LOWER-BODY GARMENT

Abstract

A lower-body garment includes a multi-wing crotch gusset. The crotch gusset includes an elongated trunk having an elongated front portion and an elongated back portion where the elongated trunk continuously extends from a front side of a pelvic portion of the lower-body garment adjacent a waist opening to a back side of the pelvic portion of the lower-body garment adjacent the waist opening. The crotch gusset further includes a first wing that extends along an inner thigh portion of a first leg portion of the lower-body garment, and a second wing that extends along an inner thigh portion of a second leg portion of the lower-body garment.

Claims

1. A lower-body garment comprising: a pelvic portion comprising a waist opening, a front side, and a back side; a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending from the pelvic portion; and a crotch gusset, wherein: the back side comprising a first back panel and a second back panel joined by a back seam extending from the waist opening to the crotch gusset; the crotch gusset comprises: an elongated trunk that extends from the waist opening to the back seam, the elongated trunk comprising a front portion; a first panel wing that extends from the front portion to the first back panel, and a second panel wing that extends from the front portion to the second back panel; a first gusset wing that extends from the elongated trunk and along a first inner thigh portion of the first leg portion; and a second gusset wing that extends from the elongated trunk and along a second inner thigh portion of the second leg portion; wherein the front portion, the first panel wing and the second panel wing comprise a front panel.

2. The lower-body garment of claim 1, wherein: the first back panel comprises a first back edge and a first side edge; the second back panel comprises a second back edge and a second side edge; the first back edge and the second back edge are joined by the back seam; and the first panel wing is joined to the first side edge and the second panel wing is joined to the second side edge.

3. The lower-body garment of claim 2, wherein the first panel wing comprises a first top edge and the second panel wing comprises a second top edge with the first top edge and the second top edge being adjacent to the waist opening.

4. The lower-body garment of claim 3, wherein the crotch gusset tapers to a point adjacent to the back seam.

5. The lower-body garment of claim 4, wherein the first leg portion comprises a first leg panel that is affixed to the first panel wing and the first back panel.

6. The lower-body garment of claim 5, wherein the first gusset wing comprises a first gusset wing edge and the first leg portion comprises a first leg opening, with at least a portion of a perimeter of the first leg opening being comprised by the first gusset wing edge.

7. The lower-body garment of claim 6, wherein the first panel wing is joined to the first side edge along a first panel wing edge; and the front portion comprises a first peripheral edge between the first panel wing edge and the first gusset wing edge, and the first leg panel is affixed to the first panel wing and the first gusset wing along the first peripheral edge.

8. The lower-body garment of claim 7, wherein a portion of the first peripheral edge is closer to a midline defined by the back seam than the first gusset wing edge.

9. The lower-body garment of claim 8, wherein the first leg portion comprises a leg band adjacent the perimeter of the first leg opening.

10. The lower-body garment of claim 9, wherein the leg band is defined by stitching circumscribing the first leg opening.

11. The lower-body garment of claim 1, wherein a portion of the front panel is stretched when donned by a wearer in a standing position.

12. The lower-body garment of claim 11, wherein the portion of the front panel transitions to a less stretched state when the wearer leans forward from the standing position.

13. A crotch gusset comprising: an elongated trunk comprising a front portion having a front edge; a tapered back portion ending in a back point, the back point defining a midline of the elongated trunk; a first panel wing that extends from the front portion and has a first distal-most point along a first panel wing edge away from the midline; a second panel wing that extends from the front portion and has second distal-most point away from the midline; a first gusset wing extending away from the crotch gusset in a first direction at a first location along the midline between the front portion and the tapered back portion and ending in a first gusset wing edge having a third distal-most point away from the midline; a second gusset wing extending away from the crotch gusset in a second direction opposite the first direction at the first location and ending in a second gusset wing edge having a fourth distal-most point away from the midline; wherein: a first width between the first distal-most point and the second distal-most point is greater than a second width between the third distal-most point and the fourth distal-most point.

14. The crotch gusset of claim 13, wherein the first width is greater than a first length between the front edge and the back point.

15. The crotch gusset of claim 14, wherein the crotch gusset comprises a peripheral edge that continuously extends between the first distal-most point and the first gusset wing edge with a portion that is closer to the midline than the first gusset wing edge.

16. The crotch gusset of claim 13, wherein the crotch gusset comprises a one-piece, seamless panel.

17. A method of manufacturing a lower-body garment comprising a pelvic portion comprising a waist opening, a front side, and a back side, the back side comprising a first back panel and a second back panel joined along a back seam, a first leg portion extending from the pelvic portion, and a second leg portion extending from the pelvic portion, the method comprising: forming, from a one-piece panel, a crotch gusset comprising: a front panel that that extends from the waist opening to the back seam, the front panel forming at least a portion of the front side and comprising a first panel wing and a second panel wing; a first gusset wing; and a second gusset wing; and integrating the crotch gusset into a crotch area of the lower-body garment such that the front panel extends from the front side of the pelvic portion adjacent the waist opening to the back seam, such that the first gusset wing extends a first inner thigh portion, and the second gusset wing extends along a second inner thigh portion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first back panel comprises a first side edge and the second back panel comprises and a second side edge, the method further comprising: joining the front panel to the first back panel along the first side edge; and joining the front panel to the second back panel along the second side edge.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the lower-body garment further comprises a waistband extending around the waist opening, the method further comprising: joining a lower edge of the waistband to the front panel, the first back panel and the second back panel.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first leg portion comprises a first leg panel, the method further comprising: joining the first leg panel to the first panel wing, the first gusset wing and the first back panel.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] The present articles and methods for a lower-body garment with a multi-wing crotch gusset are described in detail below with reference to these figures.

[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a lower-body garment in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the lower-body garment of FIG. 1.

[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the lower-body garment of FIG. 1in a worn state.

[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom view of the lower-body garment of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a crotch gusset pattern piece for use in the lower-body garment of FIGS. 1-4.

[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates multiple pattern pieces for use in the lower-body garment of FIGS. 1-4.

[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates the lower-body garment of FIG. 3 in an unworn state.

[0012] FIG. 8A illustrates a front perspective view of a second example of a lower-body garment in accordance with this disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 8B illustrates a back perspective view of the lower-body garment of FIG. 8A.

[0014] FIG. 8C illustrates multiple pattern pieces for use in the lower-body garment of FIG. 8A.

[0015] FIG. 9A illustrates a front perspective view of a third example of a lower-body garment in accordance with this disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 9B illustrates a back perspective view of the lower-body garment of FIG. 9A.

[0017] FIG. 9C illustrates multiple pattern pieces for use in the lower-body garment of FIG. 9A.

[0018] FIG. 10A illustrates a front perspective view of a second example of a lower-body garment in accordance with this disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 10B illustrates a back perspective view of the lower-body garment of FIG. 10A.

[0020] FIG. 10C illustrates multiple pattern pieces for use in the lower-body garment of FIG. 10A.

[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method of manufacturing a lower-body garment with a multi-wing crotch gusset in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Examples of this disclosure are related to a multi-wing crotch gusset for use in a lower-body garment, a lower-body garment with a multi-wing crotch gusset, and methods for making the same. With respect to the lower-body garment, the lower-body garment includes a pelvic portion having a waist opening where the pelvic portion includes a front side and a back side. The lower-body garment further includes a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending from the pelvic portion and terminating in a first leg opening and a second leg opening respectively. The multi-wing crotch gusset, which can be formed from an elastomeric material, includes an elongated trunk that extends from the front side of the pelvic portion to a back seam on the back side of the pelvic portion. A first panel wing and a second panel wing extend from the elongated trunk and across the front side of the lower-body garment and can be configured such that, when worn by a wearer in a neutral standing position, the front panel wings are stretched in the vertical direction, and become less stretched (but still in a stretched state) when the wearer moves their torso forward relative to their hips or legs. Additionally, the multi-wing crotch gusset includes a first gusset wing and a second gusset wing that extend from the elongated trunk and along an inner thigh portion of a respective leg portion. Furthermore, in examples the lower-body garment is formed of panels joined by seams that are located along specific contours of the lower body that correspond to the hinging of the upper leg to the hip on the front and back aspects.

[0023] These features, separately and in combination, decrease the likelihood that the leg portions of the lower-body garment shift and ride up on the wearer during activity while also providing a form fit without excess material. This is particularly beneficial for lower-body garments with shorter leg portions, such as the inner shorts incorporated into a tennis skirt as there is less material to grip the leg to prevent it from rolling or sliding upward.

[0024] Traditional crotch gussets generally include several discrete configurations. In one example, the conventional crotch gusset might only extend along an inner thigh portion of the leg portions of a lower-body garment without also extending through the front side and back side of the pelvic portion of the lower-body garment. In another example, the conventional crotch gusset might extend from the front side to the back side of the pelvic portion without also extending along an inner thigh portion of the leg portions. In both of these examples, the construction of the crotch gusset may impede some types of motion and/or prevent the lower-body garment from being form fitting. In those examples where a crotch gusset may extend from the front side to the back side of the pelvic portion while also extending along the inner thigh portion of the leg portions, the crotch gusset typically has a multi-panel construction with seam lines that have less stretch and recovery compared to other portions of the conventional crotch gusset. Besides restricting movement and potentially detracting from a form fit, the seam lines may introduce chaffing points which may be particularly problematic in view of the sensitive skin in the crotch area of a wearer.

[0025] In contrast to conventional approaches, the crotch gusset of the present disclosure both decreases the likelihood that a lower-body garment will restrict wearer motion, while also providing a form fit. That is, examples of the present disclosure can contribute to both enhanced range of motion and a form fit for the wearer.

[0026] As indicated above, the multi-wing crotch gusset can include an elongated trunk with an elongated front portion that extends from the front portion of the pelvic portion to a back seam that joins two back panels forming the back side of the lower-body garment. That is, the elongated trunk can include an elongated front portion that extends from the crotch and up towards the waistband or the waist opening in the front of the pelvic portion. In some instances, the elongated front portion can extend to the waistband (or waist opening) or to a position adjacent the waistband (or waist opening). In addition, the elongated trunk can include a back portion that extends from the crotch to a back seam in the back of the pelvic portion. In examples, the elongated trunk can seamlessly extend from the elongated front portion to the back portion.

