CROSS-REFERENCE

[0001] The present application claims priority on United States Patent Application No. 63/033,255 filed June 2, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to the field of sporting goods and, more particularly, to hockey equipment.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Hockey players use pants having a series of padded sections for protecting their waist, hips, and upper legs. These pants may be available in a variety of sizes to cater to different sizes of players. However, for some players, and particularly for women, traditional hockey pants may be less well adapted for their physiology, for example being too tight in certain areas and too loose in others. There is therefore an ongoing need for protective sports pants that are better adapted to the physiology of players.

SUMMARY

[0004] There is accordingly provided protective sport pants, comprising: a waist padding portion defining an opening for receiving hips of a wearer; left and right leg portions extending from the waist padding portion; a groin portion secured to and interconnecting the left and right leg portions, the groin portion being expandable in a direction substantially transverse to a direction along which the protective sport pants are pulled on by the wearer, the groin portion extending from a back of the waist padding portion around a groin of the wearer and ending at a front of the protective sport pants; and an attachment system having a right member secured to the right leg portion, a left member secured to the left leg portion, and a securing member operatively connected to both of the left member and the right member, the securing member operable to bring the right member and the left member toward one another. [0005] The protective sport pants as described herein may also include one or more of the following additional features, in whole or in part, and in any combination.

[0006] In certain embodiments, the left member and the right member of the attachment system are attached to one another solely via the securing member.

[0007] In certain embodiments, the groin portion has two lateral edges extending from a first end of the groin portion to a second end thereof, each of the two lateral edges secured to a respective one of the right leg portion and the left leg portion.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the groin portion biases the left and right leg portions toward each other.

[0009] In certain embodiments, the groin portion has a front end and a rear end, the rear end secured to the back of the waist padding portion, the front end being spaced apart from the waist padding portion by a gap, the attachment system extending over the gap.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the attachment system overlaps the groin portion.

[0011] In certain embodiments, a belly pad is secured to a top end of the groin portion.

[0012] In certain embodiments, the groin portion and the belly pad overlap one another.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the attachment system is a lace system including right and left lace panels and wherein the securing member is a lace intermeshed with the right and left lace panels.

[0014] In certain embodiments, each of the right and left leg portions has a rear padding, the rear paddings secured to one another by an elastic member extending transversally to the groin portion.

[0015] In certain embodiments, a second attachment system is operable to bias the waist padding portion against the hips of the wearer. [0016] In certain embodiments, the second attachment system includes a belt extending around a circumference of the waist padding portion.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the belt is located on an inner side of the waist padding portion facing the wearer, the belt at least partially enclosed within a casing extending along the circumference of the waist padding portion.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the waist padding portion is securable to the right and left leg portions via closure means, the closure means operable in a fastened configuration in which the waist padding portion is secured to the right and left leg portions via the closure means and in an unfastened configuration in which the waist padding portion is secured to the right and left leg portions via a band of material extending circumferentially around the opening, a distance between the waist padding portion and the right and left leg portions greater in the unfastened configuration than that in the fastened configuration.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the securing member biases the right member and the left member toward one another.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the groin portion has a U-shape.

[0021] In certain embodiments, ends of the belts are securable to one another using a quick-connect fastener.

[0022] In certain embodiments, the closure means are zippers.

[0023] There is also provided a protective sport pant, comprising: a waist padding portion extending at least partially circumferentially around a back and sides of a wearer, the waist padding portion defining two edges near a belly of the wearer; a groin portion extending from a back portion of the waist padding portion toward a front of the waist padding portion, the groin portion made of an expandable material; left and right leg portions each secured to a respective one of opposed lateral edges of the groin portion, the groin portion interconnecting the left and right leg portions; and an attachment system biasing upper portions of the right and left leg portions toward one another, wherein the attachment system has two panels each secured to a respective one of the upper portions of the right and left leg portions and operatively connected to one another via a securing member, the two panels free of connection to one another but for the securing member.

