SUSPENDER SYSTEM AND KIT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a suspender system in which fastener members attached to suspender straps provide expeditious attachment to a corresponding attachment member attached to a garment. The attachment member can be a no-sew button stud, a sew-in button, a rivet, a ring, rod or cloth loop. The fastener member can be a suspender clip, or a plastic or metal garter grip. The suspender system can hold pants or trousers in just the right position all day and the “tuck around” sew-in or pinned-in attachments let the wearer tuck in their shirt if they choose. The attachment member can be an attachment ring. The fastener and/or the attachment member having a height of predetermined distance from a garment, such as pants, to allow a worn second garment, such as a shirt, to be tucked around the attachment members.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a suspender system in which suspenders can be worn under a shirt and out of sight and include fastener members to removably couple the suspenders to corresponding attachment members attached to an inside of the garment. The suspender system of the present invention also allows a shirt to be easily tucked around the fasteners.

2. Description of Related Art

Suspenders used to support pants or trousers on a person's body are known. The suspenders typically include a pair of straps that fit over the shoulders of the wearer with ends which attach to the waistband of the pants. The ends of the straps of the suspenders typically have a X or Y shape with button holes at each end of the X or Y shape. Each button hole is attached to a corresponding button positioned on the inside of the waistband. The suspenders are worn over a shirt.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,555,421 describes suspenders having a pair of strap members particularly for wearing under loose fitting shirts. At least one side of each of the strap member has loop members thereon which mate with pieces of hook-type material secured adjacent one end of each of the strap members. The pair of strap members are connected together and the strap members are adjusted with hook and loop material for eliminating adjustment buckles. Clip-type fastener members are affixed to ends of the strap members. The clip-type fasteners clip to the pants or trousers worn by the wearer. This patent has the shortcoming in which the bulky clip-type fastener clips make it difficult for a shirt to be tucked into the pants or trousers around the fastener clips without undoing the fastener clips. The wearer cannot wear traditional suspenders in an out-of-sight or invisible fashion.

As opposed to conventional suspenders that are designed to be worn over the shirt, it is desirable to provide an undergarment suspender system that can be worn under a shirt.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to suspender system in which fastener members such as for example suspender clips or plastic or metal garter belt clips, are attached to suspender straps to provide expeditious attachment to a corresponding attachment member, such as for example rings, buttons, metal rivets/buttons, or cloth loops, which are attached to a garment. The suspender system expeditiously attaches suspender straps to a garment (pants or skirt) by using corresponding fasteners which can be removably attached to attachment members coupled to the garment. The wearer can experience the practical benefits of suspenders (pants or skirt held in desired waistline position) while wearing them invisibly under a tucked-in shirt or blouse. This present invention can use different combinations of the above fastener members and corresponding attachment members.

In one embodiment, a suspender clip (the fastener member) can be attached expeditiously to a metal or plastic ring (the attachment member) that can be sewn into the garment.

In an alternate embodiment, the fastener member is a plastic garter belt clip which is expeditiously attached to the attachment member of a sew-in button. In another alternate embodiment, the fastener member is a metal garter belt clip which can be attached expeditiously to the attachment member of a rivet/button/pin mechanism that can be pinned to the garment and is also expeditiously removable.

In another embodiment, the fastener member is a standard suspender clip which is attached to the attachment member of a cloth loop that can be sewn into the garment.

During use of the suspender system, the attachment member is attached to the inner waistband of the garment. The suspender straps are positioned over the shoulders of the wearer before putting on a shirt or blouse. The fastener member is coupled to the corresponding attachment member. The shirt or blouse is put on over the suspenders. The shirt or blouse can be tucked around the fastener member between the fastener member and the attachment member. Alternatively, the shirt or blouse can be worn outside of the garment and not tucked in or the suspenders can be worn over the shirt or blouse.

The present invention has the advantage that the suspender system can hold pants or trousers in just the right position all day, and the “tuck-around” sew-in or pinned-in attachments let the wearer tuck in their shirt if they choose. Worn out of sight, no one knows that suspenders are being worn. The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front and side elevational view of suspenders in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the suspenders;

FIG. 3 is a back elevational view of the suspenders;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the suspenders;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the suspenders from the opposite side;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the suspenders;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the suspenders from the opposite end;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a suspender system including attachment members;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the suspender system;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of an attachment member used in the suspender system;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the attachment member shown in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the attachment member shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the suspender system including the attachment member of FIG. 8 during use.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use.

FIG. 18A is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use.

FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate suspenders 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Suspender straps 12, 13 and 14 are attached to junction member 15. Strap 12 can be attached to or threaded through ring 16 on side 17 of junction member 15. Straps 13 and 14 can be attached to or threaded through ring 18 on side 19 of junction member 15. Ends 22, 23 and 24 of respective straps 12, 13 and 14 can be coupled to respective straps 12, 13 and 14 for example by sewing as shown in FIG. 2.

Ends 25 and 26 of respective straps 13 and 14 can be doubled over respective straps 13 and 14 and secured with buckles 27. Buckles 27 can be adjusted along the length of respective straps 13 and 14 for adjusting the length of straps 13 and 14. Buckles 27 include buckle coupler 29 for contacting respective straps 13 and 14 after adjustment of the desired length of respective straps 13 and 14 as shown in FIG. 3.

Fastener members 30a-30c can be formed as clip 31. Fastener member 30a can be attached to end 32 of strap 12 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Fastener member 30b can be attached to end 33 of strap 13. Fastener member 30c can be attached to end 34 of strap 14. Fastener members 30a-30c can include fastener ring 35. Respective ends 32, 33 and 34 are threaded through fastener ring 35 of respective fastener members 30a-30c and are attached to respective straps 12, 13 and 14 for example by sewing.

Clip 31 includes clip members 36, 37 coupled to one another with bias member 38 as shown in FIG. 1. Clip members 36, 37 can be opened by pressing on bias member 38 to move clip members 36, 37 away from one another. Clip members 36, 37 can be closed by releasing bias member 38.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams of suspender system 40 in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Suspender system 40 includes suspenders 10 and attachment member 50.

Attachment member 50 can include coupling ring 52 coupled or integral with attachment ring 54 as shown in FIGS. 10-12. Coupling ring 52 can have for example a circular or elliptical shape. Attachment ring 54 can have, for example, a circular or elliptical shape. Coupling ring 52 can have a diameter D₁ which is larger than diameter D₂ of attachment ring 54 as shown in FIG. 11. For example, diameter D₁ can be in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.75 inches. For example, diameter D₂ can be in the range of about 0.125 to about 0.25 inches.

Coupling ring 52 can be removably coupled to fastener member 30 as shown in FIG. 13. Attachment ring 54 is attached to waistband 62 of garment 60. Attachment ring 54 can be sewn to waistband 62 with stitches 64 at a position beneath top 63 of waistband 62. Attachment ring 54 can be attached to inner surface 65 of waistband 62. Alternatively, attachment ring 54 can be stapled or sewn to waistband 62. For example, garment 60 can be pants, trousers, shorts or a skirt.

Height H₁ of coupling ring 52 is selected to allow coupling ring 52 to be a predetermined distance from attachment ring 54 to allow edge 72 of garment 70 to be tucked around fastener member 30 between fastener member 30 and coupling ring 52. For example, height H₁ can be in the range of about 1.0 to about 2.0 inches. For example, garment 70 can be a shirt or a blouse.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of suspender system 80 in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Suspender system 80 includes suspenders 10 and attachment member 82. Attachment member 82 includes attachment rod 84, that is removable. Attachment rod 84 has length L₁ which is sufficient to removably attach fastener member 30.

Attachment rod member 85 positioned at end 86 is integral with attachment rod 84. Attachment rod member 87 positioned at end 88 is integral with attachment rod 84.

Attachment rod member 85 and attachment rod member 87 can be attached to inner surface 65 of waistband 62. Attachment rod member 85 and attachment rod member 87 can be pinned to waistband 62. Alternatively, attachment rod member 85 and attachment rod member 87 can be pinned or stapled to waistband 62.

Height H₂ of fastener member 30 is selected to allow edge 72 of garment 70 to be tucked around attachment member 82 between fastener member 30, between fastener member 30 and attachment member 82 and over waistband 62. For example, height H₂ can be in the range of about 1.0 to about 1.5 inches.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of suspender system 90 in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Suspender system 90 includes suspenders 100 and attachment member 92. Suspenders 100 can be the same as suspenders 10 except fastener member 30 is replaced with fastener member 110. Fastener member 110 includes coupling member 112 attaching to fastener ring 113. Coupling extension 114 extends from coupling member 112. Coupling extension 114 include flange 115 and flange 116. Flange 115 includes curvature 117 and flange 116 includes curvature 118 for forming opening 119. Coupling section 120 extends below opening 119.

Attachment member 92 includes attachment rod 94. Coupling nut 93 is attached to attachment rod 94. For example, coupling nut 93 can have a hexagonal shape. Coupling nut 93 can be received within opening 119. Coupling nut 93 can be slidably moved into coupling section 120 between flanges 115 and 116 forming a track for removably coupling fastener 110 to attachment member 92.

Attachment rod member 95 is positioned at end 96 of attachment rod 94. Attachment rod member 97 is positioned at end 98 of attachment rod 94. Attachment rod member 95 and attachment rod member 97 can be pinned to inner surface 65 of waistband 62. Attachment rod member 95 and attachment rod member 97 can be pinned to waistband 62.

Height H₃ of fastener member 110 is selected to allow edge 72 of garment 70 to be tucked around attachment member 92 between fastener member 110 and attachment member 92. For example, height H₃ can be in the range of about 0.5 to about 1.0 inches.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of suspender system 120 in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Suspender system 120 includes suspenders 121 and attachment member 122. Suspenders 121 can be the same as suspenders 10 except fastener member 30 is replaced with fastener member 130. Fastener member 130 includes coupling member 132 attached or integral with fastener ring 135. Fastener ring 135 attaches to respective suspenders 12, 13, and 14. Coupling extension 134 extends from coupling member 132. Coupling extension 134 includes opening 136.

Attachment member 122 includes button 123. Button 123 can be sewn to waistband 62 with stitches 125. Button 123 can be received within opening 136 of coupling extension 134. Button 123 can be slidably moved toward coupling section 137 of coupling member 132 for removably to fastener member 130 to attachment member 122.

Height H₄ of fastener member 130 is selected to allow edge 72 of garment 70 to be tucked around attachment member 122 between fastener member 130 and attachment member 122. For example, height H₄ can be in the range of about 0.5 to about 1.0 inches.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of suspender system 200 in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Suspender system 200 includes suspenders 10 and attachment member 202. Attachment member 202 has a length L₁ which is sufficient to removably attach fastener member 30. End 204 of attachment member 202 can be sewn to waistband 62 with stitches 205. Attachment member 202 can be formed of cloth. Alternatively, attachment member 202 can be glued or stapled to waistband 62. Height H₂ of fastener member 30 is selected to allow edge 72 of garment 70 to be tucked around attachment member 202 between fastener member 30, between fastener member 30 and attachment member 202 and over waistband 62. For example, height H₂ can be in the range of about 0.5 to about 1.0 inches.

A kit can be formed of suspenders 10 along with a plurality of attachment members 50. During use, straps 13 and 14 are placed over the shoulders of a wearer and are positioned at the front and strap 12 is positioned at the rear of the wearer. Buckles 27 are adjusted for adjusting the length of straps 13 and 14. A pair of attachment members 50 are attached to garment 60 at a distance from one another on a front or side surface of garment 60. A third attachment member 50 is attached at a rear of garment 60. Each of fasteners 30a, 30b and 30c are opened to receive a respective coupling ring 52. Each of fastener members 30a, 30b, and 30c are closed after receiving coupling ring 52.

Alternatively, the kit can be formed of suspenders 10 along with a plurality of attachment members 82. For example, the kit can contain 15 attachment members 82 for attaching to five garments. Alternatively, the kit can be formed of suspenders 100 along with a plurality of attachment members 92. For example, the kit can contain 15 attachment members 92. Alternatively, the kit can be formed of suspenders 120 and a plurality of attachment members 122. Alternatively, the kit can be formed of suspenders 10 along with a plurality of attachment members 202.

FIG. 18A is a schematic diagram of suspender system 220 in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. All of the features of suspender system 220 are the same as suspender system 120, except for button 123. In suspender system 220, instead of button 123, the system uses no-sew button stud 124 that consists of two parts; female head 125 and male insert 126. Female head 125 is positioned adjacent inner surface 140 of coupling member 132. No-sew button stud 124 can be connected by piercing the pants material to create an opening for insertion of no-sew button stud 124. In this configuration, the shirt tail can be positioned over no-sew button stud 124. Coupling member 132 and fastener member 130 can be then placed over garment 70 and pressed down over the material and then over no-sew button stud 124, using opening 136. No-sew button 124 can be slidably moved toward coupling section 137 to secure garment 70 material in place. Coupling section 137 includes opening 138 which has a smaller diameter than female head 125 of no-sew button stud 124.

FIG. 18B is a schematic diagram of suspender system 220 in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. In this embodiment, female head 125 is position adjacent outer surface 142 of coupling member 132.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A suspender system comprising; a plurality of suspender straps,a plurality of fastener members, each of said fastener members attached to a first end of a respective on of the suspender straps, anda plurality of attachment members, each of said attachment members adapted to be attached to a first garment at a position below the top of the waistband, said attachment member adapted to allow a worn second garment to be placed over said attachment member,wherein each of said fastener members can be removably received over worn second garment and coupled to a respective one of said attachment members.

2. The suspender system of claim 1 wherein said fastener member includes a coupling extension, said coupling extension having an extension opening and a coupling section below said opening, said attachment member being adapted to be received in said opening and slidably moved into said coupling section.

3. The suspender system of claim 2 wherein said attachment member includes a no-sew button, wherein said no-sew button is received in said opening and slidably moved into said coupling section.

4. The suspender system of claim 3 wherein said coupling section includes a coupling opening, said coupling opening being a smaller diameter than said coupling opening.

5. The suspender system of claim 4 wherein said no-sew button includes a female head and a male insert, the female head being a diameter larger than said coupling opening.

6. The suspender system of claim 5 wherein said female head is positioned adjacent an inner surface of said coupling section.

7. The suspender system of claim 5 wherein said female head is positioned adjacent an outer surface of said coupling section.

8. The suspender system of claim 2 wherein each of said fastener members includes a fastener ring, said fastener ring adapted for attaching said fastener member to one of said straps.

9. The suspender system of claim 1 comprising three suspender straps and further comprising a junction member, a first end of first and second of the suspender straps being attached to one edge of the junction member and a first end of a third of the suspender straps being attached to an opposite edge of the junction member.

10. The suspender system of claim 1 wherein the first and second of the suspender straps each include a buckle, a second end of the first and second suspender straps being inserted into said buckle, wherein said buckle can adjust a length of the first and second suspender straps.

11. A kit comprising a plurality of suspender straps,a plurality of fastener members, each of said fastener members attached to a first end of a respective on of the suspender straps, anda plurality of attachment members, each of said attachment members adapted to be attached to a first garment at a position below the top of the waistband, said attachment member adapted to allow a worn second garment to be placed over said attachment member,wherein each of said fastener members can be removably received over worn second garment and coupled to a respective one of said attachment members.

12. The suspender system of claim 11 wherein each of said fastener members is a clip, said clip includes a pair of clip members coupled to one another with a bias member, wherein said clip can be opened by pressing on said bias member to move said clips members away from one another and said clip can be closed by releasing said bias member to move said clip members toward one another.

13. The suspender system of claim 11 wherein each of said fastener members includes a fastener ring, said fastener ring adapted for attaching said fastener member to one of said straps.

14. The suspender system of claim 11 wherein said attachment member comprises a coupling ring and said coupling ring has a diameter for extending the predetermined distance and said clip is removably attached to said coupling ring.

15. The suspender system of claim 11 wherein said attachment member further comprises an attachment ring coupled or integral with said coupling ring, said coupling ring has a diameter D1 which is larger than diameter of D2 of said attachment ring, said attachment ring adapted to be attached to said inner surface of said waistband.

16. The suspender system of claim 11 wherein the diameter D1 is in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.075 inches and the diameter D2 is in the range of about 0.125 to about 0.25 inches.

17. The suspender system of claim 11 wherein said coupling ring and said attachment ring have a circular or elliptical shape.

18. The suspender system of claim 11 wherein said coupling ring has a circular shape and said attachment ring has an elliptical shape.

19. The suspender system of claim 11 wherein said attachment member includes an attachment rod which has length L1 which is sufficient to removably attach to said fastener member.

20. The suspender system of claim 11 wherein a first attachment rod member is positioned at a first end of said attachment rod and a second attachment rod member is positioned at a second end of said attachment rod, said first attachment rod member and said second attachment rod member being adapted to be attached to the inner surface of said waistband.