Abstract:
A cushioning pad for use with cycling shorts comprises an upper pad layer and a lower pad layer fixed to the upper pad layer. An inflatable chamber is formed by and between the upper pad layer and the lower pad layer. The inflatable chamber comprises a first lateral channel which is nonlinear and which has a width which varies along its length, and a second lateral channel which is nonlinear and which has a width which varies along its length. A pump is provided for inflating the chamber with air, and a release valve is provided for releasing air from the chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/789,456 filed Mar. 7, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,021,618 issued on May 5, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to cycling. More particularly, this invention pertains to shorts that include air-cushioning for significantly reducing the discomfort and possible risks to the rider often posed by the relatively hard seat of a cycle. 
     While bicycle riding, or cycling, is almost-universally appreciated as a high quality source of fitness and health, it can pose health issues, especially for male cyclists. Although a generally low impact activity, the interface between rider and a racing-type seat can contribute to not-insubstantial physical harm. 
     A racing-style seat is designed to provide minimal impediment to the rider&#39;s ability to “pump” his legs for maximum speed and power when, for example, racing or climbing a hill. This dictates that it present a minimal profile in the horizontal plane to offer maximum clearance for the insides of the rider&#39;s legs. This is in contrast to other types of recreational cycles that provide a well-padded seat of generally-triangular design. Such seats are found on cycles designed for leisurely coasting and are quite suitable for sightseeing rather than racing or strenuous workouts. 
     The seat of a racing-type cycle is generally horizontally-elongated and aligned with the frame of the cycle. It is characterized by a transverse cross-section of inverted u-shape for maximum leg clearance as discussed above. The described shape allows the unfettered pumping of the cyclist&#39;s legs. In keeping with the objective of minimizing interference with the pumping of the rider&#39;s legs, the seat of a racing-type cycle is minimalist, formed of a cast metal frame with an overlying cover of leather or synthetic fabric. Minimal allowance is made for cushioning material of any kind. 
     While a seat of the type described in the preceding paragraph is advantageous for the aggressive rider who may often be standing throughout the majority of his workout, such design poses certain well-recognized risks. The seat of a racing-type cycle is only minimally-functional in terms of cushioning when one sits on it for extended periods of time. This is especially the case for male riders whose physiology is not particularly well suited for resting on a hard seat. Riding can cause the weight of the upper body of a male rider to press the rider&#39;s prostate and gonadal region down upon the hard seat, resulting in medically-recognized harm. 
     Current designs of cycling shorts for men include padding of, for example, foam rubber, synthetic fabric or fiber that extends from the rider&#39;s seat to cover the crotch region. While offering some comfort and protection, such shorts are not particularly suitable for use by casual riders over long distances as the padding is subject to compression and can become hard and ineffective as a cushion with extended use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a cushioning pad for use with cycling shorts, the cushioning pad comprising: an upper pad layer; a lower pad layer fixed to the upper pad layer; an inflatable chamber defined by and between the upper pad layer and the lower pad layer, the inflatable chamber comprising a first lateral channel which is nonlinear and which has a width which varies along its length, and a second lateral channel which is nonlinear and which has a width which varies along its length; a pump for inflating the chamber with air; and a release valve for releasing air from the chamber. 
     Preferably, the cushioning pad comprises: an enlarged seat area, the first and second lateral channels being arranged in a substantially circular concentric configuration within the enlarged seat area; a narrower crotch area, the first and second lateral channels being arranged in a generally linear configuration within the narrower crotch chamber; a pump and release valve section for accommodating the pump and release valve; and a connector section extending between the pump and release valve section and the narrower crotch area. 
     In one embodiment, the inflate conduit extends between the pump and the lateral channels in the narrower crotch area, and the deflate conduit extends between the lateral channels in the narrow crotch area and the release valve. A one-way valve may be formed in the inflate conduit. 
     Preferably, the pump comprises an air chamber connected to the inflatable chamber by means of an inflate conduit, the air chamber comprising a resilient elasticized pump dome. The pump dome may include a small aperture therein which is covered by a user when depressing the pump dome to inflate the chamber, and uncovered when the pump dome is released so that the air chamber cancel with air. Further, the release valve may connect to the inflatable chamber by means of a deflate conduit, the release valve being closed under normal operating conditions, and selectively opened by the user to reduce air pressure in or drain air from the inflatable chamber. 
     In one embodiment, the first and second lateral channels have a constricting projection at a transition between the enlarged seat area and narrower crotch area, the constricting projection limiting the flow rate of air in the first and second lateral channels between the enlarged seat area and narrower crotch area respectively. Preferably, the connector section is of sufficient length so that the pump and release valve can be located at a top area of the cycling shorts while the enlarged seat area and narrower crotch area are located so as to coincide with the uses seat area and crotch area respectively. 
     Preferably, the first and second lateral channels in the narrower crotch area each have a parallel spur channel formed therein. In one embodiment, the first and second lateral channels in the enlarged seat area each comprise an outer generally circular leg, a generally linear leg toward a center of the enlarged seat area, and intermediate leg adjacent the outer circular leg, and an end leg between the linear leg and the intermediate leg. 
     The cushioning pad may be formed between fabric layers of the cycling shorts. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a cushioning pad for use in cycling shorts, the method comprising: placing an upper pad layer over a lower pad layer which is fixed to the upper pad layer; forming an inflatable chamber between the upper pad layer and the lower pad layer, the inflatable chamber comprising a first lateral channel which is nonlinear and which has a width which varies along its length, and a second lateral channel which is nonlinear and which has a width which varies along its length; placing a pump in communication with the inflatable chamber for inflating the chamber with air; and providing a release valve for releasing air from the chamber. 
     The present invention addresses the preceding and other shortcomings of the prior art by providing cycling shorts of novel design. Such shorts include a first fabric portion for covering at least a first upper leg of a wearer and extending to the wearer&#39;s waist and a second fabric portion for covering at least a second upper leg of a wearer rider and extending to the wearer&#39;s waist. 
     The first and second portions converge to a seam defining an axis of symmetry of the shorts. A pad is affixed to the inner surface of the shorts. The pad comprises integral seat section and crotch sections. The pad is aligned with respect to the axis of symmetry of the shorts so that the crotch section overlies the wearer&#39;s crotch region. The pad includes an interior chamber for receiving and retaining pressurized air. 
     The preceding and other features of the invention will become further apparent from the detailed description that follows. Such description is accompanied by a set of drawing figures. Numerals of the drawings, corresponding to those of the written description, point to the features of the invention with like numerals referring to like features throughout both the written description and the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective frontal and rear views of a pair of cycling shorts (on a wearer) in accordance with the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective assembled and exploded perspective views, respectively, of the interior pad of cycling shorts in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the air pump apparatus for cycling shorts in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a pad which may be used in cycling shorts in accordance with a further aspect of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a pad which may be used in cycling shorts in one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a detailed view showing the structure and operation of inflate and deflate valves for use with a pad which may be used in cycling shorts; and 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are detailed cross-sections of a portion of the pad for use in cycling shorts showing chambers when in the deflated or partially deflated condition and substantially inflated condition respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective frontal and rear views, respectively, of cycling shorts  10  (on a wearer  11 ) in accordance with the invention. The shorts  10  of  FIG. 1  are of the men&#39;s classic compression-fit design that generally comprises first and second (left and right) fabric portions  12  and  14  that cover portions of the legs of a wearer. The fabric portions  12 ,  14  upwardly converge, forming (at the front) a frontal portion or panel  16  and a seat portion or panel  18 . The upper edge of the shorts  10  comprises a waistband  20 . A seam  21  running between the portion of the waistband  20  adjacent the frontal panel  16  through that adjacent the seat panel  18  defines the axis of symmetry of the cycling shorts  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the seam  21  may represent an actual sewn seam that joins the two fabric portions  12  and  14 . It may also be a “virtual” seam in the event that another physical seam configuration joins the fabric portions  12  and  14  to form the frontal and seat panels  16 ,  18 . It shall be understood that, regardless of the configuration adopted for physical joinder of the fabric portions  12  and  14  to form the completed cycling shorts, the term seam is understood to be either a physical or virtual manifestation that coincides with the axis of symmetry of the cycling shorts  10  as is clearly the case as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
     The shorts of  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are preferably of elasticized synthetic fabric such as LYCRA™, and a waistband  20  may be reinforced with elastic material or a drawstring to secure the shorts  10  to the rider&#39;s waist. 
     The particular type of shorts illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are, as mentioned earlier, of classic compression-fit design that terminate above a wearer&#39;s knees and offer a skin-tight fit that is especially suitable for racing. Numerous other designs of cycling shorts are recognized as more-or-less standard and, as will be seen, adaptable to the features that characterize the invention. Such alternative cycling short designs include so-called baggy and bib shorts. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 1A , a pump  22  is centrally fixed to the upper frontal panel  16  in close proximity to the waistband  20 . Offset from the pump  22  is a relief valve  24 . The pump  22  communicates with the relief valve  24  through a connecting conduit segment  26 . The overall arrangement of the system for selectively pumping air into the shorts  10  for air-cushioning is illustrated in  FIG. 3  below. 
