Patent Application
20190069620
Clothing garments are meant to provide utility to the wearer and provide the wearer an opportunity to make a fashion statement. Clothing accessories can be worn and used with clothing garments to change the look of the outfit. Such accessories can include scarves, hats, shawls, etc. However, most standalone accessories are designed to be worn in addition to the clothing garment. The wearer is still then left with the same clothing garment, no matter what accessory is paired with it. If the wearer would like to modify the actual clothing garment to achieve a different look, such modifying can be a time intensive job that requires a skilled hand. The same goes for modifying an accessory. Modifying clothing garments and accessories often requires permanent alterations to the item that are irreversible.
Therefore, improvements in attachable and removable clothing accessories application are desired.
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a removable clothing accessory. In one possible configuration, and by a non-limiting example, a foldable clothing accessory that has a plurality of attachment structures and is configured to be removably attached to an edge of a clothing garment is disclosed.
In one aspect of the present disclosure, a clothing accessory is disclosed. The clothing accessory includes a flat envelope formed from at least two pieces of fabric mated to form the envelope. The envelope defines a generally rectangular shape with a first long edge and an opposing second long edge. The envelope also defines a first short edge and an opposing second short edge. According to one example embodiment, the clothing accessory includes a plurality of attachment structures that are provided adjacent to each of the opposing first and second long edges within the envelope.
In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of attaching a clothing accessory is disclosed. The method includes providing a rectangular clothing accessory that includes a first long edge and an opposing second long edge. The clothing accessory also includes a first short edge and an opposing second short edge. The clothing accessory includes a plurality of attachment structures that are provided adjacent to each of the opposing first and second long edges within a rectangular envelope. The clothing accessory is foldable along a folding line that longitudinally bisects the rectangular envelope. The method includes positioning the first long edge of the clothing accessory adjacent to a first side of a clothing edge. The method includes folding the clothing accessory over the clothing edge about the folding line of the clothing accessory. The method includes positioning the second long edge of the clothing accessory adjacent to a second side of a clothing edge. The method also includes mating the attachment structures positioned at the first long edge with the attachment structures positioned at the second long edge through the clothing.
A variety of additional aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description. Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.
Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
The clothing accessory disclosed herein has many advantages. The clothing accessory is configured to be removably attached to a clothing garment to change the look and/or function of the clothing garment. The clothing accessory 100 is provided as a stand-alone, self-attaching structure that does not need mating attachment mechanisms on the clothing garment. The clothing accessory is easy to store as a flat, rectangular envelope, defined by the clothing accessory of the present disclosure, it can simply be rolled up and tucked away when not in use. Further, the clothing accessory can conform to different curved or straight edges.
The clothing accessory 100 is configured to be positioned on a variety of different types of clothing and clothing accessories such as shirts, jackets, hoods, pants, hats, gloves, scarves, boots, etc. Further, the edge 104 shown and described herein is an example and is meant to be illustrative that the clothing accessory 100 can be attached to any edge of a variety of different types of clothing garments 102.
As shown in
The second piece 116 of the two planar pieces of fabric can be a piece of fabric that is configured to interface with the clothing garment 102. In some examples, the second piece of fabric 116 may include a decorative pattern. And, in other examples, the second piece 116 is different from the first piece 114. In some examples, the second piece 116 is substantially similar to the first piece 114.
In some examples, the attachment structures 128 are neodymium magnets. In some examples, the attachment structures 128 are neodymium magnets having a grade N38 and nickel coated. In other examples, each attachment structure 128 is contained within a pouch 130, such as a plastic pouch. In some examples, the attachment structures 128 each have a pull force between about 5 pounds and 10 pounds. In other examples, the attachment structures 128 each have a pull force of about 7 pounds. In some examples, the attachment structures 128 each have an operating temperature between about 160 degrees Fahrenheit and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. In some examples, the attachment structures 128 each have an operating temperature of about 176 degrees Fahrenheit. In some examples, each attachment structure 128 has a Brmax (i.e., residual induction) of about 12,600 Gauss and a BHmax (i.e., maximum energy product) of about 38 MGOe.
The attachment structures 128 of the clothing accessory 100 are configured such that the first plurality of attachment structures 128a along the first long edge 124a are attracted (e.g., magnetically attracted) to the second plurality of attachment structures 128b along the second edge 124b. In this manner, when the clothing accessory 100 is folded along a line L that longitudinally bisects the rectangular envelope 112 and the first long edge 124a is brought toward the second long edge 124b, the first plurality of attachment structures 128a are coupled (e.g., via a magnetic force) with the second plurality of attachment structures 128b. As such, the attachment structures 128 can capture an edge (e.g., the edge 104) of the clothing garment 102 thereinbetween and provide a mechanism for removably mounting the clothing accessory 100 to that clothing garment 102. Different types, shapes, and sizes of attachment structures 128 can be used as long as the attachment structures 128 used within the envelope 112 are strong enough to provide a clamping effect with the edge 104 of the clothing garment 102 captured thereinbetween.
In some examples, the attachment structures 128 are attached to at least one piece of fabric 114, 116 of the envelope 112. In some examples, the attachment structures 128 are positioned within the envelope 112. It is also contemplated that the attachment structures 128 can be attached to an exterior of the fabric 114, 116. In some examples, the attachment structures 128 are attached to an interlining piece of fabric (shown in
The two opposing long edges 124a, 124b and the two opposing shorter edges 126a, 126b can have a variety of different profiles. In the depicted example, the shorter edges 126a, 126b have a rounded profile so that when the clothing accessory 100 is folded in half along line L, the shorter edges 126a, 126b come together to form a half circle.
Although the clothing accessory 100 has been depicted and described as having a generally rectangular profile, it should be noted that other shapes can be used. As long as the provided shape defines two opposing edges with a sufficient number of attachment structures 128 provided along each edge for the clamping function, shapes other than a rectangular profile are possible.
According to certain embodiments, the clothing accessory 100 can be folded along line L and attached to an edge 104 defined by the edge of a hood of a coat or a jacket via the attachment structures 128. According to other embodiments still, the clothing accessory 100 can be folded and attached around the top portion of a boot. It is also contemplated that the clothing accessory 100 may be attached to other portions of a piece of outerwear. For example, the clothing accessory 100 may be attached to the edges defined by the ends of the sleeves of a coat or a jacket. The envelope 112 gives the clothing accessory 100 the flexibility to conform to different edges provided on the clothing garment 102.
The interlining 115 can be attached to the plurality of attachment structures 128 and positioned between the first and second pieces 114, 116. In some examples, the interlining 115 has less surface area than at least one of the first and second pieces 114, 116 of fabric. In some examples, the interlining 115 is formed from a different material than the material used to form the first and second pieces 114, 116.
In some examples, each pouch 130 of each attachment structure 128 is attached to the interlining 115 first during the manufacturing process. The first and second pieces 114, 116 are then positioned around the interlining 115 and attached to one another such that the interlining is captured therebetween. In some examples, the interlining 115 is attached to both the first and second pieces 114, 116.
The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the inventive aspects of the disclosure. Since many embodiments of the inventive aspects can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, the inventive concepts reside in the claims hereinafter appended.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/553,576, filed on Sep. 1, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62553576 | Sep 2017 | US |