[0027] The crotch gusset can include a first panel wing and a second panel wing that extend from the elongated front portion and collectively form the front side of the pelvic portion of the lower-body garment. The crotch gusset may also comprise a first gusset wing and a second gusset wing that extend from the elongated trunk and extend along an inner thigh portion of each respective lower leg portion. In at least some examples, the wings are formed together with the elongated trunk as a seamless panel such that the crotch gusset is a single pattern piece without seams, which can also be referred to as a one-panel construction.

[0028] In some examples, the front panel, comprised of the elongated front portion and the first and second panel wings, is configured so that it is stretched in the vertical (i.e., head-to-toe) direction when worn by a wearer in a neutral standing position. When the wearer moves such that their torso hinges forward with respect to their hips and upper legs, the amount of stretch in at least a portion of the front panel is lessened but is still greater than when the front panel is in an unworn, resting state. Thus, unlike conventional lower-body garments, the front panel does not experience bunching through the wearer's range of motion, which reduces the possibility of the lower-body garment subsequently shifting its positioning relative to the wearer's body, and subsequently resulting in the riding up of the lower-leg portions in the leg and crotch areas.

[0029] As further described, the multi-wing crotch gusset has a shape configuration that enables the crotch gusset to be form fitting (i.e., to closely conform to an underlying body morphology of a wearer). Stated differently, the crotch gusset is configured such that there is generally not a space between the wearer's body surface and the crotch gusset. Additional examples of crotch gusset configurations are also described herein.

[0030] Different panels of the lower body garment can be joined together by stitching to form seams between the different panels. Stitching may also be used around the edges of the leg openings to create leg bands around the edge of the leg openings. In other examples, panels can be joined using other methods known in the art, including bonding, welding, and fusing, by the use of adhesives, lasers, heat, or other known methods or a combination thereof. In examples, the panels may be joined so that their edges do not overlap, resulting in seams that have little or no additional thickness than the thicknesses of the panels being joined.

[0031] The term lower-body garment as used herein can include a garment configured to be worn on the lower torso of a wearer. Examples of lower-body garments can include pants of various lengths (e.g., full length, ankle length, calf, below knee, above knee, shorts, and the like). Lower-body garments can be configured to be worn during various physical activities, such as athletic activities and sports, including American football, lacrosse, baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, and the like. In some instances, lower-body garments can be configured to be worn with pads, such as a girdle, hip pads, thigh pads, and the like. In some examples, lower-body garments can be configured to be worn without pads. In some examples, a lower-body garment can include tights, leggings, capris, or shorts. In some examples, lower-body garments can include underwear, such as boxer briefs or boy shorts. In some examples, the lower-body garment can include an outer layer that is attached to another lower-body garment, such as a skirt combined with an inner short. These are examples are not meant to be limiting, and in other instances, the lower-body garment can be configured for a variety of other physical activities.

[0032] When describing the lower-body garment as form fitting, it is meant that the lower-body garment closely conforms to the underlying morphology of the wearer. In some examples, this can be at least partially achieved through use of elastomeric textiles that are formed, at least in part, of elastic yarns that have stretch and recovery properties. For example, elastic yarns may be stretched up to about 200% of their length and substantially return to their original length upon removal of the stretching force. In examples of the present disclosure, the lower-body garment, including the crotch gusset described herein, may comprise an elastomeric textile which contributes to the lower-body garment being form fitting. In further examples, the shape configuration of the crotch gusset also helps the lower-body garment to be form fitting.

[0033] The term seamless as used herein refers to a single-piece textile panel that does not include any points of attachment (e.g., seams) between its different parts. To describe this differently, and with respect to the crotch gusset described herein, if the crotch gusset comprises a knit or woven construction, the crotch gusset is knit as a single piece and is seamless when a yarn from a first area of the crotch is interlooped with or interwoven with a yarn in a second area of the crotch gusset. Having a seamless crotch gusset contributes to wearer comfort by reducing chaffing points and facilitating multi-wing uniform stretch.

[0034] Positional terms used when describing the lower-body garment are with respect to the lower-body garment being worn as intended by a wearer standing upright. In some instances, reference can be made to a sagittal reference plane, which general divides the lower-body garment into a right side and a left side; a coronal reference plane, which generally divides the lower-body garment into a front or anterior half and a back or posterior half; and/or a transverse reference plane, which generally divides the lower-body garment into a top half and a bottom half. As used herein, the term vertical refers to the head-to-toe direction relative to the wearer.

[0035] The term front torso, front pelvic, front side, or front portion can refer to portions of the lower-body garment configured to be positioned adjacent to a lower front torso area of a wearer. The term back torso, back pelvic, back side, or back portion refer to portions of the lower-body garment configured to be positioned adjacent to a back lower torso area of the wearer. The term side as used without the qualifier of front or back refers to portions of the lower-body garment configured to be positioned adjacent to a side torso area, side pelvic area, and/or side leg area of the wearer. The term crotch or crotch area as used herein refers to portions of the lower-body garment configured to be positioned adjacent to a crotch area of the wearer as that term is generally recognized. The terms upper and lower as used herein are relative terms such that, for example, an upper edge is located closer to a waist opening of the lower-body garment compared to a lower edge, and a lower edge is located closer to a leg opening of the lower-body garment compared to an upper edge.

[0036] The terms external and internal as used herein are relative terms such that a layer that is external is positioned external to one or more internal layers, and a layer that is internal is positioned internal to one or more external layers. The term innermost-facing surface when used with respect to the lower-body garment means a face that is positioned closest to a body surface of a wearer compared to other layers of the lower-body garment. The term outermost-facing surface when used with respect to the lower-body garment means a face that is positioned closest to the external environment with respect to other layers of the lower-body garment.

[0037] FIGS. 1-3 respectively depict front, back and side views of a lower-body garment 110 with a one-piece, seamless multi-wing crotch gusset 112. The lower-body garment 110 generally includes a pelvic portion 114 (e.g., a lower-torso portion) having a waist opening 115 that is circumscribed by an upper edge 117 of the pelvic portion 114. In example aspects, the pelvic portion 114 may optionally include a waistband 116, which may be formed as a single panel. In this example, the upper edge 117 comprises an upper edge of the waistband 116, and the waistband 116 further includes a lower edge 119. The pelvic portion 114 further includes a front side 118 (e.g., a front pelvic portion or a front lower-torso portion), and a back side 120 (e.g., a back pelvic portion or a back lower torso portion). Additionally, the lower-body garment 110 includes a first leg portion 122 that terminates in a first leg opening 127 and a second leg portion 124 that terminates in a second leg opening 129. A crotch area 126 is positioned between the first leg portion 122 and the second leg portion 124.

[0038] In some examples, the lower-body garment 110 including the crotch gusset 112 may be formed from an elastomeric textile that exhibits two-way, four-way, or multi-axial stretch and recovery characteristics. The elastomeric textile may facilitate the lower-body garment 110 and the crotch gusset 112 in being form fitting such that the lower-body garment 110 may be worn during physical activity, such as sports, athletics, fitness, and everyday activity.

[0039] As further described with respect to FIG. 5, the crotch gusset 112 includes an elongated trunk including an elongated front portion 132 (depicted by dashed lines in FIGS. 1 and 5) that extends from the crotch area 126 and up towards the upper edge 117 on the front side 118 of the pelvic portion 114 as seen in FIG. 1. When the lower-body garment 110 includes the waistband 116, the elongated front portion 132 may extend at least to the lower edge 119 of the waistband 116.

[0040] The crotch gusset 112 further includes a first panel wing 170 and a second panel wing 172 that extend from either side of the elongated front portion 132. The first panel wing 170 extends towards a first side 174 of the lower-body garment 110 and the second panel wing 172 extends towards a second side 176 of the lower-body garment 110. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the first panel wing 170 and second panel wing 172 may share a common top edge 178 with the elongated front portion 132. In other examples, the top edges of the first panel wing 170, the second panel wing 172, and the elongated front portion 132 may be different. Collectively, the elongated front portion 132, the first panel wing 170 and the second panel wing 172 form a front panel 175 on the front side 118 of the pelvic portion 114.

[0041] Turning to FIG. 2, the back side 120 of the lower-body garment 110 comprises a first back panel 180 and a second back panel 182 on either side of the midline 150. The first back panel 180 and the second back panel 182 are joined together along their respective back edges, first back edge 184 and second back edge 186, by back seam 188. Each back panel extends downward from the waist opening 115; when the lower-body garment 110 includes the waistband 116, the first back panel 180 and the second back panel 182 may extend from the lower edge 119 of the waistband 116. In examples without a waistband, the first back panel 180 and the second back panel 182 may extend from the upper edge 117. The back seam 188 extends down from waist opening 115 to junction 190.

[0042] As depicted in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 (a bottom view of the lower-body garment), the elongated trunk of the crotch gusset 112 further includes a back portion 134 that extends from the crotch area 126 and tapers to a back point 135 at junction 190. The crotch gusset 112 further includes a first gusset wing 136 that extends from the elongated trunk and along an inner thigh portion of the first leg portion 122. A second gusset wing 138 extends from the elongated trunk and along an inner thigh portion of the second leg portion 124.

[0043] Turing back to FIG. 1, the first panel wing 170 is joined to the first back panel 180 along their respective side edges, first panel wing side edge 171 and first back side edge 192. The second panel wing 172 is joined to the second back panel 182 along their respective side edges, second panel wing side edge 173 and second back side edge 194. On the front side 118, the first panel wing 170 is joined to a first leg panel 200 along its lower edge, first panel lower edge 177, and the second panel wing 172 is joined to a second leg panel 202 along its lower edge, the second panel lower edge 179.

[0044] The crotch gusset 112 including the elongated trunk with the elongated front portion 132, the back portion 134, the first panel wing 170, the second panel wing 172, the first gusset wing 136, and the second gusset wing 138 is a seamless pattern piece. Stated differently, in some examples the crotch gusset 112 described might not include any seams, and in other examples the crotch gusset is integrally knit as a single piece.

[0045] FIG. 3 depicts a side view of the lower-body garment 110 from the first side 174. It is to be understood that the following description with respect to the elements and features of the lower-body garment 110 on the first side 174 can also be applied to the corresponding elements and features of the lower-body garment 110 on the second side 176. As seen in FIG. 3, the first panel wing side edge 171 is joined to an upper part of the first back side edge 192 of first back panel 180. The lower part of the first back side edge 196 is joined to the first leg panel 200. The first leg panel 200 is also joined to the first panel wing 170 along the first panel lower edge 177.

