Patent Grant
7971272
None
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to garments and more particularly to children garments or clothing that is expandable or adjustable to accommodate for various growth or development stages of children. This invention more specifically relates to children garments or clothing, such as, sleepers, one-piece outfits with or without footed portions, body suits or rompers that are commonly worn by infants and young children with an expandable or adjustable feature. Also, the present invention relates to an article of clothing that includes shirts, blouses, pants, vests, coats, jackets, vests or other garment types.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is well known in the art to provide an adjustment feature for an article of clothing or garments particularly for infants and young children of novel construction, whereby the article of clothing or garments may be selectively lengthened or shortened, or made larger or smaller, as desired, to accommodate for the growth of an infant or young child.
According to one shortcoming of the prior art, clothing for infants and young children will typically be worn for a short period of time due to their rapid development and growth. This is especially true for seasonal clothing that typically can not be used by the same child the following season. For the most part these clothing articles generally are passed down to some other child in the home, in the community or given to charitable organizations for further use. This is because the life expectancy of clothing or garments worn by infants and young children are normally predicated upon the length of time the clothing will comfortably fit the infants and young children rather than the durability, flexibility and expandability of the clothing or garments.
Another shortcoming of the prior art is that infants and young children clothing are typically designated by sizes corresponding to their ages. As you know infants and young children vary in heights and sizes, even among infants and children of the same age. Such shortcoming has generated a need to provide infants and young children clothing or garments with adjustment means to accommodate for their various sizes and heights due to their growth or development. Such adjustment means allow consumers to reduce the cost of purchasing new clothing for infants and young children because of the rapid growth and development of infants and young children.
In children garments with a foot or boot portion or bootie, one of the major drawbacks is that children feet increase in size and the boot portion or bootie of a pant section becomes too small for infants and young children. Many times the upper body portion and the pant leg portions of children garments still fit comfortably, but the boot portion or bootie is too small and the garments have to be given away, thrown away or the boot portion or bootie has to be cut off, so that infants and young children can still use the garments. At other times, the entire garments become too small and can never be used again for that child or user. In another instant, a child's or user's foot size is too large for the boot portion or bootie, even though the child or user can fit the upper body and pant leg section. This boot portion becomes uncomfortable or too long for the child or user as they walk, causing tripping or the over sized boot portion can be caught in strollers, toys, wheels of scooters, tricycles, bicycles or other types of riding devices. This can cause very serious injuries to children and amass costly and unnecessary medical bills.
As a result of the above shortcomings, various types of adjustment features for infants and children clothing or garments have been developed. Some of these adjustment features can be found in the following prior art patents.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,670,471 teaches an adjustable feature in which children clothing or garments may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the size or growth of children in their development years, through the use of a plurality of tuck sections with respect to sleeves and stitched folds with respect to pant leg section for adjusting the children clothing or garments lengths, sizes and sleeves.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,705,326 teaches an adjustable feature in which children clothing or garments may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the size or growth of children in their development years, through the use of a plurality of fasteners and flaps on garment sleeves and foot portions for adjusting the children clothing or garments lengths, sizes and sleeves.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,714,718 teaches an adjustable feature in which children clothing or garments may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the size or growth of children in their development years, through the use of a plurality of buttons and button holes for adjusting the children clothing or garments lengths, sizes and sleeves.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,505 teaches an adjustable feature in which children clothing or garments may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the size or growth of children in their development years, through the use of a plurality of loop and hook fasteners panels buttons and button holes for adjusting various panels of the children clothing or garments. U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,709 teaches an adjustable feature in which one-piece children clothing or garments may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the size or growth of children in their development years, through the use of a closed sleeves and drawstrings therein and positioned along the garments' side seams for adjusting the children clothing or garments lengths and sizes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,977 teaches an adjustable feature in which one-piece children clothing or garments may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the size or growth of children in their development years, through the use of a plurality of fasteners of various types for allowing an expansion unit to contract or expand as needed for adjusting the children clothing or garments lengths and sizes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,508 teaches an adjustable feature in which children clothing or garments may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the size or growth of children in their development years, through the use of a plurality of fasteners and zipper means for adjusting the children clothing or garments lengths and sizes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,847 teaches an adjustable feature in which one-piece children clothing or garments may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the size or growth of children in their development years, through the use of boot portions of pant leg portions and elastic bands or draw strings to be tied about the wearer's ankle for adjusting the children clothing or garments lengths, sizes and preventing the wearer's foot from sliding in and out of the boot portion or bootie.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0266472 teaches an adjustable feature in which children clothing or garments may be selectively adjusted to accommodate the size or growth of children in their development years, through the use of a plurality of different types fasteners on upper body portions, leg portions and boot portions or booties for adjusting children clothing or garments lengths and sizes.
Although these prior art devices might be creative, and well-though-out inventions, that function well for their intended purpose at the time of their creation, but some, if not all, are cumbersome and timely to adjust, unpleasing appearance, unnecessary fabric or material gathering and limited flexibility as the children clothing or garments are adjusted either by contracting or expanded.
However, the present invention overcomes all of the above shortcomings and provides a unique adjustment feature which is versatile and easy to use, inexpensive to incorporate into any type of garment utilized for infants, children or adults, provides for comfort when in use and maintains an aesthetically pleasing appearance when the children clothing or garments are selectively adjusted, contracted or expanded.
An improved adjustable garment according to one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention includes an improved and unique adjustment feature or element sewn or attached to an interior portion of a body portion, leg portion and sleeve portion of infants and children clothing or garments to selectively adjust and accommodate the length and size of infants and children clothing and garments during their development and growth stages. The garment is a one-piece article of clothing, such as a sleeper, with an upper shirt body portion having a collar with a first wearer entry opening with a pair of parting sections with a plurality of snap fasteners on each section extending from the collar to a selected location on the upper shirt body portion to allow the garment to be placed easily over the head of the user, a pair of sleeves, a pair of pant leg portions and a foot or boot portion or bootie attached to the leg portions of the one-piece garment. Also, the leg portions have a second pair of entry parting sections extending from the crotch area down the leg portions to the foot or boot portion or bootie with a plurality of snap fasteners on each entry parting sections for easy access in putting on and taking off the one-piece garment. Optionally, the first and second wearer entry openings could be a single wearer entry opening with a pair of parting sections with a plurality of fasteners on each parting sections extending from the collar down the leg portions to the foot or boot portion or bootie easy access in putting on and taking off of the garment. It is to be noted that the different wearer entry openings could be positioned either along the front or the back of the one-piece garment, if desired. Note that the sleeves are illustrated as both short and long in the drawings of the present invention. The long sleeves have stretchable cuffs at their respective ends thereof. Further, the unique adjustment feature includes a first plurality of spaced apart pockets sewn or attached to and along an interior portion with a button element attached to and adjacent upper open ends of the pockets opposite lower sewn or attached ends. The plurality of spaced pockets having lower ends that are secured from and adjacent the open ends of the pair of sleeves opposite the upper ends that are attached to the shoulder sections at a selected distance to a desired location extending along the pair of sleeves and being spaced from the open ends attached to the shoulder sections.
Also, the unique adjustment feature or element further includes a second pair of pockets sewn and attached along the front interior pant leg portions, along an upper inside portion of the foot or boot portions or booties with a lower end extending and being sewn or attached to or adjacent the toe portions of the foot or boot portions or booties. An upper open end of the pockets is sewn and attached at selected distance to a desired location on the interior of the front pant leg portions with a button element attached to and adjacent the upper open ends of the pockets opposite the lower sewn or attached ends. Further, the unique adjustment feature further includes a third pair of pockets sewn and attached along the back interior pant leg portions, along a lower inside portion of the foot or boot portions or booties with a lower end extending and being sewn and attached to or adjacent the toe portions of the foot or boot portions or booties. An upper open end of the pockets is sewn and attached at a selected distance to a specific location on the interior of the pant leg portions with a button element attached to and adjacent the upper open ends of the pockets opposite the lower sewn or attached ends.
The plurality of first, second and third pockets as discussed above, further includes an adjustable elastic band or stretchable member with a plurality of space apart button holes that selectively receives the button members as the adjustable elastic band or stretchable members are stretched to a desired button hole position for adjusting infants and children clothing or garments to accommodate various lengths and sizes of infants and children as they grow. An upper end of each of the elastic band or stretchable members extends outwardly of the plurality of first, second and third pockets open ends, with the lower end of the elastic band or stretchable members being sewn or attached to the lower ends of the plurality of pockets. This enables each of the elastic band or stretchable members to be selectively pulled and stretched out of the open ends of the plurality of pockets to connect any of the desired button holes with the plurality of pocket button members to accommodate for infants or children growth or physical dimensional changes in their bodies, while at the same time reducing or eliminating material gathering as the infants or children clothing or garments are adjusted.
