ATHLETIC LEGGINGS WITH INTEGRAL INNER PARTIAL LAYER

Abstract

An anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment includes an outer layer and an inner partial brief connected to the outer layer by integrating the inner partial brief into at least some seams formed by connecting various panels together to form the outer layer, the inner partial brief covering a back internal region of the outer layer and not a front internal region of the outer layer. An inside seam on the inside of each leg is forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg as viewed in a side view in order to extend the inner partial brief forward to provide chaffing protection to a forward portion of the inside of each leg.

Description

BACKGROUND

The invention is directed to athletic leggings, and more particularly to athletic leggings for cycling having an integral partial inner layer.

Cycling outdoors as well as indoor stationary cycling, also called “spinning,” is a popular physical exercise activity. Spinning classes keep riders engaged and motivated by offering a variety of rides, movements and coaching. One possible side effect of cycling and spinning is chaffing of the inner sides of a rider's thighs and nearby body areas resulting from movement of the thighs and nearby body areas on the seat or saddle of the bike being ridden.

Chaffing can be prevented or limited by wearing bicycle shorts or pants having padding in the inner thigh and nearby body area. The padding is unattractive and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, when a rider is finished cycling or spinning and gets off the bicycle, the bicycle shorts or pants cannot be comfortably and confidently worn thus necessitating a change in clothing if the rider intends to engage in non-exercise activity such as socializing, dining, or shopping for example. Hence, it would be appreciated by outdoor cyclists and indoor stationary cyclists if other chaffing prevention clothing was available and yet would still be stylish for the cycling activity as well as engaging in non-exercise activities. In addition, chaffing can cause soreness on the skin in the areas defined above. A better design to reduce that chaffing is desirable. Thus, cyclists would be able to cycle longer and more routinely without having to take rest days to heal chaffed skin or apply ointments before and/or after cycling.

SUMMARY

The need in the art is addressed by athletic leggings of the present invention which is formed to provide chaffing protection when worn by an exerciser and yet provide a stylish look during exercise as well as non-exercise activities. It is noted herein that, although the athletic leggings of the present invention are particularly advantageous when worn by an individual while engaged in outdoor cycling and/or exercise on a stationary bicycle such as in a spinning class, the invention is not so limited, but may also be used in other exercise activities that require protection against chaffing while still providing the stylish look.

Disclosed is an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment includes an outer layer and an inner partial brief connected to the outer layer by integrating the inner partial brief into at least some seams formed by connecting various panels together to form the outer layer, the inner partial brief covering a back region of the outer layer and not a front region of the outer layer. An inside seam on the inside of each leg is forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg as viewed in a side view in order to extend the inner partial brief forward to provide chaffing protection to a forward portion of the inside of each leg.

Also disclosed is a method for preventing chaffing on an inside portion of a leg of a person exercising, the method includes: wearing an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment by the person, the anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment having an outer layer and an inner partial brief connected to the outer layer, the outer layer having a plurality of panels connected together by a plurality of seams, at least some of the plurality of seams also connecting the inner partial brief to the outer layer, wherein a first inner seam of a first leg and a second inner seam of a second leg are forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg as viewed in a side view; and moving an inside portion of at least one leg of the exerciser in contact with the inner brief against an exercise apparatus.

Further disclosed is a method for fabricating an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment configured to be worn by a person while exercising, the method includes: obtaining fabric panels of an outer layer of the leggings and a waist band, the fabric panels being shaped for a selected size, the fabric panels include a first leg front panel, a first leg back panel, a second leg front panel, a second leg back panel, a gusset panel, and the waist band; obtaining an inner partial brief of a one-piece material fabric having a shape to conform to an interior of the outer layer; connecting the first leg front panel to the first leg back panel and to a first side of the inner partial brief to form a first leg outside seam and connecting the second leg front panel to the second leg back panel and to a second side of the inner partial brief to form a second leg outside seam; connecting the first leg back panel to the second leg back panel and to a central area of the inner partial brief to form a back vertical seam; connecting the gusset panel to the first leg front panel, the first leg back panel, the second leg front panel, and the second leg back panel and to the inner partial brief; connecting the first leg front panel to the first leg back panel and to a first side of the inner partial brief to form a first leg inside seam and connecting the second leg front panel to the second leg back panel and to a second side of the inner partial brief to form a second leg inside seam using the single connecting process, wherein each of the first leg inside seam and the second leg inside seam forms a longitudinal line that is a selected distance forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg in a side view; and connecting the waist band to an upper edge of the first leg front panel, the first leg back panel, the second leg front panel, and the second leg back panel and to an upper edge of the inner partial brief.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be understood that the particular devices and method embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration only and not as limitations of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 illustrates a rider on a stationary bicycle wearing non-chaffing athletic leggings;

FIG. 2 depicts aspects of an outer layer of the non-chaffing athletic leggings in front, side, and back views;

FIG. 3 depicts aspects of an inner brief of the non-chaffing athletic leggings in a front and back view;

FIG. 4 depicts aspects of a waistband of the non-chaffing athletic leggings in a front and back view;

FIG. 5 depicts aspects of the non-chaffing athletic leggings in an inside-out orientation in a perspective view of the back side of the inner brief;

FIG. 6 depicts aspects of the non-chaffing athletic leggings in an inside-out orientation in a perspective view of the front side of the inner brief;

FIG. 7 depicts aspects of the non-chaffing athletic leggings in a top view looking into the leggings;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for a method for fabricating the non-chaffing athletic leggings; and

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for a method for preventing chaffing of an exerciser while exercising.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a rider (also called an exerciser) 11 riding an outdoor or stationary bicycle 12 on a seat (or saddle) 13. The rider 11 is wearing anti-chafing athletic leggings 10 (also referred to as an anti-chaffing leggings garment), which limits or prevents chaffing of the rider 11 as the rider 11 exercises on the stationary bicycle 12. Chaffing is prevented by having an inner partial short or brief, which may also be referred to as a partial layer, integrated into seams of an outer layer. In general, the partial layer covers a back region of the outer layer and not a front region. The outer layer and inner partial brief absorb friction generated by the rider 11 as the rider's thighs and nearby body areas move against the seat 13. In general, an area of focus for preventing chaffing and abrasion is the area of skin where the buttocks meets the upper hamstring (e.g., crotch area) rubbing against the seat 13. The integration of the inner partial brief into the seams of the outer layer provides for a stylish look without uncomfortable and unattractive sewn-in padding typically used in bicycle shorts or pants.

