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  Cycling pantsUSPTO Application #: 20060277645Title: Cycling pants Abstract: A pair of cycling pants is provided with a pants unit, a pair of shoulder straps and a pair of buckles to form a bib or shoulder strap type cycling pants. The pants unit has a front waist section, a rear waist section configured to form a waist opening together with the front waist section, and a crotch section positioned between a pair of leg-openings. The shoulder straps have fixed ends connected to the rear waist section of the pants unit and free ends positioned on the opposite side as the fixed ends. The shoulder straps extend from the rear waist section to the front waist section by way of the rider's shoulders when the cycling pants are worn. The two buckles are each configured such that one of the shoulder straps can pass there-through and arranged on the front waist section for adjusting the lengths of the shoulder straps. (end of abstract) Agent: GlobalIPCounselors, LLP - Washington, DC, US Inventor: Shinpei Okajima USPTO Applicaton #: 20060277645 - Class: 002069000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Body Garments The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060277645. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-151185. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-151185 is hereby incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention generally relates to pants. More particularly, the present invention relates to cycling pants for a rider to wear when riding a bicycle. [0004] 2. Background Information [0005] Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the products that the rider uses during the bicycling. For example, there are many types of garments that are especially designed for use during the bicycling. [0006] Cycling pants are intended for riders (cyclists) to wear when riding a bicycle and are generally made of a stretchy material. There are known examples of cycling pants of an overall type having shoulder straps. For example, Campagnolo offers cycling pants for sale on their website under the Racing Series Man--Spring Summer 2005 line of clothing (http://www.campagnolo.com/apparel as of May 19, 2005). These conventional cycling pants have a pants unit, and shoulder straps that run from the front side to the back side by way of the rider's shoulders. The shoulder straps are formed as homogenous, integral parts of the front side of the pants unit and are sewn to the back side of the pants unit. Cycling pants having this sort of shoulder strap are frequently used by riders participating in road races because the shoulder straps do not easily shift out of place during the intense and strenuous movement that can occur during a road race. Such conventional cycling pants are worn by first passing both legs through the pants unit and then placing the shoulder straps on the shoulders. [0007] Since the shoulder straps of the conventional cycling pants described above are formed integrally with the front side of the pants unit and sewn to the back side of the pants unit, the lengths of the shoulder straps are fixed. Consequently, depending on the body type of the rider, there is the possibility that the shoulder straps will be loose and fall from the shoulders of the rider. Conversely, there is also the possibility that the shoulder straps will be too tight on the shoulders of the rider. Thus, with the conventional shoulder strap type cycling pants described above, there is the possibility of comfort problems occurring in relation to the lengths of the shoulder straps. [0008] In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for improved cycling pants. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] One object of the present invention is to provide a shoulder strap type cycling pant that can resolve comfort problems regarding the lengths of the shoulder straps. [0010] The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a pair of cycling pants for a rider to wear when riding a bicycle. The cycling pants basically comprise pants unit, a pair of shoulder straps and a pair of buckles. The pants unit includes a front waist section, a rear waist section coupled to the front waist section to form a waist opening, and a crotch section positioned between the front and rear waist sections to define a pair of leg openings. The shoulder straps have fixed ends connected to the rear waist section of the pants unit and free ends positioned on the opposite side as the fixed ends. The shoulder straps are configured such that they can be extended from the rear waist section to the front waist section by way of a rider's shoulders when the cycling pants are worn. The buckles are coupled to the front waist section and is configured such that the shoulder straps can pass therethrough to adjust an effective length of each of the shoulder straps, respectively. [0011] When this cycling pant is put on, the free ends of the shoulder straps are brought to the buckles and connected to the buckles in advance. The wearer passes his or her legs through the leg openings first and then places the shoulder straps on his or her shoulders. The wearer then adjusts the lengths of the shoulder straps using the pair of buckles. Since the shoulder straps are not fixed to the front waist section and, instead, have free ends that can be passed through the buckles, the length of each shoulder strap can be adjusted independently so as to match the body type of the rider (wearer). As a result, comfort problems regarding the lengths of the shoulder straps can be resolved. [0012] In cycling pants in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the front waist section has an upper portion with the buckles arranged thereon. The upper portion is configured such that the buckles are arranged between the chest and waist of the rider when the