Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SPORTS TROUSER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sports trouser, and
more particularly to a sports trouser having a halter portion
which may enable the trouser to be more versatile, especially
for a female user.
BACKGROUND ART
For various types of sport, it is conventional to wear a
trouser for reasons of protection, comfort and modesty. Such
sports include cycling, triathlon, skiing and snowboarding.
A key requirement for such a trouser is that the trouser
should remain in position on the wearer's body even when the
wearer is engaged in strenuous activity. However, the trouser
must also be sufficiently comfortable so as not to distract
from the performance of the sport and also must not unduly
restrict the movement of the wearer.
Especially for the sports mentioned above, the wearer
spends a substantial proportion of the time while engaged in
the activity in a crouched posture. In such a posture, when
wearing a trouser which is retained against the wearer's body
by means of a form-fit, as in the case of a trouser formed of
a stretch material, there is a tendency for the waistband of
the trouser to descend, leading to a loss of protection of
the lower portion of the torso and upper portion of the seat
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and potentially revealing unintended portions of the wearer's
body. This can lead to a gap forming between the shorts and
the rider's top garment, such as a riding jersey, which can
be uncomfortable, especially when riding in cold or rainy
conditions or under intense ultraviolet-level sun. There is
also a tendency for a riding pad, if present, to displace
from a preferred location, which can be uncomfortable for the
rider.
Therefore, especially for the above-mentioned
sports, there has been developed a type of trouser known as
the bib trouser. A conventional bib trouser is shown in Fig.
8. Such a trouser has a waistband portion 101 from which left
and right leg portions 102a and 102b depend, in the
conventional manner of a trouser. Specifically, the leg
portions may each be thought of as a pair of tubes which
bifurcate from a common, essentially tubular waist portion.
This is a conventional trouser configuration as understood in
the art. Such a configuration is distinguished from, for
example, a brief or leotard configuration, which may have
apertures for legs but no leg portions as such for
accommodating the legs of the wearer therein. While brief or
leotard configurations are conventional for, for example,
leisure swimming or sunbathing, for active sport situations a
trouser configuration is required to give adequate protection
to, for example, the thighs.
To assist in retaining the trouser in its correct position
even when crouching or performing strenuous activity, the
trouser is additionally provided with left and right
suspender portions 103a and 103b which extend from the front
of the waistband of the trouser over the shoulders of the
wearer on the left and the right sides to attach to a back
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portion 105. The back portion 105 then extends from the
attachment points of the suspender portions to the rear
portion of the waistband portion 101. By means of the
suspender portions 103a and 103b, the shoulders provide an
upward force to the front and rear of the waistband,
maintaining the trouser in its correct configuration.
Variants in the width and positioning of the back portion,
especially, may be adopted, but the general principle is
common to conventional bib trousers.
Such a trouser may also be provided with a so-called bib
portion 104 which extends above the waistband portion 101 and
connects the left and right suspender portions 103a and 103b
to provide protection also to the midriff of the wearer.
Such a bib trouser has a number of drawbacks.
Particularly, such a configuration is generally somewhat
difficult to remove at least partially from the body of the
user, unassisted, in a quick and simple manner, for example
to enable convenient use of bathroom facilities, especially
for female wearers.
Further, the suspender portions tend to fall over the
front of the breast, thereby causing irritation and rubbing
when riding. Additionally, the excess fabric of the back
portion can impede cooling, while the tension of the
suspender portions on the shoulders can be uncomfortable.
For all these reasons, the conventional bib trouser
design does not completely fulfil the comfort, security and
convenience needs of wearers.
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No design of trouser is known to the present inventor
which provides a sufficiently comfortable and secure wearing
experience and simultaneously enables the easy use of
bathroom facilities.
SUMMARY
According to a first aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a sports trouser comprising: a trouser
portion having a waistband portion from which a bifurcated
leg portion depends; and a halter portion extending from the
waistband portion to loop, when worn, around the back of the
neck of the wearer, thereby to apply an upward force to the
waistband portion, wherein the halter portion is anchored to
the waistband portion so as to apply force at at least two
positions arranged on either side of the body sagittal plane
each being rearward of the body coronal plane, the halter
portion being anchored so as to extend to the neck crossing
the body coronal plane beneath the arms of the wearer. Such a
configuration enables the easy use of bathroom facilities.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the halter
portion is additionally anchored to the waistband portion so
as to apply force at two positions arranged on each side of
the body sagittal plane and each being forward of the body
coronal plane. Such a configuration is able to provide
increased security when worn.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the halter
portion is anchored to the waistband portion on each side of
the body sagittal plane to apply force at positions both
forward and rearward of the body coronal plane but not at at
least an intermediate position between the forward and
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rearward position on each side. Such a configuration is able
to provide improved fit and to minimise unnecessary skin
coverage.
5 In one embodiment, the halter portion is detachably
anchored to the waistband portion at at least the forward
position on each side of the body sagittal plane. Such a
configuration enables particularly easy donning and doffing
of the trouser.
In one embodiment, the sports trouser further comprises
a closure portion extending from the halter portion in a loop
so as to encircle the neck, when worn. Such a configuration
is able to provide increased security to the trouser.
In one embodiment, the leg portion extends to terminate
above the knees of the wearer, when worn. Such a
configuration may be preferable for use in warm climates or
wet conditions.
In one embodiment, the leg portion extends to terminate
below the knees of the wearer, when worn. Such a
configuration may be preferable for colder climates or to
provide improved protection to the shin area.
In one embodiment, the sports trouser further comprises
an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the length of the
halter portion. Such a configuration allows the trouser to be
adapted to wearing conditions and to the physical dimensions
of the user.
In one embodiment, the halter portion is anchored to the
waistband portion at each side of the sagittal plane at a
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position more than 55% rearward measured between a frontmost
position of the waistband portion and a rearmost position of
the waistband portion intersecting the sagittal plane,
preferably being more than 65% and less than 75% rearward.
Such a configuration provides a good balance between comfort
and security.
In one embodiment, the halter portion is anchored to the
waistband portion by the apex of a generally triangular
portion which extends to the waistband on each side of the
sagittal plane. Such a configuration allows even distribution
of tension from the halter portion to the waistband portion,
thereby improving security, comfort and durability of the
trouser.
In one embodiment, the halter portion is substantially
in the form of a band of material extending from the
waistband portion on each side of the sagittal plane. Such a
configuration may be particularly simple to manufacture.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the halter
portion is configured so as to apply an upward tension on a
rear portion of the waistband portion when the wearer stands
erect, and so as to release the tension such that the
waistband portion may be dropped below the buttocks of the
wearer when the wearer squats. Such a configuration is
especially able to enable easy use of bathroom facilities by
the wearer.
In one embodiment, the sports trouser is a cycling
trouser, a triathlon trouser, a skiing trouser or a snowboard
trouser. Such a trouser is particularly suitable for such
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sports, in which crouching is a normal position in which to
perform the activity.
In one embodiment, a bib portion is provided connected
to the halter portion on each side of the sagittal plane so
as to at least partially cover a front torso region of the
wearer. Such a configuration is able to provide improved
protection to the covered torso region, as well as providing
a location to place graphical elements such as team logos,
numerals, or other identification marks.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the bib
portion extends to connect to a front portion of the
waistband. Such a configuration is further able to distribute
load across the waistband, thereby improving durability and
comfort of the trouser when worn. According to one aspect of
the present invention, the halter portion substantially is
formed of a stretch fabric. In one embodiment of the
invention, the waistband portion is substantially formed of a
stretch fabric. In one embodiment of the present invention,
the trouser portion substantially is formed of a stretch
fabric. In one embodiment of the present invention, the
sports trouser is substantially formed of a stretch fabric.
Such a configuration is able to provide particularly improved
comfort and fit as well as ease of donning and doffing the
trouser.
Embodiments of the invention are particularly applicable
to female users, although anatomical design for male users is
also contemplated, as well as unisex configurations, without
restriction.
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Particular embodiments of the present invention are
described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
To better understand the present invention and to show
how the same may be carried into effect, reference will be
made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a sports
trouser in a wearing configuration;
Figure 2 shows a rear view of an embodiment of the
sports trouser in the wearing configuration;
Figure 3 shows a front view of an embodiment of the
sports trouser when worn in a crouching posture;
Figure 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of the
sports trouser when worn in a crouching posture;
Figure 5a shows a side view of an embodiment of the
sports trouser when worn in a squatting posture;
Figure 5b shows a side view of an embodiment of the
sports trouser when partially doffed in a squatting posture;
Figure 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of the
sports trouser when worn in a standing posture;
Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram of the principal
planes of the human body; and
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Figure 8 shows a front and three-quarter rear view of a
conventional bib trouser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, as is conventional,
explanation will be made of the features of the disclosed
trouser with reference to the well-known body planes of a
typical wearer, shown for example in Figure 7. The coronal
plane B divides the body from top to bottom and left to right
through the centre of gravity into a front portion and a rear
portion. The sagittal plane A divides the body along the axis
of symmetry from top to bottom and front to back into a right
portion and a left portion. The transverse plane C divides
the body from left to right and front to back at the waist
into a top portion and a bottom portion. Due to the
characteristic shape of the human body, a garment, including
a trouser, is most easily defined in an oriented fashion with
regard to the body planes of a typical wearer.