[0024] The protective sport pant as described herein may also include one or more of the following additional features, in whole or in part, and in any combination.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the expandable material of the groin portion is operable to stretch at least a direction substantially transverse to a direction along which the protective sport pant is pulled on by the wearer.

[0026] In certain embodiments, the groin portion biases the left and right leg portions toward each other.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the two panels are attached to the sides of the groin portion.

[0028] In certain embodiments, a belly pad is secured to the groin portion.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the two panels have apertures and the securing member is a lace.

[0030] There is further provided protective sport pants comprising: a waist padding portion defining an opening for receiving hips of a wearer, right and left leg portions extending from the waist padding portion and a groin portion secured to the right and left leg portions, the groin portion being expandable in a direction substantially transverse to a direction along which the sport pants are pulled on by the wearer, the groin portion extending from a back of the waist padding portion around a groin of the wearer and ending at a front of the protective sport pants; and an attachment system having a right member secured to the right leg portion, a left member secured to the left leg portion, and a securing member operatively connected to both of the left member and the right member, the securing member operable to bias the right member and the left member toward one another. [0031] There is further provided a protective sport pant, comprising: a waist padding portion extending circumferentially around a back and sides of a wearer, the waist padding portion defining two edges at a belly of the wearer; a groin portion extending from a back portion of the waist padding portion toward a front of the waist padding portion, the groin portion made of an expandable and/or flexible material and extending; right and left leg portions each secured to a respective one of opposed lateral edges of the groin portion; and an attachment system for biasing upper portions of the right and left leg portions toward one another, wherein the attachment system has two panels each secured to a respective one of the upper portions of the right and left leg portions and operatively connected to one another via a securing member, the two panels being free of connection to one another but for the securing member.

[0032] Many further features and combinations thereof concerning the present improvements will appear to those skilled in the art following a reading of the instant disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of the anatomy of a female body;

[0034] Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of protective sports pants in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, shown in a wearing position;

[0035] Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the protective sports pants of Fig. 2, shown in a transitional position;

[0036] Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the protective sports pants of Figs. 2 and 3, shown in an unworn position with the laces removed for illustration purposes;

[0037] Fig. 5 is a rear perspective view of the protective sports pants of Fig. 4;

[0038] Fig. 6 is a bottom view of the protective sports pants of Fig. 4;

[0039] Fig. 7 is a top view of the protective sports pants of Fig. 4, showing a portion of the inside of the protective sports pants; [0040] Fig. 8 is a partial front view of the protective sports pants of Fig. 4, shown in an unworn position and showing front closure means thereof;

[0041] Fig. 9 is a partial side view of the protective sports pants of Fig. 4;

[0042] Fig. 10 is another partial side view of the protective sports pants of Fig. 9, with a protecting pad being lifted to show closure means in a fastened configuration; and

[0043] Fig. 11 is a partial side view of the protective sports pants of Fig. 9, illustrating the closure means of Fig. 10 in an unfastened configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates the anatomy of the torso of a female body B including chest C, waist W, and hips H. Typically, a dimension, such as a circumference or width, C1 of the chest C is greater than a circumference or width W1 of the waist W. The circumference or width H1 of the hips H may vary greatly from one woman to another. The standard deviation of the ratio of the width H1 of the hips H to the width W1 of the waist W may be less for men than it is for women, mainly because of the high variability in hip sizes in women. Indeed, some women may have wide hips compared to the size of their waist.

[0045] Most protective sports equipment in general, and most ice hockey protective equipment in particular, has historically been designed with male wearers/players in mind. For female athletes, and in particular for female hockey players, the above-noted physiological differences can result in a sub-optimal equipment fit. For example, a woman with larger hips may be required to buy and wear protective hockey pants of a size that is larger than usual to accommodate her hips H (e.g. a size “L”, when a smaller size might be sufficient based on the size of her waist). While the protective hockey pants may therefore accommodate her hips, this often results in a pant that is too wide for her waist W.

[0046] Referring now to Fig. 2, protective sports pants, for instance, protective pants of the type worn for playing ice hockey (or simply “hockey”), are shown generally at 10. The protective sports pants 10 are referred to herein below simply as pants 10. The pants 10 as described herein are particularly designed for women, given the aforementioned challenges which exist for female hockey players to find adequately fitting equipment that is specifically intended for their anatomy. However, it is to be understood that the pants as described herein could similarly be worn by men. The pants 10 of the present disclosure accordingly provide additional adjustment and/or fit options for a variety of hockey players, including but not limited to those who have a physiology that is outside the standard “norm” for which such protective equipment is typically designed.

[0047] The pants 10 include a waist padding portion 12, which is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 2, a right leg portion 14, a left leg portion 16 and a groin portion 18 which interconnects the left and right leg portions 14, 16 and the waist portion 12. The right leg portion 14 and the left leg portion 16 extend downward from the waist padding portion 12. The groin portion 18 is located between the right and left leg portions 14 and 16. In the embodiment shown, the right leg portion 14 has a top edge 14a which may be secured to a bottom edge 12a of the waist padding portion 12. Similarly, the left leg portion 16 has a top edge 16a that may be secured to the bottom edge 12a of the waist padding portion 12. Each of the right and left leg portions 14, 16, include an inner edge 14b, 16b. The groin portion 18 includes two opposite lateral edges 18a, 18b. As shown in Fig. 2, the lateral edges 18a, 18b, of the groin portion 18 may be secured to the inner edges 14b, 16b of the right and left leg portions 14, 16 of the pants 10.

[0048] Herein, the expression “secured” may mean “stitched”. It is however understood that any other suitable methods of securing the portions together are contemplated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, including for example fabric welding, bonding, etc.

[0049] For maintaining the pants 10 on a wearer (or player), an attachment system 20 is provided. It has been previously observed that for some wearers, such as a woman as shown in Fig. 1, who may have a width H1 of the hips that is substantially greater than the width W1 of the waist W, it may be difficult to put the sports pants 10 on and/or to find a good fit of the pant. Stated differently, the size of the waist padding portion 12 may be designed to fit snuggly around the waist W of the wearer B (Fig. 1). However, if the wearer B is wider at the hips H, it may be difficult to pull the pants on up past the hips H. Therefore, and as discussed hereinabove, some wearers are required to buy a bigger size of the sports pants than they need, just to be able to put on the pants and/or to ensure that the pants fit at least the widest part of their body.

[0050] Although the term “width” is used herein to refer to the dimensions W1 and H1 of the waist and hips, respectively, it is to be understood that the body circumference at these locations could also be used.

[0051] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, in the depicted embodiment, the groin portion 18 of the pants 10 is expandable and allows the right and left leg portions 14, 16 to move towards and/or away from each other in an elongation direction T, which is shown by the arrows in Fig. 3. The term “expandable” as used herein is understood to mean stretchable or elastically deformable, for example as would be permitted by an elastic material, a flexible material and/or stretchable material. Stated differently, the expandable material which forms part and/or all of the groin portion 18 is able to stretch (e.g. increase in length), in at least the elongation direction T, without the fibers of the material breaking and the material is able to return to its original length/width/dimensions without damaging the material. The groin portion 18 may therefore, in certain exemplary embodiments, be made of a knit or woven elastic fabric. The elongation direction T may be transverse, i.e. in a medial-lateral direction, and thus the elongation direction T may be substantially transverse (and even more particularly, may be substantially perpendicular) to a pulling direction D (Fig. 3) along which a pulling force is exerted by the wearer to pull the pants 10 up.

