U.S. patent application number 12/655208 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-23 for garment with raisable bottom portion.
Invention is credited to Guy Cohen.
Application Number | 20110145973 12/655208 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44149017 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110145973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cohen; Guy |
June 23, 2011 |
Garment with raisable bottom portion
Abstract
A shirt with a raisable bottom portion is described. The shirt
has an upper portion for positioning about the torso of a wearer
and a bottom portion residing below the upper portion. The shirt
includes a plurality of substantially aligned buttons that expand
vertically along the upper portion. The shirt also includes a first
set of substantially aligned button holes that expand vertically
along the upper portion. The button holes are formed to affix with
the buttons to allow a wearer to close the garment around the torso
of the wearer. To raise the bottom portion, the shirt includes at
second set of button holes formed around the bottom periphery of
the shirt. Thus, a wearer can affix one of the button holes from
the periphery with one of the buttons to elevate the bottom portion
of the shirt while using a toilet.
Inventors: |
Cohen; Guy; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
Family ID: |
44149017 |
Appl. No.: |
12/655208 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/115 ;
2/243.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41B 1/10 20130101; A41D
15/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/115 ;
2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A41B 1/00 20060101
A41B001/00; A41D 27/00 20060101 A41D027/00 |
Claims
1. A garment with a raisable bottom portion, comprising: a garment
having an upper portion for positioning about the torso of a wearer
and a bottom portion residing below the upper portion, the garment
having N substantially aligned attachment mechanisms that expand
vertically along the upper portion; wherein the garment includes a
first set of substantially aligned mating attachments that expand
vertically along the upper portion and that are formed to affix
with the attachment mechanisms to allow a wearer to close the
garment around the torso of the wearer, wherein the first set
includes N mating attachments; and at least one additional mating
attachment positioned in the bottom portion such that the garment
includes N+1 mating attachments, whereby a wearer can affix the at
least one additional mating attachment with one of the attachment
mechanisms to elevate the bottom portion while utilizing a
toilet.
2. The garment as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one
additional mating attachment is formed outside of the alignment of
the first set of mating attachments.
3. The garment as set forth in claim 2, wherein the attachment
mechanisms are buttons and the mating attachments are button
holes.
4. The garment as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a second
set of button holes that expand around the bottom portion, the at
least one additional mating attachment being included within the
second set of button holes, and wherein the second set of button
holes are formed to affix with the buttons to allow a user to
elevate the bottom portion while utilizing a toilet.
5. The garment as set forth in claim 4, wherein the garment is a
shirt with the buttons being aligned to button the shirt closed
using the first set of button holes and with the buttons also being
used to affix with the second set of button holes to allow a wearer
to elevate the bottom portion of the shirt while utilizing a
toilet.
6. The garment as set forth in claim 5, wherein the bottom portion
includes a periphery such that the second set of button holes are
formed in the shirt around the periphery of the bottom portion.
7. The garment as set forth in claim 6, wherein the second set of
button holes are aligned substantially horizontally around the
bottom portion.
8. The garment as set forth in claim 1, wherein the attachment
mechanisms are buttons and the mating attachments are button
holes.
9. The garment as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a second
set of button holes that expand around the bottom portion, the at
least one additional mating attachment being included within the
second set of button holes, and wherein the second set of button
holes are formed to affix with the buttons to allow a user to
elevate the bottom portion while utilizing a toilet.
10. The garment as set forth in claim 9, wherein the garment is a
shirt with the buttons being aligned to button the shirt closed
using the first set of button holes and with the buttons also being
used to affix with the second set of button holes to allow a wearer
to elevate the bottom portion of the shirt while utilizing a
toilet.
11. The garment as set forth in claim 10, wherein the bottom
portion includes a periphery such that the second set of button
holes are formed in the shirt around the periphery of the bottom
portion.
12. The garment as set forth in claim 9, wherein the second set of
button holes are aligned substantially horizontally around the
bottom portion.
13. A method for forming a garment with a raisable bottom portion,
comprising acts of: forming a garment having an upper portion for
positioning about the torso of a wearer and a bottom portion
residing below the upper portion, the garment being formed to have
N substantially aligned attachment mechanisms that expand
vertically along the upper portion; forming the garment to include
a first set of substantially aligned mating attachments that expand
vertically along the upper portion and that are formed to affix
with the attachment mechanisms to allow a wearer to close the
garment around the torso of the wearer, wherein the first set
includes N mating attachments; and forming the garment to include
at least one additional mating attachment positioned in the bottom
portion such that the garment includes N+1 mating attachments,
whereby a wearer can affix the at least one additional mating
attachment with one of the attachment mechanisms to elevate the
bottom portion while utilizing a toilet.
14. The method as set forth in claim 13, further comprising an act
of forming the garment such that the at least one additional mating
attachment is formed outside of the alignment of the first set of
mating attachments.
15. The method as set forth in claim 14, further comprising an act
of forming the garment such that the attachment mechanisms are
buttons and the mating attachments are button holes.
16. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising an act
of forming the garment to include a second set of button holes that
expand around the bottom portion, the at least one additional
mating attachment being included within the second set of button
holes, and wherein the second set of button holes are formed to
affix with the buttons to allow a user to elevate the bottom
portion while utilizing a toilet.
17. The method as set forth in claim 16, further comprising an act
of forming the garment such that the garment is a shirt with the
buttons being aligned to button the shirt closed using the first
set of button holes and with the buttons also being used to affix
with the second set of button holes to allow a wearer to elevate
the bottom portion of the shirt while utilizing a toilet.
18. The method as set forth in claim 17, further comprising an act
of forming the garment such that the bottom portion includes a
periphery, where the second set of button holes are formed in the
shirt around the periphery of the bottom portion.
19. The method as set forth in claim 18, further comprising an act
of forming the garment such that the second set of button holes are
aligned substantially horizontally around the bottom portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a garment and, more
particularly, to a shirt that is formed to allow a user to raise a
bottom portion of the shirt while using a toilet.
[0003] (2) Description of Related Art
[0004] Garments and, in particular, shirts, have long been known in
the art and have been designed to accommodate a variety of
situations. For example, shirts with elongated and thick collars
(i.e., turtle necks) have been devised to keep a wearer's neck warm
during cold weather. Other shirts have been devised with hoods to
keep the wearer's head and ears warm. Yet other shirts have been
designed without sleeves altogether to use with warm weather. As
can be appreciated, a number of alternative designs have been
implemented to accommodate a variety of situations.
[0005] While the situations described above are related to weather,
other common circumstances exist. For example, it is natural to use
the toilet and, as is often the case, the person using the toilet
is wearing some form of garment. Thus, garments have been formed to
assist an individual while using the toilet. By way of example,
long johns with rear flaps have been devised that allow a wearer to
easily expose their rear side. Alternatively, Lederhosen, or
traditional German trousers, were design with front flaps to enable
a similar exposure.
[0006] However, in common day usage, it is neither practical nor
socially acceptable to wear clothing with front and rear flaps.
Traditional clothing often consists of a pair of pants and a shirt
or button down shirt. Button down shirts are often elongated to
enable the wearer to tuck the bottom portion of the button down
shirt into the wearer's pants. Due to the length of the shirt, the
shirt sometimes becomes problematic while using a toilet as the
shirt may drag or touch the toilet itself. To prevent contaminating
the shirt, the user must often hold the shirt while attempting to
use the toilet and/or clean them self, which can become difficult
at times.
[0007] Thus, a continuing need exists for a garment or shirt that
eliminates the need for the wearer to hold the shirt while using a
toilet and to prevent the shirt from touching a dirty toilet.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0008] While considering the failure of others to make and/or use
all of the above factors/ingredients/steps/components in this
technology space, the inventor unexpectedly realized that a garment
(e.g., shirt) with a raisable bottom portion would eliminate the
need for the wearer to hold the shirt while using a toilet and to
prevent the shirt from touching the toilet. Thus, the present
invention is a garment with a raisable portion.
[0009] The garment includes an upper portion for positioning about
the torso of a wearer and a bottom portion residing below the upper
portion. The garment has N substantially aligned attachment
mechanisms that expand vertically along the upper portion. It
should be noted that the term "N" refers to a number. The garment
also includes a first set of substantially aligned mating
attachments that expand vertically along the upper portion and that
are formed to affix with the attachment mechanisms to allow a
wearer to close the garment around the torso of the wearer. To
appropriately attach, the first set also includes N mating
attachments. At least one additional mating attachment is
positioned in the bottom portion such that the garment includes N+1
mating attachments. Thus, a wearer can affix the at least one
additional mating attachment with one of the attachment mechanisms
to elevate the bottom portion while utilizing a toilet.
[0010] In another aspect, the at least one additional mating
attachment is formed outside of the alignment of the first set of
mating attachments.
[0011] In yet another aspect, the attachment mechanisms are buttons
and the mating attachments are button holes.
[0012] In another aspect, the present invention further comprises a
second set of button holes that expand around the bottom portion.
In this aspect, the at least one additional mating attachment is
included within the second set of button holes. Further, the second
set of button holes are formed to affix with the buttons to allow a
user to elevate the bottom portion while utilizing a toilet.
[0013] Additionally, the garment is a shirt with the buttons being
aligned to button the shirt closed using the first set of button
holes and with the buttons also being used to affix with the second
set of button holes to allow a wearer to elevate the bottom portion
of the shirt while utilizing a toilet.
[0014] In another aspect, the bottom portion includes a periphery
such that the second set of button holes are formed in the shirt
around the periphery of the bottom portion.
[0015] In yet another aspect, the second set of button holes are
aligned substantially horizontally around the bottom portion.
[0016] Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the
present invention also comprises a method for forming the garment
described herein. The method includes a plurality of acts of
forming the garment according to the embodiments and aspects
described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions
of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with
reference to the following drawings, where:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective-view illustration of a garment
according to the present invention, depicting the garment in an
open configuration;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective-view illustration of the garment,
depicting the garment in a closed configuration;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective-view illustration of the garment,
illustrating the various sets of button holes;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective-view illustration of the garment,
illustrating a first part of a bottom portion being elevated;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective-view illustration of the garment,
illustrating both a first part and second part of the bottom
portion being elevated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] The present invention relates to a garment and, more
particularly, to a shirt that is formed to allow a user to raise a
bottom portion of the shirt while using a toilet. The following
description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art
to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context
of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a
variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent
to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined
herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the
present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments
presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with
the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
[0024] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough
understanding of the present invention. However, it will be
apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may
be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific
details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are
shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to
avoid obscuring the present invention.
[0025] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and
documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and
which are open to public inspection with this specification, and
the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated
herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this
specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and
drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same,
equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.
Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is
only one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar
features.
[0026] Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly
state "means for" performing a specified function, or "step for"
performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a
"means" or "step" clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112,
Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of "step of" or "act of" in the
claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C.
112, Paragraph 6.
[0027] Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back,
top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have
been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to
imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to
reflect relative locations and/or directions between various
portions of an object.
(1) DESCRIPTION
[0028] As noted above, a problem exists when an individual uses a
toilet while wearing a lengthy garment, such as a button down
shirt. When using the toilet, the garment could potentially come in
contact with the toilet and become contaminated. Thus, the present
invention solves such a problem by providing a garment that is
formed to allow a user to raise a bottom portion of the garment
while using the toilet, thereby preventing contact and
contamination of the garment.
[0029] It should be understood that although the present invention
is described and illustrated with respect to a button down shirt,
it can be utilized with any garment that includes a bottom portion
that hangs near or below a wearer's waistline, non-limiting
examples of which includes dresses, long coats, blouses, etc.
[0030] For a better understanding, FIG. 1 illustrates a garment 100
according to the present invention, depicting the garment 100 in an
open position. As shown, the garment 100 includes an upper portion
102 for positioning about the torso of a wearer and a bottom
portion 104 residing below the upper portion 102. The bottom
portion 104 is generally the portion of the garment 100 that, when
worn, hangs below a wearer's waistline.
[0031] To allow the garment 100 to be affixed to a wearer, a
plurality (i.e., N) of substantially aligned attachment mechanisms
106 expand approximately vertically along the upper portion 102.
The attachment mechanisms 106 are any suitable mechanism or device
that can be used for attachment with a corresponding mating
attachment, non-limiting examples of which include buttons, hook
fastener, and snaps. Conversely, a first set of substantially
aligned mating attachments 108 expand vertically along the upper
portion 102 and that are formed to affix with the attachment
mechanisms 106 to allow a wearer to close the garment 100 around
the torso of the wearer. The first set includes N mating
attachments 108 to reflect the number of attachment mechanisms 106.
The mating attachments 108 are any suitable mechanism, device,
configuration, shape, or form that can be used to mate or attach
with the corresponding attachment mechanisms, non-limiting examples
of which include button holes, loop fasteners, and snaps. For
example, in a desired aspect, the present invention includes
buttons and corresponding button holes as the attachment mechanisms
106 and the mating attachments 108, respectively. Thus, for
convenience and clarity, the attachment mechanisms 106 and mating
attachments 108 will be described hereinafter as buttons and button
holes (although the terms can be used interchangeably).
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the garment 100 is in a closed position
and can be affixed to an individual using buttons 200 and a first
set of button holes 202. As noted above, the garment 100 is formed
to allow a user to raise 203 the bottom portion 104 of the garment
100 while using a toilet. To provide such functionality, the
garment 100 includes at least one additional hole 204 positioned in
the bottom portion 104. Thus, the garment 100 includes N+1 mating
attachments. The at least one additional hole 204 can be positioned
in any suitable location in the bottom portion 104. For example,
the additional hole 204 can be formed in alignment with the first
set of button holes 202. Alternatively and in a desired aspect, the
at least one additional hole 204 is formed outside of the alignment
208 of the first set of button holes 202.
[0033] Further, in addition to a single hole 204 positioned in the
bottom portion 104, it may be desirable to include a second set of
button holes 210 that expand around the bottom portion 104 (in this
aspect, the at least one additional hole 204 is included within the
second set of button holes 210). The second set of button holes 210
are formed to affix with the buttons 200 to allow a user to elevate
the bottom portion 104 of the garment 100 while utilizing a
toilet.
[0034] In another aspect and as shown in FIG. 3, the bottom portion
104 includes a periphery 300 such that the second set of button
holes 210 are formed in the garment 100 around the periphery 300 of
the bottom portion 104. Since the button holes 210 are located at
the lower end of the shirt (i.e., the periphery 300), the added
button holes will not be seen while wearing the shirt tucked into
the wearer's pants.
[0035] In another aspect, the second set of button holes 210 can be
formed such that they are aligned substantially horizontally 302
around the bottom portion 104. It should be understood that FIG. 3
illustrates both aspects, where some button holes 210 are wrapped
around the periphery 300, while others are aligned horizontally
302.
[0036] As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the
different spacing and pattern of the second set of button holes 210
can be altered to accommodate various lift patterns and sizes.
Thus, in essences, in order to lift the garment 100 while sitting
in restrooms, the present invention provides button holes (i.e.,
the second set of buttons 210) on the bottom portion 104 of the
garment 100 (regardless of angle) with certain spacing (for
different user waist sizes).
[0037] This is further depicted in FIG. 4, which illustrates a
garment 100 in use, with the bottom portion 104 being elevated 400.
It should also be noted that depending on the garment 100, the
bottom portion 104 may have a first part 402 and a second part 402.
For example, when applied to a shirt, the first part 402 would be
one side of the shirt opening while the second part 404 would be
the other side of the shirt opening. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the
present invention can be employed such that only a first part 402
is elevated 400. In doing so, at least one of the holes in the
second set of button holes 210 is affixed with a button 200 of the
garment 100, thereby elevating 400 the bottom portion 104 of the
garment. Further, in another aspect, instead of affixing the second
part 404 with a button 200, a user could decide to turn 405 the
second part 404 into the fold of the first part 402 (i.e., the fold
created by elevating the first part 402).
[0038] Alternatively and as depicted in FIG. 5, both the first part
402 and the second part 404 can be elevated 400 using the present
invention. For example, the first part 402 can be elevated 400 by
attaching a first button hole 500 (from the second set of button
holes) with a first button 502 while the second part 404 is
elevated 400 by attaching a second button hole 504 (again, from the
second set of button holes) with a second button 506. Although FIG.
5 depicts the first button hole 500 and second button hole 504 each
being attached with different buttons, it should be understood that
the present invention is not intended to be limited thereto as each
of the first and second button holes 500 and 504, respectively, can
be attached with the same button (e.g., 502). Thus, each of the
first and second parts 402 and 404 can be raised independently and
affixed with the same or different buttons using any of the
corresponding button holes in the second set of button holes.
[0039] In summary, the present invention allows a user to raise a
bottom portion of a garment while using a toilet. For example,
before or while sitting on the toilet, the user can fold the shirt
and connect the button holes (one for each side) to one (or more)
of the buttons present on the center of the shirt in order to
control the shirt's elevation height. By doing so, the shirt will
stay at a higher than waist level and will not be contaminated by
dirty toilets, allowing the user to free both hands.
* * * * *