GB2557309A

GB2557309A - An item of clothing

Info

Publication number: GB2557309A
Application number: GB1620696.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Elizabeth Griffiths Jayne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-12-06
Filing date: 2016-12-06
Publication date: 2018-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-06
Also published as: GB201620696D0; GB2557309B

Abstract

A multi-piece garment comprising at least a first bra or upper bikini portion 39 and a second torso covering portion 38. The first and second covering portions are connectable using a fastening means 5, 7 arranged to extend along the lower edge of the first covering portion. The fastening means is disposed so as to be hidden from view when the second portion has been removed. In preferred embodiments, the first covering portion is secured to the user using elastomeric ties. In further embodiments, the fastening means connecting first and second covering portions comprises a zipper and may be hidden by a flap 20. A divisible seam (48, figure 7) with temporary fastening means (84, figure 7) may be provided at the rear of the second covering portion.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: An item of clothing

Abstract Title: A convertible swimwear garment (57) A multi-piece garment comprising at least a first bra or upper bikini portion 39 and a second torso covering portion 38. The first and second covering portions are connectable using a fastening means 5, 7 arranged to extend along the lower edge of the first covering portion. The fastening means is disposed so as to be hidden from view when the second portion has been removed. In preferred embodiments, the first covering portion is secured to the user using elastomeric ties. In further embodiments, the fastening means connecting first and second covering portions comprises a zipper and may be hidden by a flap 20. A divisible seam (48, figure 7) with temporary fastening means (84, figure 7) may be provided at the rear of the second covering portion.

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AN ITEM OF CLOTHING

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an item of clothing, in particular, the invention relates to a flexible bosom and torso covering device.

Background

Increasing climatic unpredictability and levels of informality across many societies often mean that many women may be more likely to wish to wear swimwear or summer clothing, such as bikinis, for shorter periods of time but more often.

However, wearing a bikini is not decorous in some situations, so wearers often have to change into more formal attire, as such the wearer has the inconvenience of having to repeatedly change their attire.

This can be inconvenient and time-consuming, as well as requiring transport of multiple items of clothing. Furthermore a suitable venue, such as changing room, also has to be available so that the wearer is able to get changed from one set of garments to another.

Prior Art

US 20 130 065 484 (DUCOULOMBIER) discloses a convertible sports bra comprising: a top portion, a bottom portion and coupling means to attach and detach said top and said bottom portions. The sports bra utilizes a coupling means such as a zipper, hook and fastener or is clip on. These allow for easy attaching and detaching of the top portion from the bottom portion of the convertible sports bra. The bottom portion of the sports bra may be a skirt, a dress, a pair of pants or leggings or shorts.

US 2009 0 126 072 (ALLEN) discloses an attachable/detachable swimwear garment that includes a top garment piece and a bottom garment piece, both of which have garment attachment means. A top attachment means is attachable to a bottom garment attachment means. The top attachment means may be detachable from the bottom garment attachment means so as to allow the top garment piece to be worn separately from the bottom garment piece.

US 4 815 145 (CHOW) discloses a convertible bathing suit type garment comprising: a top portion having securing means along at least a portion of its lower edge and a bottom portion having securing means secured along at least a portion of its upper edge. A midriff portion has securing means disposed along at least a portion of its upper and lower edges corresponding to the securing means of the top and bottom portions.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an item of clothing comprising at least a first nipple covering portion, and a second torso covering portion; wherein the portions are connectable using a connection mechanism and wherein the connection mechanism is arranged to extend laterally below the nipple covering portion and is substantially hidden when the second torso covering portion is disconnected from the first nipple covering portion.

In some embodiments the connection mechanism is hidden from view by a flap or cover when the connection mechanism is disconnected. The flap ideally extends in front of, and below, the entire connection mechanism and the flap is ideally located on the first covering portion.

In some embodiments the first portion provides cups for a wearer’s breasts. In some embodiments the first portion may comprise under wiring as a breast support.

The second portion may comprise a skirt, dress or top. The first portion optionally comprises a top or brassiere or bikini.

The second portion ideally extends downwards from the connection mechanism in usage, so as to cover all or part of the torso of the user and optionally the wearer’s midriff and legs.

