Boot Leg Pants

Abstract

A pair of protective pants that do not bunch up when used with a pair of boots is disclosed. The pair of protective pants comprise a pair of leg portions, a pair of cuffs, and a pair of straps. The pair of cuffs snugly conform to a user's lower leg and tuck into the boots. The pair of straps loop around the bottom of the user's foot to prevent any material from riding up the user's legs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/715,497 filed Oct. 18, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to a pair of protective pants for use with a pair of boots, and more particularly to a pair of protective pants that fit inside a pair of boots without bunching up on a user's leg when the boots are worn.

BACKGROUND

When pants are worn with boots, an individual may either tuck the pants into the boots or tuck the boots into the pants. Pants worn on the outside of the boots do not protect the leg from the inside lining of the boots. However, if the pants are tucked into the boots to protect the lower legs, the pant legs can easily bunch up along the user's legs and pull out of the boots. When this occurs, the inside of the boots may rub against the persons exposed skin causing discomfort and even abrasions or rashes. Additionally, if the individual is in an outdoor environment, snow, rain, dirt, and even ticks or other insects may have direct access to the exposed skin. Outdoor enthusiasts and members of the military often wear boots with the pants tucked in to protect them from the environment.

When traditional pants bunch up, the individual must either take the time to tuck the pants back in or risk discomfort or injury. Soldiers and other members of the military may use a blousing ring or similar elastic band to surround the lower pant legs gathering the pant material for tucking into a boot. However, these rings and bands require constant readjustment and are uncomfortable as they tend to cut off circulation to the lower legs. Even with the use of these rings, the user's socks still tend to slide down to the bottom of the boot increasing the tendency for the user to get blisters.

Consequently, there exists a need for a device designed to provide a comfortable and hassle-free way to tuck pant legs into boots without the pant legs scrunching up or pulling out of the boots. The present invention discloses a pair of protective pants that fit into a pair of boots that will stay in place along the user's legs within the boots. The pair of protective pants may be used with any pair of boots that an individual would tuck pants into, but is especially useful with boots designed for hunting and fishing where additional protection for the skin is desired.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed invention. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a pair of protective pants that tuck into a pair of boots without bunching up along a user's legs. The pair of protective pants comprise a pair of leg portions, a pair of cuffs, and a pair of straps. The pair of cuffs is more formfitting to the user's legs than a traditional pant leg, and is less likely to bunch up. Additionally, the pair of straps encircles the user's feet further keeping the pair of cuffs and the pair of leg portions in place.

Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention of the pair of leg portions extend to below the users knee but just above a top of the boots when worn. The pair of cuffs are attached to the pair of leg portions along a seam and extend down into the boots to provide a barrier between the user's skin and an inside lining of the boots. Each of the pair of straps is attached to an inside of both one of the corresponding pair of leg portions and pair of cuffs for additional stability.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced and all aspects and equivalents thereof are intended to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a pair of protective pants in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one of a pair of leg portions of the pair of protective pants of the in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the pair of protective pants in place on a user's legs in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the pair of protective pants used with a pair of boots in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. The invention relates generally to a pair of protective pants that will not bunch up on a user's legs when the pair of protective pants are tucked into a pair of boots.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a pair of protective pants 100 for use with a pair of boots. Traditional pants that that are tucked into boots are bulky and must be folded or bunched up around the lower leg before being stuffed into the boot. If the pants are jeans, corduroy, or the like, the material is thick and bulky making it difficult to fit into the boot. While leaving not tucking the pants in is an option, it leaves the lower leg vulnerable to discomfort or injury. Socks provide a partial barrier between the skin of the lower leg and the boot lining, but there is still a typically gap of exposed skin at the top of the boot not protected from rubbing, the elements, insects, and the like.

The pair of protective pants 100 may comprise modified dungarees, coveralls, overalls, fatigue pants, cargo pants, and the like, or any type of pants that may be worn with boots. The pair of protective pants 100 are ideal for use by hunters, fishermen, outdoor workers, members of the military, or anyone wishing to protect their lower legs while wearing boots. The pair of protective pants 100 are configured so that they do not ride up or bunch up on a user's legs when tucked into the boots.

The pair of protective pants 100 comprise a pair of leg portions 104, a pair of cuffs 114, and a pair of straps 116. The pair of leg portions 104 is typically manufactured from denim, canvas, polyester, cotton, and the like, or of any other material used for pants known to one of skill in the art. Each of the pair of leg portions 104 terminate in a bottom edge 106 and comprise a medial side 110 running adjacent to an inside portion of the user's leg and a lateral side 112 running adjacent to an outside portion of the user's leg. The pair of leg portions 104 both typically extend at least two inches below a knee of a user. However, an embodiment is contemplated where the pair of leg portions 104 terminate above the knee of a user for use with taller boots such as hip waders for fishing.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the bottom edges 106 of the pair of leg portions 104 extend to approximately between four and eight inches above a user's ankle. This is desirable as most boots only cover a portion of a user's calf muscle. Therefore, a typical pair of pants could have approximately between four and eight inches of length removed from each leg and have the pair of cuffs 114 and the pair of straps 116 added to the legs to create the pair of protective pants 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, each of the pair of cuffs 114 attach to and extend from the bottom edge 106 of one of the pair of leg portions 104. Typically, each of the pair of cuffs 114 are sewn onto the bottom edges 106 with a seam 108. However, alternative methods of attachment may comprise radio frequency welding, adhesives, mechanical fasteners, and the like, or any other method of attaching cloth like materials known to one of skill in the art. The pair of cuffs 114 are typically manufactured from a cotton polyester blend or other similar material with elastic strands, threads, bands, or the like woven into the material. The pair of cuffs 114 are form fitting to the users legs like a sock or wristlet of a sweatshirt.

The pair of cuffs 114 are typically long enough to extend from the bottom edges 106 to approximately the user's ankle. In a preferred embodiment where the pair of leg portions 104 each extend to approximately between four and eight inches above a user's ankle, the pair of cuffs 114 would be between approximately four and eight inches in length to cover the gap to the user's ankle. However, the length of the pair of cuffs 114 may be longer as well to accommodate an embodiment where the pair of leg portions 104 are shorter, such as those with the bottom edge 106 extending to just below or above the knee. In these cases, the pair of cuffs 114 will be sized to cover the distance between the bottom edges 106 to approximately the ankle.

The pair of straps 116 each are typically a band of elastic material approximately between ¾ and 1½ inches in width and function as a stirrup. The pair of straps 116 each attach to both one of the pair of leg portions 104 and one of the pair of cuffs 114 so that the pair of straps 116 will partially encircle a user's foot once the pair of protective pants 100 are worn. To wear the protective pair of pants 100, the user inserts his legs into the pair of leg portions 104, through the pair of cuffs 114, so that a bottom of each foot is in contact one with the pair of straps 116. The pair of straps 116 prevents the pair of cuffs 114 and the pair of leg portions 104 from riding up on the legs inside of the boots, while the pair of cuffs 114 fit more comfortably into the boots as the cuff material does not require bunching or folding to fit into the boots.

Each of the pair of straps 116 comprise a pair of ends 118 and a loop 120. Preferably, the pair of ends 118 are inserted inside the pair of cuffs 114, past the level of the seam 108, and into the pair of leg portions 104, although they may run along an outside of the pair of protective pants 100 as well. One of each of the pair of ends 118 runs approximately adjacent to the medial side 110, and the other runs approximately adjacent to the lateral side 112 so that the foot will fit comfortably into the loop 120. Each of the pair of ends 118 is attached to the inside of both the corresponding cuff 114 and the leg portion 104 for better strength and stability. Attachment is by sewing, or any other method of attachment as described supra. Alternatively, each of the pair of ends 118 may be attached only to either the corresponding cuff 114 or the leg portion 104. Each loop 120 extends out of the corresponding pair of cuffs 114 for engaging to corresponding foot.

Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, a certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been described above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A pair of protective pants comprising:

a pair of leg portions each terminating in a bottom edge;

a pair of cuffs attached to and extending from the bottom edge of each of the pair of leg portions; and

a pair of straps each attached to an inside of both one of the pair of leg portions and one of the pair of cuffs, each of the pair of straps configured to encircle a user's foot.

2. The pair of protective pants of claim 1, wherein the protective pants comprise one of the following: a pair of dungarees, a coverall, an overall, a fatigue pants, or a cargo pants.

3. The pair of protective pants of claim 2, wherein each of the pair of cuffs comprise a form fitting cuff manufactured from a cotton polyester blend material and elastic strands.

4. The pair of protective pants of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of leg portions extend at least two inches below a user's knee.

5. The pair of protective pants of claim 4, wherein each of the pair of cuffs extend from the bottom edge of the pair of leg portions to approximately a user's ankle.

6. The pair of protective pants of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge of each of the pair of leg portions terminate above a user's knee.

7. A pair of protective pants for use with a pair of boots comprising:

a pair of leg portions extending to below a user's knee each terminating in a bottom edge;

a pair of cuffs attached to the bottom edge of each of the pair of leg portions creating a seam, the pair of cuffs extending approximately to a user's ankle; and

a pair of straps each attached to an inside of both one of the pair of leg portions and one of the pair of cuffs, each of the pair of straps configured to encircle a user's foot.

8. The pair of protective pants of claim 7, wherein each of the pair of straps are elastic.

9. The pair of protective pants of claim 7, wherein the pair of straps is a pair of stirrups.

10. The pair of protective pants of claim 7, wherein each of the pair of straps comprise a pair of ends and a loop.

11. The pair of protective pants of claim 10, wherein each of the pair of cuffs are between approximately four and eight inches in length.

12. The pair of protective pants of claim 7, wherein each of the pair of ends terminate on the pair of leg portions above the seam.

13. The pair of protective pants of claim 12, wherein the pair of straps are attached to one of the pair of leg portions and one of the pair of cuffs on an inside of the protective pants.

14. A pair of protective pants configured not to gather up on a user's legs when used in conjunction with a pair of boots, the pair of protective pants comprising:

a pair of leg portions extending to below a user's knee each terminating in a bottom edge;

a pair of cuffs attached to the bottom edge of each of the pair of leg portions creating a seam, the pair of cuffs extending from below the user's knee to approximately to a user's ankle; and

a pair of straps each attached to an inside of both one of the pair of leg portions and one of the pair of cuffs, each of the pair of straps configured to encircle a user's foot, wherein each of the pair of straps run along both a lateral side of the pair of leg portions and the pair of cuffs and a medial side of the pair of leg portions and the pair of cuffs.

15. The pair of protective pants of claim 14, wherein the pair of straps is a pair of elastic stirrups.

16. The pair of protective pants of claim 15, wherein each of the pair of leg portions extend approximately between four and eight inches above a user's ankle.

17. The pair of protective pants of claim 16, wherein each of the pair of cuffs are between approximately four and eight inches in length.

18. The pair of protective pants of claim 17, wherein each of the pair of cuffs comprise a form fitting cuff manufactured from a cotton polyester blend material and elastic strands.

19. The pair of protective pants of claim 18, wherein each of the pair of straps comprise a pair of ends and a loop.

20. The pair of protective pants of claim 19, wherein each of the pair of ends terminate on the pair of legs above the seam on an inside of the pair of protective pants.