Abstract:
An undergarment is configured to be wearable by a wearer and includes a waist portion positionable around a portion of the torso of the wearer. The undergarment also includes a front panel extending from the waist portion. The front panel defines a pouch portion positionable so as to extend outwardly and upwardly from an area between the legs of the wearer. The front panel further has an opening defining spaced apart lateral ends and an apex vertically disposed above the lateral ends. A flap extends from the pouch portion and defines first and second lateral edges extending away from the lateral ends of the opening to a free end of the flap. The flap is releasably attachable with a portion of the front panel adjacent the opening so as to be selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Underwear has been provided in a number of different styles and configurations. Such styles and configurations are often designed or developed for optimal comfort or performance depending on varying wearer preferences and varying activities. Underwear of different types has been offered in many colors, fabrics, and of styles that provide varying level of coverage. The overall design of the different types of men&#39;s underwear, however, often follows a general layout or template within the particular configuration (e.g. briefs, boxers, boxer briefs, etc., with subtle variations in fit and styling. In particular, the fly most often included in men&#39;s underwear is usually of a particular type depending on the style of underwear. For example, boxer short style underwear often simply has a vertical fly formed by slightly overlapping portions of fabric that may or may not be enclosed by a button. In other examples both briefs and boxer briefs often provide a fly that is diagonally positioned to one side of the garment (or horizontally positioned in some cases) and is formed by a significant fabric overlap. 
         [0002]    Often such configurations result in a fly is merely decorative and sometimes even detrimental to the product and its use. For example, some flies do not properly close and can result in exposure or escape of portions of the male body therefrom. In some instances the extra fabric from the fly may add unneeded bulkiness to the garment as well. Manny current fly configurations are so inconvenient that many people simply refuse to use it altogether, instead simply pulling down their underwear to urinate. 
         [0003]    Most current fly configurations require opening an access point, followed by manual removal of the penis and manual reinsertion back into the undergarment. This requires contact that can be unsanitary and uncomfortable, especially in public bathrooms, as the wearer may come into contact with residual bodily fluids. Additionally, many people with disabilities have difficulty fully removing their clothing, thus making convenient accessibility of utmost importance to those who may be required to assist them. Further, in instances of athletic wear and athletic underwear in particular, people often sacrifice comfort for protection, requiring stiff and uncomfortable garments that require much time and effort to remove. Accordingly an undergarment is needed that can offer support within the undergarment, particularly in the case of men&#39;s undergarments, while being worn, and further providing a comfort and a convenient point of access therethrough. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present disclosure relates to an undergarment having a functional collapsible drawbridge-like fly that can provide convenient, easier urination as well as coverage and comfort, without unintended exposure during regular wear. The undergarment can also provide a unique aesthetic to the front portion thereof. The fly configuration described herein can be included in all types of undergarments. A method of opening and closing the fly, discussed herein, allows for convenient use of the undergarment (including opening and closing of the fly), while maintaining the placement of all contents in the undergarment during wear, and further without requiring touching of parts of the body during urination. The undergarment described herein facilitates such a method, while providing improved comfort through minimal excess bulk, and breathability through air vents therein. The fly of the garment is also associated with a pouch that can be configured in a hammock-like shape that, when opened, provides support to offer easy, comfortable access through the fly. The hammock can also be made of different materials (including hard materials such as plastic or the like, or more compliant materials such as layers of foam), which can provide protection and support in athletic and activewear garments. 
         [0005]    An undergarment according to an aspect of the disclosure is configured to be wearable by a wearer and includes a waist portion positionable around a portion of the torso of the wearer. The undergarment also includes a front panel extending from the waist portion. The front panel defines a pouch portion positionable so as to extend outwardly and upwardly from an area between the legs of the wearer. The front panel further has an opening defining spaced apart lateral ends and an apex vertically disposed above the lateral ends. A flap extends from the pouch portion and defines first and second lateral edges extending away from the lateral ends of the opening to a free end of the flap. The flap is releasably attachable with a portion of the front panel adjacent the opening so as to be selectively moveable between a closed position, such that the flap extends over the opening, and an open position, such that the flap is withdrawn from the opening. 
         [0006]    Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an undergarment configured to be wearable by a wearer. The undergarment and includes a waist portion positionable around a portion of the torso of the wearer. The waist portion defines a notch along a centrally disposed portion of an upper edge thereof. The undergarment can further include the above-described front panel, including the opening and flap described with respect thereto. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of an undergarment according to an aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a rear elevation view of the undergarment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the undergarment of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the undergarment in the open configuration of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of another undergarment according to a further aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of an outer garment adapted to be used in a system with the undergarment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of the outer garment of  FIG. 6  in an open configuration and showing portions of an undergarment similar to that of  FIG. 1  there through. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are cross-sectional detail views of the outer garment and undergarment of  FIG. 7  in respective closed and open configurations. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Turning to the drawing figures, wherein similar reference numbers are used in connection with similar features,  FIG. 1  shows an undergarment  10  in the form of a pair of men&#39;s underwear. The particular example of undergarment  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is a pair of boxer-briefs, which are configured to be worn at or below the waist of a wearer with front and back panels thereof extending downward from the garment&#39;s waistband respectively over the anterior and posterior of the wearer and to extend between the wearer&#39;s legs where the front and back panels are attached together (or continuously extend together in a unitary structure). The boxer-briefs shown are also configured with leg portions that extend outwardly and downwardly around respective legs of the wearer. Such an undergarment can be configured to provide a close or snug fit for the wearer and can be sized or selected based on the individual wearer&#39;s personal fit preferences (such as a relatively tighter or relatively looser fit). Generally, such undergarments are configured to provide concealment and comfortable enclosure of the area which they cover and to provide a degree of support for the male-specific body parts. Although illustrated in the context of boxer-briefs, certain features of undergarment  10  can be implemented in other forms of undergarments such as briefs, or boxer shorts, as discussed further below. 
         [0016]    Returning to the undergarment  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , as discussed above, undergarment  10  includes a waist opening  18  configured to fit around the lower portion of the wearer&#39;s torso, such as around the waist or around an area below the waist. The waist opening  18  can be encircled by a waistband that can be an additional piece of material that is attached to undergarment  10  or can be material unitary with the adjacent portions of undergarment  10  such that waistband is defined by stitching and/or folding imparted on the material. Waistband  50  can be of or can include an elastic material to provide a retention force around the wearer&#39;s waist to keep undergarment  10  from sagging out of its desired position. In one example, waistband  50  can be of a cotton or cotton-spandex material with an elastic backing sewn thereto. In a further example, waistband  50  can be of a cotton or cotton-spandex material that is wrapped around or otherwise fully encloses an elastic band. Such a configuration can provide for increased comfort against the wearer&#39;s skin compared to direct contact with the elastic. 
         [0017]    A front panel  22  extends downwardly from waistband  50 . Front panel  22  is configured to cover and to provide support for a male wearer&#39;s body parts. Accordingly, front panel can be shaped to form a pouch or other appropriately-configured area to enclose the body parts within an area of the undergarment  10 . A rear panel  22  can extend downwardly from waistband  50  opposite front panel  22  and can be configured extend over and cover at least portions of the wearer&#39;s buttocks. The front panel  22  and rear panel  20  can extend toward the area between the wearer&#39;s legs and can be attached together within such an area. In some examples, a seam can connect the front panel  22  with the rear panel  20 . Such a seam can be positioned directly between the wearer&#39;s legs or to the front or back of such an area. In another example, the front panel  22  and rear panel  20  can be particular areas or a unitary piece of fabric or material that includes both the front panel  22  and the rear panel  20  and is connected with waistband  50  on both opposing sides. 
         [0018]    Leg portions  12  and  14  are attached with front panel  22  and rear panel  20  on respective, opposite lateral sides of undergarment  20 . Each of the legs  12 , 14  includes a leg opening defined around an edge of the lower portions of the respective legs  12 , 14 . The legs  12 , 14  are generally of the same overall length, which itself can vary among examples of undergarment  10 , of which some examples can have relatively short legs  12 , 14  (one or two inches along the inseam thereof, for example), while other examples can have relatively longer legs ( 4  to five or more inches, for example). Different examples of undergarment  10  having different lengths for legs  12 , 14  can be provided so as to be selected based on user preference. Leg portions  12 , 14  can be attached with front panel  22  and rear panel  20 , along with waistband  50  in some examples, by corresponding seams or the like. The particular location of such seams can vary depending on the style or desired fit of the undergarment  10 , and the locations thereof shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  are merely examples. In a variation, leg portions  12 , 14  can be of the same piece of material as one or more of front panel  22  and rear panel  20 . 
         [0019]    Undergarment  10  includes a fly  24  that is configured to provide improved overall comfort for undergarment  10  and improved access and communication between the interior and exterior thereof. In particular, fly  24  can include a flap  34  that is configured to span at least a portion of the width of front panel  22 , over which it is attached on opposing sides  36 , 38  thereof. Flap  34  extends upwardly from the attached sides to an apex  32  vertically disposed from the attached portions of sides  36 , 38 . As such, flap  34  has a portion thereof that is not permanently attached with the remaining portions of front panel  22  and extends over a portion of the width and height thereof. 
         [0020]    Flap  34  is sized and positioned to cover and close an opening  26  that is also within front panel  22 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , opening  26  extends both laterally and vertically within a portion of front panel  22  that is smaller than flap  34  such that a portion of flap  34  overlaps with the areas of front panel  22  surrounding opening  26 . Such an overlap allows flap  34  to fully enclose opening  26  such that the portions of the wearer&#39;s body uncovered by opening  26  can be concealed beneath flap  34 . 
         [0021]    In addition, flap  34 , can be a part of or otherwise extend continuously from the pouch area  46 . As discussed above, the pouch area  46  can be defined within an outwardly and/or downwardly extending area in front panel  22  that can be configured to provide additional room for the male body parts, while providing a desired degree of support therefore so as to be contained within a specific area. As such, pouch area  46  and any portions of flap  34  that extend therefrom can be generally hammock-shaped. That is, the portions to the center and, in some examples, the lower-center of the front panel  22  can billow outward and/or downward of the portions thereof toward the outer portions of the front panel  22  (e.g. toward the leg portions  12 , 14 ) as in the shape of a hammock. The flap  34  can extend from pouch area  46  in a manner that continues to define the hammock-shape such that the lower center portions and relatively higher or more inward side portions come together in the area of apex  32 , again in the manner of a hammock. 
         [0022]    In such a construction, front panel  22  can include a number of different sections of fabric or the like sewn together in the configuration described above. In the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , flap  34  and pouch  46  include one or more (e.g. two, as shown) pieces of material that are configured to give such features the hammock shape as just described. Similarly, one or more pieces of material (e.g. one, as shown) can make up the remaining portions of front panel  22  and can have a cutout in the desired shape of opening  26  therein. As shown, the portions of front panel  22  flanking the opening  26  can be included on such a piece of material or sub-assembly thereof. In such a manner, portions of the sides  28  and  30  of flap  34  can be attached to the upper portion of front panel  22  outside of opening  26  by corresponding seams  29  and  30  that can be configured to allow flap  34 , as it extends into pouch  46 , to maintain the desired hammock shape, while configuring the free portions of flap  34  in an appropriate size and positioning to cover opening  26 , as discussed above. 
         [0023]    The free portion of flap  34  can be made releasably-attachable with an adjacent portion of front panel  22 . In the example shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a button  42  can be affixed to front panel  22  adjacent opening  26  in a position to align with the flap  34  in the area of the apex  32  thereof. Flap  34  can include a corresponding button hole  44  so that flap  34  can be maintained in a closed position by assembling button  42  with button hole  44 . Similarly, flap  34  can be released and allowed to open by removing button  42  from button hole  44 . Other structures can be used to facilitate such attachment, such as Velcro, zippers, snaps, or the like. Such an attachment not only helps to maintain flap  34  closed but can provide support for the pouch area  46  by the hammock-like configuration of pouch  46  and flap  34 , as described above. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the release of flap  34  from the above-describe attachment structure can allow flap  34  to fall or otherwise be moved away from its position over opening  26 . As particularly shown in  FIG. 4 , flap  34  can open by moving in an anterior direction away from opening  26  and away from button  42 . Because of such detachment from button  42  and the movement of flap  34  away from opening  26 , not only is the anatomy of the wearer within opening  26  made accessible, but the pouch  46  can be somewhat loosened, further facilitating access through opening  26 , while maintaining the contents of the pouch  46  in a generally central position (due to the lower center thereof achieved by the hammock configuration). 
         [0025]    The configuration of opening  26  and flap  34 , discussed herein can be adapted to be included in a pair of boxer shorts, for example. Boxer shorts are typically loose-fitting undergarments that can have otherwise similar waist, front, back, and leg sections as boxer-briefs. Accordingly, the fly typically found on most types of boxer shorts can be replaced with an opening and flap combination, as shown in  FIG. 1 , for example. Still further, an undergarment similar to undergarment  10  can be provided without legs  12  and  14  in the form of a brief style undergarment. The configurations of both boxer-briefs and briefs can be adapted to function as protective athletic garments by providing pockets within the pouch and flap to retain either a hard plastic cup or specially adapted foam inserts therein. 
         [0026]    Accordingly, undergarment  10  can provide a larger opening  26  for communication between the inside and outside thereof. This can be particularly useful during urination, for example, wherein a male will often leave his undergarments  10  in place, while reaching through the fly of his pants and underwear to access necessary body part(s) therefor. Often, this must be done while holding open a typical fly (which may open in a sideways manner or can additionally or alternatively require holding open of overlapping, fixed flaps), often with one hand, while “aiming” with the other hand. Undergarment  10 , however, can make urination easier by providing an opening  26  that remains at least partially open by itself (i.e. by gravity causing flap  42  to fall open when unbuttoned), eliminating the need for the fly  24  to be held open. Further, the direction of opening (i.e. vertical) means that, should the user wish to hold the fly  24  open, it can be done with the same hand that is used for aiming. Even further, the flap  42  can itself be extended outwardly of the fly of the wearer&#39;s pants such that the user does not have to actually contact the penis to aim during urination, which can improve the sanitary aspects of using the bathroom, for example. Similarly, the size of opening  24  and the direction of the opening action means that at least some users can remove body parts from the undergarment  10  by simply pulling downward on flap  42  to expand the size of opening  26  such that the penis is freed from behind pouch  46  so as to move outwardly from opening  26 , without having to be grasped by the wearer. Such an arrangement can also make urination easier for those who require assistance in doing so (e.g. the fully or partially disabled), by making access to the body parts within undergarment  10  easer for those assisting them. 
         [0027]    Even with the improvements in the structure of the fly  24  described herein, some may still prefer to urinate by moving the waistband  50  downward and removing the body part over the top of the undergarment  50 . To facilitate such action, undergarment  10 , and other examples of undergarment with or without similar structures of fly  24 , can include a notch  52  formed in waistband  50 . A waistband with a straight upper edge can make such action difficult by requiring movement of waistband  50  over a great distance. Such a waistband can also present difficulty in aiming and can disrupt the flow during urination. Notch  52  can provide a place for body parts to rest during over the top urination and can reduce the distance of movement for waistband  50  to achieve such a position, which can help the user aim and can be less disruptive to flow. The notch can, for example, have a depth of about 50% of the overall height of the waistband  50 . In an example, waistband can be about 1.25″ high, and notch  52  can have a depth of about 0.75″. Further, notch  52  can have a width about equal to the height of waistband  50  (e.g. 1.25″ in the example given). Other configurations are possible and can be made to provide adequate strength of waistband  50 , overall, and to allow for the shape and structure of notch  52  to be maintained during wearing of undergarment  10  (or another undergarment including a similar notch  52 ). 
