U.S. patent application number 12/157055 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-10 for multi-use and multi-style garment.
Invention is credited to Jeannette Fata.
Application Number | 20090300817 12/157055 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41398947 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090300817 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fata; Jeannette |
December 10, 2009 |
Multi-use and multi-style garment
Abstract
A mutli-use and multi-style garment is shown from a single piece
of fabric, having a tubular main portion having both anterior and
posterior edges when viewed in elevation, the tubular main portion
being adapted to surround desired portions of the body of the
wearer; two opposing extensions extending upwardly from the
anterior edge of the tubular main portion, the opposing extensions
having a lower end connected to the tubular main portion and upper
free ends opposite the lower end which can be manipulated in
different ways depending on both the desired type and style of
clothing; a vertical slit extending downwardly on the anterior edge
of at least one side of the tubular main portion to allow for
mobility when the garment is worn by the wearer; and wherein, a
specific configuration is selected from the group consisting of:
when the opposing extensions are crisscrossed and tied about the
neck of the wearer, an aperture is created with a diameter
proportionate to the length of the garment against the body of the
wearer, in which the smaller the diameter of the aperture, the
shorter the garment to the point of substantially being a blouse,
and the longer the diameter the longer the garment to the point of
substantially being a dress; when the opposing extensions are not
crisscrossed and tied about the neck of the wearer, substantially
no aperture is created and the garment is substantially a dress;
when the opposing extensions are not cris-crossed and tied below
the armpits of the wearer, the garment is substantially a dress;
and when the opposing extensions are not crisscrossed and tied
around the waist of the wearer, the garment is substantially a
skirt.
Inventors: |
Fata; Jeannette; (Setauket,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Stein Law, P.C.
Suite 4, 24 Woodbine Avenue
Northport
NY
11768
US
|
Family ID: |
41398947 |
Appl. No.: |
12/157055 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/74 ; 2/243.1;
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/22 20130101; A41D
15/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/74 ; 2/69;
2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/22 20060101
A41D001/22; A41D 1/00 20060101 A41D001/00; A41D 27/00 20060101
A41D027/00 |
Claims
1. A mutli-use and multi-style garment comprising a single piece of
fabric to be worn by a wearer, comprising: (a) a tubular main
portion having both anterior and posterior edges when viewed in
elevation, said tubular main portion being adapted to surround
desired portions of the body of the wearer; (b) two opposing
extensions extending upwardly from the anterior edge of said
tubular main portion, said opposing extensions having a lower end
connected to said tubular main portion and upper free ends opposite
said lower end which can be manipulated in different ways depending
on both the desired type and style of clothing to achieve certain
specific configurations; (c) a vertical slit extending downwardly
on the anterior edge of at least one side of said tubular main
portion to allow for mobility when the garment is worn by the
wearer; and (d) wherein, a specific configuration is selected from
the group of configurations, consisting of: (1) when said opposing
extensions are cris-crossed and tied about the neck of the wearer
of the garment, an aperture is created such that the diameter of
the aperture is proportionate to the length of the garment against
the body of the wearer, wherein: the smaller the diameter of the
aperture, the shorter the garment to the point of substantially
being a blouse, and the longer the diameter the longer the garment
to the point of substantially being a dress; (2) when said opposing
extensions are not crisscrossed and tied about the neck of the
wearer, substantially no aperture is created and the garment is
substantially a dress; (3) when said opposing extensions are not
crisscrossed and tied below the armpits of the wearer, the garment
is substantially a dress; and (4) when said opposing extensions are
not crisscrossed and tied around the waist of the wearer, the
garment is substantially a skirt.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of garments, and
more particularly to a garment that fits all women comprising a
single piece of fabric adaptable to be worn in a number of
configuration suitable for a variety of occasions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to a garment that is
specifically configured from a singe piece of fabric to create the
appearance of multiple different garments dependent upon the
process of wearing. The garment of the instant invention is worn as
a sarong or sun dress, worn around a woman's torso, as a blouse, or
worn as a skirt around a woman's hips. Whether worn around a
woman's hips or torso, the garment of the instant invention as
engaged by the wearer in a variety of manners creates an array of
fashions, all from a single garment.
[0003] No two people share all of the same physical attributes.
Indeed, women, for example, come in all shapes and sizes.
Regardless of shape and size, women need clothing that will cover
certain portions of their body while also making a suitable fashion
statement. Moreover, in that certain types of garments fit certain
body types better than others, women with certain body types
typically shy away from purchasing or wearing certain types of
garments, due to either a poor fit or an unattractive appearance.
It is thus an object of the instant invention to provide a garment
that will cover the desired portions of a woman's body, regardless
of her body type.
[0004] Typically, garments generally have a single use, such as
that of a blouse, tube top, skirt, and sarong; thus requiring
multiple articles of clothing to provide for each specific use.
Indeed, when a woman desires differently styled garments for
different purposes, such as casual wear, she is required to
purchase a number of different garments commensurate with the
desired style. For example, if a sun dress with parallel straps and
a sun dress with cris-crossing straps is desired, two different
sun-dresses must be purchased. Likewise, if a skirt and a sun dress
are desired, the person must again purchase multiple garments. This
becomes a burden on the woman who must own and store multiple
articles of clothing for various styles and occasions. It is
therefore an object of the instant invention to provide a single
garment which can be worn to fit women of all body types in a
multiplicity of ways to create the appearance of multiple
garments.
[0005] It is generally known that shirts, skirts and tube tops are
worn to both fashionably cover a desired portion of a woman's body,
while keeping the comfort of the wearer in mind. Indeed, garments
such as shirts, skirts and tube tops are generally worn in casual
settings, with an emphasis on both function and comfort. Such
garments are manufactured in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to
allow for the purchase of articles of clothing by women of various
body types. However, those garments ordinarily provide only a
single use which requires the wearer to spend additional money in
order to obtain garments for other uses. For example, should one
desire to wear a sarong to cover up one's bathing suit and then
later wear a skirt to go out to dinner, she would ordinarily have
two garments, one for each purpose. Requiring a woman to carry
multiple garments to suit her demands creates a burden on the
individual, and also anticipates that the individual will not
necessarily be able to change into the desired article of clothing,
due to lack of availability. It is therefore an object of the
instant invention to provide a single garment which can be adapted
to fulfill the function of multiple garments.
[0006] Shirts, such as tube tops, typically incorporate the use of
an elastic band, or multiple elastic bands, to hold the tube top
above the wearer's breasts which is suitable only for those with
larger breasts that, due to the fact that the diameter of a woman's
body is typically greatest about her breasts, prevent the garment
from falling. Therefore, women with larger breasts may purchase
comfortable, loose-fitting tube tops. Women with smaller breasts,
on the other hand, must purchase a tube top of a much smaller size,
thus compromising comfort, or risk allowing the tube top to slip
off, thus exposing the wearer. It is therefore an object of the
instant invention to provide a single self-supporting garment which
can be adapted to fulfill the function of multiple garments
irrespective of different physiological characteristics of
wearers.
[0007] Further, blouses are created to fit the circumference of a
woman's torso, but do not always take into account the various
breast sizes in women who have the same circumference for their
bust, hips and waist therefore providing for a blouse, which has a
single use, that may be too tight or too large around the breasts
causing discomfort. Moreover, skirts, like blouses, have a single
use, but are designed to fit a woman's waist without necessarily
taking into consideration a woman's hips and thighs; thus, forcing
women to unnecessarily search for a skirt that fits their unique
body shape. Furthermore, while sarongs provide for flexibility in
securing the garment to a women's waist, the use of a sarong is
limited to that of a skirt and given its lack of tubular shape, the
sarong, if not fastened securely, has the potential to loosen and
fall off of its wearer.
[0008] Furthermore, these known garments do not provide for more
than one use. These garments provide for individual style, lacking
the ability to represent a multiplicity of fashions in a single
garment comprised of a single piece of fabric. Thus it is an object
of the instant invention to provide a single garment which can be
secured to any woman's torso or hips, regardless of body type, to
create a multiplicity of fashions without the need for numerous
articles of clothing.