In some embodiments the connection mechanism is substantially hidden when the portions are connected.

Optionally first portion is provided with a user securing means such as strapping, for example a halterneck strap or a pair of shoulder straps, so as to suspend the device from the user’s shoulders.

In some embodiments the strap or straps may be removable and/or independently available. For example the device, or a first portion thereof, comprises at least one strap securing point, such as a hook or ring in order to allow use of standard straps. In such embodiments the strap or straps may comprise a user securing consolidation mechanism.

In other embodiments the user securing means may comprise a strapless securing around the user’s torso wherein the first portion may comprise a bandeau or similar.

In some embodiments the user securing means comprises elastomeric material, which material may comprise some or all of the first portion, and is use tightens the first portion against the user, to hold it in place.

In this way the first portion may comprise a bikini when the second portion is disconnected and removed. The second portion may comprise a skirt or top to be connected to allow the user to cover their torso or midriff as required.

In some embodiments the second portion may comprise a user securing means, which may be discrete or may be supplied with the first portion. For example the second portion may be partly supported by the user independent of the first portion, or the second portion may be worn in combination with the first portion. The first portion and the second portion user securing means may act together, so as to support the greater weight of the combined covering portions.

For example the second portion may comprise one or more straps, which straps may pass through or be attached to the second portion. The straps may be attached to the first portion at an attachment means. The attachment means may comprise a discrete portion from the user securing means, and/or the connection mechanism.

In some embodiments the second portion may hang on the connection mechanism, so as to utilise the user securing means.

The connection mechanism may be bipartite, for example comprising hook parts and loop parts where the mechanism includes Velcro (RTM) or similar. The hook parts may be arranged on the first or second portion of the device, and the loop parts may be arranged on the second or first portion of the device accordingly. Alternatively or additionally the connection mechanism may comprise a bipartite zipper, button or press stud mechanism.

In some embodiments the connection mechanism may substantially or wholly surround the user in use, such that the portions are held together around most or all of the user’s body between the two portions.

In other embodiments the connection mechanism may surround the user’s body only partly, or connect the two portions around only a section of the user’s body. For example, the connection mechanism may be intermittent around the body and/or focussed on specific locations of the body. For example in some embodiments the connection mechanism may be solely located to the front of the body in use, so as to cover the user’s lower torso or stomach for reasons of propriety, whilst allowing the portions to remain disconnected and/or gravity to act on the second portion to the rear section of the user’s body and/or wherein the second portion itself is discontinuous around the user’s body.

In some embodiments the connection mechanism is discontinuous so as to leave a section of the portions unconnected. In some embodiments this section may be between the breasts, in the sternum area, so as to allow for a natural shape to the first portion, and easier hide any connection mechanism, or the likelihood of the first portion being part of a two part piece of clothing. Said section may be further hidden by a strap or tie or portion connecting tabs.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples, only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, disconnected;

Figure 2 shows a detail view of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a detail view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, connected;

Figure 4 shows a detail view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with ties tied;

Figure 5 shows a detail view of the rear of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 6 shows a detail view from the front of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention; and

Figure 7 shows a detail view from the rear of the embodiment shown in Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows sketch views of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention, subject to later formalisation or removal as appropriate; and

Figure 9 shows a front view of a first portion of a fifth embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown a first embodiment of the device comprising a bipartite/ two part bosom covering device comprising a first nipple covering portion 39 and a second torso covering portion 38, wherein the first portion 39 is arranged to substantially cover the user’s breast in use, and the second portion 38 is arranged to cover some or all of the user’s lower torso when connected to the first portion.

The portions 38, 39 share a bipartite connection mechanism 37 arranged to extend across the torso below the wearer’s breasts, with a first part 7 of the connection mechanism on the first portion 39 and a second part 5 of the connection mechanism of the second portion 38.

In this way the connection mechanism 37 may be split and in doing so is consequently minimised and rendered more effective.

The connection mechanism in the pictured embodiment comprises a zipper connection mechanism 37, wherein the two parts are substantially the same but with one part having a zipper tab 18.

In the pictured embodiment the zipper tab 18 is located on the second portion so as to be rendered less visible when the second portion 38 is disconnected.

In all embodiments pictured the connection mechanism 37 is discontinuous, zippered around the back of the user from substantially below one nipple to substantially below the other.

This leaves a section of the portions unconnected by the zipper, approximately equivalent to the sternum.

In the pictured embodiments with straps this section is equivalent the base of two straps 4, which extend upwards from the second portion 38, and in the figures the straps 4 are shown:

a) Loose in Figures 1 and 2;

b) Passed through a metallic loop joining the first portion’s cups in Figure 3 and available for tying behind the user’s neck to enhance the user securing means as a halter neck; and

c) Tied through the metallic loop to maintain the sternum section of the second portion in relation to the first portion in Figures 4 and 5.

In Figures 6 and 7 a tab 44 extends upwards from the second portion and is folded over the front of the first portion between the cups to be secured to the rear 45 of the first portion between the cups. The securing is through press studs 46,47.

In Figures 8 the ties extend from the second portion upwards and are passed either side of the first portion so as to tie at the front thereof.

The first portion in this fourth embodiment comprises a bandeau top.

In Figure 9 the securing mechanism comprises a front clasp 65.

In some other embodiments the zipper connection mechanism travels almost wholly around the user’s body. In such embodiments the ties may be additional, for example connected together with tabs or clips or Poppers onto one or both of the portions, or may be integrated into the second portion.

In yet further embodiments the connection mechanism may be discontinuous or separated with reference to different locations around the wearer’s body, for example comprising two side connections.

The embodiment therefore provides a modular zip-around bikini top and summer dress which allows the wearer to go from the beach to evening attire with ease and style.

The securing mechanism of the first portion in the first embodiment may comprise solely elastomeric material, wherein a loop 2 is used purely for passage of the straps

4.

However the securing mechanism of the first portion 39 in the second pictured embodiment comprises a split loop 22, wherein the edge of one of the cups may be fed through the split in the loop 22 so as to separate the cups.

The securing mechanism of the first portion in the third pictured embodiment comprises a rear clasp 84 hidden by appearing continuous with the seam 48 of the second portion 39.

In the first embodiment the seam 19 of the second portion 39, may allow the second portion to split for ventilation and aesthetics. The seam may comprise a zipper or other temporary fastening means.

The securing mechanism of the fourth portion in the fourth pictured embodiment comprises elastomeric material.

The securing mechanism of the first portion in the fifth pictured embodiment comprises a rear clasp

The ties may thereby act as an attachment means for the section and can be knotted so as to serve as an attachment means only, or may be tied around the user’s neck to act as a halterneck user securing means in addition to the user securing means provided by the first portion.

In this way the ties can be tied at the back of the neck to create a halter style. Alternatively, the bikini top first portion may contain small plastic fastening hooks to enable the user to attach shoulder strapping for full support.

The ties may alternatively be left flat against the user’s chest as broad straps.

In some embodiments the first portion comprises at least one shoulder or halterneck strap, independent of the second portion’s ties.

In some embodiments a pleated front to the second portion may create a flattering drape to the full length maxi style skirt.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

1. A multipartite bosom-covering device comprising at least a first nipple covering portion, and a second torso covering portion; wherein the portions are connectable using a connection mechanism and wherein the connection mechanism is arranged to extend laterally below the nipples and is substantially hidden when the second covering portion is disconnected

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the first portion comprises a user securing means.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the user securing means comprises an elastomeric material.

4. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the user securing means comprises ties.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein the ties extend from the second portion.

6. A device according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the user securing means comprises a clasp.

7. A device according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein the user securing means comprises a split loop.

8. A device according to any mechanism comprises a zipper. preceding claim wherein the connection

9. A device according to any mechanism is hidden by flaps. preceding claim wherein the connection

10. A device according to any mechanism is discontinuous. preceding claim wherein the connection

11. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the connection

mechanism is discontinuous at the sternum so as to allow for a natural shape to the first portion.

12. A device according to claim 11 wherein the section is the location of upwards extending tabs or straps from the second portion.

13. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the second portion

5 comprises a divisible seam at rear in use.

14. A device according to claim 10 wherein the second portion comprises a seam at rear in use with a temporary fastening means.

Intellectual

Property

Office

GB1620696.3

1-14

Application No: