Pants construction and associated method

A pair of pants and an associated method of construction utilizes an hourglass-shaped panel and a pair of leg sections each including a tube-like portion operatively attached to the hourglass-shaped panel. The hourglass-shaped panel defines, when placed in a planar, spread condition, two relatively broad parallel edges at opposite ends thereof and a pair of generally C-shaped side edges extending between the broad end edges. Furthermore, the side edges of the hourglass-shaped panel are arranged relative to one another so that the Cs thereof open generally away from one another and so that a neck region is defined substantially midway between the broad edges. Each of the leg sections define an endless upper edge for encircling the corresponding one of the legs adjacent the top thereof, and each leg section is joined to a corresponding one of the C-shaped edges and along seams extending the entire length thereof to operatively join the leg sections to the hourglass-shaped panel. When the pants are operatively worn, the neck region is arranged beneath the wearer's crotch, one of the broad edges is arranged in front of the wearer and generally along the wearer's waistline and the other of the broad edges is arranged in back of the wearer and generally along the wearer's waistline. Furthermore, the seams joining the leg sections to the C-shaped edges simulate the leg-encircling outline of a high rise bathing suit and enhance the wearing comfort of the pants when the pants are worn.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to pants or trousers and relates more 
particularly to the construction of a pair of pants and an associated 
method of constructing the pants. 
The type of pants with which this invention is concerned include those 
intended for use as an outer garment for covering the human body from the 
waist to the ankles or knees, although the principles of this invention 
can be variously applied. Commonly, a pair of such pants includes two 
fabric leg sections in the form of tubes wherein each leg section is 
adapted to fit about a corresponding leg of the wearer and wherein the leg 
sections are joined together adjacent the waist region of the wearer at a 
center seam or rise. 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved pair 
of pants and an associated method of constructing the pants. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a pair of pants 
having a construction which enhances the comfort of the wearer when the 
pants are worn. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a pair of 
pants which utilizes a relatively small number of fabric pieces in the 
pants construction. 
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide such a pair 
of pants which is relatively economical to construct. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide such a pair of 
pants which is relatively uncomplicated in construction and attractive to 
the eye. 
A still further object of the present invention is to provide such a pair 
of pants having pockets incorporated therein which enhance the 
wearer-comfort of the pants in the region of the pockets. 
One more object of the present invention is to provide such a pair of pants 
having a construction which facilitates the manufacture of the pants over 
a relatively wide range of sizes featuring relatively narrow increments 
within the size range. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
This invention resides in a new and improved pair of pants and a method of 
constructing the pants. 
The pair of pants comprises means defining an hourglass-shaped panel and a 
pair of leg sections operatively joined to the hourglass-shaped panel. The 
hourglass-shaped panel is so shaped that when placed in a planar, spread 
condition the panel defines two relatively broad edges at opposite ends 
thereof and a pair of generally C-shaped side edges extending between the 
broad end edges. Furthermore, the side edges are arranged so that the Cs 
thereof open away from one another and so that a neck region is defined 
substantially midway between the broad end edges. The hourglass-shaped 
panel is positionable about the wearer's torso when the pants are 
operatively worn so that the neck region is arranged beneath the wearer's 
crotch, one of the broad edges is arranged in front of the wearer and 
generally along the wearer's waistline and the other of the broad edges is 
arranged in back of the wearer and generally along the wearer's waistline. 
Each of the leg sections include a tube-like portion defining an endless 
upper edge for encircling a corresponding one of the legs adjacent the top 
thereof. Furthermore, each of the endless upper edges is joined to a 
corresponding one of the C-shaped edges and along the entire length 
thereof to operatively join the leg sections to the panel means. 
The method of the invention includes the steps involved in constructing the 
pants of this invention. At the outset of the method, each of the panel 
means and the pair of leg sections are provided. Each endless upper edges 
of the leg sections is then joined to a corresponding one of the C-shaped 
edges of the panel means and along the entire length of the corresponding 
C-shaped edge to operatively join the leg sections to the panel means so 
that when the pants are operatively worn, the neck region of the panel is 
arranged beneath the wearer's crotch, one of the broad edges of the panel 
is arranged in said front of the wearer and generally along the wearer's 
waistline and the other of the broad edges of the panel is arranged in 
back of the wearer and generally along the wearer's waistline.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT 
Turning now to the drawings in greater detail and considering first FIG. 1, 
there is shown a pair of pants, generally indicated 20, in acordance with 
the present invention. The pants 20 include two leg sections 22,24 adapted 
to fit about the right and left leg, respectively, of a wearer W (FIG. 5) 
and panel means, generally indicated 26, disposed intermediate or medially 
of the legs sections 22,24 and which join the leg sections 22,24 together. 
