ATHLETIC SHORTS AND JERSEY

Abstract

Athletic shorts include a front fabric panel formed of a first type of fabric and configured to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer. The athletic shorts also include a back fabric panel formed of a second type of fabric and joined to the front fabric panel and configured to cover a portion of the back side of the wearer. The back fabric panel has a greater area than the front fabric panel. The second type of fabric is different from the first type of fabric. The front fabric panel as a first length in a longitudinal direction defined relative to the athletic shorts. The back fabric panel has a second length in the longitudinal direction. The first length is less than the second length.

Claims

1. Athletic shorts, comprising: a front fabric panel formed of a first type of fabric and configured to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer; and a back fabric panel formed of a second type of fabric and joined to the front fabric panel and configured to cover a portion of a back side of the wearer, wherein the back fabric panel has a greater area than front fabric panel and the second type of fabric is different from the first type of fabric; wherein the front fabric panel has a first length in a longitudinal direction extending from an upper end of the athletic shorts to a lower end of the athletic shorts, the back fabric panel has a second length in the longitudinal direction, and the first length is less than the second length; and wherein the second type of fabric comprises a fabric weight heavier than a fabric weight of the first type of fabric.

2. The athletic shorts of claim 1, wherein: a lateral direction is defined perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction, and the back fabric panel is joined to the front fabric panel at lateral seams.

3. The athletic shorts of claim 1, wherein: the front fabric panel comprises an upper end and a lower end that are opposite ends of the front fabric panel along the longitudinal direction, the back fabric panel comprises an upper end and a lower end that are opposite ends of the back fabric panel along the longitudinal direction, the upper end of the back fabric panel is higher along the longitudinal direction than the upper end of the front fabric panel, and the lower end of the front fabric panel is lower along the longitudinal direction that the lower end of the back fabric panel.

4. The athletic shorts of claim 1, wherein the portion of the back side of the wearer extends higher on the wearer than the portion of the front side of the wearer.

5. The athletic shorts of claim 1, comprising a waistband defining the upper end of the athletic shorts, wherein the waistband comprises a curved shape configured to rise higher above the back fabric panel than above the front fabric panel.

6. The athletic shorts of claim 5, wherein the waistband has an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpoint of the front fabric panel to above a midpoint of the back fabric panel.

7. (canceled)

8. The athletic shorts of claim 1, wherein the first type of fabric comprises a breathability less than a breathability of the second type of fabric.

9. The athletic shorts of claim 1, wherein the first type of fabric comprises a stretchability less than a stretchability of the second type of fabric.

10. The athletic shorts of claim 1, wherein the first type of fabric comprises an abrasion resistance greater than an abrasion resistance of the second type of fabric.

11. The athletic shorts of claim 1, wherein the first type of fabric is woven and the second type of fabric is knitted.

12. The athletic shorts of claim 11, wherein the first type of fabric is twill and the second type of fabric is mock eyelet.

13. The athletic shorts of claim 1, comprising left and right pockets located between the front fabric panel and the back fabric panel, and pads, wherein one of the pads is located within each of the left pocket and the right pocket.

14. The athletic shorts of claim 13, wherein the left pocket and the right pocket are each configured to be positioned at a respective hip of the wearer.

15. The athletic shorts of claim 13, wherein the left pocket and the right pocket are open pockets and the pads are removably disposed in the pockets.

16. An athletic outfit, comprising: the athletic shorts of claim 1; and a jersey.

17. The athletic outfit of claim 16, wherein: the jersey comprises a front fabric panel and a back fabric panel, the front fabric panel of the jersey is formed of the first type of fabric; and the back fabric panel of the jersey is formed of the second type of fabric.

18. The athletic outfit of claim 16, wherein a cut of the athletic shorts and a cut of the jersey are configured to cause the athletic shorts to overlap the jersey by a greater distance on a back side of the athletic outfit than on the front side of the athletic outfit when the athletic outfit is worn.

19. The athletic outfit of claim 16, wherein the jersey comprises: two fabric panels; two lateral seams that join the two fabric panels, and two arm openings, wherein each of the two arm openings comprises a lowest point, a front most point, a back most point, and an intersect point at which a respective one of the two lateral seams intersects a respective one of the two arm openings, wherein the intersect point is nearer to either the front most point or the back most point than to the lowest point.

20. The athletic outfit of claim 16, wherein: the athletic shorts comprise a waistband defining the upper end of the athletic shorts, wherein the waistband has an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpoint of the front fabric panel of the athletic shorts to above a midpoint of the back fabric panel of the athletic shorts; and a lower end of the jersey slopes downward from a front end to a back end of the lower end of the jersey such that a back of the jersey overlaps the back fabric panel of the athletic shorts when the athletic outfit is worn.

21. The athletic shorts of claim 1, comprising a piece of fabric, the piece of fabric being a piece of the second type of fabric and comprising the back fabric panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

[0024] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of athletic shorts according to some embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a back elevation view of the athletic shorts of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the athletic shorts of FIG. 1.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a jersey according to some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a back elevation view of a jersey of FIG. 4.

[0029] FIG. 6 is an enlarged portion of the front elevation view of FIG. 4.

[0030] FIG. 7A is a side elevation view of FIG. 4.

[0031] FIG. 7B is a side elevation view of a jersey according to some embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an athletic outfit according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention(s) will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References to some embodiments, one embodiment, an embodiment, an exemplary embodiment, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0034] The indefinite articles a, an, and the include plural referents unless clearly contradicted or the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0035] The term comprising is an open-ended transitional phrase. A list of elements following the transitional phrase comprising is a non-exclusive list, such that elements in addition to those specifically recited in the list can also be present.

[0036] As used herein, unless specified otherwise, references to first, second, third, fourth, etc. are not intended to denote order, or that an earlier-numbered feature is required for a later-numbered feature. Also, unless specified otherwise, the use of first, second, third, fourth, etc. does not necessarily mean that the first, second, third, fourth, etc. features have different properties or values.

[0037] An article of apparel has many purposes. Among other things, apparel can provide a unique aesthetic look, provide warming or cooling characteristics, provide support for portions of an individual's body, and provide other performance characteristics, such as air permeability, moisture wicking properties, compression properties. Each of these purposes, alone or in combination, provides for comfortable apparel suitable for use in a variety of scenarios (for example, exercise and every day activities). The features of an article of apparel (for example, the materials and components used to make apparel, and the way these materials/components are made) can be altered to produce desired characteristics, for example, durability, stiffness, weight, tackiness, texture, haptics, tackiness, and/or air permeability.

[0038] FIGS. 1-3 show athletic shorts 100 according to some embodiments. Athletic shorts 100 can comprise a front fabric panel 110 and a back fabric panel 120. Front fabric panel 110 can be configured to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer. Back fabric panel 120 can be configured to cover a portion of a back side of the wearer. In some embodiments, the back fabric panel 120 can have a greater area than the front fabric panel 110. In some embodiments, the portion of the back side of the wearer extends higher on the wearer than the portion of the front side of the wearer. This configuration of athletic shorts 100 can protect a wearer's back from abrasion or discomfort when the wearer uses a wheelchair. To further contribute to a comfortable fit, front fabric panel 110 according to some embodiments can comprise dart shaping 112. In some embodiments, front fabric panel 110 can comprise left side dart shaping 112 and right side dart shaping 112. In some embodiments, the dart shaping 112 can be fisheye dart shaping.

[0039] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, a longitudinal direction 101 can be defined relative to athletic shorts 100, front fabric panel 110 can have a first length in longitudinal direction 101, back fabric panel 120 can have a second length in longitudinal direction 101, and the first length is less than the second length. In some embodiments, the first length can be at least 5% less than the second length.

[0040] In some embodiments, front fabric panel 110 can be formed of a first type of fabric, back fabric panel 120 can be formed of a second type of fabric, and the first type of fabric can be different than the second type of fabric. In some embodiments, the second type of fabric can comprise a fabric weight heavier than a fabric weight of the first type of fabric. In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can comprise a breathability less than a breathability of the second type of fabric. In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can comprise a stretchability less than a stretchability of the second type of fabric. In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can comprise an abrasion resistance greater than an abrasion resistance of the second type of fabric.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can be woven and the second type of fabric can be knitted. In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can be twill and the second type of fabric can be mock eyelet. The differentiated properties of the fabrics making up front fabric panel 110 and back fabric panel 120 can contribute to comfort, breathability, and protection from abrasion.

[0042] A lateral direction 102 is defined perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, back fabric panel 120 can be joined to front fabric panel 110 at lateral seams 122. In some embodiments, lateral seams 122 can be positioned such that a portion of back fabric panel 120 wraps around interior and exterior sides of a left leg of shorts 100 to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer, and a portion of back fabric panel 120 wraps around interior and exterior sides of a right leg of shorts 100 to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer. As back fabric panel 120 can be formed of a type of fabric with cushioning, breathability, and abrasion properties beneficial for contact with the seat of the wheelchair, extending back fabric panel 120 around side portions of a wearer's legs can achieve the same benefits in contact with sidewall or arm rest portions of the wheelchair.

[0043] In some embodiments, front fabric panel 110 can comprise an upper end 114 and a lower end 116 that are opposite ends of the fabric panel along longitudinal direction 101. In some embodiments, back fabric panel 120 can comprise an upper end 124 and a lower end 126 that are opposite ends of back fabric panel 120 along longitudinal direction 101. In some embodiments, upper end 124 of back fabric panel 120 can be higher along longitudinal direction 101 than upper end 114 of front fabric panel 110. In some embodiments, lower end 116 of front fabric panel 110 is lower along longitudinal direction 101 that lower end 126 of back fabric panel 120.

[0044] Athletic shorts 100 comprise an upper end 150 and a lower end 152 that are opposite ends of athletic shorts 100 along longitudinal direction 101. In some embodiments, athletic shorts 100 can comprise a waistband 140. Athletic shorts 100 can also comprise drawstring 142 configured to tighten waistband 140. Drawstring 142 can extend through waistband 140. In some embodiments, waistband 140 can define upper end 150 of athletic shorts 100. In some embodiments, waistband 140 can comprise a curved shape configured to rise higher above back fabric panel 120 than above the front fabric panel 110. That is, waistband 140 can be configured to tend toward a shape wherein a portion of waistband 140 above back fabric panel 120 is higher along longitudinal direction 101 than a portion of waistband 140 above front fabric panel 110 as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, a back portion of waistband 140 can rise higher than a front portion of waistband 140 when waistband 140 is in a neutral, unstressed position. This configuration of athletic shorts 100 can protect a wearer's back from abrasion or discomfort when the wearer is seated in a wheelchair.

[0045] In some embodiments, waistband 140 can have an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpoint 111 of front fabric panel 110 to above a midpoint 121 of back fabric panel 120 as shown in FIG. 3. Midpoint 111 of front fabric panel 110 can be a lateral midpoint, meaning a midpoint of front fabric panel 110 with respect to lateral direction 102. Thus, in some embodiments, half of a total area of front fabric panel 110 can be to the left of midpoint 111 of front fabric panel 110 and another half of the total area of front fabric panel 110 can be to the right of midpoint 111 of front fabric panel 110. Similarly, midpoint 121 of back fabric panel 120 can be a lateral midpoint, meaning a midpoint of back fabric panel 120 with respect to lateral direction 102. Thus, in some embodiments, half of a total area of back fabric panel 120 can be to the left of midpoint 121 of back fabric panel 120 and another half of the total area of back fabric panel 120 can be to the right of midpoint 121 of back fabric panel 120.

[0046] In some embodiments, athletic shorts 100 can comprise pockets 130 located between front fabric panel 110 and back fabric panel 120. Pockets 130 can comprise laterally spaced pockets 130, such as one left pocket 130 and one right pocket 130. Pockets 130 can each be configured to be positioned at a respective hip of the wearer when athletic shorts 100 are worn. Athletic shorts 100 according to some embodiments can also comprise pads 132 located within pockets 130, such as one pad 132 in each pocket 130. Pads 132 can protect the wearer from impact and abrasion when the wearer is seated in a wheelchair. In some embodiments, pockets 130 are open pockets and pads 132 can be removably disposed in pockets 130 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0047] FIGS. 4-7A show a jersey 200 according to some embodiments. A longitudinal direction 201 is defined relative to jersey 200. A lateral direction 202 is defined perpendicular to longitudinal direction 201. Longitudinal direction 201 of jersey 200 can be aligned with longitudinal direction 101 of athletic shorts 100 when jersey 200 and athletic shorts 100 are arranged as an outfit. Accordingly, lateral direction 202 of jersey 200 can be parallel to lateral direction 102 of athletic shorts 100.

[0048] Jersey 200 can comprise a front fabric panel 210 and a back fabric panel 220. In some embodiments, front fabric panel 210 of jersey 200 can be formed of the same first type of fabric as front fabric panel 110 of athletic shorts 100. In some embodiments, back fabric panel 220 of jersey 200 can be formed of the same second type of fabric as back fabric panel 120 of athletic shorts 100.

[0049] Jersey 200 comprises two arm openings 230. Each of the two arm openings 230 comprises a lowest point 234, a front most point 236, and a back most point 237 as shown in FIG. 7A. In some embodiments, jersey 200 can comprise two lateral seams 222 that join front fabric panel 210 and back fabric panel 220. Each arm opening 230 can comprise an intersect point 238 at which a respective one of the two lateral seams 222 intersects the arm opening 230. In some embodiments, intersect point 238 can be nearer back most point 237 than to lowest point 234 as shown in FIG. 7A. In other embodiments, such as the example of FIG. 7B, intersect point 238 can be nearer to front most point 236 than to lowest point 234. Thus, according to various embodiments, intersect point 238 can be nearer to either front most point 236 or back most point 237 than to lowest point 234. Offsetting intersect point 238 from lowest point 234 of each arm opening 230 in this manner can cause lateral seams 222 to be positioned away from a portion of jersey 200 across which a wearer's arm is likely to move the most when the wearer operates a wheelchair. Thus, offsetting intersect point 238 from lowest point 234 of each arm opening 230 in this manner can reduce abrasion caused by rubbing arms across scams 222.

[0050] Jersey 200 comprises a head opening 240. In some embodiments, front fabric panel 210 of jersey 200 can comprise perforations 212 below head opening 240. Perforations 212 can be located within a perforation zone 214. Perforation zone 214 can have a longitudinal height and a lateral width. In some embodiments, the lateral width of perforation zone 214 can be from 1.25 to 1.75 times as great as the longitudinal length of perforation zone 214. Perforation zone 214 can contribute to a breathability of jersey 200.

[0051] In some embodiments, jersey 200 can comprise a rib knit neck band 242 located at a border of head opening 240. Rib knit neck band 242 can protect a back of a wearer's neck from abrasion. In some embodiments, jersey 200 can comprise a rib knit shoulder band 232 at a border of each arm opening 230. Rib knit shoulder bands 232 can protect a wearer's shoulders and arms from abrasion.

[0052] FIG. 8 shows an athletic outfit 300 comprising athletic shorts 100 and jersey 200. Jersey 200 is shown as partially transparent in FIG. 8 for clarity. A longitudinal direction 301 defined relative to athletic outfit 300 is aligned with longitudinal direction 101 of athletic shorts 100 and longitudinal direction 201 of jersey 200. A lateral direction of athletic outfit 300 may similarly be defined perpendicular to longitudinal direction 301 of athletic outfit 300 and parallel to lateral direction 102 of athletic shorts 100 and lateral direction 202 of jersey 200.

[0053] As described above, athletic shorts 100 according to some embodiments can comprise a waistband 140 defining an upper end 150 of athletic shorts 100, and according to some embodiments waistband 140 can have an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpoint 111 of front fabric panel 110 of athletic shorts 100 to above a midpoint 121 of back fabric panel 120 of athletic shorts 100. According to some further embodiments, a lower end 250 of jersey 200 can slope downward from a front end to a back end of lower end 250 of jersey 200 such that a back of the jersey overlaps back fabric panel 220 of athletic shorts 100 when athletic outfit 300 is worn.

[0054] In further embodiments, a cut of athletic shorts 100 and a cut of jersey 200 can be configured to cause athletic shorts 100 to overlap jersey 200 by a greater distance on a back side of athletic outfit 300 than on a front side of athletic outfit 300 when athletic outfit 300 is worn. In some embodiments, the cut of athletic shorts 100 and the cut of jersey 200 can be configured to cause athletic shorts 100 to overlap jersey 200 on a back side of athletic outfit 300 by at least two times as great a distance as on the front side of athletic outfit 300.

[0055] An overlap range 322 of back fabric panel 220 of jersey 200 over back fabric panel 120 of athletic shorts 100 is shown in FIG. 8. The overlap of the back of jersey 200 and the back of athletic shorts 100 can protect a portion of a back of the wearer that may contact a wheelchair from impact or abrasion.

[0056] The present invention(s) have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

[0057] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention(s) that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention(s). Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.

[0058] The breadth and scope of the present invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.