U.S. patent application number 12/177805 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-26 for clothing systems and methods.
Invention is credited to Rachel Dawn Stones.
Application Number | 20090049583 12/177805 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40380778 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090049583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stones; Rachel Dawn |
February 26, 2009 |
CLOTHING SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Abstract
A clothing system that may include a lower component of an
article of clothing and one or more upper components of an article
of clothing that may be sized and configured to be selectively
and/or interchangeably connected to and disconnected from the lower
component. For example, a first upper component may include a
generally fixed waistband, and a second upper component may include
an expandable maternity waistband. Desirably, a woman may connect
the first upper component to the lower component to form an article
of clothing that she may wear when not pregnant and/or during her
first months of her pregnancy. The woman may later disconnect the
first upper component from the lower component and then connect the
second upper component to the lower component to form an article of
clothing that she may wear during her latter months of her
pregnancy and/or during her recovery from pregnancy.
Inventors: |
Stones; Rachel Dawn; (Rigby,
ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Workman Nydegger;1000 Eagle Gate Tower
60 East South Temple
Salt Lake City
UT
84111
US
|
Family ID: |
40380778 |
Appl. No.: |
12/177805 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60956849 |
Aug 20, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/221 ; 2/236;
2/237; 2/243.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41F 5/00 20130101; A41F
9/02 20130101; A41D 1/21 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/221 ; 2/237;
2/236; 2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/14 20060101
A41D001/14; A41D 1/06 20060101 A41D001/06; A41F 9/00 20060101
A41F009/00; A41D 27/00 20060101 A41D027/00 |
Claims
1. A clothing system comprising: a lower component of an article of
clothing including at least one engaging portion; and a plurality
of upper components of an article of clothing, the plurality of
upper components being sized and configured to be interchangeably
connected to and disconnected from the lower component, the
plurality of upper components comprising: a first upper component
of an article of clothing, the first upper component including: an
expandable maternity waistband; and at least one engaging portion
sized and configured to engage the at least one engaging portion of
the lower component to create a first pair of pants that includes
the expandable maternity waistband; and a second upper component of
an article of clothing, the second upper component including: a
second waistband; and at least one engaging portion sized and
configured to engage the at least one engaging portion of the lower
component to create a second pair of pants that includes the second
waistband; the at least one engaging portion of the first upper
component and the at least one engaging portion of the second upper
component being sized and configured to interchangeably engage the
at least one engaging portion of the lower component.
2. The clothing system as in claim 1, wherein the first upper
component is sized and configured to be connected to the lower
component along a generally under-the-belly connection line; and
wherein the second upper component is sized and configured to be
connected to the lower component along a generally under-the-belly
connection line.
3. The clothing system as in claim 1, wherein the second waistband
has a generally fixed configuration.
4. The clothing system as in claim 1, wherein the second waistband
comprises an expandable maternity waistband.
5. A clothing system comprising: a lower component of an article of
clothing including at least one fastener member; and a plurality of
upper components of an article of clothing, the plurality of upper
components being sized and configured to be interchangeably
connected to and disconnected from the lower component, the
plurality of upper components comprising: a first upper component
of an article of clothing, the first upper component including: an
expandable maternity waistband; and at least one fastener member
sized and configured to be connected to the at least one fastener
member of the lower component to create a first article of clothing
that includes the expandable maternity waistband; a second upper
component of an article of clothing, the second upper component
including: at least one fastener member sized and configured to be
connected to the at least one fastener member of the lower
component to create a second article of clothing; and the at least
one fastener member of the first upper component and the at least
one fastener member of the second upper component being sized and
configured to be interchangeably connected to and disconnected from
the at least one fastener member of the lower component.
6. The clothing system as in claim 5, wherein the first upper
component is sized and configured to be connected to the lower
component along a generally under-the-belly connection line; and
wherein the second upper component is sized and configured to be
connected to the lower component along a generally under-the-belly
connection line.
7. The clothing system as in claim 5, wherein the at least one
fastener member of the first upper component comprises zipper
teeth; wherein the at least one fastener member of the second upper
component comprises zipper teeth; wherein the at least one fastener
member of the lower component comprises zipper teeth; wherein the
zipper teeth of the lower component are sized and configured to
engage the zipper teeth of the first upper component to create the
first article of clothing that includes the expandable maternity
waistband; and wherein the zipper teeth of the lower component are
sized and configured to engage the zipper teeth of the second upper
component to create the second article of clothing.
8. The clothing system as in claim 7, wherein the first upper
component further includes an edge having a seam finish; wherein
the lower component further includes a edge having a seam finish;
and wherein at least a portion of the edge of the lower component
is sized and configured to, when the zipper teeth of the lower
component engage the zipper teeth of the first upper component,
abut at least a portion of the edge of the first upper component to
at least substantially cover the engaged zipper teeth of the lower
and the first upper components.
9. The clothing system as in claim 7, wherein the second upper
component further includes an edge having a seam finish; wherein
the lower component further includes a edge having a seam finish;
and wherein at least a portion of the edge of the lower component
is sized and configured to, when the zipper teeth of the lower
component engage the zipper teeth of the second upper component,
abut at least a portion of the edge of the second upper component
to at least substantially cover the engaged zipper teeth of the
lower and the second upper components.
10. The clothing system as in claim 7, wherein the first upper
component further includes an edge; wherein the lower component
further includes a edge; and wherein the edge of the lower
component and the edge of the first upper component are sized and
configured to, when the zipper teeth of the lower component engage
the zipper teeth of the first upper component, at least partially
overlap to at least substantially cover the engaged zipper teeth of
the lower and the first upper components.
11. The clothing system as in claim 7, wherein the second upper
component further includes an edge; wherein the lower component
further includes a edge; and wherein the edge of the lower
component and the edge of the second upper component are sized and
configured to, when the zipper teeth of the lower component engage
the zipper teeth of the second upper component, at least partially
overlap to at least substantially cover the engaged zipper teeth of
the lower and the second upper components.
12. The clothing system as in claim 5, wherein the at least one
fastener member of the first upper component comprises a plurality
of snap members; wherein the at least one fastener member of the
second upper component comprises a plurality of snap members;
wherein the at least one fastener member of the lower component
comprises a plurality of snap members; wherein the snap members of
the lower component are sized and configured to engage the snap
members of the first upper component to create the first article of
clothing that includes the expandable maternity waistband; and
wherein the snap members of the lower component are sized and
configured to engage the snap members of the second upper component
to create the second article of clothing.
13. The clothing system as in claim 5, wherein the first article of
clothing comprises a pair of pants that includes the lower
component and the first upper component; and wherein the second
article of clothing comprises a pair of pants that includes the
lower component and the second upper component.
14. The clothing system as in claim 5, wherein the first article of
clothing comprises a skirt that includes the lower component and
the first upper component; and wherein the second article of
clothing comprises a skirt that includes the lower component and
the second upper component.
15. A clothing system comprising: a lower component of an article
of clothing including at least one fastener member; and a first
upper component of an article of clothing, the first upper
component including: an expandable maternity waistband; and at
least one fastener member sized and configured to be selectively
connected to and disconnected from the at least one fastener member
of the lower component to create a first article of clothing that
includes the expandable maternity waistband.
16. The clothing system as in claim 15, wherein the first upper
component is sized and configured to be connected to the lower
component along a generally under-the-belly connection line.
17. The clothing system as in claim 15, wherein the expandable
maternity waistband of the first upper component comprises a
demi-panel maternity waistband.
18. The clothing system as in claim 15, wherein the expandable
maternity waistband of the first upper component comprises a
full-panel maternity waistband.
19. The clothing system as in claim 15, wherein the expandable
maternity waistband of the first upper component comprises a
hidden-panel maternity waistband.
20. The clothing system as in claim 15, wherein the expandable
maternity waistband of the first upper component comprises a
roll-panel maternity waistband.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of,
U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/956,849, filed Aug.
20, 2007 and entitled CLOTHING SYSTEMS AND METHODS, which is
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to clothing.
[0004] 2. Background Technology
[0005] Women often wear maternity clothing during their
pregnancies. Unfortunately, maternity clothing can be very
expensive and is typically worn for only a few short months.
Moreover, saving and reusing the maternity clothing to help spread
the maternity clothing's cost over multiple pregnancies is
typically not a good option given that the maternity clothing may
be outdated at the time of the subsequent pregnancies.
SUMMARY
[0006] One aspect is an article of clothing, such as a pair of
pants (such as, jeans, slacks, shorts, capris and the like), a
skirt or other suitable article of clothing. The article of
clothing may include an expandable portion, such as an expandable
waistband. For example, the article of clothing may be an article
of maternity clothing that may include an expandable waistband
configured to expand to accommodate a pregnant woman's belly during
pregnancy.
[0007] A further aspect is an article of clothing that may include
an expandable portion that may be constructed from an elastically
stretchable material. Desirably, the elastically stretchable
material may be configured to help the expandable portion expand to
accommodate a pregnant woman's belly during pregnancy. In addition,
the elastically stretchable material may be configured to help
provide a relatively snug and/or secure fit. Moreover, the
elastically stretchable material may be sized and configured to
provide a compression fit, which may help support her belly and/or
back. Exemplary elastically stretchable materials may include
stretchy knit, spandex (also referred to as "elastane") and other
elastically stretchable materials.
[0008] Another further aspect is an article of clothing that may
include an expandable portion that may include a drawstring.
Desirably, the drawstring may be configured to help the expandable
portion expand to accommodate a pregnant woman's belly during
pregnancy. In addition, the drawstring may be configured to help
provide a relatively snug and/or secure fit.
[0009] Yet another further aspect is an article of clothing that
may include an expandable portion that may include one or more
elastic bands. Desirably, the elastic bands may be configured to
help the expandable portion expand to accommodate a pregnant
woman's belly during pregnancy. In addition, the elastic bands may
be configured to help provide a relatively snug and/or secure
fit.
[0010] Still another further aspect is an article of clothing that
may include an expandable portion that may be sized and configured
to be adjustably expanded. Desirably, the expandable portion may be
adjustably expanded to accommodate a pregnant woman's belly during
pregnancy. In addition, the expandable portion may be adjustably
expanded to help provide a relatively snug and/or secure fit.
Moreover, the expandable portion may be sized and configured to
provide a compression fit, which may help support her belly and/or
back.
[0011] Another aspect is an article of clothing that may include a
first component and a second component. The second component may be
sized and configured to be selectively connected to and
disconnected from the first component. The first component may
include a lower component of the article of clothing and the second
component may include an upper component of the article of
clothing. For instance, the article of clothing may comprise a pair
of pants or a skirt; and the upper component may include all or at
least a substantial portion of a waistband and may be sized and
configured to be selectively connected to and disconnected from a
lower component of the pants or skirt. In some embodiments, the
upper component may include an expandable portion, such as an
expandable waistband or other expandable portion.
[0012] A further aspect is an article of clothing that may include
a first component and a second component. The first component may
include an attachment portion, and the second component may include
an attachment portion. The attachment portions of the first and
second components may be sized and configured to be selectively
connected to and disconnected from each other. The attachment
portions may include, for example, at least a portion of one or
more zippers, buttons, snaps, hooks, hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g.
Velcro) and/or any other suitable means for connecting the first
and second components.
[0013] Another further aspect is an article of clothing that may
include a first component, a second component, and at least one
belt loop. The second component may be sized and configured to be
selectively connected to and disconnected from the first component.
The belt loop may include a first end and a second end, and the
second end may be generally fixedly connected to the second
component, while the first end may be sized and configured to be
selectively connected to and disconnected from the first component.
The second end of the belt loop may be generally fixedly connected
to the second component by using one or more stitches, one or more
rivets or other suitable means. The first end of the belt loop may
be sized and configured to be selectively connected to and
disconnected from the first component using, for example, at least
a portion of one or more zippers, buttons, snaps, hooks,
hook-and-loop fasteners and/or any other suitable means
[0014] Yet another further aspect is an article of clothing that
may include a first component and a second component that may be
sized and configured to be selectively connected to and
disconnected from the first component. If desired, when the first
and second components are connected, the components' line of
connection may be at least partially hidden and/or may form part of
a design element of the article of clothing. For example, one or
more seams sewn into the first component and/or the second
component may be disposed proximate to and/or may cover all or at
least a substantial portion of the components' line of connection.
Also, one or more covers, such as flaps or other covers, may be
disposed proximate to and/or may cover all or at least a
substantial portion of the components' line of connection.
[0015] Still another further aspect is an article of clothing that
may include a first component and a second component that may be
sized and configured to be selectively connected to and
disconnected from the first component along a line of connection.
The line of connection may be sized and configured to be located at
or near the hips of a person wearing the article of clothing. The
line of connection may also be sized and configured to be located
at or below the belly of a person wearing the article of clothing.
For example, the person wearing the article of clothing may be a
pregnant woman and the line of connection may be sized and
configured to be located at or near her hips and/or at or below her
belly. In particular, the second component may be sized and
configured to be connected to first component along a generally
under-the-belly connection line. The generally under-the-belly
connection line may advantageously help an expandable maternity
waistband of the upper component to accommodate the pregnant
woman's belly as it expands during her pregnancy. In some
embodiments, the connection line may, for example, be generally
positioned within one, two, three or four inches of the hip joints
(also referred to as the "acetabulofemoral joints") of the woman.
For instance, the connection line may be generally positioned at or
below a height of four inches, three inches, two inches or one inch
above the woman's hip joints. If desired, the connection line may
be generally positioned at or below the woman's hip joints.
[0016] Another aspect is a clothing system that may include a first
component and a plurality of components that are sized and
configured to be interchangeably connected to the first component.
In particular, the first component may include a lower component of
an article of clothing, and the plurality of components may include
a plurality of upper components that may be sized and configured to
be selectively connected to and disconnected from the lower
component. The upper components are preferably sized and configured
to be interchangeably connected to the lower component. This may
allow the lower component to be connected to a variety of different
upper components. For example, a first upper component may include
a generally fixed waistband, and a second upper component may
include an expandable maternity waistband. Desirably, a woman may
connect the first upper component to the lower component to form an
article of clothing that she may wear when not pregnant and/or
during her first months of her pregnancy. The woman may later
disconnect the first upper component from the lower component and
then connect the second upper component to the lower component to
form an article of clothing that she may wear during her latter
months of her pregnancy and/or during her recovery from pregnancy.
Significantly, with the second upper component connected to the
lower component, the expandable maternity waistband may expand to
accommodate her belly during her pregnancy. After her pregnancy
and/or her recovery, the woman may disconnect the second upper
component from the lower component and then reconnect the first
upper component to the lower component. Thus, by using various
upper components, a lower component of an article of clothing may
be used before, during and/or after pregnancy, which may help avoid
some of the costs associated with maternity wardrobes. It will be
appreciated that the first upper component does not require a
generally fixed waistband and may include an expandable maternity
waistband, and thus both the first and second upper components may
include expandable maternity waistband. It will also be appreciated
that the second upper component does not require an expandable
maternity waistband and that the second upper component may include
a generally fixed waistband, if desired. Thus, both the first and
second upper components may include a generally fixed waistband, in
some instances.
[0017] Yet another aspect is clothing system that may include a
first set of upper components and a second set of one or more lower
components. If desired, the upper components may be sized and
configured to be interchangeably connected to any of the lower
components to form various articles of clothing. In addition, the
lower components may be sized and configured to be interchangeably
connected to any of the upper components to form various articles
of clothing.
[0018] Still another aspect is a clothing system that may include a
lower component of an article of clothing and a plurality of upper
components of an article of clothing. The lower component may
include at least one engaging portion. The plurality of upper
components may be sized and configured to be interchangeably
connected to and disconnected from the lower component. The
plurality of upper components that may include a first upper
component of an article of clothing and a second upper component of
an article of clothing. The first upper component may include an
expandable maternity waistband and at least one engaging portion
sized and configured to engage the at least one engaging portion of
the lower component to create a first pair of pants that includes
the expandable maternity waistband. The second upper component may
include a second waistband and at least one engaging portion sized
and configured to engage the at least one engaging portion of the
lower component to create a second pair of pants that includes the
second waistband. The at least one engaging portion of the first
upper component and the at least one engaging portion of the second
upper component may sized and configured to interchangeably engage
the at least one engaging portion of the lower component. The first
upper component may be sized and configured to be connected to the
lower component along a generally under-the-belly connection line,
and the second upper component may be sized and configured to be
connected to the lower component along a generally under-the-belly
connection line. The second waistband may have a generally fixed
configuration. The second waistband may be an expandable maternity
waistband.
[0019] Another aspect is a clothing system that may include a lower
component of an article of clothing and a plurality of upper
components of an article of clothing. The lower component may
include at least one fastener member. The plurality of upper
components may be sized and configured to be interchangeably
connected to and disconnected from the lower component. The
plurality of upper components may include a first upper component
of an article of clothing and a second upper component of an
article of clothing. The first upper component may include an
expandable maternity waistband and at least one fastener member
sized and configured to be connected to the at least one fastener
member of the lower component to create a first article of clothing
that includes the expandable maternity waistband. The second upper
component may include at least one fastener member sized and
configured to be connected to the at least one fastener member of
the lower component to create a second article of clothing. The at
least one fastener member of the first upper component and the at
least one fastener member of the second upper component may be
sized and configured to be interchangeably connected to and
disconnected from the at least one fastener member of the lower
component. The first upper component may be sized and configured to
be connected to the lower component along a generally
under-the-belly connection line, and the second upper component may
be sized and configured to be connected to the lower component
along a generally under-the-belly connection line. In some
embodiments, the first article of clothing may be a pair of pants
that includes the lower component and the first upper component,
and the second article of clothing may be a pair of pants that
includes the lower component and the second upper component. In
some embodiments, the first article of clothing may be a skirt that
includes the lower component and the first upper component, and the
second article of clothing may be a skirt that includes the lower
component and the second upper component.
[0020] A further aspect is the at least one fastener member of the
first upper component may include zipper teeth, the at least one
fastener member of the second upper component may include zipper
teeth, and the at least one fastener member of the lower component
may include zipper teeth. The zipper teeth of the lower component
may be sized and configured to engage the zipper teeth of the first
upper component to create a first article of clothing that includes
a expandable maternity waistband, and the zipper teeth of the lower
component are sized and configured to engage the zipper teeth of
the second upper component to create a second article of clothing.
In some embodiments, the first upper component may include an edge
having a seam finish; the lower component may include a edge having
a seam finish; and at least a portion of the edge of the lower
component may be sized and configured to, when the zipper teeth of
the lower component engage the zipper teeth of the first upper
component, abut at least a portion of the edge of the first upper
component to at least substantially cover the engaged zipper teeth
of the lower and the first upper components. In some embodiments,
the second upper component may include an edge having a seam
finish; the lower component may include a edge having a seam
finish; and at least a portion of the edge of the lower component
is sized and configured to, when the zipper teeth of the lower
component engage the zipper teeth of the second upper component,
abut at least a portion of the edge of the second upper component
to at least substantially cover the engaged zipper teeth of the
lower and the second upper components. In some embodiments, the
first upper component may include an edge; the lower component may
include a edge; and the edge of the lower component and the edge of
the first upper component may be sized and configured to, when the
zipper teeth of the lower component engage the zipper teeth of the
first upper component, at least partially overlap to at least
substantially cover the engaged zipper teeth of the lower and the
first upper components. In some embodiments, the second upper
component may include an edge; the lower component may include a
edge; and the edge of the lower component and the edge of the
second upper component may be sized and configured to, when the
zipper teeth of the lower component engage the zipper teeth of the
second upper component, at least partially overlap to at least
substantially cover the engaged zipper teeth of the lower and the
second upper components.
[0021] Another further aspect is the at least one fastener member
of the first upper component may include a plurality of snap
members, the at least one fastener member of the second upper
component may include a plurality of snap members, and the at least
one fastener member of the lower component may include a plurality
of snap members. The snap members of the lower component may be
sized and configured to engage the snap members of the first upper
component to create a first article of clothing that includes a
expandable maternity waistband, and the snap members of the lower
component may be sized and configured to engage the snap members of
the second upper component to create a second article of
clothing.
[0022] Yet another aspect is a clothing system that may include a
lower component of an article of clothing and a first upper
component of an article of clothing. The lower component may
include at least one fastener member. The first upper component may
include an expandable maternity waistband and at least one fastener
member sized and configured to be selectively connected to and
disconnected from the at least one fastener member of the lower
component to create a first article of clothing that includes the
expandable maternity waistband. The first upper component may be
sized and configured to be connected to the lower component along a
generally under-the-belly connection line. The expandable maternity
waistband of the first upper component may be any suitable type of
maternity waistband including, but not limited to, a demi-panel
maternity waistband, a full-panel maternity waistband, a
hidden-panel maternity waistband, a roll-panel maternity waistband,
etc.
[0023] Still another aspect is a method of using a lower component
of an article of clothing and a first upper component of an article
of clothing. The method may include disconnecting the first upper
component from the lower component. The first upper component may
include an expandable maternity waistband and at least one fastener
member sized and configured to be connected to and disconnected
from at least one fastener member of the lower component.
Disconnecting the first upper component from the lower component
may include disconnecting the at least one fastener member of the
first upper component from the at least one fastener member of the
lower component. The first upper component may be sized and
configured to be connected to the lower component along a generally
under-the-belly connection line. The method may further include
connecting a second upper component of an article of clothing to
the lower component. The second upper component may include at
least one fastener member sized and configured to be connected to
and disconnected from the at least one fastener member of the lower
component. Connecting a second upper component of an article of
clothing to the lower component may include connecting the at least
one fastener member of the second upper component to the at least
one fastener member of the lower component. The second upper
component may include a waistband.
[0024] Another aspect is a method of using a lower component of an
article of clothing, a first upper component of an article of
clothing and a second upper component of an article of clothing.
The method may include (by a person) wearing a first article of
clothing. The first article of clothing may include the lower
component and the first upper component. The first upper component
may be connected to the lower component along a first connection
line. The lower component may include at least one fastener member.
The first upper component may include an expandable maternity
waistband and at least one fastener member connected to the at
least one fastener member of the lower component. The method may
also include disconnecting the first upper component from the lower
component, wherein disconnecting the first upper component from the
lower component includes disconnecting the at least one fastener
member of the first upper component from the at least one fastener
member of the lower component. The method may also include
connecting the second upper component to the lower component to
create a second article of clothing that includes the lower
component and the second upper component. The second upper
component may include at least one fastener member, wherein
connecting the second upper component to the lower component
comprises connecting the at least one fastener member of the second
upper component to the at least one fastener member of the lower
component. In some embodiments, wearing the first article of
clothing may include wearing the first article of clothing with the
first connection line generally positioned within four inches of
the person's hip joints, wearing the first article of clothing with
the first connection line generally positioned within three inches
of the person's hip joints, wearing the first article of clothing
with the first connection line generally positioned within two
inches of the person's hip joints, and/or wearing the first article
of clothing with the first connection line generally positioned
within one inch of the person's hip joints. In some embodiments,
wearing the first article of clothing may include wearing the first
article of clothing with the first connection line generally
positioned at or below a height of four inches above of the
person's hip joints, wearing the first article of clothing with the
first connection line generally positioned at or below a height of
three inches above of the person's hip joints, wearing the first
article of clothing with the first connection line generally
positioned at or below a height of two inches above of the person's
hip joints, wearing the first article of clothing with the first
connection line generally positioned at and/or below a height of
one inch above of the person's hip joints. In some embodiments,
wearing the first article of clothing comprises wearing the first
article of clothing with the first connection line generally
positioned at or below the person's hip joints.
[0025] A further aspect is the first article of clothing may be a
pair of pants that may include the lower component and the first
upper component. The lower component may include a crotch of the
pair of pants. In some embodiments, wearing the first article of
clothing comprises wearing the first article of clothing with the
first connection line generally positioned at or below a height of
nine inches above of the crotch of the pair of pants, wearing the
first article of clothing with the first connection line generally
positioned at or below a height of eight inches above of the crotch
of the pair of pants, wearing the first article of clothing with
the first connection line generally positioned at or below a height
of seven inches above of the crotch of the pair of pants, wearing
the first article of clothing with the first connection line
generally positioned at or below a height of six inches above of
the crotch of the pair of pants, wearing the first article of
clothing with the first connection line generally positioned at or
below a height of five inches above of the crotch of the pair of
pants, and/or wearing the first article of clothing with the first
connection line generally positioned at or below a height of four
inches above of the crotch of the pair of pants.
[0026] For purposes of summarizing, some aspects, advantages and
features of a few of the embodiments of the invention have been
described in this summary. Some embodiments of the invention may
include some or all of these summarized aspects, advantages and
features. However, not necessarily all of (or any of) these
summarized aspects, advantages or features will be embodied in any
particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, none of these
summarized aspects, advantages and features are essential. Some of
these summarized aspects, advantages and features and other
aspects, advantages and features may become more fully apparent
from the following detailed description and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The appended drawings contain figures of preferred
embodiments to further clarify the above and other aspects,
advantages and features. It will be appreciated that these drawings
depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are not
intended to limit its scope. These preferred embodiments will be
described and explained with additional specificity and detail
through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary clothing
system, illustrating a plurality of upper components and a lower
component;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the clothing
system shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the lower component connected
to one of the upper components;
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the clothing
system shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the lower component connected
to another of the upper components;
[0031] FIG. 4 is a side view of a person wearing a portion of the
clothing system shown in FIG. 3;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a person wearing a portion
of the clothing system shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the lower
component connected to yet another of the upper components;
[0033] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a portion of the clothing
system shown in FIG. 5;
[0034] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of another exemplary
clothing system;
[0035] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of yet another
exemplary clothing system, illustrating an exemplary elastic
band;
[0036] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary connection
line for an article of clothing that includes an upper component
and a lower component, illustrating the connection line positioned
relative to the anatomy of a wearer of the article of clothing;
[0037] FIG. 10 is a front view of a pair of shorts, illustrating an
upper component connected to a lower component; and
[0038] FIG. 11 is a front view of another pair of shorts,
illustrating another upper component connected to the lower
component shown in FIG. 10.
[0039] FIG. 12 is a front view of a skirt, illustrating an upper
component connected to a lower component; and
[0040] FIG. 13 is a front view of another skirt, illustrating
another upper component connected to the lower component shown in
FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] As shown in the accompanying figures, a clothing system may
include one or more components of an article of clothing, for
example, a pair of pants (such as, jeans, slacks, shorts, capris
and the like), a skirt or other suitable article of clothing. These
components may be interconnected in a variety of different
combinations to allow the article of clothing to have various
styles or designs, configurations and/or functionality.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, a clothing system 100 may include a
first component and one or more additional components that may be
sized and configured to be selectively connected to and
disconnected from the first component. Significantly, the
additional components may be sized and configured to be
interchangeably connected to and disconnected from the first
component, if desired. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1, the
clothing system 100 may include a lower component 102 of an article
of clothing and one or more upper components 104, 106, 108 of an
article of clothing that may be sized and configured to be
selectively connected to and disconnected from the lower component
102. If desired, the upper components 104, 106, 108 may be sized
and configured to be interchangeably connected to and disconnected
from the lower component 102, which may allow the lower component
102 to be connected to a variety of different upper components.
[0043] For example, the upper component 104 may include a generally
fixed waistband, and the upper components 106, 108 may include an
expandable maternity waistband. Desirably, a woman may connect the
upper component 104 to the lower component 102, as shown in FIG. 2,
to form a pair of pants, a skirt or other article of clothing that
she may wear when she is not pregnant and/or during the first
months of her pregnancy.
[0044] The woman may later disconnect the upper component 104 from
the lower component 102 and then connect the upper component 106
(as shown in FIGS. 3-4) or the upper component 108 (as shown in
FIG. 5) to the lower component 102 to form a pair of pants, a skirt
or other article of clothing that she may wear during her latter
months of her pregnancy and/or during her recovery from
pregnancy.
[0045] Significantly, with the upper component 106 or 108 connected
to the lower component 102, the expandable maternity waistband of
the upper component may expand to accommodate the woman's belly
during her pregnancy. In some cases, the woman may want to switch
between the upper components 106, 108, for example, if the upper
components 106, 108 have different features (e.g. different types
of maternity waistbands, with or without belt loops, etc.),
different styles or designs, etc. In such cases, the woman could
disconnect the upper component 106 from the lower component 102 and
then connect the upper component 108 to the lower component 102
and/or could disconnect the upper component 108 from the lower
component 102 and then connect the upper component 106 to the lower
component 102.
[0046] After her pregnancy and/or her recovery, the woman may
disconnect the upper component 106 or the upper component 108 from
the lower component 102 and then connect the upper component 104 to
the lower component 102. Thus, by using various upper components, a
lower component of an article of clothing may be used before,
during and/or after pregnancy, which may help avoid some of the
costs associated with maternity wardrobes.
[0047] As mentioned above, the upper components 104, 106, 108 may
be sized and configured to be selectively and/or interchangeably
connected to and disconnected from the lower component 102 of an
article of clothing. The upper components 104, 106, 108 may, for
example, include attachment portions that may be sized and
configured to be selectively and/or interchangeably connected to
and disconnected from an attachment portion of the lower component
102, and the attachment portions of the upper and lower components
may include at least a portion of one or more zippers, buttons,
snaps, hooks, hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro) and/or any
other suitable means for connecting the upper and lower
components.
[0048] In further detail, the lower component 102 may include one
or more fastener members, and the upper components 104, 106, 108
may include one or more fastener members sized and configured to be
selectively and/or interchangeably connected to and disconnected
from the lower component's one or more fastener members. Exemplary
fastener members may include, but are not limited to, zipper teeth
of a zipper, snap members of a snap fastener, a hooked or looped
portion of a hook-and-loop fastener, and other fastener members of
other fasteners. To help selectively and/or interchangeably connect
and disconnect the fastener members, the fastener members of the
upper and lower components may include one or more engaging
portions that may be sized and configured to engage each other.
[0049] For example, the lower component may include zipper teeth,
and an upper component may include zipper teeth having portions
sized and configured to engage portions of the lower component's
zipper teeth. For instance, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower component
may include zipper teeth 110, and the upper component 108 may
include zipper teeth 112 having portions sized and configured to
engage portions of the lower component's zipper teeth 110.
Likewise, as shown in FIG. 7, a lower component 114 of an article
of clothing may include zipper teeth 116, and an upper component
118 of an article of clothing may include zipper teeth 120 having
portions sized and configured to engage portions of the lower
component's zipper teeth 116.
[0050] Also, for example, the lower component may include at least
one snap member with a lip or groove, and an upper component may
include at least one snap member with a lip or groove sized and
configured to engage the lip or groove of the lower component's
snap member. For instance, as shown in FIG. 7, the lower component
114 may include snap members 122, and the upper component 118 may
include snap members 124 having lips or grooves sized and
configured to engage the lips or grooves of the snap members
122.
[0051] Moreover, for example, the lower component may include a
hooked or looped portion of a hook-and-loop fastener, and an upper
component may include a hooked or looped portion of a hook-and-loop
fastener that is sized and configured to engage the lower
component's hooked or looped portion.
[0052] In some embodiments, when an upper component 104, 106, 108
is connected to the lower component 102, the components' line of
connection may be at least partially hidden and/or may form part of
a design element of the article of clothing. For example, one or
more seams sewn into the lower component 102 and/or the upper
component 104, may be disposed proximate to and/or may cover all or
at least a substantial portion of the components' line of
connection. Also, one or more covers, such as flaps or other
covers, may be disposed proximate to and/or may cover all or at
least a substantial portion of the components' line of
connection.
[0053] In further detail, an edge of the lower component 102 and an
edge of the upper component 104, 106, 108 may--when the lower and
upper components are connected--at least partially abut and/or
overlap to cover all or at least a substantial portion of the
components' line of connection. For example, when (as noted above)
the lower and upper components include zipper teeth that engage
each other, the edge of the lower component and the edge of the
upper component may at least partially abut and/or overlap to cover
all or at least a substantial portion of the engaged zipper teeth
of the lower and the upper components. In addition, the edges of
the lower and upper components may have a seam finish, for
instance, when the lower and the upper components' edges and zipper
teeth form part of an "open-end invisible zipper" type of zipper
(also known as an "invisible separating zipper"). It will be
appreciated, however, that the lower and upper components' zipper
teeth and/or line of connection need not be hidden at all, for
instance, as shown in FIG. 7. It will also be appreciated that an
open-end invisible zipper is not required and that other types of
zippers and/or fasteners may be used to selectively and/or
interchangeably connect the lower and upper components.
[0054] As mentioned above, an upper component 106, 108 may include
an expandable maternity waistband. The expandable maternity
waistband preferably includes an expandable portion that may be
sized and configured to be adjustably expanded to accommodate a
pregnant woman's belly during pregnancy. In addition, the
expandable portion may be adjustably expanded to help provide a
relatively snug and/or secure fit on her belly. Significantly, an
upper component 106, 108 may include any type of expandable
maternity waistband, such as demi-panel maternity waistbands (also
known as "under the belly" maternity waistbands), a full-panel
maternity waistband (also known as "over the belly" maternity
waistbands), a hidden-panel maternity waistband, a roll-panel
maternity waistband, or any other type of maternity waistband. For
example, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper component 106 may include a
demi-panel maternity waistband 126, which may generally surround a
portion of a pregnant woman's belly, may generally surround the
circumference of a section of a pregnant woman's hips, torso and/or
midsection, and/or may have a height that may be at least two,
three, four or five inches and/or less than six inches, less than
five inches or less than four inches. Also, for example, as shown
in FIG. 5, the upper component 108 may include a full-panel
maternity waistband 128, which may generally surround all or at
least a portion of a pregnant woman's belly, may generally surround
the circumference of a section of a pregnant woman's hips, torso
and/or midsection, and/or may have a height that may be at least
six inches, at least eight inches, at least ten inches, at least
twelve inches, at least fourteen inches, at least sixteen inches,
at least eighteen inches or more. The maternity waistbands 126, 128
may, however, have greater or lesser heights, if desired. Moreover,
the maternity waistbands 126, 128 may be higher in their front than
in their back, may be higher in their back than in their front, or
may be generally the same in their front and backs depending, for
example, upon the particular configuration of the maternity
waistbands.
[0055] In some embodiments, the expandable maternity waistband of
the upper component 106, 108 may include an expandable portion that
may be constructed from an elastically stretchable material. For
example, the upper component 108 may include a full-panel maternity
waistband 128 constructed from an elastically stretchable material,
as shown in FIG. 5, or a demi-panel or any other type of maternity
waistband constructed from an elastically stretchable material. In
some embodiments, the elastically stretchable material may be sized
and configured to generally surround a portion of a pregnant
woman's belly and/or generally surround the circumference of a
section of a pregnant woman's hips, torso and/or midsection, and/or
may have a height that may be at least two, three, four or five
inches and/or less than six inches, less than five inches or less
than four inches. Also, for example, the elastically stretchable
material may be sized and configured to generally surround all or
at least a portion of a pregnant woman's belly and/or generally
surround the circumference of a section of a pregnant woman's hips,
torso and/or midsection, and/or may have a height that may be at
least six inches, at least eight inches, at least ten inches, at
least twelve inches, at least fourteen inches, at least sixteen
inches, at least eighteen inches or more. The elastically
stretchable material, however, may have greater or lesser heights,
if desired. Moreover, the elastically stretchable material need not
surround an entire section of a pregnant woman's hips, torso and/or
midsection and may, for example, extend along one or more discrete
portions of a section of a pregnant woman's hips, torso and/or
midsection, for instance, at the front of the section, at the rear
of the section, at one or both sides of the section, or any
combination thereof. Desirably, the elastically stretchable
material may be configured to help the expandable portion expand to
accommodate a pregnant woman's belly during pregnancy. In addition,
the elastically stretchable material may be configured to help
provide a relatively snug and/or secure fit on her belly. Moreover,
the elastically stretchable material may be sized and configured to
provide a compression fit, which may help support her belly and/or
back. Exemplary elastically stretchable materials may include
stretchy knit, spandex (also referred to as "elastane") and other
elastically stretchable materials. It will be appreciated, however,
that the expandable portion need not be constructed from an
elastically stretchable material and that the expandable portion
may be constructed from other suitable materials having other
suitable characteristics.
[0056] In some embodiments, the expandable maternity waistband of
the upper component 106, 108 may include an expandable maternity
waistband including an expandable portion that may include a
drawstring. Desirably, the drawstring may be configured to help the
expandable portion expand to accommodate a pregnant woman's belly
during pregnancy. In addition, the drawstring may be configured to
help provide a relatively snug and/or secure fit on her belly. It
will be appreciated, however, that the expandable portion does not
require any drawstring.
[0057] In some embodiments, the expandable maternity waistband of
the upper component 106, 108 may include an expandable maternity
waistband including an expandable portion that may include one or
more elastic bands. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper
component 108 may include a full-panel maternity waistband 128 that
may include an elastic band 130 disposed along all or at least a
substantial portion of an upper edge of the waistband 128. Also,
for example, as shown in FIG. 8, an upper component 132 may include
one or more elastic bands 134, which may include one or more
openings 136. The openings 136 may be selectively and/or
interchangeably connected to and disconnected from a button 138 to
increase or decrease the tension in the elastic band 134.
Desirably, the elastic bands may be configured to help the
expandable portion expand to accommodate a pregnant woman's belly
during pregnancy. In addition, the elastic bands may be configured
to help provide a relatively snug and/or secure fit on her belly.
It will be appreciated, however, that the expandable portion does
not require any elastic bands.
[0058] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-6, an upper
component 104, 106, 108 may be sized and configured to be connected
to the lower component 102 along a generally under-the-belly
connection line. As shown in FIG. 9, the generally under-the-belly
connection line 140 may advantageously help an expandable maternity
waistband of the upper component 106 or the upper component 108 to
accommodate a belly of a pregnant woman 142 as her belly expands
during her pregnancy. The generally under-the-belly connection line
140 may, for example, be generally positioned within one, two,
three or four inches of the hip joints 144 (also referred to as the
"acetabulofemoral joints") of the woman 142. For instance, the
generally under-the-belly connection line 140 may be generally
positioned at or below a height A of four inches, three inches, two
inches or one inch above the woman's hip joints 144. Also, for
instance, the generally under-the-belly connection line 140 may be
generally positioned at or below a height A of four inches, three
inches, two inches or one inch above the woman's hip joints 144
and/or at or above a height of four inches, three inches, two
inches or one inch below the woman's hip joints 144. If desired,
the generally under-the-belly connection line 140 may be generally
positioned at or below the woman's hip joints 144. It will be
appreciated, however, that the connection line 140 may be located
in other locations and that the article of clothing may be worn by
any person.
[0059] In some embodiments, where an upper component 104, 106, 108
is connected to the lower component 102 to create a pair of pants,
the upper and lower components may be sized and configured to be
connected along a connection line 140 that, when worn by the woman,
is generally positioned at or above a height B of one, two or three
inches above a crotch 146 of the pants and/or below a height of
nine, eight, seven, six, five or four inches above the crotch 146.
Of course, the connection line could be higher or lower, if
desired. As shown in FIG. 1, the lower component 102 may include
the crotch 146 of the pair of pants.
[0060] The connection line 140 may be sized and configured to
generally level when worn by the woman. In some instances, to help
provide a generally level connection line 140 where an upper
component 104, 106, 108 is connected to the lower component 102 to
create a pair of pants, a front portion of the connection line may
be located at a smaller distance from a crotch seam of the pants,
while a rear portion of the connection line may be located at a
larger distance from the crotch seam. For example, the front
portion of the connection line could be about three, four, or five
inches closer from the crotch seam than the rear portion is from
the crotch seam. In particular, the front portion of the connection
line could be about six to nine inches from the crotch seam (e.g.
7.5 inches), and the rear portion could be about ten to thirteen
inches from the crotch seam (e.g. 11.5 inches). Of course, the
front and rear portions could be in other suitable locations
depending, for example, upon the particular configuration of the
pants and/or the particular location of the crotch seam. Moreover,
the connection line 140 need not be generally level and may be
sized and configured to be, when worn by the woman, tilted forward
or rearward any desired amount.
[0061] In some embodiments, for example as shown in FIGS. 2-5, when
an upper component 104, 106, 108 is connected to the lower
component 102, all or at least a substantial portion of the upper
component may be positioned above the lower component 102 and/or
the connection line.
[0062] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper component
may 118 may include at least one belt loop 148 with a first end and
a second end, and the second end may be generally fixedly connected
to the upper component 118, while the first end may be sized and
configured to be selectively connected to and disconnected from the
lower component 114. The second end of the belt loop 148 may be
generally fixedly connected to the upper component 118 by using one
or more stitches, one or more rivets or other suitable means. The
first end of the belt loop 148 may be sized and configured to be
selectively connected to and disconnected from the lower component
114 using, for example, at least a portion of one or more zippers,
buttons, snaps, hooks, hook-and-loop fasteners and/or any other
suitable means. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the first end of
the belt loop 148 may be sized and configured to be selectively
connected to and disconnected from the lower component 114 using
snap members 122, 124 and/or any other fastener members. It will be
appreciated, however, that the lower and upper components 114, 118
do not require any belt loops.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 2, an upper component (such as the upper
component 104) may include an opening 150--which may be formed, for
instance, by open ends 152--that may be opened and closed, for
instance, by unfastening and fastening one or more zippers,
buttons, snaps, hooks, hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro) and/or
any other suitable means for securing the opening in a closed
position. For example, the upper component 104 may include one or
more snap members 154 that may be unfastened and fastened to open
and close the opening 150.
[0064] As noted above, a clothing system may include one or more
components of an article of clothing, for example, a pair of pants
(such as, jeans, slacks, shorts, capris and the like), a skirt or
other suitable article of clothing. For example, as shown in FIGS.
1-9, the article of clothing may be slacks or jeans. The article of
clothing may, however, be shorts including a lower and upper
component (such as, a lower component 156 and an upper component
158 or 160 as shown in FIGS. 10-11) or a skirt including a lower
and upper component (such as, a lower component 162 and an upper
component 164 or 166 as shown in FIGS. 12-13). The article of
clothing, of course, may be any other suitable type of article of
clothing.
[0065] In some embodiments, a set of upper components may be sized
and configured to be interchangeably connected to any of a
plurality of lower components to form various articles of clothing.
In addition, the lower components may be sized and configured to be
interchangeably connected to any of the upper components to form
various articles of clothing. For example, in some embodiments, the
upper components 104, 106, 108, 118, 132, 158, 160, 164, 166 may be
sized and configured to be selectively and/or interchangeably
connected to any of the lower components 102, 114, 156, 162, and
the lower components 102, 114, 156, 162 may be sized and configured
to be selectively and/or interchangeably connected to any of the
upper components 104, 106, 108, 118, 132, 158, 160, 164, 166.
[0066] The methods and systems described above require no
particular component or function. Thus, any described component or
function--despite its advantages--is optional. For example, it will
be appreciated that an article of clothing does not require any
expandable maternity waistband or any other kind of waistband or
expandable portion. It will be further appreciated that the article
of clothing needs not be an article of maternity clothing and may
be any other suitable type of clothing. Also, some or all of the
described components and functions described above may be used in
connection with any number of other suitable components and
functions.
[0067] Although this invention has been described in terms of
certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this
invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to
be defined only by the claims which follow.
* * * * *