As is described herein, the leg sections 22,24 are joined to the panel 
means 26 along seam lines arranged in a manner promoting wearer comfort 
and mobility. 
With reference to FIG. 2, the panel means 26 is comprised of three pieces 
28, 30, 32 of fabric joined together to form a single panel which when 
placed in the planar, spread condition of FIG. 2 is generally 
hourglass-shaped in appearance. Each of the pieces 28 or 30 is shaped so 
as to define two opposite, straight edges 34,36, a straight edge 38 and an 
arcuate edge 40 extending between the edges 34,36. Edge 36 is generally 
straight, and edge 34 is somewhat arcuate in shape so as to provide 
appearance of a relatively shallow curve as shown in FIG. 2. The pieces 28 
and 30 are joined together by means of a zipper 42 and a seam line 44. 
More specifically, the zipper 42 includes cooperating portions 46,48 each 
operatively sewn to a corresponding one of the fabric pieces 28,30 along a 
seam line 37 (FIG. 1) adjacent the edge 38 thereof so as to extend from 
the edge 34 and terminate at a location spaced from the edge 36. The seam 
line 44 contains stitches joining the pieces 28,30 which stitches extend 
from the edges 36,36 to the location at which the zipper 42 terminates. 
Therefore, when the zipper 42 is fully closed, the zipper 40 and seam line 
44 cooperate to join the pieces 28 and 30 and into a front panel portion, 
indicated 50, wherein the arcuate edges 40,40 are arranged on opposite 
sides of the panel portion 50 and the edges 34,34 collectively provide a 
single, broad edge 52 extending between the arcuate edges 40,40. 
The piece 32 is shaped so as to define a generally broad edge 54 defining a 
relatively shallow arc, a generally straight narrow edge 56 opposite the 
edge 54 and two opposite arcuate edges 58,60 extending between the edges 
54,56 as shown in FIG. 2. The piece 32 is joined by means of a seam line 
62 to the front panel portion 50 along the piece edge 36,36 to complete 
the assembly of the panel means 26. Joined as aforesaid, the front panel 
portion 50 and piece 32 collectively define the hourglass shape of the 
panel means 26 so that the broad edges 52 and 54 provide opposite end 
edges of the panel means 26 and the arcuate edges 40,58 and 40,60 
collectively define opposite arcuate edges 64,66, respectively, which are 
each somewhat C-shaped in appearance as viewed in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the 
panel means 26 is shaped so that the Cs of its C-shaped edges 64,66 open 
in opposite directions and a relatively narrow neck region 68 is defined 
generally midway between the broad end edges 52 and 54 of the panel means 
26. 
When the pants 20 are operatively worn and as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, 
the panel means 26 is positioned about the lower portion of the wearer's 
torso so that the neck region 68 is arranged beneath the wearer's crotch 
and the front panel portion 50 and piece 32 are arranged generally in 
front and in back, respectively, of the wearer. Furthermore, the broad 
edge 52 associated with the front panel portion 50 is arranged generally 
along the wearer's waistline and positioned substantially centrally 
between the wearer's sides, and the broad edge 54 associated with the 
piece 32 is arranged generally along the wearer's waistline and positioned 
substantially centrally between the wearer's sides. 
With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, each leg section 22 or 24 is comprised of 
a pair of elongated pieces 70,72 of fabric joined together to form a tube 
or cylinder for receiving a corresponding leg of the wearer. Fabric piece 
70 includes an upper portion 74 having a top edge 76 and a lower portion 
78 having a bottom edge 80 and defines two side edges 82,84 extending 
between the top and bottom edges 76 and 80. For a reason apparent herein, 
side edge 84 defines a cutout 85 in the upper portion 74 as shown in FIG. 
3. Fabric piece 72 includes an upper portion 86 having a top edge 88 and a 
lower portion 90 having a bottom edge 92 and defines two side edges 94,96 
extending between the top and bottom edges 88 and 92. 