cycling pants are worn. With this cycling pant, since the two buckles arranged on the front waist section are arranged between the chest and waist of the rider, the buckles are arranged in a place that is easy for the rider to reach and, thus, the rider can easily adjust the lengths of the shoulder straps using the buckles even while riding. [0013] In cycling pants in accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, the front waist section is configured to have a tapered shape such that its width narrows gradually in a direction from the crotch section toward the upper portion. With this cycling pant, the tensile forces imposed on the pants unit by the shoulder straps are dispersed and a comfortable fit can be maintained even if the lengths of the shoulder straps are adjusted such that the shoulder straps are tight. Additionally, since the portions directly below the buckles are shaped such that the widths thereof gradually expand toward the closely positioned end, these portions are easy to grip while riding and the gripping hand will not easily slip when the buckles are operated by gripping these portions. [0014] In cycling pants in accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, the shoulder straps have tapering widths along a majority of the shoulder straps such that the widths of the shoulder straps narrow gradually from the fixed ends toward the free ends of the shoulder straps. With this cycling pant, the tensile forces imposed on shoulders by the shoulder straps can be dispersed and, thus, a comfortable fit can be maintained even if the lengths of the shoulder straps are adjusted such that the shoulder straps are tight. Additionally, since the shoulder straps are tapered, they are easy to pass through the buckles. [0015] In cycling pants in accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, each of the two buckles has a passage part through which one of the shoulder straps each of the buckles has a passage part through which one of the shoulder straps can pass and a cam lever part configured to pivot between a fastening position where the shoulder strap can be fastened in the passage part and a release position where the fastened state is released. With this cycling pant, the length of either shoulder strap can be adjusted by merely pivoting the cam lever part from the fastening position to the release position. [0016] In cycling pants in accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, each of the shoulder straps includes a main body part formed at a corresponding one of the fixed ends and a passable part arranged between the free end and a tip end of the main body part. The passable part is configured to be passed through the passage part of a corresponding one of the buckles, and is made of natural leather or synthetic leather. With this cycling pant, since the passable part is made of a tough leather material that does not readily stretch, the length of a shoulder strap can be adjusted with ease by grasping the passable part. Furthermore, when the cam lever part of one of the buckles is pivoted to the fastening position, the characteristics of the leather material are such that the cam lever part can be pivoted smoothly without applying excessive force and a sufficient fastening force can be obtained. [0017] In cycling pants in accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, each of the passable parts has an embossing treatment applied to a surface that mates with the cam lever part of a corresponding one of the buckles. With this cycling pant, the holding force resulting from the mating of the cam lever part with the passable part can be increased without increasing the force (torque) required to pivot the cam lever part and a sufficient fastening force can be obtained between the shoulder strap and the buckle. [0018] In cycling pants in accordance with an eighth aspect of the present invention, a each of the shoulder straps further includes a passage restraining part arranged on a tip end of each of the passable part, the passage restraining part being dimensioned such that the passage restraining part is difficult to pass through the passage part of a corresponding one of the buckles. With this cycling pant, it is difficult for one of the shoulder straps to accidentally become detached from the buckle when the length of the shoulder strap is being adjusted. [0019] In cycling pants in accordance with a ninth aspect of the present invention, each of the passage restraining parts is configured to have a larger thickness than a corresponding one of the passable parts. With this cycling pant, the passage through the passage part can be made more difficult by means of a difference in thickness. [0020] In cycling pants in accordance with a tenth aspect of the present invention, the passage restraining part is formed by overlapping and fastening two layers material together with the material of the passage restraining part being identical to a material of the passable part. With this cycling pant, the passage restraining part matches the other portions well (does not clash) and can be formed in a simple fashion. [0021] In cycling pants in accordance with an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the main body parts are made of a stretchy material. Since the shoulder straps can stretch, the cycling pants can fit riders having a variety of upper body types. Continue reading... Full patent description for Cycling pants Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Cycling pants patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Cycling pants or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Adjustable suitmate mock blouse Next Patent Application: Garment with retractable fringes Industry Class: Apparel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Cycling pants patent info. 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