CYCLING PANTS

Abstract

Cycling trousers (1) without braces, having a padded over-saddle seating area (2), comprising an elastic band (3) forming a belt integrated into the garment itself to stabilise the over-saddle area, said trousers further comprising a portion of elasticized fabric (13) around the waistline of the trousers and above said elastic band (3).

Claims

1. Cycling trousers without braces, having a padded over-saddle area, the trousers comprising an elastic band which is integrated into the structure of said trousers and is arranged to form a continuous belt all around the trousers, said elastic band being located below an upper waistline edge of the trousers, said elastic band being adapted to be tensioned when the trousers is worn, said elastic band being applied to the outer side of the trousers so that the elastic band does not contact the body of a user wearing the trousers, said band being shaped like an inverted V having a vertex directed downward and towards the inguinal area, said trousers further comprising a portion of elasticized fabric extending around the waistline of the trousers and above said elastic band, the elastic band having an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge being attached to the trousers, wherein at least a portion of the upper edge is not fixed to the trousers.

2. Trousers according to claim 1 wherein said elastic band has a width of 1 cm to 6 cm.

3. Trousers according to claim 1 wherein said elastic band is made of a material containing at least 10% by weight of elastane, preferably 10% to 15% by weight, more preferably 12% by weight.

4. Trousers according to claim 1, wherein said elastic band (3) extends substantially in the hip area of the trousers.

5. Trousers according to claim 1, wherein said elastic band has a rear area extending substantially at a constant height with respect to the waistline edge and to the hips of the trousers.

6. Trousers according to claim 1, wherein said elastic band is made of a web material.

7. Trousers according to claim 1, said elastic band having two ends fixed to each other and fixed to the trousers at a front median seam of the trousers itself.

8. Trousers according to claim 1, wherein said portion of elasticized fabric is made of a mesh fabric.

9. Trousers according to claim 1, wherein said portion of elasticized fabric has an elastane content between 15% and 20% by weight.

10. Trousers according to claim 1, wherein said portion of elasticized fabric has a higher elastane content than said elastic band.

11. Trousers according to claim 1, comprising a seat pad fixed internally in the over-saddle area.

12. Trousers according to claim 1, having a waist region wherein the trousers are made of a first textile material which is preferably a spandex fibre such as Lycra; a waist band made of a second textile material which differs from the first material and is preferably a web material, said waist band being attached to the trousers; said elastic band being arranged over said waist band, said elastic band having a lower edge attached to the trousers and a free upper edge, so that the elastic band rests over the waist band when the elastic band is tensioned.

13. A method to support and stabilize a pair of cycling trousers with a seat pad, wherein the trousers have no braces, the method including the provision of an elastic band which is integrated into the structure of said trousers and is arranged to form a continuous belt all around the trousers, said elastic band being located below an upper waistline edge of the trousers, said elastic band being adapted to be tensioned when the trousers is worn, said elastic band being applied to the outer side of the trousers so that the elastic band does not contact the body of a user wearing the trousers, said band being shaped like an inverted V having a vertex directed downward and towards the inguinal area, said trousers further comprising a portion of elasticized fabric extending around the waistline of the trousers and above said elastic band, the elastic band having an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge being attached to the trousers, wherein at least a portion of the upper edge is not fixed to the trousers.

14. The method of claim 13 including providing the trousers with a waist region wherein the trousers are made of a first textile material which is preferably a spandex fibre such as Lycra; a waist band made of a second textile material which differs from the first material and is preferably a web material, said waist band being attached to the trousers; said elastic band being arranged over said waist band, said elastic band having a lower edge attached to the trousers and a free upper edge, so that the elastic band rests over the waist band when the elastic band is tensioned.

15. (canceled)

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the elastic band is made of a material containing at least 10% by weight of elastane; the elastic band extends substantially in the hip area of the trousers; the elastic band has two ends which are fixed to each other and fixed to the trousers at a front median seam of the trousers; said portion of elasticized fabric has a higher elastane content than said elastic band.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said portion of elasticized fabric is made of a mesh fabric and has an elastane content between 15% and 20%.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0038] The invention is now described with reference to an embodiment wherein:

[0039] FIG. 1 is a front view of cycling trousers according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the trousers of FIG. 1.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a detail of FIG. 1.

[0042] The figures show cycling trousers or pants 1 with no braces. The cycling trousers 1 are padded in an over-saddle area, e.g. with a seat pad 2 sewn on the inside. The line 2 may denote the contour of a seat pad which is attached to the crotch region of the trousers 1.

[0043] The figures show a pair of short trousers 1. Cycling trousers according to the invention can be long or short depending on the version for summer or winter use

[0044] The trousers 1 include a first portion of elasticized fabric forming an integrated elastic band 3 and a second portion of elasticized fabric 13 (FIG. 3) in correspondence with the edge of the waistline 4.

[0045] The elastic band 3 extends continuously around the trousers to wrap the belt area without interruption, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2. The elastic band 3 is located a few centimetres below the upper edge of the waistline 4 and below the portion of elasticized fabric 13. Basically, the elastic band 3 forms an elastic band for wrapping the hips, which is integrated into the trousers 1 and is provided in addition to the portion of elasticized fabric 13.

[0046] The elastic band 3 is applied on the outer side of the trousers 1 so that said band 3 is not in contact with the body of the user wearing the trousers 1.

[0047] The elastic band 3 has a length such that said band 3 is not tensioned (loose or at rest) when the trousers 1 are not worn, whereas it is tensioned when the trousers are worn.

[0048] The elastic band 3 is located adjacent to portions of the trousers 1, for example the portions 5 and 6 in the figure. Said portions of the trousers can be for example fabric panels.

[0049] The elasticity, according to a well-known technique, can be given by a greater or lesser amount of polyurethane fibres known as elastane in the material. The elastic band 3, depending on the specific embodiment, can have a greater or lesser percentage of elastic fibres compared to the surrounding fabric panels, such as for example the adjacent panels 5 and 6.

[0050] The elastic band 3 is sewn to the trousers 1 at least along its lower edge 9; the upper edge 10 of the band 3 is not fixed to the trousers 1 at least for part of the length of said edge 10 and preferably at least in the front part. When wearing the trousers, due to the elastic tension, the upper edge 10 comes into contact with the underlying panel 5.

[0051] The elastic band 3 is shaped and arranged to perform a stabilising function on the over-saddle area 2. More in detail, the elastic band 3 is V-shaped in the front portion presenting a vertex 7 (FIG. 3) directed downwards towards the inguinal area. Line 8 indicates the centreline of the trousers.

[0052] The elastic band 3 essentially extends in the hip area 11 of the trousers 1. As a result of the V-shaped arrangement, the vertex 7 is located lower than a rear belt area 12 (see FIGS. 2, 3). Starting from the vertex 7, the elastic band 3 goes up towards the hips 11 up to a belt area 12 which is located a few cm, for example about 2-10 cm, below the waistline 4. It should be noted that the distances in cm given above are indicative and may vary according to the model. This conformation helps to create a traction effect on the over-saddle area 2 and stabilise the pad sewn internally to the trousers.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a preferred construction in which the elastic band 3 is made with an elastic web having two ends positioned at the front; said two ends are fixed to each other and fixed to the trousers at a front median seam along the centreline 8.

[0054] One of the advantages of the invention is that it is not necessary to make the elasticized portion 13 very tight in an attempt to make the trousers more stable, while at the same time decreasing comfort, since the support and stabilisation function is entrusted to the elastic band 3 which cooperates with said portion of fabric 13. The elasticity of the portion 13 and of the band 3 can be calibrated in combination to stabilise the trousers and the pad and to cooperate in the desired manner to adequately wrap and support the body of the user.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment the trousers 1 are made of a spandex fibre such as Lycra; the panel 5 forms a waist band made of a second textile material which differs from said first material and is preferably a web material. The elastic band 3 is arranged over said waist band 5 and has a lower edge 9 attached to the trousers 1 and a free upper edge 10, so that the elastic band 3 rests over the waist band 5 when the elastic band 3 is tensioned. The waist band 5 may be an insert attached to the trousers 1.

[0056] Hence, a combination of three layers or three different materials is found at the waist line of the trousers 1, such as for example the Lycra of the trousers; the textile or web of the waist band, and the elasticized textile of the band 3. The combination of said three layers provides the desired support and stability.