US20110094063A1

US20110094063A1 - Shirt tuck clip device

Info

Publication number: US20110094063A1
Application number: US12/589,307
Authority: US
Inventors: Kevin Dong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-22
Filing date: 2009-10-22
Publication date: 2011-04-28

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjustable shirt tuck clip device having a clip which has a U-shaped base and two adjustable/detachable identical arms. The base slips into openings in the arms to create an adjustable component and the clip attaches to a shirt and adjust its waist size on a user.

The present invention also relates to a method having an adjustable shirt tuck clip having a base and two adjustable/detachable identical arms, slipping the base into openings in the arms to create an adjustable component, and attaching the clip to a shirt to adjust its waist size, and, thereby, allowing the user to fold an excess of shirt material against the side beneath the arms and neatly tucking the excess into the user's trousers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to clothing apparel. In particular, the present invention relates to an adjustable shirt tuck clip.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The concept of holding down or locking down shirts is well known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,993 utilizes a pin design that clips onto the pants. Also, it has a weight dragging down design to keep the shirt down to prevent uprising. The clip clips the shirt and undergarment. However, this patent does not address the issue of extra material on the waist line area and also the pin can cause damage to the shirt.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,923 relates to a shirt hold-down device. It utilizes a strap on the outside of the shirt that is stretched from the front through the groin area and attaches on the back providing a harness to keep the shirt down. However, it also does not address the issue of extra material, and it is visible on the outside.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,393 shows a clothing combination comprising a self-releasing bonding means, a band that attaches to the bottom of the shirt and another band that attaches to the waistline of the pants. A series of hooks connects the two bands. However, it also does not address the issue of extra material. And the band has to be fixed, therefore, altering the conventional shirt and pants. U.S. Patent Application No. 2006/0010559 illustrates a self-tucking shirt mechanism which is a series of rigid fibers that counteract between the shirt and the pants to keep the shirt in place once tucked in. U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,813 depicts a shirttail retaining harness. The harness keeps the shirt using clasps that attach the front of the shirt through the groin area and reattaches at the back of the shirt. However, these self-tucking mechanisms are rigid and not flexible to the user.
Other prior art for adjusting garments include U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0154069 which relates to an adjustable shirt-tapering system, which has a set of two bi polar pieces attached to the bottom of the shirt that gives the wearer the flexibility of folding it at different points. The pieces are located below the waistline and tucked into the pants. The bi polar pieces are fixed onto the shirt and cannot be moved.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,414 relates to an adjustment system for a garment or other article. A series of buckles that adjusts the length of a section of a gamment. The flap is built in the garment and not detachable. U.S. Pat. No. 1,560,218 describes two elastic strips that is located inside the shirt and is able to adjust the waistline of the garment. Different torso length in people makes this inefficient because the design is attached to the shirt and is unable to efficiently move the waistline.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,398,258 utilizes snaps and buttons that adjust extra material at the back of the shirt to make the shirt fit more snuggly. The design is also fixed at a designated waistline. The bulkiness of the design is hard to conceal. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 2,137,563 utilizes a belt like mechanism that shrinks shirts at the waist but is too bulky to be tucked into pants.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,628 is a folding attachment for shirt backs. Specifically, it is a folding device attached to the inner back of the shirt and has wings that fold in, therefore, folding in the shirt. The folding attachment requires attachment and only is adjustable at a certain spot. The device is tucked at the lower back area and can also cause discomfort.
Thus, what is needed is a shirt tuck clip device, which addresses the issue of extra material and is not rigid but easy, adjustable, and flexible to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adjustable shirt tuck clip device having a clip which has a U-shaped base and two adjustable/detachable identical arms. The base slips into openings in the arms to create an adjustable component and the clip attaches to a shirt and adjust its waist size on a user. The clip provides support for the clothing garment to stay tucked inside a user's pants.
The present invention also relates to a method for adjusting a shirt having an adjustable shirt tuck clip having a U-shaped base and two adjustable/detachable identical arms, slipping the base into openings in the arms to create an adjustable component, and attaching the clip to a shirt to adjust its waist size. The clip provides support for the clothing garment to stay tucked inside a user's pants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 a-1 b shows a frontal and cross sectional view of the shirt tuck clip device.

FIGS. 2 a-2 c show different views of the arms.

FIG. 3 a-b show arial views of the base.

FIG. 4 shows a rear tab that attaches to the base.

FIG. 5 shows the shirt tuck clip device on a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to a particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.
FIG. 1 a and 1 b depict a front and a cross sectional view of the overall look of the shirt tuck clip device 100. The clip 100 has a base 120 and two adjustable/detachable identical arms 130. The base 120 is preferably a U-shaped base, which slips into openings in the arms 130 to create the adjustable component. In another embodiment, the arms 130 slip into the base 120. Other shapes for the base 120 can be used, for example, a rectangular shaped base. The clip 100 attaches to a shirt 510 (See FIG. 5) and adjust its waist size based on the person's individual needs. The clip 100 allows the user to fold the excess shirt material against the side beneath the arms of the user and neatly tuck the excess into their trousers. In one preferred embodiment, magnets 160 are enclosed in the arms 130. The magnets 160 may be visible or invisible. In one preferred embodiment, there are two clips present, one at each side under the arms. However, in other embodiments, one can use just one or more than two. In another embodiment, the arms 130 may be fixed rather than being adjustable.
The arms 130 are able to slide back and forth on the base 120. In one preferred embodiment, the device clip 100 can be clipped on the bottom of the shirt vertically. Also, after clipping the clip 100 onto the shirt, the user can either fold the excess material forward or backwards. It should also be noted that other types of clothing garments can be used with the embodiments of the invention besides shirts.
People who use the shirt tuck clip 100 can achieve a clean, fitted and professional look without the fear of the shirt wrinkling or ballooning at the waist area. The shirt tuck clip 100 also provides support for the shirt 510 (See FIG. 5) to stay tucked inside the pants, so normal movement will not cause the shirt 510 to rise up from the trousers. In one embodiment, the device clip 100 can be clipped on the bottom of the shirt 510 vertically.
As also shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, in one particular embodiment, at the bottom of the U-shaped base 120, there is a half U-shaped tab 140 that is attached to the bottom of the U. The tab 140 at the end of the U-base is used to hold the clip in place on the shirt after folding the shirt. Alternatively, other methods may include adhesives that stick on to the shirt, string/elastic band that connects the clip 100 (rope around a user's back). In another embodiment, rather than a tab being used to hold the clip onto the shirt, there may be a clipping device and/or a spring actioned clip.
In another embodiment, at the top of the “U” there is a rectangular shaped stopper 150 on each side. The purpose of the stopper 150 is to prevent the arms 130 from slipping off of the U-base when attached. In a preferred embodiment, the stopper 150 can be, but not limited to, either rectangular shaped or arrow-head shaped. It is understood, however, to one skilled in the art that other shapes for the stopper 150 can be used.
The adjustable arms 130 are preferably made of silicon like material that is flexible, sticky, and not rigid. The ideal hardness of the material should be around, but not limited to 61 Shore A. The material is elastic and creates traction, for example, rubber or silicone. Like the material used to manufacture the U-shaped base, the material is also heat resistant. In one particular embodiment, the main shape of the arm 130 is rectangular. The arms 130 have openings where the U-shaped base 120 can slide into. The sliding mechanism makes the clip 100 adjustable in length. The entrance to the opening is smaller than the opening inside, thus preventing the arms 130 from sliding off the U-shaped base 120. At the tip of each arm 130, there is a crevice that rests a magnet 160. In one particular embodiment, the magnet 160 is small but strong, for example, a Neodymium magnet. It is understood, however, to one skilled in the art that other types of magnets can be utilized. The magnets 160 in each of the two arms create a pinch point when joined together. The magnet(s) can be visible or encased on the arms. In another embodiment, the whole arm can be the magnetic strip.
FIG. 2 a shows a side view of one of the arms 130. FIG. 2 b shows an aerial view of the one of the arms 130. FIG. 2 c shows a cross sectional view of one of the arms 130. In one preferred embodiment, the tip of the arms 130 are slightly angled, the two angled arms 130 create a triangular opening. In other embodiments, the pinch point can be spring resistance/tension or a clip button instead of a magnet. In other embodiments, multiple magnets/pinch points can be utilized.
The opening enables the user to easily slip the fabric between the two clip arms 130. When attached to clothing, the magnetic grasp is the main component for support and the friction from the silicone arms 130 creating secondary stability. In one particular embodiment, each arm 130 has a circular finger grip 200. The purpose of the finger is to provide a place to hold on to the clip 100. When the clip 100 is attached to clothing, the user can press against the finger plates, push to increase the length of the clip 100 or pull to shorten the length of the clip 100. FIG. 3 a shows an arial view of the U-shaped base 120 when laying flat. FIG. 3 b shows an aerial view of the U-shaped base when standing up. FIG. 4 shows the rear tab 140 that attaches to the base 120. The tab 140 can either be manufactured together as a part of the U base or separate; and attached using adhesive or other means of attachment. The U-shaped base 120 is preferably made of, but not limited to, soft plastic or similar material such as polycarbonate or ABS/PC combination. The material is preferably a plastic that is both malleable and resistant to heat.
FIG. 5 shows a user 500 attaching the clip 100 to a shirt 510. In operation, when the clip 100 is attached to clothing, eg. a shirt, the user 500 can press against the finger plates, push to increase the length of the clip 100 or pull to shorten the length of the clip 100.
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and verifications are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. Since many embodiments of the present disclosure can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, the present invention resides in the claims hereafter appended.

Claims

1. An adjustable clothing garment tuck clip device comprising:

a clip which further comprises a base and

two adjustable/detachable arms:

the base slips into openings in the arms to create an adjustable component, wherein the clip attaches to the clothing garment and adjust its waist size on a user, and wherein the clip provides support for the clothing garment to stay tucked inside the user's pants.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the base is U-shaped.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one magnet is enclosed in each arm.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein each arm has a circular finger grip.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the clothing garment is a shirt.

6. A method for adjusting a clothing garment comprising the following steps:

comprising a clip, further comprising a base and two adjustable/detachable arms, slipping the base into openings in the arms to create an adjustable component; and

attaching the clip to a clothing garment to adjust its waist size on a user, wherein the clip provides support for the clothing garment to stay tucked inside the user's pants.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the base is U-shaped.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one magnet is enclosed in each arm.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein each arm has a circular finger grip.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the clothing garment is a shirt.

11. A clothing garment tuck clip device comprising:

a clip which further comprises a base and

two arms: the base slips into openings in the arms to create a component, wherein the clip attaches to the clothing garment and adjust its waist size on a user, wherein the clip provides support for the clothing garment to stay tucked inside a user's pants.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the base is U-shaped.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the clothing garment is a shirt.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein at least one magnet is enclosed in each arm.