Clothing Accessory

Abstract

A clothing accessory for use with a strapless upper body clothing article includes a primary strap having opposed ends. A fastener is connected to each end and configured to selectively attach to an upper body clothing article. Each end may also include an elastic member so that the primary strap may be selectively and resiliently lengthened. The clothing accessory may include an auxiliary strap for increased support of the upper body clothing article. The auxiliary strap is selectively coupled to the primary strap and to the clothing article.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/722,874 filed on Nov. 6, 2012, titled Clothing Accessory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to clothing accessories and, more particularly, to a clip-on clothing accessory for use with strapless upper body clothing articles.

Many varieties of strapless clothing are popular especially amongst young women. For instance, young ladies may wear strapless dresses, halter tops, shirts, blouses and, of course, bikini tops. While these garments are typically tight fitting, include elastic or other form fitting materials so as to maintain a generally modest appearance, such strapless clothing articles may be considered inappropriately casual in some environments. For example, wearing strapless shirts, blouses, or bikini style swimwear may be considered inappropriate in certain restaurants, public buildings, or even in the home of a friend or acquaintance.

However, the same clothing choices may be viewed as being dramatically more appropriate if they merely had straps running over a wearer's shoulder or around the wearer's neck. Chest covering garments are perceived as more modest when the potential of the garment inadvertently sliding or slipping downward is eliminated. In addition, an upper body garment having straps is perceived as being more formal and less casual.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a clothing accessory that may be selectively connected to a strapless clothing article that converts the strapless article to one having straps. In other words, it would be desirable to having a clothing article that instantly provides straps to virtually any strapless garment.

Docket 94891

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A clothing accessory for use with a strapless upper body clothing article includes a primary having opposed ends. A fastener is connected to each end and configured to selectively clip onto a clothing article. Each end may also include an elastic member so that the primary strap may be selectively lengthened. The clothing accessory may include an auxiliary strap for increased support or aesthetic variation.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a clothing accessory having straps and fasteners for converting a strapless clothing article to one having straps.

Another object of this invention is to provide a clothing accessory, as aforesaid, that may be coupled to a front portion of a chest-covering clothing article and extend over the wearer's shoulder or about her neck and be coupled to a rear portion or another front portion of the clothing article, respectively.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a clothing accessory, as aforesaid, that includes elastic portions that enable the straps to be used with clothing articles of different sizes and shapes and with wearer's of different size.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a clothing accessory, as aforesaid, in which the removable straps are attractive so as to complement the clothing article to which they may be attached.

A further object of this invention is to provide a clothing accessory, as aforesaid, that may include straps of different lengths and configurations.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a clothing accessory, as aforesaid, that is easy to use and economical to buy.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clothing accessory according one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the clothing accessory as in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a side view of the clothing accessory in use in another configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A clothing accessory according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings. The clothing accessory 10 may include a primary strap 20 and an auxiliary strap 40. The respective straps are intended for use with a strapless upper body clothing garment such as a strapless shirt, halter top, strapless dress, bikini swimsuit top, sports bra, or the like.

The primary strap 20 includes opposed first 22 and second 24 ends. A first primary fastener 26 may be operatively coupled to the first end 22 of the primary strap 20. Similarly, a second primary fastener 28 may be operatively coupled to the second end 24 of the primary strap 20. Preferably, a first primary elastic member 30 interconnects the primary strap first end 22 to the first primary fastener 26 and a second primary elastic member 32 interconnects the primary strap second end 24 to the second primary fastener 28. Each elastic member has a stretchable and resilient construction such that the length of the primary strap 20 is increased when stretched but is biased to return to a predetermined length. This construction enables the primary strap 20 to be arranged in multiple configurations as will be described in more detail later.

The construction of the auxiliary strap 40 is substantially similar to that of the primary strap 20 except as described below. More particularly, the auxiliary strap 40 includes opposed first 42 and second 44 ends. A first auxiliary fastener 46 may be operatively coupled to the first end 42 of the auxiliary strap 40. Similarly, a second auxiliary fastener 48 may be operatively coupled to the second end 44 of the auxiliary strap 40. Preferably, a first auxiliary elastic member 50 interconnects the auxiliary strap first end 42 to the first auxiliary fastener 46 and a second auxiliary elastic member 52 interconnects the auxiliary strap second end 44 to the second auxiliary fastener 48. Each elastic member has a stretchable and resilient construction such that the length of the auxiliary strap is selectively increased when stretched but is biased to return to a predetermined length.

In one embodiment, the auxiliary strap 40 includes a length that is less than a length of the primary strap 20. The auxiliary strap 40 may be used in combination with the primary strap 20 to provide a configuration that is both functionally and aesthetically desirable. More particularly, the auxiliary strap first fastener 46 may be selectively coupled to the primary strap 20 such as when the primary strap 20 is worn around a user's neck (FIG. 3) and the auxiliary strap second fastener 48 may be selectively coupled to the article of clothing 8 being secured.

It is understood that the auxiliary strap 40 in this embodiment provides enhanced support to the clothing article. For instance, the primary strap 20 and auxiliary strap 40 together maintain the clothing article 8 in an appropriate and desired position upon the portion of the wearer's torso. Together, the primary strap 20 and auxiliary strap 40 provide the appearance that the clothing article has integrated straps, as may be required or preferred by some restaurant establishments or the like.

Each fastener of either strap described above may be an alligator clip as shown in the drawings. Alternatively, however, the fasteners may be hook and loop fastener combinations, clips, clasps, clamps, snaps, or other similar fasteners. In addition, each strap may include a plurality of beads 34, ribbons, crystals, precious or imitation stones or jewels, and the like. The straps may have an appearance that is more formal than casual so as to further the objective of transforming a strapless garment into one with straps that is more acceptable in some environments.

In some embodiments, additional straps (not shown) having constructions and configurations substantially similar to those described above may be coupled to the clothing article and to the straps described above. The additional straps are configured to provide additional holding support to the clothing article and to enhance the more formal appearance thereof.

In use, the primary strap 20 may be coupled to a strapless article of clothing 8 while the clothing is still being worn. More particularly, the primary strap first fastener 26 may be clipped to a front portion of the garment 8 (FIG. 1) and the primary strap 20 extended over the wearer's shoulder (FIG. 4) or around the back of the wearer's neck (FIG. 1). Then, the primary strap second fastener 28 may be clipped to the front portion 9a of the garment 8 (FIG. 1) or a back portion 9b of the garment 8 (FIG. 4) as may be desired.

If desired for enhanced support or for aesthetic reasons, the auxiliary strap 40 may be coupled to the primary strap 20 when the primary strap 20 is positioned around the back of a user's neck and extended therefrom to a back side of the garment 8 (FIG. 3). Specifically, the auxiliary strap first fastener 46 may be coupled to a midpoint of the primary strap 20 and the auxiliary strap second fastener 48 may be coupled to the back portion 9b of the garment 8.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A clothing accessory for use with a strapless upper body clothing article, comprising:

a primary strap having opposed first and second ends;

a first primary fastener operatively coupled to said first end of said primary strap, said first primary fastener configured to selectively attach to the upper body clothing article; and

a second primary fastener operatively coupled to said second end of said primary strap, said second primary fastener configured to selectively grip the upper body clothing article;

2. The clothing accessory as in claim 1, further comprising:

a first primary elastic member interconnecting said primary strap first end and said first primary fastener; and

a second primary elastic member interconnecting said primary strap second end and said second primary fastener.

3. The clothing accessory as in claim 2, further comprising:

an auxiliary strap having opposed first and second ends;

a first auxiliary fastener operatively coupled to said first end of said auxiliary strap, said first auxiliary fastener configured to selectively attach to said primary strap; and

a second auxiliary fastener operatively coupled to said second end of said auxiliary strap, said second auxiliary fastener configured to selectively attach to the upper body clothing article.

4. The clothing accessory as in claim 3, further comprising:

a first auxiliary elastic member interconnecting said auxiliary strap first end and said first auxiliary fastener; and

a second auxiliary elastic member interconnecting said auxiliary strap second end and said second auxiliary fastener.

5. The clothing accessory as in claim 1, further comprising:

an auxiliary strap having opposed first and second ends;

a first auxiliary fastener operatively coupled to a said first end of said auxiliary strap, said first auxiliary fastener configured to selectively attach to said primary strap; and

a second auxiliary fastener operatively coupled to said second end of said auxiliary strap, said second auxiliary fastener configured to selectively attach to the upper body clothing article.

6. The clothing accessory as in claim 5, further comprising:

a first auxiliary elastic member interconnecting said auxiliary strap first end and said first auxiliary fastener; and

a second auxiliary elastic member interconnecting said auxiliary strap second end and said second auxiliary fastener.

7. The clothing accessory as in claim 3, wherein said auxiliary strap has a length that is less than a length of said primary strap.

8. The clothing accessory as in claim 1, wherein:

said first primary fastener is an alligator clip; and

said second primary fastener is an alligator clip.

9. The clothing accessory as in claim 3, wherein:

said first primary fastener is an alligator clip;

said second primary fastener is an alligator clip;

said first auxiliary fastener is an alligator clip; and

said second auxiliary fastener is an alligator clip.

10. The clothing accessory as in claim 1, wherein said first primary fastener and said second primary fastener are taken from a group including alligator clips, hook and loop fasteners, clasps, clamps, and snaps.

11. The clothing accessory as in claim 3, wherein said first primary fastener, said second primary fastener, said first auxiliary fastener, said second auxiliary fastener are taken from a group including alligator clips, hook and loop fasteners, clasps, clamps, and snaps.

12. The clothing accessory as in claim 3, wherein said auxiliary strap is constructed of a plurality of beads.

13. The clothing accessory as in claim 1, wherein said primary strap is constructed of a plurality of beads.

14. The clothing accessory as in claim 3, wherein:

said primary strap is constructed from an element taken from a group including beads, ribbons, elastic, cloth, precious jewels, and simulated jewels; and

said auxiliary strap is constructed from an element taken from a group including beads, ribbons, elastic, cloth, precious jewels, and simulated jewels.

15. The clothing accessory as in claim 3, wherein said first auxiliary fastener is configured to selectively attach to a midpoint between said first and second ends of said primary strap.

16. The clothing accessory as in claim 1, wherein:

said first primary fastener is selectively coupled to a front portion of the upper body clothing article; and

said second primary fastener is selectively coupled to a rear portion of the upper body clothing article.

17. The clothing accessory as in claim 16, wherein:

said first auxiliary fastener configured to selectively attach to the front portion of the upper body clothing article; and

said second auxiliary fastener configured to selectively attach to the rear portion of the upper body clothing article.

18. The clothing accessory as in claim 17, further comprising:

a first primary elastic member interconnecting said primary strap first end and said first primary fastener; and

a second primary elastic member interconnecting said primary strap second end and said second primary fastener.

19. The clothing accessory as in claim 18, further comprising:

a first auxiliary elastic member interconnecting said auxiliary strap first end and said first auxiliary fastener; and

a second auxiliary elastic member interconnecting said auxiliary strap second end and said second auxiliary fastener.

20. The clothing accessory as in claim 4, wherein said auxiliary strap has a length that is less than a length of said primary strap.