GB2482052A

GB2482052A - Fastening arrangements for clothing

Info

Publication number: GB2482052A
Application number: GB1111753.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alexander Liam Anglin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-07-13
Filing date: 2011-07-11
Publication date: 2012-01-18
Also published as: GB201011773D0; GB201111753D0

Abstract

A fastening arrangement 10 for clothing comprises a fastening means 14 comprising an insertion member 16 for insertion through the item of clothing and a protector 18 for disposal on the insertion member. The arrangement preferably comprises a mounting means having the fastening means thereon, which may comprise a band 12 for arrangement around the limb of a wearer or a tongue (60, figure 10) that may be received in a shoe of a wearer. The insertion member preferably comprises a pin 16 having a sharp tip (22, figure 8), the protector providing a cover 18 for the tip. The protector may comprise a gripping arrangement (30), moveable between gripping and release positions, release members (34) that can be manipulated, and urging means (40) to urge the gripping arrangement to the gripping position. Also disclosed is a method of fastening an article of clothing using the fastening arrangement of the invention, which may include folding an end region of the article of clothing around the limb of a wearer to a tightened condition, and an item of clothing comprising a main portion and a fastening arrangement comprising fastening means to fasten the main portion to the fastening arrangement. The fastening arrangement may be used to secure hems of trouser legs or rolled up shirt sleeves.

Description

Fastening Arrangement for Clothing This invention relates to fastening arrangements for clothing. Embodiments of this invention relate to fastening arrangements for securing the lower hem regions of trouser legs, and to securing rolled up shirt sleeves.

The lower hem of trouser legs can often become worn by dragging along the ground, and it is desirable to prevent this from happening. One way of attempting to prevent such wear is to sew or glue a tape onto the lower hem of the trouser legs. Additionally, it has become fashionable for trouser legs to be According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a fastening arrangement for clothing, the fastening arrangement comprising fastening means to fasten a portion of an item of clothing to the fastening arrangement, wherein the fastening means comprises an insertion member for insertion through the item of clothing.

The fastening arrangement may be in the form of a fastening accessory.

The fastening arrangement may further include a protector which can be disposed on the insertion member to prevent inadvertent dislodging of the clothing from the insertion member. The fastening arrangement may include mounting means to mount the fastening arrangement on a limb of a wearer.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided an item of clothing comprising a main portion and a fastening arrangement, the fastening arrangement comprising fastening means to fasten said main portion to the fastening arrangement.

In one embodiment, the fastening means may comprise stitching so that the main portion is fastened to the fastening arrangement by said stitching.

In one embodiment, the fastening means may comprise an insertion member for insertion through the main portion of the item of clothing.

The main portion may comprise a limb of the item of clothing. The item of clothing may comprise a pair of trousers, and the main portion may comprise a trouser leg.

According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method of fastening an item of clothing, the method comprising arranging fastening means on a limb of a wearer, the fastening means comprising an insertion member, wherein the method further includes inserting the insertion member through the item of clothing.

The fastening means may include a protector for the insertion member. The method may include disposing the protector on the insertion member to prevent inadvertent dislodging of the clothing from the insertion member.

The method may comprise arranging a mounting means on a limb of a wearer.

The mounting means may have the fastening means thereon.

The method may comprise folding an end region of the article of clothing around the rim of the wearer to a tightened condition, and fastening the clothing with the fastening means in said tightened condition. The folding of the end region may provide a folded portion which can be fastened by the fastening means.

The insertion member may comprise a pin, which may have a sharp tip. The protector may be disposed on the sharp tip of the pin. The protector may comprise a cover for the pin.

The protector may comprise a gripping arrangement for gripping the insertion member. The gripping arrangement may be movable between a gripping position in which the gripping arrangement grips the insertion member and a released position in which the gripping arrangement is released from the insertion member.

The method may comprise moving the gripping arrangement between the gripping position and the released position.

The protector may include release members which can be manipulated to move the gripping arrangement from the gripping to the released position. The gripping arrangement may comprise urging means to urge the gripping arrangement to the gripping position.

The method may comprise manipulating the release members to move the gripping arrangement from the gripping to the released position. The method may comprise moving the gripping arrangement to the gripping position to grip the insertion member.

The fastening arrangement may comprise a mounting means to mount the fastening arrangement on a limb of a wearer. The fastening means may be provided on the mounting means.

In one embodiment, the mounting means may comprise a flexible material which can be arranged around the limb of the wearer. The mounting means may comprise a band which can be arranged around the limb of the wearer.

In said one embodiment, the mounting means may comprise attaching formations at opposite end regions to attach said opposite end regions to one another when the mounting means is arranged around the limb of the wearer.

The attaching formations may comprise hook and loop formations. An example of a material having suitable such hook and loop formations is sold under the trade mark Velcro.

In another embodiment, the mounting means may comprise an endless resilient material, which may be stretchable for mounting around the limb of the wearer.

In another embodiment, the mounting means may comprise an elongate member, such as a ribbon or a strip of lace. The elongate member may have opposite end regions for securing the elongate member around the limb of the wearer. The opposite end regions may be tied to one another to secure the elongate member around the limb of the wearer.

The fastening means may further include an extension member extending from the mounting means to the insertion member. The extension member may be elongate. The extension member may comprise a tab or a strip.

The extension member may be formed of a textile material. Where the invention comprises an item of clothing, the extension member may be secured to the main portion of the item of clothing, for example by stitching.

In a further embodiment, the mounting means may comprise fixing means, such as an adhesive, a stud or a rivet, to mount the fastening arrangement on the item of clothing a portion of which is to be fastened.

In a further embodiment, the mounting means may comprise a tongue, which may be mounted on the limb of the wearer by being received in a shoe of the wearer.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear perspective view of a fastening arrangement; Figure 2 is a front perspective view of a fastening arrangement; Figure 3 is a close up view of fastening means, being part of the fastening arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, the fastening means comprising an insertion member and a protector; Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of a fastening arrangement mounted on an ankle of a wearer; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the insertion member and the protector, with the protector detached from the insertion member; Figure 6 shows a trouser leg of a wearer being manipulated to insert the insertion member therethrough; Figure 7 shows the lower hem of a trouser leg fastened by the fastening arrangement; Figures 8A to 80 show the cover and its mode of operation; Figure 9 shows a further embodiment, which allows adjustment of the position of the insertion member; Figures 1OA and lOB show another embodiment which can be mounted to the wearer's limb within a shoe; Figure 11 shows an embodiment in which the fastening arrangement is fixed to an item of clothing; Figure 12 shows the embodiment shown in Figure 11, in which a folded portion of the item of clothing is pierced by the insertion member; Figure 13 shows another embodiment of a fastening arrangement; Figure 14 shows another embodiment comprising an item of clothing incorporating a fastening arrangement; and Figure 15 shows yet another embodiment comprising an item of clothing incorporating a fastening arrangement A fastening arrangement for clothing 10 is shown generally in Figures 1 and 2.

The fastening arrangement 10 comprises a mounting means 12 in the form of a band of a resilient material. In one embodiment, the mounting means 12 may comprise a continuous loop of an elastic cord, which can be arranged around the ankle of a wearer, by being slipped over the wearer's foot.

In an alternative embodiment, the mounting means 12 may comprise an elongate strip of a textile material, for example cotton or polyester, having opposite end regions.

In this alternative embodiment, attaching formations, in the form of hook and loop attaching formations, for example sold under the trade mark Velcro, are provided at the respective opposite end regions. Thus the end regions can be attached to each other when the mounting means is arranged around the ankle of a wearer inside the trouser leg.

A fastening means 14 is provided on the mounting means 12. The fastening means comprises an elongate textile extension member 15 attached to the mounting means 12. The extension member 12 extends downwardly from the mounting means 12. The fastening means 14 further includes a fastening device 14A comprising an insertion member in the form of a pin 16 and a protector in the form of a cover 18 for the pin 16.

The pin 16 is provided at the lower end of the extension member 15. The pin 16 extends through the lower end of the extension member 15 and is attached to the extension member 15 by a suitable adhesive.

The pin 16 comprises a shank 20 having a proximal end region 20A and a distal end region 20B. The distal end region 20B has a sharp tip 22. The shank 20 has a recessed region 24 extending circumferentially around the shank 20.

Referring to Figures 8A to 80, a fastening device 14A is shown. The cover 18 has a body 26 defining an aperture 28 to receive the distal end region 20B of the pin 16. A gripping arrangement 30 is provided within the body 26. The gripping arrangement 30 cooperates with the pin 16 when the distal end region 20B is received in the aperture 28 to hold the cover 18 on the pin 16.

The gripping arrangement 30 comprises a plurality of gripping members 32, which may be spherical, and may be in the form of balls. The gripping members 32 are received in the circumferentially extending recessed region 24 to secure the cover 18 on the pin 16. The gripping arrangement 30 further includes a release member 34 which is movable between release and gripping positions, shown respectively in Figures 80 and 8B, In the release position, the pin 16 is released from the gripping arrangement 30. In the gripping position, the pin 16 is secured by the gripping arrangement 30.

A race 36 is provided on the release member 34 to hold the gripping members 32.

The race defines an aperture 38 through which the tip 22 of the pin 16 can be inserted.

The gripping arrangement 30 further includes an urging member 40 to urge the gripping members 32 inwardly. The urging member 40 extends across the body 26 and defines an aperture 42 to receive the race 36 and the gripping members 32. An annular urging formation 44 extends around the aperture 42 to engage the gripping members 32 and urge them towards each other when the release member 34 is pushed into the gripping position.

The pin 16 is inserted into the cover 18, as shown in Figure 8A. This pushes the release member 34 away from the body 26 in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 8B. The gripping members 32 are thus released from the urging formation 44. As the pin 16 is inserted between the gripping members 32 move outwardly, as indicated by the arrows B in Figure 8B to accommodate the tip 22 of the pin 16 therebetween. The gripping members 32 are received in the circumferential recess 24.

In order for the pin 16 to be gripped by the gripping arrangement 30, the release member 34 is moved back to the gripping position, so that the gripping members 32 are arranged within the aperture 42. The gripping members 32 are urged tightly into the circumferential recess 24 by the annular urging formation 44, thereby gripping the pin 16.

In order to release the pin 16 from the gripping arrangement 30, the gripping member is pulled away from the body 16, in the direction shown by the arrow A in Figure 8B. This allows the gripping members 32 to move outwardly, as indicated by the arrows 8B, to allow the cover 18 to be removed from the pin 16.

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, there is shown the fastening arrangement 10 mounted around an ankle 100 of a wearer. As can be seen, the mounting means extends around the ankle of the wearer.

In Figure 4, the cover 18 is shown on the distal end region 20B of the pin 16.

Figure 5 shows the same as Figure 4, but with the cover 18 removed from the pin 16.

Figure 6 shows the next stage in the method of fastening the lower end 104 of a leg of a pair of trousers. In Figure 6, the wearer manipulates the lower end 104 such that it is folded around the ankle 100 of the wearer, thereby providing a folded portion 106 tightened around the ankle.

The folded portion 106 is then arranged such that the pin 16 pierces the folded portion 106. As shown in Figure 7, the cover 18 is then arranged on the pin 16, and holds the folded portion 106 of the trouser leg 104 in place on the pin 16.

There is thus provided a fastening arrangement for clothing which allows the wearer to secure the lower hem of his or her trousers in place, thereby creating a desirable and fashionable appearance. In the embodiment described above, the cover 18 is on visible after the folded portion 106 of the trouser leg 104 has been fastened. Therefore, it provides a suitable space on which companies may wish to show their logos.

If desired, the fastening arrangement 10 can be left fastened to the trouser leg 104 when the trousers are removed. This avoids any risk of losing the fastening arrangement 10 or any of its components.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the position of the pin 16 on the extension member 14 can be adjustable. The pin 16 may be secured to an adjustment means in the form of a buckle 50, which can be moved along the extension member 14 as desired.

The buckle 50 comprises a pair of receiving apertures 52, through which the extension member 14 can extend. The extension member 14 can be folded around the buckle 50, as shown to secure the extension member thereto.

In a further embodiment, shown in Figures 10 A and lOB, the mounting means 12 is in the form of a flexible tongue 60, which can be arranged within a shoe 62.

The fastening means 10 shown in Figures 1OA and lOB is held in the shoe 62 In a further modification, shown in Figures 11 and 12, the mounting means may comprise a stud or rivet, or adhesive, to fixedly mount the pin 16 to the lower region of the trouser leg 104. The cover 18 is removed, and the lower end of the trouser leg 104 is folded tightly around the wearer's leg. The folded portion 106 is pierced by the pin 16, as shown in Figure 12, and the cover 18 is then replaced over the pin 16.

There are thus described embodiments of a fastening arrangement 10 that allow the lower end region of a trouser leg to be folded tightly around the wearer's leg, and held securely in place.

The above described embodiments provide an advantage that they allow a secure fastening of the hem that is unlikely to come loose inadvertently. In addition, the fastening device 14A is a small and discrete, allowing trousers to be worn in a fashionable manner that does not draw unnecessary attention to the manner in which that is achieved.

A further modification is shown in Figure 13, in which the mounting means 12 is in the form of a strip of lace 108 having end regions 108A and 108B and a main part 1080. The main part 1080 can be wrapped around the wearer's leg, and the end regions can be tied together, for example by tying a bow 110, to secure the strip of lace 108 to the wearer's leg.

The fastening device 14A shown in Figure 13 includes the features of the fastening device 14A described above, and is used in the same way.

Figure 14 shows a further embodiment, in which the fastening arrangement 10 is incorporated into an item of clothing 200. In Figure 14, the item of clothing 200 comprises a pair of trousers, having a trouser leg 202 with a lower end region 204. A fastening arrangement 210 is fastened within the trouser leg 202, at the lower end region 204, as explained below.

The fastening arrangement 210 comprises mounting means 212 and fastening means 214. The mounting means 212 is in the form of an endless band of a fabric material. The fastening means 214 comprises an extension member 215 extending from the mounting means 212. The fastening means further includes stitching 216 to secure the extension member 215 to the lower end region 202 of the trouser leg 204.

The mounting means 212 is thus held within the trouser leg 202 as an integral part of the item of clothing 200. A fastening device 214A is secured to the extension member 215. The fastening device 214A is the same as the fastening device 14A, described above, and comprises a pin (not visible in Figure 14), which is attached to the extension member 215 and extends through the lower end region 204 of the trouser leg 202. The fastening device 214A further includes a protector in the form of a cover 218, removably mounted on the pin to provide protection.

Alternatively, the item of clothing could be sold without the fastening device 214A, which could be obtained separately by the wearer. The fastening device 214A can then be arranged on the item of clothing 210 by inserting the pin through the extension member 215 and through the lower region 204 of the trouser leg 202.

The cover 218 can then be disposed on the pin for protection.

In use, the wearer inserts his or her foot through the mounting means 212 until the mounting means 212 is arranged around the ankle of the wearer. The cover 18 is then removed from the pin, and the lower region 204 of the trouser leg 202 is then folded as described above. The pin is inserted through the folded portion, and the cover 218 arranged on the pin, in the manner described anove.

Figure 15 shows yet another embodiment, which is similar to the invention shown in Figure 14, and comprises an item of clothing 300 in the form of a pair of trousers. In Figure 15 only the lower end region 302 of one of the trouser legs 304 is shown.

A fastening arrangement 310 is provided within the trouser leg 304. The fastening arrangement 310 comprises mounting means 312 in the form of an endless band of a fabric material. The fastening arrangement 312 further includes fastening means 314 comprising an extension member 315 and stitching 316 to secure the extension member 315 to the lower end region 302 of the trouser leg 304.

In use, the wearer inserts his or her foot through the mounting means 312, so that the mounting means 312 is arranged around the ankle of the wearer. This has the effect that the lower end region 302 of the trouser leg 304 is held to the leg of the wearer, thereby preventing unwanted movement of the lower end region 302 of the trouser leg 304.

