Athletic shorts with pillow pocket lap compartments

Abstract

A pair of athletic shorts with removable “Air-activated warmers” is presented. The elastic shorts have a pillow-pocket lap compartments to the posterior thigh areas, on the inside of the garment. The 2″ pillow-pocket lap with sideway opening to outside seam for easy insertion of “Air-activated warmers.” This will allow continuous heat to an athlete's hamstring muscles, during competitive play to minimize hamstring group muscle strains and injuries.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of athletic equipment. More specific, an athletic short that has pillow-pocket lap to accommodate “Air-activated warmers” and provide continuous heat to the hamstring group musculatures. The “Air-activated warmers” are to protect vital muscles from injury during athletic competition in several sports.

[0002] One type of sports pants with pocketed pads is found in the 1994 patent issued to Lubahn. In this U.S. Pat. No. 5,365,610, a garment is provided to wear while playing sports. The garment has protective pads usually formed of foam, which are permanently affixed to pockets located strategically about the garment.

[0003] Another type of padded sports pants with pocketed pads is found in the 2003 patent issued to Dugan. In this U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,599, Dugan's invention embodies an athletic short in which provides removable, contoured pads to protect vital areas of the hips, thighs and tailbone.

[0004] Other types of athletic garments are known in the art that provide protection to the athlete via padding. However, it is an object of this invention to provide a new type of athletic garment intended to minimize soft-tissue injuries to the athletes (i.e., hamstring injuries). Hamstring strains are highly recognized cause of disability for athletes in several sports. Since this invention has pocketed features, like Lubahn and Dugan inventions, however provides injury-prevention features that have up until now been unknown in the art.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0005] An athletic short is provided having pillow-pockets located on the posterior-inside of garment to house “air-activated warmers,” such as the trade-marked product Hot Hands™ hand warmers to provide heat to hamstring muscles during athletic competition. The athletic shorts are made of an elastic material such as the trademarked material Spandex or Lycra. The “air-activated warmers” are inserted into the respective pillow-pockets and secured inside by 2″ pillow-pocket lap with sideway opening to outside seam. The “air-activated warmers” may be removed and discarded after competition and the garment for washing and cleaning.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the garment.

[0007] FIG. 2 is an inside posterior half cutaway of the garment with view of the pillow-pockets.

[0008] FIG. 3 is an inside posterior half cutaway of the garment with view of the pillow-pockets and “air-activated warmer”

[0009] FIG. 4-5 is a detailed cutaway view of (one) 2-compartment pillow-pocket showing insert progression of the “air-activated warmer”DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE GARMENT

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a pair of athletic shorts made mainly of elastic material (i.e., trademarked material Spandex™ or other similar materials). The main body of the garment, due to the elastic material, becomes form fitting to the athlete. The “pillow-pocket” material, like the athletic short body is made of stretchable mesh-like material.

[0011] As best shown in FIG. 1, the athletic shorts have (one) vertical rectangular-shaped embodiment (A) sewn to the back wall of both thigh areas of garment with (two) separate “pillow-pockets” (1,2) for each to receive (two) air-activated warmers (B), shown in FIGS. 2 & 3.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 & 4, showing (one) vertical rectangular-shaped embodiment (A), with (one) air-activated warmer (B) on outside. Continuing to FIG. 4, showing progression of air-activated warmer (B) insertion into 2″ pillow-pocket lap with sideway opening to outside seam. Now turning to FIG. 5, showing air-activated warmer secured inside the 2″ pillow-pocket lap.

[0013] The pillow-pocket design and placement of the air-activated warmers provide direct and continuous heat to the hamstring musculatures for several hours, preventing soft-tissue injuries in several sports. These particular athletic shorts are designed for use in various sports such as baseball, football, soccer, basketball, as well as other sports.

[0014] These particular shorts are designed to prevent soft-tissue injuries specifically to the hamstring muscle group, however, due to the design and ease of the portability of the main-pocket embodiment (A) that contains the “pillow-pockets” (1,2), to other body areas, the invention could be utilized to protect other muscle groups (i.e., gluteals, quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle groups).

Claims

1. An athletic pants garment, consisting of:(a) A main body of elastic material covering an athlete from waist to the knees.(b) (2) rectangular shaped, main-pocket embodiment (A) permanently attached to the inside-posterior wall of each leg of garment, containing the “pillow-pockets” (1,2);(c) the “pillow-pockets” are designed to receive and hold in place the air-activated hand warmer pads to provide direct and continuous heat to the hamstring musculatures for several hours, maintaining consistent soft-tissue temperatures during sport competitions and therefore decreasing the possibility of soft-tissue injuries.(d) In the spirit of the invention and due to the portability ease of the main-pocket embodiment (A), the invention could be used to protect other major muscle groups (i.e., gluteals, quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscles). Therefore, an elastic garment material athletic pants, covering the athlete from waist to above the ankle, allowing main-pocket embodiment (A) to be used for other muscle groups. As well as, be utilized to protect upper extremity muscle groups with elastic mesh sleeved-garment (i.e., deltoids, biceps, triceps and medial / lateral elbow muscle groups).

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