I 1111111111111111 11111 1111111111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIIIII IIII IIII IIII
`US007396274B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Wiegmann
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,396,274 B2
`Jul. 8, 2008
`
`(54) BICYCLE GARMENT
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`(76)
`
`Inventor: Holly Wiegmann, 3596 Pintail Dr. S.,
`Jacksonville Beach, FL (US) 32250
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 29 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/435,220
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`May 16, 2006
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2006/0258262 Al
`
`Nov. 16, 2006
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2/1932 Lorenz
`1,844,888 A
`2/1983 Silber
`4,372,320 A
`8/1983 Johnson
`4,398,538 A
`2/1984 Liberboim
`4,433,803 A
`7/1991 Feigenbaum et al.
`5,033,986 A
`6,099,382 A * 8/2000 Wilson ........................ 450/89
`6,298,485 Bl
`10/2001 Heller
`6,626,733 Bl * 9/2003 Knutson ...................... 450/89
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Gloria Hale
`(7 4) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thomas C. Saitta
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/681,500, filed on May
`16, 2005.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A41C 3/00
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`A41D 1/22
`(52) U.S. Cl .
`............................... 450/89; 450/1; 450/76;
`2/69; 2/105; 2/106; 2/73
`( 58) Field of Classification Search . ... ... ... ... .. ... .. . 450/1,
`450/58, 7, 8, 14-16, 20-32, 89; 2/74-76,
`2/247-249, 69, 102, 94; 224/148.1, 148.2,
`224/148.4, 148.5, 148.6, 148.7
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`A bicycle shirt or similar garment having a relatively large
`pocket positioned on the back of the top, the top further
`comprising a torso-encircling elastic band, which is incorpo(cid:173)
`rated within the bottom opening of a shelf bra in the main
`embodiment, wherein the pocket is provided with an elastic
`band that is connected to the torso-encircling elastic band
`such that stress on the pocket elastic band is transferred or
`shared by the torso-encircling elastic band.
`
`18 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 8, 2008
`Jul. 8, 2008
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`Sheet 1 of 2
`Sheet 1 of 2
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`US 7,396,274 B2
`US 7,396,274 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 8, 2008
`Jul. 8, 2008
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`Sheet 2 of 2
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`US 7,396,274 B2
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`US 7,396,274 B2
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`p. 3
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`US 7,396,274 B2
`
`1
`BICYCLE GARMENT
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application Ser. No. 60/681,500, filed May 16, 2005.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`The invention is in general a top or shirt garment, and is
`primarily constructed to function as a women's bicycle top
`incorporating a built-in shelfbra, such as typically composed
`of an elastic knitted or woven fabric, such as Lycra or Span(cid:173)
`dex, and having one or more pockets disposed on the back or
`rear of the garment. An elastic band is disposed along the
`entire length of the pocket opening, typically within a top
`10 hem. The pocket elastic band is directly joined or connected
`to the torso-encircling elastic band of the shelf bra, such that
`the stresses applied to the pocket are transferred to the elastic
`band of the shelf bra rather than to the fabric composing the
`bicycle top. The elastic band of the pocket may terminate
`15 within the side seams of the garment, with a short segment of
`elastic band connecting the ends of the pocket elastic band of
`to the shelf bra elastic band, or the pocket elastic band may
`pass completely through the side seams of the garment and be
`joined directly to the shelf bra elastic band by sewing or other
`20 suitable connecting means. Alternatively, the garment may be
`constructed such that a circular elastic band is disposed in the
`pocket hem and in the forward portion of the shelf bra, with a
`secondary elastic band being utilized for the rear of the shelf
`bra, this secondary elastic band being connected to the circu-
`25 lar elastic band.
`
`This invention relates generally to the field of clothing
`shirts or tops, and more particularly to such tops composed
`completely or primarily of elastic material of the type worn
`during sports competitions or exercising, and most particu(cid:173)
`larly relates to such tops designed and adapted to be worn
`during bicycling.
`Specially designed shirts or tops composed of elastic fabric
`materials, such as Lycra or Spandex, usually referred to as
`bicycle tops, are often worn by serious riders. These bicycle
`tops are designed to fit snuggly for purposes of comfort and
`aerodynamics, and typically possess wicking or cooling char(cid:173)
`acteristics that exceed those of other fabrics.
`Bicycles used for racing or long distance riding are not
`equipped with baskets, pouches, bags or the like, as these
`would interfere with the aerodynamics of the bicycle by caus(cid:173)
`ing undesirable drag or wind resistance. However, it is usually
`desirable, especially on long rides, to bring bottled water,
`food or other supplies on the journey, and therefore bicycle
`tops have been designed with one or more pockets to retain
`these items. These pockets are almost always disposed on the
`back of the bicycle top, since the rider bends forward during
`the ride and placement of the pockets on the front or side
`would not provide optimum accessibility or comfort. Several 30
`problems result from locating the pockets on the rear of the
`bicycle top. For example, the pockets can trap air as the
`bicycle moves forward, thus acting like a sail and slowing the
`rider. A pocket with an unsecured opening may not
`adequately secure the items stored in the pocket. Over time, 35
`and especially if the pockets are loaded with heavy items or
`multiple items whose volume stretches the pocket, the pock-
`ets or the garment may become misshapen. Also, if the pocket
`is overloaded, the fit and comfort of the garment may be
`adversely affected.
`To address these problems, it is known to incorporate an
`elastic band on the exposed edge or top hem of the pocket flap.
`The ends of elastic band may be sewn directly to the fabric
`comprising the bicycle top. The strength of the elastic band
`must be limited so that it does not damage the fabric material 45
`to which it is attached, meaning that relatively weak elastic
`bands must be utilized, thereby decreasing the ability of the
`pocket to retain the items. This structure results in undesirable
`stress points on the fabric, a misshaping of the garment, and
`can become uncomfortable over long time periods. This is 50
`especially true for women's bicycle tops that incorporate
`shelf bras within the interior of the garment. A shelf bra is
`typically constructed from an elastic fabric material and is
`attached to the fabric of the bicycle top along its upper hem.
`The bottom of the shelf bra is usually not directly attached to 55
`the top and is provided with a torso-encircling elastic band to
`properly position and retain the shelf bra on the wearer's
`torso.
`It is an object of this invention to provide a novel construc(cid:173)
`tion for a bicycle top that addresses the above referenced 60
`problems. It is a further object to provide such a bicycle top
`wherein elastic bands of relatively high strength can be incor(cid:173)
`porated in the top without detrimental effect to the fabric
`material, the look of the top or the comfort of the wearer. It is
`a furtherobject to provide such a bicycle top wherein stress on 65
`the pocket hem is transferred or shared with a body encircling
`elastic band.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a bicycle top of the invention.
`FIG. 2 shows an exposed view of the shelf bra elastic band
`and the pocket elastic band, as seen from the front.
`FIG. 3 shows an exposed view of an alternative embodi(cid:173)
`ment for the shelf bra elastic band and the pocket elastic band,
`as seen from the front.
`FIG. 4 shows a cut-away side view of the bicycle top
`wherein the pocket elastic band extends through the side
`seam.
`FIG. 5 shows a partial cut-away view where a bridging
`40 member is used to connect the shelf bra elastic band and the
`pocket elastic band.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention is a garment worn on the torso, i.e., a top or
`a shirt, and used primarily as active wear for sporting events,
`running, bicycling, etc. The garmentmaybecomposedofany
`known fabric material, and in particular may be composed
`completely or primarily of an elastic or stretch fabric, such as
`for example fabrics sold under the brand names Lycra or
`Spandex. Primarily, the invention is a garment of the type
`known as a bicycle top that further incorporates one or more
`pockets disposed on the back of the garment. For ease of
`reference, the invention shall be referred to herein as a bicycle
`top, with the term not being restrictive but being used to
`encompass any similar garment used in other sports or activi(cid:173)
`ties. Although the primary benefits of the invention are
`directed to bicycle tops manufactured for women that contain
`an integral shelf bra as part of the top, it is understood that the
`structure and function can be accomplished in a bicycle top
`for either gender.
`A typical bicycle top 10 comprises a front 11, back 12,
`opposing side seams 13, a large waist or bottom opening 14,
`and a relatively large or small neck or upper opening 15 that
`may be designed to encircle the neck tightly, loosely or even
`distantly, such as in a halter top design. In the embodiment
`shown in the drawings, the bicycle top 10 is provided with a
`
`p. 4
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`

`3
`halter strap 16 that spans the upper opening 15, effectively
`dividing it into front and rear components.
`A shelf bra 20, typically composed of elastic fabric mate(cid:173)
`rial, is disposed internally to the bicycle top 10 as an integral
`member. The shelf bra 20 comprises an upper opening 21, a 5
`torso-encircling main body 22 of a generally cylindrical con(cid:173)
`figuration, and a bottom opening 23. The perimeter of the
`shelf bra upper opening 21 is joined by stitching or other
`suitable means to the upper opening 15 of the bicycle top 10,
`while the perimeter of the lower opening 23 is usually not 10
`directly connected to the bicycle top 20, but instead hangs
`loose within the garment. A torso-encircling elastic band 30 is
`disposed about the perimeter of the shelf bra bottom opening
`23, typically encased within a hem, such that the shelf bra 20
`is retained snugly on the torso of the wearer.
`At least one pocket 40 is provided on the back 12 of the
`bicycle top 10, the pocket 40 being relatively large and having
`an upper edge 41 that defines the access opening 42 for the
`pocket 40. An elastic band 50 is disposed along the pocket
`upper edge 41 and typically encased within a hem. The length 20
`of the pocket elastic band 50 is chosen so as to maintain the
`pocket 40 in a closed position unless stretched by the wearer
`for access or by the presence of items of large volume within
`the pocket 40. The pocket upper edge 41 and pocket elastic
`band 50 preferably extend completely across the back 12 of 25
`the bicycle top 10 from one side seam 13 to the other, although
`a pocket 40 and elastic band 50 oflesser width could also be
`utilized.
`In the preferred embodiment, the pocket elastic band 50
`has a pair of ends 51 and the shelf bra elastic band 30 is 30
`annular, as shown in FIG. 2. The ends 51 of the pocket elastic
`band 50 extend beyond the sides of the pocket 40 and into or
`through the side seams 13. The ends 51 of the pocket elastic
`band 50 are connected to the elastic band 30 of the shelf bra
`20, preferably by stitching, such that stresses applied to the 35
`pocket 40 by large water bottles or other items are transferred
`directly to the torso-encircling elastic band 30 of the shelf bra
`20 rather than pulling directly against the sides of the bicycle
`top 10. This is accomplished structurally in one of two pri(cid:173)
`mary ways.
`In a preferred embodiment, the ends 51 of the pocket
`elastic band 50 do not extend into the interior of the bicycle
`top 10 beyond the fabric composing the side seams 13. A pair
`of bridging members 52, preferably each an elastic band of
`similar size and strength to the pocket elastic band 50, are 45
`connected to the pocket elastic band 50, by stitching one end
`of the bridging member 52 through the side seam 13, and to
`the shelf bra elastic band 30, by stitching the other end
`through the hem, as shown in FIG. 5. The bridging member 52
`is not required to be elastic, but use of an elastic material is 50
`preferred in order to maintain some degree of freedom for the
`shelf bra 20 relative to the garment 10. Alternatively, the
`bridging member 52 may be omitted and the shelf bra elastic
`band 30 connected to the pocket elastic band 50 by stitching
`passing directly through the side seam or fabric of the gar- 55
`ment 10.
`In another alternative embodiment, the ends 51 of the
`pocket elastic band 50 extend a short distance into the interior
`of the bicycle top 10 beyond the fabric composing the side
`seams 13, and each end is joined directly to the shelf bra 60
`elastic band 30, such as by stitching that passes through the
`hem containing the shelf bra elastic band 30, as shown in FIG.
`4.
`
`40
`
`In still another alternative construction, a circular elastic
`band 60 is provided such that a forward portion is joined to the 65
`front portion of the shelf bra 20, the elastic band 60 passes
`through the side seams 13 or apertures provided in the fabric
`
`US 7,396,274 B2
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`4
`of the garment 10, and a rear portion is disposed along the
`upper edge 41 of the pocket 40. An elastic band segment 61 is
`then positioned within the back of the shelf bra 20 and joined
`to the front portion of the circular elastic band 60 adjacent the
`side seams 13, as shown in FIG. 3.
`For a bicycle top 10 not containing a shelf bra, the torso(cid:173)
`encircling band 30 is provided as apart of the top 10, either
`internally or externally, and the pocket elastic band 40 is
`connected to this torso-encircling band 30 in any of the alter(cid:173)
`native manners as described above. Such a top may be worn
`by males or females.
`A bicycle top 10 as described above possessed multiple
`improved properties over the known constructions. The
`pocket opening 42 will remain tightly drawn against the wear-
`15 er's back or snugly around any items extending from the
`pocket 40, thereby increasing retention and closure. The tight
`closure precludes a sail effect where wind is captured by the
`pocket 40. Stresses are passed through to the torso-encircling
`or shelf bra elastic band 30, thereby increasing comfort and
`preventing distress to the bicycle top fabric.
`It is contemplated that equivalents and substitutions for
`certain elements set forth and described above may be obvi(cid:173)
`ous to those skilled in the art, and therefore the true scope and
`definition of the invention is to be set forth in the following
`claims.
`
`The invention claimed is:
`1. A bicycle top garment comprising in combination:
`a front, a back, opposing side seams, a bottom opening and
`a top opening;
`an external pocket having an upper edge defining an access
`opening, said external pocket positioned on said back
`such that said pocket is exposed when said garment is
`worn;
`a separate pocket elastic band affixed to and extending
`along said upper edge of said external pocket;
`a torso-encircling elastic band;
`wherein said pocket elastic band is joined to said torso(cid:173)
`encircling elastic band such that pulling on said pocket
`elastic band pulls on said torso-encircling band and such
`that pulling on said torso-encircling band pulls on said
`pocket elastic band, such that stress applied to said
`pocket elastic band is transferred to said torso-encircling
`elastic band rather than to said back.
`2. The garment of claim 1, further comprising an internal
`shelf bra comprising an upper opening and a bottom opening,
`wherein said shelf bra upper opening is integrally connected
`to said front and said back of said garment, and wherein said
`shelf bra bottom opening is not integrally connected to said
`front and back of said garment, wherein said torso-encircling
`elastic band is joined to said shelf bra bottom opening.
`3. The garment of claim 1, wherein said pocket elastic band
`comprises two ends, and wherein said ends of said pocket
`elastic band are connected to said torso-encircling band.
`4. The garment of claim 3, wherein said ends of said pocket
`elastic band terminate at said side seams and are connected to
`said torso-encircling band by stitching.
`5. The garment of claim 3, wherein said pocket elastic band
`extends through said side seams and said ends of said pocket
`elastic band are connected to said torso-encircling band.
`6. The garment of claim 3, further comprising a pair of
`bridging members, and wherein said bridging members com(cid:173)
`prise separate elastic bands connecting said ends of said
`pocket elastic band to said torso-encircling band.
`7. A bicycle top garment comprising:
`a front, a back, opposing side seams, a bottom opening and
`a top opening;
`
`p. 5
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`

`US 7,396,274 B2
`
`5
`an external pocket having an upper edge defining an access
`opening and a separate pocket elastic band extending
`along said upper edge;
`a torso-encircling elastic band;
`wherein said pocket elastic band is joined to said torso(cid:173)
`encircling elastic band such that pulling on said pocket
`elastic band pulls on said torso-encircling band and such
`that pulling on said torso-encircling band pulls on said
`pocket elastic band, such that stress applied to said
`pocket elastic band is transferred to said torso-encircling 10
`elastic band;
`wherein said pocket elastic band comprises two ends, and
`wherein said ends of said pocket elastic band are con(cid:173)
`nected to said torso-encircling band; and
`further comprising a pair of bridging members, and 15
`wherein said bridging members connect said ends of
`said pocket elastic band to said torso-encircling band.
`8. The garment of claim 7, wherein said bridging members
`are elastic.
`9. The garment of claim 1, said garment being composed of
`an elastic material.
`10. A bicycle top garment comprising in combination:
`a front, a back, opposing side seams, a bottom opening and
`a top opening;
`an external pocket having an upper edge defining an access
`opening, said pocket upper edge extending completely
`between said side seams, said external pocket positioned
`on said back such that said pocket is exposed when said
`garment is worn;
`a torso-encircling elastic band, a rear portion of said torso(cid:173)
`encircling elastic band affixed to and extending along
`said pocket upper edge; and
`an elastic band segment connected to said torso-encircling
`elastic band.
`
`20
`
`6
`11. The garment of claim 10, further comprising an internal
`shelf bra comprising an upper opening and a bottom opening,
`wherein said shelf bra upper opening is integrally connected
`to said front and said back of said garment, and wherein said
`shelf bra bottom opening is not integrally connected to said
`front and back of said garment, wherein a forward portion of
`said torso-encircling elastic band is joined to said shelf bra
`bottom opening.
`12. The garment of claim 11, wherein said elastic band
`segment is joined to said shelf bra bottom opening.
`13. The garment of claim 10, said garment being composed
`of an elastic material.
`14. The garment of claim 7, further comprising an internal
`shelf bra comprising an upper opening and a bottom opening,
`wherein said shelf bra upper opening is integrally connected
`to said front and said back of said garment, and wherein said
`shelf bra bottom opening is not integrally connected to said
`front and back of said garment, wherein said torso-encircling
`elastic band is joined to said shelf bra bottom opening.
`15. The garment of claim 2, wherein said pocket elastic
`band comprises two ends, and wherein said ends of said
`pocket elastic band are connected to said torso-encircling
`band.
`16. The garment of claim 15, wherein said ends of said
`25 pocket elastic band terminate at said side seams and are
`connected to said torso-encircling band by stitching.
`17. The garment of claim 15, wherein said pocket elastic
`band extends through said side seams and said ends of said
`pocket elastic band are connected to said torso-encircling
`30 band.
`18. The garment of claim 15, further comprising a pair of
`bridging members, and wherein said bridging members com(cid:173)
`prise separate elastic bands connecting said ends of said
`pocket elastic band to said torso-encircling band.
`
`* * * * *
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`p. 6
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