U.S. patent application number 12/543603 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for garment cinching apparatus.
Invention is credited to Amy R. MacLean.
Application Number | 20100043125 12/543603 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41694934 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100043125 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MacLean; Amy R. |
February 25, 2010 |
GARMENT CINCHING APPARATUS
Abstract
A apparatus for use with garments, such as tee shirts, or other
clothing fabric or materials, which pulls the garment tighter to
the wearer's body without slipping off the garment. The apparatus
consists of a single unit with multiple inner members and a
relatively thicker outer perimeter. The inner members are spaced
apart, leaving an opening through which a portion of the tee shirt,
garment or material is inserted. The tee shirt, garment or material
is then pulled through the opening to achieve the desired effect.
The flexibility of the inner members must permit the tee shirt,
garment or material to pass through the apparatus, but be
sufficiently strong to hold the apparatus in place for an extended
period of time and through vigorous activity.
Inventors: |
MacLean; Amy R.; (Hartland,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE, Suite 3300
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Family ID: |
41694934 |
Appl. No.: |
12/543603 |
Filed: |
August 19, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61090121 |
Aug 19, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/336 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 11/04 20130101;
A41F 17/00 20130101; A41D 27/08 20130101; A41F 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/336 |
International
Class: |
A41F 1/00 20060101
A41F001/00 |
Claims
1. A garment cinching apparatus comprising: a structure having an
interior surface defining an opening, the opening including a
center; and a plurality of resilient members integrally formed with
the structure and extending from the interior surface toward the
center of the opening so that a portion of the garment pulled
through the opening is secured therein by the resilient members to
cinch the garment around the individual wearing the garment.
2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the structure is
generally in the shape of a ring defining the opening, wherein the
ring has a thickness and wherein the resilient members have a
thickness less than the thickness of the ring, so that the ring
structure is generally rigid, and the resilient members are
generally flexible relative to the ring structure.
3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the resilient
members are spaced from one another around the opening.
4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is
formed from a one of resilient plastic, rubber, or rigid foam.
5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the structure
further comprises an exterior surface and ornamentation connected
to the exterior surface.
6. A garment cinching apparatus comprising: a generally rigid ring
structure having a thickness, an interior surface defining an
opening, and an exterior surface; and a plurality of resilient
members having a thickness less than and being integrally formed
with the ring structure, and being spaced from one another around
the interior surface and extending from the interior surface into
the opening so that a portion of the garment pulled through the
opening is secured therein by the resilient members to cinch the
garment around the individual wearing the garment.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present patent application claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/090,121 filed Aug. 19,
2008, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a cinching apparatus for
use in connection with tee shirts, garments, and other clothing
fabric or material, and more particularly to the practice of
gathering such garments or material to tighten or shorten them for
reasons of style or function.
SUMMARY
[0003] The invention provides a garment cinching apparatus
comprising a structure having an interior surface defining an
opening, the opening including a center. The invention also
provides a plurality of resilient members integrally formed with
the structure and extending from the interior surface toward the
center of the opening so that a portion of the garment pulled
through the opening is secured therein by the resilient members to
cinch the garment around the individual wearing the garment.
[0004] In another form, the invention provides A garment cinching
apparatus comprising a generally rigid ring structure having a
thickness, an interior surface defining an opening, and an exterior
surface. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of resilient
members having a thickness less than and being integrally formed
with the ring structure, and being spaced from one another around
the interior surface and extending from the interior surface into
the opening so that a portion of the garment pulled through the
opening is secured therein by the resilient members to cinch the
garment around the individual wearing the garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates the use of an apparatus embodying the
invention with a conventional shirt.
[0006] FIG. 1A illustrates a more detailed view of the use of the
apparatus shown in FIG. 1.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
5.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 5.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
8.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in
FIG. 8.
[0016] FIG. 11 illustrates the use of the apparatus in connection
with a scarf or shawl.
[0017] FIG. 12 illustrates the use of the apparatus in connection
with a bandana.
[0018] FIG. 13 illustrates the use of the apparatus in connection
with a dress.
[0019] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of constriction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. The drawings of the present invention demonstrate
some of the ways the apparatus can be customized. Other shapes,
slogans, colors, prints, designs and additions are anticipated,
however, the particular shape, slogan, color, print, design or
addition is not critical to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIGS. 1 and 1A show an embodiment of a garment cinching
apparatus 20. As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 20 permits users to
custom fit common tee shirts or other garments 21 by making them
closer to the body and/or shorter on the body. Uses include as a
fashion accessory, as an apparatus to make a garment more stylish,
or for securing excess fabric during exercise, during athletics, or
at work. In work, exercise, or athletic applications, the apparatus
20 keeps the garment 21 from interfering with the user's
activities. A portion of the tee shirt or other similar garment 22
is pulled through the apparatus 20, with the apparatus remaining
securely in place.
[0021] FIGS. 2-4 show detailed views of a garment cinching
apparatus. The apparatus comprises a generally circular or ring
structure 25 having an interior surface 24 defining an opening. The
opening includes a center 27 (shown only in FIG. 3); and a
plurality of resilient members 23 integrally formed with the
structure 25 and extending from the interior surface 24 toward the
center 27 of the opening so that, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, a
portion of the garment 22 pulled through the opening is secured
therein by the resilient members 23 to cinch the garment around the
individual 26 wearing the garment.
[0022] The resilient members 23 have a thickness less than the
thickness of the ring structure 25, so that the ring structure 25
is generally rigid, and the resilient members 23 are generally
flexible relative to the ring structure 25. The resilient members
23 are spaced from one another around the opening.
[0023] The garment cinching apparatus 20 is formed from a one of
rigid plastic, rubber, rigid foam, or other material capable of
being molded into a single unit. The apparatus 20 is constructed of
a material that provides sufficient strength to stay in place while
at the same time remaining flexible enough to avoid damaging the
garment 21.
[0024] The apparatus 20 also includes an exterior surface 28. The
exterior surface may be customized and include ornamentation. The
outer perimeter or ring 25 is generally circular in the drawings,
but can be other shapes, as shown in FIGS. 8-10 (which show a
star). The figures also illustrate various ornamentation, none of
which is critical to the invention. In FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the
ornamentation 30 is in the shape of a flower. FIGS. 5, 6 and 7
illustrate an embodiment that has no ornamentation extending
outwardly from the exterior surface 28, rendering the design simply
circular.
[0025] The apparatus 20 may be further customized using different
colors, either by using different colors of plastic, or other
material, in the manufacturing process or by printing patterns or
designs on the apparatus 20. The apparatus 20 may be further
customized using stickers, charms, rhinestones, plastic jewels or
beads, or ribbons. The apparatus 20 may also be imprinted with
different patterns, such as animal patterns or other patterns to
make the apparatus 20 look as if it is made of a different
material. The apparatus 20 may be further customized using various
clips, pins, shapes, designs, or other devices, affixed, glued,
tied or snapped to the apparatus 20. The customization may be
provided during the manufacturing process or by the consumer.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1, 11, 12, and 13, the apparatus 20 can be
used as an accessory to make loose fitting garments 21 tighter for
fashion or convenience. The apparatus 20 can be used as a fashion
accessory to complement an outfit.
[0027] The garment cinching apparatus 20 may be customized through
imprinting or printing a logo, name, or slogan, as in FIG. 5. The
apparatus 20 is customizable for fashion, advertising or personal
purposes. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the apparatus imprinted with a logo,
the name of a school, company, slogan or event 29. The logo, school
name, company name, slogan, or event 29 can be molded into the
apparatus, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, or can be printed on the
apparatus itself, or affixed to the apparatus using a printed
adhesive label or sticker.
[0028] Various features and advantages of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *