Abstract:
A male personal comfort sport and multipurpose underwear/undergarment that includes, as an integral part thereof, a specially configured penis and genital pouch secured to the interior of the undergarment that includes a frontal elastic opening for receiving and comfortably securing a male penis, and coincident slit-like opening on the opposite side of the pouch to allow the penis to be easily and comfortably removed through the front panel of the undergarment. The undergarment significantly reduces the possibility of crushing or otherwise injuring the penis and/or genitalia during any sudden movement of the wearer, such as vigorous exercise occurring during sports activities. The pouch also serves to isolate the genitalia from the thigh area, so that in humid conditions or conditions in which the wearer is perspiring due to physical activity, the penis and genitalia skin do not touch the wearer&#39;s thigh region. Alternatively, the inside portions of the pouch can be lined with a water-impermeable material if the undergarment is intended for use by male individuals who may be incontinent or otherwise incapable of controlling the bodily discharge of urine, particularly during aggressive physical activities.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to active wear garments for males, and more particularly to undergarments tailored and fitted to support and protect the male genitalia during, for example, vigorous physical activities such as sporting events. In the past, undergarments for accommodating male genitalia have been designed to satisfy various objectives such as improved sanitation, comfort and support. Generally, such undergarments are designed to isolate the entire genitalia from the body of the user by incorporating a separate fabric layer that prevents the genitalia from touching the legs. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,621,846; 4,345,337; 4,414,971; 4,660,551; 5,029,345; 5,070,869; and 5,283,912. 
         [0002]    A popular and well-known style of men&#39;s underwear consists of a snug fitting garment that normally comprises woven cotton woven forming stretchable, band-like sections for circling and resiliently engaging waist and upper leg portions of a wearer&#39;s lower torso. Typically, they provide a pocket-shaped section adapted to snugly engage the wearer&#39;s genitals forwardly of the crotch and hold them against the body. The pocket or bulge-shaped garment section usually includes a pair of abutting, selectively separable, panel sections that cooperate to provide a front-opening fly that affords manual access to the wearer&#39;s penis. 
         [0003]    Another well-known commercialized style of men&#39;s undergarments sold under the trademark Jockey® include shorts formed of woven, cotton-like material and constructed to provide an elastic waistband for the garment and stretchable or elastic bands or other body-encircling parts secured to lower edge portions that surround the leg openings. Other similar known male undergarments assist in shaping, forming, and lifting the male genitalia. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,093 issued to Tsuchiya discloses an undergarment that includes an insert provided to shape the formation of the swell at the front of the garment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,706 issued to Nalbandian similarly discloses a male garment with a scrotal pouch designed to enable the user to displace the male genitalia from the normal position below the truck of the body to a more prominent position. 
         [0004]    Only a relatively few known undergarment configurations provide the comfort, support and genital protection necessary during vigorous physical activity or even when the wearer bends at the waist such as when entering and exiting a motor vehicle. Nor do the current designs fully satisfy the needs of men suffering from medical ailments such as kidney, bowel, bladder or prostrate disorders. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, a need remains for a male garment that is comfortable and easy to wear and yet will provide improved protection during active use, particularly sports activities. The present invention thus provides a new and improved form of construction of a man&#39;s underwear garment with distinct advantages over the prior art constructions described above. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a new male personal comfort sport and multipurpose underwear/undergarment that includes, as an integral part thereof, a specially configured penis and genital pouch secured to the interior of the undergarment. The integral pouch includes a frontal elastic opening for receiving and comfortably securing a male penis when the undergarment is worn, as well as a coincident slit-like opening on the opposite side of the pouch to allow the penis to be easily and comfortably removed through the front of the undergarment. The underwear/undergarment according to the invention also provides a structure that allows the male scrotum to remain outside the integral pouch for increased comfort and to allow the genitals to remain at a lower temperature when the undergarment is being worn, particularly during vigorous physical activity. 
         [0007]    The personal comfort sport and multipurpose underwear/undergarment according to the present invention significantly reduces the possibility of crushing or otherwise injuring the penis and/or genitalia during any sudden movement of the wearer. The integral pouch also serves to isolate the genitalia from the thigh area during normal use. Thus, in humid conditions or conditions in which the wearer is perspiring due to physical activity, the penis and scrotum do not touch the wearer&#39;s thigh region which often causes discomfort with known prior art undergarments, including conventional products designed to protect against impact to the genitalia. The present invention also protects and secures the penis and scrotum in a more comfortable manner than prior art undergarment designs when the user is sitting or engaging in bending movements of the middle torso. An alternative embodiment of the invention has additional benefits for males who may be incontinent or who suffer from other medical ailments. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a frontal perspective view of a first embodiment of the personal comfort sport and multipurpose undergarment in accordance with the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the undergarment of  FIG. 1  depicted in manner to illustrate the undergarment structure turned inside out; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a partial front elevation view of the undergarment depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a partial front elevation view of the undergarment depicted in  FIG. 2  turned inside out; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the undergarment depicted in  FIG. 2 , again turned inside out; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the undergarment of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  6 - 6  as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a frontal perspective view of a second embodiment of the multipurpose undergarment in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the undergarment of  FIG. 7  depicted in manner to illustrate the undergarment turned inside out; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a partial front elevation view of the undergarment depicted in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a partial front elevation view of the undergarment depicted in  FIG. 2  turned inside out; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the undergarment of  FIG. 7  taken along the line  11 - 11  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    As noted above, the undergarment for securing male genitalia (penis and scrotum) according to the present invention includes a specially configured pouch secured (typically by stitching) to an interior portion of the underwear/undergarment. Nominally, the pouch forms an enclosure with front and rear openings for the penis as described above and is generally trapezoidal in configuration. In order to ensure maximum comfort and temperature compatibility for the user, the pouch consists of a soft cloth-like material that allows air to circulate into and through the pouch. As an alternative, the pouch can be lined on the inside with a water-impermeable material (such as thin Latex®) if the undergarment is intended for use by male individuals who may be incontinent or otherwise incapable of controlling the bodily discharge of urine, particularly during aggressive physical activities such as sports. In either embodiment, the longer, bottom edge of the pouch and corresponding shorter top edge nominally are secured via stitching to the lower and upper interior portions of the undergarment as described below to substantially enclose the penis during normal use while allowing for the genitals (scrotum) to be positioned outside the pouch. 
         [0020]    In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom edge of the pouch extends substantially across the entire lower portion of the undergarment defining the juncture between the two undergarment leg openings. In like manner, the top section of the pouch comprising the smaller of the two ends of a trapezoidal configuration can be secured to the top part of the undergarment, typically the interior of the top elastic band. The frontal elastic opening for receiving the male penis as described above normally will be positioned a few inches above the lower pouch horizontal seam. The slit-like opening on the opposite side of the pouch allows the penis to be removed through the front of the pouch and nominally is positioned a few inches above the top of the elastic opening. 
         [0021]    In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the substantially trapezoidal pouch can be formed by securing the lower and upper edge portions of the undergarment in the manner described above. However, unlike the first embodiment, the pouch is formed by securing the two longitudinal side edges to the front portion of the undergarment itself, thereby making the pouch an integral part of the front panel and eliminating the need for a separate slit opening in the pouch. This alterative embodiment includes an elastic opening for the penis on one side thereof as described above, as well as a longitudinal slit on the opposite side that also serves as the front opening in the undergarment itself. 
         [0022]    With particular reference to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the male personal comfort sport and multipurpose underwear/undergarment according to the invention is shown generally at  10 . The undergarment includes front leg portions  11  and  12  with corresponding leg openings  18   a  and  18   b  and is shown with a conventional front opening  13  or “fly” secured by stitching to the front panel as shown at  15 . A front longitudinal slit opening for the undergarment is shown at  14  and is generally coincident with a longitudinal opening in the front of the specially configured pouch. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the top edge of the pouch can be secured to the interior of the undergarment via the elastic waste band (shown generally at  19 ) and the bottom edge can be secured along the bottom portion  16  of the undergarment as shown at  17 . Thus, in this embodiment, the pouch extends the entire distance between the top edge at the elastic waste band  19  to the lower undergarment pouch seam at  17 . However, the pouch could be formed at other positions along the top and bottom sections of the undergarment, depending on the size and body type of the wearer. 
         [0024]    In  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the undergarment has been turned inside out in order to better illustrate the general configuration and features of the pouch as secured to the inside panels of the undergarment. Once secured into position, the pouch forms a substantially trapezoidal enclosure for the penis and genitals as described above. The enclosure is defined by the top and bottom ends stitched to the undergarment along the lines at  22  and  23 , respectively, with the longer, longitudinal pouch edges shown at  24  and  25 . The stitched bottom edge  23  of the pouch extends substantially across the entire lower portion of the undergarment that defines the juncture between the two leg openings  18   a  and  18   b.  In like manner, the top section of the stitched pouch at  22 , i.e., the smaller of the two ends of the substantially trapezoidal configuration, is secured to the top part of the undergarment along the lower edge of elastic band  19 . The frontal elastic opening for receiving the male penis is shown at  21  and is substantially circular in configuration and positioned only a short distance above the lower pouch seam as shown. The slit-like opening  26  on the opposite side of the pouch allows the penis to be removed through the front the pouch, with the slit nominally positioned slightly above the top of the elastic opening  21 .  FIG. 5  also shows the relative location of the opening  14  in the front panel of the undergarment itself (see also  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a partial front elevation view of the undergarment  10  depicted in  FIG. 1  while  FIG. 4  is a similar partial elevation with the undergarment shown turned inside out for purposes of illustrating the configuration and relative position of the pouch attached to and integral with the front portion. The pouch is attached generally as shown at  20  and thus coincident with front flap  31  covering the openings in both the pouch and undergarment, with the edge of the front flap shown at  32 .  FIG. 4  likewise illustrates the relative position of longitudinal edges  24  and  25 . The pouch is shown secured to the undergarment along the bottom edge (seam  23 ) and along at the top at edge (seam  22 ) along the lower edge of elastic band  19 .  FIG. 4  also shows the generally circular elastic opening for pouch  21  and the relative position of longitudinal slit  26  on the opposite side of the pouch. 
         [0026]    The cross sectional view shown in  FIG. 6  is taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and shows the genital pouch according to the invention as nominally attached to and made and integral part of undergarment  10 . As noted above, the pouch comprises front and back portions or panels, shown as  20   a  and  20   b,  respectively, in  FIG. 6  with the top and bottom ends of the pouch being secured to undergarment  10  along the lines at  22  and  23 , respectively, to form a substantially trapezoidal shape and a secure enclosure for the penis. The shorter, top end of the pouch can be secured as shown to the top of elastic band at  19   a,  or alternatively to the bottom edge of the elastic band as described above along a line at  19   b.  The frontal elastic opening for receiving the male penis is shown at  21  with the slit-like opening  26  on the opposite side of pouch  20  positioned slightly above the top of the elastic opening  21 .  FIG. 6  also shows the relative location of the opening  14  in the front panel  13 . 
         [0027]    The pouch depicted in  FIG. 6  can be formed from any soft cloth-like fabric that allows air to circulate into and through the pouch. Alternatively, the entire inside portions of the pouch, including front and back portions  20   a  and  20   b,  can be lined with a water-impermeable material if the undergarment is intended for use by male individuals who may be incontinent or who otherwise are incapable of controlling the bodily discharge of urine, particularly during aggressive physical activities such as sports. 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  shows is a frontal perspective view of a second, alternative embodiment of the multipurpose undergarment in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the undergarment shown generally at  70  again includes front leg portions  71  and  72  with corresponding leg openings  78   a  and  78   b  and includes a conventional front opening (fly)  73  secured by stitching to the front panel as shown at  75 . A front longitudinal slit opening for the specially configured pouch secured to the inside of the undergarment is shown at  74  and, in this embodiment, forms the longitudinal opening for the front panel of the undergarment itself. In that respect, the pouch is formed by using the front panel of the undergarment to form the genital enclosure. See also  FIG. 11 . 
         [0029]    Not unlike the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , the top edge of the pouch as shown in  FIG. 7  can be secured to the interior of the undergarment along the elastic waste band (shown generally at  79 ). The bottom edge can likewise be secured along the bottom portion  76  of the undergarment as shown along line  77 . Thus, the substantially trapezoidal pouch extends for the entire distance between the top edge at the elastic waste band  79  to the lower undergarment pouch seam at  77 . Again, however, it could be formed at other positions along the top and bottom sections of the undergarment, depending on the size and body type of the wearer. 
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the undergarment in  FIG. 7  depicted to illustrate the undergarment turned inside out. After being secured into position, the pouch forms a substantially trapezoidal enclosure for the penis and genitals as described above and defined by the top and bottom ends stitched to the undergarment along the lines at  82  and  83 , respectively, with the longer, longitudinal pouch edges shown at  84  and  85 . The bottom edge  83  of the pouch extends substantially across the entire lower portion of the undergarment  70  defining the juncture between the two leg openings  78   a  and  78   b.    
         [0031]    In like manner, the top edge of the pouch at  82 , i.e., the smaller of the two ends of the substantially trapezoidal configuration, is secured to the top part of the undergarment along the lower of edge of elastic band  79 . The frontal elastic opening for receiving the male penis is shown at  81 , substantially circular in configuration and positioned only a short distance above the lower pouch seam  83  as shown. In this embodiment, the slit-like opening  86  on the pouch is positioned on the same side as the elastic opening  81  and thus different from the position depicted in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 6 . As in the earlier embodiment, however, longitudinal opening  86  allows the penis to be removed through the front the pouch and is positioned slightly above the top of the elastic opening  81 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  also illustrates how the pouch in this particular embodiment utilizes the front portion of the undergarment itself to form the completed enclosure. Thus, in that respect, the pouch is completely integral with and part of the front panel of undergarment  70 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is a partial front elevation view of undergarment  70  as depicted in  FIG. 7 ;  FIG. 10  is a similar partial elevation, but with the undergarment shown turned inside out for purposes of illustrating the configuration and relative position of the pouch as attached to the undergarment front panel. Again, the pouch will be positioned generally as shown at  70  and thus coincident with the front fly portion  91  having a front flap to cover the opening in both the pouch and undergarment, with the edge of the front flap shown at  92 .  FIG. 9  likewise illustrates the relative position of the pouch with longitudinal edges  84  and  85 . The pouch is shown secured to the undergarment along the bottom edge (seam)  83  and along at the top edge (seam  82 ) of elastic band  79 .  FIG. 10  also shows the generally circular elastic opening for pouch  81  and the relative position of longitudinal slit  86  in the pouch. 
         [0034]    The cross sectional view shown in  FIG. 11  is taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIGS. 9 and 10  and shows the pouch according to the invention as nominally attached to and made part of undergarment  70 . As noted above, the pouch comprises front and back portions  20   a  and  20   b,  respectively, with the top and bottom ends of the pouch being secured to undergarment  70  along the lines at  82  and  83 , respectively to form a substantially trapezoidal shape and a secure enclosure for the penis. The shorter, top end of the pouch can be secured as shown to the top of elastic band  79 . The frontal elastic opening for receiving the male penis is shown at  81  with the slit-like opening  86  on the opposite side of the pouch positioned slightly above the top of elastic opening  81 .  FIG. 11  also shows the relative location of the opening  84  in the front panel  83  of the undergarment. 
         [0035]    The pouch depicted in  FIG. 11  can be formed from any soft cloth-like fabric that allows air to circulate into and through the pouch. Alternatively, the entire inside portions of the pouch, including front and back panels  80   a  and  80   b,  can be lined with a water-impermeable material if the undergarment is intended for use by male individuals who may be incontinent or otherwise incapable of controlling the bodily discharge of urine, particularly during aggressive physical activities such as sports. 
         [0036]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.