FRICTIONAL BAND
A frictional band, and methods of making and using a frictional band. The apparatus includes a base material in the form of an elongated band having a first side and a second side. The band further includes a thickness of base material between the first side of the base material and the second side of the base material. The base material further has a first end and a second end, and a first edge and a second edge. The base material has a width measured between the top edge and the bottom edge. The apparatus further includes a first frictional layer formed on the first side of the base material and fixedly attached thereto. The apparatus also includes a second frictional layer formed on the second side of the base material fixedly attached thereto. The apparatus includes a first fastener fixedly attached to the first end of the base material.
Modern clothing is typically worn during a variety of circumstances, some easygoing and others difficult or stressful. Attempting to maintain a well-groomed and orderly appearance can turn into a challenge as one rushes through the obligations of life. However, one often seeks to look well-dressed regardless of circumstances. In particular, people commonly experience situations where meeting demands of modern life results in untucked shirts or tops that do not present someone at their best. Finding a way to reduce this problem while comfortably navigating modern life can thus provide an advantage, or reduce stress related to wardrobe malfunctions.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings. The drawings should be understood as illustrative rather than limiting.
A system, method and apparatus is provided for a frictional band. The specific embodiments described in this document represent exemplary instances of the present invention, and are illustrative in nature rather than restrictive.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the invention.
Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.
Keeping a shirt or other top article of clothing tucked into a bottom article of clothing may be accomplished through use of a band or strap functioning as a belt worn under the bottom article of clothing. The belt in such embodiments can frictionally engage the top article of clothing, holding it in place, while being hidden by the bottom article of clothing. This may ultimately allow one to engage in activity which would tend to cause a shirt to come untucked, while still maintaining a desired neat and tidy appearance.
Methods and apparatuses providing various embodiments of a frictional band, and methods of making and using a frictional band are presented. In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a base material in the form of an elongated band having a first side and a second side. The band further includes a thickness of base material between the first side of the base material and the second side of the base material. The first side of the base material is opposite the second side of the base material. The base material further has a first end and a second end, with the first end opposite the second end. The base material further has a first edge and a second edge, with the first edge opposite the second edge, The base material has a width measured between the top edge and the bottom edge. The apparatus further includes a first frictional layer formed on the first side of the base material and fixedly attached thereto. The apparatus also includes a second frictional layer formed on the second side of the base material fixedly attached thereto. The apparatus includes a first fastener fixedly attached to the first end of the base material.
In another embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes receiving a length of material for a restraining band. The method further includes applying a first frictional layer at discrete intervals to a first side of the restraining band. The method also includes applying a second frictional layer at discrete intervals to a second side of the restraining band. The method includes adding a fastener to the restraining band.
In yet another embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes putting on a top article of clothing. The method also includes applying a restraining band to the top article of clothing in a position below an expected bottom article of clothing. The method also includes putting on a bottom article of clothing over at least a portion of the top article of clothing and over the entire restraining band.
Providing a band which may be used to hold a shirt in place can occur in a variety of ways.
Use of the band or other embodiments of a band or strap with an outfit may allow one to maintain a desired appearance during a hectic day.
A variety of different types of fasteners may be used to secure a band in place.
One may produce a band or strap in a variety of different ways.
At module 1210, the process initiates, such as with provision of base material. At module 1220, a first side of the base material is coated with a frictional material either in a continuous or discrete fashion. At module 1230, a second side of the base material is coated with the frictional material, also either in a continuous or discrete fashion. At module 1240, the material is cut to a predetermined length to provide a band. Then at module 1250, a fastener or multiple fasteners are attached or otherwise included in the band. For example, hook and loop fasteners may be glued or sewn on to the band, snap fasteners may be attached to the band, rings or belt buckles may be attached to a band, and through holes may be pierced through a band.
In various processes and embodiments, frictional material is referred to as coated on a base material. While coating is referred to in the text, this is intended to refer to a variety of options for placing material on another material, such as by coating, screening, printing, spraying, painting, or otherwise causing the coated material to be somehow applied to the base material.
Various materials can be used in the embodiments described herein. The base material may be an elastic material, or a fabric with stretching or elastic properties, for example. Various elastic materials are commercially available, and provide potential base materials. Most materials that can be used as the starting point of fabric belts have potential as base materials for such a band. Moreover, elastic or stretchable material is not required, and durable fabric that is relatively inelastic may be used as well. Some examples of elastic material that have been shown to work or are expected to work in various embodiments include Polyester Elastic Braid, Knit Elastic made from Polyester Yarn, or Natural Latex Rubber. Non-Roll elastic, polyester and/or Polyester Woven Elastic may also form an effective base material.
The frictional material may be formed from a variety of different starting points as well. For example, plastisol inks may be used to print frictional material on a base material. Plastisol inks that have a foam expanding property may be particularly useful, as they may provide a thicker frictional surface after completion of the band. Polymer materials and epoxy materials may be used to create frictional materials as well.
Frictional layers may also be added to a base layer as an additional fabric layer or applied as a continuous layer. Thus, one may adhere a frictional layer to the base layer rather than coating a frictional layer on the base layer. This may result in a continuous layer such as that shown in
Whether a frictional layer is created as an adhered layer or applied (e.g. printed and cured), the use of thin materials such as elastic and the option to control the thickness of applied layers allow for a thinner overall band than one might make from a band formed of a single material or from bands formed from thicker starting materials, for example. In some embodiments, one may choose to create frictional layers which are as thick or thicker than the base material, providing for greater frictional engagement with a top article of clothing. In other embodiments, one may take advantage of the flexibility of the available materials to provide a thinner base material or a thinner frictional layer, and thereby provide for a thinner overall band. Moreover, most embodiments are shown with a first frictional layer and a second frictional layer, one on each side of a base material. However, one can also provide a single frictional layer on one side of the base material. This may further allow for a thin band, at the expense of some flexibility of the resulting band.
In some embodiments, it is preferable that the base material be relatively non-porous, having no or minimal holes through the base material. This will tend to reduce stress and a tendency to fray, cut or break. Thus, in some embodiments, fasteners that do not pierce the base material, or only pierce the base material in small areas as a result of sewing may be preferable. Moreover, in some embodiments, the frictional material engages with the top article of clothing (and possibly the bottom article of clothing) as a result of the raised surface of the frictional material relative to the base material. In such embodiments, the frictional layer should be of a similar thickness or height to the base material, and may be thicker than the base material.
With the band produced, it may then be used to hold an outfit together.
One may further understand the band as it is used in illustrations of outfits.
One may also produce a band with a predetermined length of material as a starting point, rather than producing long stretches of material which must be cut later.
Other embodiments of a frictional band may be used as well.
In various embodiments the restraining band or strap provided may act as a belt worn under a lower article of clothing or second article of clothing to hold a top article of clothing or first article of clothing in place. The restraining band in the various embodiments provides for a simple manufacturing process and relatively inexpensive starting components. Moreover such a band or strap provides for ease-of-use by the user of such a band, thus making it potentially more attractive to the consumer.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that although specific examples and embodiments of the system and methods have been described for purposes of illustration, various modifications can be made without deviating from present invention. For example, embodiments of the present invention may be applied to many different types of clothing and may use many different types of materials. Moreover, features of one embodiment may be incorporated into other embodiments, even where those features are not described together in a single embodiment within the present document.
Claims
1-7. (canceled)
8. A method, comprising:
- receiving a length of material for a restraining band;
- applying a first frictional layer at discrete intervals to a first side of the restraining band;
- applying a second frictional layer at discrete intervals to a second side of the restraining band; and
- adding a fastener to the restraining band.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein:
- applying the first frictional layer includes
- coating the first side of the restraining band with material of the first frictional layer, and
- curing the material of the first frictional layer; and
- applying the second frictional layer includes
- coating the second side of the restraining band with material of the second frictional layer, and
- curing the material of the second frictional layer;
10. The method of claim 8, wherein:
- the length of material for the restraining band is precut to the length of the restraining band.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein:
- the length of material for the restraining band is part of a quantity of material much longer than a restraining band, and
- wherein the method further includes
- cutting the material into a predetermined length for the restraining band.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein:
- the fastener is D-ring.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein:
- the fastener is a loop.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein:
- the fastener is a hook-and-loop fastener, and the method further includes adding a mating hook-and-loop fastener to the restraining band.
15-17. (canceled)
18. The method of claim 8, wherein a height of the first layer is at least as large as a thickness of the material and wherein a height of the second layer is at least as large as a thickness of the material.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first layer and the second layer are made of the same substance.
20. The method of claim 8, wherein the first layer and the second layer are made of the same substance.
21-22. (canceled)
23. An apparatus, comprising:
- a base material in the form of an elongated band having a first side and a second side and a thickness of base material between the first side of the base material and the second side of the base material, the first side opposite the second side, the base material further having a first end and a second end, the first end opposite the second end, the base material further having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge opposite the second edge, the base material having a width measured between the top edge and the bottom edge;
- a first frictional layer formed on the first side of the base material and fixedly attached thereto;
- a second frictional layer formed on the second side of the base material fixedly attached thereto; and
- a first fastener fixedly attached to the first end of the base material.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:
- a second fastener fixedly attached to the second end of the base material.
25-27. (canceled)
28. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein:
- the first fastener is a ring having a circular shape.
29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein:
- the first fastener is a ring having a D-shape.
30. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein:
- the first fastener is a ring having a D-shape and the second fastener is a ring having a D-shape.
31. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein:
- the first fastener is a ring having a circular shape and the second fastener is a ring having a circular shape.
32. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein:
- the first frictional layer and the second frictional layer are formed from the same substance.
33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein:
- the substance of the first frictional layer and the second frictional layer is different from the base material.
34-45. (canceled)
46. An apparatus, comprising:
- a base material in the form of an elongated band having a first side and a second side and a thickness of base material between the first side of the base material and the second side of the base material, the first side opposite the second side, the base material further having a first end and a second end, the first end opposite the second end, the base material further having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge opposite the second edge, the base material having a width measured between the top edge and the bottom edge;
- a first frictional layer formed on the first side of the base material and fixedly attached thereto; and
- a first fastener fixedly attached to the first end of the base material.
47-49. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 27, 2018
Publication Date: Apr 2, 2020
Inventor: ADAM MOELLER (Palo Alto, CA)
Application Number: 16/499,241