Abstract:
A pair of pants is modified to mimic a pair of fashionably patched pants except that the “patches” are panels which forms pouches on the seat of the pants. Each panel is provided with a vertical box pleat which allows the pouch, formed by securing the panel to the fabric of the seat, to be expanded sufficiently to hold a cushioning means located directly beneath the lower tuberosity of each ischium of the wearer. The cushioning means is typically a pad of chosen compressibility which can be inserted and removed from its pouch by the wearer while the pants are being worn. The protective pads are effective to provide cushioning for only the area under each ischium and not for any portion of the thighs or lower back.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to a pair of pants in which the seat is modified to allow insertion of cushioning means positioned to provide cushioned comfort for the seated derriere of a wearer of the slacks. The term “pants” is used to define a pair of trousers, whether “long” trousers or “shorts”, such as is commonly used as an outer garment by either men or women in everyday usage. 
       THE PROBLEM  
       [0002]    In the particular instance where the pants are to be worn to a sporting event such as a game or race, or other event such as a concert or festive rally, to be held in an arena such as a stadium in which the wearer is to sit on a hard seat, whether a bench or chair, for an extended period, there is a need for a pair of pants, usually worn as an outer garment, which can be worn, as if they were merely fashionably patched, but not modified for any other purpose than being worn as patched pants. Thus, the wearer may wear the pants, as he would any other pair of patched pants, then, modify the pants and go to an arena to watch an event. The pants may be modified while being worn. After having been modified, the wearer will be seated comfortably on a hard surface because the area under the wearer&#39;s hip bone is protected with cushioning means. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    Pants of all kinds have been modified to provide their wearer with protection. Protection of various parts of the lower body is afforded in specialty pants used for sports such as ice hockey, American football, ice fishing, and the like. Such clothing, and such pants in particular, would attract undue attention if worn in every day use. The invention disclosed herein is narrowly directed to a dual purpose pair of pants which can be worn during the course of a wearer&#39;s day or night, as routinely worn by the wearer, then modified by him/her to watch an event, whether a festive celebration, a game or a race, in comfort. 
         [0004]    It is found that the weight of a seated human body is supported mainly by the hip bone, and more particularly by the lower tuberosities of the left and right ischiums of the hip bone. Since the pants are narrowly directed to providing a modicum of comfort when seated on a hard surface there is no reason to provide cushioning for more area under a wearer&#39;s derriere than the area under the left and right ischiums which typically support at least 75% if not essentially the weight of the wearer. 
         [0005]    It is well known (and documented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,610) that if a protective pad is merely inserted into a pocket having a configuration similar to that of the pocket without the pad being sewn or otherwise attached to the pocket or the garment, the pad often has a tendency to wad and fold up within the pocket as the pocket and pad are subjected to movement and stresses imposed upon the garment during sporting activities. 
         [0006]    There can be little argument about the effectiveness of pants padded as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,168, to provide seated comfort, but the padding extends partially through the thigh area, being deliberately oversized. In contrast, the pads in the invention disclosed herein, are most preferably deliberately minimally sized so as to protect only the limited area under the ischiums of the wearer, are not placed in use until required, and when so placed attract no undue attention with respect to the pants being in any way different, except for a pair of vertical lines, from conventional pants. 
         [0007]    Though the prior art discloses pouches in which a protective pad may be inserted, a panel forming a non-pleated pouch, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,610, is clearly visible and noticeable as it loosely overlies the pants when the pad is not inserted. Moreover, prior art padded pants have been modified in such a manner that they are obviously designed and constructed for the specified purpose. They cannot be used for everyday wear without attracting undue attention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A pair of pants is provided with generally rectangular panels mimicking a fashionably patched pants&#39; seat, except for a vertical line centrally disposed in each panel evidencing the presence of a hidden box pleat. Each panel is symmetrically disposed in spaced-apart mirror-image relationship with the centerline of the pants&#39; seat and secured thereto to form expansible pouches with defined openings, each opening distally disposed relative to the vertical center line of its pouch so as to be openable and closeable in those locations only. Maximum expansibility at the center of a pouch is no more than 5.08 cm (2″). 
         [0009]    The pants are uniquely adapted to accommodate a pair of removably insertable cushioning means in pouches provided in the seat of the pants. 
         [0010]    The pouches are provided with the specific purpose of not altering or interfering with the normal or usual shape of the user&#39;s buttocks or rear end in any manner whatsoever, until the user is about to be seated on a hard seating surface to watch an event. Except for a pair of oppositely disposed spaced apart vertical lines, each left by a disappearing box pleat, the pants appear to be a conventional pair of pants. A box pleat in the panel is found unexpectedly to hide the underlying pouch, at the same time providing an expandable panel without which a pouch could not accommodate a protective pad. 
