GB2435606A

GB2435606A - Corset busk

Info

Publication number: GB2435606A
Application number: GB0703212A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nichola Mcmorrough
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-25
Filing date: 2007-02-20
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2027-02-20
Also published as: GB2435606B; GB0603827D0; GB0703212D0; GB2435606A8

Abstract

A corset busk for a reversible corset includes a number of protruding pins 12a and 12b on both surfaces of the pin strip 10 thereby allowing the corset to be worn on the facing or reverse side.

Description

TITLE

Corset busks

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

This invention relates to corset busks, and in particular to corset busks that can be used to fasten reversible corsets.

Background Art

A corset busk is a fastening mechanism that is used to close the front centre of a corset. Traditional lacing can still be incorporated in the rear or side of the corset to allow for adjustment but the corset busk enables the wearer to fasten and unfasten the corset without assistance. A conventional corset busk usually consists of two strips (often, but not exclusively, made of coated or uncoated metal) that are sewn into opposite sides of the corset. The strips can be of any suitable length and width. The strips are often flat but in the case of a so-called "spoon" corset busk they may be curved.

One of the strips of the corset busk includes a number of protruding pins on one of its flat surfaces. The other strip includes a number of hooks or eyelets. The corset is placed around the wearer such that the strips of the corset busk are brought together at the front centre of the wearer. The protruding pins of the one strip can then be releasably engaged with the hooks or eyelets of the other strip to secure the two sides of the corset together.

Corsets are expensive to make because of the many tailoring processes and materials that are needed. Consumers increasingly demand value for money. The conventional corset busk only has protruding pins on one of the flat surfaces of the strip and this means that the corset can only be worn one-way. However, corsets would be better value for money if they could be reversible. This means that there is a need for a corset busk that can be fastened in both directions.

Summary of the Invention

To try and meet this need the applicant proposes a modification to the conventional corset busk.

The present invention therefore provides a corset busk comprising a first strip having a set of fasteners and a second strip having a first set of fasteners adapted to be releasably secured to the set of fasteners of the first strip characterised in that the second strip has a second set of fasteners adapted to be releasably secured to the set of fasteners of the first strip and wherein the first set of fasteners and the second set of fasteners of the second strip are provided on opposite surfaces of the second strip.

The first set of fasteners of the second strip can be provided by a number of protruding pins fixedly secured to a first surface of the second strip. Similarly, the second set of fasteners of the second strip can be provided by a number of protruding pins fixedly secured to a second surface of the second strip. The second strip therefore has pins extending out of both of its substantially flat surfaces allowing it to be releasably fastened to the first strip in both directions. This means that a corset incorporating the corset busk of the present invention can be worn with either its facing or reverse side outermost and is therefore better value for money.

The first and second sets of fasteners of the second strip can also be provided by a number of protruding pins slidably received in a corresponding number of apertures in the second strip. If fixed protruding pins are used then they may be shorter than the pins found on conventional corset busks to allow greater comfort for the wearer while still allowing enough distance for the corset fabric and fastening.

The set of fasteners of the first strip can be provided by a number of eyelets for receiving the protruding pins.

It is also possible for the set of fasteners of the first strip to be provided by a number of protruding pins and for the first and second sets of fasteners of the second strip to be provided by a number of eyelets for receiving the protruding pins. Other sorts of cooperating fasteners such as hooks, studs, loops, "hook and loop"-type fabric and press-type fasteners etc. may be used.

The first and second strips can have any suitable dimensions and may be made of any

suitable material.

The present invention also provides a reversible corset incorporating a corset busk as described above.

irawings An example of the present invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a conventional one-way corset busk; Figure 2 is a side view of the pin strip of the conventional one-way corset busk of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the pin strip of a corset busk according to the present invention; and Figures 4A to 4C show three different options for forming the protruding pins of the pin strip of Figure 3.

A conventional corset busk I will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

The corset busk includes a pin strip 2 and an eyelet strip 4 that are sewn into the sides of a corset (not shown) to enable the sides to be releasably secured together. A first surface 2a of the pin strip 2 includes a number of protruding pins 6. The other surface 2b of the pin strip is substantially flat. The eyelet strip 4 includes a number of eyelets 8 in register with the pins 6 of the pin strip 2. The number and spacing of the pins 6 and eyelets 8 will vary depending on the length and design requirements of the corset busk.

Each eyelet 8 has an opening 10 for receiving a head part of an associated pin 6. As shown in Figure 1, the opening 10 may be shaped so as to have a first region that is large enough to receive a head part of the associated pin 6 and a second region that is large enough to accommodate a shaft part of the associated pin but through which the head part of the pin cannot be removed. Once each pin 6 is received in the opening of its associated eyelet 8, a slight parting movement of the pin strip 2 and the eyelet strip 4 (for example when the sides of the corset are released) will usually be sufficient to move the shaft parts of the pins completely into the second region of each opening 10 to prevent the pins and the eyelets from becoming accidentally disengaged.

Figure 3 shows a pin strip 12 for a corset busk according to the present invention.

The eyelet strip will be substantially as shown in Figure 1.

It can be seen that a number of protruding pins I 4a are provided on a first surface I 2a of the pin strip 12 and a number of protruding pins I 4b are provided on a second surface 12b of the pin strip. This means that the pin strip 12 can be used to releasably secure the sides of a corset together in a reversible manner. For example, if the corset has a first (facing) surface and a second (reverse) surface then the corset can be worn with the first surface outermost by engaging each of the protruding pins 1 4a provided on the first surface 12a with an associated eyelet. However, the corset can also be worn with the second surface outermost by engaging each of the protruding pins 1 4b provided on the second surface 1 2b with an associated eyelet.

Figures 4A to 4C show three options for forming the pins 14a and 14b but others are possible. In a first option shown in Figure 4A, individual pins are fixedly secured (for example by riveting or welding) to both sides of the pin strip 12. The pins 14a and 14b are shown in register with each other but they can be offset with respect to each other as long as their spacing is such that they can all be received in the eyelets of the eyelet strip. In a second option shown in Figure 4B, the individual pins 14a and 14b are secured to both sides of the pin strip 12 using screws or other mechanical fixings.

In a third option shown in Figure 4C, the pins 14a and 14b are formed by a single pin having a shaft part 16 that is slidably received in a corresponding aperture provided in the pin strip 12 and two domed head parts 18 and 20. The head parts 18 and 20 retain the single pin within the corresponding aperture. The advantage of the third option is that the heads parts of the individual pins that are facing inwardly towards the body of the wearer (i.e. head parts that are not being received in the eyelets) will lie substantially flat against the pin strip 12 and will not be uncomfortable.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A corset busk comprising a first strip having a set of fasteners and a second strip having a first set of fasteners adapted to be releasably secured to the set of fasteners of the first strip characterised in that the second strip has a second set of fasteners adapted to be releasably secured to the set of fasteners of the first strip and wherein the first set of fasteners and the second set of fasteners of the second strip are provided on opposite surfaces of the second strip.

2. A corset busk according to claim 1, wherein the first set of fasteners of the second strip is provided by a number of protruding pins fixedly secured to a first surface of the second strip and the second set of fasteners of the second strip is provided by a number of protruding pins fixedly secured to a second surface of the second strip.

3. A corset busk according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sets of fasteners of the second strip are provided by a number of protruding pins slidably received in a corresponding number of apertures in the second strip.

4. A corset busk according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the set of fasteners of the first strip is provided by a number of eyelets for receiving the protruding pins.

5. A reversible corset incorporating a corset busk according to any preceding claim.

6. A corset busk substantially as herein described and with reference to Figure 3.