According to a second preferred embodiment, an improved adjustable garment of the present invention includes an unique adjustment feature or element being sewn or attached to an interior portion of a body portion adjacent to or along the seams thereof, the waist section of the pant or trouser portion, the pant leg portions of the pant or trouser portion and the sleeves of the shirt body portion of infants and children clothing or garments for selectively adjusting and accommodating the length and size of infants and children clothing or garments during their development and growth stages. The article of clothing or garment of the second preferred embodiment is a detachable three-piece article of clothing with an upper shirt body portion with a pair of sleeves, a detachable pant or trouser portion with a pair of pant leg portions and a foot or boot portion or bootie removably attached to each of the pant leg portions of the detachable pant or trouser portion. Note that the sleeves can be both short and long as depicted in the drawings of the present invention. The long sleeves have stretchable cuffs at their respective ends thereof. The garment utilizes the same adjustment features in the same manner as discussed above in the first embodiment with some modifications. This embodiment includes additional and similar fourth and fifth adjustment features. Note that the second adjustment feature is not a one-piece member as described in the first preferred embodiment; it is divided into plural sections in the second preferred embodiment. The modifications will now be discussed in greater details below.
In the second preferred embodiment, the unique and improved second adjustment feature or element further includes a second pair of pockets that are divided into first and second separate parts. In the first separate part, a pair of pockets are sewn or attached along the pair of front interior pant leg portions extending between lower open ends of the pant leg portions to desired spaced locations thereon. At or near the lower open ends of the pant leg portions, a plurality of spaced apart fasteners is disposed about the circumference thereof. The second separate part includes a pair of pockets that are sewn or attached along an inside portion along the back section, the heel section and the bottom foot section of a pair of foot or boot portions or booties with a lower end extending to and being sewn or attached to or adjacent the toe portion of each of the foot or boot portion or bootie. The pockets having upper open ends that are sewn or attached at a selected distance to a desired location on the interior of the front pant leg portions and on the back section of the pair of foot or boot portions or booties with a button element attached to and adjacent the upper open ends of the pockets opposite the lower sewn or attached ends. Optionally, the foot or boot portions or booties in the second preferred embodiment could have at least a pair of improved adjustment feature being attached and positioned along each side of the foot or boot portions or booties extending from or adjacent the toe portion to a spaced distance at or near the back or heel portion thereof in the same manner as described above.
At or near upper open ends of the pair of foot or boot portions or booties, a plurality of spaced apart fasteners is disposed about the circumference thereof for detachably receiving or engaging the plurality of spaced apart fasteners of the pant leg portions to create a unitary pant or trouser portion and foot or boot portion or bootie clothing article or garment or the flexibility to enable the detachment of the pant or trouser portion from the foot or boot portion or bootie to be used separately or the versatility of using the same or different types of foot or boot portion or booties with the same or different types of pant or trouser portions. This feature allows one to match-up different types of clothing or garment outfits, different color coordination and the prolonging of user wear, which will aid in reducing cost in purchasing new and multiple types of children clothing or garments.
Also, the waist section of the pant or trouser portion includes a unique and improved fourth adjustment feature. This fourth adjustment feature or element includes at least a pair of spaced apart pockets that are sewn or attached along an interior front portion of the waist section with a lower closed end being secured at or adjacent to the side seams of the pant or trouser portion and an upper open end being secured at a selected and spaced location on the interior front portion thereof. If desired, a second pair of adjustments pockets can be disposed along the interior back portion of the waist section and secured in the same manner as the pair of pockets disposed on the interior front portion.
The shirt body portion with the pair of sleeves of the three-piece garment of the second embodiment includes a fifth adjustment feature or element having at least a pair of spaced apart pockets that are preferably sewn or attached along the inside side seams of the shirt body portion and positioned at a selected and spaced distance along the interior side seams. Optionally, the at least a pair of spaced apart pockets could be sewn or attached along the interior front portion of the shirt body portion at or adjacent the inside side seams with a lower closed end being secured at or adjacent to the lower open end of the shirt body portion and an upper open end extending to a selected and spaced distance along the interior front portion of the shirt body portion at or adjacent the inside side seams. Also, at least another pair of spaced apart pockets could be sewn or attached along the interior back portion of the shirt body portion at or adjacent the inside side seams with a lower closed end being secured at or adjacent to the lower open end of the shirt body portion and an upper open end extending to a selected and spaced distance along the interior back portion of the shirt body portion at or adjacent the inside side seams, if desired. The upper open end of the pockets has a button member attached to and adjacent the upper open ends of the pockets opposite the lower sewn or attached ends.
The plurality of second, fourth and fifth pockets of the second preferred embodiment as discussed above, further includes an adjustable elastic band or stretchable member with a plurality of spaced apart button holes that selectively receives the button members as the adjustable elastic band or stretchable members are stretched to a desired button hole position for adjusting infants and children clothing or garments to accommodate various lengths and sizes of infants and children as they grow. An upper end of the elastic band or stretchable member extends outwardly of the plurality of second, fourth and fifth pockets open ends, with the lower end of the elastic band or stretchable member being sewn or attached to the lower ends of the plurality of pockets. This enables each of the elastic band or stretchable members to be selectively pulled and stretched out of the open ends of the plurality of pockets to connect any of the desired button holes with the plurality of pocket button members to accommodate for infants or children growth or development stages, while at the same time reducing or eliminating material gathering as the infants and children clothing or garments are adjusted.
According to a third embodiment of the present invention, another one-piece garment type for infants and children such as a romper type outfit having a pair of short or long sleeves, a shirt body portion with a front section and a back section and an extension or flap member that extends from the back section beyond the front section defining an opening to receive the legs and crotch area of an infant or child. At the lower end of the front section at least a first pair of spaced apart fasteners is disposed thereon and at a lower end of the extension or flap member has at least a second pair of mating fasteners. When the first and second pairs of mating fasteners are snapped together around the legs and crotch of the user or child, a pair of openings for the legs are formed and fit snugly and comfortably thereabout. This one-piece infant or children garment includes the aforementioned improved and unique adjustment feature sewn or attached to an interior portion of a body portion, and sleeve portions of infants and children clothing or garments to selectively adjust and accommodate the length and size of infants and children clothing and garments during their development and growth stages.
The shirt body portion with the pair of sleeves of the one-piece garment of the third embodiment includes a sixth adjustment feature having at least a pair of spaced apart pockets that are preferably sewn or attached along the inside side seams of the shirt body portion and positioned at a selected and spaced distance along the interior side seams in the same manner as previously discussed in the second preferred embodiment. Optionally, the at least a pair of spaced apart pockets could be sewn or attached along the interior front portion of the shirt body portion at or adjacent the inside side seams with a lower closed end being secured at or adjacent to the lower open end of the shirt body portion and an upper open end extending to a selected and spaced distance along the interior front portion of the shirt body portion at or adjacent the inside side seams as previously discussed. Also, at least another pair of spaced apart pockets could be sewn or attached along the interior back section of the shirt body portion at or adjacent the inside side seams with a lower closed end being secured at or adjacent to the lower open end of the shirt body portion and an upper open end extending to a selected and spaced distance along the interior back section of the shirt body portion at or adjacent the inside side seams, if desired, in the same manner as previously discussed in the second preferred embodiment. The upper open end of the pockets has a button member attached to and adjacent the upper open ends of the pockets opposite the lower sewn or attached ends.
The plurality of pockets of the third preferred embodiment as discussed above, further includes an adjustable elastic band or stretchable member with a plurality of spaced apart button holes that selectively receives the button members as the adjustable elastic band or stretchable members are stretched to a desired button hole position for adjusting infants and children clothing or garments to accommodate various lengths and sizes of infants and children as they grow. An upper end of the elastic band or stretchable member extends outwardly of the plurality of second, fourth and fifth pockets open ends, with the lower end of the elastic band or stretchable member being sewn or attached to the lower ends of the plurality of pockets. This enables each of the elastic band or stretchable members to be selectively pulled and stretched out of the open ends of the plurality of pockets to connect the any of the desired button holes with the plurality of pocket button members to accommodate for infants or children growth or development stages and simultaneously reducing or eliminating material gathering as the infants and children clothing or garments are adjusted.
As an option, the front of the extension or flap member could include a pocket and elastic band member adjustment feature that has its lower closed end attached at or adjacent the fasteners thereon and the upper open end being attached at a spaced and selected distance along the extension or flap member, if desired.
