STRETCHABLE BABY GARMENT

Abstract

A stretchable baby garment includes a garment body and collar with a V-shaped gap at the upper back and a triangular gusset and neck band attached across the V-shaped gap. The garment body and collar are made of a first fabric. The gusset and neck band are made of a second fabric more elastic than the first fabric. The fabric and neck band stretch to make the sleeves easier to put on baby arms without forcing the baby to bend his or her elbows.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to baby garments and, more particularly, to stretchable garments for easier dressing.

Dressing a baby has always been a challenge for parents. All baby clothing, especially clothing for winter, is difficult to put on because most baby clothing does not stretch enough to move with the baby's random movements. Babies often squirm and get fussy while being dressed. Babies frequently get upset and even start to cry while clothing is being put on them. This causes parents to get very frustrated while getting a baby dressed.

The only stretchy baby clothing currently available on the market is too thin and cannot be worn in colder temperatures.

As can be seen, there is a need for a stretchable baby garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides baby clothing with a stretchable material down the center of the garment, such that the garment is stretchable and moves with the baby. The invention eases the hassle of putting the baby's arms in clothing, making dressing easier on the parents and causing less stress on the baby.

In one aspect of the present invention, a stretchable baby garment is provided, comprising: a garment body and collar of a first fabric having a V-shaped gap at an upper back thereof; and a triangular gusset and neck band of a second fabric more elastic than the first fabric coupled to the garment body and the collar across the V-shaped gap.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a stretchable baby garment according to an embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view thereof, shown in an open mode with the gusset in an unstretched condition;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view thereof, showing the gusset in a stretched condition;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view thereof, shown in an open mode with the gusset in an unstretched condition;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view thereof, showing the gusset in a stretched condition;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 4, showing the gusset in an unstretched condition;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view thereof, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6, showing the gusset in a stretched condition;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view thereof, shown in a closed position; and

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view thereof, shown in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a stretchable baby garment with a generally “V”-shaped elastic fabric panel along the back of the garment, with an elastic band along the neck region of the elastic fabric panel. The stretchable fabric and band expand to make the sleeves easier to put on baby arms without forcing the baby to bend his or her elbows.

In some embodiments, a matching clothing flap may be added to cover the stretchable fabric. The flap may comprise the original clothing material and fasteners and may be used to hide the stretchable material.

The materials of manufacture are not particularly limited. The stretchable fabric may be any suitable elastic fabric. The stretchable band may be any suitable elastic material. The fasteners may be, for example, snaps or hook-and-loop fasteners.

The stretchable baby garment may be manufactured with the elastic panel and band of a fabric more elastic than that of the remaining garment. Alternatively, an existing baby garment may be retrofitted to have an elastic panel and band according to the following method. A “V” may be cut down the back of baby clothing, with the top of the “V” cutout at the neck of the garment. A slightly larger piece of stretchable fabric may be cut into the same “V” shape. The “V”-shaped stretchable fabric may be added where the V was cut out of the garment, sewn into the back of clothing. Along the top/neck area of the “V” shape, a stretchable band may be sewn for additional support. A cover may be made from extra fabric of the original clothing to cover the exposed stretchable fabric and band. The cover may be sewn to one edge of the “V” shape, with one or more fasteners on the other side of the “V”.

In some embodiments, the baby garment may also have fasteners along the front middle section of the baby garment selected from the group consisting of: a zipper, snap fasteners, and buttons.

The inventive garment may be used according to the following method. The user may unfasten the fastener(s) on the front of the garment, then unfasten the back fasteners to reveal the stretchable back panel. The user may then put the baby into the clothing, stretching the back panel as necessary to ease the baby's arms into the sleeves. After the baby is clothed, the user may close the fastener(s) on the front of the garment, then fasten the flap of clothing material, covering the stretchable back panel and secure it using the fasteners.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 10, a baby garment 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a garment body 11 with a collar 16 and a v-shaped gap at the upper back of the garment 10 and a stretchable triangular gusset 18 with a stretchable neck band 20 spanning the v-shaped gap. The gusset 18 is coupled to the garment body 11, such as by stitching a first edge of the gusset 18 to a first edge of the garment body 11 and a second edge of the gusset 18 to a second edge of the garment body 11. A triangular flap 12 covering the gusset 18 extends from the garment body 11 at one edge and fastens to the garment body 11 at an opposite corner of the flap 12 with a snap 14. The flap 12 may be stitched 22 between an edge of the garment body and an edge of the gusset 18 as shown in FIGS. 7-8. As shown in FIG. 2, a male element 14A of the snap 14 may be affixed to the garment body 11 at the collar 16 adjacent to the gusset 18, while a female element 14B of the snap 14, i.e., the mating portion, may be affixed to a corresponding corner of the flap 12. In order to dress or undress a baby, the garment may be pulled at one or more points such that the stretched gusset 18A and the stretched band 20A provide ample room in which to move the baby's body, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the front panel of the garment has a left side portion and a right side portion forming a closable gap therebetween and also has fasteners, such as a zipper 15 and snap 14, operative to couple the left and right side portions. When the zipper 15 and snap 14 are in an open condition and the garment is not in use, the gusset 18 and band 20 may be visible from the garment front.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A stretchable baby garment comprising: a. a garment body and collar of a first fabric having a V-shaped gap at an upper back thereof; andb. a triangular gusset and neck band of a second fabric more elastic than the first fabric coupled to the garment body and the collar across the V-shaped gap.

2. The stretchable baby garment of claim 1, wherein the garment body further comprises a front panel with a left side portion, a right side portion, and a closable gap therebetween and fasteners operative to couple the left side portion with the right side portion, thereby closing the closable gap.

3. The stretchable baby garment of claim 1, further comprising a triangular flap of the first fabric stitched to a first edge of the V-shaped gap, with a fastener at an opposite corner thereof, said fastener having a mating portion affixed to the collar adjacent to the neck band.

4. The stretchable baby garment of claim 3, wherein the fastener is a snap or a hook-and-loop fastener.