Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION (ORIGINAL) Name of Applicant: Lancaster Assets Pty Ltd Address: Suite 4, Level 1, 427 Blackburn Road, Mt Waverley, Victoria 3149, Australia Actual Inventor: Ruby Chia Address for Service: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Nicholson Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia Innovation Patent specification for the invention entitled: "A fashion accessory" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: C:\NRPorbl\DCC\HRBUH39740_ DOC-26/Mx/2(11 A FASHION ACCESSORY Field of the invention The present invention relates to a fashion accessory. 5 Background It is common for women to wear garments that are collarless, shoulderless and/or sleeveless. Such garments include strapless dresses, collarless dresses, strapless bras, bras 10 with detachable bra straps, singlets and t-shirts and tube tops. Due to ethnic and socio-political requirements, women are at times required to wear garments that at least partly conceal the skin on the shoulders and arms. In particular, many Australian workplaces have a dress standard/policy that prohibits wearing garments 15 that expose the skin in these parts of the body. For instance, singlet that cover the inner shoulder region, but not the tip of the shoulder, are often prohibited. Notwithstanding these requirements, many women wish to wear shoulderless, sleeveless garments outside of environments in which there are restrictive dress standards. For example, in bars, restaurants, night clubs, etc. 20 In addition, many women desire having variation in their attire so that they can present relatively new and interesting ensembles. Cost considerations can limit the extent of this variety, and so it is relatively common for women to have a basic set of clothes and "accessorize" to create variety. 25 The present invention has been conceived in light of the above described background. 30 Summary of the invention The present invention provides a fashion accessory to be worn with a shoulderless, C:\ NRPonbl\D)COH RBOX M 740 LDOC -261OX/2011 -2 sleeveless and/or collarless garment that covers the wearer's bust, the fashion accessory comprising: material to extend behind the wearer's neck, and/or over one or both of the wearer's shoulders; 5 connectors attached to the material to detachably secure the fashion accessory to complimentary connectors on the garment that are adjacent the garment's neckline; and fabric that is connected to the material, the fabric providing coverage to portions of the wearer's body that include one or more of: the shoulders and arms. 10 The present invention also provides in combination, a fashion accessory and directions, the fashion accessory to be worn with a shoulderless, sleeveless and/or collarless garment that covers the wearer's bust and is for sale separately of the fashion accessory; the fashion accessory comprising: material to extend behind the wearer's neck, and/or over one or both of the wearer's 15 shoulders; connectors attached to the material, the connectors being for attachment to complimentary connectors adjacent the garment's neckline; and fabric that is connected to the material, the fabric providing coverage to portions of the wearer's body that include one or more of: the shoulders and arms; 20 the directions including for a wearer to secure the fashion accessory to the garment by connecting the connectors to the complimentary connectors of the garment. Preferably, the material and connectors can provide support to the garment to which the accessory is connected. 25 In certain embodiments, the material includes straps made of an inextensible material, wherein at least some of the connectors are attached to free ends of the straps. The length of the straps may be adjustable. 30 Each strap may have two connectors adjacent each free end such that each strap can be connected to two garments simultaneously. The strap may be forked adjacent the free C:\NRPortbl\DCC(RB\383874Jl DOC-26/OI2011 -3 end to form two legs that each have a connector. One of the legs may be releasably secured to the strap. Alternatively or additionally, the strap includes a ring from which the legs depend. 5 The fabric may conceal the material. In some embodiments, the fashion accessory has connectors to connect to complimentary connectors on the front of the garment. Additionally, the fashion accessory may have connectors to connect to complimentary connectors on the rear of the garment. 10 The material and fabric may be formed of a continuous piece of material. The fashion accessory may have a hem to which the connectors are secured. In some alternative embodiments, the material and fabric may be formed of common fabric. The common fabric may be cut to form panels that are sewn together. 15 The fashion accessory can comprise a separate left and right pair. The material of each member of the pair extending over one of the wearer's shoulders. The fabric forms a sleeve that extends from the material. The sleeve can be any of 20 a cap, %4 length, % length or full length. The present invention also provides a fashion accessory to be worn with a strapless undergarment that covers the wearer's bust, and shoulderless, sleeveless and/or collarless outergarment that covers the undergarment, the fashion accessory comprising: 25 material to extend behind the wearer's neck, and/or over one or both of the wearer's shoulders; a first set of connectors attached to the material to detachably secure the fashion accessory to a first set of complimentary connectors on the undergarment that are adjacent the undergarment's neckline; and 30 a second set of connectors attached to the material to detachably secure the fashion accessory to complimentary connectors of the outergarment that are adjacent the C:\NRPonbIDCC\HRB\38387401_ LDOC-26A)82011 -4 outergarment's neckline; wherein the fashion accessory provides support to both the undergarment and outergarment to prevent both the undergarment and outergarment from sliding down the wearer's torso. 