Knee Length Patents (Class 2/228)
  • Publication number: 20030229930
    Abstract: A pair of hospital shorts having releasable fasteners such as snaps along the inseam or inner thigh portions of the shorts and along the midline or fly of the shorts. With the fasteners unfastened the shorts are positioned laid out generally flat and approximately centered under the patient. The left and right ends of the shorts are then wrapped over the patient's lower torso, and the inseams and fly may be fastened to provide shorts that do not have to be pulled over the legs of the patient, and that are easily donned or put on the patient with minimal effort. An optional drawstring along an upper edge of the shorts may then be tied, to further secure the shorts about the patient. The fly and/or inseam fasteners may be selectively unfastened to provide access to the user as required, for example by medical personnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventor: Melissa L. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20030192106
    Abstract: Athletic Shorts are a tight fitted running shorts that improve the performance of running or walking by utilizing gravity as a source of energy. The shorts have elastic straps attached from the waist and extend across the front side of the leg to the bottom near the leg opening of the shorts. When standing straight up the elastic is elongated by the weight of the leg. The elongated elastic provides a pulling energy for the leg by contracting when moving up in a step of a walk or stride of a run. When the step or stride is lowered back to the ground the elastic is again elongated by the weight of the leg. The repeated action of the contraction and elongation of the elastic straps provide increased performance when walking or running. Leg Adjustment Straps around the bottom of the shorts are used to draw the shorts tight to the leg. Athletic Shorts increase performance when gauging time over a fixed distance utilizing gravity of the leg as a source of energy in the physical walking or running action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher Todd Robinett, Kim A. Robinett
  • Publication number: 20030167557
    Abstract: A body protective device for protection from the waist area to the knees area from impact-based injuries, especially relating to sports activities, is provided by a composite body protector having a fabric outer garment and protective elements, in particular soft elements and semi-rigid and rigid elements, that are selectively provided in predetermined locations within the outer garment for protecting from the waist area to the knees area, including the coccyx and other proximal body parts from injuries related to impact during sports or athletic activities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Henry G. LaShoto, Louis J. Foreman
  • Publication number: 20030135907
    Abstract: A loose-fitting bathing suit includes legs that resist riding up on a wearer and yet is comfortable to wear. The bathing suit eliminates the wide, trapezoidally-shaped stays worn on the front of the bathing suit to offer a more natural feel of the bathing suit, and its attendant comfort, while still resisting the problem of riding up. The suit preferably includes a long thin pocket on either side of the suit, and each such pocket retains a long, thin flexibly rigid stay to comfortably hold the bottom of the suit legs down along the thighs of the wearer. Alternatively, the suit may omit the stay in the side pockets, and instead include either of hem stays or inseam stays, or include all of such stays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Carlos Sanchez, N. Marc Slocum
  • Patent number: 6592428
    Abstract: In order to reduce discomfort induced by menstruation, a panty girdle or the like type of foundation garment is provided with an extensible bladder or a non-extensible element which is arranged to apply pressure to one or both of the sacral or parasacral areas of a female body. In the case of the extensible bladder, the pressure can be varied through the manual manipulation of a squeeze pump that may be built into the waistband of the garment. The garment is additionally provided with an elastic foundation panel that is shaped and designed to reduce bloating and create a trimmer appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: B'uniques, L.L.C.
    Inventor: R. Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 6565702
    Abstract: A chamois for use within the seat area of a cycling garment includes a non-woven polyester interfacing or batting layer with a bottom surface that engages the cycling garment. The polyester layer provides a pad area for association with the buttocks of a cycling individual, two side pad areas for association with the upper inside thighs of the individual, and a pad area for association with the lower abdominal area of the individual. A thin and low hardness synthetic foam layer has a shape that complements the polyester layer, and a bottom surface thereof engages a top surface of the polyester layer. A thick, high hardness, synthetic foam layer is associated with the thin foam layer and occupies the pad area association with the buttocks. A synthetic leather layer has a shape that complements the shape of the polyester layer and a bottom surface thereof engages the top surface of the thin foam layer and the top surface of the thick foam layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: DashAmerica, Inc.
    Inventors: Robbin Douglas Forsyth, Jonathan Robert Knoll
  • Publication number: 20030051288
    Abstract: A pair of athletic shorts with removable contoured pads is presented. The elastic shorts have thigh, hip and tailbone pockets permanently affixed to the main shell of the shorts. Each of the pockets has upper flaps, which are fastened to the lower portion of the pocket by VELCRO™ fasteners. The pad itself is a semi-flexible cushioned type pad having a serrated configuration such that only portions of the pad actually come in contact with the athlete's body. These pads have peaks and valleys such that they are fully compressed only during a fall or a collision, remaining only in partial contact with the athlete's body at other times. The pads may be removed, washed, and replaced easily because they are not permanently sewn or attached to the main shell of the athletic shorts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony J. Dugan
  • Patent number: 6532599
    Abstract: A pair of athletic shorts with removable contoured pads is presented. The elastic shorts have thigh, hip and tailbone pockets permanently affixed to the main shell of the shorts. Each of the pockets has upper flaps, which are fastened to the lower portion of the pocket by VELCRO™ fasteners. The pad itself is a semi-flexible cushioned type pad having a serrated configuration such that only portions of the pad actually come in contact with the athlete's body. These pads have peaks and valleys such that they are fully compressed only during a fall or a collision, remaining only in partial contact with the athlete's body at other times. The pads may be removed, washed, and replaced easily because they are not permanently sewn or attached to the main shell of the athletic shorts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Inventor: Anthony J. Dugan
  • Patent number: 6477716
    Abstract: Uniform pants are disclosed. The pants are particularly well suited for persons in law enforcement, the military, security, construction and the like as well as medical patients and senior citizens who desire easier access, convenience and safety when attending to their restroom needs. The pants comprise: a) a waistband; (b) two leg members extending from the waistband; (c) a continuous fastener member positioned along the inseam of the leg members, wherein the fastener member begins at a point above the bottom edge of one leg member and extends upwardly and through the crotch area and then downwardly along the second leg member and ends at a point above the bottom edge of the second leg member; and wherein the positioning of the fastener member creates an opening between the bottom edge of the inseam and the fastener member on each leg member; and (d) a separate protective shield positioned beneath the full length of the fastener member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Gloria Blaire
  • Patent number: 6473908
    Abstract: Disclosed is a garment having a buttocks covering portion and a buttocks cleavage-revealing portion disposed at the buttocks covering portion. The buttocks cleavage-revealing portion is an opening and see-through material is disposed at the opening. The garment is a pant having leg portions depending from a waist, and the opening is disposed below the waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas A. Bontems
  • Patent number: 6460186
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sports garment making it possible to urinate without having to undress and ensure that it is comfortable for a sportsman, and in particular for a cyclist. The sports garment (10), particularly for a cyclist, comprises a front part (2) and a back part (3), and is characterized in that the front part (2) presents an horizontal opening for said cyclist to take out his penis so as to facilitate the cyclist's micturition. The opening is delimited by an external flap (11a) and an internal flap (11b) provided on the front part (2) and which overlap so that the opening remains closed without the help of any fastening mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: GĂ©rard Dailly
  • Patent number: 6460195
    Abstract: Health short trousers comprise a trouser body composed of a front and a rear cloths. A female buckling element is joined on a right cloth to be adjusted for joining a male buckling element on a left cloth. Two female buckling elements of a left and a right buckling bands are joined at crotch portions of two trouser legs of the rear cloth, respectively. Two male buckling elements of the left and right buckling bands are joined at crotch portions of two trouser legs of the front cloth, respectively. An upper air bag is joined at the trouser top in the trouser body. Lower air bags are joined at thigh portions in the trouser body. All the air bags are connected to an inflator having a control switch. A first vibrator is joined on the rear cloth. A second vibrator is joined on the front cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Inventor: Jun-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 6430752
    Abstract: A compression short is provided which provides specific compression to reduce movement in certain areas of a wearer's body. The short is constructed of a plurality of strips of elastomeric material sewn together. These strips are oriented primarily in diagonal configurations. Two groups of elastomeric strips of fabric extend downwardly across the front portion of the short, and two groups of elastomeric strips of fabric extend downwardly across the rear portion of the short, each group of strips extending from the upper portion of the short downwardly, or diagonally, to the lower portion of the short, from one side to the opposite. Each group extends downwardly at an angle of 40° and 50° from a side seam of the garment. The strips may have a width of between 2 inches and 4 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Gregory Steven Bay
