Abstract:
A sports garment is disclosed for covering the lower torso, hips, crotch and behind of a wearer. The sports garment comprises: a first layer of material providing a front bodice panel, one or more backside panels and a gusset panel of the garment, and a second layer of material providing one or more pocket panels. The second layer of material extends across the entire back width of the garment so as to completely cover the backside panel, to thereby form at least one pocket opening towards the bottom of the garment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a sportswear garment with fitted pockets, preferably adapted to carry sports balls such as tennis balls. The garment is particularly designed for use by female sports players but is not limited in this respect. 
         [0002]    When engaged in practicing sports such as tennis, or playing a match, players often face the problem of not having enough space, in the pockets of their sports garments, to fit in their tennis balls in a convenient and secure way. 
         [0003]    Also, when engaged in tennis practice and match playing, female players are often confronted to the problem of not being able to find some undergarment that gives sufficient support to their behind. 
         [0004]    A similar issue may occur when playing squash or any other type of ball sports, where the ball is of a size small enough to fit into the pockets of sports garments. 
       STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes a sports garment for covering the lower torso, hips, crotch and behind of a wearer, the sports garment comprising: a first layer of material providing a front bodice panel, one or more backside panels and a gusset panel of the garment, and a second layer of material providing one or more pocket panels, the second layer of material extending across the entire back width of the garment so as to completely cover the backside panel, to thereby form at least one pocket opening towards the bottom of the garment. 
         [0006]    Optionally, the garment (which is preferably tight and close-fitted) may also cover the wearer&#39;s thighs or legs. It can be worn on its own, or under a skirt or under a dress. This invention is primarily for the use on tennis shorts, skirts and leggings, but it is envisaged for other types of sports garments such as squash shorts, skirts and leggings, yoga, pilates, cycling, running or fitness pants. This list of sports garments is not deemed to be an exhaustive list. 
         [0007]    Thus the disclosed garment, which may be described as a cut and sew garment, comprises two layered fabric sections. The garment offers the combined advantages of secure and spacious carriage of several sports balls, as well as additional support of the behind, for the female wearer. Both benefits are achieved by the provision of a second layer of material across the full width of the backside of the garment as described. The second layer of material is preferably provided on the outside of the first layer of material, i.e. such that the first layer is adjacent the wearer in use. Sports balls can be inserted into the pocket(s) formed between the two layers of fabric through the downward-facing openings(s) and will be securely held in place by the material. The second layer of material also acts to reinforce the backside of the garment thereby provided the wearer with greater support across the rear of the garment. 
         [0008]    The panels provided by the first layer of material can take various different configurations. For instance, each panel may in fact be made of more than one panel sewn together. Preferably, the front bodice panel is attached at two side seams to the backside panel(s), and the pocket panel(s) are attached at the two side seams and to the gusset panel, to thereby form two pockets opening towards the bottom of the garment. In this way one pocket is formed on either side of the sports garment, in which the player can store, and retrieve, the sports balls, whether she is left or right-handed. In particularly preferred implementations the opening of each ball pocket extends from the gusset panel to one of the side seams. This results in a large opening so as not to impede the insertion or retrieval of sports balls. 
         [0009]    In preferred constructions the front bodice panel is attached at two side seams to the backside panel(s), and the gusset panel is attached to the front bodice panel and the backside panel(s). 
         [0010]    Preferably, the first layer of material and/or the second layer of material comprises a stretch (i.e. elastic) material. For example, a material containing Lycra™ such as a stretch jersey fabric may be used. The material used to form the first and second layers of material may be the same or different. 
         [0011]    The fabric used to form one or both of the layers of material may be sufficiently elastic so as to securely retain balls within the pocket(s) by itself However in other preferred embodiments, the garment may further comprise an elastic trim binding provided along the bottom edge of the pocket panel(s). This biases the opening more strongly towards its closed configuration thereby improving the retention of the pockets&#39; contents. 
         [0012]    The pocket panel formed by the second layer of material could form a single pocket area, e.g. such that a ball inserted through either opening can be retrieved from the other. However in preferred examples, the second layer of stretch fabric is divided by a centre back seam, such that two separate pockets are provided. In this way the contents of each pocket will remain separate from one another and must be retrieved from the same opening through which they were inserted. 
         [0013]    The pocket(s) could also be open along their top edge but in more preferred embodiments, each ball pocket is closed by a seam along its top at which the second layer of fabric is joined to the first layer of fabric. This prevents the pockets&#39; contents exiting via the top of the garment. 
