ADJUSTABLE GARMENT APPARATUS WITH SUPPORTIVE HAMMOCK

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to clothing and more particularly is related to an adjustable garment apparatus with a supportive hammock.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Men's underwear typically suffers from several inadequacies including but not limited to: lack of support, improper positioning and isolation from direct contact with the inner thigh or perineum areas combined with a high degree of contact between such areas and improper fitting undergarments is typically known to cause friction, chaffing, and discomfort while sitting, walking, running, or other numerous activities and athletic activities. In addition to unwanted contact with the thigh or perineum region and undergarment seams, most undergarments lack appropriate support and positioning for the genitalia, limit freedom of movement, do not provide comfortable natural resting position for the genitalia, lack moisture control and lack temperature control. Currently undergarments offer limited sizes, shapes and materials without adjustability for proper fitment failing to isolate the genitalia from making direct contact with inner thighs, perineum region and legs while increasing comfort, support and positioning attributes for male genitalia.

In recent times, men's undergarments have been developed where the wearer can adjust the support provided by a fly region of the undergarment using a drawstring system. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,492 provides an adjustable undergarment device which uses a drawstring positioned within a conduit which is formed along the seam of the fly panel, whereby the user can adjust the tension of the drawstring to adjust a constriction of the fly panel around the user's genitalia. While this device offers significant improvements to users, some users desire enhanced support.

Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an adjustable garment apparatus with a supportive hammock. Briefly described, in architecture, one embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. Two leg panels, a rear panel, a center panel, and a fly panel, are each constructed from a fabric material. The rear panel, the center panel, and the fly panel are connected between the two leg panels. The center panel has a front, peripheral edge that defines a forward boundary of the center panel and a lower end of the fly panel extends to the front, peripheral edge of the center panel. At least one hammock panel has a body section and a conduit section. The body section is connected to at least one of the center panel or the fly panel at a location substantially proximate to a seam between the fly panel and the center panel. The conduit section is positioned on a distal side of the body section relative to the seam between the fly panel and the center panel. At least one conduit is positioned along a seam of at least a portion of the fly panel with the leg panels. The seam is formed at least between the fly panel and the two leg panels, and connects to the conduit section of the at least one hammock panel. A cord is positioned within the at least one conduit and conduit section and is movable between at least a tensioned state and an untensioned state.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing a non-suspensory, genital-supportive undergarment apparatus for supporting male genitalia in a pouch. Briefly described, in architecture, another embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. A plurality of fabric panels including two leg panels, a rear panel, a center panel, and a fly panel, where each of the plurality of fabric panels is constructed from a fabric material, wherein the rear panel, the center panel and the fly panel are connected at seamed junctions thereof, respectively. At least one support panel has a body section and a conduit section. The body section has an upper part and a lower part, wherein the lower part is connected to at least one of the center panel or the fly panel. A conduit section has lateral sides and is positioned along the upper part and extends laterally from the upper part. At least one conduit is positioned along at least a bottom and side peripheral edges of the fly panel following a path of a seam of the fly panel. The seam is formed at least between the fly panel and the two leg panels and between the fly panel and the center panel. The lateral sides of the conduit section are positioned along the upper part of the at least one support panel and the conduit section extends to connect with the at least one conduit. A cord is positioned within the at least one conduit and a conduit path of the conduit section and is movable between at least a tensioned state and an untensioned state, wherein the body section is configured to move away from the center panel and towards a posterior side of a scrotum when the cord is positioned in the tensioned state.

The present disclosure can also be viewed as providing an adjustable undergarment apparatus for supporting male genitalia. Yet another embodiment of the apparatus, among others, can be implemented as follows. A plurality of panels are used to form the undergarment. A support panel has a body section and a conduit section. The body section has an upper part and a lower part. The lower part is connected to at least one of a center panel or a fly panel of the plurality of panels forming the undergarment and the upper part is extended away from the fly panel and the center panel. The body section is a supportive hammock panel configured to move anteriorly in an anterior direction to contact a posterior side of a scrotum. The conduit section has a conduit path positioned therein and is configured to receive a cord movable between at least a tensioned state and an untensioned state.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1A is a rear view illustration of an adjustable garment apparatus, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a front view illustration of the adjustable garment apparatus of FIG. 1A, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional side view illustration of the adjustable garment apparatus of FIGS. 1A-1B, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D is an elevated isometric view illustration of the adjustable garment apparatus of FIGS. 1A-1C, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustration of the seam and conduit of the adjustable garment apparatus of FIGS. 1A-1D, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the hammock panel, center panel, and fly panel of the adjustable garment apparatus of FIGS. 1A-1D, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the hammock panel of the adjustable garment apparatus, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view illustration of the adjustable garment apparatus showing the hammock panel in an untensioned state, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view illustration of the adjustable garment apparatus showing the hammock panel of FIG. 5A in a simulated tensioned state, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a pre-folded hammock panel of the adjustable garment apparatus, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the hammock panel of FIG. 6 in a folded state, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the hammock panel of the adjustable undergarment apparatus, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the hammock panel of the adjustable undergarment apparatus, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the hammock panel of the adjustable undergarment apparatus, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To improve over the shortcomings of the prior art, the present disclosure is directed to an adjustable garment apparatus with a supportive hammock which can be used to provide enhanced support and comfort to a wearer of the adjustable garment apparatus.

