Men's underwear

Abstract

Men's underwear having an opening in the front with a pair of overlapping panels overlying the opening with a tactile element secured to one or both panels.

Description

The benefits under 35 USC 119(e) are claimed of provisional patent applications 63/152,991 filed Feb. 24, 2021 and 63/254,279 filed Oct. 11, 2021.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Men's underwear, whether boxers or briefs, generally comprises a front and back with a front opening formed in the front by a pair of overlapping fabric panels or a single panel overlying the opening. Typically, in use, it is difficult to locate the underwear opening since the two panels that form the opening lie in an overlapping face contacting relation or, in some versions, a single panel covers the opening. The panels lie close to the body and do not embody a convenient tactile ability to locate the opening.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Men's underwear, according to this invention, includes underwear of various styles all of which generally include a waistband, a front and a back sewn along the side edges with leg openings opposite the waistband. An opening is formed in the front with at least one panel or a pair of overlapping panels secured to the front and overlying the opening with a tactile element secured to at least one of the panels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-5 are elevational views of a pair of men's underwear illustrating the various embodiments of the underwear, according to this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Men's underwear embodies a variety of types and styles including boxers, briefs, and long and short underwear. Although the drawing figures and accompanying description are directed to conventional boxer-type underwear as the preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention is equally adaptable to the various known types of men's underwear and not limited to a particular model or configuration.

As shown in the drawings, the underwear includes a conventional elastic waistband A attached to the top of front panel B and a pair of leg openings C and D at the bottom with an opening generally formed in the front by a pair of overlapping flaps or panels.

According to this invention, means is provided to quickly locate and manipulate the opening of men's underwear, in one embodiment, in the form of a tab identified by the numeral 1 in FIG. 1. Tab 1 is affixed to the overlapping outer panel 2 of the underwear by any suitable means such as glue, staples, sewing and the like. Tab 1 can be similarly affixed to the underlying inner panel or to the underside of outer panel 2. Additionally, a pair of tabs 1 can be made of conventional hook and loop fastener material with the respective tabs affixed to both the outer and inner panels. The panels can be secured together and thereby close the opening, if so desired.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2 in which button 3 is sewn to outer panel 4. Button 3 can also be sewn onto the underlying inner panel or to the underside of outer panel 4 and will achieve the same result and advantages of tab 1, shown in FIG. 1.

Further embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 3-5 wherein, in FIG. 3, flexible loop 5 is secured to the inner surface of outer panel 6. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, flexible loop 7 is attached to the exterior surface of outer panel 8. A second flexible loop 9 is affixed adjacent to the underwear stationary inner panel 10 opposite loop 7 or directly to the inner panel depending on the particular style of underwear so as to be adaptable for manipulation either from the right or left side of the underwear. Loops 7 and 9 are disposed directly opposite each other and extend outwardly in diametrically opposite directions. Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 5 wherein flexible loop 11 is affixed to outer panel 12 with tab 13 secured to the underwear adjacent inner panel opposite flexible loop 11.

As shown in the men's underwear applications in FIGS. 1-5, a myriad of combinations of a button, tab and loop are attachable to the exterior of the outer panel or underside of the outer panel of a pair of underwear. Also, any of the attachment means can be affixed to the underwear at the opposite side of the opening from the outer panel or directly to the inner panel, depending on the style of underwear.

In actual practice, this invention is applicable to affixing both single and double configurations of buttons, tabs and loops to the opening to accommodate the various desired applications.

In addition, the invention is adaptable to providing an opening in the rear of the underwear with the tab, button or loop feature in accordance with this invention to accommodate the particular desires and needs of the user.

Aside from a functional application and for purposes of a novelty application, this invention is adaptable to women's underwear as a gag or joke gift.

Therefore, by this invention, a convenient means is provided whereby an individual can quickly identify the opening in men's underwear and then utilize the tab, button or loop feature or a combination thereof to easily open and close the opening.

Claims

1. Men's underwear comprising a waistband,a front panel extending downwardly from said waistband,a pair of leg openings opposite said waistband,an opening formed in said front panel,one panel joined to said front panel and overlapping said opening,a tactile element secured to said one panel comprising a first flexible loop secured to said one panel,said first flexible loop adapted for manual manipulation,a second panel joined to said front panel and underlying said first panel,a second tactile element secured to said second panel comprising a second flexible loop adapted for manual manipulation, andsaid first flexible loop disposed directly across from said second flexible loop and said flexible loops extending outwardly in diametrically opposite directions.