         [0014]    As mentioned above, the garment may also over all or a portion of the wearer&#39;s legs and so in preferred embodiments, the garment further comprises front and back leg panels, the front leg panels being attached to the front bodice panel, the gusset panel and the back leg panels, and the back leg panels further being attached to the backside panel(s) and the gusset panel. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the garment may still further comprise thigh control panels inside the front and back leg panels and attached to the front bodice panel, the backside panels, and the gusset panel, the thigh control panels being cut smaller and tighter than the front and back leg panels (i.e. than the outer shell of the garment). This inside layer construction, provides a highly supportive region in the garment&#39;s thigh area, giving the wearer additional control in such body parts. Preferably, the thigh control panels are attached to the front and back leg panels at the leg openings. The preferred double inside construction of the garment in this area controls and supports the lower hip and thigh area. 
         [0015]    It should be noted that the provision of leg panels and thigh control panels is independent of the provision of the second material layer and resulting pockets described above. The present inventors also envisage the provision of a sports garment without such pockets, having the presently described leg and thigh control panels. 
         [0016]    The invention is primarily for the use of tennis balls, but it is envisaged for other sports balls such as squash balls. The list of sports balls is not deemed to be an exhaustive list. 
         [0017]    In a preferred configuration the sports garment comprises two large ball pockets made of extra layers of stretch fabric that extends across the entire back width of the garment, in which balls can easily be inserted or retrieved, the pocket opening towards the bottom and its bottom edge being bound with an elastic trim binding which prevents balls from falling out. 
         [0018]    Advantageously, the pockets are not separately applied patches (e.g. squares or circles), but are made out of extra fabric panels, taken into the back panel seams of the sports garment, in the same material and identical shape as the one used to make the sports garment itself. Preferably the extra stretch fabric layers, taken into the back panel seams of the sports garment, and made of the same fabric as the one used to make the sports garment itself, are divided by the centre back seam, to create two separate pockets. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    As described above, the ball pockets are constructed from a panel of fabric (which may be the same material from which the rest of the garment is made, such as jersey fabric) that extends across the entire width of the back of the sports garment. Therefore, the pockets are larger and easier to access to, as compared with pockets provided on conventional garments, and can contain more than one sports ball. The special pocket construction gives the wearer&#39;s backside additional support and lift. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the panel of stretch fabric is intersected in two, by a vertical seam line located at the centre of the back of the garment, so that the balls stay either on one side, or the other side, of that panel of stretch fabric. Thus, the wearer of the sports garment can easily and quickly access the balls, on each side of the panel of stretch fabric, regardless of the fact that she is either left-handed or right-handed. 
         [0021]    Due to the fact that the ball pockets are spread evenly across the entire behind of the sports garment, no lines or ridges caused by usual pocket fittings are visible, when such sports garment is worn as an undergarment. 
         [0022]    These “ball compartments” don&#39;t look like pockets, but look rather like a supporting and flattering seam-line. 
         [0023]    In addition, the ball pockets are aesthetically pleasing and do not alter the shape of the sports garment, when they are empty. 
         [0024]    The second layer of material on both sides, constituted by the panel of stretch fabric that equally extends across the entire width of the sports garment, provides greater support to the wearer as well as increased opacity. As a result, the sports garment will also be very useful for non-ball sports, such as yoga, pilates and fitness, where opaque and supportive garments are essential. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the optional high stretch and high-support inside control layer in the thigh area of the sports garment provides additional control to the wearer, in this part of the body, and has a lifting effect of the wearer&#39;s behind, without extending the layer into the crotch area. It is therefore more comfortable for the wearer and allows for better breathability of the skin in the crotch area. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    Examples of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  shows the front view of an embodiment of a sports garment when worn on a female&#39;s body; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows the back view of the garment of  FIG. 1 , showing the ball pockets, one of which is illustrated with a tennis ball retained therein; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows the side view of the garment of  FIG. 1 , showing one ball pocket with a tennis ball retained therein; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  shows the inside front view of the garment of  FIG. 1 , the leg panels being removed so as to illustrate the thigh support layer construction; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  shows the inside back view of the garment of  FIG. 1 , the leg panels being removed so as to illustrate the thigh support layer construction; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  shows the inside side view of the garment of  FIG. 1 , the leg panels being removed so as to illustrate the thigh support layer construction; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  shows the side view the garment of  FIG. 1 , illustrating one empty ball pocket as well as the leg panel appearance and construction when not worn on a body. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers identify like parts: 
         [0035]    In this example, the sports garment is a pair of sports tights but more generally could comprise a pair of shorts, leggings, trousers or pants. The garment may be formed from a stretch material such as jersey. 
