ADJUSTABLE APPAREL

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparel comprising a waistband, a pair of leg members, at least one connecting component and a plurality of fastening components. Each leg member of the pair of leg members extends from the waistband and terminates in a hem portion. Further, the each leg member comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The at least one connecting component is disposed on the inner surface of the hem portion on the each leg member. The plurality of fastening components is disposed on the inner surface of the each leg member between the connecting component and the waistband. The hem portion is capable of being folded inwardly to fasten a connecting component of the at least one connecting component to at least one fastening component of the plurality of fastening components for adjusting a length of the apparel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority under 35 United States Code, Section 119 on the provisional application numbered 61/144,881 filed on Jan. 15, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to apparel, and, more particularly, to an apparel capable of having a length adjusted thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Apparel, typically, includes a variety of clothing, such as trousers, shirts, skirts, and the like. The apparel is available in a range of standard shapes and sizes to cater to wide variety of user tastes and user preferences. Apparel, such as trousers or pants, typically includes a waistband and a pair of leg members. Each leg member of the pair of leg members extends from the waistband and, generally, terminates in a hemmed portion.

Trousers are generally configured to conform to standard measurements for waist sizes and leg member lengths. Manufacturing the apparel, such as the trousers, to conform to the standard measurements enable apparel manufacturers to indulge in mass production and thereby increase production efficiency. However, the standard measurements for the waist sizes and the leg member lengths of the trousers may be unsuitable for some users. Children, especially, may encounter difficulty in finding the trousers of desired length. In such situations, the trousers need to be altered to the desired lengths, according to the requirement of the children.

Alteration of such apparel typically includes shortening a length of each leg member of the pair of leg members. The alteration is generally performed by cutting off a lower portion of each leg member for tailoring the each leg member to assume the desired length. The tailored lower portion of each leg member is then hemmed thereon. Such alteration of the apparel permanently modifies the length of each leg member. This permanent modification to the length of each leg member precludes users, such as children, from wearing the apparel over a period of time, as they grow in height, with age. Moreover, the alteration of the apparel consumes time and may incur considerable cost to the user.

Alternatively, the user may fold the lower portion of each leg member to the desired length and sew the folded lower portion. The process of sewing the lower portion is skill-intensive and may incur cost to the user. Alteration of the length of each leg member of the apparel may also be achieved by folding the lower portion of each leg member inside out, thereby forming cuffed leg members. However, each leg member may generally remain in such cuffed position for only a short duration of time and the user may have to engage in cumbersome activity of folding the lower portion multiple times. Furthermore, the cuffed leg members may also be aesthetically displeasing to the user.

Accordingly, there exists a need to preclude a permanent alteration of a length of each leg member of a pair of leg members of an apparel. There also exists a need for altering the length of the each leg member of the apparel in a manner that is cost effective, less cumbersome and saves time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an apparel capable of having a length adjusted thereof, to include all advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent in the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to preclude a permanent alteration of a length of each leg member of a pair of leg members of an apparel.

Another object of the present invention is to alter a length of each leg member of an apparel in a manner that is cost effective, less cumbersome and saves time.

To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present invention, an apparel is provided. The apparel comprises a waistband, a pair of leg members, at least one connecting component and a plurality of fastening components. Each leg member of the pair of leg members extends from the waistband and terminates in a hem portion. Further, the each leg member comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The at least one connecting component is disposed on the inner surface of the hem portion on the each leg member. The plurality of fastening components is disposed on the inner surface of the each leg member of the pair of leg members between the at least one connecting component and the waistband. The hem portion is capable of being folded inwardly to fasten a connecting component of the at least one connecting component to at least one fastening component of the plurality of fastening components for adjusting a length of the apparel.

Inwardly folding the hem portion and fastening the connecting component to the at least one fastening component enables adjustment of the length of the each leg member of the pair of leg members of the apparel, thereby precluding permanent alteration of the length of the each leg member of the apparel. Precluding the permanent alteration to the apparel saves cost and time. Further, the at least one connecting component and the plurality of fastening components enable altering the length of the each leg member of the apparel in a less cumbersome manner.

This together with the other aspects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterized the present invention, is pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forms a part of the present invention. For a better understanding of the present invention, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of an apparel, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a sectional view along X-X′ of the apparel depicted in FIG. 1A;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a sectional view of the apparel of FIG. 1A for depicting an inwardly folded hem portion for fastening a connecting component of at least one connecting component to at least one fastening component of a plurality of fastening components for configuring a first folded position and a second folded position, respectively, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of the apparel (of FIG. 1A) worn by a child for depicting a leg member with a folded hem portion and a leg member with an unfolded hem portion, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the apparel of FIG. 3A for depicting the each leg member of a pair of leg members of the apparel with folded hem portions, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For a thorough understanding of the present invention, reference is to be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present invention is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The terms, “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present invention provides an apparel capable of having a length adjusted thereof. The apparel of the present invention includes a waistband, a pair of leg members, at least one connecting component and a plurality of fastening components. Each leg member of the pair of leg members extends from the waistband and terminates in a hem portion. Further, the each leg member comprises an inner surface and an outer surface. The at least one connecting component is disposed on the inner surface of the hem portion on the each leg member. The plurality of fastening components is disposed on the inner surface of the each leg member of the pair of leg members between the connecting component and the waistband. The hem portion is capable of being folded inwardly to fasten a connecting component of the at least one connecting component to at least one fastening component of the plurality of fastening components for adjusting the length of the apparel.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a side view of an apparel 100 and a sectional view along X-X′ of the apparel 100 are illustrated, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The apparel 100 includes a waistband 102 and a pair of leg members. The pair of leg members includes a leg member 104a and a leg member 104b (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B). Each leg member of the pair of leg members extends from the waistband 102 and terminates in a hem portion. More specifically, the leg member 104a extends from the waistband 102 and terminates in a hem portion 106a, and, the leg member 104b extends from the waistband 102 and terminates in a hem portion 106b (shown in FIG. 3A).

Further, the each leg member includes an inner surface and an outer surface. More specifically, the leg member 104a includes an outer surface 108a and an inner surface 108b (shown in FIG. 1B) opposite to the outer surface 108a. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the leg member 104b may similarly be configured with an outer surface, such as the outer surface 108a, and an inner surface, such as the inner surface 108b. The outer surface and the inner surface for the each leg member are configured with an outer seam and an inner seam, respectively. More specifically, the outer surface 108a of the leg member 104a is configured with an outer seam 110a, and the inner surface 108b of the leg member 104a is configured with an inner seam 110b, opposite to the outer seam 110a. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the leg member 104b may similarly be configured with an outer seam, such as the outer seam 110a, and an inner seam, such as the inner seam 110b.

FIG. 1B illustrates the sectional view along X-X′ of the apparel 100. The sectional view depicts the inner surface 108b of the leg member 104a configured with the inner seam 110b. At least one connecting component, such as a connecting component 112, is disposed on the inner surface 108b. More specifically, the at least one connecting component is disposed on a portion (not shown) of the inner surface 108b corresponding to the hem portion 106a. Further, a plurality of fastening components, such as a fastening component 114a, a fastening component 114b and a fastening component 114c, are disposed on the inner surface 108b between the waistband 102 and the at least one connecting component. In FIG. 1B. the plurality of fastening components such as fastening components 114a, 114b and 114c are depicted to be disposed on the inner seam 110b in-line with the connecting component 112 disposed on the hem portion 106a. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that similar configuration of the plurality of fastening components and the at least one connecting component may be disposed on the leg member 104b.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each connecting component of the at least one connecting component is a hook fastener and each fastening component of the plurality of fastening components is a loop fastener. In another embodiment of the present invention, the each connecting component is a button fastener and the each fastening component is a button hole. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the each connecting component is a snap fastener and the each fastening component is a snap socket. In still another embodiment of the present invention, each of the at least one connecting component and each of the plurality of fastening components are adhesive fasteners.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that though FIG. 1B depicts the inner surface 108b to be configured with three fastening components, any such number of fastening components may be disposed on the inner surface of the each leg member between the waistband 102 and the at least one connecting component. Further, at least some of the plurality of fastening components are aligned with each connecting component of the at least one connecting component on the inner surface of the each leg member. In an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of fastening components is disposed on the inner surface precluding the inner seam of the each leg member.

The hem portion of the each leg member may be inwardly folded towards the inner surface for fastening a connecting component of the at least one connecting component to at least one fastening component of the plurality of fastening components. The fastening of the connecting component to the at least one fastening component is explained in conjunction with FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a sectional view along X-X′ of the apparel 100 for depicting the inwardly folded hem portion 106a for fastening the connecting component 112 to the fastening component 114b for configuring a first folded position, and, to the fastening component 114c for configuring a second folded position, respectively, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As explained in conjunction with FIG. 1B, the hem portion of the each leg member may be inwardly folded towards the inner surface for fastening the connecting component to the at least one fastening component.

In FIG. 2A, the hem portion 106a is depicted to inwardly fold for fastening the connecting component 112 to the fastening component 114b (depicted in FIG. 1B) in order to configure the first folded position of the leg member 104a. Similarly, the connecting component 112 may be un-fastened from the fastening component 114b and may be fastened to the fastening component 114c to configure the second folded position of the leg member 104a. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art, that the hem portion 106b (shown in FIG. 3A) of the leg member 104b may similarly be inwardly folded for configuring the first folded position or the second folded position corresponding to the first folded position or the second folded position of the leg member 104a.

In each of the first folded position and the second folded position of the each leg member, a length of the each leg member is reduced, thereby adjusting a length of the apparel to a desired shortened length. For a relatively minor adjustment in the length of the each leg member, the connecting component may be fastened to a fastening component of the plurality of fastening components disposed at shortest distance from the connecting component. For instance, the hem portion 106a may be inwardly folded for fastening the connecting component 112 to the fastening component 114a. For a further desired adjustment in the length of the each leg member, the hem portion of the each leg portion may be inwardly folded for configuring the first folded position. For a still further desired adjustment in the length, the hem portion of the each leg member may be inwardly folded to configure the second folded position. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the first folded position and the second folded position of the each leg member is depicted for exemplary purposes only and that the connecting component may be fastened to the plurality of fastening components configured at increasing distances from the connecting component to achieve the desired adjustment in the length of the each leg member. The apparel 100 with the leg member 104a configured with a folded hem portion 106a and the leg member 104b configured with the unfolded hem portion 106c is depicted in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3A illustrates a front view of the apparel 100 worn by a child 200 for depicting the leg member 104a configured with the folded hem portion 106a and the leg member 104b configured with the unfolded hem portion 106b, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As explained in conjunction with FIGS. 2A and 2B, the hem portion of the each leg member may be inwardly folded for fastening a connecting component, such as the connecting component 112, to the at least one fastening component of the plurality of fastening components. In FIG. 3A, the hem portion 106a (shown in FIG. 1A) of the leg member 104a is inwardly folded, whereas, the hem portion 106b of the leg member 104b is depicted to be in an unfolded position for illustrating an adjustment in length of the leg member achievable by inwardly folding the hem portion. The hem portion 106b of the leg member 104b may similarly be folded as depicted in FIG. 3B to achieve the desired adjustment in the length of the apparel 100.

FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the apparel 100 worn by the child 200 for depicting the each leg member of the pair of leg members of the apparel 100 with folded hem portions, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, the hem portion 106a (shown in FIG. 1A) of the leg member 104a and the hem portion 106b (shown in FIG. 3A) of the leg member 104b are inwardly folded for fastening the connecting component to the at least one fastening component of the plurality of fastening components. As can be seen from FIG. 3B, the length of the leg member 104a and the leg member 104b are reduced, thereby adjusting the length of the apparel 100.

The present invention provides an apparel, such as the apparel 100, which offers the following advantages. Inwardly folding the hem portion and fastening the connecting component to the at least one fastening component enables adjustment of the length of the each leg member of the pair of leg members of the apparel 100, thereby precluding permanent alteration of the length of the each leg member of the apparel. The length of the each leg member may be restored to original length as a height of a child increases with age. Precluding permanent alteration to the apparel saves cost and time. Further, the at least one connecting component and the plurality of fastening components enable altering of the length of the each leg member of the apparel in a less cumbersome manner. Moreover, the apparel 100 provides aesthetic appearance of a length-adjusted leg member and comfort to the user that is wearing the length-adjusted apparel.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparel comprising:

a waistband;

a pair of leg members, each leg member of the pair of leg members extending from the waistband and terminating in a hem portion, the each leg member comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;

at least one connecting component disposed on the inner surface of the hem portion on the each leg member; and

a plurality of fastening components disposed on the inner surface of the each leg member between the at least one connecting component and the waistband,

wherein the hem portion is capable of being folded inwardly to fasten a connecting component of the at least one connecting component to at least one fastening component of the plurality of fastening components for adjusting a length of the apparel.

2. The apparel of claim 1, wherein the inner surface is configured with an inner seam and the outer surface is configured with an outer seam for the each leg member of the pair of leg members.

3. The apparel of claim 2, wherein the plurality of fastening components are disposed on the inner seam configured on the inner surface of the each leg member of the pair of leg members.

4. The apparel of claim 1, wherein each connecting component of the at least one connecting component is a hook fastener.

3. The apparel of claim 1, wherein each fastening component of the plurality of fastening components is a loop fastener.

4. The apparel of claim 1, wherein each connecting component of the at least one connecting component is a button fastener.

5. The apparel of claim 1, wherein each fastening component of the plurality of fastening components is a button hole.

6. The apparel of claim 1, wherein each connecting component of the at least one connecting component is a snap fastener.

7. The apparel of claim 1, wherein each fastening component of the plurality of fastening components is a snap socket.

8. The apparel of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one connecting component and each of the plurality of fastening components are adhesive fasteners.