Pants With A Weight-Distributing Waistband

Abstract

A pair of pants with a weight-distributing waistband is provided. The pants comprise a waistband with a first plurality of rigidity segments located within the waistband, and a second plurality of belt loops. At least a portion of the second plurality of belt loops is affixed to the waistband corresponding to a first rigidity segment of the first plurality of rigidity segments. In addition, the pants may have a posterior stretch panel located below the lower margin of the waistband, a seat panel made of abrasion resistant material, and a groin stretch panel. As well, the pants may have a posterior knee stretch panel and an anterior knee panel of abrasion resistant material.

1 . A pair of pants with a weight-distributing waistband, comprising:
 an upper portion with a waistband, the waistband comprising a first end, a second end, an outer band portion, and an inner band portion, the inner band portion secured to the outer band portion at an upper and a lower margin to form a sleeve;   a first plurality of rigidity segments situated in a linear orientation within the sleeve and affixed at predetermined locations along the sleeve;   a second plurality of belt loops, the second plurality of belt loops comprising a piece of material with a first end and a second end, at least a portion of the second plurality of belt loops affixed to the outer band portion corresponding to a first rigidity segment of the first plurality of rigidity segments;   a posterior stretch panel affixed proximately and caudally to the lower margin of the waistband;   a seat panel of abrasion resistant material affixed proximately and caudally to the posterior stretch panel;   a groin stretch panel affixed proximately to the seat panel and extending caudally; and   two leg portions with each of the leg portions having a posterior knee stretch panel corresponding to the knee of a wearer's body in an as-worn position and affixed proximately to the groin stretch panel, and an anterior knee panel of abrasion resistant material corresponding to the knee of a wearer's body in an as-worn position affixed proximately to the groin stretch panel and proximately to the posterior knee stretch panel.   
     
     
         2 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 1 , further comprising slant pockets on the anterior portion below the waistband, the slant pockets being reinforced on the exterior, lateral portion by reinforcing material. 
     
     
         3 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 2 , wherein the reinforcing material is webbing. 
     
     
         4 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 1 , wherein the stretch panels comprise a material that stretches along a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and a diagonal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 1 , wherein the pants are made of a durable material in all areas not corresponding to panels made of stretch material or abrasion resistant material. 
     
     
         6 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 1 , wherein the anterior knee panel contains a pocket on its interior aspect, wherein the pocket contains a kneepad. 
     
     
         7 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 6 , wherein the kneepad is made of rubber. 
     
     
         8 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the leg openings is adjustable. 
     
     
         9 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 8 , wherein the leg openings are adjustable by the use of a tab with a hook-and-loop fastener on one surface that can be affixed to an opposing hook-and-loop fastener on the pant leg. 
     
     
         10 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of cargo pockets. 
     
     
         11 . A weight-distributing waistband, comprising:
 a waistband for a garment that encircles the waist of a wearer's body in an as-worn position, the waistband comprising a first end, a second end, an outer band portion, and an inner band portion, the inner band portion secured to the outer band portion at an upper and a lower margin to form a sleeve;   a first plurality of rigidity segments affixed in a linear orientation within the sleeve; and   a second plurality of belt loops, the second plurality of belt loops comprising a piece of material with a first end and a second end, at least a portion of the second plurality of belt loops affixed to the outer band portion corresponding to a first rigidity segment of the first plurality of rigidity segments.   
     
     
         12 . The weight-distributing waistband of  claim 11 , wherein the second plurality of belt loops are affixed to the outer band portion corresponding to a first rigidity segment of the first plurality of rigidity segments. 
     
     
         13 . A pair of pants with a weight-distributing waistband, comprising:
 a waistband for a garment that encircles the waist of a wearer's body in an as-worn position, the waistband comprising a first end, a second end, an outer band portion, and an inner band portion, the inner band portion secured to the outer band portion at an upper and a lower margin to form a sleeve having an interior space;   a first plurality of polyurethane foam segments each having a height, a length and a thickness situated within the interior space and oriented in a linear fashion substantially parallel to the waistband, wherein the first plurality is between 10 and 14 in number, the height of each foam segment is between 3 and 6 centimeters, the length of each foam segment is between 3 and 6 centimeters, and the thickness of each foam segment is between 0.5 and 1.0 centimeters;   an elongated polyurethane foam segment of a predetermined height of between 3 and 6 centimeters, a predetermined length of between 11 and 14 centimeters, and a predetermined thickness of between 0.5 and 1.0 centimeters, located within the interior space and substantially equidistant from the first end and the second end and oriented between two of the first plurality of foam segments and substantially parallel to the waistband;   a second plurality of belt loops, each of the second plurality of belt loops comprising a piece of fabric with a first end and a second end, the first end affixed to the top margin of the outer band portion, the piece of fabric extending toward the bottom margin and affixed to the bottom margin of the outer band portion, the piece of fabric extending beyond the bottom margin of the outer band portion to form a loop with the second end affixed to the bottom margin of the outer band portion, wherein at least one of the second plurality of belt loops is affixed to the outer band portion corresponding to a first foam segment of the first plurality of foam segments, and at least one of the second plurality of belt loops is affixed to the outer band portion corresponding to the elongated foam segment;   a posterior stretch panel affixed proximately and caudally to the lower margin of the waistband;   a seat panel of abrasion resistant material affixed proximately and caudally to the posterior stretch panel;   a groin stretch panel affixed proximately to the seat panel and extending caudally; and   two leg portions with each of the leg portions having a posterior knee stretch panel corresponding to the knee of a wearer's body in an as-worn position and affixed proximately to the groin stretch panel, and an anterior knee panel of abrasion resistant material corresponding to the knee of a wearer's body in an as-worn position affixed proximately to the groin stretch panel and proximately to the posterior knee stretch panel.   
     
     
         14 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 13 , wherein the first plurality of polyurethane foam segments are of a high resiliency (HR) foam type having a commercial density between 1.5 pounds per cubic foot and 6.0 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         15 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 13 , wherein the first plurality of foam segments comprises individual pieces of foam. 
     
     
         16 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 13 , wherein the first plurality of foam segments comprises twelve foam segments. 
     
     
         17 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 13 , wherein the height of each foam segment in the first plurality of foam segments is 5 centimeters, the length of each foam segment in the first plurality of foam segments is 5 centimeters, and the thickness of each foam segment in the first plurality of foam segments is 0.8 centimeters. 
     
     
         18 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 13 , wherein the elongated polyurethane foam segment comprises a high resiliency (HR) foam type having a commercial density between 1.5 pounds per cubic foot and 6.0 pounds per cubic foot. 
     
     
         19 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 13 , wherein the elongated foam segment has a height of 5 centimeters, a length of 13 centimeters, and a thickness of 0.8 centimeters. 
     
     
         20 . The pants with a weight-distributing waistband of  claim 13 , wherein the elongated foam segment is positioned over the lumbar spine region of a wearer's body in an as-worn position.