Patent Application
20240376653
The present invention relates generally to the field of garment manipulating devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a garment drawstring manipulation device that is comprised of a first member and a second member that can be pressed against a drawstring lost within a waistband (or other areas of a garment) and used to slide the drawstring out from the waistband via the drawstring opening. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
Many clothing items such as sweatpants, shorts, and hoodies, are equipped with drawstrings for sinching the clothing tighter in specific areas. These drawstrings are difficult to keep in place and often become pulled into the garment either by accident or while in the washing machine. However, retrieving the lost end of the drawstring can be an extremely tedious and frustrating process. During this process, the string often ends up pushed further inside the item or is damaged in the removal process, which is undesirable and may require that the garment is replaced.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a tool that can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a garment drawstring manipulation device that can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment without damaging the drawstring or the garment. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a garment drawstring manipulation device that can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment in an efficient and simple manner.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a garment drawstring manipulation device. The device is comprised of a connecting member comprised of at least one fastener, a first member comprised of at least one fastener, and a second member comprised of at least one fastener. The first member can be positioned on one side of a garment and the second member can be positioned on the opposite side of the garment such that a drawstring is positioned between the members. Then, both members can be rolled or pushed towards each other such that the fasteners secure the positions of the members on the connecting member and the members contact the drawstring. A user can continue pushing the members together while sliding the device, and the drawstring can be pushed by the members towards the opening of the waistband such that the drawstring can be pulled through the opening and return to its normal position.
In this manner, the garment drawstring manipulation device of the present invention accomplishes all the foregoing objectives and provides a tool that can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment. During use, the device can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment without damaging the drawstring or the garment. In addition, the device does so in an efficient and simple manner.
The following presents a simplified summary to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a garment drawstring manipulation device designed to allow a user to retrieve a drawstring of a garment that has been lost inside the waistband (or other areas) of the garment. In different embodiments, the garment may be, but is not limited to, shorts, pants, hoodies, etc.
The device is comprised of a first member, a second member, and a connecting member which connects the first member and second member. In one embodiment, the member is comprised of at least one fastener that may surround the circumference of the member. The fastener allows the member to removably attach to at least one fastener of the connecting member in a repositionable manner. In a different embodiment, the first member may attach to the connecting member via at least one hinge. The hinge allows the member to articulate in a 180 (or less) range of motion relative to the connecting member. This allows the member to be moved towards a waistband (or other portion of a garment) such that the member contacts the drawstring stuck within the waistband (on a first side of the waistband).
The second member is comprised of at least one fastener that may surround the circumference of the member. The fastener allows the member to removably attach to at least one fastener of the connecting member in a repositionable manner. In a different embodiment, the second member may attach to the connecting member via at least one hinge. The hinge allows the member to articulate in a 180 (or less) range of motion relative to the connecting member. This allows the member to be moved towards a waistband (or other portion of a garment) such that the member contacts the drawstring stuck within the waistband (on a second side of the waistband).
The present invention is also comprised of a first method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a connecting member comprised of at least one fastener, a first member comprised of at least one fastener, and a second member comprised of at least one fastener. Then, the first member can be positioned on one side of a garment, in this example a garment waistband, and the second member can be positioned on the opposite side of the garment such that a drawstring is positioned between the members. Then, both members can be rolled or pushed towards each other such that the fasteners secure the positions of the members on the connecting member and the members contact the drawstring. Next, a user can continue pushing the members together while sliding the device, and the drawstring can be pushed by the members towards the opening of the waistband such that the drawstring can be pulled through the opening and return to its normal position.
The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a connecting member comprised of a first member that attaches to the member via a hinge and a second member that attaches to the member via a second hinge. Then, the first member can be positioned on one side of a garment, in this example a garment waistband, and the second member can be positioned on the opposite side of the garment such that a drawstring is positioned between the members. Then, both members can be rolled or pushed towards each other via movement of the hinges such that the members contact the drawstring. Next, a user can continue pushing the members together while sliding the device, and the drawstring can be pushed by the members towards the opening of the waistband such that the drawstring can be pulled through the opening and return to its normal position.
