TUBULAR SHAPED SLEEVE GARMENT

Abstract

A garment worn on the arm of an individual made of a tubular shaped sleeve having a first end opening and a second end opening end opposite said first end, wherein said tubular shaped sleeve is made of an elastic material including spandex such that the sleeve snuggly fits the arm of the individual.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/490,475 filed May 26, 2011, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tubular shaped garment for use on an individual's arm. More particularly, the invention sleeve garment includes a detachable cuff.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Arm warmers are known to exist. The invention however, is not an arm warmer but a unique sleeve garment with interchangeable or fixed cuffs that addresses the issue of mature arms with a novel solution. The garment adds additional dimensions to an existing wardrobe and is not exclusive to the mature woman.

In general women of all ages desire to be fashionable, however as women get older their choices become somewhat limited due in part to aging arms. Call them what you will: flabby, dimpling, cottage cheese jiggling effects all women at some point.

The invention provides a garment that enables a woman to feel sexy and provocative and celebrates the “aging” arms by permitting the user the freedom to wear all the clothes which may have been marked as being off limits.

The invention garment is a great wardrobe extender and is not mutually exclusive only to the mature woman. The garment is also intended to appeal to youth as a novel fashion garment.

An advantage of wearing the invention garment is to extend a woman's wardrobe as well as being a fashionable way to cover up the parts of the arm that begin to show aging, skin conditions, tattoos or any undesirable conditions.

Another benefit of the invention is to provide younger generations an individual means of expressing their personal style and the endless selection of fabric, print and structured accessories creates a synergy for unlimited expression.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, these purposes, as well as others which will be apparent, are achieved generally by a sleeve garment worn on the arm of an individual comprised of a tubular shaped sleeve having a first end opening and a second end opening end opposite the first end. The tubular shaped sleeve is made of an elastic material including spandex such that the sleeve snuggly fits the arm of the individual.

In alternative embodiments the garment includes a cuff at the wrist and/or a cuff at the shoulder/upper arm area, which may be detachable. The garment is also intended to be can a reversible structure, which permits multiple uses and different looks.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent when the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention are considered with reference to the drawings, which should be construed in an illustrative and not limiting sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate the main components of the invention; FIG. 1A shows the invention garment on the users arm in a bent position; FIG. 1B illustrates the invention garment on the users arm in an extended position; and FIG. 1C illustrates the plastic insert that may be used in the upper arm area of the garment;

FIG. 2 illustrates the embodiment that includes a detachable cuff; and

FIG. 3 illustrates that embodiment that includes an attachment means on the invention garment to attach to a user's bra.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention and as illustrated in FIG. 1 a sleeve garment worn on the arm of an individual is provided comprised of a tubular shaped sleeve 1 having a first end opening 2 and a second end opening 3 end opposite said first end is provided.

The tubular shaped sleeve is made of a material including spandex such that said sleeve snuggly fits the arm of the individual and does not sag or drupe.

The first end opening 1 is of a diameter wide enough to fit the individual's upper arm up to and underneath the users armpit.

The second end opening 3 is of a diameter to fit the individual's wrist. The material is such that it expands to fit different size arms but then constricts around the individuals arms to fit securely and comfortably.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the garment may further include a flexible plastic insert to retain the individual's shoulder shape and to maintain attachment to the individual's upper arm.

To further support the structure of the upper arm near the shoulder, a thin polymer flexible insert is placed in the upper portion of the sleeve. The thickness of this material can vary dependant on the type of material being supported and can vary from 0.015 to 0.125 thousandths of an inch.

The term polymer herein is used to describe any plastic material which is used in the present invention it may include but is not limited to polyethylene, polyproplylene, etc.

The thickness of the plastic insert is very thin and averages up to an ⅛ of an inch thick, which would be the thickest application. Preferably the insert is as thin as possible to support the materials and so that it is not only comfortable to the user it is also not seen.

In an alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the garment further includes a cuff 5 extending from the second end opening 3.

The cuff can be permanently attached or detachable.

In embodiments where the cuff is attached, it is preferably too the second end opening by Velcro, Velcro like material, snaps, hook and eyes, buttons, loops, magnets, an elastic band insert allowing cuff to adjust to any wrist size or a combination hereof. In alternate embodiments, the cuff may also be attached to the first end opening near the shoulder upper arm area by the same materials.

The garment is made from material selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, polyester or synthetic materials. Spandex or elastane is included in all embodiments and is a synthetic fiber having exceptional elasticity. It is a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer. The invention is not limited to these materials and other strong durable elastic materials may be used to make the invention, including natural latex.

In alternate embodiments, to further secure the garment on the user, rubber or vinyl strips on the inner surface of the first end opening around the armpit and/or the inner surface of the second end opening may be included.

FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment where the garment can be fixed to the user's bra. As shown, the garment may further comprise an attachment means 6 to attach the garment to the individuals' bra. Preferably a snap is present on the upper portion of the sleeve which attaches to a snap on bra strap. Alternatively, a loop is attached to top of the sleeve and loops around the bra strap of the user and snaps back upon itself.

The invention garment sleeve, with or without detachable cuffs, measures from wrist to upper arm, approximately 18-23 inches. The garment is made to be worn to just under the arm pit of the individual.

In preferred embodiments, the cuffs 5 are detachable, although in an alternate embodiment the invention sleeves have permanently affixed cuffs. The interchangeable cuffs provide the user the ability to change their “look” in a matter of seconds changing from office attire to evening attire.

The sleeve garment is preferably constructed by knitted, nylon, or cut & sew technique. The knit or fabric has spandex so the sleeve will hold its shape and stay up on the arm. Rubber or vinyl strips may be placed on the inner, upper part of the sleeve to help hold it in place.

Cuffs are either affixed by Velcro like-material, snaps, hook & eyes or button/loops, magnets or will slip over the sleeve.

Various production methods can be used to create the invention garments. Knitting machines and cut & sew techniques can be employed.

The foregoing description of various and preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for purposes of illustration only, and it is understood that numerous modifications, variations and alterations may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A sleeve garment worn on the arm of an individual comprised of a tubular shaped sleeve having a first end opening and a second end opening end opposite said first end, wherein said tubular shaped sleeve is made of an elastic material including spandex such that said sleeve snuggly fits the arm of the individual.

2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said first end opening is of a diameter wide enough to fit the individual's armpit.

3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said second end opening is of a diameter to fit the individual's wrist.

4. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising a cuff extending from said second end opening.

5. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising a cuff extending from said first opening.

6. The garment according to claim 4, wherein said cuff is detachable.

7. The garment according to claim 5, wherein said cuff is detachable.

8. The garment according to claim 4, said cuff is attached to said second end opening by Velcro, Velcro like material, snaps, hook and eyes, buttons, loops, magnets or a combination hereof.

9. The garment according to claim 5, said cuff is attached to said second end opening by Velcro, Velcro like material, snaps, hook and eyes, buttons, loops, magnets, an elastic band or a combination hereof.

10. The garment according to claim 1 further comprising a cuff extending from said first opening and said second opening.

11. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said material is selected from the group consisting of nylon, cotton, polyester or synthetic materials.

12. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising rubber or vinyl strips on the inner surface of said first end opening and/or said inner surface of said second end opening.

13. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment means to attach said garment to the individuals' bra.

14. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible plastic insert to retain the individual's shoulder shape and to maintain attachment to the individual's upper arm.

15. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the tubular shaped sleeve is 12 to 23 inches long.