Waistband With Frictional Means

Abstract

Textile fabric provided with an outstanding continuous ridge comprising lays of rubber thread which are superimposed on one another, the respective lays each being disposed as a sine wave of the same frequency to assume a mutually intersecting relation and the lays being anchored to the fabric by stitches of conventional, relatively non-elastic yarn.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in the waistband having frictional means disclosed in my U. S. Pat. No. 3,052,890.

The frictional ridge disclosed in said patent utilized a rubber thread which was formed into convoluted loops as one thread of a double-lock stitch, with the tension so controlled as to confine the rubber to one face of the base fabric. When using that construction, the production rate left much to be desired, principally for the reason that passage of the rubber through the looper involved problems of feeding tension and friction.

The present invention avoids these problems since the rubber threads comprising the ridge are laid on the base fabric by means of feeding fingers which have considerably less friction and cause no perceptible misbehavior of the thread due to tension effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improvements in waistbands for articles of wearing apparel as, for example, trousers and skirts. In particular, it has reference to a frictional element on the inside of the waistband having as its main purpose the retention of the tail portion of a skirt, blouse, or the like where the same is tucked into the nether, overlapping garment. In turn, the frictional mutual engagement results in a degree of support for the trousers or skirt.

The principal object of the invention is to provide, on the interior surface of a waistband of the general character mentioned, one or more, preferably continuous ridges of thread which is comparatively resilient, each ridge comprising lays of rubber, each formed into sinusoidal configuration and the lays being disposed one on top of the other. The ridge or ridges are disposed entirely on the interior face of the waistband to present to the shirt or blouse, a somewhat narrow or restricted area of contact of highly frictional character.

Another object is to provide frictional means in accordance with the foregoing which may be incorporated with the waistband during conventional, production type sewing in an economical and reliable manner.

A further object is to provide frictional means of the character aforesaid which, although disposed on only one face of the fabric of the waistband, is non-ravelling, so that if, during wear, cleaning, or laundering, a portion of the rubber threads is injured or broken, the remainder thereof will continue unaffected in function.

An additional object resides in providing frictional means as aforesaid which utilizes so-called cut rubber, either natural or synthetic, which will present, as active portions thereof, a plurality of comparatively sharp corners, thereby to enhance the gripping action thereof.

The invention does not comprehend an elastic waistband per se, that is, one which is longitudinally extensible. However, the principles of the invention may also be incorporated with a waistband of that general class. Neither does the invention comprehend the incorporation of the frictional elements of the invention by weaving in a manner such that the rubber is included as warp threads woven into a conventional textile fabric whereby bights of rubber are caused to protrude from the base fabric. Nor does the invention comprehend the inclusion of the frictional means as stitches or loops of rubber penetrating a base fabric.

Broadly regarded, the invention comprehends the combination, with a strip of material forming the waistband, or a component thereof, of a superficial ridge, or a plurality of ridges, of a thread of comparatively resilient, frictional material such as natural rubber (latex) or synthetic rubber such as neoprene, applied to the interior surface of the waistband, as worn, in superimposed lays, each of which is sinusoidal and of the same frequency and preferably of the same amplitude. For esthetic reasons the respective amplitudes may differ.

In order to present a plurality of discrete protuberances to the adjacent garment, e.g., a shirt or blouse, for optimum gripping action, it is preferred to utilize so-called cut rubber which is obtainable commercially as a continuous length on a bobbin or spool, and which is rectangular in cross-section, e.g., square. Other polygonal cross-sectional configurations are suitable so long as there is desirably presented a plurality of relatively sharp corners. In practice I prefer to use a square cross section since the same is readily available commercially. Obviously, as the number of sides of the polygon is increased the included angle of the corners is increased and the gripping action is proportionately decreased. Rubber having a continuously curved periphery may be used but the desired frictional function is not as beneficial. I exclude those rubber yarns which consist of a circular rubber core covered with a textile yarn, whether helically wound, knitted, braided, netted, or otherwise applied, since it has been found that, in general, the coefficient of friction of the raw rubber and the presentation of a multiplicity of sharp corners is appreciably in excess of the gripping action of the just-mentioned composite threads of rubber and ordinary textile fibers.

Where, in the description and claims, I employ the word "rubber" I intend to encompass both natural and synthetic rubber, as well as other materials of a rubber-like character, which possess substantial resiliency, i.e., rebound, together with a friction surface, and yet are sufficiently flexible to allow the ready formation thereof into the desired sinusoidal configuration. For details of physical properties of such natural and synthetic rubber stocks capable of using in carrying out the invention, reference is made to Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Chemical Rubber Publishing Co., Cleveland, Ohio, 41st ed., pp. 1552-4.

For most purposes a single continuous ridge longitudinally of the waistband is acceptable but some manufacturers and stylists may prefer a plurality of ridges.

Waistband material for wearing apparel in general consists of a woven fabric cut into strips from a bolt of raw material which has been cut on the bias. The waistband material also generally includes two or more superimposed layers of strips of fabric of a number and character dictated by the style and end use of the garment, assembled by any conventional stitching method and supplied to the garment maker in rolls, although the invention may be embodied in a single layer of such base fabric. It is to be understood that the constituents of the waistband, per se, forms no part of the invention; and it may be stated, also, that such material is not noticeably stretchable in the direction of its length. However, it may possess limited stretch as is the case with men's and women's knit fabrics. The frictional means of the invention may be incorporated with the waistband material at the same time as the several layers thereof are sewn together, or such means may be incorporated thereafter at the pleasure of the manufacturer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows, in somewhat magnified form, a side view of the frictional means of the invention incorporated with a strip of material forming part of the waistband assembly of an article of wearing apparel;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but as seen from the opposite face of the fabric;

FIG. 3 is a view of the frictional ridge as seen from the edge of the base fabric, the latter being shown in cross section;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 but expanded in a vertical sense to illustrate the geometry of the several elements;

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5--5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 6--6 of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawing, I have shown, by way of example, a base fabric, e.g., a piece of waistband material 10, as previously described, and which, for simplicity and clarity of exposition, is illustrated as a single thickness. Lengthwise of the material there is provided ridge 11 comprising at least two rubber threads 14, 14a of the type previously mentioned, e.g., polychloroprene (neoprene) of square cross-section, which are laid in sinusoidal form i.e., the curve corresponding to simple harmonic motion. The threads are superimposed on each other in mutually intersecting relation, to constitute an appreciable ridge upon and outstanding from, the face of the base fabric. Since the rubber threads will be fed to the sewing station without any deliberate effort to control the tendency of the thread to twist on its axis, the threads will be presented to the adjacent garment as a plurality of discrete, sharp-cornered protuberances with greatly enhanced frictional effect. The basically high coefficient of friction of the rubber and its inherent resiliency supplements the engagement.

The desired lay of the rubber threads is obtained by feeding the same through the eye of individual fingers which are reciprocated transversely of the direction of feed in an alternated sequence prior to anchoring the resulting serpentine lays to the base fabric. It will be understood that the rubber threads do not participate in a stitch-forming operation, and, therefore, are not subject to the difficulties of feeding a filament to be part of a sewing-machine stitch. As a consequence, the speed of production is substantially greater than is the case with other methods wherein the rubber is incorporated with the base fabric as part of a stitch, e.g., as in my said U.S. Pat. No. 3,052,890.

Concurrently, immediately following positioning of the lays 14, 14a, they are anchored to the base fabric 10 by a row of conventional stitches 15 of suitable comparatively non-elastic yarn, e.g., cotton or nylon. However, in the case of a stretch type of waistband as used in a garment made of knit fabric, the stitches anchoring the lays of rubber are so constituted as not to detract from such stretch characteristic. Further, the anchoring yarn itself may have greater yield than is the case with a "non-stretch" waistband.

As noted heretofore, it is not necessary that the base fabric be extensible longitudinally to any appreciable degree and, therefore, the anchoring stitches 15 need not themselves be elastic.

One mode of achieving the desired construction is to utilize a sewing machine capable of forming a double lock stitch, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 4. This figure is not to be regarded as a true representation but is included simply to assist in understanding the invention. Various other stitch formations, such as a chain stitch or single lock stitch, may be availed of, except that the double lock stitch is readily run on machines presently available, and has the important advantage of being non-ravelling.

Even though FIG. 1 shows the anchoring loops exemplificatively as a single thread the same may, obviously, be in multiple.

One of the important characteristics of the invention is that the ridge comprised of rubber threads is of comparatively small area and not constrictive in a longitudinal direction. Accordingly, the flesh of the wearer is not subjected to pressure as is the case with elastic wasitbands presently available which frequently result in wheals. In this connection I have found that the shirt, blouse, or other garment which is tucked into the lower garment may be satisfactorily prevented from sliding or working upwardly by the use of the invention provided, of course, that the waistband is properly fitted to the wearer. However, even in those cases where the waistband is a poor fit and is then gathered, for example, by a male drawing his belt more tightly, the beneficial effect of the invention may still be obtained in considerable measure. Stated otherwise, I do not rely upon constriction in a circumferential direction to obtain an adequate degree of frictional retention.

Claims

I claim:

1. A waistband for incorporation with an article of apparel to provide implemented frictional engagement of the article with another article of apparel worn in overlapping relation therewith comprising a flat-lying base fabric having an outstanding ridge comprising unstressed lays of rubber thread, each lay being arranged in a sinusoidal configuration, the frequency of the sinusoid of each lay being the same and the amplitude of each lay being constant, the several lays being disposed in superimposed, mutually-intersecting relation, said ridge being disposed entirely on that face of the base fabric to be positioned adjacent said other article of apparel, and a non-elastic thread formed into bights passing through the base fabric and around the lays to anchor the same to the base fabric.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein the bights are constituted by lock stitching.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein the bights of the anchoring thread pass over the lays at their points of intersection.

4. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein the rubber thread is of polygonal cross section.

5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said rubber thread is of quadrilateral cross section.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 1 in which the rubber thread is synthetic.