DEVICE FOR SHORTENING AND/OR CUFFING PANT LEGS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING SAME

Abstract

The present disclosure provides devices for embellishing or adjusting the length of pant legs and/or sleeves of clothing items, and methods of making and using same.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/190,299, filed Jul. 9, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference and relied upon.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to devices for embellishing or adjusting the length of pant legs and/or sleeves of clothing items.

BACKGROUND

Some clothing items do not proportionally fit on many consumers. This is especially true for clothing items for infants and toddlers. For example, many items are too long in the legs or sleeves, but otherwise fit properly. Long pant legs pose some safety/tripping risks during walking or running. Folding the excess length can provide some temporary improvement, but the resulting cuffs eventually unfold. It is desirable to have clothing that fits properly without the cost and inconvenience of permanently altering clothing item, such as by a tailor. For example, a temporary yet secure means of adjusting pant leg length will enable use of some clothing items through many stages of a child's growth while avoiding tripping risk. The need for an improved device for providing adjustable pant leg and/or sleeve length is therefore needed.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a method and device for shortening the length of a pant leg or a sleeve. In some embodiments, the device also provides a cuff on the pant leg or sleeve, optionally having a contrasting style (e.g., color, texture and/or pattern) than the clothing item. In some embodiments, the device comprises a semi rigid elastic band covered in fabric, wherein the fabric has a length that enables it to be folded with and over the distal end of a pant leg or sleeve. In one embodiment, the semi rigid elastic band provides increased stiffness relative to the remaining portion of the device, but is not inflexible. Viewed another way, in one embodiment the cuff is a sleeve or tube of fabric that is at least partially elastic and configured to be secured over a distal end of a pant leg or sleeve. In some embodiments, the fabric is not itself elastic and an elastic band is sewn into or otherwise secured to the sleeve. In some embodiments, the fabric comprises no integral elastic band and no semi-rigid portion. The stylish fabric can vary in length, color, style, and texture depending on consumers' desires and intended purpose (simply shortening pant legs, style, etc . . . ). In some embodiments, the device has a length sufficient to allow a child to wear a pair of pants over several stages of youth by enabling successive adjustments of the length of the pant legs as the child grows over time.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a device for adjusting the length of a pant leg or shirt sleeve, the device comprising a sleeve of material having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and an elastic or semi-rigid portion at the first end for securing the device to the pant leg or shirt sleeve.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method for adjusting a length of a pant leg or a shirt sleeve, the method comprising sliding a first end of a sleeve of material over a distal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve, shortening the length of the pant leg or shirt sleeve by rolling the distal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve away from the distal end on itself, and folding the second end of the sleeve of material over the rolled distal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a pair of devices for shortening the length of a pant leg or a sleeve consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a device for shortening the length of a pant leg associated with a pant leg, consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a device for shortening the length of a pant leg associated with a pant leg, and after the pant leg has been rolled or folded up once compared to the view shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a device for shortening the length of a pant leg associated with a pant leg, and after the distal end of the device has been pulled up past a rolled or folded distal portion of the pant leg, for example in a step subsequent to the view shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a device for shortening the length of a pant leg associated with a pant leg, and in the process of the distal end of the device being pulled over the rolled or folded distal portion of the pant leg, for example in a step subsequent to the view shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a device for shortening the length of a pant leg associated with a pant leg, and after the distal end of the device has been pulled over the rolled or folded distal portion of the pant leg, for example in a step subsequent to the view shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows two embodiments of semi rigid elastic bands suitable for use in a device according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a device for shortening the length of a pant leg or a sleeve, especially showing the semi rigid elastic band portion located between two layers of material consistent with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to FIGS. 1-8, the present disclosure provides a device 100 for adjusting the length of a pant leg or a sleeve of a clothing item P. In some embodiments, the device comprises a sleeve of material 10 and an elastic or semi-rigid portion 20 at one end 30 of the sleeve of material 10.

In some embodiments, the sleeve of material 10 is a sleeve or tube of fabric. The sleeve or tube of fabric can vary in color, style, and texture to meet consumers' desires. In some embodiments, the color, style and/or texture of the fabric is chosen to contrast with the article of clothing on which it will be applied. In some embodiments, the fabric has either the same or different color, style and/or texture on either side.

In some embodiments, the device includes a semi-rigid portion 20 at one end 30. For example, in one embodiment, the sleeve of material 10 includes a reinforcement band 50 at one end 30. In another embodiment, the sleeve of material 10 includes multiple layers of the fabric 20 at one end 30, for example formed by folding over one end of the fabric one or more times. In one embodiment, the device includes a semi-rigid portion 20 as described above at both ends 30, 40. In some embodiments, the entire device 100 comprises semi-rigid fabric or material 10.

In some embodiments, the fabric 10 has a diameter or width W that enables the device to fit snugly around the pant leg or shirt sleeve. In some embodiments, the diameter or width W is adjustable. For example, the device 10 may include an elastic portion 50 adhered to one end 30 of the sleeve of material. In some embodiments, the elastic portion 50 is adhered to the inner surface of the sleeve of material 10. In some embodiments, the elastic portion 50 extends over the entire length of the device 100 or over a substantial portion of the length of the device 10. In other embodiments, the elastic portion 50 extends over only a small portion of the device 100, such as less than the length of a cuff formed by the distal portion P′ of the pant leg or sleeve P after it has been rolled on itself. In some embodiments, the device 100 is free of an elastic portion 50 or semi-rigid portion 20 altogether.

In some embodiments, the device 100 has a length L sufficient to cover the distal end P′ of the pant leg or sleeve P after it has been rolled on itself one or more times. In other embodiments, the device 100 has a length L sufficient to cover the semi-rigid portion 20 of the sleeve of material (e.g., the length L is about twice the width of the elastic band 50 or semi-rigid portion 20 of the device 100).

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a device 100 for adjusting the length L of a pant leg or shirt sleeve P, the device 100 comprising a sleeve of material 10 having a first end 30 and a second end 40 opposite the first end 30, and an elastic 50 or semi-rigid portion 20 at the first end 30 for securing the device 100 to the pant leg or shirt sleeve P. In some embodiments, the sleeve of material 10 further comprises a decorative element 60. In some embodiments, the elastic 50 or semi-rigid portion 20 is an elastic band 50. In some embodiments, the device 100 covers a distal end P′ of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P when the pant leg or shirt sleeve P is shortened by rolling the pant leg or shirt sleeve P away from the distal end P′ on itself. In some embodiments, the sleeve 10 comprises at least two materials having different decorative elements 60, 62.

The present disclosure also provides methods of embellishing or shortening a pant leg or a shirt sleeve P. In some embodiments, the elastic 50 or semi-rigid portion 20 of a device 100 as disclosed herein is slid over the distal end P′ of a pant leg or a shirt sleeve P. Optionally, the edge 30 of the device 100 is aligned with the distal edge P″ of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P while the opposite edge of the device 40 is extended up the pant leg or shirt sleeve P (e.g., away from the distal edge P″ of the pant leg or the shirt sleeve P). In some embodiments, the distal edge P″ of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P is folded or rolled away from the distal edge P″ (e.g., inverted) at least once, optionally twice or more than twice, to form a cuff. After this step, in some embodiments, a portion 25 of the device 100 extends past the cuff away from the distal edge P″ of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P. In some embodiments, the portion 25 of the device extending past the cuff is then folded over the cuff.

In some embodiments, the method comprises sliding a first end 30 of a sleeve of material 10 (e.g., a sleeve of material 10 of a device 100 as disclosed herein) over a distal edge P″ of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P, shortening the length of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P by rolling the distal edge P″ of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P away from the distal edge P″ on itself, and folding the second end 40 of the sleeve of material 100 over the rolled distal portion P′ of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P. In some embodiments, the step of shortening the length of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P further comprises rolling the rolled pant leg or shirt sleeve away from the distal edge P″ on itself a second time. In some embodiments, the sleeve of material 10 comprises an elastic band 50 at the first end 30. In some embodiments, the sleeve of material 10 further comprises a decorative element 60. In some embodiments, the sleeve of material 10 comprises at least two materials having different decorative elements 60, 62. In some embodiments, the step of sliding the first end 30 of the sleeve of material 10 over the distal edge P″ of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P comprises aligning the distal end 30 of the sleeve 10 with the distal edge P″ of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P. In some embodiments, the pant leg or shirt sleeve P is a shirt sleeve.

In some embodiments, the method comprises inserting a sleeve of material 10 (e.g., a sleeve of material 10 of a device 100 as disclosed herein) inside a pant leg or a shirt sleeve P, optionally aligning the distal edge P″ of the pant leg or shirt sleeve P with the first end 30 of the sleeve of material 10, and rolling the pant leg or shirt sleeve P up with the sleeve of material 10 to expose the sleeve of material 10.

In other embodiments, the present disclosure provides a method of reinforcing a cuff formed in a distal portion P′ of a pant leg or a shirt sleeve P. In some embodiments, the method comprises rolling or folding a device 100 as disclosed herein, and thereafter sliding the rolled or folded device 100 over the distal portion P′ of the pant leg or the shirt sleeve P. In some embodiments, the distal portion P′ of the pant leg or the shirt sleeve P is then rolled or folded over the device 100 to form a cuff.

Claims

1. A device for adjusting the length of a pant leg or shirt sleeve, the device comprising:

a sleeve of material having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and

an elastic or semi-rigid portion at the first end for securing the device to the pant leg or shirt sleeve.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve of material further comprises a decorative element.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the elastic or semi-rigid portion is an elastic band.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device covers a distal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve when the pant leg or sleeve is shortened by rolling the pant leg or shirt sleeve away from the distal end on itself.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the sleeve comprises at least two materials having different decorative elements.

6. A method for adjusting a length of a pant leg or a shirt sleeve, the method comprising:

sliding a first end of a sleeve of material over a distal end of the pant leg or shirt sleeve;

shortening the length of the pant leg or shirt sleeve by rolling the distal edge of the pant leg or shirt sleeve away from the distal edge on itself; and

folding the second end of the sleeve of material over the rolled distal edge of the pant leg or shirt sleeve.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of shortening the length of the pant leg or shirt sleeve further comprises rolling the rolled pant leg or shirt sleeve away from the distal edge on itself a second time.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the sleeve of material comprises an elastic band at the first end.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the sleeve of material further comprises a decorative element.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the sleeve of material comprises at least two materials having different decorative elements.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of sliding the first end of the sleeve of material over the distal edge of the pant leg or shirt sleeve comprises aligning the distal end of the sleeve with the distal edge of the pant leg or shirt sleeve.

12. The method of claim 6, wherein the pant leg or shirt sleeve is a shirt sleeve.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein the pant leg or shirt sleeve is a pant leg.