Cycling shorts and associated method of manufacture

Abstract

Cycling shorts are constructed from a plurality of panels of stretchable fabric material and a crotch pad of absorbent material. The fabric material has a first thickness, while the pad material has a second thickness substantially greater than the first thickness. The pad has a plurality of edges joined to edges of selected ones of the panels disposed adjacent to and contiguous with the pad.

1 . Cycling shorts comprising a plurality of panels of stretchable fabric material and a crotch pad of absorbent material, said fabric material having a first thickness, said pad material having a minimum second thickness substantially greater than said first thickness, said pad having a plurality of edges joined to edges of selected ones of said panels disposed adjacent to and contiguous with said pad. 
     
     
         2 . Cycling shorts as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said pad is connected to said panels only at edges thereof. 
     
     
         3 . Cycling shorts as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said panels include a crotch panel identical in size and shape to said pad and extending coextensively therewith. 
     
     
         4 . Cycling shorts as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said panels include a crotch panel identical in size and shape to said pad and extending coextensively therewith. 
     
     
         5 . Cycling shorts as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said pad is joined to said selected ones of said panels by stitches or sewn thread. 
     
     
         6 . Cycling shorts as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said pad serves as a panel of the cycling shorts. 
     
     
         7 . A method for making cycling shorts, comprising:
 cutting a plurality of panels from stretchable fabric material;   providing a crotch pad of absorbant material; and   joining said panels to each other and to said crotch pad only at edges of said panels and said crotch pad to thereby from a tubular body portion and two tubular leg portions.   
     
     
         8 . The method set forth in  claim 7  wherein the joining of said panels to each another and to said crotch pad includes sewing or stitching said panels to each another and to said crotch pad. 
     
     
         9 . The method set forth in  claim 7  wherein one of said panels is geometrically congruent with said crotch pad, further comprising aligning said one of said panels with said crotch pad so that said one of said panels and said crotch pad are coextensive and completely overlap one another, the joining of said panels to each another and to said crotch pad including sewing or stitching edges of said one of said panels to corresponding laterally adjacent edges of said crotch panels.