Crotch liner for cycling tights and shorts

Abstract

The present invention relates to a crotch liner for cycling tights and shorts of the type comprising a first portion (2) designed to protect the cyclist's perineal and ischial area and a second portion (3), positioned in front of the first portion, which is designed to protect the user's genital area, wherein the said first portion (2) is, in turn, subdivided into a plurality of sectors which comprise a pair of first pads (20), positioned at the point of contact between the buttocks and the saddle, and a second pad (21) with a Y-shaped configuration, which is positioned at the point of contact between the rear portion of the scrotum and the saddle and forks out around the external lateral ends of each of the first pads (20). Furthermore, the said second portion (3), positioned in front of the first portion and designed to protect the cyclist's genital area, is a concave supporter wherein the particular concave shape thereof allows the genitals to assume a slightly raised position, cupped within the said seat and detached from the thighs and the saddle. The first and the second portions are covered with a lower layer and an upper layer of foam, which is, in turn, covered with fabric and all the components are joined together and assembled by heat-moulding by means of the interposition of a glue.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a crotch liner for cycling tights and shorts especially designed to offer improved protection of the genital, perineal, and ischial area, for both professional and amateur cyclists.BACKGROUND ART[0002]It is a known fact that, if you do not protect the genital, perineal, and ischial area when cycling, nervous and circulatory disorders may arise since the weight of the body bearing down upon the saddle can limit the flow of blood to the aforesaid area and strains may occur, with a consequent partial insensitivity of the genitals and legs.[0003]In greater detail, the perineal area, can be described, approximately, as the cavity which contains the external genital organs. The lateral limits thereof are defined by the two ischial tuberosities, in front of the pubic symphysis and beneath the coccyx. Problems for cyclists concerning the perineal area can be of a nervous and / or circulatory nature. In the former case, problems arise durin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]The aim of the present invention is essentially to solve the problems of the commonly known technique, overcoming the difficulties described above by means of a crotch liner for cycling tights and shorts which is able to offer optimal protection of the cyclist's genital, perineal, and ischial area.

Problems solved by technology

It is a known fact that, if you do not protect the genital, perineal, and ischial area when cycling, nervous and circulatory disorders may arise since the weight of the body bearing down upon the saddle can limit the flow of blood to the aforesaid area and strains may occur, with a consequent partial insensitivity of the genitals and legs.

In the former case, problems arise during the pedal stroke, when the thigh is extended backwards as this action could lead to strains of the pudendal nerve, which can result in numbness of the genitals and lower limbs, if not appropriately protected.

In the latter case, possible problems of a circulatory nature depend on the weight of the cyclist's body, which—when resting on the saddle—can cause arterial insufficiency as the correct supply of blood and oxygen to the whole area of the genitals is prevented, with the consequent triggering of inflammations or unpleasant dysfunctions.

In actual fact, nowadays, there are several studies which demonstrate how greatly the use of a low-quality crotch liner can negatively affect the cyclist's performance, since, over time, less than optimal protection in the saddle area causes the athlete to make haphazard movements, resulting in a loss of energy and greater oxygen consumption and, in turn, reduced performance and stamina of the athlete.

At present, there are heat-moulded crotch liners on the market which are composed of foams with different thicknesses which, with time and use, tend to lose their cushioning capacity and, consequently, the protection for which they were designed is reduced.

Moreover, the foams used have often proved inadequate because if they are thin, they do not offer the ischial bones sufficient protection against impacts, while if they are thick or too thick, the cyclist tends to lose balance on the saddle, as well as being particularly bulky and therefore altering the correct kinetics of the pedal stroke.

One drawback encountered with such crotch liners derives from the fact that since the gel is not secured in place, when the pad is washed, the gel moves, resulting in the wear and destruction thereof.

It has been found that these crotch liners are unable to perform as intended because, being inserted in shorts or suits which are extremely elastic and adherent in order to be aerodynamic, they lead to incorrect positioning of the genitals, which are crushed and tend to end up positioned between the cyclist's thigh and the saddle, resulting in continuous, repeated rubbing and a constriction condition which leads, over time, to unpleasant irritations, discomfort, and dysfunctions of the urogenital system, also due to the fact that cyclists—be they professionals or amateurs—spend many hours on the saddle.

In addition, it has been found that, over time, repeated micro-traumas to and compressions of the ischial arch leads to bursitis, which causes pain and discomfort also after the cycling activity has finished.

In addition, the constant rubbing, together with the sweating and compression ischemia, can give rise to painful skin ulcers and force the athlete to stop sports activities.

In addition to the above, it is a known fact that those who engage in this sport are particularly demanding and careful about their choices when it comes to the clothing and accessories they use with their bikes, which means they refuse to accept shorts or suits which do not meet up to their expectations and needs.

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