US20140182048A1

US20140182048A1 - Unisex Crotch-Separating Undergarment aka, "Kimbo's"

Info

Publication number: US20140182048A1
Application number: US14/089,640
Authority: US
Inventors: Kimberly Shawn Gregory
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-28
Filing date: 2013-11-25
Publication date: 2014-07-03

Abstract

This invention relates, in general, to a unisex, underwear or an undergarment for the lower body region. Specifically, this invention is providing an extended crotch opening for the purpose of relieving bodily wastes in an unsecure area, all the while staying as visually clothed as possible. The zipper opening is operational with a pull cord for hand cleanliness. This undergarment establishes a low level of nudity while providing the highest level of dignity, comfort and protection so desperately needed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims priority from U.S. provisional application No. 61/848,223 entitled “Kimbo's”, filed Dec. 28, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Endeavor:
This invention relates, in general, to underwear or an undergarment for the lower body region. Specifically, this invention is providing a crotch opening for the purpose of relieving bodily wastes in an unsecure area, all the while staying as visually clothed as possible. It is to establish a low level of nudity while providing the highest level of dignity so desperately needed.
Previous art to include garments that have sealable openings in the crotch region thereof are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. w,522,421 of Wolf, 2,689,958 of Gray, 2,812,516 of Hoffman, 3,956774 of Spaulding and 5,010,595 of Stradley. These prior art patents generally show garments for the lower body area that have crotch seams that open for access to the lower area of the abdomen, as for changing a child's diaper or removing an adult person's undergarment, etc. However the prior art does not disclose an efficient undergarment for the lower body that has the greatest operating convenience while dealing with extended opening and closing with the pull cord, to keep hands free and clean, comfort of inner, crotch lining, location of pull cord while not in use, comfort of waist elastic sewn into the spandex, fabric blend and essential gripper elastic located inside leg openings as to not have fabric ride up into crotch area.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The goal of this invention is to resolve the problem of nudity, lack of dignity, inconvenience, fear, and accessibility to relieve oneself in difficult environmental situations. Police officers, especially border patrol, long distance runners, mountain climbers, parents out with their young children, military vets in rehab, hospital patients, professional fisherman & women, all types of hunters, especially women, firemen and firewomen and anyone who is out on a long road trip having to stop on the side of a rode or highway. Everyone needs a pair of this underwear because of necessity.
Briefly described, the present invention is comprised of an undergarment to be worn by anyone at anytime they are occupying an outdoor environment without bathroom facility ability. This undergarment resembles the look of compression sports shorts. This undergarment includes a central, soft, nylon zipper. This said zipper functions a separation from above pubic bone, through crotch area and reaching tailbone of wearer, from front to back. The zipper is operated by a gripping of pull cord attached to zipper slider, like a surfer's wetsuit. The pull-cord is tabbed with Velcro, having a Velcro home on the hip, avoiding hands and cord getting wet or soiled while squatting.
This is a simple ensemble of three pieces of spandex blend, fabric cut to size, extra, small to extra large. The triple stretch stitching makes the product durable and well made. It contains a 1 inch wide elastic waistband and very comfortable gripper elastic on inside of each leg opening. The two large cut pieces embody each side of the undershorts and the 3 ^rdpiece of fabric is a crotch liner, covering zipper at the precise width to not block usage area but when zipped back together provide protection from anything catching in zipper and need no adjusting to completely cover #3 nylon zipper on inside of shorts. This liner is a durable fabric tab sewn in shorts at each end of zipper to reinforce and protect long life of shorts. Pull cord is approximately 14 inches long connected from zipper slider. The end of Pull cord has Velcro tab to be put in its home on other Velcro tab on hip, coming and going.
This simple, comfortable, reassuring invention solves the problem of nudity, and dangerous overexposing of oneself by strategically opening the crotch area. This invention brings dignity and promotes confidence and acceptable convenience by being able to be as clothed as possible for any difficult situation.
Having grown up with 4 brothers, camping, hiking, sports, being an outdoors person and then having served time in the military, (only female in 300 male artillery unit) I have endured as many uncomfortable moments as possible trying to relieve myself around men. I have felt the maximum amount of embarrassment, terror and fear throughout my lifetime. As my son

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

served his military time in Afghanistan, he also described, as his job was 12Bravo, Combat Engineer, and they would be clearing explosive devices off of the roads, they would only be able to lean against the tire on their trucks to relieve themselves, half naked, as they would be exposed to local passersby and military traffic. If they were transporting a female with them, they would have to reorganize, angle and re-park all of the vehicles in the group to block any views of the female, half naked, relieving herself. This is extremely time consuming and quite an inconvenience if you speak to the men. Women can be equal in many ways as a soldier and now a combat soldier until they have to relieve themselves. It is a confirmed statistic that 1 out of 3 deployed females experience a sexual assault while serving in their military slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts an article of clothing, 101, made of breathable, spandex fabric that has an extended opening, 202, along the seam of the crotch area, which can allow for convenient access to relieving of oneself and personal hygiene, all without having to completely undress the lower torso and be exposed in awkward environments. Although, depicted in FIG. 1 as a pair of undergarment compression shorts, 101 can be long underwear, leggings, wetsuit, competitive swimming suit or tights. Referring to details in drawings, like numerals will indicate like parts throughout these several views. Enveloped in the spandex, encircling the waistband at the top of the undergarment, 702, is a 1 inch wide cotton elastic strip for a forgiving waistline. 303, is the nylon, coil zipper, providing great strength and flexibility all the while a “comfort of feel” during any activity. 303, the zipper, is covered internally with an inverted fly, 401, made of a double layer of spandex. As the wearer squats for hygiene use, the shorts open naturally with 401 having no hindrance. The zipper, 303 is pulled open with a cord, 501, not unlike a wetsuit. This cord, 501, is attached, when not in use, to the right hip possessing a Velcro target, 601, to attach to the end of the cord, 501, which has the opposite Velcro, 602. This feature delegates the idea of cleanliness of hands and cord and you will never lose the cord in the darkness. At the bottom of the undergarment leg holes, 703 & 704, the spandex fabric is internally encircled with a black, 1 inch, gripper elastic, 701. This gripper elastic, 701 is exposed for a non-slip feature pleasantly adhering to skin of leg. 701, is advantageous for not having undergarment gathering in crotch or riding up under clothing or athletic wear. On the lower, right thigh is a double pocket, 801. The pocket, 801, is for anything you need, tampons, toilet paper, ID's, keys, lipbalm, or whatever else is conveniently concealed.

FIG. 2 depicts a detailed view, in squatting position, of the accomplishment of 303, the zipper, and to visually display the workings of the internal fly, 401, having no conflict in purpose of use of this undergarment, 101. Item 303 has proven to be best closure and opening device when in regards to safety and comfort of the genital area. This opening, 202, is located directly along the inseam of the undergarment, extending from above pubic bone, along crotch area following up to the bottom of tailbone of the occupant of this undergarment.

FIG. 3 is showing structure of embodiment, 401, that is member of internal cover, (crotch liner) covering zipper, 303, and proven active feature of protection and comfort for genital area of wearer of undergarment. 401 is double layered of same fabric of undergarment, running along entire length of 303, the zipper and reinforced at each end of 303, the zipper, not only reinforcing “end” stitching of 303, the zipper, but also maintaining to keep 401, crotch lining and zipper cover, in its exact location providing endurance for washing after washing of this undergarment.

FIG. 4 is depicting the ease and cleanliness in use of this product. The pull attachment of the zipper, 304, has an attached pull cord, 501, approximately 16 inches in length, depending on size of undergarment, 101. The pull cord, 501, can be pulled from front to back of undergarment and put in same home, 601, Velcro patch located on side of hip and 602, a Velcro tip applied to end of cord. When wearer is finished with 303, zipper in open position, wearer can grab cord from hip and pull back through legs to front to a closed zipper location and place cord back in

same home

601, and 602 attached to each other easily and located again on hip of undergarment. Purpose of this cord is to keep hands from becoming soiled and negotiating a simple zipper pull action, in any awkward or inconvenient location, daylight or darkness.

FIG. 5 is depicting the internal view of sewing application inside bottom of leg openings, 703 and 704, item 701, is the rubber gripper elastic. Item 701 is serving the purpose of restricting the “riding up” of undergarment to prevent fabric gathering in crotch area. With 701 applied, there is also no need for readjusting undergarment while being worn. The waist elastic, 702 is 1 inch wide and smoothly sewn between same breathable spandex fabric used throughout the undergarment 101. Depicting a two cavity pocket, 801, is sewn on externally to be used for unseen storage of tampons or toilet paper. This pocket location is on the lower, right quadriceps area, varying with wearer.

FIG. 6, 6A & 6B, depicts complete fabrication of Kimbo's product for manufacturing. This fabrication shows the cuttings of spandex fabric, where seams are located, placement of elastics, pockets, zipper, pull cord and all sizes and dimensions for patternmaking.

All of these details depicted and illustrated above can give great confidence to the wearer, achieving a higher level of freedom when in need of an outdoor restroom and attending to personal needs. This product gives the highest level of dignity available without completely undressing.
This invention apparatus described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A unisex undergarment comprising:

a. An extended crotch opening that can be opened and closed with a pull cord leading the zipper apparatus

b. The extended pull cord permanently fixed from zipper tab extending by itself for wearers operational use

2. The undergarment of claim 1, further comprising an interior member affixed internally at each end of zipper

a. Said interior member is made of spandex and double layered to provide safety and comfort in undergarment

b. Said interior member extends along entire length of zipper and triple stitched reinforcement along zipper ends and external zipper stop fabric combined

3. The undergarment of claim 1 further comprising an exterior 2 cavity pocket affixed to bottom of leg of undergarment.

a. Said pocket is functional for carrying tampons or toilet paper

b. Said leg of undergarment is comprised of gripper elastic internally lining bottom at hem location keeping pocket secure and extended to full length