FIG. 1A is a rear view illustration of an adjustable garment apparatus 10, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1B is a front view illustration of the adjustable garment apparatus 10 of FIG. 1A, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional side view illustration of the adjustable garment apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1A-1B, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 1D is an elevated isometric view illustration of the adjustable garment apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1A-1C, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As is shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, the adjustable garment apparatus 10, which may be referred to simply as ‘apparatus 10’ is an article of clothing that may be worn by a human being, namely an adult or juvenile male human being where the apparatus 10 can provide support to the genitals of the adult or juvenile male wearer.

The apparatus 10 is constructed from a plurality of sections of fabric materials 20 which are sewn or otherwise affixed together along with other clothing features to form a completed garment. For example, the plurality of sections of fabric materials 20 may include a rear panel 22, two or more leg panels 24, a center panel 26, and a fly panel 28. In further detail, the rear panel 22 may be generally positioned over the interior sections of a user's buttocks and intergluteal cleft. The two or more leg panels 24 may be connected to the exterior, opposing sides of the rear panel 22 and generally cover each of the user's legs or a portion thereof. The center panel 26 may be positioned between the user's two legs on an underside of the user's crotch and perineum, and may extend down the interior portions of the user's legs descending from the crotch. The center panel may have one or more peripheral front edge 26A which defines a forward boundary of the center panel 26. The center panel 26 may have a midpoint 27, which is a location in the center panel 26 that is substantially along a middle thereof relative to the front edge 26A and the rear edge, as shown in FIGS. 1C-1D. The fly panel 28 may be generally positioned at a front of the apparatus 10, formed between the forward edge sections of the two leg panels 24, and the center panel, such that the fly panel 28 is positioned exterior of and over a user's genitals, and may include a fly opening or window (not shown) which may be vertical or horizontal. The fly panel 28 may extend to the front, peripheral edge 26A of the center panel 26.

At the bottom of the apparatus 10, the combination of the leg panels 24 and the center panel 26 may define leg openings 30 in which the user's mid or upper thighs are positioned when the apparatus 10 is worn. At the top of the apparatus 10, the combination of the rear panel 22, the leg panels 24, and the fly panel 28 may be sewn to a waistband 32 which is positioned around a user's torso or waist when the apparatus 10 is worn. Each of the panels of fabric materials 20 may be sewn together at seams 12 using thread and any type of stitching, such as flatlock stitching.

The rear panel 22 and leg panels 24 may be similar to equivalent panels found in the conventional art. Additionally, the center panel 26 may be similar to the center panel described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,492. The fly panel 28 may have some similarities to the fly panel described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,085,492, in that, it uses a conduit 40A and a cord 50 positioned generally along the edge of the fly panel 28, which allows the user to adjust the size of the fly panel 28 to constrict the fly panel 28 around the genitalia of the wearer, thereby effectively creating a pouch in the apparatus 10 which can support the user's genitals.

The apparatus 10 further includes at least one hammock panel 60 having a body section 62 formed from one or more layers or pieces of fabric material, and positioned proximate to a seam between the fly panel 28 and the center panel 26. The body section 62 of the hammock panel 60 may be connected to at least one of the center panel 26 or the fly panel 28, or both of the center panel 26 and the fly panel 28, at a location substantially proximate to the seam between the fly panel 28 and the center panel 26. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1C-1D, this seam may correspond to the front edge 26A of the center panel 26 which is connected with stitching 12 to the lower end of the fly panel 28. The hammock panel 60 also has a conduit section 64 which is positioned connected to at least part of the body section 62, generally along a top edge thereof, and may be positioned along the full distance of the top edge of the body section 62. More particularly, a lower part 62A of the body section 62 may connect to one or both of the fly panel 28 and/or the center panel 26, while an upper part 62B is positioned remote from this connection. Apart from the conduit 40A and cord 50, the upper part 62B may be substantially free from direct contact with the other panels of the apparatus 10. The conduit section 64 may connect to the upper part 62B of the body section 62. The conduit section 64, and a conduit path 40B which is positioned through the conduit section 64, is positioned on a distal side of the body section 62 relative to the seam between the fly panel 28 and the center panel 26. In this position, the conduit section 64 formed on the upper section 62B may be considered a free portion of the hammock panel 60 which occupies an interior space within the apparatus 10, as shown in FIG. 1D, and which can change specific locations within the apparatus 10 based on a tension of the cord 50.

This conduit 40A may include a closed channel of fabric which has an elongated interior portion or elongated pocket in which a cord 50 can be positioned. The cord 50 may include any type of material that is used as a drawstring, which may include materials which are durable enough to be placed under tension without breaking. The cord 50 may be any size or length and may be made from a variety of materials. It is often preferable for the cord 50 to be formed from a rope-like structure with a flat elastic center piece, but a cord 50 formed from substantially non-stretchable materials may also be used.

The conduit 40A may be positioned along the lateral edges of the fly panel 28, as depicted in FIG. 1D, for instance, and through the conduit section 64 of the hammock panel 60 in a continuous loop. In this position, the cord 50 positionable within the conduit 40A may substantially be positioned along edges of the fly panel 28 and along the free edge of the conduit section 64 of the hammock panel 60. FIG. 1D illustrates the cord 50 within the conduit 40A positioned along the edges of the fly panel 28, where the terminating lateral edges of the conduit section 64 of the hammock panel 60 are connected to the terminating edges of the conduit 40A along the fly panel 28 to form a continuous path for the cord 50. In one example, the conduit 40A may deviate from the later seam of the fly panel 28 in a position approximately 2.0 inches above or before the lower corner of the fly panel 28, e.g., where the fly panel 28, center panel 26, and leg panels 24 contact. The cord 50 can traverse through one or more openings 36 in the waistband 32, around one side of the fly panel 28, through the conduit section 64 of the hammock panel 60, along the other side of the fly panel 28, and back through the one or more openings 36 in the waistband 32. In this figure, it is possible to see the interior surface 60A of the hammock panel 60, e.g., which faces and contacts the user's genital when the apparatus 10 is worn (shown in cross-hatching), and the exterior surface 60B of the hammock panel 60.

The movement of the cord 50 within the conduit 40A may be generally described as movement between two configurations: a first configuration where the cord 50 is relatively free from tension or untensioned, and a second configuration where the cord 50 is placed under tension. It is noted that any additional number of configurations may be used with the apparatus 10, and the first and second configurations described herein may include variations. When the cord 50 is placed under tension while it is within the conduit 40A, it may constrict the conduit 40A and the portions of the panels which the conduit 40A is positioned. For instance, tensioning the cord 50 would constrict the lateral edges of the fly panel 28 and the conduit section 64 of the hammock panel 60. To place the cord 50 under tension or release it therefrom, the cord 50 may be affixed at an end thereof to a structure of the apparatus 10, such as the waistband 32, where the ends of the cord 50 may be tied together after they are tensioned, or connected together with any type of mechanical fastener.

At the waistband 32, the conduit 40A may be directed towards a center of the apparatus 10 and the conduit 40A may terminate at a location at or offset from the center of the apparatus 10. For example, in FIG. 1D, the center of the apparatus 10 is generally positioned between two eyelets 36 in the waistband 32. The cord 50 may exit the terminating end of the conduit 40A and be positioned through one of the eyelets 36 such that an end of the cord 50 can be accessed from a location outside of the apparatus 10. As is shown, the cord 50 may be crossed over itself in the position between the terminating end of the conduit 40A on either side of the eyelets 36. The crossing of the cord 50 may be important in allowing the cord 50, the conduit 40A of the fly panel and conduit section 64 to form a fully closed pouch 34 or genitalia pouch (FIG. 1C), e.g., without leaving a gap at the top of the pouch 34. In other words, crossing the cord 50 helps draw together the opposing sides of the fly panel 28 to provide a snug fit. It is further noted that the conduit 40A may extend past the eyelets 36 on either side of the apparatus 10, such that the cord 50 remains in a position within the conduit 40A at the location directly below the eyelet 36.

As is shown best in FIG. 1D, the conduit 40A may generally be positioned along the exterior edge of the fly panel 28 such that the conduit 40A occupies a space substantially on the seam 12 between the fly panel 28 and the leg panels 24. It is noted that other positions and locations of the conduit 40A may also be included, including those that deviate from a seam 12. Further, while FIG. 1D illustrates the seam 12 about the fly panel 28 as being offset from the conduit 40A, it is noted that the conduit 40A may be positioned over or just slightly offset from the seam 12, depending on the construction of the apparatus 10. In many cases, the conduit may be sewn into the seam 12 such that the conduit 40A generally lies over the seam 12.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustration of the seam 12 and conduit 40A of the adjustable garment apparatus of FIGS. 1A-1D, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the seam 12 may be formed between two or more pieces of fabric material. Here, the two pieces of fabric material are illustrated, and include the waistband 32 and the fly panel 28, where the two structures are connected together at the seam 12 with stitching 14. As also shown, the conduit 40A may be positioned directly over the stitching 14 of the seam 12 such that the same stitching 14 may be used to retain the conduit 40A to the seam 12 as is used to retain the waistband 32 to the fly panel 28. The conduit 40A may include a fold-over design or a non-sandwiched design, whereby the conduit 40A is formed from a piece of fabric material that is folded upon itself to the point where its edges meet. The part of the conduit 40A where the edges meet is sewn at the seam 12 to provide a sewn edge 44 of the conduit 40A, whereas the opposing edge of the conduit 40A may be understood as a folded edge 42. The interior space of the conduit 40A in which the cord 50 is located may be located proximate to the folded edge 42. The conduit 40A may have the folded edge 42 and the sewn edge 44 along its entire length or a portion thereof. In contrast, a sandwiched conduit design may include two separate pieces of material that are sewn together at their opposing edges, resulting in a conduit 40A that is formed from a sandwiching of two structures. In manufacturing the apparatus 10, the use of the non-sandwiched conduit 40A design may significantly lessen expenses as compared to sandwiched conduit designs.

With reference to FIG. 1D, In some examples, the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 may include different features, characteristics, or designs to improve the functioning and use of the apparatus 10. For example, the conduit 40A of the fly panel may include a single conduit structure which connects with the conduit structure 64 of the hammock panel 60, and the single conduit structure may extend fully in an unbroken manner between terminating ends of the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 as shown in FIG. 1D. Other designs may include anchoring the cord 50 within the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 at a specific location to prevent the cord 50 from inadvertently being withdrawn fully from the conduit 40A. Additionally, anchoring the cord 50 within the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 may allow the cord 50 to constrict the fly panel 28 at a selected point on the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28.

In some examples, the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 may have terminating ends at two locations adjacent to the waistband 32. The cord 50 passed through, travelling through, or positioned within the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 and the conduit structure 64 of the hammock panel 60 may have two ends, where the two ends of the cord 50 exit at the terminating ends of the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 through a respective opening 36 or eyelet within the waistband 32. In other words, the cord 50 may be positioned by feeding the cord 50 through one of two, or a first opening 36 or eyelet, through a first side of the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28, into the hammock panel 60 conduit path 40B of the conduit structure 64 of the hammock panel 60, then into a second side of the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28. The cord 50 may then emerge or exit from the conduit structures through one of two, or a second opening 36 or eyelet. In doing this, to improve the ability of a user to tighten the cord 50, and thus decrease the length of the conduit structures, the cord 50, when emerging from the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28, may be understood to have a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the cord 50 may cross over a second portion of the cord 50 in a position between the terminating ends of the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 and before the cord is positioned or passed through the openings 36 or eyelets.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the hammock panel 60, center panel 26, and fly panel 28 of the adjustable garment apparatus of FIGS. 1A-1D, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The center panel 26 of the apparatus 10 may be connected to the fly panel 28, the leg panels 24, and the rear panel 22 with stitching 14 at a number of seams 12. The hammock panel 60 may be connected at seam 12 to the fly panel 28 and/or the portion of the center panel 26 which substantially occupies a central region corresponding to the fly panel 28. In FIG. 3, it is noted that the perimeter of the hammock panel 60 which is not connected to the fly panel 28 or the center panel 26 is not stitched or otherwise connected to the center panel, and as such, FIG. 3 notably depicts the absence of stitching 14 along the upper part 62B of the hammock panel 60.

To this end, FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the hammock panel 60 of the adjustable garment apparatus 10, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, where the hammock panel 60 is depicted without other panels, for clarity in disclosure. As shown, the body section 62 of the hammock panel 60 is depicted with the upper part 62B positioned proximate to the conduit section 64, while the lower part 62A of the body section 62 is depicted with stitching 14, which is used to connect the hammock panel 60 to the fly panel 28 and/or the center panel 26. The conduit section 64 is depicted with the cord 50 positioned in the conduit path 40B, which extends along the length of the conduit section 64. When the cord 50 is tensioned, the exerted force on the cord 50 may cause the lateral sides 66 of the hammock panel 60 to curve inwards, such that a pocket 68 or genitalia pouch is formed along the interior surface 60A of the hammock panel 60, between the lateral sides 66, and between the stitching 14 on the lower part 62A of the body section 62 and the conduit section 64. When worn by a user, the pocket 68 may be moved to a position where the fabric of body section 62 forms a hammock structure which provides a cradling or cupping support to the user's scrotum, as discussed relative to FIG. 5B.

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional side view illustration of the adjustable garment apparatus 10 showing the hammock panel 60 in an untensioned state, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional side view illustration of the adjustable garment apparatus 10 showing the hammock panel 60 of FIG. 5A in a simulated tensioned state, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 5A is depicted without the cord, the conduit 40A and the conduit path 40B, where the hammock panel 60 is positioned with the upper portion 62B located in the interior area of the apparatus 10, with the terminating, lower edge of the lower part 62A connected to the fly panel 28 and/or the center panel 26. As can be seen, the pocket 68 is formed along the interior surface 60A of the body section 62.

When a user is positioned within the apparatus 10, and in particular, a male user having male genitalia, the user's genitalia may occupy the interior pouch 34 formed interior of the fly panel 28 and the pocket 68 formed interior of the hammock panel 60. In this position, in particular, the user's scrotum may generally occupy the pocket 68 and rest against the interior surface 60A of the hammock panel 60, while the user's penis is positioned substantially within the interior pouch and is positioned against the interior surface of the fly panel 28. Once the user is wearing the apparatus 10, the user or another individual may apply tension to the cord 50, which acts to constrict the conduit 40A, thereby gently constricting the user's genitalia within the interior pouch 34 and the pocket 68.

For instance, FIG. 5B depicts the apparatus 10 with the cord 50 positioned in a tensioned state with simulated male genitalia 70 positioned within the pocket 68 and the interior pouch 34 of the fly panel 28. In this position, the cord 50 has been constricted within the conduit structures 40A, 64, which pulls the body section 62 of the hammock panel 60 towards the fly panel 28, such that the interior surface 60A of the hammock panel 60 substantially wraps around the backside or posterior side of the user's scrotum and is lifted under the scrotum such that the hammock panel 60 effectively cups or cradles the scrotum from the posterior side thereof. The hammock panel 60 may also contact a bottom side of the user's scrotum, or a portion thereof. In this position, the conduit section 64 of the hammock panel 60 may be positioned proximate to the base of the scrotum, keeping the scrotum in front of the center panel 26, while the perineum region of the user is positioned behind the hammock panel 60 and proximate to the center panel 26. The pouch 34 and the pocket 68, collectively referred to as the genitalia pouch, can house the entirety of a male user's genitals together, without separation, i.e., so the testicles and penis of the user are constricted within the space between the pouch 34 and the hammock panel 60 together. Thus, when the apparatus 10 is worn and the cord 50 is tensioned to form a pouch 34 in the fly panel 28 and raise the hammock panel 60, the testicles and penis of the male user may be fully positioned within the pouch 34 and the pocket 68.

This positioning of the scrotum in the pocket 68 ensures that the hammock panel 60 provides an enhanced scrotal lift compared to prior art devices, where a cord in a conduit positioned along the seam of the fly panel and center panel often caused discomfort due to the cord pressing on the backside of the scrotum, causing pinching of the scrotum and causing the scrotum to slip outside of the pouch. In the present disclosure, the use of the hammock panel 60 ensures that the user's scrotum is nested within the pocket 68 in a comfortable, stable position. Moreover, since the conduit path 40B of the conduit section 64 is connected to the conduit 40A positioned on the lateral edges of the fly panel 28, the lateral sides 66 of the hammock panel 60 may curve inwards to provide side stability to the user's scrotum. Accordingly, in the tensioned or constricted position of the cord 50, the user's scrotum can be maintained within the pocket 68 during all activities or movement of the user.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a pre-folded hammock panel 60 (hereinafter “support panel 60”) of the adjustable garment apparatus 10, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, the support panel 60 is depicted in the pre-folded or constructed state. The support panel 60 may be described or referred to as a genitalia support panel, or scrotal support panel. With reference to FIG. 5B-6, the support panel 60 may be made of any material that is feasible for use within an underwear and to support male genitalia 70 or the scrotum. The support panel 60 may be made of the same material as all other panels 22, 24, 26, 28 of the apparatus 10. Here, the support panel 60 may be a continuation of the fabric of the center panel 26 or fly panel 28, or it may be of the same fabric material that is separately connected to, stitched to, or adhered to the center panel 26 or the fly panel 28. In other examples, the support panel 60 may be made of a different material and stitched onto the center panel 26 or the fly panel 28. The support panel 60 may have a solid or mesh construction and may be made of a polyester, viscose, or other feasible material conventionally used for undergarments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the support panel 60 of FIG. 6 in a folded state, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the body section 62 and the conduit section 64 of the support panel 60 may be folded over a center line 72. Here, the dual layer of fabric of the support panel 60 allows for the formation of the support panel 60 conduit path 40B through the conduit section 64, and the body section 62 may have overlapping fabric layers. These overlapping fabric layers may provide increased durability in the body 62 of the support panel 60. In some examples, one of the fabric layers may be trimmed such that the body section 62 has only one fabric layer. This configuration may provide less long-term durability; however, this decreases the layers of fabric that may contact genitalia, thus potentially reducing heat or moisture retention in the undergarment. The support panel 60 conduit path 40B formed by folding over the support panel 60 may be such that it extends for the entirety of a length of the conduit section 64. Furthermore, the conduit section 64 itself may extend for the entirety of a length of each lateral side 66 of the at least one support panel 60. The support panel 60 conduit path 40B may be sized and configured to receive a cord (not illustrated). Further details and aspects of this are described herein.

The body 62 also has an upper part 62B which is positioned near the conduit section 64 and a lower part 62A positioned along the edge of the support panel 60. The body 62 section of the support panel 60 may have a substantially trapezoidal shape. This is understood to mean that the shape of the body section 62 may resemble that of a trapezoid, but need not be a perfect trapezoid. For example, the legs of a trapezoid are linear, whereas the equivalent border or edge in the body section 62 is nonlinear, however, still forms a trapezoidal-like shape. In other examples, the body section 62 may be square or rectangular-like, or may even be a bell-like shape, an oval shape or any other feasible shape.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of the support panel 60 of the adjustable undergarment apparatus 10, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 8 illustrates the folded support panel 60 connected to the fly panel 28. The support panel 60 has a body section 62 and a conduit section 64, where the body section 60 is connected to the fly panel 28 at a location substantially proximate to a seam 12 between the fly panel 28 and the center panel (not illustrated). The conduit section 64 is positioned on a distal side of the body 62 relative to the seam 12 between the fly panel 28 and the center panel (not illustrated). In another example, the support panel 60 can be described as follows. The edge of the body section 62 at the lower part 62A may be connected to the lower, terminating edge of the fly panel 28 with stitching 14. When the cord (not shown) is positioned within the conduit path 40B, the lateral sides 66 of the support panel 60 may move closer to, or connect, or substantially connect to the ends 42 of the conduit path 40B in the fly panel 28. The ends 42 of the conduit path 40B may be positioned at a predetermined distance above the seam 12. The predetermined distance may be any feasible distance for use in an undergarment, and in some examples may be approximately 2.0 inches above the seam 12. This may allow the support panel 60 to achieve the position depicted in FIGS. 1C and 5B. Further aspects of this positioning are discussed hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1C-1D and FIGS. 5A-5B.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the support panel 60 of the adjustable undergarment apparatus 10, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Illustrated in FIG. 9 is a similar version of the support panel 60, however, where the support panel 60 is formed together with the fly panel 28 as a single panel structure denoted as hammock/fly panel 80 (with previous notations for the support panel 60 and fly panel 28 maintained for clarity). As can be seen here, there is no stitched connection between the structures of the support panel 60 and the fly panel 28, but rather, the structure is a single support/fly panel 80 which includes all features discussed relative to FIG. 8. In this example, the support panel 60 and the fly panel 28 may be made of the same fabric material.

For any construction of the support panel 60, the fly panel 28, or a combined hammock/fly panel 80, it is noted that any type of fly opening design may be used, including horizontal, vertical, overlapping layers, buttons, or a combination thereof. The type of fabric material used to make any of the panels may be the same or dissimilar as other panel fabrics. For instance, the support panel 60 may be constructed from a solid or mesh material, or a polyester, viscose, or other type of fabric, while the fly panel 28 is constructed from a different type of fabric or different fabric material. The support panel 60, the fly panel 28, or a combined hammock/fly panel 80 may have any layers of fabric, such as continuous inner layers and an outer layer, or a multi-layered design, or with only a single layer for some or all of the panels. For instance, the fly panel 28 could be formed from a dual layer of fabric while the support panel 60 may be formed from a single mesh layer. For the combined hammock/fly panel 80, the same fabric material may be used since it is constructed as a single, continuous piece.

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the support panel 60 of the adjustable undergarment apparatus 10, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In this example, the different panels, such as the fly panel 28, body section 62 of the support panel 60 and the conduit section 64 may be constructed as separate parts. However, conduit path 40B of the conduit section 64 may be formed as a single structure which is sewn along the lateral edges of the fly panel 28 and the conduit section 64 of the support panel 60. In one example, it may be possible to extend the lateral sides 66 of the support panel 60 a significant distance, such that when the support panel 60 is folded, the length of the conduit path 40B formed within the conduit section 64 of the support panel 60 is sufficient to be used as the conduit 40B along the entirety of the conduit path 40A, 40B, e.g., from the waistband 32 (not shown), along the fly panel 28, along the conduit section 64 of the support panel 60, and back along the fly panel 28 to the waistband 32 again. In this design, it may be possible to omit the separate conduit 40A on the fly panel 28, since the conduit path 40B within the extended lateral sides 66 of the support panel 60 are long enough to extend up the sides of the fly panel 28 to the waistband 32.

With reference to FIGS. 1C-1D and FIGS. 4-8, further details and aspects of the support panel 60 and the undergarment apparatus 10 are described. In one example, the adjustable garment apparatus 10 is formed from two leg panels 24, a rear panel 22, a center panel 26, and a fly panel 28. Each of the panels are constructed from fabric material 20, where the rear panel 22, the center panel 26, and the fly panel 28 are connected between the two leg panels 24. The center panel has a front, peripheral edge 26A defining a forward boundary of the center panel 26 and a lower end of the fly panel 28 extends to the front, peripheral edge 26A of the center panel 26. The apparatus 10 may have at least one support panel 60 with a body section 62 and a conduit section 64. The body section may be connected to either one or, or both of the center panel 26 or the fly panel 28 at a location substantially proximate to a seam 12 between the fly panel 28 and the center panel 26. The conduit section 64 of the body section 62 may be positioned on a distal side of the body section 62 relative to the seam 12 between the fly panel 28 and the center panel 26. At least one conduit 40A may be positioned along a seam 12 of at least a portion of the fly panel 28 with the leg panels 24. The seam 12 may be formed at least between the fly panel 28 and the two leg panels 24, and along the conduit section 64 of the at least one support panel 60. A cord 50 may be positioned within the at least one conduit 40A and conduit path 40B of the conduit section 64, and may be movable between at least a tensioned state and untensioned state.

The untensioned state is understood to be the state of the cord released, where it exerts minimal force on the support panel 60, and where the cord has a larger length when positioned in the at least one conduit 40A and the conduit path 40B of the conduit section 64. In the tensioned state, the cord is pulled, such that the length or amount of cord in the at least one conduit 40A and the conduit path 40B of the conduit section 64 is decreased relative to the untensioned state. In the tensioned state, the support panel 60 may be moved upwards towards a perineum, scrotum, or generally towards the genitalia 70 of a user. In some examples, when the cord 50 is positioned in the tensioned state, the interior surface 60A of the upper part 62B of the support panel 60 may contact a posterior side of the user's scrotum. Similarly, when the cord 50 is positioned in the tensioned state, the interior surface 60A of the lower part 62A of the support panel 60 may contact an under side or bottom side of the user's scrotum.

As previously described, the support panel 60 conduit path 40B may be formed by folding over the support panel 60, and the support panel 60 conduit path 40B may be such that it extends for the entirety of a length of the conduit section 64. Along with this, the conduit section 64 itself may extend for the entirety of a length of each lateral side 66 of the at least one support panel 60. The lateral sides 66 of the at least one support panel 60 may extend to connect with the at least one conduit 40A of the fly panel 28. This is commensurate with the understanding presented above regarding the tensioning and untensioning of the cord 50, and how such tensioning and untensioning may affect the position of the support panel 60.

In some examples, the conduit 40A may include different features, characteristics, or designs to improve the functioning and use of the apparatus 10. For example, the conduit 40A may include a single conduit 40A structure which extends fully in an unbroken manner between terminating ends of the conduit 40A, as shown in FIG. 1D. Other designs may include anchoring the cord 50 within the conduit 40A at a specific location to prevent the cord 50 from inadvertently being withdrawn fully from the conduit 40A. Additionally, anchoring the cord 50 within the conduit 40A may allow the cord 50 to constrict the fly panel 28 at a selected point on the conduit 40A.

In another example, the apparatus 10 with pouch 34 is formed using a plurality of fabric panels. The plurality of fabric panels may include the two leg panels, 24, the rear panel 22, the center panel, 26, and the fly panel 28. Each of the plurality of panels may be constructed using a fabric 20, polyester, or any other feasible material which would generally be used for clothing or undergarments.

With regard to the positioning of the plurality of fabric panels, the rear panel 22, center panel 26, and fly panel 28 are connected at their respective seamed junctions 12. In this example, there is at least one support panel 60, which may be described as having a body section 62 and a conduit section 64, where the body section 62 has an upper part 62B and a lower part 62A. The lower part 62A may be connected to at least one of the center panel 26 or the fly panel 28. A conduit section 64 may have lateral sides 66 which may be positioned along the upper part 62B, where the lateral sides 66 may extend laterally from the upper part 62B or characterized by the lateral sides 66 extending from the body section 62 of the at least one support panel 60. In some examples, the lateral sides 66 may be described as extending laterally from the support panel 60 itself.

There may be at least one conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 positioned along at least a bottom and side peripheral edges of the fly panel 28 and following a path of a seam 12 of the fly panel 28. The seam 12 may be formed between the fly panel 28 and the two leg panels 24 and between the fly panel 28 and the center panel 26. The lateral sides 66 of the conduit section 64 may be positioned along the upper part 62B of the at least one support panel 60 to extend and connect with the at least one conduit 40A of the fly panel 28. A cord 50 may be positioned within the at least one conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 and within the conduit path 40B of the conduit section 64. The cord 50 may be movable or adjustable between at least the tensioned state and the untensioned state, or between a partially tensioned state and a partially untensioned state. The support panel 60 may be configured to move away from the center panel 26 and towards a posterior side of the scrotum when the cord 50 is positioned in the tensioned state, or partially tensioned state. In some examples, the support panel 60 may also contact the bottom or underside and backside of the user's scrotum. The lower part 62A and the upper part 62B of the body section 62 of the support panel 60 may be configured to contact a posterior side of the scrotum. In another example, the movement of the body section 62 can be described such that when the cord 50 is moved to the tensioned state or partially tensioned state, the body section 62 of the support panel 60 moves anteriorly in an anterior direction to contact a posterior side of the scrotum. In another example, the movement of the body section 62 can be described such that when the cord 50 is moved to the tensioned state or partially tensioned state, the body section 62 moves anteriorly in an anterior direction away from the perineum. In yet another example, this movement can be described as the body section 62 moving away from a buttocks of the user or moving away from the posterior of the user as the cord 50 is moved to the tensioned state or partially tensioned state.

When the cord 50 is moved to the tensioned state or the partially tensioned state, the body section 62 gently constricts the user's genitalia 70 within the interior pouch 34 and the pocket 68, which may be collectively referred to as the genitalia pouch. This occurs as the user's scrotum may generally occupy the pocket 68 and rest against the interior surface 60A of the support panel 60, while the user's penis is positioned substantially within the interior pouch 34 and is positioned against the interior surface of the fly panel 28. Once the user is wearing the apparatus 10, the user or another individual may apply tension to the cord 50, which acts to constrict both conduit structures, which includes the conduit 40A of the fly panel 28 and the support panel 60 conduit path 40B of the conduit structure 64. In particular, the constriction of the conduit structure 64 causes the body 62 of the support panel 60 to move anteriorly in an anterior direction to gently contact the posterior side of the user's scrotum, thereby limiting movement of the scrotum, and genitalia 70 as a whole. Part of the user's scrotum may be positioned to be cupped by the pocket 68 formed by the tensed body structure 62. This may prevent the genitalia 70 from falling outside of the interior pouch 34 and the pocket 68, and due to the positioning of the conduit structure 64 relative to scrotal anatomy, may prevent chafing, pinching, or otherwise sensitive contact with the genitalia 70.

Any combination of materials, manufacturing techniques, construction configurations, or other variations may be used, all of which are within the scope of the present disclosure.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present disclosure and protected by the following claim.

ADJUSTABLE GARMENT APPARATUS WITH SUPPORTIVE HAMMOCK

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CPC

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