PAIR OF SHORTS

Abstract

A pair of shorts, particularly for cycling, which comprises a protective padding that has a teardrop-shaped structure so as to define a front part that can be arranged at the region overlying the groin, a central part that can be arranged at the perineum or crotch and a rear part that can be arranged at part of the buttocks; the padding is connected to the pair of shorts exclusively by way of a first and a second pair of bar tack stitches, which are arranged transversely to the perimetric edge of the front and rear parts along a direction that passes substantially through the region of the crotch, and by way of gluing of the perimetric edges of the front and rear parts which connect the first and second pair of bar tack stitches.

Description

The present invention relates to a pair of shorts, particularly for cycling.

In the practice of cycling it is known to use pairs of shorts, made of partially elasticized material, which have a considerable snugness of fit with the body and are usually worn without underwear.

The use of such pairs of shorts creates problems for the athlete, however: during races or training the perineum, which is the part of the body that remains continuously in contact with the saddle, is subjected to all the stresses owing to the bumps and holes in the terrain and the vibrations transmitted by the bicycle frame.

Such continual stresses to the perineum result in the onset of localized inflammation that can deteriorate into cuts or blisters that make practicing the sport difficult, if not impossible.

As a partial solution to such drawbacks, pairs of shorts are known which are constituted by a fabric to which a cloth of adequate and uniform thickness is sewn, at the region of the perineum.

Such solution also suffers drawbacks, however, in that even if the thickness of the cloth may initially give relief, it has been found that it creates a friction that leads to an overheating of the perineum as well as heavy sweating, which in turn creates further conditions of discomfort.

As a partial solution to such drawbacks, the provision is also known of pairs of shorts which are composed of a base support sewn perimetrically to the pair of shorts and which is associated, at the region of the perineum, with a layer of contoured material so as to define several mutually separate areas, which protrude from the support and are arranged laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the saddle; such areas which protrude create zones, uniform in thickness but in different positions, for resting the perineum.

Although partially solving the above mentioned drawbacks, in such known art the presence of the perimetric stitching of the support for the pair of shorts, which in any case has a certain thickness, owing also to the fact that the stitching is executed with thread, determines a further localized area of friction.

The use of the pair of shorts for a long time thus results in the formation of inflammation and even cuts on the skin in the region of the perineum at the stitching that connects to the support.

The aim of the present application is thus to eliminate the drawbacks in the cited known art and thus devise a pair of shorts that, during use, enables the user to achieve an optimal level of comfort at the perineum and a high level of freedom of movement while preventing the formation of inflammation or cuts on the skin.

Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a pair of shorts that makes it possible to achieve optimal level of comfort for the user even following a prolonged use thereof.

Another object is to provide a pair of shorts that in addition to the foregoing characteristics also adds that of being low cost and structurally simple, while being reliable and safe in use.

This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a pair of shorts, particularly for cycling, which comprises a protective padding that has a substantially teardrop-shaped structure so as to define a front part that can be arranged at the region overlying the groin, a central part that can be arranged at the perineum or crotch and a rear part that can be arranged at part of the buttocks, characterized in that said padding is connected to said pair of shorts exclusively by way of a first and a second pair of bar tack stitches, which are arranged transversely to the perimetric edge of said front and rear parts substantially along a direction that passes substantially through the region of the crotch, and by way of gluing of the perimetric edges of said front and rear parts which connect said first and second pair of bar tack stitches.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of a particular, but not exclusive, embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a padding of the pair of shorts according to the invention which is arranged flat on a part of the pair of shorts;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the padding of the pair of shorts according to the invention, being worn;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the padding of the pair of shorts according to the invention, being worn;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the padding of the pair of shorts according to the invention, in which the central part is raised with respect to the pair of shorts in order to highlight the mutual connection;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the padding of the pair of shorts according to the invention, in which the central part is raised with respect to the pair of shorts in order to highlight the mutual connection.

In the embodiments illustrated, individual characteristics shown in relation to specific examples may in reality be interchanged with other, different characteristics, existing in other embodiments.

With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a pair of shorts, particularly for cycling, which comprises a protective padding 2 that has a substantially teardrop-shaped structure so as to define a front part 3 that can be arranged at the region 4 overlying the groin, a central part 5 that can be arranged at the perineum or crotch 6 and a rear part 7 that can be arranged at part of the buttocks 8.

The padding 2 is connected to the pair of shorts 1 exclusively by way of a first pair of bar tack stitches 9a, 9b and a second pair of bar tack stitches 10a, 10b, which are arranged transversely respectively to the perimetric edge 11 of the front part 3 and to the perimetric edge 12 of the rear part 7 .

Each one of the first pair of bar tack stitches 9a, 9b and second pair of bar tack stitches 10a, 10b lies substantially along a direction 13 that passes substantially through the region of the crotch 6, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The connection of the padding 2 to the pair of shorts 1 occurs furthermore by way of gluing of only the perimetric edges 11, 12 of the front part 3 and rear part 7 which connect the first and second pair of bar tack stitches 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b.

In this manner the padding 2 is free from, i.e. is not connected in any way, even with stitching, to the pair of shorts for the entire region of the central part 5, which is thus free to adapt to the movements impressed during the thrusts on the pedals by the user.

Thus it has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects, a pair of shorts having been obtained which has no stitching in the central region which makes it possible to prevent the formation of inflammation or cuts on the skin during the practice of the sport, especially when extended over a long period.

Furthermore thanks to the presence of the first and of the second pair of bar tack stitches 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b and of the gluing of only the perimetric edges 11, 12 of the front part 3 and rear part 7 in the region that connects the first and second pairs of bar tack stitches 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b makes it possible to maintain the padding in place in any case with respect to the pair of shorts.

Obviously the materials used as well as the dimensions of the individual components of the invention may be more relevant according to specific requirements.

The characteristics indicated above as advantageous, convenient or the like, may also be missing or be substituted by equivalent characteristics.

The disclosures in Italian Utility Model Application No. MI2014U000388 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A pair of shorts, particularly for cycling, which comprises a protective padding that has a substantially teardrop-shaped structure so as to define a front part that can be arranged at the region overlying the groin, a central part that can be arranged at a perineum or crotch and a rear part that can be arranged at part of the buttocks, wherein said padding is connected to said pair of shorts exclusively by way of a first and a second pair of bar tack stitches, which are arranged transversely to a perimetric edge of said front and rear parts substantially along a direction that passes substantially through a region of a crotch, and by way of gluing of the perimetric edges of said front and rear parts which connect said first and second pair of bar tack stitches.

2. The pair of shorts according to claim 1, wherein said first pair of bar tack stitches and second pair of bar tack stitches are arranged transversely respectively to the perimetric edge of said front part and to the perimetric edge of said rear part.

3. The pair of shorts according to claim 1, wherein each one of said first pair of bar tack stitches and second pair of bar tack stitches lies substantially along a direction that passes substantially through the region of the crotch.

4. The pair of shorts according to claim 1, wherein the connection of said padding to said pair of shorts occurs furthermore by way of gluing of only the perimetric edges of said front part and rear part which connect said first and second pair of bar tack stitches.

5. The pair of shorts according to claim 1, wherein said padding is free from, i.e. is not connected in any way to, said pair of shorts, for the entire region of said central part.