         [0028]    A variation of the undergarment described above is shown in  FIG. 5 . Such an undergarment  110  includes a pair of inserts  154  (of which only one is shown in  FIG. 5 , the other being similar in structure and positioned opposite opening  126  from the insert  154  shown) attached between portions of flap  134  and the underlying areas of the upper portion of front panel  122  (e.g. in the location of seams  29  and  31  in undergarment  10 ). Such inserts  154 ,  156  can be made of elastic or another resiliently-stretchable material so that they add as little bulk as possible when fly  124  is closed, while facilitating even farther opening of flap  134  compared to flap  34 , discussed above. Inserts  154 ,  156  can be positioned to add material to enclose flap  134  along portions of the sides  136 ,  138  thereof so as to limit exposure or escape of the contents of undergarment  110 , while providing the aforementioned additional opening  126  size. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , an outer garment  60  can be configured to take particular advantage of the ease of access provided by the above-described structure of fly  24  (and/or fly  124 , as shown in  FIG. 5 ). In particular, outer garment  60  can be configured with a fly  64  that opens in a manner similar to that of undergarment  10 . As such, a flap  68  can extend between attached lateral sides, as well as vertically along a detached portion thereof. Flap  68  can align with an opening  66  positioned in garment  60  to align with the opening  26  of undergarment  10 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , flap  68  does not necessarily have to be the same shape as the flap  34  of undergarment  10  and can, for example, be in a more rounded configuration (similar to an upside-down “U” or a rotated “D”). Further opening  66  can be sized to be larger than flap  24  so that flap  34  can easily pass therethrough. 
         [0030]    The closure mechanism  70  incorporated into fly  64  can also vary from that included in fly  24 . In particular, fly  64 , which can be intended to be external to any clothing, can include a closure  70  that extends along the entire free portion of flap  68 . In the example shown, a zipper is used for closure  70 , and extends around the mating peripheries of flap  68  and opening  66 . In another example, flap  68  can be triangular and can have two zippers on either side thereof that meet at an apex of flap  68  when closed. In yet another example, flap  68  can be rectangular in shape and can include zippers on opposite sides thereof. The upper edge of such a rectangular flap can close, for example, using a hook-and-eye closure. In such examples, a flexible piece of material (such as webbing, a cord or the like) can connect between zippers to provide easy simultaneous opening and closing thereof. 
         [0031]    When opened, as shown in  FIG. 7 , fly  64  can uncover opening  66  such that fly  24  of undergarment  10  can be opened by the wearer, as described above. Such a fly  64 , in combination with undergarment  10  can provide increased ease of access to the interior of the undergarment  10  and the contents thereof. In an additional example, as shown in  FIGS. 8A , the interior of flap  68  can include a second attachment feature  72  that can connect with the flap  34  of undergarment  10  such that flap  34  can be connected with flap  68  instead of with the area adjacent opening  26  such that flap  34  can be opened simultaneously in a single action with flap  68 , as shown in  FIG. 8B . In the example shown, the attachment feature  72  is in the form of another button that can pass through the button hole  44  in flap  34  for connection therewith, leaving button  42  (not shown in  FIGS. 8A  or  8 B) unconnected with flap  34 . The outer garment  60  in such a system can be any type of lower outer garment, but may be additionally useful in sportswear, such as in ski pants or the like. Additionally, the outer garment  60  can be configured as a pair of pants typically associated with an emergency-response uniform, such as a fireman&#39;s suit or the like, which are often bulky, and are worn in situations where ease and speed of using the bathroom, for example can be critical. Other configurations for outer garment  60  are possible, including configurations as jeans, trousers, or the like. As further shown in  FIG. 7 , an outer garment (which may or may not include the fly structure  64  discussed above) can include a notch that can be similar to notch  52  described above with respect to undergarment  10 . In the example of an outer garment  60  with a fly  64  adapted to attach with a fly  24  of an undergarment  10  that also includes a notch  52 , notch  80  can be configured to align with notch  52 . 
         [0032]    Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.