GB2452511A

GB2452511A - Lace and loop assembly system

Info

Publication number: GB2452511A
Application number: GB0717276A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Benjamin Holmes Peter Shine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-09-05
Filing date: 2007-09-05
Publication date: 2009-03-11
Also published as: GB0717276D0

Abstract

An assembly system is provided for connecting together a plurality of flexible construction pieces (14,15) using an elongate connecting element (16), in particular a lace, that can be threaded through a series of loop formations (10,11) provided along the edges of the construction pieces and secured. The system can be used for making articles including clothing, cushions and bags. The loop formations may be in the form of closed loops formed along edges of two flexible construction pieces, such as panels for an item of clothing. The lace may be connected at one end to one of the panels and the free end of the lace is attached to the other panel after threading through the loops. The loops may be integral to the panel or may be formed from looped material sewn thereto. The free end can be attached by a stopper (25, 26) and hole 12 arrangement or by a clip or hook (31). The system may also include an elongate needle which is removeably fastened to the free end for threading of the lace.

Description

An assembly system This invention relates to an assembly system for connecting together a plurality of flexible construction pieces to form an article.

According to the invention there is provided an assembly system for connecting together a plurality of flexible construction pieces to form an article, wherein loop formations are provided along edges of the respective construction pieces and one or more elongate connecting elements are provided which are threadable through the ioop formations whereby to enable said construction pieces to be connected together along their edges.

By way of example, various embodiments of an assembly system according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates the basic mode of operation of the assembly system, Figures 2 and 3 illustrate various different loop formation arrangements, Figure 4 illustrates various different connecting element arrangements, Figures 5 to 9 illustrate use of the assembly system to form articles of clothing, Figure 10 illustrates use of the assembly system to form a cushion, Figure 11 illustrates use of the assembly system to form a cap, Figure 12 illustrates use of the assembly system to form a bag, and Figure 13 illustrates use of a device to assist threading of the connecting element.

As seen in Figure 1, loop formations 10, 11, here in the form of a series of closed ioops, are provided along edges 12, 13 of two flexible construction pieces 14, 1 5, here panels of material for an item of clothing. As will be seen, the loops of the loop formations 10, 11 are spaced apart at regular intervals so as to allow interleaving between the loops of the respective construction pieces 14, 15. A connecting element 16, here in the form of a lace, is threadable through the loops of the two construction pieces 14, 15 thereby connecting the two pieces together along respective edges (Figure 1(c)).

The connecting element 16 is attached at one end to one of the construction pieces, here piece 15. The free end of the connecting element 16 is attachable to the other of the construction pieces, here piece 14, after threading through the loops. The result is an effective and attractive seam having the appearance of a piping detail (Figure 1 (c)).

The loop formations 10, 11 may be formed in a number of different ways. For example, they may be constructed by sewing pieces of looped material 17 onto fabric or lengths of ribbon 18 to create a trim 19 that is then affixed to the edges of a construction piece 14, as seen in Figure 2. Alternatively, they may be constructed from a single length of material 20 that has rectangular sections 21 cut out at even internals along its length, as seen in Figure 3. The loops are formed when the material 20 is folded over. The length of material may then be affixed to the edge of the construction piece 14. The cut out sections 21 may be formed by laser or woven to create the design, and may be coated with an anti-fray solution or otherwise treated to prevent fraying.

In a further alternative, the loops may be constructed from the material of the construction piece itself. For example, in Figure 3(d) the construction piece 22 is a garment panel and has a wide edge portion 23 that allows for a series of evenly spaced rectangular holes 24 to be cut from the fabric. The edge portions 23 are then folded over on themselves through each cut out hole 24 so that a series of loops is created along the edge of the panel, following the principles illustrated in Figures 3(a) and (b). Similarly, the same principle may be applied to the construction piece 25 shown in Figure 3(e), which is a pocket panel. Using this technique, corners may be cut away and where a curved edge exists, provisions to accommodate both the curve and fold of the fabric would be made by way of snipping the fabric at intervals and stretching the fabric edge so that the desired neat loop effect is achieved. The rectangular holes may be cut by laser, and may be coated with an anti-fray solution or otherwise treated to prevent fraying.