[0046] FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of the lower-body garment 110, showing that the first gusset wing 136 and the second gusset wing 138 respectively extend along an inner-thigh portion of the first leg portion 122 and second leg portion 124. In example aspects, the first gusset wing 136 terminates at a first gusset wing edge 412, and the second gusset wing 138 terminates at a second gusset wing edge 414. In examples, the first gusset wing edge 412 forms a portion of the first lower leg opening edge 123, and the second gusset wing edge 414 forms a portion of the second lower leg opening edge 125.

[0047] FIG. 5 depicts the pattern piece used to form the crotch gusset 112. The crotch gusset 112 includes the elongated trunk that seamlessly extends from the front side 118 of the pelvic portion 114 to the back seam 188. The elongated trunk includes the elongated front portion 132 that extends from the crotch area 126 and up towards the waist opening 115 on the front side 118 of the pelvic portion 114. The elongated front portion 132 terminates at a front portion top edge 510. In example aspects, the front portion top edge 510 may be aligned with the lower edge 119 of the waistband 116, or the front portion top edge 510 may be aligned with the upper edge 117 of the of the pelvic portion 114. The elongated trunk further includes the back portion 134 that terminates a point at the bottom end of the back seam 188.

[0048] The crotch gusset 112 includes a peripheral edge 140 that continuously and sequentially extends around (e.g., circumscribes) the elongated trunk 130 (including the elongated front portion 132 and the back portion 134), the first gusset wing 136, and the second gusset wing 138. For example, the peripheral edge 140 may extend from the elongated front portion 132 to the first gusset wing 136; from the first gusset wing 136 to the back portion 134; from the back portion 134 to the second gusset wing 138; and from the second gusset wing 138 back to the elongated front portion 132.

[0049] In an example, a first portion 142 of the peripheral edge 140 extending between the first panel wing side edge 171 and the first gusset wing edge 412 is closer to the midline 150 than the first gusset wing edge 412. Stated differently, the peripheral edge 140 forms a concave curve between the first panel wing side edge 171 and the first gusset wing edge 412. The peripheral edge 140 may also include a second portion 144 between the first gusset wing edge 412 and the back point 135. The peripheral edge 140 may be similarly formed along the second side of the crotch gusset 112.

[0050] FIG. 6 depicts the various panels used to form the lower-body garment depicted in FIG. 1 prior to being joined together. In examples, the panels of the lower-body garment are configured to provide more volume in certain areas of the completed lower-body garment, to reflect the underlying surface morphology of the human wearer in which there is less volume at the front side 118 of the crotch area 126 and more volume at the back side 120 of the crotch area 126 due to the gluteal or buttocks region of the wearer. For instance, in at least some examples, an overall effect of the crotch gusset 112 can include an increase in material in the crotch area 126, as compared to lower-body garments that do not include any gusset or that include a conventional gusset.

[0051] In other instances, certain panels may be configured to create a tighter fit for certain areas of the lower-body garment in order to more securely keep parts of the lower-body garment in the proper position. For instance, in an example, the waistband 116 has a length that is less than the length of the top edges of the crotch gusset 112, the first back panel and the second back panel. Thus, the waistband 116 is designed to be in a stretched condition when worn, which helps it to grip the wearer around the waist so that the stretched condition of the front panel 175 can be maintained when the wearer is in a neutral standing position.

[0052] The panels are sized so that the length of the front panel is shorter in the vertical direction that a conventionally-fitted lower-body garment, such that there is a stretching of the front panel in the vertical direction when the garment is donned and the wearer is in a standing position. Stated different, the lower-body garment is designed so that the front panel 175 has the least tension (while also not being in a loose or slack state) when the wearer is in a forward-leaning position, so that when the wearer is in a standing position, the front panel 175 is stretched vertically in the top-bottom direction. In examples, the amount of stretch is greater than 2 centimeters. In other examples, the amount of stretch is between 2 and 10 centimeters, or between 4 and 8 centimeters, or about 6 centimeters.

[0053] As seen in FIG. 7, which shows the lower-body garment of FIG. 3 in a unworn state, because the panels of the lower-body garment 110 are dimensioned to be shorter in the vertical direction, the garment in an unworn state has a length 702 from the front part of the waist opening 115 to the front of the leg openings 127, 129 that is shorter than the length 704 from the rear part of the waist opening 115 back of the leg openings 127, 129. Stated differently, when the lower-body garment 110 is in an unworn state the axis of the leg portion openings (e.g., leg portion opening 127) are angled forward relative to the waist opening axis 706. When the lower-body garment 110 is worn and the wearer is in a standing position, the waist opening axis 706 and the leg portion opening axis 708 are closer to parallel (so that angle A1 of FIG. 3 is less than angle A2 of FIG. 7) and the front panel 175 of the lower-body garment 110 is stretched in the vertical direction.

[0054] Additionally, other techniques may be used to increase the tightness of fit of certain areas. For example, stitching 206, 208 circumscribing and adjacent to the first and second lower leg opening edges 123, 125 may form first and second leg bands 207, 209, which may reduce the propensity of the first and second lower leg opening edges 123, 125 to shift vertically on the wearer during movement. The stitching 206, 208 may also help to further secure the first and second gusset wings 136, 138 to the first and second leg panels 200, 202.

