U.S. patent application number 11/080059 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-15 for interchangeable hemline for the hem of a garment.
Invention is credited to Garcia, Laura, Steitle, Maureen.
Application Number | 20050198724 11/080059 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34922422 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050198724 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Steitle, Maureen ; et
al. |
September 15, 2005 |
Interchangeable hemline for the hem of a garment
Abstract
An interchangeable hemline for changing the style of the hem of
a garment includes a decorative strip, a durable strip, a first
fastener, and a second fastener. The garment can be a pant, skirt,
sleeve, collar, short, or the like. The decorative strip has the
durable strip and first fastener attached to one side of the
decorative strip. The second fastener is attached to the exterior
of the garment just above the hem. The first fastener can be mated
with the second fastener to hold the decorative strip to the
outside of the garment. Once attached, the first and second
fasteners along with the durable strip are no longer visible. The
durable strip forms a pull tab at one end of the decorative strip.
The pull tab facilitates removal of the decorative strip from the
hem of the garment.
Inventors: |
Steitle, Maureen; (Frisco,
TX) ; Garcia, Laura; (Danville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Sean McDermott
17011 Burrowdale Ct
Houston
TX
77084
US
|
Family ID: |
34922422 |
Appl. No.: |
11/080059 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60553198 |
Mar 15, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/244 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/244 |
International
Class: |
A41D 027/08; A41D
027/10 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An interchangeable hemline for a hem of a garment, comprising: a
decorative strip having an inside surface and having a length for
substantially fitting around the hem of the garment; a durable
strip attached to the inside surface of the decorative strip and
forming at least one pull tab that extends beyond one end of the
decorative strip; a first fastener attached to the durable strip; a
second fastener attached to the garment adjacent the hem, wherein
the first fastener mates with the second fastener to substantially
hold the decorative strip to the hem of the garment, and wherein
the pull tab facilitates removal of the decorative strip from the
garment.
2. The interchangeable hemline of claim 1, wherein the first
fastener comprises a first strip of a VELCRO fastener sewn to the
durable strip.
3. The interchangeable hemline of claim 2, wherein the second
fastener comprises a second strip of the VELCRO fastener sewn to
the garment.
4. The interchangeable hemline of claim 3, wherein the first strip
of the VELCRO fastener sewn to the durable strip is narrower than
the durable strip
5. The interchangeable hemline of claim 4, wherein the first strip
of the VELCRO fastener is sewn adjacent an upper edge of the
durable strip.
6. The interchangeable hemline of claim 4, wherein the first strip
of the VELCRO fastener is narrower than the second strip of the
VELCRO fastener sewn to the garment.
7. The interchangeable hemline of claim 1, wherein the garment is a
pant, a skirt, a short, or a jacket.
8. The interchangeable hemline of claim 1, wherein the durable
strip comprises a strip of twill tape.
9. The interchangeable hemline of claim 8, wherein the pull-tab is
formed from a looped end of the strip of twill tape.
10. The interchangeable hemline of claim 1, wherein the durable
strip comprises a strip of ribbon having a length greater than that
of the decorative strip such that the ribbon has first and second
free ends extending beyond ends of the decorative strip and forming
pull tabs.
11. The interchangeable hemline of claim 8, wherein the first and
second ends of the ribbon are capable of tying together when the
decorative strip is attached to the hem.
12. A garment having at least one hem, comprising: a decorative
strip having an inside surface and having a length for
substantially fitting around the hem of the garment; a durable
strip attached to the inside surface of the decorative strip and
forming at least one pull tab that extends beyond one end of the
decorative strip; a first fastener attached to the durable strip; a
second fastener attached to the garment adjacent the hem, wherein
the first fastener mates with the second fastener to substantially
hold the decorative strip to the hem of the garment, and wherein
the pull tab facilitates removal of the decorative strip from the
garment.
13. The interchangeable hemline of claim 12, wherein: the first
fastener comprises a first strip of a VELCRO fastener sewn to the
durable strip, and the second fastener comprises a second strip of
the VELCRO fastener sewn to the garment.
14. The interchangeable hemline of claim 13, wherein: the first
strip is narrower than the durable strip, the first strip is
narrower than the second strip sewn to the garment, and the first
strip is sewn adjacent an upper edge of the durable strip.
15. The interchangeable hemline of claim 12, wherein the garment is
a pant, a skirt, a short, or a jacket.
16. The interchangeable hemline of claim 12, wherein the durable
strip comprises a strip of twill tape.
17. The interchangeable hemline of claim 16, wherein the pull tab
is formed from a looped end of the strip of twill tape.
18. The interchangeable hemline of claim 12, wherein the durable
strip comprises a strip of ribbon having a length greater than that
of the decorative strip such that the ribbon has first and second
free ends extending beyond ends of the decorative strip and forming
pull tabs.
19. The interchangeable hemline of claim 18, wherein the first and
second ends of the ribbon are capable of tying together when the
decorative strip is attached to the hem.
20. An interchangeable hemline for a hem of a garment, comprising:
means for decorating the hem of the garment; first means for
removably attaching the decorating means to the garment, the first
means attached to the decorating means, second means for removably
attaching the decorating means to the garment, the second means
attached to the garment and mating with the first means; means for
reinforcing the decorating means and the first attaching means, the
reinforcing means including means for facilitating removal of the
decorating means from the hem of the garment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/553,198, filed Mar. 15, 2004.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present invention relates to an interchangeable and
removable attachment for use on the hemline of any garment, such as
a pant, skirt, sleeve, collar, or short.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Various fashion styles have featured decorated hemlines. The
decorated hemlines range from simple fabrics to fancy beaded
designs permanently attached to the hem of the garments. While
consumers may enjoy the look of the garment, they are presented
several challenges. Cleaning a garment that has a decorative
hemline offers one challenge to consumers. If the decorative
hemline is not elaborate, the hemline can be washed with the
garment. If the decorative hemline is beaded or has other delicate
or intricate decoration, however, the garment must be dry-cleaned.
Often, the decorative hemline can be damaged in the dry-cleaning
process. Once damaged, the garment is often not repairable and
hence not wearable. In addition, many decorative accessories, such
as those made with feathers or beads, could prevent conventional
cleaning of the garment. Versatility of the garment offers another
challenge for the consumer. Consumers are very limited with their
styling options when purchasing a garment with a decorative
hemline. Purchasing several pair of decorative hemline garments can
become cost prohibitive.
[0004] The present invention of the interchangeable decorative
hemline addresses one or more of these challenges.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0005] An interchangeable hemline for a hem of a garment includes a
decorative strip, a durable strip, a first fastener, and a second
fastener. The decorative strip has an inside surface and has a
length for substantially fitting around the hem of the garment. The
durable strip is attached or sewn to the inside surface of the
decorative strip. The durable strip forms a pull-tab that extends
beyond one end of the decorative strip. The first fastener is
attached or sewn to the durable strip, and the second fastener is
attached or sewn to the garment adjacent the hem. The first
fastener mates with the second fastener to substantially hold the
decorative strip to the hem of the garment. The pull-tab
facilitates removal of the decorative strip from the garment and
bears most of the pulling action when the first and second
fasteners are unmated.
[0006] The first fastener is preferably a first strip of a VELCRO
fastener, and the second fastener is preferably a second,
corresponding strip of the VELCRO fastener. The first strip of the
VELCRO fastener sewn to the durable strip is preferably narrower
than the durable strip and is sewn preferably sewn adjacent an
upper edge of the durable strip. In addition, the first strip of
the VELCRO fastener is preferably narrower than the second strip of
the VELCRO fastener sewn to the garment. In one embodiment, the
durable strip is a strip of twill tape, and the pull-tab can be
formed from an approximately half inch loop formed at one end of
the twill tape. In another embodiment, the durable strip is a
length of ribbon, and the pull tabs can be formed from free ends of
the ribbon that extend beyond both ends of the decorative strip and
that tie together.
[0007] The decorative strip decorates the hem of the garment by
removably attaching to the hem of the garment with the first and
second fasteners. The durable strip reinforces the decorative strip
and the first fastener, and the pull-tab formed at one end of the
durable strip facilitates removal of the decorative strip from the
hem of the garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a garment having an interchangeable hemline
attached on the hem.
[0009] FIG. 2A shows one side of the interchangeable hemline.
[0010] FIG. 2B shows another side of the interchangeable hemline
having a durable strip and first fastener.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows the garment having a second fastener of the
interchangeable hemline attached to the hem of the garment.
[0012] FIG. 4A-4B shows various stages of attaching or removing the
interchangeable hemline to the hem of the garment.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of an interchangeable
hemline attached on the hem of a garment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a garment P is shown having an
interchangeable hemline 10. In the present example, the garment P
is a pair of pants having an interchangeable hemline 10 attached on
the hems of each pant leg. In general, however, the interchangeable
hemline 10 can be used on pants, skirts, shorts, dresses, or the
like. In addition, the interchangeable hemline 10 can be used on
the hems, sleeves, collars, or the like of the garments. For
example, the interchangeable hemline 10 can be used on hems of
pants as shown, on the lower hems or sleeves of jackets and shirts,
or on the lower hems of skirts or dresses.
[0015] The interchangeable hemline 10 for the hem of the garment P
includes a decorative strip 20 having first and second ends 22 and
24. The strip 20 attaches around the hem of the garment P so that
the ends 22 and 24 meet together. The decorative strip 20 is
generally a strip of decorative material. In one embodiment, the
interchangeable hemline 10 can be made out of the same material as
the garment, although this is not strictly necessary. The
interchangeable hemline 10 can also have a decorative border
attached to an upper edge of the decorative strip 20. In the
present embodiment, the interchangeable hemline 10 of FIGS. 2A-B is
made of a different decorative material. In addition, beads are
attached to a lower edge of the decorative strip 20 and are
intended to dangle from the interchangeable hemline 10 once
attached to a garment. Therefore, the styling of the garment can
easily be changed, updated, or lengthened using the interchangeable
hemline 10.
[0016] A pull-tab 32, which will be described in more detail below,
is accessible from the adjoining ends 22 and 24. The pull-tab 32 is
used to remove the decorative strip 20 from the garment P. With the
decorative strip 20 removed, the garment can easily be laundered.
The decorative strip 20 is simply removed prior to each washing or
dry-cleaning. The garment P can then be cleaned properly, and the
decorative strip will not be damaged. Secondly, because the
decorative strip 20 is removable and interchangeable, consumers can
create a whole new look to the garment P by applying other
removable decorative strips 20. In this way, a garment can be
provided with a different aesthetic look by applying a different
decorative strip 20.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 2A-B, front and back sides of the
interchangeable hemline 10 are shown. As noted above, the
interchangeable hemline 10 includes the decorative strip 20 having
first and second ends 22 and 24. In FIG. 2A, a front side or
outside surface 21 of the hemline 10 is shown. This side 21 is
visible when the interchangeable hemline 10 is attached to the
garment. The pull tab 32 extends from one end 22 of the decorative
strip 20. The pull tab 32 facilitates removal of the
interchangeable hemline 10 from the garment. Hence, the durable
strip 30 that forms the pull tab 32 bears most of the impact of the
pulling action when removing the interchangeable hemline 10 from
the garment.
[0018] In FIG. 2B, the back side or inside surface 23 of the
interchangeable hemline 10 is shown. This side 21 is typically not
visible when the hemline 10 is attached to the garment P. As seen
in FIG. 2B, the interchangeable hemline 10 also includes a durable
strip 30 and a first fastener 40. The durable strip 30 is narrower
than the decorative strip 20 and is approximately the length of the
first fastener 50, which fits around the circumference of the hem H
as shown in FIG. 3.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 2B, the durable strip 20 is attached to the
inside surface 23 of the decorative strip 20 near the top edge of
the strip 20. Preferably, the durable strip 30 is sewn to the
decorative strip 20, although other techniques, such as gluing or
heat bonding, can be used. Preferably, the durable strip 30 is a
strip of twill tape or other strong material for reinforcing the
decorative strip 10 and the first fastener 40.
