Patent Application
20250185738
This application claims priority from IL patent application 308869, filed Nov. 26, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to prayer shawls generally and to undergarment prayer shawls in particular.
Observant Jewish males wear a four-cornered fringed garment, known as a “tallit” in Hebrew. There are two types of tallit, one which is worn over clothing and is used during prayer services, and a “tallit katan”, or a “little garment”, which is worn under clothing, although it can be worn over an undershirt.
Ritually tied to of the corners of each portion are fringes 20, known as “tzitziot” in Hebrew, which have a predefined number of knots and threads. Confusingly, the tallit katan is also sometimes known as a “tzitzit”, as its purpose is to hold fringes 20 in place on the person's body.
Fringes 20 are attached to the garment by threading them through a hole 22 in the material at each corner. Hole 22 is typically finished with stitching around the hole and the general area 24 of each corner typically has a double layer of material.
Unfortunately, fringes 20 do not survive for many washes in a washing machine, as they do not have any reinforcement. Moreover, they tend to catch on to other clothing being washed or on parts of the washing machine.
US 2008/271223 teaches an undershirt to which pieces of fabric with fringes connected thereto can be removably connected.
As shown in
There is therefore provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a four-cornered garment has detachable fringes. The garment includes a piece of clothing with a central cut out for a head and four corners and each corner of the piece of clothing has a slit therein. Each slit includes a first side, a second side, a mitred vertex; and a closure formed of an overlap between the first side and the second side. The closure meets at the mitred vertex. When the closure is closed, the overlap holds one of the detachable fringes in place.
Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slit is vertical or horizontal.
Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slit defines a flap over which a set of fringes is loopable.
Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the closure is closed, a first lower edge of the first side and a second lower edge of the second side are aligned.
Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the garment also includes a first closing element and a second closing element. The first element and the second element are located close to the first and second lower edges.
Finally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the piece of clothing is an undershirt or T-shirt.
The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.
Reference is now made to
Reference is now made to
Applicant has further realized that the sliding of fringes 34 in and out of slit 52 may rub the edges of slit 52, and that covering the slit with a binding 62, such as a bias binding, rather than a simple seam finish, may provide much stronger reinforcement against such rubbing. Binding 62 may comprise a first binding portion 62A covering the left side of slit 52, a second binding portion 62B covering the right side of slit 52, and a vertex 60 between bindings 62A and 62B.
Corner 50 may also comprise a closure 58, such as a snap, a fastener or a piece of Velcro™ fastening tape. Closure 58 may comprise one element 58A on binding portion 62A and a second element 58B on binding portion 62B.
Applicant has further realized that, if binding 62 turns with a mitred corner at vertex 60 (i.e., folded to reduce bulk and so that the binding portion 62A meets binding portion 62B at a 45 degree angle at vertex 60), then, after sliding fringes 34 into slit 52, binding portion 62B may be folded to lie generally directly over binding portion 62A, as shown in
It will be appreciated that, as a result of this folding, a lower edge 63A of corner 50 and a lower edge 63B of flap 56 may be become aligned. Alternatively, when closure 58 is closed, the lower edges of binding portions 62A and 62B may be aligned. Both embodiments enable corner 50 to have a straight lower edge, as required, despite having slit 52 therein. Closure elements 58A and 58B may be located close to lower edges 63A and 63B, respectively, to help lower edges 63A and 63B remain aligned.
Upon opening closure 58, fringes 34 may be slid off of flap 56, as shown in
Applicant has also realized that manufacture of the inventive four-cornered garment of the present invention may be significantly simpler than of prior art garments. The latter require finishing four holes and then tying each fringe directly in its corner. However, in the present invention, Applicant has also realized that, with detachable fringes, the manufacturing process is much simpler. There are no holes and the detachable fringes are held in place via the overlap rather than via a hole.
In one exemplary embodiment, flap 56 may have an exemplary width W of 5 cm and fringes 34 may have a loop 35 with an exemplary diameter D of 6.5 cm. Other widths and diameters are possible.
Reference is now made to
In this embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, slit 72 may be finished with a binding 82 with a mitred vertex 80.
In a further alternative embodiment, four-cornered garment 40 may be formed from an undershirt or T-shirt, whose lower side seams are unsewn so as to provide four corners 50 to hold its fringes.
While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 308869 | Nov 2023 | IL | national |
