Patent Application
20170065003
The present invention relates to a garment, and more particularly to sportswear, swimwear or a men's undergarment for sports such as horse riding or racing and also for common daily activities, which maintains the penis in an upward vertical position to protect the user's genitals from injury and discomfort, moderate temperature, and potentially prevent bladder leakage.
Generally, conventional men's undergarments and sportswear serve only to cover and support the male genitalia, without adequate regard to positioning and comfort of the male reproductive organs. They do not address the precise issues faced by horse riders and many other athletes, or by those who have to remain in a seated position for long periods of time. Though this may be suitable for some day-to-day activities, high-impact sports may require additional functionalities to improve the performance and comfort of the user. Also, especially in the Summer, the crotch area tends to get warm and sweaty. This can be a particular problem when one has to remain seated for a period of time. Current undergarments do not help to moderate the temperature in the crotch area and enhance comfort.
In particular, a comfortable garment is necessary that can maintain the penis vertically upward during various activities. Moreover, prior undergarments directed to use for sports have incorporated padding, straps and layering making them cumbersome to use and difficult to manufacture. Moreover, the padding and additional layers can serve to exacerbate the problems with higher temperature in the crotch area. These products are also more costly and complicated in construction. Thus, support underwear that is easy and straightforward to use and manufacture is also needed.
Accordingly, the applicant has conceived of a new and useful article of clothing, more specifically a men's sportswear or undergarment for sports such as horse riding or racing and for other activities. The present invention provides a simple way of achieving the desired functions of maintaining the penis in a vertical position, providing comfort, moderating temperature, and preventing injury during high-impact sports like horse riding or when seated for periods of time.
The applicant's invention proposes the use of a positioning band to maintain the penis in an upward direction, which in one embodiment is an elastic strap located at the interior front face of the garment. Preferably, the positioning band is secured at its ends in a transverse direction, allowing the penis to be secured vertically between the band and the front fabric of the undergarment while in use. In an alternative embodiment, the positioning band is covered at least in part by a fabric layer, which can help prevent direct skin contact with the band, and may make the undergarment more comfortable to wear.
Moreover, one or more embodiments of the present invention allow for simplicity of the design, and for easier manufacture and use of the garment. With only one fabric layer making up the undergarment body, and a conventional waistband , the proposed undergarment can be manufactured much like traditional undergarments. The primary modification, the positioning band in the front interior of the garment, will not substantially complicate the manufacture or use of the product.
It is important to note that the term undergarment as used in this summary may encompass sportswear, swimwear or underwear in a range of styles, including briefs, boxer briefs, trunks, shorts, etc. Similarly, the positioning band, for the purpose of this invention, may manifest itself as strip of varying length, width and elasticity, provided it allows room for the user's penis to pass through, and can reliably maintain the upward position of the penis.
For a more in-depth understanding of the present invention, a brief description of the attached drawings is provided below, along with a more detailed description of selected embodiments.
In one or more embodiments, the band 20 will have a width that is shorter than its length. A certain width is required to secure the penis and apply pressure over a broad enough surface area to avoid discomfort. However, the band should not be too wide or it will be too difficult to position the penis inside the band during use and the additional material will contribute to retaining heat.
In some embodiments, positioning band 20 is composed of an elastic material which allows for vertical positioning of the penis without restricting blood flow or sacrificing the comfort of the user. The elastic material may be rubber, latex, Lycra, or other appropriate elastic fabrics that provide for some flexibility. The material may also be selected with comfort in skin contact in mind. An elastic material also allows positioning band 20 to accommodate for a wider range of male genitalia, without the need for variable sizing of the positioning band, or the adjustment of the length of the positioning band. However, it should be understood that a band capable of being adjusted in length could be used in the present invention.
The present invention in one or more embodiments is easy to manufacture and simple to use. In use, it may serve to keep the penis in an upward position separated from the other portions of the male genitalia and from the sides of the wearer's crotch. This promotes comfort and helps to keep the crotch area cooler. It may also help to prevent bladder leakage.
It should be understood that the embodiments described herein are intended to illustrate the principles of the present invention, but not limit the invention to the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, various modification and alterations may be made to the undergarment, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as outlined in the following claims.
