CLOSURE DEVICE

Abstract

A closure device and garments including said closure device, said closure device including a first portion including a non-slip material and a reversibly attachable fastening element attached to a surface of the first portion, and a second portion including a non-slip material, where the fastening element of the first portion is configured to reversibly attach to the non-slip material of the second portion when the fastening element of the first portion is brought into contact with the non-slip material of the second portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to closures, and more particularly to closures for reversibly securing two items to one another or for reversibly securing two portions of an item to one another, such as in apparel including brassieres, sport gloves, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Brassieres commonly include various straps, such as a back band strap and shoulder straps. Wearers often find these straps to be uncomfortable on the wearers' skin or difficult to adjust or remain in place, such as by being too loose or too tight when in use. Moreover, closures for such straps, e.g., hook-and-eye closures, are often cumbersome and difficult for a wearer to manipulate. There is a need for a closure device that may work in conjunction with such straps in an apparel item or garment, e.g., brassiere, to adequately address these shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, in one aspect, the invention features a closure device including a first portion including a non-slip material and a reversibly attachable fastening element attached to a surface of the first portion, and a second portion including a non-slip material, where the fastening element of the first portion is configured to reversibly attach to the non-slip material of the second portion when the fastening element of the first portion is brought into contact with the non-slip material of the second portion.

Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The non-slip material of the first portion may be an elastic material. The non-slip material of the first portion may include spandex. The non-slip material of the second portion may be an elastic material. The non-slip material of the second portion may include spandex. The fastening element may be a hook-and-loop fastener. The first portion may be disposed at an end of a first strap. The second portion may be disposed at an end of a second strap. The first strap may be affixed to the first portion through a V-shaped slot of the first portion or the second strap may be affixed to the second portion through a V-shaped slot of the second portion.

In general, in another aspect, the invention features a garment including at least one closure device, where the closure device includes a first portion including a non-slip material and a reversibly attachable fastening element attached to a surface of the first portion, and a second portion including a non-slip material, where the fastening element of the first portion is configured to reversibly attach to the non-slip material of the second portion when the fastening element of the first portion is brought into contact with the non-slip material of the second portion.

Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The non-slip material of the first portion may be an elastic material. The non-slip material of the first portion may include spandex. The non-slip material of the second portion may be an elastic material. The non-slip material of the second portion may include spandex. The fastening element may be a hook-and-loop fastener. The first portion may be disposed at an end of a first strap. The second portion may be disposed at an end of a second strap. The first strap may be affixed to the first portion through a V-shaped slot of the first portion or the second strap may be affixed to the second portion through a V-shaped slot of the second portion. The garment may be a brassiere, and the first strap and the second strap may be corresponding wings of a back strap of the brassiere or corresponding parts of a shoulder strap of the brassiere. The garment may be a brassiere or a sport glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a strap according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the strap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the strap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the strap of FIG. 1 looped around a ring;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the strap of FIG. 1 looped around a ring;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a brassiere having straps according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a front view of a closure device according to one embodiment of the present invention in an open position;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the closure device of FIG. 7A in the open position;

FIG. 8A is a front view of the closure device of FIG. 7A in a closed position; and

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the closure device of FIG. 7A in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a strap of an embodiment of the present invention, specifically strap 1 for use in apparel, such as brassieres, sport gloves, and the like. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, strap 1 includes a first layer 10 and a second layer 20. First layer 10 and second layer 20 may be affixed or adhered to each other, such as by the use of hot melt, hot glue, or polyurethane, or may be disposed on and affixed or adhered to opposite sides of an intermediary layer or substrate, such as one composed of rubber.

In a preferred embodiment, first layer 10 is composed of a non-slip and/or elastic material, such as spandex. In a preferred embodiment, second layer 20 is composed of a fabric material, such as microfiber or tricot. In a preferred embodiment, first layer 10 of strap 1 is in contact with the user's skin or body, e.g., shoulder, wrist, hand, etc., and where first layer 10 is composed on a non-slip material, the strap is better able to maintain its position.

The strap of the present invention preferably has at least one fastening element on at least one end of the strap. The at least one end of the strap may have a tapered shape. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, the tapered end of strap 1 includes fastening element 30 affixed or adhered to second layer 20, such as by the use of hot melt, hot glue, or polyurethane. The fastening element of the present invention may include any industry-accepted fastening mechanism, such as hook-and-loop fasteners or VELCRO. The fastening element of the present invention is preferably configured to reversibly attach to the strap, such as to the second layer, upon the strap being folded back onto itself, thereby creating a closed loop. Through this configuration, also illustrated in FIGS. 4-5, the strap may be employed in apparel by wrapping this closed loop around an element of the pertinent apparel, e.g., a ring in a brassiere, such as ring 2. The strap of the present invention may be adjusted based on the location on which the fastening element is reversibly attached to the strap, thereby altering the functional length of the strap. For example, if a shorter functional strap length is desired, the fastening element would be in contact with a farther location on the strap, thereby creating a larger closed loop. Additionally, if a longer functional strap length is desired, the fastening element would be in contact with a closer location on the strap, thereby creating a smaller closed loop.

FIG. 6 illustrates a brassiere having straps according to one embodiment of the present invention. Brassiere 100 includes strap 101 looped around ring 102. Strap 101 includes a first layer 110 and a second layer 120, which correspond to the first and second layers previously described. Strap 101 includes a fastening element for adjusting the length of strap 101 upon being looped around ring 102, where the adjustment is based on the location on which the fastening element is reversibly attached to strap 101, particularly on second layer 120 of strap 101. Although ring 102 is illustrated in connection with the front panels of brassiere 100 in FIG. 6, a brassiere of the present invention may include a ring on one or both front panels, one or both back panels, front portions of one or both shoulder straps, and/or back portions of one or both shoulder straps. As such, a fastening element may be disposed on one or both ends of a strap of the present invention.

While a primary application of the strap of the present invention is its use as a shoulder strap in a brassiere, the strap may also be utilized as the back strap in a brassiere, replacing the traditional hook-and-eye closure. Additionally, the strap may be utilized in other apparel requiring an adjustable strap. Another application is use of the strap in sport gloves, with such sports including golf, baseball, cricket, football, lacrosse, cycling (road, mountain, BMX), skiing, snowboarding, climbing, fishing, and hunting.

FIGS. 7-8, namely FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B, illustrate a closure device of an embodiment of the present invention, specifically closure device 200 for use in apparel, such as brassieres, sport gloves, and the like. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7-8, closure device 200 includes a first portion 201 and a second portion 202. First portion 201 and second portion 202 may each be composed of a non-slip and/or elastic material, such as spandex. Additionally, first portion 201 may include a fastening element affixed or adhered to a surface of first portion 201, such as by the use of hot melt, hot glue, or polyurethane. The fastening element may include any industry-accepted fastening mechanism, such as hook-and-loop fasteners or VELCRO, capable of reversible attachment to the material of second portion 202. The surface of first portion 201 including the fastening element is preferably contacted with a surface of second portion 202 to reversibly attach first portion 201 to second portion 202 and place closure device 200 in a closed position, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B.

Closure device 200 may serve to secure two items to one another or two portions of an item to one another. First portion 201 is shown affixed to strap 211 through V-shaped opening or slot 203, and second portion 202 is shown affixed to strap 212 through V-shaped opening or slot 204. Straps 211 and 212 may be inserted into respective V-shaped openings or slots 203 and 204 and permanently affixed therein, such as by stitching or adhesive, to attach strap 211 to first portion 201 and strap 212 to second portion 202.

In a non-limiting example, straps 211 and 212 are wings of a brassiere back strap or band. In this embodiment, closure device 200 serves a back closure member of a brassiere, replacing the traditional hook-and-eye closure. While a primary application of the closure device of the present invention is its use in connection with a back strap or band in a brassiere, the closure device may also be utilized in connection with one or more shoulder straps in a brassiere. Additionally, the closure device may be utilized in other apparel requiring a reversible closure mechanism. Another application is use of the closure device in sport gloves, with such sports including golf, baseball, cricket, football, lacrosse, cycling (road, mountain, BMX), skiing, snowboarding, climbing, fishing, and hunting.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular feature or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A closure device comprising: a first portion comprising a non-slip material and a reversibly attachable fastening element attached to a surface of the first portion; anda second portion comprising a non-slip material;wherein the fastening element of the first portion is configured to reversibly attach to the non-slip material of the second portion when the fastening element of the first portion is brought into contact with the non-slip material of the second portion.

2. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the non-slip material of the first portion is an elastic material.

3. The closure device of claim 2, wherein the non-slip material of the first portion comprises spandex.

4. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the non-slip material of the second portion is an elastic material.

5. The closure device of claim 4, wherein the non-slip material of the second portion comprises spandex.

6. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the fastening element is a hook-and-loop fastener.

7. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the first portion is disposed at an end of a first strap.

8. The closure device of claim 7, wherein the second portion is disposed at an end of a second strap.

9. The closure device of claim 8, wherein the first strap is affixed to the first portion through a V-shaped slot of the first portion or the second strap is affixed to the second portion through a V-shaped slot of the second portion.

10. A garment comprising: at least one closure device;wherein the closure device comprises: a first portion comprising a non-slip material and a reversibly attachable fastening element attached to a surface of the first portion; anda second portion comprising a non-slip material;wherein the fastening element of the first portion is configured to reversibly attach to the non-slip material of the second portion when the fastening element of the first portion is brought into contact with the non-slip material of the second portion.

11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the non-slip material of the first portion is an elastic material.

12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the non-slip material of the first portion comprises spandex.

13. The garment of claim 10, wherein the non-slip material of the second portion is an elastic material.

14. The garment of claim 13, wherein the non-slip material of the second portion comprises spandex.

15. The garment of claim 10, wherein the fastening element is a hook-and-loop fastener.

16. The garment of claim 10, wherein the first portion is disposed at an end of a first strap.

17. The garment of claim 16, wherein the second portion is disposed at an end of a second strap.

18. The garment of claim 17, wherein the first strap is affixed to the first portion through a V-shaped slot of the first portion or the second strap is affixed to the second portion through a V-shaped slot of the second portion.

19. The garment of claim 17, wherein the garment is a brassiere, and wherein the first strap and the second strap are corresponding wings of a back strap of the brassiere or corresponding parts of a shoulder strap of the brassiere.

20. The garment of claim 10, wherein the garment is a sport glove.