U.S. patent application number 11/735948 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-22 for adjustable garment.
Invention is credited to Douglas P. DuFaux.
Application Number | 20070266472 11/735948 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38710577 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070266472 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DuFaux; Douglas P. |
November 22, 2007 |
ADJUSTABLE GARMENT
Abstract
A clothing garment is constructed to include adjustable sections
that allow for the convenient adjustment of length of sections of
the garment so that the useful fitted lifetime of the outfit may be
extended. Preferably the method of adjustment includes zippers,
Velcro-type materials, buttons, snaps including metallic or plastic
snaps, magnets, or any other mechanism that may be used to
conveniently attach and detach sections of clothing from each
other. The construction may be used on a wide variety of clothing
articles, but is particularly useful for children's clothing.
Inventors: |
DuFaux; Douglas P.;
(Buffalo, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DOUGLAS PAUL DUFAUX
91 HENNING DRIVE
ORCHARD PARK
NY
14127
US
|
Family ID: |
38710577 |
Appl. No.: |
11/735948 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60745389 |
Apr 21, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/80 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2300/32 20130101;
A41D 15/002 20130101; A41B 13/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/080 |
International
Class: |
A41D 11/00 20060101
A41D011/00 |
Claims
1. An adjustable baby garment comprising: An upper section, said
upper section having a torso section, first and second arm sections
and an uppermost leg section, said first and second leg sections
attached to said uppermost leg section and configured to receive
the feet and legs of an infant; wherein said first and second leg
sections each include one or more circumferential fastening means,
said fastening means spaced a predetermined distance from each
other said fastening means and defining one or more portions of
said first and second leg sections, wherein said fastening means
allows one or more said portions of said leg sections to be removed
to decrease the length of said leg sections and allows one or more
said portions of said leg sections to be added to increase the
length of said leg sections.
2. An adjustable baby garment according to claim 1 wherein the
fastening comprises one or more zippers attached around the
circumference of each leg section.
3. An adjustable baby garment according to claim 1 wherein the
torso section includes one or more circumferential fastening means,
said fastening means spaced from each other said fastening means
and defining one or more portions of said torso section, wherein
said fastening means allows one or more said portions of the torso
section to be added to increase the length of the torso section or
removed to decrease the length of the torso section.
4. An adjustable baby garment according to claim 1 wherein the
first and second arm sections each include one or more
circumferential fastening means, said fastening means spaced from
each other said fastening means and defining one or more portions
of said first and section arms sections, wherein said fastening
means allows one or more said portions of said arm sections to be
removed to decrease the length of said arm sections and allows one
or more said portions of the arm sections to be added to increase
the length of said arm sections.
5. An adjustable baby garment comprising: An upper section, said
upper section having a torso section, a first and second arm
section and uppermost leg section, first and second leg sections
attached to said uppermost leg section and configured to receive
the feet and legs of an infant; wherein said first and second leg
sections each include one or more circumferential fastening means,
said fastening means spaced a predetermined distance from each
other said fastening means and defining one or more portions of
said leg sections, wherein said fastening means allows one or more
portions of said leg sections to be maintained in a folded position
to decrease the length of said leg sections and to be maintained in
an unfolded position to increase the length of said leg
sections.
6. An adjustable baby garment according to claim 5 wherein the
torso section includes one or more circumferential fastening means,
said fastening means spaced from each other to allow portions of
the torso section to be added to increase the length of the torso
section or removed to decrease the length of the torso section.
7. An adjustable baby garment according to claim 5 wherein the
first and second arm sections each include one or more
circumferential fastening means, said fastening means spaced from
each other said fastening means to allow portions of said arm
sections to be removed to decrease the length of said arm sections
and to allow portions of the arm sections to be added to increase
the length of said arm sections.
8. An adjustable baby garment according to claim 5 wherein the
fastening comprises two or more rows of alternating bands of Velcro
attached around the circumference of each leg section, said rows
spaced a predetermined distance from each other row of Velcro to
allow the length of said leg sections to be increased or decreased
in length.
