BACKGROUND
Technical Field
The present invention relates to the textile field, and more specifically, to an adjustable shoulder strap, an assembling method thereof, and an adjustment buckle applied to the adjustable shoulder strap.
Related Art
Shoulder straps are applied to various clothing, especially intimate clothing, such as a brassiere, a waistcoat, and swimwear. For convenience of wearers, the majority of shoulder straps have adjustment buckles configured to adjust the length of the shoulder straps. However, in the prior art, a portion at which a shoulder strap is connected to an adjustment buckle for fastening is rather thick, and causes friction and uncomfortableness to the wearer when the clothing is worn. The comfort level is relatively low. Moreover, when external clothing is worn, especially flimsy external clothing in summer, this type of shoulder strap fully protrudes, which is rather unsightly.
To resolve the foregoing problem, in an existing manufacturing technique, a relatively thin shoulder strap is configured to alleviate the protrusion problem at the adjustment buckle. However, the relatively thin shoulder strap has poor force-bearing, and the comfort level is also greatly reduced.
Therefore, a shoulder strap that can significantly improve the wearer's comfort level and the aesthetic degree is desired.
SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing problems in the prior art, this application is to provide an adjustable shoulder strap and an assembling method thereof. The adjustable shoulder strap is thinner and smoother while being worn, and fits a wearer's body better.
One aspect of this application provides an adjustment buckle applied to an adjustable shoulder strap. The adjustment buckle includes: a fastening portion, configured to fasten one end of the shoulder strap; and at least one threading portion, where the other end of the shoulder strap passes through the at least one threading portion, and the at least one threading portion includes an opening configured to enable the other end of the shoulder strap to pass through the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the fastening portion is configured to fasten the one end of the shoulder strap to one or more holes formed on the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the fastening portion is configured to fasten the one end of the shoulder strap to a connecting part between the at least one threading portion and the one or more of holes formed on the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the at least one threading portion comprises an upper threading portion located above the fastening portion and a lower threading portion located below the fastening portion, so that the other end of the shoulder strap passes through the upper threading portion after passing through the lower threading portion.
In one embodiment, the one end of the shoulder strap does not pass through the at least one threading portion.
In one embodiment, the fastening portion is at least partially formed in a groove of the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the lower threading portion is at least partially formed in a groove of the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the adjustment buckle is formed by one or more of metal, plastic, and an organic compound.
Another aspect of this application provides an adjustable shoulder strap, including: a strap portion; an adjustment buckle, where the adjustment buckle includes a fastening portion, configured to fasten one end of the strap portion; and at least one threading portion, configured to enable the other end of the strap portion to pass through the at least one threading portion; and a ring portion, configured to enable the other end of the strap portion to pass through the ring portion, where the ring portion is jointed with an external component.
In one embodiment, the at least one threading portion comprises an opening configured to enable the other end of the strap portion to pass through the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the fastening portion is configured to fasten the one end of the strap portion to one or more holes formed on the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the fastening portion is configured to fasten the one end of the strap portion to a part between the at least one threading portion and one or more of holes formed on the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the at least one threading portion comprises an upper threading portion located above the fastening portion and a lower threading portion located below the fastening portion, so that the other end of the strap portion passes through the upper threading portion after passing through the lower threading portion.
In one embodiment, the one end of the strap portion does not pass through the threading portion, so that the strap portion is overlapped by two layers to the most in the adjustable shoulder strap.
In one embodiment, the fastening portion is at least partially formed in a groove of the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the lower threading portion is at least partially formed in a groove of the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the adjustment buckle is formed by one or more of metal, plastic, and an organic compound.
Still another aspect of this application provides an underwear or a bra that includes the foregoing adjustable shoulder strap.
