U.S. patent application number 14/181319 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-12 for shirt sleeve construction.
The applicant listed for this patent is Blauer Manufacturing Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael J Blauer, Robert K Lee.
Application Number | 20140157482 14/181319 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50879360 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140157482 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blauer; Michael J ; et
al. |
June 12, 2014 |
Shirt Sleeve Construction
Abstract
A long sleeve shirt construction that incorporates a stretch
panel in the sleeve. The stretch panel extends part or all of the
length of the sleeve. The stretch panel extends around a portion of
the circumference of the sleeve either with a constant width or
tapered and is positioned at the underside of the sleeve.
Optionally, the sleeve includes a hold tab for retaining the sleeve
in the rolled-up position.
Inventors: |
Blauer; Michael J; (Newton,
MA) ; Lee; Robert K; (Cranston, RI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Blauer Manufacturing Company, Inc. |
Boston |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50879360 |
Appl. No.: |
14/181319 |
Filed: |
February 14, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13048928 |
Mar 16, 2011 |
|
|
|
14181319 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/10 20130101;
A41B 1/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41B 1/08 20060101
A41B001/08 |
Claims
1. A shirt comprising: (a) a torso and a pair of long sleeves
extending from the torso at a shoulder, the torso having a front
fastener, each of the sleeves having a length from the shoulder to
a free end, a sleeve gauntlet, a cuff at the free end, a
circumference, and an underside, and being composed of cotton,
cotton blends, polyester blends, or rayon blends; (b) each of the
sleeves having a main portion and a stretch panel, the stretch
panel extending from the shoulder to the free end and over a
portion of the circumference, the main portion extending over the
remainder of the sleeve, the stretch panel composed of a stretch
fabric.
2. The shirt of claim 1 wherein the stretch panel is positioned on
the underside of the sleeve.
3. The shirt of claim 1 wherein the portion of the circumference of
the sleeve extended over by the stretch panel has a generally
constant width.
4. The shirt of claim 1 wherein each of the sleeves tapers from the
shoulder to the free end.
5. The shirt of claim 1 wherein the stretch fabric is composed in
part of spandex.
6. A shirt comprising: (a) a torso and a pair of long sleeves
extending from the torso at a shoulder, the torso having a front
fastener, each of the sleeves having a length from the shoulder to
a free end, a sleeve gauntlet, a cuff at the free end, a
circumference, and an underside, and being composed of cotton,
cotton blends, polyester blends, or rayon blends. (b) each of the
sleeves having a main portion and a stretch panel, the stretch
panel extending from the shoulder to the free end and over a
portion of the circumference with a generally constant width, the
stretch panel positioned on the underside of the sleeve, the main
portion extending over the remainder of the sleeve, the stretch
panel composed of a stretch fabric composed in part of spandex.
7. The shirt of claim 6 wherein each of the sleeves tapers from the
shoulder to the free end.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] 1. Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to shirts, more particularly,
to long shirt sleeves.
[0006] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0007] Battle dress uniform (BDU) is a generic term that identifies
fatigues used as the standard uniform for combat situations. BDUs
are also used by other groups, such as US federal, state, and local
law enforcement agencies, that may work in tactical situations,
such as the DEA and SWAT.
[0008] BDUs are typically made from fabrics including nylon/cotton
blends, polyester/cotton blends, 100% cotton, and polyester/rayon
blends. In addition, the fabrics may be treated so they are
fire-retardant.
[0009] BDU shirts are made with long sleeves. Typically, the sleeve
is wider at the shoulder than at the cuff. When the weather
changes, wearers must take the shirt off in order to roll the
sleeve up or down because the rolled material gets too tight around
the bicep. Because the cuff is narrower than the upper part of the
sleeve, the sleeve material is bunched under the cuff when rolled
up, constricting the wearer's upper arm.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is a long sleeve shirt construction
that incorporates a stretch panel in the sleeve. The stretch panel
allows the sleeve to stretch its circumference so the sleeve can be
quickly rolled up or down.
[0011] The stretch panel extends either the full length of the
sleeve or along only part of the length of the sleeve. The stretch
panel extends around a portion of the circumference of the sleeve
and is wide enough so that the sleeve can be rolled easily without
causing constriction at the upper arm. The width of the stretch
panel is generally constant, but can taper from one end to the
other. Typically, the stretch panel is on the underside of the
sleeve.
[0012] The stretch panel is composed of a fabric that can stretch a
significant percentage of its length, such as stretch knits and
woven fabrics with mechanical stretch or that contain chemical
power stretch yarns.
[0013] Optionally, the sleeve includes a hold tab for retaining the
sleeve in the rolled up position. The tab is attached to the inside
of the sleeve. A removable fastener secures the tab to the sleeve
or shoulder.
[0014] Objects of the present invention will become apparent in
light of the following drawings and detailed description of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the
present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a front view of a shirt with a set-in sleeve
incorporating the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a front view of a shirt with a raglan sleeve
incorporating the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a view of the underside of the shirt sleeve of the
present invention showing alternate configurations;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a view of the underside of the shirt sleeve of the
present invention showing alternate configurations;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a view of the underside of the shirt sleeve of the
present invention showing alternate configurations; and
[0021] FIG. 6 is a front, cross-sectional view of the shirt sleeve
of the present invention rolled up with the optional hold tab.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] The present invention incorporates a stretch panel 38 into a
BDU or other shirt long sleeve 12. BDUs are typically made from
fabrics including nylon/cotton blends, polyester/cotton blends,
100% cotton, and polyester/rayon blends. In addition, the fabrics
may be treated so they are fire-retardant.
[0023] The stretch panel 38 allows the sleeve 12 to stretch its
circumference so the sleeve 12 can be quickly rolled up or down.
This is particularly important when it is impractical to remove the
shirt 10 in order to roll the sleeve 12 up or down.
[0024] Also, instead of having a very bulky roll at the bicep when
the wearer rolls the long sleeve up, the stretch panel 38 allows
the sleeve 12 to be tapered so that the roll is minimized and
barely wider than the arm at the bicep.
[0025] Example long sleeve shirts 10 incorporating the present
invention are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the shirt with set-in
sleeves of FIG. 1, the shirt torso 14 consists of a pair of front
portions 16, a yoke 18 over the shoulders, a back portion 20, and a
collar 22. A front placket 24 has buttons, hook and loop fasteners,
or other fastener for closing the front of the shirt 10. Sleeves 12
attach to the torso 14 at the shoulder 32 by a shoulder seam 34 and
extend from the shoulder seam 34 to a cuff 28.
[0026] In the shirt with raglan sleeves of FIG. 2, the shirt torso
14 consists of a pair of front portions 16, a back portion 20, and
a collar 22. A front placket 24 has buttons, hook and loop
fasteners, or other fastener for closing the front of the shirt 10.
Sleeves 12 attach to the torso 14 by a raglan seam 44 from the
underarm to the collar 22. The sleeves 12 extend from the collar
22, over the shoulder 32, to a cuff 28.
[0027] The sleeve 12 has sleeve placket (gauntlet) 46. The cuff 28
can be closed by a fastener 30, such as hook-and-loop fasteners as
in FIG. 1, buttons as in FIG. 2, snaps, hooks, zippers, etc.
[0028] The stretch panel 38 typically extends most of the length of
the sleeve 12, from the shoulder or raglan seam 34, 44 to the cuff
28 at 36, as in FIGS. 1-4. Optionally, the stretch panel 38 extends
along only part of the length of the sleeve 12. For example, the
stretch panel 38 can extend part way to the cuff 28 from the
shoulder seam 34, part way to the shoulder seam 34 from the cuff
28, as in FIG. 5, or it can be positioned between the shoulder seam
34 and cuff 28 without reaching either one.
[0029] The width of the stretch panel 38, the amount that it
extends around the circumference of the sleeve 12, is wide enough
so that the sleeve can be rolled easily without causing
constriction at the upper arm. The width of the stretch panel 38
ranges from approximately 11/2 inches to approximately 10 inches
but typically less than half of the circumference of the sleeve 12.
The width of the stretch panel 38 is generally constant, as in FIG.
3. The term "generally constant" takes into account that there can
be some variation in the width of the stretch panel 38 due to
tolerances in manufacturing, the difference in sleeve circumference
at the shoulder 32 and at the cuff 28, and other such variables.
The present invention also contemplates that the width of the
stretch panel can taper between the shoulder 32 and cuff 28, either
larger at the shoulder 32 or larger at the cuff 28, as in FIGS. 4
and 5.
[0030] The stretch panel 38 can be located anywhere around the
circumference of the sleeve 12, but will typically be on the
underside of the sleeve 12, as in the figures, where it is least
visible.
[0031] The main portion 42 of the sleeve 12 extends over the
remainder of the sleeve, that is, the portion of the length and
circumference of the sleeve that the stretch panel 38 does not
extend over.
[0032] The present invention contemplates that the stretch panel 38
may be composed of many different fabrics, as long as the fabric
has a reasonable amount of stretch. "Stretch fabric" refers to a
fabric that expands a significant percentage of its rest length and
returns to its rest length when tension is released. There are two
basic types of stretch fabrics, those with mechanical stretch alone
and those containing spandex or similar chemical power stretch
yarns. Contemplated chemical stretch fabrics include
polyester/spandex, nylon/spandex, and cotton/spandex, where spandex
is a minor component. The panel material ranges from a minimum
weight of approximately 2.5 oz per square yard to a maximum of
approximately 12.5 oz per square yard.
[0033] The stretch panel 38 is attached to the main portion 42 of
the sleeve 12 by any type of seam 40 that is appropriate for the
materials of the main portion 42 and stretch panel 38. Examples
include a four or five thread overlock safety stitch, a single
needle lockstitch, a lap felled, welt, or french seam, and/or a
flat undergarment seam type (lap seam with coverstitch).
[0034] Optionally, the sleeve includes a hold tab 50 for retaining
the sleeve 12 in the rolled up position, as in FIG. 6. The tab 50
is a length of material attached to the inside of the sleeve 12 or
shoulder 32 that is accessible when the sleeve 12 is rolled up. A
removable fastener 52 secures the tab 50 to the sleeve 12 or
shoulder 32. One component 54 of the fastener 52 is at the free end
58 of the tab 50 and the mating component 56 is on the outside of
the sleeve 12 or shoulder 32. The removable fastener 52 can be any
type of removable fastener, including buttons, snaps, hook and loop
fasteners, etc. The tab 50 and/or sleeve 12 or shoulder 32 can have
multiple fastener components 54, 56 so that the tab 50 is
adjustable to different rolled-up sleeve lengths.
[0035] Thus it has been shown and described a shirt sleeve
construction which satisfies the objects set forth above.
[0036] Since certain changes may be made in the present disclosure
without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is
intended that all matter described in the foregoing specification
and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
* * * * *