[0055] Turning back to the panels of FIG. 6, in an example, the first panel wing side edge can be joined to the upper part of the first back side edge 192. The first leg panel 200 is joined to the first portion 142 along a first edge 210 of the first leg panel 200, and to the second portion 144 along a second edge 212 of the first leg panel 200. A third edge 214 of the first leg panel 200 is joined to the first back side edge 196 of the first back panel 180. The second leg panel 202 and the second back panel 182 can be joined to each other and to the crotch gusset 112 similarly. The waistband 116 can be joined along its lower edge 119 to the front portion top edge 510, the first back panel top edge 512, and the second back panel top edge 514. One joined, the front portion top edge 510, the first back panel top edge 512, and the second back panel top edge 514 may form common top edge 178 of FIGS. 1-4.

[0056] In designing the configuration of the panels to form the lower body garment, material may be added or subtracted to the edges of the panels that are to be joined to the adjoining panels. When additional material is added, this may be referred to as articulation as it allows for greater range of movement. This additional material may be consistently added along the length of a panel edge, or it may be variable. For example, the additional material may have the greatest margin in the middle of an edge, with the margin decreasing or tapering to zero at the ends of the edge. The amount and placement of the extra margin (or the subtraction of material along a margin) can be modified to achieve the desired balance between having a close fit and allowing for a desired range of motion.

[0057] It is to be appreciated that lower-body garments having different configurations of panels are also within the scope of the present disclosure. These different configurations may include a different number of panels, panels having different shapes, or a combination of both. Some examples of lower-body garments with these different configurations are described below and shown in FIGS. 8A-B, FIGS. 9A-B and FIGS. 10A-B, with FIGS. 8A, 9C and 10C respectively illustrating the pattern pieces for each of these different configurations.

[0058] In a second example of a lower-body garment 810, as shown in FIGS. 8A-B, instead of the single panel waistband 116 of the lower-body garment of FIG. 1, the lower-body garment 810 includes a front waistband panel 816 and a back waist panel 813. In an example, the front waistband panel 816 and the back waistband panel 813 are longer in the vertical direction than the waistband 116 of FIG. 1, and are configured to create a more tapered fit in the waist area. Correspondingly, the front panel 875 of the crotch gusset 812 of FIG. 8A-B (including the elongated front portion 832, first panel wing 870 and second panel wing 872) is shorter in the vertical direction than in the example of FIG. 1. The side edges of the front waist panel 816 may be aligned with the front panel wing side edges 871, 873, and the bottom edge 819 of the front waist panel 816 is joined to the upper edge of the front panel 875. Lower-body garment 810 also includes first back panel 880, second back panel 882, first leg panel 898 and second leg panel 889.

[0059] In a third example of a lower body garment 910 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the crotch gusset 912 has a first gusset wing 936 and second gusset wing 938 that are shorter than the corresponding gusset wings 136, 138 of FIG. 1. The first gusset wing 936 and second gusset wing 938 do not extend to the first lower leg opening edge 923 or the second leg opening edge 925 but instead taper to points 996, 997. The lower leg opening edges 923, 925, therefore, are formed solely from the first leg panel 998 and the second leg panel 999, which may simplify manufacturing of the lower-body garment and provide an additional option for fitting different body profiles. Similar to the lower-body garment of FIG. 8, lower-body garment 910 also has a waistband formed of first waistband panel 913 and second waistband panel 916, and also includes first back panel 980 and second back panel 982.

[0060] In a fourth example of a lower-body garment 1010, the crotch gusset 1012 is formed from a separate front panel 1001 and crotch panel 1002 that are then joined together. The front panel 1001 and the crotch panel 1002 are joined along the concave lower edge 1003 of the front panel 1001 and a middle edge section 1004 of the crotch panel 1002 so that the crotch panel 1002 is curved into a U-shape when it is joined to the front panel 1001, which may provide for an improved contouring of the lower-body garment 1010 to the wearer's body in the crotch area. Similar to the lower-body garment of FIG. 8, lower-body garment 1010 also has a waistband formed of first waistband panel 1013 and second waistband panel 1016, and also includes first back panel 980, second back panel 982, first leg panel 1098 and second leg panel 1099.

[0061] FIG. 11 depicts a flow diagram of an example method 1100 of manufacturing a lower-body garment such as the lower-body garment 110 having a multi-wing crotch gusset, such as the multi-wing crotch gusset 112. In example aspects the lower-body garment includes a pelvic portion having a waist opening, a front side, a back side, a first leg portion extending from the pelvic portion, and a second leg portion extending from the pelvic portion. At a step 1110, the crotch gusset is formed from a one-piece panel where the crotch gusset comprises an elongated trunk having an elongated front portion, such as the elongated front portion 132, and a back portion, such as the back portion 134. In addition, the crotch gusset comprises a first panel wing, such as this first panel wing 170, a second panel wing, such as the second panel wing 172, a first gusset wing, such as the first gusset wing 136, and a second wing, such as the second gusset wing 138, that extend away from the elongated trunk.

[0062] At a step 1112, the crotch gusset is incorporated into a crotch area, such as the crotch area 126, of the lower-body garment, and the front side. When incorporated, the elongated trunk extends from the front side of the pelvic portion adjacent the waist opening to a junction point on the back side of the pelvic portion adjacent to a back seam. The first panel wing extends along the first side of the front side and the second panel wing extends along the side of the front side. The first gusset wing extends from the elongated trunk and along an inner thigh portion of the first leg portion, and the second gusset wing extends from the elongated trunk and along an inner thigh portion of the second leg portion.

[0063] The method 1100 may further comprise incorporating the crotch gusset such that an edge of the first gusset wing (e.g., the first gusset wing edge 412) forms part of a first lower leg opening edge (e.g., the first lower leg opening edge 123), and an edge of the second gusset wing (the second gusset wing edge 414) forms part of a second lower leg opening edge (e.g., the second lower leg opening edge 125).

[0064] It is to be appreciated that the concepts described herein may be practiced in different combinations or as stand-alone features. For example, the benefits and improvements associated with the front panel described herein may be realized in a lower-body garment that does not include a crotch gusset having gusset wings.

[0065] The following clauses represent example aspects of concepts contemplated herein. Any one of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple dependent manner to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses that explicitly depend from a previous clause) may be combined while staying within the scope of aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are examples and are not limiting.

[0066] Clause 1. A lower-body garment comprising: a pelvic portion comprising a waist opening, a front side, and a back side; a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending from the pelvic portion; and a crotch gusset, wherein: the back side comprising a first back panel and a second back panel joined by a back seam extending from the waist opening to the crotch gusset; the crotch gusset comprises: an elongated trunk that extends from the waist opening to the back seam, the elongated trunk comprising a front portion; a first panel wing that extends from the front portion to the first back panel, and a second panel wing that extends from the front portion to the second back panel; a first gusset wing that extends from the elongated trunk and along a first inner thigh portion of the first leg portion; and a second gusset wing that extends from the elongated trunk and along a second inner thigh portion of the second leg portion; wherein the front portion, the first panel wing and the second panel wing comprise a front panel.

[0067] Clause 2. The lower-body garment according to clause 1, wherein: the first back panel comprises a first back edge and a first side edge; the second back panel comprises a second back edge and a second side edge; the first back edge and the second back edge are joined by the back seam; and the first panel wing is joined to the first side edge and the second panel wing is joined to the second side edge.

[0068] Clause 3. The lower-body garment according to any of clauses 1 through 2, wherein the first panel wing comprises a first top edge and the second panel wing comprises a second top edge with the first top edge and the second top edge being adjacent to the waist opening.

[0069] Clause 4. The lower-body garment according to any of clauses 1 through 3, wherein the crotch gusset tapers to a point adjacent to the back seam.

[0070] Clause 5. The lower-body garment according to any of clauses 1 through 4, wherein the first leg portion comprises a first leg panel that is affixed to the first panel wing and the first back panel.

[0071] Clause 6. The lower-body garment according to any of clauses 1 through 5, wherein the first gusset wing comprises a first gusset wing edge and the first leg portion comprises a first leg opening, with at least a portion of a perimeter of the first leg opening being comprised by the first gusset wing edge.

[0072] Clause 7. The lower-body garment according to clause 6, wherein the first panel wing is joined to the first side edge along a first panel wing edge; and the front portion comprises a first peripheral edge between the first panel wing edge and the first gusset wing edge, and the first leg panel is affixed to the first panel wing and the first gusset wing along the first peripheral edge.

[0073] Clause 8. The lower-body garment according to clause 7, wherein a portion of the first peripheral edge is closer to a midline defined by the back seam than the first gusset wing edge.

[0074] Clause 9. The lower-body garment according to any of clauses 1 through 8, wherein the first leg portion comprises a leg band adjacent the perimeter of the first leg opening.

[0075] Clause 10. The lower-body garment according to clause 9, wherein the leg band is defined by stitching circumscribing the first leg opening.

[0076] Clause 11. The lower-body garment according to any of clauses 1 through 10, wherein a portion of the front panel is stretched when donned by a wearer in a standing position.

[0077] Clause 12. The lower-body garment according to clause 11, wherein the portion of the front panel transitions to a less stretched state when the wearer leans forward from the standing position.

[0078] Clause 13. A crotch gusset comprising: an elongated trunk comprising a front portion having a front edge; a tapered back portion ending in a back point, the back point defining a midline of the elongated trunk; a first panel wing that extends from the front portion and has a first distal-most point along a first panel wing edge away from the midline; a second panel wing that extends from the front portion and has second distal-most point away from the midline; a first gusset wing extending away from the crotch gusset in a first direction at a first location along the midline between the front portion and the tapered back portion and ending in a first gusset wing edge having a third distal-most point away from the midline; a second gusset wing extending away from the crotch gusset in a second direction opposite the first direction at the first location and ending in a second gusset wing edge having a fourth distal-most point away from the midline; wherein: a first width between the first distal-most point and the second distal-most point is greater than a second width between the third distal-most point and the fourth distal-most point.

[0079] Clause 14. The crotch gusset according to clause 13, wherein the first width is greater than a first length between the front edge and the back point.

[0080] Clause 15. The crotch gusset according to any of clauses 13 through 14, wherein the crotch gusset comprises a peripheral edge that continuously extends between the first distal-most point and the first gusset wing edge with a portion that is closer to the midline than the first gusset wing edge.

[0081] Clause 16. The crotch gusset according to any of clauses 13 through 15, wherein the crotch gusset comprises a one-piece, seamless panel.

[0082] Clause 17. A method of manufacturing a lower-body garment comprising a pelvic portion comprising a waist opening, a front side, and a back side, the back side comprising a first back panel and a second back panel joined along a back seam, a first leg portion extending from the pelvic portion, and a second leg portion extending from the pelvic portion, the method comprising: forming, from a one-piece panel, a crotch gusset comprising: a front panel that that extends from the waist opening to the back seam, the front panel forming at least a portion of the front side and comprising a first panel wing and a second panel wing, a first gusset wing; and a second gusset wing; and integrating the crotch gusset into a crotch area of the lower-body garment such that the front panel extends from the front side of the pelvic portion adjacent the waist opening to the back seam, such that the first gusset wing extends a first inner thigh portion, and the second gusset wing extends along a second inner thigh portion.

[0083] Clause 18. The method according to clause 17, wherein the first back panel comprises a first side edge and the second back panel comprises and a second side edge, the method further comprising: joining the front panel to the first back panel along the first side edge, and joining the front panel to the second back panel along the second side edge.

[0084] Clause 19. The method according to any of clauses 17 through 18, wherein the lower-body garment further comprises a waistband extending around the waist opening, the method further comprising: joining a lower edge of the waistband to the front panel, the first back panel and the second back panel.

[0085] Clause 20. The method according to any of clauses 17 through 19, wherein the first leg portion comprises a first leg panel, the method further comprising: joining the first leg panel to the first panel wing, the first gusset wing and the first back panel.

[0086] Clause 21. A lower-body garment comprising: a pelvic portion comprising a waist opening, a front side, and a back side, at least a first textile portion of the front side and a second textile portion of the back side each capable of being stretched from a relaxed state; a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending from the pelvic portion; and a crotch between the first leg portion and the second leg portion; and a crotch gusset; wherein: when a wearer is wearing the lower-body garment in a neutral standing position, the first textile portion is stretched to a first state; and when the wearer's body moves so that their upper leg rotates forward at their hip joint, the first textile portion transitions to a second state that is less stretched than the first state.

[0087] Clause 22. The lower-body garment according to clause 21, wherein the second textile portion is less stretched than the first textile portion when the wearer is in the neutral standing position.

[0088] Clause 23. The lower body garment according to any of clauses 21 through 22, wherein: the first textile portion comprises a front panel comprising a first panel wing and a second panel wing connected by a central portion, the central portion comprising a concave lower edge; the crotch gusset comprises a first gusset wing and a second gusset wing; and the front panel is joined to the crotch gusset along the concave lower edge.

[0089] Clause 24. A lower-body garment comprising: a pelvic portion comprising a waist opening, a front side, and a back side; a first leg portion and a second leg portion extending from the pelvic portion; a front panel extending across a front of the pelvic portion, the front panel comprising a first central column, a first panel wing extending from a first side of the first central column; and a second panel wing extending from an opposite second side of the first central column; and a crotch gusset comprising: a trunk, a first gusset wing that extends from a second central column and along a first inner thigh portion of the first leg portion; and a second gusset wing that extends from the second central column and along a second inner thigh portion of the second leg portion; wherein the back side comprises a first back panel and a second back panel joined by a back seam extending from the crotch gusset towards the waist opening.

[0090] Clause 25. The lower-body garment according to clause 24, wherein the first central column and the second central column are integrally knit.

[0091] Clause 26. The lower-body garment according to any of clauses 24 through 25, wherein the first gusset wing extends to a first leg opening edge of the first leg portion, and the second gusset wing extends to a second leg opening edge of the second leg portion.

[0092] Clause 27. The lower-body garment according to any of clauses 24 through 26, wherein the lower-body garment further comprises a front waist portion forming at least a portion of the waist opening.

[0093] Clause 28. The lower-body garment of claim 27, wherein the front waist portion comprises a bottom edge joined to a top edge of the front panel.

[0094] Clause 29. A method of designing a lower-body garment comprising a plurality of panels joined together, the method comprising: designing a first panel of the plurality of panels with a first set of dimensions and a first area, the first panel comprising a first edge with a first contour; and adjusting the first edge of the first panel to have a second contour, the second contour being different than the first contour.

[0095] Clause 30. The method according to clause 29, wherein the second contour results in the first panel having a second area that is different from the first area.

[0096] Clause 31. The method according to clause 30, wherein the second area is greater than the first area.

[0097] Clause 32. The method according to any of clauses 29 through 31, wherein the first edge has a first end point and a second end point, and the second contour and the first contour share a same first end point and a same second end point.

[0098] This detailed description is provided in order to meet statutory requirements. However, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described herein. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be embodied in different ways, to include different steps, different combinations of steps, different elements, and/or different combinations of elements, similar or equivalent to those described in this disclosure, and in conjunction with other present or future technologies. The examples herein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. In this sense, alternative examples or implementations can become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present subject matter pertains without departing from the scope hereof.