Patent Publication Number: US-10314348-B2

Title: Apparel with reduced friction zones

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to, and is a continuation application of, U.S. application Ser. No. 14/709,145 (filed on May 11, 2015), which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/163,502 filed Jun. 27, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,027,169. The entireties of the aforementioned applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Many athletic activities involve actions that include sliding against the ground or another playing surface. In baseball and softball, for example, an athlete may slide when approaching a base in order to avoid contact with a member of an opposing team. In soccer, an athlete may slide to kick a soccer ball away from a member of an opposing team. In American football, an athlete (e.g., a quarterback) may slide when possessing a football to avoid being tackled by a member of an opposing team. Accordingly, sliding may be utilized as an effective offensive or defensive action in a variety of athletic activities. 
     Although sliding against the ground may be executed in a variety of ways, a common method of sliding is performed by inducing at least one of the legs to extend outward in front of the athlete. More particularly, the athlete may be running or otherwise moving in a particular direction. The athlete then lowers toward the ground such that the legs extend outward in front of the athlete and in the direction of movement. As the athlete transitions between running and sliding, the primary point of contact between the athlete and the ground shifts from the feet to the hip area. That is, the primary point of contact when sliding may be the area corresponding with a joint between the femur and the pelvis (i.e., the femoral joint). Other portions of the athlete, including sides of the legs, hands, and arms may also contact the ground. 
     An athlete may incur a variety of injuries from sliding. As an example, impact between the body of the athlete (e.g., at the femoral joint) and the ground may cause bruising or other types of compressive injuries. As another example, clothing may rub against skin of the athlete (e.g., at the femoral joint) and cause friction burns or abrasive injuries. Although either of these injuries may occur from sliding, athletes commonly perform slides and risk these injuries during athletic competitions or practice sessions. 
     SUMMARY 
     An article of apparel is disclosed below as including a base layer and a cover layer. The base layer has a pelvic region, a first leg region extending from the pelvic region, and a second leg region extending from the pelvic region. In addition, the base layer has an interior surface for contacting a wearer and an opposite exterior surface that faces away from the wearer. The cover layer is secured to the exterior surface of the base layer and positioned to extend from a side area of the pelvic region to a side area of the first leg region. A width of the cover layer may be greater in the pelvic region than the first leg region. In some configurations, a frictional resistance of the exterior surface of the base layer is greater than a frictional resistance of a surface of the cover layer. 
     The advantages and features of novelty characterizing aspects of the invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. To gain an improved understanding of the advantages and features of novelty, however, reference may be made to the following descriptive matter and accompanying figures that describe and illustrate various configurations and concepts related to the invention. 
    
    
     
       FIGURE DESCRIPTIONS 
       The foregoing Summary and the following Detailed Description will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
         FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of an individual wearing a first article of apparel. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the first article of apparel. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are side elevational views of the first article of apparel. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear elevational view of the first article of apparel. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of the first article of apparel, as defined by section line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the individual performing a sliding action while wearing the first article of apparel. 
         FIGS. 8A-8F  are side elevational views of additional configurations of the first article of apparel. 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of a second article of apparel. 
         FIG. 10  is a side elevational view of the second article of apparel. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the second article of apparel, as defined by section line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12  is a front elevational view of another configuration of the first article of apparel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various articles of apparel. With reference to  FIG. 1 , an individual  10  is depicted as wearing an article of apparel  100  with the general configuration of a shorts-type undergarment, but may have the configuration of other types of garments. Although apparel  100  may be worn under other articles of apparel, apparel  100  may be worn alone, may be exposed, or may be worn over other articles of apparel. Accordingly, the configuration of apparel  100  and the manner in which apparel  100  is worn by individual  10  may vary significantly. 
     Apparel  100  is depicted individually in  FIGS. 2-5  as including a base layer  110  and a pair of cover layers  120  that are secured to base layer  110 . Whereas base layer  110  imparts the general configuration of the shorts-type undergarment to apparel  100 , cover layers  120  impart relatively low friction areas to apparel  100 . As discussed in the Background section above, an athlete may incur a variety of injuries from sliding, including friction burns or abrasive injuries that arise when clothing rubs against skin of the athlete (e.g., at the femoral joint and sides of the legs). Cover layers  120  are located on base layer  110  at positions that correspond with the femoral joints and sides of the legs of individual  10  (or other individual wearing apparel  100 ) to reduce the degree to which base layer  110  causes friction burns or abrasive injuries at the femoral joints and legs during sliding. 
     Base layer  110  defines a pelvic region  111  and a pair of leg regions  112 . Whereas pelvic region  111  has a configuration that covers portions of a pelvis of individual  10 , leg regions  112  extend downward and are configured to cover portions of legs of individual  10 . An upper area of pelvic region  111  defines a waist opening  113 , and lower areas of leg regions  112  define a pair of leg openings  114 . Base layer  110  also includes a front area  115 , an opposite rear area  116 , and a pair of side areas  117 . Regions  111 - 112  and areas  115 - 117  are not intended to demarcate precise regions and areas of base layer  110 . Rather, regions  111 - 112  and areas  115 - 117  are intended to represent general portions and areas of base layer  110  to aid in the following discussion. 
