Patent Application
20150359267
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally compression undergarments. More particularly the present invention relates to a compression undergarment having a region of fabric that appears to be a non-compression, fashionable garment.
2. Description of Related Art
In many professional settings, as well as public or private settings where a stylish look is desired, clothing is layered to provide a unique look. Often layered clothing has parts of the under layers partially protruding from the outer layer. One common example is wearing a sweater over a button down shirt or a golf shirt, among others. In this embodiment, a collar or the button down shirt or golf shirt protrudes from the neck opening of the sweater. Similar looks may be achieved by other garment combinations.
One downside to the above mentioned layering is that, for many, it may be difficult to maintain an ideal body form, and this may be accentuated by the layered garments, both by the lack of shaping, as well as the added thickness of the multiple layers.
Another downside to the above mentioned layering is that the garments worn under the undergarment often bunch and become uncomfortable and can have an unkempt look.
Therefore, what is needed is a device that may provide a thin, comfortable undergarment which may provide some compression and shaping that may appear to be a complete collared shirt when a sweater or other over garment is worn over it.
The subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.
In one aspect, a compression undergarment shirt is provided. The undergarment shirt comprises a compression portion, and a fashionable portion connected together. The compression portion forms a torso of the undergarment shirt, while the fashionable portion is formed as a professional, fashionable or otherwise stylish shirt and makes up the neck hole, upper chest and back region of the shirt.
In another aspect, a clothing assembly is provided. The clothing assembly comprises a compression undergarment worn by a wearer, and a sweater positioned over the compression undergarment. The compression undergarment comprises a compression portion and a fashionable portion connected together. The compression portion is positioned about a torso of the wearer and tightly fits thereon. The fashionable portion is positioned about a neck and forms the neck hole of the compression undergarment. The fashionable portion is formed as part of a professional and/or stylish shirt which is made of a different material from the compression undergarment. As such, the sweater conceals substantially all of the compression portion of the undergarment, and exposes at least a part of the fashionable portion. This assembly provides an appearance that the wearer is wearing a full professional and/or stylish shirt (such as a button down, Polo® or similar golf shirt, turtleneck, or the like) underneath the sweater.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
Generally, the present invention concerns a compression undergarment that has a first portion with a compression fabric configured to compress and/or shape a wearer's body, and a second portion that resembles a professional, stylish, and/or fashionable shirt. These two portions are connected together by, for example, being knitted, stitched, sewn, or otherwise attached, via a fabric or otherwise.
This second, professional, stylish and/or fashionable portion may be displayed, while the compression undergarment may be covered by, for example, a sweater, blazer, coat, or the like. As such, the undergarment may be partially visible out of an over garment such as a sweater, and provides an appearance that a full fashionable shirt is being worn. Thus, the present invention can provide a look such as a golf shirt, button down shirt, etc. being worn under a sweater, while at the same time being more comfortable than the full shirt, providing compression and/or shaping, and not bunching, and being generally more comfortable than the full shirt.
Examples of compression fabric that may form the compression portion may be any stretchable fabric capable of providing some level of compression to a wearer's torso. For example, the compression fabric may be a spandex, elastic, or similar fabric, tight fitting nylon, polyester, polypropylene or similar synthetic fabric, elastic-cotton or other blend, and the like. In many embodiments, the compression fabric may be any material capable of at least substantially elastic, meaning that it is capable of stretching to compress a wearer's body, particularly a wearer's torso and midsection. The compression portion is configured to snugly fit about a torso of the wearer.
In varying embodiments, compression and shaping may have different levels of compression. For example, in one embodiment, the compression portion may have a slightly flexible, light fabric and snug fit. This embodiment may be useful for a wearer who does not require much compression or shaping, and desires a comfortable, thin undergarment. In this embodiment, the compression fabric may be thin, and be as thin as or thinner than the fashionable portion fabric. In another embodiment, the compression portion may be a heavy compressing and shaping fabric, possibly comprising reinforcement such as boning and the like. This embodiment may be useful for a wearer who desires a substantial shaping and compression from the undergarment. In this embodiment, the compression fabric may be thicker than the fashionable portion fabric. In still another embodiment, the compression portion may be something in between the light fabric and heavy compressing fabric, providing a moderate compression. This embodiment may be useful for a wearer who desires partial compression and shaping from the undergarment. In this embodiment, the compression fabric may be substantially thicker, perhaps 1.5, 2, or 3 times thicker, and in some cases more, than the fashionable portion fabric. The compression portion may have long sleeves, ¾ length sleeves short sleeves, or no sleeves.
The professional, stylish and/or fashionable portion (hereinafter referred to as the “fashionable portion”) of the undergarment may be formed of any fabric and in any style generally accepted as professional, work clothing, and/or stylish clothing, fashionable clothing, and the like. In many embodiments, the fashionable portion may have a collar, as is generally known to be a feature of fashionable shirts. Generally, the fashionable portion is distinguished from a gym shirt. T-shirt, or compression undergarment, and may be any generally acceptable stylish clothing, particularly stylish shirts. The fashionable portion will be formed of a different material from the compression portion. For example, in one embodiment, the fashionable portion may be formed as a collar and button down resembling a full collared, button down shirt. In another embodiment, the fashionable portion may be formed as a golf shirt collar, such as a Polo® shirt and equivalent, buttons, and material. In still another embodiment, the fashionable portion may be formed as a turtle neck or mock turtleneck. In many embodiments, the fashionable portion is made of a substantially non-elastic material. While it may have some stretchability or flexibility based on the fabric, it will be generally much less stretchable than the compression portion.