         [0011]    A pair of pants is provided with a single pair of critically positioned pleated pouches, each disposed in mirror image relationship about the center seam (or centerline) of the pants, and in laterally spaced apart relationship with the center seam. The positioning of each pouch is most preferably determined by the location of each ischium of the wearer, and more specifically, the lower tuberosity of each ischium which is the lower posterior portion of the hip bone on which the body rests when sitting. 
         [0012]    Each pouch is formed with a panel of non-stretchable fabric which is visually matched to the fabric of the pants so as to be unobtrusive. By “non-stretchable” is meant that the fabric is not stretched noticeably when pulled upon by human hands. The choice of non-stretchable fabric is based on the finding that a stretchable fabric is unsuited for ready insertion and removal of a pad while the wearer is wearing the pants. Moreover, stretchable pants are not typically fashionably patched in the seat. 
         [0013]    Each panel is uniquely shaped for its intended purpose, and secured along its edges by being sewn or stitched to the fabric to form a pouch in a particular manner so as not to be visually obtrusive when the wearer does not have pads inserted; and yet sewn to accommodate a pad snugly though it may be readily inserted and removed. 
         [0014]    It is critical that each panel be provided with at least one box pleat, preferably only one, so that the pouch formed between the seat fabric and the overlying panel, may have an ischium-cushioning means removably inserted into it. The ischium-cushioning means, may be an elastomeric synthetic resinous foam, a bubble-wrap or an inflated pillow, each of which, singly or collectively, for ease and convenience, are referred to hereinafter as a “pad”. Each pad is removably insertable into each pouch, by lifting its overlying panel which is openable and closeable, most preferably along a portion of each of two adjacent edges of a panel, so that, when open, only the outer upper corner of the panel is raised to open the pouch sufficiently to allow insertion and removal of the pad while the pants are being worn. 
         [0015]    A vertical box pleat in the midportion of each panel is a critical feature of the pouch because it provides the panel of the pouch with requisite expansibility to accommodate a pad snugly and immovably after the pad is inserted in the pouch. The vertical line formed by adjacent edges of the two back-to-back knife-edge pleats which form the box pleat, effectively negates any visually discernible effect on shaping the contour of the wearer&#39;s derriere, yet unexpectedly and effectively hides the presence of each pouch under an unobtrusive vertical line on the seat of the pants. 
         [0016]    A pouch is critically dimensioned so as to hold a pad in the range from about 12.7 mm (0.5″) to 5.08 cm (2″) thick, and an area in the range from about 103.23 cm 2  (16 in 2 ) to 709.7 cm 2  (110 in 2 ), depending upon the size of the pants. The dimensions of the pouch are determined by those of the pad it is to hold, the location and dimensions of which pad are determined by the size of the wearer for whom the pants are made. 
         [0017]    It is essential that each of the two pouches be openable and closeable in such a manner as to enable the wearer readily to open and close them, to insert and remove a pad, while the wearer is wearing the pants. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0018]    The foregoing and additional objects and advantages of the invention will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description, accompanied with schematic illustrations of preferred embodiments of the invention, in which illustrations like reference numerals refer to like elements, and in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the pads placed in pouches on the seat of the trousers, which pouches will lie directly beneath the left and right ischiums of the wearer when he/she is seated, without protecting any other portion of the wearer&#39;s derriere, and so as to fail to support the wearer&#39;s thighs and lower back; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the right seat portion of the pants which have been pulled apart from both sides to allow the pants to be spread flat so as to show a pouch positioned to protect only that portion of the derriere which will directly overlie the pouch when the wearer is seated, and protect no other portion of the derriere or thigh. The upper outer corner of the pouch is openable for insertion of a pad, and the corner is closeable with mating hook and loop fasteners. 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view, along the line  3 - 3 , of the box pleat. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a detail of a pouch in a view analogous to that shown in  FIG. 3  above, except that the pouch is secured along the entire length of the upper, lower and interior edges, leaving only an outer edge which may be raised to insert a pad. A small portion, in the range from 1% to 10% of the length of the outer edge, near its upper and lower portions, is sewn to the fabric of the seat to provide strength at each corner. 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a rectangular parallelepiped of synthetic resinous foam having a thickness of from about 2.54 cm (1″) but no more than 5.08 cm (1″). 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a pad which has angulated sides, each having a short vertical height then being inclined to meet the pad&#39;s upper surface. 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pad which is a frustum of a pyramid, also referred to as a truncated pyramid. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a pad which is a frustum of a cone. 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a pad which is an inflatable valved pad formed from ribbed laminar sheets less than 50.8 μm (2 mils or 0.002″) thick, of a synthetic resin which is essentially impermeable to air. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0028]    The problem referred to above is best addressed by scaling a pair of pouches adapted to snugly accommodate pads scaled to the derriere of the wearer. The larger the pants, the larger the pouches and the pads. It will be recognized that pants for a relatively small wearer may be provided with pouches which are far too large snugly to accommodate small pads sufficient to cushion the relatively small derriere of the wearer, but the resulting effect would be visually displeasing. 
         [0029]    It will also be recognized that a pouch dimensioned to hold a contoured pad of relatively soft, that is, readily compressible foam, having a maximum thickness of 5.08 cm at its center, will also readily hold a rectangular parallelepiped of firmer plastic foam or bubble wrap no thicker than 2.54 cm and still provide adequate seating comfort, because the foam or bubble-wrap is less compressible than the softer foam. 
         [0030]    The term “foam” is used in its broader sense to refer to a compressible material of synthetic resin (“plastic”), or of natural rubber or other material such as a sponge, whether open cell with interconnected pores, or closed cell with air trapped in cells which are not interconnected. Since “bubble wrap” is air trapped in bubbles, it is also broadly referred to herein as a “foam”. 
         [0031]    By “contoured pad” is meant a pad, symmetric or asymmetric about one or more axial planes, shaped generally to be readily insertable into a pouch. Such a shape is conveniently a truncated pyramid or cone which provides an upper surface having an area smaller than its lower surface, and each (pyramid or cone) may have a base portion with vertical walls extending a short distance before inclining to form the sides, the base portion providing the edges of the pad with requisite durability while they are inserted and removed from a pouch. The sides of the pyramid may be different in area, one from another, and the cone may be asymmetrical, having one portion thinner than the other, the thinner portion being inserted into the pouch first. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2  there is illustrated a perspective view of a pair of pants, referred to generally by reference numeral  10 , which are provided with a pair of pouches formed by panels  20  and  20 ′ symmetrically disposed about the rear centerline C and rear center seam (only the upper portion is visible) of the seat of the pants. Each panel, preferably formed of the same fabric as the pants&#39; so as to visually blend therewith, is provided with a vertical box pleat  30  and  30 ′ respectively which allows the pouch to be expanded to accommodate a protective pad. Though an additional vertical box pleat may be provided in the panel of each pouch, so as to more easily accommodate the pad, the cost of providing an additional box pleat cannot be justified as it does not produce a benefit corresponding to the cost. A single vertical box pleat in each panel functions as well as two parallel vertical box pleats for the maximum thickness of the pad held in the pouch. 
         [0033]    Each upper, lower and outer edge of the panel is generally linear and the three edges are approximately rectangularly disposed relative to each other. 
         [0034]    For the least obtrusive visual effect, and to mimic a pair of conventionally patched pants, a panel  20  is sewn, with suitable thread  35 , to the fabric of the seat along the entire length of the panel&#39;s lower edge  22 ; and also along the entire length of inner vertical edge  23  adjacent the rear center line C of the pants. Most preferably, the line of the edge  23  corresponds to line of the center seam of the seat of the pants, so as to provide visual compatibility of edge and seam. In addition to the sewn inner  23  and lower  22  edges , either the entire length of the upper edge  21 , or, the entire length of the outer vertical edge  24  of the panel, but not both, may be sewn to the fabric of the seat so that the side of the pouch not sewn shut, is left open for insertion of a pad. 
         [0035]    Each panel  20  and  20 ′ of each pouch is thus positioned so that its upper edge  21  and  21 ′ respectively, are essentially parallel to the upper edges of hip pockets  29  and  29 ′ so as to present a pleasing visual effect. Lower edges  22  and  22 ′ are likewise essentially parallel to the upper edges  21  and  21  ′ respectively, and to the upper edges of hip pockets  29  and  29 ′ so that each pouch is positioned on each cheek of the derriere but fails to extend over the upper portion of each thigh. 
         [0036]    In this configuration of a pouch, a pad may be inserted from above, or from the side, depending which edge  21  or  24  is sewn shut, or partially shut, while a wearer is wearing the pants. 