     A pad (not visible in  FIG. 1A or 1B ) is secured to the interior of the shorts  10  by stitching, indicated by a continuous stitch line  28  that spans both the frontal and seat panels  16  and respectively. Detailed views of the interior pad for air-cushioning of the shorts  10  are provided in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the view of  FIG. 2A  being a perspective view of an assembled interior pad  30  and that of  FIG. 2B  being an exploded perspective view of the pad  30  illustrating its internal details. 
     Referring in particular to  FIG. 2B , the pad  30  comprises a composite, multi-layered device. Fabric outer layers  32 ,  34  surround an internal chamber  36  formed between mating internal layers  38 ,  40  of impermeable material. The internal layers  38 ,  40  are preferably formed of molded silicone rubber for flexibility and may be secured to one another by one or more of a number of conventional sealing processes such as gluing or fusion, thereby assuring that the internal chamber  36  formed between the internal layers  38 ,  40  is air tight. Designed apertures are provided within the internal chamber  36  for communication with an input/output air conduit  42  and for guiding the distribution of cushioning air within the internal chamber  36 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2A , the assembled pad  30  is shaped to include relatively distinctly shaped enlarged seat and narrow crotch regions  44  and  46  respectively. When fixed to the shorts  10 , the seat region  44  generally lies within the seat portion or panel  18  while the crotch region  46  extends from the seat portion to the frontal portion or panel  16 . 
     Returning to the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 2B , the internal chamber  36  is seen to be subdivided into a honeycombed plurality of cells, each cell being divided from the others by an arrangment of cell-defining internal walling  45  contained within a shaped outer wall  47 . A variety of apertures and passages are provided within the internal chamber  36  to permit the controllable inflation of the pad  30  both prior to and during use. Recognizing that the first and second layers of impermeable material  38 ,  40  are sealed to one another when assembled, pressurized air can enter (and exit) the chamber  36  via the input/output conduit  42  through an accommodating aperture in the outer wall  47 . Once within the boundary formed by the outer wall  47 , such air can circulate under pressure within the internal chamber  36 , guided throughout the cell-defining internal walling  45  via notches at upper edges of cells (such as a representative notch  48 ) and through a duct  50  that joins a front portion chamber  52  to a mid-portion chamber  54  of the internal chamber  36 . 
     The chamber  36  is controllably pressurized by means of the manually-operable pump  22  that is fixed to the frontal panel  16  of the cycling shorts  10 . Viewing  FIGS. 2A and 2B  together, it can be seen that the internal chamber  36  of the pad  30  is apportioned into a number of distinct sections to provide necessary protection and comfort for a wearer during cycling. Proceeding from front to rear, the front portion chamber  52  underlies and cushions the gonadal region of a wearer. It is connected by the internal duct  50  to the mid-portion chamber  54  that underlies the prostate area of a male cyclist. The relatively-narrow mid-portion chamber  54  merges with an enlarged seat region chamber  58  that underlies the rear or seat of the cyclist. 
     The honeycombed structure of the interior chamber  36  wherein cells permit limited transmission and redistribution of pressurized air between the various regions or sub-chambers described above assures that, once inflated, the interior chamber  36  will continue to support and cushion the various anatomical regions that can be negatively affected by pressure exerted by a hard racing-type seat on a rider. Were it not for the cellular structure with small ducts permitting only limited redistribution of air within the interior chamber  36  as the rider contacts the seat, air within the chamber  36  would invariably be disadvantageously distributed, largely negating any desired cushioning effect. Without the honeycombed internal structure of the chamber  36 , air would be readily forced away from the regions underlying portions of the rider&#39;s anatomy that press hardest against the hard cycle seat toward those that exert lesser pressure. For example, one would expect lateral migration of pressurized air away from the centerline of joinder of the fabric portions  12 ,  14  of the shorts  10 . This is both wasteful of the cushioning effect and degrades the effectiveness of the air cushion. Were one to attempt to compensate for this migration of cushioning effect, overinflation of the chamber  36  would undoubtedly produce other deleterious effects. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic view of the air pump apparatus of the invention. Such apparatus enables the cyclist to inflate the pad  30  by an amount that provides comfort and protection. The apparatus includes the bladder-like pump  22 , commonly known as a “palm pump” which includes a small aperture  60  for admitting air via suction when pressed. The input/output conduit  42  includes an internal trapping air valve  62  that limits air transfer, permitting air to flow solely from the bladder-like pump toward and/or into the pad  30 . The relief valve  24  is connected to the input/output conduit  42  by means of the conduit  26 . It includes a flap  64  that permits the rider to reduce pressure within the chamber  36  as desired. This prevents overinflation of the pad  30  that can be harmful in itself to the cyclist. 
     Impact testing using INSTRON DYNATUP™ instrumented impact test and data acquisitions software has shown that a pad in accordance with the invention as described, formed of laminated layers comprising an exterior of soft fabric and internal layers of impermeable material forming an internal chamber for receiving pressurized air, above can substantially reduce the loading in the presence of an applied force. Such load reduction is achieved by an increase in the degree of displacement (as compared with wood, as well as the padding employed in the following models of cycling shorts: for example, SUGOI™-XL, SUGOI™-L women and CANARI™)that is absorbed by an air-cushioned pad in accordance with the invention. Load reductions of 45 to 57 per cent were observed within a pad in accordance with the invention inflated in the range of 30 to 40 p.s.i. The other paddings (including wood) offered load reductions in the range of 0 to 27 per cent. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4 to 7  of the drawings which illustrate a further embodiment of the invention. As seen in these figures, a pad  100  which may be used in combination with a pair of cycling shorts is provided. The pad  100  may be inserted in a pair of cycling shorts as illustrated and described in previous embodiments, or in any other way. 
     The pad  100  comprises a rear section  102 , a mid section  104 , a front section  106 , an extender section  108 , and an air control section  110 . The rear  102 , mid  104  and front  106  sections are intended to correspond to, and provide a cushion for, those parts of the body of the user, as already described above. The pad  100  incorporates chambers and channels, as will be described, which can be selectively inflated and deflated by the user so as to provide a comfortable and the desired cushioning effect. 
     The pad  100  is generally comprised of a first pad layer  112  and a second pad layer  114  of generally corresponding shape and configuration which are fused or otherwise connected to each other over certain areas, thereby creating the chambers and channels which are capable of being inflated and deflated only by operating an inflation pump  118  and release valve  120  which are formed on the air control section  110  of the pad  100 . The edges and other portions of the first pad layer  112  and second pad layer  114  are fused to form an outer wall  130  at the edge of the pad  100 , a center wall  132 , and chamber defining walls  134 . The extender section  108  and air control section  110  are also fused, in a way which defines an inflation conduit  140  and a deflate conduit  142 . 
     A chamber  150  is formed within the pad  100 , and the outer wall  130 , center wall  132 , and chamber walls  134  define generally mirror image channels  152  and  154  on each side of the central wall  132 . Inwardly extending projections  156  along the length of the channels  152  and  154  control and minimize the flow of air through these channels. Circular walls  158  are provided within the channels  152  and  154 . 
     The inflation conduit  140  extends between the pump  118  and the chamber  150 . The conduit  140  includes a one-way valve  160  along its length which allows flow of air from the pump  118  to the chamber  150 , but not the reverse. The deflate conduit  152  extends between the release valve  120  and the chamber  150 , and the operation of the release valve  120  allows the user to selectively release air from the chamber  150 . 
     The pad  100  of the invention is used in association with cycling or other shorts, as already described. The chamber  150  can be inflated with air to provide a comfortable cushioning customized for the user using the pump  118  and release valve  120 . The chamber  150  is inflated by repeatedly depressing the pump  118 , with the thumb over the hole  166 . With each depression of the pump  118 , air flows through the inflation conduit  140  and into the chamber  150 . Between each pump action, the hole  166  is preferably exposed by lifting the thumb or finger, to expedite air intake into the pump. Air cannot flow out through the pump  118  since it will be stopped by the presence of the one-way valve  160 . The air in the chamber  150  can be discharged or partially discharged by operating the release valve  120 . The air in the chamber  150  will be partially discharged by operation of the valve  120  if the user finds the cushioning effect too hard, so as to create a more comfortable ride. The air in the chamber  150  will be fully discharged using the valve  120  when the cycling shorts are not in use, and for storage. 
     In  FIGS. 7A and 7B , there is shown a detailed cross-section through the pad  100  along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  of the drawings.  FIG. 7A  shows the chamber  150  and channels  152  in a generally uninflated or partially inflated condition.  FIG. 7B  shows the chamber  150  and channels  152  when in the inflated condition, providing a cushion for the user. 
     Thus it is seen that the air-cushioned cycling shorts of the invention provide a means for protecting a rider from the potentially damaging effects of a racing-type seat. By utilizing the teachings of this invention, the cyclist may enjoy the manifold health benefits of cycling without substantial fear of harmful side effects. 
     While the invention has been described with reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it is not limited thereto. Rather, this invention is limited only insofar as it is defined by the following set of patent claims and includes within its scope all equivalents thereof.