Reversible swimwear

Abstract

A reversible article of swimwear offers two swimsuits in one assembly, with two sides having a single support liner with a double waistband which reverses along with a swim trunk of the assembly. The two sides may have identical appearances, or they may have different appearances, such as a print side as well as a solid side, respectively. The article of swimwear may include functional pockets on one or both sides. The double waistband provides both stability and comfort, and the article of swimwear may be fabricated with appropriate material for use in swimming-related activities, for example, to be waterproof and/or quick-drying.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 60/497,297, filed on Aug. 22, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates clothing, and in particular to reversible swimwear.

2. Description of the Related Art

Reversible clothing allows wearers to extend the use and life of the clothing. In addition, the two sides of the reversible clothing may have different colors, patterns, and/or other aesthetic factors, and therefore presents greater choice for the user to select a different appearance based on the mood of the user or the social environment in which the user wears the clothing. For example, a solid colored pants may be preferred when worn in restaurants, while a Hawaiian-shirt motif of the pants may be preferred when worn on the beach.

Swimwear is not typically reversible, since the waistband, a drawstring extending therein, and the necessary stitching may be visible when the swimwear is reversed.

The present invention addresses the disadvantages of known clothing to provide a reversible article of clothing for use as swimwear.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A reversible article of swimwear offers two swimsuits in one assembly, with two sides having a single support liner with a double waistband which reverses along with a swim trunk of the assembly. The two sides may have identical appearances, or they may have different appearances, such as a print side as well as a solid side, respectively. The article of swimwear may include functional pockets on one or both sides. The double waistband provides both stability and comfort, and the article of swimwear may be fabricated with appropriate material for use in swimming-related activities, for example, to be waterproof and/or quick-drying.

In a first embodiment, a reversible article of swimwear which provides two swimsuits in one assembly includes swim trunks composed of swimwear material, the swim trunks having a first material member and a second material member. In a first configuration of the swim trunks, the first material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and the second material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed. In a second configuration of the swim trunks, the second material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and the first material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed.

A single support liner includes a combination waistband having a first waistband connected to the first material member, and a second waistband connected to the second material member, the first and second waistbands being coupled at a common seam. First and second liner sides are provided, with each side connected to the combination waistband at the common seam, with the first and second liner sides being selectively respectively reversible when the swim trunks are reconfigured between the first and second configurations.

In one example of the first embodiment, the first and second material members have substantially identical outward appearances. In an alternative example, the first and second material members have substantially different outward appearances; for example, the first material member has a print appearance, and the second material member has a solid color appearance.

The article of swimwear may also include functional pockets on at least one of the first and second material members. Each of the first and second waistbands has a respective draw cord, and the draw cords may have different colors to associate a first draw cord with the first waistband and to associate the second draw cord with the second waistband.

The first and second material members are opposite sides of a single material forming the swim trunks, and the single support liner is comprised of a mesh. The combination waistband is capable of being folded downward to be hidden in an inwardly oriented configuration.

In a second embodiment, a reversible article of swimwear which provides two swimsuits in one assembly includes swim trunks composed of swimwear material, the swim trunks having a first material member and a second material member. In a first configuration of the swim trunks, the first material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and the second material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed. In a second configuration of the swim trunks, the second material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and the first material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed.

In the second embodiment, a single support liner includes a combination waistband having a first waistband connected to the first material member, and a second waistband connected to the second material member, the first and second waistbands being coupled at a common seam. First and second liner sides are provided, with each side connected to the combination waistband at the common seam, with the first and second liner sides being selectively respectively reversible when the swim trunks are reconfigured between the first and second configurations.

In one example of the second embodiment, the first and second material members have substantially identical outward appearances. In an alternative example, the first and second material members have substantially different outward appearances; for example, the first material member has a print appearance, and the second material member has a solid color appearance.

The article of swimwear may also include functional pockets on at least one of the first and second material members. Each of the first and second waistbands has a respective draw cord, and the draw cords may have different colors to associate a first draw cord with the first waistband and to associate the second draw cord with the second waistband.

The first and second material members are opposite sides of a single material forming the swim trunks, and the single support liner is comprised of a mesh. The combination waistband is capable of being folded downward to be hidden in an inwardly oriented configuration.

A method of manufacturing a reversible article of swimwear is also disclosed which provides two swimsuits in one assembly, the method comprising the steps of fabricating swim trunks from swimwear material, the swim trunks having a first material member, and a second material member joined to the first material member, such that in a first configuration of the swim trunks, the first material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and the second material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed, and such that in a second configuration of the swim trunks, the second material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and the first material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed.

