Athletic Shorts and Jersey

The described embodiments generally relate to apparel for wheelchair athletes.

Athletic apparel such as sports jerseys and athletic shorts are generally designed to facilitate athletic activity. Thus, athletic apparel can have features that contribute toward achieving objectives such as range of motion, comfort, and breathability.

A need exists for athletic apparel tailored to the needs of wheelchair athletes. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, athletic shorts may be designed to extend relatively high on a wearer's back to cover most or all of an area of a wearer that would rest against the seat of a wheelchair. In further embodiments of the present disclosure, an athletic jersey may be designed to offset a seam from a lower end of an arm opening to reduce abrasion on the wearer's arm when the wearer operates the wheelchair.

A first embodiment (1) of the present application is directed to athletic shorts. The athletic shorts can comprise a front fabric panel formed of a first type of fabric and configured to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer. The athletic shorts can also comprise a back fabric panel formed of a second type of fabric and joined to the front fabric panel and configured to cover a portion of the back side of the wearer. The back fabric panel can have a greater area than the front fabric panel. The second type of fabric can be different from the first type of fabric. The front fabric panel can have a first length in a longitudinal direction defined relative to the athletic shorts. The back fabric panel can have a second length in the longitudinal direction. The first length can be less than the second length.

In a second embodiment (2) further to embodiment (1), a lateral direction can be defined perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. The back fabric panel can be joined to the front fabric panel at lateral seams.

In a third embodiment (3) further to either embodiment (1) or embodiment (2), the front fabric panel can comprise an upper end and a lower end that are opposite ends of the front fabric panel along the longitudinal direction. The back fabric panel can comprise an upper end and a lower end that are opposite ends of the back fabric panel along the longitudinal direction. The upper end of the back fabric panel can be higher along the longitudinal direction than the upper end of the front fabric panel. The lower end of the front fabric panel can be lower along the longitudinal direction that the lower end of the back fabric panel.

In a fourth embodiment (4) further to any one of embodiments (1)-(3), the portion of the back side of the wearer can extend higher on the wearer than the portion of the front side of the wearer.

In a fifth embodiment (5) further to any one of embodiments (1)-(4), the athletic shorts can comprise a waistband defining an upper end of the athletic shorts. The waistband can comprise a curved shape configured to rise higher above the back fabric panel than above the front fabric panel.

In a sixth embodiment (6) further to embodiment (5), the waistband can have an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpoint of the front fabric panel to above a midpoint of the back fabric panel.

In a seventh embodiment (7) further to any one of embodiments (1)-(6), the second type of fabric can comprise a fabric weight heavier than a fabric weight of the first type of fabric.

In an eight embodiment (8) further to any one of embodiments (1)-(7), the first type of fabric can comprise a breathability less than a breathability of the second type of fabric.

In a ninth embodiment (9) further to any one of embodiments (1)-(8), the first type of fabric can comprise a stretchability less than a stretchability of the second type of fabric.

In a tenth embodiment (10) further to any one of embodiments (1)-(9), the first type of fabric can comprise an abrasion resistance greater than an abrasion resistance of the second type of fabric.

In an eleventh embodiment (11) further to any one of embodiments (1)-(10), the first type of fabric can be woven and the second type of fabric can be knitted.

In a twelfth embodiment (12) further to embodiment (11), the first type of fabric can be twill and the second type of fabric can be mock eyelet.

In a thirteenth embodiment (13) further to any one of embodiments (1)-(12), the athletic shorts can comprise left and right pockets located between the front fabric panel and the back fabric panel, and pads located within the pockets.

In a fourteenth embodiment (14) further to embodiment (13), the left pocket and the right pocket can each be configured to be positioned at a respective hip of the wearer.

In a fifteenth embodiment (15) further to either embodiment (13) or embodiment (14), the pockets can be open pockets and the pads can be removably disposed in the pockets.