5 The present invention also provides in combination, a fashion accessory and directions, fashion accessory to be worn with a strapless undergarment that covers the wearer's bust, and shoulderless, sleeveless and/or collarless outergarment that covers the undergarment, the undergarment and outergarment being for sale separately of the fashion 10 accessory; the fashion accessory comprising: material to extend behind the wearer's neck, and/or over one or both of the wearer's shoulders; a first set of connectors attached to the material to detachably secure the fashion accessory to a first set of complimentary connectors on the undergarment that are adjacent 15 the undergarment's neckline, such that the accessory provides support to the undergarment to prevent the undergarment from sliding down the wearer's torso; and a second set of connectors attached to the material to detachably secure the fashion accessory to complimentary connectors of the outergarment that are adjacent the outergarment's neckline, such that the accessory provides support to the outergarment to 20 prevent the outergarment from sliding down the wearer's torso; the directions including for a wearer to secure the fashion accessory to the garment by connecting the con sectors to the complimentary connectors of the garment. The fashion accessory further comprises fabric that is connected to the material, the 25 fabric providing coverage to portions of the wearer's body that include one or more of: the shoulders, arms, chest, and back. The material includes straps made of an inextensible material, wherein at least some of the connectors are attached to free ends of the straps. The length of the straps may 30 be adjustable.
C XNRPorbl\DCC\HRB0838740 L DOC-26/oAr2111 -5 The strap may be forked adjacent the free end to form two legs of which one leg has a connector of the first set, and the other leg has a connector of the second set. One of the legs may be releasably secured to the strap. Alternatively or additionally, the strap includes a ring from which the legs depend. 5 The fabric may conceal at least a portion of the material. Brief description of the drawings 10 In order that the invention may be more easily understood, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1: is a front view of a fashion accessory according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 15 Figure 2: is a rear view of the fashion accessory of Figure 1; Figure 3: is a view of the fashion accessory of Figure 1 worn by a model; Figure 4: is a front view of a fashion accessory according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5: is a rear view of the fashion accessory of Figure 4; 20 Figure 6: is an enlarged view of the sleeve cuff of the fashion accessory of Figure 4; Figure 7: is a front view of a fashion accessory according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8: is a rear view of the fashion accessory of Figure 7; 25 Figure 9: is an enlarged view of the sleeve cuff of the fashion accessory of Figure 7; Figure 10: is a front perspective view of a fashion accessory according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11: is a rear view of the fashion accessory of Figure 10; 30 Figure 12: is a front view of a fashion accessory according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; C \NRPorblIDCC\IHRB\353740_I.DOC-26/(/0W20I -6 Figure 13: is a rear view of the fashion accessory of Figure 12; Figure 14: is a view of the fashion accessory of Figure 12 worn by a model; Figure 15: is a front view of a fashion accessory according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 5 Figure 16: is a rear view of the fashion accessory of Figure 15; Figure 17: is a view of the fashion accessory of Figure 15 worn by a model. Figure 18: is a view of a left and right pair of strap ends of the fashion accessory of Figure 15; Figure 19: is a view of a left and right pair of strap ends of a fashion accessory 10 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 20: is a view of a left and right pair of strap ends of a fashion accessory according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. 