Patent Application
20220061439
This disclosure generally relates to a clothing accessory that biases a shirttail to a flat and fully extended position, systems that include the accessory and associated garments, and methods of using the same.
A smooth, tucked in shirt is a staple of many professional workplaces and organizational uniforms, including for military personnel, private schools, and business and other professional offices. Shirt stays are used to hold a wearer's shirt in place and are generally made of an elastic strap that connects the bottom of the wearer's shirt to the wearer's socks or as a stirrup around the wearer's foot. Traditional shirt stays are usually constructed from an elongated elastic band with two or more ends that connect to the wearer's shirt and sock or shirt and foot. Attachment to the shirt and/or sock is generally via a clip, such as a garter clip or alligator clip, which may damage the clothing and can be difficult to attach and detach. Examples of such devices are disclosed in each of U.S. Pat. Nos. 300,924; 1,412,033; 1,464,380; 1,570,492; 1,859,097; 2,608,692; 2,733,448; 9,049,895; and 9,339,071.
Certain prior art disclosures have endeavored to provide systems that are easier to attach and/or detach. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2013/0247280, which includes a strap having a disconnect in the middle thereof. While such a system makes for quick disconnect of two halves of the strap, the portions connected to the shirt and socks remain attached, wherein the portion attached to the shirt hem in particular still includes an alligator style clip, a configuration that may cause damage to the garment. U.S. Pat. No. 8,291,515 discloses a system that includes holes positioned in the lower hem region of a shirt, wherein the holes provide attachment of a garter clip. While this system obviates some of the possible damage caused to the shirt by previous prior art systems, it still yet requires use of a garter clip, and does not solve the complications of using such connection systems for attachment to the wearer's socks.
The presently disclosed invention solves many of the complications of these prior art systems, providing a shirt stay device attachable to each of a shirt and a sock via integrated attachment means. The shirt stay device generally comprises an elongated portion of material having connectors at each end thereof, wherein the connectors are configured for attachment to mated connectors on the shirt and socks. In this way, the user may quickly connect or disconnect the shirt stay device without damaging the shirt or socks.
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a shirt stay device comprising an elongated length of material; a male or female component of a side release buckle attached to the elongated length of material at a first end of the shirt stay device and configured for connection with a female or male component, respectively, adjacent to a hem of a shirt; a hook attached to the elongated length of material at a second end of the shirt stay device and configured for connection with a loop on a top opening of a sock; and an adjustable suspender attached on the elongated length of material and configured to adjust a length of the shirt stay device to release or apply a tension between the hem of the shirt and the sock.
The present disclosure also provides a system for biasing a shirt to a tucked in position, the system comprising a shirt having a first side release buckle affixed to a left hem of the shirt, and a second side release buckle affixed to a right hem of the shirt; a first shirt stay device; a second shirt stay device; a first sock component; and a second sock component. First ends of the first and second shirt stay devices are configured to releasably attach to the first and second side release buckles of the shirt, and second ends of the first and second shirt stay devices are configured to releasably attach to the first and second sock components. Moreover, a length of each of the first and second shirt stay devices is adjustable to apply a tension between the shirt component and the first and second sock components.
The present disclosure also provides a shirt stay system comprising a shirt comprising a right-side connector attached to a right hem of the shirt, and a left-side connector attached to a left hem of the shirt; a pair of socks, each sock of the pair comprising an attachment loop attached to an outer side of a top opening thereof; and a set of two shirt stay devices. Each shirt stay device comprises an elongated length of material, a shirt connection component attached to the elongated length of material at a first end thereof and configured for releasable connection with either of the right-side or left-side connectors of the shirt component, a hook attached to the elongated length of material at a second end thereof and configured for connection with the attachment loop of either sock of the pair of socks, and an adjustable suspender attached on the elongated length of material and configured to adjust a length of the shirt stay device. The length of each of the shirt stay devices is adjustable to apply a tension between the shirt component and the first and second sock components.
In each system, the sock may comprise an attachment loop affixed to an outer side of a top opening thereof. The attachment loop may comprise a D-ring or O-ring attached to the outer side of the top opening of the sock by a length of material. The length of material may be permanently affixed to the top opening of the sock and may releasably or non-releasably connect the D-ring or O-ring thereto. Alternatively, the attachment loop may be a fabric loop.
Moreover, the first and second side release buckles of the shirt may be affixed to an internal or external hem of the shirt, such as by a loop of material. The loop of material may be permanently affixed to the hem of the shirt and may releasably or non-releasably connect the first and second side release buckles thereto.
