Underwear abstract
An underwear construction having a trunk panel, an inner panel
with an open edge for providing access through said inner panel,
an outer panel having openings along opposed side edges, the outer
panel overlying the inner panel, wherein the trunk panel, inner
panel, and outer panel are joined to provide a wearer of said underwear
selective unencumbered access to the penis through either of the
openings in said outer panel and through the open edge of said inner
panel.
Underwear claims
We claim:
1. An underwear construction having two flies.
2. The underwear construction of claim 1 wherein the underwear
construction is selected from the group of underwear constructions
consisting of shorts, drawers, skivvies, jockey shorts, boxer shorts,
briefs, and long underwear.
3. An underwear construction having a trunk panel, an inner panel,
an outer panel wherein the inner panel, outer panel, and trunk panel
are attached in such a way that at least one opening is created
on the inside between the inner panel and outer panel, and wherein
the inner panel, outer panel, and trunk panel are attached in such
a way that there are two openings on the outside between the inner
and outer panels, to provide a wearer of said underwear selective
unencumbered access to the penis through either of the two outer
openings and through the inner opening.
4. The underwear construction of claim 3 wherein the at least one
inner opening is formed at the top of the inner panel.
5. The underwear construction of claim 3 wherein the at least one
inner opening is formed at the bottom of the inner panel.
6. The underwear construction of claim 3 wherein the at least one
inner opening are at the top and bottom of the inner panel.
7. The underwear construction of claim 3 further including an elastic
waistband attached to the upper periphery of the underwear.
8. An underwear construction, comprising: (a) a trunk panel having
an upper edge, a lower edge, and opposed side edges, each of the
opposed side edges having concave portions formed therealong at
least some portion of the opposed side edge and terminating at the
bottom edge; (b) an inner panel having top and bottom edges and
opposed side edges, wherein the bottom edge is joined to the lower
edge of the trunk panel and the opposed side edges are joined along
their upper portions to the opposed side edges of the trunk panel,
the top edge being unjoined; and (c) an outer panel having top and
bottom edges and and opposed side edges, said outer panel overlying
the inner panel and joined to the lower edge of the trunk panel
and to the upper portions of the opposed side edges of the trunk
panel, each of said opposed edges of said outer panel being unjoined
along at least some portion, wherein a wearer of said underwear
selectively has unencumbered access through either of the unjoined
opposed side edges of the outer panel and the unjoined top edge
of the inner panel.
9. The underwear construction of claim 8 further including an elastic
waistband stitched around the periphery of the upper edges of said
trunk panel and of said outer panel of the underwear.
10. An underwear construction having a pair of front panels, a
rear panel, an inner panel, an outer panel, wherein the front panel,
rear panel, inner panel, and outer panel are attached in such a
way that at least one opening is created on the inside between the
inner panel and outer panel, and wherein the inner panel, outer
panel, front panels, and rear panel are attached in such a way that
there are two openings on the outside between the inner and outer
panels, to provide a wearer of said underwear selective unencumbered
access to the penis through either of the two outer openings and
through the inner opening.
11. The underwear construction of claim 10 wherein the at least
one inner opening is formed at the top of the inner panel.
12. The underwear construction of claim 10 wherein the at least
one inner opening is formed at the bottom of the inner panel.
13. The underwear construction of claim 10 wherein the at least
one inner opening are at the top and bottom of the inner panel.
14. The underwear construction of claim 10 further including an
elastic waistband attached to the upper periphery of the underwear.
15. An underwear construction, comprising: (a) a trunk panel having
an upper edge, a lower edge and opposed side edges; (d) first and
second leg panels, each of said leg panels having a top edge and
opposed side edges, wherein an opposed side edge of each of said
first and second side panels is joined to one of the opposed side
edges of said trunk panel; (e) an inner panel having top and bottom
edges and opposed side edges, wherein the bottom edge is joined
to the lower edge of the trunk panel and the opposed side edges
are joined to opposed side edges of each of said first and second
leg panels, the top edge being unjoined; and (f) an outer panel
having top and bottom edges and and opposed side edges, said outer
panel overlying the inner panel and joined to the lower edge of
the trunk panel and to the upper portions of the opposed side edges
of each of the first and second leg panels, each of said opposed
edges of said outer panel being unjoined along at least some portion,
wherein a wearer of said underwear selectively has unencumbered
access through either of the unjoined opposed side edges of the
outer panel and the unjoined top edge of the inner panel.
16. The underwear construction of claim 15 further including an
elastic waistband stitched around the periphery of the upper edges
of said rear panel, front panels, and of said outer panel of the
underwear.
17. An underwear construction of the type in which fabric panels
are joined together to form underwear having a trunk portion and
overlying inner and outer front portions, wherein the front inner
and outer panels are attached in such a way that there are two openings
on the outside between the inner and outer panels, to provide a
wearer of said underwear selective unencumbered access to the penis
through either of the two outer openings.
Underwear description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to male undergarments,
and, more particularly, to an undergarment brief or shorts having
a double fly construction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various forms of male undergarments have been developed
over the ages. In particular, in more modern times, two types have
become most widely known: underwear briefs, sometimes referred to
as "jockey shorts," and a loosely fitting shorts known
as "boxers."
[0003] Men's briefs are generally constructed with one or more
trunk panels, and overlapping front panels. The overlapping front
panels typically define a singular fly opening for access through
the outermost panel to the penis for purposes of urination. Many
attempts have been made to solve the numerous problems associated
with the known brief constructions, such as discomfort, lack of
support, and embarrassment due to unsightly bulging or slippage
of the male genital organs. As a result, pouches and sacks, cages,
and girdles have be incorporated into briefs toward the end of an
optimal undergarment construction. Male undergarment construction
has also focused on snug-fit and fly arrangements that prevent the
male genitalia from falling therethrough.
[0004] The briefs known in the art have commonly been constructed
with a single, right-handed fly, the fly being formed by the front
panel or panels. Where inner and outer panels are used, each panel
has a concave portion formed therealong one side edge, and the two
panels are placed one upon the other so that the concave portion
on the outer front panel is on the opposite side from the concave
portion of the inner front panel. This particular construction has
created a tortuous path for gaining access to the penis. Single
fly constructions provide relatively convenient access for right-handed
persons. Some persons, particularly left-handed persons and/or handicapped
persons, require or prefer a left-handed fly. One prior art attempt
at solving this problem was implemented in connection with a boxer
shorts construction with a centrally-located, vertical, single front
fly. A wide vent backing panel on the inside of the shorts is attached
at the top and bottom and unattached on both sides. For the wearer,
once the vertical front fly has been entered, either a left or right
inner opening is available. While such a construction is plausible
with loosely fitting boxer shorts, it would not be practical with
a man's brief due to its closely/snugly fitting construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is directed to a man's underwear construction
that addresses the problems associated with the prior art. As used
herein, the term "underwear" is intended to encompass
shorts, drawers, skivvies, jockey shorts, boxer shorts, briefs,
long underwear, and variations thereof. In a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention, the underwear construction includes a
trunk panel, and inner and outer panels that are joined together
along a plurality of edges, or seams, resulting in a double fly.
[0006] The panels forming the underwear of the present invention
are desirably of knitted fabric, however the invention is not limited
to fabric of a knitted construction. Nevertheless, the knitted fabric
of the preferred embodiment is formed from yarns of 100% or less
cotton; the fabric also could well be knitted or woven from blended
natural and synthetic yarns.
[0007] In the first embodiment, the trunk panel is the largest
single panel forming the underwear and has an upper edge, lower
edge, and opposed side edges. The opposed side edges have concave
cutouts formed therealong that terminate at the bottom edge. The
concave portions, when attached to front panels, define leg openings.
[0008] The present invention uses two uniquely formed front panels.
The inner panel has top and bottom edges and opposed side edges,
where the bottom edge is joined to the lower edge of the trunk panel
and the opposed side edges are joined along their uppermost portions
to the opposed side edges of the trunk panel. The top edge of the
inner panel does not extend to the top of the outer panel and is
unattached so that an opening is formed between the inner and outer
panels. The outer front panel overlies the inner front panel and
is joined to the lower edge of the trunk panel and to the upper
portions of the opposed side edges of the trunk panel. Each of the
opposed side edges of the outer front panel are unjoined along at
least some portion to form a fly on each of the opposed side edges.
A wearer of the underwear so formed can access either fly.
[0009] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following
description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front view of the men's underwear brief of the
present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an plan view illustrating the panels that form
the brief of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of the inner and outer panel construction
of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of the men's boxer shorts of the
present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 5 is an plan view illustrating the panels that form
the boxer shorts of FIG. 4.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be understood that
the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred
embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention
thereto. FIG. 1 is a front schematic view of a pair of men's underwear
briefs according to the present invention, shown generally as 10.
In one embodiment, the briefs are shaped in conventional fashion
for "jockey" type briefs, although the invention is not
limited to a brief construction. As best illustrated in FIG. 2,
in the preferred embodiment, the briefs 10 are formed from three
panels that are joined together along specified seams. The panels
are each formed from a single knitted fabric of yarns that are 100
percent cotton; however, the fabric forming the panels are not limited
to a 100 percent cotton structure, and are not limited to knitted
fabric.
[0016] FIG. 2 best illustrates the shapes of the three panels used
to form the briefs before they are joined together. As those skilled
in the art will appreciate, the sequence of joining the panels is
not critical and the description which follows regarding joinder
along seams should not be construed as a required sequence. Likewise,
the number of panels is not critical so long as the front panel
includes two flies. Generally, the panels are aligned and a binding
is sewn over the panel junctures to securely join the edges of the
panels together and to create an aesthetically acceptable appearance
and comfortable feel. As used herein, the term "binding"
refers to a strip of like material that is placed over the juncture
of adjoining panels or along the exposed unfinished edges of a panel.
[0017] Referring now to FIG. 2, the construction of the briefs
10 will be described in detail. Trunk panel 12 covers the trunk,
or buttocks, of the wearer of the brief and extends around the waist
to the front of the briefs. Trunk panel 12, inner panel 16, and
outer panel 14 are sewn together along their bottom edges 12c, 14c,
and 16c to form a lower seam. Trunk panel 12 wraps around the front
of the briefs for attachment to inner panel 16. Specifically, edges
12a and 12d of trunk panel 12 are attached to edges 16a and 16d,
respectively, of inner panel 16. Similarly, edges 12b and 12e of
trunk panel 12 are attached to edges 16b and 16e, respectively,
of inner panel 16. As will be understood, the attachment of edges
12d to 16d and 12e to 16e also create leg openings 23a, 23b for
the briefs as shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] Returning to FIG. 2, trunk panel 12 is joined to outer panel
14 so that outer panel 14 overlies inner panel 16. The overlying
front panel construction is best seen in FIG. 3. Returning to FIG.
2, inner panel 16 is attached along its lower edge 16c to the bottom
edge 12c of trunk panel 12, as described above. Likewise, outer
panel 14 is attached along its lower edge 14c to bottom edge 12c
of trunk panel 12. Alternatively, edge 16c of inner panel 16 may
not extend completely down to to edge 12c and may be left unjoined
so that a lower opening between outer panel 14 and inner panel 16
is formed therebetween. Edges 14a and 14b of outer panel 14 are
attached to edges 16a and 16b, respectively, of inner panel 16,
and outer edges 14aa and 14bb of outer panel 14 are attached to
the lower portions of edges 16d and 16e, respectively, of inner
panel 16, so that the outer panel 14 and inner panel 16 are securely
overlapping.
[0019] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, outer panel 14 has cutout
portions 24 and 25, which when the outer and inner panels are securely
overlapped, form opposing flies on either side of outer panel 14
for openings between the outer and inner panels. Preferably, inner
panel 16 is shorter than outer panel 14, so that, when overlapping,
upper edge 16f does not extend to the top of the briefs as does
edge 14f of outer panel 14, and is not joined to outer panel 14.
This creates an opening 22 between the outer and inner panels for
upper access to the penis. While edges 16f and 16c' are shown as
horizontally configured openings between the inner and outer panels,
they are not limited thereto. Similarly, the opposing flies 25a,
25b may be positioned higher or lower on the briefs and do not necessarily
have to be aligned at the same height on the front panels.
[0020] Returning to FIG. 1, a waistband 32 of elastic fabric is
sewn around the upper periphery of the briefs to aid in holding
the briefs in proper alignment about the torso. Additionally, bindings
34 and 35, and 28 and 29, are secured over the seams between the
trunk panel 12 and the inner and outer panels 14, 16, as well as
around the leg openings.
[0021] A second embodiment of the present invention provides a
men's underwear formed as boxer shorts, shown generally as 40 in
FIG. 4, also with a double fly. The overlying arrangement of the
inner panel 46 and the outer panel 44 is the same as that of the
briefs 10, with opposed flies and at least one opening formed by
the unattached upper 46f or lower edges 46c' of inner panel 46.
The principal differences between the construction of the briefs
and the construction of the boxer shorts are the number and shape
of panels and the joinder or attachment thereof.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the boxer
shorts 40 are formed from five panels, consisting of four different
shapes. There are two leg panels 42 that are identically formed
to form the left and right leg portions of the boxer shorts 40.
A can be seen in FIG. 5, and as will be readily understood by those
skilled in the art, the trunk portion of the boxer shorts 40 is
formed by a rear panel 43 that is joined along edge 43a to an edge
42d of one leg portion and along edge 43b to an edge 42e on the
opposed leg portion. Edges 42a and 42b on each leg portion 42 are
joined together to complete the leg construction.
[0023] Bottom edges 46c of inner panel 46, bottom edge 44c of outer
panel 44, and edge 43c of the rear panel 43 are joined together
to form the bottom seam of the boxer shorts seat portion. Edge 46a
of inner panel 46 is joined to edge 42d on one leg portion and edge
46b of inner panel 46 is joined to edge 42e on the opposed leg portion.
Similarly, edges 44a and 44aa of the outer panel 44 are attached
along the upper and lower portions of edge 42d on one leg portion
and edges 44b and 44bb are joined along the upper and lower portions
of edge 42e on the opposed leg portion.
[0024] Cutouts 44d and 44e are unjoined so as to form opposed fly
openings between the outer panel 44 and inner panel 46. Similar
to the first embodiment, edge 46f of inner panel 46 is unjoined,
creating and inner opening between inner panel 46 and outer panel
44. As in the first embodiment, the bottom edge of inner panel 46
need not extend downward for joinder at the bottom seam. A shorter
inner panel may terminate at a lower edge 46c' to create a second
inner opening between inner panel 46 and outer panel 44.
[0025] Referring again to FIG. 4, bindings 57 and 58 may be applied
along edges 42c (FIG. 5) of each leg opening bottom. Similarly,
bindings 54, 55, 56 and 57 may be attached along fly openings edges
44d and 44e and the seams between the edges joining the inner, outer,
leg, and rear portions of briefs 40. An elastic waistband 52 is
desirably also attached around the upper periphery of the boxer
shorts.
[0026] Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those
skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description.
It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements
have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability
but are properly within the scope of the following claims. |