Abstract:
Inflatable undergarment with an inflatable bladder to provide protection and comfort has a fabric garment portion. A rear area of the undergarment further includes an integral air bladder. The bladder covers the buttocks area and is selectively inflated using a manual pump located near the waistband of the undergarment. The bladder system further includes a release valve that allows air to be released from the device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/535,037, filed Sep. 15, 2011, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter generally relates to an inflatable cushioning feature for an undergarment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention described herein pertains to underwear, and more specifically to underwear having an inflatable cushion attached thereto. Often, while attending sporting events, performing their jobs, attending classes, etc., people are forced to sit on hard surfaces for extended periods of time. Sitting on such surface can become uncomfortable after just a short period of time, and can exacerbate the pain and discomfort often associated with ailments such as hemorrhoids, back pain, nerve pain and the like. Although clothing provides a barrier between the user and the hard surface, common clothing does not provide enough cushion to alleviate the discomforts already mentioned. 
     There are various devices which attempt to address the discomfort many feel while sitting for extended periods of time. One (1) attempt is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 1,468,072 to Hubert Millas Ogle which describes an inflatable pad which can be hung from the waistband of an article of clothing. A tube which extends from the pad to the chest of the wearer is provided for inflating the device. The straps from which the device hangs not only pull at the users clothing in two (2) concentrated areas, but also fail to keep the device in a convenient location. Upon sitting, the wearer must reach in their pants and adjust the location of the pad, then they must take the extended tube and breath into it, causing inflation. 
     Another attempt to provide additional padding to an article of clothing is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,517 to Sam M. Hyman. This patent describes a one piece cold weather garment having inflatable cushions extending from the lower back to mid-thigh. The padding is designed to create a temperature barrier between the wearer and the cold exterior temperatures. A length of tubing extends from the cushions through an opening in the suit, and terminates in a pump which can be kept in a pocket on the garment. Similar to Ogle, this patent requires the wearer to carry an extended length of tubing outside their clothing, and also requires a hand pump which must be kept in the wearer&#39;s pocket. 
     Although the various devices observed may fulfill their individual, particular objectives, each device suffers from one (1) or more disadvantage or deficiency related to design or function. Whether taken singly, or in combination, none of the observed devices disclose the specific arrangement and construction of the instant invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The inventor has recognized the deficiencies in the art pertaining to integral garment padding. Furthermore, the inventor has observed that there is a need for a garment which can provide padding to a user while not being difficult to use or cumbersome to carry. 
     The inventor has addressed at least one (1) of the problems observed in the art by developing a novel inflatable undergarment. It is a feature and aspect of the present invention to provide an undergarment with inflatable padding having inflating tubing coupled to an inflating button and release tubing coupled to a release button. The inflating button and release button are secured to the waistband of the undergarment and the entire apparatus remains covered by outer garments. 
     Another feature of the invention is to provide inflatable padding having a padding gap disposed thereon. The padding gap being strategically placed to accommodate conditions such as, but not limited to, hemorrhoids or topical skin anomalies. In an additional embodiment, the invention provides inflatable padding which extends from the buttocks of the user to cover the crotch and the front pelvic areas of the user. 
     Yet another feature of the invention is to provide inflatable padding which can be integrated into an undergarment during manufacture, or securely attached to an existing undergarment. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the disclosure may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The disclosure can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from a consideration of the drawing and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an inflatable undergarment  10 , according to a preferred embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first alternate inflatable undergarment  20 , according to a first alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a second alternate inflatable undergarment  30 , according to a second alternate embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the second alternate inflatable undergarment  30 , according to the second alternate embodiment 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up view of a hemispherical pump and check valve embodiment of the inflating button  13 , according to the second alternate embodiment; and, 
         FIG. 6  is a close-up view of a poppet check valve embodiment of the release button  14 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               5  crotch area 
               6  rear side 
               7  pelvic area 
               10  inflatable undergarment 
               11  undergarment 
               12  inflatable padding 
               13  inflating button 
               13   a  inflating tubing 
               14  release button 
               14   a  release tubing 
               15  waistband 
               20  first alternate inflatable undergarment 
               21  first alternate undergarment 
               22  first alternate inflatable padding 
               22   a  padding gap 
               30  second alternate inflatable undergarment 
               31  second alternate undergarment 
               32  second alternate inflatable padding 
               100  user 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIG. 1 , and in terms of alternate embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 2 through 4 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a device and method for an inflatable undergarment (herein referred to as an “apparatus”)  10  being designed to provide a user  100  with selectable comfort and padding while seated for prolonged periods. The apparatus  10  can provide padding to a user&#39;s  100  buttock area  6 . Selective comfort is accomplished using an inflatable padding portion  12  which may be inflated or deflated according to the user&#39;s  100  preference. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10  is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a fabric lower-torso undergarment  11  with an inflatable padding portion  12  being integral to the undergarment  11 . The fabric undergarment  11  is preferably worn over an existing conventional undergarment and underneath the user&#39;s  100  exterior clothing. 
