Abstract:
Pants with novelty crotch opening. The pants include leg encircling portions and a crotch area with two overlapping panels that bias toward a closed position. Each panel includes a free edge that is pulled laterally to place the crotch area in an open position. When the crotch area is not being held open or has no interposing object holding it open, the crotch area immediately returns to a closed position. The crotch panel does not include fasteners such as buttons or snaps and to an outside observer does not appear to have an opening.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional Application No. 62/358,724, filed Jul. 6, 2016. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
       [0003]    This invention pertains to pants. More particularly, this invention pertains to women&#39;s pants that allow the wearer to engage in sexual intercourse or have a gynecological exam while fully clothed, without the use of snaps, buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop, or other fasteners. 
         [0004]    The pants include a flexible crotch opening that biases in a closed position regardless of the wearer&#39;s stance or body position. However, once the crotch portion is pulled into an open position and the wearer is engaged in sexual intercourse, the crotch portion easily maintains its open position without the wearer or the wearer&#39;s partner needing to hold the crotch portion open. The crotch portion is configured to feel to the wearer&#39;s partner like a physical extension of the wearer. 
       2. Description of the Related Art 
       [0005]    There is related prior art clothing for women designed to allow the wearer to urinate without removing the clothing. However, this prior art is not optimal for allowing the wearer to engage in discreet sexual intercourse while fully clothed. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,214, titled “Article of Clothing With a Crotch Portion Positionable Between Open and Closed Positions,” by Murray, discloses an article of clothing with a crotch portion that can be opened. The crotch portion includes an overlapping first and second flap that are held together with buttons or other fasteners. Murray&#39;s invention is for use by women who need to urinate without removing their clothing, for example when it is cold outside or during outdoor athletic events when there is no restroom readily available. While Murray&#39;s pants may work well for their intended purpose, they would not be useful as pants for discreet sexual intercourse. Murray&#39;s fasteners would take time to open and close and would cause discomfort to the wearer&#39;s partner. 
         [0007]    Patent application publication 2010/0269243, titled “Pant Garment Having an Opening for Female Urination,” by Paree, discloses pants with a flap frame in the crotch portion. The flap frame has overlying flaps that the wearer pulls apart to allow the wearer to urinate while in a front stance position. While Paree&#39;s invention may work for its intended purpose, it would not be useful for sexual intercourse. Paree&#39;s flaps are overlapped too great an extent and would cause extreme discomfort to the wearer&#39;s sexual partner, unless the flaps were manually held open during intercourse. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0008]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pair of pants with a flexible crotch opening is provided. The pants include a body-encircling portion having a right leg portion, a left-leg portion, and a crotch portion. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, the crotch portion is kite-shaped and has a perimeter that encircles at least the entrance portion of the wearer&#39;s external vaginal area. The crotch portion is positionable between open and closed positions. 
         [0010]    The crotch portion includes a first cover and a second cover, each of which are attached to the crotch portion perimeter. The first cover and the second cover each have a free edge. When the crotch portion is in a closed position, the first and second covers overlap one another to form a covering of the external vaginal area of the wearer. Neither free edge intersects the centerline of the external vaginal area of the wearer. 
         [0011]    The crotch portion biases in a closed position regardless of the position of the wearer. Thus, the crotch portion covers the wearer completely even when a wearer is running, stretching, sitting spread-legged, or doing yoga. 
         [0012]    In another embodiment, the crotch biases to a closed position during normal activities such as walking or sitting. The crotch edges are configured to spread apart sufficiently to allow for a gynecological exam, e.g., examination with the use of a speculum, without requiring removal of the pants. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the crotch portion does not include any fasteners, such as zippers, snaps, or a hook and loop fastening system. 
         [0014]    The crotch portion is placed in an open position by pulling apart the free edges of the first and second covers. Once the crotch portion is in an open position, a member inserted into the wearer&#39;s vaginal opening will be sufficient to hold the crotch in an open position. The first and second covers press against the member with a force and pressure configured to feel like an extension of the wearer&#39;s vagina. In one embodiment, the internal lining of the first and second covers are soft and smooth material, such as thin fleece. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the pants are made of a uniform material. In one embodiment, the pants are yoga pants. In one embodiment, the pants are made of a combination of polyester and spandex. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The above-mentioned features will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description read together with the drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a user wearing one embodiment, with the user in a sitting position with the user&#39;s legs spread open. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is the same front view as  FIG. 1 , with the embodiment&#39;s crotch held in an open position. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is the same front view as  FIG. 1 , during use with the wearer&#39;s partner. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a crotch portion of an embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an inside view of a crotch portion of an embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a second variation of a crotch portion of an embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is an inside view of the second variation of a crotch portion of an embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is bottom view of an embodiment with the wearer standing in an open stance. 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a top view of an embodiment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a top view of an embodiment, with the crotch portion held in an open position. 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is a front view of an embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a rear view of an embodiment. 