  • Patent number: 6401250
    Abstract: An athletic garment including an open mesh resilient strip in the crotch and inner leg area incorporated in an elastic form fitting body material cooperating to embrace the buttocks, hips and upper legs of an athlete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventor: Mark J. McNabb
  • Patent number: 6393618
    Abstract: A flexible seat pad for fitting onto the inside crotch portion of a cyclist, the seat pad consisting of a generally convex unitary flexible sheet member, the sheet member defining: a number of pad bulges, integral to the sheet member, the pad bulges being resiliently compressible; and hinge lines, hingedly interconnecting adjacent pairs of pad bulges. The hinge lines assist in enabling said flexible sheet member to conformingly fit onto the inside crotch portion of the cyclist for dynamic comfort of the cyclist during pedalling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Louis Garneau
  • Patent number: 6328627
    Abstract: In order to reduce discomfort induced by menstruation, a panty girdle or the like type of foundation garment is provided with an extensible bladder or a non-extensible element which is arranged to apply pressure to one or both of the sacral or parasacral areas of a female body. In the case of the extensible bladder, the pressure can be varied through the manual manipulation of a squeeze pump that may be built into the waistband of the garment. The garment is additionally provided with an elastic foundation panel that is shaped and designed to reduce bloating and create a trimmer appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: R. Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 6243879
    Abstract: The present invention teaches novel athletic pants that permit the male reproductive organs to be substantially suspended naturally, in particular, when used in combination with the novel athletic shorts taught in a co-pending application. The athletic pants include inferior retention means and a superior edge having a V shape, or alternately an arcuate or U shape for facilitating breathing during strenuous exercise on the anterior side. Further, the athletic pants can include means for dampening shock and vibration. In addition, the athletic pants can include a plurality of textile materials for optimizing the internal environment of the athletic pants with respect to temperature, perspiration, wind, and water. Moreover, the athletic pants can include pockets, vents, and vent closure means for selectively controlling the internal environment of the athletic pants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Robert M. Lyden
  • Patent number: 6243880
    Abstract: The present invention teaches novel athletic shorts for male and female wearers that permit relatively unrestricted flexion and extension of the legs, and distention of the abdomen during breathing. The preferred athletic shorts can include an anterior side having a superior edge forming a V or U shape, and retention means substantially consisting of non-stretchlastic material. The athletic shorts can include a preferred range with respect to minimum width in the area between the openings for accomodating the wearer's legs, and also an area of differential elastic and stitching near the point of minimum width. Further, the present invention teaches athletic shorts that permit the male reproductive organs to be substantially suspended naturally. This is believed to lower the temperatures to which the testes are subjected thereby increasing the rate and quality of spermatogenesis, and to facilitate greater heat dissipation. Further, this characteristic is believed to facilitate optimal thermoregulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventor: Robert M. Lyden
  • Patent number: 6205592
    Abstract: The invention relates to running shorts which is made up of a front material panel and a rear material panel stitched together along their side edges. The combined operative top edge of the panels is elasticated whereas the respective bottom edges of the panels are connected at a location between opposite ends of these edges by a string-like element. When wearing the running shorts, only the string-like element will be disposed between the wearer's legs. The running shorts also may have underwear-type briefs secured therein between the front and rear material panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Petrus Christiaan Gouws
  • Patent number: 6192521
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a shorts garment from four single layer webs of fabric, each web having two side edges. Two of the four webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two webs are bonded together, defining a first composite web. The remaining two webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two remaining webs are bonded together, defining a second composite web. The first and second composite webs are aligned together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement having two layers of fabric and two top side edges and two bottom side edges. The composite webs are intermittently bonded in an alternating orientation near the center of the webs. The interior portion of fabric is removed, defining a cavity. One pair of side edges are folded and bonded together. The other pair of side edges are folded and bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Richard Alberts, Edward Anthony Drezdzon, II, Donald Merlin Fries, Richard Mark Konetzke, Thomas Theodore Kvitek, Michael Joseph Muhlebach, Michael Joseph Nelson, Gerald Leigh Rabe, Brendon Frank Ribble, James Frederick Roth, Jon Mark Wittmann
  • Patent number: 6182297