The free end of the connecting element 16 is conveniently affixed to the construction piece 14 by means of a fastening or by threading the tip into a purpose designed hole or loop 29, to secure it on the back of the piece.

Figures 4(a), (b) and (c) show various forms of fixing arrangements for the connecting element 16. Figure 4(d) shows how the connecting element 16 may also be affixed using a stopper 25, 26 at its free end. The stopper 25, 26 is bigger than the diameter of the holding loop so the connecting element 16 cannot slip back through. The stopper 25, 26 may clip onto the end of the connecting element 16 or screw onto it as shown.

The end of the connecting element 16 may alternatively be tucked into a purpose designed hole 27 (Figure 4(e)) in the construction piece 14 or a fastener device such as a popper 28 may be incorporated to secure the element in place as shown in Figure 4(f). Alternatively, a clip or hook 30 may be incorporated on the end of the connecting element 16 to enable its attachment to a fixed loop 31 or the like (Figure 4(g)).

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The process of threading and securing each seam using the connecting element through the loops is repeated along each of the adjoining edges of the construction pieces until the article has been completed.

The article can just as easily be dis-assembled, simply by detaching the connecting elements from their fixings and removing them from the loop formations, allowing the construction pieces to be separated. This allows the possibility for endless combinations of pieces to be added together to form a whole variety of different articles.

Figure 5 illustrates how the system could be used for making a jacket, where the construction pieces are panels of material such as denim. Each panel has the loop detail that enables corresponding panels to be joined together. The connecting elements here are in the form of laces that may be provided separately or pre-fixed to each panel. Additional panels may be provided, for example to give the option of several different collars (a) and (b) or a hood (c). Various different front pocket flaps may be provided too in different colours/materials and may be affixable to the garment via zip, hook and loop or buttons or using the assembly system described above. These pocket flaps and collars may be varied in colour and texture so that they may be interchanged by the user to create different looks that have matching or contrasting details. In addition, a series of coloured button covers (e), badges, grip strip details and decorative accessories may be provided to enable further personalising of the garment by the user. Short sleeves may be added (f) and (g) and longer sleeves may be attached (h) and (i). The assembly kit may also provide embellishment details to create specific designs or characters. Such details may be in the form of fabrics, hook and loop material or paints and stencils. Additional details such as stick-on-letters, gems, feathers and sequins may also be provided.

Figure 6 shows a garment construction in more detail. Figure 6(a) shows an additional fabric strip 40 set behind the loop formations. This may be incorporated on some edges so as to prevent cold air being felt by the wearer should the seams stretch when the garment is being worn. The fabric strip 40 also helps to prevent gaps becoming visible along the joined edge.

Figure 7 shows how the construction pieces can be arranged and joined together interchangeably to create different finished articles. This may include a hood section (a), which can be substituted by various designs of collars (b) and (c). Sleeves can be added or removed (d) or the top portion of the sleeve can be added on its own to provide a short sleeve look (e). Pocket flaps can also be added on (f), (g) and (h). Hook and loop details may be incorporated into the construction pieces (i) so that details such as badges may be attached for decoration.

The ioop formations of two matching edges of adjoining construction pieces may be produced in contrasting colours so as to make the process of threading the connecting element easier. This may help to prevent the mistake of simply threading through two loops on the same edge, which will not enable a proper join to be made.

The edges of the construction pieces to be joined may vary in length. For example, on a garment, the side edge will typically be longer than the shoulder edge. Specific, pre-cut lengths of connecting element may be provided to accommodate this. Also, the connecting elements may be colour matched to the seams that they correspond to, so as to make the assembly process easier.

Figure 8 shows how the system may be used to make a sweatshirt. There is a front section (a), back section (b), sleeve sections (c) and (d) and a hood section (f). The panels from this sweatshirt may be designed to be interchangeable with the panels from the jacket of Figure 7, so that the sweatshirt hood andlor sleeves may be used in conjunction with the jacket and vice-versa.

