Garment Retention Device and Method of Use Thereof

Abstract

A garment retention device with dual and continuous low profile work surfaces that adhere to fabric but not skin, that is infinitely adjustable for adaptable fit, and that comfortably accommodates user movement, yet holds clothing place.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED APPLICATION

To the fullest extent permitted by law, the present U.S. Non-Provisional patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “Undergarment Belt,” filed on Jan. 12, 2010, on behalf of inventor David Hugh Little, and having assigned Ser. No. 61/335,746, wherein the referenced application is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to clothing stays, and more particularly, to a belt-style garment retention device.

BACKGROUND

A neat and well-dressed appearance is typically highly regarded. Moreover, it is well known that that are numerous situations and occasions that dictate particular attention to attire detail. For example, military personnel and law enforcement officers usually have uniforms, with detailed specifications regarding proper wear thereof. Business professionals and politicians have their own type of uniform, the suit, and there is an understood correlation between a successful appearance and actual success.

Whether an official uniform or a suit, however, a maintainable neat presentation is critical to defining positive perceptions. During dressing, clothing is typically specifically arranged. Thereafter, with each body action and movement, positioning and relative arrangement is challenged. As a result, shirt tails repeatedly come untucked, and, even with diligent re-tucking, the initially created neat presentation is frequently irretrievably lost.

Wearable devices have been set forth in attempts to secure shirt positioning. Each, however, is disadvantageous in view of the present disclosure. One of the earliest devices, which remains in use today, is a pair of Y-shaped suspenders, one for each leg, that connect between the upper edge of a user's socks and the lower edge of a user's shirt. Many find such a design to be uncomfortable and cumbersome to wear. Moreover, since the device must be concealed by the user's pants, it is necessarily prevented from use with a skirt or shorts.

As a result, waist worn devices have been proposed for use with essentially any garment combination. One style of waist worn device functions by securing the user's shirt to the inside of the trouser waist. Although shirt retention is achieved, adaptation/alteration of the trouser with buttons or other fasteners is disadvantageously required. Another type of waist worn device is formed from rubber, wherein the naturally tacky surface generally holds some fabrics thereagainst. Unfortunately, at least some such rubber devices have been reported to possess an unpleasant odor.

As an alternative, therefore, other types of materials have been suggested; however, each is disadvantageously limited relative to the present disclosure. That is, girth adjustability is subject to limitations in each of the known designs. Also, the surfaces and/or surface features intended for interaction with the user's article of clothing are of a structure that may damage or cause pilling of at least certain fabrics.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a garment retention device that is capable of essentially unlimited adjustability, that “sticks” to garments on both exposed surfaces, and that decreases risk of damage to fabric.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present device overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need by providing a garment retention device with dual surfaces that adhere to fabric but not skin, that is infinitely adjustable for adaptable fit, and that comfortably accommodates user movement, yet holds clothing place.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, in its preferred form, the present garment retention device is a cost-effective, two-sided belt formed from molded low profile hook and loop material and with a multi-slide buckle.

More specifically, the device of the present disclosure in its preferred form is a garment retention device comprising an elongate strap, wherein each surface thereof is a work surface, and a double-loop clasp, where each loop is adapted to receive one end of the elongate strap therethrough. The strap work surfaces are preferably primarily low profile hook material, such that the strap is a thin device with concentrated back-to-back hooks, and with loop material proximate on one side proximate the ends. The dual and continuous work surface enhances effectiveness of garment retention, by adhering to the outer surface of a shirt and the inner surface of a trouser or skirt, but also facilitates the super adjustability of the device, wherein the user simply extends the strap around the back of the body, inserts into the clasp, pulls on both ends to a desired taughtness, and adheres the loop material ends to any selected position on the outer surface.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to be used with essentially any type of clothing combination, including, but not limited to trousers, skirts, shorts, or the like.

Another feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to avoid sticking to the skin of a user.

Another feature and advantage of the present device is the ability of the strap to be utilized independently of the clasp, and/or with low profile hook material only, and/or in a plurality of dimensions, such as may be desirable for closure of gaps in clothing, for fastening straps into position, and for securing hems.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to be economically manufactured and produced, with or without sewn assembly.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present device is the dual-adjustability, wherein a user may selectively adjust with both hands, or may fix on end into place and thereafter adjust with one hand, thereby rendering the device suitable for use by physically challenged individuals.

Still another feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to be utilized by business professionals, the military, and law enforcement officers to keep shirts in place while on the job.

Still yet another feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to be used by motorcycle enthusiasts to keep shirts tucked in while riding, and getting on and off of bikes.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to be used by athletes to keep uniforms in place and avoid potential penalties for untucked shirts.

Another feature and advantage of the present device it its ability to be further accessorized, as will be discussed in greater detail hereinbelow.

Still another feature and advantage of the present device is its ability to be formed without any metal components, thereby enhancing ease of use for those frequently passing through security checkpoints.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment retention device, according to the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of the garment retention device of FIG. 1, showing the buckle;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of a garment retention device of FIG. 1, showing an endcap;

FIG. 4 is a surface detail view of the garment retention device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a surface detail rendering of a garment retention device, according to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5B is a surface detail rendering of the garment retention device of FIG. 1, showing the low-profile structure;

FIGS. 6A-6E are perspective views of the preferred method of installation and use of the garment retention device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7A is a comparative rendering of a non-user and a user of a garment device according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a comparative rendering of a prior art shirt retention device and a garment retention device according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a garment retention device, according to an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a partial view of the garment retention device of FIG. 8, showing the device installed on a user;

FIG. 10a is the garment retention device of FIG. 1, showing the preferred strap of the present disclosure in extended form; and

FIG. 10b is a garment retention device, showing an alternate embodiment of the strap of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present device, as illustrated in the figures and/or described herein, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The device, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-9, garment retention device 10 preferably comprises elongate strap 12 and double-loop clasp 14. Preferably, elongate strap 12 has two primary work surfaces, outer surface 16a and inner surface 16b. According to the preferred embodiment, elongate strap 12 is formed from molded low profile hook material 18, preferably nylon, in a back-to-back arrangement, with closure segment 20a, 20b, preferably formed from loop material and defined proximate outer surface 16a, and respectively proximate ends 22a and 22b of elongate strap 12. In such manner, both outer surface 16a and inner surface 16b are functional as clothing retainers, and outer surface 16a is also functional as receiver for closure segments 20a, 20b. Endcaps 24a, 24b are preferably installed at respective ends 22a, 22b.

According to the preferred embodiment and method of manufacture, closure segments 20a, 20b are sewn to elongate strap 12 at seam 26, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 10a. However, in an alternate, and even more economically manufactured form of device 10, closure segments 20a, 20b could be removably related to elongate strap 12, wherein rather than a sewn engagement, the hook and loop fastener relationship of the elements could be used so that closure segments 20a, 20b could simply be formed from a length of hook and loop material, with loops removably fastened to inner surface 16b at engagement point 28 and loops also removably fastened to outer surface 16a, such as shown in FIG. 10b. In such an embodiment, no change to the engagement of strap 12 with clasp 14 would be necessary. Also, in such an alternate embodiment, endcaps 24a, 24b could be eliminated.

The use of preferred molded low profile hook material 18 in a back-to-back arrangement for strap 12 enables formation of a thin device 10 with concentrated back-to-back hooks 30. FIG. 5A is a representative depiction of traditional profile hook material H, and FIG. 5B is a representative depiction of low profile hook material 18. Thus, it may be appreciated that structural differences exist between low profile hook material 18 and traditional hook material H. This enables presentation of a greater concentration of hooks 30 on each surface 16a, 16b of strap 12, yet with a surface generally smooth feeling to the human touch. Moreover, although the engagement of strap 12 with a garment, irrespective of fabric, is stronger and more effective than traditional hook material H in evaluative testing, the likelihood of detectable indications in the fabric after removal of strap 12 therefrom is decreased relative to traditional hook material H. One skilled in the art should readily recognize that while nylon is preferred as a material of manufacture, other suitable materials, whether natural, man-made, or a combination thereof, may alternately be used as long as the described structural features and functions may be performed thereby.

According to the preferred manufacture, strap 12 is not stretchy, but the thin profile accommodates user movement easily. It should be noted that it is considered that in an alternate embodiment, low profile hook material 18 could be formed on a backing with at least some manner of resilience, such that strap 12 could be stretchy. Such an embodiment is intended to be considered herein. Moreover, another embodiment could include one or more resilient or elasticized inserts into strap 12, as may be desired or preferred by some users. Such insert(s) may be sewn in at the time of manufacture of strap 12, such that strap 12 would be formed from a plurality of elongate segments with one or more resilient inserts therebetween.

Device 10 is preferably secured with double-loop clasp 14, defining buckle 32. According to the preferred embodiment, buckle 32 is removable, wherein strap 12 is slidably related thereto. In such manner, device 10 is super adjustable, with complete user freedom of selectable positioning. In an alternate embodiment, such as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, one end of strap 12 could be affixed to buckle 32, such as at seam 34. In such an embodiment, the preferred, unlimited dual adjustment nature of device 10 would be lost, and buckle 32 would not be removable, but the beneficial low profile surface construction could still be enjoyed.

According to the preferred use of device 10, and with reference to FIGS. 6A-6E, a user begins by inserting one end of strap 12 into buckle 32 and folding the inserted end onto outer surface 16a of strap 12. Thereafter, the user extends strap 12 over his/her shirt, about two inches below the waist as shown in FIG. 6A, or at another preferred position relative to the clothing combination of the user, with the ends generally evenly extended, wherein inner surface 16b generally adheres to the shirt, with low profile hooks engaging the shirt fabric. The second end of strap 12 is then inserted into buckle 32, the first end is re-loosened, and then both ends of strap 12 are pulled, each in an opposite direction, resulting in a tightening of device 10 to a selectably comfortable fit, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C. Both ends of strap 12 are then pressed against outer surface 16a of strap 12, wherein closure segments 20a, 20b secure the selected position of device 10. If necessary, a user may smooth his/her shirt proximate device 10, such as shown in FIG. 6D. Thereafter, the trouser, or other related clothing article, is finally positioned, as shown in FIG. 6E, and outer surface 16a of strap 12 generally adheres thereto, with low profile hooks engaging the trouser fabric. Another representative depiction of a user with device 10 installed is shown in FIG. 7A, with a comparative depiction of a user without device 10. Similarly, FIG. 7B representatively compares prior art stay positioning with positioning of device 10, as seen without trousers.

It should be appreciated, then, that the preferred design of device 10 permits the user to simply extend strap 10 around the back of the body, inserting it into clasp 14, pulling on both ends to a desired taughtness, and then adhering the ends to any selected position on the outer surface. Generally, when “stuck” to the user's shirt by engagement of the low profile hooks with the fabric, device 10 forms a thin ridge or ring around the waist, and is held in place by the shirt. When the pants are pulled up and over the ridge or ring and tightened, the shirt cannot be easily pulled out of the pants, as the fabric of the pants is engaged to low profile hooks on device 10.

As previously discussed, in an alternate embodiment, strap 12 could be formed with one or more resilient inserts. For example, an elastic back portion could be provided, such as formed from woven webbing commonly utilized in the construction of suspenders, to provide additional flexibility and comfort.

In another alternate embodiment, elongate strap 12 could be formed without endcaps 24a, 24b. Additionally, in any embodiment without endcaps 24a, 24b, it is noted that strap 12 may be cut to a desired shortened length by the user.

In another alternate embodiment, strap 12 could be constructed with an inner compartment that could be rendered accessible, such as via a zipper, wherein device 10 could perform as a security belt in addition to a clothing retention device, or, viewed otherwise, device 10 could be considered a security belt that is particularly adapted to selected positioning relative to a user's clothing.

In yet another alternate embodiment, device 10 could include any one of a plurality of accessory pieces, such as a slidably related wallet or the like.

In still another alternate embodiment, device 10 could be manufactured without any metal parts, wherein strap 12 could be formed without endcaps 24a, 24b, or endcaps 24a, 24b could be non-metal, and/or clasp 14 could be non-metal, in order that a user may quickly and easily pass through a security checkpoint without necessitating removal.

In another alternate embodiment, clasp 14 could be formed with more or less than two loops.

In still another alternate embodiment, strap 12 could be provided without clasp 14, and could be of any one of a plurality of lengths for use in closing gaps in clothing, such as between buttons on a shirt, or for fastening straps inside of a garment, or for securing hems. In such applications, one side 16a of strap 12 may be adhered to a first garment section and the other side 16b of strap 12 may be adhered to a second garment section, thereby holding the two garment sections together, whether two sections of the same garment, such as between buttons on a shirt or within a hem, or two sections of two different garments, such as between a bra strap and a top.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A clothing retention device, comprising:

strap with two primary work surfaces and formed from molded low profile hook material in a back-to-back arrangement, wherein said two primary work surfaces removably stick to clothing fabric and do not stick to skin.

2. The clothing retention device of claim 1, further comprising:

two short straps, each with a first work surface formed from low profile hook material and a second work surface formed from loop material,

wherein said second work surface of each of said two short straps removably engages with said elongate strap, functioning as closure segments.

3. The clothing retention device of claim 2, further comprising a clasp, wherein each of said two short straps is operatively engaged with said clasp.

4. The clothing retention device of claim 3, wherein said clasp is removably related to said clothing retention device.

5. The clothing retention device of claim 3, wherein said clasp is a double loop clasp.

6. The clothing retention device of claim 5, wherein a first loop of said clasp is adapted to receive a first end of said clothing retention device therethrough, and wherein a second loop of said clasp is adapted to receive a second end of said clothing retention device therethrough.

7. The clothing retention device of claim 2, wherein said two short straps and said elongate strap are permanently related into a singular belt structure.

8. A super adjustable, two-sided belt for wear between two articles of clothing, comprising

a thin strap, said thin strap further comprising, a first low profile hook surface with concentrated hooks; a second low profile hook surface with concentrated hooks, said first and said second low profile hook surfaces opposingly positioned; a third loop surface carried proximate a first end of said thin strap, on a single side of said two sides; and

a buckle carried by said thin strap,

wherein said first low profile hook surface is removably engaged with the first of the two articles of clothing, and

wherein said second low profile hook surface is removably engaged with the second of the two articles of clothing.

9. The super adiustable, two-sided belt of claim 8, wherein a second end of said thin strap is attached proximate a first edge of said buckle, and said first end of said thin strap extends through said buckle, proximate a second edge of said buckle, and removably engages one said low profile hook surface of said thin strap.

10. The super adiustable, two-sided belt of claim 8, further comprising a fourth loop surface carried proximate a second end of said thin strap, on the same said single side of said two sides as said third loop surface,

wherein said second end of said thin strap extends through said buckle, proximate a first edge of said buckle, and said first end of said thin strap extends through said buckle, proximate a second edge opposingly related to said first edge, and

wherein said third loop surface and said fourth loop surface removably engage one said low profile hook surface of said thin strap.

11. The super adjustable, two-sided belt of claim 8, wherein said first low profile hook surface removably adheres to an outer surface of the first of the two articles of clothing, wherein said second low profile hook surface removably adheres to an inner surface of the second of the two articles of clothing, and wherein when so adhered, said adjustable, two-sided belt prevents the relative movement of the two articles of clothing.

12. A method of clothing retention, comprising the steps of:

passing a first end of a belt through a buckle;

removably fastening a loop surface of said first end of said belt to a first low profile hook surface of said belt to engage said buckle;

extending said belt around an individual's torso and over the individual's shirt, engaging a second low profile hook surface of said belt with the shirt;

passing a second end of said belt through said buckle;

pulling said second end of said belt, tightening;

removably fastening said loop surface of said second end of said belt to said first low profile hook surface of said belt,

wherein said first end and said second end of said belt are capable of selective engagement anywhere on said first low profile hook surface of said belt.

13. The method of clothing retention of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

after passing a second end of said belt through said buckle, unfastening said loop surface of said first end of said belt from said first low profile hook surface;

pulling each said first and second ends of said belt, tightening; and

removably fastening said loop surface of said first end of said belt and said loop surface of said second end of said belt to said first low profile hook surface of said belt.

14. The clothing retention device of claim 1, wherein a first of said two primary work surfaces is removably adhered to a first portion of a clothing article, wherein a second of said two primary work surfaces is removably adhered to a second portion of the same or a different clothing article, and wherein said clothing retention device secures the first portion of the clothing article relative to the second portion of the same or a different clothing article.

15. The super adjustable, two-sided belt of claim 8, wherein said belt and buckle are formed without detectable metal features, facilitating passage of a wearer through security checkpoints.

16. The clothing retention device of claim 1, wherein said molded low profile hook material is nylon.

17. The super adjustable, two-sided belt of claim 8, further comprising an endcap proximate each of said first end and said second end of said thin strap.

18. The garment retention device of claim 1, further comprising one or more resilient elements for a stretch feature.

19. The garment retention device of claim 1, wherein said low profile hook material is formed on a backing with at least a minimal resilience.

20. The super adjustable, two-sided belt of claim 8, further comprising one or more accessory features selected from the group consisting of a security zipper compartment and a slidably related wallet.