    Abstract: A lower torso shape enhancing garment for changing the appearance of a portion of the wearers body. The lower torso shape enhancing garment includes a short pant comprising a front portion, a rear portion and a pair of leg portions extend downwardly from the front and rear portions. A crotch area is located between the leg portions. The short pant comprises an upper opening defined by a waistband. The short pant comprises a pair of lower leg openings. The short pant comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface. A pair of rear pockets are formed in the short pant. The pockets are formed at laterally spaced locations on the rear portion of the short pant to position each of the pockets over a buttock of the wearer. Each of the pockets comprises an upper entry slit, spaced side boundaries, and a lower boundary. The upper entry slit opens into the interior surface of the short pant just below the upper opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Inventors: Michael T. Duren, James L. Franklin
  • Patent number: 6161222
    Abstract: An athletic garment with protective guard members on the inner thighs. The garment preferably will be compression shorts or pants. The guard members are supported in pockets formed on the inside of each thigh portion of the shorts. The guard member preferably is adapted to both deflect impacts and to absorb shock from impacts, particularly from balls in sports such as baseball. The guard member preferably is formed of an inner flexible, hard plastic deflective layer and an outer flexible, shock absorbing foam layer. Thus, the garment of this invention is particularly suited for use by a baseball catcher and the other infielders, but will be useful to athletes in any sport. This protective garment will reduce the discomfort and injury caused by the impact of a ball or other equipment or objects employed in virtually any sports activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Inventors: D. Chad Strickland, Mark T. Cheatwood
  • Patent number: 6138282
    Abstract: Underpants having a vertically wide waistband that may be folded down over the waistband of an outer garment for the lower torso and legs (e.g., pants or skirt) to display in a right-side-up position markings on what would be the inside face of the underpants waistband if it were not folded down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Robert D. Follese
  • Patent number: 6119275
    Abstract: An underwear garment structured so that it will alleviate pain of those people who have lower back problems, by sewing a pocket for securing a pad to the rear of the underwear to provide the lower back of the wearer with extra warmth by insulating the body and by providing extra insulation to retain heat in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Kanu Shri Goyal
  • Patent number: 6115847
    Abstract: The process friendly garments include a waste containment structure that has an absorbent core which is positioned between a wearer and a backsheet, and a cover joined to the pant structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paulette Mary Rosch, Donald Merlin Fries, deceased
  • Patent number: 6092240
    Abstract: A pair of boxer shorts for use by individuals having an ostomy bag. The boxer shorts include a pair of leg openings, a front panel, a rear panel, a waistband and a horizontal opening which is just below and parallel to the waistband and to one side of the fly for allowing passage of an ostomy bag through the opening for easy access and additional comfort for the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Jean Dorothy Weller
  • Patent number: 6076193
    Abstract: A clothing arrangement is disclosed. The clothing arrangement includes a crotch area and a pant leg secured to the crotch area. The pant leg has (i) a lateral inner area and (ii) an interior lateral lower edge. The clothing arrangement also includes a stay member secured to the lateral inner area of the pant leg such that the stay member substantially prevents the interior lateral lower edge from moving toward the crotch area when the pant leg is worn by a person.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventor: Jamie S. Hood
  • Patent number: 6074274
    Abstract: A new undergarment for eliminating panty lines and panty bulges while wearing shorts or skirts. The inventive device includes a torso portion that has a front, a back, a top, a bottom, an interior, and an upper waist opening into the interior of the torso portion. A resiliently elastic waist band extending around a periphery of the upper waist opening. A pair of leg portions extend from the bottom of the torso portion. Each of the leg portions has a root portion and a lower end. The root portions of the leg portions are coupled to the bottom of the torso portion. The lower end of each of the leg portions has a lower opening through which a leg may be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Inventors: M. Jerri Pyatt, Robin Gnemi
  • Patent number: 6049913
    Abstract: A waterproof outer garment comprises one piece of material wrappable around the wearer between the knees and the back, with edges overlapping and securable to one another by quick locking and quick release fasteners. The edges are securable in varying amounts of overlap to adjust the garment to the size of the wearer, and suspenders prevent the garment slipping down on the wearer. In one embodiment, the entire garment is made from a material impervious to the ingress of water. In another embodiment, portions of the garment which are not subject to contact under pressure with snow and water are made of a lighter weight material which need not be waterproof. Garments according to the present invention which are made partly from non-waterproof material can be made lighter, more comfortable and perhaps more stylish than garments made entirely from waterproof material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Inventor: Charles M. Harrigan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6047405
    Abstract: An energy expenditure garment incorporates various techniques for providing resistance to the bending movements of the wearer. Such techniques include having a plurality of different types of resistance means. One of the resistance means is weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: William T. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6047406
    Abstract: An energy expenditure garment is made of a variable density fabric having a plurality of zones of differing resistance characteristics. This is accomplished by utilizing threads in the fabric of differing resistance characteristics so that the zones are seamless and blend into each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventors: Timothy P. Dicker, William T. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6041441
    Abstract: The athletic compression trousers have an elastic waistband, a pair of tubular legs made from a stretchable fabric, a rear crotch panel and a front crotch panel. Belt loops may be attached to the outer surface of the elastic waistband. A waist cord can be provided in a waist cord passage in the waistband. A male support pocket is formed in the lower portion of the front crotch panel. A liner for the male support pocket has an upper opening for the insertion of a cup protector. Hip protection fabric side panels are sewn to either the inside or the outside of each tubular leg. These panels provide padding and protection. If needed, the fabric side panels can have openings for the insertion of hip protection pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventors: Paulette M. Counts, Patricia J. Hopp
  • Patent number: 6041437
    Abstract: A waterproof thermal insert for outdoor sport pants which is sewn into the rear of a pair of pants from the belt line to the region between the middle of the thigh to the back of the knee, from each outside seam to inside seam, and from the inside seam to the crotch. The insert is composed of three layers: (1) an outside layer of water repellant, closed cell foam neoprene; (2) a middle layer of a synthetic, thermal insulating fabric, such as Outlast.RTM. Zermatt; and (3) a soft, flexible material, such as polar fleece. The three layers are sewn together. If additional protection is desired at the sewn seams, the seams may be heat sealed with an overlay of thermoplastic tape. Alternatively, the insert may be composed of two layers: (1) an outside layer of water repellant, closed cell foam neoprene; and (2) an inner layer of a composite fabric combining a synthetic, thermal insulating material with a soft, flexible material, viz., Outlast.RTM. Glacier or Outlast.RTM. Glenpile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Inventors: Edward C. Barker, Brian L. Gay, John D. Brenner
  • Patent number: 6041442
    Abstract: A garment for wear by an individual includes an upper garment portion of one-piece construction having a truncated cone-like appearance and including a hip covering segment. The segment has areas free of join seams positionable over the hip bones of an individual's hips when the garment is worn. A lower garment portion is connected to the upper garment portion and is positioned about the wearer's legs. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, a liner of wicking material also of one piece construction and having a truncated cone-like appearance is located inside the upper garment portion, the liner being free of join seams in the vicinity of the segment areas of the upper garment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: Mountain Hardwear
    Inventor: Carol A. Owen
  • Patent number: 6023789
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sports short adapted to provide compressive support to the body portions covered thereby, the short comprises an elastic waistband adapted to encircle the waist of a wearer; a body portion formed of a stretchable, compressive material, the body portion comprises a pair of tubular legs having varying circumferential proportions with respect to the waistband to provide the proper maximal compression to the various muscles and decrease muscular vibration, each tubular leg having an upper end region attached to the waistband; a crotch panel continuous from a front portion of the waistband to a back portion of the waistband, the crotch panel being attached at each side to each tubular leg, the crotch panel having a front elongate v-shaped portion attached at a top free end to a front side of the waistband and a back elongate v-shaped portion attached at the other top free end to the back side of the waistband, the back v-shaped portion being generally narrower than the front
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2000
    Inventors: Douglas A. Wilson, Anthony Torr
  • Patent number: 6009565
    Abstract: A protective garment for being disposed against a body to absorb shock and protect selected regions of the body against the shock comprises a protective area for protecting against the shock a region of the body disposed adjacent the protective area and a nonprotective area for providing structural integrity to the garment while providing substantially little protection against the shock to a region of the body disposed against the nonprotective area of the garment. The protective area is adapted to be disposed on the side of the body only adjacent the enarthrodial joint of the hip and to be centered on the side of the body slightly below the level of the acetabulum of the pelvis and to extend upwardly and anteriorly to the front of the body and approximately centered over the acetabulum of the pelvis and to extend posteriorly to the rear of the body to the lower region of the gluteal muscles of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Plum Enterprises