9. An adjustable baby garment according to claim 5 wherein the
fastening comprises one or more rows of a plurality of snaps
attached around the circumference of each leg section, said rows
spaced a predetermined distance from each other row of plurality of
snaps to allow the length of said leg sections to be increased or
decreased in length.
10. An adjustable baby garment according to claim 5 wherein the
predetermined distance between said fasteners is between 1 and 5
centimeters.
11. An adjustable garment comprising a primary section, a secondary
section, and mating fastening devices, such fastening devices
installed on the primary and secondary sections to provide for
adjustment of the length of said garment.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority to
provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/745,389, entitled
"Adjustable Garment", filed Apr. 21, 2006, incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an article of clothing, including
pants, skirts, shirts, vests, and other garments. The invention
more specifically relates to children's clothing and particularly
those of the type commonly worn by infants and toddlers such as
one-piece outfits, body suits, or rompers wherein the pants, torso,
and top sections are integrated and other articles of clothing that
include footed pants sections.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Convenient adjustment of the length of clothing is a common
desire of consumers. Typically, adjustment of the length of an
garment is accomplished through cuffing, hemming, or other methods
of a skilled tailor. Temporary adjustment of the length of a
garment may be accomplished through the use of pins, but this does
not prove to be a long term solution.
[0006] For children's clothing, especially infants, toddlers, as
well as other young children, adjustment to the length of clothing
is a constant demand. It is well known that young children in the
development stage go through a period where growth is extremely
rapid, and may be disproportional from the torso to the legs.
During this period, the child may outgrow outfits in a matter of
months or weeks. The lifetime of some outfits may be extended by
cuffing the arms and legs, and then removing the temporary or
permanent cuff as growth requires. However, the very popular footed
outfit such as a one-piece footed infant or toddler outfit has a
very limited lifetime because there are no practical means to
extend the length of the legs. It is possible for an infant or
toddler to wear a one-piece footed outfit with legs that are longer
than required, but when the child is in the walking stage this
causes severe problems. For example, the excess material may be a
tripping hazard or may possibly get caught in a toy or other child
product such as a wheel from a bicycle or stroller. In addition,
there is no convenient way to cuff the torso component of a
garment.
[0007] The ability to easily and conveniently adjust the length of
a footed leg and torso section of a garment is needed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a means to
easily adjust the length of the legs of a garment.
[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a means to
easily adjust the length of the legs of a footed children's
outfit.
[0010] It is another object of the invention to provide a means to
easily adjust the length of the torso section of the children's
outfit.
[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a means to
easily adjust the length of the arms of a children's outfit.
[0012] It is a further object of the invention to provide a child's
article of clothing that has a greater useful life than that of
prior similar style clothing.
[0013] These and other objects are achieved by the disclosed
invention which in one of its aspects provides an otherwise
conventional garment to include adjustable sections that, when
attached, appear to be a permanent part of the garment, but allow
for the convenient adjustment of length so that the lifetime of the
outfit may be extended.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable leg sections are
attached to the upper section of a one-piece footed outfit by means
of a zipper. One portion of the zipper is affixed to the upper leg
sections of the outfit and numerous matching portions of the zipper
are included on the leg section of the outfit and spaced every inch
so that the length of the outfit's legs may be adjusted for growth
of the child.
[0015] In another preferred embodiment, the invention aims to
provide an article of children's clothing having in combination
therewith adjustable leg and/or torso and/or arm section of the
clothing. The adjustable sections are provided through a
multi-component article of clothing. If solely trying to make the
legs adjustable the outfit would include an upper piece and two leg
sections. The leg sections include a mechanism to quickly and
conveniently attach at multiple locations up and down the length of
the leg section, through which the leg section may be detached and
reattached at varying sections on the leg portion such that the
overall length of the leg of the outfit is easily adjusted.
