US20160157530A1

US20160157530A1 - Athletic pants for producing sweat in targeted areas

Info

Publication number: US20160157530A1
Application number: US14/807,707
Authority: US
Inventors: Kristin Margrette Marie Daniels
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-11
Filing date: 2015-07-23
Publication date: 2016-06-09

Abstract

An athletic pants for use by a user to enhance sweat production in targeted areas of a lower body region promotes weight loss. The athletic pants include a breathable garment that conforms to the lower body region of the user and has a front panel coupled to a rear panel, each panel having an upper waist portion attached to an intermediate portion, and a pair of lower leg portions coupled to the intermediate portion, and at least one non-breathable member coupled to an interior portion of the breathable garment proximate at least one targeted area of the lower body region of the user. The at least one non-breathable member confines heat generated by the at least one targeted area to enhance sweat production in the targeted area, thereby aiding weight loss in the targeted area of the user.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The application claims priority to provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 62/010,513 filed on Jun. 11, 2014, the entire contents of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments herein relate generally to athletic apparel such as pants or shorts for an individual's lower body.
Athletic pants and shorts are worn by users when playing sports, exercising or engaging in other cardiovascular activities. Athletic pants or shorts were originally designed to contain an individual's body heat. Consequently, this type of active wear caused an individual's entire lower body area to generate heat and sweat. Not surprisingly, these types of active wear became commonly known as sweatpants. When worn by the user, these types of active wear prevent sweat from evaporating from the surface of the skin, which prevents the body from cooling itself and signals the body to produce even more sweat. This makes it difficult and uncomfortable for the user to work out due to the strain placed on muscles in the lower body from excessive heat. Sweating and weight loss occur relatively at the same rate across the areas of the body covered by these types of active wear.
Recently, athletic pants and shorts have been designed to be more lightweight and breathable, and able to wick sweat away from the user's body. As a result, this type of active wear can increase a user's athletic performance by preventing certain areas of the body from heating up while working out or engaging in sports related activities. However, by cooling the lower body, this new type of active wear can result in less sweating and overall weight loss.
As such, there is a need in the industry for athletic pants that permit a user to improve athletic performance while enhancing sweat production in certain targeted areas of the body to aid weight loss in these areas.

SUMMARY

An athletic pants for use by a user to enhance sweat production in targeted areas of a lower body region of the user is provided. The pants aid weight loss in the targeted areas of the user. The athletic pants comprise a breathable garment configured to conform to the lower body region of the user and comprising a front panel coupled to a rear panel, each panel comprising an upper waist portion attached to an intermediate portion, and a pair of lower leg portions coupled to the intermediate portion, the front panel being coupled to the rear panel by seams that extend along sides of the front and rear panels, and at least one non-breathable member coupled to an interior portion of the breathable garment proximate at least one targeted area of the lower body region of the user, wherein the at least one non-breathable member confines heat generated by the at least one targeted area to enhance sweat production in the targeted area, thereby aiding weight loss in the targeted area of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the figures disclose one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of certain embodiments of the athletic pants shown in use;

FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of certain embodiments of the athletic pants depicting the exterior;

FIG. 3 depicts a rear perspective view of certain embodiments of the athletic pants depicting the exterior;

FIG. 4 depicts a front view of certain embodiments of the athletic pants omitting the rear panel and depicting the interior surface of the front panel;

FIG. 5 depicts a rear view of certain embodiments of the athletic pants omitting the front panel and depicting the interior surface of the rear panel;

FIG. 6 depicts a section view of certain embodiments of the athletic pants taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 depicts a section view of certain embodiments of the athletic pants taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6 depicting a breathable section of the pants; and

FIG. 8 depicts a section view of certain embodiments of the athletic pants taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 6 depicting a non-breathable section of the pants.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, athletic pants 10 are configured to be worn by operator 36 and comprises breathable fabric material 24, pockets 38 and several non-breathable members such as thigh non-breathable members 26, pelvic area non-breathable member 28 and waistband non-breathable member 30. Non-breathable members 26, 28, 30 are placed in certain target areas of athletic pants 10 to enhance sweat production in corresponding areas of the operator's body when the pants are worn. Although the figures depict athletic pants 10 extending from a waist portion of operator 36 to below the knees, it shall be appreciated that any variable sizes may be used instead. For example, athletic pants 10 may be shorts, which extend from the waist portion of operator 36 to above the knees. Therefore, the amount of skin 32 of operator 36 that is exposed may vary.
Athletic pants 10 comprise front right main panel 16, front left main panel 18, rear right main panel 20 and rear left main panel 22, which are all made from breathable fabric material 24. Breathable fabric material 24 may be any material or combination of materials known in the field including, but not limited to, cotton, spandex, rayon, nylon, other breathable fabrics, or the like. Front right main panel 16, front left main panel 18, rear right main panel 20 and rear left main panel 22 are aligned together and secured by seams that extend along side portions of the panels. A waistband and hem can be added by folding over the upper edges of main panels 16, 18, 20, 22 and sewing along the folded edges to stich the waistband down in place. The bottom portions of main panels 16, 18, 20, 22 may be sewn to finish ends of the leg portions of athletic pants 10. Once assembled together, main panels 16, 18, 20, 22 form a single garment with exterior surface 12 and interior surface 14.
As depicted in FIGS. 4-5, non-breathable members are secured to interior surfaces 14 of main panels 16, 18, 20, 22 in certain target areas of interest. Non-breathable members may be secured to the panels by stitching or alternative fasteners such as an adhesive. In certain embodiments of the invention, waistband non-breathable member 30 is affixed to upper portions of main panels 16, 18, 20, 22. It shall be appreciated that waistband non-breathable member 30 may comprise two portions in which a first portion is affixed to front left main panel 18 and front right main panel 16, and a second portion is affixed to rear right main panel 20 and rear left main panel 22. Alternatively, waistband non-breathable member 30 may comprise a single member coupled to main panels 16, 18, 20, 22. When athletic pants 10 are worn by operator 36, waistband non-breathable member 30 is configured to be placed directly above the waist portion of the operator's body.
In one embodiment of the invention, pelvic area non-breathable member 28 is a generally rectangular layer affixed to an intermediate portion of front left main panel 18 and front right main panel 16, directly below waistband non-breathable member 30. Pelvic area non-breathable member 28 extends side to side from an outer seam of front left main panel 18 to an outer seam of front right main panel 16. When athletic pants 10 are worn by operator 36, pelvic area non-breathable member 28 is positioned directly above the region from the operator's waist area to the pubic area.
In one embodiment of the invention, thigh non-breathable members 26 are affixed to inner thigh portions of main panels 16, 18, 20, 22. Each thigh non-breathable member 26 is preferably an oval or similarly shaped member that is affixed to front main panels 16, 18 or rear main panels 20, 22. When athletic pants 10 are worn by operator 36, each thigh non-breathable member 26 extends from the operator's inner thigh area to slightly below the pubic area.
Non-breathable members 26, 28, 30 are preferably made from vinyl. However, alternative non-breathable materials or combination of materials may be used instead. Although the figures depict both pelvic area non-breathable member 28 and thigh non-breathable members 26 affixed to main panels 16, 18, 20, 22, either type of non-breathable member can be used alone on the panels instead. It shall be appreciated that any number of additional non-breathable members (not shown) may be affixed to main panels 16, 18, 20, 22 at other desired target areas of the operator's body, such as along the outer thigh areas.
In operation, operator 36 wears athletic pants 10 in the same manner as a conventional pair of pants. As depicted in FIG. 1, athletic pants 10 conform to skin 32 of the operator's body. As operator 36 engages in a workout or cardiovascular activity, non-breathable members 26, 28, 30 confine heat generated in the operator's corresponding target areas of the inner thigh areas, midsection or pelvic area, and waist. As a result, this heats up the target areas, enhances sweat production therein and potentially aids in weight loss in these areas. Remaining portions of the operator's body remain cool as breathable fabric material 24 contacts skin 32 in these areas.
FIG. 6 depicts exemplary target area 42 such as the inner thigh area of operator 36. As operator 36 engages in an activity, sweat generated by the body travels through breathable fabric material 24 in the form of evaporated moisture 34. In exemplary target area 42, thigh non-breathable member 26 confines heat generated by the body in the area and prevents sweat from evaporating through the material. This trapped heat further enhances sweat production in exemplary target area 42. This is beneficial for targeting fat 40 in exemplary target area 42 to promote weight loss in the inner thigh area. FIG. 7 depicts the direction of evaporated moisture 34 from operator 36 in a region where breathable fabric material 24 contacts skin 32. FIG. 8 depicts the confinement of heat and sweat within athletic pants 10 by thigh non-breathable member 26.
From the description above, it should be evident that athletic pants 10 have the following advantages: (a) The non-breathable fabric can contain an individual's body heat, potentially increasing sweat and weight loss in certain targeted areas of the lower abdominals, inner thigh, and possibly the outer thigh; (b) The breathable fabric can allow the majority of the legs and lower body to remain cool, thus potentially making physical activity easier and more comfortable for the user; and (c) The non-breathable fabric is hidden beneath the breathable fabric so that an individual can target their problem areas potentially without other people knowing about it.
It shall be appreciated that the components of athletic pants 10 described in several embodiments herein may comprise any alternative known materials in the field and be of any color, size and/or dimensions. It shall be appreciated that the components of athletic pants 10 described herein may be manufactured and assembled using any known techniques in the field. Although athletic pants 10 have been described for use with activities such as sports, workouts or other cardiovascular activities, the pants may be beneficial when worn during any other lower intensity activities, e.g., walking, gardening, cleaning the house, or the like. In addition, it shall be appreciated that athletic pants 10 may be designed for use by men, women, adults and children.
Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than narrowed by the embodiments described above.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An athletic pants for use by a user to enhance sweat production in targeted areas of a lower body region of the user, thereby aiding weight loss in the targeted areas of the user, the athletic pants comprising:

a breathable garment configured to conform to the lower body region of the user and comprising a front panel coupled to a rear panel, each panel comprising an upper waist portion attached to an intermediate portion, and a pair of lower leg portions coupled to the intermediate portion, the front panel being coupled to the rear panel by seams that extend along sides of the front and rear panels; and

at least one non-breathable member coupled to an interior portion of the breathable garment proximate at least one targeted area of the lower body region of the user, wherein the at least one non-breathable member confines heat generated by the at least one targeted area to enhance sweat production in the targeted area, thereby aiding weight loss in the targeted area of the user.

2. The athletic pants of claim 1, further comprising a first non-breathable member coupled to the upper waist portions of the front and rear panels.

3. The athletic pants of claim 2, further comprising a second non-breathable member coupled to the intermediate portion of the front panel, wherein the second non-breathable member extends along the user from a waist area to a pubic area.

4. The athletic pants of claim 3, further comprising a third non-breathable member coupled to first leg portions of the front and rear panels and a fourth non-breathable member coupled to second leg portions of the front and rear panels, wherein the third non-breathable member extends along the user from a first inner thigh area to slightly below the pubic area, wherein the fourth non-breathable member extends along the user from a second inner thigh area to slightly below the pubic area.

5. The athletic pants of claim 4, wherein the first, second, third and fourth non-breathable members are made from vinyl.

6. The athletic pants of claim 4, wherein the front and rear panels are made from at least one member of the group consisting of cotton, spandex, rayon and nylon.