SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE LENGTH OF AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING

Abstract

A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing is provided. The device includes a first end, a second end, and a recessed area between the first end and the second end. The recessed area accommodates a part of the article of clothing. When the first end overlaps the second end, a circumference of the device that substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing is created.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/281,883, filed Nov. 24, 2009, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE LENGTH OF AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING”. Provisional Patent No. 61/281,883 is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application as if fully set forth herein. The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/281,883.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application relates generally to clothing and, more specifically, to a system and method for adjusting the length of an article of clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With regard to jeans or other pants, pants are either bought or altered to accommodate shoes of a particular shoe height. Therefore, in order to wear a particular pair of pants with shoes having different shoe heights, such as flats, low heels, high heels, boots, etc., a person would have to buy the pants in several different lengths or have several pairs of the pants altered to different lengths.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing is provided. The device includes a first end, a second end, and a recessed area between the first end and the second end. The recessed area is configured to accommodate a part of the article of clothing. When the first end overlaps the second end, a circumference of the device that substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing is created.

A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing is provided. The device includes a circular member having a recessed area. The recessed area is configured to accommodate a part of the article of clothing. A circumference of the device is variable such that the circumference of the device substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing.

A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing is provided. The device includes a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be inserted into the second end to create a circumference of the device. The device also includes a recessed area between the first end and the second end. The recessed area is configured to accommodate a part of the article of clothing. The circumference of the device is variable such that the circumference of the device substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:

FIG. 1 illustrates a first side view of a length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a second side view of the length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a first cross-sectional view of the length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a first top view of the length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a second top view of the length adjuster 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

FIG. 7 shows the length adjuster being used to shorten a pant leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows the length adjuster being used to lengthen the pant leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the length adjuster with depth guides according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a length adjuster in a first position according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the length adjuster in a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 shows the length adjuster being used to shorten a pant leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 14 shows the length adjuster being used to lengthen the pant leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 through 14, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any method and system for adjusting the length of an article of clothing.

One of the most common ways to adjust the length of a pair of pants is by having the pants altered. However, alterations are permanent and still restrict the pants to a particular shoe height. Although rolling or cuffing a pant leg allows a person to adjust the length of the pant leg, rolling or cuffing is a more casual look that can be perceived as unprofessional or even sloppy. Although there are shorts with zippered attachments that convert shorts to pants, the zippered attachments still create pants that accommodate a particular shoe height.

Tape may be used to temporarily shorten pants by rolling under the hem of the pants and taping the rolled portion to the inside of the pant leg. However, this only allows a person to shorten a pant leg. This type of tape cannot be used to lengthen a pant leg. Also, a person using this type of tape has to measure the rolled portion exactly in order to ensure that both sides are symmetrical. Other problems with using tape include the possibility of the tape falling down during use. Furthermore, in order to create a clean look, a person using tape would have to iron the pants, which causes a crease line that fades with time as the pants are washed.

The present disclosure provides a simple, non-permanent system and method for both lengthening and shortening the length of an article of clothing.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first side view of a length adjuster 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the length adjuster 100 includes a first end 101, a second end 103, a top side 105 and a bottom side 107. The bottom side 107 includes an enclosed area 109 in which magnets 111a to 111g are housed. In particular embodiments, the enclosed area 109 is created simply by hemming an edge of the bottom side 107. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the magnets are placed with the positive side facing the same direction.

The length adjuster 100 may be made of any suitable fabric or any other material that is stiff enough to support a hem of a pant leg, a shirt sleeve, a skirt hem, a hem of a leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of jacket, or a collar. For example, the length adjuster may be made of a cotton material, such as denim. The length adjuster may also be made of a polyester material. In particular embodiments, the stiffness of the length adjuster 100 could also be increased by using a backing fabric.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second side view of the length adjuster 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flip-side of the first side view shown in FIG. 1. This side shows the negative side of the magnets 111a to 111g.

FIG. 3 illustrates a first cross-sectional view of the length adjuster 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments of this disclosure, a recessed area 301 is formed by folding back the bottom side 107 to the top side 105. The recessed area 301 is an area into which an article of clothing, such as a hem of a pant leg, a shirt sleeve, a skirt hem, a hem of a leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of jacket, or a collar is placed. Arrow 303 indicates the direction that an article of clothing would be placed into the recessed area 301. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the recessed area 301 from the perspective of the first end 101.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the length adjuster 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the recessed area 301 from the perspective of the second end 103.

In some embodiments, once the recessed area 301 is formed, for example, by folding back the bottom side 107 to the top side 105, a circular member is formed by overlapping the first end 101 with the second end 103.

FIG. 5 illustrates a first top view of the length adjuster 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 5, once the first end 101 overlaps the second end 103, the negative side of the magnet 111g at the first end 101 attracts the positive side of the magnet 111b at the second end 103 to form a circular member having an outer circumference 501 and an inner circumference 503.

In this particular embodiment, the size of the circumference of the length adjuster 100 can be adjusted by varying the amount of overlap. For example, the negative side of the magnet 111g at the first end 101 could be placed beside the positive side of the magnet 111a at the second end 103, instead of the magnet 111b, to create a larger circumference. The negative side of the magnet 111g at the first end 101 could also be placed beside the positive side of the magnet 111c at the second end 103, instead of the magnet 111b, to create a smaller circumference. This provides the length adjuster 100 with the versatility to accommodate articles of clothing having different sizes.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second top view of the length adjuster 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, once an article of clothing, such as a pant leg, a shirt sleeve, or a skirt hem, is placed in the recessed area 301 and the circumference of the length adjuster 100 is adjusted to a desired size, the length adjuster 100 is attached to the article of clothing using one or more additional magnets 601a-601c placed long the inner circumference 503 of the length adjuster 100. Placing the additional magnets along the inner circumference 503 of the length adjuster 100 has the advantage of hiding the magnets. However, if decorative magnets are used, placing the magnets along the outer circumference 501 could add an aesthetic element to the length adjuster 100.

FIG. 7 shows the length adjuster 100 being used to shorten a pant leg 701 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 7, the pant leg 701 is rolled or cuffed so as to be worn with flats or low-heeled shoes 703. Once the pant leg 701 is rolled or cuffed to a desired length, the pant leg 701 is placed in the recessed area 301 of the length adjuster 100. The circumference of the length adjuster 100 can be adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg 701 before or after the pant leg 701 is placed in the recessed area 301. Once the pant leg 701 is placed in the recessed area 301 and the circumference of the length adjuster 100 is adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg 701, the length adjuster 100 is attached to the pant leg 701 using the additional magnets 601a-601c. The circumference of the length adjuster 100 is said to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg 701 when the length adjuster 100 appears to be an integral part of the pant leg 701 upon attachment to the pant leg 701.

Having the rolled cuff hidden by the length adjuster 100 provides a more fashionable and polished look. Because the length adjuster 100 may be made from any number of decorative and fashionable fabrics, the length adjuster 100 may be selected to match a particular style or outfit.

FIG. 8 shows the length adjuster 100 being used to lengthen the pant leg 701 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, the length adjuster 100 is being used to extend the length of the pant leg 701 so as to be worn with a high-heeled shoe 801. As shown in FIG. 8, the pant leg 701 is placed in the recessed area of the length adjuster 100 to a depth 803. Once the pant leg 701 is placed in the recessed area 301 to the depth 803 and the circumference of the length adjuster 100 is adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg 701, the length adjuster 100 is attached to the pant leg 701 using the additional magnets 601a-601c. Accordingly, the pant leg 701 is extended by a length 805 to accommodate the high-heeled shoe 801. The circumference of the length adjuster 100 is said to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg 701 when the length adjuster 100 appears to be an integral part of the pant leg 701 upon attachment to the pant leg 701.

For ease of illustration and description, FIGS. 7 and 8 show the additional magnets 601a-601c along the outer circumference 501 of the length adjuster 100. However, as noted earlier, the additional magnets 601a-601c may be hidden by placing them along the inner circumference 503 of the length adjuster 100.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the length adjuster 100 with depth guides according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the length adjuster 100 may have markings 901a-901c that serve as depth guides on the inside of the recessed area to help maintain a consistent depth and to ensure that the length adjuster 100 is attached evenly along an article of clothing.

Although the above embodiments depict seven magnets 111a-111g in the enclosed area 109, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any number of magnets may be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art would also recognize that having more magnets would allow for a finer adjustment of the circumference of the length adjuster. Similarly, although the above embodiments depict three additional magnets 601a-601c, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any number of additional magnets may be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art would also recognize that having more additional magnets would the length adjuster to be more securely attached to an article of clothing. Furthermore, although the above embodiments depict the polarities of the seven magnets 111a to 111g has facing the same direction, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the same or a similar effect may be achieved by alternating the polarities of the seven magnets 111a to 111g without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of a length adjuster 1000 in a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 10, the length adjuster 1000 comprises a first end 1001 and a second end 1003. The second end 1003 is shown has having an opening 1005. Also shown is a recessed area 1007 into which an article of clothing, such as a hem of a pant leg, a shirt sleeve, a skirt hem, a hem of leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of jacket, or a collar is placed.

The length adjuster 1000 may be made of any suitable fabric or any other material that is stiff enough to support a hem of a pant leg, a shirt sleeve, a skirt hem, a hem of a leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of jacket, or a collar. For example, the length adjuster may be made of a cotton material, such as denim. The length adjuster may also be made of a polyester material. In particular embodiments, the stiffness of the length adjuster 1000 could also be increased by using a backing fabric.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the length adjuster 1000 in a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this particular embodiment, the first end 1001 has been inserted through the opening 1005 and placed inside the recessed area 1007. The size of the circumference of the length adjuster 1000 created by the second position can be adjusted by varying the distance that the first end 1001 is placed inside the recessed area 1007. This provides the length adjuster 1000 with the versatility to accommodate articles of clothing having different sizes.

FIG. 12 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the length adjuster 1000 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, arrows 1201 and 1203 indicate the direction that an article of clothing would be placed into the recessed area 1007 of the adjuster 1000.

FIG. 13 shows the length adjuster 1000 being used to shorten a pant leg 1301 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 13, the pant leg 1301 is rolled or cuffed so as to be worn with flats or low-heeled shoes 1303. Once the pant leg 1301 is rolled or cuffed to a desired length, the pant leg 1301 is placed in the recessed area 1007 of the length adjuster 1000. The circumference of the length adjuster 1000 can be adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg 1301 before or after the pant leg 1301 is placed in the recessed area 1007. Once the pant leg 1301 is placed in the recessed area 1007 and the circumference of the length adjuster 1000 is adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg 1301, the length adjuster 1000 is attached to the pant leg 1301 using a clip 1305. The circumference of the length adjuster 100 is said to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg 701 when the length adjuster 100 appears to be an integral part of the pant leg 1301 upon attachment to the pant leg 1301.

Having the rolled cuff hidden by the length adjuster 1000 provides a more fashionable and polished look. Because the length adjuster 1000 may be made from any number of decorative and fashionable fabrics, the length adjuster 1000 may be selected to match a particular style or outfit.

FIG. 14 shows the length adjuster 1000 being used to lengthen the pant leg 1301 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In this embodiment, the length adjuster 1000 is being used to extend the length of the pant leg 1301 so as to be worn with a high-heeled shoe 1401. As shown in FIG. 14, the pant leg 1301 is placed in the recessed area 1007 of the length adjuster 1000 to a depth 1403. Once the pant leg 1301 is placed in the recessed area 1007 to the depth 1403 and the circumference of the length adjuster 1000 is adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg 1301, the length adjuster 1000 is attached to the pant leg 1301 using the clip 1305. Accordingly, the pant leg 1301 is extended by a length 1405 to accommodate the high-heeled shoe 1401. The circumference of the length adjuster 100 is said to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg 701 when the length adjuster 100 appears to be an integral part of the pant leg 1301 upon attachment to the pant leg 1301.

Accordingly, the embodiments of the length adjuster in this disclosure provides a non-permanent system and method of adjusting the length of an existing article of clothing such that the article of clothing can be worn with shoes of a shoe height that the article of clothing would not be sized for otherwise. Existing decorator cuffs are designed to be used with a specific brand of clothing and are purely decorative as they do not actually lengthen or shorten the article of clothing.

Although the length adjuster of this disclosure is described as being attached to a pant leg using magnets or a clip, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any non-permanent means for attaching the length adjuster to the pant leg may be used. For example, double-sided tape may be used to attach the length adjuster to the pant leg. Furthermore, for ease of description, the pant leg was used as an example of an article of clothing whose length is adjusted by the length adjuster. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the length adjuster of this disclosure could be used to adjust the length of any number of articles of clothing, such as a skirt hem, a shirt sleeve, a hem of leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of jacket, or a collar.

Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing, the device comprising:

a first end;

a second end; and

a recessed area between the first end and the second end, the recessed area configured to accommodate a part of the article of clothing,

wherein the first end is configured to overlap the second end creating a circumference of the device that substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing.

2. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein an amount of overlap between the first end and the second end is variable.

3. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first end comprises a first magnet and the second end comprises a second magnet.

4. The device in accordance with claim 3, wherein when the first end overlaps the second end, the first magnet is attracted to the second magnet.

5. The device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the device is attached to the part of the article of clothing by a third magnet placed along the circumference of the device.

6. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein when the device is attached to the part of the article of clothing, a length of the article of clothing is extended.

7. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the recessed area comprises one or more markings that serve as depth guides for the part of the article of clothing inside the recessed area.

8. The device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the article of clothing is at least one of a pant leg, a skirt hem, a shirt sleeve, a leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of a jacket, and a collar.

9. A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing, the device comprising:

a circular member having a recessed area, the recessed area configured to accommodate a part of the article of clothing,

wherein a circumference of the device is variable such that the circumference of the device substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing.

10. The device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the circular member is formed by an overlap of a first end over a second end.

11. The device in accordance with claim 10, wherein an amount of overlap between the first end and the second end is variable.

12. The device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the first end comprises a first magnet and the second end comprises a second magnet.

13. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein when the first end overlaps the second end, the first magnet is attracted to the second magnet.

14. The device in accordance with claim 12, wherein the device is attached to the part of the article of clothing by a third magnet placed along the circumference of the device.

15. The device in accordance with claim 9, wherein when the device is attached to the part of the article of clothing, a length of the article of clothing is extended.

16. The device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the recessed area comprises one or more markings that serve as depth guides for the part of the article of clothing inside the recessed area.

17. A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing, the device comprising:

a first end and a-second end, the first end configured to be inserted into the second end to create a circumference of the device; and

a recessed area between the first end and the second end, the recessed area configured to accommodate a part of the article of clothing,

wherein the circumference of the device is variable such that the circumference of the device substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing.

18. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein when the device is attached to the part of the article of clothing, a length of the article of clothing is extended.

19. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the device is attached to the part of the article of clothing by a clip.

20. The device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the recessed area comprises one or more markings that serve as depth guides for the part of the article of clothing inside the recessed area.