U.S. patent application number 14/456093 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-11 for convertible bathing suit and lingerie.
The applicant listed for this patent is DARE TO BARE SWIMWARE, LLC. Invention is credited to Kelly Ferrara.
Application Number | 20160037837 14/456093 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55266420 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160037837 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ferrara; Kelly |
February 11, 2016 |
CONVERTIBLE BATHING SUIT AND LINGERIE
Abstract
A convertible garment may be provided. This convertible garment
may be a two-piece "bikini style" bathing suit or bra and panty set
which may be convertible to a "baby-doll" bathing suit or bra and
panty set, providing abdominal coverage. This may be accomplished
through the provision of a removable midriff apron which attaches
to the top of the bikini style swim suit or bra providing partial
or circumferential coverage of the midriff (abdomen and/or back)
during pregnancy or otherwise when desired.
Inventors: |
Ferrara; Kelly; (Miami
Beach, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DARE TO BARE SWIMWARE, LLC |
Miami Beach |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55266420 |
Appl. No.: |
14/456093 |
Filed: |
August 11, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/67 ; 2/406;
450/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 15/00 20130101;
A41D 7/00 20130101; A41C 3/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 15/00 20060101
A41D015/00; A41D 7/00 20060101 A41D007/00; A41B 9/08 20060101
A41B009/08; A41C 3/12 20060101 A41C003/12; A41B 9/04 20060101
A41B009/04 |
Claims
1. A convertible garment comprising: a top portion, a midriff
portion, and a bottom portion, wherein the midriff portion and top
portion further comprise at least one fastener for removably
securing the midriff portion to the top portion.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener on the
midriff portion and top portion comprises one of a snap, hook,
button, buttonhole, hook material, loop material, zipper, magnet,
ribbon, or tie.
3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion further
comprises at least one fastener configured to interact with at
least one additional fastener on the midriff portion, so as to
secure the midriff portion to the bottom portion.
4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener
secures the midriff portion to the top portion proximate a lower
edge of the top portion.
5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the at least one fastener is
disposed on an interior side of the top portion.
6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastener is
configured along the bottoms of breast cups of the top portion.
7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising one of flaps or
sleeves for concealing the at least one fastener.
8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the midriff portion is
configured to cover the bottom portion when worn attached to the
top portion.
9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the midriff portion is
configured to circumferentially cover a wearer's midsection
10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the midriff portion is
configured to cover a front portion of a wearer's midsection.
11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the top portion, midriff
portion, and bottom portion may be interchangeable.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Early swimwear, particularly for women, covered up a
considerable portion of the body. Swimwear has since evolved to the
tight fitting one piece bathing suits and then to the two piece
bathing suit. From there swimwear has developed to include the
bikini with some of the very small ones being referred to as mini
or micro bikinis. This same trend has occurred in the private
sector, behind the closed doors of couples' bedrooms, in an attempt
to maintain the intimacy between women and their significant
others. Corsets have given way to bras and panties, which have
given way to thongs and other forms of lingerie
[0002] These latter types of swimwear and lingerie may be fine for
many women to wear when swimming, sunbathing or enticing their
significant other but are not always suitable for the pregnant
woman, the self-conscious woman, the woman struggling with weight
control issues or the woman with scars related to midline incisions
due to Caesarean Section births, hysterectomies, and the like.
[0003] To not show their baby bumps, scars, insecurities or
imperfections in public, is a difficult chore for this subset of
women, most of whom forgo certain activities or don a typical,
traditional "one-piece" suit. Some opt for a two piece bathing
suit, which can be folded down when in private. These options may
not be great alternatives for the women who find the bikini style
garment more comfortable or wish to have a genuine bikini suntan.
Additionally, it may not be practical to have separate garments
when a desire for such covering is only temporary.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one exemplary embodiment, a convertible garment may be
disclosed. The convertible garment may include a top portion, a
midriff portion, and a bottom portion. The top portion and the
midriff portion may include at least one fastener. The at least one
fastener may allow the midriff portion to be removably attached to
the top portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0005] Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments. The following detailed description should be
considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures in
which:
[0006] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a convertible
garment.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a convertible
garment.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of
a convertible garment.
[0009] FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a convertible
garment.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of a second exemplary
embodiment of a convertible garment.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a third exemplary embodiment of a convertible
garment.
[0012] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of a third exemplary
embodiment of a convertible garment.
[0013] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of convertible garment
fasteners.
[0014] FIG. 9 shows a second exemplary embodiment of convertible
garment fasteners.
[0015] FIG. 10 shows a third exemplary embodiment of convertible
garment fasteners.
[0016] FIG. 11 shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of convertible
garment fasteners.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following
description and related drawings directed to specific embodiments
of the invention. Alternate embodiments may be devised without
departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention.
Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the
invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as
not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. Further, to
facilitate an understanding of the description discussion of
several terms used herein follows.
[0018] As used herein, the word "exemplary" means "serving as an
example, instance or illustration." The embodiments described
herein are not limiting, but rather are exemplary only. It should
be understood that the described embodiment are not necessarily to
be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.
Moreover, the terms "embodiments of the invention", "embodiments"
or "invention" do not require that all embodiments of the invention
include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.
[0019] Referring to the figures generally, a convertible garment
100 may be provided. It may be recognized by a person having
ordinary skill in the art that convertible garment 100 may be a
bathing suit, lingerie, or similar two piece garment. An exemplary
embodiment of garment 100 may have a top portion 120, a bottom
portion 140, and a midriff portion 160.
[0020] An exemplary embodiment of top portion 120 may have similar
components to a typical bra or bikini top. This may include breast
cups 122, a back strap, and optionally neck straps or shoulder
straps 126. A plurality of fasteners 130 configured to secure a
midriff portion 160 may be installed on top portion 120. Fasteners
130 may be oriented along a top edge of breast cups 122 and back
strap so as to cover top portion 120. Alternatively, fasteners 130
may be oriented proximate the middle or a lower edge 128 of the top
portion 120. Fasteners 130 may be disposed along an interior of a
lower edge 128 of top portion 120 such that fasteners 130 are not
visible when midriff portion 160 is not attached. In some
embodiments, the fasteners 130 may extend all the way around the
top portion 120 of a convertible garment 100. In alternative
embodiments, fasteners 130 may extend only partly around the
circumference of top portion 120. For example, fasteners 130 may
only extend along a front of top portion 120. In yet further
embodiments, fasteners 130 may be intermittently configured. For
example, fasteners 130 may extend only along a lower edge of breast
cups 122, or along a lower edge of breast cups 122 and at least one
point along a back strap. Fasteners 130 may be positioned around
top portion 120 in a variety of configurations so as to create
various aesthetic affects. Exemplary fasteners 130 may include
snaps, hooks, buttons, hook and loop type fasteners, zippers,
magnets, ribbons, ties, or other fasteners as may be understood by
a person having ordinary skill in the art. In embodiments utilizing
hook and loop type fasteners, fasteners 130 may include hook
material, loop material, or any combination thereof.
[0021] Midriff portion 160 may also be shaped and sized in a
variety of configurations so as to cover different portions of a
wearer's body or to create desired aesthetic effects. The various
configurations may be intended for different applications. For
example, a midriff portion 160 may be configured for maternity
applications or non-maternity applications. In maternity
applications, midriff portion 160 may be configured and sized
appropriately to accommodate a wearer's pregnant mid-section.
Alternatively, in non-maternity applications, midriff portion 160
may be configured and sized to accommodate a wearer's non-pregnant
mid-section. In various exemplary embodiments, midriff portion 160
may cover only a portion of the circumference of a wearer's body.
Also, midriff portion 160 may only cover a front portion of a
wearer's midriff, leaving an open back. Midriff portion 160
alternatively may be a complete cylindrical shape. Midriff portion
160 may also be loose fitting in some embodiments or tight fitting
in others. Midriff portion 160 may be joined to top portion 120
such that an overlap of the midriff fabric is created.
