Garment

Abstract

A garment that is configured to attach to a bikini bottom is provided. The garment includes a cylindrical band that is configured to be worn by a user. The cylindrical band has a generally uniform circumference and includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one attachment device that is configured to releasably attach the bottom portion to the top portion for securing the cylindrical band to the bikini bottom when the bottom portion is received through at least one leg portion of the bikini bottom.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] Field of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a garment, and more particularly, to a garment that is configured to attach to a bikini bottom.

[0003] Description of the Related Art

[0004] Swimsuits worn by women typically come in two types, a one-piece type or a two-piece type, commonly referred to as a bikini. Typical one one-piece bathing suits cover a woman's pelvic area and a majority of her torso, while the bikini is designed to cover the pelvic area and a majority of her breasts.

[0005] While both types of beachwear are suitable for their intended use, woman who would otherwise opt to wear a bikini, will sometimes opt for the one-piece bathing suit. For example, women who have scarring near their lower abdomen, e.g., as a result of a surgical procedure or being pregnant, may opt for the one-piece bathing suit as opposed to the bikini to hide their scaring.

SUMMARY

[0006] As can be appreciated, a garment that is configured to attach to a bikini bottom may prove useful in the bathing suit industry.

[0007] Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawing figures wherein like reference numerals identify similar or identical elements. As used herein, the term "distal" refers to the portion that is being described which is further from a user, while the term "proximal" refers to the portion that is being described which is closer to a user.

[0008] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a garment that is configured to attach to a bikini bottom. The garment includes a cylindrical band that is configured to be worn by a user. The cylindrical band has a generally uniform circumference and includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one attachment device that is configured to releasably attach the bottom portion to the top portion for securing the cylindrical band to the bikini bottom when the bottom portion is received through at least one leg portion of the bikini bottom.

[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a garment that is configured to attach to a bikini bottom. The garment includes a cylindrical band that is configured to be worn by a user and has a uniform circumference. The cylindrical band has a top portion including at least one component of an attachment device and a bottom portion configured to be received through at least one leg portion of the bikini bottom so that at least one other component of the at least one attachment device provided on the bottom portion of the cylindrical band can be attached to the at least one component of the attachment device on the top portion of cylindrical band for securing the cylindrical band to the bikini bottom.

[0010] In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a garment that is configured to attach to an article of clothing. The garment includes a cylindrical band having a generally uniform circumference and including a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one attachment device that is configured to releasably attach the bottom portion to the top portion for securing the cylindrical band to the article of clothing when the bottom portion is received through at least one leg portion of the article of clothing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a garment that is configured to be worn by a user and attached to a bikini bottom, with the garment shown unattached to the bikini bottom, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a diagram of the garment, with a bottom portion of the garment shown being received through a leg portion of the bikini bottom;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram of the garment shown attached to the bikini bottom; and

[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram of the garment, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

[0017] As noted above, a garment that is configured to attach to a bikini bottom may prove useful in the bathing suit industry, and such a garment is described herein.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a garment 10 that is configured to be worn by a user (e.g. a woman) and be removably attached to a bikini bottom 20, with the garment 10 shown unattached to the bikini bottom 20.

[0019] The garment 10 (or belly cover) includes a generally cylindrical configuration (i.e., a cylindrical band configuration) and includes a top portion 12, a bottom portion 14, and at least one attachment device 16 that is configured to releasably attach the bottom portion 14 to the top portion 12 for securing the garment 10 to the bikini bottom 20 when the bottom portion 14 is received through one or both leg portions of the bikini bottom 20.

[0020] The at least one attachment device 15 includes a pair of apertures 16 that are located on the top portion 12 of the garment 10 and a corresponding pair of buttons 18 that are located on the bottom portion 14 of the garment and configured to be received through the pair of apertures 16 when a user is attaching the garment 10 to the bikini bottom 20.

[0021] While the garment 10 is shown including two buttons 18 and two apertures 16, the present disclosure is not so limited. For example, the garment 10 can include one button 18 and one aperture 16. Moreover, while the buttons 18 and apertures 16 are shown provided on the bottom portion 14 and top portion 12, respectively, the buttons 18 can be provided on top portion 12 and the apertures 16 can be provided on the bottom portion 14.

[0022] The garment 10 can be made from any suitable material including, but not limited to, Nylon.RTM., cotton, polyester, Spandex.RTM., Lycra.RTM., lace, elastane, blended synthetic fibers, polybutylene terephthalate, stretch fabric, other suitable material, or combination thereof.

[0023] In use, a user (e.g., a woman) can slip into the garment 10 and pull the garment 10 above her waistline (FIG. 1). Thereafter, the user can slip into the bikini bottom 20 and pull the bottom portion 14 of the garment 10 through a leg portion of the bikini bottom 20 (FIG. 2).

[0024] To attach the garment 10 to the bikini bottom 20, the user can fold the top portion 12 of the garment 10 over a waist portion 22 of the bikini bottom 20, towards the bottom portion 14 of the garment 10, and secure the top portion 12 to the bottom portion 14 using the buttons 18 and the apertures 16.

[0025] With the garment 10 in the folded configuration, any unflattering scars located adjacent the lower belly portion (or other portion) of the user can be covered.

[0026] As the garment 10 is removably attachable to the bikini bottom, it can be used with more than one bikini bottom, or other article of clothing, such as the other articles of clothing described below.

[0027] From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same. For example, other devices can be used for the attachment device 15. More particularly, the buttons 18 and apertures 16 can be replaced or used in combination with hooks and loops (or other suitable attachment devices, such as string, Velcro.RTM., etc.).

[0028] Moreover, the garment 10 can come in a variety of sizes and colors to accommodate a need of a user or a manufacturer. For example, a size of the garment 10 can correspond to a size of a bikini bottom. That is, a garment having a size 6 can correspond to a bikini bottom that is also a size 6.

[0029] Furthermore, while the garment 10 is shown having a generally cylindrical configuration, other configurations are contemplated. For example, the garment 10 can have a generally hour-glass configuration.

[0030] Additionally, as noted above, the garment 10 can be configured to attach to other articles of clothing. For example, the garment 10 can be configured to attach to underwear, various types of sleepwear (e.g., pajama bottoms), lingerie, and/or other suitable articles of clothing.

[0031] In certain instances, it may prove advantageous to provide the garment 10 with a top portion 12 that is configured not to directly connect to the bottom portion 14. For example, as noted above, the attachment mechanism may include string. In this particular instance, a string 19 can be used to tie or wrap around the waist portion 22 of the bikini bottom 20 to attach the garment 10 to the bikini bottom 20. For example, to attach the garment 10 to the bikini bottom 20, the user can secure the bottom portion 14, which includes the string 19 in place of the buttons 18, of the garment 10 to the waistline 22 of the bikini bottom 20 (see FIG. 4, for example); the string 19 can also be used in place of the apertures 16 and used to connect to the waistline 22 of the bikini bottom 20

[0032] One or more types of ornamental configurations 21, e.g., charm, pendant, etc., may be affixed to an end of the string 19 that is unattached to the garment 10, or the end of the string 19 may include a device 23 that is configured to attach to one of the aforementioned ornamental configurations.

[0033] While the garment 10 has been described herein as being used by women, men are also contemplated users, as the garment 10 can be configured to attach to a men's bathing suit.

[0034] While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A garment that is configured to attach to a bikini bottom, the garment comprising a cylindrical band configured to be worn by a user, the cylindrical band having a generally uniform circumference and including a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one attachment device that is configured to releasably attach the bottom portion to the top portion for securing the cylindrical band to the bikini bottom when the bottom portion is received through at least one leg portion of the bikini bottom.

2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein at least one component of the at least one attachment device is provided on the top portion of the cylindrical band.

3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein at least one component of the at least one attachment device is provided on the bottom portion of the cylindrical band.

4. The garment according to claim 2, wherein the at least one component of the at least one attachment device that is located on the top portion of the cylindrical band is an aperture.

5. The garment according to claim 3, wherein the at least one component of the at least one attachment device that is located on the bottom portion of the cylindrical band is a button.

6. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment device is a hook and loop fastener.

7. The garment according to claim 6, wherein at least one component of the attachment device that is located on the bottom portion of the cylindrical band is a loop.

8. The garment according to claim 6, wherein at least one component of the attachment device that is located on the top portion of the cylindrical band is a hook.

9. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical band is made from a material that is selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex, and lycra.

10. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical band secures to a waist portion of the bikini bottom.

11. A garment that is configured to attach to a bikini bottom, the garment comprising: a cylindrical band configured to be worn by a user and having a uniform circumference, the cylindrical band having a top portion including at least one component of an attachment device and a bottom portion configured to be received through at least one leg portion of the bikini bottom so that at least one other component of the at least one attachment device provided on the bottom portion of the cylindrical band can be attached to the at least one component of the attachment device on the top portion of cylindrical band for securing the cylindrical band to the bikini bottom.

12. The garment according to claim 11, wherein the at least one component of the at least one attachment device that is located on the top portion of the cylindrical band is an aperture.

13. The garment according to claim 11, wherein the at least one other component of the at least one attachment device that is located on the bottom portion of the cylindrical band is a button.

14. The garment according to claim 11, wherein the at least one attachment device is a hook and loop fastener.

15. The garment according to claim 14, wherein the at least one component of the attachment device that is located on the top portion of the cylindrical band is a loop.

16. The garment according to claim 14, wherein the at least one other component of the attachment device that is located on the bottom portion of the cylindrical band is a hook.

17. The garment according to claim 11, wherein the cylindrical band is made from a material that is selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, polyester, spandex, and lycra.

18. The garment according to claim 11, wherein the cylindrical band secures to a waist portion of the bikini bottom.

19. A garment that is configured to attach to an article of clothing, the garment comprising a cylindrical band having a generally uniform circumference and including a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one attachment device that is configured to releasably attach the bottom portion to the top portion for securing the cylindrical band to the article of clothing when the bottom portion is received through at least one leg portion of the article of clothing.

20. The garment according to claim 19, wherein the at least one component of the at least one attachment device that is located on the top portion of the cylindrical band is an aperture and the at least one other component of the at least one attachment device that is located on the bottom portion of the cylindrical band is a button, and wherein the article of clothing is a bikini bottom and the cylindrical band secures to a waist portion of the bikini bottom.