CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application No.

16/539,010 filed August 13, 2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/853,093 filed on May 27 ^th , 2019, entitled“Fixed-waist Short with Underwear Attached”, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to shorts and, more particularly, in various

embodiments, to a pair of shorts having an integral undergarment with a stretch front waistband attached therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The prior art is replete with attempts to merge a flexible undergarment with outerwear such as pants or shorts. The most common approach is to connectively sew an inner liner into a pair of pants or shorts, at one or more attachment points, including along the inner waistband. The liners usually resemble a traditional pair of briefs or similar type of close-fitting underwear.

[0004] When merging a flexible undergarment with elastic waist shorts, problems quickly arise in terms of fit and comfort. With an elastic waist short, you cannot get the specificity of fit that a fixed-waist provides. Neither are elastic waists as flat and comfortable on the body under backpacks, tool belts, fanny packs, belt, or the like. But there is a benefit in having a combined fixed-waist garment with integrated underwear. Such a garment simplifies the wearing experience because the product works perfectly together rather than coupling two separate items. The combined garment eliminates multiple layers at the waistband and improves overall comfort Furthermore, it stops underwear from riding up or down or moving out of place or bunching up on a user’s body. Many products have been introduced with underwear formed as part of the garment. These products usually provide for a pair of underwear sewn about the waistline of the outer garment, such as a pair of pants or shorts. US 2,034,312 A discloses shorts having underwear fastened within them by elastic bands on each side of the shorts and underwear. Many other similar examples within the prior art exist, but none provide for a garment that offers the same comfort and functionality as the present invention.

[0005] Additionally, the design of the integrated underwear is instrumental in creating a comfortable wearing experience. Men's underwear typically suffers from several deficiencies, including but not limited to, a propensity for the scrotum to contact and stick to the inner thigh and a high degree of contact between the inner thighs of the wearer which can lead to friction, chafing and discomfort while sitting, walking, running, or skating or other numerous athletic activities, a lack of support for the genitalia, limited freedom of movement and natural resting position for the genitalia and a lack of moisture control.

[0006] Various underwear designs in the prior art have tried to address one or more of these problems. For example, sports boxer-briefs are typically tight and form-fitting resulting in compressing the genitalia. However, they support the scrotum too close to the body leading to any combination of scrotum contact with inner thighs and legs, and moisture problems resulting from perspiration and skin irritation. Typical loose-fitting boxer shorts provide ample freedom of movement but suffer from a propensity for the scrotum to contact and stick to the inner thigh, and lack of support and comfort.

[0007] In the prior art applicant is aware of U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,345 which issued to

Angheluta, et al, on Jul. 9, 1991, entitled Man's Underwear with an Integral Codpiece-like Construction. Angheluta discloses a man's garment, particularly a man's underwear garment, providing a codpiece compartment secured to a front of a trunk panel of the garment. The trunk panel provides an opening for communicating a man's genitals therethrough into the codpiece compartment. The compartment loosely holds the man's genitals. The trunk panel and a slot 24 provides for forward biasing and separation of the genitals by constricting of the sides of the slot behind the testicles and heat insulation to reduce the thermal influence of the man's torso on the man's reproductive organs. Angheluta describes the use of compartment 40 which is a loose fitting compartment around the genitals, it being taught that such a loose fitting compartment prevents compression of the genitals against the male's lower trunk, such as occurs in shorts known to the art, and that by properly selecting the lengths of the front, right and left side panels 32, 38, and 36 a suitably loose compartment 40 is formed. Angheluta concludes that by reducing compression of the genitals against the trunk, the thermal influence of the trunk to the genitals is reduced, and pressure on the genitals is reduced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0008] The present invention improves upon contemporary methods of pairing shorts with separate underwear. A pair of underwear, such as boxer briefs, trunks or briefs, are integrated into a fixed-waist short. The underwear is attached to the fixed-waist short at the inner waistband seam of the fixed-waist short. Attachment to the fixed-waist short can be done by way of stitching or another method of fixedly securing the liner to the short. The securement of the underwear to the shorts extends along the back of the underwear and around to each side of the underwear. At approximately halfway along each side of the underwear the securement ends.

The underwear is provided with a waistband that is clean finished into the rear securement area.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, a pair of boxer-brief underwear is presented that is attached by way of stitching along the ends of its partial waistband to a fixed-waist short. The underwear comprises a stretchable waistband that extends partially along the front top of the underwear. That is, it runs along the front of the underwear and transitions into stitching at the sideseams of the fixed-waist short. The rear of the underwear has no separate waistband. Of the 360 degrees of the circumference of the underwear’s waistband, the half-elastic portion comprises approximately 180 degrees of the waistband while the stitching also comprises approximately 180 degrees of the waistband.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the underwear is a full liner with a fly and standard liner construction. The liner has mesh gussets, flat seams, and the fly opening is turned to a clean finish. The liner provides male genital separation from inner leg contact, and improved comfort and support. A specifically shaped, breathable pouch is provided in combination with elasticized, breathable, and wicking mesh material side panels. The combination of the side panels and shaped pouch serve to keep the male genitalia supported, dry and separated from inner-leg contact. The side panels and shaped pouch comprise an internal double side-panel containment system and an anatomical pouch compartment.

[0011] The lower extremity of the pouch extends under and rearwardly of the front wall to form a perineum portion for covering rearwardly past the scrotum and to the perineum of the user. The pouch also has a phallus supporting portion extending forwardly of a plane generally containing the front wall and forming therein an apex portion for containing the head of the penis of the user when the penis is hanging at rest. The pouch also has a scrotum supporting portion extending from and between the phallus supporting portion and the perineum portion for containing at least a portion of the scrotum of the user.

[0012] The present invention makes use of light internal fabric and moisture control athletic performance fabrics to control moisture, resist odor retention. An embodiment of the present invention provides an underwear with a moisture wicking odor resistant finish, the finish being applied to a stretchable, form-fitting athletic fabric. The fabric is a blend of nylon, spandex, and polyester. The fixed-waist short is constructed from a blend comprising polyester, nylon, spandex with weft stretch and quick dry finish. Accessories or additional components such as zippers, buttons, snaps and the like are made from a variety of other fabrics, metals, or plastics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. l is a front view of an underwear liner within a fixed-waist short as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view of a fixed-waist short as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of a fixed-waist short as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a front view of an underwear liner with a fly opening and an adjustable front band as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a side view of an underwear liner with a stretch front waist band as according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a bottom view of an underwear liner as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a side view of a fixed-waist short waistband attached to an underwear liner waistband as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a front view of a fixed-waist short waistband attached to an underwear liner waistband as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a front view of an underwear liner without a fly opening as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a rear view of an underwear liner as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of the stitching of an anatomical pouch as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a front view of a fixed-waist short with a belt as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a rear view of a fixed-waist short with a belt as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 14 is a right-side view of a fixed-waist short with a belt as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a left-side view of a fixed-waist short with a belt as according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Referring now to the attached Figures that will be discussed together, the present invention comprises a pair of underwear (102) that is integrated into a fixed-waist short (107). For purposes of this Disclosure, the term“fixed-waist” shall mean the waist of a garment, such as a pair of shorts, that do not contain elastic or are not stretchable. The waistband of a fixed- waist short (107) is constructed from a non-stretch or stretch material such as a polyester blend. The term is not meant to exclude garments having tightening or adjustment devices such as belts, zippers, multi-position button fasteners, or the like.

[0014] The attachment of the underwear (102) to the short (107) provides a garment that simplifies, and makes more comfortable, the wearing experience of shorts and underwear as compared to embodiments of the prior art. The present invention eliminates multiple layers at the waistband and stops underwear from riding up or down or bunching on the body.

[0015] The underwear’s partial waistband (100) is an elastic waistband, positioned along the top and front of the underwear (102) that clean finishes into the fixed-waist short’s waistband

(101) at the sideseams (114) of the fixed-waist short’s waistband (101). That is, the underwear’s partial waistband (100) is a half waistband that extends along the top front half of the underwear

(102). When the underwear (102) is viewed alone, the waistband area along the rear portion of the underwear (102) is an empty area (103). The area on the liner is empty (103) because that is where the waistband of the fixed short (101) is attached. The relationship between the waistband of the fixed short (101) and underwear (100) is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 where the fixed-waist waistband (101) is shown as a complete outer waistband. The underwear’s partial waistband

(100) is attached to the fixed-waist short’s waistband (101) at the sideseams (114) of the fixed- waist short (107). The attachment between the underwear’s partial waistband (100) and the shorts’ waistband (101) is a clean finish so that the joining of the two is flat and comfortable to wear.

[0016] The rear portion of the underwear (102) is attached to the fixed-waist short’s waistband (102) by way of stitching. It is the top part of the underwear (102) directly underneath where a waistband would normally be located that is stitched to the bottom part of the short’s waistband

(101). The empty area (103) of the underwear allows the waistband of the short (101) to fit in a flush, flat manner on a user wearing the present invention. By having only a partial waistband

(102) along the front of the underwear (102) and leaving an empty area (103) along the top rear of the underwear (102), the underwear (102) is optimally constructed to create a comfortable, flush fit when combined with a fixed-waist short (107). The stitching of the underwear (102) to the fixed-waist short (107) at the sideseams (114) and along the top rear of the underwear (102) prevents the underwear (102) from moving or bunching when worn by a user. The attachment of the underwear (102) begins at the sideseams (114) of short (107) and extends along the entire rear portion of the underwear (102) and fixed-waist short (107) but not along the front half of the underwear (102) or short (107). This allows the underwear to stretchably fit to the contours of the user and creates a more comfortable, pleasing fit.

[0017] In some embodiments, the underwear’s partial waistband (100) is elastic or made from a stretchable material so that it can expand or contract and provide a tighter, more comfortable fit for the wearer. As the elasticity of the liner’s partial waistband (100) causes it to contract, the liner (102) fits more snugly on a user. However, because the waistband of the liner (102) is sewn directly to the short (107) and the rear portion of the liner (102) is attached to the waistband of the short (107) instead of having a separate waistband that is combined with the short (107) there is no bunching of material along the rear of the short’s waistband (101) as would occur if a user were wearing a typical pair of underwear. The fixed short’s waistband (101) is constructed from a non-stretchable, woven, or stretchable material. In some embodiments, the fixed-waist short (107) is constructed from a synthetic fabric but can have trim or other components made from, differing materials. If the short (107) waistband was made from a stretchable or elastic material, it would gather and cause the attached liner (102) to also bunch up and gather against the body of a user. This would be uncomfortable for the user or cause pain or chafing.

[0018] The fixed-waist short (107) has many features, trim, and additional components as found on conventional shorts. It can comprise belt loops, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, or come with a premade belt (111) that is used to tighten the short (107) on a user. The belt (111) is slideably adjustable and tightenable along the waistband (101) of the fixed-waist short (107). In some embodiments, the fixed-waist short (107) is provided with waistband casing that houses the belt (111). The waistband casing can be constructed from the same material as the short (107). Other features of the fixed-waist short (107) can include paneling (112, 113) made of a lightweight mesh material for ventilation and cooling purposes. As illustrated in Figs. 12-14, the mesh panels form a gusseted inseam at the crotch point (112) and a panel (113) at the centerline on the rear of the short (107) just below the waistband (101).

[0019] The underwear (102) is constructed of a 4-way stretch material or semi-stretch material so that the underwear (102) can provide a tight fit to the user. In some embodiments, the material is a blend of nylon, spandex, and polyester that have stretch and wicking characteristics. The underwear (102) can be finished with an odor resistant finish for hygiene and odor control purposes. The underwear (102) is attached to the fixed-waist short (107) by clean finish stitching at the sideseams (114). The sideseams (114) are positioned along the waistband of the fixed- waist short (107) approximately equidistance from the front centerline to the rear centerline of the short (107) on both sides. Each sideseam (114) is oriented about 180 degrees from each when the waistband (101) is viewed as a 360 degree circle. A clean finish is a simple straight stitching that is used to create a seam finish. In some embodiments, a seam finish can be a simple line of stitching to prevent fraying beyond that stitching. Occasionally a clean finish is combined with a pinked seam finish or is sewn under the edge.

[0020] There is a genital pouch (106) that is shaped to support and keep separate a male’s genitalia and phallus from contacting his legs. The genital pouch (106) and a pair of side panels (110) are collectively formed in a mid-section of a front wall descending from the liner’s partial waistband (100) to bisect said front wall. The pouch (106) may be pear-shaped when viewed from the front. A lower extremity of the pouch (106) extends under and rearwardly of the front wall to form a perineum portion for covering rearwardly past the scrotum and to the perineum of the user. The pouch (106) also has a phallus supporting portion extending forwardly of a plane generally containing the front wall and forming an apex portion for containing the head of the penis of the user when the penis is hanging at rest. The pouch (106) also has a scrotum supporting portion extending from and between the phallus supporting portion and the perineum portion for containing at least a portion of the scrotum of the user.

[0021] The side panels (110) are a pair of laterally spaced apart, substantially parallel side panels (110) forming upwardly from adjacent the perineum generally vertical extending scrotum fences towards the partial waistband (100). The side panels (110) are spaced so as to snugly engage sides of the scrotum and to substantially completely support the sides of the scrotum and to extend upwardly in a single layer on each side along a lowermost aspect of the abdomen of the user, the single layer of each panel being located between the scrotum and the inner thigh of the user so as to substantially entirely cover exposed thigh skin and prevent rubbing between thigh and scrotum. Advantageously the side panels (110) are formed as opposed facing concavities to cup the scrotum and the side panels (110) and pouch are formed of elasticized breathable wicking mesh. The side panels may be scimitar-shaped when viewed from the side to form, along with the pouch (106), the scrotum supporting portion as a crescent half-moon-shaped basket.

[0022] Further advantageously, the pouch (106) has an inner lining which is smooth and seamless over a central penis-covering portion thereof, and the concavities of the side panels (110) are formed at least in part by folding laterally inwardly and stitching uppermost ends of the side panels (110) so as to fold over an uppermost edge of the side panels (110). In one embodiment this is done where the side panels (110) extend up to the partial waistband (100), and where the pouch (106) also extends between the side panels (110) substantially up to the partial waistband (100). In one embodiment the concavities of side panels (110) are formed by facing inwardly, and stitching at the end of the panels (105) with the fold over in place, the upper ends of side panels (110) where side panels (110) are stitched to the front walls and partial waistband (100) of the liner (102).

[0023] Some embodiments of the present invention have an opening in the front of the liner (102) commonly referred to as a fly (104). The fly (104) is formed as part of, or to the side of, the pouch (106). Embodiments with a fly (104) are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. However, other embodiments do not have a fly (104) as illustrated in Fig. 9.

[0024] The detailed description, above, sets forth numerous specific details to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, have not been described in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention.

[0025] All the references cited herein are incorporated by reference. The terms and

expressions that have been employed in the foregoing specification are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow.