US4602388A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Chafe-free athletic shorts
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-06-11
•
Granted: 1986-07-29
•
Expires: 2004-06-11
Abstract
Abstract Athletic shorts are disclosed which provide full support as well as maximum freedom of movement yet with minimum exposure. The construction consists of an underpant plus an outer shell of flexible fabric containing overlapping flap openings in front of each thigh extending from the waist to the bottom border. The construction permits full raising and splitting of the wearer's thighs without friction, and yet the flaps immediately close when the thighs are brought back together, providing full coverage.
Inventors
- 👤 Carolyn G. Underwood
- 👤 Douglas P. Balluff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:56
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41D; A41D1/00; A41D1/06; A41D1/08; A41D1/089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
Athletic shorts comprising: an underpant with elastic waistband and elastic borders to fully enclose and support the buttocks and groin of the wearer; a pair of side panels, each extending from approximately the center of the front of one thigh of the wearer around the hip adjacent said thigh to the crease of the buttocks, said panels joined together along a rear seam at said crease to cover the seat of the wearer, and said panels joined along their upper borders to said underpant waistband; and a pair of front panels, each extending from approximately the center of the front of one thigh to a vertical line at the center of the groin, said front panels joined together along a front seam at said vertical line, and each joined along its upper border to said underpant waistband to loosely overlap said side panels; each of said side and front panels further containing a strip of fabric extending downward along said rear and front seams to join together between the thighs of the wearer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
Athletic shorts comprising: an underpant with elastic waistband and elastic borders to fully enclose and support the buttocks and groin of the wearer; a pair of side panels, each extending from approximately the center of the front of one thigh of the wearer around the hip adjacent said thigh to the crease of the buttocks, said panels joined together along a rear seam at said crease to cover the seat of the wearer, and said panels joined along their upper borders to said underpant waistband; and a pair of front panels, each extending from approximately the center of the front of one thigh to a vertical line at the center of the groin, said front panels joined together along a front seam at said vertical line, and each joined along its upper border to said underpant waistband to loosely overlap said side panels; each of said side and front panels further containing a strip of fabric extending downward along said rear and front seams to join together between the thighs of the wearer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
Athletic shorts in accordance with claim 1 in which said underpant borders are sloped upward toward said waistband at the sides thereof to define a high-rise leg opening which permits essentially unhindered movement of the hip joint of the wearer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Athletic shorts in accordance with claim 1 in which said underpant is comprised of a single panel with narrowed center section to pass through the thighs of the wearer and widened straight edges to join said waistband, the corners of said panel tapering and overlapping at said waistband.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
Athletic shorts in accordance with claim 1 in which said front panels are positioned in front of said side panels at said overlap.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Athletic shorts in accordance with claim 1 in which the overlapping portions of said front and side panels are from about 0.3 inch to about 3.0 inches in width.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1539659A
Cited
GB1198902A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-28 | 1990-01-27 | 1990-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-28 | 1994-01-27 | 1994-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-28 | 1998-01-27 | 1998-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |