Cushion insert pad for a pair of riding shorts

Abstract

A cushion pad insert to be attached to and carried by a conventional pair of riding shorts of the kind to be worn, for example, by one riding a bicycle. The cushion pad insert includes an intermediate gel layer that is sandwiched between top and bottom cover layers and sized so as to completely cover the bicycle seat whereby to reduce the impact forces generated by the seat against the rider's buttocks. A series of gel-containment compartments are formed in the intermediate gel layer of cushion pad insert. The gel-containment compartments are separated from one another by seals or similar flow barriers that prevent the migration of gel from one containment compartment to another. By virtue of the foregoing, the gel of the intermediate gel layer will be evenly distributed throughout the cushion pad insert while avoiding accumulation or bunching at one end thereof in order to eliminate the formation of voids in the gel layer and thereby maximize support for the rider's buttocks as he slides his body and shifts his weight along the bicycle seat.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]This invention relates to a cushion insert pad to be attached to and carried by a conventional pair of riding shorts of the kind to be worn by one riding a bicycle, motorcycle, horse, and the like. The cushion insert pad has a force-absorbing gel layer that will be located between the bicycle seat and the wear's buttocks to reduce discomfort especially during long rides.[0003]2. Background Art[0004]Those who ride bicycles will often experience discomfort from having to sit on a bicycle seat, especially during long rides characterized by frequent turns and / or bumpy conditions. That is to say, the force generated by a hard bicycle seat can induce pain in a rider's buttocks which may cause the ride to be interrupted or shortened. To overcome this problem, it is known to attach a riding pad to a pair of riding shorts to absorb some of the forces generated by the bicycle seat.[0005]By way of one example, a foam cushion pad h...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]A plurality of (e.g., four) independent gel-containment compartments are formed in the intermediate gel layer through the top cover layer. The gel-containment compartments are separated from one another by seams or similar flow barriers to prevent the migration and accumulation of the gel at one end of the insert pad. By virtue of the foregoing, the gel will be evenly distributed throughout the cushion insert pad so as to eliminate the formation of voids in the intermediate gel layer and thereby maximize cushion support as the rider slides his body and shifts his weight along the bicycle seat.

Problems solved by technology

Those who ride bicycles will often experience discomfort from having to sit on a bicycle seat, especially during long rides characterized by frequent turns and / or bumpy conditions.

That is to say, the force generated by a hard bicycle seat can induce pain in a rider's buttocks which may cause the ride to be interrupted or shortened.

Such a foam cushion pad has been found to be generally ineffective when the rider shifts his weight over the bicycle seat.

In this case, the foam is not adapted to slide over the seat to compensate for the rider shifting his weight and changing his position on the seat.

However, large amounts of the gel are sometimes forced to one end of the panel as the rider shifts his weight over the seat.

In either case, the gel will bunch or accumulate at one location which can result in voids being created through the panel between the rider's buttocks and the bicycle seat.

Whether a conventional foam pad or a gel panel is attached to the riding shorts, the rider cannot be assured of a comfortable ride as a consequence of the impact of the bicycle seat against his buttocks.

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