US007062789B1

(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 7,062,789 B1

BlackWell (45) Date of Patent: Jun. 20, 2006
(54) OUTDOORS SPORTS APPAREL 4.580.297 A * 4, 1986 Maejima .......................... 2/22
4,894,867 A * 1/1990 Ceravolo et al. . ... 2.238
(76) Inventor: Jerome L. Blackwell, 17895 E. Ada 5,072,454. A 12, 1991 Trahan ............................ 2/7O
Dr. Aurora, CO (US) 800 17-3229 5,649,328 A * 7/1997 Martin .......... ... 2.238
s s 6,041,437 A 3/2000 Barker et al. .................... 2/82
c -r 6,336,221 B1 1/2002 Blauer et al. .................... 2.87
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 6,477,711 B1 * 1 1/2002 Freeman et al. ................. 2.69
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 6,532,599
--4 B1* 3, 2003 Dl9al . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,228
U.S.C. 154(b) by 62 days. 6,715, 158 B1* 4/2004 Hay .............................. 2.456
(21) Appl. No.: 10/641,837 * cited by examiner
(22) Filed: Aug. 15, 2003 Primary Examiner Tejash Patel
(51) Int. Cl. (57) ABSTRACT
A4ID 13/00 (2006.01)
(52) U.S. Cl. .........r irrir. 2/79 Outdoors sports apparel for protecting the body while par
(58) Field of Classification Search ...................... 2/69, ticipating in winter sports. In particular, a pant including
2/456, 79, 78.2, 227, 114,408, 228, 238, pads for protecting the buttocks and hips from falls incurred
2/69.5, 83, 85, 93 while Snowboarding. To attain buttock protection, a protec
See application file for complete search history. tive pad arranged from the lower edge of the pant waist
across the buttocks. To attain hip protection, said protective
(56) References Cited pad extending laterally across the hip. In an embodiment, the
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS protective pad comprised of an elastic material. In an
ck embodiment, the pant further comprises a pair of pads, each
3,837.007 A 9/1974 Girest ........................ 359,519 arranged from the upper edge of the knee to below the knee.
4,035,844. A 7, 1977 Atack et al. ................... 2,466
4,128,902 A 12, 1978 Siebert .......................... 2,464
4.561,124 A * 12/1985 Thompson ....................... 2/23 15 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets

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U.S. Patent Jun. 20, 2006 Sheet 1 of 3 US 7,062,789 B1

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U.S. Patent Jun. 20, 2006 Sheet 3 of 3 US 7,062,789 B1

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OUTDOORS SPORTS APPAREL SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the

known types of ski pants now present in the prior art, the
1. Field of the Invention present invention provides improved outdoors sports
The present invention relates to outdoors sports apparel. apparel, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages
In particular, the present invention relates to a pair of sports and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose
pants for use in connection with outdoor winter sports. The of the present invention, which will be described subse
sports pants have particular utility in connection with pro quently in greater detail, is to provide new and improved
tecting the buttocks and hips from falls incurred while 10 outdoors sports apparel which has all the advantages of the
Snowboarding. prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that
2. Description of the Related Art result in outdoors sports apparel which is not anticipated,
Outdoors sports apparel is desirable for keeping one's rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior
body protected while partaking in sports activities such as art, either alone or in any combination thereof.
Snow skiing or Snowboarding. 15 To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises
The use of ski pants is known in the prior art. For a sport pant comprising a pair of protective pads, where each
example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,297 to Mejia discloses a pair pad extends from the waist to below the buttocks. An
of ski pants having a pair of protective pads, where the pads alternate embodiment essentially comprises a trouser-like
extend from the upper edge of the knee on one of the legs article of clothing of elastic material having an exteriorly
to at least the midportion of the shin. Such protective pads accessible pocket in which the wearer could place a buttock
protect the legs from abrasions that may be caused during protecting pad. Still another embodiment essentially com
downhill speed skiing. prises a jacket-type article of clothing of elastic material
U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,844 to Atack et al. discloses a novel having exteriorly accessible pockets in which the wearer
trouser-like article of clothing that combines the functions of could place elbow-protecting pads.
underwear, Socks, garter belts and crotch protectors that may 25 There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
be worn under conventional sporting clothing. However, the important features of the invention in order that the detailed
Atacket al 844 patent does not pad the buttock or hip area. description thereof that follows may be better understood
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,902 to Siebert discloses a and in order that the present contribution to the art may be
pair of protective gymnast pants that provide pelvic, hip, and better appreciated.
