Tensioning device for clothing straps
A clothing strap tensioning device has an elastic member having a geometry generally defined by middle, left end, and right end portions, and bounded by upper, lower, left and right edges, and includes mechanical snaps or other releasable attachment mechanisms integrated into the left end and right end portions for enabling releasable attachment of the end portions to each other to form the elastic member into a loop. The tensioning device is looped around a pair of spaced vertical straps of a brassiere, such that the straps are drawn toward each other medially to prevent the straps from slipping down the shoulders of a wearer and to impart an upward lift to the wearer's breasts. The geometry of the elastic member also prevents twisting of the straps.
This application relates to the same subject matter as co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/547,633, filed by the same applicant on Feb. 25, 2004. This application claims the Feb. 25, 2004 filing date as to the common subject matter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a clothing accessory, and more particularly, to a tensioning device that draws clothing straps, such as brassiere straps, together to keep them from inadvertently slipping down over the wearer's shoulders and, in the case of brassiere straps, imparts an upward lift to the brassiere cups.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Clothing having straps, such as tank tops and brassieres that provide women support, are well known in the art. Although common, conventional straps can be uncomfortable and unreliable in providing support. Comfort and reliability are typically compromised when the straps inadvertently slip down or off the shoulders. Straps often slip down the shoulders when they lose tension due to stretching and loosening of the elastic straps over time, affecting the comfort, appearance and support of the brassiere or garment. Furthermore, with regard to brassieres, women are constantly searching for products such as push-up type brassieres, which, in addition to providing the usual support, offer enhanced upward lift to the breasts via the brassiere cups.
If a device existed that could prevent and/or limit inadvertent movement and slipping of straps by maintaining tension in the straps it would be well received. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide such a device that, in addition to preventing such slipping of the straps, provided enhanced upward lift to the brassiere cups in order to impart corresponding upward lift to the wearer's breasts. The present invention addresses these unfulfilled needs in the prior art by providing an accessory that maintains tension in clothing straps, even after they have lost some degree of elasticity, preventing them from slipping, and providing the aforementioned enhanced upward lift.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is generally directed to a clothing strap tensioning device configured to draw a pair of vertically disposed clothing straps toward each other in a manner increasing the tension of the straps. By way of the improved tensioning, the device prevents the problems of straps slipping off of the shoulders of the wearer, even after the strap elasticity has been degraded. In the case of brassieres, the device provides increased tensioning sufficient to enhance lift provided by the brassiere cups.
In a first general embodiment of the invention, the tensioning device comprises:
an elastic member having a geometry generally defined by middle, left end, and right end portions, and bounded by upper, lower, left and right edges; and
means integrated into the left end and right end portions for enabling releasable attachment of the end portions to each other to form the elastic member into a loop,
wherein, upon securing the tensioning device about the spaced-apart clothing straps, the clothing straps are drawn inwardly toward each other medially in a manner preventing twisting of the straps.
In another aspect of the invention, the releasable attachment means integrated into the left end and right end portions are configured to enable adjustment to the tension of said device.
In another aspect of the invention, the releasable attachment means is comprised of a plurality of spaced-apart mechanical snaps integrated into either the left or right end portion of the elastic member, for snap fit engagement with a corresponding snap member integrated into the other one of the left and right end portions.
In another aspect of the invention, the releasable attachment means comprises one-half of a hook-and-loop type fastening system integrated into the left end portion of the elastic member and the other half of the hook-and-loop type fastening system integrated into the right end portion.
In another aspect of the invention, the elastic member is characterized by left and right end portions projecting in an upward direction distally from the middle portion.
In another aspect of the invention, the elastic member is characterized by a varying transverse width, the transverse width defined as the transverse distance between the upper and lower edges at any point along the length of the elastic member.
In another aspect of the invention, the transverse width is substantially uniform along the middle region of said elastic member and increases along the left and right portions distally from the middle portion.
In another aspect of the invention, the elastic member is characterized by a geometry in which the upper and/or lower edges slope upwardly from the middle portion of the elastic member toward the left and right end portions thereof.
In a second general embodiment of the invention, the tensioning device comprises:
a first elastic member directly fastened to a first one of the clothing straps;
a second elastic member directly fastened to a second one of the clothing straps; and
means integrated into the first and second elastic members for enabling releasable attachment of the elastic members to each other,
wherein, upon fastening the first and second elastic members to each other the vertically disposed clothing straps are drawn toward each other medially.
In another aspect of the invention, the first elastic member has a portion fastened to the first one of the clothing straps and an unfastened flap portion extending therefrom, and the second elastic member has a portion fastened to the second one of said clothing straps and an unfastened flap portion extending therefrom.
In another aspect of the invention, the releasable attachment means is comprised of at least one snap member integrated into the unfastened flap portion of the first one of the clothing straps, and at least one mating snap member integrated into the unfastened free portion of the second one of said clothing straps.
In another aspect of the invention, the releasable attachment means is comprised of one half of a hook-and-loop, or hook-and-pile, type fastening system integrated into the unfastened flap portion of the first one of said clothing straps, and the other half of the hook-and-loop fastening system integrated into the unfastened flap portion of the second one of said clothing straps.
In a second general embodiment of the invention, the tensioning device has a unitary, or one-piece, construction comprising:
a planar rear wall portion;
left and right planar front wall portions disposed in a common plane and parallel to the rear wall portion; and
a pair of side wall portions adjoining the respective left and right front wall portions to opposite ends of the rear wall portion;
the left and right front wall portions terminating at respective edges defining a strap-receiving opening therebetween; and,
the rear, front and side wall portions together defining a strap retaining slot sized and shaped for simultaneously retaining said pair of clothing straps in a tensioned condition while preventing twisting of said straps.
These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
FIG, 10 is an elevated perspective view of a unitary clothing strap tensioning device in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSShown throughout the figures, the present invention is generally directed to clothing strap tensioning devices particularly configured for engaging a pair of spaced-apart vertically disposed clothing straps, and particularly brassiere straps, such that the straps are drawn toward each other medially. The tensioning devices function to prevent the inadvertent slipping of the straps down over the shoulders. Furthermore, when applied to brassiere straps, the tensioning devices further function to impart an upward lift to brassiere cups attached to the straps.
Referring initially to
Referring now to
Fastening means are provided for enabling releasable attachment of the left- and right-end portions, 26 and 28, to each other to form a continuous loop, or band, about the straps 12, 14, as illustrated in
Referring now to
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As best shown in
Referring now to
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
For example, although it is preferred that the clothing strap tensioning device shown in
Claims
1-21. (canceled)
22. A tensioning device positionable about one or more clothing straps, comprising:
- an elastic member defining a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion therebetween;
- a first attachment element coupled to the first end of the elastic member, and
- a second attachment element coupled to the second end of the elastic member, wherein the first attachment element is releasably engageable with the second attachment element such that the elastic member forms a loop.
23. The tensioning device according to claim 22, wherein the first attachment element defines a substantially rectangular shape with a slot defined therein.
24. The tensioning device according to claim 23, wherein the second attachment element defines a substantially rectangular shape with a slot defined therein.
25. The tensioning device according to claim 24, wherein the slot of the first attachment element and the slot of the second attachment element are complementary.
26. The tensioning device according to claim 25, wherein the first and second attachment elements are engageable to form a snap-fit assembly having a substantially flat, rectangular shape.
27. The tensioning device according to claim 22, further comprising a loop-diameter adjustment element coupled to the elastic member.
28. The tensioning device according to claim 27, wherein the loop-diameter adjustment element includes a slide component through which at least a portion of the elastic member extends.
29. The tensioning device according to claim 22, wherein the first end portion and second end portion extend upward from the middle portion of the elastic member.
30. The tensioning device according to claim 22, wherein the elastic member defines an upper edge, and wherein at least a portion of the upper edge is substantially non-parallel to another portion of the upper edge.
31. The tensioning device according to claim 30, wherein the elastic member defines a lower edge, and wherein at least a portion of the lower edge is substantially non-parallel to another portion of the lower edge.
32. The tensioning device according to claim 30, wherein the first attachment element defines a substantially rectangular shape with a slot defined therein.
33. The tensioning device according to claim 32, wherein the second attachment element defines a substantially rectangular shape with a slot defined therein.
34. The tensioning device according to claim 33, wherein the slot of the first attachment element and the slot of the second attachment element are complementary.
35. The tensioning device according to claim 34, wherein the first and second attachment elements are engageable to form a snap-fit assembly having a substantially flat, rectangular shape.
36. The tensioning device according to claim 22, wherein the elastic member defines a substantially symmetrical shape for imparting substantially equal tension to the one or more clothing straps.
37. The tensioning device according to claim 22, wherein the elastic member defines a first transverse width and a second transverse width, the first transverse width being greater than the second transverse width.
38. The tensioning device according to claim 22, wherein the first end portion, second end portion, and middle portion are positionable in a substantially coplanar relationship such that a first edge of the middle portion is located between a first edge of the first end portion and a second edge of the middle portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 1, 2006
Publication Date: Apr 5, 2007
Inventor: Kathy Baker (Pompano Beach, FL)
Application Number: 11/607,387
International Classification: A41C 3/00 (20060101);