INTEGRATED TENSIONING SYSTEM AND FLY CLOSURE FOR A GARMENT

A tensioning and closure system for a waistband of a garment, such as trousers is disclosed. A waistband defines an opening and a tensioning member is secured on one side of the opening. A receiver configured to receive the tensioning member is positioned on an opposite side of the opening and receives the tensioning member in order to close the opening. A tensioning strap includes a first portion anchored at a first end and extending to the tensioning member and a second portion passing from the tensioning member back toward the first end. A second end of the tensioning strap may be pulled to increase tension in the first portion and adjust the effective size of the waistband. The first portion may pass through a first sleeve secured to the waistband and the second portion may pass through a second sleeve secured to the waistband and overlapping the first sleeve.

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Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application relates to trousers with integrated adjustable waistbands

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many manufacturers have attempted to make trousers that are adjustable in some way. For example, a long-used approach is to include a tab on a waistband that includes a buttonhole that may be engaged with a button from a set of buttons near the tab in order to adjust the effective size of the waistband. Another approach is to sew a buckle and a strap to the waistband. The strap may be secured within the buckle by means of holes therein or by friction between itself and the buckle. By adjusting the position of the strap within the buckle, the effective size of the waistband may be adjusted. In some instances, some, or all, of the strap may be routed within a pocket defined within the waistband, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,930. These prior approaches have the disadvantage of requiring bulky and rigid structures secured to the waistband thereby adding extra components and increasing manufacturing costs and providing opportunities to snag the buckles or buttons on equipment or other items. The bulky and rigid structures also clearly display that the trousers are adjustable and may diminish the aesthetic appeal of the trousers.

In view of the foregoing, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an adjustable waistband for trousers that does not have the above-noted deficiencies of prior approaches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a garment is shaped to receive a portion of a wearer's body and includes a waistband configured to encircle the waist of the wearer when the portion of the wearer's body is positioned within the garment. The waistband defines an opening extending through the waistband. The garment further includes a tensioning strap anchored at a first end to the waistband. The tensioning strap extends from the first end through a tensioning member. A receiver is secured to the waistband on a second side of the opening, the second side is opposite the first side. The receiver is configured to receive the tensioning member and to selectively secure the tensioning member to the waistband on the second side of the opening. In some embodiments, no fastener or structure, other than the tensioning member and receiver, is configured to or operable to span the opening to couple the waistband on the second side of the opening to the waistband on the second side of the opening.

In some embodiments, the receiver is a buttonhole and the tensioning member has an extent in a first plane that is less than a thickness of the tensioning member perpendicular to the first plane such that the tensioning member is insertable edgewise into the button hole and resists removal when the first plane is coextensive with a portion of the waistband surrounding the buttonhole. In some embodiments, the tensioning member is a button, such as a button having a round perimeter in the first plane.

In some embodiments, an anchor strip is secured at both ends to the waistband. The tensioning strap may extend from the first end, over a first side of the anchor strip facing the waistband, then through the tensioning member, and then over a second side of the anchor strip opposite the first side of the anchor strip.

In some embodiments, the garment includes first and second sleeve layers secured at their edges to the waistband. The second sleeve layer is secured to the waistband such that it is partially overlapped by the first sleeve layer and extends circumferentially along the waistband beyond the first sleeve layer and away from the opening. The first sleeve and second sleeve layers may be secured to the waistband at upper and lower edges thereof, having the second sleeve layer positioned between the first sleeve layer and the waistband. The first end of the tensioning strap may be anchored between the second sleeve layer and the waistband. In some embodiments, the second sleeve layer extends circumferentially around substantially all of the waistband and the tensioning strap extends from the first side of the opening and between the second sleeve layer and the waistband to the second side of the opening.

In some embodiments, the tensioning strap includes a narrow portion and a wide portion, the wide portion extending between the waistband and a portion of the second sleeve layer not overlapped by the first sleeve layer and a narrow portion extending between the first and second sleeve layers and through the tensioning member.

In some embodiments, a widened portion is secured to the tensioning strap at the second end, the widened portion effective to hinder entry of the tensioning strap into the sleeve. For example, the widened portion may be one or more loops of the tensioning strap fastened to the tensioning strap. The widened portion may a first loop portion extending toward the first sleeve layer and a second loop portion extending away from the first sleeve layer, the second loop portion sized to receive a wearer's finger.

A method of use of the disclosed garment is also disclosed and claimed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of trousers including a tensioning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial front view of a tensioning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view showing sleeves for a tensioning strap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial front view of a free end of a tensioning strap in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a partial front view of an alternative embodiment of a tensioning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a partial isometric view of a tensioning member of a tensioning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a partial front view of another alternative embodiment of a tensioning system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatuses and methods as disclosed herein may be incorporated into trousers 10. The trousers 10 may be any type of trousers made of any type of material known in the art. As known in the art, trousers 10 include leg portions 12a, 12b that surround the legs of a wearer and that are joined to a waistband 14 that encircles the waist of the wearer. Upper portions of the leg portions 12a, 12b may be sewn together to form the waistband or the waistband may be one or more strips of material sewn to upper portions of the leg portions 12a, 12b. Trousers may include a fly 16 that may be embodied as upper front edges of the leg portions 12a, 12b that are not permanently joined together, such as by stitching. As known in the art, the fly 16 may include a closure 18 that may be opened and closed to join the opposing edges of the leg portion 12a, 12b and waistband 14 on either side of the fly 16. For example, the closure 18 may be a zipper, one or more buttons, or some other closure means.

Although the tensioning system is described herein with respect to trousers, other garments may also advantageously be used. For example, a waistband of a skirt may include the combined tensioning and fastening system disclosed herein at the front or back thereof. Many jackets and coats have waistbands at the lower edge thereof that may be tensioned and fastened according to the apparatus and methods disclosed herein.

The trousers may include a tensioning strap 20 that extends along at least a portion of the waistband 14. The tensioning strap 20 may have a free end 22 that a wearer may pull in order to increase the tension in the waistband 14 or to decrease the effective circumference of the waistband 14. The tensioning strap 20 may be made of an elastic material or a substantially inelastic, e.g. static, material that does not significantly stretch in response to tension. For example, an elastic material may be a sheet of material that extends less than 10%, preferably less than 5% of its length, more preferably less than 2% of its length, in response to loading of 1 N per 10 cm of width. An elastic material may be defined as a material that is not an inelastic material according to any of the various definitions above.

The tensioning strap 20 may pass through a tensioning member 24 that is operable to maintain tension within the tensioning strap and enable increasing and decreasing of tension within the tensioning strap. For example, the tensioning member 24 may be embodied as a single, double, or triple bar buckle. As known in the art, in a first state or orientation such buckles may permit a strap to be tightened in response to a first amount of tension and retain the strap despite tension in the strap equal to the first amount of tension or some second amount of tension up to a failure or slippage point. Such buckles are also known in the art that may release the strap to return through the buckle responsive to lifting up on an edge of the buckle or otherwise re-orienting the buckle to a second state in which resistance to passage of a strap therethrough is reduced. The tensioning member 24 may also be a spring-loaded cord lock that allows a cord or strap to pass therethrough responsive to a first amount of tension in a first state when a button is depressed but require a much larger amount of tension to move the cord or strap therethrough in a second state when the button is not depressed.

