Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to an adjustable garment support system and carry kit for the same, and more particularly to an adjustable garment support system for temporary support of a garment from a user's shoulders having variable adjustment and optionally a carry kit for convenient storage.
Description of the Related Art
Layered clothing describes a way of dressing using many garments that are worn on top of each other. Using more or fewer layers allows for flexible clothing to match the needs of particular environments (e.g., warm, cold, rainy, etc.). A jacket that is worn over other clothing is an example of layered clothing.
When a garment, such as a jacket, is not being worn, the wearer typically holds the garment is one's arms or rests the garment upon one's shoulders. Holding a garment in one's hands or resting the garment upon one's shoulders has many disadvantages. For example, if the garment is being held in one's hands, the wearer will not have access to both hands. Alternatively, if the garment is being rested upon one's shoulder, the wearer does not have access to both shoulders, and if on hand is used for safety—to the hand that grips the jacket, Also, when the garment is being rested upon one's shoulder, the garment may slip, fall, be lost, or suffer other detriments. The garment may also sag and contact the floor or be in a position that otherwise interferes with the wearer's movement and dexterity.
Known are backpacks, handbag straps, pouches, and other shoulder-supported systems that allow for a wearer to carry an unused garment. However, such devices that are known in the art all have detriments. The conventional straps or supports for backpacks, handbag straps, pouches, and other shoulder-supported systems are not removable there from, and are not adaptable to the specific user-garment without sewing or other permanent fixture therewith. In turn, permanently securing a strap or handle to a coat may damage a coat, reduce the garment in value, or interfere with the user's enjoyment of the garment.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,788,746, the contents of which are incorporated by reference, discloses, as shown in
One disadvantage of the jacket support means of U.S. Pat. No. 7,788,746 is that it part of a jacket system and cannot be used as a standalone device that can be utilized for any jacket, is not removable, and is not separately adaptable or modifiable based on user choice. Instead, the jacket support system is integrated and can only be used with each other.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved garment support system that is both adjustable so as to accommodate different sizes of garment and may be compactly stored for transport.
In one embodiment, a garment support system may include a first strap member and a second strap member. Each of the first and second strap members having respective first and second strap ends. The first and second strap members may be fixedly secured to one another at the respective first ends of the first and second strap members. The first and second strap ends may be secured to portions of first and second slider members slidably positioned about proximate portions of said continuous strap member and forming respective first and second sliding loops. A first and a second clip jaw member may be slidably secured on respective first and second sliding loops. A third clip jaw member may be secured proximate to the first ends of the first and second strap ends. The first, second, and third clip jaw members are configured to be releasably securable to a garment. The first ends of the first and second strap members may overlap each other and may be secured to one another at the first ends thereof. A web member to which the first ends of the first and second strap members may be secured in a non-overlapping configuration.
In another embodiment, a garment support system may include a continuous strap member having respective first and second strap ends. First and second strap ends may be respectively secured to portions of first and second slider members slidably positioned about proximate portions of said continuous strap member and forming respective first and second sliding loops. A first and a second clip jaw member slidably secured on respective first and second sliding loops. A third clip jaw member slidably positioned on said continuous strap between respective first and second strap ends. A slideable bridge member on said continuous strap member may slidably space said third clip jaw member from respective said first and second sliding loops. The slidable bridge member defining a first adjustable joined distance between the slidable bridge member and said third clip jaw member and a first and a second adjustable split distance between the slidable bridge member and respective said first and second clip jaw members. The first adjustable joined distance, said first adjustable split distance and said second adjustable split distance may be different lengths to accommodate different adjustments during a use of said garment support system.
In a further embodiment, a garment support system may include a strap that is configured as a loop, which may be formed by joining opposing ends of the strap such that the loop is continuous. A first clip jaw member may be secured to a first location of the strap. The first clip jaw member may be configured to be secured to a first garment. A second clip jaw member may be secured to a second location of the strap. The second clip jaw member may be configured to be secured to a second garment. A fastener member may slidably receive the strap via apertures formed in the fastener member. The strap may be slidably translatable through the fastener member to adjust a distance between the first and second clip jaw members.
