U.S. patent application number 13/017766 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-04 for adjustment device for an article of clothing, a bag, or other article.
This patent application is currently assigned to SALOMON S.A.S. Invention is credited to Nicolas BOISSEAU, Luca D'AURIA, Emmanuelle PEGUY-GEIBEN, Minna RUNDGREN.
Application Number | 20110185476 13/017766 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42617478 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110185476 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BOISSEAU; Nicolas ; et
al. |
August 4, 2011 |
ADJUSTMENT DEVICE FOR AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING, A BAG, OR OTHER
ARTICLE
Abstract
An article of clothing or bag, at least a first dimension of
which is adjustable lengthwise, including an adjustment cord and a
blocker acting on the cord; the adjustment cord including a captive
portion, the length of which is relative to the length the first
dimension and a free portion, the blocker being capable of taking a
plurality of positions with respect to the cord, thus marking the
boundary between the free portion and the captive portion of the
cord. A gusset is arranged in the vicinity of the blocker, the
gusset including a closure mechanism enabling the gusset to be
selectively configured to and from open and closed positions. The
free portion of the cord extends through a distal keeper arranged
inside the gusset, the distal keeper being positioned at a distance
from the blocker such that, when the gusset is in the closed
position, most of the length of the free portion is inside the
gusset.
Inventors: |
BOISSEAU; Nicolas;
(Marcellaz Albanais, FR) ; RUNDGREN; Minna;
(Annecy, FR) ; D'AURIA; Luca; (Annecy Le Vieux,
FR) ; PEGUY-GEIBEN; Emmanuelle; (Dingy Saint Clair,
FR) |
Assignee: |
SALOMON S.A.S
Metz-Tessy
FR
|
Family ID: |
42617478 |
Appl. No.: |
13/017766 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/243.1 ;
383/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41F 1/00 20130101; A45C
13/1046 20130101; A41F 9/025 20130101; A41D 1/08 20130101; A41D
2300/33 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/243.1 ;
383/2 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/00 20060101
A41D027/00; B65D 30/20 20060101 B65D030/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 1, 2010 |
FR |
10.00387 |
Claims
1. An article comprising clothing or a bag, having a lengthwise
adjustable first dimension, said article comprising: an adjustment
cord; a blocker in cooperative engagement with the cord; said
adjustment cord comprising: a captive portion having a length
extending along the first dimension of the article; a free portion;
said blocker being structured and arranged to be positioned
selectively in any of a plurality of positions relative to the
cord, each of said positions marking a boundary between the free
portion and the captive portion of the cord; a gusset arranged in a
vicinity of the blocker, said gusset comprising: a closure enabling
the gusset to be switch from a first position to a second position;
a distal keeper for the cord inside the gusset; the free portion of
the cord being in guiding contact with the distal keeper inside the
gusset, said distal keeper being positioned at a distance from the
blocker and arranged such that, when the gusset is in the second
position, a majority of the length of the free portion of the cord
is inside the gusset.
2. An article according to claim 1, wherein: said first position of
the gusset is an open position; and said second position of the
gusset is a closed position.
3. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the cord has a length
such that, when the adjustment of the first dimension is at a
maximum, the free portion of the cord extends beyond the distal
keeper, and when the adjustment of the first dimension is at a
minimum, the free portion of the cord has a length extended
substantially equal to or less than twice a distance separating the
blocker from the distal keeper.
4. An article according to claim 1, further comprising: a
passageway; the captive portion of the cord being received in the
passageway.
5. An article according to claim 1, further comprising: a proximal
keeper positioned between the blocker and the distal keeper; the
blocker being retained between the passageway and the proximal
keeper.
6. An article according to claim 1, further comprising: an eyelet
arranged at an outlet of the passageway.
7. An article according to claim 1, wherein: each of the captive
portion and the free portion of the cord each includes two
strands.
8. An article according to claim 1, wherein: the distal keeper
includes two passages, one for each of the strands of the free
portion of the cord.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The instant application is based upon the French priority
Patent Application No. 10.00387, filed Feb. 1, 2010, the disclosure
of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto, and the
priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an article of clothing or a
bag, as well as other types of articles, at least a first dimension
of which is adjustable lengthwise by means of an adjustment cord,
or drawstring, with which a blocker is associated.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] A mechanism for adjusting one of the dimensions of a garment
is common in the clothing industry. For example, the bottom of a
rain jacket can be equipped with one or several cords, or
drawstrings, arranged at the lower periphery thereof. At least one
blocker cooperates with the cord(s) in order to reduce the
effective length thereof after adjustment.
