Waistbands Patents (Class 2/220)
  • Patent number: 11096433
    Abstract: This disclosure is related to trousers with a waist protection belt. The trousers include the waist protection belt that is detachably attached to a belt cloth of the trousers, a trouser body that includes a stretchable cloth at a position corresponding to a waist part of a back body part of the trousers, and a position adjusting part that is provided at substantially a center of the waist protection belt and is provided at a position on a back surface of the belt cloth corresponding to the waist part of the trouser body. The position adjusting part is configured to adjustably change an attachment position of the waist protection belt in a vertical direction with respect to the trouser body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: MIDORI ANZEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jaewoo Kim, Naotoshi Matsubayashi, Shohei Tamanaha, Kagari Sako
  • Patent number: 9717282
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are lower-body garments having wide, abdominal-shaping waistbands, and methods of making the same. The garments disclosed herein have wide, abdominal-shaping waistbands with features tailored to smooth and restrain the garment-wearer's abdominal area and/or reduce the undesirable “muffin top” effect that can occur when garments cinch at the waist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Spanx, Inc.
    Inventors: Tosha Hays, Julie Lotz
  • Patent number: 9549581
    Abstract: Disclosed are belt adjustment systems, particularly for wearing around a user's waist, that permit a continuum of belt loop sizes or a larger selection of belt loop sizes. The belt adjustment system includes an elongate belt member having a first end, a second end and a series of teeth positioned on an inner surface near the second end and a fixation member having first and second adjustment elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventors: Edward R. Rowland, Thomas W. Hunsucker
  • Publication number: 20150082516
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for pants, shorts and skirts including a hip pocket. In one embodiment, among others, a pair of pants includes first and second pant legs and a hip pocket positioned along an outer portion of the first pant leg and adjacent to a front pocket of the pair of pants. The hip pocket can have an opening that is substantially perpendicular to a seam extending along a length of the first pant leg. In another embodiment, a skirt includes a waistband that secures around a waist of a wearer of the skirt and a hip pocket positioned along a side portion of the skirt and adjacent to a hip of the wearer. The hip pocket can have an opening that is substantially parallel to the waistband of the skirt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventor: Vinh D. Doan
  • Patent number: 8968051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crossover maternity panel that may be attached to any lower garment worn throughout pregnancy and post-partum body changes. The crossover maternity panel may be a belly panel comprised of a single piece of fabric or multiple pieces connected with seams, and wrap around from the front to the back of the wearer. The portions may overlap in the back of the wearer as they decrease in height to create a crossover triangular section that provides support to the lumbar region of the wearer. The crossover maternity panel may be attached to any lower garment such as a pant, short, skirt, skort, or the like. The flexible and stretchable material of the crossover maternity panel allows the wearer to have support for the enlarged belly, support for increased pressure and laxity on the wearer's sacroiliac joints and lower back, as well as comfort and mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ingrid & Isabel, LLC
    Inventor: Ingrid Carney
  • Publication number: 20130305433
    Abstract: A pocketed athletic garment. The garment can include an outer layer, an inner layer, and a waistband coupled to the outer layer and the inner layer, the waistband including a plurality of pockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventor: Tabitha Star HEDRICK
  • Publication number: 20130276210
    Abstract: The present invention provides pants/short/skirts (10) having a panel (12) attached to the front outer wall of the athletic pants/shorts/skirts waistband or waistband area for retaining a mobile device in line of sight view and allowing both visibility to and use of the touch screen functions without removing the device from the panel. The panel (12) extending around the entire or part thereof of the waistband. Apertures (40) (42) are formed in the panel providing access to the panel sections (28) for inserting and removing the mobile device. The apertures (40) (42) are the same width or narrower than the width of the panel (12). The panel is elastically deformed and sized to snugly retain mobile device(s) in the panel sections (28).The material of the upper surface of the panel is such that the buttons, functions and touch screen of a mobile device are clearly visible and fully functional.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Linda Clarke, Lauri Cummings
  • Patent number: 8555415
    Abstract: An article of apparel may include a waistband for extending around a waist of the wearer. The waistband may have a first layer and a second layer that lay adjacent to each other, and the waistband may have a plurality of strand segments located between the first layer and the second layer. The strand segments extend at least partially around the waistband. Additionally, the strand segments may lay substantially parallel to surfaces of the first layer and the second layer for distances of at least five centimeters. In some configurations, the strand segments may be bonded to the first layer and the second layer along the distances of at least five centimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Rachel Ellen Bradstreet, Sebastian Huff, James C. Meschter, Bruce Yin Moore, Ryan Michael Hurley
  • Patent number: 8214922
    Abstract: An article of apparel, which may be a pair of water shorts, includes a first textile and a second textile. The first textile forms a majority of an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface of the apparel, and the first textile exhibits at least thirty percent stretch prior to tensile failure. The second textile is located around a waistband portion of the apparel, and the second textile exhibits less than ten percent stretch prior to tensile failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hurley International, LLC.
    Inventors: Bruce Yin Moore, Ryan Michael Hurley
  • Patent number: 8122520
    Abstract: A lower-body garment is provided having a secure waist assembly. The garment includes an outer shell having a waistband. The waist assembly is attached to the interior side of the waistband at a prescribed location on the waist assembly with the remaining portions of the waist assembly being free of the outer shell. The waist assembly includes an intermediate section, end sections, and end fasteners, which cooperate to promote a secure and comfortable waist fit. When secured in place, the waist assembly wraps snuggly against the waist of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Jaco Athletics, LLC
    Inventor: Ronald L. Wilson, II
  • Patent number: 8028345
    Abstract: A tennis garment of fabric material and sewn construction has a front panel sewn to a rear panel with a waistband encircling the garment. A ball securing sleeve is aligned with, and joined to, the rear waistband portion at left, central, and right mutual locations, thereby establishing two ball securing sleeves into which a tennis ball may be inserted from above or below the sleeve. Once inserted, the ball is held in place by opposing upper and lower elastic bands within upper and lower hems of the sleeves. When desired, the ball may be withdrawn from the sleeves by upward or downward movement relative to the sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rockport Recreation Co., LLC
    Inventors: Lance Waite, Anna Waite
  • Patent number: 7931639
    Abstract: The invention provides a panty realizing easy fit of a sanitary napkin for night use to a crotch portion, preventing the napkin from shifting out of position, alleviating digging into the crotch portion, and thus being comfortable to wear without giving feeling of constriction to the wearer. The panty includes a front part, a back part, a crotch part provided so as to bridge between the front part and the back part, a slightly elastic member is provided at the substantially center area of the back part, a highly elastic member is provided from a back parts lifting member to the entire area of the front part except for the waist hold part, a fixing member is provided on the substantially center area of the front part, a crotch lifting member is provided at the substantially center area of the crotch part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Ayami Suga, Shinobu Fujikawa, Hideki Kondo
  • Patent number: 7849518
    Abstract: An article of apparel, which may be a pair of water shorts, includes a first textile and a second textile. The first textile forms a majority of an exterior surface and an opposite interior surface of the apparel, and the first textile exhibits at least thirty percent stretch prior to tensile failure. The second textile is located around a waistband portion of the apparel, and the second textile exhibits less than ten percent stretch prior to tensile failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hurley International, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Yin Moore, Ryan Michael Hurley
  • Patent number: 7424962
    Abstract: A pocket is formed to be carried at a waist of a player playing either golf or tennis. The pocket has a backing and a front made of a fabric that is flexible and stretchable to thereby hold at least three balls under tension while located in the pocket. The pocket is held in a horizontal direction on the waistline of a wearer. The pocket may be attached to a belt surrounding the wearer or instead of a belt may be held in place by way of straps that are mounted on a back side of the pocket and may be passed through slits at the waistline of a pair of pants and held under tension by way of double D-rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: Kiersten K. Mooney
  • Patent number: 7418742
    Abstract: The present invention relates to pants capable of lifting sagging buttocks when a user wears them, thereby giving a sense of comfort as well as a good appearance to the user. The pants include elastic first wings, wherein each one side of the first wings is seamed with both outer edges of the upper portion of a rear fabric panel in a longitudinal direction and the other side of each of the first wings is seamed with a front fabric panel along zipper seam lines, respectively, and second wings wherein each one side of the second wings is seamed, independent from the first wings, to the portions seamed with the first wings in a longitudinal direction and the other side of each of the second wings is seamed with each end of band stitched to both upper end portions of the front fabric panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Inventor: Dae-kyu Yoo
  • Patent number: 7131147
    Abstract: A pleated skirt is disclosed which includes a waistband assembly having a rear segment and two front segments, and a composite pleated skirt assembly having front, side, and rear pleats attached to the waistband assembly, an adjustable pleat at each side of the skirt to accommodate different wearer sizes, an inner front panel connected to a front segment of the waistband assembly, and an outer front panel connected to another front segment of the waistband assembly, snaps connected to the front panels to detachably connect them together, for attachment and detachment of the kilt from a wearer. The front inner panel has front pleats that step down incrementally, the front pleats and front inner panel are sewn together to create a funnel shape, and the outer panel has a plurality of stepped pleats. A plurality of hooks and loops of a cord are engageable with a rear pleat and the front panels for pulling the kilt together to provide a modesty system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventor: Steven Jeffrey Villegas
  • Publication number: 20040181850
    Abstract: A method of making a protective pad, which comprises fastening a plurality of sections together to create an outer shell, providing an inner shell made of a more rigid material than the sections making up the outer shell, fastening the inner shell to the outer shell (thereby to form a composite shell) and fastening the composite shell to a padding liner. The use of plural sections forming the outer shell reduces manufacturing costs. An overlay may be placed over the outer shell to conceal the areas where the sections making up the outer shell are fastened together. Fastening the composite shell to the padding liner may include passing through a thinned out portion of the hard inner shell, or it may bypass the inner shell altogether, thus avoiding the use of heavy duty stitching equipment. The step of fastening the inner and outer shells may include gluing rather than stitching.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Beland
  • Publication number: 20040049832
    Abstract: This is a new concept to enable a person to kneel and work comfortably. This frame can be put in place and removed quickly using the self holding straps. A person can walk comfortably with it in place. This frame can be used for roofing, laying floors, trawling concrete, gardening, and any kneeling job. It will be especially helpful to people working on pitched roofs with the padded leg side. The flexible ribs on the front and sole will help to eliminate slipping while kneeling or walking. This frame can be manufactured in various sizes to conform to different size legs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Alan Everett Hawley
  • Publication number: 20030200595
    Abstract: A support adapted to be placed on a person's leg such that it can contact the backs of the user's upper and lower leg includes a surface that is conformed to the user's leg, renders the support more comfortable to use and more effective in supporting the user's leg. The support is structured so that any tendency for the support to move or rotate relative to the user's leg is minimized. The support may include a raised portion or is otherwise shaped to inhibit movement or rotation. The support may have a first surface portion shaped to conform to a calf area of the rear of the lower leg and a second surface portion shaped to conform to an Achilles tendon area of the rear of the lower leg.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Julian H. Cherubini, John Snowden, Richard Clement
  • Publication number: 20030172440
    Abstract: A pair of roller hockey fabric pants having a seat portion and first and second downwardly extending trouser leg portions including knee and shin areas respectively, and at least a pair of fasteners extending outwardly from each trouser leg portion to secure the leg portions substantially in place about the legs of a wearer of the roller hockey pants.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Inventor: Jason B. Waxberg
  • Publication number: 20030154540
    Abstract: A leg guard having an instep portion to protect an instep of foot, a shin portion to protect a shin, a knee portion to protect a knee, and a sub-knee portion to protect an upper part of the knee. The leg guard is provided with a pad portion having a cover composed of thermoplastic elastomer, and the cover of the pad portion has plural convex portions protruding from the surface of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: FUTAGO SHOJI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Fumitoshi Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 6202220
    Abstract: A pair of pants having two waistbands: one true waistband for securing the pants about a wearer's waist, and a second false waistband for creating the appearance that the pants are being worn at or below the level of the wearer's hips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Ricknal J. Rhoden
  • Patent number: 6167815
    Abstract: A railway vehicle has, located centrally on the end of a car body 1, a coupling device and at least one shock absorbing device 9, 10, which has a permanently deformable support element. To achieve an effective protection against under-running in an impact the, individual shock absorbing elements 9, 10 are parallel to one another underneath a horizontal plane that contains a coupling device 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation (Technology) GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Werner, Max Huber
  • Patent number: 6138282
    Abstract: Underpants having a vertically wide waistband that may be folded down over the waistband of an outer garment for the lower torso and legs (e.g., pants or skirt) to display in a right-side-up position markings on what would be the inside face of the underpants waistband if it were not folded down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Robert D. Follese
  • Patent number: 6085356
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a detachable waist band expander for temporarily adjusting the waist band size of a garment. The user attaches the waist band expander to the button and the button slit of their clothing. The present invention includes an optional sized button which is inserted into the button slit of the waist band of the garment as a button hooking device engages the button of the garment. Hook and pile inserts serve as a size adjustment means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Craig C. Redmond, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5946730
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a maternity insert panel for jeans or other button-fly garments are shown and described. The insert is a V-shaped cloth constructed preferably of a firmly-woven stretch fabric and may be faced with generally the same color fabric as the garment. The insert may be designed with a plurality of buttonholes along one side of the V and matching buttons along the opposite side of the V. The panel is buttoned into the fly of a pair of jeans, with the wide part of the V at the waist. Due to its V-shape and firmness, this panel offers support and comfort, because the waist is expanded the same amount to each side of the wearer and the thin, smooth panel applies gentle, even pressure against the wearer. When a pregnancy is over and a normal clothing size is needed, the V-shaped panel can simply be un-buttoned and removed out of the jeans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Inventor: Vivia M. Blair
  • Patent number: 5802619
    Abstract: A skirt suitable for cheerleading is described which is formed by a body and a waistband. The body forms the main section of the skirt and attached along its top edge to the waistband which fits snugly to the wearer's waist, yet still allows for extreme athletic movements. The waistband is formed by an elastic band attached at its ends to two fabric ends which are connected to each other by a closure mechanism such as a button. The elastic band is protected and concealed by a cover material which forms a passageway through which the elastic band passes. The fabric ends and the cover material are attached to the top edge of the body of the skirt to act as the waistband. The elastic band is not permanently attached to the body or the cover material to allow it to stretch freely in response to movements by the wearer. The body of the skirt includes another closure mechanism such as a zipper which works in conjunction with the button on the fabric ends to allow the skirt to be easily put on and taken off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: National Spirit Group, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sherise M. Ralston, Michele M. Wolken
  • Patent number: 5758519
    Abstract: A knitting machine and method for forming a composite band including an elongate knitted band and a drawcord secured to a front face of the knitted band by a covering yarn overlying the drawcord and stitched to the elongate band. The knitting machine includes a frame. A first knitting station is provided supported by the frame for forming the elongate knitted band. A second knitting station is provided supported by the frame and downstream of the first knitting station for receiving the knitted band after it exits the first knitting station. The second knitting station is operative to stitch the covering yarn to the knitted band from opposite sides of and across the drawcord to form a channel area defined between the covering yarn and the front face of the knitted band, the drawcord disposed in the channel area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: Asheboro Elastics Corp.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Joyce, Richard T. Grier, Dan W. Tanner, Danny Corum
  • Patent number: 5452591
    Abstract: An elastic band is fabricated with an integrated drawcord utilizing a crochet-type warp knitting machine by initially knitting a finished elastic band and, then, re-routing the finished band back through the knitting machine to a second knitting location at which fabric piercing needles are utilized to knit additional warp and filling yarns while a drawcord is simultaneously fed between the piercing needles to form a covering web over the drawcord defining a tunnel area between the covering web and the finished band in which the drawcord is captured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Southern Webbing Mills, Incorporated
    Inventor: Claude T. King
  • Patent number: 5299323
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an adjustment system for forming a repeatedly adjustable hem on a garment. There is provided an adjustment mechanism comprising of a cord with one end that is attached to the garment's inside hem while the other end passes through a holding pocket or channel that is secured to the garment's inside seam. The second end of the cord above the holding pocket or channel is then preferably knotted to provide a stop or limit to adjust and the second end is secured to the garment lining. The fabric lining conceals the adjustment mechanism. A fabric tab is secured to the second end and the lining as a grasping point for making a length adjustment. The bloused lining is smoothed, the garment is pressed, and the adjustment is complete and undetectable. Embodiments are shown for adjusting trouser leg lengths, coat or jacket sleeves or body length as well as skirt and waistband adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Inventors: Aaron Schaefer, James Ranney
  • Patent number: 5193225
    Abstract: An elastic band comprising a plurality of spaced elastic members and a pair of flexible sheet materials on opposed sides of the elastic members, the elastic members being secured in a stretched position to each of said flexible sheet materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company
    Inventors: Hamzeh Karami, Ronald F. Vitaris
  • Patent number: 5168581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pants belt of the "English belt" type sewn into the upper part of a pair of extensible pants. This belt comprises an elastic band (3) of which the inner face is covered with upper (6) and lower (7) sheaths, composed of bands of bias fabric obtained by weaving non-extensible threads and cutting on a bias. The lower lining (7) comprises a floating part (7a) which may be connected to the pocket sacks by attaching points (12). The belt of the invention combines high aesthetic qualities, inside and outside, permitting mounting it on high quality pants, with remarkable qualities of elasticity, remanence and tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1992
    Assignee: S.A. Generale du Pret a Porter
    Inventors: Fernand Garcia, Bruno Le Cottier, Philippe Jougla
  • Patent number: 5144697
    Abstract: Bi-waisted trousers conform to and comfortably grip the hips of a stout person without requiring a belt or hitching by the person. The bi-waisted trousers have front and back panels with respective waistbands located such that the front waistband is parallel to and approximately 2.5 inches lower around the hips than the back waistband. An elastic dart is placed on the opposite sides of the trousers between the front and back panels. An adjustable strap may be placed across one or both darts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Inventor: Rick L. Sandbeck
  • Patent number: 5127108
    Abstract: Trousers are provided with front panels and rear panels attached along inseams and outer seams, along a rear seam, and along a front, with a waistband formed around a top. A gathered area is disposed below the top portion of the waistband, and is circumferentially fuller than the top portion of the waistband. An inner elastic panel is attached at opposite ends behind the gathered area and arranged to draw the gathered area inwardly, providing a slimmer appearance. The waistband can be attached to the front and rear panels along a seam at which the panels are gathered via folded pleats. The elastic panel is attached along the seam to the waistband and to the front and rear panels on lateral sides of the pleats, preferably at a zipper or similar front opening, and at a pocket which is attached on an opposite side to the outer seam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1992
    Inventor: Phyllis Weiss
  • Patent number: 5067176
    Abstract: A self-adjusting trouser waistband system includes inner and outer combinations of extensible and non-extensible elements postioned respectively on and with the outside and inside of trouser pockets, such trouser pockets provided with expansible surfaces which integrally formed with innermost portions of the pockets to which the non-extensible elements are secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Inventor: Vincent Carabillo
  • Patent number: 4980930
    Abstract: A garment waistband construction is provided. The waistband construction employs a strip of composite fabric comprising a nonwoven fabric having a layer of monofilament yarns of about 150 to about 1,050 denier attached thereto. The monofilament yarns are oriented along the width of the composite fabric strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: Crown Textile Company
    Inventor: Joseph T. Cusimano
  • Patent number: 4970728
    Abstract: An improved waistband construction for garments including a new one piece flat elastic strip having upper and lower portions of different stretchability. The elastic strip is connected to the fabric of the waistband and the shell of the garment so as to allow more expansion and comfort in fitting multiple sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Anthony D'Ambrosio
  • Patent number: 4890337
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pants-like garment having a stretchable construction. The garment includes a waistband configured to encircle the waist of a wearer and a covering portion configured to encircle the trunk of the wearer. The covering portion has a front section connected, adjacent its top edge, to the waistband and a rear section connected to the front section. A strip of two-way stretchable material having an elasticity in a pair of directions, perpendicular to the waistband and parallel to the waistband, connects the top edge of the rear section of the garment covering portion to the waistband. When the wearer bends over or twists his or her trunk, the strip of elastic material stretches to prevent deformation of the waistband and prevent exposure of the buttocks of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignees: Bert Greenberg, Jodee K. Greenberg
    Inventor: Bert Greenberg
  • Patent number: 4688271
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an improved waist band stay for women's garments comprised of a substantially rectangular, thin, one-piece, laterally free-riding, readily insertable and removable, strip of polypropylene plastic having substantially rounded corners at its leading end with a hanger opening centrally located in the vicinity of said leading end and indicia (markings) located thereon along the length thereof, e.g., calibrated in centimeters and/or inches (and portions thereof) to indicate length and make it simple for the user to cut the stay to the length appropriate for, viz., slightly less than e.g., from about 0.125 inch to about 1.0 inch less than, the wearer's waist measurement. The premeasured and marked strips usually range in width from about 1/2 to 13/4 inches and in lengths from about 30 to about 48 inches with a substantially uniform thickness of about 0.02" to about 0.04" plus or minus 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventor: Catherine L. Capelle
  • Patent number: 4583249
    Abstract: A waistband assembly is provided including a woven stiffening strip having a smooth fused edge. The edge may be formed by an ultrasonic slitting process as the strip is made with a high thermoplastic content. Sufficient warp yarns are provided within the strip to insure adequate fusing along the edges. This prevents the fill from working its way out and thereby forming an irregularly shaped edge. A rough edge, which could damage the shell fabric of a garment, is accordingly avoided even after numerous dry cleanings. Because the edge is made from the same materials as the strip itself, it will last as long as the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Crown Textile Company
    Inventors: Dattatraya V. Kamat, James R. Nabors
  • Patent number: 4580298
    Abstract: The present invention provides a waist band extender having a strip of substantially inelastic material and a single pair of complementary closure member mounted in spaced apart relationship for mating with complementary closure members normally incorporated into a garment's waist band for temporary use in extending such waist band without alterations, and for leaving such garment in normal state upon removal. Such extender may include means for holding a zipper of a garment together with the extender so as to provide security of closing where needed.The present invention also provides a waist band extended garment of wearing apparel comprising in combination a garment having a permanent waist band integrated with lower reaches of the garment which waist band is extended by means of an extender described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1986
    Inventor: Richard M. Tuisl
  • Patent number: 4503567
    Abstract: A garment waistband that employs a longitudinally extensible elastic band which is laterally partially stiffened. A plurality of elastic threads extending in the longitudinal direction through the band are bound to stiffened lateral fibers, and the stiffened lateral fibers are loosely interconnected by supporting fibers. The extension of the elasic band is partially restrained by a fabric web attached to parts of the inner and outer surfaces of the elastic band. The looseness with which the supporting fibers connect the stiffened fibers allows one longitudinal portion of the waistband to be stretched without significantly affecting nearby parallel longitudinal portions. The fabric web partially restrains extension of the elastic band so that the garment to which it is attached does not pucker or significantly deform. The result is a waistband that conforms in a comfortable manner to body contours while providing stability and a neat, finished appearance to the garment in which it is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Hubbard Company
    Inventor: Ralph F. Muse
  • Patent number: 4498201
    Abstract: A belt for supporting trousers has a lower adjustable supporting strap. Stiff members are attached to the waistband of the trousers. Supporting arms are rotatably coupled to the stiffened members and the supporting strap. When the trousers are worn, the weight is partially supported in the small of the wearer's back and partially on the wearer's hips by force transmitted through the support members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1985
    Inventor: R. S. Carter
  • Patent number: 4168546
    Abstract: A material for use in forming garment waistbands, is constituted by an assembly of strips comprising a central strip serving for anti-slip, decorative or stiffening purposes and two facing strips stitched along respective marginal portions of the central strip. A method for making the material in a continuous operation is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1979
    Inventor: Francis O'Connor
  • Patent number: 4146934
    Abstract: A fabric, annular band, used for trimming or finishing the terminal edges of a garment, which garment usually has raw outer edges. In many cases, such as waistbands on trousers or skirts, the waistband must be curved, or contoured to adequately complement the anatomical configuration of any wearer. Thus, in any normal person, the hip bones are not on the same level as the waist itself. Accordingly, a simple straight band will not be satisfactory. The art has met the problem by forming the band in multiple sections, interconnected by seams, each section assuming an angularity relative to an adjacent section, to form a composite curved structure. My band, on the contrary, is one-piece, effecting many economies, including eliminating the use of relatively skilled labor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Inventor: Leslie Cohen
  • Patent number: 4041551
    Abstract: A waistband comprising an outer band, a stiffening insert on the inner surface of the outer band, the outer band having an upper and a lower edge portions folded over the edges of the stiffening insert, an anti-slip band on the stiffening insert, a first lining with a first stiffening insert sewed to the lower folded over edge portion of the outer band by means of a first stitch, a second lining with a second stiffening insert positioned partly on the first lining and partly on the anti-slip band, the second lining being sewed by the first stitch to the outer band and by a second stitch passing through the anti-slip band to the outer band, a third lining with a third stiffening insert positioned partly on the upper folded over edge portion of the outer band and partly on the anti-slip band, the third lining being sewed by a third stitch passing through the anti-slip band to the outer band and by a fourth stitch to the upper folded over edge portion of the outer band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Inventor: Morris Cohen
  • Patent number: 3987496
    Abstract: Internal or integrated belt, for a garment such as a skirt or pair of trousers, which is constituted of a band, of any suitable material, folded around a reinforcing piece, to which band there is firmly attached a tape, between which tape and the band there is inserted the upper edge of the fabric constituting the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: Dollfus Mieg & Cie
    Inventor: Christian Bernard