Yet another aspect of this application provides a method for assembling an adjustable shoulder strap. The shoulder strap includes a strap portion, a ring portion, and an adjustment buckle. A fastening portion and at least one threading portion are formed on the adjustment buckle. The method includes the steps of: fastening one end of the strap portion to the fastening portion, enabling the other end of the strap portion to pass through the ring portion, and enabling the other end of the strap portion to pass through the at least one threading portion.
In one embodiment, the threading portion formed on the adjustment buckle comprises an opening formed on the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the fastening portion comprises one or more holes formed on the adjustment buckle.
In one embodiment, the step of fastening one end of the strap portion to the fastening portion comprises stitching or adhering the strap portion to the one hole or a connecting part between the plurality of holes.
In one embodiment, the step of fastening one end of the strap portion to the fastening portion comprises stitching or adhering the one end of the strap portion to a connecting part between the threading portion and the one or more of holes.
In one embodiment, the step of enabling the other end of the strap portion to pass through the at least one threading portion comprises the following step: after the one end of the strap portion passes through a threading portion located below the fastening portion, enabling the one end of the strap portion to pass through another threading portion located above the fastening portion.
In one embodiment, the one end of the strap portion does not pass through the threading portion, so that the strap portion is overlapped by two layers to the most in the adjustable shoulder strap.
In one embodiment, a groove is formed on part of a surface of the adjustment buckle, and the fastening portion and a lower threading portion are both formed within the groove.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other features, objectives, and advantages of this application become more obvious according to detailed descriptions of nonrestrictive examples by reading and referring to the following accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of an adjustment buckle according to an exemplary implementation manner of this application;
FIGS. 2A and 2B are respective front and side views of the adjustment buckle of FIG. 1 and a strap portion, which show an exemplary method for fastening one end of the strap portion to the adjustment buckle according to an implementation manner of this application;
FIGS. 3A and 3B are respective front and side views of the adjustment buckle and strap portion of FIGS. 2A and 2B, which show a method for enabling the other end of the strap portion to pass through the adjustment buckle according to an implementation manner of this application;
FIG. 4 is a front view of an adjustment buckle according to an exemplary implementation manner of this application;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are respective front and side views of the adjustment buckle of FIG. 4 and a strap portion, which show an exemplary method for fastening one end of the strap portion to the adjustment buckle according to an implementation manner of this application;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are respective front and side views of the adjustment buckle and strap portion of FIGS. 5A and 5B, which show a method for enabling the other end of the strap portion to pass through the adjustment buckle according to an implementation manner of this application;
FIG. 7 is a front view of an adjustment buckle according to an exemplary implementation manner of this application;
FIGS. 8A and 8B are respective front and side views of the adjustment buckle of FIG. 7 and a strap portion, which show an exemplary method for fastening one end of the strap portion to the adjustment buckle according to an implementation manner of this application;
FIGS. 9A and 9B are respective front and side views of the adjustment buckle and strap portion of FIGS. 8A and 8B, which show a method for enabling the other end of the strap portion to pass through the adjustment buckle according to an implementation manner of this application;
FIG. 10 is a front view of an adjustment buckle according to an exemplary implementation manner of this application;
FIGS. 11A and 11B are respective front and side views of the adjustment buckle of FIG. 10 and a strap portion, which show an exemplary method for fastening one end of the strap portion to the adjustment buckle according to an implementation manner of this application;
FIGS. 12A and 12B are respective front and side views of the adjustment buckle and strap portion of FIGS. 11A and 11B, which show a method for enabling the other end of the strap portion to pass through the adjustment buckle according to an implementation manner of this application;
FIGS. 13A-13D show an adjustment buckle according to an exemplary implementation manner of this application, where FIG. 13A is a front view showing a front surface of the adjustment buckle, FIG. 13B is a back view showing a back surface of the adjustment buckle, FIG. 13C is a side view showing a side view of the adjustment buckle, and FIG. 13D is a perspective view of the adjustment buckle;
FIGS. 14A and 14B are respective front and side views of the adjustment buckle of FIGS. 13A-13D and a strap portion, which show an exemplary method for fastening one end of the strap portion to the adjustment buckle according to an implementation manner of this application, and FIG. 14C is a sectional side view of the buckle and the one end of the strap portion;
FIGS. 15A and 15B are respective front and side views of the adjustment buckle and strap portion of FIGS. 14A-14C, which show a method for enabling the other end of the strap portion to pass through the adjustment buckle according to an implementation manner of this application;
FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are schematic diagrams showing side views, which compare an adjustable shoulder strap in the prior art and an adjustable shoulder strap provided in this application; and
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a front view of a bra to which an adjustable shoulder strap provided according to this application is applied.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
This invention is further described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It may be understood that a specific embodiment described herein is merely used to explain a related invention, but not to limit the present invention. In addition, it should be further understood that for convenience of description, only content related to the related invention is shown in the accompanying drawings.
It should be noted that when there is no conflict, the embodiments in this application and features in the embodiments may be combined with each other. This application is described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and with reference to the embodiments.
In following descriptions, an adjustable shoulder strap may include, but is not limited to, an adjustment buckle, a strap portion, and a ring portion.
FIG. 1 shows an adjustment buckle 100 applied to an adjustable shoulder strap according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, one end, or a first end, of the strap portion refers to the top end of the strap portion as shown in the accompanying drawings (for example, 141 in FIG. 2B), and the other end, or a second end, of the strap portion refers to the bottom end of the strap portion as shown in the accompanying drawings (for example, 142 in FIG. 2B). However, such definition is merely used to facilitate description, and is not used to limit an implementation manner of this invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the adjustment buckle 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is in a flat shape, and includes a plurality of threading portions and a fastening portion. The plurality of threading portions includes, for example, an upper threading portion 111 and a lower threading portion 112. The fastening portion may, for example, include a plurality of holes or apertures, such as three holes 121, 122, and 123 that are formed between the upper threading portion 111 and the lower threading portion 112. Such holes 121, 122 and 123 have connecting parts between them, specifically a first connecting part between holes 121 and 122, and a second connecting part between holes 122 and 123. Such connecting parts are solid and are part of the body of the adjustment buckle 100.
FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are schematic diagrams showing an exemplary method for fastening one end 141, or the first end, of the strap portion 140 to the fastening portion of the adjustment buckle 100. FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic diagrams showing an exemplary method for enabling the other end 142, or the second end, of the strap portion to pass through the threading portion of the adjustment buckle 100. FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B are respectively side views of FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A.
The one end, or the first end, of the strap portion may be fastened or attached to the fastening portion of the adjustment buckle in various possible manners. For example, an adhesive may be used to adhere the one end of the strap portion to the fastening portion of the adjustment buckle, or a binding wire is used to stitch the one end of the strap portion to the fastening portion of the adjustment buckle. A material of the binding wire may include a cotton thread, a plastic wire, a chemical fiber wire, or the like. A plurality of exemplary implementation manners for stitching the one end of the strap portion to the fastening portion of the adjustment buckle and a plurality of exemplary structures of adjustment buckles corresponding to different stitching manners are specifically described below.
In an exemplary implementation manner, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the binding wire may be configured or enabled to pass through the strap portion and a plurality of holes of the fastening portion and to wind around a connecting part or connecting parts between the plurality of holes of the fastening portion, so as to fasten the one end, or the first end, of the strap portion to the adjustment buckle.
As shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, for the adjustment buckle 100 shown in FIG. 1, a binding wire 150 passes through the strap portion 140 and the holes 121, 122, and 123 of the fastening portion of the adjustment buckle 100 and winds around a connecting part or connecting parts between the holes 121, 122, and 123, or more specifically winds around the first connecting part between the first hole 121 and the second hole 122 and the second connecting part between the second hole 122 and the third hole 123, so as to fasten the one end 141, or the first end, of the strap portion to the fastening portion of the adjustment buckle. As shown in FIG. 2A, the first and second connecting parts are not contiguous with each other. Also, as shown in FIG. 2A, the binding wires 150 are arranged in a direction (horizontally in FIG. 2A) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 2A) of the strap portion 140. This provides enhanced resistance to the pulling force exerted by the strap portion 140 in the longitudinal direction along the length of the strap portion 140.
The shape of the holes or apertures and the number of holes or apertures may be set or determined according to the material of the strap portion used and the manner of fastening the strap portion to the fastening portion. For example, if the strap portion is made of a relatively thin material or a width of the strap portion is relatively small, the fastening portion may include a relatively small number of holes. For example, a fastening portion of an adjustment buckle 200 shown in FIG. 4 includes two holes or apertures 221 and 222. In this case, a binding wire 250 only needs to pass through a strap portion 240 and the holes 221 and 222 of the fastening portion of the adjustment buckle 200 and wind around the connecting part between the holes 221 and 222. One end, or the first end, of the strap portion 240 may thus be fastened to the adjustment buckle 200, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5A, the binding wire 250 is arranged in a direction (horizontally in FIG. 5A) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 5A) of the strap portion 240. This provides enhanced resistance to the pulling force exerted by the strap portion 240 in the longitudinal direction along the length of the strap portion 240.
In another embodiment, the binding wire may be configured or enabled to pass through the strap portion, a hole or aperture of the fastening portion, and an opening of the threading portion, and wind around a connecting part between the hole of the fastening portion and the opening of the threading portion, so as to fasten the one end, or the first end, of the strap portion to the adjustment buckle.
For example, in an adjustment buckle 300 shown in FIG. 7, a fastening portion includes two holes or apertures 321 and 322, and a threading portion includes an upper threading portion 311 and a lower threading portion 312. FIG. 8A shows a method for fastening a strap portion 340 to the adjustment buckle 300 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8B is a side view of FIG. 8A. As shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, a binding wire 350 passes through the strap portion 340, the holes 321 and 322 of the fastening portion, and an opening of the upper threading portion 311, and winds around a first connecting part between the hole 321 of the fastening portion and the opening of the upper threading portion 311, and also winds around a second connecting part between the hole 322 and the opening of the upper threading portion 311, so as to fasten one end 341, or the first end, of the strap portion 340 to the adjustment buckle 300. The first and second connecting parts may form an inseparable part of the body of the adjustment buckle, as shown in FIG. 8A. Alternatively, the first and second connecting parts are separate and are not contiguous with each other (not shown).
For another example, in an adjustment buckle 400 shown in FIG. 10, a fastening portion includes a hole or aperture 421, and an threading portion includes an upper threading portion 411 and a lower threading portion 412. The hole or aperture 421 is in a elongated shape in parallel with the upper threading portion 411. FIG. 11A shows a method for fastening a strap portion 440 to the adjustment buckle 400 shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 11B is a side view of FIG. 11A. As shown in FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, a binding wire 450 passes through a strap portion 440, the hole or aperture 421 of the fastening portion, and an opening of the threading portion 411, and winds around a connecting part between the hole or aperture 421 of the fastening portion and the opening of the upper threading portion 411, so as to fasten one end 441 of the strap portion 440 to the adjustment buckle 400.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, a groove may be formed on part of a surface of the adjustment buckle to which the strap portion is attached, so that the strap portion fits into the groove so as to fit the adjustment buckle better, and so that the thickness or depth of the adjustment buckle, and hence the total thickness of the adjustment buckle and the strap portion, is reduced at the groove region. For example, FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D show an adjustment buckle 500 provided with a groove on a back surface of the adjustment buckle 500. FIG. 13B shows a back surface, which is jointed with a strap portion 540, of the adjustment buckle 500. FIG. 13A shows the opposite front surface of the adjustment buckle 500. FIG. 13C is a side view of the adjustment buckle 500. FIG. 13D is a perspective view of the adjustment buckle 500. A groove is formed on part of the back surface of the adjustment buckle 500, as shown in FIG. 13B. As shown in FIGS. 13B and 13D, the lower threading portion and the fastening portion are formed within the groove of the adjustment buckle. In the embodiment as shown, the fastening portion comprises three holes, but this is not necessarily so. The depth of the groove may be set according to the thickness of the strap portion, and the length of the groove may be set according to the width of the strap portion, so that one end of the strap portion is fitly disposed in the groove. It can be seen from FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C, which show a side view of the adjustment buckle with a strap portion attached, that the depth or thickness of the adjustment buckle 500, when viewed from the side, is smaller at the groove region when the groove is present than when the groove is not present. Thus, the presence of the groove further reduces the total thickness of the adjustment buckle and the strap portion at the region where the groove is present. It can also be seen from FIG. 14C that at the region of the groove where the fastening portion and the lower threading portion are formed, the thickness or depth of the adjustment buckle is substantially uniform. In other words, at the region of the groove where the fastening portion and the lower threading portion are formed, the fastening portion and the lower threading portion have substantially the same height as measured from the front surface of the adjustment buckle to the back surface of the adjustment buckle, or they flush with each other at the back surface of the adjustment buckle, so that the strap portion, when attached to the fastening portion, remains essentially flat from the fastening portion to the lower threading portion. This gives a smooth transition of the strap portion from the adjustment buckle area to a non-adjustment buckle area. In addition, it can be seen from the drawings that both the fastening portion and the lower threading portion has a height, as measured from the front surface of the adjustment buckle to the back surface of the adjustment buckle, that is lower than that of the upper threading portion. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13A to FIG. 13D and FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C, the fastening portion comprises three holes; however, other implementation of the fastening portion is possible.
FIG. 14A to FIG. 14C are schematic diagrams showing a method for fastening a strap portion 540 to the adjustment buckle 500 shown in FIG. 13A to 13D. FIG. 14C is a side view of the adjustment buckle part in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B. FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are schematic diagrams showing that the other end 542 of the strap portion 540 is configured to pass through the adjustment buckle 500 shown in FIG. 13A to FIG. 13D. It can be seen that in this embodiment, at least part of or preferably the whole of the one end 541 of the strap portion is disposed in the groove, so as to be jointed with the adjustment buckle in a manner of better fitting with the adjustment buckle, and also reducing the total thickness at the groove region. As previously explained, it can also be seen from FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C and FIG. 15B that the sum of the depth or thickness of the adjustment buckle and the thickness of the strap portion, when viewed from the side, is smaller at the groove region than if the groove is absent.
In an embodiment of this invention, an opening of at least one threading portion of the adjustment buckle may be formed in a manner that the strap portion can properly pass through the opening. For example, the length of the opening may be greater than or slightly greater than the width of the strap portion, and the width of the opening may be greater than or slightly greater than the depth of the strap portion. For example, in the structure of the adjustment buckles 300 and 400 shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, the width of the upper threading portion may be properly increased, so as to ensure that the strap portion smoothly passes through the upper threading portion.
An exemplary implementation manner of enabling the other end or the second end of the strap portion to pass through the threading portion of the adjustment buckle after fastening one end or the first end of the strap portion to the fastening portion of the adjustment buckle is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
For example, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, after the one end 141 or first end of the strap portion 140 is fastened to the adjustment buckle 100 that includes the upper threading portion 111 and the lower threading portion 112 and that is shown in FIG. 1, the other end 142 or second end of the strap portion 140 passes through and winds around the ring portion 160, passes through from a back surface (corresponding to a direction shown by an arrow 172 in FIG. 2B) of the adjustment buckle in FIG. 2A to a front surface (corresponding to a direction shown by an arrow 171 in FIG. 2B) of the adjustment buckle 100, winds around a connecting part between the upper threading portion 111 and the lower threading portion 112, passes through the upper threading portion 111 via the front surface of the adjustment buckle 100, to arrive at the back surface of the adjustment buckle 100.
Although not shown in accompanying drawings, a person skilled in the art should understand that the threading portion may also have only one opening. For example, when the threading portion has only the lower threading portion 112 shown in FIG. 1, after passing through the ring portion, the other end of the strap portion may pass through the lower threading portion 112 from the back surface of the adjustment buckle, to arrive at the front surface of the adjustment buckle. When the threading portion has only the upper threading portion 111 shown in FIG. 1, after passing through the ring portion, the other end of the strap portion may pass through the upper threading portion 111 from the front surface of the adjustment buckle, to arrive at the back surface of the adjustment buckle.
FIG. 16A and FIG. 16B are schematic diagrams comparing an adjustable shoulder strap in the prior art and an adjustable shoulder strap provided by the present invention. In the prior art shown in FIG. 16A, after successively passing through an upper threading portion and a lower threading portion of an adjustment buckle, one end of a strap portion is fastened to the strap portion itself. Using a strap portion having the depth or thickness of one unit as an example, because the adjustable shoulder strap in the prior art needs to superimpose three layers of strap portion in an area 161 as shown in FIG. 16A, the total depth or thickness of the adjustable shoulder strap at the adjustment buckle region is six units. On the other hand, the adjustable shoulder strap provided by the present invention needs only to superimpose two layers of strap portion in an area 162 as shown in FIG. 16B, such that the total depth or thickness of the adjustable shoulder strap at the adjustment buckle region is only four units. In other words, with the same strap portion, the adjustable shoulder strap provided by the present invention can reduce the number of superimposed layers of the strap portion, so that the total thickness at the adjustment buckle region can be reduced by approximately ⅓ of that of the adjustable shoulder strap in the prior art. In an embodiment where a groove is present on part of a surface, for example the back surface, of the adjustment buckle of the present invention and the strap portion is attached to and fits in the groove, the total thickness of the adjustable shoulder strap at the adjustment buckle region is further reduced by the recess resulting from the presence of the groove, the recess being generally equivalent to the height of the groove.
The adjustable shoulder strap provided in this application may be applied to various clothing, for example including but not limited to female underwear, male waistcoat, a dress, and the like.
FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a bra to which an adjustable shoulder strap provided according to this invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 17, a ring portion of an adjustable shoulder strap is fastened to a side wing of the bra, and the other end of the strap portion is fastened to a bra cup of the bra, so that a wearer of the bra can use an adjustment buckle to adjust the length of the shoulder strap to the required length. As explained, the adjustment buckle of the present invention reduces the total thickness of the adjustable shoulder strap at the adjustment buckle region. Moreover, the adjustable shoulder strap provided in this invention can implement a surface on which a shoulder strap comes into contact with skin smoothly and completely, and no discomfort is caused due to friction between the shoulder strap and a human body.
Although not shown in the accompanying drawings, a person skilled in the art should understand that the ring portion may also be fastened to a bra cup of the bra, and the other end of the strap portion is fastened to a side wing of the bra, so that a wearer can conveniently adjust the length of the shoulder strap in front after the underwear is worn, and the wearer's hand does not need to wind to the back to adjust the length of the shoulder strap or the length of the shoulder strap does not need to be adjusted with the help of others.
In various application instances of the adjustable shoulder strap provided by this invention, a user may set, according to a requirement, which surface of the adjustment buckle faces towards an inner side of clothing, that is, a side in contact with the wearer's skin.
Exemplary implementation solutions of this application are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. A person skilled in the art should understand that the foregoing implementation solutions are merely examples used for purposes of description, but are not intended to limit this application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or the like made within the teaching of this application and the protection scope of the claims shall fall within the protection scope of this application.
Patent Application
20190029329