     A variety of materials and construction methods may be utilized for base layer  110 . As an example of one configuration, base layer  110  may be formed from a plurality of textile elements that are stitched or otherwise joined together to form pelvic region  111  and leg regions  112 . Although the textile elements forming a majority of pelvic region  111  and leg regions  112  may include materials that stretch to conform with the shape of individual  10 , an area that circumscribes waist opening  113  (i.e., a waistband) may include a material that stretches to a greater degree. In other configurations, base layer  110  may be knitted as a one-piece element that does not include seams or other discontinuities. In further configurations, a majority of base layer  110  may be knitted as a one-piece element, but a separate waistband may be subsequently added. Accordingly, the configuration of base layer  110  may vary to include a variety of conventional or non-conventional designs. 
     Cover layers  120  are secured to an exterior surface of base layer  110  and located on side areas  117  and at positions that correspond with the femoral joints and sides of the legs. As noted above, cover layers  120  impart relatively low friction areas to apparel  100 . When individual  10  performs a slide, cover layers  120  permit other articles of apparel (e.g., pants covering apparel  100 ) to move relative to apparel  100 . If, for example, other articles of apparel catch upon apparel  100  and induce apparel  100  to move across the skin of individual  10 , then apparel  100  may cause friction burns or abrasive injuries at areas of contact with individual  10 . The relatively low friction areas imparted by cover layers  120 , however, reduce the degree to which the other articles of apparel catch upon apparel  100 . That is, cover layers  120  impart relatively low friction areas to apparel  100  at the femoral joint and sides of the legs, thereby reducing the degree to which apparel  100  may cause individual  10  to incur friction burns or abrasive injuries. 
     While performing a slide, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , a side of at least one of the legs of individual  10  is in contact with the ground, but the primary point of contact between individual  10  and the ground may be the area corresponding with the femoral joint. Each of cover layers  120  extend from an upper area of pelvic region  111  to a lower area of one of leg regions  112 , thereby being positioned in the area of contact with the ground. The widths of cover layers  120  are, however, greater in pelvic region  111  than in leg regions  112 . Cover layers may, therefore, taper between pelvic region  111  and leg regions  112 . In this configuration, cover layers  120  exhibit greater widths in areas corresponding with the femoral joints. Accordingly, cover layers  120  are positioned to correspond with the area of contact with the ground, but wider areas of cover layers  120  correspond with the femoral joints in order to also cover the primary point of contact with the ground. For example, as depicted in  FIGS. 3, 4, 8A and 8B , the cover layer  120  may include a posterior edge  125  having a second apex portion  127  for covering a lateral gluteal region of a wearer. Additionally, the cover layer  120  may include an anterior edge  135  having a first apex portion  137  for covering a lateral thigh region of a wearer, the first apex portion  137  being centrally located relative to a length anterior edge  135 . 
     During a slide, individual  10  may also be oriented such that a lateral area of the gluteus maximus muscle is in contact with the ground, also as depicted in  FIG. 7 . That is, a portion of the buttocks may also be in contact with the ground. As a result, portions of cover layers  120  are located in or proximal to rear area  116 . More particularly, a majority of the areas of cover layers  120  are located in or proximal to rear area  116 , rather than in front area  115 . Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example, cover layers  120  extend rearward and around rear area  116  to further correspond with the area of contact with the ground. 
     Based upon the above discussion, each of cover layers  120  are depicted as having (a) a position corresponding with the femoral joints and sides of the legs, (b) a tapered configuration, (c) greater width in the areas corresponding with the femoral joints, and (d) greater coverage in rear area  116  than front area  115 . Given these parameters, the specific shapes of cover layers  120  may vary significantly. As depicted in the figures, for example, cover layers  120  have shapes that resemble the numeral nine (i.e., “9”) with three apertures  121 . That is, cover layers  120  each have a generally bulbous upper area  122  that defines the three apertures  121 , and cover layers  120  each have an extended and narrower lower area  123 . An advantage of apertures  121  is that the breathability of cover layers  120  is enhanced, thereby permitting moisture to escape from within apparel  100 . 
     Although the configuration of covers layers  120  discussed above provides a suitable configuration for cover layers  120 , a variety of other configurations may also be utilized. In some configurations, apertures  121  may be absent from cover layers  120 , as depicted in  FIG. 8A . As an alternative, cover layers  120  may define a single, larger aperture  121 , as depicted in  FIG. 8B . The overall shape may also vary such that cover layers  120  exhibit generally symmetrical shapes, such as triangular and rectangular, as depicted in  FIGS. 8C and 8D . In some configurations, cover layers  120  may be formed from a plurality of discrete areas that impart the general shape discussed above, as depicted in  FIG. 8E . Similarly, cover layers  120  may also be formed from discrete strips of material, as depicted in  FIG. 8F . Accordingly, the specific configuration of cover layers  120  may vary to include a variety of shapes that impart any one or all of (a) a position corresponding with the femoral joints and sides of the legs, (b) a tapered configuration, (c) greater width in the areas corresponding with the femoral joints, and (d) greater coverage in rear area  116  than front area  115 . 
     Although stitching may be utilized to join cover layers  120  to base layer  110 , various bonding methods may also be utilized. That is, an adhesive or thermobonding process may be utilized to seamlessly-join cover layers  120  to base layer  110 . As depicted in the cross-section of  FIG. 6 , seamlessly-joining cover layers  120  to base layer  110  has an advantage of reducing the number of discontinuities in the areas of cover layers  120 . In some configurations, the material forming cover layers  120  may be printed (e.g., screen printed), molded, or otherwise applied to the surface of base layer  110 . 
     A variety of materials may be utilized for cover layers  120 , including polymer sheets, textiles, and polymer-coated textiles, for example. As noted above, cover layers  120  impart relatively low friction areas to apparel  100 . Materials that generally have lesser friction than base layer  110  may, therefore, be utilized for cover layers  120 . As examples, cover layers  120  may be formed from a textile that is coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., TEFLON), or cover layers  120  may be formed from a two-layer polyurethane film or other polymer films supplied by BEMIS ASSOCIATES, Inc. of Shirley, Mass., United States. In addition, cover layers  120  may be formed from polyamide, polyester, polyolefin, or vinyl films that are bonded or otherwise secured to base layer  110 . Accordingly, a variety of materials may be utilized for cover layers  120 . 
     An article of apparel  200  is depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10  as including a base layer  210  and a pair of cover layers  220  that are secured to base layer  210 . Whereas base layer  210  imparts the general configuration of the shorts-type undergarment to apparel  200 , cover layers  220  impart relatively low friction areas and cushioning areas to apparel  200 . As discussed in the Background section above, an athlete may incur a variety of injuries from sliding, including (a) friction burns or abrasive injuries that arise when clothing rubs against skin of the athlete (e.g., at the femoral joint) and (b) bruising or other types of compressive injuries that arise during impact between the body of the athlete (e.g., at the femoral joint) and the ground. As with apparel  100 , cover layers  220  are located on base layer  210  at positions that correspond with the femoral joints and sides of the legs of individual  10  (or other individual wearing apparel  100 ) to reduce the degree to which base layer  210  causes friction burns or abrasive injuries at the femoral joints and legs during sliding. Additionally, apparel  200  incorporates a pair of cushioning elements  230  that impart cushioning to reduce the probability that bruising or other types of compressive injuries arise during sliding. 
     Any of the materials and construction methods discussed above for base layer  110  and cover layers  120  may be utilized for apparel  200 . Cushioning elements  230 , which are located between cover layers  220  and base layer  210 , as depicted in  FIG. 11 , may be formed from a variety of generally compressible materials. For example, cushioning elements  230  may be formed from a layer of polymer foam material (e.g., polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate), or cushioning elements  230  may be formed from fluid-filled structures. 
     Cover layers  220  and cushioning elements  230  are depicted as having (a) a position corresponding with the femoral joints and sides of the legs, (b) a tapered configuration, (c) greater width in the areas corresponding with the femoral joints, and (d) greater coverage in a rear area than a front area of apparel  200 . Given these parameters, the specific shapes of cover layers  220  and cushioning elements  230  may vary significantly. As depicted in the figures, for example, cover layers  220  and cushioning elements  230  have shapes that resemble the numeral nine (i.e., “9”) without an aperture, but may also include one or more apertures. In other configurations, the shapes of cover layers  220  and cushioning elements  230  may be similar to any of the configurations depicted in  FIGS. 8A-8F . Although edges of cushioning elements  230  are depicted as being spaced inward from edges of cover layers  220 , thereby permitting the edges of cover layers  220  to join directly with base layer  210 , the edges of cushioning elements  230  may be flush with the edges of cover layers  220 . 
     Although stitching may be utilized to join base layer  210 , cover layers  220 , and cushioning elements  230  to each other, various molding or bonding methods may also be utilized. That is, an adhesive or thermobonding process may be utilized to seamlessly-join the elements. As depicted in the cross-section of  FIG. 11 , seamlessly-joining the elements has an advantage of reducing the number of discontinuities in the areas of cover layers  220  and cushioning elements  230 . 
     Apparel  100  and apparel  200  are depicted as being a shorts-type undergarments. With respect to apparel  100 , for example, the lengths of leg regions  112  may extend to the knees or ankles of individual  10 , or leg regions  112  may be absent. As an example,  FIG. 12  depicts a configuration of apparel  100  wherein leg regions  112  extend further downward and would extend beyond the knees of individual  10  when apparel  100  is worn. 
     The invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying figures with reference to a variety of configurations. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the configurations described above without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.