Patent Publication Number: US-11653705-B2

Title: Undergarment for a male wearer

Description:
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of Provisional Application 62/797,679 filed Jan. 28, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     This invention relates to an undergarment for a male wearer and particularly to an undergarment of the type generally known as boxer shorts where the garment includes a waistband, fabric components attached to the waistband and stitched together to form a main garment body surrounding the lower body of the wearer around and underneath the crotch of the wearer and defining a front section adjacent the genitals of the wearer and a rear section covering the buttocks of the wearer and left and right leg portions each surrounding a respective thigh of the wearer. This type of garment is particularly popular and many attempts are made to improve the comfort of the wearer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an undergarment of increased comfort for the wearer. 
     According to the invention, there is provided an undergarment for a male wearer comprising: 
     a waistband; 
     fabric components attached to the waistband and stitched together to form:
         a main garment body surrounding the lower body of the wearer around and underneath the crotch of the wearer and defining a front section adjacent the genital area of the wearer and a rear section covering the buttocks of the wearer;   left and right leg portions each surrounding a respective thigh of the wearer;       

     a first seam joining the left leg portion to the main garment body at the left inner thigh of the wearer and extending from the front portion along the left inner thigh to the rear section; 
     a second seam joining the right leg portion to the main garment body at the right inner thigh of the wearer and extending from the front portion along the right inner thigh to the rear section; 
     a pouch portion at the front section having third and fourth seams, one on each side of the genital area of the garment, each seam extending from the waistband to a position at or adjacent the leg portions; 
     a first fabric portion stitched along at least one of the first and third seams and a second fabric portion stitched along at least one of the second and fourth seams; 
     the first fabric portion being folded to define two overlying sheets of the fabric with edges of the sheets stitched into said one of the first and third seams and a folded edge spaced from said one of the first and third seams so that the skin of the wearer engages the folded edge for improved comfort; 
     the second fabric portion being folded to define two overlying sheets of the fabric with edges of the sheets stitched into said one of the second and fourth seams and a folded edge spaced from said one of the second and fourth seams so that the skin of the wearer engages the folded edge for improved comfort. 
     The arrangement herein therefore provides a unique design for men&#39;s boxers that helps protect the user from unwanted skin on skin contact. The main innovation is the formation of the fabric portions from a folded sheet so that the folded edge engages the skin of the wearer rather than a raw edge. 
     In a first embodiment, the first fabric portion is arranged at the first seam and the second fabric portion is arranged at the second seam so as to provide additional flap portions at the junction between the thigh and the groin. 
     Preferably, in this embodiment, the first and the second flap portions are C-shaped, where the outer edge being curved and the inner edge being straight. 
     The top half of the fabric at the fold is held up by tension along the fold generated by connecting to the front and back section of the main garment body of the boxer. The bottom part of the fabric portion is sewn into seam of the boxer itself. 
     In a second embodiment, the fabric portions are arranged at the third and fourth seams to provide a fabric portion that separates a male&#39;s external genitals from touching his legs. The arrangement provides a unique design by having two pieces of fabric, with each also being folded in half, that start at the top, separate, and cross over each other near the bottom of the boxers, which is represented in  FIG.  6    as crotch panel  41 . This creates a pouch effect which separates the male genitals from the rest of the body. This is also done to prevent skin on skin contact and increase comfort for the user. 
     To add further clarification to the arrangement, the fabric is folded in half, where the middle of the fabric portion at the fold line  40  defines the “top half” and the ends of the fabric being the “bottom” which is all sewn into the seam of the boxer. This is done to cause less discomfort for the user and allow the fabric to better form itself to the user&#39;s leg. That is, the fabric engaging the wearer is soft and free from seams. A suitable fabric is selected which can flex and slide across itself. Thus, the two sides of the fabric can each distort relative to the other to take up movement of the adjacent skin of the wearer. Thus, the fold line has no stiffness as the fabric can fold in half at the 180-degree fold without generating increased stiffness at the fold line. The fold line also reaches into the crease in the skin so as to separate the two skin surfaces at the crease and avoid skin on skin rubbing. The tension in the folded edge pulls the edge into its crease at the fold line. 
     In accordance with a further innovation, the fabric on the back half of the boxer is slightly higher than the front side of the boxer to help the user from exposing his behind when he bends over. 
     That is, there is provided a pouch on an inside surface of the front section defined by two fabric flap portions, one on each side of the genitals wherein an outer edge is stitched into a seam of the fabric components and extends across from one side at the front to the opposite side at the rear to define an inner edge of each flap portion which starts at or adjacent the waistband and extends downward and across the genitals so that the inner edges cross over at a position adjacent the bottom of the front section to form a pouch. 
     Preferably, the first fabric flap portion (or pouch flap) is folded to define two overlying sheets of the fabric with edges of the sheets stitched into the first seam and a folded edge spaced from the first seam toward the crease between the inner thigh and the groin of the wearer so that the crease and inner thigh engage the folded edge rather than the seam for improved comfort and the second fabric flap portion being folded to define two overlying sheets of the fabric with edges of the sheets stitched into the first seam and a folded edge spaced from the first seam toward the crease between the inner thigh and the groin of the wearer so that the crease and inner thigh engage the folded edge rather than the seam for improved comfort. 
     Preferably the pouch flaps are narrower at the top and wider at the bottom. 
     Preferably the pouch flaps have tension therein achieved by using an elastic for at least some of the fabric panels. 
     Preferably the pouch flaps have tension therein achieved by cutting the diagonal part of the panel on the fold and the grain. 
     Preferably the pouch flaps have the grain of the fabric in the direction with the least stretch. 
     Preferably the pouch flaps&#39; narrower top portion is cut on an angle in which pulls up to meet the waistband to increase tension. 
     Preferably the pouch flaps are arranged such that the wider lower portion is cut in the same curve as the outer edge of the pouch, however, the curve on the inner panel is shaped a minimum of one half inch higher than the outer edge of the pouch, 
     Preferably the pouch flaps are formed so that there is no elastic strip used with the fabric and the elasticity is provided by the fabric itself. 
     In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided an undergarment for a male wearer comprising: 
     a waistband; 
     fabric components attached to the waistband and stitched together to form a main garment body surrounding the lower body of the wearer around and underneath the crotch of the wearer and defining a front section adjacent to and covering the genitals of the wearer and a rear section covering the buttocks of the wearer; 
     and a pouch on an inside surface of the front section defined by two fabric flap portions, one on each side of the genitals wherein an outer edge is stitched into a seam of the fabric components and extends across from one side at the front to the opposite side at the rear to define an inner edge of each flap portion which starts at or adjacent the waistband and extends downward and across the genitals so that the inner edges cross over at a position adjacent the bottom of the front section to form a pouch; 
     the first fabric flap portion being folded to define two overlying sheets of the fabric with edges of the sheets stitched into the first seam and a folded edge spaced from the first seam toward the crease between the inner thigh and the groin of the wearer so that the crease and inner thigh engage the folded edge rather than the seam for improved comfort; 
     and the second fabric flap portion being folded to define two overlying sheets of the fabric with edges of the sheets stitched into the first seam and a folded edge spaced from the first seam toward the crease between the inner thigh and the groin of the wearer so that the crease and inner thigh engage the folded edge rather than the seam for improved comfort. 
     The arrangement herein provides a construction which is different from prior art arrangements in that:
         The prior art flap portions have wider top and narrower bottom while the present arrangement is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom.   The tension is achieved by potentially using an elastic for some fabrics. It is also indicated that the diagonal edges will also form a hoisting effect (or tension) to hold the parts in place and away from the thighs.       

     In the present arrangement, tension is achieved by cutting the diagonal part of the panel on the fold and the grain, with the grain of the fabric is the direction with the least stretch in most fabrics. The narrower top portion is cut on an angle which pulls up to meet the waistband to increase tension. The wider lower portion is cut in the same curve as the outer edge of the pouch, however, the curve on the inner panel is shaped a minimum of ½″ higher than the outer edge of the pouch. There are no elastic strips used. 
     The fabric portions forming the pouch may be triangular, trapezoidal, L-shaped or one with preferably a narrower top and wider bottom. 
     The inner panel when opened (before folding) is shaped like a tear drop or eggplant shape with a very prominent “V” at the center top. 
     The narrow top center “V” shape is half inch deep. When folded, creates an angle and pulls up to meet the waistband (see point above). 
     The center of the piece is cut on grain and folded. 
     Cross over in an “X” formation forms either a “U” or “V” shaped pouch opening. 
     The present arrangement does cross over as an “X” and forms a “V” shaped pouch opening. 
     The cross over or “X” is merely 0.75 inch at the center whereas in the prior art, the cross over not only crosses completely but also attaches itself to the opposite sides too and forms a “V” 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a cross-sectional view along a center line showing the basic construction of the garment and according to the present invention including folded thigh and pouch guard fabric portions. 
         FIG.  2    is an isometric view of the garment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a front elevational view of the garment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a rear elevational view of the garment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is a side elevational view of the garment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a top plan view of a central part only of the garment of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  7    is an expanded view of one flap portion of the embodiment of  FIG.  1    showing the construction prior to folding. 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view along the lines  8 - 8  in  FIG.  6   . 
     
    
    
     In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The undergarment for a male wearer includes a waistband  10  and fabric components  11  attached to the waist band  10  and stitched together at stitch lines  12 ,  13 ,  14  to form a main garment body surrounding the lower body of the wearer around and underneath the crotch of the wearer and defining a front section  15  adjacent the genitals of the wearer and a rear section  15 A covering the buttocks of the wearer. In the boxer style garment, there are provided left and right leg portions  17 ,  16 , respectively each surrounding a respective thigh of the wearer. 
     A first seam  18  joins the left leg portion to the main garment body at the left inner thigh of the wearer and extending from the front portion along the left inner thigh to the rear section. A second seam  19  joins the right leg portion to the main garment body at the right inner thigh of the wearer and extending from the front portion along the right inner thigh to the rear section; 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , each of the fabric flap portions is folded in the same manner as shown in  FIG.  7    to define two overlying sheets of fabric with outer edges  33  of the two sheets stitched into the first seam and a folded edge  34  spaced from the first seam. 
     The pouch flaps  30 ,  31  are narrower at a top edge  36  and wider at the bottom  37 . The inner edges  34  cross over at the point  35  at or closely adjacent the bottom of the front section  15  and the inner edges  34  are spaced at the top  36  by a distance greater than the width of the flap portions at the top. 
     The arrangement of the pouch mentioned above provides two pieces of fabric that crosses over at the bottom of the boxer, where the leg holes begin. 
     The top line is the fold of the fabric. It is held up by tension from where it connects on the front wall of the boxer. The bottom of the fabric is sewn together along the seam that runs under the groin. 
     Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. 
     Describing the thigh panel, a first fabric portion  20  is stitched along the first seam  18  and a second fabric portion  20  is stitched along the second seam  19 . Each of the first and second fabric portions  20  being folded along a fold line at the middle of fabric portion  20  to define two overlying sheets  21 ,  22  of the fabric  20  with outer edges  211 ,  212  of the sheets  21  and  22 , respectively. The pair of outer edges  211  and  212  of the first and second fabric portion  20  are stitched together into the first seam  18  and second seam  19 , respectively. When fabric portion  20  in the first fabric portion  20  is folded, edge  23  is defined to be the edge of fabric  20  opposing edges  211  and  212  and spaced away from the first seam  18  toward a crease between the left inner thigh and the groin of the wearer so that the crease and inner thigh engage the folded edge  23  rather than the seam  18  for improved comfort. The first and second fabric portions  20 , when in the folded configuration, are therefore shaped as a half ellipse where the outer edge  211 ,  212  is curved and the inner edge  23  is straight. The grain line of the fabric is arranged along the fold. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  3  and  6    there is provided a pouch  30  on an inside surface of the front section  15  defined by two fabric flap portions  31 ,  32  (also described as pouch flaps), one on each side of the genitals wherein an outer edge  33  is stitched into a seam of the fabric components and extends across from one side at the front to the opposite side at the front to define an inner edge  34  of each flap portion which starts at or adjacent the waistband and extends downward and across the genitals so that the inner edges cross over at a position  35  adjacent the bottom of the front section to form a pouch  30 .