In a still further embodiment, a garment support system may include: a belt that is configured to be worn transversely between a user's shoulder and hip; and a clip jaw member that is operably coupled to the belt, the clip jaw member being configured to releasably grasp a garment. The belt may have an adjustable width. The belt may be formed from a stretchable material and is a continuous annular loop. A length of rope may include a first end a second end, the first end being fixedly secured to the belt at a first location, the second end being slidably translatable relative to the belt, the second end being secured to the clip jaw member.
In yet another embodiment, a garment support system may include a length of rope that is slidably received within a fastener member. The length of rope may form a first shoulder strap and a second shoulder strap and a looped section that is secured to a clip jaw member. The fastener member may be slidable relative to the length of rope to facilitate adjusting the lengths of the portions of the rope forming the first and second shoulder straps, as well as, a length of the rope forming the looped section secured to the clip jaw member. The clip jaw member may be configured to releasably grasp a garment (e.g., a jacket).
In a further embodiment, a garment support system may include a first length of rope and a second length of rope. Each of the lengths of rope may include respective looped sections that are configured to receive a user's arms and to rest upon a user's shoulders. Free ends of the first and second lengths of rope being may be secured to respective clip jaw members. The looped sections may each have an adjustable dimension. A relative position of the respective clip jaw members with respect to respective ones of the first and second lengths of rope are adjustable. A web may secure the first and second lengths of rope to each other. The web may be formed from a stretchable material and is configured to bias the first and second lengths of rope toward one another when worn.
In yet other alternative and modified embodiments of the proposed invention the reader will recognize that various features and modifications of the disclosure, written description, visual drawings, and claim elements may be assembled in different versions and assemblies and systems without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, herein versions of the drawings may be provided with detachable clips (in written description as an alternative embodiment) that remain secured to the jacket or clothing for enhanced convenience or user-determination. In a further example, also as written herein (not in the drawings) the clips and securing features may be linked to a clothing item or jacket by magnetic fixtures, snap clips, or related clips as discussed herein. These arrangements may also be made with strap members of different constructions (leather, web, textiles, etc.). These descriptions and embodiments, and alternative combinations are to be understood as flexibly combinable within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate the same or similar elements.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention. Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. The word ‘couple’ and similar terms do not necessarily denote direct and immediate connections, but also include connections through intermediate elements or devices. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional (up/down, etc.) or motional (forward/back, etc.) terms may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope in any manner. It will also be understood that other embodiments may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and that the detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and that elements may be differently positioned, or otherwise noted as in the appended claims without requirements of the written description being required thereto.
Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present invention. However, the order of description should not be construed to imply that these operations are order dependent.
Referring now to
The jaw clip member 9A on web member 7 may be non-adjustable on the ends of the straps 5, 6, and may be sewn in or fixed to web member 7 so that the ends of straps 5, 6 are fixed relative to the web member 7 and correspondingly to the jaw clip member 9A. Alternatively, the jaw clip member 9A may be relatively moble about a small loop affixed with web member 7. The straps 5, 6 may be secured to the web member 7 in a non-overlapping arrangement, which may facilitate the garment laying flatter against the user's body when using the garment support system 1.
Extending from respective adjustment loops are also respective jaw clip members 9. Jaw clip members 9 on straps 5, 6 may be slidably adjustable within the adjustment loops shown relative to a position of relative slides 8 on each respective strap 5, 6. As a result, it will be understood that the length of the straps 5, 6 may be adjustable in view of the position of the sliders 8 and the co-adjustment of respective end jaw clip members 9. As shown, each of the jaw clip members 9 may have two opposing hinge jaws and a cam-lever proximate one jaw such that the jaws can be urged together to secure material therebetween.
As shown in
Referring now to
As will be recognized upon study, strap 12 has opposed ends joined at bottom sliders 8, as shown, and therebetween transits up and through slidable bridge member 11 and around top slider 8B. Bottom loops proximate respective bottom clip members 9 remain adjustable by length (and thus the amount of loop). Additionally, strap 12 may be slidably adjusted side-to-side via bridge 11 and top slider 8B so as to provide two identified distances; a joined distance 13 between bridge 11 and top clip jaw member 9B, and a split distance 14 between respectively bridge 11 and related respective bottom clip jaw members 9, as shown in
As a result, it will be recognized that garment support system 100 may provides multiple adjustment abilities, including: (i) slider bridge 11 and distances 13, 14; (ii) slidable slides 8, and respective bottom loops adjusting the space between bottom clip jaw members 9 and an overall free-length of strap 12; and/or (iii) the combination of these arrangements. As a result, the improved adjustable garment support system 100 provides multiple enhancements from that shown in
Additionally, referring now to
In an alternative embodiment as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
One alternative, and non-limiting use example of the adjustable support systems described hereinabove are for use in the winter sports area, wherein a user wearing a heavy winter coat, upon entering from the cold to a heated environment, may remove a garment (e.g., a coat or jacket) for comfort and convenience, without restricting hand movement of the user, and without loss of the garment, or dragging the garment on the floor. The materials forming the adjustable support systems described hereinabove may be elastic or stretchable fabrics (e.g., a bungee-like cord) to facilitate comfort and to allow a garment secured thereto to be pulled away from the adjustable support system without necessitating decoupling therefrom. Shoulder pads or the like may line the straps contacting the user's body to increase comfort, as well.
Referring now to
Those of skill in the art will additionally recognize that the proposed invention may be used as a neck/chest strap or single shoulder strap by adjustably supporting and connecting only two opposed sides of the support system (between the collar and one arm opening). In this manner, the adjustable feature is still operative, but the user has enhanced options for convenience and securement.
Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skills that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various modifications and variations can be made in the presently disclosed system without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Those of skill in the art, having studied the provided disclosure, will additionally recognize that the proposed invention may be used as a neck/chest strap or single shoulder strap by adjustably supporting and connecting only two opposed sides of the support system (between the collar and one arm opening). In this manner, the adjustable feature is still operative, but the user has enhanced options for convenience and securement.
Those of skill in the art, having studied the provided disclosure, will additionally and adaptively recognize that the clip members of various embodiments 9, 9A, 9B, 202, and variants may adaptively be provided in a manner that is releasably detatchable from the support members 12, 201, 201b, 301, 303, 402, 403, 501L/R, 602L/R, etc. In this mode, the so-released clip may remain joined to the jacket or clothing item in a desired-position. The user may then (at a convenient time) rejoin the clip members to the various support members for transporting the jacket. In this manner, of a user finds convenient location of the clip members difficult, or otherwise wishes to leave the clips in place the use may do so until a subsequent use. For example, if one finds it a bit difficult to constantly clip and unclip from the correct spots on a garment they can instead attach the clips and then using a release feature, release member, release element etc. (discussed but not shown) remove the strap portions between uses. The strap portions may then be reattached later. As an additional consideration herein, the discussed release features, release members, or release elements joining the clip members to the strap portions may additionally include a safety feature allowing a release upon a certain amount of unintended stress—e.g., if a suspended jacket is caught in a train door while being supported by the proposed system, the release elements or members would separate at a safety threshold of, for example, 5-to-30 pounds of force. This way, the straps provide convenient support but will not serve as a dangerous entanglement or choking hazard should the jacket or straps become trapped.
It will be further understood that any of the combinations, systems, components, or complete combinations of elements disclosed herein may be provided in the form of a kit with packaging, assembled with other features or elements outside the scope of this submission all within the spirit of the present inventions.
Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skills that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various modifications and variations can be made in the presently disclosed system without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/032,456 filed Aug. 1, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/032,443 filed August 1, 2014, each of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2015/043098 | 7/31/2015 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62032456 | Aug 2014 | US | |
62032443 | Aug 2014 | US |