         [0037]    Preferably, a portion, most preferably, a minor portion of the length of the upper edge  21  of the panel, and, a minor portion of the adjacent length of the outer vertical edge  24 , are both left open so as to form a pouch with an openable and closeable corner  26 . The dimensions of each panel are scaled to the size of the pants. The dimensions of each pad are necessarily deliberately restricted so as to correspond to an area not more than about 50% larger than the area of the derriere directly beneath the lower surfaces of the tuberosity of the respective left or right ischium, so that neither pad provides padded protection for any portion of the wearer&#39;s thigh, and no protection for the area of the derriere between the pouches. 
         [0038]    The area under the ischiums of a seated wearer is best measured by noting the laterally spaced apart distance between indentations on a compressible foam pad, and the area of each indentation. A pad for the area of the indentation is then at least 10% but no more than 50% larger than the area of the indentation; preferably the pad is in the range from 10% to 25% larger than the area of the indentation. 
         [0039]    Referring particularly to  FIG. 2  there is shown a portion of the seat of the pants in which a pouch is formed by a panel  20  having a box pleat  30 . The shape of the panel is generally rectangular, but is preferably provided with its inner edge  23  corresponding in curvature to the adjacent center seam C of the seat of the pants, so that the edge may be arcuate, or the edge may be angulated to present a shape which is approximately trapezoidal. The panel  20  is sewn with thread  35  to the fabric of the seat along the entire length of the panel&#39;s lower and inner edges  22  and  23  respectively. Though inner edge  23  may appear angulated, so as to provide an obtuse angle greater than 135° formed by intersecting upper and lower lines, edge  23  is preferably an arcuate edge, as shown by smoothly arcuate dotted line  23 ′. Whatever the precise geometry of the center seam C, for a pleasing visual appearance, the curve of inner vertical edge  23  preferably corresponds to and is in parallel spaced-apart relationship with, the rear center seam of the seat of the pants. 
         [0040]    In addition, the upper edge  21  is sewn to a location just past the vertical line of the box pleat  30  so that the upper end of the box pleat is anchored to the fabric of the seat; and, outer edge  24  is sewn for a portion of its vertical length, preferably a major portion of its vertical length, to a location just past the horizontal center line H of the panel  20 . Thus, most preferably, a minor portion of the length of the upper edge  21  of the panel  20 , and, a minor portion of the adjacent length of the outer vertical edge  24 , are not sewn to the fabric of the seat, leaving the upper corner  26  to be opened for insertion of a pad. 
         [0041]    For easy opening and closing of the pouch formed by panel  20 , at least a portion of the unsewn, that is, unsecured to the fabric of the seat, portion of the upper edge  21 , and at least a portion of the unsewn portion of the outer vertical edge  24  are each provided with one mating part  27  of a Velcro mating hook and loop fastener, the other mating part  27 ′ (not shown) being secured to the fabric of the seat. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross-section of the box pleat formed by two back-to-back knife-edge pleats  31  and  32  with a common base  33 . A box pleat with a base of 5.08 cm (2″), the pleat formed in a panel of a pair of pants for a large adult male, allows insertion and removal of a pad up to 5.08 cm (2″) thick at its center. In a pouch having maximum dimensions for a relatively large human, the width of the base of the box pleat is no more than about 5.08 cm (2″), and the minimum width for a child or relatively small adult human is about 1.9 cm (0.75″). 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 4  there is shown a detail of a portion of the seat of the pants in which a pouch is formed by a panel  40  having a box pleat  30 . The panel is sewn with thread  35  to the fabric of the seat at the panel&#39;s upper, lower and inner edges  41 ,  42  and  43  respectively, and as before, inner edge  43  may be arcuate to correspond to the center seam C. A small portion, in the range from 1% to 10% of the length of the outer vertical edge  44 , near its upper portion, is also sewn, with thread  35 , to the fabric of the seat; and, analogously, a small portion, in the range from 1% to 10% of the length of the outer vertical edge  44 , near its lower portion, is sewn to the fabric of the seat, so that the opening of the pouch formed, is provided with strength at both, the upper outer, and the lower outer corners of the pouch. Thus, the opening formed, and left open for insertion and removal of a pad, is at least 80% of the vertical length of the outer edge  44 . 
         [0044]    For easy opening and closing of the pouch formed by panel  40 , at least a portion of the unsewn portion of the outer vertical edge  44  is provided with one mating part  28  of a Velcro mating hook and loop fastener, the other mating part  28 ′ (not shown) being secured to the fabric of the seat. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4  each panel is generally rectangular in which the inner edge is generally arcuate, whether smoothly arcuate or obtusely angulated, and generally parallel to the rear center seam of the pants, while the other three sides are the sides of a rectangle. The panel most preferably has a single vertical box pleat to minimize the obtrusiveness of a vertical line through the mimicked patch. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 5  there is shown a rectangular parallelepiped of synthetic resinous, relatively difficultly compressible foam  50  having a thickness of from about 1.27 cm (0.5″) but no more than 5.08 cm (1″). A suitable foam for the purpose, preferably of a homogeneous closed cell or open cell foam of an elastomer is commonly referred to as a “foam rubber pad”. It is exemplified by a synthetic resinous material having a hardness in the range from about Shore OO 15-95 (ASTM D-2240), and having a resilience measured as compressive pressure required to make an indentation 25% of the thickness of the pad, the pressure being in the range from 6.89-344.5 KPa (1-50 psi). Particularly suitable foams are exemplified by those having a negative Poisson&#39;s ratio and used for seat cushion material. Such foams are disclosed in “Negative Poisson&#39;s Ratio Foam as Seat Cushion Material” by A. Lowe and R. S. Lake, Cellular Polymers, 19, 157-167, July 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference. Another suitable foam is Evalite ethylene vinyl acetate foam having a density of 32 Kg/cu meter (2 lb/cu ft) and requiring 34.5 KPa (5 psi) for 25% deflection. Other suitable pads may be made from “Ultimate” rebound polyurethane foam (from Leggett &amp; Platt Inc.); Poron cellular polyurethane foam (from Rogers Corporation); and, white melamine foam having a density of 11.2 kg/cu meter (0.7 lb/cu ft) having a resilience measured as requiring 12 KPa (1.74 psi) to provide compression of 25% (also referred to as a 25% deflection). 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 6  there is shown a contoured pad  60  the lower portion  61  of which is rectangular, providing short vertical distances in the range from 1.59 mm (0.0625″) to 6.35 mm (0.25″), while the upper portion  62  has angulated sides so that the upper portion is the frustum of a pyramid. The short vertical distance of the lower portion  61  is less than 50%, preferably less than 20% of the overall thickness of the pad which is typically in the range from 12.5 mm (0.5″) to 3.2 cm (1.25″). Each short vertical distance, at its top, is upwardly inclined at an angle in the range from about 10°-80°, to meet the pad&#39;s upper surface, the inclination, preferably in the range from about 40°-65°, depending upon the compressibility of the foam and the thickness of the desired pad. A suitable foam for a pad  60  having what is commonly referred to as “graded compressibility” is of the type used in seats of automobiles and sofas and in pillows and mattresses. A preferred such foam in a pad is initially more readily compressible than after it is compressed to make an indentation 25% of the thickness of the pad. Such a foam is exemplified by foam supplied by Carpenter Foam Products of Elkart Ind. and is similar to Tempur® foam used in Tempur-Pedic® pressure relieving Swedish mattresses and pillows. 
         [0048]    If desired, in lieu of the contoured pad of  FIG. 6  of suitable foam, one may use a combination of separate pads, one a rectangular parallelepiped pad, the other a truncated pyramid positioned on the rectangular pad. 
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pad  70  which is a frustum of a pyramid made of relatively compressible foam such as is used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a readily insertable pad  80  which shaped as a frustum of a cone made of relatively compressible foam such as is used in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . The sides of the frustoconical pad are inclined at an angle in the range from about 10°-80°, preferably in the range from about 40°-65°, to meet the pad&#39;s upper surface  81 , the inclination, depending upon the compressibility of the foam and the thickness of the desired pad. The lower surface  82  is sized to be slidably inserted and removed from a pouch. 
         [0051]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an inflatable pad  90  which may be inserted in a deflated condition, into the pouch formed by a panel  20  or  40 . The pad is provided with a conventional self-sealing air valve  91  such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,080,751 and well-known in numerous inflatable articles. After the pad  90  is inserted in the pouch, and prior to the wearer of the pants being seated, the pad  90  is inflated by attaching one end  92  of a tube over the valve  91 , the other end (not shown) being placed in the wearer&#39;s mouth to inflate the pad. The pad is shown, only slightly inflated, to illustrate that it is preferably formed from an extruded envelope  93  with at least one of its opposed sides  94 ,  95 , preferably both, provided with one or more ribs  96 . The ribs  96  allow the pad to form, when inflated to the pressure desired, a generally rectangular pad (instead of an ellipsoid) to support the derriere of the wearer of the pants.