Accordingly, the garment drawstring manipulation device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a tool that can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment. During use, the device can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment without damaging the drawstring or the garment. In addition, the device does so in an efficient and simple manner. In this manner, the garment drawstring manipulation device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of retrieving a drawstring from within a garment known in the art.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a tool that can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment. More specifically, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a garment drawstring manipulation device that can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment without damaging the drawstring or the garment. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a garment drawstring manipulation device that can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment in an efficient and simple manner.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a garment drawstring manipulation device comprised of a first member, a second member, and a connecting member which connects the first member and second member. In one embodiment, the member is comprised of at least one fastener that may surround the circumference of the member which allows the member to removably attach to at least one fastener of the connecting member in a repositionable manner. In a different embodiment, the first member may attach to the connecting member via at least one hinge. The hinge allows the member to articulate in a 180 (or less) range of motion relative to the connecting member. This allows the member to be moved towards a waistband (or other portion of a garment) such that the member contacts the drawstring stuck within the waistband (on a first side of the waistband).
The second member is comprised of at least one fastener that may surround the circumference of the member which allows the member to removably attach to at least one fastener of the connecting member in a repositionable manner. In a different embodiment, the second member may attach to the connecting member via at least one hinge. The hinge allows the member to articulate in a 180 (or less) range of motion relative to the connecting member. This allows the member to be moved towards a waistband (or other portion of a garment) such that the member contacts the drawstring stuck within the waistband (on a second side of the waistband).
The present invention is also comprised of a first method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a connecting member comprised of at least one fastener, a first member comprised of at least one fastener, and a second member comprised of at least one fastener. Then, the first member can be positioned on one side of a garment, in this example a garment waistband, and the second member can be positioned on the opposite side of the garment such that a drawstring is positioned between the members. Then, both members can be rolled or pushed towards each other such that the fasteners secure the positions of the members on the connecting member and the members contact the drawstring. Next, a user can continue pushing the members together while sliding the device, and the drawstring can be pushed by the members towards the opening of the waistband such that the drawstring can be pulled through the opening and return to its normal position.
The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using the device. First, a device is provided comprised of a connecting member comprised of a first member that attaches to the member via a hinge and a second member that attaches to the member via a second hinge. Then, the first member can be positioned on one side of a garment, in this example a garment waistband, and the second member can be positioned on the opposite side of the garment such that a drawstring is positioned between the members. Then, both members can be rolled or pushed towards each other via movement of the hinges such that the members contact the drawstring. Next, a user can continue pushing the members together while sliding the device, and the drawstring can be pushed by the members towards the opening of the waistband such that the drawstring can be pulled through the opening and return to its normal position.
Accordingly, the garment drawstring manipulation device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a tool that can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment. During use, the device can be used to retrieve a drawstring from within a garment without damaging the drawstring or the garment. In addition, the device does so in an efficient and simple manner. In this manner, the garment drawstring manipulation device overcomes the limitations of existing methods of retrieving a drawstring from within a garment known in the art.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The device 100 is comprised of a first member 110, a second member 120, and a connecting member 130 which connects the first member 110 and second member 130. The first member 110 is preferably cylindrical in shape. However, the member 110 may be any shape in different embodiments. In one embodiment, the member 110 is comprised of at least one fastener 112 that may surround the circumference of the member 110. The fastener 112 allows the member 110 to removably attach to at least one fastener 132 of the connecting member 130 in a repositionable manner. The fasteners 112, 132 may be any type of reciprocating fastener known in the art such as, but not limited to, magnet, snap button, etc. However, the fasteners 112, 132 are preferably hook and loop fasteners.
In a different embodiment, the first member 110 may attach to the connecting member 130 via at least one hinge 140, as seen in
The second member 110 is preferably cylindrical in shape. However, the member 120 may be any shape in different embodiments. In one embodiment, the member 120 is comprised of at least one fastener 122 that may surround the circumference of the member 122. The fastener 122 allows the member 120 to removably attach to at least one fastener 132 of the connecting member 130 in a repositionable manner. The fasteners 112, 132 may be any type of reciprocating fastener known in the art such as, but not limited to, magnet, snap button, etc. However, the fasteners 112, 132 are preferably hook and loop fasteners.
In a different embodiment, the second member 120 may attach to the connecting member 130 via at least one hinge 140, as seen in
The present invention is also comprised of a method of using 200 the device 100, as seen in
The present invention is also comprised of a second method of using 300 the device 100, as seen in
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons, may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “garment drawstring manipulation device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the garment drawstring manipulation device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the garment drawstring manipulation device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the garment drawstring manipulation device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the garment drawstring manipulation device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the garment drawstring manipulation device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the garment drawstring manipulation device 100 may be of any size, shape, and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/500,818, which was filed on May 8, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63500818 | May 2023 | US |