According to a first embodiment of the present
disclosure, there is provided a sports trouser as shown in
Figure 1.
Specifically, Figure 1 shows a front view of the sports
trouser being worn by a wearer. The sports trouser has a
waist portion 11, from which two leg portions 12a and 12b
depend. Each of waist portion 11 and right and left leg
portions 12a and 12b are roughly tubular portions of fabric,
such that each of right and left leg portions 12a and 12b
bifurcate from waistband portion 11 away from a crutch region
of the trouser to provide accommodation for the lower torso
of the wearer and the left and right legs.
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In the embodiment of Figure I, a halter portion in the
form of a band of material extends upwardly from the
waistband so as to loop around and lie against the neck of
the wearer. The halter portion is anchored to the waistband
5 on positions approximately equidistant of the sagittal plane
of the wearer to the front of the waistband portion 11 via
right and left front anchor portions 16a and 16b. The left
and right front anchor portions I6a and 16b are formed as
roughly triangular portions of material such that load
10 applied upwardly to the waistband via the upper part 13a of
the halter portion 13 is evenly distributed across at least a
portion of the waistband portion 11. The sides of the anchor
portions may be curved for a better anatomical fit, while the
apex of the anchor portions at which the upper part of the
ls halter portion 13 joins the respective anchor portion may be
lengthened into the form of a band to merge with the halter
portion 13. Also shown in Figure 1 is bib portion 14, which
connects the left and right paths of halter portion 13 across
the sagittal plane so as to cover at least a portion of the
torso of the wearer.
Figure 2 shows a rear view of the sports trouser of
Figure I in a wearing configuration. Aside from right and
left leg portions 12a and 12b and waistband portion 11, also
visible in Figure 2 but not visible in Figure I is the manner
in which halter portion 13 loops around the back of the neck
of the wearer, thereby to apply tension to the halter portion
and thus indirectly to the front of the waistband.
Additionally, visible in Figure 2 are rear right and rear
left anchor portions 17a and 17b, which connect halter
portion 13 to positions on the rear of waistband portion 11,
thereby to transfer tension in the halter portion 13 to the
rear of the waistband portion 11. The rear right and rear
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left anchor portions 17a and 17b have a similar configuration
and purpose to the front right and front left anchor portions
16a and 16b.
In the exemplary trouser, each of the upper part of the
halter portion, the various anchor portions depending from
the upper part of the halter portion, the waistband portion
and the leg portion is integrally formed from fabric.
However, it is also possible that all the various portions,
or some of the various portions, are formed separately and
then joined by known fabric joining techniques such as
stitching, bonding, gluing, melting and the like. If the
trouser is made by joining individually formed portions, then
each individually formed portion may correspond with a named
portion in the present disclosure, or may correspond to part
of or more than one such portion.
In the exemplary trouser, the anchor portions have
triangular form, although triangular form with inwardly-
curved sides. However, the anchor portions could also be
formed as straight-sided triangular forms, semi-circular
forms, rectangular forms, band forms, or other forms without
limitation. Once skilled in the art will be able to achieve,
by straightforward adjustment of the dimensions and geometry
of the anchor portions, a good anatomical fit as desired or
required.
Figure 3 is a figure equivalent to Figure 1, but with
the wearer in a crouched posture, as though engaged in
cycling, for example. In this configuration, due to the
relatively more bent torso position compared with the erect
posture shown in Figure 1, the tension applied via halter
portion 13 between the neck of the wearer and waistband
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portion 11 is relatively reduced. In this position, the
length of the halter is selected or adjusted so as to provide
a good balance between applying sufficient tension to the
waistband portion 11 so as to retain the trouser in position
and not applying so much tension to the waistband portion as
to exceed a comfortable pressure applied on the back of the
neck of the wearer via halter portion 13. It will be
appreciated by the reader that the preferable and/or
tolerable amount of tension to achieve in the halter portion
while in the crouched configuration will depend on the
dimensions and the preferences of the wearer, as well as, for
example, their riding style or discipline.
Figure 4 shows the sports trouser of Figure 3 in the
same crouched position as demonstrated in Figure 3, but from
a side view. Here, it can be seen that the halter portion 13
crosses the body coronal plane at a position underneath the
arms, and extends rearward via rear anchor portion 17a to
apply tension to the rear of the waistband. In Figure 4, it
can be seen how the tension provided by halter portion 13
prevents both the front and rear portions of the waistband
undesirably descending during activity, contributing to the
security of the trouser.
Also visible in Figure 4 is an aperture formed between
the halter portion 13 and front and rear anchor portions 16a
and 17a. This aperture, defining a position between the front
anchor portion 16a and rear anchor portion 17a where the
halter portion 13 is substantially not anchored is improves
the fit of the trouser and increases the tension transferred
from the halter portion 13 to the rear of the trouser via
e.g. anchor portion 17a. However, in some configurations,
this aperture may be completely or partially closed by
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fabric, such that, for example, portions 16a, 17a and the
fabric between the two form an integral layer
Such a configuration can include a halter whose length,
geometry and/or width is adapted to follow anatomical
contours when worn, for example, the side contours of the
female breast, for increased comfort and security. In female
variants of the trouser, especially, the halter portion may
attach to the triangular front and rear attachment portions
to lie much under the armpit and just under the line of the
nipples, to help to guide the front straps round the side of
the female breast.
Therefore, by considering Figures 3 and 4, it can be
ls seen how the disclosed sports trouser configuration is able
to securely and reliably retain the trouser in a wearing
configuration without obscuring the back of the wearer with
unnecessary material, as in conventional bib trouser designs.
Furthermore, it can be seen how, in the disclosed
configuration, it is effectively impossible for the halter
portion 13 to become inadvertently disengaged from the neck,
in contrast to the suspender portions 103a and 103b of Figure
8 which may inadvertently be displaced sideways from the
shoulders.
Considering Figures 5a and 5b, another advantage of the
disclosed sports trouser becomes evident. When the wearer
adopts a squatting position, as shown in Figure 5a, such that
the neck is relatively more forward of the waistband, the
tension applied by halter portion 13 to waistband portion 11
via front and rear anchor portions e.g. 16a and 17a is
reduced. In this squatting configuration, it is relatively
easy for the wearer to displace at least the rear portion of
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waistband portion 11 downwardly even as far as the upper
thigh region so as to expose the buttocks of the wearer, as
shown in Figure 5b. This enables necessary or desirable
activities including the use of bathroom facilities for which
such exposure is advantageous without the need for the
garment to be fully removed. Again, this is in contrast to
the arrangement disclosed in Figure 8, in which the garment
must be almost fully removed before the buttocks may be
exposed. This can even be achieved in the case where a top
garment such as a riding top or a riding jacket is worn,
without removing the top garment.
Of course, if full or even partial removal of the trouser is
desired, the halter portion can be lifted over the head to
ls release tension on the waistband portion, and the trouser can
then be dropped as desired in the conventional manner. Doing
so is possible even when wearing a top garment, since the
halter portion can be retrieved beneath the top garment to
enable the halter to be donned.
Conversely, when the rider stands fully erect, as shown
in Figure 6 in a side view, the disclosed sports trouser does
not provide unnecessary additional tension to the trouser,
but, especially when at least the halter portion 13 is formed
of a stretch fabric, permits a relatively wide range of
postures to be adopted, such as might be desirable in
triathlon or similar combined sports disciplines.
Although one embodiment has been described above, a
number of variants are possible. Particularly, although the
above embodiment has been described with reference to a
configuration in which the halter portion is integrally
formed with the remainder of the garment, it is possible to
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provide a variant wherein the halter portion is connected to
the waistband via hook-and-loop fastenings, press studs,
clips or another detachable fastening mechanism, to further
improve the ease with which the garment may be donned and
5 doffed.
In a variant embodiment, a closure portion may be
provided extending from either side of the halter portion
passing about the neck of the wearer so as to connect each
10 side of the halter portion in front of the neck. Such a
configuration may provide an openable closure either on the
sagittal plane, to one side of the sagittal plane, where the
closure portion connects to the halter portion at one or
other side.
Such a closure portion may be made openable by provision
of, or example, a hook-and-loop fastening, a press-stud
fastening, a clip fastening or another fastening means such
as may be known in the art.
In the above embodiment, the Figures illustrate leg
portions 12a and 12b which extend to terminate above the knee
of the wearer. However, in variant embodiments, the leg
portions may extend to terminate below the knee of the
wearer, such that the knees and optionally the calves are
covered. In such a configuration, the leg portions may even
extend to the ankle of the user, and may terminate in a loop
portion configured to pass underneath the sole of the wearer.
In the above embodiment, the halter portion 13 has been
described as being of fixed length. However, in some
embodiments, the halter portion may be provided with an
adjustment mechanism, such as a length adjustment slide,
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whereby the length of the halter portion may be adjusted to
vary the tension provided by the halter portion to best suit
the preferences of the wearer. Alternative mechanisms to a
length adjustment slide include a buckle type adjustment,
wherein at least one side of the halter portion is divided
into two, and a buckle is provided such that one portion is
secured to the other portion at a relatively higher or lower
position, for example by a friction clip or a hook-and-loop
type fastening. In some embodiments, it may be preferably to
provide both sides of the halter portion with such an
adjustment slide.
In the disclosed configuration, the halter portion
essentially consists of a band of material extending from the
is anchor portions around the neck of the wearer. However,
different configurations are possible, and substantial
variation in the width of the halter portion is possible as
it passes from one side of the waistband, around the neck of
the wearer, to the other side of the waistband. Particularly,
it may be desired to provide a relatively wider or narrower
portion at the neck region to provide for, on the one hand,
greater load distribution and on the other hand, a more
contoured fit to the shape of the neck, depending on the
preferences of the wearer.
The above disclosure has been made with regard
especially to a cycling trouser, although equivalent
principles apply for a sports trouser for any other sport in
which a crouching position is generally adopted while
engaging in the activity. Therefore, an equivalent
construction is possible for, for example, triathlon
trousers, skiing trousers or snowboarding trousers. Further,
the trouser need not be an external trouser, but could, for
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example, be an underwear layer or a base layer over which a
shell trouser or a shell suit is worn for improved
protection. Alternatively, such a configuration is suitable
for an external shell trouser intended to be worn over, for
example, a base layer or underwear layer.
In the disclosed configuration, the bib portion 14 is
relatively small, and is formed by the join of the two front
anchor portions across the sagittal plane. However, the bib
portion can be relatively larger, and can extend from the
waistband to cover a substantial portion of the torso,
leaving sufficient aperture between the bib portion and the
halter portion to permit the neck to be placed through the
aperture to don the garment. With such a relatively larger
bib portion, more protection and coverage is provided to the
front of the torso of the wearer, and an enlarged area for
the depiction of graphics, logos, text and similar
indications may be provided. Further, although the bib
portion has been depicted in the above-described embodiment
as extending to the waistband, it is also possible for an
aperture to be provided between the bib portion and the
waistband, and, for example, the bib portion can take the
form of a cross-brace portion extending between the two
halves of the halter portion, across, for example, the chest
region.
In the above embodiments, it is envisaged that at least
portions, such as the halter portion, the bib portion, the
waistband portion, and the leg portions may be formed of a
stretch material such as elastane, known under the trade name
Lycra. Such a material may be advantageous in terms of
improving the fit to the wearer's body, improving body
contact for wicking moisture, and reducing the likelihood of
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the trouser displacing in use. However, the selection of
materials is not limited, and, for example, only parts of
these respective portions may be formed of a stretch fabric,
or not at all.
For example, it may be envisaged that only, for example,
side panels of the waistband portion 11 are formed of a
stretch fabric, with intermediate portions being formed of
another material selected for alternative technical
properties, such as the ability to wick moisture or the
ability to provide thermal insulation or ultraviolet
protection. The same is true for, for example, the leg
portions, the bib portion, and indeed the halter portion,
none of which necessarily need to be made wholly or even
partly from a stretch fabric.
For example, with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6, the
garment could be made of a substantially inelastic fabric,
and be provided with a closure extending from the rear
portion of the waistband to the crotch portion to enable the
garment to be divided in the crouching position shown in
Figure 5, thereby to expose the buttocks. Of course, the
garment would then need to be appropriately dimensioned to
permit the wearer to adopt the crouching position shown in
Figure 4, and in which case it is then unlikely that the
erect posture shown in Figure 6 would be comfortably
achievable. Nevertheless, in some circumstances, it may be
preferred by those in the art to select materials for reasons
other than their elasticity when constructing the trouser.
The particular dimensions and shapes of the various
portions of the trouser may be varied, provided the above-
described functional requirements are satisfied. In an
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exemplary embodiment, designed for a conventional male large
or female extra large size, the following dimensions may be
adopted.
The waistband circumference a may be selected as 86cm.
The position h on the waistband (measured from the front
centre of the waistband, on the sagittal plane) above which
the halter portion attaches to the triangular front
attachment portions may be selected as 14cm. The position c
lo on the waistband (measured from the front) above which the
halter portion attaches to the triangular rear attachment
portion may be selected as 22cm, or on or slightly to the
rear of the coronal plane. The length d of the triangular
rear portions from the waistband to the halter portion may be
selected as 20cm. The length e of the triangular front
portions from the waistband to the halter portion may be
selected as 17cm. The length of the halter f from the point
where the triangular rear portions join to the back of the
neck may be selected as 32cm. The widths g, h of the halter
strap may be selected to be 8cm at the chest and 6cm at the
neck.
Of course, it may be necessary to scale the trouser to
accommodate male and female and adult and juvenile users of
differing heights and builds. Assuming that the human body
linear dimensions scale with each other, for a 78cm waist,
corresponding to a conventional male small or female medium
size, the above dimensions could each be reduced by
approximately 10%.
As a general guide, the following dimensions could be
considered to be appropriate for the measurements b to h
based on the measurement a.
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For the measurement b, the range may be 10%-20%,
preferably about 15% of a. For the measurement c, the range
may be 20-30%, preferably about 25% of a. For the measurement
5 d, the range may be 15-30%, preferably about 23% of a. For
the measurement e, the range may be 15-25%, preferably 20% of
a. For the measurement f, the range may be 30-45%, preferably
35% of a. For the measurement g, the range may be 5%-15%,
preferably 10% of a. For the measurement h, the range may be
10 5 to 10%, preferably 7% of a.
However, despite the disclosure of the above exemplary
dimensions, given the variation in human body size, the
skilled reader will appreciate that it is in general
15 especially appropriate to characterise the trouser in terms
of its structure and function, and particularly in terms of
its having a halter portion which is anchored to the
waistband portion at at least two positions arranged on
either side of the body sagittal plane each being rearward of
20 the body coronal plane so as to extend to the neck crossing
the body coronal plane beneath the arms of the wearer. More
particularly, the halter portion is configured so as to apply
an upward tension on a rear portion of the waistband portion
when the wearer starts erect, and so as to release the
tension such that the waistband portion may be dropped below
the buttocks of the wearer when the wearer squats. Advantages
of the disclosed configuration are achieved when these
criteria are separately or together fulfilled.
Especially, in addition to the advantages described with
reference to the ability easily to permit the trouser to be
partially removed, aspects of the present disclosure may in
certain configurations present further advantages. Firstly,
CA 029=5 2016-06-09
WO 2015/086743 PCT/EP2014/077375
21
whereas in a conventional bib trouser, the back portion is
required to extend sufficiently far up the wearer's back so
as to prevent the left and right suspender portions from
slipping off the shoulders, the disclosed configuration
avoids excess body coverage and therefore may able to enhance
cooling performance during strenuous activity. In a
conventional bib trouser, a relatively greater area of the
fabric of the garment is required to be in contact with the
wearer's body.
In some embodiments, it may be possible to dispense
with, for example, the front anchors 16a and 16b, since in a
crouched riding position, the principal risk of exposure is
at the rear. However, by providing the front anchor
positions, the tendency of the halter portions to drift in
use from an intended position at the front of the torso is
minimised, tending to reduce chafing at the chest and
armpits.
Generally, once the advantage of providing a halter
portion anchored to the waistband portion at at least two
positions arranged on either side of the body sagittal plane,
each being rearward of the body coronal plan so as to extend
to the neck crossing the body coronal plane beneath the arms
of the wearer is appreciated, those skilled in the art will
be able to realise other configurations which achieve
advantageous effect, including improving security and
versatility. Any and all such variations are considered to be
within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