           [0029]      FIG. 13A  is a pattern piece for a left crotch panel of an embodiment. 
           [0030]      FIG. 13B  is a pattern piece for a right crotch panel of an embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 13C  is a pattern piece for leg fronts of an embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 13D  is a pattern piece for leg backings of an embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a front view of a third variation of a crotch portion of an embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is an inside view of the third variation of a crotch potion of an embodiment. 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a front view of a fourth variation of a crotch portion of an embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is an inside view of the fourth variation of a crotch portion of an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    Apparatus for discreet sexual intercourse is disclosed. The pants are generally indicated as  100 . Certain elements, such as crotch panels  102 , include a right-side designation  102 -R or left-side designation  102 -L. Other elements, such as the sides  406  of crotch opening  150 , include both upper/lower and right/left designations, e.g.,  406 -UR,  406 -UL,  406 -LR, and  406 -LL. 
         [0038]    In the illustrated embodiments, the apparatus is shown as full-length pants  100 . However, other embodiments include shorts, jeans, slacks, tights, body-suits, bathing suits, leotards, foundation garments, panty hose, and costumes. 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  shows a wearer  190  wearing pants  100 , which includes front leg pieces  106 -R,  106 -L, back leg pieces  108 -R,  108 -L, waist band front piece  104 , and crotch panels  102 -R and  102 -L. Right leg pieces  106 -R,  108 -R collectively encircle the right leg of the wearer. Left leg pieces  106 -L,  108 -L collectively encircle the left leg of the wearer. Right and left leg pieces  106 -R,  108 -R,  106 -L,  108 -L collectively encircle the wearer&#39;s body. All pieces of the pants  100  are made of the same stretchable material, for example, a combination of 92% polyester and 8% spandex. In other embodiments, some pieces are made of a different material for ornamental or functional purposes. 
         [0040]    Front leg pieces  106 -R,  106 -L and back leg pieces  108 -R,  108 -L are configured to join in a manner to define crotch area  150 . Crotch area  150  is kite-shaped. Due to the elastic nature of the material used in the pants, in some embodiments the crotch area  150  is substantially kite-shaped even if crotch area  150  does not define a kite with perfectly straight edges. Left crotch panel  102 -L overlaps right crotch panel  102 -R. Left and right crotch panel  102 -L,  102 -R bias to a closed position. As shown in  FIG. 1 , crotch panels  102 -L,  102 -R completely cover crotch area  150  even when the wearer  190  is in a spread-legged position. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  displays the pants with the crotch area  150  in an open position. Left crotch panel  102 -L is pulled to the left at  202 -F L  and right crotch panel  102 -R is pulled to the right at  202 -F R , creating opening  204  and exposing the wearer&#39;s  190  vaginal entrance. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  displays the pants configuration when the wearer  190  engaged in sexual intercourse in the sitting position of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The sitting position of wearer  190  in  FIG. 3  is not limiting, as the pants  100  are operable to be used in other positions, which do not require elaboration. Once member  300  is inserted, left crotch panel  102 -L right crotch panel  102 -R press against member  300  with respective forces  302 -F R  and  302 -F L , thereby reducing the size of opening  204  and limiting the exposure of the wearer  190 . Free edges  402 -L,  502 -R become defined by member  300 , thereby further limiting the wearer&#39;s  190  exposure. Because crotch panels  102 -L,  102 -R do not require a great amount of distention to allow for member  300 , forces  302 -F R  and  302 -F L  are not so great as to cause discomfort or impediment to the wearer&#39;s  190  partner. Forces/pressures  302 -F R ,  302 -F L  are sufficiently low so as to not create a static/kinetic friction that would pull a condom off the wearer&#39;s partner. 
         [0043]    Once member  300  is removed, crotch panels  102 -L,  102 -R immediately return to their original closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , without the wearer  190  needing to take any action such as closing or fastening the crotch panels  102 -L,  102 -R. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  displays a detailed view of the outside of crotch opening  150 , and  FIG. 5  displays a detailed view of the inside of crotch opening  150 . Crotch opening  150  is kite-shaped and includes upper right side  406 -UR, upper left side  406 -UL, lower right side  406 -LR, and lower left side  406 -LL. The ratio of the length l to the width w of each panel  102 -L,  102 -R is 6 to 2.5. Other embodiments have different length to width ratios. 