thigh area protection by inserting foam inserts into a pouch 30 The invention may also include reflectors. There are, of
provided on the front portion of the pants. However, the course, additional features of the invention that will be
Siebert 902 patent does not pad the buttock or hip area. described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter
of the claims attached.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,124 to Thompson discloses knee Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present
padding for work pants that provides padding over the knees 35 invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill
of workpants, where the pad has a self-centering effect in the art upon a reading of the following detailed descrip
within their respective pockets. However, the Thompson tion of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative,
124 patent does not pad the buttock or hip area. embodiments of the present invention when taken in con
U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,613 to Loverdi et al. discloses an junction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect,
all-in-one slider sport pants that protect from Scrapes the 40 before explaining the current embodiment of the invention
thigh and hip area of a Softball player sliding into base. in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not
However, the Loverdi et al 613 patent does not teach a pad limited in its application to the details of construction and to
extending from the lower edge of the waist across the the arrangements of the components set forth in the follow
buttocks as claimed in the instant application. ing description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention
Lastly, United States Design Pat. No. 393,141 to Glycen 45 is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and
fer appears to disclose a work pant with kneeling pad carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
pockets, wherein the pockets are arranged entirely on the the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for
front mid portion of the pants, such that protects kneeling the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as
pads may be inserted for use. However, the Glycenfer 141 limiting.
patent does not appear to pad the buttock or hip area. 50 As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
While the above-described devices fulfill their respective, conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily
particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures,
patents do not describe, for example, a pair of sports pants methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes
that allows protective padding for the buttocks or hips by of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the
teaching a pad extending from the lower edge of the waist 55 claims be regarded as including Such equivalent construc
across the buttocks as claimed in the instant application. The tions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope
Maejima 297 ski pant patent makes no provision for of the present invention.
protecting the buttocks or hips. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide
Therefore, a need exists for new and improved sport pants new and improved outdoors sports apparel that has all of the
which can be used for Snowboarding and skiing. In this 60 advantages of the prior art ski pants and none of the
regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need. disadvantages.
In this respect, the sport pants according to the present It is another object of the present invention to provide new
invention Substantially departs from the conventional con and improved outdoors sports apparel that may be easily and
cepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides efficiently manufactured and marketed.
an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of pro 65 An even further object of the present invention is to
tecting the hips and buttocks when falling from skis or provide new and improved outdoors sports apparel that has
Snowboards. a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and
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labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low afford protection from abrupt falls. More particularly, the
prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making Such sports pants 10 include pads 12. Such pads may be arranged
outdoors sports apparel economically available to the buying on the backside of the pants 10, and extend from below the
public. waistband 34 to below the buttocks. The pants is sized and
Still another object of the present invention is to provide cut according to patterns normally used for pants and a left
new outdoors sports apparel that provides in the apparatuses and a right half are joined together at the common seam, as
and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, is know in the industry. Elastic material is sewn into the
while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvan waistband 34 of the pants.
tages normally associated therewith. Still yet another object In an embodiment, there may exist one pad for both
of the present invention is to provide outdoors sports apparel 10 buttocks. Such a pad could be arranged beneath the outer
for increasing the visibility of the wearer. layer of the pants, and may be sewn into the pants when the
These together with other objects of the invention, along left and right half of the outer layer are put together.
with the various features of novelty that characterize the However, in the preferred embodiment, there may be one
invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims pad per buttock configured such that the pad covers entirely
annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better 15 its respective buttock. In an embodiment, a pad covers the
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and tailbone of the wearer, such that the tailbone is protected in
the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be the event the wearer falls directly on the tailbone. Still
had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in further, in alternate embodiments, the pad or pads extend
which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the laterally to the front of the pants such that the hip of the
invention. wearer is also covered.
In addition to buttock/hip pads 12, the pants 10 may
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS include knee pads 16. Such knee pads are arranged on the
front of the sports pants 10, and extend at least from the
The invention will be better understood and objects other upper edge of the knee on one of the legs to at least below
than those set forth above will become apparent when 25 the knee.
consideration is given to the following detailed description Pads mentioned herein, that is buttock/hip pads 12 and
thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed knee pads 16, are formed from an elastic material. For
drawings wherein: example, such elastic material may be, but is not limited to,
FIG. 1 is a front and back view of an embodiment of the high-density rubber or foam. Desirable is material that
present invention. 30 provides significant cushioning without extraneous bulk.
FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the Such pads may be immovably sewn or attached into the
present invention. The cross-section is taken on line 2 of pants 10, or they may be placeable and removable by the
FIG 1. wearer. Still further, the pads may be placed or removed
FIG. 3 is a front and back view of an additional embodi without removing or reaching within the pants. For example,
ment of the present invention. 35 the pads may be inserted into the pants via pocket openings
The same reference numerals refer to the same parts 28, as shown. That is, the pads may be inserted into pockets
throughout the various figures. integral with the pants. For example, pocket opening 28 may
While the invention is susceptible to various modifica include a hook and loop closure system, and a tab 30. Pulling
tions and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof the tab 30 may open the pocket opening 28. Such a remov
are shown by way of example in the drawings and will 40 able pad configuration may be desired, for example, when
herein be described in detail. It should be understood, the pants themselves are machine washable yet the pads are
however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto not. Such configuration may also be desirable, for example,
are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form so that the pads may be replaced. Further, removable and
disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all replaceable pads will allow the wearer to choose pads of a
modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the 45 desired thickness.
spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the Pants 10 may also include reflectors 18. As shown,
appended claims. reflectors 18 may be arranged on the front of the sports pants
10 as well as on the back of sports pants 10. In the front,
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED reflectors 18 may be arranged above as well as below the
EMBODIMENTS 50 knee pads 16. The rear reflectors 18 may be arranged below
the knees. The reflectors 18 may be immovably attached or
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. incorporated into the sports pants 10, or they may be sewn
1-3, a preferred embodiment of the outdoors sports apparel onto or otherwise attached to the sports pants 10. As such,
of the present invention is shown. In particular, the sports reflectors 18 may be constructed of a variety of reflective
pants are generally designated by the reference numeral 10, 55 materials. Further, some of these reflective materials may be
and the sports jacket is generally designated by the reference rigid, while others are flexible and/or machine washable.
numeral 32. Consequently, such reflectors may allow the wearer to be
In FIG. 1, new and improved outdoors sports apparel of more easily seen in low visibility conditions. Such reflectors
the present invention for protecting the buttocks and hips may aid in either finding a wearer in, for example, a
from falls incurred while Snowboarding and Snow skiing is 60 Snowdrift, or such reflectors may aid in seeing the wearer So
illustrated and will be described. Such pants may be con as to avoid collisions with, for example, other Snowboarders.
structed to keep a wearer warm and dry. For example, the Turning to FIG. 2, a cross section taken on line 2 of the
pants may be waterproof and insulated Such that the wearer embodiment illustrated by FIG. 1 is shown. As shown, sports
is protected from the elements. Furthermore, the pants may pants 10 may have a layered construction. For example,
be constructed such that they are form-fitted to afford greater 65 sports pants 10 may include inner layer 20 arranged next to
protection from the elements. The pants may be of a material the skin. Such inner layer may be a fabric adapted to wick
that stretches in both directions. Further, the pants may moisture from the skin. Such fabrics may include cotton,
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silk, or other synthetic fabrics designed for their moisture variety of natural or synthetic fabrics may be used for any of
wicking abilities. Next to this inner layer 10 may be an the layers instead of the particular fabrics described.
insulating layer 22. Such insulating layer may be polyfill or Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
the like, or any other natural or synthetic fabric or combi of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
nations of fabrics. Next to the insulating layer 22 may be modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled
outer layer 24. Outer layer 24 is waterproof in a preferred in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
embodiment. For example, outer layer 24 may be nylon. construction and operation shown and described, and
Pads 16 or 12 may be arranged between the insulating layer accordingly, all Suitable modifications and equivalents may
and the nylon layer in an embodiment where the pads are not be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
10
removable. That is, the pads may be arranged beneath the
outer layer 24 in an embodiment where the pads are not I claim:
removable. However, in an embodiment where the pads are 1. Sports pants for protecting the body while snowboard
removable and replaceable, the pads may be arranged within ing comprising:
a pocket formed upon the outer layer 24. Such pocket may 15 a pair of protective pads having opposing sides formed
be fashioned from a pad-covering layer 26. Such pad from an elastic material, each pad extending from the
covering layer may be the same material as the outer layer lower edge of the waist across one of the buttocks; and
24, but may not necessarily be the same material. a plurality of posterior, openable and reclosable pockets
Turning to FIG. 3, an embodiment of the outdoors sports on the exterior surface of the pants, adapted, at the will
apparel of the present invention is illustrated and will be of the wearer, to retain the protective pads therein,
described. In particular, a sports jacket 32 is shown. Such a wherein the pockets hold one side of the pads in its
sports jacket may have a layered construction as described entirety against the body and wherein the pants have a
for the sports pants 10. Further, such a sports jacket may be layered construction, wherein the pants comprise an
constructed of similar fabrics and materials. Sports jacket 32 inner layer, an insulating layer, and an outer layer,
may include elbow pads 34. Such elbow pads 34 may be 25 wherein the insulating layer is arranged between the
arranged on the sleeves of sports jackets 32, configured Such outer layer and the inner layer.
that the pads wrap around laterally towards the front of the 2. The sports pants as recited in claim 1, wherein each of
sleeve. It may be desirable to have removable and replace the pads extends laterally across its respective hip.
able elbow pads 34; therefore sports jacket 32 may include 3. The sports pants as recited in claim 2, wherein said
pocket openings 28 and closure means, or tab, 30. Such 30 elastic material is selected from the group consisting of
elbow pads would be arranged such that they could protect foam, plastics, and high-density rubber.
the wearer's elbows in the event of a fall. Furthermore, 4. The sports pants as recited in claim 3, wherein at least
sports jacket 32 may include reflectors 18 as indicated. That one of the pads extends across the tailbone.
is, the sleeves may each include a pair of reflectors, arranged 5. The sports pants as recited in claim 4, further compris
above and below each elbow pad. Further, the back of the 35 ing a pair of knee pads formed from an elastic material,
jacket may include a pair of reflectors, one arranged on the wherein each of the knee pads extending from the upper
wearer's upper back, the other arranged on the wearers edge of the knee on one of the legs to at least below the knee.
lower back. Still further, the front of the jackets may include 6. The sports pants as recited in claim 5, further compris
two pairs of reflectors, wherein a pair is arranged on each ing reflectors, wherein a pair of reflectors is arranged on the
side of a midline of the jacket. Of each pair, one of the 40 front of each pant leg, flanking each knee pad, and wherein
reflectors is arranged across the chest of the wearer, while a pair of reflectors is arranged on the back of each pant leg,
the other is arranged at the waist of the wearer. Although not below each knee.
shown, the outdoors sporting apparel may also include extra 7. The sports pants as recited in claim 6, further compris
pockets to accommodate articles the wearer may need to ing additional reflectors, wherein the additional reflectors
Stow. Such extra pockets will be arranged on areas that have 45
are arranged on the back of each pant leg, below the knee.
a lower probability of forceful impact in the event of a fall. 8. The sports pants as recited in claim 1, wherein the pads
Such an area may be, for example, the outside upper arm or are arranged between the outer layer and a pad-covering
the outside lower leg. Such pockets could be designed to layer, and wherein the outer layer is arranged between the
accommodate, for example, phones, radios, wallets, ski pads and the insulating layer
goggles or Sunglasses, or car keys. 50
While a preferred embodiment of the outdoors sports 9. The sports pants as recited in claim 8, wherein the outer
apparel has been described in detail, it should be apparent layer is waterproof.
that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of 10. The sports pants as recited in claim 9, wherein the
which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. sports pants further comprise a bib.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized 55 11. In a trouser-like article of clothing formed of a
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of material which is elastically stretchable both in the longitu
the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, dinal and transverse directions, the provision of a posterior,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, openable and reclosable pocket on the exterior surface of the
are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in trouser, adapted, at the will of the wearer, to retain a buttock
the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in 60 protector pad having opposing sides therein, wherein the
the drawings and described in the specification are intended pocket holds an entire portion of one side of the buttock
to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, protector pad against a wearer's body and wherein the
any suitable water-resistant fabric may be used instead of the trouser comprises an inner layer, an insulating layer, and an
nylon outer layer described. And although outdoors sports outer layer, wherein the insulating layer is arranged between
pants or trousers have been described, it should be appre 65 the outer layer and the inner layer.
ciated that the outdoors sports apparel herein described is 12. The article of clothing recited in claim 11, further
also suitable for use as bib overalls. Furthermore, a wide comprising an additional pocket Such that each pocket is
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arranged upon one of the wearer's buttocks such that each 15. The article of clothing recited in claim 13, further
pocket is adapted to retain a buttock protector pad. comprising three pairs of reflectors, wherein a pair of
13. The article of clothing recited in claim 11, further reflectors is adapted to be affixed on the front of each pant
comprising a pair of additional pockets such that each leg, wherein a reflector is arranged above and below each
pocket is arranged upon one of the wearer's knees such that knee protector pad, and wherein a pair of reflectors is
each pocket is adapted to retain one side of a knee protector adapted to be affixed to the back of each pant leg, wherein
pad in its entirety against a wearer's body. a reflector is arranged below each knee.
14. The article of clothing recited in claim 13, further
comprising closure means to open and close Such a pocket. k k k k k