GB2558338A

GB2558338A - Means for adjusting sleeve length

Info

Publication number: GB2558338A
Application number: GB1711781.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aubrey Hugh Goggin Edward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-10-28
Filing date: 2017-07-21
Publication date: 2018-07-11
Also published as: GB201711781D0; GB2555461A; GB201618299D0

Abstract

A garment 10 comprising a sleeve 20, and an adjustment means comprising a fastener 40, 40 and attachment means 50 for said fastener, the fastener and attachment being longitudinally aligned in order to allow reversible adjustment of the length L of the sleeve, the fastener and attachment means being integral or permanently attached to the sleeve. Preferably the fastener and attachment means are a button and buttonhole, hook and loop fastener, popper or snap fasteners, toggles and loops, etc. The sleeve may comprise a plurality of fasteners and a plurality of attachment means. Preferably the adjustment means are located on the inner surface of the sleeve. Also claimed is a method of shortening and lengthening the effective length of a sleeve for such a garment.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Means for adjusting sleeve length

Abstract Title: Arrangement for reversibly altering length of a sleeve (57) A garment 10 comprising a sleeve 20, and an adjustment means comprising a fastener 40, 40’ and attachment means 50 for said fastener, the fastener and attachment being longitudinally aligned in order to allow reversible adjustment of the length L of the sleeve, the fastener and attachment means being integral or permanently attached to the sleeve. Preferably the fastener and attachment means are a button and buttonhole, hook and loop fastener, popper or snap fasteners, toggles and loops, etc. The sleeve may comprise a plurality of fasteners and a plurality of attachment means. Preferably the adjustment means are located on the inner surface of the sleeve. Also claimed is a method of shortening and lengthening the effective length of a sleeve for such a garment.

This print incorporates corrections made under Section 117(1) of the Patents Act 1977.

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Means For Adjusting Sleeve Length

The present invention relates generally to adjusting the length of a sleeve and more particularly to shirts and methods for shortening shirt sleeves.

The human population varies hugely in size and shape, leaving the fashion industry with the difficult task of providing standards of suitably sized clothes and accessories to suit different people. It is a common problem to find that an item of clothing that fits an individual in one area, fits less well in another. For example, a top that fits an individual in terms of its body length, may have sleeves which are too long. This is a particularly common problem among shirts, which are often measured according to the size of the neck, leaving the sleeves of the shirt to be a standard size which may be too short or too long for the individual. In this regard, shirt sleeves that are too long extend too far beyond jacket sleeves especially when arms are holding a car steering wheel or when checking a watch and can generally look untidy. This presents both a practical and an aesthetic issue. Furthermore, various gestures of the hands and arms to move the shirt sleeve further up can be frequently witnessed.

US 727935A describes a shirt sleeve shortener and cuff fastener. The shirt is provided with two straps sewn to the end of each of the shirt sleeves. Each strap has a series of button holes along its length and is associated with a spring clasp with a ring. The strap is designed to be passed through the ring of the clasp. A removable button can then be inserted through a button hole at the end of the strap to any one of the button holes along its length. The sleeve can be made to different lengths by utilising different buttonholes along the straps. A cuff can be attached to the end of the sleeve. The arrangement requires at least two fasteners. The strap is sewn between the wristband and the sleeve and so it must always be attached to the spring clasp when the shirt is worn in order to keep the strap positioned along the sleeve. The arrangement is complicated, expensive to produce and indiscrete in use.

GB 189911094A describes a shirt wherein the shirt cuffs may be changed and the length of the shirt sleeves amended. The shirt sleeves are provided with a plurality of loops placed horizontally apart at small intervals around the circumference of the sleeve. The cuffs also have a portion of sleeve attached thereto having a corresponding arrangement of loops placed horizontally apart at small intervals around the circumference. It is described that a small band or strip is provided that is threaded through the loops on the shirt and the loops on the cuff in order to secure the detachable cuff to the sleeve. The sleeve has two or more sets of loops fitted a short distance above the other so that the cuff can be attached at different lengths.

These arrangements for adjusting the lengths sleeves are large and unsightly and would detract away from the style of the shirt. The process of adjusting the length of the shirt in either case would not be quick or easy to achieve. Furthermore, it is not easy for the wearer of the shirt to adjust the length of their sleeve/s themselves when wearing the shirt. Further still, these adjustment means require multiple parts, making them relatively intricate and expensive to manufacture.

The present invention seeks to provide means for adjusting the length of sleeves.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a garment comprising a sleeve, the sleeve comprising a tube extending longitudinally and only a single adjustment means, wherein the single adjustment means comprises a fastener and corresponding fastener attachment, the fastener attachment being longitudinally aligned with the fastener for reversibly adjusting the length of the sleeve, and further wherein each of the fastener and fastener attachment are integral, or permanently attached, to the sleeve. In this way, the present invention provides the means for easily and quickly shortening the sleeves of a garment. The fastener and corresponding fattener attachment are longitudinally aligned along the length of the sleeve and so a discrete fold is formed to reduce the length of the sleeve. The wearer of the garment is therefore given the option of shortening their sleeves in a user-friendly way. The present invention also means that more people will have a greater choice in the shirts that they can buy as they will not be limited to only those having the appropriate standard length sleeve.

Conveniently, the sleeve has a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the fastener and corresponding fastener attachment are not fastened to one another such that the sleeve has a maximum length (L) and in the second position the fastener and corresponding fastener attachment are fastened to one another such that the sleeve has a shorter sleeve length (L'). In this way the length of the sleeve can be easily and reversibly adjusted between a first position and a second position.

Preferably, the adjustment means is arranged on the side of the sleeve which, in use, would be in the natural crook of the elbow, thereby allowing the adjustment means to be relatively hidden from view. In this way, the adjustment means will not spoil or detract from the style of the garment.

Conveniently, the fastener is a button, a popper, a hook or a toggle and/or the fastener attachment is a button hole, a popper, a bar or a loop. Preferably, the fastener is a button and the fastener attachment is a button hole. These adjustment means are easy to attach to garments and can be relatively small, thereby being discrete and not detracting away from the aesthetic look of the rest of the sleeve and/or garment. In addition, the adjustment means can be easily altered to match the design of the garment.

Conveniently, the sleeve comprises a plurality of fasteners and/or a plurality of fastener attachments. In this way, the sleeve can be shortened to different lengths by using different fasteners/fastener attachments, which provides the wearer of the garment with different length options. For example, when wearing a shirt with a suit jacket, the user may want the sleeves of the shirt a longer length than when they are wearing the garment to wash their hands.

Suitably, the tube, in use, comprises a longitudinal inner area and a longitudinal outer area and further wherein the single adjustment means are arranged on the longitudinal inner area. In this way, the adjustment means will be located approximately in the bend of the wearers arm and as such fastener and fastener attachment will be substantially concealed.

The various embodiments are very discrete and elegant. Also, the simplicity of the design reflects in an invention that is economical to produce.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for adjusting the length of a sleeve on a garment, the method comprising:

providing a garment comprising a sleeve, the sleeve comprising a tube extending longitudinally and only a single adjustment means, wherein the single adjustment means comprises a fastener and corresponding fastener attachment, the fastener attachment being longitudinally aligned with the fastener for reversibly adjusting the length of the sleeve, and further wherein each of the fastener and fastener attachment are integral, or permanently attached, to the sleeve; folding the sleeve between the longitudinally aligned fastener and the fastener attachment to create a folded portion; and fastening the fastener and the fastener attachment together. In this way, the present invention provides a method of adjusting the length of a sleeve that is easy to operate and which is visually unobtrusive.

Conveniently, the method is reversible. In this way, the present invention allows a wearer of the garment to adjust the length of the sleeves at their own will in order to suit different occasions or when carrying out different tasks. The method of adjusting the length of the sleeve of the garment is therefore simple to implement. For example the sleeves can be shortened to a particular length when wearing a suit jacket and put back to the original length when the suit jacket is not being worn. This means the user can get more wear from the shirt.

Preferably, the single adjustment means is located on an area of the sleeve that is proximal to a person wearing the garment. In this way, the single adjustment means will be relatively discrete.

Features of the first aspect of the invention may be used with the second aspect 5 of the invention.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in further detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a diagram of a shirt sleeve that is too long for the wearer;

Figure 2 shows a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 shows the reverse side of the sleeve of Figure 2 in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a step of adjusting the length of a sleeve in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 5 shows a sleeve that has been shortened in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a garment 10 having a sleeve 20. The sleeve 20 is a substantially flexible tubular structure that extends longitudinally, with length, L, defined by a first end 30 and a second end 35. The first end 30 is attached to the main body of the garment 10 while the second end 35 is not directly attached to the main body of the garment 10. The sleeve 20 also comprises a cuff 25 at the second end 35. While a cuff 25 is shown, the sleeve of the present invention does not require a cuff.

