US2441451A - Undergarment - Google Patents

Description

F. M. SMITH UNDERGARMENT May 11, 1948.

Filed April 24, 1946 INVENTOR. PEA-N055 "M. BY

SMITH.

ATTUENEY.

Patented May 11, 1948 UN DERGARMEN '1 Frances M. Smith, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to The La Resista Corset Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application April 24, 1946, Serial No. 664,505

Claims.

The present invention relates to an undergarment, particularly a ladies body controlling foundation garment of bifurcated type. The invention may be incorporated in either a girdle form of garment having its upper edge approximately at the waistline, or in a corselet type which includes an upper brassire section. In either case, the lower portion of 'the garment is of bifurcated or pants form, and the garment ineludes sections of elastic material through which it is adapted to confine and mould the body. The usual garment of this type has a tendency to bind, draw and twist in the crotch of the pants portion, especially while walking or climbing, or when assuming sitting or forward leaning postures. This is due to the fact that in assuming such postures the body lines lengthen in the region of the thighs and buttocks, and, because of the confining nature of the garment, the crotch 'is strained, the upper edge of the back section of the garment is pulled downwardly, and the leg sections ride upwardly. Frequent readjustment and pulling into place of the garment becomes necessary.

An object of the invention is to provide a garment of bifurcated type, wherein the leg sections are free to move relatively to the back section, so that in assuming postures causing lengthening of the body lines, the leg sections are allowed to have relatively independent movement with respect to the back section. To this end it is particularly proposed, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, to provide a garment wherein the backs I of the leg sections have a freely movable upper edge secured at its ends to the rearward seams of the side sections of the garment, and which is superimposed by the back section of the garment, also secured to the rearward seams of the side sections, the lower edge of the back section being below the upper edge of the back leg sections. Consequently, a telescoping action may take place between the back section of the garment and the leg sections, lengthening of the body lines being thus permitted while the back section and the leg sections remain in substantially fixed positions on their respective parts of the body.

A further object is to provide a garment wherein the back section overlying the back leg sections presents a smooth relatively fiat appearance, so that the outer garments will hang in a smooth straight line, without the tendency to cling to the back leg sections and cup in below the buttocks, as is the tendency with the usual type of bifurcated undergarment. s

Another object is to provide a garment having a drop seat at the back leg sections, which may be drawn forwardly, and. a back section which may be raised, thus enabling the normally overlapping edges of the drop seat and back sections to be widely separated for sanitary purposes.

With the above and other objects in View, embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, and these embodiments will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevation, partially broken away, of the undergarment according to one illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective showing the garment as posture.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view from the rear, showing the garment as worn in a standing posture.

Fig. 6 is a side view, showing the garment as worn in a sitting posture.

Fig. 7 is a side view, also showing the garment as worn in a sitting posture, and with the back sections open for sanitary purposes.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation, showing the invention as incorporated in. acorselet type of garment.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, the undergarment, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention, comprises a front section consisting of a central panel portion l0, preferably formed of non-elastic fabric, and front portions l2|2 secured to the side edges Il--ll of the panel l0, and preferably formed of two-way stretch elastic woven material, capable of both view from the front, worn in a standing vertical and horizontal stretch. The central panel I 0 extends from the upper edge of the garment to the crotch seam, its side edges converging downwardly, while the front portions |2l2 have their lower ends extended below the central panel to form the forward sides of the leg portions of the garment. To the outer side edges of the front portions |2l2 there are secured along seam lines I3l3 side panels l4|4, also preferably constructed of two-way stretch elastic woven that-it also permits of consider material. To the rearward edges of the side panels l li4 there are secured along the seam lines l5l5 the side edges of the back panel 16, also preferably constructed of two-way stretch elastic woven material, its lower edge H, which is adapted to extend transversely below the buttocks, being secured at its ends a short distance above the lower ends of the seams Hi -45 and being curved upwardly in a relatively low arc.

The back leg sections l8-i8 are secured at their forward edges to the inner edges of the front portions l2l2 and to the lower edge of the central panel it along an inverted U-shape crotch seam id, and are secured together at the upper edges of their inner sides along s, central seam line 29 extending from the crotch seam l9 rearwardly to the meeting point of the upper edges 2l2i oi the rearward sides of the back leg sections. These upper edges iii-2i are inclined downwardly from the outer side edges of the-leg sections, so that the upper edge of the two leg sections is in the form of a V, as shown {clearly in Fig. 2, wherein the of the v is concavely curved between its two sides. The outerside edges of the two back leg sections are secured along the seam lines l5iii beneath the back panel Iii, so that the points at which the outer endsof the upper edges ii are secured are relatively high and approximately at the hip line, while the central portion of the edge 2i is at a relatively low point. Thus therearward portion of the back leg sections is in the form of a seat, the upper edge of which is adapted to extend diagonally upwardly across each side of the but-- tocks.

lhe edge ll of the back panel it extends substantially below the edge 25 in the normal stand ing posture of the wearer so. that the overlap between the back leg sections and the back panel it is sufficiently great to enable subst ntial relative movement of the leg sections respect to the back panel, as for instance sit *2, so that the overlapped relation of the central points of the edges ll and 2i is maintained.

Inner edge and seam bindings cover the upper edge of the garment, the lower edges of the legs, and the seams It, to, it and The edges H and 2! are hemmed, preferably do not have inner facings. an of the edge and seam facings 22 are of elastic woven material, and the stitching along the edges seams is of zig-zag or other suitable stretchable type, so that all'oi the edges and seams are capable of stretching. The curved lower line i? of the back panel idissuch that it permits of co derable stretch of the lower portion of he be a panel, and the V-shaped upper line iii of the seat portion of the back leg sections is such length he stretch of the seat portion of the back leg sections.

Suitably positioned hose supporters 323 are secured to the lower edges of the leg portions of the garment.

porated in a corselet type or" an upper brassiere section shoulder straps 25-25 extending edge-to the upper edge of the pa zipper type fastener is pro-v c. .pperportion of the seam line for convenience in puttin garment. If desired, the illustrated-in Figs. 1 to 7 re oi garment provided with nilar-Zipper fastener along the'upperpcrtion cf one oi-the seam lines 53.

may b a sir In operation, the back leg sections it have relatively independent movement with respect to the back panel 16, so that in walking or stepping up, which causes lengthening of the body lines, the back leg sections will remain substantially fixed upon the legs without tendency to ride up, and the back panel iii will remain substantially fixed with respect to the waist and hips, the elastic upper line 2i Of the seat portion of the back leg sections moving beneath the overlying back panel section it with the movement of the legs Consequently, there is no strain upon the crotch portion of the garment and. no tendency to bind, draw, or twist. Upon resuming a standing posture, the parts of the garment automatically return to their'positions upon the body without riding or drawing displacement action.

In assuming a sitting posture as shown in Fig. 6, the upper edge of the seat portion of the back l-eg sections slides downwardly beneath the overlapping. back panel section it, the high degrees or" stretchability of the curved edge El and the shaped edge 25 being sufficient to permit this action without exerting a binding strain upon the garment and without displacing strains upon other portions of the garment. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the seat portion of the back leg sections may be grasped centrally between the legs and drawn forwardly, and the back panel raised, to

0 provide a wide separation of the elastic edges 2i and ll for sanitary purposes. Upon resuming a standing posture the parts will return automatically totheir normal positions.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory embodiments of the invention, but it will be" understood that changes may be made therein, within the spirit and scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A' bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a body encircling portion including a back panel section having a transverse lower edge secured at itsends being entirely free of attachment between said secured ends and adapted to extend across the body below the hips, and leg portions joinedat the crotch and including back leg sections having their upper rearward edges secured; at their outer-ends at points approximately at the hip lineand being entirely free of attachment between secured ends, said upper rearwardedges movably disposed in lapped upwardly spaced relation to t .e-lower edge of saidback panel section.

2. A: bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding r garmenucomprising a body encircling portion including aback panel section having a transverse lower edge-secured'at its ends and being entirely-free: of attachment between said secured ends and adapted to-ez'ztehd across the body below thehips, and leg portions joined at the crotch and including back leg'seetions'hav-ing their upper rearward edges secured at their outerends at points: approximately at'the hip line and being entirelyfree. oi'attachment between. said secured ends, said upper rearward'edges being movably disposed beneath the lower portionof said back panel section in upwardly spaced relation to the lower edge of said back panelsection.