         [0045]    Left crotch panel  102 -L is attached to all of upper left side  406 -UL and all of lower left side  406 -LL. Left crotch panel  102 -L is attached to only a portion of upper right side  406 -UR and a portion of lower right side  406 -LR. Free edge  402 -L extends from upper right side  406 -UR to lower right side  406 -LR, parallel to the seam  410  joining the front leg pieces  106 -R,  106 -L. 
         [0046]    Right crotch panel  102 -R is attached to all of upper right side  406 -UR and all of lower right side  406 -LR. Right crotch panel  102 -R is attached to only a portion of upper left side  406 -UL and a portion of lower left side  406 -LL. Free edge  502 -R extends from upper left side  406 -UL to lower left side  406 -LL, parallel to the seam  410  joining the front leg pieces  106 -R,  106 -L. 
         [0047]    Free edges  402 -L,  502 -R are parallel to, and located on either side of, the centerline of the wearer&#39;s external vaginal area. Free edges  402 -L,  502 -R include respective overloop stitching  404 -L,  504 -R that prevent the edges  402 -L,  502 -R from rolling or bunching during intercourse. By spacing the free edges  402 -L,  502 -R from the centerline of the wearer&#39;s external vaginal area, the stitching  404 -L,  504 -R is impeded from entering the labia majora or causing irritation to the sensitive areas of the wearer&#39;s external vaginal area. 
         [0048]    Left and right panel inner faces are lined with a smooth, soft material  506 -L,  506 -R that is comfortable for both the wearer and her partner. The material  506 -L,  506 -R is sufficiently smooth such that the force/pressure  302 -F R ,  302 -F L  will not create a static or kinetic friction of sufficient strength remove a condom from the wearer&#39;s partner. In one embodiment, the lining is thin fleece. In one embodiment, the interior of leg portions  106 -R,  106 -L,  108 -R,  108 -L are lined with the same smooth, soft material. Free edges  402 -L,  502 -R are sufficiently flat that, combined with the inner lining  506 -L,  506 -R, the wearer does not feel the free edges  402 -L,  502 -R. Free edges  402 -L,  502 -R are not attached to any fasteners, such as buttons, snaps, or hook-and-loop combinations. 
         [0049]    A user of the pants  100  may engage in sexual intercourse without the additional step of getting undressed. In addition, a user is able to cease sexual intercourse at a moment&#39;s notice and be fully dressed immediately thereafter. In addition, a user is able to engage in sexual intercourse in cold weather without exposing skin to the elements. A user is able to engage in sexual intercourse without exposing to view any portion surrounding the wearer&#39;s crotch area, including the legs, waist, and buttocks. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 6 and 7  displays another embodiment of crotch portion  150 . Left panel  600 -L free edge  602 -L is arcuate and concave in shape with overloop stitching  604 -L. Right panel  600 -R free edge  702 -R is also arcuate and concave in shape and has overloop stitching  704 -R. Panels  600 -L,  600 -R overlap to completely cover the wearer&#39;s crotch area. Both panel free edges  702 -R and  602 -L are displaced from the centerline of, and do not intersect, the wearer&#39;s external vaginal area. However, the overlap is least close to the respective center points of free edges  602 -L,  702 -R, thereby reducing the encircling force/pressure  302 -F R ,  302 -F L  against the wearer&#39;s partner when the wearer and her partner are engaged in intercourse. 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  displays the pants  100  being worn in a standing position. Panels  102 -R,  102 -L maintain a closed position despite the wearer  190  standing spread-legged. Free edges  402 -L,  502 -R are symmetrical relative to the midline of the wearer  190 . 
         [0052]      FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrates a top inside view of the pants  100  being worn in a standing position. Panels  102 -R,  102 -L are essentially symmetrical and a mirror image of the outside view seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , whether in a closed position as in  FIG. 9  or an open position as in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of the pants  100  in a standing position.  FIG. 12  illustrates a rear view of the pants  100  in a standing position. Panels  102 -R,  102 -L are closed. To an outside observer, crotch area  150  does not even appear to have an opening. The only visible feature on crotch area  150  is left panel free edge  402 -L, which presses flat against right panel  102 -R. Bunching  1202  is a design feature. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 13A-13D  show crotch panel and leg pattern pieces for a sample pants embodiment. Modifications of the pieces to accommodate for different shapes and sizes of wearers may be done without limiting the effectiveness of the pant&#39;s  100  intended uses. Such modifications will be obvious to those with ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0055]    Pattern pieces  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D have notch markings  1300 . When two adjacent pieces are properly stitched together, their respective notch markings  1300  are superposed. The top line of the “T” of each notch marking  1300  indicates a stitch line. 
