GB2488183A

GB2488183A - A garment strap

Info

Publication number: GB2488183A
Application number: GB1104191.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aretha Titilayo Solanke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-21
Filing date: 2011-03-14
Publication date: 2012-08-22
Also published as: GB201101093D0; GB201104191D0

Abstract

A tights, leggings and underwear elasticised adjustable strap 10 comprises button hole fastenings (15, figure 6) at each end and a mechanism 11 for adjusting its length between a maximum and a minimum length. A first end of the strap may be attached to a wearerâ s brassiere 8 and a second end may be attached to a wearerâ s tights 12, leggings or pantyhose to prevent the lower garment from slipping downwards during wear. The straps may be worn running down the side of a wearerâ s waist (figure 2) or across a wearerâ s stomach (figure 7).

Description

Garment Strap

Field of Invention

This invention relates to the improving and upholding of a woman's tights/pantyhose or leggings, with elasticised adjustable straps (10) with button hole fastenings at both ends of the strap (14,15).

One end of the strap will be attached to the bra and the other end to the tights. The button hole attached to the bra helps to keep the tights/leggings upheld and will eliminate the issue of tights/pantyhose slipping or sliding down out of place.

Description

This invention relates to improving the support/upholding of a woman's tights, leggings or underwear. It comprises of an adjustable and elasticised brace strap, (10) Both ends of the strap are free, with conventional button and button hole fastening (14) at both ends of the strap. One end is affixed to the stretchable mesh or nylon sheer part of the bra, closest to the wire of the bra, but located at the sides of the bra, whilst the other end is attached to the elasticised band at the top of the tights or leggings. The straps can be worn at the side running along the woman's waist line, or to the front running across the woman's stomach, the variability of the strap allows a woman to wear a torso bearing garment without visibility of the strap. The length adjusting device enables the user to fully extend the length of the strap giving controlled space between the bra and tights or leggings, or reducing the space between the woman's tights and bra, with the adjustable device. The function of this strap is to hold the wearer's tights/panty hose up in place for the duration of the day, without the uncomfortable feeling of the tights slipping down the wearer's waist. It also minimises the effect of unsightly bulges under a woman's outerwear which can often be created by the waist band of the tights.

Background of the Invention

Women have worn tights and stockings for many years. Over the years we have seen a variation in the fabric types available, most tights or stockings are made from Nylon or spandex materials. There are now many ranges of thick or sheer tights/pantyhose available, varying in strength and sustainability of the garment.

Most tights offer a good amount of flexibility for the wearer due to the stretch of the fabric. In the past women have had the opportunity to wear stockings accompanied with a garter belt, with suitable fasteners to support and hold the stockings up in place, without ripping or damaging the sheer material. Over the years, we have seen a variation in dress and skirt lengths, which can inappropriately reveal the wearer's stockings or hold ups. Tights or pantyhose and leggings have become the preferred choice for many women, as it offers complete coverage of legs allowing for any length of dress or skirt to be worn, without revealing any part of the legs or thighs. However most tights/pantyhose come in a maximum of 5 different sizes XS, 5, M, L, XL, these sizes are standardised and not tailored to fit each woman's size, shape or curves. The unitary style of garment can result in millions of women feeling uncomfortable, as the tights slide down or off their waist, due to the lack of compatibility between the tights and their body proportions. Normal movement such as running or walking can cause the garment to shift out of place, reducing the support and sometimes creates unsightly bulges under the wearer's outer garment. As a result the wearer constantly has to pull up the garment which can cause tears and ladders to the nylon type fabric.

International patent number W094/17680, has pointed out several issues in women's hosiery and pantyhose, and proposes a solution in the form of a garter style support belt only applicable to stockings, whilst the invention locates the garter belt at the waist of a woman, it does not take into account the different heights of women. Its functionality is specifically focused on stockings, and is not applicable to pantyhose/tights or leggings. US patent publication number 2010/0205721A1 also offers an improvement on a stocking hold up device, which is not applicable to tights or panty hose.

The present invention is an adjustable strap with button hole fastenings on both ends, the material is similar to that of a bra strap and should be attached to the users bra, and the other end attached to the tights, which will hold the tights up securely, without the uncomfortable and onnoying feeling of slipping down or needing to constantly readjust to hold up in place.

Summary of Invention

The present invention is to overcome the problem of the movement and sliding down of tights, pantyhose or leggings. It comprises of an adjustable and elasticated brace straps; similar in material to that of a bra strap, each end of the strap has a button hole fastening, which can be attached to the wearer's bra, whilst the other end is attached to the wearer's tights. The simplicity and compact size of the strap means it can be worn in accompaniment of any bra and pantyhose, thus allowing the wearer the freedom to use the straps with as many alternative underwear options as is desired.

Each strap should ideally be attached to either side of the woman's waist. The soft durable elasticated material offers the wearer comfort and would not irritate the skin, the button hole fastening will comprise of a soft flexible rubbery backing which can lay flat against the skin, whist the button is facing off away from the skin. The strap can be adjusted to either give maximum and controlled separation between the bra and the tights as well as bring both the tights and bra as close together as possible, creating an all in one affect which offers more support to the wearer, and creates a visually and touchable smoother finish to the external garment.

Brief Description of Drawing

Figure 1 is front view image of the strap being worn on a model, the image shows the t strap attached to the models bra and tights/pantyhose, holding the tights up.

Figure 2 offers a side image of the strap being worn on a model, the image shows a side view of how and where the button hole fastenings should be clipped to the bra and tights Figure 3 is an image of the free standing strap, as it would appear before it is worn, it shows the garment strap in its entirety with button hole fastenings at both ends of the suspender.

Figure 4 is an image of the adjustable mechanism that can extend or suspend the length of the strap; this is located in the centre of the strap and is similar to the adjustable fastening often attached to a bra.

Figure 5 is an image of the strap, offering a visual demonstration of the material and style of the strap.

Figure 6 is an image of the button hole fastening clip, located at either ends of the strap Figure 7 is a frontal image of the straps being worn across the models torso, to demonstrate the multifunctional aspect of the strap, allowing for waist bearing outer garment to be worn without revealing the straps.

Detailed description of invention

Figure 3 offers the image of the garment strap in its entirety. Comprising of the elasticated strap(10), both free ends of the strap are attached to a button hole fastening as seen in figure 6.

Figure 4 (11) shows the adjustable mechanism, which enables the user to extend the garment strap out to its full length or shortening down to its minimum length. The image in figure 4 shows the adjustable mechanism that controls the distance and between the bra and panty hose/tights.

No 14 is the soft thin rubbery textured clasp that meets the button and securely closes the button hole fastening as seen in point 15. Point 15 grips onto the fabric/material and once clasped closed into point 14 grips and holds the material in place. The image of Figure 6 is the button hole fastening attached to both ends of the strap. Point 16 & 17 shows the material being held in place by the button hole fastening (14&15).

Figure 1 and figure 2 shows an image of a model wearing the garment strap, point 7 refers to the models bra, point 8 refers to the sheer material of the bra to which either ends of the T strap can be attached to. Point 9 refers to the top button hole fastening which is attached to point 8. Point 10 makes reference to the elasticated strap. Figure 1 offers a front facing image of the model wearing the garment strap, whilst figure 2 offers a side view of the model wearing the garment strap. Point 11 refers to the adjustable mechanism used to extend or contract the length of the strap. Point 12 makes reference to the top of the elasticated section of the models panty hose/tights. Point 9 also refers to the other end of the strap where the second button hole fastening is attached. Point 9 is to be attached to the top of the elasticated section of the wearer's tights/pantyhose (12). Point 13 makes reference to the pantyhose tights.

Figure 7 offers an image of a model wearing the garment strap in an alternative way. Points 9 -11 make reference to the garment strap. The image in figure 7 offers a visual demonstration of the multi-way functionality of the straps. Here the model wears the strap across her torso, which offers the same level of optimum control and hold of the tights/pantyhose, but also allows for the user to wear a waist revealing top that allows exposure of the waist whilst still concealing the garment strap.