/ 3; A1 bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment; comprisinga'booly' encircling portion-ineluding a back panel section havingatransverse lower edge secured at its. ends and being entirely free of attachmentibetween said securedie'nds and adapted to extend across-the. body below'the hips, and leg portions joinedat the crotch and including back leg sections having a common seat part having its upper edge secured at its outer ends at points approximately at the hip line and being entirely free of attachment between said secured ends, said upper edge being movably disposed in lapped upwardly spaced relation to the lower edge of said back panel section.

4. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a body encircling portion including a back panel section having a transverse lower edge secured at its ends and being entirely free of attachment between said secured. ends and adapted to extend across the body below the hips, and leg portions joined at the crotch and including back leg sections having a common upper edge secured at its outer ends at points approximately at the hip line and being entirely free of attachment between said secured ends, said common upper edge being movably disposed in lapped upwardly spaced relation to the lower edge of said back'panel section, said back panel section and said back leg sections being formed of elastic material whereby the lower edge of said back panel section and said common upper edge of said back leg sections are stretchable.

5. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a body encircling portion including a. back panel section having a transverse lower edge adapted to extend across the body below the hips, and leg portions joined at the crotch and including back leg sections having a common upper edge free of attachment and movably disposed in lapped upwardly spaced relation to the lower edge of said back panel section, said upper edge being in the form of a V having its ends secured at points spaced substantially above the endsof the lower edge of said back panel section.

6. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a body encircling portion including a back panel section having an upwardly curved transverse lower edge adapted to extend across the body below the hips, and leg portions joined at the crotch and including back leg sections having a, common upper edge free of attachment and movably disposed in lapped upwardly spaced relation to the lower edge of said back panel section, said upper edge being in the form of a V having its ends secured at points spaced substantially above the ends of the lower edge of said back panel section.

7. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a body encircling portion including a back panel section having a transverse lower edge adapted to extend across the body below the hips, and leg portions including front leg sections and back leg sections joined along an inverted U-shaped crotch seam, said back leg sections being joined together along a central seam extending rearwardly from said crotch seam to form a seat portion, said seat portion having an upper edge free of attachment andmovably disposed in lapped upwardly spaced relation to the lower edge of said back panel section.

8. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a body encirclingportion including front and side section-s and a back panel section, said back panel section having its side edges secured to the rearward edges of said side sections and having a transverse lower edge adapted to extend across the body below the hips, and leg portions joined at the crotch and including back leg sections having a common upper edge free of attachment and movably disposed in lapped upwardly spaced relation to the lower edge of said back panel section, said upper edge being secured at its ends to said rearward edges of said side sections at points substantially above the ends of the lower edge of said back panel section.

9. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising a body encircling portion including front and side sections and a back panel section, said back panel section having its side edges secured to the rearward edges of said side sections and having a transverse lower edge adapted to extend across the body below the hips, its ends being secured to the rearward edges of said side sections at points in upwardly spaced relation to the lower ends of said rearward edges, and leg portions joined at the crotch and including back leg sections having a common upper edge free of attachment and movably disposed in lapped upwardly spaced relation to the-lower edge of said back panel section, said upper edge being secured at its ends to said rearward edges of saldside sections at points substantially above the ends of the lower edge ofv said back panel section.

10. A bifurcated close-fitting body-moulding garment, comprising an upper brassiere portion, a body encircling portion including a, back panel section having a transverse lower edge secured at its ends and being entirely free of attachment between said secured ends and adapted to extend across the body below the hips, and leg portions joined at the crotch and including back leg sections having upper edges secured at their outer ends at points approximately at the hip line and being entirely free of attachment between said secured ends, said upper rearward edges being movably disposed in lapped upwardly spaced relation to the lower edge of said back panel section.

FRANCES M. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,315,701 Herbener Apr. 6, 1943 2,367,328 Bercaitz Jan. 16, 1945 2,424,651 Dubner July 29, 1947

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