WO2014013520A1

WO2014013520A1 - Crotch liner for cycling shorts, for on-saddle activities, sports activities and other uses, characterised by an internal air cushion

Info

Publication number: WO2014013520A1
Application number: PCT/IT2013/000197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrico BRENTARO
Original assignee: DI.E.GI. S.r.l.
Priority date: 2012-07-16
Filing date: 2013-07-15
Publication date: 2014-01-23
Also published as: EP2871988A1; EP2871988B1; ITTV20120131A1; ES2834954T3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a crotch liner for cycling shorts made entirely, except for the covering fabric, of three-dimensional fabrics of different thicknesses, compression sets and numbers of monofilaments, such as to constitute a true air structure or air cushion, extremely light, transparent, dry and hygienic.

Description

CROTCH LINER FOR CYCLING SHORTS, FOR ON-SADDLE ACTIVITIES, SPORTS ACTIVITIES AND OTHER USES, CHARACTERISED BY AN INTERNAL AIR CUSHION.

DESCRIPTION

There are currently no protective crotch liners for cyclists or for "on- saddle" activities or for other uses that can satisfy and simultaneously perform several functions and have the features of the present invention, which, owing to the special combination of three- dimensional fabrics used internally, adapts perfectly to the shape of the body, fills every possible shape between the body and the saddle and forms an extremely comfortable air cushion between the body and the saddle Table 2 Fig.5.

It is known that in cycling, if the perineal and ischiatic region is not protected nervous and circulatory pathologies may arise because the weight of the body bearing down on the saddle may limit the flow of the blood to the aforementioned area and strains may arise with consequent partial insensitivity of the genitalia and the legs. The present invention relates to a clothing accessory known as a "crotch liner", Table 1 Fig. l front and Fig.2 behind, to be placed inside the shorts of the cyclist or for any other activity that comes into direct contact with the body in the perineal / ischiatic region with the object of avoiding pathologies and strains and any way limiting, also during long periods of activity, the discomfort caused by the saddle because of the weight and the pressure of the body on the saddle or on any resting plane. The object of the invention is also to maintain the part of the body that rests on the saddle dry, hygienic and ventilated at all times, in particular encouraging the flow of blood at the level of the perineal muscles; the air cushion of Table.2 Fig.5 , is in fact arranged to promote physiologically the complete rest of the anatomical areas on the saddle, maintaining the blood supply constant avoiding inflammations, aches and pressure sores. The crotch liner of the invention is moreover very light and exceptionally breathable because most of the surface is occupied by air between the three-dimensional structures of the fabrics Table.2 Fig.4 e Fig.5 , is also very hygienic because the hydrophobic fibre does not retain humidity/sweat on which bacteria could proliferate, as occurs in traditional crotch liners containing polyurethane foam or other open-cell materials.

The three-dimensional fabrics Table.2 Fig.3 consist of a lower multifilament fabric surface connected to a second upper fabric surface that is also formed of multifilaments by a monofilament that is tough and sufficiently stiff to keep said surfaces well spaced apart from one another, thus creating a space between the surfaces and forming a true air chamber.

The three-dimensional fabrics used, as explained above, have a particular property that is known as compression set and is measured in kPa (kiloPascal), this determines the thrust that connects and maintains spaced apart the two surfaces of the three-dimensional fabric and is generated by the diameter of the internal monofilament; the pressure set absorbs the pressure of the body and absorbs the vibrations and shocks coming from the frame of the bicycle. This creates a direct connection between the body and the saddle, modelling itself, through the effect of the pressure of the body, according to the shape of the body resting on the saddle, thus permitting a rational discharge of bodily weight and an absorption of the kinetic energy, forming, at the same time, a comfortable air cushion between the body and the saddle Table.2 Fig.4 and Fig.5. The object of the invention is thus a crotch liner for "on-saddle" activities that underneath the covering fabric has an air cushion that is anatomically set up for the male and female perineal / ischiatic regions, characterised by several layers of three-dimensional fabrics that are superimposed on one another, Table.2 Fig.5 and disclosed here below:

-Outer side in contact with the skin: in the invention different covering fabrics can be used Table.2 Fig.5 -A, depending on the specific sporting specialities or intended uses; what can never be replaced, because it is the innovation that characterises this patent, is the padding of the crotch liner and particular that of the central cushion Table.2 Fig.5 formed by the three three-dimensional fabrics assembled together.

- Internal cushion: all the crotch liner Table.1 , Fig. l front and Fig.2 rear and particularly the central part thereof, in fact constitute the innovation. All the padding involves the use of three-dimensional fabrics, particularly that of the internal cushion of the crotch liner Table.2 Fig.4 and Fig.5 that consists of 3 three-dimensional polyester fabrics assembled together, of different thicknesses and with different compression sets; each of these three-dimensional fabrics has different features and specific functions, as set out below: -The first three-dimensional fabric Table.2 Fig.5 -B, which is near the body and is 3 mm thick has about 350 monofilaments per cm2, is extremely soft, has a compression set of 8 kPa and permeability to the air of 2300 litres/dm2xmin.