The sleeves of the one-piece garment of the third embodiment includes the same at least a pair of the adjustment pockets and elastic band member adjustment feature in the same manner as described above in the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention.
Preferably, the fasteners on the wearer entry openings, the button member and the plural button holes fastener for the pocket and elastic band member, the fasteners on the foot or boot portion or bootie and the pant or trouser portion and the fasteners on the one-piece garment with the extension or flap member can take on various other types of fasteners. This includes buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop type materials (e.g. Velcro), snaps including metallic or plastic snaps, magnets, or any other mechanism that may be used to conveniently attach and detach sections of clothing from each other. Note that the fasteners may have matching cloth material covering them to match the material of the children clothing or garments.
The pocket and elastic band member adjustment features of the present invention can be utilized with an article of clothing or garments that includes romper or one-piece outfits, multiple piece outfits, shirts, blouses, dresses, pants or trousers, bibs, vests, coats, jackets, gowns, lingerie (all apparel types), hospital garments, maternity garments, uniforms or other types of clothing or garments. Also, the pocket and elastic band member adjustment feature of the present invention can be utilized with belts and shoes, if desired.
Optionally, a typical elastic or stretchable waist band could be utilized in the present invention, that is well known in prior art.
Also, a preventive type of material could be utilized on the bottom of the foot or boot portions or booties of the first and second preferred embodiments of the present invention to prevent slippage and sliding as children walk along slippery surfaces, such as hardwood, tile, brick, linoleum, marble or vinyl floors, etc.
In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, the article of clothing or children garments could typically, although not necessarily, be children sleeping wear. Also, the type of material that the children garments are made out of could be the same soft and elastic sleeping garment materials used to make existing pajamas, if desired. However, any type of clothing material could be used to make the children clothing or garments. Preferably, materials such as cotton, polyester, acrylic textile, rayon, silk, satin, linen, terry cloth, jean, leather or any combination thereof, to name just a few, are some of the materials of preferred interest that is well known in the art.
The present invention may be better understood, along with its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings.
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to drawings. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in
As illustrated in
The aforementioned unique and improved adjustment feature includes a first plurality of spaced apart pockets 25 that are sewn or attached to and along an interior portion of the sleeves 12 with a button member 28 attached to and adjacent the upper open ends of the pockets opposite the lower sewn or attached ends. The plurality of spaced pockets 25 having lower ends that are secured from and adjacent the open ends of the pair of sleeves 12 opposite the upper ends that are attached to the shoulder sections at a selected distance to a desired location extending along the pair of sleeves 12 and being spaced from the open ends attached to the shoulder sections.
Also, the unique adjustment feature further includes a second pair of pockets 18 that is sewn and attached along front interior pant leg portions 13, along an upper inside portion 18a of the foot or boot portions or booties with a lower end extending and being sewn or attached to or adjacent the toe portions of the foot or boot portions or booties. An upper open end of the pockets 18 is sewn and attached at selected distance to a desired location on the interior of the front pant leg portions with a button member 21 attached to and adjacent the upper open ends of the pockets 18 opposite the lower sewn or attached ends.
Optionally, a typical elastic or stretchable waist band could be utilized at or near a waist section along the back or rear body portion 11 of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, that is well known in prior art, if desired.
As illustrated in
The plurality of first pockets 25 of sleeves 12 as illustrated in
The second and third pockets 18 as shown in
Referring now to
This three-piece article of clothing or garment 30 of the second embodiment includes a shirt body portion 31 with a pair of sleeves 32 with the same previous discussed first improved and unique adjustment features of the first preferred embodiment, a non-referenced upper neck entry opening defining a collar and a lower non-referenced body opening. The second piece of the article of clothing or garment 30 includes a pair of pant or trouser leg portions 33 with a plurality of the improved and unique adjustment features disposed thereon, a first plurality of spaced apart snap fasteners around the circumference of the lower opening of the pant or trouser leg portions 33 and a waist portion 33a with a plurality of the improved and unique adjustment features disposed thereon. The third piece of the article of clothing or garment 30 includes a pair of foot or boot portions or booties 48 with a second plurality of spaced apart snap fasteners around the circumference of the upper open foot entry of the pair of foot or boot portions or booties 48 that allows for attaching and detaching the snap fasteners on the leg portions 33 to and from the snap fasteners on the foot or boot portions or booties 48. This allows the three-piece garment 30 to become a two-piece garment without the foot or boot portions or booties 48, if desired.
In the second preferred embodiment, the unique and improved second adjustment feature is different than the second adjustment feature has been modified into multiple parts. The multiple parts include a second pair of pockets that are divided into first and second separate units. In the first separate unit, a pair of pockets 42 are sewn or attached along the front interior pant leg portions 33 extending between lower open ends of the pant leg portions 33 to desired spaced locations thereon. At or near the lower open ends of the pant leg portions, a plurality of spaced apart fasteners 46 is disposed about the circumference thereof. The pockets 42 of the first separate unit have lower closed ends that are sewn or attached at or adjacent the lower open ends of the pant leg portions 33, the opposite or upper open ends are sewn or attached at a selected distance to a desired location on the interior of the front pant leg portions 33. The second separate unit includes a pair of pockets 48a that are sewn or attached along a back inside portion along a heel section to a bottom foot section of the pair of foot or boot portions or booties 48 with a lower closed end extending to and being sewn or attached to or adjacent the toe portion of the foot or boot portions or booties 48. Optionally, the foot or boot portions or booties 48 in the second preferred embodiment could have at least a pair of improved adjustment feature being attached and positioned along each side of the foot or boot portions or booties 48 extending from or adjacent the toe portion to a spaced distance at or near the back or heel portion thereof in the same manner as described above, if desired.
Referring now to the waist section 33a of the pant or trouser leg portions 33 includes a unique and improved fourth adjustment feature thereon. This fourth adjustment feature includes at least a pair of spaced apart pockets 38 that are sewn or attached along an interior front portion of the waist section 33a with a lower closed end being secured at or adjacent to the inherent top side seams of the pant or trouser leg portions 33 and an upper open end being secured at a selected and spaced location on the interior front portion thereof. If desired, a second pair of adjustments pockets 38 can be disposed along the interior back portion of the waist section 33a (not shown) and secured in the same manner as the pair of pockets 38 disposed on the interior front portion of the waist section 33a. Optionally, a typical elastic or stretchable waist band could be utilized along the waist 33a of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention to replace the above fourth adjustment feature, that is well known in prior art, if desired.
The shirt body portion 31 of the three-piece garment of the second embodiment includes a fifth adjustment feature having at least a pair of spaced apart pockets 34 that are preferably sewn or attached along the inside side seams of the shirt body portion 31 and positioned at a selected and spaced distance along the interior side seams. Optionally, the at least a pair of spaced apart pockets 34 can be sewn or attached along the interior front portion of the shirt body portion 31 at or adjacent the inside side seams with a lower closed end being secured at or adjacent to the lower open end of the shirt body portion 31 and an upper open end of the pockets 34 extending to a selected and spaced distance along the interior front portion of the shirt body portion at or adjacent the inside side seams. Also, at least another pair of spaced apart pockets 34 (not shown) could be sewn or attached along the interior back portion of the shirt body portion at or adjacent the inside side seams (not shown) with a lower closed end being secured at or adjacent to the lower open end of the shirt body portion 31 and an upper open end extending to a selected and spaced distance along the interior back portion (not shown) of the shirt body portion 31 at or adjacent the inside side seams, if desired. The upper open end of the pockets 34 has a button member 37 attached to and adjacent the upper open ends of the pockets 34 opposite the lower sewn or attached ends.
The second pockets 42 and 48a of the second preferred embodiment as discussed above, further include adjustable elastic bands or stretchable members 43 and 48c with a plurality of space apart button holes 44 and 48d that selectively receives the button members 45 and 48b as the adjustable elastic band or stretchable members 43 and 48c are stretched to a desired button hole position for adjusting the article of clothing or garment 30 to accommodate various lengths and sizes of infants and children as they grow. The fourth pockets 38 of the second preferred embodiment as discussed above, further include adjustable elastic bands or stretchable members 39 with a plurality of space apart button holes 40 that selectively receives the button members 41 as the adjustable elastic band or stretchable members 39 are stretched to a desired button hole position for adjusting the article of clothing or garment 30 to accommodate various lengths and sizes of infants and children as they grow. The fifth pocket 34 of the second preferred embodiment as discussed above, further includes adjustable elastic bands or stretchable members 35 with a plurality of space apart button holes 36 that selectively receives the button members 37 as the adjustable elastic band or stretchable members 35 are stretched to a desired button hole position for adjusting the article of clothing or garment 30 to accommodate various lengths and sizes of infants and children as they grow.