         [0056]      FIG. 13A  shows a pattern piece for right crotch panel  102 -R.  FIG. 13B  shows a pattern piece for left crotch panel  102 -L.  FIG. 13C  shows a pattern piece to be used for right and left leg front pieces  106 -R,  106 -L.  FIG. 13D  shows a pattern piece to be used for right and left back leg pieces  108 -R,  108 -L. 
         [0057]    When crotch panels  102 -L,  102 -R and leg pieces  106 -R,  106 -L,  108 -R,  108 -L are sewn together, their adjacent portions have grainlines  1302 ,  1304 ,  1306 ,  1308  that are parallel such that the crotch  102  and leg pieces  106 ,  108  stretch in the same direction. As a result, crotch area  150  is less likely to bunch and disclose any opening  204  unless the wearer holds crotch area  150  in an open position. 
         [0058]      FIG. 14  is an outside view of the crotch portion  150  attached to another embodiment of a left crotch panel  1400 -L and a right crotch panel  1400 -R.  FIG. 15  is an inside view of the crotch portion  150  attached to left crotch panel  1400 -L and right crotch panel  1400 -R. 
         [0059]    The left crotch panel  1400 -L includes a free edge  1402 -L that extends from upper right  406 -UR to lower right  406 -LR. Left crotch panel  1400 -L and right crotch panel  1400 -R overlap such that the external vaginal area of the user is between free edges  1402 -L,  1502 -R. The free edge  1502 -R of right crotch panel  1400 -R is not visible from the outside. A majority of the area of the crotch panels  1400 -L,  1400 -R do not overlap one another. The length to width ratio of each panel  1400 -R,  1400 -L is approximately 6:2. 
         [0060]    The crotch panels  1400 -L,  1400 -R bias to a closed position such that the crotch portion  150  will not open during everyday activities such as walking or sitting. The free edges  1402 -L,  1502 -R of the crotch panels  1400 -L,  1400 -R are sufficiently close to the center such that crotch portion  150  is capable of being opened large enough for medical examination purposes, for example, inserting a speculum, or conducting a fertility treatment procedure. 
         [0061]    The forces  302 -F R ,  302 -F L  pressing against an inserted speculum would not be in direct opposition; however, the forces  302 -F R ,  302 -F L  are not sufficient to dislodge a speculum or cause a torque in the speculum that would discomfort the patient. Thus, a patient may wear the pants while traveling to a medical appointment, wear the pants  100  during the medical appointment, undergo an exam or treatment, and leave the medical appointment without ever having had to remove the pants  100 . The patient would remained clothed during an examination, thereby making the patient feel more comfortable and relaxed during pelvic examinations and procedures. 
         [0062]      FIG. 16  is an outside view of the crotch portion  150  attached to another embodiment of a left crotch panel  1600 -L and a right crotch panel  1600 -R.  FIG. 17  is an inside view of the crotch portion  150  attached to left crotch panel  1600 -L and right crotch panel  1600 -R. The panels  1600 -L,  1600 -R have different widths and are not symmetrical. 
         [0063]    The left crotch panel  1600 -L includes a free edge  1602 -L that extends from upper right  406 -UR to lower right  406 -LR. Left crotch panel  1400 -L and right crotch panel  1600 -R overlap such that the external vaginal area of the user is between free edges  1602 -L,  1702 -R. The free edge  1702 -R of right crotch panel  1600 -R is not visible from the outside. A majority of the area of the crotch panels  1600 -L,  1600 -R do not overlap one another. The length to width ratio of the left panel  1600 -L is approximately 6 to 2. The length to width ratio of the right panel  1600 -R is approximately 6 to 2.5. In another embodiment, the length to width ratio of the left panel  1600 -L is approximately 6 to 2.5, and the length to width ratio of the right panel  1600 -R is approximately 6 to 2. 
         [0064]    The crotch panels  1600 -L,  1600 -R bias to a closed position such that the crotch portion  150  will not open during everyday activities such as walking or sitting. The free edge  1602 -L of the crotch panels  1600 -L is sufficiently close to the center such that crotch portion  150  is capable of being opened large enough for medical examination purposes, for example, inserting a speculum, or conducting a fertility treatment procedure. 
         [0065]    While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.