The present disclosure further yet provides a method of using the shirt stay systems disclosed herein to bias a wearer's shirt to the tucked in position. The method generally comprises, in any order, (a) mating the shirt connection component of a first shirt stay devices to either of the right-side or the left-side connector on the shirt, (b) mating the shirt connection component of a second shirt stay devices to the other of the right-side or the left-side connector on the shirt, (c) connecting the hook of the first shirt stay device to an attachment loop of a first sock, (d) connecting the hook of the second shirt stay device to an attachment loop of a second sock of the pair of socks, and (e) adjusting the length of the first shirt stay device and the second shirt stay device to accommodate the user's height and to apply a tension between the shirt and the first and second socks.
The present invention described herein may be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawing sheets, in which:
In the following description, the present invention is set forth in the context of various alternative embodiments and implementations involving shirt stay devices and systems that include the shirt stay devices. The embodiments disclosed herein provide a more robust means for biasing a wearer's shirt to a tucked in position, and make it easier for the wearer to attach/detach the shirt stay device to/from their garments, such as to their shirt and socks.
Various aspects of the shirt stay device and system comprising the shirt stay device may be illustrated by describing components that are coupled, attached, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms “coupled”, “attached”, and/or “joined” are interchangeably used to indicate either a direct connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect connection to one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being “directly coupled”, “directly attached”, and/or “directly joined” to another component, there are no intervening elements shown in said examples.
Various aspects of the systems, methods, and devices disclosed herein may be illustrated with reference to one or more exemplary implementations. As used herein, the term “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other variations of the systems or methods disclosed herein. “Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not.
Furthermore, throughout the specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” or “in some embodiments” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various embodiments can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or not described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments.
Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower,” “upper,” “bottom,” “top,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right” and “sides” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made, but are not limiting with respect to the orientation in which the various parts of the needle or any assembly of them may be used.
It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a” sock, “an” elastomeric material, or “the” shirt, is a reference to one or more of each and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
“Substantially the same”, as used herein, is understood to mean that two values or measurements are within 30% of each other, such as within 20% of each other, or within 10% of each other, or even within 5% of each other. Where it is indicated that two values are the same as each other is understood to mean that two values or measurements deviate from one another by less than 5%, or even less than 2%.
All numerical quantities stated herein are approximate, unless indicated otherwise, and are to be understood as being prefaced and modified in all instances by the term “about”. The numerical quantities disclosed herein are to be understood as not being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless indicated otherwise, each numerical value included in this disclosure is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value.
All numerical ranges recited herein include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.
As generally used herein, the terms “include”, “includes”, and “including” are meant to be non-limiting. As generally used herein, the terms “have”, “has”, and “having” are meant to be non-limiting.
The presently disclosed invention relates generally to a shirt stay device, and a system comprising the shirt stay device. The system may include a shirt, i.e., garment intended to cover an upper torso of a wearer, a pair of socks, and a pair of shirt stay devices configured to provide connection between each of the socks and the shirt. The presently disclosed invention also relates generally to unique shirt and sock designs that incorporate attachment means, providing attachment of the shirt stay device thereto. The various components of the system may be provided separately, or as a system including each of a shirt, two shirt stay devices, and a pair of socks. For example, a user may purchase a system that includes a shirt, two shirt stay devices, and a pair of socks, and several extra pairs of socks and/or shirts, as the shirt stay devices may not require laundering as frequently as the shirt and/or socks.
A non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in
With reference to
The elongated portion of material 10 may be adjustable via an adjustable suspender 16 to apply a tension between the garment 102 and the socks 104. The adjustable suspender 16 may be slidably mated to the elongated portion of material 10 to lengthen or shorten the shirt stay device. In this way, the elongated portion of material 10 may be adjusted to accommodate a plurality of shirt lengths and sock heights, and users of various heights.
The adjustable suspender 16 may comprise metal or plastic portions. The adjustable suspender 16 may include teeth for engaging sides of the elongated portion of material 10, which may be disengaged from the side thereof and moved upward or downward to lengthen or shorten the shirt stay device. For example, as shown in
Other types and designs of adjustable suspenders are available, such as a buckle through which the material 10 passes twice (formed as a squared off
The adjustable suspender 16 may have a width that is substantially the same as or slightly larger than a width of the elongated length of material 10. According to aspects, the adjustable suspender 16 may have a width of 1 cm to 10 cm, such as 2 cm to 4 cm, or even about 2.5 cm.
When in use on a shirt or other garment, the shirt stay device 106 may lie parallel with and against the wearer's leg, as shown in
As illustrated in the figures, such as in
Each of these garments may have no sleeves, short sleeves, or long sleeves. The waistband may be on a skirt, shorts, pants, trousers, or other similar outer garments work on a lower torso and trunk. The garment may comprise a fabric material. The fabric material may comprise silk, rayon, nylon, wool, cotton, linen, acetate, acrylic, Lycra®, polyester, spandex, jersey, or any other fabric or textile known in the art for forming garments. In one exemplary embodiment, the garment is a dress shirt made from silk, cotton, linen, polyester, rayon, or blends thereof.
