System For Releasably Attaching An Article Of Clothing To A Body

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for releasably attaching an article of clothing to a body, comprising a first fixing element intended for attachment to the article of clothing and a second fixing element intended for adhering to the body, wherein both fixing elements are provided with co-acting connecting means. The system according to the invention has the feature here that at least the second fixing element is manufactured from substantially stiff material, that the second fixing element is provided with a substantially flat adhering surface, and the co-acting connecting means are arranged substantially centrally on the first and second fixing elements.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a system for releasably attaching an article of clothing to a body, comprising a first fixing element intended for attachment to the article of clothing and a second fixing element intended for adhering to the body, wherein both fixing elements are provided with co-acting connecting means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Such a system is known in the field and is described in American patent application US2009/0093190. Described In this patent application is a system of the type described in the preamble for application in a bra. For this purpose the user of the bra must adhere two strips of fabric to either side of the body. The strips of fabric and the bra are provided with co-acting connecting means, wherein hooks and eyes are attached to the outer ends of the two strips to attach the bra.

[0003] The known system has the drawback that the system is limited to application in a bra. In addition, the known system has the drawback that the strips of fabric must be adhered to a relatively large surface area of the skin.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0004] It is the object of the invention to provide a system of the type stated in the preamble which does not have said drawbacks.

[0005] The system according to the invention has for this purpose the feature that at least the second fixing element is manufactured from substantially stiff material, that the second fixing element is provided with a substantially flat adhering surface, and the co-acting connecting means are arranged substantially centrally on the first and second fixing element. By embodying the second fixing element in stiff material the surface which adheres to the skin can remain relatively small relative to the article of clothing. This increases wearer comfort. In addition, suitable types of adhesive also perform better on a stiff surface than on a fabric surface as in the known system.

[0006] The system according to the invention is not limited to a bra but, owing to the central position of the connecting means on the fixing element, can be universally applied for any conceivable article of clothing which comes into direct contact with the skin.

[0007] A system according to the preamble of claim 1 is known in the field and is described in American patent application US2003/012993. In the known system the first fixing element is connected to the second fixing element by means of a press connection or a velcro connection. In practice these connections are very uncomfortable for a user of the system, since a pushing or a pulling movement has to be made in order to connect or release the system to or from the body. This has the result that the skin of the user is pushed in or stretched and causes an uncomfortable sensation.

[0008] The system according to the invention has for this purpose the feature that the connecting means form a sliding connection. A sliding connection has the advantage that the article of clothing can be easily attached to the skin.

[0009] In a practical embodiment of the system the sliding connection comprises an edging which is arranged on the first or second fixing element, and a closing edge which is arranged on the first or second fixing element, wherein the edging and the closing edge are intended for co-action. The height of the system is hereby limited to substantially the thickness of the edging and the height of the closing edge, this resulting in a flat construction. This measure further increases the wearer comfort of the system. Compared to the known connections, the relatively flat construction of the sliding connection also has the advantage that the user suffers little inconvenience from the system during use of the system according to the invention. Owing to the limited and compact size of the system, the system can be fully integrated into the clothing and is thereby almost invisible in use.

[0010] In a first preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention the connecting means are provided with an edging around the first fixing element and an elevation with a closing edge on the second fixing element which are intended to receive the edging.

[0011] The edging is preferably circular, the elevation and the closing edge are U-shaped, and the first fixing element is button-shaped.

[0012] In a second alternative preferred embodiment the edging is formed by the edge of one or more channel-like recesses in the first fixing element, the closing edge is arranged on an elevation on the second fixing element, the width of the channel-like recess is smaller than the smallest width of the closing edge, and the greatest width of the elevation is smaller than the width of the channel-like recess.

[0013] The channel-like recess preferably comprises an adjacent passage which is intended for passage of the closing edge.

[0014] The shapes of the cross-section of the elevation and the channel-like recess preferably co-act such that the first fixing part is rotatable relative to the second fixing part. This further enhances the wearer comfort of the system.

[0015] The flat construction of the first fixing element has the advantage that a large sewable surface area is created, whereby the first fixing element can be firmly connected to the article of clothing.

[0016] The invention also relates to an article of clothing provided with the system according to the invention.

[0017] In addition, the invention relates to a fixing element for use as second fixing element as described as component of the system according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the following figures, in which:

[0019] FIGS. 1a-1l show the system according to the invention, wherein a bikini is attached to the body;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows the first preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention;

[0021] FIG. 3 shows the second preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows alternative preferred embodiments of the first fixing part of the second preferred embodiment of the system.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0023] FIGS. 1a-1l show the system according to a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, wherein for the purpose of illustration a bikini is attached to the body.

[0024] FIG. 1a to FIG. 1c show a body 1-2 to which the second fixing elements 1-1 are attached. The locations for second fixing elements 1-1 can be chosen such that the article of clothing to be attached is optimally supported and that second fixing elements 1-1 are substantially invisible after the article of clothing has been attached.

[0025] FIG. 1d to FIG. 1f show body 1-2, in which a bikini 1-3 is attached to body 1-2 by means of the system according to the invention, wherein the system is embodied as in FIG. 2. The first and second fixing elements are here hidden from view.

[0026] FIG. 1g to FIG. 1i show body 1-2, in which a bikini 1-3 is attached to body 1-2 by means of the system according to the invention, wherein second fixing elements 1-1 are provided with a spherical protrusion and the corresponding first fixing elements 1-4 are formed in the bikini by means of a reinforced hole in the bikini for receiving the spherical protrusion.

[0027] FIG. 1j-FIG. 1l show body 1-2, wherein a bikini 1-3 is attached to body 1-2 by means of the system according to the invention, wherein the second fixing elements 1-1 are provided with a spherical protrusion and the corresponding first fixing elements 1-5 are formed in the bikini by means of a loop in the bikini for receiving the spherical protrusion.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows the first preferred embodiment 2 of the system according to the invention. System 2 is formed by first fixing element 2-1 and second fixing element 2-2. First fixing element 2-1 is preferably cylindrical and embodied in plastic, and provided with a edging 2-3. First fixing element 2-1 is intended for attachment to the article of clothing (not drawn). First fixing element 2-1 is provided for this purpose with holes 2-4 so that the first fixing element 2-1 can be attached to the article of clothing using thread. In addition, it is also possible to attach first fixing element 2-1 to the article of clothing by means of clamping member 2-5. Clamping member 2-5 is pressed here through the fabric of the article of clothing, wherein pin 2-6 of clamping member 2-5 is received clampingly in the corresponding hole 2-7 in first fixing element 2-1.

[0029] Second fixing element 2-2 is provided with a flat side and manufactured from stiff material, preferably of plastic. The flat side is intended for attachment to the body by means of an adhesive suitable for the purpose. The adhesive can here already be applied to the flat side, wherein a backing film has to be removed for the purpose of attachment to the body. The adhesive can also be applied separately. The fixing element is provided with an elevation 2-8 which preferably forms a U-shape. A closing edge 2-9 is arranged on elevation 2-8. First fixing element 2-1 is fastened to second fixing element 2-2 by sliding the edging 2-3 into elevation 2-8. First fixing element 2-1 is held in place here by at least one safety protrusion 2-10. Second fixing element 2-2 is in addition preferably provided with a recessed portion 2-11 for receiving the pin 2-6 of clamping member 2-5.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows the second preferred embodiment 3 of the system according to the invention. System 3 is formed by first fixing element 3-1 and second fixing element 3-2. A channel-like recess 3-5 is arranged in first fixing element 3-1. First fixing element 3-1 is intended for attachment to the article of clothing (not drawn). Second fixing element 3-2 is provided with a closing edge 3-9 which is arranged on an elevation 3-8. Second fixing element 3-2 is intended for attachment to the body and is connected to the body in the same manner as second fixing element 2-2 of the first preferred embodiment. When first fixing element 3-1 is connected to second fixing element 3-2, elevation 3-8 is slid through channel-like recess 3-5, after which the edging of channel-like recess 3-5 is secured by closing edge 3-9. First fixing element 3-2 preferably has a passage 3-4 for passage of closing edge 3-9. The length of channel-like recess 3-5 can in this way remain limited. The second preferred embodiment is preferably applied in stretch clothing, wherein the connection between the first and second fixing element is placed under tension due to the pulling action of the stretch clothing. First fixing element 3-1 preferably has a flat surface 3-10 and is preferably embodied in plastic. First fixing element 3-1 is preferably sewn into the article of clothing, for instance at the position indicated with a broken line. In order to keep the system as flat as possible it is recommended that the height of elevation 3-8 be approximately equal to the thickness of edging 3-3, wherein clearance is present between edging 3-3 and closing edge 3-9 in the assembled position of the system, this clearance being such that sliding of first fixing part 3-1 in second fixing part 3-2 remains possible.

[0031] FIG. 4 shows alternative preferred embodiments of first fixing part 3-1 of the second preferred embodiment 3 of the system according to the invention. In FIG. 4d fixing part 3-1 has a plurality of channel-like recesses and fixing part 3-1 has three corresponding angular points at a different angle (.beta.,.theta.). It is hereby possible to manufacture fixing part 3-1 for different articles of clothing, wherein the most suitable angle can be chosen for attaching fixing part 3-1 to the clothing.

[0032] As alternative to fixing part 3-2 in FIG. 3, fixing part 3-2 can be provided with a plurality of closing edges 3-9, each on their own elevation 3-8. The user of the system hereby has a choice as to which closing edge 3-9 of fixing part 3-2 the fixing part 3-1 is attached.

[0033] The invention is not limited to the described and shown preferred embodiment, but extends to any embodiment falling within the scope of protection as defined in the claims, as seen in the light of the foregoing description and accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. System for releasably attaching an article of clothing to a body, comprising a first fixing element (2-1,3-1) intended for attachment to the article of clothing and a second fixing element (2-2,3-2) intended for adhering to the body, wherein both fixing elements (2-1, 2-2, 3-1, 3-2) are provided with co-acting connecting means, the second fixing element (2-2,3-2) is manufactured from substantially stiff material, the second fixing element (2-2,3-2) is provided with a substantially flat adhering surface, and the co-acting connecting means are arranged substantially centrally on the first (2-1,3-1) and second fixing elements (2-2,3-2), characterized in that the connecting means form a sliding connection.

2. System as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding connection comprises an edging (2-3,3-3) which is arranged on the first (2-1,3-1) or second fixing element (2-2,3-2), and a closing edge (2-9,3-9) which is arranged on the first (2-1,3-1) or second fixing element (2-2,3-2) which are intended for co-action.

3. System as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting means are provided with an edging (2-3) around the first fixing element (2-1) and an elevation (2-8) with a closing edge (2-9) on the second fixing element (2-2) which are intended to receive the edging (2-3).

4. System as claimed in claim 3, wherein the edging (2-3) is circular, and the elevation (2-8) and the closing edge (2-3) are U-shaped.

5. System as claimed in claim 2, wherein the edging (3-3) is formed by the edge of one or more channel-like recesses (3-5) in the first fixing element (3-1), the closing edge (3-9) is arranged on an elevation (3-8) on the second fixing element (3-2), the width of the channel-like recess (3-5) is smaller than the smallest width of the closing edge (3-9), and the greatest width of the elevation (3-8) is smaller than the width of the channel-like recess (3-5).

6. System as claimed in claim 5, wherein the channel-like recess (3-5) comprises an adjacent passage (3-4) which is intended for passage of the closing edge (3-9).

7. System as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the shapes of the cross-section of the elevation (3-8) and the channel-like recess (3-5) co-act such that the first fixing part (3-1) is rotatable relative to the second fixing part (3-2).

8. Article of clothing provided with the system as claimed in any of the foregoing claims.

9. Fixing element for use as second fixing element as described as component of the system as claimed in claims 1 to 7.