Outergarment with detachable crotch piece

An outergarment having a detachable crotch piece is disclosed. The crotch piece is multilayered, with a disposable liner and a washable backing. The crotch piece is preferably padded for comfort and has a seamless cover layer. In this way, the need for supplementary or separate undergarments is eliminated, while sanitary conditions are maintained.

This invention relates to an outergarment and particularly to pants having 
a detachable, multi-layer crotch piece. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
When hiking, backpacking or camping, the volume and weight of gear is an 
important consideration. On an extended trip, it is often not possible to 
carry sufficient pairs of pants and undergarments, in an attempt to 
economize on space and weight. Thus, the camper or hiker has no choice 
other than to frequently wash out these garments, oftentimes under 
inconvenient circumstances, such as insufficient hot water. Moreover, 
these garments require a long time to dry, which presents a particular 
difficulty when the campsite is moved daily. 
A further difficulty with use of separate, conventional undergarments is 
that the undergarments are often visible through the wearer's 
outergarments. Typically, seam lines show. One current approach to this 
problem is to utilize undergarments that only cover the crotch area and do 
not cover any other portion of the abdomen or buttocks. However, these 
have the distinct disadvantage of causing chafing, particularly when worn 
during athletic activity. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention overcomes the above disadvantages by providing an 
outergarment with a removable crotch piece. The crotch piece is preferably 
of multilayer construction having a disposable liner layer and a washable 
outer layer. In this way a hiker or camper need wash only the washable 
crotch piece, without washing the entire pair of pants, thus significantly 
reducing drying time. Alternatively, the washable crotch piece may be 
replaced with a clean crotch piece, while the first is packed away until 
the camper returns home. Further, sanitary conditions can be maintained 
merely be replacing the disposable liners and/or washing the outer layer. 
Additionally the need for supplementary or separate undergarments is 
eliminated. 
In addition, the crotch piece of the outergarment of the present invention 
eliminates unsightly seam lines. It is also preferably padded for comfort. 
The outer layer is preferably formed of a two-piece backing layer with a 
curved seam designed to follow the contour of the person's body and a 
cover layer made of a seamless construction to eliminate chaffing. The 
crotch piece also extends partially into the leg opening for additional 
comfort. This construction also makes it more convenient for women to 
urinate without taking the entire pair of pants off. 
The present invention also permits the changing of a detachable crotch 
panel for the purpose of maintaining sanitary conditions, particularly in 
view of the fact that the onset of menses is unpredictable for many women. 
Thus, a stained crotch piece can easily be removed and replaced 
immediately with a fresh panel, preferably a fresh panel having fasteners 
for fastening and correctly positioning a sanitary napkin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
An outergarment with detachable crotch piece according to the present 
invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and generally designated 10. 
Throughout the figures, like elements will be represented by like 
numerals. 
Outergarment 10 includes leg receiving portions 12 and waistband 14. 
Suitable fasteners 16, such as the snaps shown, are provided for opening 
and closing the waistband. A crotch piece 18, as described in more detail 
below, is attached to crotch opening 20. Crotch piece 18 may be removably 
attached to the leg receiving portions via any suitable means, such as 
snaps 32. 
Detachable crotch piece 18, as shown in greater detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, 
includes a inner layer 22 and an outer layer 24. Outer layer 24 is 
preferably washable, while inner layer 22 is preferably made of a 
disposable material that will absorb secretions. Alternatively, inner 
layer 22 may be formed of a typical sanitary napkin. 
Inner layer 22 may be removably fastened to outer layer 24 in any suitable 
manner, such as via loops 30 or via pockets 36 (it is understood that each 
end may be fastened by loops 30 or pockets 36 or a combination thereof). 
Thus, the inner layer can be changed to maintain sanitary conditions. 
Alternatively, the outer layer can be washed and worn alone. 
In one preferred embodiment, outer layer 24 is formed of a two-piece 
backing layer 26 and a seamless cover layer 28. The pieces comprising the 
backing layer 26 are curved as seen in FIG. 6. They are joined along their 
inner curved edges by a curved seam 34. Since the pieces are joined in 
this manner the backing layer will follow the contour of the legs and 
crotch area and avoid "bunching-up" between the wearer's legs. Cover layer 
28 substantially covers seam 34 to prevent chaffing. 
This description is for illustrative purposes only. Modifications may be 
made, particularly with regard to size, shape and arrangement of parts, 
within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.