Alternatively, midriff portion 160 and top portion 120 may be
joined such that an overlap is not formed. In some exemplary
embodiments and as shown in the exemplary figures, midriff portion
160b may be longer, so as to cover bottom portion 140. In other
embodiments, midriff portion 160c may even extend to approximately
the feet of the wearer, similar to a gown or dress (shown as 160c
in exemplary FIG. 1). Midriff portions 160 may be interchangeable
with a variety of tops and bottoms. For example a wearer may mix
and match colors or styles of convertible garment 100
components.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, bottom portion 140 may include
leg openings 142 and a body opening 144. Top portion 120, bottom
portion 140 and midriff portion 160 may be worn together or in any
desired combination. It may be realized by a person having ordinary
skill in the art that to wear a midriff portion 160 may require the
wearing of at least a top portion having compatible fasteners. An
exemplary midriff portion 160 may include counterpart fasteners 132
to the fasteners 130 installed on top portion 120. The midriff
portion 160 may include an upper edge 168 which may have a
plurality of securing fasteners 132 configured to secure to
fasteners 130 on the top portion of a convertible garment 100. In
one exemplary embodiment, fasteners 132 may be negatively charged
magnetic fasteners 132 which are spaced to attach to positively
charged magnetic fasteners 130 on an interior of lower edge 128 of
top portion 120. Exemplary fasteners 132 may include counter parts
to exemplary fasteners 130, including snaps, hooks, buttons, hook
and loop type fasteners, zippers, magnets, ribbons, ties, or other
fasteners as may be understood by a person having ordinary skill in
the art. In embodiments utilizing hook and loop type fasteners,
fasteners 132 may include hook material, loop material, or any
combination thereof.
[0023] Convertible garment 100 may further include extensions of
fabric or other material to separate fasteners from a wearer's
skin. Similarly, fabric or other materials may be used to hide
fasteners from sight. In the case of magnetic fasteners, the
fasteners may be fully enclosed between layers of fabric. In yet
further embodiments, fasteners themselves may be decoratively
configured, as opposed to purely functional embodiments.
[0024] In some embodiments, bottom portion 140 may include
fasteners for interacting with midriff portion 160. The connection
of fasteners on bottom portion 140 with fasteners on midriff
portion 160 may be used to give an impression of a one-piece
bathing suit type garment, or may be used to tie off or secure
midriff portion in a desired orientation. For example, the
fasteners may retain midriff portion 160 close to a wearer's body
along a waistline.
[0025] To use the an exemplary embodiment of a convertible bathing
suit 100, the wearer thereof may put on top portion 120, with or
without midriff 160 attached, and bottom portion 140 in a typical
manner of putting on lingerie, a bathing suit or bikini. For
clarity of this disclosure, when the midriff portion is attached,
the convertible garment 100 may be referred to as being in the
"baby doll" configuration, whereas when it is not attached it may
be referred to as being in the "bikini" configuration. The wearer
may swim, sunbathe, and engage in the other normal activities with
the garment in either the "baby doll" type or bikini type
configuration, as seen fit. Whenever it is desired to shield or
conceal the midriff/abdomen, the wearer may simply take the midriff
portion 160 and secure the fasteners 132 thereof to the fasteners
130 of the top portion 120. The wearer may then engage in any
desired activities where there is a concern for midriff/abdominal
exposure. Once the need for the midriff portion 160 has passed, the
user thereof may simply unsecure the same from the top portion 120
and return to wearing a bikini. From the above it may be seen that
the convertible garment is readily convertible from a bikini to a
"baby doll" configuration and back to a bikini.
[0026] The foregoing description and accompanying figures
illustrate the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of
operation of the invention. However, the invention should not be
construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed
above. Additional variations of the embodiments discussed above
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.
[0027] Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be
regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it
should be appreciated that variations to those embodiments can be
made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *