Body support for cyclists' shorts or trousers

Abstract

A body support for placement within cyclists' shorts or trousers includes an elastic top layer having a back portion arranged to extend beneath a cyclist's buttocks, and a front portion arranged to extend in the region of the cyclist's crotch. An elastic bottom layer has a generally inverted Y-shaped configuration, a back portion of the bottom layer has first and second edges joined to corresponding edges on the back portion of the top layer, and a front portion of the bottom layer has one or more edges joined to corresponding edges on the front portion of the top layer. An intermediate cushion layer is joined to the bottom layer so that a top surface of the cushion layer faces toward but is free from attachment to a bottom surface of the top layer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 651,429 filed Aug. 29, 2003, and entitled “Trousers for Athlete Particularly for Cyclist and Method of Making Same”.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates to body support pads or cushions of the kind used in cycling shorts or trousers. [0004] 2. Discussion of the Known Art [0005] As a competitive sport, recreational activity or means for daily exercise, cycling remains very popular. Cycling shorts or trousers (hereafter referred to collectively as “shorts”) are available with padding to absorb shocks and vibrations transmitted through the seat or saddle of a bicycle. The shorts may also be manufactured so as to wick moisture away from the body and reduce chafing. [0006] Cycling shorts with padding disposed in the crotch region to prevent or reduce soreness, chafing or blistering, are known. Co...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] According to the invention, a body support suited for placement in the seat of cyclists' shorts or trousers includes an elastic top layer having a back portion for extending beneath a cyclist's buttocks, and a front portion for extending in the region of the cyclist's crotch. The support also includes an elastic bottom layer having a generally inverted Y-shaped configuration. A back portion of the bottom layer has first and second edges that are joined to corresponding edges of the back portion of the top layer, and a front portion of the bottom layer has one or more edges that are joined to corresponding edges of the front portion of the top layer. An intermediate layer of cushion or padding material is joined to the bottom layer so that a top surface of the intermediate layer faces toward but is free from attachment to a bottom surface of the top layer.

Problems solved by technology

The multi-ply chamois construction is relatively stiff and thus not conducive to obtaining a comfortable, anatomically conforming fit, however.

When the cyclist moves to other positions, however, the excess material still presents a problem and a less than conforming fit is obtained.

The heat molding process used to obtain the shaped chamois also requires additional expense, labor and time for manufacturing.

The problem for the cyclist is that during races or training, the crotch region is subjected to continuous stresses including shocks produced by ground unevenness and vibrations transmitted to the bicycle seat.

Although the thickness of the padding may offer initial relief, it has been found that the padding tends to overheat the crotch region and continuous slippage between the cyclist's body and the padding occurs due to sweating.

Thus, any initial benefits are lost.

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