Claims

Claims 1. A fastening arrangement for clothing, the fastening arrangement comprising a fastening means to fasten a portion of an item of clothing to the fastening arrangement, wherein the fastening means comprises an insertion member for insertion through the item of clothing, and the fastening arrangement further includes a protector which can be disposed on the insertion member to prevent inadvertent dislodging of the clothing from the insertion member.
2. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 1, comprising a mounting means which can be arranged on a limb of a wearer, the mounting means having the fastening means thereon.
3. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein the mounting means comprises a flexible material which can be arranged around the limb of the wearer.
4. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 3, wherein the mounting means comprises a band which can be arranged around the limb of the wearer.
5. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 4, wherein the mounting means comprises attaching formations at opposite end regions of the band to attach said opposite end regions to one another when the mounting means is arranged around the limb of the wearer.
6. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 5, wherein the attaching formations comprise hook and loop formations.
7. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the mounting means comprises an endless resilient material, which can be stretched for mounting around the limb of the wearer.
8. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein the mounting means comprises an elongate flexible member, having end regions which can be tied to one another to secure the mounting means around the limb of the wearer.
9. A fastening arrangement according to any of Claims 2 to 8, wherein the fastening means further includes an extension member extending from the mounting means to the insertion member.
10. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 9, wherein the extension member is elongate and is formed of a textile material.
11. A fastening arrangement according to any of Claims 2 to 10, wherein the mounting means comprises fixing means to mount the fastening arrangements on the item of clothing a portion of which is to be fastened.
12. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 2, wherein the mounting means comprises a tongue, which can be mounted on the limb of the wearer by being received in a shoe of the wearer.
13. A fastening arrangement according to any preceding Claim, wherein the insertion member comprises a pin having a sharp tip, the protector being disposed on the sharp tip of the pin, whereby the protector provides a cover for the tip.
14. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 13, wherein the protector comprises a gripping arrangement for gripping the insertion member, the gripping arrangement being movable between a gripping position in which the gripping arrangement grips the insertion member and a released position in which the gripping arrangement is released from the insertion member.
15. A fastening arrangement according to Claim 14, wherein the protector includes release members which can be manipulated to move the gripping arrangement from the gripping to the released position, and the gripping arrangement comprises urging means to urge the gripping arrangement to the gripping position.
16. A method of fastening an item of clothing, the method comprising arranging fastening means on a limb of a wearer, the fastening means comprising an insertion member and a protector for the insertion member, wherein the method further includes inserting the insertion member through the item of clothing, and disposing the protector on the insertion member to prevent inadvertent dislodging of the clothing from the insertion member.
17. A method according to Claim 16, comprising arranging a mounting means on a limb of a wearer, the mounting means having the fastening means thereon.
18. A method according to Claim 16 or 17, wherein the mounting means comprises a flexible material, and the method comprises arranging the flexible material around the limb of the wearer.
19. A method according to Claim 18, wherein the mounting means comprises a band, and the method comprises arranging the band around the limb of the wearer.
20. A method according to Claim 19, wherein the mounting means comprises attaching formations at opposite end regions, and the method comprises attaching said opposite end regions to one another when the mounting means is arranged around the limb of the wearer.
21. A method according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein, the mounting means comprises an endless resilient material, and the method comprises stretching the resilient material to arrange the mounting means around the limb of the wearer.
22. A method according to Claim 17, wherein the mounting means comprises a tongue, and the method comprises inserting the tongue in a shoe of the wearer, thereby to mount the mounting means on a limb of the wearer.
23. A method according to Claim 18 or 19, wherein the mounting means comprises an elongate flexible member, having end regions and the method comprises tying the end regions to one another to secure the mounting means around the limb of the wearer.
24. A method according to any of Claims 16 to 23 comprising folding an end region of the article of clothing around the limb of the wearer to a tightened condition, and fastening the clothing with the fastening means in said tightened condition.
25. A method according to Claim 24, wherein the folding of the end region provides a folded portion which can be fastened by the fastening means.
26. A method according to any of Claims 16 to 25, wherein the insertion member comprises a pin having a sharp tip, and the method comprises disposing the protector on the sharp tip of the pin.
27. A method according to any of Claims 16 to 26, wherein the protector comprises a gripping arrangement for gripping the insertion member, the gripping arrangement being movable between a gripping position in which the gripping arrangement grips the insertion member and a released position in which the gripping arrangement is released from the insertion member, and the method comprises moving the gripping arrangement between the gripping position and the released position.
28. A method according to Claim 27, wherein the protector includes release members which can be manipulated to move the gripping arrangement from the gripping to the released position, and the method comprises manipulating the release members to move the gripping arrangement from the gripping to the released position.
29. A method according to Claim 28, wherein the method comprises moving the gripping arrangement to the gripping position to grip the insertion member.
30. An item of clothing incorporating a fastening arrangement as claimed in any preceding Claim.
31. An item of clothing comprising a main portion and a fastening arrangement, the fastening arrangement comprising fastening means to fasten said main portion to the fastening arrangement.
32. An item of clothing according to Claim 31, wherein the fastening means comprises stitching, and the fastening arrangement is fastened to the main portion by said stitching.
33. An item of clothing according to Claim 31 or 32, wherein the main portion comprises a limb of the item of clothing.
34. An item of clothing according to Claim 31, 32 or 33, wherein the item of clothing comprises a pair of trousers, and the main portion comprises a trouser leg.
35. An item of clothing according to any of Claims 31 to 34, wherein the fastening arrangement is as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 15.
36. A fastening arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
37. A fastening arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.
38. A fastening arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 OA and 1 OB of the accompanying drawings.
39. A fastening arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 13 of the accompanying drawings.
40. A fastening arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 14 of the accompanying drawings.
41. A fastening arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 15 of the accompanying drawings.
42. A method of fastening an item of clothing substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.
43. A method of fastening an item of clothing substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings.
44. A method of fastening an item of clothing substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 OA and 1 OB of the accompanying drawings.
45. A method of fastening an item of clothing substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 11 and 12 of the accompanying drawings.