US 201503133O2A1

(19) United States

(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2015/0313302 A1
BOYLE (43) Pub. Date: Nov. 5, 2015
(54) VENTED PANTS AND SHORTS A4IDI/08 (2006.01)
A4IDI/06 (2006.01)
(71) Applicant: Alf Wear dba Kuhl, Salt Lake City, UT (52) U.S. Cl.
(US) CPC A4 ID 27/28 (2013.01); A4 ID I/06 (2013.01);
A41D 27/205 (2013.01); A4 ID I/08 (2013.01)
(72) Inventor: KEVIN BOYLE, Park City, UT (US)
(73) Assignee: Alf Wear dba Kuhl, Salt Lake City, UT (57) ABSTRACT
(US)
Pants or shorts include a waist portion; first and second legs
(21) Appl. No.: 14/267,209 extending from the waist portion, the first and second legs
(22) Filed: May 1, 2014 defining a crotch region between the first and second legs; and
9 a vented crotch gusset extending across the crotch region
Publication Classification from the first leg to the second leg. Also discussed are pants
including a waist portion; first and second legs extending
(51) Int. Cl. from the waist portion, the first and second legs defining first
A4 ID 27/28 (2006.01) and second knee regions, respectively; and a knee vent in each
A4 ID 27/20 (2006.01) of the first and second knee regions.
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US 2015/03 13302 A1 Nov. 5, 2015

VENTED PANTS AND SHORTS DETAILED DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD 0017 Various embodiments of the invention are discussed

in detail below. While specific embodiments are discussed, it
0001. This patent application relates generally to recre should be understood that this is done for illustration pur
ational clothing, such as pants, shorts, and the like. More poses only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize
specifically, the present application relates to vented pants that other components and configurations can be used without
and shorts. departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
BACKGROUND 0018. As used herein, terms such as “front,” “back. “left,
“right,” “upper,” and “lower are used to describe positions
0002 Clothing for people with an active lifestyle has relative to one another only and not to denote an absolute
existed for a number of years. Such clothing is typically used position. For example, an “upper portion' can become a
during recreational activities such as hiking, climbing, skiing, “left,” “right,” or “lower portion by rotating the item,
and other outdoor activities. Additionally, recreational cloth although it can still be referred to as an “upper portion of the
ing is often worn for everyday life activities. Examples of item.
recreational clothing include pants and shorts, as well as (0019 Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of pants 10
shirts, jackets, and other types of outerwear. Due to body heat according to the present invention is shown. The pants 10 can
that can be generated during recreational activities, there is generally include a waist portion 12 that fits around the wear
often a need for recreational clothing to provide adequate er's waist and crotch. The pants can also include first and
ventilation. Additionally, in order to accommodate certain second legs 14, 16. Such as right and left legs. The first and
activities, there is often a need for the clothing to provide the second legs 14, 16 can belong-legs as shown in FIGS. 1-3, or
wearer with Sufficient range of movement. alternatively, short-legs as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Alter
SUMMARY
natively, pants 10 can have leg lengths between those shown
in FIGS. 1-3 and 10, 11.
0003. According to an embodiment, pants or shorts com 0020 Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first and
prise: a waistportion; first and second legs extending from the second legs 14, 16 can define a crotch region 18 that generally
waist portion, the first and second legs defining a crotch lays between the first and second legs 14, 16, e.g., between the
region between the first and second legs; and a vented crotch wearer's inner thighs. Referring to FIG. 4, the crotch region
gusset extending across the crotch region from the first leg to 18 can include a vented crotch gusset 20 extending from the
the second leg. first leg 14 to the second leg 16. The vented crotch gusset 20
0004. According to another embodiment, pants comprise: can reinforce the crotch region 18, and/or increase the wear
a waist portion; first and second legs extending from the waist er's range of motion. Additionally, the vented crotch gusset
portion, the first and second legs defining first and second can vent the wearer's body heat during exercise or other
knee regions, respectively; and a knee vent in each of the first activities, helping to keep the wearer cool.
and second knee regions. (0021 Referring to FIGS. 4-6, details of the vented crotch
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
gusset 20 can be seen. FIG.5 depicts the vented crotch gusset
20 from inside pants 10, while FIG. 6 depicts an enlarged
0005. The foregoing and other features and advantages portion of the crotch gusset 20. With reference to FIG. 5, the
will be apparent from the following, more particular, descrip vented crotch gusset 20 comprises a layer of mesh fabric 22
tion of various exemplary embodiments, as illustrated in the extending across the crotch region 18 from the first leg 14 to
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers the second leg 16. For example, the mesh fabric 22 can be
generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/or sewn together with the material forming the remainder of the
structurally similar elements. crotch region 18, or alternatively, it can comprise an extra
0006 FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of pants piece of material. The vented crotch gusset 20 can also
according to the present invention. include a layer of substantially solid fabric 24 substantially
0007 FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pants of FIG. 1. overlaying the layer of mesh fabric 22, as shown in FIG. 4.
0008 FIG. 3 is a side view of the pants of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 in conjunction, the layer of mesh
0009 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a crotch region of the fabric 22 can be connected to the layer of substantially solid
pants of FIG. 1, showing a vented crotch gusset. fabric 24 along first and second lateral seams 30, 32, for
0010 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the interior of the example, by Stitching, bonding, ultrasonic welding, or other
crotch region of FIG. 4, showing the construction of the construction techniques known in the art. As shown in both
vented crotch gusset. FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the first and second lateral seams 30, 32
0011 FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the can extend across the crotch region 18 substantially from the
vented crotch gusset of FIG. 4. first leg 14 to the second leg 16.
0012 FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an area behind the knee 0022. According to an embodiment, the layer of mesh
of the pants of FIG. 1, showing a knee vent. fabric 22 and the layer of substantially solid fabric 24 are
0013 FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a por detached from one another at first and second vent openings
tion of the knee vent of FIG. 7. 34, 36 located at opposed lateral ends of the vented crotch
0014 FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the interior construc gusset 20. For example, the first and second vent openings 34.
tion of the knee vent of FIG. 7. 36 can be located on the first and second legs 14, 16, respec
0015 FIG. 10 is a front view of an embodiment of shorts tively. Additionally or alternatively, the vent openings 34, 36
according to the present invention. can extend from the first lateral seam 32 to the second lateral
0016 FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the shorts of FIG. seam 34. An enlarged view of one of the vent openings 34 is
10. shown in FIG. 6.
US 2015/03 13302 A1 Nov. 5, 2015

0023 The construction of the vented crotch gusset 20 can crotch gusset 20 and/or one or more pockets 60-68, the details
allow the wearer's body heat to escape from the crotch region of which will not be repeated herein.
18 of the pants 10. For example, the layer of mesh fabric 22 0030. According to embodiments, pants 10 can be con
can freely lay on top of the layer of solid fabric 24, allowing structed using various fabrics and construction techniques
body heat, perspiration, etc., to escape from inside the pants known in the art. For example, all or parts of pants 10 can be
into the space between the mesh fabric 22 and the solid fabric constructed from man made and/or natural fiber fabrics. Such
24. The vent openings 34, 36 can then allow that body heat to as cotton, cotton/nylon blends, cotton/spandex blends, nylon/
escape the pants 10 and into the ambient environment. spandex blends, polyester, and polyester blends. According to
0024. Although referred to as a layer of “substantially an embodiment, pants 10 can be constructed from a 65%
solid fabric 24, embodiments are envisioned where the fab cotton/35% nylon blend. Other materials and/or combina
ric 24 has some degree of porosity, e.g., Sufficiently large to tions of materials will be identifiable by one of ordinary skill
facilitate escape of Sweat vapors, but Small enough to Sub in the art based on this disclosure depending on the intended
stantially prevent penetration by rain or Snow. Although style and/or use of the pants. According to an embodiment, all
embodiments of fabric 24 may have some degree of porosity, or a portion of the fabric for pants 10 can be coated, for
generally, the pores will not be visible to the human eye. This example, with a durable water repellant (DWR) or other
is in contrast to the layer of mesh fabric 22, which generally, coating. Pants 10 can be constructed by joining multiple
will have pores visible to the human eye. According to panels of fabric using techniques such as, for example, sew
embodiments, the layer of substantially solid fabric 24 can ing, gluing, or ultrasonic bonding. The pants 10 can include
include layers of tightly woven or knitted cotton/nylon additional features known in the art, Such as pockets, pleats,
blends, cotton/spandex blends, nylon/spandex blends, poly belt loops, a zip or button fly, etc., which will not be described
ester, and polyester blends. In contrast, the layer of mesh further herein.
fabric 22 can include a layer of loosely woven or knitted 0031. The vents described above are not limited to use
fabric having a matrix of closely spaced holes. with pants 10, and can alternatively be used with other types
0025 Referring to FIG. 1, each of the first and second legs of garments, such as shirts and jackets, for example.
14, 16 can include knee regions 40, 42. Each of the knee 0032. While various embodiments of the present invention
regions 40, 42 can include a knee vent 44, 46, located behind have been described above, it should be understood that they
the wearer's knee. FIGS. 7-9 depict an embodiment of knee have been presented by way of example only, and not limita
vent 44 in detail. FIGS. 7 and 8 are exterior views, and FIG.9 tion. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention
is an interior view. should not be limited by any of the above-described embodi
ments, but should instead be defined only in accordance with
0026. As shown in FIGS. 7-9, the knee vent 44 can include the following claims and their equivalents.
an inner layer of mesh fabric 46 and an outer layer of sub What is claimed:
stantially solid fabric 48 that substantially overlays the inner 1. Pants or shorts, comprising:
layer. The makeup of the mesh fabric 46 and the solid fabric a waist portion;
48 can be the same, or similar, to that described previously. first and second legs extending from the waist portion, the
0027. Referring to FIG.9, the inner layer 46 and the outer first and second legs defining a crotch region between
layer 48 can be connected along an upper seam 50 of the knee the first and second legs; and
vent 44, for example, by Stitching, bonding, ultrasonic weld a vented crotch gusset extending across the crotch region
ing, or other technique known in the art. The inner layer 46 from the first leg to the second leg.
and outer layer 48 can be detached from one another along a 2. The pants or shorts of claim 1, wherein the vented crotch
lower opening 52, allowing body heat, vapor, etc. to escape gusset comprises:
from the pant leg through the mesh inner layer 46 and the a layer of mesh fabric extending across the crotch region
opening 52. As shown in FIG. 7, one or more darts 54 can help from the first leg to the second leg; and
prevent the outer layer 48 from flapping or hanging away a layer of substantially solid fabric substantially overlaying
from the inner layer 46. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mesh the layer of mesh fabric.
inner layer 46 can be connected to the remainder of the leg 16 3. The pants or shorts of claim 2, wherein the layer of mesh
by a seam 56 formed, for example, by Stitching, bonding, fabric is connected to the layer of substantially solid fabric
ultrasonic welding, or other technique known in the art. along first and second lateral seams, each of the first and
0028. Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, the pants 10 can second lateral seams extending across the crotch region Sub
include a variety of pockets or other functional components stantially from the first leg to the second leg.
that double as vents, e.g., have their interior “layer formed at 4. The pants or shorts of claim3, wherein the layer of mesh
least partially from mesh. For example, as shown in FIGS. fabric and the layer of substantially solid fabric are detached
1-3, the pants 10 can include front pockets 60, rearpockets 62, from one another at first and second vent openings, the first
side pockets 64, a cell-phone pocket 66, and/or a wallet and second vent openings located on the first and second legs,
pocket 68. At least a portion of one or more of these pockets, respectively.
Such as the inner wall or layer, can be formed of mesh, 5. The pants or shorts of claim 4, wherein each of the vent
allowing these pockets to double as vents. openings extends between the first and second lateral seams.
0029. Although FIGS. 1-9 depict the pants 10 as long 6. Pants according to claim 1, wherein the first and second
legged pants, embodiments with short-legs are also possible, legs have first and second knee regions, respectively, that
such as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Additionally, embodi extend below the wearer's knees, each of the first and second
ments with leg lengths in between those shown in FIGS. 1-9 knee regions including a knee vent located behind the wear
and 10, 11 are also possible. The short-legged pants 10 of er's knee.
FIGS. 10 and 11 can include some or all of the same features 7. The pants of claim 6, wherein each of the knee vents
as described with respect to FIGS. 1-9, such as the vented comprises:
US 2015/03 13302 A1 Nov. 5, 2015

an inner layer of mesh fabric; and 14. The pants of claim 13, wherein the knee vents are
an outer layer of substantially solid fabric, the outer layer located behind the wearer's knees.
Substantially overlaying the inner layer; 15. The pants of claim 13, wherein each of the knee vents
wherein the inner layer and outer layer are connected along comprises:
an upper seam of the knee vent, and the inner layer and an inner layer of mesh fabric; and
outer layer are detached from one another along a lower an outer layer of substantially solid fabric, the outer layer
opening of the knee vent. Substantially overlaying the inner layer;
8. The pants or shorts of claim 1, further comprising at least wherein the inner layer and outer layer are connected along
one pocket selected from the group consisting of a front an upper seam of the knee vent, and the inner layer and
pocket, a rear pocket, a side pocket, a cell-phone pocket, and outer layer are detached from one another along a lower
a wallet pocket, wherein at least a portion of the at least one opening of the knee vent.
pocket is mesh. 16. The pants of claim 15, wherein the layer of substan
9. The pants or shorts of claim 1, wherein the pants or shorts tially solid fabric is selected from the group consisting of
are long-legged pants. cotton/nylon blends, cotton/spandex blends, nylon/spandex
10. The pants or shorts of claim 1, wherein the pants or blends, polyester, and polyester blends.
shorts are short-legged pants. 17. The pants of claim 16, wherein the layer of mesh fabric
11. The pants or shorts of claim 2, wherein the layer of comprises a layer of loosely woven or knitted fabric having a
Substantially solid fabric is selected from the group consisting matrix of closely spaced holes.
of cotton/nylon blends, cotton/spandex blends, nylon/span 18. The pants of claim 13, further comprising at least one
dex blends, polyester, and polyester blends. pocket selected from the group consisting of a front pocket, a
12. The pants or shorts of claim 11, wherein the layer of rear pocket, a side pocket, a cell-phone pocket, and a wallet
mesh fabric comprises a layer of loosely woven or knitted pocket, wherein at least a portion of the at least one pocket is
fabric having a matrix of closely spaced holes. mesh.
13. Pants, comprising:
a waist portion; 19. The pants of claim 13, wherein the first and second legs
first and second legs extending from the waist portion, the define a crotch region there between, the pants further com
first and second legs defining first and second knee prising a vented crotch gusset extending across the crotch
regions, respectively; and region from the first leg to the second leg.
a knee vent in each of the first and second knee regions. k k k k k