         [0036]    The functional shell of the garment is formed by a first layer of material providing a front bodice panel  3  ( FIGS. 1 and 4 ), one or more backside panels  12  ( FIG. 5 ) and a gusset panel  4  ( FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5 ). The front bodice panel  3  is joined to the backside panel(s) at two side seams  6  ( FIG. 6 ). The gusset panel  4  is joined to the front bodice panel  3  and to the backside panels  12  at respective seam lines so as to form two openings for the wearer&#39;s legs therebetween. Optionally the shell may also include a waistband panel  16  and/or a back panel  15 . The waistband panel  16  is configured to fit around the wearer&#39;s waist or hips and is joined to the top of the bodice panel  3  and to the backside panels  12  or, if provided, to the back panel  15  which spans the rear of the garment between the waistband  16  and the backside panels  12 . 
         [0037]    Referring to several figures of the drawings, general reference number  1  depicts an elasticated style seam of the sports tights, which curves around the body in a continuous line from the front to the back of the garment, wherein the front bodice panel  3 , as well as the backside panels  12 , and in this case the back panel  15  are attached, preferably by a flat-lock machine stitch. 
         [0038]    The front bodice panel  3  is preferably unlined. The small gusset panel  4  of the sports tights is preferably formed from a breathable material. 
         [0039]    Optionally, the garment may also be configured to cover all or part of the wearer&#39;s legs (e.g. the upper thigh area only, or to the knee, or to the ankle) In this case, as shown in the drawings, the garment further comprises front leg panels  2   a  and back leg panels  2   b,  joined to one another along the side seams  6 . The front leg panels  2   a  are joined to the front bodice panel and the back leg panels  2   b  are joined to the backside panels. Reference number  5  indicates the leg opening. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the general reference number  7  illustrates the large ball pockets made of an extra layer of material (e.g. stretch jersey fabric) that extends across the entire back width of the garment, in which balls can easily be inserted or retrieved, the pockets opening towards the bottom of the garment. The backside panels  12  are completely covered by the second layer of fabric forming the pocket panels  7 . The second layer of fabric  7  is attached at the side seams  6  (which is preferably an elasticated flat-locked side seam) and also to the gusset panel  4 . This creates two pocket openings, each running from the gusset panel to the respective side seam. Preferably the second layer of fabric is also joined along the seam  1  so as to close the top of the pockets. 
         [0041]    Optionally, the bottom edges of the pockets are bound with an elastic trim binding  8  which helps prevents the balls from falling out. The elastic trim binding  8 , which is attached to either bottom edge of the two ball pockets, helps to ensure secure carriage of sports balls, i.e. tennis balls, by pulling the pocket opening firmly against the body. However the provision of binding  8  is not essential if the material from which the garment panels are made is of sufficient elasticity. 
         [0042]    The gusset panel  4  adds to the wearer&#39;s movability and comfort by preventing the pocket openings from running all the way into the crotch, which would result in bulkiness and friction between the legs. 
         [0043]    The second layer of fabric  7  could form a single pocket across the back of the garment into which objects can be inserted from either pocket opening. However, preferably the second layer of fabric is joined to the first layer of fabric along a centre back seam, illustrated by reference number  9 , which divides the extra layer of self-fabric to create two separate pockets. Again the centre back seam is preferably a flat-locked seam. 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the reference number  10  indicates how a tennis ball can easily be inserted into one of the large ball pockets. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6  and  7  illustrate a further optional feature of the garment.  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  show the garment with the leg panels  2   a,    2   b  removed for illustration purposes. Inside the leg panels  2   a,    2   b  are provided thigh control panels  11 , which are cut smaller and tighter than the outside panels  2   a,    2   b,  and are made of a highly supportive stretch material. The thigh control panels  11  are anchored into seam  1  and seam  13 , which connects the backside panels  12  to the back leg panels  2   b.  The inside thigh support panels also attach to the outer shell  2   a,    2   b  of the sports tights at the hem  5 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  shows the complete garment when not worn by a person, the inside thigh control layer now being concealed by leg panels  2   a,    2   b.  The imaginary line of the inside thigh control layer  11  is depicted by dotted line  14 . As shown, the inside thigh control layer  11  is cut tighter and closer to the body (than the outer panels) for better support, which results in an uneven leg shape when off the body. 
         [0047]    While the present inventions have been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been set forth in considerable detail, it is intended that the scope of the inventions be defined by the appended claims. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications to the foregoing preferred embodiments may be made in various aspects. It is deemed that the spirit and scope of the inventions encompass such variations to be preferred embodiments as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and familiar with the teachings of the present application.