Patent Application
20110250818
Costumes are commercially available for use in theater, kids' activities, and other purposes. These costumes are typically configured so as not to hinder movement of the person wearing the costume. However, by providing the person wearing the costume with greater mobility, the costume may not appear as realistic.
Exemplary embodiments of a mermaid costume are disclosed. An exemplary mermaid costume comprises a body portion configured to receive the feet and both legs of a user and conform substantially to the body of the user. A tail portion is connected to the body portion. The tail portion together with the body portion provides the user with the appearance of a mermaid. An opening is formed in the body portion to enable two modes for wearing the costume.
Another exemplary mermaid costume comprises an outer-most layer that is both flexible and resilient, and an inner-most layer that conforms substantially to the body of a user to shape the lower portion of the user's body in the form of a mermaid. A body portion substantially maintains the legs of the user together when worn by the user.
Another exemplary light-weight mermaid costume comprises a body portion connected to a tail portion substantially in the form of a mermaid. A first filler material provides shape to the body portion, and a second filler material provides shape to the tail portion. A water-resistant layer is provided at least over the body portion.
In addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, still other embodiments will also be readily apparent to those having skill in the art based on an understanding of the description herein with reference to the drawings.
a-b are perspective views of an exemplary mermaid costume.
a-b are front and rear views, respectively, of an exemplary mermaid costume.
Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or substantially the same parts or operations. The drawings are in simplified form and not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms, such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front may be used with respect to the accompanying drawings. These and similar directional terms, should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims in any way.
The figures show an exemplary mermaid costume 10 as it may be worn by a person or user 1. An exemplary costume 10 may include a top 11, a bottom 12, a front side 13, right and left sides 14 and 15, respectively, and a back side 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the costume 10 may have a body portion 18 that can be pulled on (e.g., similar to pulling on pants) or otherwise fitted around the legs of the person wearing the costume. The costume 10 may also have a tail or fin portion 20 connected to the body portion 18. Accordingly, the costume 10 appears as the lower body portion of a “mermaid,” e.g., when worn by the user 1.
It is noted that the costume 10 may be worn over any suitable bathing suit of the user 1. In other embodiments, the costume 10 may include a top portion (not shown) as part of the costume 10 itself so that a separate bathing suit is optional. In addition, the costume 10 may also include an elastic waistband (not shown) or other mechanism(s) for holding the costume 10 on the user 1.
It is noted that the costume 10 may be worn by user 1 in at least two modes (e.g., for two different purposes), as illustrated by
The costume 10 may also be worn in a swimming mode, wherein the user's feet and legs are entirely within the body portion 18. In the swimming mode, the user's 1 feet extend downward toward the tail portion 20. The user's feet may be held substantially together so that the user 1 may kick both legs together or simultaneously to effect movement when swimming.
The costume 10 may be sized sufficiently large to enable the user's legs and feet to comfortably fit inside and move. However, the costume 10 should not be over-sized. Over-sizing the costume 10 may result in a baggy feeling by the user 1 and adversely affect its function and appearance. For example, a costume which is too tall and/or too wide may cause the user to trip and fall, and/or may reduce the user's ability to swim well in water.
It is noted that different colors/patterns/textures/styles may be provided so that the user can tailor the costume 10 to his or her personal taste. In addition to making the costume 10 aesthetically pleasing to the user, the costume 10 may also be provided with different layers.
Optionally, the costume 10 may be provided with a closure mechanism (e.g., a zipper or Velcro or other closure means) around at least a portion of the costume 10. For example, a closure mechanism (not shown) may be provided over at least a part of the opening 22 so that the user 1 can close the opening 22 when not in use (e.g., for swimming). A closure mechanism (not shown) may also be provided along all or a part of the body portion 18 such so that the costume 10 can be more easily put on and taken off by the user. The closure mechanism may be provided on the front, side, and/or the back of the body portion 18. Other configurations are also contemplated even though not specified herein, and may be implemented based on design preferences and/or cost considerations.
In an exemplary embodiment, the costume 10 may be manufactured with multiple layers. The costume 10 may include a protective layer to enhance wear. For example, the outer-most layer 24 of the costume 10 may be a tear-resistant, dirt-resistant, and/or puncture-resistant material to help make the costume 10 more durable. The costume 10 may also include a non-skid material 26 on the tail portion 20 to reduce the user from slipping, especially in wet environments where the costume 10 is most likely to be worn (e.g., around swimming areas).
Optionally, different layers may have different densities. For example, the different layers may include a soft layer (e.g., made of cloth), a medium layer (e.g., made of foam or gel), and/or a hard layer (e.g., made of plastic). For purposes of illustration, an outer-most layer 28 may be water-proof or at least somewhat water-repellant, while an inner-most layer 30 may include gel and be sufficiently soft for the user's comfort. One or more intermediate layer 32 may be used to provide (e.g., made of plastic or foam) form to one or more parts of the costume (e.g., all or part of the body portion 18 and/or tail portion 20).
In an exemplary embodiment, the costume 10 may also include somewhat elastic components (e.g., an elastic waist or even an elastic body portion so that it can be stretched over the body of the user). Other materials may be used as well, for example, which automatically shrink when wet to better conform to the body of the user. In other exemplary embodiment, the costume 10 may include a separator in the body portion, the separator provided between at least a portion of the legs of the user. For example, the separator may be made of an anti-chaffing material to reduce or eliminate chaffing of the user's legs. The separator may also be stitched or otherwise attached to the body portion to reduce twisting of the body portion about the user's legs. In a similar regard, sock portions may be provided (e.g., stitched or otherwise attached inside the tail portion) for receiving the feet of the user. The sock portions may assist in attaching the costume 10 to the user, e.g., to reduce twisting of the body portion about the legs of the user.
The different layers may be attached directly to the adjacent layer(s) of the costume 10 (e.g., by sewing), or may be provided with a frictional surface between the layers to reduce slipping relative to the different layers.
It is noted that the costume 10 is not limited to any particular type or number of layers, and indeed, may be a single layer. Nor is the costume 10 limited to separate layers. For example a single stratified material may be used to provide the different functions discussed above.
It is noted that the costume 10 may also be configured for any of a wide variety of body sizes, types, and/or shapes. For example, the costume 10 may be customized for the body of a particular user. Alternatively, the costume 10 may be configured for different groups or profiles of users (e.g., children/adults/men/women or for use in water or for use in dry environments). Optionally, one or more layers of filler material 34 (e.g., foam, rubber, gel) may be added to, or removed from, the costume 10. The filler material enables the costume 10 to be adjusted to different size users and/or functions. The filler material may also be used to give form, e.g., the filler material 34 shown sewn into the tail portion 12 in
Although costume 10 has been described herein with reference to the figures as it may be used in various environments, by different users, and for different purposes, it is noted that the costume 10 is not limited to any one of these in particular. The costume 10 may also have other application, as will be readily apparent to those having skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.
In addition to the specific embodiments explicitly set forth herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and illustrated embodiments be considered as examples only.
