TECHNICAL FIELD
The subject disclosure relates to a garment with an insulated liner for water sports, and in particular to a wet suit garment liner designed to be concealed under and uniquely attached to a pair of shorts.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The sport of surfing is conventionally conducted during warm weather months. However, serious surfers may surf year-round even when the outside weather can be somewhat cold and uncomfortable. When the water and/or air is relatively warm, surfers generally prefer to wear only a bathing suit and/or a pair of board shorts. Despite the temperature of the air outside of the water, ocean water can be dramatically colder and somewhat frigid, and a need arises to attempt to keepwarm. Wet suits are required when the weather and/or water temperature is cooler. Wet suits are typically made of thermally insulating rubberized material such as neoprene, generally designed to fit close to the body. The neoprene creates a thin layer of water between the suit and the wearer's body. After the suit has been submerged, there is not much exchange of water such that a thin layer of water adjacent the wearer's body provides insulation to the wearer.
Unlike wetsuits, conventional swimsuits have included a non-insulating material such as Lycra, form fitting swim jammers, or the like. The disadvantage of these types of materials is that they are specifically designed as a material provided to breathe. That is, to allow and encourage the exchange of temperature between the user and the surrounding environment. This is because they are designed to be form fitting and low resistance to allow the transfer of heat to and from the user to the surrounding environment in order to allow the swimmer stay cool during their strenuous heat inducing swimming activity. These conventional fabric constructions have an opposite purpose and are not provided to lock in, and/or prevent the body heat of the user from escaping into the external environment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a garment with insulated liner.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the garment with insulated liner.
FIG. 3 is a front view of an insulated liner with the garment in phantom lines.
FIG. 4 is a rear view of insulated liner with the garment in phantom lines.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the insulated liner.
FIG. 6 is a rear view of the insulated liner.
FIG. 7 is a partial front view of a fly with a fly gusset in the fly region.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the fly neoprene insert to be inserted into a gusset in the fly.
FIG. 9 is a front view of another pocket design for the garment with insulated liner.
FIG. 10 is a rear view of the pocket design for the garment with insulated liner.
FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the pocket.
FIG. 12 is a front view of garment with insulated liner in an open position.
FIG. 13 is an exploded partial view of the inner fly flap.
FIG. 14 is an exploded partial view of the outer fly flap.
FIG. 15 is a front view of the garment with insulated liner with a fly disposed on a side thereof.
FIG. 16 is a rear view of the garment with insulated liner with a fly disposed on a rear side thereof.
FIG. 17 is a front view of the garment with insulated liner with an elastic waistband according to another aspect of this subject disclosure.
FIG. 18 is a front view of an outfit showing an insulated shirt and garment with insulated liner having various shirt loops and associated loop fasteners another aspect of this subject disclosure.
FIG. 19 illustrates a shirt loop aligned with a loop fastener in a detached position according to another aspect of this subject disclosure.
FIG. 20 illustrates a shirt loop aligned with a loop fastener just before fastening.
FIG. 21 shows a shirt loop aligned with a loop fastener and a first flap fastened to and securing the shirt loop.
FIG. 22 shows a shirt loop aligned with a loop fastener with the first flap and a second flap fastened to and securing the shirt loop.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures.
FIGS. 1-2 and 9-10 illustrate a garment with insulated liner 10. The garment of the garment with insulated liner 10 may be a short pant 20. The insulated liner of the garment with insulated liner 10 may be an insulated undergarment or insulated liner 30. The insulated liner 30 is attached to the short pant 20 in a manner adapted to prevent excessive shifting or tearing away in a turbulent body of water.
The garment with insulated liner 10 is adapted to cover and conform to the body of a wearer from approximately a waist portion to the knees of the wearer and provide all around protection to elevate the temperature of the body of the wearer from the waist to the knees as well as to provide ultraviolet protection.
FIGS. 1-2 illustrate the garment with insulated liner 10 may be embodied as preferably as surfing shorts. Although, it is to be understood that the garment with insulated liner 10 may be constructed as a pair of shorts, it is to be understood that various types of stylish short or long pants may be embodied. That is, various patterns, graphics, styles, colors and the like are possible according to this subject disclosure.
FIGS. 3-6 show the insulated liner 30 may be formed of an insulating material, such as Neoprene, capable of covering and conforming to the body of a wearer from the waist to the knees. The insulated liner 30 may be adapted to trap a thin layer of water underneath the insulated liner 30, thereby maintaining the temperature of the thin layer of water similar to the temperature of the body of the wearer from the waist to the knees. It is to be understood that the insulated liner may be a longer garment that provides more coverage, such as one that extends over the torso and arms as well.
That is, although shown as a short pant garment with an insulated liner, the garment with insulated liner 10 may be embodied in a variety of different styles and shapes for a variety of different uses, such as but not limited to surfers, divers, windsurfers, canoeists, wake boarding, biking, kite surfing, kayak surfing, jet skiing, fishing, boating, rafting, and others engaged in water sports and other activities in or on water, adapted to provide thermal insulation, as well as buoyancy and protection from abrasion, ultraviolet exposure and stings from marine organisms. The insulation property of the garment with insulated liner 10 may be related to the porosity of gas enclosed within the material, which reduces its ability to conduct heat and provide buoyancy in water.
One of the benefits of the insulated liner 30 is to prevent the short pants 20 and the insulated liner 30 from shifting and/or riding up on the leg of the wearer. Another advantage is insuring a warmer, more accurate temperature closer to the temperature of the user wearing the garment with insulated liner 10. Although the insulated liner 30 may be described to be structured with Neoprene, it is to be understood that the insulated liner 30 may be fabricated from a variety of different insulating materials, such as a soft lining, polyester, a synthetic fabric, a wool material, an animal material, a plant fabric, and/or any other suitable material that clings to the user and insolates the users temperature under the insulated liner.
FIGS. 1-2 show a pair of stylish outerwear short pants 20 capable of covering, securing in place, and concealing from view the insulated liner 30 (shown in FIG. 3) which is connected to an inside of the short pants 20 in a manner that will prevent the short pants 20 from shifting when subjected to drastic shifting or turbulent motions, such as a strong wave thrashing a surfer against their surfboard and/or other turbulent motions in the ocean. Likewise, as will be explained in more detail, when worn by the user, the construction of the garment with insolated liner 10 provides a pelvic area compression feature adapted to tighten the garment with insolated liner 10 to the user.
In particular, the garment with insulated liner 10 includes various interconnecting fasteners adapted to attach the outerwear short pants 20 to the insulated liner 30 which will be described in more detail later. The short pants 20 and the insulated liner 30 may be attached at various attachment areas to interconnect the insulated liner 30 to the pant shorts 20 in a secure manner so that the short pants 20 do not separate from the insulated liner 30 while engaging in a turbulent watersport activity.
As shown in FIGS. 1-2 (and in FIGS. 3-4 in phantom lines), the short pants 20 are worn to cover at least a substantial portion of the insulated liner 30 so that at least a substantial portion of the insulated liner 30 is concealed from view and securely attached to the short pants 20.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 3-6, the short pants 20 include a short waistband 27. The short waistband 27 has a short waist upper end 25, and a short waist lower end 26. The short pants 20 include a pair of short leg openings 21. That is, the short leg openings 21 have a first short leg opening 21a and a second short leg opening 21b. The short leg openings 21 have short leg portions 22 extending from a short lower leg portion end 22a to a short leg portion upper end 22b. The first short leg opening 21a and the second short leg opening 21b meet at the short leg portion upper end 22b in a short crotch area 29 or region.
The short crotch area 29 is disposed in an area where the first and second short leg openings 21a, 21b are joined and upward toward a short pelvic area 40 or region. The short pelvic area 40 is located in an area between the short waistband 27 and the short crotch area 29.
A short fly area 70 or region is provided and extends from the short waistband 27 downward toward the short crotch area 29. A short opening 71 may be provided in the short fly area 70. The short opening 71 may extend from the short waistband 27 through the short pelvic area 40 and into the short crotch area 29. However, it is to be understood that the short opening 71 may be any suitable length and/or omitted entirely.
FIGS. 3-6 illustrate the insulated undergarment or insulated liner 30. The insulated liner 30 may be constructed in a variety of different ways, such as an insulated undergarment, a rubberized undergarment, an insolate rubberized undergarment and/or any other suitable term or configuration according to this subject disclosure. The insulated liner 30 has an undergarment waistband 37. The insulated liner 30 has an undergarment waist upper end 35a and an undergarment waist lower end 35b.
The insulated liner 30 has a pair of undergarment leg openings 31. That is, the undergarment leg openings 31 have a first undergarment leg opening 31a and a second undergarment leg opening 31b. The undergarment leg openings 31 have undergarment leg portions 32 extending from an undergarment leg portion lower end 32a to an undergarment leg portion upper end 32b. The first undergarment leg opening 31a and the second undergarment leg opening 31b meet at the undergarment leg portion upper end 32b in an undergarment crotch area 141.
An undergarment pelvic area 140 is located adjacent to the undergarment waistband 37 and extends to the undergarment crotch area 141. An undergarment fly region 170 is provided in the insulated liner 30 and extends from the undergarment waistband 37 downward toward the undergarment crotch area 141. The undergarment fly region 170 may define an undergarment opening 171 that extends from the undergarment waistband 37 through the undergarment pelvic area 140 and into the undergarment crotch area 141.
However, it is to be understood that the undergarment opening 171 may be any suitable length and/or may be omitted entirely. When fastened to the body of a user, the garment with insulated liner 10 is adapted to cover and fit closely to a body of a wearer to preserve an elevated temperature of the body of the wearer
As shown in FIG. 3, the undergarment waist upper end 35a may be attached to the short waist lower end 26. A pair of undergarment front seams 40a, 40b disposed in the insulated liner 10 and may extend from the undergarment waistband 37 through the undergarment pelvic area 140 into the undergarment crotch area 141.
FIG. 12 shows the garment with insulated liner 10 in an open configuration. As shown, an opening 71, 171 may be provided in the short and undergarment fly areas 70, 170. The opening 71, 171 of the garment with insulated liner 10 may be defined by an inner fly flap 80 and an outer fly flap 180 as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. The inner fly flap 80 and an outer fly flap 180 are shown bordering the opening 71, 171. FIGS. 13-14 illustrate exploded views of the inner fly flap 80 and the outer fly flap 180 respectively.
In FIG. 13, the inner fly flap 80 is constructed of an inner short fly flap 82. The inner short fly flap 82 may be an integral part of the short pant 20, and/or may be an additional piece connected in assembly to the short pant 20. The inner short fly flap 82 is attached to an inner undergarment fly flap 84. Similarly, the inner undergarment fly flap 84 may be an integral part of the insulated liner 30, and/or may be an additional piece connected in assembly to the insulated liner 30. A rubberized reinforcement layer 85 may be disposed between the inner short fly flap 82 and the inner undergarment fly flap 84. Alternatively, the rubberized reinforcement layer 85 may be omitted from the construction. An inner fly seam 83 (FIG. 12) may be provided that borders the inner fly flap 80 to secure the inner undergarment fly flap 84 of the insulated undergarment to the inner short fly flap 82 of the short pant 20.
As shown in FIG. 14, the outer fly flap 180 is constructed of an outer short fly flap 182 and is located opposite the inner short fly flap 82 and bordering the opening 70, 170 and adapted to mate therewith. The outer short fly flap 182 may be an integral part of the short pant 20, and/or may be an additional piece connected in assembly to the short pant 20. The outer short fly flap 182 is attached to an outer undergarment fly flap 184. Similarly, the outer undergarment fly flap 184 may be an integral part of the insulated liner 30, and/or may be an additional piece connected in assembly to the insulated liner 30. A rubberized reinforcement layer 185 may be disposed between the outer short fly flap 182 and the outer undergarment fly flap 184. Alternatively, the rubberized reinforcement layer 185 may be omitted from the construction. An outer fly seam 183 (FIG. 12) may be provided that borders the outer fly flap 180 to secure the outer undergarment fly flap 184 of the insulated undergarment to the outer short fly flap 182 of the short pant 20. When secured to the user while in use, the inner fly flap 80 and the outer fly flap 180 securely prevent the garment with insulated liner 10 from drastically shifting in turbulent water.
In assembly, the waistband regions 24, 124 of the short pant 20 and the insulated liner 30 are positioned and lie substantially adjacent to each other. That is, they are both located above their respective pelvic regions 40, 140 and surround the upper end of the garment with insulated liner 10.
The pelvic regions 40, 140 are disposed centrally between, and below their respective waistband regions 24, 37 and above their respective crotch regions 41, 141. The pelvic regions 40, 140 are also substantially centered above and adjacent to their respective crotch regions 41, 141 and lie substantially behind an upper portion of fly areas 70, 170 respectively. The pelvic regions 40, 140 substantially overlap and extend downward from the waistband regions 24, 124 to the respective crotch regions 41, 141. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the crotch regions 41, 141 lie below the pelvic regions 40, 140 and substantially behind and below a lower portion of the respective fly areas 70, 170.
Thigh regions 36, 136 approximately begin and are located substantially below the crotch regions 41, 141. The thigh regions 36, 136 extend down the short and undergarment leg portions 22, 32 of the short pants 20 and the insulated liner 30. The thigh regions 36, 136 extend toward a short lower end 22a of the short pants 20 and the undergarment lower end 32a of the insulated liner 30 respectively. The thigh regions 36, 136 encircle the pair of leg openings 21 in the short pants 20 and the pair of undergarment leg openings 31 in the insulated liner 30.
According to this subject disclosure, various unique interconnecting fastener attachments and/or attachment mechanisms may be created within the garment with insulated liner 10. The interconnecting fastener attachments may be embodied in a variety of different methods, such as by a stitched seam, a snap fastener, a hook and loop fastener and/or any other interconnecting fastener capable of attaching the short pant 20 to the insulated liner 30.
The interconnecting fastener attachments may be provided in at least part of each of the waistband regions 24, 124 of the short pants 20 and the insulated liner 30. The fastener attachment secures the insulated liner 30 to the short pants 20 adjacent to their respective waist regions 24, 124. In addition, the insulated liner 30 may be fastened at various portions of the pelvic regions 40, 140 and/or at the crotch regions 41, 141 of the short pants 20. Likewise, the insulated liner 30 may be fastened at various portions of the thigh regions 36, 136 in the short pants 20, such as adjacent to the lower end 38 of the pant shorts 20.
FIGS. 1 and 3-6 illustrate an exemplary attachment mechanism within the garment with insulated liner 10. The attachment mechanism may include a variety of methods for attachment. The attachment mechanism may include a waist seam 46a provided at the waistband regions 24, 124 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 to attach the short pants 20 to the insulated liner 30. The attachment mechanism may include thigh seams 36a, 36b disposed at the thigh region 36, 136 to attach the short pants 20 to the insulated liner 30.
Likewise, the attachment mechanism may include one or more front seams 40a, 40b. As shown in FIG. 3, the front seams 40a, 40b may extend from the waist regions 24, 124 through the pelvic regions 40, 140 and down to the crotch regions 41, 141. The front seams 40a, 40b may be connected to the crotch seam 41a. Although the front seams 40a, 40b are shown as a pair of seams extending through the pelvic region 140 and the crotch region 141 of the insulated liner 30, the front seams 40a, 40b could be embodied as various separate seams that are provided through the pelvic regions 40, 140 and/or other separate seams that extend through the crotch regions 41, 141. It is to be understood that the attachment mechanisms can be secured separately through the insulated liner 30, separately through the short pant 20, or through both the short pant and the insulated liner together in the various regions and/or locations throughout the garment with insulated liner 10.
At the pelvic regions 40, 140 of the short pant 20 and the insulated liner 30, the front seams 40a, 40b may secure the short pant 20 and the insulated liner 30 to each other in a secure manner. Likewise, below the pelvic regions 40, 140, at the crotch regions 41, 141 of the short pant 20 and the insulated liner 30, the front seams 40a, 40b may secure the short pant 20 and the insulated liner 30 to each other in a secure manner. Side seams 29 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and rear seams 39 may also be provided as shown in FIG. 2.
The attachment mechanism may be various sewn-in stitches at the various regions specified above and/or other locations suitable to secure the short pants 20 to the insulated liner 30 to prevent drastic shifting during turbulent motions. Various methods for and combinations of attaching any combination of the various seams to each other may be used according to thissubject disclosure. The seams may utilize any type of sufficient stitching now known or later discovered, such as but not limited to, single needle stitch, bartacks, twin needle coverstitch, flatlock stitch, topstitch, overlock, and the like according to this subject disclosure. As mentioned previously, snaps, hook and loop fasteners and/or any other suitable method of fastening may be used.
As mentioned above, fly area or regions 70, 170 may be located in the short pants 20 and the insulated liners 30. The fly regions 70, 170 may extend from the waistline regions 29, 129 downward and midway through the pelvic regions 40, 140 and the crotch regions 41, 141. Inner and outer fly seams 83, 183 (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) may be provided to attach the inner fly flap 80 and the outer fly flap 180 of insulated liner 30 and the short pants 20 at the fly regions 70, 170. In the alternative, providing a fly area 70. 170 may be omitted.
The combination of these various different seams prevent excess movement of the short pants 20 in relation to the insulated liner 30. Similarly, the various seams provide stability to the garment with insulated liner 10 when worn by a user. The front seams 40a, 40b may extend through the pelvic regions 40, 140 and the crotch regions 41, 141. The front seams 40a, 40b and the fly seams 83, 183 may work together to provide compression to the pelvic and crotch areas to accommodate additional mass in comparison to the other areas adjacent, while also providing a form-fitting design to regulate and retain heat in the crotch regions 41, 141. Furthermore, the material fabric in the areas bounded by the front seams 40a, 40b in the pelvic region 140 and the crotch region 141 may be made of a different material or thickness to allow for expansion and/or additional compression in these areas as needed.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, a fly 73 may be provided in the fly regions 70, 170 of the short pant 20 and the insulated liner 30 to provide easier access when a user requires access to the crotch regions 41, 141 and/or the pelvic regions 40, 140. A fly fastener 74 may be disposed in the fly 73 to maintain closure of the fly 73 of the short pant 20 and the insulated liner 30 as well as to prevent undesired movement therethrough. The fly fastener 74 may be made of a hook and loop fastener, zipper, snap, button or any other suitable fastening mechanism according to this subject disclosure. Furthermore, the fly fastener 74 may also be disposed between the short pants 20 and the insulated liner 30 to further fasten the short pants 20 and the insulated liner 30 together.
FIG. 15 shows a front view of the garment with insulated liner 10, and FIG. 16 shows a rear view of the garment with insulated liner 10. As illustrated, a fly 173 may be provided in a variety of different locations. The fly 173 can be located on any side of the garment with insulated liner 10, such as shown in FIG. 15. Alternatively, and as shown in FIG. 16, the fly 173 may be provided on a rear of the garment with insulated liner 10. It is to be understood that the fly 173 may be located anywhere on the garment with insulated liner 10.
As shown in FIG. 12, the fly opening 71, 171 in the fly regions 70, 170 may include an inner gusset 72. The inner gusset 72 may be composed of a stretchable fabric. The inner gusset 72 may be composed of a neoprene 75 adapted to provide additional insulating material when the fly opening 71, 171 is closed. The additional material in the fly gusset 72 will add to the compression effect in the pelvic area 40, 140 when the fly opening 71, 171 is in a closed position lying adjacent to the user.
As mentioned previously, the additional fly neoprene 85, 185 may be added to increase the rigidity of the fly regions 70, 170 for better and tighter fit adjacent to this region. That is, the additional fly neoprene 85 added in addition to the neoprene inner gusset 72 will cause the fly 73, 173 of the short pant 20 and insulated liner 30 to be compressed against the user and elastically biased back inward thereby keeping the fly 73, 173 closed.
It is to be understood that the garment with insulated liner 10 or portions of it may be made of various thicknesses, for different uses and/or different temperatures. The garment with insulated liner 10 may have a thickness in the range from a thin (2 mm or less) to a substantially thick 8 mm liner. It is further to be understood that the garment with insulated liner 10 may be made as a wetsuit or a dry suit. That is, the wetsuit allows water to enter the garment with insulated liner 10, whereas the dry suit is designed to prevent water from entering, thus keeping the portion under the garment with insulated liner 10 dry.
As stated above, the attachment mechanism may include one or more front seams 40a, 40b. At the crotch region 141 of the insulated liner 30. The front seams 40a, 40b allow the inner insulated liner 30 to be attached to the short pants 20 securely at the crotch region 41, 141. Since the pelvic regions 40, 140 and the crotch region 41, 141 may be bounded by the front seams 40a, 40b, and the fly seam 85, the crotch regions 141 of the insulated liner 30 is then restrained from substantial movement in relation to the short pants 20. More specifically, the front seams 40a, 40b prevent the short pants 20 from bunching, twisting and other drastic shifting movements, all of which can eventually tear the fastener stitching around a waist of the user. This reduced movement also helps prevent chafing and/or rashes from developing in this sensitive region.
Another benefit of the front seams 40a, 40b is the ease to which the garment with insulated liner 10 may be put on and taken off. As shown in FIG. 3, the front seams 40a, 40b can assist in making it easier for the user to easily slide their legs within the undergarment leg openings 31 of the garment with insulated liner 10. That is, the material between the front seams 40a, 40b can be made of a more pliable material allowing extra expansion when the user is pulling them onto their body.
The waistband regions 24, 124 may include a waist seam 46a that secures the insulated liner 30 to the short pants 20. The waist seam 46a may be stitched entirely around or in portions of the waistband regions 24, 124. The waist seam 46a, in combination with the attachments front seams 40a, 40b in the pelvic region 140 and the crotch region 141 further prevent movement of the insulated liner 30 in relation to the short pants 20, which helps prevent chafing or rashes from developing in the sensitive area.
The waistband regions 24, 124 may also include other elements, including a drawstring 122 to adjust the waistband 27, 127. The drawstrings 122 may be capped with hardened tips to allow easy threading through the eyelets 23. The waistband 27, 127 provides an upper border for the garment with insulated liner 10 to snugly fit the user's waist and prevent the garment with insulated liner 10 from falling down and/or off of the user.
FIG. 17 shows the garment with insulated liner 10 including an elastic waistband 60. The elastic waistband 60 may be composed with a strip of material that is elastic or some other resilient confining fabric that encircles the waistband regions 24, 124. Integrating the elastic waistband 60, rather than buttons or zippers, can provide a comfortable cinching about the waist of the user and provide additional benefits of improved blood circulation and breathing. The advantage of the elastic waistband 60 is also beneficial to individuals who fluctuate in their waist size. For example, a child grows rapidly during their adolescent years growing out of their clothing rapidly. The benefit of the elastic waistband 60 will allow the child to use their garment with insulated liner 10 over a longer period of time before they would have to move to the next appropriate sized garment. The elastic waistband 60 can be provided completely around the waistband regions 24, 124. Alternatively, the elastic waistband 60 may be provided only around a portion, while the remainder portion incorporates a non-elastic waistband such as shown in FIG. 17. It is also to be understood that the material of the short pant 20 may be a resilient stretchy material that would effectively serve a similar purpose for the elastic waistband 60 but throughout the short pant 20.
As shown in FIG. 1, the drawstring 122 is useful for loosening or narrowing the width of the waistband 27 thereby providing a tighter or more form-fitting fit to the user. The drawstring 122 can be disposed adjacent to, or in the waistband 27 through a plurality of eyelets 23. The drawstring 122 may be comprised of a polyester finish at the waist with a plurality of rubber coated eyelets 23. The eyelets 23 may be disposed on different eyelet tabs or flaps 28 of the waist band 27. The tabs may be further secured by various bartacks or series of stitches used to reinforce this area that will be subjected to enhanced stress or additional wear. When the drawstring 122 is pulled together through the eyelets 23, the flaps 28 are drawn closer and the waistband 26 is thereby narrowed. The drawstring 122 may be constructed as an elastic drawstring capable of stretching as it is cinched around the user.
The thigh region 36 may also include thigh seams 36a, 36b. FIG. 3 shows the inner thigh seams 36a, 36b may attach the insulated liner 30 to the short pants 20. This attachment helps prevent excess movement of the short pants 20, which consequently aids in preventing rashes from forming on the user's thigh region 36. The attachment formed by inner thigh seams 36a, 36b also provides structure to the short pants 20 when worn by the user. Since the insulated liner 30 is form-fitted to the user, and the short pants 20 is attached to the insulated liner 30 along the inner thigh seams 36a, 36b, the thigh region 36 of the short pants 20 remains in a shape similar to the user's thigh. Thus, another benefit of the inner thigh seam 43 is that it allows a user to have both the visual look of athletic board shorts and the functionality and benefits of a wetsuit or insulated liner, which include but is not limited to keeping the thigh regions 36, crotch region 41 and the pelvic region 40 warm and the prevention of irritating rashes.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the thigh regions 36, 136 of the garment pants with insulated liner 10 may have lower leg seams 45a, 45b. The lower leg seams 45a, 45b may provide a tighter fit and prevent excess ballooning of the short pants 20 when a quantity of high pressure water flows or impinges at the lower leg seams 45a, 45b. As such, the short pants 20 have substantial water-tight properties making it more difficult for the flow of water to enter pass the lower leg seams 45a, 45b. In the alternative, the lower leg seams 45a, 45b also assist in a desired amount of drainage of fluid through the insulated liner 30, while also preventing air pockets from forming when the user begins to submerge into the water.
FIGS. 9-11 show that the short pants 20 may also have one or more pockets 50. As shown in FIGS. 10-11, the pocket 50 is bounded on its sided by various seams 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d, 55e. The pocket 50 may be easily accessible with an opening 51. The opening 51 may be secured closed by a zipper 52. A drainage eyelet 54 may be provided to allow drainage of fluid from within the pocket as necessary.
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the pocket 50 may be internal to the outer surface of the short pants 20 with only the opening 51 accessible. That is, the pocket 50 may have a zipper welt pocket finish with a rubber ended zipper 52.
FIGS. 18-22 depicts another aspect of this subject disclosure that incorporates a loop fastener 90 or other fastener to the garment with insulated liner 10. Surfing shirts, jackets or rash guards sometimes come with a single little shirt loop at only the bottom of the front of the jacket. Unfortunately, swim trunks don't come with matching attachment loops or quick release rings to secure the jacket loop, let alone do they have the ability to securely keep the shirt in position if the jacket loop is highly likely detached. When the shirt loop is unattached or detached, the surfing shirt gets thrashed around and wrapped around the surfers' head or other part of their body after a wave wipe out making it difficult to maneuver around. Readjusting oneself in the ocean can be cumbersome and irritating when wave after wave keeps coming at the disoriented surfer.
As shown in FIG. 18, this subject disclosure provides a quick engagement loop fastener 90 in the garment with insulated liner 10 to mate with shirt loops 199. Various loop fasteners may be provided according to the insulated shirt 190 shown in FIG. 18 according to this subject disclosure. Likewise, more than one loop fastener 90a, 90b, 90c may be provided throughout the garment with insulated liner 10 which attach to one or more shirt loops 199. In one embodiment, the loop fastener 90 is a quick engagement fastener constructed to loop the shirt loop 199 with an associated and aligned loop fastener 90. According to this subject disclosure, the advantage of the loop fastener 90 is the ability to very quickly secure the shirt loop 199 with the loop fastener 90.
FIGS. 19-22 illustrate securing the shirt loop 199 to the loop fastener 90. As shown in FIG. 19, the loop fastener 90 has a central anchor 92 portion that is secured to the garment with insulated liner 10. The loop fastener 90 has a first flap 93, and at least a second flap 94. Although only two flaps are demonstrated in this embodiment, it is to be understood that various other flaps and/or other securing configurations may be used according to this subject disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 20, once the shirt loop 199 is located over the central anchor 92, the first flap 93 may be folded over the shirt loop 199 to secure it in place, such as shown in FIG. 21. The first flap 93 and the central anchor 92 have mating hook and loop elements to be secured to each other tightly around the shirt loop 199.
FIG. 21 illustrates another step in which a second flap 94 is included in the configuration. In this next step shown in FIG. 22, the second flap 94 is folded back over the first strap 93. The third flap 94 and the first strap 93 have mating hook and loop elements to provide a further hold onto the shirt loop 199 with the double strap configuration. This double strap configuration locks in the shirt loop 199 such that it cannot be removed from the loop fastener 90 by a thrashing wave. If, by any chance, the shirt loop 199 is able to detach from loop fastener 80, the loop fastener 90 can very quickly be opened back up and reattached to secure the shirt loop 199 even in the midst of the ocean between oncoming waves. As shown, the loop fastener 90 can be located in various locations around the garment with insulated liner 10. As shown in FIG. 18, the loop fastener 90 can be located front and center 90a adjacent to the waist, to the sides 90b, in the rear (not shown), along the fly 90c or anywhere along the garment with insulated liner 10.
As shown in FIG. 18 according to an aspect of this subject disclosure, surf shirts 190 or jackets having many shirt loops 199 can be constructed to be aligned with and to secure the shirt loops 199 to various mating and aligned with loop fasteners 90 (90a, 90b, 90c). When not in use, the loop fastener 90 may be stored in a pocket formed by a securing flap 194 until ready for use. Construction of the surf shirt 190 according to this subject disclosure can be constructed with various loop fasteners 199 throughout the shirt 190 such as described above, instead of only a single loop at the front of the shirt.
As shown in FIG. 18, and according to another aspect of this subject disclosure, is to incorporate a rapid inflatable bladder 200 into the shirt 190 or rapid inflatable bladder 202 into the shirt garment with insulated liner 10. In situations where a user is engaging in a water activity, there may be a need to activate the rapid inflatable bladders 200, 202, such as where a surfer is pushed down under the force of a crushing wave. By being able to initiate the rapid inflatable bladder 200, 202, the user will be able to float quickly back to the surface of the water. Initiation can be activated by pulling a cord 201, 211 which would initiate a fast-acting buoyant gas, such as a cartridge filled with CO2 to instantly inflate the air bladders 200, 202, which would in turn cause the user to be propelled back up to the surface of the water. After use, the CO2 cartridge may be changed out for a new recharged cartridge.
The configuration and construction of the garment for insulated liner 10 may take various shapes and configurations. The garment for insulated liner 10 may be incorporated with curvier hips for use with more curvy individuals. The garment for insulated liner 10 may be shorter or longer for desired use. The garment for insulated liner 10 may incorporate additional inner padding for those sporting activities which may require more padding such as biking.
The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments which are described but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Patent Application
20230292864
