GB2398992A - Underwear - Google Patents

Abstract

A thong comprises a front panel (11), and three arms (13,14,16) extending therefrom to meet at a junction (15) at the back. The junction (15) is substantially below waist or hip level so that the upper arms (13,14) are not revealed as the user bends over.

Description

Underwear This invention relates to underwear and particularly though not

exclusively to female underwear of the kind known generically by the terms 'G' string and thong.

A conventional 'G' string is generally characterized by a relatively small triangular panel of fabric at the front, a narrow waistband connected to the upper side of the panel and a single narrow string connecting the gusset of the panel to the midpoint of the back of the waistband, substantially at right angles.

G' string underwear has become relatively popular in recent times, both to permit the wearing of certain kinds of revealing clothing, and to prevent a visible panty line (VPL). However a problem arises in connection with low waisted clothing because the waistband of the 'G' string may be visible above the waistline of the clothing.

In particular, a low waisted pair of jeans is typically designed to hang on the hips where it may just obscure a conventional 'G' string waistband. If the wearer bends forwards, the waistband will become noticeable at the rear, and this problem is particularly acute if the wearer also has a bare midriff because the waistband is visible.

In order to address this difficulty, it has been proposed to ornament the waistband of a G' string, for example by colourful design, glitter and the like, but this does not deal with the basic problem. Accordingly some individuals are inhibited from wearing a conventional 'G' string, because they are embarrassed to reveal underwear, still less to draw attention to it by way of an ornamented waistband. For these individuals there is no practical solution to the problem of VPL.

What is required is a solution to this problem which permits the wearing of a 'G' string without risk of revealing the waistband.

In this specification reference to waistband is intended to include bands which encircle the body at hip level and thus provide a support just below the waist.

According to the invention there is provided an item of underwear consisting of a substantially triangular front panel and a support having three arms, one each extending from an apex of the panel, and the junction of the arms being in use substantially below the level of the top of the hips.

In use the upper arms of the support tend to follow the waist or hips at the side, and curve downwards around the curve of the buttock to the junction, which is typically about half way down from the level of a conventional waistband. The single lower arm comprises the gusset or an extended gusset.

In an alternative characterization the junction is in use substantially at or below the level of the geometric centre of the front panel. In yet another characterization the junction comprises a first arm which extends rearwardly and upwardly in use and symmetrical second arms which diverge upwardly at an included angle of less than 120 . In a preferred embodiment the included angle is less than 90 and more preferably less than 60 . Such a support has the appearance of a 'Y' rather than a 'T' of the prior art and in a further characterization the invention comprises a 'G' string having a 'Y' junction at the rear, the junction being in use substantially below the level of the top of the hips.

Underwear according to the present invention is manufactured in different sizes and shapes according to known variances of the human anatomy. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower arm is of substantially constant length for a range of sizes whereas the upper arms vary in length to suit the size of the wearer. Such an arrangement is particularly beneficial in reducing stock inventories, and permits an adjustment of the upper arms to suit slightly different body shapes. Furthermore the upper arms may include length adjustment means, for example at the junction with the front panel. One possibility for such means is a hook and loop fastener such as VELCRO (trade mark).

In another embodiment the departure angle of the upper arms from the junction may be adjustable by the use of similar means.

In yet another embodiment the diverging upper arms may be bridged with a reinforcement in order to improve the strength and/or comfort thereof. Such an arrangement may be particularly useful in the case of delicate materials. The reinforcement may be constituted by a separate substantially horizontal strap which links the upper arms above the junction, and may also provide a means of adjustment of the departure angle.

It is envisaged that the range of permissible adjustment will be relatively small, and limited to minor comfort aspects. However, the fixed length lower arm allows a wide variation in length of the upper arms to be accommodated, and also permits a substantially standard pre- form to be sewn into a finished article of various sizes.

The materials of the underwear according to the invention are substantially similar to conventional 'G' strings, being slightly stretchy fabrics. However the skilled man will be able to select appropriate combinations, types, and sizes according to known parameters for underwear.

Several preferred embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example only and with reference to accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front view of a conventional 'G' string; Fig. 2 is a rear view of underwear according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a part-finished underwear according to Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows a gusset at the junction; and Fig. 5 shows an adjustment strap.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. l shows the usual roughly triangular front panel 11 to which is attached a waistband 12. In this example the waistband is designed to fit across the hips rather than the waist as such.

The rear view of Fig. 2 illustrates the invention, in which waist straps 13,14 curve down over the buttocks to a junction 15 from which a strap 16 extends to the apex of the panel 1 1.

The panel 1 1 and straps 13,14,16 can be of any suitable material and are of a width and thickness adapted to give comfort and security.

Although the waistband 12 is shown continuous at the front, it need not be. Likewise the straps 13,14,16 are depicted as one piece, but they may be formed of two or more elements joined at the junction in any suitable and comfortable manner.

Fig. 3 illustrates in plan part finished underwear comprising a front panel 11 attached to a lower strap 16 and to upper straps 13,14. Although shown as a unitary member it is anticipated that the individual straps and front panel will be sewn together. In this embodiment it will be clear that the edge of the front panel can be cut or hemmed to suit a particular size or style, and the length of the upper straps cut also to suit a particular size and shape. The lower strap 16 comprises the usual gusset which extends to the junction 15, but it will be understood that a normal length gusset may be extended to the desired junction point either by adding a short strap length, or by using an extra long gusset. Furthermore the gusset and lower strap may at least partially be formed from the front panel.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative junction in which a reinforcement panel 17 is added. Such an arrangement may be particularly suitable in case of delicate materials, both to reinforce a sewn junction, and to ensure that the upper arms 13,14 follow a prescribed path.

Fig. 5 shows schematically a comfort adjustment strap 18 which permits small variations in the departure angle of the upper arms 13,14. Such a strap 18 may for example be formed of a suitably delicate hook/loop fastener or the like. A similar fastener may of course be provided at the ends of the upper straps 13,14 for attachment to the front panel and/or to each other.

It should be emphasized that the drawings appended hereto are illustrative only, and that precise measurements and fits will be determined according to know parameters of human anatomy.

Although the drawings illustrate a relatively sharp included angle at the point of departure of the upper straps from the junction, it will be understood that other variations are possible, for example the upper straps may be formed from a single component, to which the lower strap is attached by e.g. stitching. In fact any suitable method for manufacturing this underwear may be utilized, the number of basic components and the assembly techniques being selected by the skilled man according to the usual indicators of e.g. comfort, cost, fit and finish.

The present invention is illustrated in connection with female underwear; it will however be understood that the invention is equally applicable to male underwear with appropriate adjustment of the panel and straps to suit male anatomy.

Claims (20)

1. Claims 1. An item of underwear consisting of a substantially triangular

   front panel and a support having three arms, one each extending from an apex of the panel, and the junction of the arms being in use substantially below the level of the top of the hips.

   2. An item of underwear consisting of a substantially triangular front panel and a support having three arms, one each extending from an apex of the panel, and the junction is in use substantially at or below the level of the geometric centre of the front panel.

   3. An item of underwear consisting of a substantially triangular front panel and a support having three arms, one each extending from an apex of the panel, and the junction comprises a first arm which extends downwardly in use and symmetrical second arms which diverge upwardly at an included angle of less than 120 .

   4. An item of underwear according to claim 3 wherein said included angle is less than 90 .

   5. An item of underwear according to claim 4 wherein said included angle is less than 60 .

   6. An item of underwear according to any preceding claim wherein the upper arms include length adjustment means.

   7. An item of underwear according to claim 6 wherein said length adjustment means are provided at the junction with the front panel.

   8. An item of underwear according to any preceding claim wherein the departure angle of the upper arms from the junction is adjustable.

   9. An item of underwear according to claim 8 wherein the diverging upper arms are bridged.

   10. An item of underwear according to claim 9 wherein said diverging arms are bridged by a separate substantially horizontal strap.

   11. An item of underwear according to claim 10 wherein the length of said horizontal strap is adjustable.

   12. A range of underwear comprising items of underwear according to any preceding claim wherein the lower arms are of substantially constant length for a range of sizes whereas the upper arms vary in length to suit the size of the wearer.

   13. A 'G' string having a 'Y' junction at the rear, the junction being in use substantially below the level of the top of the hips.

   Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A thong consisting of a substantially triangular front panel, a gusset, and a support comprising two waist straps, one each extending from an apex of the panel to a S junction, and a lower strap extending from said junction to a third apex, the junction of the arms being in use substantially below the level of the top of the hips.
2. 2. A thong consisting of a substantially triangular front panel, a gusset, and a support having three straps, one each extending from an apex of the panel, and the junction of the straps being in use substantially at or below the level of the geometric centre of the front panel.
3. 3. A thong consisting of a substantially triangular front panel, a gusset and a support having three straps, one each extending from an apex of the panel to a junction, and the junction comprising a first strap which extends downwardly in use and symmetrical second straps which diverge upwardly at an included angle of less than 120 .
4. 4. A thong according to claim 3 wherein said included angle is less than 90 .
5. 5. A thong according to claim 4 wherein said included angle is less than 60 .
6. 6. A thong according to any preceding claim wherein in use the lower strap is at least partially formed from said front panel.
7. 7. A thong according to any of claims 1-5 wherein in use the gusset and lower strap are at least partially formed from said front panel.
8. 8. A thong according to any preceding claim wherein said straps are joined at said junction.
9. 9. A thong according to any preceding claim wherein the lower strap comprises said gusset.
10. 10. A thong according to any of claims 1-9 wherein the lower strap comprises an extended gusset.
11. 11. A thong according to any of claims 1-9 wherein the lower strap comprises a short strap length added to said gusset.
12. 12. A thong according to any preceding claim wherein the upper straps include length adjustment means.
13. 13. A thong according to claim 12 wherein said length adjustment means are provided at the junction with the front panel.
14. 14. A thong according to any preceding claim wherein the departure angle of the upper arms from the junction is adjustable.
15. 15. A thong according to claim 14 wherein the diverging upper arms are bridged.
16. 16. A thong according to claim 15 wherein said diverging arms are bridged in use by a separate substantially horizontal strap.
17. 17. A thong according to claim 16 wherein the length of said horizontal strap is

    adjustable.
18. l 8. A range of thongs comprising several thongs according to any preceding claim wherein the respective lower straps are of substantially constant length for a range of sizes and the upper straps very in length to suit the size of the wearer.
19. 19. A 'G' string comprising straps having a 'Y' junction at the rear, the junction being in use substantially below the level of the top of the hips. to
20. 20. A thong substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.