     The inflatable padding  12  is constructed of an air-tight plastic film vessel being permanently affixed along one (1) side surface to the undergarment  11  using adhesives or equivalent fabric bonding methods. The inflatable padding  12  can be selectively inflated or deflated by a user  100  using an inflating button  13  or a release button  14 , respectively, which are affixed along a top edge of the undergarment  11  such as the waistband  15 . The inflatable padding  12  is to cover the entire buttocks area  6  of the user  100 . Furthermore, the undergarment  11  is envisioned to comprise a sewn-in double-layer fabric to provide an aesthetic appearance. 
     The inflating button  13  and release button  14  are preferably affixed along opposing waistband portions of the undergarment  11  such that the buttons  13 ,  14  are readily distinguishable and unobtrusive. The inflating button  13  is in fluid communication with an interior space of the padding  12  via a length of inflating tubing  13   a  being integral to the undergarment  11 . The inflating button  13  is envisioned to comprise a hemispherical pump and check valve mechanism similar to U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,599, or an equivalent mechanism, which introduces a small volume of air into the padding  12  via the inflating tubing  13   a  every time it is pressed (please see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The deflating button  14  is also in fluid communication with an interior space of the padding  12  via a length of deflating tubing  14   a  being integral to the undergarment  11 . The deflating button  14  comprises a mechanism that allows air to escape from the padding  12  into the atmosphere via the deflating tubing  14   a  as long as the deflating button  14  is pressed, but which retains air within the padding  12  when not pressed. Said deflating button  14  is envisioned to comprise a poppet-type check valve or equivalent air releasing mechanism (please see  FIG. 6 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a first alternate apparatus  20  is disclosed. The first alternate apparatus  20  comprises a first alternate fabric undergarment  21 , a first alternate inflatable padding  22 , and at least one (1) padding gap  22   a . The first alternate apparatus  20  comprises similar construction and purpose as the preferred fabric undergarment  11 ; however, the padding gap portion  22   a  of the first alternate apparatus  20  provides an open relieved area within the first alternate padding  22 . The padding gap  22   a  can be manufactured to correspond in size and shape to a desired area  6  on a user&#39;s  100  buttocks in order to accommodate a condition such as a hemorrhoid, topical skin anomaly, or the like. In this manner, the first alternate apparatus  20  can provide a function similar to a donut cushion device while providing the same features as the previously described preferred apparatus  10 . It is envisioned that the first alternate apparatus  20  may also comprise a plurality of padding gaps  22   a  which may take on various shapes and corresponding sizes to suit various conditions, and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the apparatus  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , front and rear perspective views of a second alternate apparatus  30  are disclosed. The second alternate apparatus  30  comprises a second alternate fabric undergarment  31  further comprising a second alternate inflatable padding  32   d.    
     The second alternate inflatable padding  32  provides similar construction and purpose as the preferred fabric undergarment  11  while further comprising a shape which covers the rear buttocks  6 , the crotch  5 , and the front pelvic areas  7  of the user  100 . The alternate inflatable padding  32  is a single unitary sealed vessel that extends across the bottom of the second alternate undergarment  31 , enabling both sides of the second alternate padding  32  to be inflated and deflated simultaneously using the inflating button  13  and release button  14  portions, respectively. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the preferred apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the apparatus  10  having a desired size, design, and construction; donning the undergarment  11  over top of an existing undergarment; donning external clothing such as pants or another article of lower-torso clothing to conceal the apparatus  10 ; repeatedly pressing upon the inflating button  13  in order to create a desired amount of air pressure within the padding  12 ; and, benefiting from sitting comfortably upon the padding  12  for a prolonged period of time afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     The amount of support provided by the padding  12  may be quickly and selectively varied by either introducing additional air within, by repeatedly pressing the inflating button  13  or by removing a portion of contained air by pressing the deflating button  14  in order to fine-tune the level of support, based upon a user&#39;s preference, to accommodate for changing conditions, or to replace leaked air. It is understood that the user  100  may completely deflate the padding  12  prior to standing up or walking, such that the apparatus  10  is less visible, if desired. When deflated and removed from a user&#39;s bodice, the apparatus  10  is easily folded for compact transportation or storage. 
     The first alternate apparatus  20  can be utilized in a similar manner to the preferred apparatus  10  while further enabling the user  100  to avoid the aggravation of a current condition such as a hemorrhoid, topical skin anomaly, or the like, by aligning a padding gap portion  22   a  with said condition during use and thereby providing a function similar to a hemorrhoid donut device. The second alternate apparatus  30  can be utilized in a similar manner to the apparatus  10  while also providing padding to a user&#39;s  100  front pelvic area. 
     The apparatus  10 , and by extension the alternate apparatuses  20 ,  30 , are intended to provide various benefits to a user over existing methods of padding a user&#39;s  100  buttock area  6  during periods of prolonged sitting. The apparatus  10  can be dynamically customized by the user  100  based upon preference and conditions in order to provide maximum comfort using the inflating button  13  and release button  14  portions. The apparatus  10  can be utilized with existing garments. The apparatus  10  is simple to utilize and does not require large amounts of time, coordination, or physical strength to operate. The apparatus  10  can be operated while being worn under existing clothing. The apparatus  10  can be deflated during times in which the user  100  is not seated such that the apparatus  10  is less visible or bulky. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.