PADDED GARMENT

Abstract

A padded garment having padded chest area. A first fabric layer is fastened on the interior of the garment, the first fabric layer being fastened to a second fabric layer using a first interstitial binding to provide additional padding on the chest of the garment. The second fabric layer is fastened to the garment using a second interstitial binding. The second interstitial binding may align with the existing stitching on the garment, such that the second interstitial binding is not visible or is masked by the existing stitching and fasteners of the garment. The additional first and second fabric layers are thick enough to prevent visibility through the garment.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the construction of a padded garment, specifically padded shirts and garments for the torso of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bras and other undergarments can often be uncomfortable to wear for extended periods of time. However, going without such items can sometimes lead to embarrassing visibility through clothing, such as shirts and other garments. There thus exists a need for a comfortable garment capable of preventing visibility through the torso area without requiring the user to wear a bra or other undergarment.

The present invention aims to solve this problem by providing a garment having an additional unnoticeable extra layer of fabric to obscure the chest of the wearer. This removes the need for the user to wear a bra and provides extra comfort. The extra layer of fabric may be thick enough to prevent visibility through the shirt, and may be stitched into or otherwise engaged to an existing garment. In some embodiments, two fabric layers may be used: a first, softer fabric layer that covers the chest of the user, and a second fabric layer that covers the broader torso of the user and assists in attaching the fabric layers to the shirt. In the ideal embodiment, the bottom of the first fabric layer remains unengaged, such that an opening is created between the first fabric layer and the garment. This opening helps the fabric lay flat, especially during washing and drying, and helps to avoid the fabric getting bunched up during use.

In the ideal embodiment, the second fabric layer is engaged to the torso of the garment along any lines of existing stitching of the garment, or by being positioned such the stitching is otherwise unnoticeable from the exterior of the garment. This assists the invention in remaining unnoticeable from an external observer, as only the existing lines of stitching on the fabric are visible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a padded garment showing an inside-out view of the garment.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the padded garment, showing an inside-out view of garment with the first fabric layer being lifted to show the opening.

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the padded garment, showing an inside-out view of garment.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the padded garment, showing the exterior of the garment.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the interior of the garment, showing detailed location of an embodiment of the opening, first interstitial binding, and second interstitial binding.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced or utilized without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention. References herein to “the preferred embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, or “alternative embodiments” should be considered to be illustrating aspects of the present invention that may potentially vary in some instances, and should not be considered to be limiting to the scope of the present invention as a whole. It should further be understood that reference to the singular of a components, such as using “a”, “an” or “the” should also encompass the plural of that component, such as “at least one” or “a plurality of” that component, unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, the present invention is a padded garment 600 comprising a garment 600, first fabric layer 100, a second fabric layer 200, a first interstitial binding 300, a second interstitial binding 400, and an opening 500.

The garment 600 may comprise any garment 600 well-known in the art. For example, the garment 600 may be a shirt, jacket, sweatshirt, pants, socks, headpiece, or any other garment 600 that is well-known in the art. In the ideal embodiment, however, the garment 600 comprises any garment 600 having a torso portion, ideally comprising a shirt.

The first fabric layer 100 may comprise any fabric well-known in the art, such as a fleece-like material, cotton, polyester, or any other fabric. The first fabric layer 100 is ideally comprised of a softer material than the second fabric layer 200 or may comprise a softer side of the same fabric as the first fabric layer 100 to avoid irritation of the wearer's skin and to improve the comfort of the garment 600. In some embodiments, the first fabric layer 100 may comprise a softer side facing the skin of the wearer, and a coarser side facing away from the skin of the wearer. In some embodiments, the first fabric layer 100 and second fabric layer 200 may be of identical softness. The first fabric layer 100 is ideally comprised of a material that is thick enough to prevent any visibility through the garment 600. In the ideal embodiment, the first fabric layer 100 may comprise a roughly half-elliptical shape as shown in FIG. 1, such that the first fabric layer 100 may cover roughly the shape of the wearer's chest area. As shown in FIG. 1, in the ideal embodiment, the first fabric layer may comprise a left arc running up the left side of the chest, a top arc running across the chest, a right arc running up the right side of the chest of the garment 600, and a straight bottom running across the garment from either side of the chest. Other shapes, configurations, and positions of the first fabric layer 100 are contemplated. As shown in FIG. 4, the first interstitial binding 300 and first fabric layer 100 are not visible through the exterior of the garment 600. The second fabric layer 200 and second interstitial binding 400 may only be visible at the neckline on the interior of the garment 600, but will not be visible when the garment 600 is worn against the skin of the wearer.

The second fabric layer 200 may comprise any fabric well-known in the art, such as a fleece-like material, cotton, polyester, or any other fabric. The second fabric layer 200 is ideally shaped to conform to the torso portion of the garment 600, as shown in FIGS. 1-7. The second fabric layer 200 provides additional padding for the wearer, and assists in connecting the first and second fabric layer 200 to the garment 600. The second fabric layer 200 is further ideally shaped so that the edges of the second fabric layer 200 conform to the stitching or seams on the garment 600, helping the garment 600 appear as a typical, unpadded garment 600 by an external observer.

The first interstitial binding 300 engages the first fabric layer 100 to the second fabric layer 200. The first interstitial binding 300 may comprise any fastening means well-known in the art, especially those adapted for securing fabric or clothing together. For example, the first interstitial binding 300 may comprise a plurality of stitches, a thermal weldment, an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, or any other fastening means that is well-known in the art. The first interstitial binding 300 is ideally positioned along the sides and top of the first fabric layer 100, securing the first fabric layer 100 to the second fabric layer 200, as shown in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the first interstitial binding 300 may instead directly connect the first fabric layer 100 to the garment 600, and may further be aligned with the existing stitching or seams on the garment 600 to help the garment 600 appear as a typical, unpadded garment 600 by an external observer. In some embodiments, the first interstitial binding 300 may be detachably attachable. As shown in FIG. 1, in the ideal embodiment, the first interstitial binding 300 may comprise a left arc running up the left side of the chest, a top arc running across the chest, and a right arc running up the right side of the chest of the garment 600. Though the ideal embodiment is shown in the drawings, other shapes and configurations of the first interstitial binding 300 and shape of the first fabric layer 100 are contemplated.

In the ideal embodiment, the first interstitial binding 300 runs only along the sides and top of the first fabric layer 100, leaving the bottom of the first fabric layer 100 unsecured to create an opening 500, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and FIG. 6. The opening 500 is ideally positioned along the bottom of the first fabric layer 100, though other configurations of the first interstitial binding 300 to create opening 500 in different positions are contemplated. The opening 500 serves to help the fabric lay flat during washing and drying, assisting the fabric in avoiding unsightly bunching during care and during use.

The second interstitial binding 400 engages the second fabric layer 200 to the garment 600. The second interstitial binding 400 may comprise any fastening means well-known in the art, especially those adapted for securing fabric or clothing together. For example, the second interstitial binding 400 may comprise stitching, a thermal weldment, an adhesive, a mechanical fastener, or any other fastening means that is well-known in the art. The second interstitial binding 400 is ideally positioned along any existing seams or stitching of the garment 600 in order to hide the additional stitching and fabric from an external observer when the garment 600 is worn. As shown in, for example, FIG. 1, the second interstitial binding 400 may be positioned along underarm seams and neckline seams of the garment 600 to assist the second interstitial binding 400 in blending in with the existing bindings, fastenings, and stitching of the garment 600.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A padded garment comprising: a garment;a first fabric layer;a second fabric layer;a first interstitial binding;a second interstitial binding;the garment comprising a torso area;the second fabric layer being engaged to the garment using the second interstitial binding; andthe first fabric layer being engaged to the second fabric layer using the first interstitial binding.

2. The padded garment of claim 1, further comprising: the garment being a shirt.

3. The padded garment of claim 1, further comprising: the first fabric layer being half-elliptical in shape.

4. The padded garment of claim 1, further comprising: the first fabric layer comprising a softer side positioned to be facing the skin of the wearer, and a coarser side facing away from the skin of the wearer.

5. The padded garment of claim 1, further comprising: the second fabric layer conforming to the shape of the torso area of the garment.

6. The padded garment of claim 1, further comprising: the second interstitial binding being aligned with the existing stitching of the garment.

7. The padded garment of claim 1, further comprising: the first interstitial binding comprising adhesive; andthe second interstitial binding comprising adhesive.

8. The padded garment of claim 1, further comprising: the first interstitial binding comprising stitching; andthe second interstitial binding comprising stitching.

9. The padded garment of claim 1, further comprising: the first interstitial binding comprising a mechanical fastener; andthe second interstitial binding comprising a mechanical fastener.

10. The padded garment of claim 1, further comprising: the first fabric layer comprising a softer material than the second fabric layer.

11. A padded garment comprising: a garment;a first fabric layer;a second fabric layer;a first interstitial binding;a second interstitial binding;the garment comprising a torso area;the second fabric layer being engaged to the garment using the second interstitial binding;the first fabric layer being engaged to the second fabric layer using the first interstitial binding;the first fabric layer being half-elliptical in shape;the second fabric layer conforming to the shape of the torso area of the garment;the first fabric layer comprising a softer side positioned to be facing the skin of the wearer, and a coarser side facing away from the skin of the wearer; andthe second interstitial binding being aligned with the existing stitching of the garment.

12. The padded garment of claim 11, further comprising: the garment being a shirt.

13. The padded garment of claim 11, further comprising: the first fabric layer comprising a softer material than the second fabric layer.

14. The padded garment of claim 11, further comprising: the first interstitial binding comprising adhesive; andthe second interstitial binding comprising adhesive.

15. The padded garment of claim 11, further comprising: the first interstitial binding comprising stitching; andthe second interstitial binding comprising stitching.

16. The padded garment of claim 11, further comprising: the first interstitial binding comprising a mechanical fastener; andthe second interstitial binding comprising a mechanical fastener.

17. A padded garment comprising: a garment;a first fabric layer;a second fabric layer;a first interstitial binding;a second interstitial binding;the garment comprising a torso area;the garment being a shirt;the first fabric layer being half-elliptical in shape;the first fabric layer comprising a softer material than the second fabric layer;the second fabric layer conforming to the shape of the torso area of the garment;the second fabric layer being engaged to the garment using the second interstitial binding;the second interstitial binding being aligned with the existing stitching of the garment;the first fabric layer comprising a softer side positioned to be facing the skin of the wearer, and a coarser side facing away from the skin of the wearer; andthe first fabric layer being engaged to the second fabric layer using the first interstitial binding.

18. The padded garment of claim 17, further comprising: the first interstitial binding comprising adhesive; andthe second interstitial binding comprising adhesive.

19. The padded garment of claim 17, further comprising: the first interstitial binding comprising stitching; andthe second interstitial binding comprising stitching.

20. The padded garment of claim 17, further comprising: the first interstitial binding comprising a mechanical fastener; andthe second interstitial binding comprising a mechanical fastener.