Figure 9 shows how the system may be used to make a skirt. There are a number of sections that can be joined to the base mini-skirt hem so as to alter the design and change the length and style of the skirt. This kit may also include additional details such as badges, sequins and fabric paints in order to further personalise the design. Figure 9(b) shows the basic mini skirt, whilst Figure 9(c) shows the mini skirt with the joined knee length section, and Figure 9(d) shows the mini skirt with the full length section with a slit, that may be joined in such a way as it appears at the back, side or front.

Figure 10 shows how the system can be used to make a cushion. There is a cushion filling 50 and a back and front cover panels 51, 52, each with loop formations to enable them to be joined together around their edges.

Embellishment details to create specific designs or characters may additionally be provided. Such details may be in the form of fabrics, hook and loop details or paints and stencils. Additional details such as stick-on letters, gems, feathers and sequins may also be provided.

Figure 11 shows how the system can be used to make a cap. A suitable number of panels are provided to make the cap design, each with suitable loop formations along its edges. Embellishment details may also be provided to create specific designs or characters. Such details may be in the form of fabrics, hook and loop details or paints and stencils. Additional details such as stick-on letters, gems, feathers and sequins may also be provided.

Figure 12 shows how the system can be used to make a bag. The bag may take several forms depending upon the design, but will generally comprise side sections (a) and (b) and a base (c). These will have suitable loop formations along their edges. Additional details such as handles (d) and (e) and a fastening flap may also be provided. Such details may clip on via press-studs, screws or hook and loop details. Embellishment details (f) may also be provided to create specific designs or characters. Such details may be in the form of fabrics, hook and loop material or paint and stencils. Additional details such as stick-on letters, gems, feathers and sequins may also be provided.

Figure 13 shows a device to assist with threading the connecting element through the loops. The device comprises an elongate needle (a). The device may be attached to the end of the connecting element (b) by way of snap fastening, magnet, screw thread or another suitable means. Upon completing each seam, the device may be removed and the end of the connecting element can be fastened at the back of the construction piece using one of the methods described above.

Claims

Claims 1. An assembly system for connecting together a plurality of flexible construction pieces to form an article, wherein loop formations are provided along edges of the respective construction pieces and one or more elongate connecting elements are provided which are threadable through the loop formations whereby to enable said construction pieces to be connected together along their edges.
2. An assembly system as claimed in claim I wherein the loop formations are provided in the form of a multiplicity of closed loops.
3. An assembly system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the closed loops are spaced apart at regular intervals whereby to allow interleaving of the loops of respective construction pieces.
4. An assembly system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the loop formations are provided separately and are attachable to the construction pieces.
5. An assembly system as claimed in any one of claims I to 3 wherein the loop formations are provided as an integral part of the construction pieces.
6. An assembly system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the loop formations are provided in a colour and/or texture that contrasts with that of at least one of the construction pieces.
7. An assembly system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the loop formations are provided along two or more edges of a construction piece.
8. An assembly system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each connecting element is attached at one end thereof to a respective construction piece.
9. An assembly system as claimed in claim 8 wherein each construction piece comprises means for attaching thereto the free end of a connecting element.
10. An assembly system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the connecting element is in the form of a cord, lace or the like.
11. An assembly system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there is further provided a device for assisting threading of the connecting element through the loop formations.
12. An assembly system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the threading device is releasably connectable to the free end of the connecting element.
13. An assembly system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the article is an item of clothing and the construction pieces are in the form of panels of material andlor part clothing items, such as sleeves, leggings, hoods, pockets etc.
14. An assembly system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the article is an accessory item such as a handbag.
15. An assembly system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the article is an item of soft furnishing such as a cushion, cover, wallhanging etc.

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16. An assembly system as claimed in any one of claims Ito 10 wherein the article is a soft toy.
17. An assembly system substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. An article made in accordance with an assembly system as claimed in any preceding claim.