Padded Cycling Shorts Optimized for Wear Throughout All Stages of Pregnancy

Abstract

The present invention discloses cyclist trousers made from elasticized material and equipped with a protection pad extending both anteriorly and posteriorly past the area intended to rest on the saddle. The trousers of the present invention also comprise fabric capable of containing and supporting a pregnant woman's expanded abdominal region throughout all stages of gestation. Such trousers would enable a pregnant woman to comfortably experience the benefits of exercise throughout the duration of her pregnancy.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) Padded maternity cycling trousers comprising:
 a. a protection pad extending both anteriorly and posteriorly past the area of the cycling trouser intended to rest on the saddle of a bicycle;   b. a reinforced waistband positioned to sit below and support a distended abdomen of a pregnant wearer;   c. wherein the reinforced waistband is made from material capable of stretching to support the wearer's distended abdomen throughout all stages of pregnancy; and   d. wherein the remainder of the trouser is made from an at least partially elasticized material.   
     
     
         2 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , wherein the protection pad extends both anteriorly and posteriorly past the pelvic region of the pregnant wearer. 
     
     
         3 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 2 , wherein the protection pad is a single-layer pad. 
     
     
         4 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 2 , wherein the portions of the protection pad that extend past the anterior and posterior regions of the pregnant wearer's pelvic region are both trapezoidal in shape. 
     
     
         5 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 4 , wherein the portion of the protection pad that extends past the posterior of the pregnant wearer's pelvic region is larger than the portion of the protection pad that extends past the anterior of the pregnant wearer's pelvic region. 
     
     
         6 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , wherein the protection pad is comprised of a single layer of foam material. 
     
     
         7 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , wherein the protection pad is comprised of a single layer of polysilicone foam. 
     
     
         8 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , wherein the trouser legs terminate at openings placed above the knees of the pregnant wearer. 
     
     
         9 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 8 , wherein the trouser legs further comprise a tacky elastic band that runs around the inner circumference of the trouser opening 
     
     
         10 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , wherein the trouser legs terminate at openings placed at a point below the knee but above the ankle of the pregnant wearer. 
     
     
         11 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 10 , wherein the trouser legs further comprise a tacky elastic band that runs around the inner circumference of the trouser opening 
     
     
         12 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , wherein the trouser legs terminate at openings placed at the ankles of the pregnant wearer. 
     
     
         13 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 12 , wherein the trouser legs further comprise a tacky elastic band that runs around the inner circumference of the trouser opening 
     
     
         14 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , further comprising pockets on the outer sides of both trouser legs, or on the internal side of the waistband designed to contain the pregnant wearer's distended abdomen. 
     
     
         15 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one pocket on the internal side of the reinforced waistband. 
     
     
         16 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , wherein the trousers are comprised of a partially elasticized fabric containing between 20% and 30% Lycra®. 
     
     
         17 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 16 , wherein the trousers are comprised of a partially elasticized fabric containing 27% Lycra®. 
     
     
         18 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , wherein the trousers are comprised of dual layers of partially elasticized fabric. 
     
     
         19 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , wherein the protection pad is sandwiched between the dual layers of partially elasticized fabric forming the trousers. 
     
     
         20 ) The padded maternity cycling trousers of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforced waistband is comprised of a double layer of the partially elasticized material that forms the remainder of the trousers. 
     
     
         21 . Padded maternity cycling trousers comprising:
 a. a protection pad extending both anteriorly and posteriorly past the pelvic region of a pregnant wearer, wherein the protection pad is a single-layer foam pad sandwiched between dual layers of elasticized fabric forming the trousers, and wherein those portions of the protection pad that extend past the anterior and posterior regions of the pregnant wearer's pelvic region are both trapezoidal in shape, and wherein the portion of the protection pad that extends past the posterior of the pregnant wearer's pelvic region is larger than the portion of the protection pad that extends past the anterior of the pregnant wearer's pelvic region;   b. a reinforced waistband positioned to sit below and support a distended abdomen of the pregnant wearer, wherein the reinforced waistband is comprised of [INSERT] and capable of stretching to support the wearer's distended abdomen throughout all stages of pregnancy;   c. two tacky elastic bands that run around the inner circumference of both trouser openings at any point along the legs of the pregnant wearer; and   d. pockets on the outer sides of both trouser legs, or on the internal side of the waistband designed to contain the pregnant wearer's distended abdomen.   wherein the remainder of the trouser is made from an at least partially elasticized fabric containing between 20% and 30% Lycra®.