[0052] As such, the groin portion 18 may in effect bias the left an right leg portions 14, 16 towards each other. In one embodiment, the expandable groin portion 18 may be disposed in its un-stretched, or neutral, position when the left and right leg portions 14, 16 are closer together (as shown in Fig. 2). As shown in Fig. 3, the stretch and/or expansion of the groin portion 18 in the elongation direction T permits the left and right leg portions 14, 16 to be able to move away from each other when forced to do so- i.e. laterally away, in opposite directions, from a sagittal plane passing through the center of the pants 10. The elastic groin portion 18 will however tend to bias the left and right leg portions back towards each other, thereby causing the pants 10 to tend to hug the hips H of the wearer once they have been put on. As will be described in further detail below, the attachment system 20 is then used to draw and/or bias the waist portion of the pant inwardly so as to adapt to the waist W of the wearer.

[0053] In the embodiment shown, a wearer B (Fig. 1) can pull the pants 10 up in direction D and, once the waist padding portion 12 reaches the hips H, the wearer can continue pulling in the pulling direction D, allowing the right and left portions 14, 16 to move away from each other along the elongation direction T to increase a diameter of an opening 12b (Fig. 7) defined by the waist padding portion 12. As the wearer continues to pull along the pulling direction D, the rights and left leg portions 14, 16 may extend away from one another along the elongation direction T to be able to allow the pants 10 to pass the hips H (Fig. 1) of the wearer. The leg portions 14, 16 may move back one toward the other along a contraction direction parallel to the elongation direction T once the waist padding portion 12 reaches the waist W (Fig. 1) of the wearer. This is possible because the groin portion 18 is more elastic, i.e. it stretches more in at least the transverse direction T, than the material of the right and left leg portions 14, 16.

[0054] It is understood that any suitable means for providing the groin portion with a degree of elongation in the elongation direction T is provided without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In a particular embodiment, the material of the groin portion 18 can be stretched to double its dimension taken in the elongation direction T. In a particular embodiment, the groin portion 18 may define a plurality of accordion-like folds, gussets, etc. The material of the groin portion 18 may, for example, be a polyester woven fabric that includes spandex or another suitable stretch fabric.

[0055] Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, the attachment system 20 is described in more detail. The attachment system 20 is operable to draw (i.e. bring) upper portions of the right and left leg portions toward one another when the attachment system is tightened and/or secured, and this tightening movement provided by the attachment system 20 may be in a substantially transverse direction that is opposite to elongation direction T provided by the stretch of the groin portion 18. In the embodiment shown, the inner edges 14b, 16b of the right and left leg portions 14, 16 are secured to one another solely via the groin portion 18 and the attachment system 20. The attachment system 20 may include a right member, or panel, 20a and a left member, or panel, 20b. The right member 20b is secured to the inner edge 14b of the right leg portion 14 and the left member 20b is secured to the inner edge 16b of the left leg portion 16. Each of the right and left members 20a, 20b of the attachment system 20 defines apertures to receive laces 20c therethrough. The apertures may extend through the right and left members 20a, 20b or, defined by a band of fabric secured to said panels at a plurality of attachment points. It will be appreciated that other attachment systems may be used. For instance, the attachment system may include hook-and-loop fasteners, snap buttons, magnets, any other suitable lacing systems such as the Boa™ system that includes a metallic wire lace and a mechanical rotary knob to tension the wire lace. Any suitable lacing system to close right and left members 20a, 20b together is contemplated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0056] In the depicted embodiment, the right and left members 20a, 20b of the attachment system 20 are securable to one another solely via the laces 20c. In other words, the right and left members 20a, 20b of the attachment system 20 are not attached to one another at a bottom portion thereof as may be the case with conventional lace panels or zippers, which define V-shapes. This may allow the entirety of the right member 20a of the attachment system 20 to be completely detached from the entirety of the left member 20b of the attachment system 20. This may therefore allow the groin portion 18 to extend as required by a wearer to pull the pants up. Stated differently, the extension of the groin portion 18 is not impeded by the attachment system 20. This may be possible by having edges of the right and left members 20a, 20b of the attachment system 20 to be free of direct connection therebetween.