-The second three-dimensional fabric Table.2 Fig.5 -C, positioned in the central part of the "cushion", has a decisively resistant weave, is 7.5 mm thick, has about 120 monofilaments xcm2, a compression set of 1 1 kPa and permeability to the air of 2600 litres/dm2xmin; this three-dimensional fabric has been placed in the centre of the "cushion" in order to permit a greater air flow and less sensitivity with the saddle.

-The third three-dimensional fabric Table.2 Fig.5 -D near the saddle, 5mm thick, has about 430 monofilaments xcm2, a compression set of 4 kPa and permeability to the air of 2200 litres/dm2xmin, so it is fairly soft and contributes to increasing the shock-absorbing effect and the "pump" effect of the constant delivery and expulsion of air. The layers of the three-dimensional fabrics are superimposed on one another to obtain different compression sets and densities that are able to support morphologically different regions of the body that rest on the saddle; the positioning of the three three-dimensional fabrics will be different if the crotch liner is used by a man or a woman because the perineal anatomical region differs between the sexes, so the shape of the air cushion may have different shapes.

We desire to specify that the structure inside the air cushion Tav.2 Fig.5 the detailed description of which was set out in the previous points, can be made with a greater or lesser number of three- dimensional fabrics, with three-dimensional fabrics having a thickness range from 0.5mm to 20mm, with a number of monofilaments varying from 700 to 50 per cm2 and with a compression set varying from 1 to 80kPa; with these parameters, an air cushion structure can always be obtained with a greater or lesser compression set and with greater or lesser permeability to the air but always within the conceptual scope of the invention.

The combination of the three three-dimensional fabrics assembled together in the order listed above creates, inside the crotch liner, an air cushion Tav2 Fig.5 and is insulating and mechanically comfortable; all the yarns that form the three three-dimensional fabrics are hydrophobic, 100% polyesters; so humidity does not collect and the weight increase is avoided that occurs in traditional crotch liners, further, bacterial proliferation and the formation of odours is avoided.

The invention made in the 3 layers as disclosed above permits perfect ergonomic adaptation to the human body and more precisely in the perineal /ischiatic region, avoiding undesired obligations and compressions.

The three fabrics are coupled together with thermoplastic points to enable maximum breathability and permeability to the air; not even the slightest amount of polyurethane foam is used, not even as an adhesive, the three fabrics are then heat-sealed and without the use of any stitching.

The special textile structure and compression set of the three- dimensional fabrics used, Table, 2 Figs. 4 e 5, that form the air cushion enable a great quantity of air to be always present and active in the crotch liner, Table 1 , Fig. l front and Fig.2 rear, thus providing the cyclist with comfort in terms of lightness-insulation- breathability-freshness-antivibration and shock absorption.

The pressure of the body is distributed and unloaded on the saddle by the different compression sets of the three-dimensional fabrics, providing maximum comfort for the user.

The crotch liner is thus:

- more foam free

- hygienic

- breathable

- light because it is made of very wide textile structures

- dry because it retains very little humidity

- when washed, the crotch liner dries much sooner than the fabric of the shorts, thus permitting a rapid functional reuse thereof.

Different covering fabrics can be used on the invention, Table 2 Fig.5-A, depending on the specific sporting specialities or intended uses.

Claims

1 ) The present invention relates to a crotch liner for cycling shorts, for on-saddle activities, sports activities and other uses, whose fabric components, except the covering fabric, are three- dimensional warp-knitted fabrics that form a internal ventilated structure or air cushion.

2) The three-dimensional warp-knitted fabrics, as defined in claim 1 , are produced in polyester or synthetic yarns, double side, each forming an air cushion.

3) The double-size warp-knitted fabrics as defined in claims 1 and 2 are characterized by thickness between 0.5 mm and 20 mm, by a number of monofilaments ranging from 700 to 50 per cm2 and compression set between 1 to 80 kPa.

4) The fabrics as defined in claims 1 , 2 and 3 are coupled with thermoplastic or heat-sealed points to allow maximum air flow, polyurethane foam or other open or closed cell materials not being allowed, not even for coupling.

5) The fabrics as defined in claims 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 can be assembled with the aim of obtaining the air cushion, or internal ventilated structure of the crotch liner having different shapes and thickness, also in relation to the activities, sex and age of the end user.

6) The three-dimensional warp-knitted fabrics, as defined in claims 1 , 2, 3, 4 and 5, form an air cushion, which is anatomically compatible especially with the perineal / ischiatic region. 7) The three-dimensional fabrics as defined in claims 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are hydrophobic, they limit moisture retention, bacterial growth and odours.

8) The air cushion, that is made by the assembly of the three- dimensional fabrics as defined in claims 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 may contain different quantities of air and can be increased or decreased in volume and shape by a greater or a smaller number of layers of the three-dimensional fabrics.

9) The functionality and conception of the internal structure, or air cushion, of the crotch liner as defined in claims 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 is claimed also if a different number of three- dimensional fabrics is used, and also if different thicknesses and different compression sets of three-dimensional fabrics are used, that however fall within the parameters defined in claim 3.