[0009] Single-use garments require that the wearer fit a
predetermined body shape, to force women to feel the pressures of
societal influence in obtaining a specific figure, which for some
may be impossible. By creating a sense or need in having a certain
body figure, women may never purchase such garments or, even worse,
may be so enthralled in trying to achieve such a "cookie-cutter"
figure that they live unhealthily in hopes of achieving such goals.
In either case, women of various body types lack accessibility to
all fashions. It is therefore an object of the instant invention to
provide a single garment which can be secured to any woman's torso
or hips, regardless of body type, to create a multiplicity of
fashions without the need for numerous articles of clothing and
without having a negative impact on the female psyche.
[0010] A further disadvantage of single-use garments is that they
are truly made for a single use causing a need for large amounts of
clothing that clutter a closet. The clothing market is littered
with garments that have only a single use, such as blouses and
skirts, that quickly fill a closet or dresser. Moreover, when out
and about, changes in weather or location may necessitate a change
of clothing or adaptation thereof. However, most people do not
carry multiple sets of clothing with them as even the mere concept
is burdensome and by no means feasible (nor required as shown
herein below). As a result, one may likely find herself in a
position where she is without clothing with is appropriate for the
situation, therefore leaving the individual vulnerable and
uncomfortable. Thus it is an object of the instant invention to
provide a single garment which may be adapted to create a
multiplicity of fashions, depending on either the user's activity
or environmental conditions, without the need for numerous articles
of clothing.
[0011] Known in the art are shirts, blouses, and other garments
which provide for multiple uses through the use of a variety of
fasteners. Some 56 years ago, there existed a need for multi-use
garments as shown by the issuance of U.S. Pat. No. 2,575,791 to
Brown showing a blouse that can be manipulated and worn in various
styles on the woman's torso via the use of fasteners (including
buttons and hooks). U.S. Pat. No. 2,603,788 to Page shows a garment
which can be used as a blouse, hood, collar or loose fitting back
through manipulation of the said garment and use the hooks therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,791 to Carver shows an athletic t-shirt that
can be used as a bra-like bust support above an exposed midriff
through the use of snaps therein. These garments, however, fail to
provide a multi-use garment created from a single piece of fabric
including the means for securing such garment to various locations
on the female anatomy to create various different fashions.
[0012] Also known in the art are garments which may be adapted into
different garments through the use of multiple functional
components. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,779 to Spector shows a
hip-length shirt that can be shortened to a waist-length shirt
through the removal of a lower portion of the garment attached by a
series of buttons. U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,175 to Greenblatt shows a
pair of crotchless pants that can be converted into a shirt upon
removal of the waistband. U.S. Pat. No. 7,083,494 to Sandroussi
shows a garment which must be integrated into other garments in
order to utilize its function of bust support without the need for
a brassiere. U.S. Pat. No. 6,205,585 to Capparelli shows a piece of
fabric used to cover the ventral portion of the torso which
attaches to an undergarment via male and female snaps. U.S. Pat.
No. 3,473,167 to Jeffrey shows a dress which can be worn in various
fashions through varying the combinations of attachments using the
tie belts therein. These garments, however, fail to provide a
multi-use garment created from a single piece of fabric including
the means for securing garment to various locations in the female
anatomy to create a plurality of different fashion statements.
[0013] Also known in the art are dressed and other garments which
provide for multiple styles through the use of ties attached to the
anterior portion of the garment. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
4,062,062 to Basaldua shows a dress which is comprised of a tubular
portion below the waist and has ties attached thereto which can be
used to vary the dress styles and even permit the wearer to create
a bathing suit. U.S. Pat. No. 4,142,253 to Roscoe shows a tubular
dress which can be worn in multiple dress styles based on the
manner in which the anterior ties are secured.
[0014] Also known in the art are wraps and other garments which
allow the wearer to create various styles by securing the wrap
around portions of the body. These devices, however, fail to
provide a multi-use garment created from a single piece of fabric
including the means for securing such garment in various fashions.
It is therefore an object of the instant invention to provide a
single garment, free of any accessories, which can be worn to fit
women of all body types in a multiplicity of ways to create the
appearance of multiple garments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The various features of novelty which characterize the
invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed
to and forming a part of the disclosure. For a better understanding
of the invention, its operating advantages, and specific objects
attained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described
preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0016] According to the present invention, there is provided a
garment derived from a single piece of fabric formed into a tubular
shape having at least two symmetrical extensions which extend from
the anterior portion of the garment which may be manipulated by the
wearer in a multiplicity of ways to effectively create multiple
garments.
[0017] The multi-use and multi-style garment of the instant
invention utilizes a multiplicity of anterior extensions so as to
provide the wearer with multiple fashions on the torso or hips
based upon the manner of which the extensions are secured. The
multiplicity of extensions provide the means by which the garment
is secured on the body. By tying the multiplicity of extensions in
different manners, the wearer is given a multiplicity of styles
which can accommodate various occasions and stylistic desires. The
multi-use and multi-style garment of the instant invention further
utilizes a cost-efficient single piece of fabric.
[0018] An advantage of the instant invention is that a woman of any
body shape and size can secure the instant garment around her hips,
breasts and/or neck through the use of the extensions without worry
that the garment will slide off. Indeed, rather than relying on the
larger diameter of a woman's breast or hips to prevent a garment
from falling to the floor, the extensions may be tied.
[0019] The multi-use and multi-style garment of the present
invention is manufactured in a variety of different lengths and out
of a variety of different materials, depending on the desired
characteristics, such as color, weight of the garment, desired
variety of uses, etc.
[0020] The instant invention also includes a method for creating
the various styles of the instant invention through the use of the
anterior extensions and placement of said garment on the wearer's
body. For example, placing the garment of the instant invention at
the user's hips such that the anterior edge of the tube is in the
proximal position, and tying the extensions along the anterior
ridge of said tubular garment so as to secure the garment around
the wearer's hips creates a skirt, while placing the garment on the
torso such that the anterior edge of the tube is in the distal
position and slightly above the level of the breasts, and tying the
extensions along the anterior ridge of said tubular garment so as
to secure the garment around the wearer's breasts creates one style
of sun dress. Moreover, different style sun dresses are created by
either placing the garment on the torso keeping the anterior ridge
distal enough such that the tube covers the breasts, and tying the
extensions at the dorsal side of the wearer's neck so as to create
a large "O" that essentially surrounds the wearer's neck, or
placing the garment on the torso keeping the anterior ridge distal
enough such that the tube covers the breasts, and crisscrossing the
extensions over one another ventral to the neck and tying the
extensions at the dorsal side of the wearer's neck so as to create
an "X" on the ventral portion of the wearer's chest. In the latter
two styles, both a sun dress with parallel straps and a sun dress
with criss-crossing straps is created. Accordingly, at least one
type of skirt and three types of sun dresses may be obtained by
manipulating the extensions of the garment, according to the user's
desire.
[0021] Under the preferred embodiment, a mutli-use and multi-style
garment is shown from a single piece of fabric, having a tubular
main portion having both anterior and posterior edges when viewed
in elevation, the tubular main portion being adapted to surround
desired portions of the body of the wearer; two opposing extensions
extending upwardly from the anterior edge of the tubular main
portion, the opposing extensions having a lower end connected to
the tubular main portion and upper free ends opposite the lower end
which can be manipulated in different ways depending on both the
desired type and style of clothing; a vertical slit extending
downwardly on the anterior edge of at least one side of the tubular
main portion to allow for mobility when the garment is worn by the
wearer; and wherein, a specific configuration is selected from the
group consisting of: when the opposing extensions are cris-crossed
and tied about the neck of the wearer, an aperture is created with
a diameter proportionate to the length of the garment against the
body of the wearer, in which the smaller the diameter of the
aperture, the shorter the garment to the point of substantially
being a blouse, and the longer the diameter the longer the garment
to the point of substantially being a dress; when the opposing
extensions are not crisscrossed and tied about the neck of the
wearer, substantially no aperture is created and the garment is
substantially a dress; when the opposing extensions are not
crisscrossed and tied below the armpits of the wearer, the garment
is substantially a dress; and when the opposing extensions are not
cris-crossed and tied around the waist of the wearer, the garment
is substantially a skirt.