With reference to
It is understood by those of ordinary skill that the side release buckle comprises releasably connectable male and female components. The male component of the buckle typically includes a pair of resilient arms that may be inserted and releasably locked in the female component to couple other components. Side-release buckles include recesses at the sides of the female component that expose the arms of the male component such that the male and female components may be uncoupled by pressing the arms of the male component at the side recesses to disengage the components. The side release buckle may be made of plastic material. The female component of the side release buckle may have a width of 1 cm to 10 cm, such as 1 cm to 5 cm, such as 2 cm to 4 cm, such as about 2.5 cm.
The garment connector 24 of the garment 102 may be permanently (i.e., non-releasably) or releasably attached to an inside hem of the shirt, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, the garment connector 24 may be attached to the garment 102 via a double needle stitched reinforced fabric loop (length of material 24a) on the interior or exterior seam of the garment. According to aspects, the length of material 24a may be affixed about 3-5 cm from a bottom hem of the garment 102. As such, the garment connector 24 may be positioned on an internal or external side of the garment 102 above the bottom hem, such as above the bottom hem of the side seam.
Alternatively, the second end of the length of material 24a may be releasably connected to the garment 102, such as by a snap, hook and loop closure (e.g., Velcro®), button, or the like. In this configuration, one end of the length of material 24a may be opened to provide releasable attachment of the garment connector 24 such that it can be removed for repair, replacement, etc.
With reference to
The sock 104 may include a loop 18 that provides attachment for the attachment device 14 at the distal end of the shirt stay device 106. As shown in
Thus, in a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the first and/or second sock component has an attachment loop affixed to an edge of the top opening 30, wherein the attachment loop is a metal or plastic D-ring. In a preferred embodiment, the loop 18 is a D-ring with a base of about 1 cm to 4 cm, such as 2 cm to 3 cm, or even about 23.5 mm, and a height of about 0.5 cm to 2 cm, or about 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm, or even about 10 mm. In another non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the loop 18 is an O ring with a width of about 0.5 cm to 2 cm, or about 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm, or even about 10 mm. In another non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the attachment loop is a fabric loop (e.g., same as 20, or a fabric loop 18) with a width of about 0.5 cm to 2 cm, or about 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm, or even about 10 mm.
According to aspects, the hook 14b that connects to the loop 18 may have a length of 0.5 cm to 4 cm, such as 1 cm to 3 cm, or about 2 cm. While shown as a simple hook, other attachment devices at the distal end of the shirt stay device 106 are possible and within the scope of the present invention. For example, the attachment device 14 may include a snap that would be connectable to a corresponding snap on the sock, or a hook having a closure mechanism, such as a self-closing hook, etc.
With continued reference to
With reference to
A method of using a garment and shirt stay device for biasing a shirttail to a flat and fully extended position during use may include mating a first component of an attachment means to a first component of a first shirt stay device and mating a second component of an attachment means to a second component of a second shirt stay device. The first shirt stay device and second shirt stay device may be adjusted to accommodate the user's height.
A hook of the first shirt stay device may be attached to an attachment loop of a first sock component. A hook of the second shirt stay device may be attached to an attachment loop of a second sock component.
In a preferred embodiment, a shirt stay device includes: an elongated portion of material, a component of a side release buckle affixed to a proximal end of the elongated portion of material, and a hook affixed to a distal end of the elongated portion of material.
In a preferred embodiment, a garment includes: a component of a side release buckle affixed to a left hem on the garment, and a component of a side release buckle affixed to a right hem on the garment.
In a preferred embodiment, a pair of sock includes: a first sock component comprising an attachment means adjacent an edge of a top opening of the first sock component; and a second sock component comprising a second attachment means adjacent an edge of a top opening of the second sock component. The attachment means generally comprise a loop of material, D-ring, or O-ring.
In a preferred embodiment, a system for biasing a shirttail to a flat and fully extended position, e.g., securely tucked position in a wearer's pants, includes: a garment comprising a component of a side release buckle affixed to a left hem on the garment, and a component of a side release buckle affixed to a right hem on the garment; a first shirt stay device and a second shirt stay device, each comprising a component of a side release buckle affixed to a proximal end of an elongated portion of material, and a hook affixed to a distal end of the elongated portion of material; a first sock component and a second sock component, each comprising an attachment means configured for connection with the hook of the shirt stay device. The components of the side release buckle on each of the shirt and shirt stay device are mated, i.e., male and female. The components of the attachment means
All documents cited herein are incorporated herein by reference, but only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other documents set forth herein. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to this application.
While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, numerous equivalents to the specific apparatuses and methods described herein, including alternatives, variants, additions, deletions, modifications and substitutions. This application including the appended claims is therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this application.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/071,225 filed Aug. 27, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63071225 | Aug 2020 | US |