[0016] In another preferred embodiment, the invention includes the
ability to adjust the length of the torso section of an outfit,
where there is a bottom portion and a top portion of the outfit
where the torso section of the bottom or top section of the outfit
has a means to detach and reattach the bottom portion of the outfit
so that it may be easily adjusted for length.
[0017] Preferably the means of attachment include zippers,
hook-and-loop type materials (e.g., Velcro), buttons, snaps
including metallic or plastic snaps, magnets, or any other
mechanism that may be used to conveniently attach and detach
sections of clothing from each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0018] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the
present invention will become more readily apparent from the
following detailed description when taken together with the
accompanying drawings, wherein;
[0019] FIG. 1 is a typical one-piece footed baby garment found
commonly in the prior art;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the
present invention, which includes adjustable leg sections using
several mating zippers;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the
present invention, which includes an adjustable torso section using
several mating zippers;
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the
present invention, which includes adjustable leg sections using a
mating set of Velcro or other hook-and-loop type fasteners;
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the
present invention, which includes adjustable leg sections using
several sets of mating snaps;
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the
present invention, which includes adjustable leg sections using
insert sections, connected with mating zippers;
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the
present invention, which includes replaceable leg sections,
connected with mating zippers;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] This invention relates to any article of clothing that may
require from time-to-time adjustment in the length of specific
sections of the garment to increase comfort, wearability, and for
other reasons. The invention applies to any type of clothing,
including but not limited to pants, skirts, shirts, vests,
one-piece outfits, and other garments.
[0027] The following examples and detailed descriptions of the
invention more specifically relate to children's clothing and
particularly those of the type commonly worn by infants and
toddlers such as one-piece outfits, body suits, or rompers wherein
the pants, torso, and top sections are integrated, but it should be
clear that this is for illustrative purposes only.
[0028] Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a
commonly available child's article of clothing or garment and in
this case a one-piece footed garment or outfit 100, having arm
sections 101, torso section 102, leg sections 103, foot sections
104, optional parting section 105, neck section 106, along with
other possible optional sections. For example, the parting section
may be located along the leg section, such that the garment is
fitted by placing over the body and inserting the head through the
neck section, or a combination of various parting sections designed
to increase the ease of fitting. Each of the garment sections are
fixed in size. The length of the arm sections may be adjusted to a
more appropriate fit by cuffing.
[0029] FIGS. 2.(a) and (b) are an illustration of one embodiment of
the present invention and is an improved one-piece footed outfit
120 that allows adjustment of the length of the legs, to improve
wearability and useful lifetime of the garment. The adjustable
sections are provided through use of separate components, upper
section 121, which includes arm sections, torso section, neck
section, optional parting section, and the uppermost leg sections;
and leg sections 122. The leg sections 122 include a mechanism 123
to quickly and conveniently attach to the mating fastener 124
affixed to the leg portion of the upper section 121 at multiple
locations up and down the length of the leg section. The Figure
shows 3 fasteners on the leg section 122 of the garment, but any
number may be used. Preferably, they are spaced apart by between
0.5-10 cm, and more preferably between 1-5 cm. The fastening
mechanisms 123 and 124 may be zippers as shown in FIG. 2, but a
variety of fasteners or attachment mechanisms may be employed. Some
fasteners are listed in Table 1: TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Some
preferred fastening mechanisms. Velcro/Hook-and-Loop type fasteners
Buttons Snaps including metallic or plastic snaps Magnets Any other
mechanism that may be used to conveniently attach and detach
sections of clothing.
[0030] Preferably an optional mechanism is built into the design
that allows for convenient and comfortable positioning of excess
material, when the legs are not extended to full length. In such a
case, the uppermost fastening mechanism(s) will be within the
interior of the garment. The invention may include a mechanism to
support the excess fabric, such as mating Velcro or other
hook-and-loop type fastener so that it is more comfortable for the
child wearing the outfit. The excess fabric may also be secured to
the upper section or `tucked-down` and secured to the lower portion
and optionally secured through a matching fastener or though other
means.
[0031] Referring now to FIG. 3, which shows an illustration of one
embodiment of an improved one-piece footed outfit 140 that allows
adjustment of the length of the torso, to improve wearability and
lifetime of the clothing outfit. The adjustment is provided through
use of separate components, upper section 141 and lower section
142. The upper section 141 includes a mechanism 143 to quickly and
conveniently attach to the mating fastener 144 affixed to the lower
portion of garment 142 at multiple locations up and down the length
of the torso portion of the lower section. The mating fasteners 143
and 144 may be zippers as shown in the FIG. 3. Other attachment
mechanisms may be employed, including those listed above in Table
1.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, which shows an illustration of one
embodiment of an improved one-piece footed outfit 160 that includes
leg sections 161 and 162. The adjustment is provided through use of
mating Velcro or other Hook-and-Loop type fasteners, loop section
163 and hook section 164, which are affixed around the perimeter of
the leg section. FIG. 4(a) is an illustration, where both of the
leg sections 161 and 162 are fully extended to the longest length
possible. FIG. 4(b) is an illustration of the one-piece garment
where one of the leg sections 161 remains fully extended, and the
other leg section 162 is in a position such that the length of the
section has been reduced: the Loop section 163 of the Hook-and-Loop
type fasteners has been folded over and attached to the Hook
section 164 of the fastener. FIG. 4(c) shows a close up of leg
section 162 of FIG. 4(b), and includes hidden (dashed) lines
showing the fold and Velcro fasteners in the fabric. FIG. 4(d)
shows a leg section folded over with hook-and-loop fastener partly
engaged such that the leg section is only partly reduced in
length.
[0033] Preferably, a Hook-and-Loop type fastener with a high
resistance to detachment is used, such that the leg section remains
fixed to the set position until it is intentionally decoupled for
further required adjustment. Hook-and-Loop type fasteners allow for
a nearly continuous adjustment to the length of the section. Also,
it should be understood that the orientation of the Hook-and-Loop
fasteners is independent of design. Either the Hook portion or the
Loop section may be located on the uppermost portion of the
garment. At each location along the length of the garment section,
the Hook-and-Loop fasteners may be continuous or discrete around
the perimeter. If discrete amounts are used, each set of fastener
is preferably aligned vertically along the length of the garment.
Also, any number of hook-and-loop perimeter sections may be used.
Mating pairs may be used, or one type, such as hook, may be located
at the uppermost perimeter section, and mating types located in
lower perimeters.
[0034] Preferably, the perimeter sections are 0.5 to 30 cm in
length, when measured along the length of the garment section. More
preferably, the sections are 1 to 20 cm in length, and most
preferably the sections are 1 to 10 cm in length.
[0035] Also, although the figure shows a leg section, this may be
used for torso section and other garments as well.
[0036] The fastening devices may be attached to the garment through
any number of techniques. For example, they may be sewn onto the
garment. They may also be glued or otherwise chemically
attached.
[0037] Although Hook-and-Loop type fasteners are a preferred
embodiment for this arrangement, other embodiments are suitable.
For example, referring to FIG. 5(a), which is an illustration of
one embodiment of an improved one-piece footed outfit 180 that
includes leg sections 181 and 182, each including a series of snap
type fasteners. The adjustment is provided through use of mating
snap fasteners 183 and 184 that are located around the perimeter of
the leg section. In the figure, the uppermost set of snaps 183 are
of one type (i.e., either male or female), while the remaining sets
of snaps 184 are of the opposite type (e.g., female if the
uppermost set of snaps is male type). However, it should be noted
that sets of mating snaps may be used as well. For example, one leg
section may have 6 snap sections, each with 8 snaps around the
perimeter. The first, third, and fifth sections may be male type
and the other 3 may be female type. Thus, mating pairs may be mated
to adjust the length of the garment. Any set of mating snaps may be
mated to allow various length adjustments.
[0038] In FIG. 5(a), leg sections 181 and 182 are shown in the
fully extended position in FIG. 5(a), such that they have the
maximum length. FIG. 5(b) is an illustration showing hidden snaps
of a leg section in a position such that the length of the section
has been reduced. The snaps are mated such that the garment has
been adjusted to the desired height. As shown in the figure, both
type snaps are located along the lower perimeter, as they have been
mated and are thus joined.
[0039] Any number of snaps may be used along the perimeter of the
article of clothing. Preferably, 3-100 snaps are used along each
perimeter section; more preferably 4-20, and even more preferably
6-18 snaps are used. It should be understood that the use of male
and female snap fasteners is independent of design. Either the male
or female type fastener may be located on the uppermost portion of
the garment, and the opposite on the remaining sets.
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 6, which shows an illustration of one
embodiment of an improved one-piece footed garment that allows
adjustment to improve wearability and useful lifetime of the
clothing outfit. FIG. 6 illustrates a footed type baby or toddler
suit 200 including top section 201, leg sections 202, which
includes lower leg sections 203 and detachable sections 204 and
205. It should be understood that although 2 detachable sections
are show in FIG. 6, any number of detachable sections may be
included. The adjustment is provided through use of detachable
sections 204 and 205 through mating fasteners 206 and 207 such as
zippers, snaps, Velcro or Hook-and-Loop type fasteners, buttons, or
any other suitable fastener or combination thereof.
[0041] The fasteners are provided along the perimeter of the leg
section such that any number of the detachable sections may be
detached or re-attached as desired. Thus, for example, if snaps are
used, each detachable section would have one set of male type
connectors along, say, the top perimeter 206 and one set of female
type connectors along the bottom perimeter 207. In this way, when
one section is removed, the top male snaps are available to mate
with the female snaps that would be included along the perimeter of
the mating leg section of the upper section 201 of the garment.
Also, it should be understood that the orientation of the fasteners
is independent of design. Either may be located on the uppermost
portion of the garment. If discrete amounts are used, each set of
fastener is preferably aligned vertically along the length of the
garment.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 7, which shows an illustration of one
embodiment of an improved one-piece footed garment that allows
adjustment to improve wearability and lifetime of the clothing
outfit. FIG. 7 illustrates a footed type baby or toddler suit 220
including top section 221, and leg sections 222. Adjustment is
provided through use of replaceable leg sections 222 through mating
fasteners 223 and 224 such as zippers, snaps, Velcro or
Hook-and-Loop type fasteners, buttons, or any other suitable
fastener or combination thereof. The fasteners are provided along
the top perimeter of the leg section 222 and the bottom portion of
the leg section of the top section 221, such that each section may
be detached or re-attached as desired. As required by length, a leg
section 222, would be attached through the fastening system to the
upper section 221 of the garment. It should be understood that the
orientation of the fasteners is independent of design.
[0043] It should be understood that although 3 sizes of leg
sections are show in FIG. 7, any number of detachable sections may
be included. It should also be clear that any combination of
replaceable sections or inserts, such as a combination of those
shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 may be used to adjust the length of the
garment.
[0044] In another preferred embodiment, outfits of the present
invention that include removable or detachable sections, such as
those herein shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, may also include the
option to replace the detachable portion that includes a footed
section with that of a non-footed section. For example, referring
to FIG. 6, lower leg sections 203 may be used when a child is
primarily crawling and walking indoors. When the child begins to
walk outdoors and requires the use of more durable soled shoes and
the footed portion is designed such that they are not comfortably
worn with shoes, lower leg sections 203 may be replaced with
appropriately sized leg sections that includes a more durable and
comfortable sole for outdoor use; or they may be replaced with leg
sections that do not include an enclosed footed section, such that
shoes may be easily and comfortably worn.
[0045] Although many of the examples and illustrations of the
specification showed only one adjustable section, such as leg or
torso, it should be clear that each of the designs is equally as
applicable to adjustment of any section of the garment: torso, arm,
and or any combination thereof.
[0046] It should also be clear that the invention is not limited to
infant or children's garments. The adjusting methods and devices
disclosed herein are applicable to any type of garment.
* * * * *