UNDERWEAR GARMENT

Abstract

An underwear garment includes an extended rear top portion configured to resemble something other than underwear, such as human skin. The rear top portion may also be configured to resemble a clothing top, such as a shirt, blouse. In particular, the rear top portion may resemble a bottom section of shirt or blouse, such as with a lace pattern, so that the rear top portion appears as a shirt to an observer when exposed. The rear top portion may has a vertical length of ½ to 6 inches, and is noticeably higher than the top edge of a front portion of the underwear when worn. The front portion of the underwear includes a V-shaped top edge.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to clothing.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

Modern trends in clothing have led to pants and bottoms riding lower on a person's hips. Low-cut jeans, for example, are increasingly popular especially among women. As a result, such low riding apparel can lead to unsightly or even embarrassing underwear exposure. To avoid this unsightly appearance, many resort to wearing no underwear at all, which can be both uncomfortable and unsanitary. Low riding bottoms may also lead to indecent exposure of one's back side, jokingly referred to as “plumber's crack,” particularly when sitting down or bending forward.

Skimpy underwear garments do not solve this problem because the top portions of such garments are still exposed and thus noticeable when worn in combination with low-riding pants. Actually, when worn with low-riding bottoms, skimpy underwear can exacerbate the embarrassment by revealing the fact that it is being worn. Tucking in shirts also fails to resolve the problem since shirts can come undone easily.

While one can wear a long jacket or overcoat to cover up any potential underwear exposure, such oversized top outerwear would also cover any low-cut pants, thereby defeating the obvious purpose of wearing such a bottom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides structures and methods which overcome the deficiencies in the prior art.

In one aspect, an underwear article is provided. The article comprises a front panel having a front top edge, and a rear panel having a rear extended section that is configured to resemble a non-underwear object. The rear extended section includes a rear top edge being vertically higher than the front top edge when worn by the user. The rear top edge is vertically higher than the front top edge preferably by 0.5 inch to 6 inches.

The front top edge defines a lowest point that is generally centrally located. The rear top edge is preferably at least 3 inches higher than the lowest point of the front top edge. The front top edge is V-shaped.

The rear extended section may resemble human skin and thus comprise a tan or nude color. An optional graphic resembling a tattoo may be included on an outer surface of the rear extended section. The rear extended section may also resemble a bottom section of a clothing top. The rear extended section may also comprise a lace pattern. The article further comprises a pair of side top edges, each slanting upwardly toward the rear panel.

In a further aspect, an underwear article comprises a front panel having a V-shaped front top edge. The V-shaped top front top edge defines a lowest point that is centrally located. A rear panel has a rear extended section that is configured to resemble a non-underwear object. The rear extended section includes a rear top edge that is vertically higher than the lowest point of the front top edge in the range of 0.5 inch to 6 inches when worn by the user. The article further comprises a pair of side top edges, each slanting upwardly toward the rear panel.

The rear extended section may resemble human skin and include an optional graphic resembling a tattoo. The rear extended section may also resemble a bottom section of a clothing top, and/or comprise a lace pattern. The rear top edge is preferably at least 3 inches higher than the lowest point of the front top edge.

In a further aspect, an underwear article comprises a front panel having a V-shaped front top edge. The front top edge comprises a lowest point that is centrally located. A rear panel has a rear extended section that is configured to resemble a non-underwear object. The rear extended section includes a rear top edge vertically higher than the lowest point of the front top edge by at least three inches when worn by the user.

The rear extended section may resemble human skin and include an optional graphic resembling a tattoo. The rear extended section may resemble a bottom section of a clothing top. The rear extended section may also comprise a lace pattern.

In another aspect, an underwear garment includes an extended rear top portion configured to resemble something other than underwear, such as human skin. The rear top portion may also be configured to resemble a clothing top, such as a shirt, blouse. In particular, the rear top portion may resemble a bottom section of shirt or blouse, such as with a lace pattern, so that the rear top portion appears as a shirt to an observer when exposed. The rear top portion may has a vertical length of ½ to 6 inches, and is noticeably higher than the top edge of a front portion of the underwear when worn. The front portion of the underwear includes a V-shaped top edge.

The invention, now having been briefly summarized, may be better appreciated by the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a first preferred embodiment of an underwear garment according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the first preferred embodiment of the underwear garment;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the first preferred embodiment of the underwear garment showing an optional exemplary fake tattoo;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of a second preferred embodiment of the underwear garment having a lace pattern;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the second preferred embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of a third preferred embodiment of the underwear garment including a thong section;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the third preferred embodiment of the underwear garment; and

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of a fourth preferred embodiment of an underwear garment comprising a pair of boxers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

Throughout the specification, positional terms such as front, rear or back, left and right refer to the embodiments from the perspective of the user/wearer. Unless otherwise stated, the illustrated embodiments show the underwear as worn by a user.

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a first preferred embodiment of an underwear garment, or article, 10 as worn by a user. In the preferred embodiment, the underwear 10 comprises a front section or front panel 20 having a V-shaped front top edge 22, a crotch section 24 and a vertically extended rear section or rear panel 26 as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 1, the V-shaped front top edge 22 defines a lowest point 30 which in the preferred embodiment, is a centrally located midpoint 30 adapted to be positioned generally beneath the user's bellybutton 52. In the preferred embodiment, the article 10 comprises ladies' underwear although it is to be expressly understood that the article may also comprise men's underwear as well.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the first preferred underwear 10 as worn. In the preferred embodiment, the rear panel 26 comprises a vertically extended section 28 with a rear top edge 31 that extends a distance “D” in the range of 0.5 inch to 8 inches, and preferably greater than 3 inches, above the lowest point 30 of the front top edge 22 when worn on a user. The rear extended section 28 comprises an inner surface 33 facing the user and an opposite outer surface 35 which is potentially viewable by others.

In the preferred embodiment, the outer surface 35 of the rear extended section 28 is configured to resemble something other than underwear such that when exposed, others will be led to believe that they are not looking at underwear. For example, a variety of colors, materials and designs may be employed so as to give the impression that the rear extended section 28 is anything other than underwear. In the first preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the rear extended section 28 may comprise a skin-colored material which, when exposed, gives others the impression that they are looking directly at the skin of the user's back. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer surface 35 of the rear extended section 28 may comprise an optional tattoo graphic 37 against a skin-colored background since tattoos on lower backs are not uncommon.

In FIG. 1, the front top edge 22 is generally V-shaped or U-shaped (both generically being referred to as “V-shaped” hereafter) depending upon how the underwear 10 fits on the user. In particular, the front top edge 22 comprises a first, left top edge portion 42 that extends from the midpoint 30 to a left lateral end 46, and a second, right top edge portion 48 that extends from the midpoint 30 to a right lateral end 50. The front top edge portions 42, 48 may be linear or curved depending upon how the underwear 10 fits on the user.

In FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the midpoint 30 of the V-shaped front top edge 22 is the lowest point not only of the front top edge 22, but of the top edge of the underwear 10 all around. The highest or uppermost portion of the entire top edge of the underwear 10 is defined at the rear top edge 31. In the preferred embodiment, the rear top edge 31 is preferably 3 inches or more higher than the lowest point 30 of the front top edge 22 when worn.

The left top edge portion 42 and right top edge portion 48 rise upwardly as they extend from the midpoint 42 to outer lateral edges 50. Each front top edge portion 42, 48 continues to rise up significantly as they extend around the waist of the user towards the rear extended section 28. The V-shaped front top edge 22 thus enables the underwear 10 to be substantially hidden from a frontal view as demonstrated in FIG. 1 when worn with low-riding pants 39 shown in dashed lines.

At the same time, rigidity in supporting the rear extended section 28 is provided by configuring the top edge 22 to be substantially V-shaped and thus slanted upwardly as the top front edge 22 extends towards the rear. The underwear 10 preferably comprises a fabric or material having sufficient stretch and elastic properties to support the extended rear section 28. For example, the underwear 10 may comprise a stretch fabric having 5% lycra or spandex. The V-shaped front top edge 22 may alternatively be described as the front top edge 22 having a central lowest point 30 located generally beneath the user's bellybutton and a pair of top edge sections 42, 48 which rise up as they extend from the lowest point 30 towards the rear.

In FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that there is no abrupt break between the front top edge 22 and the rear top edge 31 since one edge 22 transitions upwardly to the other 31. Therefore, the front top edge 22 may generally be regarded as that which generally faces the front direction while the rear top edge 31 is that which generally faces the rear direction, with a pair of intermediate lateral top edge sections 54 which are generally disposed at the sides of the user and slanted upwardly towards the rear.

When worn in connection with low-riding pants or skirts 39 as shown in FIG. 3, the rear extended section 28 disposed above the pants 39 is exposed and thus visible when, for example, the user sits down or bends forward. By providing the extended section 28 with a tan or nude color and an optional tattoo 37, the rear extended section 28 creates a pseudo lower back and thus gives others the impression that they are looking directly at the back of the user, and not the impression that they are looking at underwear.

A second preferred embodiment of the underwear 10b is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 where elements of similar structure are designated by the same reference numerals followed by the lower case “b.” In this preferred embodiment, the underwear 10, or at least the rear extended section 28b, may comprise a design or pattern resembling the bottom portion 62 of a shirt or blouse 60, such as a lace pattern commonly found at the bottom end of female tops.

Accordingly, the underwear 10, or at least the rear extended section 28b, may comprise a common material and/or pattern typically associated with tops, such as cotton, polyester, nylon, lace, etc. Furthermore, the underwear 10, or at least the rear extended section 28b, may comprise a color or design that would be found on clothing tops, e.g., stripes, polka dots, plaid, etc. Therefore, if a user desires to wear a generally red T-shirt with a low-riding pair of jeans, for example, the user may choose an underwear 10 according to the preferred embodiments having a solid red rear extended section 28.

A third preferred embodiment of the underwear 10c is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 where elements of similar structure are designated by the same reference numerals followed by the lower case “c.” The third preferred embodiment 10c comprises a thong section 70 that extends from the rear to the front. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate another example of a matching system of clothing comprising a top 62 having a specific pattern or design 72, shown here as vertical stripes, and a preferred underwear 10c having a matching pattern, or design, 74.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated that a matching system of tops and preferred embodiments of underwear are provided according to the invention whereby the underwear is provided with a rear extended section comprising a similar material and design as those found on the tops. Thus, a top having a specific material and pattern may be sold with a matching underwear composed of the same material and including a rear extended section with a similar pattern. Therefore, an entire wardrobe solution for low-riding bottoms is provided according to the invention.

In FIG. 8A, a fourth preferred embodiment of the underwear article 10d comprises a pair of boxers. The front top edge of this embodiment is substantially similar to previously disclosed embodiments. The preferred boxer underwear 10d comprises an extended rear section 28 which may include a tan or other skin color, a pattern resembling the bottom of a top, or any other color or design resembling something other than underwear. This embodiment 10d comprises a pair of lower leg portions 80.

Thus, it is to be expressly understood, that the V-shaped front top edge and vertically extended rear section according to the preferred embodiments may be provided on any type of underwear (e.g., boxers, ladies' underwear, men's underwear, briefs, thongs, etc.) to form a new and unique underwear according to the invention that sufficiently resolves the problems associated with wearing low-riding bottoms.

It will be appreciated that each preferred embodiment of the underwear, when worn in connection with low riding pants and/or bottoms, saves the wearer from embarrassment by giving others the impression that they are not looking at underwear when in fact they are. The preferred embodiments also save the wearer from the constant hassle of having to pull up low-riding pants in order to avoid the bunching up of conventional underwear and/or indecent exposure.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the generic structure, material or acts of which they represent a single species.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Claims

1. An underwear article, comprising:

a front panel having a front top edge; and

a rear panel having a rear extended section that is configured to resemble a non-underwear object, the rear extended section including a rear top edge being vertically higher than the front top edge when worn by the user.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the rear top edge is vertically higher than the front top edge by 0.5 inch to 6 inches.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein:

the front top edge defines a lowest point that is generally centrally located; and

the rear top edge is at least 3 inches higher than the lowest point of the front top edge.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the front top edge is V-shaped.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the rear extended section resembles human skin.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein the rear extended section further comprises a graphic resembling a tattoo.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein the rear extended section resembles a bottom section of a clothing top.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein the rear extended section comprises a lace pattern.

9. The article of claim 1, further comprising a pair of side top edges, each slanting upwardly toward the rear panel.

10. The article of claim 1, wherein the article comprises ladies' underwear.

11. An underwear article, comprising:

a front panel having a V-shaped front top edge, the V-shaped top front top edge defining a lowest point that is centrally located; and

a rear panel having a rear extended section that is configured to resemble a non-underwear object, the rear extended section including a rear top edge vertically higher than the lowest point of the front top edge in the range of 0.5 inch to 6 inches when worn by the user.

12. The article of claim 11, further comprising:

a pair of side top edges, each slanting upwardly toward the rear panel.

13. The article of claim 11, wherein the rear extended section resembles human skin.

14. The article of claim 13, wherein the rear extended section further comprises a graphic resembling a tattoo.

15. The article of claim 11, wherein the rear extended section resembles a bottom section of a clothing top.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the rear extended section comprises a lace pattern.

17. The article of claim 11, wherein the rear top edge is at least 3 inches higher than the lowest point of the front top edge.

18. An underwear article, comprising:

a front panel having a V-shaped front top edge, the front top edge comprising a lowest point that is centrally located; and

a rear panel having a rear extended section that is configured to resemble a non-underwear object, the rear extended section including a rear top edge vertically higher than the lowest point of the front top edge by at least three inches when worn by the user.

19. The article of claim 18, wherein the rear extended section resembles human skin.

20. The article of claim 19, wherein the rear extended section further comprises a graphic resembling a tattoo.

21. The article of claim 18, wherein the rear extended section resembles a bottom section of a clothing top.

22. The article of claim 21, wherein the rear extended section comprises a lace pattern.