FIG. 2 depicts aspects of an outer layer 20 of the anti-chaffing athletic leggings 10 in front, side, and back views. The outer layer 20 includes a first leg front panel 21A and a first leg back panel 21B for a first leg and a second leg front panel 22A and a second leg back panel 22B for a second leg. The outer layer 20 also includes a gusset panel 23 in a lower central area between the first leg and the second leg. The outer layer 20 further includes a waist band 24 connected to the top of the panels 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B. The waist band 24 surrounds the waist of the rider 11 to keep the leggings 10 from riding up or down on the rider 11. In one or more embodiments, the waistband 24 includes a reflective heat transfer logo on an inside back area and/or on an outside front area. In one or more embodiments, a woven care label sewn into the waist band 24.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the leggings 10 include a front vertical seam 25A that is formed by a connection of the first leg front panel 21A to the second leg front panel 22A and a back vertical seam 25B that is formed by a connection of the first leg back panel 21B to the second leg back panel 22B. A first leg outer seam 26A is formed by a connection of the first leg front panel 21A to the first leg back panel 21B on the outer side of the first leg. A second leg outer seam 27A is formed by a connection of the second leg front panel 22A to the second leg back panel 22B on the outer side of the second leg. As can be seen in the side view, the second leg outer seam 27A is a longitudinal line that is approximately at lateral midpoints along the second leg in a side view. The first leg outer seam 26A is similar to the second leg outer seam 27A in that it also forms a longitudinal line that is approximately at lateral midpoints along the first leg in a side view.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the leggings 10 include a first leg inner seam 26B that is formed by a connection of the first leg front panel 21A to the first leg back panel 21B on an inner side of the first leg. The first leg inner seam 26B forms a longitudinal line that is forward (i.e., towards the front of the rider) of lateral midpoints of the first leg in a side view. In other words, the first leg inner seam 26B is forward of a virtual longitudinal line that is approximately at lateral midpoints along the inside of the first leg in a side view. Hence, the first leg inner seam 26B is not symmetric to or a mirror image of the first leg outer seam 26A in a side view. As another way of describing the first leg inner seam 26B being forward, a perimeter distance from the first leg inner seam 26B to the first leg outer seam 26A is less via the front of the leg than the perimeter distance via the back of the leg. The leggings 10 also include a second leg inner seam 27B that is formed by a connection of the second leg front panel 22A to the second leg back panel 22B on an inner side of the second leg. The second leg inner seam 27B is similar to the first leg inner seam 26B in that it is also forward of lateral midpoints of the inside of the second leg in a side view. In one or more embodiments, the inner seams 26B and 27B are forward of the midpoints by a distance in a range of 1 inch to 6 inches. Other forward distances from a midpoint of the leg of interest in a side view may also be used. It can be appreciated that an amount of the forward distance may be dependent on the longitudinal location along the inside of the leg of interest and the overall size of the non-chaffing athletic leggings 10.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the leggings 10 include a waist horizontal seam 28 that is formed by connection of the waist band 24 to the tops of the panels 26A, 26B, 27A and 27B.

Still referring to FIG. 2, in one or more embodiments, the gusset panel 23 has a triangular shape or an approximate triangular shape and is connected to the panels 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B in a lower central area of the outer layer 20 by a gusset seam 29. Other shapes conforming to the shape of the panels 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B may also be used for the gusset panel 23.

In one or more embodiments, the seams 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B, 28, and 29 have a flatlock stitch construction, which is commonly used in sportswear. Thread used for stitching is to be compatible with the material being stitched as known in the art. Other types of stitching or seam formation may also be used such as standard twin needle stitching or bonding. In one or more embodiments, the panels 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B and the gusset panel 23 are made of a fabric material of 70% SORONA®, 13% nylon, and 17% spandex with a weight of 300 GSM. Other fabric materials may also be used such as a wide range of possible material combinations, for example, polyester blends, polyamide blends, or nylon blends. These blends can come in various different percentage compositions, usually paired with elastane or spandex for stretch. The blends may be made with recycled or non-recycled fibers/elements. In another embodiment, the material of the outer layer 20 is made of a polyamide blend of recycled fibers having a composition of 90% Polyamide and 10% Elastane.

FIG. 3 depicts aspects of an inner partial brief 30 of the anti-chaffing athletic leggings 10 in front and back views. The inner partial brief 30 provides cushioning and/or isolation of skin of the rider 11 against the inner partial brief 30 to prevent chaffing of that skin. In one or more embodiments, the inner partial brief 30 is a single piece of fabric material (with no front region or front panel) that is sewn into the outer layer 20 using the same stitching or connection process that was used to form the seams 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B, 28, and 29. To be clear, when various panels or components are sewn or connected together to form the associated seam, the inner partial brief 30 is also connected to the outer layer 20 by the same sewing or connection process at the same time. Thus, the inner partial brief 30 is connected to the panels 21A, 21B, 22A, and 22B and the gusset panel 23 by being integrated into the seams 25A, 25B, 26A, 26B, 27A, 27B, 28, and 29. Accordingly, the seams securing the inner partial brief 30 to the outer layer 20 are thinner than if an additional sewing or connection process was required on top of existing seams. No material layers are added over the inner brief 30 to limit the thickness in the area of the inner brief 30. In one or more embodiments, the fabric material for the inner brief 30 includes 85% polyester (which can be recycled) and 15% elastane (e.g., Lycra or spandex) with a weight of 115 GSM. Other fabric materials may also be used. As with the outer layer, the material of the inner partial brief 30 can be a wide range of possible material combinations, for example, polyester blends, polyamide blends, or nylon blends. These blends can come in various different percentage compositions, usually paired with elastane or spandex for stretch. The blends may be made with recycled or non-recycled fibers/elements. In another embodiment, the material of the inner partial brief 30 is made of a polyester blend of recycled fibers having a composition of 85% Polyester and 15% Elastane. In one or more embodiments, the thickness of the inner partial brief 30 is less than the thickness of the outer layer 20 so that the anti-chaffing athletic leggings 10 remain thin and stylish without being lumpy or prone to bunching. In one or more embodiments, the thickness of the inner partial brief 30 is one-half or less than the thickness of the outer layer 20.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the top of the inner partial brief 30 is connected to the outer layer 20 by the waist horizontal seam 28. A first side of the inner partial brief 30 is connected to the outer layer 20 by the first leg outer seam 26A and a second side of the inner partial brief 30 is connected to the outer layer 20 by the second leg outer seam 27A. A middle vertical area of the inner partial brief 30 is connected to the outer layer 20 by the back vertical seam 25B. A lower central area of the inner partial brief 30 is connected to the outer layer 20 in the area of the gusset panel 23 by the gusset seam 29 and by the first leg inner seam 26B and the second leg inner seam 27B. The bottom of the inner partial brief 30 is secured to the outer layer 20 by a low-profile stitch or connection 31, which can be the same or similar stitch used to connect the panels of outer layer 20 to the inner partial brief 30. In one or more embodiments, the bottom of the inner partial brief 30 is shaped to have a straight hem in each of the first leg and the second leg. Also as illustrated in FIG. 3, the outer layer 20 may include a pocket 34 that can be external and/or internal to the outer layer 20. The pocket 34 may be formed using the same connection process, such as the flatlock stitching, used for forming the seams in other parts of the outer layer 20.

FIG. 4 depicts aspects of the waist band 24 in front and back views. An elasticated (i.e., having an elastic property) drawcord 40 is disposed inside of the waist band 24 with the drawcord 40 protruding through the front of the waist band 24 through buttonholes 41 having a zigzag stitching. In the back of the waist band 24, the drawcord 40 is disposed in a drawcord channel 42 formed with a zigzag stitching. The drawcord 40 is secured in the drawcord channel 42 with a bartack 43.

FIG. 5 is a perspective back view of the anti-chaffing athletic leggings 10 in an inside-out orientation. It can be seen that the back of inner partial brief 30 is attached to the outer layer 20 by the waist horizontal seam 28, the back vertical seam 25B, the first leg outer seam 26A, the second leg outer seam 27A, and the low-profile stitch or connection 31.

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of the anti-chaffing athletic leggings 10 in an inside-out orientation. It can be seen that the front of the inner partial brief 30 is attached to the outer layer 20 by the first leg inner seam 26B, the second leg inner seam 27B, the gusset seam 29, and the low-profile stitch or connection 31. It can also be seen that the front of the inner partial brief 30 covers the gusset panel 23 and is held in place there by the gusset seam 29, which also secures the gusset panel 23 to the adjacent leg panels 26A, 26B, 27A, and 27B. It can further be seen that the inner seams 26B and 27B being forward of the virtual longitudinal line at midpoints in a side view provides protection of the forward portions of the thighs and nearby lower central areas of the rider 11 that would be affected by leg and body movements against the seat 13. In FIG. 6, the leggings 10 are laid flat against a planar surface with the outer seams 26A and 27B being flat against the planar surface and directly contacting the planar surface. Because the inner seams 26B and 27B are formed forward of the virtual midpoint longitudinal line, the inner seams 26B and 27B do not directly contact the planar surface.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view looking down into the anti-chaffing athletic leggings 10.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for a method 80 for fabricating an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment. Block 81 calls for obtaining fabric panels of an outer layer of the leggings and a waist band, the fabric panels being shaped for a selected size, the fabric panels include a first leg front panel, a first leg back panel, a second leg front panel, a second leg back panel, a gusset panel, and a waist band.

