Device for retaining pantyhose in place

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for retaining pantyhose in place including a flexible body portion. An upper attachment portion is attached to a top of the flexible body portion and a lower attachment portion is attached to the bottom of the flexible body portion. The upper attachment member is removably attached to a brassiere and the lower attachment is removably attached to a waistband of pantyhose. During attachment, the flexible body portion provides support of the pantyhose to prevent the pantyhose from rolling down. The attachment portions are easily removed when going to the bathroom or removing the pantyhose.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/700,835 filed Jul. 20, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a device for retaining pantyhose in place in which a flexible support device is attached between a brassiere and the pantyhose.

2. Description of Related Art

A difficulty often arises during the wear of pantyhose is that the pantyhose do not stay in place. Especially for tall and/or shapely women, there is a tendency for the band of the pantyhose to roll down during wear. Thus, the woman wearing the pantyhose is constantly adjusting the band of the pantyhose by pulling up the band and the pantyhose.

Straps extending from the sides of a brassiere have been used for the purpose of holding the brassiere in place during wear. U.S. Pat. No. 3,077,885 describes a brassiere including sides forming a continuation of respective cups. A halter strap extends around the neck. An elastic strap extends from the sides to engage the top side edge of a girdle. The structure prevents upward creep of the brassiere.

It is desirable to provide a device for retaining pantyhose in place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for retaining pantyhose in place including a flexible body portion. An upper attachment portion is attached to a top of the flexible body portion and a lower attachment portion is attached to the bottom of the flexible body portion. The upper attachment member is removably attached to a brassiere and the lower attachment is removably attached to a waistband of pantyhose. During attachment, the flexible body portion provides support of the pantyhose to prevent the pantyhose from rolling down. The attachment portions are easily removed when going to the bathroom or removing the pantyhose.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for retaining pantyhose in place in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device connected between a brassiere and a band of the pantyhose.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for retaining pantyhose in place 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Body 12 includes upper attachment member 14 at top portion 13. Body 12 includes lower attachment member 16 at bottom portion 17. Upper attachment member 14 is removably attached to connection 28 between cups of brassiere 20, as shown in FIG. 2. Lower attachment member 16 is removably attached to waist band 32 of pantyhose 30.

Body 12 can be formed of a flexible material. For example, body 12 can be formed of an elastic material. Body 12 can have a predetermined length L₁ for accommodating a typical length of the torso between brassiere 20 and pantyhose 30. For example, length L₁ can be of various sizes to fit small, medium or large sized women. Alternatively, body 12 can be adjustable. Body 12 can be adjusted to provide support of pantyhose 30 without being uncomfortable to the wearer.

Upper attachment member 14 and lower attachment member 16 can be formed of clip portion 40 for attaching to body 12, as shown in FIG. 1. For example, clip portion 40 can be formed of metal. Portion 41 of flexible attachment 42 is coupled to clip portion 40. Portion 43 of flexible attachment 42 includes knob 44. Knob 44 is received in first opening 46 of clip portion 40 and slides into second opening 47 of clip portion 40. Second opening 47 of clip portion 40 has a smaller diameter than first opening 46 of clip portion 40 for retaining knob 44 within second opening 47. Connection 18 is received within hook 49 of clip portion 40. For example, clip portion 40 and flexible attachment 42 can be a garter attachment. In an alternate embodiment, flexible attachment 42 can be integral with body 12.

Upper attachment member 14 is removably attached to connection 28 between cups of bra 20, as shown in FIG. 2. Lower attachment member 16 is removably attached to waist band 32 of pantyhose 30. Body 12 provides support of pantyhose 30 and prevents waistband 32 of pantyhose 30 from rolling down.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for retaining pantyhose in place comprising:

a flexible body portion;

an upper attachment portion attached to a first end of said flexible body portion, said upper attachment member being adapted for removably attaching to a brassiere; and

a lower attachment portion attached to a second end of said flexible body portion, said lower attachment member being adapted for removably attaching to a waistband of pantyhose.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said upper attachment member and said lower attachment member is a garter attachment.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said garter attachment comprises:

a clip portion and a flexible attachment coupled to said clip portion at a first end and having a knob, said knob being received in a first opening at a second end of said clip portion and slideable into a second opening at a second end of said flexible attachment of said clip portion.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible body portion is formed of an elastic material.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said flexible body portion has a predetermined length L1 for accommodating a predetermined length between said brassiere and said pantyhose.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said flexible body portion is adjustable.

7. A method for retaining pantyhose in place comprising:

providing a flexible body portion, said flexible body portion having an upper attachment portion attached to a first end of said flexible body portion and a lower attachment member attached to a second end of said flexible body portion;

removeably attaching said upper attachment portion to a connection between cups of a brassiere; and

removeably attaching said lower attachment member to a waistband of a pantyhose.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said upper attachment member and said lower attachment member is a garter attachment.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said garter attachment comprises:

a clip portion and a flexible attachment coupled to said clip portion at a first end and having a knob, said knob being received in a first opening at a second end of said clip portion and slideable into a second opening at a second end of said flexible attachment of said clip portion.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein said flexible body portion is formed of an elastic material.

11. The method of claim 6 wherein said flexible body portion has a predetermined length L1 for accommodating a predetermined length between said brassiere and said pantyhose.