Pants with Interchangeable Gusset Inserts

Abstract

A pants garment has a pant leg extending vertically from about a hip region to a bottom hem, a slit extending upward from the hem, the slit vertically dividing the pant leg into a pair of mating slit edges ending at a terminus, a zipper for releasably closing the slit along the pair of mating slit edges, a gusset formed of a vertically pleated fabric material having a peripheral length sized to match the pair of mating slit edges, and snaps, buttons, zippers or hook and loop fasteners for removably attaching the peripheral length of the gusset to an interior region of the pant leg adjacent the pair of mating slit edges of the pant leg.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to pants and, more specifically, to a pants garment having a closable exterior slit extending vertically from the pant leg bottom to a terminus with a removably attachable inset fastened to the periphery of the slit. The inset, or gusset, is removably attached by means such as snaps, zippers, buttons or Velcro.

Additionally, the gusset has a pleated and/or gathered portion causing the fabric material to ripple while walking. Additionally the gusset of the present invention is removable to allow for increased comfort while the slit is closed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are other pants with interchangeable inserts designed for a similar purpose. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,435 issued to Miele on Aug. 5, 1980.

Another patent was issued to Charron on Jan. 27, 1987 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,699. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,223 was issued to Andrews on Dec. 19, 2000 and still yet another was issued on Oct. 23, 2001 to Chou as U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,027.

Another patent was issued to Blaire on Nov. 12, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,716. Another U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,671 was issued to Allen on Jun. 19, 2007 and yet another issued to Girod on Apr. 1, 2008 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,242. An International patent application was published on Aug. 2, 2007 to Mullen as publication no. WO2007/087532.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,435

Inventor: Joseph Miele

Issued: Aug. 5, 1980

Convertible trousers including a body portion configured to be placed on the lower half of a human torso in a conventional manner, a pair of leg portions for accommodating therein a pair of human legs, the leg portions each comprising a plurality of flexible interchangeable tubular elements, and means for selectively removeably securing the flexible interchangeable tubular elements coextensively together. The tubular elements may be joined to the body portion in various configurations to produce a garment of a variable length which may be altered to present several different visual appearances.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,509

Inventor: Rene Charron

Issued: Jan. 27, 1987

Protective trousers for wearing over the lower portion of a dry or wet diving suit include a pair of panels joined at the crotch area and defining leg, hip and waist encircling elements. Clips and straps are provided for connecting the open side edges of the trousers, and for securing the bottom ends of the trousers to the feet of a user.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,943,699

Inventor: Claude Barbeau

Issued: Aug. 31, 1999

The firefighter's turnout pants according to the invention are designed so that each pant leg comprises a front panel and a back panel above the knee region, the panels being joined by an outseam and an inseam, and cylindrical panels below the knee region, the cylindrical panels being each joined by only an outseam and connected via a circumferential seam at the knee to the two-panels above the knee. The absence of an inseam below the knee of the firefighter's pants eliminates a chronic problem of abrasion of the threads used in that portion of the inseam and subsequent failure of the inseam. The absence below the knee of an inseam with the potential for failure reduces the maintenance and repair of the firefighter pants, reduces the risk of burn injury resulting from a breach in the protective envelope of the firefighter's pants, and reduces the incidence of reflective trim becoming coincidentally detached from the pants.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,223

Inventor: Allison Andrews

Issued: Dec. 19, 2000

A pair of pants that is easily separable at the crotch into right and left leg portions. Each leg portion is selected from a set of various styles to flexibly create a custom mixed or matched style for a given wearing of the pants. A closure system is provided for quick and convenient separation and re-combination of the leg portions while also providing secure use of the pants.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,027

Inventor: Chao Mu Chou

Issued: Oct. 23, 2001

Pants with a spiral seam with a zipper provided from a torso part of pants extending downward to lower ends of the pants legs spirally around the respective pants leg and away from a front side of the knee.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,477,716

Inventor: Gloria Blaire

Issued: Nov. 12, 2002

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; 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. Fastener members include zippers, snaps, buttons, hooks, and hook and loop type fasteners. The zipper is of the regular, visible or invisible type when positioned inside the pants. Additionally, the inclusion of a continuous outer flap on top of the fastener member functions to conceal the fastener member from view. This outer flap is unnecessary when an invisible type zipper is used as the fastener member.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,671

Inventor: Bradley Allen

Issued: Jun. 19, 2007

Variable leg width trousers, offering the wearer the ability to change the diameter of the lower leg sections of the trousers near the foot end while keeping the diameter of the upper leg sections constant. Each lower leg section is formed to have a width adjustment slot. The trousers may include a width adjusting insert, releasably attached to the lower leg sections by at least one joining device for each width adjustment slot, with which to vary the size of the width adjusting inserts. This allows the user to select the contraction or expansion of each lower leg section for functionality or appearance. The inserts may be constructed of the same material as the trousers or may be constructed of contrasting materials and/or colors. The width adjusting inserts may incorporate decorative indicia or expressive indicia, or may bear certain functional features, such as reflectors or pockets.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,350,242

Inventor: Elizabeth Girod

Issued: Apr. 1, 2008

Garments having an inside-out appearance are disclosed and are designed to be inside-out and fashionable. Unique fasteners, belt carriers and modifications of pockets make possible wearing a garment having an inside-out appearance. When a conventional garment is turned inside out many features such as belt carriers, zippers, and pockets become difficult or impossible to use when the garment is worn. Garments disclosed herein permit full use of features such as belt carriers, buttons, zippers, and pockets.

International Patent Publication Number WO2007/087532

Inventor: Nicole Mullen

Published: Aug. 2, 2007

A garment constructed so that parts of the garment are detachable and interchangeable. For a pair of pants, the top portion of the garment is made of a pair of shorts, Capri pants, gauchos, or pants. A fastener is attached to each pants leg, either at the hem or some inches above the hem. The fastener can be exposed or covered by fabric. Extenders, which may be made of any kind of fabric and in a variety of shapes (i.e., bell bottoms, flares or straight), attach to the fastener of the garment, changing the appearance and style of the garment by adding length, various trims such as fur or leather, or various colors, textures and/or patterns to the existing fabrics. For example, a pair of shorts could be converted into Capri or full length pants or simply be given a trim.

While these pants may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide pants having a closable exterior slit extending from the pant leg bottom to a terminus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide pants having an inset, or gusset, which is removably attachable to the periphery of the slit.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide pants having a gusset which is removably attachable to the periphery of the slit by means selected from the group of snaps, zippers, buttons and Velcro.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide pants with a removable gusset having a pleated and/or gathered portion at its apex causing the fabric material to ripple while walking.

Another object of the present invention is to provide pants having gussets that are interchangeable.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide pants having gussets with different colors and/or designs.

Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing pants having a closable exterior slit extending from the pant leg bottom to a terminus with a removably attachable gusset fastened to the periphery of the slit. The gusset is removably attached by means taken from the group of snaps, zippers, buttons and Velcro. The gusset has a pleat at its apex causing the fabric material to ripple while walking.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention in use.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the present invention with pants slit open.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the present invention using snap fasteners.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the present invention using Velcro fasteners.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the present invention using button fasteners.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the present invention using zipper fasteners.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative view of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of the present invention with slit in a closed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the pants having removable gussets of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.

10 pants garment

12 user

14 pant leg

16 gusset

18 hip region of said pants garment

20 bottom hem

22 slit

24 pair of mating slit edges

26 terminus

28 zipper

30 peripheral length of gusset

32 means for attaching gusset to pant leg

34 interior region of pant leg

36 knee

38 vertical pleats

40 outside portion of pant leg

42 seam in pant leg

44 open position of zipper

46 partly open position of zipper

48 fabric material

50 snaps

52 ornamentation

54 hook and loop fasteners

56 buttons

57 button holes

58 zippers

60 closed position of zipper

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of the present invention in use. The present invention is a pants garment 10 wearable by a user 12, the pants garment pant legs 14 having removable and replaceable gussets 16 for flaring out the pant legs 14. The pants garment 10 is shown as a pant leg 14 extending vertically from about a hip region 18 of the pants garment 10 to a bottom hem 20. A slit 22 extends upward from the hem 20, vertically dividing the pant leg 14 into a pair of mating slit edges 24 ending at a terminus 26 with a zipper 28 acting as means for releasably closing the slit 22. A gusset 16 has a peripheral length 30 sized to match the pair of mating slit edges 24, both of which have affixed thereto means 32 for removably attaching the gusset 16 to the pant leg 14. Preferably, the peripheral length 30 of the gusset 16 is removably attachable to an interior region 34 of the pant leg 14 adjacent the slit edges 24, such that the zipper 28, when closed, maintains the gusset 16 inside the pant leg 14. The terminus 26 can be located at any point between the hem 20 and the hip region 18, and preferably is near or above the knee 36.

Illustrated is an embodiment of the invention wherein the fabric material making up the gusset 16 flares out from the terminus 26 to the hem 20 and further includes a plurality of vertical pleats 38. The pants garment 10 of the present invention can have one or both legs having removable gussets 16. The slit 22 can be situated at any vertical line along the pant leg 14; shown is an embodiment wherein the slit 22 runs vertically up an outside portion 40 of the pant leg 14 and is generally co-linear to a seam 42 in the pant leg 14.

In use a user 12 attaches a gusset 16 to the pant leg 14, then manipulates the zipper 28 to a desired position, such as an open 44, closed or partially open 46 position. Shown is the zipper 28 in an open position 44 and a partially open position 46. Optionally, the zipper 28 is adapted to remain in the selected position.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown is a pants garment 10 with pant legs 14 having removable pleated 38 gussets 16 being attached thereto. A slit 22 extends upward from the hem 20, vertically dividing the pant leg 14 into a pair of mating slit edges 24 ending at a terminus 26 with a zipper 28 acting as means for releasably closing the slit 22. A gusset 16, preferably formed of a fabric material 48, has a peripheral length sized to match the pair of mating slit edges 24, both of which have affixed thereto means 32 selected from snaps 50, buttons, zippers and hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO) for removably attaching the gusset 16 to the pant leg 14.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the present invention. Shown is a pants garment 10 with pant legs 14 having removable gussets 16 being detached therefrom. A slit 22 extends upward from the hem 20, vertically dividing the pant leg 14 into a pair of mating slit edges 24 ending at a terminus 26 with a zipper 28 acting as means for releasably closing the slit 22. A gusset 16, preferably formed of a fabric material 48, has a peripheral length sized to match the pair of mating slit edges 24, both of which have affixed thereto means 32 selected from snaps 50, buttons, zippers and hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO) for removably attaching the gusset 16 to the pant leg 14.

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the present invention with pants slit open. Shown is a pants garment 10 with pant legs 14 having a removable gusset 16 being attached thereto. A slit 22 extends upward from the hem 20, vertically dividing the pant leg 14 into a pair of mating slit edges 24 ending at a terminus 26 with a zipper 28 acting as means for releasably closing the slit 22. A gusset 16, preferably formed of a fabric material 48, has a peripheral length sized to match the pair of mating slit edges 24, both of which have affixed thereto means 32 selected from snaps 50, buttons, zippers and hook and loop fasteners (VELCRO) for removably attaching the gusset 16 to the pant leg 14.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the present invention 10 using snap fasteners 50. Shown is a sectional view of the present invention using mating snap fasteners 50 as a means of attaching the gusset 16 to the pant leg 14. Also shown is an embodiment of the invention wherein the fabric material 48 further comprises ornamentation 52, such as patterns, textures and other adornments.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the present invention 10 using hook and loop (Velcro) fasteners 54. Shown is a sectional view of the present invention using hook and loop fasteners 54 as a means of attaching the gusset 16 to the pant leg 14. Also shown is an embodiment of the invention wherein the fabric material 48 further comprises ornamentation 52, such as patterns, textures and other adornments.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the present invention 10 using button fasteners 56. Shown is a sectional view of the present invention using button fasteners 56 and mating button holes 57 as a means of attaching the gusset 16 to the pant leg 14. Also shown is an embodiment of the invention wherein the fabric material 48 further comprises ornamentation 52, such as patterns, textures and other adornments.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the present invention 10 using zipper fasteners 58. Shown is a sectional view of the present invention using zipper fasteners 58 as a means of attaching the gusset 16 to the pant leg 14.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative view of the present invention 10. Shown is a sectional view of the pant leg 14 of the present invention with the zipper 28 in a partly open position 46. The gusset 16 contains a plurality of pleats 38.

FIG. 10 is an illustrative view of the present invention 10 with slit 22 in a closed position 60. Shown is a sectional view of the pant leg 14 of the present invention with the zipper 28 in a closed position 60. The present invention provides for pants that can be used with a formal appearance having the slit 22 closed 60 and a fashionable appearance having the slit open displaying the rippled gusset. Additionally the gusset may be removed for comfort or left remaining for future use, should the user decide to close the zipper 28.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

1. A pants garment comprising:

a) a pant leg extending vertically from about a hip region of said pants garment to a bottom hem;

b) a slit extending upward from said hem of said pant leg, said slit vertically dividing said pant leg into a pair of mating slit edges ending at a terminus;

c) means for releasably closing said slit along said pair of mating slit edges;

d) a gusset having a peripheral length sized to match said pair of mating slit edges; and

e) means for removably attaching said peripheral length of said gusset to said pair of mating slit edges of said pant leg.

2. A pants garment according to claim 1, wherein said means for releasably closing said slit along said pair of mating slit edges comprises a zipper.

3. A pants garment according to claim 2, wherein said means for removably attaching said peripheral length of said gusset to said pair of mating slit edges of said pant leg is selected from the group snaps, buttons, zippers and hook and loop fasteners.

4. A pants garment according to claim 3, wherein said peripheral length of said gusset is removably attachable to an interior region of said pant leg adjacent said pair of mating slit edges of said pant leg.

5. A pants garment according to claim 4, wherein said gusset comprises a fabric material.

6. A pants garment according to claim 5, wherein said fabric material further comprises ornamentation.

7. A pants garment according to claim 6, wherein said ornamentation is selected from patterns, textures and adornments.

8. A pants garment according to claim 5, wherein said terminus is between said bottom hem and said hip region of said pants garment.

9. A pants garment according to claim 8, wherein said terminus is near a knee region of said pant leg.

10. A pants garment according to claim 8, wherein said terminus is between a knee region of said pant leg and said hip region of said pants garment.

11. A pants garment according to claim 8, wherein said gusset comprises a plurality of vertical pleats.

12. A pants garment according to claim 11, wherein said fabric material of said gusset flares out from said terminus to said hem.

13. A pants garment according to claim 8, wherein said slit is generally co-linear to a seam in said pant leg.

14. A pants garment according to claim 13, wherein said seam in said pant leg runs vertically up an outside portion of said pant leg.

15. A pants garment according to claim 8, wherein said zipper is adapted to remain in a position selected from open, closed and partially open.

16. A pants garment according to claim 8, further comprising a second pant leg similar to said pant leg.

17. A method of manufacturing a pants garment comprising the steps:

a) providing a pants garment having a pant leg extending vertically from about a hip region of said pants garment to a bottom hem;

b) cutting into said pant leg a slit extending upward from said hem of said pant leg, said slit vertically dividing said pant leg into a pair of mating slit edges ending at a terminus;

c) affixing a zipper for releasably closing said slit along said pair of mating slit edges from said hem to said terminus;

d) providing a vertically pleated gusset formed of a fabric material and having a peripheral length sized to match said pair of mating slit edges; and

e) affixing means selected from the group snaps, buttons, zippers and hook and loop fasteners to an interior region of said pant leg adjacent said pair of mating slit edges and said peripheral length of said gusset for removably attaching said peripheral length of said gusset to said pair of mating slit edges of said pant leg.

18. A method of manufacturing a pants garment according to claim 17, wherein said fabric material further comprises ornamentation selected from patterns, textures and adornments.

19. A method of manufacturing a pants garment according to claim 17, wherein said terminus is near a knee region of said pant leg.

20. A method of manufacturing a pants garment according to claim 19, wherein said fabric material of said gusset flares out from said terminus to said hem.

21. A method of manufacturing a pants garment according to claim 20, wherein said slit is cut generally co-linear to a seam in said pant leg.

22. A method of manufacturing a pants garment according to claim 21, wherein said seam in said pant leg runs vertically up an outside portion of said pant leg.

23. A method of modifying the appearance of a pants garment comprising the steps:

a) providing a pants garment having a pant leg extending vertically from about a hip region to a bottom hem, a slit extending upward from said hem, said slit vertically dividing said pant leg into a pair of mating slit edges ending at a terminus, a zipper for releasably closing said slit along said pair of mating slit edges, a gusset formed of a vertically pleated fabric material having a peripheral length sized to match said pair of mating slit edges, and means selected from the group snaps, buttons, zippers and hook and loop fasteners for removably attaching said peripheral length of said gusset to an interior region of said pant leg adjacent said pair of mating slit edges of said pant leg; and

b) removably attaching said gusset to said pant leg.

24. A method of modifying the appearance of a pants garment according to claim 23, further comprising the step of manipulating said zipper to a desired position along said pair of mating slit edges, said desired position selected from the group open, closed and partly open.

25. A method of modifying the appearing of a pants garment according to claim 23, wherein said slit is generally co-linear to a seam running vertically up an outside portion of said pant leg.

26. A method of modifying the appearing of a pants garment according to claim 23, further comprising the steps:

a) removing said gusset from said pant leg; and

b) manipulating said zipper to a desired position selected from the group open, closed and partly open.

27. A method of modifying the appearing of a pants garment according to claim 23, further comprising the steps:

a) removing said gusset from said pant leg;

b) removably attaching a second gusset to said pant leg; and

c) manipulating said zipper to a desired position selected from the group open, closed and partly open.