IE65729B1 - An adjustable garment - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a garment having an adjustable waistband to allow for such things as maternity wear.

Many different forms of adjustable waistband have been devised in the past. For example, British Patent Specification No. GB 312005 (A. Israel) describes a skirt having a waistband in which an elongate elasticated insert protrudes at both ends from a hem, each end engaging a button in the waistband. A problem with this arrangement is that adjustment of the waistband is awkward as it requires adjustment of two ends of the insert. Further, elasticity of the waistband is not uniform as there is no elasticity at the front. This can lead to discomfort, especially for maternity wear.

British Patent Specification No. GB 659050 (H. Schram) describes a skirt which is made so that one cuts through a row of stitching in a pleat to let out the waistband by an amount equal to twice the distance between the rows of stitching. Again, it is awkward to adjust the waistband in this manner and it is necessary to re-stitch the skirt if it is to be used again.

The invention is directed towards providing a garment, the waistband of which may be easily adjusted. A further object is that the waistband be comfortable for the wearer. A still further object is that the production cost of the garment be relatively low, and a related object is that the construction of the waistband portion of the garment be relatively simple.

According to the invention, there is provided a garment having a waistband comprising:65729 - 2 a hem having an opening, adjacent which there is a fastening means; and an endless elasticated insert within the hem, the insert having a plurality of fastening means for engagement with the fastening means of the hem when pulled through the opening so that the waistband is adjustable.

In one embodiment, the hem fastening means comprises a button, and the insert fastening means comprises a series of buttonholes.

Preferably, the button and the opening are on the inside of the garment.

Ideally, the waistband is of elasticated material.

In another embodiment, material of the garment which incorporates the waistband is of elasticated material.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a skirt of the invention; and Figs. 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c) are views of portion of the interior of a waistband of the skirt at different adjustment stages.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1, there is illustrated a garment, namely, a skirt of the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1.

The skirt 1 comprises a waistband 2 which has a hem 3.

The hem 3 forms a sleeve for an endless elasticated insert 4. The insert 4 has a series of buttonholes 5 along portion of its length.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the hem 3 has an opening 6 where the insert 4 has the buttonholes 5. Next to the opening 6 there is a button 7 stitched to the inside of the hem 3.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the skirt 1 has an upper portion 8 of elasticated material which incorporates the waistband 2.

In use, when the waistband 3 is to be reduced in size, part of the elasticated insert 4 is pulled through the opening 6 as shown in Fig. 2(a). According to how much the waistband is to be reduced in size, a pair of buttonholes 5 are engaged with the button 7, as shown in Fig. 2(b). The excess of the elasticated insert 4 is not visible from the outside. When a bigger waistband is required, such as at a later stage of pregnancy, new buttonholes may be engaged with the button 7 so that less of the insert 4 protrudes through the opening 6. Finally, as shown in Fig. 2(c) all of the insert 4 may be left inside the hem 3 for maximum letting-out of the waistband.

It will be appreciated that the skirt 1 is comfortable to wear because there is uniform elasticity of the waistband as the insert is endless. Further, adjustment may be very easily made by simple engagement of buttonholes with the button on the inside of the hem. It will also be appreciated that relatively few parts are required for adjustment, namely, a single elasticated insert and a button, and thus manufacture of a garment of the invention is relatively inexpensive.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described. For example, it is envisaged that a fastener other than a button may be used, the important point being that the fastener is capable of holding varying amounts of excess of the insert outside of the opening and the hem. However, the use of a button and buttonhole is a preferred construction as this is simple and easily engages the elasticated insert.

It is also envisaged that the invention may be applied to a garment other than a skirt, for example, a dress.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be varied in construction and detail. $

Claims (7)

1. A garment having a waistband comprising:a hem having an opening, adjacent which there is a fastening means; and 5 an endless elasticated insert within the hem, the insert having a plurality of fastening means for engagement with the fastening means of the hem when pulled through the opening so that the waistband is adjustable. 10

2. A garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hem fastening means comprises a button, and the insert fastening means comprises a series of buttonholes.

3. A garment as claimed in claim 2, wherein the button and the opening are on the inside of the garment. 15

4. A garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the waistband is of elasticated material.

5. A garment as claimed in claim 4, wherein material of the garment which incorporates the waistband is of elasticated material. 20

6. A garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the garment is a skirt.

7. A garment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.