[0020] The durable strip 30 forms the pull tab 32 that extends
beyond one end 22 of the decorative strip 20. The pull tab 32 can
be formed from an approximately half inch loop of the durable strip
20. The end 33 of the loop for the pull tab 32 can be either sewn
or glued in place. The first fastener 40 is attached to the durable
strip 30 near the "top" edge of the strip 30. Preferably, the first
fastener 40 is a first strip of a VELCRO fastener. In addition, the
first fastener 40 is preferably sewn both to the durable strip 30
and to the decorative strip 20, although other techniques can be
used.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 3, the garment P is shown without the
decorative strip attached. The interchangeable hemline (10) also
includes a second fastener 50 attached to the garment P adjacent
the hem H. Preferably, the second fastener 50 is sewn directly onto
the hem H of the garment P, although other techniques can be used.
The second fastener 50 is intended to mate with the first fastener
40 shown in FIG. 2B. Therefore, the second fastener is preferable a
second, corresponding strip of VELCRO capable of mating with the
first fastener 40.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 4A-4B, the interchangeable hemline 10 is
shown in various stages of attaching to the hem H of the garment P.
To attach the decorative strip 20 to the garment P, the first
fastener 40 is mated with the second fastener 50 to substantially
hold the decorative strip 20 to the hem H of the garment P. For
example, one end 22 of the decorative strip 20 is first attached to
the hem H of the garment P. On some garments P, it may be preferred
to align the end 22 of the strip 20 with the seam S of the garment
P. In this way, the decorative strip 20 may not overly stiffen the
hem that it is attached to and may keep the hem H somewhat flexible
at the seam S. For example, it may be preferred on pants that the
ends 22 and 24 of the decorative strip 20 be aligned with the
outside seam S of the pant leg, which can prevent the closure from
rubbing against the other pant leg as the wearer walks and
potentially coming unfastened.
[0023] With one end 22 attached to the hem H, the fasteners 40 and
50 are mated together around the hem H of the garment P as
successively shown in FIGS. 4A-4B, until the other end 24 of the
decorative strip 20 meets the first end 22 at the seam S of the
garment P. Removal the decorative strip 20 is the reverse of FIGS.
4A-4B. Removal begins with holding the garment P, then pulling the
pull tab, and separating the first and second fasteners 40 and 50
around the hem H.
[0024] As best shown in FIG. 4A, the first fastener or strip of
VELCRO 40 sewn to the durable strip 30 is narrower than the second
fastener or strip of VELCRO 50 sewn to the hem H of the garment P.
Although the first and second fasteners 40 and 50 have been shown
as the two mating portions of a VELCRO fastener, it will be
apparent that other devices, such as buttons, hooks and eyes,
snaps, or the like can also be used.
[0025] Preferably, the second fastener 50 is the portion of VELCRO
having a mesh, and the first fastener 40 is the portion of VELCRO
having a plurality of stiff hooks intended to engage the mesh of
the second fastener 50. The second fastener 50 must be securely
attached to the garment P because this fastener 50 is intended to
be washed with the garment P. Using the mesh portion of the VELCRO
fastener for the second fastener 50 on the hem H of the garment P
may prevent other garments from sticking to the second fastener 50
when laundering the garment P with other clothing.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 5, another embodiment of an
interchangeable hemline 10 is shown attached on the hem of a
garment. The present embodiment of the interchangeable hemline 10
is essentially similar to other embodiments disclosed herein except
that the present embodiment uses a ribbon 60 (rather than twill
tape) as the durable strip attached to the decorative strip 20. The
ribbon 60 is attached to the decorative strip 20 in a similar
fashion as the twill tape disclosed above. In addition, the
fastener (not shown) is similarly attached to the ribbon in a
similar fashion as disclosed above.
[0027] The length of the ribbon is greater than that of the
decorative strip 20 so that free ends 62 and 64 of the ribbon 60
form pull tabs extending beyond both ends 22, 24 of the decorative
strip 20. Acting as pull tabs, the free ends 62 and 64 facilitate
removal of the interchangeable hemline 10 from the garment. Hence,
the ribbon 60 bears most of the impact of the pulling action when
removing the interchangeable hemline 10 from the garment. In
addition, the free ends 62 and 64 tie together when the
interchangeable hemline 10 is attached to the garment. For example,
the free ends 62 and 64 can be tied into a bow for decoration and
for keeping the interchangeable hemline 10 attached to the
garment.
[0028] Modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts such
as readily occur to one skilled in the art are intended to be
included within the scope of the present invention.
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