The fashionable portion may further comprise a second region at an end of a long sleeved embodiment of the compression portion. In this embodiment, the second region may have cuffs at the end of the long sleeves. These cuffs may be formed of a same material as the collar area.
In a preferred embodiment, the fashionable portion may be over the neck hole region of a shirt compression undergarment. The neck hole region may extend on a front and back of the shirt sufficiently to not expose the compression portion when an over garment is worn. In one embodiment having a button down collared shirt fashionable portion, the buttons may extend four buttons down from the collar, approximately 1-6 inches to the left and right of the collar, and approximately 3-12 inches down the back of the shirt from the collar. In another embodiment, the fashionable portion may extend 2-12 inches down the front of the undergarment. In yet another embodiment, the fashionable portion may extend 1-6 niches from the neck towards the shoulder on each side, 2-8 inches down the front, and 1-8 inches down the back. In yet still another embodiment, the fashionable portion may extend down to approximately the end of the wearer's sternum, and an equal distance down the back. The remainder of the undergarment in these embodiments is formed by the compression portion.
It should be noted that typically button down shirts, golf shirt, and turtle necks often bunch and crumple when worn under a sweater or other over garment. The present invention is particularly advantageous because its thin material and snug fit largely eliminates this bunching. This makes for a more comfortable wearing experience, better look, and easier donning and removal of the over garment, even if no compression or shaping is needed for the user.
Turning now to
The undergarment further comprises the second, fashionable portion shown in this embodiment as a collared, button down shirt. The fashionable portion 11 comprises a collar 12, which may be button down 13 as shown, or not, and may be of varying size and shape. The fashionable portion 11 further comprises four buttons 14 that extend far enough down the user's chest to make it appear that a complete button down shirt is being worn when covered by a sweater or other similar over garment. In other words, when the over garment is worn, none, or substantially none, of the compression portion is exposed because it is covered by the over garment. It should be understood that substantially all of the compression portion is generally covered by the over garment, meaning that in some cases the compression portion may be exposed depending on movement, unorthodox use of the over garment, and the like. However, during proper and standard use, the compression portion should be covered. Similarly, the fashionable portion 11 extends down the shoulders and back sufficiently to make it appear that a complete button down shirt is being worn.
The fashionable portion 31, as noted, is formed having a golf shirt collar and adjacent region. As such, it may be formed of common golf shirt material, having a collar 32, and three buttons 33 extending down from the neck opening. The fashionable portion 31 extends down the chest beyond the three buttons 33 to approximately a wearer's sternum. It extends to the left and right of the neck opening sufficiently to be covered by a sweater or similar over garment. As seen in
The fashionable portion 51, as noted, is formed having a mock turtleneck 52 and adjacent region. As such, it may be formed of common turtleneck shirt material such as cotton, wool, synthetic fabrics, and the like. The fashionable portion 51 extends down the chest to approximately a wearer's sternum.
It extends to the left and right of the neck opening sufficiently to be covered by a sweater or similar over garment. As seen in
The undergarment further comprises the second, fashionable portion shown in this embodiment as a collared, button down shirt. The fashionable portion 11 comprises a collar 12, which may be button down 13 as shown, or not, and may be of varying size and shape. The fashionable portion 11 further comprises four buttons 14 that extend far enough down the user's chest to make it appear that a complete button down shirt is being worn when covered by a sweater or other similar over garment. Similarly, the fashionable portion 11 extends down the shoulders and back sufficiently to make it appear that a complete button down shirt is being worn.
In addition, the fashionable portion 11 further comprises cuffs 70 at the ends of each long sleeve. Cuffs 70 may be configured to protrude fully or slightly from the sleeves of the sweater or other over garment. The cuffs 70 may further provide the appearance that an entire fashionable shirt, such as a full button down shirt, is being worn.
The undergarment further comprises the second, fashionable portion 91 shown in this embodiment as a collared, golf shirt. As such, the fashionable portion 91 may be formed of common golf shirt material, having a collar 92, and buttons 93 extending down from the neck opening. The fashionable portion 91 extends down the chest beyond the buttons 93 to approximately a wearer's sternum. It extends to the left and right of the neck opening sufficiently to be covered by a sweater or similar over garment. As seen in
The undergarment further comprises the second, fashionable portion 111 shown in this embodiment as a collared, button down shirt. The fashionable portion 111 comprises a collar 112, which may be button down, or not, and may be of varying size and shape. The fashionable portion 111 further comprises four buttons 113 that extend far enough down the user's chest to make it appear that a complete button down shirt is being worn when covered by a sweater or other similar over garment. Similarly, the fashionable portion 111 extends down the shoulders and back sufficiently to make it appear that a complete button down shirt is being worn.
In addition, the fashionable portion 111 further comprises cuffs 114 at the ends of each long sleeve. Cuffs 114 may be configured to protrude fully or slightly from the sleeves of the sweater or other over garment. The cuffs 114 may further provide the appearance that an entire fashionable shirt, such as a full button down shirt, is being worn.
While several variations of the present invention have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present invention, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.