An upper end of each of the elastic band or stretchable members 43 and 48c, 39 and 35 extends outwardly of the open ends of the second pockets 42, 48a, the fourth pockets 38 and the fifth pockets 34, with the lower ends of each of the elastic band or stretchable members 43 and 48c, 39 and 35 being sewn or attached to the inside of the lower closed ends of the plurality of pockets 42 and 48a, 38 and 34.
In operation, an adult, wearer or user can easily grasp the outward extended upper ends of the elastic band or stretchable members 43 and 48c, 39 and 35 to be selectively pulled and stretched out of the open ends of the plurality of pockets 42 and 48a, 38 and 34 to connect the desired button holes 44, 48d, 40 and 36 with the plurality of pocket button members 45, 48b, 41 and 37 to an adjusted position to accommodate dimensional changes of an infant, child or individual such as leg length, leg circumference, arm length, arm circumference or waistline circumference, while at the same time reducing or eliminating material gathering as the article of clothing or garment 30 is adjusted.
Also shown in
The one piece garment 50 has a pair of short or long sleeves 52 (see
The shirt body portion 51 with the pair of sleeves 52 of the one-piece garment of the third embodiment includes a sixth adjustment feature having at least a pair of spaced apart pockets 61 that are preferably sewn or attached along the inside side seams of the shirt body portion 51 and positioned at a selected and spaced distance along the interior side seams in the same manner as previously discussed in the second preferred embodiment. Optionally, the at least a pair of spaced apart pockets 61 could be sewn or attached along the interior front portion of the shirt body portion 51 at or adjacent the inside side seams with a lower closed end being secured at or adjacent to the lower open end of the shirt body portion and an upper open end extending to a selected and spaced distance along the interior front portion of the shirt body portion 51 at or adjacent the inside side seams as previously discussed. Also, at least another pair of spaced apart pockets 61 (not shown) could be sewn or attached along the interior back section of the shirt body portion 51 at or adjacent the inside side seams with a lower closed end being secured at or adjacent to the lower open end of the shirt body portion 51 and an upper open end extending to a selected and spaced distance along the interior back section of the shirt body portion 51 at or adjacent the inside side seams, if desired, in the same manner as previously discussed in the second preferred embodiment. The pockets 61 have a button member 64 attached to and adjacent the upper open ends of the pockets 61 opposite the lower sewn or attached ends.
Also, the plurality of pockets 61 further includes an adjustable elastic band or stretchable member 62 with a plurality of spaced apart button holes 63 that selectively receives the button members 64 as the adjustable elastic band or stretchable members 62 are stretched to a desired button hole position for adjusting the article of clothing or garment 50 to accommodate various lengths and sizes of infants and children as they grow. An upper end of the elastic band or stretchable members 62 extends outwardly of the pockets 61 open ends, with the lower end of the elastic band or stretchable members 62 being sewn or attached to the lower ends of the pockets 61.
In operation, the outward extending upper ends of the elastic band or stretchable members 62 can be easily grasped and selectively pulled and stretched out of the open ends of the plurality of pockets to connect the desired button holes 63 with the plurality of pocket button members 64 to reduce or eliminate material gathering as the article of clothing or garment 50 are adjusted to accommodate for infants or children growth or physical dimensional changes.
In conclusion, the foregoing descriptions of the preferred embodiments of
Even though it is not illustrated in the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the long sleeves of the article of clothing or garment could have rolled up or turned back cuffs thereon that can be pulled over infants or children hands to prevent scratching, if desired. Note that the rolled up or turned back cuffs could be detachable glove-like members with detachable fasteners thereon to mate with complimentary fasteners disposed at or adjacent the end of the sleeves or the cuffs of the sleeves. The fasteners can take on many various types that may be used to conveniently attach and detach sections of clothing from each other as mentioned earlier.
Also, it should be understood that that many other uses will be found for the instant invention disclosure and many alterations, modifications, and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Such are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 461434 | Henry | Oct 1891 | A |
| 823534 | Hutchinson | Jun 1906 | A |
| 1157265 | Tutelman | Oct 1915 | A |
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