The method also includes forming a single support liner including providing a combination waistband having a first waistband connected to the first material member, and a second waistband connected to the second material member, the first and second waistbands being coupled at a common seam, and joining each of first and second liner sides to the combination waistband at the common seam, with the first and second liner sides being selectively respectively reversible when the swim trunks are reconfigured between the first and second configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a first side of a swimsuit of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the first side of the swimsuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a rear pocket on the rear of the first side;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a second side of the swimsuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of the second side of the swimsuit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a rear pocket on the rear of the second side;

FIG. 7 is a front plan inside view of the swimsuit of FIG. 1, with the inside turned out;

FIG. 8 is a rear plan inside view of the swimsuit of FIG. 1, with the inside turned out;

FIG. 9 is a front plan inside view of the swimsuit of FIG. 4, with the inside turned out;

FIG. 10 is a rear plan inside view of the swimsuit of FIG. 4, with the inside turned out;

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a representative portion of the double waistband of the swimsuit; and

FIG. 12 is a series of front plan views of the swimsuit in the process of being reversed from presenting the first side to presenting the second side of the swimsuit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-12, a reversible article of swimwear 10 is embodied, for example, as a short-legged swimsuit which provides two swimsuits in one assembly, with the swimsuit being reversible from presenting a first side in an initial configuration, to presenting a second side in a final configuration. The swimsuit has a single support liner 12 with a double waistband 14 which reverses along with a swim trunk of the swimsuit. The liner 12 may be a mesh and/or jockstrap-type, which is positioned inside the swim trunk in either configuration of the swimsuit 10 presenting the first or the second sides.

The two sides may have identical appearances, or they may have different appearances, such as a print side as well as a solid side, respectively. The swimsuit 10 may include functional pockets 18 on one or both sides. The double waistband 14 provides both stability and comfort, and the article of swimwear 10 may be fabricated with appropriate material(s) for use in swimming-related activities, for example, to be waterproof and/or quick-drying.

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a first side of a swimsuit 10 of the present invention which, for example, may be a large size having a solid colored appearance, and a first draw cord 20 being, for example, burnt orange in color.

FIG. 2 is a rear plan view of the first side of the swimsuit 10 of FIG. 1, to which is stitched a first rear pocket 18. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the first rear pocket 18 on the rear of the first side.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of a second side of the swimsuit 10, which may have a print appearance and a second draw cord 22 of a different color than the first draw cord 20; for example, the second draw cord 22 may be a combination of silver and burnt orange.

FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of the second side of the swimsuit 10 with a second rear pocket 18 stitched thereto. FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the second rear pocket 18 on the rear of the second side.

FIG. 7 is a front plan inside view of the swimsuit 10 of FIG. 1, with the inside turned out, showing the inner liner 12, for example, in the form of a mesh connected to the first side via a double elastic band which is overlock stitched thereto as shown. The mesh liner 12 is sewn between the seam of the dual waistband 14, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 11. The first draw cord 20 extends from a first portion of the dual waistband 14, with the first portion being used when the first side is presented.

One or more small pockets 16 may also be included, for example, to serve as inwardly-situated coin pockets separate from the first and second pockets 18 described above which are outwardly visible when the first and second sides, respectively, are presented. Each coin pocket 16 is associated with and used in conjunction with a respective side when the respective side is presented.

FIG. 8 is a rear plan inside view of the swimsuit 10 of FIG. 1, with the inside turned out, showing the location of the second rear pocket which, for example, may be situated to be sewn on the reverse side of the first rear pocket.

FIG. 9 is a front plan inside view of the swimsuit 10 of FIG. 4, with the inside turned out, showing the inner liner 12, for example, in the form of a mesh connected to the second side by an elastic band which is overlock stitched thereto. The mesh liner 12 is sewn by overlock stitches as shown, between the seam of the dual waistband, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 11. The second draw cord 22 extends from a second portion of the dual waistband 14, with the second portion being used when the second side is presented.

As described above, one or more small pockets 16 may also be included, for example, to serve as inwardly-situated coin pockets separate from the first and second pockets 18 described above which are outwardly visible when the first and second sides, respectively, are presented.

FIG. 10 is a rear plan inside view of the swimsuit 10 of FIG. 4, with the inside turned out, showing the location of the second rear pocket 18 which, for example, may be situated to be sewn on the reverse side of the first rear pocket 18.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a representative portion of the double waistband 14 of the swimsuit 10, showing the two portions sewn together, with the mesh liner 12 not shown, but extending vertically from the seam; that is, the mesh liner 12 is inserted and secured between the sewn-together seams of the dual waistband 14.

FIG. 12 is a series of front plan views of the swimsuit in the process of being reversed from presenting the first side to presenting the second side of the swimsuit, in which the swim trunk is first turned inside out to expose the mesh liner 12. Each leg of the swim trunk is then passed through the opening of the opposite leg of the mesh liner 12, and the mesh liner 12 is then lifted upright. In the process, the second side of the swim trunk is presented. The waist band is then flipped down and inward to place the mesh liner 12 inside the swimsuit 10 with the second side presented. It is understood that the series of steps shown in FIG. 12 may be applied with the second side being the initial configuration, for which the series of steps results in the first side being the presented side.

Claims

1. A reversible article of swimwear which provides two swimsuits in one assembly, which comprises:

swim trunks composed of swimwear material, said swim trunks having: a first material member; and a second material member; wherein, in a first configuration of said swim trunks, said first material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and said second material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed; and wherein, in a second configuration of said swim trunks, said second material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and said first material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed; and

a single support liner including: a combination waistband having: a first waistband connected to said first material member; and a second waistband connected to said second material member, said first and second waistbands being coupled at a common seam; and first and second liner sides, each said side connected to said combination waistband at said common seam, with said first and second liner sides being selectively respectively reversible when said swim trunks are reconfigured between said first and second configurations.

2. The article of swimwear of claim 1, wherein said first and second material members have substantially identical outward appearances.

3. The article of swimwear of claim 1, wherein said first and second material members have substantially different outward appearances.

4. The article of swimwear of claim 3, wherein said first material member has a print appearance; and

wherein said second material member has a solid color appearance.

5. The article of swimwear of claim 1, further comprising:

functional pockets on at least one of said first and second material members.

6. The article of swimwear of claim 1, wherein each of said first and second waistbands has a respective draw cord.

7. The article of swimwear of claim 6, wherein said draw cords have different colors to associate a first draw cord with said first waistband and to associate the second draw cord with said second waistband.

8. The article of swimwear of claim 1, wherein said first and second material members are opposite sides of a single material forming the swim trunks.

9. The article of swimwear of claim 1, wherein said single support liner is comprised of a mesh.

10. The article of swimwear of claim 1, wherein said combination waistband is capable of being folded downward to be hidden in an inwardly oriented configuration.

11. A reversible article of swimwear which provides two swimsuits in one assembly, which comprises:

swim trunks composed of swimwear material, said swim trunks having: a first material member; and a second material member; wherein, in a first configuration of said swim trunks, said first material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and said second material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed; and wherein, in a second configuration of said swim trunks, said second material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and said first material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed; and

a single support liner including: a combination waistband having: a first waistband connected to said first material member; and a second waistband connected to said second material member, said first and second waistbands being coupled at a common seam.

12. The article of swimwear of claim 11, wherein said first and second material members have substantially identical outward appearances.

13. The article of swimwear of claim 11, wherein said first and second material members have substantially different outward appearances.

14. The article of swimwear of claim 13, wherein said first material member has a print appearance; and

wherein said second material member has a solid color appearance.

15. The article of swimwear of claim 11, further comprising:

functional pockets on at least one of said first and second material members.

16. The article of swimwear of claim 11, wherein each of said first and second waistbands has a respective draw cord.

17. The article of swimwear of claim 16, wherein said draw cords have different colors to associate a first draw cord with said first waistband and to associate the second draw cord with said second waistband.

18. The article of swimwear of claim 11, wherein said first and second material members are opposite sides of a single material forming the swim trunks.

19. The article of swimwear of claim 11, wherein said single support liner is comprised of a mesh.

20. A method of manufacturing a reversible article of swimwear which provides two swimsuits in one assembly, the method comprising:

fabricating swim trunks from swimwear material, said swim trunks having: a first material member; and a second material member joined to the first material member; wherein, in a first configuration of said swim trunks, said first material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and said second material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed; and wherein, in a second configuration of said swim trunks, said second material member may be selectively oriented to be externally exposed, and said first material member may be selectively oriented to be internally disposed; and

forming a single support liner including: providing a combination waistband having: a first waistband connected to said first material member; and a second waistband connected to said second material member, said first and second waistbands being coupled at a common seam; and joining each of first and second liner sides to said combination waistband at said common seam, with said first and second liner sides being selectively respectively reversible when said swim trunks are reconfigured between said first and second configurations.