This invention relates to the construction of a feminine garment(s), which can be changed by the use of specific attachment means such as zippers separating the garment into pieces and/or panels and reattaching them, to provide for various color and design pattern fabric combinations. The various color and design pattern fabric combinations are provided by the specific garment designs constructed in similar concepts and different designs or cuts.
Traditionally, garments are constructed to provide a singular look. For example, a blouse may be manufactured in a variety of colors or patterns, each for separate purchase. In order for a wearer to achieve a different appearance, multiple items must be purchased. An alternative to this is reversible clothing. Using reversible clothing, a wearer may achieve two separate appearances, the first by wearing a garment one way and the second by reversing the garment (for example, by turning the garment inside out).
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a garment that is characterized by the capability of the garment to be reconstructed in various design combinations where a separating and attaching mechanism, such as a zipper or zippers are used to separate or attach panels of the garment.
It is another feature of the present invention to provide a garment that allows for various combinations wherein the combinations are made possible by attachment means such as zippers which are placed along the various cuts in the design construction of the garment.
It is another object of the invention to construct four garments with different exterior looks, from three garment panels.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, which illustrates, by way of example, features of the invention.
With reference to the drawings, comprising a portion of the present disclosure:
The preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a princess line dress (also known as a princess seem dress) wherein an attachment means connects or disconnects each panel of the dress construction. However, alternative embodiments, such as blouses or shirts, pants, skirts, and jackets may be constructed using the same construction and method. In the preferred embodiment, zippers are used as attachment means and are sewn in different cuts and locations of the garments.
As illustrated in
By way of example, each panel contains reversible zippers 13 that attach the three panels A, B, C. In alternative embodiments, the attachment means may be hook and eye, VELCRO® (e.g., hook and loop fastener), buttons, or the like.
Zippers may be obtained from KEE Zippers Corporation Limited, 2101A Tower 2, China Hong Kong City, 33 Canton Road, T. S. T, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Other manufacturers make similar zippers.
Where a zipper is used, alternative embodiments exist that allow the zipper pull 14 to be constructed of a logo, jewel, or another fashionable accessory that can double as a zipper pull. The embodiments that use a zipper attachment means include a type of zipper that goes around each of the cut panels A, B, C and finishes at the hem H. Furthermore, alternative embodiments may provide additional or fewer panels.
By way of example, each panel may contain a front side having a solid color and a back side having a pattern. In alternative embodiments, the front side and back side may include additional colors and patterns. Each panel may be of a different color or print on each side, or each panel may be made of two fabrics, sewn together in a conventional manner, with each fabric being of a different design or color.
Referring to
Center Panel B is generally in the shape of the front and back of a dress, and has front edge length B1, top side edge length B2, rear side length B3, rear side edge B4, top side edge length B5, and front side length B6. Lengths B1 through B6 form the periphery of the panel B, except at the hem H. A half of zipper 13 run along lengths B1 through B6, except at the hem H.
Side Panel C similarly has front side length C1, top side length the C2 and back side length C3; zipper 13 runs along these lengths.
Desirably lengths A1, A2 and A3 are equal in length to lengths B1 and B2 and B3 while lengths C1, C2 and C3 are equal in length to lengths B4, B5 and B6, such that panels A and C are mirror images of one another.
It is noted that center panel B at its upper back segment is optionally divided by a zipper at its middle B7 for ease of entering into or existing from the dress by a wearer.
In the fabrication of the garment, in order to allow for flexibility of movement (due to the limitation imposed by zipper tape/teeth which are firm) the fabrication should include a percentage of spandex or another stretchable material.
The panels A, B and C, as shown in
Since panels A and C are interchangeable, other combinations are readily formed to make dresses of difference appearances.
Desirably, the panels A, B, C when connected by zippers, fit edge to edge in a neat true fashion, see
It should also be noted that a wearer may combine multiple dresses having varying panel designs to form even more combinations of garments. For example, a user may combine a dress having black and white panels with a dress having green and blue panels to form many more dress combinations.
The accompanying drawings only illustrate a dress construction, its constituent parts, and method of use. However, other types and styles are possible, and the drawings are not intended to be limiting in that regard. Thus, although the description above and accompanying drawings contains much specificity, the details provided should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment(s) but merely as providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiment(s). The drawings and the description are not to be taken as restrictive on the scope of the embodiment(s) and are understood as broad and general teachings in accordance with the present invention. While the present embodiment(s) of the invention have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that modifications and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitutions of equivalent features, materials, or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/499,483, filed on Jun. 21, 2011 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/500,838, filed on Jun. 24, 2011, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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383550 | Woolf | May 1888 | A |
2479091 | Ackley | Aug 1949 | A |
2493531 | Fitches | Jan 1950 | A |
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5083316 | Kuehner | Jan 1992 | A |
5592691 | Ronald | Jan 1997 | A |
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6611964 | Lipsett et al. | Sep 2003 | B2 |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20120324617 A1 | Dec 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61499483 | Jun 2011 | US | |
61500838 | Jun 2011 | US |