CUFF FASTENER ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A system that embodies a fastener assembly for converting conventional hems to adjustable cuffs is provided. The fastener assembly may include a pair of complementary magnetically attracted elements spaced apart and attachable near the bottom hem or cuff of a pant leg, allowing the hem or cuff to be adjusted in length through a push-pull mechanism by turning the hem/cuff up or down at a desired configuration. The fastener assembly is integrated into the pant leg so it is not externally visible and does not require installation or removal after the initial incorporation.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparel accessories and, more particularly, to a system that embodies a fastener assembly for converting conventional cuffs to adjustable cuffs based on a push-pull attachment not externally visible.

The length of a pair of pants may be suitable in one situation, but unsuitable in another situation. For instance, when a person is wearing a single pair of pants for different occasions (such as casual and formal events.) or when a person is wearing one pair of shoes in one situation but wearing another pair of shoes in another situation; specifically, women's pants may be a length suitable for high heel shoes, but may be too long to wear with low-heel shoes, requiring a change of pants when the shoes are changed.

Current methods for adjustably holding pants between long and short lengths have included hooks, clips, button, cords, hook and loop fasteners and the like. These methods are unreliable and leave additional parts visible on the pant leg, or require separate parts to be installed when the cuff length is to be changed.

As can be seen, there is a need for a system that embodies a fastener assembly for converting conventional hems to adjustable cuffs based on a push-pull attachment not externally visible, enabling individuals to adjust the length of their apparel. The fastener assembly may include a pair of complementary magnetically attracted elements attached near the bottom hem of each pant leg, allowing the cuff to be adjusted in length, whereby the fastener assembly is not visible and does not require installation or removal after initial incorporation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a fastener assembly for converting conventional hems to adjustable cuffs includes a first sheet, wherein the first sheet is generally planar; two magnetically attracted elements spaced apart along the first sheet; a second sheet generally coextensive with the first sheet, wherein the first and second sheets are joined along their aligned peripheries, sandwiching the two magnetically attracted elements; and a fold line provided in the second sheet between the two magnetically attracted elements.

In another aspect of the present invention, the fastener assembly for converting conventional hems to adjustable cuffs includes a first fabric sheet, wherein the first fabric sheet is generally planar; two magnetically attracted elements spaced apart along the first fabric sheet, wherein the two magnetically attracted elements comprise two magnets oriented in opposing polarities, respectively; a second fabric sheet generally coextensive with the first fabric sheet, wherein the first and second fabric sheets are joined by stitching along their aligned peripheries, sandwiching the two magnetically attracted elements; and a fold line provided by stitching in the second fabric sheet between the two magnetically attracted elements.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a system of converting conventional hems to adjustable cuffs based on the above mentioned fastener apparatus includes providing a pair of pants having at least one cuff; joining a first such apparatus to the at least one cuff just inward of an opening defined by the at least one cuff so that the two magnetically attracted elements are in a vertical relationship; and joining a second such apparatus just inward of said opening diametrically opposing the first such apparatus.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown integrated along the hems of a pair of pants;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pair of pants are in a long configuration;

FIG. 5 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the pair of pants are in a short configuration;

FIG. 7 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, demonstrating a long hem;

FIG. 9 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, demonstrating the long hem adjusted to a short cuff;

FIG. 11 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a system that embodies a fastener assembly for converting conventional hems to adjustable cuffs. The fastener assembly may include a pair of complementary magnetically attracted elements spaced apart and attachable near the bottom hem or cuff of a pant leg, allowing the hem or cuff to be adjusted in length through a push-pull mechanism by turning the hem/cuff up or down at a desired configuration. The fastener assembly is integrated into the pant leg so it is not externally visible and does not require installation or removal after the initial incorporation.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 12, the present invention may include a fastener assembly 40. The fastener assembly 40 may provide vertically spaced apart magnetically attracted elements 16 sandwiched between two sheets of fabric 12 and 14. The sheets of fabric 12 and 14 can be substantially rectangular, oval, square, triangular or other geometric shape, and may be any color so as to match that of apparel they are incorporated into.

The sheets of fabric 12 and 14 may be any fabric joined together so as to be fold about fold line 19 transverse to the “vertical” axis (longitudinal axis per the figures) between an unfolded condition and a folded condition. The manner of joining 18 the sheets of fabric 12 and 14 may be stitching or the like. The joining 18 may be along the periphery of the sheets of fabric 12 and 14 as well as bisecting the magnetically attracted elements 16, forming two closed pockets for maintaining the vertically spaced apart relationship, wherein the bisecting joining 18 may act as the fold line 19.

The spaced apart magnetically attracted elements 16 may be complementary magnets—i.e., magnets have poles of opposing polarity facing the same direction while vertically spaced apart—or may be at least one magnet vertically spaced apart from a ferromagnetic element so that when the fastener assembly 40 is moved to the folded condition, the spaced apart magnetically attracted elements 16 may be magnetically connected at a desired interface.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. At least one fastener assembly 40 disclosed above may be provided. A user 28 may join a fastener assembly 40 near an opening of a pant 10 leg, along the interior surface thereof. In other words, adjacent to either a hem 24 or a cuff 26. Typically, the user 28 would integrate two fastener assemblies 40, a first on an opposing side of the hem 24 or cuff 26 relative to a second, 180 degrees apart, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The integration of each fastener assembly 40 maintains the vertical relationship of the two magnetically attracted elements 16, wherein ‘vertical’ is reference by the direction of gravity. The joining, integration and or incorporation to the article of clothing/pants 10 may be done through stitching or the like.

Each fastener assembly 40 being movable between the unfolded and the folded conditions turning through the hem 24 or cuff 26 up (along an interior or exterior surface thereof, depending on a desired look), wherein the folded condition positions the hem 24 or cuff 26 in a short configuration, while the unfolded condition extends the hem 24 or cuff to a long configuration. The long configuration being more suitable for high-heel footwear 22, and the short configuration being more suitable for low or flat heel footwear 20. The folded condition may include various short configurations as the magnetically attracted elements 16 may be connected/interfaced in an aligned or in a plurality of offset manner.

In certain embodiments, the corresponding magnetically attracted elements 16 must be arranged so that opposing fastener assemblies 40 facing each other on opposing pant legs are not attracted to each other, avoiding the embarrassment of having the two pants legs held together by the magnetic attraction.

Additionally, the present invention may be used along the hems of a shirt 30 or along the periphery of any opening so that said opening is movable between unfolded and folded conditions, between long and short configurations, respectively.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a first sheet, wherein the first sheet is generally planar;

two magnetically attracted elements spaced apart along the first sheet;

a second sheet generally coextensive with the first sheet, wherein the first and second sheets are joined along their aligned peripheries, sandwiching the two magnetically attracted elements; and

a fold line provided in the second sheet between the two magnetically attracted elements.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second sheets are each sheets of fabric.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fold line is stitching.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two magnetically attracted elements comprise two magnets oriented in opposing polarities, respectively.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two magnetically attracted elements comprise one magnet and one ferromagnetic element.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a first fabric sheet, wherein the first fabric sheet is generally planar;

two magnetically attracted elements spaced apart along the first fabric sheet, wherein the two magnetically attracted elements comprise two magnets oriented in opposing polarities, respectively;

a second fabric sheet generally coextensive with the first fabric sheet, wherein the first and second fabric sheets are joined by stitching along their aligned peripheries, sandwiching the two magnetically attracted elements; and

a fold line provided by stitching in the second fabric sheet between the two magnetically attracted elements.

7. A system of converting conventional cuffs to adjustable cuffs based on the apparatus of claim 1, comprising:

providing a pair of pants having hemmed legs;

joining a first apparatus of claim 1 to hem just inward of an opening defined by the hem so that the two magnetically attracted elements are in a vertical relationship; and

joining a second apparatus of claim 1 just inward of said opening diametrically opposing the first apparatus of claim 1.

joining a third apparatus of claim 1 to the other hem just inward of an opening defined by the other hem so that the two magnetically attracted elements are in a vertical relationship; and

joining a fourth apparatus of claim 1 just inward of said opening diametrically opposing the third apparatus of claim 1.