Cycling suit with a seat pad

Abstract

A cycling suit (1) comprises a seat pad (2) located in a crotch area; the seat pad comprises a cover (3) and a padding (4); the cover (3) comprises three-layer structure with a first layer, an outer layer and an intermediate layer, and a front portion (5) of the cover is formed with an insert (10) of a single-layer skin contact textile.

Claims

1. A cycling suit for a male user comprising: a seat pad located in a crotch area of the suit, wherein the seat pad comprises: a cover (3) fixed to the cycling suit, said cover (3) comprising a multi-layered structure, wherein said cover (3) has a front portion (5) located for accommodating genitals when the cycling suit is worn, the front portion (5) made of a single-layer skin contact textile, substantially symmetrical along central axis (X), and substantially surrounded by the multi-layer structure.

2. The suit according to claim 1, said cover including an intermediate layer sandwiched between an inner layer and an outer layer, the intermediate layer being made of a synthetic rubber foam.

3. The suit according to claim 2, the intermediate layer being made of a synthetic rubber foam that is perforated.

4. The suit according to claim 1, said front portion being obtained by cutting an aperture in the cover and placing an insert of skin contact textile over said aperture.

5. The suit according to claim 4, said insert being made of nylon or Lycra or polyester or a combination thereof.

6. The suit according to claim 1, said front portion having a rounded shape.

7. A seat pad for a cycling suit, the seat pad comprising: a cover (3) fixed to the cycling suit, said cover (3) comprising a multi-layered structure, wherein said cover (3) has a front portion (5) located for accommodating genitals when the cycling suit is worn, the front portion (5) made of a single-layer skin contact textile, substantially symmetrical along central axis (X), and substantially surrounded by the multi-layer structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a view of a cycling suit according to an embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a top view of the seat pad of the cycling suit of FIG. 1. Central axis X divides the seat pad (2) into two substantially symmetrical sides. The front portion of the cover is substantially symmetrical along the central axis X.

(3) FIG. 3 is a cross section of the cover of a seat pad according to a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) FIG. 1 shows a cycling suit 1 including a seat pad 2 in the crotch area. The cycling suit 1 is made of a suitable elastic fabric, such as Lycra, and may have different forms, such as a bodysuit, a pair of trousers, and others, according to various embodiments of the invention and the intended use, e.g. winter or summer, male or female, etc.

(5) The seat pad 2 includes a soft fabric piece to form a cover 3. Said cover 3 is fixed (e.g. stitched) to the inside of the crotch area of the cycling suit 1. The seat pad 2 also comprises a suitable padding which for example includes a couple of pads 4 fixed to said cover 3.

(6) FIG. 2 shows a typical shape of a seat pad; said pad 2 may have a concave shell in the front and/or rear portion.

(7) The cover 3 has generally a multi-layered structure, for example including: a first layer, an intermediate soft layer, and an outer layer. The intermediate layer is normally a layer of a synthetic foam rubber and is preferably perforated. FIG. 3 illustrates a cross section of a portion of cover 3 showing a first layer 3a, an intermediate soft layer 3b and an outer layer 3c.

(8) Said cover 3 includes a front portion 5 which is made of a single-layer skin contact textile, instead of the above described three layers.

(9) To this purpose, the process of manufacturing the seat pad may include the following basic steps:

(10) the provision of said cover 3 having an inner layer, and intermediate layer an outer layer,

(11) cutting away a front portion of said cover 3, leaving an aperture in the seat pad, and

(12) providing an insert 10 of a skin contact textile over said aperture, fixing said insert to the cover 3.

(13) Said insert 10 can be fixed to the rest of the cover 3 with any technique such as stitching, gluing or thermal welding. The insert 10 is made e.g. of nylon or Lycra, polyester or a combination thereof.

(14) It may be appreciated that: the middle and rear portions of the cover 3, as well as the front boundary portion stitched to the suit 1, maintain the stronger three-layers construction; on the other hand, the front portion 5 where the three layers are replaced by the thin and light insert 10 provide optimum comfort, breathability and room for the genitals, especially for the male genitals.