The sleeve 20 has an external surface extending from the first end 30 to the second end 35 and comprises a longitudinal inner area 22 (as shown in Figure 2, 4 and 5) and a longitudinal outer area 24 (shown in Figure 3). The longitudinal inner area 22 extends from the first end 30 to the second end 35 and, when in use, is substantially forward facing. The longitudinal outer area 24 also extends from the first end 30 to the second end 35 and, when in use, faces substantially backwards. Preferably, the external surface is continuous and thus the two longitudinal areas are contiguous and may be produced from a single piece of fabric.

The sleeve 20 has a single adjustment means which comprises at least one fastener and fastener attachment in the form of buttons 40, 40' and a button hole 50, respectively. While the adjustment means are depicted as longitudinally aligned on the longitudinal inner area 22 of the sleeve, they may also be longitudinally aligned on the longitudinal outer area 24 of the sleeve. The adjustment means are only located on one of the longitudinal inner area 22 or the longitudinal outer areas 24 such that the adjustment means are not overly obvious or obtrusive. Most preferably, the adjustment means are located on the longitudinal inner area 22 as having the adjustment means on the longitudinal outer area 24 may cause ripping.

In addition, while buttons 40, 40' and a button hole 50 are depicted as the adjustment means, alternative fasteners and fastening attachments could be used.

Examples of suitable fasteners and fastening attachments include a hook and a bar, respectively; a toggle and a loop, respectively; or poppers.

As shown in the Figures, each of the fastener or the fastener attachment are integral, or permanently attached, to the sleeve 20. For example, as shown in Figures 2 to 5, the buttons 40, 40' are sewn in position such that they are permanently attached to the sleeve 20, while the button hole 50 is integral to the sleeve 20. In another embodiment, for example where a toggle and a loop comprise the adjustment means, both the fastener and fastener attachment may be permanently attached to the sleeve.

In this way, the wearer of the shirt is not required to first attach the adjustment means as they are permanent features of the sleeve.

The buttons 40, 40' and the button hole 50 are longitudinally aligned along the length of the sleeve 20. In the arrangement shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5, the button hole

50 is proximal to the second end 35 of the sleeve 20 relative to the buttons 40,40' which are distal to the second end 35 of the sleeve 20. The present invention can also be configured in the opposite arrangement (not shown), such that the buttons are proximal to the second end of the sleeve relative to the button hole which may be distal to the second end of the sleeve, but the illustrated embodiment is preferred for a more reliable connection.

In Figures 2, 4 and 5 the buttons 40, 40' and the button hole 50 are situated approximately half way along the length of the sleeve 20. In this arrangement the buttons 40, 40' and the button hole 50, when in use, will sit approximately in the bend of the wearers arm and as such the means for adjusting the length of the sleeve 20 will be substantially concealed.

Figure 3 is a view of the sleeve 20 from behind. Figure 3 depicts the longitudinal outer area 24 of the external surface. In this view, the adjustment means cannot be seen as it is only present on the longitudinal inner area 22. Alternatively, the adjustment means could be arranged on the longitudinal outer area 24 instead of on the longitudinal inner area 22, though this arrangement is not shown in the Figures.

Figure 4 depicts a method of adjusting the length of the sleeve 20. As button 40 is placed through the button hole 50 of the sleeve 20, the portion of the sleeve 20 between the button hole 50 and the button 40 is folded over. The degree to which the length, L, of the sleeve 20 is shortened to length L' (shown in Figure 5) will depend on the distance between the button 40 and the button hole 50.

Figure 5 shows a sleeve 20 in its shortened length, L', according to the present invention. As depicted in Figure 4, the button 40 is fastened in a position proximal to the second end 35 by being placed through the button hole 50. As described above, the portion of material of the sleeve 20 between the button hole 50 and the button 40 is folded back upon itself, resulting in a shortening of the length, L, of the sleeve 20.

