Patent Application
20120117705
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates to pants. More particularly, the present invention relates to pants with a weight-distributing waistband.
Although pants are often worn to make a fashion statement, many people require that their pants serve a useful function as well. For example, many people hang implements off of the belt loops of their pants, or off of a belt or a holster attached to the waistband. When an implement is hung off of a belt loop, however, the weight of the instrument causes the waistband to roll over not only at the point where the implement is hung, but also along adjacent points. In addition, pants are often put through a great deal of wear-and-tear and stress. The result is knee areas and seat areas that thin and wear out, tears and rips in the groin area and the area below the waistband, and torn pockets.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The present invention is defined by the claims.
The present invention relates to a pair of pants with a weight-distributing waistband. The pants may have an upper portion with a waistband, where the waistband has a first end, a second end, an outer band portion, and an inner band portion secured to the outer band portion at an upper and lower margin to form a sleeve. A plurality of rigidity segments may be located within the sleeve and oriented in a linear fashion. In addition, there may be a plurality of belt loops that comprise a piece of material with a first end and a second end. At least a portion of the belt loops may be attached to the outer band portion so that they correspond to a first rigidity segment of the plurality of rigidity segments. In addition, the pants may have a posterior stretch panel located below the lower margin of the waistband, a seat panel made of abrasion resistant material, and a groin stretch panel. As well, the pants may have a posterior knee stretch panel and an anterior knee panel of abrasion resistant material.
Examples of the present invention may be directed toward a weight-distributing waistband. The waistband may have a first end and a second end, an outer band portion, and an inner band portion secured to the outer band portion at an upper and lower margin to form a sleeve. A plurality of rigidity segments may be located within the sleeve and oriented in a linear fashion. In addition, there may be a plurality of belt loops comprising a piece of material with a first end and a second end. At least a portion of the belt loops may be affixed to the outer band so that they correspond to a first rigidity segment of the plurality of rigidity segments.
Yet another example of the invention comprises a pair of pants with a waistband with a first end, a second end, an outer band portion, and an inner band portion secured to the outer band portion at an upper and lower margin to form a sleeve having an interior space. A first plurality of polyurethane foam segments may be situated within the interior space and oriented in a linear fashion. The first plurality of foam segments may be generally square in shape with dimensions generally between 3 and 6 centimeters in height, and between 3 and 6 centimeters in length, and have a thickness between 0.5 and 1.0 centimeter. In addition, the invention may have an elongated polyurethane foam segment that is situated within the interior space and substantially equidistant from the first end and the second end. As well, the elongated foam segment may be oriented between two of the first plurality of polyurethane foam segments. The elongated foam segment may have dimensions generally between 3 and 6 centimeters in height, 11 and 14 centimeters in length, and between 0.5 and 1.0 centimeter in thickness.
The invention may also comprise a second plurality of belt loops, between three and seven in number, which may be constructed in such a way to form a belt loop plus an additional loop that hangs below the lower margin of the waistband. At least one of this second plurality of belt loops may be attached to the outer band portion corresponding to a first foam segment of the first plurality of foam segments, and at least one of the second plurality of belt loops may be attached to the outer band portion corresponding to the elongated foam segment. In addition, the pants may have a posterior stretch panel located below the lower margin of the waistband, a seat panel made of abrasion resistant material, and a groin stretch panel. As well, the pants may have a posterior knee stretch panel and an anterior knee panel of abrasion resistant material.
Examples are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.
The present invention relates to pants having a weight-distributing waistband containing a plurality of rigidity segments. When an implement, such as a tool, a mobile communication device holster, etc., is hung on a belt loop of the waistband or off of a belt or holster attached to the waistband, the weight of the implement is distributed to the corresponding rigidity segment instead of along the whole waistband. Additionally, the pants may have stretch panels in areas subject to movement-related stress, such as below the waistband, in the groin area, and behind the knee. The pants may also have abrasion resistant panels in areas subject to a disproportionate amount of wear-and-tear such as in the seat of the pants and the front part of the knee area.
Pants 200 may also have slant pockets 210 situated on the anterior portion of the pants below waistband 202. To prevent ripping or tearing of the pockets along their lateral aspect, slant pockets 210 may be reinforced along the exterior, lateral portion by reinforcing material 212. Such material may be, but is not limited to, webbing. Continuing along the anterior aspect of pants 200, the present invention may have a groin stretch panel 214 that is located along the inner margin of the pants and extends from the zipper area caudally to the knee area. The stretch panel of groin stretch panel 214 may be made from a material such as, but not limited to, a stretch material that stretches along a horizontal axis, a vertical axis and a diagonal axis. Pants 200 may also have an anterior knee panel 216 corresponding to the anterior aspect of the knee of a wearer's body in an as-worn position. Because the anterior knee area of pants is an area subject to a high amount of wear-and-tear, anterior knee panel 216 may be made from a heavy-duty, abrasion-resistant material. Pants 200 may also have a tab 218 that may be used to adjust a diameter of the opening of a pant leg. Tab 218 may have a fastening-type material on its posterior aspect that can be fastened to the pant leg along its posterior aspect. Such fastening-type material may be, but is not limited to, hook-and-loop fasteners. Although not discussed, it should be understood that pants 200 may also possess a variety of pockets in different configurations and styles and with various types of closures.
The present invention has been described in relation to particular examples, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.