A sixteenth embodiment (16) is directed to an athletic outfit comprising the athletic shorts according to any one of embodiments (1)-(15) and a jersey.

In a seventeenth embodiment (17) further to embodiment (16), the jersey can comprise a front fabric panel and a back fabric panel. The front fabric panel of the jersey can be formed of the first type of fabric. The back fabric panel of the jersey can be formed of the second type of fabric.

In an eighteenth embodiment (18) further to either embodiment (16) or embodiment (17), a cut of the athletic shorts and a cut of the jersey can be configured to cause the athletic shorts to overlap the jersey by a greater distance on a back side of the athletic outfit than on the front side of the athletic outfit when the athletic outfit is worn.

In a nineteenth embodiment (19) further to any one of embodiments (16)-(18), the jersey can comprise two fabric panels, two lateral seams that join the two fabric panels, and two arm openings. Each of the two arm openings can comprise a lowest point, a front most point, a back most point, and an intersect point at which a respective one of the two lateral seams intersects the arm opening. The intersect point can be nearer to either the front most point or the back most point than to the lowest point.

In a twentieth embodiment (20) further to any one of embodiments (16)-(19), the athletic shorts can comprise a waistband defining an upper end of the athletic shorts. The waistband can have an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpoint of the front fabric panel of the athletic shorts to above a midpoint of the back fabric panel of the athletic shorts. A lower end of the jersey can slopes downward from a front end to a back end of the lower end of the jersey such that a back of the jersey overlaps the back fabric panel of the athletic shorts when the athletic outfit is worn.

The present invention(s) will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References to “some embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an exemplary embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The indefinite articles “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless clearly contradicted or the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The term “comprising” is an open-ended transitional phrase. A list of elements following the transitional phrase “comprising” is a non-exclusive list, such that elements in addition to those specifically recited in the list can also be present.

As used herein, unless specified otherwise, references to “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. are not intended to denote order, or that an earlier-numbered feature is required for a later-numbered feature. Also, unless specified otherwise, the use of “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. does not necessarily mean that the “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” etc. features have different properties or values.

An article of apparel has many purposes. Among other things, apparel can provide a unique aesthetic look, provide warming or cooling characteristics, provide support for portions of an individual's body, and provide other performance characteristics, such as air permeability, moisture wicking properties, compression properties. Each of these purposes, alone or in combination, provides for comfortable apparel suitable for use in a variety of scenarios (for example, exercise and every day activities). The features of an article of apparel (for example, the materials and components used to make apparel, and the way these materials/components are made) can be altered to produce desired characteristics, for example, durability, stiffness, weight, tackiness, texture, haptics, tackiness, and/or air permeability.

show athletic shortsaccording to some embodiments. Athletic shortscan comprise a front fabric paneland a back fabric panel. Front fabric panelcan be configured to cover a portion of a front side of a wearer. Back fabric panelcan be configured to cover a portion of a back side of the wearer. In some embodiments, the back fabric panelcan have a greater area than the front fabric panel. In some embodiments, the portion of the back side of the wearer extends higher on the wearer than the portion of the front side of the wearer. This configuration of athletic shortscan protect a wearer's back from abrasion or discomfort when the wearer uses a wheelchair. To further contribute to a comfortable fit, front fabric panelaccording to some embodiments can comprise dart shaping. In some embodiments, front fabric panelcan comprise left side dart shapingand right side dart shaping. In some embodiments, the dart shapingcan be fisheye dart shaping.

In some embodiments, as shown in, a longitudinal directioncan be defined relative to athletic shorts, front fabric panelcan have a first length in longitudinal direction, back fabric panelcan have a second length in longitudinal direction, and the first length is less than the second length. In some embodiments, the first length can be at least 5% less than the second length.

In some embodiments, front fabric panelcan be formed of a first type of fabric, back fabric panelcan be formed of a second type of fabric, and the first type of fabric can be different than the second type of fabric. In some embodiments, the second type of fabric can comprise a fabric weight heavier than a fabric weight of the first type of fabric. In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can comprise a breathability less than a breathability of the second type of fabric. In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can comprise a stretchability less than a stretchability of the second type of fabric. In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can comprise an abrasion resistance greater than an abrasion resistance of the second type of fabric.

In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can be woven and the second type of fabric can be knitted. In some embodiments, the first type of fabric can be twill and the second type of fabric can be mock eyelet. The differentiated properties of the fabrics making up front fabric paneland back fabric panelcan contribute to comfort, breathability, and protection from abrasion.

A lateral directionis defined perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, back fabric panelcan be joined to front fabric panelat lateral seams. In some embodiments, lateral seamscan be positioned such that a portion of back fabric panelwraps around interior and exterior sides of a left leg of shortsto cover a portion of a front side of a wearer, and a portion of back fabric panelwraps around interior and exterior sides of a right leg of shortsto cover a portion of a front side of a wearer. As back fabric panelcan be formed of a type of fabric with cushioning, breathability, and abrasion properties beneficial for contact with the seat of the wheelchair, extending back fabric panelaround side portions of a wearer's legs can achieve the same benefits in contact with sidewall or arm rest portions of the wheelchair.

In some embodiments, front fabric panelcan comprise an upper endand a lower endthat are opposite ends of the fabric panel along longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, back fabric panelcan comprise an upper endand a lower endthat are opposite ends of back fabric panelalong longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, upper endof back fabric panelcan be higher along longitudinal directionthan upper endof front fabric panel. In some embodiments, lower endof front fabric panelis lower along longitudinal directionthat lower endof back fabric panel.

Athletic shortscomprise an upper endand a lower endthat are opposite ends of athletic shortsalong longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, athletic shortscan comprise a waistband. Athletic shortscan also comprise drawstringconfigured to tighten waistband. Drawstringcan extend through waistband. In some embodiments, waistbandcan define upper endof athletic shorts. In some embodiments, waistbandcan comprise a curved shape configured to rise higher above back fabric panelthan above the front fabric panel. That is, waistbandcan be configured to tend toward a shape wherein a portion of waistbandabove back fabric panelis higher along longitudinal directionthan a portion of waistbandabove front fabric panelas shown in. Thus, a back portion of waistbandcan rise higher than a front portion of waistbandwhen waistbandis in a neutral, unstressed position. This configuration of athletic shortscan protect a wearer's back from abrasion or discomfort when the wearer is seated in a wheelchair.

In some embodiments, waistbandcan have an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpointof front fabric panelto above a midpointof back fabric panelas shown in. Midpointof front fabric panelcan be a lateral midpoint, meaning a midpoint of front fabric panelwith respect to lateral direction. Thus, in some embodiments, half of a total area of front fabric panelcan be to the left of midpointof front fabric paneland another half of the total area of front fabric panelcan be to the right of midpointof front fabric panel. Similarly, midpointof back fabric panelcan be a lateral midpoint, meaning a midpoint of back fabric panelwith respect to lateral direction. Thus, in some embodiments, half of a total area of back fabric panelcan be to the left of midpointof back fabric paneland another half of the total area of back fabric panelcan be to the right of midpointof back fabric panel.

In some embodiments, athletic shortscan comprise pocketslocated between front fabric paneland back fabric panel. Pocketscan comprise laterally spaced pockets, such as one left pocketand one right pocket. Pocketscan each be configured to be positioned at a respective hip of the wearer when athletic shortsare worn. Athletic shortsaccording to some embodiments can also comprise padslocated within pockets, such as one padin each pocket. Padscan protect the wearer from impact and abrasion when the wearer is seated in a wheelchair. In some embodiments, pocketsare open pockets and padscan be removably disposed in pocketsas shown in.

show a jerseyaccording to some embodiments. A longitudinal directionis defined relative to jersey. A lateral directionis defined perpendicular to longitudinal direction. Longitudinal directionof jerseycan be aligned with longitudinal directionof athletic shortswhen jerseyand athletic shortsare arranged as an outfit. Accordingly, lateral directionof jerseycan be parallel to lateral directionof athletic shorts.

Jerseycan comprise a front fabric paneland a back fabric panel. In some embodiments, front fabric panelof jerseycan be formed of the same first type of fabric as front fabric panelof athletic shorts. In some embodiments, back fabric panelof jerseycan be formed of the same second type of fabric as back fabric panelof athletic shorts.

Jerseycomprises two arm openings. Each of the two arm openingscomprises a lowest point, a front most point, and a back most pointas shown in. In some embodiments, jerseycan comprise two lateral seamsthat join front fabric paneland back fabric panel. Each arm openingcan comprise an intersect pointat which a respective one of the two lateral seamsintersects the arm opening. In some embodiments, intersect pointcan be nearer back most pointthan to lowest pointas shown in. In other embodiments, such as the example of, intersect pointcan be nearer to front most pointthan to lowest point. Thus, according to various embodiments, intersect pointcan be nearer to either front most pointor back most pointthan to lowest point. Offsetting intersect pointfrom lowest pointof each arm openingin this manner can cause lateral seamsto be positioned away from a portion of jerseyacross which a wearer's arm is likely to move the most when the wearer operates a wheelchair. Thus, offsetting intersect pointfrom lowest pointof each arm openingin this manner can reduce abrasion caused by rubbing arms across scams.

Jerseycomprises a head opening. In some embodiments, front fabric panelof jerseycan comprise perforationsbelow head opening. Perforationscan be located within a perforation zone. Perforation zonecan have a longitudinal height and a lateral width. In some embodiments, the lateral width of perforation zonecan be from 1.25 to 1.75 times as great as the longitudinal length of perforation zone. Perforation zonecan contribute to a breathability of jersey.

In some embodiments, jerseycan comprise a rib knit neck bandlocated at a border of head opening. Rib knit neck bandcan protect a back of a wearer's neck from abrasion. In some embodiments, jerseycan comprise a rib knit shoulder bandat a border of each arm opening. Rib knit shoulder bandscan protect a wearer's shoulders and arms from abrasion.

shows an athletic outfitcomprising athletic shortsand jersey. Jerseyis shown as partially transparent infor clarity. A longitudinal directiondefined relative to athletic outfitis aligned with longitudinal directionof athletic shortsand longitudinal directionof jersey. A lateral direction of athletic outfitmay similarly be defined perpendicular to longitudinal directionof athletic outfitand parallel to lateral directionof athletic shortsand lateral directionof jersey.

As described above, athletic shortsaccording to some embodiments can comprise a waistbanddefining an upper endof athletic shorts, and according to some embodiments waistbandcan have an arcuate lateral profile that curves upward from above a midpointof front fabric panelof athletic shortsto above a midpointof back fabric panelof athletic shorts. According to some further embodiments, a lower endof jerseycan slope downward from a front end to a back end of lower endof jerseysuch that a back of the jersey overlaps back fabric panelof athletic shortswhen athletic outfitis worn.

In further embodiments, a cut of athletic shortsand a cut of jerseycan be configured to cause athletic shortsto overlap jerseyby a greater distance on a back side of athletic outfitthan on a front side of athletic outfitwhen athletic outfitis worn. In some embodiments, the cut of athletic shortsand the cut of jerseycan be configured to cause athletic shortsto overlap jerseyon a back side of athletic outfitby at least two times as great a distance as on the front side of athletic outfit.

An overlap rangeof back fabric panelof jerseyover back fabric panelof athletic shortsis shown in. The overlap of the back of jerseyand the back of athletic shortscan protect a portion of a back of the wearer that may contact a wheelchair from impact or abrasion.

The present invention(s) have been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention(s) that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention(s). Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance.

The breadth and scope of the present invention(s) should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.