[0006] Adjustment cords, or drawstrings, of the aforementioned type
are also known to adjust the opening perimeter of a hood, sleeves,
or the waistband of a pair of pants, or even the opening of a
bag.
[0007] In order to facilitate the handling of the cord, it
sometimes includes a loop that the user can easily grip or
manipulate. Such adjustment systems are simple and can be used in
any type of garment or bag. However, when the range of adjustment
is minimal, a great portion of the cord is typically unused and it
hangs out of the garment or out of the bag. This free portion of
the adjustment cord may cause an accident. For example, if the
adjustment cord is used to adjust the bottom of a pair of pants,
the user could step on the free portion of the cord and
stumble.
[0008] If the cord is used to adjust the bottom of a sports jacket,
while the user is moving (running, cycling, etc.), a risk is
created for the loop formed by the free portion of the cord to
become inadvertently caught on a hook or on a projecting object in
the vicinity the user's path.
[0009] In addition to the safety concerns for the user, the sight
of the free portion of the adjustment cord hanging out of the
garment or the bag is not particularly aesthetically pleasing.
[0010] Therefore, there exists a need for an improvement to the
cord adjustment device, which solves the problems and overcomes the
disadvantages of the prior art systems.
SUMMARY
[0011] To this end, the invention provides a device for the
lengthwise adjustment of a portion of an article of clothing or a
bag, such as the size of a periphery of an opening of an article of
clothing or bag, or that of other articles, the device including an
adjustment cord that is aesthetically appealing, easy to handle,
and guarantees maximum safety for the user.
[0012] To this end, an embodiment of the invention encompasses an
article of clothing or a bag, at least a first dimension of which
is adjustable lengthwise, and which includes an adjustment cord and
a blocker acting on the cord; the adjustment cord includes a
captive portion, the length of which is connected to the length of
the first dimension, and a free portion; the blocker can take a
plurality of positions in relation to the cord, thus marking the
boundary between the free portion and the captive portion of the
cord; a gusset is arranged in the vicinity of the blocker, the
gusset including a closure mechanism enabling it to switch from a
first position, or more open position, to a second position, or
closed or less open position; and the free portion extends through
a distal keeper arranged within the gusset, the distal keeper being
positioned at a distance from the blocker such that, when the
gusset is in the closed position, a majority of the length of the
free portion is inside the gusset.
[0013] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the length of
the cord is such that when the adjustment of the first dimension is
at its maximum, the free portion of the cord extends beyond the
distal keeper, and when the adjustment of the first dimension is at
its minimum, the length of the extension of the free portion is
substantially equal to or less than double the distance separating
the blocker from the distal keeper.
[0014] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the
captive portion of the cord is received in a tunnel, or at least is
covered, an eyelet being capable of being arranged at the outlet of
the tunnel or covering.
[0015] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the captive
portion and the free portion of the cord each include two
strands.
[0016] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a
proximal keeper is positioned between the blocker and the distal
keeper, the blocker being retained between the tunnel/covering and
the proximal keeper.
[0017] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the distal
keeper includes two passages, one for each of the strands of the
free portion of the cord.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will
be better understood from the description that follows, with
reference to the annexed drawings illustrating, by way of
non-limiting embodiments, how the invention can be embodied, and in
which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a view of a pair of pants equipped with the
lengthwise adjustment device according to the invention;
[0020] FIGS. 2 to 6 are detailed views of the lower portion of one
of the legs of the pair of pants of FIG. 1;
[0021] FIGS. 7 to 10 are schematic illustrations of the
circumference of the lower portion of the pair of pants
corresponding to FIGS. 2, 6, 3 and 5, respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an article of clothing 1, i.e., a garment in
the form of a pair of pants, adapted to be worn by the user. A
device 16 for lengthwise adjustment of a first dimension of the
article of clothing, i.e., the pair of pants, is arranged at the
bottom of each leg 17 thereof. The first dimension, which is
adjustable by means of the device 16, corresponds to the
circumference of the lower portion of a leg 17 of the pair of
pants.
[0023] An adjustment device 16 according to the invention could
also be positioned in the area of the waistband 15 of the pants in
order to adjust the size thereof, i.e., the circumference around
the waistband.
[0024] A gusset 12, shown, e.g., in FIGS. 2-4, is arranged in the
panel 2 constituting the outer surface of the lower portion of the
pants. The gusset 12 is formed by way of a slit arranged in the
panel 2, the slit being closed by means of a closure, such as a
zipper 4 or other slide fastener. Behind the zipper 4, a
substantially triangular panel section 14, or gusset back or back
panel, is sewn, or otherwise situated.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows the gusset 12 in the closed position, and
therefore not visible from the outside of the pants.
[0026] FIGS. 7 and 8, which schematically show the circumference of
the bottom of the pants, i.e., of the panel 2 thereof, along a
transverse cross section, enable the function of the gusset 12 to
be understood.
[0027] In FIG. 7, the gusset 12 is in the open position, the
circumference of the bottom of the pants is then comprised of the
panel 2 as well as the gusset back panel 14.
[0028] In FIG. 8, the gusset 12 is in the closed position; the
circumference of the bottom of the pants is now only comprised of
the panel 2.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the lower portion of a leg
17 of the pants. The gusset 12 is in the open position. The slider
5 of the zipper 4, as well as the pull tab thereof, are positioned
at the upper end of the slit. The back 14 of the gusset is
completely deployed, i.e., completely extended. The device for
adjusting the length of the circumference of the lower edge 18 of
the pants is comprised a cord 7, or lace or other such element, and
a blocker 13. The cord 7 is positioned in a tunnel 6, or
passageway, arranged in the vicinity of the lower edge 18. The
tunnel 6 extends along the entire circumference of the bottom of
the pants and is prolonged into the area of the back panel 14 of
the gusset 12. Two eyelets 21 are positioned in the gusset back 14
to enable the cord to pass from the interior of the tunnel 6
towards the outside, where it is exposed when the slider of the
zipper is positioned upwardly therefrom, and vice versa.
[0030] The cord 7 is arranged in the tunnel 6 over the entire
length thereof and exits the tunnel through the eyelets 21, 21.
[0031] The length of the circumference of the bottom of the leg of
the pants, referred to as the first dimension in the context of
this specification, is directly related to the length of the
portion of the cord that is in the tunnel 6.
[0032] The adjustment of the length of the cord 7 in the tunnel 6
is carried out using the blocker 13, with which the strands of the
cord are in cooperative engagement. After passing through the
eyelets, the two strands of the cord extend through the blocker 13.
The portion of the cord in the tunnel 6 is called the captive
portion of the cord. The remaining portion of the cord is called
the free portion.
[0033] Upon exiting the blocker 13, in a direction away from the
eyelets, the two strands of the cord are guided in their path by
means of a proximal keeper 9, arranged on the gusset back 14; each
strand is then guided in its path by means of a distal keeper 10,
11, which are both arranged on the back 14 of the gusset 12.
[0034] The two distal keepers 10 and 11, as well as the proximal
keeper 9, are created by means of a single band of material 22, or
panel section, stitched, e.g., to the gusset back 14. The band 22
is laterally stitched to the gusset back 14 and to the panel 2,
along the lines defining the two upwardly extending legs of the
triangle shape of the back 14. The band 22 is additionally secured
to the gusset back 14 by means of the lines of stitching 23 that
are appropriately positioned for the purpose of forming the
aforementioned keepers 9, 10, 11. Two of these stitching lines 23
are made in the vicinity of the lower edge of the band 22. The
passage between these two stitching lines constitutes the proximal
keeper 9. A third stitching line is made in the vicinity of the
upper edge of the band. Each of passages made on the right and on
the left of this line of stitching 23 constitutes one of the distal
keepers 10 and 11.
[0035] In FIGS. 2 and 7 the gusset 12 is in the open position, the
captive portion 20 of the cord being at its maximum, whereas the
free portion 19 is at its minimum. In the illustrated embodiment of
the invention, the total length of the cord 7 is selected so that
the end loop 24 of the free portion 19 is in the vicinity of the
two distal keepers 10 and 11. There is an advantage to having two
distal keepers, instead of one. Indeed, as each of the strands of
the cord 7 is in a distinct distal keeper, the end loop necessarily
remains above the distal keepers 10 and 11.
[0036] From the open position of the gusset 12 shown in FIGS. 2 and
7, two possibilities of adjustment are offered to the user.
[0037] The first of these possibilities is shown in FIGS. 6 and 8.
In this case, the user closes the gusset by maneuvering the slider
5 of the zipper 4 downward. The circumference decreases in relation
to the open position of the gusset 12, as shown in the diagram of
FIG. 8.
[0038] However, there has been no modification to the length of the
captive portion 20 of the cord.
[0039] The second possibility involves the user pulling on the cord
7. To this end, the user grips the end loop of the free portion 19
of the cord, i.e., by means of the gripping element 8, or pull tab,
that is attached thereto. A pulling force, or tension, applied to
the cord 7, i.e., to the loop of the free portion 19 thereof,
decreases the length of the captive portion 20. This tension phase
is illustrated in FIG. 3. The blocker 13, which the outer
dimensions prevent from passing through the proximal keeper 9 and
the eyelets 21, is confined between these various elements and,
thereby, the strands of the cord slide within the blocker 13 during
such pulling of the cord as the configuration of the device and
pants leg goes from that of FIG. 2 to that of FIG. 3.
[0040] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention,
the blocker 13, or cord lock, is of the self-locking type, i.e.,
such as that which includes a spring-biased element within a
housing, the element being manipulable by means of the button shown
at an end of the blocker so as to oppose the spring force and more
easily allow the blocker to slide relative to the strands of the
cord which pass through the then aligned openings of the element
and its housing; a sufficiently strong tension on the strands of
the cord contributes to the release and sliding of the strands of
the cord in the blocker. As soon as the tension on the strands is
loosened, the blocker stops and maintains its position on the cord
for as long as the maneuvering pressure is exerted on the button of
the blocker.
[0041] At the conclusion of this phase, the circumference of the
bottom of the pants is in the intermediate position shown
schematically in FIG. 9.
[0042] The user can choose to maintain the adjustment obtained.
However, by doing so, he/she will not profit from all the
advantages offered by the invention, as explained further
below.
[0043] The following description is directed to closing the gusset
12. This is illustrated in FIG. 4. By closing the zipper 4 when
handling the pull tab of the slider 5, the free portion 19 of the
cord folds over itself, the fold being formed in the vicinity of
the distal keepers 10 and 11.
[0044] The end of the closing phase is shown in FIGS. 5 and 10. The
zipper 4 is then entirely closed; the free portion loop of the cord
is entirely hidden inside the gusset 12. As can be seen in FIG. 10,
this position (closed gusset+captive portion at its minimum)
corresponds to the minimal length of the circumference of the
bottom of the pants.
[0045] The position of the distal keepers 10, 11 with respect to
the blocker 13 is such that, when the length of the captive portion
20 of the cord 7 is at its minimum, the distance between the
blocker 13 and the distal keepers is substantially equal to half
the length of the loop comprised of the two strands of the free
portion 19 of the cord. Thus, whatever the adjustment of the cord,
when the gusset 12 is in the closed position, most of the length of
the free portion is inside the gusset.
[0046] In a modified version, the cord 7 has only one strand, the
adjustment of the circumference of the bottom of the pants being
carried out only on a portion of the lower edge. The function
remains the same, except for some minor adaptations to the
structure. Only one eyelet 21 and only one distal keeper 10 are
then necessary. In order to maintain the free end of the free
portion 19 of the cord 7 beyond the distal keeper 10, a gripping
element 8 is selected, the outer dimensions of which obstruct the
passage into the keeper. The distance between the distal keeper and
the blocker 13 corresponds substantially to half the length of the
free portion 19, when the captive portion 20 is at its minimum.
[0047] Other alternative structures as well as positioning of the
device of the invention on any article of clothing or bag are
possible within the scope of the invention.
[0048] In this regard, for example, rather than closing or
tightening the periphery of a portion of an article of clothing,
such as that of the lower edge of a leg of a pair of pants, the
upper edge, e.g., of a bag, such as the upper edge of a backpack or
other bag can be equipped with a gusset, cord/drawstring, and
associated structure described above and illustrated in the
drawing. In this regard, rather than illustrating views of the
lower portion of one of the legs of a pair of pants, FIGS. 2-10 can
be considered views of an upper portion of a bag or other article,
i.e., turned upside-down for an upper opening thereof, with the
zipper being pulled upward to move the gusset to a closed
position.
[0049] In addition, the invention illustratively disclosed herein
suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is
not specifically disclosed herein.
* * * * *