[0022] It should be understood that the terms blouse, skirt, dress
are understood in accordance with that ordinarily accepted in the
industry, also as shown by the drawings, which indicate that a
blouse is substantially above the crotch line, a skirt below, and a
dress extends from above the breasts to below the crotch line.
[0023] Other features of the present invention will become apparent
from the following detailed description considered in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however,
that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration
and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which
reference should be made to the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote
similar elements through the several views:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a frontal (A and B) and rearward (C) perspective
view of the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, showing
an extended aperture diameter for configuration as a dress with
extensions cris-crossed;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a frontal (A and B) and rearward (C) perspective
view of the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, showing
a non-cris-crossed extension configuration for a dress, with the
extensions of the garment maintained in substantially parallel
positions;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a frontal (A and B) and rearward (C) perspective
view of the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, showing
the extensions of the garment tied along the anterior ridge of the
garment below the wearer's armpits in a configuration substantially
of a dress; and
[0028] FIG. 4 is a frontal (A and B) and rearward (C) perspective
view of the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, in which
the upper portion shows a diameter of the aperture created by
cris-crossed extensions to be very small thereby bringing the
length substantially to a blouse, and also showing the optional
addition of a second of the instant inventions attached as a
skirt.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] FIG. 1 shows three views of a specific configuration of the
instant invention, wherein a substantially single piece of fabric
is used to create garment 1. It should be appreciated that the use
of multiple pieces of fabric sown together, while not preferred
herein, is nonetheless within the scope of the invention as
claimed, in which the various pieces may be sown to a main piece in
order for the total fabric to have all the attributes
indicated.
[0030] Garment 1 is comprised of main portion 2 and a duality of
extensions 4. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in
the art that garment 1 can be manufactured from a variety of
different materials, depending on the desired characteristics, such
as color, weight of the garment, desired variety of uses, etc.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 (A and B) (the anterior portion 2 of
fabric 1), garment 1 includes extensions 4A and 4B which, in the
instant configuration are crisscrossed (meaning that they cross
below the neck of the wearer) to thereby create an aperture 10. It
should be appreciated that the diameter of aperture 10 determines
the length of the garment upon the wearer, wherein a larger
diameter, as shown in FIG. 1 substantially creates a dress
configuration, and a smaller diameter (like that worn on the torso
as shown in FIG. 4) substantially creates a blouse configuration.
The larger aperture 10, the looser extensions 4A and 4B are tied
about the wearer, and hence the longer garment 1 extends against
the body of the wearer.
[0032] Also shown in FIG. 1 (A and B), slit 6 is placed on the
anterior portion of garment 1 and permits the wearer to move while
wearing the same. Observably, FIG. 1C shows the posterior view of
garment 1 wherein not 8 is provided resulting from the tying of the
ends of extensions 4(A and B), as shown.
[0033] FIG. 2 shows an alternate configuration of garment 1
substantially as a dress, in which a non-cris-crossed application
of extensions 4A and 4B are shown. Garment 1 is affixed by knot 8
of extensions 4(A and B), as shown.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows an alternate configuration of garment 1
substantially as a dress, in which extensions 4A and 4B are tied
below the armpits of the wearer such that a dress configuration is
provided.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows two garments in which a first garment 1A is
affixed to the upper torso of the wearer as a blouse which is
occasioned by a smaller-diameter aperture 10 formed by extensions
4A and 4B such that garment 1 is pulled upwardly against the body
of the wearer and substantially above the crotch line. Also shown
is a second garment 1B which is affixed as a skirt by the tying of
extensions 4A and 4B about the waist of the wearer. While two such
garments are shown worn, it is within the scope, intent and purpose
of the instant invention to enable the independent wearing of
either garments 1A and 1B, or, in the alternative, the wearing of
two together, as shown.
[0036] While there have been shown, described and pointed out
fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred
embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions
and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device
illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in
the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is
the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the
scope of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *