DRESS SHIRT WITH SWITCHABLE BUTTONS

Abstract

A dress shirt with a modified button placket with switchable buttons is disclosed. The modified button placket provides a wearer with the ability to switch between “work” and “play” buttons for a different fashion look. The modified button placket includes a button-side section including a first button and a second button. The modified button placket also includes a button-hole side inner layer section and a button-hole side outer layer section. In some embodiments, the first button could be a more conservative “work shirt button” while the second button could be a trendier “social outing button.” If the wearer is going to a professional meeting, the wearer of dress shirt could fasten and expose only the work buttons to the outside audience. The play buttons would be left hidden behind both button-hole side inner layer and a button-hole side outer layer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to clothing, and in particular to dress shirts with switchable buttons.

A dress shirt includes a collar and a full-length opening with buttons on the front of the shirt. The panel of fabric in the middle section of the dress shirt is referred to as a placket. This section may include double layers of fabric that hold the buttons of a dress shirt. The main purpose of a placket is to support and strengthen areas within the shirt that may be subjected to stress due to buttoning and unbuttoning. Generally, there are three types of plackets: seamless, standard, and concealed.

Seamless plackets are also known as French plackets. This type of placket does not have any seaming or outlines, allowing the shirt to look crisper and a little more formal without the extra stitching and fabric of placket. French plackets have the edge of the shirt front folded over, creased, and held together only by the button holes. Standard plackets are found on many office and traditional men's business shirts. The standard placket is a strip of fabric raised off the front of a men's dress shirt with stitches down each side having an outlined look. Concealed plackets hide the front buttons of a dress shirt. The buttons are hidden under an extra sheath of fabric over the edge of the shirt. The standard placket is popular for professional settings, while the seamless and concealed plackets are popular for dress shirts worn in social settings.

Although the main purpose of a placket is to support and facilitate putting on and taking off the garment, there is an emerging trend on using plackets for style. Furthermore, while there are dress shirts for office environments and dress shirts for social outings, a need exists for a dress shirt with improved features.

An object of the present invention is to provide a modified button placket of a dress shirt with selectable buttons for either office environments or social outings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an article of clothing that includes a modified button placket. The modified button placket includes a button-side section including a first button and a second button. When the button-side section of the article of clothing is worn by a wearer, the first button and the second button are arranged along a vertical line that is essentially parallel to a y-axis. This y-axis is defined as the lineation that essentially runs from the head of the wearer to the feet of the wearer, where the first button is located closer to the head of the wearer. The modified button placket also includes a button-hole side inner layer section that includes a first hole and a second hole. When the inner layer section of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the first hole and the second hole are arranged along another vertical line that is also essentially parallel to the y-axis. In this manner, a top and bottom of the first hole and a top and bottom of the second hole are defined. By definition, the tops of the first and second holes are closer to the head of the wearer, where the first hole is located closer to the head of the wearer. The modified button placket further includes a button-hole side outer layer section. When the outer layer section of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the second hole is located such that the second hole pierces through the inner layer and the outer layer section, while the first hole does not pierce through the outer layer section. By definition, when the modified button placket of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the inner layer section is closer to the body of the wearer than the outer layer section. Of the modified button placket for the article of clothing of the present invention, the center of the first button and the center of the second button are located a maximum distance d apart, wherein d is equal to twice the length of the second hole. The second hole is situated such that when the modified button placket of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the relative y-axis location of the center of the first button lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of the top of the first hole and the relative y-axis location of the top of the second hole, and the relative y-axis location of the center of the second button lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of the bottom of the first hole and the relative y-axis location of the bottom of the second hole. When the first button is fastened through the first hole, the first button is substantially hidden behind the outer layer section and thus essentially not visible when the first button is fastened. When the second button is fastened through the second hole, the second button is visible through the outer layer section when fastened.

The present invention provides an article of clothing with another embodiment of a modified button placket. In this embodiment, the modified button placket includes a button-side section that includes a first button and a second button. When the button-side section of the article of clothing is worn by a wearer, the first button and the second button are arranged along a vertical line that is essentially parallel to a y-axis. This y-axis is defined as the lineation that essentially runs from the head of the wearer to the feet of the wearer, where the first button is located closer to the head of the wearer. The modified button placket also includes a button-hole side inner layer section that includes a first hole and a second hole. When the inner layer section of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the first hole and the second hole are arranged along another vertical line that is also essentially parallel to the y-axis. In this manner, a top and a bottom of the first hole and a top and a bottom of the second hole are defined. By definition, the tops of the first and second holes are closer to the head of the wearer, where the first hole is located closer to the head of the wearer. The modified button placket further includes a button-hole side outer layer section. When the outer layer section of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the first hole is located such that the first hole pierces through the inner layer and the outer layer section, while the second hole does not pierce through the outer layer section. By definition, when the modified button placket of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the inner layer section is closer to the body of the wearer than the outer layer section. Of the modified button placket for the article of clothing of the present invention, the center of the first button and the center of the second button are located a maximum distance d apart, wherein d is equal to twice the length of the first hole. The first hole is situated such that when the modified button placket of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the relative y-axis location of the center of the first button lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of the top of the first hole and the relative y-axis location of the top of the second hole, and the relative y-axis location of the center of the second button lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of the bottom of the first hole and the relative y-axis location of the bottom of the second hole. When the second button is fastened through the second hole, the second button is substantially hidden behind the outer layer section and thus essentially not visible when the second button is fastened. When the first button is fastened through the first hole, the first button is visible through the outer layer section when fastened.

There are a number of advantages of the present invention. The use of a dress shirt with a modified button placket with switchable buttons removes the need to change dress shirts when one transitions from a professional office environment to a trendy social outing setting, or vice versa. The article of clothing with a modified button placket of the present invention provides a wearer with the ability to switch between “work” and “play” buttons for a different fashion look. Examples of various articles of clothing that could incorporate the modified button placket in accordance with the present invention include: dress shirts, coats, jackets, polo shirts, uniforms, long sleeve shirts, and blazers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a dress shirt with switchable buttons.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the dress shirt with switchable buttons of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates points of reference for placement of the buttons and button holes along the modified placket of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a dress shirt with switchable buttons.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. Dress shirt 100 includes a modified button placket comprising button-side section 110 and button-hole section 120. Button-hole section 120 further includes button-hole side inner layer 210 (see FIG. 2) and button-hole side outer layer 122. Button-side section 110 has a multiple set of dual-buttons 130A and 130B. For every dual-button set on button-side section 110, there corresponds a hole 140 located on button-hole section 120.

In some embodiments of the present invention, dual-buttons 130A and 130B are located such that the center of button 130A and the center of button 130B are located a maximum distance d apart, where d is equal to twice the length of hole 140. FIG. 2 illustrates a close up view of the modified button placket of the present invention. Upon closer inspection, hole 140 of FIG. 1 corresponds to hole 140A of FIG. 2. Thus, hole 140A is located on button-hole side outer layer section 122. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, inner layer section 210 lies closer to the body of the wearer, and hole 140A essentially lies on top of hole 140B so that either first button 130A or second button 130B can pierce through button-hole side outer layer section 122 and be visible from an outsider point of view. In some embodiments, an additional piece of fabric (not shown in FIG. 2) is located between button-hole side inner layer 210 and button-hole side outer layer 122 for the purpose of making the placket more stiff.

Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, hole 250 of button-hole side inner layer section 210 does not have a corresponding hole on button-hole side outer layer section 122. Therefore, when first button 130A (which may be located closer to the head of the wearer than second button 130B) is fastened, first button 130A pierces through inner layer section 210 but does not pierce through outer layer section 122. In this manner, from an outside observer point of view, first button 130A is essentially hidden behind outer layer section 122. As described above, the center of buttons 130A and 130B may be arranged a maximum distance d apart, where d is equal to twice the length of hole 140A. In the art of clothing plackets, a “hole” is a small slit or opening deliberately made in clothing for fastening a button. In accordance with the present invention, each button hole of dress shirt 100 has a maximum length d/2, and each button hole of dress shirt 100 has a “top” indicating one end of the opening and a “bottom” indicating the opposite end of the opening for fastening a button. In some embodiments, the maximum length d/2 is substantially equal to the diameter of either button 130A or button 130B. It should be appreciated that the diameters of button 130A and 130B could be the same or different. First hole 250 has a top 252 and a bottom 254, and second hole 140B has a top 242 and a bottom 244. It should be appreciated that when dress shirt 100 is worn, top 252 and top 242 are located closer to the head of the wearer.

FIG. 3 illustrates points of reference for placement of the buttons and button holes along the modified placket in accordance with the present invention. Dress shirt 100 includes a modified button placket comprising button-side section 110 and button-hole section 120 The buttons (e.g., 130A and 130B of FIG. 1) of button-side section 110 are arranged along a line that essentially runs parallel to line 310. Line 310 in turn is essentially parallel to a y-axis. The y-axis is defined as the lineation that essentially runs from the head of the wearer of the dress shirt (when the dress shirt is worn) to the feet of the wearer. Line 310 is provided as a frame of reference to show how the buttons of button-side section 110 are arranged on the modified placket of the present invention. Furthermore, a multiple set of button holes (e.g., 140 of FIG. 1) of button-hole section 120 are arranged along a line that essentially runs parallel to line 320. Line 320 is also essentially parallel to the y-axis.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in one embodiment of the present invention, second hole 140B is situated such that the center of first button 130A lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of top 252 of first hole 250 and the relative y-axis location of top 242 of second hole 140B. Accordingly, the center of second button 130B lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of bottom 254 of first hole 250 and the relative y-axis location of bottom 244 of second hole 140B.

In accordance with the modified placket of the present invention, there exist several advantages to having two buttons that could fasten through one button hole in a button-hole side outer layer section. For example, the modified button placket of the present invention facilitates a quick transformation from a “work shirt” to a “play shirt” without having to change dress shirts. In some embodiments, button 130A could be a more conservative “work shirt button” while button 130B could be a trendier “social outing button.” If the wearer is going to a professional meeting, the wearer of dress shirt 100 could fasten buttons 130A of button-side section 110 through hole 140B and 140A of button-hole section 120, exposing only button 130A to the outside audience. In this embodiment, button 130B would be left unfastened and hidden behind both button-hole side inner layer 210 and button-hole side outer layer 122.

Now imagine the wearer has finished the work meeting and now desires to attend a happy hour event with some friends. Instead of taking off his “work shirt” and putting on another dress shirt, the wearer decides continue wearing dress shirt 100 (which may appropriate for work settings yet trendy enough for social outings), and unbuttons the top buttons closest to his collar (in some embodiments of the present invention, the buttons closest the collar of the wearer comprise one button to one button-hole while the rest of the buttons on button-side section 110 comprise a multiple set of dual-buttons 130A and 130B for each button hole 140). To “transform” dress shirt 100, the wearer then fastens each button 130A through first hole 250, and fastens each button 130B through second hole 140B and 140A, exposing only button 130B to the outside audience. The wearer has changed the look of the dress shirt and provides a different fashion look without the hassle of changing into another dress shirt. In some embodiments, in this “play shirt” mode, the wearer merely fastens 130B though second hole 140B and 140A and does not fasten each button 130A through each first hole 250. It should be appreciated that in another embodiments, button 130A is a “social outing button” and button 130B is a “work shirt button.” In a similar fashion described above, the wearer may choose to expose either buttons 130A or buttons 130B to an outside audience.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate arrangement of buttons and button holes of the modified placket of the present invention. In FIG. 4, upon closer inspection, hole 140 of FIG. 1 corresponds to hole 140A of FIG. 4. Hole 140A is located on button-hole side outer layer section 122. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, inner layer section 210 lies closer to the body of the wearer, and hole 140A essentially lies on top of hole 140B so that either first button 130A or second button 130B can pierce through button-hole side outer layer section 122 and be visible from an outsider point of view. In some embodiments, an additional piece of fabric (not shown in FIG. 4) is located between button-hole side inner layer 210 and button-hole side outer layer 122 for the purpose of making the placket more stiff.

Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, hole 250 (FIG. 4) of button-hole side inner layer section 210 does not have a corresponding hole on button-hole side outer layer section 122. Therefore, when second button 130B (which may be located closer to the feet of the wearer than first button 130A) is fastened, second button 130B pierces through inner layer section 210 but does not pierce through outer layer section 122. In this manner, from an outside observer point of view, second button 130B is essentially hidden behind outer layer section 122. As described above, the center of buttons 130A and 130B may be arranged a maximum distance d apart, where d is equal to twice the length of hole 140A. In accordance with the present invention, each button hole of dress shirt 100 has a maximum length d/2, and each button hole of dress shirt 100 has a “top” indicating one end of the opening and a “bottom” indicating the opposite end of the opening for fastening a button. Hole 250 has a top 252 and a bottom 254, and hole 140B has a top 242 and a bottom 244. It should be appreciated that when dress shirt 100 is worn, top 252 and top 242 are located closer to the head of the wearer.

In one embodiment of the present invention, hole 140B is situated such that the center of first button 130A lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of top 252 of hole 250 and the relative y-axis location of top 242 of hole 140B. Accordingly, the center of second button 130B lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of bottom 254 of hole 250 and the relative y-axis location of bottom 244 of hole 140B.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, examples of various articles of clothing that could incorporate the modified button placket in accordance with the present invention include: dress shirts, coats, jackets, polo shirts, uniforms, long sleeve shirts, and blazers. Accordingly, the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention which is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An article of clothing including a modified button placket, the modified button placket comprising:

a button-side section including a first button and a second button, wherein when the button-side section of the article of clothing is worn by a wearer, the first button and the second button are arranged along a vertical line that is essentially parallel to a y-axis, the y-axis defined as the lineation that essentially runs from the head of the wearer to the feet of the wearer, wherein the first button is located closer to the head of the wearer;

a button-hole side inner layer section including a first hole and a second hole, wherein when the inner layer section of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the first hole and the second hole are arranged along another vertical line that is also essentially parallel to the y-axis, thereby defining a top and a bottom of the first hole and defining a top and a bottom of the second hole, the top of the first and second hole being closer to the head of the wearer, wherein the first hole is located closer to the head of the wearer; and

a button-hole side outer layer section, wherein when the outer layer section of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the second hole is located such that the second hole pierces through the inner layer and the outer layer section, wherein the first hole does not pierce through the outer layer section,

wherein when the modified button placket of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the inner layer section is closer to the body of the wearer than the outer layer section,

wherein the center of the first button and the center of the second button are located a maximum distance d apart, wherein d is equal to twice the length of the second hole,

wherein the second hole is situated such that when the modified button placket of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the relative y-axis location of the center of the first button lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of the top of the first hole and the relative y-axis location of the top of the second hole, and the relative y-axis location of the center of the second button lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of the bottom of the first hole and the relative y-axis location of the bottom of the second hole,

wherein when the first button is fastened through the first hole, the first button is substantially hidden behind the outer layer section and thus essentially not visible when the first button is fastened, and

when the second button is fastened through the second hole, the second button is visible through the outer layer section when fastened.

2. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the article of clothing comprises a plurality of modified button plackets.

3. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein when the first button is fastened through the second hole, the first button is visible through the outer layer section when fastened, and the second button is not fastened and is substantially hidden behind both the inner layer section and the outer layer section.

4. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the article of clothing comprises at least one of: a dress shirt, a coat, a jacket, a polo shirt, a uniform, a long sleeve shirt, and a blazer.

5. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the first hole has substantially the same length of the second hole.

6. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the first button and the second button are essentially the same size.

7. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the first hole has a length less than the length of the second hole.

8. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the first hole has a length greater than the length of the second hole.

9. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the first button has a diameter less than the diameter of the second button.

10. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the first button has a diameter greater than the diameter of the second button.

11. An article of clothing including a modified button placket, the modified button placket comprising:

a button-side section including a first button and a second button, wherein when the button-side section of the article of clothing is worn by a wearer, the first button and the second button are arranged along a vertical line that is essentially parallel to a y-axis, the y-axis defined as the lineation that essentially runs from the head of the wearer to the feet of the wearer, wherein the first button is located closer to the head of the wearer;

a button-hole side inner layer section including a first hole and a second hole, wherein when the inner layer section of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the first hole and the second hole are arranged along another vertical line that is also essentially parallel to the y-axis, thereby defining a top and a bottom of the first hole and defining a top and a bottom of the second hole, the top of the first and second hole being closer to the head of the wearer, wherein the first hole is located closer to the head of the wearer; and

a button-hole side outer layer section, wherein when the outer layer section of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the first hole is located such that the first hole pierces through the inner layer and the outer layer section, wherein the second hole does not pierce through the outer layer section,

wherein when the modified button placket of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the inner layer section is closer to the body of the wearer than the outer layer section,

wherein the center of the first button and the center of the second button are located a maximum distance d apart, wherein d is equal to twice the length of the first hole,

wherein the first hole is situated such that when the modified button placket of the article of clothing is worn by the wearer, the relative y-axis location of the center of the first button lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of the top of the first hole and the relative y-axis location of the top of the second hole, and the relative y-axis location of the center of the second button lies within a range between the relative y-axis location of the bottom of the first hole and the relative y-axis location of the bottom of the second hole,

wherein when the second button is fastened through the second hole, the second button is substantially hidden behind the outer layer section and thus essentially not visible when the second button is fastened, and

when the first button is fastened through the first hole, the first button is visible through the outer layer section when fastened.

12. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the article of clothing comprises a plurality of modified button plackets.

13. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein when the second button is fastened through the first hole, the second button is visible through the outer layer section when fastened, and the first button is not fastened and is substantially hidden behind both the inner layer section and the outer layer section.

14. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the article of clothing comprises at least one of: a dress shirt, a coat, a jacket, a polo shirt, a uniform, a long sleeve shirt, and a blazer.

15. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the first hole has substantially the same length of the second hole.

16. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the first button and the second button are essentially the same size.

17. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the first hole has a length less than the length of the second hole.

18. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the first hole has a length greater than the length of the second hole.

19. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the first button has a diameter less than the diameter of the second button.

20. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the first button has a diameter greater than the diameter of the second button.