FIELD
The field relates generally to a closure system for garments and methods of manufacturing and using same.
BACKGROUND
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that millions of people in the United States experience difficulty while they are dressing or undressing. This difficulty can be due to, for example, an injury, a condition, post-operative recovery, and/or a disability that limits an individual's ability to perform one or more tasks that may be needed while getting dressed or undressed. Accordingly, there is a need for garment designs that facilitate dressing and undressing for individuals who may need assistance with such tasks.
SUMMARY
Illustrative embodiments provide a closure system for garments comprising fasteners configured for engaging with each other, and pockets configured for receiving fingers of a user to provide force necessary to bring the fasteners together.
According to an embodiment, a garment comprises a first panel comprising a first pocket and a first fastener on the first panel, and a second panel comprising a second pocket and a second fastener on the second panel. The first fastener couples with the second fastener to close a portion of the garment.
According to an embodiment, a method for closing a garment, comprises inserting a first finger into a first pocket on a first panel of the garment and inserting a second finger into a second pocket on a second panel of the garment. In the method, the first and second panels are brought in contact with each other to couple a first fastener on the first panel with a second fastener on the second panel.
According to an embodiment, a closure system for a garment comprises a first fastener mounted on a first fabric portion, a first pocket formed on the first fabric portion, a second fastener mounted on a second fabric portion, and a second pocket formed on the second fabric portion. The first fastener is configured to engage with the second fastener to close a portion of the garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of first and second fasteners with fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 2A shows an exploded view of the first fastener with fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the first fastener in an assembled configuration with fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of the first fastener in an assembled configuration without fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 3A shows an exploded view of the second fastener with fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the second fastener in an assembled configuration with fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of the second fastener in an assembled configuration without fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 4F show top, perspective, left, front, right and bottom views, respectively, of the first and second fasteners in an engaged configuration without fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E and 5F show top, perspective, left, front, right and bottom views, respectively, of the first and second fasteners in an engaged configuration with fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, 6F and 6G show top, perspective, left, front, right, bottom and back views, respectively, of the first or second fasteners without fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F and 7G show top, perspective, left, front, right, bottom and back views, respectively, of the first or second fasteners with fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 8A and 8B show first and second fasteners individually with fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 8C shows first and second fasteners engaged with each other with fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 9A and 9B show first and second fasteners individually without fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 9C shows first and second fasteners engaged with each other without fabric in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 10 shows a process for engaging and disengaging first and second fasteners to fasten a bra on a user in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E and 11F show front, bottom, top, right, left and back views, respectively, of the first fastener on a right side of the bra shown in FIG. 10 in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, and 12F show front, bottom, top, right, left and back views, respectively, of the second fastener on a left side of the bra shown in FIG. 10 in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F and 13G show top, %, left, front, right, bottom and back views, respectively, of the first fastener on a right side of the bra shown in FIG. 10 in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, 14E, 14F and 14G show top, %, left, front, right, bottom and back views, respectively, of the second fastener on a left side of the bra shown in FIG. 10 in accordance with an embodiment.
FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, 15F and 15G show top, %, right, front, left, bottom and back views, respectively, of the first and second fasteners engaged with each other on the bra shown in FIG. 10 in accordance with an embodiment.
FIG. 16 shows a process for assembling a fastener onto a garment in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a first fastener 100 and a second fastener 110 with corresponding fabric portions 103 and 113 are shown. The first fastener 100 comprises a housing with a back portion 102 and a front portion 101. Similarly, the second fastener 110 comprises a housing with a back portion 112 and a front portion 111. The front portions 101 and 111 are similarly configured, each comprising a plurality of snap fit tabs 106 and 116 and recessed magnet accommodating portions (e.g., recessed portion 105) for receiving magnets 104 and 115. The recessed magnet accommodating portion 105 is shown for the first fastener 100. Although not shown for the second fastener, the front portion 111 of the second fastener 110 also includes a recessed magnet accommodating portion. According to illustrative embodiments, the magnet comprises a 1/16-inch neodymium magnet, but the embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto, and may include another magnet known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The back portions 102 and 112 each comprise a plurality of holes 107 and 117 for receiving respective ones of the plurality of snap fit tabs 106 and 116 through corresponding holes (not shown in FIG. 1) in the fabric portions 103 and 113. Each of the front portions 101 and 111 include a protruding portion (e.g., protruding portion 118) and a receiving portion 109 and 119. Although not shown for the first fastener 100 in FIG. 1, the front portion 101 of the first fastener 100 also includes a protruding portion. When in a coupled or engaged configuration, part of the protruding portion of the first fastener 100 (labelled 108 in subsequent figures described herein) wraps around part of the receiving portion 119 of the second fastener 110, and part of the protruding portion 118 of the second fastener 110 wraps around part of the receiving portion 109 of the first fastener 100.
The receiving portions 109 and 119 each comprise a recessed part, wherein, in a coupled configuration, at least part of the protruding portion of the first fastener 100 and at least part of the protruding portion 118 of the second fastener 110 are respectively inserted into the recessed parts of the receiving portions 119 and 109. In illustrative embodiments, a leading edge of the each of the receiving portions 109 and 119 comprises a chamfer. In illustrative embodiments, the material of the front and back portions 101/111 and 102/112 includes, but is not necessarily limited to, plastic, metal or other material known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
As can be seen in more detail in FIGS. 2A-2C and 3A-3C, the snap fit tabs 106 and 116 have a hook shape. For example, when the first and second fasteners 100 and 110 are assembled with front and back portions of the housings (elements 101 and 102, 111 and 112) coupled to each other, the snap fit tabs 106 and 116 are inserted through holes (not shown) in the fabric portions 103 and 113 and then through corresponding holes 107 and 117 in the back portions 102 and 112. Once through the holes 107 and 117, the hook shape of the snap fit tabs 106 and 116 allows the snap fit tabs 106 and 116 to overlap part of the surface of the back portions 102 and 112 for a secure attachment. As can be understood, the front portions 101 and 111 (also referred to herein as “coupling portions,” “first portions” or “first housing portions”) are on one side of the fabric portions 103 and 113, and the second housing portions 102 and 112 (also referred to herein as “second portions” or “second housing portions”) are on an opposite side of the fabric portions 103 and 113.
Referring to FIGS. 4A-4F and 5A-5F, the first and second fasteners 100 and 110 are engaged with each other in a coupled/engaged configuration. FIGS. 5A-5F are similar to FIGS. 4A-4F, except that FIGS. 5A-5F show the fabric portions 103 and 113, while FIGS. 4A-4F do not show the fabric portions 103 and 113. As shown in FIGS. 4A-4F and 5A-5F, part of the protruding portions 108 and 118 of each of the front portions 101 and 111 respectively wraps around part of the receiving portion 119 of the second fastener 110, and part of the receiving portion 109 of the first fastener 100. In addition, at least part of the protruding portion 108 of the first fastener 100 and at least part of the protruding portion 118 of the second fastener 110 are respectively inserted into the recessed parts of the receiving portions 119 and 109.
Referring, for example, to FIGS. 6A-6G and 7A-7G, the protruding portions 108/118 extend from the front portions 101/111 at an angle (e.g., acute angle) with respect to the top surfaces of the front portions 101/111, and include a hook-like or L-like shape suitable for wrapping around at least part of the receiving portion 109/119 of a mating fastener and being at least partially inserted into a recessed part of the receiving portion 109/119 of a mating fastener. FIGS. 7A-7G are similar to FIGS. 6A-6G, except that FIGS. 7A-7G show the fabric portions 103/113, while FIGS. 6A-6G do not show the fabric portions 103/113.
FIGS. 8A and 8B show first and second fasteners 100 and 110 individually with fabric portions 103 and 113, and FIG. 8C shows the first and second fasteners 100 and 110 engaged with each other with fabric portions 103 and 113. FIGS. 9A-9C are similar to FIGS. 8A-8C, but do not include the fabric portions 103 and 113 so as to provide additional detail of the engagement of first fastener 100 with second fastener 110.
Referring to FIG. 10, a process is shown for engaging and disengaging first and second fasteners 100 and 110 to fasten a bra 260 on a user 250. As can be seen in FIG. 10, and also with reference to FIGS. 11A-11F, 12A-12F, 13A-13G, 14A-14G and 15A-15G, a first finger of the user 250 is inserted into a first pocket 220 on a first panel 200 of the bra 260. A second finger of the user 250 in inserted into a second pocket 230 on a second panel 201 of the bra 260. The first and second panels 200 and 201 are brought in contact with each other to couple a front portion 101 of a first fastener 100 on the first panel 200 with a front portion 111 of a second fastener 110 on the second panel 201. As can be seen by the arrows in FIG. 10, bringing the first and second panels 200 and 201 in contact with each other comprises exerting force (e.g., pulling) on the first and second panels 200 and 201 through the first and second fingers in the first and second pockets 220 and 230. Coupling the front portion 101 of the first fastener 100 with the front portion 111 of the second fastener 110 comprises engaging the protruding portion 108 with the receiving portion 119 and engaging the protruding portion 118 with the receiving portion 109. In addition to the protruding portions 108/118 and receiving portions 109/119, the fasteners are held together by the magnets 104 and 114. For example, the coupling side of magnet 104 (e.g., side facing the magnet 114) has a first polarity and the coupling side of magnet 114 (e.g., side facing the magnet 104) has a second polarity opposite the first polarity so that the magnets 104 and 114 attract each other. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the bra 260 may be unfastened (e.g., fasteners 100 and 110 disengaged) by twisting the fasteners in, for example, a clockwise or counterclockwise motion. The panels 200 and 201 are located on a front portion of a band 261 of the bra 260.
As can be seen in FIGS. 11A-11F, 12A-12F, 13A-13G, 14A-14G and 15A-15G, the panel 200 includes at least one fabric portion 203, which may be the same or similar to fabric portion 103, and the panel 201 includes at least one fabric portion 213, which may be the same or similar to fabric portion 113. The panels 200 and 201 may also include additional layers of fabric. For example, an additional layer(s) of fabric may cover the back portions 102 and 112 of the first and second fasteners 100 and 110 to conceal the back portions 102 and 112. The fabric portions and other fabric layers comprise, for example, materials for garments and undergarments known to those of ordinary skill in the art such as, but not necessarily limited to, cotton, elastic, spandex, polyester, etc.
As can be seen in FIGS. 11A-11F, 13A-13G, and 15A-15F, the first pocket 220 is on a first surface of the panel 200 (e.g., fabric portion 203), and the front portion 101 (e.g., coupling portion) of the first fastener 100 is on a second surface of the panel 200 under the first surface. In other words, the first pocket 220 and the front portion 101 (e.g., coupling portion) of the first fastener 100 are not on the same surface of the panel 200 and are on opposite surfaces. For example, the pocket 220 is on a top surface of the panel 200 (or fabric portion 203) and the front portion 101 (e.g., coupling portion) of the first fastener 100 is on a bottom surface of the panel 200. With respect to left and right orientation, the first pocket 220 and the front portion 101 of the first fastener 100 are offset from each other (e.g., the first pocket 220 is on a left side and the front portion 101 is on a right side of the panel 200 as shown in the figures).
As can be seen in FIGS. 12A-12F, 14A-14G, and 15A-15F, the second pocket 230 is on same surface of the panel 201 (e.g., fabric portion 213) as the front portion 111 (e.g., coupling portion) of the second fastener 110. For example, the pocket 230 and the front portion 111 (e.g., coupling portion) of the second fastener 110 are both on a top surface of the panel 201 (or fabric portion 213). With respect to left and right orientation, the second pocket 230 is adjacent the front portion 111 of the second fastener 200 (e.g., the second pocket 230 is on a right side and the front portion 111 is on a left side of the panel 201 as shown in the figures).
As can be seen, for example, in FIGS. 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, 12B, 12C, 12D, 13A, 13C, 13E, 13F, 14A, 14B, 14C, 14F, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15E and 15F, the pockets 220 and 230 are raised and include a space between the pocket material and the surface of the panel 200/201 in which, for example, a finger may be inserted. The pockets 220 and 230 may be stitched to or attached to the panels 200/201 in ways know to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Referring to FIG. 16, a process for assembling a fastener onto a garment is shown. In the process, garment pieces are cut and fused together, with steps being repeated for both ends of the panels 200 and 201 (panels may also be referred to herein as “plackets”). The center of a section of fabric (e.g., fabric portion 103/203/113/213) where the fastener (also referred to herein as a “clasp”) is to be mounted is marked, and holes or slits where the snap fit tabs 106/116 are to go through are formed. The magnet 104/114 is placed and glued in the recessed magnet accommodating portion (e.g., recessed magnet accommodating portion 105) of the front portion 101/111 with the polarity oriented so that the magnet 104/114 will attract a magnet 104/114 of an opposite fastener 100/110. The snap fit tabs 106/116 are inserted through the fabric portion(s) (e.g., fabric portion 103/203/113/213) so that the hook-like shapes face out toward the edge of the panels 200/201. The back portion of the housing (e.g., portions 102 and 112) are snapped onto the snap fit tabs 106/116 by inserting the snap fit tabs 106/116 through the holes 107/117. The panels 200 and 201 are attached to the bra 260 or another garment. In an illustrative embodiment, the right fastener is disposed over the left fastener. Ends of panel 200/201 are heat pressed to the garment, fastener side facing down.
Although described in terms of a bra, the embodiments are not necessarily limited thereto, and may be applied to other garments or articles of clothing such as, for example, underwear (e.g., to the waistband of underwear), shirts, pants, shorts, skirts, etc.
The embodiments advantageously provide a closure system for garments which facilitates fastening and unfastening of garments and provides solutions for individuals who may need simplified fastening configurations and/or adaptive clothing.
Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments but may be modified by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the functionality described herein may be applied to other embodiments as enhancements or improvements as the design becomes progressively elaborative.
Patent Application
20240108083
