GB2196525A - Support underpants - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an article of male underclothing in the general form of shorts, comprising a waistband (1) and outer leg portions (3) dependent therefrom, and shorts being provided with an internal lining (5) having a median slot (2) which is in approximate register with a median slot in the outer layer. A compartment (7) is formed between the lining (5) and the outer layer, adjacent said median slot, to support the testicles. A flap (6) in the outer portion of the shorts overlies the compartment in use, but can readily be moved aside when necessary. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Article of male underclothing The present invention relates to an article of male underclothing in the general form of shorts.

Articles of male underclothing adapted for the support of the genitals are well known, in particular underpants known under the general designation of Y-fronts are a common article of manufacture! as are supports for use in sporting situations.

Whereas these articles adequately fulfil the support role, they are deficient in that they do not allow genitals to maintain their correct temperature which should be a little below body temperature if excessive mutation of the spermatozoa is to be avoided. Accordingly, the articles of male underclothing of the prior art tend to induce sweating.

The problem of marginal incontinence is another problem which cannot be addressed by the prior art except by continual laundering.

The present invention seeks to alleviate these problems by providing an article of male underclothing in the general form of shorts, comprising a waistband and outer leg portions dependent therefrom, shorts being provided with an internal lining; characterized in that the lining and the outer portions are each provided with a median slot in approximate register, and in that a compartment is formed between the lining and the outer portion adjacent said median slot to support the testicles.

The compartment may be provided with a separable absorbent lining if required for the purpose of alleviating marginal incontinence, but primarily the compartment is so shaped and adapted as to support the testicles in normal use.

The median slot in the lining preferably extends generally vertically in use and is of a shape which fits snugly about the base of the genitals at their point of juncture with the pelvic area.

The invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing the shots are shown as being provided with a compartment shown generally at 7. The shorts are provided with an elasticated waistband 1 which supports a pair of dependent leg portions 3 in the conventional manner. The compartment 7 is formed with an inner lining 5 and an outer portion 4, each machined together about a generally arcuate line so as to support the testicles in use. The compartment 7 is also provided with a lining slot 2 through which the testicles are passed in use for support. A flap 6 in the outer portion of the shorts over lies the compartment in use, but can readily be moved aside when necessary.

The lining 5 is formed of an absorbent woven material, and may be supplimented by a removal lining and may be replaced thereby.

In use the shorts are utilized in precisely the conventional way, with the exception that the edges of the lining slot 2 lie against the genitalia and over the pelvic region, thereby separating the genitalia from the pelvic region while supporting the same. Accordingly, the genitalia adopt their proper relationship to the body and hence sweating is reduced while support is maintained.

Accordingly, the invention relates to an article of male underclothing as hereinbefore described.

1. An article of male underclothing in the general form of shorts, comprising a waistband and outer leg portions dependent therefrom, said shorts being provided with an internal lining, characterised in that the lining and the outer portions are each provided with a median slot in approximate register and in that a compartment is formed between the lining and the outer portions adjacent said median slot to support the testicles.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the compartment also contains a separable absorbent lining.

3. An article substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to, and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Article of male underclothing The present invention relates to an article of male underclothing in the general form of shorts. Articles of male underclothing adapted for the support of the genitals are well known, in particular underpants known under the general designation of Y-fronts are a common article of manufacture! as are supports for use in sporting situations. Whereas these articles adequately fulfil the support role, they are deficient in that they do not allow genitals to maintain their correct temperature which should be a little below body temperature if excessive mutation of the spermatozoa is to be avoided. Accordingly, the articles of male underclothing of the prior art tend to induce sweating. The problem of marginal incontinence is another problem which cannot be addressed by the prior art except by continual laundering. The present invention seeks to alleviate these problems by providing an article of male underclothing in the general form of shorts, comprising a waistband and outer leg portions dependent therefrom, shorts being provided with an internal lining; characterized in that the lining and the outer portions are each provided with a median slot in approximate register, and in that a compartment is formed between the lining and the outer portion adjacent said median slot to support the testicles. The compartment may be provided with a separable absorbent lining if required for the purpose of alleviating marginal incontinence, but primarily the compartment is so shaped and adapted as to support the testicles in normal use. The median slot in the lining preferably extends generally vertically in use and is of a shape which fits snugly about the base of the genitals at their point of juncture with the pelvic area. The invention will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the drawing the shots are shown as being provided with a compartment shown generally at 7. The shorts are provided with an elasticated waistband 1 which supports a pair of dependent leg portions 3 in the conventional manner. The compartment 7 is formed with an inner lining 5 and an outer portion 4, each machined together about a generally arcuate line so as to support the testicles in use. The compartment 7 is also provided with a lining slot 2 through which the testicles are passed in use for support. A flap 6 in the outer portion of the shorts over lies the compartment in use, but can readily be moved aside when necessary. The lining 5 is formed of an absorbent woven material, and may be supplimented by a removal lining and may be replaced thereby. In use the shorts are utilized in precisely the conventional way, with the exception that the edges of the lining slot 2 lie against the genitalia and over the pelvic region, thereby separating the genitalia from the pelvic region while supporting the same. Accordingly, the genitalia adopt their proper relationship to the body and hence sweating is reduced while support is maintained. Accordingly, the invention relates to an article of male underclothing as hereinbefore described. CLAIMS

1. An article of male underclothing in the general form of shorts, comprising a waistband and outer leg portions dependent therefrom, said shorts being provided with an internal lining, characterised in that the lining and the outer portions are each provided with a median slot in approximate register and in that a compartment is formed between the lining and the outer portions adjacent said median slot to support the testicles.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that the compartment also contains a separable absorbent lining.

3. An article substantially as hereinbefore set forth with reference to, and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.