plurality of panels of a knitted or woven fabric (e.g., spandex, elastane, nylon, polyester, or a blend thereof) that are attached together, typically by sewing using various stitches (e.g., straight stitches, serging, or overlocking). The shorts or pants element 20 includes a pelvic area 21, a left leg area 22, and a right leg area 23. The pelvic area 21 covers the wearer's front and back pelvic areas and attaches to the waistband 11. The left leg area 22 and the right leg area 23 extend downward from opposite sides of the pelvic area 21 and substantially extend around and cover the wearer's left leg and right leg. The left leg area 22 is substantially the same as the right leg area 23, such that the two leg areas are substantially bilaterally symmetrical. The dimensions of the panels of fabric are configured such that, when the panels are attached together, the shorts or pants element 20 fits tightly and conforms to the contours of the wearer's front and back pelvic areas and leg areas. It is important that the shorts or pant element 20 fit snugly against the wearer's skin because it will hold in place the closed-cell foam element 30 (discussed below).

[0034] FIGS. 2A-2E show a shorts or pants element 20 that consists of shorts comprising nine panels of fabric sewn together. One panel partially encircles the wearer's waist area just below the waistband element 10 and serves as one point of attachment to the waistband 11. One panel covers the wearer's crotch area and serves as a second point of attachment to the waistband 11. Two panels cover the front areas of the wearer's left and right thighs. Two panels cover the outer areas of the wearer's left and right thighs. Two panels cover the back pelvic area and back part of the wearer's left and right thighs. And one panel covers the inner part of the wearer's left and right thighs. These various panels are sewn together where they overlap. The raw edges of the shorts' leg openings are folded and stitched to create clean hems.

[0035] This is not the only way the shorts or pants element 20 may be constructed. Fewer panels (e.g., five panels, six panels, seven panels, or eight panels) may be used. More panels (e.g., ten panels, eleven panels, twelve panels) may be used. Instead of sewing the panels together, the panels may be attached using various other methods, such as bonding. Bonding is a fabric attachment technique that involves joining two or more layers of fabric using heat pressure, adhesives, or a combination of these elements to create a strong and durable bond between the fabric layers. In addition, the shorts or pants element 20 may consist of pants that extend down to the ankles. Or the shorts may vary in length, extending down to the upper thigh, middle thigh, lower thigh, knee, upper shin, middle shin, or lower shin.

[0036] The fabric may be the same throughout or it may be different in some areas. Some or all of the fabric may include features that are customarily found in fabric for swim shorts, such as quick-drying, wicking, stretchability, and UV protection. In addition, the shorts or pants element 20 may include various combinations of conventional and unconventional features, such as a fly that is secured using a zipper, buttons, or velcro, front pockets that may include a mesh lining and may be secured using a zipper, buttons, or velcro, back pockets that may include a mesh lining and may be secured using a zipper, buttons, or velcro, vents that may be made out of a more breathable or mesh fabric, and grommets. For example, FIGS. 1A-1E show vents 24 around the waist and inner thigh area. The vents are created by using mesh or perforated fabric instead of normal fabric.

Closed-Cell Foam Element

[0037] The closed-cell foam element 30 is the technical part of the garment that increases the wearer's righting torque while in water. It is made from a sheet or various sheets of low-density, flexible or semi-flexible, closed-cell foam 31 cut to correspond with the form of part or all of the shorts or pants element 20. The foam 31 is arranged and attached in a manner such that it is concentrated on the area of the shorts or pants element 31 that will cover the wearer's outer legs, and such that the garment is substantially bilaterally symmetrical.

[0038] FIGS. 1A-1E show closed-cell foam that is arranged and attached to cover the area of the shorts or pants element 20 that will cover the wearer's outer thighs only. But in other configurations, the foam 31 could cover more (e.g., upper hip and front and back thighs in addition to outer thighs) or less (middle and lower thighs only). In some embodiments, in which the closed-cell foam element 30 consists of the same type of foam and thickness throughout, the coverage must include at least part or all of the area of the shorts that will cover the wearer's outer legs and at most all of the area of the shorts that will cover the wearer's outer, front, and back legs and hips. In other embodiments, in which the closed-cell foam element 30 consists of the same type of foam but different thicknesses in certain areas, the maximum coverage may be as much as complete coverage as long as the foam 31 that is attached to the area of the shorts or pants element 20 that will cover the wearer's outer thighs is thicker than the foam that covers any part of the remainder.

[0039] In other embodiments, in which the closed-cell foam element 30 consists of different types of foam, the maximum coverage may be as much as complete coverage as long as the foam 31 that is attached to the area of the shorts or pants element 20 that will cover the wearer's outer thighs is less dense than the foam that covers any part of the remainder.

[0040] In FIGS. 1A-1E, the foam 31 that covers the area of the shorts or pants element 20 that will cover the wearer's outer thighs is approximately inch thick. But the foam 31 may be thinner (e.g., 3/32, 1/16, 1/32 of an inch) or thicker ( 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, , 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, , 13/32, 7/16, 15/32, , 17/32, 9/16, 19/32, 10/16, 21/32, 11/16, 23/32, , 25/32, 13/16, 27/32, , 29/32, 15/16, 31/32 of an inch thick or 1 inch thick). The type of foam 31 (e.g., polyethylene foam or polyurethane foam) and its characteristics (e.g., density) may also vary.

[0041] In FIGS. 1A-1E, the foam 31 is incorporated into the shorts or pants element 20 by sandwiching the foam 31 in between two layers of fabric. FIG. 1E shows a dissection of the closed cell foam element 30, which shows the foam 31 sandwiched in between a top layer of fabric 32 and a bottom layer of fabric 33. The edges of the top layer of fabric 32 and bottom layer of fabric 33 are sewn together where they overlap to hold the foam 31 in place. In FIGS. 1A-1E, the foam 31 and the fabric in which it is sandwiched is form pressed into a plurality of identical, tessellated diamonds. (Form pressing involves a technique to shape fabric using heat, pressure and a specifically designed mold or form.) Other methods of attachment may be used. For example, the foam 31 could be bonded directly to the shorts or pants element 20 and remain exposed without a second layer of fabric. Or the foam 31 could be stitched to the shorts or pants element 20. In addition, the foam 31 and fabric in which it is sandwiched, if any, may not be form pressed or may be form pressed into one or more different shapes that may or may not be identical and may or may not be tessellated (e.g., triangles, squares, pentagons, or hexagons).

[0042] In FIGS. 1A-1E, the foam 31 that covers each leg of the shorts is a single piece of foam. But the foam 31 may me segmented into a plurality of pieces before or after it is attached. For example, the foam 31 that covers each leg of the shorts or pants element 20 may be segmented into two pieces and may be arranged and attached to the shorts or pants element 20 so that a gap is left in between the pieces to make folding the garment easier. Or the foam 31 could be segmented into dozens of identical, tessellated shapes before it is attached.

Outer Shorts or Skirt Element

[0043] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2F, the garment further compromises an outer shorts or skirt element 40. The outer shorts or skirt element 40 is a loose-fitting outer shell that covers the tight-fitting shorts or pants element 20, including so that the garment is not so revealing. Like the shorts or pants element 20, the outer shorts or pants element 40 is made of a plurality of panels of a knitted or woven fabric (e.g., spandex, elastane, nylon, polyester, or a blend thereof) that are attached together, typically by sewing using various stitches (e.g., straight stitches, serging, or overlocking). But the dimensions of the panels of fabric are configured such that the outer shorts or skirt element 40 fits loosely over the wearer's front and back pelvic areas and leg areas.

[0044] The shorts configuration in the shorts or skirt element 40 includes a pelvic area 41, a left leg area 42, and a right leg area 43. The pelvic area 41 covers the wearer's front and back pelvic areas and attaches to the waistband element 10. The left leg area 42 and the right leg area 43 extend downward from opposite sides of the pelvic area 41 and substantially extend around and cover the wearer's left leg and right leg. The left leg area 42 is substantially the same as the right leg area 43, such that the two leg areas are substantially bilaterally symmetrical. The skirt configuration in the shorts or skirt element 40 includes one or more pieces of fabric that cover the pelvic area 41 and extend down to cover the thighs.

[0045] FIGS. 2A-2F show an outer shorts or skirt element 40 that consist of outer shorts comprising nine panels of fabric sewn together. Two panels cover the front areas of the wearer's left and right thighs and serve as the point of attachment to the front of the waistband 11. Two panels cover part of the outer areas of the wearer's left and right thighs and serve as a point of attachment to the waistband 11. One panel covers the area at the back and top of the pelvic area and serves as another point of attachment to the waistband 11. Two panels of fabric form a vent 44 that runs in two L shapes that create a semi-oval that starts at the top area of the upper pelvic area down to the lower part of the back thigh. Two panels cover the back of the pelvic area down to the lower part of the back thigh. And one panel covers the inner part of the wearer's left and right thighs. These various panels are sewn together where they overlap. The raw edges of the shorts' leg openings are folded and stitched to create clean hems.

[0046] This is not the only way the outer shorts or skirt element 40 may be constructed. Fewer panels (e.g., five panels, six panels, seven panels, or eight panels) may be used. More panels (e.g., ten panels, eleven panels, twelve panels) may be used. Instead of sewing the panels together, the panels may be attached using other various other methods, such as bonding. In addition, the outer shorts may vary in length, extending down to the upper thigh, middle thigh, lower thigh, knee, upper shin, middle shin, or lower shin. Moreover, the outer shorts or skirt element 40 may be an outer skirt, instead of outer shorts.

[0047] The fabric may be the same throughout or it may be different in some areas. Some or all of the fabric may include features that are customarily found in fabric for swim shorts, such as quick-drying, wicking, stretchability, and UV protection.

[0048] In addition, the outer shorts or skirt element 40 may include various combinations of conventional and unconventional features, such as a fly that is secured using a zipper, buttons, or velcro, front pockets that may include a mesh lining and may be secured using a zipper, buttons, or velcro, back pockets that may include a mesh lining and may be secured using a zipper, buttons, or velcro, vents that may be made out of a more breathable or mesh fabric, and grommets. For example, FIGS. 2A-2F show an outer shorts or pants element 40 that include a vent 44 and front pockets 45.

[0049] Although the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments and possible configurations, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other implementations and adaptations are possible. Moreover, there are advantages to individual enhancements described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other aspects described above. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.