GARMENT CLIP

Abstract

A garment clip device includes a strap, a distal-end clip and a proximal-end clip. The garment clip device is useful for providing a simple, convenient, and comfortable method of keeping bras, underwear, and slips secure in a non-visible manner, and for providing decorative straps for strapless garments. The device is very versatile in use.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/547,476 filed Aug. 18, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of fasteners and more specifically relates to device for securely fastening a garment to a user.

2. Description of Related Art

Undergarments are items of clothing worn beneath outer clothes, usually in direct contact with the skin, although they may comprise more than a single layer. They serve to keep outer garments from being soiled or damaged by bodily excretions, to lessen the friction of outerwear against the skin, to shape the body, and to provide concealment or support for parts of it. Many women may suffer from the problem of their underwear and half-slips falling down throughout a day of wear. Underwear could slide down below the waist line and cause an embarrassing situation for the individual. Half-slips may slide around underneath a skirt or dress and cause discomfort. Further, bathing suit bottoms could roll down and easily slide off while in the water. Without a way to secure the garments to the body, women may end up losing clothing garments and suffering from extreme embarrassment. An effective alternative is needed.

U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0106167 to Yuliya Loshinsky relates to female undergarment suspenders. The described female undergarment suspenders include suspenders attached to the pants with strap attachment members that are discrete and easily attach to belt loops or similar loop like provision on the waistline of the wearer's pants. The suspenders easy to put on and take off, discrete, not visible under clothing, comfortable, conforms to body movement, fits all sizes, has adjustable straps that accommodate different heights, lines up with bra straps, has an adjustable back to accommodate different tops and is made with lingerie/elastic straps that hook onto or around belt loops and go over the shoulders.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known fasteners art, the present disclosure provides a novel garment clip. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a simple, convenient, and comfortable method of keeping bras, underwear, and slips secure in a non-visible manner, and for providing decorative straps for strapless garments.

A garment clip device is disclosed herein. The garment clip device includes a strap which may include a distal-end, a proximal-end opposite the distal-end and a strap-length therebetween. A distal-end clip may be attached to the distal-end of the strap, the distal-end-clip may have a first distal-end clip-member, a second distal-end clip-member joined to the first distal-end clip-member via a first-hinge, and a first actuator-lever. The first distal-end clip member may include at least one first mating-protrusion, the second distal-end clip member may include at least one first mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the at least one first mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever may be configured to selectively open and close the first distal-end clip member and the second distal-end clip member.

Further, a proximal-end clip may be attached to the proximal-end of the strap, the proximal-end-clip may have a first proximal-end clip-member, a second proximal-end clip-member joined to the first proximal-end clip-member via a second-hinge, and a second actuator-lever. Likewise, as above, the first proximal-end clip member may include at least one second mating-protrusion, the second proximal-end clip member may include at least one second mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the at least one second mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever may be configured to selectively open and close the first proximal-end clip member and the second proximal-end clip member.

A method of using garment clip device is also disclosed herein. The method of using garment clip may comprise the steps of: providing the garment clip as above; attaching the distal-end clip to a first garment at a first-side of a user; and attaching the proximal-end clip to a second garment at the first-side of the user.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a garment clip device, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a front-side perspective view of the garment clip device during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a side perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B is a side perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3C is a side perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3D is a side perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of the garment clip device of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for garment clip device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to fasteners and more particularly to a garment clip as used to improve the device for securely fastening a garment to a user.

Generally speaking, disclosed is an undergarment retaining clip device capable of keeping bras, underwear, and slips in a consistent position while being worn. It may feature clip mechanisms on both sides of the device which enable the device to be firmly secured to a bra and undergarments in a discrete manner. The device may include adjustable length in order to accommodate women of different heights and to accommodate different types of undergarments. A convenient draw-string travel bag may be provided transport two or more of the devices without taking up extensive space in a purse, backpack, suitcase, and the like.

Preferably, the device may include an adjustable elastic type strap for bras, underwear, and half-slips typically worn by women. The device may be comprised of an adjustable strap with a pair of clips, one attached to each end. Users may stretch the adjustable strap to a desired size and utilize the clips to secure the device onto clothing. The device may be discrete and non-visible when worn underneath clothing or may be decorative for wearing in place of straps on strapless garments. The clips may include silicone coverings to provide additional comfort. Exact size, measurement, construction, and design specifications may vary upon manufacturing.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-5, various views of a garment clip device 100.

FIG. 1 shows a garment clip device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the garment clip 100 may include a strap 110, a distal-end clip 120, and a proximal-end clip 130. In one embodiment, the garment clip device 100 may further include a storage-pouch 140 for compact storage of the strap 110, the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130.

FIG. 2 shows a side perspective view of the garment clip device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The strap 110 may include a distal-end 112, a proximal-end 114 opposite the distal-end 112 and a strap-length 116 therebetween. In one embodiment, the strap-length 116 may be at least five inches long. Further, the strap 110 may include a strap-width 111 of 2 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the strap-length 116 may be adjustable. In this embodiment, the strap-length 116 may include an adjuster-button 117 that may easily adjust the strap-length 116 so that users of all shapes and sizes are able to use the garment clip device 100. Further to this, in the preferred embodiment, the strap 110 may be made from a flexible-material to allow for easier adjustability and comfortable stretch in the strap 110. In one embodiment, the flexible-material may be elastic.

In one embodiment, the strap 110 may be transparent to prevent viewability of the strap 110 through the at least one garment. Further to this, the strap 110 may include a strap-thickness 113 of 1 mm to further prevent viewability of the strap 110 through the at least one garment. In this embodiment, the garment clip device 100 may attach one end of a slip to a bra (via the proximal-end clip 130) and another end of the slip to underwear (via the distal-end clip 120). In this embodiment, it is important that the garment clip device 100 remains discrete so as to avoid embarrassment and unsightly bulges in the at least one garment.

In one embodiment, the strap 110 may include a decorative appearance. In this embodiment, the garment clip device 100 may be utilized as a strap 110 on a strapless garment. As such, the garment clip device 100 may attach to a front of the at least one garment (via the distal-end of the clip) and attach to a back of the at least one garment (via the proximal-end of the clip). In this embodiment, it is preferable that two garment clip devices 100 are provided, and that each garment clip device 100 is attached to each side of the at least one garment. The strap 110 may include the decorative appearance having different patterns, logos, colors, etc.

FIGS. 3A-3D show side perspective views of the garment clip device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the distal-end clip 120 may be attached to the distal-end 112 of the strap 110. The distal-end-clip 120 may have a first distal-end clip-member 121, a second distal-end clip-member 122 joined to the first distal-end clip-member 121 via a first-hinge 123, and a first actuator-lever 124. The first distal-end clip member 121 may include at least one first mating-protrusion 125, the second distal-end clip member 122 may include at least one first mating-aperture 126 configured to mateably-receive the at least one first mating-protrusion 125, and the first actuator-lever 124 may be configured to selectively open and close the first distal-end clip member 121 and the second distal-end clip member 122.

Similarly, the proximal-end clip 130 may be attached to the proximal-end 114 of the strap 110. The proximal-end-clip 130 may have a first proximal-end clip-member 131, a second proximal-end clip-member 132 joined to the first proximal-end clip-member 131 via a second-hinge 133, and a second actuator-lever 134. The first proximal-end clip member 131 may include at least one second mating-protrusion 135, the second proximal-end clip member 132 may include at least one second mating-aperture 136 configured to mateably-receive the at least one second mating-protrusion 135, and the first actuator-lever 124 may be configured to selectively open and close the first proximal-end clip member 131 and the second proximal-end clip member 132.

In one embodiment, the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130 may be made from a silicone-material. However, other materials are contemplated such as plastic-material, rubber-material, etc. In addition, the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130 may each include a padding-material 139 thereon to provide comfort to the user when attached to a garment. Again, in one embodiment, the padding-material 139 may be silicone; but other materials are contemplated. In addition to this, the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130 may be transparent to prevent viewability of the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130 through the at least one garment. Similarly, the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130 may each include a clip-thickness 129 of 2 mm to further prevent viewability of the strap 110 through the at least one garment.

FIGS. 4A-4B show top perspective views of the garment clip device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the garment clip device 100 may further include a distal-end clip cover 127 for attachment to the distal-end clip 120. The distal-end clip 120 may include a first attachment-means 128 for receiving the distal-end clip cover 127. Similarly, the garment clip device 100 may further include a proximal-end clip cover 137 for attachment to the proximal-end clip 130 and the proximal-end clip 130 may include a second attachment-means 138 for receiving the proximal-end clip cover 137. In one embodiment, the first attachment-means 128 and the second attachment-means 138 may be a snap fastener. In this embodiment, the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130 may each include a female snap fastener, and the distal-end clip 120 and the proximal-end clip 130 may each include a male snap fastener for mating with the female snap fastener. Other attachment-means are contemplated.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a garment clip device 500, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the method of using a garment clip device 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing the garment clip device 100 as above; step two 502, attaching the distal-end clip 120 to a first garment at a first-side of a user; and step three 503, attaching the proximal-end clip 130 to a second garment at the first-side of the user. Further steps may include: step four 504, providing a second garment clip device 100; step five 505, attaching a second distal-end clip 120 of the second garment clip device 100 to the first garment at a second-side of the user; and step six 506, attaching a second proximal-end clip 130 of the second garment clip device 100 to the second garment at the second-side of the user.

It should be noted that step four 504, step five 505 and step six 506 are optional steps and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use 500 are illustrated using dotted lines in FIG. 5 so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use 500. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for garment clip 100 (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. A garment clip device, the garment clip device comprising:

a strap including a distal-end, a proximal-end opposite the distal-end and a strap-length therebetween;

a distal-end clip attached to the distal-end of the strap, the distal-end-clip having a first distal-end clip-member, a second distal-end clip-member joined to the first distal-end clip-member via a first-hinge, and a first actuator-lever, the first distal-end clip member including at least one first mating-protrusion, the second distal-end clip member including at least one first mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the at least one first mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever being configured to selectively open and close the first distal-end clip member and the second distal-end clip member; and

a proximal-end clip attached to the proximal-end of the strap, the proximal-end-clip having a first proximal-end clip-member, a second proximal-end clip-member joined to the first proximal-end clip-member via a second-hinge, and a second actuator-lever, the first proximal-end clip member including at least one second mating-protrusion, the second proximal-end clip member including at least one second mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the at least one second mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever being configured to selectively open and close the first proximal-end clip member and the second proximal-end clip member.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a distal-end clip cover for attachment to the distal-end clip, and wherein the distal-end clip includes a first attachment-means for receiving the distal-end clip cover.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a proximal-end clip cover for attachment to the proximal-end clip, and wherein the proximal-end clip includes a second attachment-means for receiving the proximal-end clip cover.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the strap-length is at least five inches.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein a strap-width of the strap is 2 mm.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the strap is made from a flexible-material.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein flexible-material is elastic.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the strap-length is adjustable.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the strap is transparent to prevent viewability of the strap through the at least one garment.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the strap includes a strap-thickness of 1 mm to further prevent viewability of the strap through the at least one garment.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip are made from a silicone-material.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip are made from a plastic-material.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip each include a padding-material thereon to provide comfort to the user when attached to the at least one garment.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the padding-material is silicone.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip are transparent to prevent viewability of the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip through the at least one garment.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip each include a clip-thickness of 2 mm to further prevent viewability of the strap through the at least one garment.

17. The device of claim 1, further comprising a storage-pouch for compact storage of the strap, the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip.

18. A garment clip device, the garment clip device comprising:

a strap including a distal-end, a proximal-end opposite the distal-end and a strap-length therebetween;

a distal-end clip attached to the distal-end of the strap, the distal-end-clip having a first distal-end clip-member, a second distal-end clip-member joined to the first distal-end clip-member via a first-hinge, and a first actuator-lever, the first distal-end clip member including at least one first mating-protrusion, the second distal-end clip member including at least one first mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the at least one first mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever being configured to selectively open and close the first distal-end clip member and the second distal-end clip member; and

a proximal-end clip attached to the proximal-end of the strap, the proximal-end-clip having a first proximal-end clip-member, a second proximal-end clip-member joined to the first proximal-end clip-member via a second-hinge, and a second actuator-lever, the first proximal-end clip member including at least one second mating-protrusion, the second proximal-end clip member including at least one second mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the at least one second mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever being configured to selectively open and close the first proximal-end clip member and the second proximal-end clip member;

a distal-end clip cover for attachment to the distal-end clip, and wherein the distal-end clip includes a first attachment-means for receiving the distal-end clip cover;

a proximal-end clip cover for attachment to the proximal-end clip, and wherein the proximal-end clip includes a second attachment-means for receiving the proximal-end clip cover; and

a storage-pouch for compact storage of the strap, the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip; and

wherein the strap-length is at least five inches;

wherein a strap-width of the strap is 2 mm;

wherein the strap is made from a flexible-material;

wherein flexible-material is elastic;

wherein the strap-length is adjustable;

wherein the strap is transparent to prevent viewability of the strap through a garment;

wherein the strap includes a strap-thickness of 1 mm to further prevent viewability of the strap through the garment;

wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip are made from a silicone-material;

wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip each include a padding-material thereon to provide comfort to the user when attached to the at least one garment;

wherein the padding-material is silicone;

wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip are transparent to prevent viewability of the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip through the garment; and

wherein the distal-end clip and the proximal-end clip each include a clip-thickness of 2 mm to further prevent viewability of the strap through the at least one garment.

19. A method of using a garment clip device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the garment clip device, the garment clip device including: a strap including a distal-end, a proximal-end opposite the distal-end and a strap-length therebetween; a distal-end clip attached to the distal-end of the strap, the distal-end-clip having a first distal-end clip-member, a second distal-end clip-member joined to the first distal-end clip-member via a first-hinge, and a first actuator-lever, the first distal-end clip member including at least one first mating-protrusion, the second distal-end clip member including at least one first mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the at least one first mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever being configured to selectively open and close the first distal-end clip member and the second distal-end clip member; and a proximal-end clip attached to the proximal-end of the strap, the proximal-end-clip having a first proximal-end clip-member, a second proximal-end clip-member joined to the first proximal-end clip-member via a second-hinge, and a second actuator-lever, the first proximal-end clip member including at least one second mating-protrusion, the second proximal-end clip member including at least one second mating-aperture configured to mateably-receive the at least one second mating-protrusion, and the first actuator-lever being configured to selectively open and close the first proximal-end clip member and the second proximal-end clip member;

attaching the distal-end clip to a first garment at a first-side of a user; and

attaching the proximal-end clip to a second garment at the first-side of the user.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

providing a second garment clip device;

attaching a second distal-end clip of the second garment clip device to the first garment at a second-side of the user; and

attaching a second proximal-end clip of the second garment clip device to the second garment at the second-side of the user.