15 Detailed description Figures 1 to 3 show a fashion accessory 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the accessory 10 is to be worn with a shoulderless, sleeveless garment G that covers the wearer's bust. The fashion accessory 10 has material 12 that, in this embodiment is to extend behind the wearer's neck, as well as 20 over both of the wearer's shoulders. Connectors 14 are attached to the material 12, which allow the fashion accessory 10 to be detachably secured to complimentary connectors (not shown) on the garment G that are adjacent the garment's neckline N. The connection of the fashion accessory 10 to the garment G aids in minimizing relative movement of the accessory 10 in the region of the connection, which gives the appearance of apparent unity 25 between the accessory 10 and the garment G. The accessory 10 also has fabric 16 that is connected to the material. As shown in Figure 3, the fabric 16 in this embodiment provides coverage to the wearer's shoulders. The fabric 16 forms capped sleeves, that each extend outwardly over the wearer's 30 shoulders. Thus, the fabric 16 is designed to cover the wearer's shoulders from a neckline 26 of the accessory 10 outwardly beyond the tips of the shoulders and, in this embodiment, C-NRPonbl\DCCHRBU1X38740_ .DOC-26/)/201 1 -7 to the uppermost part of each arm. In this particular embodiment, the fabric 16 also provides coverage to the wearer's upper back. Furthermore, the fabric 16 forms an upstanding collar that covers the rear of 5 the wearer's neck. The fashion accessory 10 has the advantage of covering the wearer's entire shoulders, which can be sufficient to satisfy certain dress code requirements. When the accessory 10 is worn with a strapless garment G, the accessory further provides the 10 function of minimizing the garment G sliding down the wearer's torso. In this particular embodiment, the material 12 and fabric 16 are formed of a continuous piece of material, which performs the function of both support and cover. The fashion accessory has a hem 18 about its periphery to which the connectors 14 are secured. 15 In this embodiment, the connectors 14 are bra hooks, which are to connect with complimentary connectors in the form of eyelets. As will be appreciated, the complimentary connectors on the garment G are usually secured internally of the garment immediately below the neckline N. Thus, when the fashion accessory 10 is worn, the 20 connectors 14 are concealed beneath the garment G. In this particular embodiment, the material and fabric is made of an openwork fabric. However, it will be appreciated that in some alternative embodiments, fabric of a tight weave or knit may be used. For the purposes of this specification, the term "fabric" is 25 used to include: cloths formed of woven fibres, knitted strands, openwork netting of strands; leathers and other non-synthetic textiles; and synthetic textiles. In Figure 3, the garment G is a strapless dress. However, the garment could alternatively be a strapless bra. 30 The fashion accessory 10 is a product independent of an actual garment in the C:\NRPorbIq\COHRBU838740_ IDOC-26M/20 11 -8 manner of, for example, a scarf, shawl, and the like. Thus, the fashion accessory can be worn with separately purchased garments and provides flexibility to the wearer's overall wardrobe. For this reason, the fashion accessory can be provided with directions for a wearer to secure the fashion accessory 10 to the garment G by connecting the connectors to 5 the complimentary connectors of the garment. Figures 4 to 6 show a fashion accessory 110 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Features of the fashion accessory 110 that correspond with like features of the fashion accessory 10 have the same reference numeral 10 with the prefix "1". Significantly, the fashion accessory 110 differs from the fashion accessory 10 in that the material forms of a pair of straps 112. The connectors 114 are attached to free ends of the straps 112. Each strap 112 is to extend over one of the wearer's shoulders. 15 Thus, each strap 112 has two free ends, with a connector 114 at each end. This enables the straps 112 to be connected to complimentary connectors at the front and rear of a garment. The fabric of the fashion accessory 110 forms a pair of sleeves 116 that are each stitched to one of the straps 112. Thus, the fabric 16 in this embodiment provides coverage 20 to the wearer's arms. The straps 112 are made of a substantially inextensible material, which minimizes movement of the fashion accessory 110 on the wearer. The length of the straps may be adjustable. To this end, each strap 112 has an adjuster 120 of the conventional 25 arrangement, as shown in Figure 5. Each sleeve 116 is full length in that it has a cuff 122 at the outer end, which is intended to be worn around the wearer's wrist. 30 Figures 7 to 9 show a fashion accessory 210 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. Features of the fashion accessory 210 that correspond with like C(NRPortblDCC\HRB\3H38740_ IDOC.26/8/20 i -9 features of the fashion accessory 1 10 have the same reference numeral with the prefix "2" instead of the prefix "1". The primary construction difference between the fashion accessories 1 10 and 210 is 5 that the fashion accessory 210 has cuffs 222 that are to be worn around the wearer's hand, with part of the sleeve 216 covering the back of the wearer's hand. To this end, each cuff 222 includes a finger loop 224 through which a wearer's middle finger can pass. Figure 10 and I I show a fashion accessory 310 in accordance with a fourth 10 embodiment of the present invention. Features of the fashion accessory 310 that correspond with like features of the fashion accessory 10 have the same reference numeral with the prefix "3". Similarly to the fashion accessory 10, the fashion accessory 310 has material and 15 fabric formed of a common fabric, which is a tulle-like openwork fabric. The accessory 10 has front and rear panels that are sewn together to form a single continuous piece of material. However, in the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11, the fashion accessory 310 does not have a hem. 20 The front and rear panels each have two short straps 312, with the connectors 314 attached to free ends of the straps 3 12. The material is also cut to form fabric 3 16 provides coverage to the wearer's shoulders, from the neckline 326 outwardly to at least the tip of the wearer's shoulder, and also to the wearer's back and chest. Furthermore, the fabric is cut so as to define a head hole. 25 Figure 12 to 14 show a fashion accessory 410 in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Features of the fashion accessory 410 that correspond with like features of the fashion accessory 10 have the same reference numeral with the prefix "4". 30 As shown in Figure 14, the accessory 410 is to be worn with a shoulderless, C-\NRPortbl\DCC\HRB\3 740_1 DOC-26/O/2011 - 10 sleeveless garment G that covers the wearer's bust. The fashion accessory 10 has material 12 that, in this embodiment is to extend behind the wearer's neck, as well as over both of the wearer's shoulders. The garment G illustrated in Figure 14 is a known as a tube top. 5 The fashion accessory 410 consists of a separate left and right pair. The fabric 416 of each member of the pair extends over one of the wearer's shoulders, and from an inner neckline 426 outwardly beyond the tip of the respective shoulder of the wearer. Each member of the pair of fashion accessory 410 has material and fabric formed 10 of a single continuous piece of fabric. The material is cut to form four short straps 412, with the connectors 414 attached to free ends of the straps 412. The material is also cut to form fabric 416 provides coverage to the wearer's shoulders, forming capped sleeves. It will be appreciated that to alter or improve aesthetic appeal of the accessory, in 15 some embodiments, layers of fabric may be sewn into the accessory. Multiple folds can be sewn into the layer(s) of fabric. Alternatively or additionally, adornments, such as diamantes, pearls, beads, sequins and the like can be sewn onto or into the fabric. Figures 15 to 18 show a fashion accessory 510 in accordance with a sixth 20 embodiment of the present invention. The fashion accessory 510 is to be worn with a strapless undergarment (not shown in Figure 17) that covers the wearer's bust, and shoulderless, sleeveless and/or collarless outergarment G that is worn over the undergarment. In Figure 18, the garment is a strapless dress. 25 The fashion accessory 510 includes material that is to extend behind the wearer's neck. In this particular embodiment, the material includes a collar 530 that in use is to be fastened around a wearer's neck, and a pair of straps 532. The straps 532 may be connected directly to the collar 530, or via an intermediate panel that is connected to the collar 530. 30 The fashion accessory 510 has a first set of connectors 534 attached to the straps C:\NRPonb\DCCHRB\3"V740_. DOC-26A/201 - 11 532 for detachably securing the fashion accessory 510 to a first set of complimentary connectors on the undergarment that are adjacent the undergarment's neckline. In addition, fashion accessory 510 has a second set of connectors 536 attached to the straps 532 for detachably securing the fashion accessory 510 to complimentary connectors of the 5 outergarment G that are adjacent the outergarment's neckline. Thus, the fashion accessory 510 provides support to both the undergarment and outergarment G to prevent both the undergarment and outergarment G from sliding down the wearer's torso. The fashion accessory 510 further comprises fabric 516 that is connected to the 10 collar 530. In this particular embodiment, the fabric 516 provides coverage to portions of the wearer's body chest. In this particular embodiment, the fabric 516 is shaped to have a cravat-like appearance. However, in certain alternative embodiments, the fabric can provide coverage to 15 any one or more of the wearer's shoulders, arms, and/or back. Furthermore, in some alternative embodiments, the fabric can be shaped to be optionally worn as a hood or cowl, to provide coverage to the wearer's hair. As shown in Figures 15 and 17, the fabric 516 substantially conceals the straps 532. 20 As shown in Figure 18, in this particular embodiment, each strap 532 is forked adjacent the free end to form two legs 538a, 538b of which one leg 538a has one connector 534 of the first set, and the other leg 538b has a connector 536 of the second set. Each strap 532 include a ring 540 from which the legs 538 depend. 25 Figure 19 shows a pair of straps 632 that forms part of the material of a fashion accessory according to a seventh embodiment. The straps 632 differ from the straps 532 in two significant ways. Firstly, each leg 638a, 638b has a different length. This facilitates ensuring that the neckline of the undergarment is below that of the outergarment. 30 Secondly, the legs 638a form a continuation of the strap 632, and the legs 638b are CVNRPonbI\DCC\HRB\3H38740_1 DOC-26A/W21Ill - 12 stitched to strap 632. Figure 20 shows a pair of straps 732 that forms part of the material of a fashion accessory according to an eighth embodiment. The straps 732 are similar to the straps 632, 5 but differ in that legs 738b are releasably attached to the strap 732. To this end, a press stud like fastener 742 is used to provide the releasable attachment of the legs 738b to the respective strap 732. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context 10 requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.