Fly shield for garment such as pair of jeans

A fly shield for a garment such as, for example, a pair of jeans. The fly shield includes a material folded and stitched to form a mitered corner. The mitered corner is defined by a fly shield seam and the fly shield has an approximate trapezoid shape defining two approximate right angles, a first acute angle, and an obtuse angle. The fly shield seam extends towards a vertex of the obtuse angle; and the fly shield defines a bottom folded edge that extends between the vertex of the obtuse angle and a vertex of the first acute angle. The fly shield seam and the bottom folded edge intersect to form a second acute angle, which is a portion of the obtuse angle.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates in general to a fly shield for a garment such as, for example, a pair of jeans.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, a garment10includes a conventional front portion15. The garment10may be, for example, a pair of pants, a pair of shorts, a skirt, or a pair of jeans as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The front portion15is generally formed from right (from the wearer's perspective) panel20and a left panel25. The right and left panels20and25are coupled together in part via a crotch seam30, a clasp33on a waistband35, and a zipper36(shown inFIG. 3) that is positioned under/behind a fly40. Specifically, a first side portion20aof the right panel20is coupled to a first side portion25aof the left panel25via the crotch seam30. An upper portion20bof the right panel20is stitched to the waistband35and an upper portion25bof the left panel25is stitched to the waistband35. As illustrated inFIG. 2, a fly shield45is coupled to the waistband35, to the right panel20via a seam50, to the crotch seam via the seam50and a bartack55, and to the left panel25via an anchor stitch60. The crotch seam30extends upwards towards the waistband35until it terminates at the bartack55. Generally, a bartack is a series of stitches used to reinforce an area of a garment. Thus, the bartack55is stitched over the crotch seam30, or at least one end of the crotch seam30. Generally, and referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the zipper36includes a first strip of teeth36a, a second strip of teeth36b, a slider36cthat couples and decouples the strips of teeth36aand36b, and a zipper stop36dthat stops the movement of the slider36crelative to the strips of teeth36aand36b. A second side portion20cof the right panel20is coupled to the zipper36. As illustrated inFIG. 4, for the purpose of clarity, the anchor stitch60is not shown coupling the fly shield45to the left panel25. Instead, for the purpose of clarity, the anchor stitch60is shown as severed, which results in a first portion60aof the anchor stitch60extending through the fly shield45and a second portion60bof the anchor stitch60extending through the left panel25(in reality, and in contrast to the illustration inFIG. 4, the anchor stitch60is not so severed, and thus the anchor stich60extends through the fly shield45and the left panel25, coupling the fly shield45to the left panel25, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 3). A second side portion25cof the left panel25is coupled to the zipper36. Referring toFIG. 5, the fly shield45is conventionally constructed from a piece of material45athat has a first portion45bdefining a first edge45b′ and a second portion45cdefining a second edge45c′. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the material45ais folded such that the first edge45b′ is substantially aligned with the second edge45c′ and the second portion45cfaces the first portion45b. The first and second portions45band45care then coupled together via a stitch or seam45dthereby defining a first and second seam allowance45eand45f(the second seam allowance45fis shown inFIG. 8), of the second and first portions45cand45b, respectively. When folded and stitched together as illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, the material45ais generally “inside-out” or the right-side of the material is facing itself. After stitching, the fly shield45is then turned “right-side out” thereby causing the first and second seam allowances45eand45fto be positioned within a pocket45g(shown inFIG. 8) formed by the first and second portions45band45cthat form a bottom portion45hof the fly shield45. When the fly shield45is attached to the right panel20as illustrated inFIG. 7, the bottom portion45h—including the first portion45b, the first seam allowance45e, the second seam allowance45f, and the second portion45c—are attached to the crotch seam30at a location65, thereby adding four (4) layers of material to the thickness of the front portion15at the crotch seam30, which is already at least two layers thick (the front panel20and left panel25). As such, the bottom portion45hof the fly shield45creates a bumpy front portion15when the garment10is worn by a user. Moreover, the spandex breakage on high stretch fabrics is increased due to the positioning of the fly shield seam45drelative to the crotch seam30and/or the bulkiness of the bottom portion45hof the fly shield45. Moreover, the fly shield seam45dis stitched to the front portion15at the location65, with the zipper stop36dand the bartack55being positioned between the waistband35and the location65.

In an example embodiment, as illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10, a garment100includes a front portion105. The front portion105is generally identical or substantially similar to the front portion15except that the conventional fly shield45is replaced with a fly shield110formed from a material115. InFIG. 10, the seam125is facing towards the left panel25and hidden from view, but shown with a dotted line to illustrate the position of the seam125relative to other portions of the garment100, such as the bartack55, the waistband35, the zipper stop36d, and the crotch seam30.

As illustrated inFIGS. 10, 11, and 12, in an example embodiment, the fly shield110is formed by the material115being folded and stitched to form a mitered corner120defined by a fly shield seam125such that a bottom portion130of the fly shield110is formed from a fold of the material115(illustrated inFIG. 12). Moreover, the seam125faces away from the user when the user is wearing the garment100. The facing of the seam125away from the user prevents or reduces agitation or friction between the seam125and the user. As illustrated inFIG. 12, the bottom portion130includes only a first layer of the material115and a second layer of the material115. When attached to the crotch seam30at a location133, the fly shield110significantly reduces spandex breakage on high stretch fabrics, creating a more clean and smooth look across the fly area due to the placement of the fly shield seam125relative to the front portion105. In an example embodiment, the fly shield110reduces the layers of material (2 layers) in the bottom portion130of the fly shield110, as compared to the layers of material (4 layers) in the portion of the conventional fly shield45that extends over the crotch seam30.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, for the purpose of clarity, the anchor stitch60is not shown coupling the fly shield110to the left panel25. Instead, for the purpose of clarity, the anchor stitch60is shown as severed, which results in the first portion60aof the anchor stitch60extending through the fly shield110and the second portion60bof the anchor stitch60extending through the left panel25(in reality, and in contrast to the illustration inFIG. 13, the anchor stitch60is not so severed, and thus the anchor stich60extends through the fly shield110and the left panel25, coupling the fly shield110to the left panel25, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10). As shown inFIG. 13, in an example embodiment, at least a portion of the fly shield seam125extends above the zipper stop36d, and the fly shield seam125is stitched to the right panel20at a location between the zipper stop36dand the waistband35.

In an example embodiment, a top plan view of the material115is illustrated inFIG. 14. The material115includes a first portion135including a first edge140and a second portion145including a second edge150, wherein an obtuse angle153is defined between the first edge140and the second edge150. A first fold line is depicted in the second portion145, a second fold line is depicted as generally dividing the first and second portions135and145, and a third fold line is depicted in the second portion145. The first portion135has a surface155and the second portion has a surface160. A bottom plan view of the material115is illustrated inFIG. 15, with the first portion135having a surface165and the second portion145having a surface170. Generally, the contiguous surfaces155and160are the “right” surfaces, and the contiguous surfaces165and170are the “wrong” surfaces, such that the surfaces165and170are normally placed in a less visible portion of the garment100while the surfaces155and160are generally outwardly facing surfaces or more visible surfaces.

As illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 15, in an example embodiment, the material115has an upper edge175that extends between two corners defining angles180and185, respectively, the angles180and185being 90-degree angles approximately (+/−5 degrees). The material115also has an edge190and an opposing edge195. The edge190extends between the edges175and140. The edge195extends between the edge175and a bottom edge196, which is adjacent to the edge150.

In an example embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 16with continuing reference toFIGS. 9-15, a method200includes: constructing the fly shield110using the material115at step202, which includes placing the first portion135and the second portion145in a first position in which the surface155of the first portion135faces the surface160of the second portion145and the first edge140is substantially aligned with the second edge150at step205; stitching, when the first and second portions135and145are in the first position, the first portion135to the second portion145to form the fly shield seam125at step210; and after forming the fly shield seam125, placing the stitched first and second portions135and145in a second position in which the surface165of the first portion135faces the surface170of the second portion145and the second portion145is folded to define a bottom edge of the fly shield at step215. In an example embodiment, the method200further includes: attaching the fly shield110to the garment100such that the fly shield seam125is stitched to the garment100at a location between the waistband35and the zipper stop36dat step220; and creating the bartack55that extends through the fly shield110and the crotch seam30such that the fly shield seam125is stitched to the second side portion20cof the right panel20at a location between the bartack55and the waistband35.

At the step205, the first portion135and the second portion145are placed in a first position in which the surface155of the first portion135faces the surface160of the second portion145and the first edge140is substantially aligned with the second edge150. As illustrated inFIG. 17, a portion of the second portion145has been folded along the first fold line such that the edges140and150are substantially aligned and so that the surfaces155and160face each other.

At the step210, the first portion135and the second portion145are stitched together via stitching230to form the fly shield seam125when the first and second portions135and145are in the first position. The stitching of the first portion135to the second portion145forms a pocket that is “inside-out.” As illustrated inFIG. 17, the bottom edges of the pocket include the seam125and the material115folded along the first fold line. In this position, the “wrong” side of the material is outwardly facing. WhileFIG. 17illustrates the pocket collapsed, or flattened, against the remainder of the material115, the pocket can form a 3-D cone-shaped cup.

At the step215, the stitched first and second portions135and145are placed in the second position in which the surface165of the first portion135faces and is in contact with, or at least faces, the surface170of the second portion145, and the second portion145is folded to define a bottom edge235of the fly shield110. To move from the first position to the second position, the pocket is flipped from the inside-out position to a right-side out position. The pocket forms a 3-D cone-shaped cup in this right-side out position. After forming the 3-D cone-shaped cup, the edges190and195are aligned, with the surface165facing the surface170, and the fly shield110is flattened such that the material115is folded along the second fold line. When the 3-D cone is flattened, the material115forming the pocket or cup is forced to fold as well, and folds along the third fold line. The material115is folded along the second fold line before, simultaneously with, or after the material115is folded along the third fold line.

FIGS. 18 and 19illustrate the fly shield110when in the second position. When in the second position, the fly shield seam125forms the mitered corner120. In an example embodiment, the mitered corner120is defined by the fly shield seam125. Moreover, when in the second position, the fly shield110has an approximate trapezoid shape defining two approximate right angles (angle180and opposing angle240), a first acute angle250, and an obtuse angle255. Generally, the fly shield seam125extends towards a vertex of the obtuse angle255, and the fly shield110defines the bottom folded edge235that extends between the vertex of the obtuse angle255and a vertex of the first acute angle250. In an example embodiment, the fly shield seam125and the bottom folded edge235intersect to form a second acute angle260, which is a portion of the obtuse angle255. In an example embodiment and due to the fly shield seam125being angled relative to the bottom edge235, at least a portion of the fly shield seam125is spaced from the bottom edge235between about 1 inch and 2 inches, between about 1.1 inches and 1.9 inches, between about 1.3 inches and about 1.7 inches, between about 1.4 inches and about 1.6 inches, or by approximately 1.5 inches. In some example embodiments, the spacing is greater than 1.9 inches but less than 3 inches and can be smaller than 1 inch but greater than 0.25 inches. In an example embodiment and referring back toFIG. 10, the bottom folded edge235forms the bottom portion130of the fly shield110, and the only portion of the fly shield110that is configured to extend over the crotch seam30of the garment100(when the fly shield110is attached to the garment100) is the bottom portion130. Thus, the fly shield seam125is spaced from the crotch seam30such that the fly shield seam125attaches to only the right panel20(not both left and right panels20and25). In an example embodiment, the bottom portion130of the fly shield110consists of a first material layer and a second material layer as illustrated inFIGS. 12 and 19. Although the surface165as shown inFIG. 19is only facing the surface170, in several embodiments the surface165faces and is in contact with the surface170.

At the step220and referring back toFIG. 10, the fly shield110is attached to the garment100via the seam50such that the fly shield seam125is stitched to the garment100at a location270between the waistband35and the zipper stop36d. Moreover, the surface facing the user (when the garment100is worn by the user) is a smooth or clean finished surface due to the seam125facing away from the user and towards the zipper36.

At the step225, the bartack55is added to the garment100. In one embodiment, the fly shield seam125is stitched to the second side portion20cof the right panel20at the location270that is between the bartack55and the waistband35.

In several example embodiments, the placement of the fly shield seam125relative to the fly shield110and/or the crotch seam30reduces abrasion and “drag” as the seam125goes under a sewing foot during construction of the garment100. Moreover, the reduction of material layers (from 4 in a conventional fly shield to 2 in the fly shield110) in the bottom portion130reduces the bumpiness or bulge created in the fly area when the garment100is worn by the user. Additionally, the seam125facing outwardly towards the zipper36instead of facing inwardly toward the user reduces agitation and/or friction between the seam125and the user.

An example embodiment of a garment has been described that includes a first front panel; a second front panel; wherein a first side portion of the first front panel is coupled to a first side portion of the second front panel via a crotch seam; a waistband coupled to an upper portion of the first front panel and an upper portion of the second front panel; a zipper coupled to a second side portion of the first front panel and a second side portion of the second front panel; and a fly shield including a material folded and stitched to form a mitered corner defined by a fly shield seam, wherein the fly shield defines a bottom folded edge; wherein the bottom folded edge forms a bottom portion of the fly shield; wherein the only portion of the fly shield that extends over the crotch seam is the bottom portion; and wherein the bottom portion of the fly shield consists of a first material layer and a second material layer. In an example embodiment, the zipper includes a zipper stop; and wherein the fly shield seam is stitched to the second side portion of the first front panel at a location between the zipper stop and the waistband. In an example embodiment, the garment is a pair of pants or a pair of shorts. In an example embodiment, the fly shield has an approximate trapezoid shape defining two approximate right angles, a first acute angle, and an obtuse angle; wherein the fly shield seam of the mitered corner extends towards a vertex of the obtuse angle; and wherein the bottom folded edge extends between the vertex of the obtuse angle and a vertex of the first acute angle. In an example embodiment, the fly shield seam and the bottom folded edge intersect to form a second acute angle, which is a portion of the obtuse angle. In an example embodiment, the fly shield seam is spaced from the crotch seam. In an example embodiment, the garment further includes a bartack formed through a portion of the fly shield and the crotch seam; and wherein the fly shield seam is stitched to the second side portion of the first front panel at a location between the bartack and the waistband.

An example embodiment of a garment has been described that includes a first front panel; a second front panel; wherein a first side portion of the first front panel is coupled to a first side portion of the second front panel via a crotch seam; a waistband coupled to an upper portion of the first front panel and an upper portion of the second front panel; a zipper coupled to a second side portion of the first front panel and a second side portion of the second front panel; and a fly shield including a material folded and stitched to form a mitered corner defined by a fly shield seam, wherein the fly shield is stitched to the second side portion of the first front panel. In an example embodiment, the zipper includes a zipper stop; and wherein the fly shield seam is stitched to the second side portion of the first front panel at a location between the zipper stop and the waistband. In an example embodiment, the garment is a pair of pants or a pair of shorts. In an example embodiment, the fly shield has an approximate trapezoid shape defining two approximate right angles, a first acute angle, and an obtuse angle; wherein the fly shield seam of the mitered corner extends towards a vertex of the obtuse angle; and wherein the fly shield defines a bottom folded edge that extends between the vertex of the obtuse angle and a vertex of the first acute angle. In an example embodiment, the fly shield seam and the bottom folded edge intersect to form a second acute angle, which is a portion of the obtuse angle. In an example embodiment, the bottom folded edge forms a bottom portion of the fly shield; and wherein the only portion of the fly shield that extends over the crotch seam is the bottom portion. In an example embodiment, the bottom portion of the fly shield consists of a first material layer and a second material layer. In an example embodiment, the fly shield seam is spaced from the crotch seam. In an example embodiment, the garment also includes a bartack formed through a portion of the fly shield and the crotch seam; and wherein the fly shield seam is stitched to the second side portion of the first front panel at a location between the bartack and the waistband.

An example embodiment of a fly shield for a garment has been described, the fly shield including a material folded and stitched to form a mitered corner. In an example embodiment, the mitered corner is defined by a fly shield seam; wherein the fly shield has an approximate trapezoid shape defining two approximate right angles, a first acute angle, and an obtuse angle; wherein the fly shield seam extends towards a vertex of the obtuse angle; and wherein the fly shield defines a bottom folded edge that extends between the vertex of the obtuse angle and a vertex of the first acute angle. In an example embodiment, the fly shield seam and the bottom folded edge intersect to form a second acute angle, which is a portion of the obtuse angle. In an example embodiment, the bottom folded edge forms a bottom portion of the fly shield; and wherein the only portion of the fly shield that is configured to extend over a crotch seam of a garment is the bottom portion. In an example embodiment, the bottom portion of the fly shield consists of a first material layer and a second material layer.

An example embodiment of a method has been described, the method including constructing a fly shield using a material, wherein the material includes a first portion including a first edge and a second portion including a second edge, wherein an obtuse angle is defined between the first edge and the second edge, wherein the first portion has a first surface and an opposing second surface; and wherein the second portion has a third surface and an opposing fourth surface; wherein constructing the fly shield using the material includes: placing the first portion and the second portion in a first position in which the first surface of the first portion faces the third surface of the second portion and the first edge is substantially aligned with the second edge; stitching, when the first and second portions are in the first position, the first portion to the second portion to form a fly shield seam; and after forming the fly shield seam, placing the stitched first and second portions in a second position in which the second surface of the first portion faces the fourth surface of the second portion and the second portion is folded to define a bottom edge of the fly shield. In an example embodiment, the method also includes attaching the fly shield to a garment that includes a waistband and a zipper stop such that the fly shield seam is stitched to the garment at a location between the waistband and the zipper stop. In an example embodiment, the garment is a pair of pants or a pair of shorts. In an example embodiment, the method also includes stitching the fly shield seam to a front portion of a garment; and creating a bartack that extends through the fly shield and a crotch seam of the garment; wherein the garment includes a waistband; and the fly shield seam is stitched to the front portion of the garment at a location that is between the waistband and the bartack. In an example embodiment, the method also includes attaching the fly shield to a garment that includes a crotch seam; wherein the bottom edge forms a bottom portion of the fly shield; and wherein the only portion of the fly shield that extends over the crotch seam is the bottom portion. In an example embodiment, the bottom portion of the fly shield consists of a first material layer and a second material layer. In an example embodiment, the fly shield seam is spaced from the crotched seam. In an example embodiment, a mitered corner is formed by the fly shield seam when the stitched first and second portions are in the second position; and wherein, when the stitched first and second portions are in the second position: the fly shield has an approximate trapezoid shape defining two approximate right angles, a first acute angle, and an obtuse angle; the fly shield seam of the mitered corner extends towards a vertex of the obtuse angle; and the bottom edge extends between the vertex of the obtuse angle and a vertex of the first acute angle. In an example embodiment, the fly shield seam and the bottom folded edge intersect to form a second acute angle, which is a portion of the obtuse angle.

A garment has been described that includes a first front panel; a second front panel; wherein a first side portion of the first front panel is coupled to a first side portion of the second front panel via a crotch seam; a waistband coupled to an upper portion of the first front panel and an upper portion of the second front panel; a zipper coupled to a second side portion of the first front panel and a second side portion of the second front panel; a fly shield including a material folded and stitched to form a mitered corner defined by a fly shield seam, wherein the fly shield is stitched to the second side portion of the first front panel; and a bartack formed through a portion of the fly shield and the crotch seam; wherein the fly shield seam is stitched to the second side portion of the first front panel at a location between the bartack and the waistband. In an example embodiment, the garment is a pair of pants or a pair of shorts. In an example embodiment, the fly shield has an approximate trapezoid shape defining two approximate right angles, a first acute angle, and an obtuse angle; wherein the fly shield seam of the mitered corner extends towards a vertex of the obtuse angle; and wherein the fly shield defines a bottom folded edge that extends between the vertex of the obtuse angle and a vertex of the first acute angle. In an example embodiment, the fly shield seam and the bottom folded edge intersect to form a second acute angle, which is a portion of the obtuse angle. In an example embodiment, the bottom folded edge forms a bottom portion of the fly shield; and wherein the only portion of the fly shield that extends over the crotch seam is the bottom portion. In an example embodiment, the bottom portion of the fly shield consists of a first material layer and a second material layer. In an example embodiment, the fly shield seam is spaced from the crotched seam.

It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative example embodiments may be combined in whole or in part in some or all of the illustrative example embodiments. In addition, one or more of the elements and teachings of the various illustrative example embodiments may be omitted, at least in part, and/or combined, at least in part, with one or more of the other elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments.

Although several example embodiments have been described in detail above, the embodiments described are examples only and are not limiting, and those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many other modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications, changes, and/or substitutions are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Moreover, it is the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except for those in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together with an associated function.