HINDsight: A 1995 Cycling Short Patent - Still Pedaling Strong | Blog

January’s “HINDsight 2020” – a monthly share where we take a moment to reflect on our history to celebrate and be inspired.

“Leaders have three fundamental responsibilities: They craft a vision, they build alignment, and they champion execution.” Anonymous

Our founder, Greg Hind, was the epitome of a leader, showing his skill to craft a vision, build alignment, and champion execution – again and again within the athletic apparel industry. The Cycling Short Patent is one of those noteworthy examples.

His execution of ideas was fast, effective, and always promising. Within the cycling industry, he made a clear mark for creative design in just two years after HIND entered the market. He pushed his team and built partnerships with textile companies to innovate new fabrics and often gained exclusive rights to their use. He simultaneously used strategic research and design talent to engineer and patent a cycling short that is still an iconic design worn by cyclists today – 25 years later.

1985 –

In 1985, HIND introduced a creative line of cycling attire that included trademarks and the revolutionary construction of the polypropylene inner liner for cycling shorts. The clothing line was an immediate success. A mere 24 months later, the Company was recognized for having the number one line based on sales of cycling apparel in the Country.

1987–

HIND developed and implemented a long lasting, synthetic fiber for the chamois in its cycling shorts – versus the Europeans’ use of leather chamois. This move made HIND the number one cycling apparel manufacturer in the U.S. in 1987.

And on –

HIND’s revolutionary construction of different inner liners and various fabrics was instrumental in the HIND’s growth as an industry leader in cycling apparel. The specialized products each offered individual design characteristics that made them appropriate for various levels of cycling activities.

PROTRANS (TM) – High-loft knitting construction in a blend of polypropylene and Lycra spandex provides excellent moisture transfer and thermal qualities, essential to the athlete in cold-weather running and cycling.
PULSAR (TM) – a nylon/microfiber polyester/Lycra spandex performance fabric developed in 1991 specifically for the cycling industry. Pulsar has many of the moisture management characteristics of DryLete with the long wearing durability of Animal nylon/Lycra. Pulsar is a HIND exclusive fabric.
TOURSUEDE (TM) – a woven polyester microfiber fabric developed in 1991 specifically for the cycling industry. Toursuede is a brushed polyester tricot “inner liner” material that provides uncompromising comfort and performance. Toursuede is a HIND exclusive fabric.
FREEFLEX (TM) – the first four-way stretch waterproof/breathable fabric. Freeflex is a HIND exclusive, first introduced for the Fall 1991 season.

1995 PATENT-

It was in 1995 that HIND was awarded a patent on the ornamental design of a cycling short. This design became the foundation for what is known as the most popular and still iconic cycling short today.

United States Patent Number: 360,516

Date of Patent: July, 25 1995

Inventory: Lanny Persinger, Paso Robles, California

Assignee: Hind, Inc., San Luis Obispo, CA

Term: 14 Years

Appl. No.: 16,971

Filed: Dec. 30, 1993

CLAIM: the ornamental design for cycling shorts, as shown and described.

DESCRIPTION:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of cycling shorts showing my new design, the broken lines shown on the claimed article throughout the views being understood to represent conventional stitching;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view thereof, the right side being a mirror image;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view thereof; and,

FIG. 6 is a left front bottom perspective view thereof, the broken lines partially showing a human body being for illustrative purposes only and forming no part of the claimed design.

GH Sports Cycling Shorts

While the original HIND Cycling Short design was patented in 1995, our newest design is the GH 8 Panel Cycle Short. This short is designed, cut, stitched and sewn in the USA. It is high-quality, durable, form-fitting, provides the best shaped fit to eliminate chafing, and is flat seamed for comfort and durability.

Men’s GH 8 Panel Cycle Short