Patent Publication Number: US-8990970-B2

Title: Wide waistband and pant supporting undergarment

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/751,618 filed on Jan. 11, 2013. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an undergarment. More specifically the invention relates to underwear that are configured to resist falling down when the waistline of a user&#39;s pants are positioned below the waistline of a user. 
     Clothing styles may differ greatly between people in society. Sometimes the style difference is accomplished by wearing a common article of clothing in a different manner than others in the society. In many urban areas it has become common for the younger individuals to wear their pants a few sizes larger around the waistline when compared to how pants are traditionally worn. This may cause a user&#39;s pants to fall down when the user is walking or moving around. 
     The style of wearing a pair of pants below the waistline of a user is called sagging. This is accomplished by providing a pair of oversized pants that are too wide to be supported by the waist, but may still be supported over the buttocks of a user. The style, however, causes a user to constantly readjust their pants or forces them to walk awkwardly to prevent the pants from falling down. Moreover, the style of wearing the pants below the waistline may cause the underwear of a user to bunch up and stick out over the top of the waistline of the pants. 
     There are a variety of underwear that were developed to fix some of the drawbacks associated with the sagging of a user&#39;s pants. These devices typically provide pockets on the sides of the underwear. The pockets are convenient because they are easily accessible, while the pockets of pants that are positioned below the waistline may not be easily reached. While prior art devices are designed to provide accessibility and are useful in their own rights, they fail to address the need to prevent the underwear from bunching up and further fails to maintain the pants at a desired distance beneath the waistline. 
     The present invention provides a solution to the limitations of the underwear of the prior art. The underwear comprise a wide waistband that is configured to extend from just below the waistline of a user to an area just above the waistline. The waistband is made of a stretchable material, such as nylon. These materials assist in aiding the underwear to hug around the waist of a user, thus reducing the likelihood that the underwear would bunch up over the sagging pants. The underwear may further comprise hooks configured for attaching onto the belt loops of a pair of pants. The present invention is configured to enable a person to comfortably wear a pair of pants below the waistline without worry of having the pants fall down or having underwear bunch up. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to modified underwear. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to underwear that comprise pockets configured for the storage of items. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art. 
     One such device in the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,093,935 to Countee, Jr. provides an undergarment in the form of underwear. The underwear include a centrally-located pocket for the storage of small items. While the prior art device is useful for its own purposes, it fails to provide a wide waistband that is configured occupy a large area of the underwear. 
     Another prior art device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,430 to Lerma-Solis provides an undergarment that includes a torso surrounding web formed with an elastomeric waistband. A pocket is mounted onto the torso-web, whereby the pocket includes a zipper seam for securely closing the pocket opening. The device, however, fails to provide hooks adapted for supporting a pair of pants at a fixed distance from the waist of a user. 
     Yet another prior art device, U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,672 to Thomas provides an undergarment that includes a concealed inside pocket for holding items such a credit cards, keys, and money. The undergarment may further comprise a zipper closure. While the device of the prior art addresses the need for a pocket on an undergarment, it fails to further provide a large waistband that is configured providing support for a pair of pants. 
     Finally, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0255367 to Harris teaches underwear that comprise hidden pockets on the interior of the underwear. The pocket may be placed on the interior of men&#39;s and women&#39;s underwear, including that of boxers, briefs, thongs, bras and swim suits. Although similar in nature and relevant to the present invention, the prior art fails to provide hooks that are configured to attach onto the belt loops of a pair of pants. 
     The present invention provides an undergarment in the form of underwear that are configured for use with pants that lie below the waistline. The underwear may comprise several mechanisms that provide a comfortable fitting when worn with sagging pants. The underwear may include a wide waistband that is configured to cover from just above and below a user&#39;s hips. The waistband may be comprised of an elastic material that hugs and secures around the hips. Moreover, the waistband may comprise cutouts to aid in securing the garment around the body, and a pair of arms that terminate in hooks for holding up a pair of pants. 
     In view of the drawbacks of the prior art devices, it is shown that the prior art has several known setbacks and that the present invention is substantially divergent in design elements from the prior art and subsequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing undergarments. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of underwear now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new undergarment wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when wearing underwear with sagging pants is desired. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved undergarment in the form of underwear, that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide underwear that includes a wide waistband that is configured to cover an area above and below the hips, whereby the waistband occupies one-third to one-half of the total underwear length. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide underwear having cutouts, whereby the cutouts may be covered with a mesh. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a waistband comprising a pair of arms that extend and terminate in hooks. 
     Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  display front and rear views of the underwear of the present invention, whereby the underwear comprises a wide waistband. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  display views of the underwear of the present invention, whereby the underwear is capable of folding over the waistband of a pair of pants. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  display front and rear views of the underwear of the present invention, whereby the underwear comprises cutouts within the waistband. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  display front and rear views of the underwear of the present invention, whereby the waistband comprises a mesh netting. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  display front and rear views of the underwear of the present invention, whereby the waistband comprises clasps. 
         FIG. 6 , displays a view of the underwear of the present invention, whereby the underwear comprises pockets. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the undergarment. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for keeping an undergarment in place while a user has sagging pants. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , there are shown frontal and rear views of the underwear  10  of the present invention, whereby the underwear  10  may be in the style of boxer shorts, however they may comprise briefs or bikini style underwear. The underwear  10  comprise a wide waistband  20  and an underwear body  60 , whereby the waistband  20  is located on an upper portion of the underwear body  60 . The waistband  20  is configured to occupy from one-third to one-half the total length of the underwear  10 , thereby offering maximum support and comfort. The waistband  20  may be made of an elastic material such as nylon, or other suitable material that stretches and hugs onto the sides of a user&#39;s hips. 
     During use, the waistband  20  is configured to cover an area from just below the hips to just above the user&#39;s hips. The width and location of the waistband  20  along a user&#39;s body prevents the underwear  10  from bunching up or falling down when a user sags their pants. This is accomplished by the elastic waistband  20  being secured around the waist of the user. Moreover, the waistband  20  may comprise a textured material that may assist in holding up a pair of pants on the body. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , there are displayed views of the underwear of the present invention used with a pair of pants. The underwear  10  are incorporated with an upper elastic waistband  20  that is configured to remain in place when a user sags their pants. The wide waistband  20  may cover a large portion of the underwear  10 , and comprises a length that is capable of being folded over the top of a user&#39;s pants. The waistband enables a user to wear their underwear  10  in a variety of orientations. A user may roll up the waistband  20  to add tension, wear the waistband  20  in a standard position, or fold the waistband  20  over the waistline of a pair of pants. All of the waistband  20  orientations provide differing support of the pants  65 . As displayed in  FIG. 2B , the length of the waistband  20  is capable of folding over the top of pants  65 . This degree of folding determines the amount of sagging that is permitted, thereby providing a controlled sagging of pants. Additionally, the texture of the waistband  20  assists in holding the pants in position when the waistband  20  is folded over. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , there are displayed front and rear alternative embodiments of the present invention, whereby the waistband  21  of the underwear  10  comprises cutouts. The cutouts  25  may be provided in order to improve maneuverability of the waistband. A user may grab the openings formed by the cutouts and position the waistband on a desired position on the user&#39;s hips. Thereafter the elasticity of the waistband  21  causes the underwear  10  to hug around the user&#39;s waist. These cutouts  25  may located on the front, back, or sides of the waistband  21  of the underwear  10 . The cutouts  25  form openings along the underwear that provide additional gripping locations along the body. Furthermore, the cutouts  25  may also be positioned on the body  60  of the undergarment to provide additional securing features on the underwear  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is displayed another alternative embodiment of the present invention, whereby the underwear  10  comprises mesh netting  30  within the cutouts. The mesh netting  30  is configured to retain the gripping properties of the cutouts (see  25 ,  FIG. 3 ), while also promoting airflow to the hips. Additionally, the mesh material  30  may comprise moisture wicking properties. The mesh material may draw sweat and perspiration away from the body of the user, thereby cooling a user during warm weather. 
     When a user wears their pants below their waistline, their pants might fall down.  FIG. 5  displays front and rear views of an alternative embodiment that comprises a waistband  22  having a pair of hooks  40 . The waistband  22  is configured to offer support to a pair of pants  65 . The waistband  22  comprises a pair of arms  35  that extend from above the body of the underwear  10 . The arms  35  bend over the body of the underwear  10  and terminate in a distal hook  40 . The hook  40  is configured to secure around the belt loops  45  of a pair of pants  65 . In use, the elasticity of the underwear secures the underwear against the waist of a user. The arms  35  of the waistband  22  are pulled downward and the terminating hooks  40  are hooked onto a belt loop  45  on either side of the waistline of a pair of pants  65 . The alternative embodiment mimics the functionality of a pair of suspenders by maintaining the pants at a first distance below the waist. Additionally, the hooks enable a user to comfortably wear their pants below the waistline without requiring a user to constantly adjust the pants or walk awkwardly to maintain their pants on their body. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an embodiment of the present invention, whereby the sides of the underwear  10  comprise pockets  50  and decorative features  55 . The pockets  50  may comprise a closure means such as zipper, hook and loop, and snap fasteners. When a user sags their pants, the pockets of the pants may reside too far below their waist to be easily accessed. The pockets  50  of the present invention may be located on the sides of the underwear  10 , thereby providing convenient accessibility to the hands of a user. They may comprise small or larger interiors that are capable of holding items such as a wallet, keys, cellular phone, etc. The underwear may further comprise decorative illustrations  55  that increase the aesthetic value of the underwear  10 . The illustrations  55  may be located on the waistband  20  or on the body  60  of the underwear  10 . Moreover, the under may comprise a variety of different colors or attachments to suit the needs of a user. 
     The present invention provides an undergarment that is configured for use with pants that are worn below the waistline. The underwear comprises a wide waistband  20  that is made of an elastic material, such as nylon. The waistband  20  extends from just below the waistline to just above the waistline of a user, whereby the waistband  20  occupies one-third to one-half the length of the underwear  10 . The material, and the length of the underwear facilitates the hugging of the clothing against the sides of the user&#39;s waist. Optionally, the underwear may comprise cutouts  25  that form openings in the underwear. These cutouts may be located on the waistband  20  or on the body  60  of the underwear  10 . The cutouts  25  provide additional areas that facilitate the securement of the undergarment against the body of the user. Additionally, the cutouts may comprise a mesh interior  30  that is configured for promoting airflow and wicking sweat away from the body. 
     The waistband may be further modified by providing a pair of arms  35  that extend from the waistband  22  (see  FIG. 5 ). The arms  35  terminate in a pair of hooks  40  that are adapted for hooking onto the belt loops  45  of a pair of pants  65 . The arms  35  fold downward from the waistline area of a user, and hook  40  onto the belt loops  45  of sagging pants. The sagging pants  65  are held at a fixed distance below the waistband of the underwear  10 , thereby preventing the pants from falling or sagging further down the body of the wearer. The underwear  10  may also comprise pockets  50  for holding the belongings of a user, which is convenient when the pockets of a pair of sagging pants are out of reach. It is contemplated that the present invention may comprise any combination of the alternative embodiments. For example, the underwear may comprise a wide waistband, arms having hooks, and pockets. Or alternatively, the underwear may comprise a wide waistband, mesh cutouts, and pockets. Moreover, the underwear of the present invention may comprise a variety of aesthetic colors and designs, which may be placed on the waistband or on the body of the underwear. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.