If the sleeve length is required to be shorter, the second button 40' that is further distal from the second end 35 can be fastened through the button hole 50. In this arrangement, the portion of material of the sleeve 20 between the button hole 50 and the button 40' is larger compared to that between the button hole 50 and the button

40, and thus the length of the sleeve 20 is shortened further. Therefore, the use of two buttons 40, 40' permits the wearer to shorten the sleeve 20 to different lengths, L'. In order to revert to the original length, L, of the sleeve, the fastener can simply be unfastened from the fastener attachment.

While adjustment means comprising two fasteners are depicted in the Figures, the garment sleeve of the present invention may comprise adjustment means comprising a single fastener or a plurality of fasteners spaced longitudinally apart (as shown). The adjustment means may also comprise a single fastener attachment (as depicted in Figure 2) or a plurality of fastener attachments spaced longitudinally apart (not shown).

A sleeve 20 comprising a plurality of fasteners and/or fastener attachments spaced longitudinally apart will allow the sleeve 20 of the garment 10 to be adjusted to a number of different lengths, L'. However, the greater number of fasteners and/or fastener attachments present, the less discrete the means for shortening the sleeve length.

While the present invention has been depicted on the sleeve of a shirt, the means for adjusting the length of the sleeve could be used on any suitable garment comprising one or more sleeves. For example, it could also be used on jumpers, cardigans, blazers and t-shirts.

The present invention could also be used to adjust the length of other components on other garments than those described above. For example, the present invention could be used to shorten the length of trouser legs.

In general the present invention relates to means for adjusting the length of a garment sleeve.

The present invention provides means to shorten garment sleeves which utilises separate but compatibly interactive components and are integrated into the garment.

The compatible components, placed longitudinally one above the other, come together and consequently form a fold, thereby shortening the sleeve. The means can be both done and undone, making it optional as well as adjustable.

The present invention provides the means for securely, yet reversibly, shortening the length of a sleeve. The invention is easy to operate and visually unobtrusive. Thus, unlike the prior art documents, the present invention provides a user-friendly and attractive means for adjusting the length of a sleeve. For example, the sleeve components of the present invention could simply be amended visually in keeping with the aesthetic design of the garment. In addition, the means for adjusting the length of the sleeve do not alter the comfort of the garment and thus it is comfortable to wear.

Claims

Claims:

1. A garment comprising a sleeve, the sleeve comprising a tube extending longitudinally and only a single adjustment means, wherein the single adjustment means comprises a fastener and corresponding fastener attachment, the fastener attachment being longitudinally aligned with the fastener for reversibly adjusting the length of the sleeve, and further wherein each of the fastener and fastener attachment are integral, or permanently attached, to the sleeve.

2. The garment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sleeve has a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the fastener and corresponding fastener attachment are not fastened to one another such that the sleeve has a maximum length (L) and in the second position the fastener and corresponding fastener attachment are fastened to one another such that the sleeve has a shorter sleeve length (L').

3. The garment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fastener is a button, a popper, a hook or a toggle.

4. The garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastener attachment is a button hole, a popper, a bar or a loop.

5. The garment according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fastener is a button and the fastener attachment is a button hole.

6. The garment according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises a plurality of fasteners.

7. The garment according to any one of the proceeding claims, wherein the sleeve comprises a plurality of fastener attachments.

8. The garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tube, in use, comprises a longitudinal inner area and a longitudinal outer area and further wherein the single adjustment means are arranged on the longitudinal inner area.

9. A method for adjusting the length of a sleeve on a garment, the method comprising:

providing a garment comprising a sleeve, the sleeve comprising a tube extending longitudinally and only a single adjustment means, wherein the single adjustment means comprises a fastener and corresponding fastener attachment, the fastener attachment being longitudinally aligned with the fastener for reversibly adjusting the length of the sleeve, and further wherein each of the fastener and fastener attachment are integral, or permanently attached, to the sleeve;

folding the sleeve between the longitudinally aligned fastener and the fastener attachment to create a folded portion; and fastening the fastener and the fastener attachment together.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the fastener is a button, a popper, a hook or a toggle.

11. The method according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the fastener attachment is a button hole, a popper, a bar or a loop.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the fastener is a button and the fastener attachment is a button hole.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the sleeve comprises more than one fastener.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the sleeve comprises more than one fastener attachment.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein, in use, the single adjustment means is located on an area of the sleeve that is proximal to a person wearing the garment.

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16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the method is reversible.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1711781.3 Examiner: Mr Chris Morris