DRAWSTRING RESTRINGING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus and method for restringing a drawstring through a drawstring reception channel includes a semi-flexible elongated main body and a drawstring coupling structure. The coupling structure is located at a trailing end of the main body so that a drawstring can be pulled through the drawstring reception channel behind the apparatus. The coupling structure has a first slotted opening, a second slotted opening behind the first slotted opening, and a third opening between the first and second slotted openings. The third opening has a round shape with a diameter substantially the same as a width of the first and second slotted openings. A drawstring can be coupled to the coupling structure by passing the leading tip end of the drawstring through the first slotted opening and either the second slotted opening or the third round opening depending on whether the leading tip end has a protective plastic covering.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices and methods for inserting and restringing drawstrings into clothing apparel or other articles that have a channel or hem in which a drawstring is located to facilitate tightening or closing of the apparel or articles.

2. Description of the Related Art

A wide variety of articles exist that use drawstrings to provide a snug fit or as a closure device. Such articles include, for example, sweat pants, hooded sweat shirts, coats and bags. A drawstring typically has a sufficient length to extend through and be contained in a drawstring channel with opposite ends of the drawstring extending beyond the ends of the channel.

A common occurrence associated with articles that contain drawstrings is the removal of the drawstring from the channel that receives the drawstring. Once a drawstring is removed from the channel, the drawstring must be restrung for the article to be used in its intended way. Restringing a drawstring into an article can be a very challenging process.

The tip ends of a drawstring are often unfinished and subject to fraying. Such drawstrings can be even more difficult to restring into an article. On the other hand, some drawstrings have their tip ends enclosed in short cylindrical plastic sleeves to prevent fraying of the tip ends and to facilitate handling and restringing.

A number of devices have been developed in the past to facilitate restringing drawstrings. For example, it is known in the prior art to secure a long slender device to a drawstring and then insert the device and drawstring into an opening in the hem or channel of a garment. The device can then be manipulated within the garment to thread the drawstring through and out the same or another opening in the garment. These devices are designed to help restring a drawstring that has been accidentally removed from the channel or hem. Examples of such drawstring restringing devices are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,705,098 issued to Sipler, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,437 issued to Sauger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,079 issued to Holmgren, U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,972 issued to Mandel, U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,260 issued to Beddow, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,215 issued to Hinkel.

While these prior art patents indicate it is well known to use drawstring restringing devices, there remains a need for an improved design in drawstring restringing devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a drawstring restringing device that can be used to restring drawstrings having various different end tips.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a drawstring restringing device having a drawstring coupling structure that accommodates drawstrings having plastic end tip coverings and drawstrings without plastic coverings.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a drawstring restringing device that has a preset curvature along its length to facilitate inserting the device through a drawstring reception channel.

Further objects of the present invention are to provide a drawstring restringing device that is easy and efficient to use, that can be securely and quickly coupled with a variety of different drawstrings, that includes features to facilitate insertion through drawstring channels, and that is inexpensive to manufacture.

To accomplish these and other objects of the present invention, an apparatus and method are provided for restringing a drawstring through a drawstring reception channel. The apparatus includes a semi-flexible elongated main body having a bulbous tip at a leading end, a drawstring coupling structure at a trailing end, and a preset curvature along its length. The coupling structure is located at the trailing end of the main body so that a drawstring can be pulled through a drawstring reception channel behind the apparatus. The coupling structure has a first slotted opening, a second slotted opening behind the first slotted opening, and a third opening between the first and second slotted openings. The third opening has a round shape with a diameter substantially the same as a width of the first and second slotted openings. A drawstring can be coupled to the coupling structure by passing the leading tip end of the drawstring through the first slotted opening and either the second slotted opening or the third round opening depending on whether the leading tip end has a protective plastic covering.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a drawstring restringing apparatus is provided, comprising: an elongated main body having a length in a longitudinal direction, the main body being made of a semi-flexible material that allows the main body to be pushed through a drawstring reception channel, the main body comprising a leading front end and a trailing rear end; and a drawstring coupling structure provided at the trailing rear end of the main body, the drawstring coupling structure comprising a first slotted opening, a second slotted opening, and a third opening having at least one dimension that is substantially smaller than the first and second slotted openings.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a drawstring restringing apparatus is provided, comprising: an elongated main body made of a semi-flexible material that allows the main body to be pushed through a drawstring reception channel, the main body comprising a leading front end and a trailing rear end; and a drawstring coupling structure provided at the trailing rear end of the main body, the drawstring coupling structure comprising a first slotted opening, a second slotted opening, and a third round opening positioned between the first and second slotted openings.

Numerous other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described an embodiment of the present invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious aspects without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more clearly appreciated as the disclosure of the present invention is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drawstring restringing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the drawstring restringing apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the drawstring restringing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail plan view of the area A circled in FIG. 3 showing a drawstring coupling structure on a trailing end of the drawstring restringing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail plan view of the area B circled in FIG. 3 showing a bulbous structure on a leading end of the drawstring restringing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the drawstring restringing apparatus.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail side view of the area C circled in FIG. 6 showing the drawstring coupling structure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the drawstring restringing apparatus coupled with a drawstring in a first coupling configuration.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the drawstring restringing apparatus and drawstring in the first coupling configuration.

FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the drawstring restringing apparatus and drawstring in the first coupling configuration.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the drawstring restringing apparatus coupled with a drawstring in a second coupling configuration.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the drawstring restringing apparatus and drawstring in the second coupling configuration.

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the drawstring restringing apparatus and drawstring in the second coupling configuration.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the drawstring restringing apparatus and drawstring in a third coupling configuration.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the drawstring restringing apparatus and drawstring in the second coupling configuration.

FIG. 16 is another perspective view of the drawstring restringing apparatus and drawstring in the third coupling configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A drawstring restringing apparatus 10 according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16 of the accompanying drawings.

The drawstring restringing apparatus 10 includes an elongated main body 11 having a bulbous structure 12 at a leading end and a drawstring coupling structure 13 at a trailing end. The apparatus 10 is made of a semi-flexible polymer material with the main body 11 and coupling structure 13 molded together into a single integral unit. For example, the apparatus 10 can be made of a thermoplastic material molded into the desired shape.

The main body 11 has a length in a longitudinal direction and is made of a semi-flexible material that allows the main body 11 to be pushed and pulled through a drawstring reception channel. In a preferred embodiment, the main body 11 has a substantially round cross section.

The main body 11 has a preset curvature along its length that creates a large hoop shape, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The hoop shape improves the ability of the main body 11 to slide through a drawstring reception channel without snagging or overly stressing the fabric material of the garment. The hoop shape also allows the apparatus 10 to be hung from a coat hook or similar structure on a wall for storage. For example, the main body 11 can have a length of approximately 24 to 30 inches, and the hoop shape can have a 4 to 6 inch radius of curvature.

The bulbous structure 12 at the leading end comprises a bulbous tip having a rounded external surface to help reduce snags and improve the ability of the apparatus 10 to slide through the drawstring reception channel. For example, the bulbous structure 12 can have a diameter approximately 20 to 40% larger than the diameter of the main body 11. The bulbous structure 12 should be sized to fit through a typical grommet or other structure surrounding the opening on a drawstring reception channel.

The drawstring coupling structure 13 includes a first slotted opening 14, a second slotted opening 15 behind the first slotted opening 14, and a third opening 16 between the first and second slotted openings 14, 15. The first and second slotted openings 14, 15 each have an elongated shape in a longitudinal direction of the apparatus 10. The slotted openings 14, 15 each have a length in a longitudinal direction and a width in a lateral direction. The length of each slotted opening 14, 15 is substantially greater than the width thereof. For example, the length of each slotted opening 14, 15 can be 3 to 5 times as long as the width thereof. For example, the length of each slotted opening 14, 15 can be approximately 0.70 to 0.80 inch, and the width of each opening 14, 15 can be approximately 0.15 to 0.22 inch.

In a preferred embodiment, the first slotted opening 14 has a substantially rectangular shape with substantially square corners at its leading and trailing ends 14a, 14b. The second slotted opening 15 has square corners at its leading end 15a and a rounded trailing end 15b.

The third opening 16 located between the first and second slotted openings 14, 15 has a round or substantially round shape. The diameter of the third opening 16 is substantially the same as the width of the first and second slotted openings 14, 15.

The drawstring coupling structure 13 has a substantially flat shape with a low profile dimension T in a direction perpendicular to both the longitudinal and lateral directions of the first and second slotted openings 14, 15. The low profile dimension T is also referred to herein as the thickness of the coupling structure 13. The low profile dimension T is smaller than the corresponding outer profile dimension of the main body 11 (i.e., the diameter or thickness of the main body 11). The smaller dimension allows the coupling structure 13 to substantially accommodate a drawstring D coupled to the apparatus 10 without exceeding the outer profile dimension of the main body 11 during use. That is, the drawstring coupling structure 13 will allow a drawstring D to be coupled with the apparatus 10 and pulled through any drawstring channel that is large enough to receive the leading end 12 and main body 11 of the apparatus 10.

The drawstring coupling structure 13 has a lateral dimension that is greater than the diameter or thickness of the main body 11. For example, the lateral dimension of the coupling structure 13 can be as great as the diameter of the bulbous tip 12 without interfering with the passage of the apparatus 10 through a drawstring reception channel. The increased lateral dimension allows a greater width for the first and second slotted openings 14, 15 and the third round opening 16 to facilitate passing a drawstring through the openings 14, 15, 16. A tapered transition area 13a is provided between the trailing rear end of the main body 11 and the drawstring coupling structure 13 to facilitate movement of the apparatus 10 through a drawstring reception channel.

The structure of the drawstring restringing apparatus 10 has been described above. A method of restringing a drawstring D through a drawstring reception channel using the apparatus 10 will now be described.

In one method of use illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 10, a drawstring D having a protective plastic cylinder P covering the leading tip end can be restrung into a drawstring reception channel. The drawstring D is coupled to the drawstring coupling structure 13 by simply passing the leading tip end P of the drawstring D through the second slotted opening 15 at the trailing end of the apparatus 10. After passing the leading tip end P of the drawstring D through the slotted opening 15, the drawstring D is folded back on itself and arranged to trail behind the drawstring coupling structure 13.

The apparatus 10 can be pushed through a drawstring reception channel until the leading end 12 of the apparatus 10 emerges from a distal end of the channel. The apparatus 10 can then be pulled completely through the drawstring reception channel with the drawstring D coupled to the coupling structure 13 as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. The drawstring D remains folded back as it is pulled through the channel because the protective plastic cylinder P prevents the leading tip end of the drawstring D from straightening itself within the channel. Once the drawstring D is pulled completely through the channel and emerges from the distal end of the channel, the distal end tip of the drawstring D can be easily uncoupled from the apparatus 10 to leave the drawstring D restrung in the drawstring reception channel.

In another method of use illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13, a drawstring D that does not have a protective plastic covering on its tip can be restrung into a drawstring reception channel. The drawstring D is coupled to the drawstring coupling structure 13 by passing the leading tip end through the first slotted opening 14, and then back through the second slotted opening 15. After passing the drawstring D through both of the slotted openings 14, 15, the distal end tip is then folded back against the trailing part of the drawstring D and arranged to trail behind the drawstring coupling structure 13.

With the drawstring D coupled to the apparatus 10 in the manner shown in FIGS. 11 to 13 (or just prior to coupling the drawstring D), the apparatus 10 can be pushed through a drawstring reception channel until the leading end 12 emerges from a distal end of the channel. The apparatus 10 can then be pulled completely through the drawstring reception channel with the drawstring D coupled to the coupling structure 13. The drawstring D remains coupled with the apparatus as a result of the tortuous path of the drawstring D through the coupling structure 13, the friction between the overlapped portions of the drawstring D and the coupling structure 13, and the limited space within the drawstring reception channel that serves to hold the drawstring D in its coupled position. Once the drawstring D is pulled completely through the channel and emerges from the distal end of the channel, the distal end tip of the drawstring D can be easily uncoupled from the apparatus 10 to leave the drawstring D restrung in the drawstring reception channel.

In another method of use illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16, a drawstring D having a protective plastic covering P on its leading tip end can be restrung into a drawstring reception channel. The drawstring D is coupled to the drawstring coupling structure 13 by passing the leading tip end through the first slotted opening 14, and then back through the third round opening 16. After passing the drawstring D through both of the first and third openings 14, 16, the distal end tip with the plastic covering P is folded back against the trailing part of the drawstring D and arranged to trail behind the third round opening 16.

With the drawstring D coupled in the manner shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 (or just prior to coupling the drawstring D), the apparatus 10 can then be pushed through a drawstring reception channel until the leading end 12 emerges from a distal end of the channel. The apparatus 10 can then be pulled completely through the drawstring reception channel with the drawstring D coupled to the coupling structure 13. The drawstring D remains coupled with the apparatus 10 as a result of the tortuous path of the drawstring D through the coupling structure 13, and the limited space within the drawstring reception channel that prevents the stiff leading tip end P from straightening itself and pulling through the round opening 16. Once the drawstring D is pulled completely through the channel and emerges from the distal end of the channel, the drawstring D can be easily uncoupled from the apparatus 10 to leave the drawstring D restrung in the drawstring reception channel. The drawstring D is uncoupled from the apparatus 10 by straightening the distal end tip P and pulling it back through the round opening 16 and the first slotted opening 14.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit.

Claims

1. A drawstring restringing apparatus, comprising:

an elongated main body having a length in a longitudinal direction, said main body being made of a semi-flexible material that allows the main body to be pushed through a drawstring reception channel, said main body comprising a leading front end and a trailing rear end; and

a drawstring coupling structure provided at the trailing rear end of the main body, said drawstring coupling structure comprising a first slotted opening, a second slotted opening, and a third opening having at least one dimension that is substantially smaller than said first and second slotted openings.

2. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said third opening in the drawstring coupling structure is located between said first and second slotted openings with said first slotted opening being located in front of said third opening, and said second slotted opening being located behind said third opening.

3. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said third opening has a substantially circular shape, and said first and second slotted openings have an elongated shape in a longitudinal direction of said apparatus.

4. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first slotted opening has a length in a longitudinal direction of said apparatus, and a width in a lateral direction thereof, said length of said first slotted opening being substantially greater than said width thereof.

5. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said second slotted opening has a length in a longitudinal direction of said apparatus, and a width in a lateral direction thereof, said length of said second slotted opening being substantially greater than said width thereof.

6. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said main body has a preset curvature along its length that creates a hoop shape to facilitate sliding through a drawstring reception channel and to allow the apparatus to be hung from a hook for storage.

7. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said drawstring coupling structure has a low profile dimension in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal and lateral directions of said first and second slotted openings, said low profile dimension being smaller than a corresponding outer profile dimension of said main body to substantially accommodate a drawstring coupled to the apparatus without exceeding the outer profile dimension of the main body.

8. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main body has a substantially round cross section with a first thickness, and said drawstring coupling structure has a substantially flat shape with a second thickness that is substantially smaller than said first thickness to accommodate a drawstring coupled to the apparatus without exceeding the first thickness of the main body.

9. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said drawstring coupling structure has a lateral dimension that is greater than the first thickness of the main body to allow an increased width of said first and second openings, and further comprising a tapered transition from said trailing rear end of the main body to said drawstring coupling structure to facilitate movement of the apparatus through a drawstring reception channel.

10. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first slotted opening comprises a substantially rectangular opening, and wherein said second slotted opening comprises an opening having a rounded trailing end.

11. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said leading front end of the main body comprises a bulbous tip having a rounded external surface to facilitate movement of the apparatus through a drawstring reception channel.

12. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said main body and said drawstring coupling structure comprise a polymer material molded into a single integral unit.

13. A drawstring restringing apparatus, comprising:

an elongated main body made of a semi-flexible material that allows the main body to be pushed through a drawstring reception channel, said main body comprising a leading front end and a trailing rear end; and

a drawstring coupling structure provided at the trailing rear end of the main body, said drawstring coupling structure comprising a first slotted opening, a second slotted opening, and a third round opening positioned between said first and second slotted openings.

14. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first and second slotted openings each have an elongated shape in a longitudinal direction of the apparatus.

15. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first and second slotted openings each have a width dimension in a lateral direction that is substantially smaller than a length dimension in a longitudinal direction, and wherein said third round opening has a diameter that is substantially the same dimension as said width dimension of said first and second slotted openings.

16. The drawstring restringing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said drawstring coupling structure has a low profile dimension in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal and lateral directions of said first and second slotted openings, said low profile dimension being smaller than a corresponding outer profile dimension of said main body to substantially accommodate a drawstring coupled to the apparatus within said outer profile dimension of the main body.

17. A method of restringing a drawstring through a drawstring reception channel, the method comprising:

providing a drawstring restringing device having an elongated main body made of a semi-flexible material that allows the main body to be pushed through a drawstring reception channel, said main body comprising a leading front end and a trailing rear end, and a drawstring coupling structure provided at the trailing rear end of the main body, said drawstring coupling structure comprising a first slotted opening, a second slotted opening located rearward of said first slotted opening, and a third opening located between said first and second slotted openings, said third opening having a dimension in a longitudinal direction that is substantially smaller than a length of said first and second slotted openings in said longitudinal direction;

providing a drawstring having a leading tip end;

coupling the drawstring to said drawstring coupling structure by passing the leading tip end through at least one of said openings;

pushing the device through a drawstring reception channel until the front end emerges from an end of the channel;

pulling the device completely through the drawstring reception channel with the drawstring coupled to said drawstring coupling structure; and

uncoupling the drawstring from said drawstring coupling structure to leave the drawstring restrung in the drawstring reception channel.

18. The method of restringing a drawstring according to claim 17, wherein said drawstring is coupled to said drawstring coupling structure by passing the leading tip end through both of said first and second slotted openings.

19. The method of restringing a drawstring according to claim 17, wherein said drawstring comprises a protective plastic cylinder covering said leading tip end, and wherein said drawstring is coupled to said drawstring coupling structure by passing the leading tip end through said first slotted opening and then through said third opening.

20. The method of restringing a drawstring according to claim 19, wherein said third opening comprises a substantially round opening having a diameter that is substantially the same as a width of said first and second slotted openings.