Patent Application
20060277659
Not Applicable.
This document concerns an invention relating generally to an apparatus for clothing for the human body, and particularly to an apparatus for securing garments such as swimming suits, leotards and undergarments in the proper position on a wearer.
Dancers, gymnasts, swimmers, housewives and business women are confronted with a common problem: how to keep their leotard, swimsuit and undergarments in the proper position. This stability is critical to the wearer's sense of security and modesty. There have been many attempts at providing devices that keep such garments in the proper position. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,657 discloses a bikini bottom section devoid of supporting strings or ribbons. The rear panel is supported by a hip-grasping arc of plastic, and the front panel is affixed by an adhesive strip. U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,482 provides a pubic-covering panel suspended on a wire frame. A linear extension of the frame arcs upwards into the buttocks cleavage of the wearer. It is held in place by spring tension.
However, each of these and other devices have common disadvantages. For instance, garments using adhesives, springs and cords are often uncomfortable and unattractive. Further, such devices often do not securely position the garment to the wearer, requiring constant attention from the wearer to keep the garment in place. As modern garments are increasingly revealing, this is a problem for everyone from high school cheerleaders to Olympic swimmers.
Therefore, a need exists for a simple yet comfortable apparatus that maintains the proper position of garments such as leotards, swimsuits and women's undergarments on the wearer.
In a first embodiment, the present invention provides an apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer. The apparatus comprises a flexible yet semi-rigid material secured to the garment so as to provide forces of tension in opposition to the garment. Thus, the garment is secured in position on the wearer.
The garment spreader is preferably made of materials selected from semi-rigid plastic, cardboard, metal and felt. The garment spreader is intended for use with garments including swimsuits, leotards, cheerleading uniforms, undergarments and thongs.
The garment spreader may be an integral part of the garment, i.e., fixedly secured to the garment itself, or the garment spreader may be removably secured to the garment.
In a second embodiment, the present invention also provides a method of using an apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer. The method comprises choosing a material flexible yet sturdy enough to provide a sufficient degree of forces of tension; securing the flexible material to a garment, and placing the garment on a wearer.
In alternate embodiments the present invention provides an apparatus for securing garments in position on a wearer, wherein the apparatus comprises a rectangular cardboard member fixedly secured to a women's undergarment. In use, the apparatus provides opposing forces of tension to the undergarment so as to secure the garment in position when worn.
The apparatus may also comprise a rectangular semi-rigid plastic member having rounded edges fixedly secured to a women's undergarment such as a thong or crotch-less panty. In alternate versions the apparatus may comprise a triangular or polygonal semi-rigid plastic member having rounded edges fixedly secured to a women's undergarment such as a thong or crotch-less panty.
The invention described above solves the long-standing problem faced by women everywhere; how best to secure such garments as swimsuits, leotards, cheerleading uniforms, undergarments and thongs in position on the wearer in a comfortable and discreet manner. The garment spreader of the present invention is nearly invisible when worn by a user, and does not require any unsightly or, uncomfortable strings, adhesives, snaps and the like common in the prior art.
The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description. In the following description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the invention. However, these embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be made to the claims at the end of this document for interpreting the scope of the invention.
The invention is an apparatus 10 for securing garments such as leotards, swimsuits and women's undergarments in the proper position on the wearer, thereby increasing the comfort and security of the garment.
Referring to
In a first version, the garment spreader 10 is a rectangular semi-rigid plastic strip with rounded edges. The garment spreader 10 is preferably small enough so as to be unnoticed by the wearer (not shown).
In alternate versions the garment spreader may be triangular, trapezoidal, or polygonal in shape. Further, in alternate versions the garment spreader 10 may comprise a rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal or polygonal outline (see
In use, the garment spreader 10 is preferably an integral part of the garment and is inserted directly in the lining of the garment. In this way, the wearer's skin does not come in direct contact with the garment spreader 10. The garment spreader 10 is preferably permanently secured to the garment at each corner of opposing sides of the garment. The garment spreader 10 provides tension to the garment 12, thereby keeping the garment 12 spread apart in the proper position on the wearer.
In alternate versions, the garment spreader 10 may be removable from the garment 12 for use with other garments. For instance, the garment spreader 10 may be reusable, allowing the garment spreader 10 to be used in multiple garments 12. However, in alternate versions, the garment spreader 10 may be disposable and discarded with the garment 12.
In this version, the garment spreader 10 may be substantially enclosed by a flexible outer casing 14 of lightweight material such as knit or cotton fabric and secured to the innermost layer of the garment (
In alternate versions, the garment spreader 10 may be disposable and discarded with the garment 12.
The garment spreader 10 is intended for installation in the lining of a given garments. However, in alternate versions, the garment spreader 10 may be inserted into a pocket formed by folding the front lining of the garment (not shown).
The garment spreader 10 is preferably available in multiple sizes for wearers of all ages and sizes. The garment spreader 10 may be used on any garment that may ride or bunch out of the proper position. The garment spreader 10 may be used on such garments as dancers' leotards, gymnast uniforms, running uniforms (such as for sprinters), volleyball uniforms and swimsuits. However, the garment spreader 10 of the present invention may also be used on women's undergarments such as thong undergarments or crotch-less panties.
The garment spreader 10 is configured to a size necessary to maintain the shape of the garment. For example, the garment spreader 10 may be large enough to cover the entire lining/groin area of the garment 12.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and otherwise disclosed herein, alternative embodiments are also intended to be within the scope of the claims. Thus, the invention is not to be judged solely by the preferred embodiments. Rather, the claims, should be looked to in order to judge the full scope of the invention.
The present invention provides an improved apparatus for maintaining the form and shape of a garment when worn by a user.
This application claims priority under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Appn. Ser. No. 60/682,586, filed May 18, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60682586 | May 2005 | US |