[0057] Referring now to Fig. 4, there may be an overlap O between the groin portion 18 and the attachment system 20. In other words, a top edge 18c of the groin portion 18 extends beyond (i.e. above) a lower end of the attachment system 20. In the embodiment shown, the top edge 18c of the groin portion 18 is spaced apart from the bottom edge 12a of the waist padding portion 12 by a gap. Among other things, the overlap O may accordingly allow for the top edge 18c of the groin portion 18 to be hidden by, and/or protected beneath, the laces connecting the right and left members 20a, 20b of the attachment system 20. In a particular embodiment, having the gap between the top edge 18c of the groin portion 18 and the bottom edge 12a of the waist padding portion 12 may also allow the pants to be opened wide enough for a player to put on her pants. As shown in Fig. 4, the pants 10 may include a tongue, also referred to as a belly pad, 22 that may be secured to the groin portion 18. In the depicted embodiment, the belly pad 22 is secured solely to the groin portion 18. The belly pad 22 may be secured to the groin portion 18 at two attachment points 22a that may be offset from one another along a length of the groin portion; the length being substantially parallel to the lateral edges 18a, 18b of the groin portion 18. In the depicted embodiment, the belly pad 22 is secured to the groin portion 18 at the overlap O between the groin portion 18 and the lace system 20. Stated differently, the two attachment points 22a between the belly pad 22 and the groin portion 18 are located within a region of the groin portion 18 that is overlapped with the attachment system 20. In a particular embodiment, securing the belly pad 22 to the groin portion 18 at the two attachment points 22a increase stability and limits the belly pad 22 from folding out and/or twisting. The attachment points 22a may alternatively be a vertical stitch line instead of the two horizontal stitch lines shown in Fig. 4. The attachment points 22a may be a square shape stitch line. In the present case, the two attachment points 22a are made with an automatic lock stitching machine.

[0058] Referring now to Figs. 4-6, in those figures, the lateral edges 18a, 18b of the groin portion 18 are shown in dashed lines for illustration purposes. As depicted, the groin portion 18 has substantially a U-shape and extends from a front end 18d (Fig. 4) to a rear end 18e (Fig. 5). As shown in Fig. 5, the rear end 18e may be secured to the waist padding portion 12 at a back thereof. As shown in Fig. 4, the front end 18d of the groin portion 18 is spaced apart from the waist padding portion 12 by a gap. The attachment system 20 bridges the gap between the front end 18d of the groin portion 18 and the waist padding portion 12. A width D1 (Fig. 5) of the groin portion 18 is substantially constant from the front end 18d to the rear end 18e. Alternatively, a width of the groin portion 18 may vary along its length. Other variations are contemplated. It is understood that each of the right and left leg portions 14, 16 and the waist padding portion 12 may include padding elements distributed on them. The padding elements may be located within pockets defined by a fabric of those portions, as is known in the art.

[0059] Referring now to Fig. 7, an inner view of the pants 10 is shown. The inner view illustrates the opening 12b of the waist padding portion 12 via which a wearer B (Fig. 1) inserts her legs to wear the pants 10. In the embodiment shown, each of the right and left leg portions 14, 16 includes a side padding member, also referred to as hip pad, 14c, 16c. The hip pads 14c, 16c may be secured to one another via a biasing member 24 which, in the present case, is an elastic band. The hip pads 14c, 16c are herein located inside the leg portions 14, 16. The biasing member 24 extends substantially transversally to the groin portion 18. The elastic member 24 may overlap the groin portion 18 and may be located below the bottom edge 12a of the waist padding portion 12. The elastic member 24 is used to keep a rear tail pad on top of the two hip pads 14c, 16c. The rear tail pad 32 is secured to the waist padding portion 12 and extends downwardly therefrom. In Fig. 7, the rear tail pad 32 is shown folded outward to show the hip pads 14c, 16c. In other words, the elastic member 24 acts as a barrier to keep the rear tail pad 32 close to the wearer’s rear end. The elastic member 24 may bias the rear tail pad 32 toward the wearer. The elastic member 24 may also keep the two hip pads 14c, 16c in proximity to one another during any movement of the wearer.

[0060] Still referring to Fig. 7, the pants 10 may include a second attachment system 26. The second attachment system 26 may be operable to bias the waist padding portion 12 against the hips H (Fig. 1) of the wearer B (Fig. 1). In the embodiment shown, the second attachment system 26 includes a belt 26a that extends circumferentially all around the opening 12b of the waist padding portion 12. In the embodiment shown, the second attachment system 26 and the belt 26a are located proximate to the bottom edge 12a of the waist padding portion 12. The belt 26a may be at least partially enclosed within a casing 26b. The casing 26b may be made of fabric that is secured to the waist padding portion and/or to the right and left leg portion 14, 16 such that the belt 26a may be slidingly received within the casing 26b. Extremities of the belt 26a may be secured to one another via a quick connect fastener 26c, which is depicted in Fig. 8 in a fastened configuration. Other fastening means are contemplated. In the depicted embodiment, the second attachment system 26 may be located on an inner side of the pants 10. This may allow to obtain a more snug fit between the pants 10 and the wearer B. The second attachment system 26 may therefore exert a force that pulls the waist padding portion 12 radially inward toward the hips H (Fig. 1) of the wearer B (Fig. 1). As shown in Fig. 8, the belt 26a may be located on an outer side of the belly pad 22, such that the belt 26a may bias the belly pad 22 against the wearer B when the pants 10 are worn.

[0061] Referring now to Figs. 9-11, a side view of the sports Pants 10 is shown. The waist padding portion 12 may include a padding element 12d that extends substantially circumferentially all around the waist padding portion 12 but for the attachment system 20. That padding element 12d may be located at an intersection between the waist padding portion 12 and the right and left leg portions 14, 16. Only the left leg portion 16 is shown in the Figs. 9-11.

[0062] Referring more particularly to Figs. 10 and 11, the padding element 12d is lifted toward the waist padding portion 12 to uncover a closure means 28. The closure means 28 is shown in a fastened configuration in Fig. 10 and in an unfastened configuration in Fig. 11. The closure means 28 may be a zipper, as shown in Fig. 10 and 11. The closure means 28 is used to secure the bottom edge 12a of the waist padding portion 12 to the top edges 14a, 16a of the right and left leg portions 14, 16. As shown in Fig. 11, the bottom edge 12a of the waist padding portion 12 and the top edge 16a of the left leg portion 16 may be secured to one another via a band of fabric 30, which may extend circumferentially along the waist padding portion 12. Having the closure means 28 in the unfastened configuration may allow to increase the length of the sports pants by a distance L1. The distance L1 corresponds substantially to the width of the band of fabric 30. In the fastened configuration, the waist padding portion 12 is attached to the left and right leg portions 14, 16 via both of the band of fabric 30 and the closure means 28. In the unfastened configuration of the closure means, the waist padding portion 12 is secured to the right and left leg portions 14, 16 solely via the band of fabric 30. Although the closure means 28 is depicted as a zipper, other means are contemplated. For instance, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons and so on may be used.

[0063] The disclosed pants 10 may be particularly suitable for female wearers, who may have wider hips than waist. As explained hereinabove, the ability of the right and left leg portions 14, 16 to move away from one another in a direction transverse to a pulling force exerted on the pants by the wearer may the allow the pants to pass the wider waist padding portion before reaching the waist of the wearer. Once the pants 10 are installed on the wearer, the first and second closure means may be fastened to snuggly bias the pants against the wearer, so that the pants stay in place during playing sports such as hockey. An overall fit of the disclosed pants may be better than traditional hockey pants that do not allow movements of the left and right leg portions as disclosed hereinabove.

[0064] As can be seen therefore, the examples described above and illustrated are intended to be exemplary only. The scope is indicated by the appended claims.