Abstract:
A bicycle shorts system includes a bicycle shorts having a waist section configured to fit around a waist area of the user; a first leg section and a second leg section integral with and secured to the waist section; and a padded area forming a seat section having a material extending from the first leg section to the second leg section, the padded area forming a cavity. The system further includes two air inflation assembly chambers located in the seat section, the first air chamber carried by the first leg section and a second air chamber carried by the second leg section in the seat section. The method includes inflating the first and second air chambers in the seat section.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to bicycling shorts and more specifically, to adjustable Inflatable pads in bicycling shorts. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Bicycling shorts are well known in the art as an effective means to reduce the pain and soreness due to pressure on nerves around the sit bone and perineal area of the buttocks and crotch from the seat or saddle of the bicycle after long and bumpy rides.  FIG. 1  depicts a common known pair of bicycling shorts  101  having a waist section  102  along with two integral leg sections  103  and  104 . Disposed between the two leg sections  103  and  104  are pads  105  configured to provide extra cushioning between the buttocks and crotch of the cyclist and the bicycle seat. 
     One disadvantage of the pads  105  is its limited use. Specifically, the pads are not adjustable. With pads that aren&#39;t adjustable, pressure on the nerves around the sit bones and perineal area become sensitive and painful especially after lengthy periods of time riding. Imagine sitting on a padded chair for hours which was comfortable at first but as time goes on, becomes very painful and uncomfortable until repositioning oneself is necessary to relieve this discomfort. With the ability to control the pads thickness and conformity, the pressure on the nerves is relieved if not eliminated. For example, a rider may wish to start his/her ride off with a minimal amount of padding and be able to add additional cushioning as needed when the saddle becomes uncomfortable as needed. Pads  105  do not accommodate for these desires. 
     Although great strides have been made in the area of bicycling shorts, many shortcomings still remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique rear view of a conventional pair of bicycle shorts; 
         FIG. 2  is an oblique rear view of a pair of bicycle shorts in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 3  is a disassembled view of the bicycle shorts of  FIG. 2 ; It is important to note that dashed boxes separate the two different inflation systems A top and B bottom. To make things easy to remember “A” stands for “air” which is where the air originates from, and “B” stands for “Bladder” where the air ends up accumulating in. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the bicycle shorts of  FIGS. 2 &amp; 3  with the air containment reservoirs or bladders shown on the inside of the bicycle shorts with attached tubing or hose including a pump, pressure release valve, couplings and connectors described later in more detail; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the air containment reservoirs or bladders of the biker shorts of  FIG. 3  taken at IV-IV; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the air containment reservoir or bladder  FIG. 5  in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application; taken at IV-IV; 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of an inflation system in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of a motorized inflation system C in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the air containment reservoirs or bladders taken at XIII-XIII of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the air containment reservoirs or bladders taken at of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the air containment reservoirs or bladders taken at XIII-XIII of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a frontal view of an inflation system FIG. D in accordance with an alternative embodiments of the present application. 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specified embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional bicycle shorts. Specifically, the system and method of the present application provides rapid and effective means to inflate/fill the containment reservoirs or bladders carried within the thickness of the bicycle shorts, which in turn allows selective adjustment of the cushioning between the cyclist and the bicycle&#39;s saddle. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components and parts (such as Air supply  309 ; air release valve  307 ; hoses  306 , couplings  308 ; air containment reservoirs or bladders and different fabrics. with features and methods (such as Control of air supply  1209 ,  809  &amp;  309  &amp;  307 ; detachment device  308  of the air supply A, C &amp; D from the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303 ; placement or stem  305  where the hose attaches to the air containment reservoirs or bladders; configuration of the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303 ; and channels or tunnels stitched into the fabric  401 ; of the bicycle shorts specifically the back  105  and waist  102  seams to conceal the hoses) of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  depict oblique views of a bicycle shorts system  201  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system  201  overcomes one of more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with the conventional bicycle shorts shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In the contemplated embodiment, system  201  includes bicycle shorts  202  and an operable associated inflation system having components A &amp; B. Bicycle shorts  202  includes a waist section  102  joined together with two leg sections  103  &amp;  104 . Disposed between leg sections  103  &amp;  104  and partially joining a portion of waist section  102 , is a padding area  105  that forms a cavity  106  with material  107  configured to receive one or more of the inflation systems, e.g., system with components A and B discussed herein. 
     One of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the use of an inflation system to selectively adjust the cushioning between the cyclist and the seat of the bicycle (not shown). To achieve this features, it is contemplated using an inflation system such as inflation system B in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4  having air containment reservoirs or bladders  303  that fit within the cavity  106 . It should be noted that the cavity  106  can be placed on either inside of the bicycle shorts (inner or outer) and then later permanently sealed or left open and temporarily sealed thus being able to reopen the cavity  106  using a closing device such as a zipper or Velcro® strips after placement of air containment reservoirs or bladders  303  therein. (Refer to  FIG. 4  for embodiment illustrating inner placement of pads). 
     To reach the internal air chamber  310  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) in the air containment reservoir or bladder  303 , a hose  306  is in gaseous communication therewith. An air pressure release valve  307  is used to regulate air flow through hoses  306 , coupling  308  and stem  305 , configured to engage with an inflation device B. In the exemplary embodiment, inflation device A is an elastic hand pump (Standard Flat Bottom Bulb  309  with plastic push-button air release valve and metal back valve  307 ); however, it is also contemplated using alternative inflation devices such as a battery powered  811  motorized system (see. e.g., C) or compressed air (see, e.g., D). Before the preferred embodiment can be used the rider would secure the inflation device A, C or D using coupling  308  resulting in opening up a clear air passage after being attached to the air containment reservoirs or bladders, then manipulating air into the bladders. A “T” connector  311  and hoses  306  enable the air to pass into the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303 . Thereafter the pressure release valve  307  can be manipulated to regulate the amount of pressure going to the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303  which in turn changes the cushion effect of the pads in the bicycle shorts and softens the impact between the cyclist and the bicycle&#39;s saddle. 
     It will be appreciated that the preferred embodiment includes the features of filling the internal air containment reservoir or bladder chamber  310  with gas e.g., air: however, it is also contemplated using a liquid in lieu of the gas. In this embodiment, the liquid would fill the containment reservoir or bladder chamber  310  and could be released with one or more of the valve systems discussed herein. 
     In order to prevent the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303  from getting liquid into it, it is necessary to have a closed air tight system B. To accomplish this a special coupling  308  is needed. The reason for coupling  308  is so that the air inflation system A. C or D can be disconnected from the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303  resulting in a closed air tight system B when washing the shorts, thus keeping fluid from getting into the air containment reservoirs or bladders when submerged. Coupling  308  is a two piece connector with its barbed ends each attached to a hose  306  at one end and having a twist locking mechanism at the other. When the coupling is separated from its other half, a built in valve in the connector attached to the inflation system B seals the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303  shut when uncoupled. The other connector attached to the air inflation system A, C or D has a straight thru air passage design with no valve and would be connected to the hose that feeds air from the pump  809 ,  1209  or  309  with pressure release valve  307 . Before being able to feed air into the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303 , the cyclist would twist and connect the two halves of the coupling  308  (In-line straight thru SMC02MBLK with barb and In-line shutoff SMCD02MBLK with barb) securing the inflation device A, C or D to the inflation system B. By depressing the hand pump  309 , button  1213  or switch  808  air can be forced into the containment reservoirs or bladders  303 . The pressure release valve  307  can then be manipulated to regulate the air pressure in the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303 , which in turn changes the cushioning effect of the pads by inflating and deflating them. 
       FIG. 4 . Is a top 3D view of all the components in  FIG. 3  seen with the air containment reservoir or bladders located inside the bicycle shorts. It is also worth noting that A, C or D and pressure release valve  307  are located in the waist band  102  of the shorts  202 . Stitching  401  creates a channel or tunnel in the fabric of the shorts for the tubing/hose to run through, making the bicycle shorts appearance more visually aesthetic. 
     In  FIG. 6 , is a cross-sectional view of a bladder shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that it is also contemplated utilizing a gel or foam sheeted material  601  firmly attached to the outer periphery of the bladder  303 . This feature enhances the cushioning of system “B” between the rider and the seat of the bicycle. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 &amp; 8 :  FIG. 7  is a partial cutout view of an inflation system B shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application. System  701  includes a bladder  303  that forms a gas chamber  310 . In this embodiment, the self-inflation device  702 , e.g., an electric  811  pump as illustrated in  FIG. 8  is positioned within the air chamber  310 . This feature pro-vides advantages such as reducing the space required to inflate the bladder with the self-inflation system C being carried within the air containment reservoirs or bladders. Inflation system C being a motorized fan  809  engaged with a switch  808  connected with wires  810  from an electric supply  811  and a pressure release valve  307 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , a cross-sectional of an inflation system B is shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, a liner  903  is used to self-inflate the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303 . Like the previous inflation systems, inflation system in  FIG. 9  includes a bladder  303  but instead of an air chamber  310  a foam or gel core  904  using a stem or connection  305  is in gaseous communication with the liner  903 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of an inflation system B shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment, an inflation device A, C or D combined with a pump  109 ,  809  or  1209  and pressure release valve  307  is used to self-inflate a liner  903  that is in gaseous communication with a stem or connection  305 . Instead of a core  904  it is contemplated to use air cells  1004  would be individual air cell chamber that are sealed and air tight. This would aid in configuring to the contour of the riders behind and increase comfort. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of an inflation system B shown in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present application. In this instance there is no liner  903 . In air chamber  310  air cells  1104  are in gaseous communication with one another and with a stem  305  and hose  306 . The air containment reservoirs or bladders would be made of a web of air pockets or cells in the cavity  310  and would inflate using an air supply shown in inflation system A, C or D. 
     It will be appreciated that alternative embodiments could use compressed air in lieu of a hand or electric  811  pump. This feature is shown in  FIG. 12 , specifically, a system D includes air containment reservoirs or bladders  303  with a stem or connection  105 , a coupling  108  as seen in  FIGS. 3 &amp; 4  configured to engage with inflation system B and pressure release valve  107 . The system  1102  includes a compressed air cylinder  1109  carried within a housing  1011  and operably associated with a button  1113  or the like for releasing the air from the cylinder into air containment reservoirs or bladders and using the pressure release valve  107  to adjust the size of air containment reservoirs or bladders  303 . A hose  106  provides air passage from system C to the inflation system B of the air containment reservoirs or bladders  303  once the two systems are joined together using coupling  108 . 
     It will be appreciated that one or more of the features discussed with each system could be incorporated with each other although depicted as separate systems. 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.