OUTFIT SUPPORT

FIELD

The disclosed embodiments are generally directed to outfit supports.

BACKGROUND

Outfit supports, sometimes referred to as valets, are typically used to store and display a piece of clothing to assist a user in getting dressed. In some examples, the valet may include a mirror.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes an outfit support having a head portion and a body portion, one or more wall fasteners to attach the outfit support to a wall, an outfit to attach to the outfit support, and a mirror on the head portion. The body portion has one or more outfit attachment elements to attach an outfit to the outfit support,

According to another embodiment, an apparatus includes an outfit support having a torso portion, two arm portions and a head portion, one or more fasteners to attach the outfit support to a surface; and a mirror on the head portion. The position of the torso portion and head portion on the surface is adjustable while the outfit support is mounted to the surface. e

According to still another embodiment, a method of viewing a user and an outfit is disclosed. The method includes placing an outfit on an outfit support having a head portion and a body portion, the outfit support being mounted to a wall, and looking at a mirror on the head portion to view a reflection of a user's face while the outfit is attached to the outfit portion.

According to yet another embodiment, an apparatus includes an outfit support having a head portion and a body portion, a mirror on the head portion, means for attaching the outfit support to the wall, and means for attaching an outfits to the outfit support.

It should be appreciated that the foregoing concepts, and additional concepts discussed below, may be arranged in any suitable combination, as the present disclosure is not limited in this respect.

The foregoing and other aspects, embodiments, and features of the present teachings can be more fully understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 a perspective view of an outfit support according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows the outfit support of FIG. 1, with an exploded view of an arm portion;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an outfit support with an attached outfit and sign;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a backside of the outfit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an outfit support attached to a surface;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of a height of an outfit support being adjusted while the outfit support is attached to a surface;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a vertical length of an outfit support being adjusted while the outfit support is attached to a surface; and

FIG. 9 is another schematic illustration of a vertical length of an outfit support being adjusted while the outfit support is attached to a surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Outfit supports, sometimes referred to as valets, are typically used to store and display a piece of clothing (e.g., to assist a user in selecting an outfit to wear). For example, a valet may include a double-sided doll over which a piece of clothing may be draped for viewing by the user. In some examples, the valet may include a mirror.

According to one aspect disclosed herein, an outfit support allows a user to view a reflection of his face and an outfit while the outfit is attached to the outfit. Such an arrangement permits the user to see herself or himself associated with an outfit or costume without having to don the outfit or costume. In some cases, the apparatus may be used for self-motivation, for example, as part of performing a motivational exercise. For example, in some embodiments, a sign with motivational text or images, such as a positive trait about the user, may be attached to the outfit support for viewing by the user. In such embodiments, when the user looks at the outfit support, he not only views himself wearing the outfit, he also views himself holding the motivational text or images. In other cases, the apparatus may be used to approximate how one would look in a certain outfit or with certain colored fabric.

To that end, embodiments disclosed herein include an outfit support with outfit attachment elements to attach the outfit to the outfit support, fastening elements to attach the outfit support to a surface (e.g., a wall), and a mirror on the outfit support. For purposes herein, an outfit may include a piece of clothing that a user may wear, such as a costume or a jacket. However, the outfit need not be wearable by the user. For example, the outfit may include a representation of an outfit, such as a piece of fabric resembling a piece of clothing, that the user may attach to the outfit support.

In some embodiments, the outfit support may include head and body portions, with the mirror on the head portion. As will be appreciated, in such embodiments, the outfit support may have a shape that resembles a shape of a person. In some embodiments, the mirror may be permanently attached to the outfit support, although it also may be removably attached.

According to some aspects, the outfit support is configured to be adjustable while attached to the surface. For example, a user may adjust a height of the outfit support so that it corresponds to a height of the user. When used for a child, the height adjustment allows for the apparatus to grow with the child. For purposes herein, the height of the outfit support may mean a vertical distance from a bottom of the surface (e.g., from the floor) to a top of the outfit support. As will be appreciated, in such embodiments, the height (e.g., vertical position) of the outfit support may be adjusted without adjusting the size (e.g., the vertical length) of the outfit support.

In other embodiments, the size (e.g., vertical length) of the outfit support may be adjusted. For example, the vertical length of outfit support may be increased or decreased so that the vertical length of the outfit support corresponds to the height of the user. In such embodiments, as will be appreciated, as the vertical length of the outfit support changes so does the vertical position of the top of the outfit support. In some embodiments, the length of the outfit support may be adjustable while the outfit support is attached to the surface.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an outfit support 100 according to one aspect. As shown in this figure, the outfit support 100 includes a body portion 102 and head portion 104. In some embodiments, as shown in this figure, the body portion 102 may include a torso portion 106, two arm portions 108, and two leg portions 110. The body portion also may include foot portions 112 and hand portions (not shown). As will be appreciated, in such embodiments, the shape of the outfit support may correspond to a shape of a person.

In some embodiments, the outfit support does not have the shape of a person. For example, although the body portion is shown with two arms portions and two leg portions, the body portion may have only two arm portions or only two leg portions. In other embodiments, the body portion may have no discernible arm or leg portions. That is, the body may have a single, elongated body portion, e.g., a rectangular or oval-shaped body portion, and an outfit attached to the outfit support may give the appearance of a body shape.

In some embodiments, the body portion is integrally formed. For example, the arm portions, the torso portion, the leg portions and any foot or hand portions may be formed as a single, unitary piece. In other embodiments, the sections of the body portion may be hingedly or otherwise movably attached to one another such that the arm portions and/or the leg portions, for example, may be folded on top of the torso portion for storage.

In other embodiments, one or more sections of the body portion may be removably attachable to other sections of the body portion. In such embodiments, the outfit support may be modular, such that a user may select different arm portions, for example, a bent arm portion or a straight arm portion, or different leg portions to attach to the torso portion. The user also may select different torso portions.

In one such embodiment, the torso portion may be removably attachable to the leg portions. As shown in FIG. 2, in some embodiments, a bottom 107 of the torso portion 106 may be received in a recess 114 formed between the leg portions 110. In such an embodiment, the shape and size of the bottom 107 of the torso portion 106 may correspond to the shape and size of the recess 114 between the leg portions 110. For example, the bottom of the torso and recess formed between the leg portions are both rectangular in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the torso portion 106 is attached to the leg portions 110 via one or more pins 116.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the bottom of the torso portion may include a laterally extending channel 118 that aligns with laterally extending channels 120 in the leg portions 110. In such an embodiment, once the channels 118, 120 are aligned, the pin 116 may be inserted into each of the leg portions 110, on either side of the recess 114, until the pin 116 extends into the torso portion 106.

Although only one pin is used to attach each leg portion to the torso portion, in other embodiments, two or more pins may be used to attach each leg portion to the torso portion (e.g., via the bottom of the torso portion). As will be appreciated, other suitable attachment elements may be used to attach the torso to the leg portions.

In some embodiments, the arm portions 108 also may be removably attached to the torso portion. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the arm portion 108 may include a tab 122 that engages with a corresponding opening 124 in the torso portion. The shape and size of the tab may correspond to the shape and size of the corresponding opening. For example, if the tab 122 on the arm portion 108 is cylindrical in shape, the corresponding opening 124 on the torso portion 106 also may be cylindrical.

Although only one tab and one corresponding opening is used to attach each arm to the torso portion in FIG. 2, in other embodiments, two or more tabs and corresponding openings may be used to attach each arm portion to the torso portion. In such embodiments, the shape and size of the tabs and openings may be the same, although the shapes and sizes of the tabs and openings may vary between each pair of tabs and corresponding openings. Additionally, while the tab is shown on the arm portion and the corresponding opening is shown on the torso portion, in other embodiments, the torso portion may include a tab that engage with a corresponding opening on the arm portion. As will be appreciated, other suitable attachment portions also may be used for removably attaching the arms to the torso portion.

In some embodiments, the position of the arm portion relative to the torso portion may be adjusted by the user. As shown in FIG. 1, for example, the user may have one upwardly-directed arm portion 108 and one downwardly-directed arm portion 108. The user also may position both arm portions 108 in a downward direction, as shown in FIG. 4, or may position both arm portions 108 in an upward direction (not shown). As will be appreciated, to change the direction of the arm portion 108, the arm portion 108 may be rotated (see the arrow labeled R in FIGS. 1-22) until the arm portion 108 is facing the desired direction, such as upwardly, downwardly or outwardly. Once in the desired direction, the arm portion 108 may be attached to the torso portion 106, such as by inserting the tab 122 into the corresponding opening 124 on the torso portion 106.

In some embodiments, the head portion 104 is integrally formed with the body portion 102. The head portion also may be hingedly or otherwise movably attached to the body portion. In yet another embodiment, the head portion may be removably attached to the body portion.

For example, the head and body portions may have one or more tabs and corresponding openings for attachment, similar to the arm and torso portions. The head portion also may be attached via another suitable method.

In some embodiments, the head portion may be circular in shape. As will be appreciated, the head portion also may have other suitable shapes. For example, the head portion may be oval, rectangular, square, or another shape.

According to another aspect, the outfit support is arranged to allow a user to view a reflection of his face such that that it appears that he is wearing the outfit attached to the outfit support. As shown in FIGS. 1-2, in some embodiments, a mirror 126 may be attached to the outfit support 100 to allow the user to view his face's reflection. In such embodiments, the mirror may have a circular shape, although the mirror also may have other suitable shapes (e.g., oval, triangular, rectangular, or another suitable shape). As will be appreciated, the mirror need not have the same shape as the head portion. For example, the head portion may be circular in shape while the mirror is oval-shaped.

Although a mirror is shown in FIGS. 1-2 for providing the a reflection of the user's face, it will be appreciated that other suitable devices may be used to allow the user to view the reflection of his face. For example, in another embodiment, the head portion may include a camera (e.g., a digital video camera) that may display a live image of the user's face on a screen on the head portion. As will be appreciated, in embodiments using such a camera, the camera also may be positioned at another suitable location (e.g., on the wall above the outfit support). According to another aspect, the outfit support is arranged to display an outfit to the user.

An example of the outfit 128 attached to the outfit support 100 is illustrated in FIG. 3. In such an embodiment, a representation of a dress 128a and a pair of boots 128b has been attached to the body 102 portion of the outfit support 100. That is, a piece of fabric that looks like a dress and a pieces of fabric that look like the pair of boots have been attached to the arm, torso, and leg portions. As will be appreciated, although an outfit with a dress and pair of boots is shown in FIG. 3, other outfit representations, like pants, shirts, skirts and/or pajamas, may be attached. In other embodiments, in addition to (or in place of) the outfit representation, clothing worn by the user may be attached to the outfit support.

Turning back to FIGS. 1-2, in some embodiments, the outfit support 100 may have one or more outfit attachment elements on a front side of the body portion 102 for attaching the outfit 128 to the outfit support 100. In one example, as is shown, the body portion 102 may include hook an loop fastening material 130 on the front side, with corresponding hook and loop fastening material 1302 on a back surface the outfit (see, e.g., FIG. 4). In some embodiments, the hook and loop fastening material 130 may be located on the arm portions 108, the leg portions 110, and the foot portions 112. When the outfit 128 is placed on the body portion 102, the hook and loop fastening material 132 on the outfit 128 engages with the corresponding hook and loop fastening material 130 on the body portion 102 to attached the outfit 128 to the outfit support 100.

As will be appreciated, the body portion need not have outfit attachment elements on each of the shown locations. For example, attachment elements may be positioned on just the arm portions. Attachment elements also may located on different areas of the body portion. For example, the attachment elements may be located on just the torso portion. In some embodiments, the attachment portions are rectangular in shape, as is shown, although the attachment elements may have any suitable shape and be any suitable size.

Although hook and loop fastening material has been shown to attach the outfit to the outfit support (e.g., via body portion), other suitable attachment elements may be used. For example, in one embodiment, the front side of the body portion may include hooks or clips, such as clothespins, to attach the outfit to the body portion. In some embodiments, the body portion may have more than one type of attachment element. For example, the body portion may have both clips and hook and loop fastening material. In such embodiments, the body portion may be arranged to attach different types of outfits. For example, the body portion may attach both clothing worn by the user, without hook and loop fastening material, and clothing representations that may have hook and loop fastening material. As will be appreciated, the attachment elements may be attached to the body portion via any suitable method, such as with screws, nails, staples, glue, etc.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the outfit support 100 may include attachment elements to attach a sign 134 with motivational text or images to the outfit support 100. For example, as show in FIG. 3, the arm portions 108 may include hooks 138 to attach the sign 134 having motivational text 136 to the arm portion. As will be appreciated, sign also may be attached to other portions of the outfit support. As will be further appreciated, such hooks also may be used to attach other outfit accessories, like purses and/or baseball gloves, to one or more arm portions in other embodiments.

Although a sign is shown in FIG. 3, other signage, such as a banner, plaque, or another suitable display for displaying motivation text or images, may be attached to the outfit support. For example, an electronic tablet may be used to shuffle several motivational images or texts for viewing by the user.

Although not shown, outfits also may be attached to the head portion of the outfit support. For example, the user may attach a hat, headband, or even a representation of hair. As will be appreciated, the head portion may include outfit attachment elements similar to those described with respect to the body portion.

According to another aspect, the outfit support is arranged to be attached to a surface, such as a wall. For example, one or more fastening elements may be used to attach the outfit support to the wall. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the outfit support 100 includes one or more openings 140 in the body portion (e.g., the torso portion) through which a fastening element, such as fastener 142, may be inserted to attach the outfit support to the wall 144. For example, the opening may include a vertical slot in the torso portion. In such embodiments, the size of the opening may be smaller than a size an end of the fastener (e.g., the head of the screw), such that when the fastener is attached to the surface (e.g., screwed into the wall), the torso portion is held between the fastener (e.g., the head of the screw) and the surface (see, e.g., FIG. 6).

In some embodiments, only the torso portion may be attached to the surface. In other embodiments, the leg portions also may include openings through which fasteners 142 may be inserted to attach the outfit support 100 to the wall 144. In such embodiments, the size and shape of the openings in the torso portion and in the leg portions may differ or may be the same. The number of openings in each portion also may be the same, although the also may differ.

Although openings and corresponding fasteners have been shown in FIGS. 5-6 to attach the outfit support to the surface, other suitable attachment mechanisms may be used to attach the outfit support to the surface. For example, a piece of hook and loop fastening material may be attached to the wall with corresponding hook and loop fastening material on the rear side of the outfit support. The outfit support also may be attached via sliding brackets, via a hook and corresponding loop, or via another suitable method.

According to another aspect, the outfit support is configured to be adjustable, and in some embodiments, is configured to be adjustable while remaining attached to the wall or other surface.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the height (e.g., a vertical position) of the outfit support may be adjusted so that it corresponds to a height of the user. In this manner, the outfit support may be raised when the user gets taller, or may be usable by people of different heights. As shown in FIG. 7, at left, when the outfit support is first installed, the outfit support may be placed such that a bottom of the outfit support 100 (e.g., the foot portions 112) are adjacent to the floor 146. In such an embodiment, the outfit support 100 is positioned at a first height H1, corresponding to a distance between the floor 146 and the top of the outfit support 100. In such an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, at left, the fasteners 142 may be located at a top of each opening 140.

In embodiments in which the outfit support is moved in an upward direction (see the arrow labeled A in FIG. 7), the top of the outfit support (e.g., the top of the head portion 104) is raised. As shown in FIG. 7, at right, in the raised positioned, the foot portions 112 of the outfit support 100 no longer touch the floor 146 and the outfit support 100 is positioned at a second height H2. In one embodiment, the fasteners 142 may be located at a bottom of the opening 140, with the distance between the first and second heights corresponds to the length of the opening 140 in the body portion. That is, the distance between the first and second heights H1, H2 corresponds to the distance traveled by the fasteners 142 between the top of the opening 140 and the bottom of the opening 140. As will be appreciated, in other embodiments, the outfit support may be raised to a height in between the first and second heights H1, H2.

As shown in FIG. 7, the height of the outfit support 100 may be adjusted without also adjusting the size of the outfit support. However, as shown in FIG. 8, the outfit support also may be configured such that the size (e.g., a vertical length) of the outfit support 100 can be increased when the height is adjusted. In such an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the foot portions 112 of the outfit support 100 may remain adjacent the floor 146 in both the initial and raised positions.

In some embodiments, to increase the length of the outfit support 100, a torso extension 148 or other insert is inserted in the recess 114 between the leg portions, below the torso portion 106. As with the torso portion 106, the torso extension 148 also may include laterally extending channels 121 that may be aligned with laterally extending channels 118 in the leg portions. In such an embodiment, the torso extension 148 (and the torso portion 106) may be attached to the leg portions 110 via pins 116 that extend from the leg portions 110 into the torso extension 148 (and torso portion 106).

Although a single torso extension 148 is shown in FIG. 8, at right, in other embodiments, two or more torso extensions 148 may be inserted into the recess 114 between the leg portions 110. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, three torso extensions 148 may be inserted into the recess 114 between the leg portions 110. As will be appreciated, in such embodiments, pins 116 may be inserted into laterally extending channels 121 in each torso 148 extension to attach the torso extensions 148 to the leg portions 110. As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the increase in vertical length (as with the increase in height) corresponds to the distance travelled by the fasteners 142.

As will be appreciated, in other embodiments, the vertical length of the torso portion 106 may be increased prior to mounting the outfit support 100 to the surface. In such an embodiment, the increase in the vertical length of the torso portion need not be limited to the size of the openings 140 in the torso portion 106 or the distance traveled by the fasteners 142.

According to another aspect, a method of viewing a user and an outfit is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes placing an outfit on an outfit support having a head portion and a body portion, the outfit support being mounted to a surface (e.g., a wall) and looking at a mirror on the head portion to view a reflection of a user's face while the outfit is attached to the outfit portion. In this manner, the user can view herself as if she were wearing the outfit which is attached to the outfit support. In some embodiments, the method further comprises placing a sign on the outfit support and looking at the mirror on the head potion to view the reflection of the user's face while the sign is attached to the outfit support. In other embodiments, the method further comprises removing the outfit, placing a second outfit on the outfit support, and looking at the mirror on the head portion to view the reflection of the user's face while the second outfit is attached to the outfit portion.

While the present teachings have been described in conjunction with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments or examples. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

OUTFIT SUPPORT

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Abstract

Description

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