1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to thongs and similar lower underwear (undergarments) that utilizes jewelry for ornamentation and art. The present invention more specifically involves the use of various types and designs of jewelry that include removable, reattachable features, and, in some embodiments, include interchangeable and modular jewelry. In some cases, the present invention jewelry has an attachment means, in other cases, the underwear has the attachment means, while in others, each of the jewelry and the underwear includes a component of the attachment means.
2. Information Disclosure Statement
The following prior art references relate to the subject matter oft his invention:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,449,818 B1 to Gerhard Fildan et al. describes a link having snap-fitted parts that is provided with selected stones having different appearances to render the link highly versatile. The garment link, for brassieres, lingerie and the like, can use a perfume stone with laser-perforated capillaries communicating with a cavity from which scent may be released and which serves to draw a perfume liquid into the cavity.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,663 to Luis Alvarez Fernandez describes a feminine garment with sexual stimulation effect characterized in that it is worn on the waist, buttocks and pubis of a woman, including a piece that surrounds the waist, provided with a ring at a front central part to which is joined or attached the front extremity of a perineal necklace having one or more rows of beads passing over the pubis between the legs and buttocks of a woman, the rear extremity being linked to the center of the rear art of the woman's back. The walking motion or the movement of the legs causes a friction on the external genital parts, thereby producing sexual stimulation on the wearer. The garment is intended to provide sexual, ludic or erotic therapy.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
The present invention is an item of apparel that includes:
(a) a lower undergarment having a horizontal torso band and a traversing center member, wherein the horizontal torso band and the traversing center member create two leg openings; and,
(b) a jewelry device removably attached to the lower undergarment.
The lower undergarment is typically underwear bottoms of a male or female type, preferably female underwear bottoms, and are constructed of fabric such as cotton, silk, synthetics, etc. These may be modest, meaning having significant amount of lower torso area coverage (buttocks, waist, front and underside cover, for example) or risque, meaning little or no coverage except for bands that are straps or strings, with or without additional panel(s). In other words, these lower undergarments range from long boxers to tight cotton boxers, to briefs, to skimpies, to thongs with one or more of a bottom panel, bottom/front panel, thongs with or without a back panel, to string thongs with no panels. The undergarments may have continuous loop waistbands (horizontal torso bands) and traversing center members, or they may have separable elements as some are now commercially available with fasteners and come apart and fasten together, e.g., in the back middle area. In those cases where there is no front and/or back panel, the jewelry is removably attached to the band, string or strap.
Of the many types of undergarments, thongs are preferred, and it is anticipated that female thongs will be the predominant apparel from a commercial and functional standpoint. Females have and appreciate jewelry more than men and may be more interested in jewelry on their thongs and other underwear, especially where it is fashionable to have the top front and/or top back of lower underwear exposed above pants, skirt, dress or shorts.
In some embodiments, the jewelry device includes attachment means having an attachment mechanism for removable attachment thereof to the lower undergarment. In other embodiments, the lower undergarment includes attachment means having an attachment mechanism for removable attachment of the jewelry device to it. Thus, an attachment mechanism could be on one of either the jewelry or the undergarment. In other embodiments, the jewelry device includes a first component of an attachment means for removable attachment thereof to the lower undergarment, and the lower undergarment includes a second component of an attachment means for interconnection with the first component for removable attachment of the jewelry device. Thus, both may have attachment mechanisms or complementary components thereof.
The attachment mechanism on the jewelry may be selected from the group consisting of a clip, a snap clip, a spring clip, a pin and a stud post and stud, or other known fastener. The attachment mechanism on the garment may be selected from the group consisting of a clip, a magnet and a post. If both the jewelry and the undergarment have attachment capabilities, they may be any of the above, for example the first component includes one of a hook pad and a loop pad located on a back portion of the jewelry device and the second component includes the other of a hook pad and a loop pad. In another embodiment, the first component includes one of a button and button hole on a back portion of the jewelry device and the second component includes the other of a button and button hole. In many embodiments, the first component includes one of a male connector and a male-receiving female connector on a back portion of the jewelry device and the second component includes the other of a male connector and a male-receiving female connector. In some embodiments, the first component includes a magnet on a back portion of the jewelry device and the second component includes a magnet attracting metal member.
The present invention should be more fully understood when the specification herein is taken in conjunction with the drawings appended hereto wherein:
In
Jewelry device 110 is a rigid metal plate with raised decorative representation, and is pinned on by a conventional parallel pin and receiver (not shown) as are used for military awards. Alternatively, the jewelry device 110 may be removably attached by any mechanism described above or otherwise shown.
In
In
Jewelry device 901 includes a base 913 with an opal 905 and a stud 907. Stud clasp 908 can be used inside a bottom undergarment with stud 907 piercing from outside to removably fasten the jewelry device 901 to the undergarment.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.