Reinforced biased hem

Abstract

A pair of pants has a stretchable fly panel section with a laterally extending reinforcement that functions to limit the stretching of the upper edge of the stretchable section. The reinforcement is preferably a hem along the upper border of the fly panel, which can be advantageously sewn to adjacent side panels. In preferred embodiments the fly panel is in a pair of shorts, and most preferably in a pair of board shorts.

1 . A pair of pants having a stretchable fly panel, with a lateral extending reinforcement.  
   
   
       2 . The pants of  claim 1  wherein the reinforcement comprises an upper hem of the fly panel.  
   
   
       3 . The pants of  claim 1  wherein the fly panel comprises a synthetic polymer.  
   
   
       4 . The pants of  claim 1  wherein the fly panel comprises at least one of Lycra™ and Nylon™.  
   
   
       5 . The pants of  claim 4  wherein the fly panel has a substantially truncated inverted triangular shape.  
   
   
       6 . The pants of  claim 1  wherein the fly panel is stretchable in multiple directions.  
   
   
       7 . The pants of  claim 1  further comprising first and second substantially non-stretchable panels that are sewn adjacent to the fly panel, and that are at least partially overlapping.  
   
   
       8 . The pants of  claim 7  wherein the first and second adjacent panels are coupled to the fly panel in a manner that provides a bottom opening below the fly panel.  
   
   
       9 . The pants of  claim 7  wherein each of the fly, first, and second panels are composed substantially of rapid drying materials.  
   
   
       10 . The pants of  claim 2  further comprising first and second adjacent panels that are sewn to both the fly panel and the hem.  
   
   
       11 . The pants of  claim 2  wherein the hem has a length of at least 5 cm.  
   
   
       12 . The pants of  claim 2  wherein the hem has a length of at least 10 cm.  
   
   
       13 . The pants of  claim 2  wherein the hem has a length of no more than 20 cm.  
   
   
       14 . The pants of  claim 1  further comprising first and second at least partially overlapping adjacent panels that are sewn to the fly panel, and wherein the reinforcement comprises an upper hem.  
   
   
       15 . The pants of  claim 14  wherein the first and second adjacent panels are coupled to the fly panel in a manner that provides a bottom opening below the fly panel.  
   
   
       16 . The pants of  claim 1  having leg portions with a length suitable for shorts.  
   
   
       17 . The pants of  claim 16  further comprising first and second at least partially overlapping adjacent panels that are sewn to the fly panel, and wherein the reinforcement comprises an upper hem.  
   
   
       18 . The pants of  claim 17  wherein the first and second adjacent panels are coupled to the fly panel in a manner that provides a bottom opening below the fly panel.  
   
   
       19 . The pants of  claim 16  having leg portions with a length suitable for board shorts.  
   
   
       20 . The pants of  claim 16  wherein the fly panel has an upper hem, and the reinforcement is sewn into the fly panel below the upper hem.