As best shown in FIG. 4, fabric pieces 70 and 72 are operatively joined 
together in a tube-like arrangement wherein side edges 94 and 84, 
excepting cutout 85, are stitched together along a pair of seam lines 98 
extending along the length of the leg section 22 or 24 and wherein side 
edges 82 and 96 are stitched together along an inner seam line 100 
extending between the top edges 78,88 and bottom edges 80,92 as 
illustrated in FIG. 4. The cutout 85 is left unattached to the side edge 
94 so as to provide an opening for a pocket 102 incorporated within each 
leg section 22 or 24. 
In accordance with the present invention, the top edges 76,88 of the fabric 
pieces 70,72 are of such shape that when the pieces 70,72 are joined in 
their tube-forming condition illustrated in FIG. 4 and the pants 20 are 
operatively worn,the top edges 76,88 collectively encircle the upper 
portion of a corresponding one of the wearer's legs. It follows that the 
top edges 76,88 collectively form an endless edge for encircling the upper 
portion of the wearer's leg when the pieces 70,72 are joined. Furthermore 
and with reference to FIG. 5, the top edge 76 extends generally across the 
front of the wearer from a location situated along a corresponding side 
and adjacent the waist region of the wearer to a location adjacent the 
wearer's crotch. Still further and with reference to FIG. 6, the top edge 
88 extends across the back of the wearer from a location situated along 
the side and adjacent the waist region of the wearer to a location 
adjacent the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, the top edges 76 and 88 are of 
such shape that when operatively encircling the wearer's leg as shown in 
FIG. 5, edges 76 and 88 generally correspond with the corresponding 
C-shaped edge 64 or 66. 
In accordance with the present invention and with reference again to FIGS. 
1 and 5, the leg sections 22,24 are operatively joined to the panel means 
26 along a pair of seam lines 124 extending along the C-shaped edges 64,66 
of the panel means 26 and a major portion, indicated 120 in FIGS. 3 and 4, 
of the top edges 76,78 of each leg section 22 and 24. When positioned in 
operative relationship with the panel means 26, a minor portion, indicated 
122, of the top edges 76,78 of each leg section 22 and 24 is positioned 
generally between the front panel portion 50 and the back piece 32 so that 
the broad edges 52,54 of the panel 26 and the top edge portion 122 of both 
leg sections 22 and 24 collectively encircle the wearer in the region of 
the wearer's waist. Hence, each C-shaped edge 64 or 66 of the panel means 
26 is stitched along its entire length to only the major portion 120 of 
the top edges 76,88 of a corresponding leg section 22 or 24. For purposes 
of stitching the panel means 26 to the leg sections 22,24, a relatively 
small strip of each leg section 22 or 24 adjacent the top edge portion 120 
is positioned in overlying relationship with a relatively small strip of 
the panel means 26 adjacent a corresponding one of the C-shaped edges 
64,66, and the seam 124 is formed with threads which are directed through 
the overlying strips. 
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the pants 20 further includes a band 104 
of fabric stitched to the panels means 26 and the leg sections 22,24 so as 
to provide a waistband for the pants. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the 
band 104 is elongate in shape so as to define two end portions 106,108, 
two opposite sides edges 110,112 and is relatively narrow as measured 
between the side edges 110,112. A buttonhole 114 is defined in the band 
end portion 108, and a button 116 adapted to cooperate with the 
buttonholde 114 for buttoning the band end portions 106,108 is fixedly 
secured to the band end portion 106. The band 104 is sewn to the panel 
means 26 and the leg sections 22,24 along a seam line 118 (FIG. 1) 
extending generally alongside the band side edge 110 and alongside the 
edges 52,54 of the panel means 26. As best shownin FIG. 4, the band end 
portion 108 generally corresponds with the panel means piece 30 and the 
band end portion 110 generally corresponds with the panel means piece 28 
so that the fly of the pants 20 can be opened and closed by appropriate 
manipulation of the button 116 and zipper 42. 
When the pants 20 are operatively worn and in accordance with the present 
invention, each seam 124 at which the panel means 26 is operatively joined 
to a corresponding one of the leg sections 22,24 includes a front section, 
indicated 126 in FIG. 5, which extends from a location situated along a 
corresponding side of and adjacent the waist region of the wearer to a 
location adjacent the wearer's crotch. Furthermore, the front section 126 
of each seam 124 extends across the wearer's skin at which a corresponding 
one of the wearer's leg bends relative to the lower portion of the 
wearer's torso. 
For example and as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the wearer W lifts his right 
leg in the direction of the arrow A so that his right knee is raised 
directly in front of the wearer, the upper portion of the right leg bends 
relative to the torso generally along the seam front section 126. The 
positioning of the seam front section 126 relative to the wearer's skin as 
aforesaid is advantageous in that it enhances the comfort of the wearer 
when the pants are worn and permits the wearer to bend his legs in the 
aforedescribed manner with relative ease. Thus, the pants 20 are believed 
to enhance the mobility of the wearer when wearing the pants 20. 
Furthermore, and with reference to FIG. 6, each seam 124 includes a back 
section 128 which extends across the back of the wearer W, when the pants 
20 are operatively worn, from a location situated along the side and 
adjacent the waist region of the wearer to a location adjacent the 
wearer's crotch. Extending between the side location and crotch as 
aforesaid, the seam back section 128 passes over substantially the center 
of a corresponding one of the wearer's buttocks. Such an arrangement of 
the seam sections 128 relative to the wearer's buttocks is believed to 
enhance the attractiveness of the pants and the wearer as seen from the 
back. 
Still further and as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the front and back 
seam sections 126 and 128 collectively simulate the leg-encircling outline 
of a bathing suit commonly known as a high rise or French cut bathing suit 
and so that the seam sections 126 and 128 provide the appearance of a "V" 
when the pants 20 are viewed toward the front or toward the rear. Such an 
outline is believed to highlight the wearer's figure and makes the legs 
appear longer. Yet still further, the front and back seam sections 126 and 
128 extend across the area of the pants 20 where wrinkles and creases in 
the pants 20 would normally appear when the pants are worn. Such an 
extension of the seam sections 126 and 128 effectively conceals such 
wrindles and creases from view. 
Another advantage of the pants 20 relates to the neck region 68 of the 
panel means 26 and the comfort of the wearer afforded by the neck region 
68. More specifically, the neck region 68, although relatively narrow when 
compared to the length of either of the broad edges of the panel means 26, 
is believed to be wide enough to render the pants 20 more comfortable than 
are conventional pants having leg sections which meet at a line or point 
in the crotch area. To this end and in accordance with the present 
invention, the distance as measured transversely across the neck region 68 
of the panel means 26 is within the range of about one inch to two inches 
((2.5 cm to 5.l cm). 
Still another advantage of the pants 20 relates to the capacity of the 
pants to be manufactured over a relatively wide range of sizes featuring 
relatively narrow increments within the size range. Such a capacity is 
believed to be due to the relatively large number of edges (i.e. fourteen) 
associated with the panel means 26 and leg sections 22,24 which can be 
trimmed or cut-to-size to accommodate the manufacture of pants of 
different sizes. 
Each of the fabric pieces 28,30,32 of the panel means 26 and the fabric 
pieces 70,72 of each leg section 22 or 24 can be constructed of any of a 
number of conventional flexible fabric materials commonly utilized in 
pants construction. To provide the resultant pants 20 with a relatively 
attractive and graceful appearance, the fabric pieces 28,30,32, 70,72 are 
preferably constructed of a sturdy cottom cloth or other jean material so 
that the resultant pants 20 comprises a pair of jeans. 
With reference to FIG. 7, each pocket 102 of the pants 20 includes two 
pieces 130,132 stitched together and along preselected seams of the pants 
20 so that each pocket 102 is maintained generally against the inside 
surface of the corresponding leg section 22 or 24. To this end, each piece 
103 or 132 possesses substantially the same edge outline as the other 
piece 132 or 130 along a side edge indicated 136, a top edge indicated 138 
and an arcuate edge indicated 140 opposite the top edge 138. Piece 130 
further defines a generally straight side edge 141, and piece 132 further 
defines a corresponding side edge 142 having a cutout 144. The pieces 
130,132 are positioned in overlying relationship with one another so that 
the comparable edges correspond with one another and the comparable edges, 
with the exception of the edges 141 and 142, are stitched together along 
the length thereof. Edges 141 and 142 are stitched to one another along a 
seam line 150 having a portion 152 extending downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 
7, from the top edges 138 to an edge indicated 146, of the cutout 144 and 
along another portion 1154 of the seam line 150 extending upwardly, as 
viewed in FIG. 7, to an edge, indicated 148, of the cutout 144. Hence, the 
edges of the pieces 130,132 are joined to form a pocket enclosure having a 
pair of opposing walls and defining a single opening, indicated generally 
145, at the cutout 144. Because the pocket piece edges 140 are arcuate in 
shape as shown in FIG. 7, each pocket enclosure defined by the pieces 
130,132 is mitt-like for receiving a hand of the wearer. 
With reference still to FIG. 7, the edges of the joined pocket pieces 
130,132 are stitched to the corresponding leg section 22 or 24 along a 
seam 150, introduced above, extending around the pocket periphery. More 
specifically and as viewed in FIG. 7, the seam 150 has portions which 
extend along the side seam 98, top seam 118 and front section 126 of the 
seam line 124 to operatively join the side edge 141, top edge 138 and side 
edge 136, respectively, of pocket piece 130 to the remainder of the pants 
20. The pocket piece 130 is stitched along the cutout 144 to the cutout 85 
of the corresponding leg section piece 70 so that the opening 145 of the 
pocket 102 corresponds with the slit or unstitched opening provided along 
the leg section cutout 85. 
It follows from the foregoing that the pocket pieces 130,132 are stitched 
to the remainder of the pants 20 along seam lines 98,118 and 126 for a 
substantial distance around the periphery of the pieces 130,132. Such an 
attachment of the pocket pieces 130,132 to the remainder of the pants 20 
incorporates a major portion of the periphery of each pocket 102 within 
seam lines of the pants 20 which would exist even if the pockets 102 were 
not included in the pants 20. Furthermore, inasmuch as the pieces 130,132 
are positioned in a generally flat condition against the inside surface of 
the corresponding leg section, such an attachment of the piece 130,132 
along the seam lines 98,118 and 126 as aforedescribed maintains the 
pockets 102 in a relatively flat condition against the leg section when 
the pants 20 are operatively worn. Such a maintenance of the pockets 102 
in a flat condition is believed to enhance the wearer-comfort of the pants 
20. 
Another advantage resulting from such an attachment of the pockets 102 to 
the remainder of the pants 20 can be readily appreciated when considering 
the fact that pockets of many conventional pants may be outlined against 
the skin of the wearer as the pockets are normally pressed between the 
wearer's skin and the leg section of the pants along which the pockets 
normally extend. Such an outlining of the pockets renders visible through 
the leg section the peripheral edge of the pockets. From the standpoint of 
appearance, it is preferred that as little of the pocket periphery as 
possible be viewable through the leg section. Inasmuch as only the arcuate 
edges 140 of the pocket pieces 130,132 are unstitched along predetermined 
seam lines 98,118 and 124 of the pants 20, only a relatively small 
fraction of the pocket periphery is ever outlined against the wearer's 
skin in a manner rendering the outline of the periphery viewable through 
the leg section 22 or 24. 
The method of the invention includes the steps involved in constructing the 
pants 20 of this invention. At the outset of the construction process, leg 
section pieces 70 and 72, pocket pieces 103,132, panel means 28,30,32, 
including zipper 40, and waistband piece 104 with button 116 and 
buttonhole 114 are provided. The leg section pieces 70,72 are then joined 
to one another along seam lines 98 and 100 to form a leg-accepting tube, 
and the pocket pieces 130,132 are operatively stitched to one another 
along their comparable edges 136,138, 140. The joined pocket pieces 
130,132 are thereafter joined to a corresponding leg section 22 or 24 as 
the piece edge 141 is stitched along the seam 98 and the cutout 144 is 
stitched along the leg piece cutout 85. The pieces 28,30 and 32 are then 
joined together along seam lines 44 (FIG. 2) and 62 to complete the panel 
means 26. 
With reference again to FIGS. 1, 4, and 7, the panel means 26 and leg 
sections 22,24 are then sewn together along seam lines 124 as 
aforedescribed and the side edges 136 of the pockets 102 are operatively 
sewn along the front section 126 of the seam lines 124 to join the pocket 
piece edges 136 thereto. The waistband piece 104 is thereafter operatively 
joined to the panel means 26 and leg sections 22,24 along seam line 118, 
and the top edges of the pockets 102 are operatively sewn along the seam 
line 118 to join the edges 138 thereto. 
It will be understood that numerous modifications and substitutions can be 
had to the aforedescribed embodiment 20 without departing from the spirit 
of the invention. For example, although the panel means 20 of the 
aforedescribed embodiment has been shown and described as including three 
pieces 28,30,32, a pair of pants in accordance with the present invention 
may include a panel means comprised of a single piece of fabric. 
Accordingly, the aforedescribed embodiment is intended for the purpose of 
illustration and not as limitation.