    Inventor: Janice Carrington
  • Patent number: 6006363
    Abstract: A compression short with a magnet pocket for relieving back and hip pain includes a garment of resilient fabric shaped to compliment the pelvic region and legs which presents an upper edge and has a waistband joined to the upper edge. A pocket panel is secured to the inner surface of the garment at the back thereof to form a pocket within the shorts. The pocket has a central portion and a pair of opposed elongated arms. The central portion extends substantially longitudinally adjacent the wearer's tailbone, and the arms extend laterally from opposite sides of the central portion adjacent the wearer's hips. The central portion and the arms are adapted to selectively receive a magnet of complemental shape therein to relieve pain at the wearer's back, tailbone and hip areas. The pocket configuration allows for easy insertion and removal of the magnets and also secures the magnets in the proper place over the wearer's back and hips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Stromgren Supports, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry J. Karlin
  • Patent number: 5978966
    Abstract: An energy expenditure garment includes a body portion and limb portions made of a base fabric and incorporating at least one elastic resistance band which is free of any limb extremity anchor structure. The garment includes structure for retarding slippage of the garment during an exercise while still permitting some degree of slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventors: Timothy P. Dicker, William T. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 5978964
    Abstract: A sportswear garment manufactured from a form-fitting clothing article having at least one flexible weight and a plurality of pockets to receive and maintain the weights in an immobile manner is provided. The garment may be provided in a variety of forms including for fitting various body portions. The apparel items are constructed of lightweight, durable form-fitting fabrics that conform to the body of the athlete when worn. Various pocket styles and positionings are possible. The flexible weights may have a flexible metal core surrounded by a cushioning layer and/or a plastic coating on the cushioning layer. In another embodiments, weights are provided having a body comprising a thermoplastic elastomer containing a finely divided mineral filler, the body preferably being covered by an expandible knit material. A method is also provided for manufacturing the latter type of weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Kerry R. Gaston
    Inventor: Kerry R. Gaston
  • Patent number: 5956774
    Abstract: A shorts type garment, being joined and secured on the body of a wearer with closure flaps that are easily released at the hip and waist areas. The garment protects the buttocks area from environmental elements and is easily carried and donned. The garment comprises at least two layers. The outer layer acts as the primary barrier between the environmental elements and the wearer of the garment, especially providing protection from moisture. There is at least one inner layer to the garment, which can serve in a way to provide additional protection from environmental elements. This shorts type garment provides the wearer of the garment a means to adjust the garment for an appropriate fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Inventor: Mary Beth Mackley
  • Patent number: 5918310
    Abstract: A body protective garment is adapted for covering a hip region of a wearer to protect the wearer against femoral fracture resulting from a sudden impact. The body protective garment includes an elastic girdle having a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. A plurality of pad-receiving pockets are attached to the girdle and adapted for overlying the hip region on opposing anterior sides and a rear thereof. A plurality of removable body protective pads are carried in the pockets. Each of the pads includes a multi-layer foam composite capable of reducing a 5800 N impact force to less than 1200 N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Amir H. Farahany
  • Patent number: 5915536
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a shorts garment from four single layer webs of fabric, each web having two side edges. Two of the four webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two webs are bonded together, defining a first composite web. The remaining two webs are aligned in a side by side orientation. The side edges of the two remaining webs are bonded together, defining a second composite web. The first and second composite webs are aligned together in a face to face orientation, defining an arrangement having two layers of fabric and two top side edges and two bottom side edges. The composite webs are intermittently bonded in an alternating orientation near the center of the webs. The interior portion of fabric is removed, defining a cavity. One pair of side edges are folded and bonded together. The other pair of side edges are folded and bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Richard Alberts, Edward Anthony Drezdzon, II, Donald Merlin Fries, deceased, Richard Mark Konetzke, Thomas Theodore Kvitek, Michael Joseph Muhlebach, Michael Joseph Nelson, Gerald Leigh Rabe, Brendon Frank Ribble, James Frederick Roth, Jon Mark Wittmann
  • Patent number: 5870775
    Abstract: An outerwear garment including a pair of pants or trousers having a waist section, a seat section, and leg section; a pair of storage compartments in the seat section of the pants; a cushion stored in one of the storage compartments in the seat section of the pants; and a rainjacket attached to the other of the storage compartments in the seat section of the pants and being normally stored therein but which can be readily removed therefrom by a person and donned by such person at his option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Rufino Noyola