The tensioning member 24 may be sized to engage a retainer 26 secured to the waistband 14 on an opposite side of the fly 16 from the tensioning apparatus. In particular, the tensioning member 24 may engage the retainer 26 to close the fly 16 and secure opposite sides of the fly together. The engagement of the tensioning member 24 and the retainer 26 may be the exclusive means for joining the edges of the waistband 14 on either side of the fly 16, other than the closure 18 positioned below the retainer 26 and tensioning member 24. Where the waistband 14 is a separate strip of material than the leg portions 12a, 12b, in some embodiments, the engagement of the tensioning member 24 with the retainer 26 may be the exclusive means secured directly to the waistband 14 itself for securing one edge of the waistband to an opposing edge of the waistband opposite the fly 16. However, in other embodiments, there may be an auxiliary means of joining the edges of the fly 16, including edges of the waistband 14, to one another. For example, a conventional button and buttonhole, snap fastener, hook and clasp, or any other fastening means that may be used to fasten portions of a garment or fly.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retainer 26 is a buttonhole, e.g. a vertical or horizontal slit that may be hemmed with reinforcing stitching. The tensioning member 24 may be sized to fit through the buttonhole edgewise but when positioned flat over the buttonhole requires a greater amount of force to remove due to the tensioning member 24 extending outwardly above and below the buttonhole, outwardly on both sides of the buttonhole, or both. The tensioning member 24 may be substantially flat such that in at least one plane it has an extent many times greater, e.g. 3 to 8 times greater, than the extent thereof perpendicular to that plane. The tensioning member 24 may also have a round perimeter in the plane such that it may look and operate as a conventional button. Many buckles are square or rectangular, accordingly the tensioning member 24 may likewise be square or rectangular in the plane. Cord locks may be generally cylindrical in cross section. Accordingly, a tensioning member 24 embodied as a cord lock may have a length such that, when positioned perpendicular to the long dimension of the slit defining the buttonhole, the tensioning member 24 can resist removal through the buttonhole.

In some embodiments, a portion of the tensioning strap 20 between the free end 22 and the tensioning member 24 may pass under a sleeve layer 28 that is secured above and below the tensioning strap 20, e.g. at the sleeve layer's upper and lower edges, to the waistband 14 to define a sleeve between the sleeve layer 28 and the waistband 14. In some embodiments, the outer sleeve layer 28 is omitted and the free end 22 is not restrained thereby.

Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, a tensioning strap 20 may be folded into two portions 20a, 20b, both emanating away from the fly 16 and tensioning member 24. The portion 20b may pass through the sleeve defined by the sleeve layer 28. The portion 20a may pass through a sleeve defined between an inner sleeve layer 30 and the waistband 14. In such embodiments, the portion 20b may be positioned within a sleeve defined by the sleeve layer 28 and the inner sleeve layer 30.

Referring to FIG. 3 while still referring to FIG. 2, the waistband 14 may have both of the sleeve layers 28, 30 secured thereto having the sleeve layer 30 positioned between the sleeve layer 28 and the waistband 14 for the circumferential extent of the waistband in which these layers overlap one another. The upper and lower edges of the layers 28 are secured to the waistband 14 to define the sleeves. The portion 20a passes through the space between the inner sleeve layer 30 and the waistband 14. The portion 20b passes through the space between the outer sleeve layer 28 and the inner sleeve layer 30.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the outer sleeve layer 28 may extend only partially over the portion of the waistband 14 covered by the inner sleeve layer 30. Accordingly, the outer sleeve layer 28 may define an edge 32 from which the tensioning strap portion 20b and free end 22b emanate. Both sleeve layers 28, 30 may have a commonly located edge 34 adjacent the tensioning member 24, or the edges of the layers 28, 30 adjacent the tensioning member 24 may be slightly offset form one another. One or more pairs of more anchors (e.g. bar tack stitching 36) may secure the outer sleeve layer 28 to one or both of the inner sleeve layer 30 and the waistband 14, having the anchors 36 of each pair positioned on either side of the tensioning strap portions 20a, 20b. The anchors 36 define a gap therebetween that constrains one or both of the tensioning strap portions 20a, 20b to be located within a first region that is smaller than a second region defined between lines of securement of the sleeve layers 28, 30 to the waistband 40 (e.g. stitching securing the sleeve layers 28, 30 to the waistband). For example, the first region may be no more than 30%, preferably 20%, and more preferably 10%, wider than a width of the tensioning strap portions 20a, 20b. The second region may be two, three, four, or more times wider than the widths of the tensioning strap portions 20a, 20b. The anchors 36 may ensure that the gap within which the tensioning strap portion 20b is narrow such that the free end 22 is not drawn in to the sleeve defined by the outer sleeve portion 32.

The inner sleeve layer 30 may extend circumferentially beyond the edge 32 and away from the fly 16. The inner sleeve layer 30 may, for example, extend beyond the edge 32 to an outseam of the trousers 10 or some other point. In some embodiments, the portion 20a may extend around all or substantially all of the entire circumferential extent of the waistband 14, e.g. 80%, preferably 90%, and more preferably 95%. The end of the tensioning strap portion 20a may be anchored to one or both of the waistband 14 and inner sleeve layer 30 by means of an anchor 38, which may be embodied as bar tack stitching passing through the portion 20a and one or both of the waistband 14 and inner sleeve layer 30.

A free end 22 of the tensioning strap portion 20b may include an enlarged portion or enlarging structure secured thereto in order to prevent the free end 22 from being drawn into the sleeve defined by the outer sleeve layer 28. In the illustrated embodiment, two loops 40, 42 extend from the free end 22b. One loop 40 may extend from a point of attachment to the portion 20b toward the outer sleeve layer 28 and tensioning member 24. Another loop 42 may extend from a point of attachment thereof to the portion 20b away from the outer sleeve layer 28 and tensioning member 24. The loop 40 may be have a size and stiffness effective to resist entry into the sleeve defined by the outer sleeve layer 28 and the inner sleeve layer 30. The loop 42 may include a loop sized to receive a wearer's finger to enable a wearer to pull on the tensioning strap portion 20a in order to adjust the effective waistband size of the trousers 10. In some embodiments, rather than loops of the tensioning strap portion 20b, the free end 22 may have a rigid member, such as a button, that is sized to hinder the tensioning strap portion 20b from being drawn under the outer sleeve layer 28. In some embodiments, no loops or other hardware are used and the free end 22 is left as-is, hemmed, or otherwise configured such that it is not widened such that it cannot be drawn under the outer sleeve layer 28.

Referring to FIG. 4, while still referring to FIG. 2, the loops 40, 42 may be formed by folding of the tensioning strap portion 20b as shown and stitching the folds. As is apparent in FIG. 4, the tensioning strap portion 20b is folded three times such that the stitching 44 that retains the folds passes through four layers of the tensioning strap portion 20b. The many layers further increase the thickness of the tensioning strap portion 20b and further hinder drawing of the free end 22 into the sleeve defined by the outer sleeve layer 28 and the inner sleeve layer 30. The loops 40, 42 defined by folding of the tensioning strap portion 20b then emanate from the stitching 44.

Referring again to FIG. 2, as noted above, the inner sleeve layer 30 and outer sleeve layer 28 may end at the common edge location 34 adjacent the tensioning member 24. As is apparent in FIG. 2, the portions 20a, 20b extend beyond the edge location 34 and pass into the tensioning member 24. An anchor strip 46 is secured at both ends to the waistband 14, such as by stitching 48. In some embodiments, the anchor strip 46 is secured inward of the stitching 48, such as by additional stitching 50. The tensioning strap portion 20a may pass between the anchor strip 46 and the waistband 14, such as between the two stitching areas 50, and into the tensioning member 24. The tensioning strap portion 20b may emanate from the tensioning member 24 and over the anchoring strip 46 such that the anchoring strip 46 is positioned between the tensioning strap portion 20a, 20b. The anchoring strip 46 may facilitate the tensioning member 24 laying flat against the waistband 14. In some embodiments, the anchoring strip 46 may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5, while still referring to FIG. 4, the tensioning member 24 may be a button and define an aperture 52 having one or more cross bars 54 extending parallel to one another across the aperture 52. The one or more cross bars 54 may be a sliding bar mechanism used in some buckles as known in the art. For example, the button may include one bar, two bar, or three bars. The size, cross sectional shape, and other attributes of the one or more cross bars 54 may be according to any buckle known in the art. The tensioning strap 20 passes into one side of the aperture 52 over and/or around the one or more cross bars 54 and exits out of the same side of the aperture such that both of the tensioning strap portions 20a, 20b emanate from a same side of the tensioning member 24, i.e. the side facing the waistband 14.

Tensioning of the tensioning strap 20 may be accomplished by pulling on the tensioning strap portion 20b. The tensioning member 24 may inherently allow tensioning of the tensioning strap portion 20a and inherently resist releasing of tension in the portion 20a. For example, a user may be required to lift up one edge of the illustrated buckle in order to allow the tensioning strap portion 20b to pass into the buckle to the tensioning strap portion 20a as known in the art. Any other buckle or cord lock having any known method of use may be used to allow for tensioning and un-tensioning of the portion 20a.

Referring to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the tensioning strap portion 20a may include a widened strap 56 secured thereto. For example, the widened portion may be secured to the tensioning strap portion 20a at some point offset from the tensioning member 24 such that for an expected amount by which the tensioning strap portion 20a may be drawn through the tensioning member 24, the widened strap 56 will not reach the tensioning member 24 to interfere with adjusting of the waistband 14. In the illustrated embodiment, with no tension applied to the tensioning strap portion 20a, e.g. no elastic deformation of the tensioning strap portion 20a or deformation of the waistband 14, the point of securement of the widened strap 56 to the tensioning strap portion 20a may be located beyond the edge 32 of the outer sleeve layer, such as by one, two, or more inches. The widened strap may completely (or nearly completely) surround the waist of the trousers and increase comfort of the wearer throughout the waistband. The widened strap 56 may also distribute tension around the waistband 14 and reduce localized bunching of the waistband of the trousers.

Referring to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the tensioning strap portion 20b may pass under the outer sleeve layer 28 and further pass under another outer sleeve layer 58 positioned over the inner sleeve layer 30. A gap may be present between the edge 32 of the outer sleeve layer 28 and an edge 60 of the outer sleeve layer 58. Accordingly, a portion of the tensioning strap portion 20b may be exposed between the edges 32, 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the end 22 of the tensioning strap portion 20b may be secured to an elastic member 62 that is secured to the tensioning strap portion 20b and anchored to one or more of the outer sleeve layer 58, inner sleeve layer 30, and waistband 40, such as by means of bar tack stitching 64. An undeformed length of the elastic member 62 may be such that the elastic member 62 applies a biasing force on the tensioning strap portion 20b for a range of lengths of the tensioning strap portion 20b extending from the tensioning member 24 as it is adjusted through the tensioning member 24 as described herein. For example, for a range of lengths from end 22 to the tensioning member 24 having a maximum length that is two, three, or four inches larger than a minimum length of the range, the biasing member 62 may be sized relative to the anchor 64 location such that the biasing member 62 applies tension to the tensioning strap portion 20b when the pants 10 are worn. In this manner, the elastic member 62 draws slack in the tensioning strap portion 20b into the space between the outer sleeve layer 58 and the inner sleeve layer 30.

In some embodiments, the outer sleeve layers 28, 58 may parts of a single piece of material on opposite sides of an opening, the tensioning strap portion 20b may pass under the layers 28, 58 and be exposed through the opening. The tensioning strap portion 20b may pass out of a slit in the outer sleeve layer 28 and pass back into another slit in the outer sleeve layer such that a portion of the tensioning strap portion 20b is exposed outside of the outer sleeve layer 28 between the slits. In other embodiments, a slit may be defined in the inner sleeve layer 30 offset from the edge 32 of the outer sleeve layer 28. The tensioning strap portion 20b may pass through this slit and secure to a tensioning member 62 positioned between the inner sleeve layer 30 and the waistband 14.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiments. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A garment shaped to receive a portion of a wearer's body and including a waistband configured to encircle the waist of the wearer when the portion of the wearer's body is positioned within the garment, the waistband defining an opening extending through the waistband, the garment comprising:

a tensioning strap anchored at a first end to the waistband on a first side of the opening;
a tensioning member having the tensioning strap extending from the first end through the tensioning member; and
a receiver secured to the waistband on a second side of the opening, the second side opposite the first side, the receiver configured to receive the tensioning member and selectively secure the tensioning member to the waistband on the second side of the opening.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein no fastener or structure, other than the tensioning member and receiver, is configured to or operable to span the opening to couple the waistband on the second side of the opening to the waistband on the second side of the opening.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein:

the receiver is a buttonhole;
the tensioning member has an extent in a first plane that is less than a thickness of the tensioning member perpendicular to the first plane such that the tensioning member is insertable edgewise into the buttonhole and resists removal when the first plane is substantially parallel with a portion of the waistband surrounding the buttonhole.

4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the tensioning member is a button.

5. The garment of claim 1, further comprising an anchor strip secured at both ends to the waistband, the tensioning strap extending from the first end, then over a first side of the anchor strip facing the waistband, then through the tensioning member, and then over a second side of the anchor strip opposite the first side of the anchor strip.

6. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a first sleeve layer and a second sleeve layer secured to the waistband having the second sleeve layer partially overlapped by the first sleeve layer and extending circumferentially along the waistband beyond the first sleeve layer and away from the opening, the first sleeve and second sleeve layers being secured to the waistband at upper and lower edges thereof having the second sleeve layer positioned between the first sleeve layer and the waistband.

wherein the first end of the tensioning strap is anchored between the second sleeve layer and the waistband.

7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the second sleeve layer extends circumferentially around substantially all of the waistband and the tensioning strap extends from the first side of the opening and between the second sleeve layer and the waistband to the second side of the opening.

8. The garment of claim 6, wherein the first sleeve layer includes a first sleeve layer portion and a second sleeve layer portion defining a gap between the first and second sleeve layer portions, the tensioning strap passing from the tensioning member, between the first sleeve layer portion and second sleeve layer, between the second sleeve layer portion and second sleeve layer, and securing to an elastic member secured to the waistband, a portion of the tensioning strap being exposed within the gap.

9. The garment of claim 7, wherein the tensioning strap includes a narrow portion and a wide portion, the wide portion extending between the waistband and a portion of the second sleeve layer not overlapped by the first sleeve layer and a narrow portion extending between the first and second sleeve layers and through the tensioning member.

10. The garment of claim 7, further comprising a widened portion secured to the tensioning strap at the second end, the widened portion effective to hinder entry of the tensioning strap between the first and second sleeve layers.

11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the widened portion is one or more loops of the tensioning strap fastened to the tensioning strap.

12. The garment of claim 10, wherein the widened portion includes a first loop portion extending toward the sleeve and a second loop portion extending away from the sleeve, the second loop portion sized to receive a wearer's finger.

13. A method for adjusting a waist size of trousers, the trousers having leg portions configured to receive legs of a wearer coupled to a waistband configured to encircle the waist of the wearer when the legs of the wearer are positioned in the leg portions, the waistband and leg portions defining a fly opening extending through the waistband, the method comprising:

providing— a tensioning strap anchored at a first end to the waistband on a first side of the opening; a tensioning member having the tensioning strap extending from the first end through the tensioning member; and a receiver secured to the waistband on a second side of the fly opening, the second side opposite the first side, the receiver configured to receive the tensioning member and selectively secure the tensioning member to the waistband on the second side of the fly opening;
pulling on the tensioning strap effective to urge the tensioning strap through the tensioning member and at least one of reduce a length of the tensioning strap between the first end and the tensioning member and increase tension in a portion of the tensioning strap between the tensioning member and the first end.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising fastening the first side of the waistband to the second side of the waistband by engaging the tensioning member with the receiver.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the receiver is a buttonhole, the method further comprising:

inserting the tensioning member through the buttonhole and arranging the tensioning member such that portions thereof extend outwardly from opposite sides of the buttonhole.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the tensioning member is a button.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the button has a round perimeter.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing an anchor strip secured at both ends to the waistband, the tensioning strap extending from the first end, then over a first side of the anchor strip facing the waistband, then through the tensioning member, and then over a second side of the anchor strip.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising providing a sleeve secured to the waistband, at least a portion of the tensioning strap passing through the sleeve and providing a widened portion secured to the tensioning strap at the second end, the widened portion effective to hinder entry of the tensioning strap into the sleeve.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the widened portion includes a first loop portion extending toward the sleeve and a second loop portion extending away from the sleeve, the method further comprising inserting a wearer's finger through the second loop portion and pulling the tensioning strap outwardly from the sleeve.

Patent History
Publication number: 20150282545
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 3, 2014
Publication Date: Oct 8, 2015
Inventors: Casey Shaw (Santa Fe, NM), Kristo Torgersen (Ventura, CA)
Application Number: 14/244,770
Classifications
International Classification: A41F 9/02 (20060101); A41D 1/06 (20060101);