Block 82 calls for obtaining an inner partial brief of a one-piece material fabric having a shape to conform to an interior of the outer layer. To be clear, the term “partial” relates to the brief not completely surrounding a mid-section or hip-area of an exerciser or bike rider. As such, the inner partial brief does not include a front section or panel.

Block 83 calls for connecting (i.e., attaching) the first leg front panel to the first leg back panel and to a first side of the inner partial brief to form a first leg outside seam and connecting the second leg front panel to the second leg back panel and to a second side of the inner partial brief to form a second leg outside seam using a single connecting process. In one or more embodiments, the connecting of panels and the inner partial brief is by sewing the panels and inner partial brief together with a selected stitch pattern in a single sewing process. In one or more embodiments, each of the first leg outside seam and the second leg outside seam form a longitudinal line approximately at lateral midpoints from hip to ankle.

Block 84 calls for connecting the first leg back panel to the second leg back panel and to a central area of the inner partial brief to form a back vertical seam using the single connecting process.

Block 85 calls for connecting the gusset panel to the first leg front panel, the first leg back panel, the second leg front panel, and the second leg back panel and to the inner partial brief using the single connecting process.

Block 86 calls for connecting the first leg front panel to the first leg back panel and to a first side of the inner partial brief to form a first leg inside seam and connecting the second leg front panel to the second leg back panel and to a second side of the inner partial brief to form a second leg inside seam using the single connecting process, wherein each of the first leg inside seam and the second leg inside seam forms a longitudinal line that is a selected distance forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line (for inside part of legs) in a side view. By having the first leg and second leg inside seam forward of the virtual longitudinal midpoint line to provide coverage with the inner partial brief of forward parts of the thighs of the rider and any lower central body area that may be in contact with the seat, chaffing of those areas is prevented. Accordingly, the selected forward distance may be dependent on size of the leggings being made. For example, larger size leggings for larger size riders may require the selected distance to be greater than the selected distance for smaller size leggings for smaller size riders.

Block 87 calls for connecting the waist band to an upper edge of the first leg front panel, the first leg back panel, the second leg front panel, and the second leg back panel and to an upper edge of the inner partial brief using the single connecting process.

The method 80 may also include fabricating a drawcord channel in the waist band. The method 80 may also include inserting a drawcord in the drawcord channel.

FIG. 9 is a method 90 for preventing chaffing of an exerciser while exercising. Block 91 calls for wearing anti-chaffing athletic leggings by the exerciser, the anti-chaffing athletic leggings having an outer layer and an inner partial brief connected to the outer layer, the outer layer having a plurality of panels connected together by a plurality of seams, the plurality of seams also connecting the inner partial brief to the outer layer, the seams being formed by a single connecting process, wherein a first inner seam of a first leg and a second inner seam of a second leg are forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line as viewed in a side view. Block 92 calls for moving an inside portion of at least one leg of the exerciser in contact with the inner brief against an exercise apparatus.

It can be appreciated that the inner partial brief in addition to absorbing friction to prevent chaffing may also serve as a sweat barrier by absorbing sweat. Less sweat on skin can decrease chaffing and increase comfort. It can also be appreciated that the outer layer can be fabricated to any selected length such as from a point above the knee to the ankle or foot in non-limiting embodiments.

Embodiment 1: An anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment includes an outer layer, an inner partial brief connected to the outer layer by integrating the inner partial brief into at least some seams formed by connecting various panels together to form the outer layer, the inner partial brief covering a back region of the outer layer and not a front region of the outer layer, wherein an inside seam on the inside of each leg is forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg as viewed in a side view in order to extend the inner partial brief forward to provide chaffing protection to a forward portion of the inside of each leg.

Embodiment 2: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, wherein the at least some seams are formed using a single connecting technique.

Embodiment 3: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, wherein the single connecting process is a flatlock stitching technique.

Embodiment 4: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, wherein the inside seam on the inside of each leg is forward of the virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg as viewed from the side in order by at least one inch.

Embodiment 5: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, wherein there is no layer of material disposed between the outer layer and the inner partial brief.

Embodiment 6: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, wherein the outer layer comprises a pocket external to the outer layer or internal to the outer layer.

Embodiment 7: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, wherein the outer layer extends longitudinally anywhere in a range of from a point above a knee to an ankle or foot below the knee.

Embodiment 8: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, wherein the outer layer comprises at least one of polyester blends, polyamide blends, or nylon blends.

Embodiment 9: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, wherein the outer layer further comprises at least one of elastane or spandex.

Embodiment 10: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, wherein the inner partial brief comprises at least one of polyester blends, polyamide blends, or nylon blends.

Embodiment 11: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, wherein the inner partial brief further comprises at least one of elastane or spandex.

Embodiment 12: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, further comprising a waistband connected to the outer layer and the inner partial brief.

Embodiment 13: The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment as in any prior embodiment, further comprising a reflector disposed on the waistband.

Embodiment 14: A method for preventing chaffing on an inside portion of a leg of a person exercising includes wearing an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment by the person, the anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment having an outer layer and an inner partial brief connected to the outer layer, the outer layer having a plurality of panels connected together by a plurality of seams, at least some of the plurality of seams also connecting the inner partial brief to the outer layer, wherein a first inner seam of a first leg and a second inner seam of a second leg are forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg as viewed in a side view, and moving an inside portion of at least one leg of the exerciser in contact with the inner brief against an exercise apparatus.

Embodiment 15: The method for preventing chaffing on an inside portion of a leg of a person as in any prior embodiment, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a seat.

Embodiment 16: A method for fabricating an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment configured to be worn by a person while exercising includes obtaining fabric panels of an outer layer of the leggings and a waist band, the fabric panels being shaped for a selected size, the fabric panels include a first leg front panel, a first leg back panel, a second leg front panel, a second leg back panel, a gusset panel, and the waist band, obtaining an inner partial brief of a one-piece material fabric having a shape to conform to an interior of the outer layer, connecting the first leg front panel to the first leg back panel and to a first side of the inner partial brief to form a first leg outside seam and connecting the second leg front panel to the second leg back panel and to a second side of the inner partial brief to form a second leg outside seam, connecting the first leg back panel to the second leg back panel and to a central area of the inner partial brief to form a back vertical seam, connecting the gusset panel to the first leg front panel, the first leg back panel, the second leg front panel, and the second leg back panel and to the inner partial brief, connecting the first leg front panel to the first leg back panel and to a first side of the inner partial brief to form a first leg inside seam and connecting the second leg front panel to the second leg back panel and to a second side of the inner partial brief to form a second leg inside seam using the single connecting process, wherein each of the first leg inside seam and the second leg inside seam forms a longitudinal line that is a selected distance forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg in a side view, and connecting the waist band to an upper edge of the first leg front panel, the first leg back panel, the second leg front panel, and the second leg back panel and to an upper edge of the inner partial brief.

Embodiment 17: The method for fabricating an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment configured to be worn by a person while exercising as in any prior embodiment, wherein at least some of the seams are formed using a single connecting process.

Embodiment 18: The method for fabricating an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment configured to be worn by a person while exercising as in any prior embodiment, wherein all of the seams are formed using the single connecting process.

Embodiment 19: The method for fabricating an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment configured to be worn by a person while exercising as in any prior embodiment, further comprising fabricating a drawcord channel in the waist band and inserting a drawcord in the drawcord channel.

Embodiment 20: The method for fabricating an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment configured to be worn by a person while exercising as in any prior embodiment, further comprising attaching a pocket to at least one of an inside of the garment or an outside of the garment.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The conjunction “or” when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any term or combination of terms. Further, it should be noted that the terms “first,” “second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another. The terms “including” and “having” and the like are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. The term “approximately” is intended to include a non-significant degree of variation such as with a degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For example, “approximately” can include a range of ±5% of a given value.

The disclosure illustratively disclosed herein may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

While the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications, applications, and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility.

Claims

1. An anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment comprises: an outer layer;an inner partial brief connected to the outer layer by integrating the inner partial brief into at least some seams formed by connecting various panels together to form the outer layer, the inner partial brief covering a back region of the outer layer and not a front region of the outer layer;wherein an inside seam on the inside of each leg is forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg as viewed in a side view in order to extend the inner partial brief forward to provide chaffing protection to a forward portion of the inside of each leg.

2. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 1, wherein the at least some seams are formed using a single connecting technique.

3. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 1, wherein the single connecting process is a flatlock stitching technique.

4. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 1, wherein the inside seam on the inside of each leg is forward of the virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg as viewed from the side in order by at least one inch.

5. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 1, wherein there is no layer of material disposed between the outer layer and the inner partial brief.

6. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises a pocket external to the outer layer or internal to the outer layer.

7. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer extends longitudinally anywhere in a range of from a point above a knee to an ankle or foot below the knee.

8. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises at least one of polyester blends, polyamide blends, or nylon blends.

9. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 8, wherein the outer layer further comprises at least one of elastane or spandex.

10. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 1, wherein the inner partial brief comprises at least one of polyester blends, polyamide blends, or nylon blends.

11. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 10, wherein the inner partial brief further comprises at least one of elastane or spandex.

12. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 1, further comprising a waistband connected to the outer layer and the inner partial brief.

13. The anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment according to claim 12, further comprising a reflector disposed on the waistband.

14. A method for preventing chaffing on an inside portion of a leg of a person exercising, the method comprising: wearing an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment by the person, the anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment having an outer layer and an inner partial brief connected to the outer layer, the outer layer having a plurality of panels connected together by a plurality of seams, at least some of the plurality of seams also connecting the inner partial brief to the outer layer, wherein a first inner seam of a first leg and a second inner seam of a second leg are forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg as viewed in a side view; andmoving an inside portion of at least one leg of the exerciser in contact with the inner brief against an exercise apparatus.

15. The method for preventing chaffing according to claim 14, wherein the exercise apparatus comprises a seat.

16. A method for fabricating an anti-chaffing athletic leggings garment configured to be worn by a person while exercising, the method comprising: obtaining fabric panels of an outer layer of the leggings and a waist band, the fabric panels being shaped for a selected size, the fabric panels include a first leg front panel, a first leg back panel, a second leg front panel, a second leg back panel, a gusset panel, and the waist band;obtaining an inner partial brief of a one-piece material fabric having a shape to conform to an interior of the outer layer;connecting the first leg front panel to the first leg back panel and to a first side of the inner partial brief to form a first leg outside seam and connecting the second leg front panel to the second leg back panel and to a second side of the inner partial brief to form a second leg outside seam;connecting the first leg back panel to the second leg back panel and to a central area of the inner partial brief to form a back vertical seam;connecting the gusset panel to the first leg front panel, the first leg back panel, the second leg front panel, and the second leg back panel and to the inner partial brief;connecting the first leg front panel to the first leg back panel and to a first side of the inner partial brief to form a first leg inside seam and connecting the second leg front panel to the second leg back panel and to a second side of the inner partial brief to form a second leg inside seam using the single connecting process, wherein each of the first leg inside seam and the second leg inside seam forms a longitudinal line that is a selected distance forward of a virtual longitudinal midpoint line along each leg in a side view; andconnecting the waist band to an upper edge of the first leg front panel, the first leg back panel, the second leg front panel, and the second leg back panel and to an upper edge of the inner partial brief.

17. The method for fabricating according to claim 16, wherein at least some of the seams are formed using a single connecting process.

18. The method for fabricating according to claim 17, wherein all of the seams are formed using the single connecting process.

19. The method for fabricating according to claim 16, further comprising fabricating a drawcord channel in the waist band and inserting a drawcord in the drawcord channel.

20. The method for fabricating according to claim 16, further comprising attaching a pocket to at least one of an inside of the garment or an outside of the garment.