  • Patent number: 5870777
    Abstract: A single layer pocket 82 is provided in which left edge portion 88 and right edge portion 89 of the single layer 86 are spaced apart from the left edge portion and right edge portion of the back panel 14. The pocket 82 is equipped with a flexibly rigid curvilinear shaped rib element 100 affixed vertically to the pocket, and a similar rib element 110 that extends laterally across the pocket 82.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1999
    Inventor: Gerald L. Hans
  • Patent number: 5836015
    Abstract: Flexible hip protectors (1) of an approximately domed shape are located and fixed in positions confronting the neck of either femur in so-called usual pants (21) so as to cover corresponding portions of the necks of the femurs. Therefore, if a person wears the pants (21), the hip protectors (1) are always located at exact positions so as to protect the necks of the femurs. Accordingly, the pants (2) with the protectors (1) are effective for wearing the protectors (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Tytex A/S
    Inventors: Johannes Nyvang Kristensen, Finn Kj.ae butted.rgaard
  • Patent number: 5806100
    Abstract: A garment that includes the attribute of a pair of shorts and which includes a front panel and a rear panel to span a gap formed between the legs of the shorts. The front panel and rear panel provide the appearance of continuous front and rear surfaces, normally associated with a skirt. Both the front panel and the rear panel extend from and are secured at one edge to the waist of the garment. The panels extend downwardly to the lowermost edge of the two leg portions of the shorts. Opposed side edges of the panels are secured approximately half-way along the height of the garment to the mid-section of the garment. The panels then become a free bottom portion, including hemmed edges which are detached from the garment so as to produce a free end swinging panel portion. This aids in providing the appearance of a skirt formed of a plurality of panel portions. Pockets are optionally included on the front of the garment and may optionally be included on the rear of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Irma De Scandiffio
  • Patent number: 5790984
    Abstract: A substantially unitary outer garment of the type worn by women generally known as a jump suit having a concealed closeable opening which facilitates urination by the wearer without need for removal or undoing of the outer garment. The closeable opening extends only through the crotch area along the inseam of the outer garment and is only of sufficient length to permit being manually spread open by the wearer to facilitate urination from either a standing position or while seated on a toilet. When worn, an improved undergarment worn by the wearer beneath the outer garment is also provided which includes a similarly positioned and sized closeable opening positioned in alignment with the closeable opening of the outer garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Jennifer Doubleday
  • Patent number: 5784723
    Abstract: A figure enhancing garment, which outlines and defines a wearer's body contours in a comfortable manner, includes a pair of pants having first and second pant leg portions, a front panel portion, and a waistband with a tunnel formed therein. The first and second pant leg portions are attached to the front panel portion via first and second interconnected tunnel seams that extend divergently from the crotch area and interconnect with the waistband tunnel. A third tunnel seam interconnects with the first and second tunnel seams and the waistband tunnel while extending upwardly from the crotch portion to the waistband. An adjustable pulley system extends through the waistband tunnel and the first, second and third tunnel seams to adjust the fit of the figure enhancing garment. Alternatively, the first and second seams are simple seams without tunnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Noble Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Rhonda W. Noble, Edward J. Noble, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5745917
    Abstract: An aerobic resistance garment for indoor use or warm weather use, includes a shorts section which has elongated resistance elements and which includes shoulder anchoring structure extending upwardly from the waist area of the shorts section for fitting over the user's shoulders. The legs of the shorts terminate above the calves of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventors: Timothy P. Dicker, William T. Wilkinson
  • Patent number: RE36905
    Abstract: A figure-enhancing garment, which outlines and defines a wearer's body contours in a comfortable manner, includes a pair of pants having first and second pant leg portions, a front panel portion, and a waistband with a tunnel formed therein. The first and second pant leg portions are attached to the front panel portion via first and second interconnected tunnel seams that extend divergently from the crotch area and interconnect with the waistband tunnel. A third tunnel steam interconnects with the first and second tunnel seams and the waistband tunnel while extending upwardly from the crotch portion to the waistband. An adjustable pulley system extends through the waistband tunnel and the first, second and third tunnel seams to adjust the fit of the figure enhancing garment. Alternatively, the first and second seams are simple seams without tunnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Noble Ideas, Inc.
    Inventors: Rhonda W. Noble, Edward J. Noble, Jr.