Wrap skirts, sometimes also referred to as draped skirts, are formed by a panel that wraps around a person's waist and that partially overlaps itself. Wrap skirts may be formed from a variety of different fabrics or other materials and may have a variety of different vertical lengths, a variety of different shapes and a variety of different degrees of overlapping.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and the size of some parts may be exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the example shown. Moreover, the drawings provide examples and/or implementations consistent with the description; however, the description is not limited to the examples and/or implementations provided in the drawings.
Disclosed are example wrap skirts that facilitate easier wrapping and donning of the wrap skirt by person. The example wrap skirts comprise a waist portion which is to wrap about a person's waist and be in direct contact with the person's waist and an overlapping portion that it overlaps the waist portion. The example wrap skirts facilitate independent support of the waist portion prior to securement of the overlapping portion in an overlapping state. As a result, a person may more easily put on the wrap skirt.
Disclosed is an example wrap skirt that comprises a skirt panel having a top waist portion, a first end and a second end, a first portion of a first connector coupled to the skirt panel proximate the top waist portion between the first end and the second end, a second portion of the first connector coupled to the skirt panel proximate the top waist portion proximate the first end, a first portion of a second connector coupled to the skirt panel proximate the top waist portion between the first and end the second, and a second portion of the second connector coupled to the skirt panel proximate the top waist portion proximate the second end. The first connector is configured to retain the top waist portion about a waistline of a person as an overlapping portion of the skirt panel is wrapped and subsequently retained in place by the second connector.
In some implementations, the example wrap skirts provide waist length adjustability. In such implementations, the circumference of the waist portion is adjustable to different waist sizes. Upon being secured in place at a desired waist size, the overlapping portion may be secured in the overlapping state.
In some implementations, the example wrap skirts may additionally comprise a sleeve extending along the top waist portion and a webbing slidably positioned within the sleeve, wherein the first portion of the first connector is carried by a first end portion of the webbing and wherein the second portion of the second connector is carried by a second end portion of the webbing. In some implementations, the sleeve has a first opening on a first side of the skirt panel through which the first portion of the first connector extends and has a second opening on a second side of the skirt panel through which the second portion of the second connector extends. In some implementations, the wrap skirt may further comprise a flexible tether having a first end portion connected to the webbing and a second end portion anchored to the skirt panel.
In some implementations, the webbing comprises a catch carried by the webbing between the first portion of the first connector and a mouth of the sleeve, the catch being configured to inhibit movement of the first portion of the first connector into the sleeve. In some implementations, the catch comprises a hook to engage the mouth of the sleeve. In some implementations, the webbing is folded over itself and secured to itself to form the hook.
Skirt panel 30 comprises a continuous, integral sheet of material having a top waist portion 40, a lower edge 42, a first end 44 and a second end 46. One or more of the top waist portion 40, the lower edge 42, first end 44 and the second end 46 may include edge treatments. For example, one or more of the top waist portion 40, the lower edge 42, first end 44 and the second end 46 may include an additional stiffening strip of material, a hem, a fold, additional stitching and the like. Skirt panel 30 may be formed from a breathable fabric, a non-breathable fabric, a leather, a synthetic leather, a polymer or other materials. Although illustrated as being imperforate, uninterrupted and rectangular in shape, in some implementations, skirt panel 30 may have other shapes or may be perforated or interrupted in that skirt panel 30 may include slits, notches, openings or the like. Skirt panel 30 may include additional panels or attachments. For example, skirt panel 30 may include additional panels of material to form pockets or other complementary features.
Connector 34 comprises a connection device secured to skirt panel 30 and configured to form waist portion 24. Connector 34 comprises a first connector portion 34-1 and second connector portion 34-2. First portion 34-1 is coupled to the skirt panel 30 proximate the top waist portion 40 between first and 44 and second end 46. Second connector portion 34-2 is coupled to the skirt panel proximate the top waist portion 40 proximate the first end 44. As shown by
Connector 36 comprise a connection device secured to skirt panel 30 and configured to retain overlapping portion 26 in place, over an outside of waist portion 24. Connector 36 comprises a first portion 36-1 and a second portion 36-2. First connector portion 36-1 is coupled to skirt panel 30 proximate top waist portion 40 between first end 44 and second end 46. First connector portion 36-1 is coupled skirt panel 30 between first connector portion 34-1 of connector 34 and second connector portion 34-2 of connector 36.
In the example illustrated, connector portions 34-1 and 36-2 are both coupled to skirt panel 30 on an inside or inner surface of skirt panel 30, the side of skirt panel 30 which is to face the waist and thighs of the person wearing wrap skirt 20. Connector portion 34-2 is coupled to skirt panel 30 on an exterior side of skirt panel 30, the side skirt panel 30 facing away from the waist and thighs of the person wearing wrap skirt 20. In other implementations, connector portions 34-1, 34-2, 36-1 and/or 36-2 may be coupled to skirt panel 30 on a face or side skirt panel 30 opposite to that shown, wherein portions of the skirt panel adjacent connector may be folded or bent to facilitate connection of the different connector portions.
In some implementations, connectors 34 and 36 may comprise cooperating portions of a hook and loop (VELCRO) connector. In some implementations, connectors 34 and 36 may comprise cooperating portions of a snap connector. In some implementations, connectors 34 and 36 may comprise cooperating portions of a quick disconnect buckle or other quick release connector. In yet other implementations, connectors 34 and 36 may comprise other forms of releasable or disengageable connectors, such as, for example, a button and a button hole. In some implementations, connector 34 may be of a first type of a connector while connector 36 is of a second different type of connector. For example, in some implementations, connector 34 may be a snap connector while connector 36 comprise a quick connect buckle connector.
Sleeve 150 (greatly enlarged in
In the example illustrated, sleeve 150 is formed from a panel of material secured to the inner face 121 of skirt panel 30, wherein the inner face 121 of skirt panel 30 forms a portion of the interior surface of sleeve 150. In other implementations, sleeve 150 may comprise a tube or a pair of panels which completely form sleeve 150, wherein the sleeve is then coupled to inner face 121 of skirt panel 30. In some implementations, sleeve 150 may comprise multiple sections or multiple spaced loops formed on the inner face 122 of skirt panel 30 and through which portions of webbing 152 extend.
Sleeve 150 comprises openings 160-1 and 160-2 (collectively referred to as openings 160) through which webbing 152 extends. Openings 160 are located opposite axial ends of sleeve 150. In the example illustrated, opening 160-1 is located on the inner face 121 of skirt panel 30, opening towards the waist of a person wearing wrap skirt 120. Opening 160-2 extends through skirt panel 30, opening through the exterior face 122 of skirt panel 30, opening away from the waist of a person wearing wrap skirt 120.
In the example illustrated, sleeve 150 extends along a portion of top waist portion 40, having a length less than the length of top waist portion 40. In some implementations, sleeve 150 has a length no greater than 50% of the length of top waist portion 40. In the example illustrated, sleeve 150 has a length of at least 4 inches and no greater than 24 inches. In other implementations, sleeve 150 may extend along substantially the entire length of top waist portion 40, wherein openings 160 may be located at intermediate portions of the length of sleeve 150, extending through sides of sleeve 150 between its opposite axial ends. In some implementations, sleeve 150 may extend from one of ends 44, 46 and terminate at a location between ends 44 and 46.
Webbing 152 comprises a length of flexible material projecting from and through both of openings 160 of sleeve 150 and supporting connector portions 34-1 and 36-1 beyond openings 160. Webbing 152 is configured to bend and flex to conform to the waist of the person wearing wrap skirt 120. Webbing 152 is further configured to slide or move within and relative to the interior of sleeve 150.
In the example illustrated, webbing 152 comprises a flat strap of inelastic fabric material. In other implementations, webbing 152 may comprise a flexible cord having a circular or oval cross-section. In some implementations, webbing 152 may be formed from an elastic material. Webbing 152 may be formed from materials such as natural or synthetic fabrics, rubbers, synthetic rubbers, polymers and the like.
In the example illustrated, webbing 152 may slide along the length of sleeve 150 to permit both of connector portion 34-1 and 36-1 to be adjustably repositioned relative to ends 46 and 44, respectively. As a result, connector portion 34-1 and 36-1 may be more easily brought into connection with their respective complementary connector portions 34-2 and 36-2 when a person is dressing with wrap skirt 120. Because webbing 152 supports both of connector portions 34-1 and 36-1 at its opposite end portions, pulling one of connector portions 34-1, 36-1 further out of sleeve 150 shortens the extent to which the other of connector portions 34-1, 36-1 extends from sleeve 150. As a result, connector portion 34-1 may be extended when waist portion 24 is initially wrapped about a person's waist, allowing a looser initial fit of waist portion 40. Thereafter, connector portions 36-1 may be pulled for connection to connector portion 36-2 to secure overlapping portion 26 in its wrapped state while also concurrently tightening waist portion 24 about the person's waist.
Tether 154 comprises a flexible cord, strap or band of material having a first end portion connected to webbing 152 and a second end portion anchored, directly or indirectly, to skirt panel 30. In other implementations, a portion of the teather 154 can be connected to the skirt panel 30 and another portion, not necessarily the first end of the tether can be coupled to the webbing 152. Tether 154 may serve to limit the extent to which webbing 152 is pulled through opening 160-1 or alternatively through opening 160-2. Tether 154 allows some limited extent of movement of webbing 152 while preventing webbing 152 from being completely withdrawn from sleeve 150. In some implementations, tether 154 is inelastic. In other implementations, tether 154 has a controlled degree of elasticity or stretchability. In some implementations, the tether 154 has a length that is shorter than the length of the sleeve 150. In another implementation, the length of the tether 154 is no greater than half the length of the sleeve 150. In the example illustrated, tether 154 can have a length of at least 0.5 inch and no greater than 6 inches.
Catches 156 comprise structures configured to inhibit connector portions 34-1 and 36-1 from being moved or drawn into the interior of sleeve 150. In some implementations, catches 156-1, 156-2 comprise structures having a size greater than the size of openings 160-1 and 160-2, respectively. In some implementations, the connector portion 34-1 and/or connector portion 36-1 may concurrently serve as catches in that such connector portions may have a dimension greater than the size of the sleeve openings to inhibit such connector portions from being drawn into the interior of sleeve 150. In some implementations, catches 156 each comprise a hook to catch or engage the mouth of the associated opening 160-1, 160-2. In some implementations, catches 156-1, 156-2 comprise a portion of the webbing 152 folded over itself and secured to itself to form a fabric hook.
Connector 234 is similar to connector 34 described above except that connector 234 particularly comprises a snap connector formed by snap connector portions 234-1 and 234-2. The region of top waist portion 40 extending between connector portion 234-1 and 234-2 forms the waist portion 24 of wrap skirt 220. In the example illustrated, connector portion 234-1 is supported on an end portion of strap 252 while connector portion 234-2 supported by a band 237 of material fixedly secured to and extending from end 44 of skirt panel 30. Band 237 facilitates easier manipulation of connector portion 234-2 when securing connector portion 234-2 to connector portion 234-1.
Connector 236 is similar to connector 36 described above except that connector 236 particularly comprises a quick release/quick connect buckle connector formed by connector portions 236-1 and 236-2. Connector portion 236-1 is slidably positioned and retained along webbing 252 while connector portion 236-2 is fixed to the outer face 122 of skirt panel 30. Connector portion 236-1 comprises a buckle through which webbing 252 extends, permitting the positioning of connector portion 236 along the length of webbing 252 to be adjusted. Connector portion 236-1 comprises a buckle portion that resiliently flexes and snaps into the corresponding quick release connector portion 236-2.
Sleeve 250 slidably supports and guides central portions of webbing 252 and is secured along top waist portion 40 of skirt panel 30. In the example illustrated, sleeve 250 is formed by a band of fabric stitched or otherwise secured to the inner face 121 of skirt panel 30, forming a passage through which webbing 252 extends. Sleeve 250 is generally centered at a center point between ends 44 and 46 shown in
Webbing 252 is similar to webbing 152 described above. In the example illustrated, webbing 252 comprise a band of flexible fabric, such as a flexible canvas material. As seen in
As shown by
Catch 256 (shown in
As shown by
Loops 351 are formed on the inner face 121 of skirt panel 30. The openings of loops 351 are aligned along the top waist portion 40 of skirt panel 30. As shown by
As further shown by
Webbing 452-1 extends from within sleeve 150 through opening 160-1 and supports connector portion 34-1 of connector 34 on the inner face 121 of skirt panel 30. Webbing 452-2 extends from within sleeve 150 through opening 160-2 and supports connector portion 36-1 on the exterior face 122 (shown in
Because connector portions 34-1 and 36-1 are supported by distinct and independent webbings 452 which are anchored by distinct tethers 454, connector portions 34-1 and 36-1 may be withdrawn from sleeve 150 (or their respective sleeves or loops) by different extents when desired. In some implementations, each of tethers 454 may be elastic or inelastic. In some implementations, each of webbings 452 may be elastic or inelastic.
In some implementations, tethers 454 and/or their associated webbings 452 may have different characteristics relative to one another. For example, tether 454-1 may have a different length as compared tether 454-2 or may have a different extent or degree of elasticity or stretchability as compared to tether 454-2. In some implementations, webbing 452-1 may have a different length as compared to webbing 454-2 or may have a different extent or degree of elasticity or stretchability as compared to webbing 454-2. As a result, the adjustability of the positioning of connectors 34-1 and 36-1 may be different and may be customized to preferences of the person to wear wrap skirt 420.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example implementations, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the disclosure. For example, although different example implementations may have been described as including features providing various benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example implementations or in other alternative implementations. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example implementations and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements. The terms “first”, “second”, “third” and so on in the claims merely distinguish different elements and, unless otherwise stated, are not to be specifically associated with a particular order or particular numbering of elements in the disclosure.