US20150201689A1

US20150201689A1 - Garment engagement system

Info

Publication number: US20150201689A1
Application number: US14/161,879
Authority: US
Inventors: James G. Halbert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-01-23
Filing date: 2014-01-23
Publication date: 2015-07-23
Also published as: WO2015112295A1

Abstract

The disclosure provides a system for engaging and keeping an individual's garment confined. The device comprises at least one engagement clip comprising an interior and exterior surface, a channel extending between the interior surface and exterior surface, at least one anchor positionable within the engagement clip to define a space between the engagement clip and anchor for engaging the garment, and a belt ledge retainer to at least partially retain a belt in close proximity to the engagement clip.

The disclosure further provides a system including ferromagnetic elements that define an additional space adapted to engage a belt, garment, or combination thereof. A security belt may also be used in conjunction with the system to allow for even alignment of the individual engagement clips.

The disclosure further provides for the utilization of the system in relation with hand gun holsters, pockets, electronic device holders, eye glass cases, and body armor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a system for engaging and securing at least one garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Under strenuous conditions stemming from everyday tasks, garments are prone to “riding up” and becoming undesirably positioned. Additional difficulty results from carrying heavy items attached to the belt or in the pockets causing the lower body garments to slip down. There is often a need to find a private location to re-adjust the garments. This is often followed by frustration of the wearers of the garments. For as long as the textile industry has existed, there is not a reasonable solution for these problems.
Previous garment engagement systems have utilized elements such as Velcro, straps, and elongated arms. Although some of these systems may work, they introduce new problems when it comes to securing garments. Other problems arise when attempting to attach non-garment devices securely. These systems fail while supporting weight exerted on the systems by gravity and inertia. Other difficulties include discomfort and complications related to tightness of straps and the pulling and constraint of elastic straps.
Accordingly, a need exists for a garment engagement system that displays simplicity, efficiency in the containment of garments, and support of lower body garments while attaching non-garment devices to garments with locking mechanisms and supporting the load of the devices.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure at hand provides a system for engaging and keeping an individual's garment in a confined state. The engagement clip of the garment engagement system comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface wherein at least one anchor is positionable within the engagement clip to define a space between the engagement clip and an anchor. The engagement clip further comprises a channel extending between the interior surface and exterior surface of the engagement clip. The interior or exterior surfaces of the engagement clip may be textured. A housing may also be included in the garment engagement system.
The system further includes a belt ledge retainer configured to at least partially retain a belt in close proximity to the engagement clip. At least one ferromagnetic element may be utilized in conjunction with the system, wherein at least one of the ferromagnetic elements is adjacent to the exterior of the engagement clip and removably attached to the system. The ferromagnetic elements define an additional space adapted to engage a belt, garment, or combination thereof. In certain embodiments, at least one ferromagnetic element may take the place of the belt ledge retainer. In other embodiments, ferromagnetic elements may be absent.
The system may further comprise a belt with a length sufficient to circumnavigate said individual in order to retain the anchors with the help of securing wires or C-wires. Flexible anchors are used in the system in conjunction with an engagement clip. In further embodiments, a rigid anchor may be used in conjunction with an engagement clip. Other embodiments may include a compound anchor to retain securing wires.
The diameter of the anchor is smaller in diameter than the interior surface of the engagement clip to allow for the anchor to properly slide into the engagement clip whether engulfed in a textile or not engulfed in a textile.
The garment engagement system may be further utilized in relation with hand gun holsters, pockets, electronic device holders, eye glass cases, and body armor.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the current disclosure to overcome the disadvantages of previous garment engagement systems due to its simplicity, efficient containment of garments, and inclusion of trouser support.
These and other aspects of the disclosed subject matter, as well as additional novel features, will be apparent from the description provided herein. The intent of this summary is not to be a comprehensive description of the subject matter, but rather to provide a short overview of some of the subject matter's functionality. Other systems, methods, features and advantages here provided will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following FIGURES and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages that are included within this description, be within the scope of any claims filed later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the disclosed subject matter will be set forth in claims that follow. The disclosed subject matter itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A depicts a longitudinal view of an engagement clip section of a garment engagement system according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 1B depicts a longitudinal view of an engagement clip section of a garment engagement system with a retainer spring according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 2A depicts a securing wire according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 2B depicts a side view of a securing wire and compound anchor according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 3A depicts a side view of a belt and garment engagement system engaging more than one garment according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 3B depicts a side view of a belt and garment engagement system including a plurality of ferromagnetic elements engaging more than one garment according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a front/internal view of a flexible anchor engulfed in a garment according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts a textured housing and engagement clip slid partially over a flexible anchor engulfed in a garment according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts a front view of a garment engagement system engaging a garment while “hidden” under a pair of pants according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts an internal view of a garment engagement system engaging a garment while “hidden” under a pair of pants according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts a front view of a garment engagement system depicting an internal view of a securing belt attached to the garment engagement system according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 9A depicts a front view of a belt and flexible anchors according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 9B depicts a magnified view of a belt and flexible anchors according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 10A depicts a front view of an anchor plate section of an electronic device holder according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 10B depicts a front view of an engagement clip section of an electronic device and eyeglass holder according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 10C depicts a back view of an engagement clip section of an electronic device and eyeglass holder according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 11A depicts a front view of an engagement clip pocket section according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 11B depicts a top view of an anchor plate section in conjunction with an engagement clip pocket section according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 11C depicts a top view of an anchor plate section in conjunction with an engagement clip pocket section engaging a garment according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 12A depicts a front view of a gun holster system according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 12B depicts a side view of a user fitted with the anchor plate section of a gun holster system according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 13 depicts a back view of more than one anchor bar and an engagement clip body armor section according to an embodiment of the current disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numbers are used throughout the different figures to designate the same components.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”), is intended merely to better illustrate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure as used herein.
FIG. 1A depicts a longitudinal view of an engagement clip section of a garment engagement system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprising a housing 60, an engagement clip 52, a belt ledge retainer 56, and a ferromagnetic element 65. The engagement clip 52 is provided as a covering for a flexible anchor 57 (FIG. 5) and is made to fit snugly over the flexible anchor 57 when the anchor 57 is either engulfed or not engulfed in a garment. The engagement clip 52 is preferably made of PVC tubing material but may also be made of one or more other polymers, woods, metals, or composites. A main function of the engagement clip 52 is the ability to slide over a covered or uncovered flexible anchor 57 (essentially providing enough “give” so a covered or uncovered flexible anchor 57 will neither resist sliding into the engagement clip 52 nor slide out of the engagement clip 52 too easily). An engagement clip 52 created from any material that will allow this function is an acceptable engagement clip 52. In order to allow for a smoother step of sliding a flexible anchor 57 engulfed in a garment into the engagement clip 52, the circumferential edges of the engagement clip 52 may be rounded and/or smoothed. An engagement clip channel 63 exists on the engagement clip 52 (preferably three quarters of the length of the entire engagement clip) for the purposes of engaging an interior engagement clip 55 or a flexible anchor 57 and allowing passage of a securing wire 54 or a C-wire 42 found in other embodiments of the present disclosure (for example, see FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 9A, and FIG. 9B). The engagement clip channel 63 may also engage a portion of bunched up garment adjacent an anchor engulfed by the same garment (FIG. 4). The engagement clip channel 63 may be more or less than three quarters of the entire length of the engagement clip 52; in other embodiments, the engagement clip channel may span the entire length of the engagement clip. A belt ledge retainer 56 is positioned along the length of the housing 60 in order to keep the garment engagement system properly positioned below a user's belt while retaining a user's garment. The belt ledge retainer 56 may also assist in the support of a user's pants. Alternately the belt ledge retainer 56 may be positioned along the length of the engagement clip 52 to provide a lower profile. A ferromagnetic element 65 is also shown spanning the length of the garment engagement system. The ferromagnetic element 65 shown may be used in conjunction with at least another ferromagnetic element to engage or “trap” pants and or any other type of garment. This provides decreased alignment problems and prevents the release of garments during more rigorous activities by a user of the garment engagement system. In certain embodiments, a garment engagement system may exclude ferromagnetic elements.
FIG. 1B depicts a longitudinal view of an engagement clip section of a garment engagement system with a retainer spring 61 according to an embodiment of the current disclosure. The retainer spring 61 may span the entire length of the engagement clip section and is used to retain the anchor 28 in position. The retainer spring 61 keeps the engagement clip 52 from becoming dislodged from the anchor 28 with excessive side to side motion exerted on the engagement clip 52. The engagement clip 52 is released from the anchor 28 by gently pulling up on the retainer spring 61 while sliding the engagement clip 52 free from the anchor 28 and garment.
In another embodiment, the belt ledge retainer 56 and at least one ferromagnetic element 65 may separately span any length. For instance, the belt ledge retainer 56 and at least one ferromagnetic element 65 may span more than the length of the garment engagement system, the same length of the garment engagement system, or less than the length of the garment engagement system, or different lengths of the garment engagement system. In a further embodiment, one or both of the belt ledge retainer 56 and at least one ferromagnetic element 65 may span more or less than the length of the garment engagement system. In further embodiments, the anchor 28 may be a different length than the engagement clip 52 and/or housing 60.
In a further embodiment, at least one ferromagnetic element 65 may take the place of the belt ledge retainer 56.
In yet another embodiment, the engagement clip 52 may be slideably attachable to the housing 60. The engagement clip 52 may slide in and out of the housing 60 when acted upon by a force. Once enveloped by the housing 60, the engagement clip 52 may be held sturdily in place by external pressure from the housing 60 in order to avoid movement by the engagement clip 52.
FIG. 2A depicts a securing wire 54. The securing wire 54 is a wire with ends bent at around 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the angles of the ends may vary (as long as the angle allows for the proper functionality of the securing wire 54). The tips of the ends of the wire comprise ovoid shaped bulges used in certain embodiments of the garment engagement system. The securing wire is preferably made of nylon cord but is not limited to this material. The securing wire 54 is shown in a side view of a compound anchor 28 as shown in FIG. 2B. The compound anchor 28 is defined by an inner slide section 55 and an outer casing 59. The securing wire 54 is contained in a securing belt 24 disposed about a user of the garment engagement system. The bent ends of the securing wire protrude out of the belt through two holes in the securing belt 24. The interior engagement clip section and securing wire 54 are coupled together using a sliding engagement mechanism. The outer casing 59 includes two holes 53 spaced the same length as the length between the ends of the securing wire 54. The inner slide section 55 includes two hole slide channels 51 spaced so that the holes 53 of the outer casing 59 line up with the wider ends of the hole slide channels 51 when the outer casing 59 is partially slid over the inner slide section 55 and so that the holes 53 of the outer casing 59 line up with a part of the hole slide channels 51 other than the wider ends of the hole slide channels 51 when the outer casing 59 is fully slid over the inner slide section 55. The compound anchor 28 may be utilized with a garment engagement system that comprises all non-metal parts. This non-metal system may be useful when a user prefers to avoid detection from a metal detector.
FIG. 3A depicts a side view of a belt and garment engagement system engaging more than one garment according to an embodiment of the current disclosure. A flexible anchor 57 is shown enveloped in a shirt 36 within the engagement clip 52. An end of a C-wire 42 attached to a securing belt 24 are shown entering the engagement clip channel 63 of the engagement clip 52. The end of the C-wire 42 is further shown penetrating the flexible anchor 57 through an opening on the end of the flexible anchor 57. On the exterior of the engagement clip 52 there exists a belt ledge retainer 56 engulfed in a pair of pants 64. The belt ledge retainer 56 presses against a belt 62 and provides a force against the belt which the garment engagement system uses to restrict movement of the system. Other embodiments may exclude the use of a belt ledge retainer 56. Garment engagement systems utilizing a C-wire 42 and a flexible anchor 57 may be useful in situations where bearing weight is a necessary task.
FIG. 3B displays a side view of an embodiment of the system similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3A. The embodiment shown in FIG. 3B further comprises a first ferromagnetic element 65 and a second ferromagnetic element 66. A first ferromagnetic element 65 is shown substituting for the edge of the engagement clip 52 adjacent to the opening and on the external side of the shirt 36. A second ferromagnetic element 66 is shown resting above the pants 64 and the first ferromagnetic element 65 so that the pants 64 are entrapped between the first ferromagnetic element 65 and the second ferromagnetic element 66. A magnified view of the second ferromagnetic element 66 is further shown in FIG. 3B. The second ferromagnetic element's external surface area is mostly wrapped in a casing 68. On one side of the ferromagnetic element cover, there exists a removal protrusion 70 that functions to remove the second ferromagnetic element 66 from the magnetic field of the first ferromagnetic element 65 when pulled with a great enough force.
In another embodiment, the casing 68 and/or the removal protrusion 70 may be absent from the system.
FIG. 4 depicts a front/internal view of a flexible anchor 57 engulfed in a garment. The internal view helps define the cylindrical shape of the flexible anchor 57. The parallel dotted lines surrounding the flexible anchor 57 help to define a securing belt 24 used in conjunction with certain embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 5 expands on the embodiment of FIG. 4 and depicts a flexible anchor 57 partially engulfed in an engagement clip 52 and housing 60. The flexible anchor 57 (either engulfed or not engulfed in a garment) must have a diameter smaller than that of the interior of an engagement clip 52 so that the flexible anchor 57 may slide comfortably into the engagement clip 52.
FIG. 6 depicts a front view of a garment engagement system engaging a garment while “hidden” behind a pair of pants according to an embodiment of the current disclosure. The depiction is essentially a front and more realistic view of the views found in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B due to the fact that it shows the system performing the act of keeping a user's shirt in place while engaging the belt of the user. The system can be found just below the belt and is shown to bulge slightly when under a user's pair of pants. FIG. 7 expands slightly on the embodiment found in FIG. 6 and shows an internal view of the garment engagement system worn by a user. The housing 60 and engagement clips 52 (not shown; inside housing 60) of each system are shown attached to compound anchors 28 engulfed in a garment (found inside the housing 60 and engagement clips 52). A belt ledge retainer 56 above the housing 60 engages the belt 38. The dotted line is representative of a securing belt 24 that utilizes securing wires 54 to help keep the systems in place. FIG. 8 depicts a user utilizing a garment engagement system on the exterior of a shirt. The setup is essentially the same as that found in FIG. 7 except that the garment engagement system and securing belt 24 is still out of view but the engagement clips 52, housing 60 and belt ledge retainer 56 are still in plain view.
FIG. 9A depicts a front view of a belt and flexible anchors 57 according to an embodiment of the current disclosure. This embodiment utilizes a securing belt 24 in conjunction with four flexible anchors 57 dispersed on C-wires 42 protruding from the securing belt 24. When worn by a user, the belt-system combination allows a user to evenly space and position the C-wires 42 and flexible anchors 57 horizontally around the user's waist and provides a consistent attachment platform to set the elevation of the garment engagement system in preparation for the attachment to the outer shirt. The C-wires 42 are similar in shape to the letter “C”, hence the name C-wires 42. The securing belt 24 includes a release buckle 26 used to remove the securing belt 24 from a user. In other embodiments, the securing belt 24 may include more or less than four flexible anchors 57.
FIG. 9B depicts a magnified view of a C-wire 42 and a flexible anchor 57 found in FIG. 9A. The C-wire 42 is shown penetrating two orifices 48 embedded in the securing belt 24 using the top and bottom sections of the C-wire 42. A flexible anchor 57 is removably positioned on the bent ends of the C-wire 42. The flexible anchor 57 comprises two spaced segments 58, wherein the inner diameter of the flexible anchor 57 is larger than that of the outer diameters of the two tube segments 58. The anchor 57 is bendable, allowing the flexible anchor 57 to easily be taken off or placed on the bent ends of the C-wire 42.
FIG. 10A depicts a front view of an anchor plate section 72 of an electronic device and eyeglass holder according to an embodiment of the current disclosure. Two anchors 28 are found on opposite sides of the anchor plate section 72. The section may be placed under a garment and is held in place by two ferromagnetic elements 74 and 76. A first ferromagnetic element 74 is attached to the body of the anchor plate section 72. This first ferromagnetic element 74 magnetically engages a second ferromagnetic element 76 and in the process entraps a section of garment in between the first and second ferromagnetic elements 74 and 76 so that the anchor section 72 is held in place. FIG. 10B depicts a front view of an engagement clip section 78 of the electronic device and eyeglass holder. When the anchor plate section 72 is secured behind a garment, the engagement clips 52 may be slid over the anchors 28 of the anchor plate section 72 so that the garment is entrapped between the anchors 28 and the engagement clips 52. The engagement clip section 78 is held in place using engagement clip channels 63 on the engagement clips 52 that extend from the bottom of the engagement clips 52 to less than the entire length of the engagement clips 52. This allows for the engagement clip channels 63 to sit snugly on anchor protrusions 80 extending from the anchor section 72. A strap 82 is positioned on the body of the engagement clip section 72 to allow for an electronic device or eyeglass holder to be held securely to the engagement clip section 78. To keep the electronic device or eyeglass case in place, the strap 82 may wrap around the electronic device or eyeglass case and permeate the engagement clip section 78 on both sides of where an electronic device or eyeglass case may exist. The strap may utilize Velcro in order to attach to itself, as seen in FIG. 10C depicting the engagement clip section 78 and the strap 82 with a Velcro attachment. In further embodiments, the strap 82 may comprise an affixing means other than Velcro.
FIG. 11A depicts a front view of an engagement clip pocket section according to an embodiment of the current disclosure. Engagement clips 52 are affixed to opposite sides of a pocket 84 and are attached to a garment engulfed anchor section 72 (similar to the anchor section 72 of the embodiment of FIG. 10A). FIG. 11B depicts a top view of the engagement clip pocket section and anchor plate section 72 when combined. The engagement clips 52 are removably attached to the anchors 28 using engagement clip channels 63 on the engagement clips 52 that extend from the bottom of the engagement clips 52 to less than the entire length of the engagement clips 52 so the engagement clips 52 may sit on anchor protrusions 86 extending from the anchor section 72. FIG. 11C depicts a top view of the engagement clip pocket section and anchor section 72 when engaging a garment 87. The pocket may hold items such as, but not limited to, eye glasses.
FIG. 12A depicts a front view of a gun holster system according to an embodiment of the current disclosure. Engagement clips 52 are affixed to the top of a gun housing 88, which may engage with the anchors 28 of the gun holster anchor section 90. When the anchors 28 are enveloped in a garment, the engagement clips 52 may slide over the anchors 28, wherein the combination of the engagement clips 52 and the anchors 28 are similar to other embodiments. FIG. 12B depicts a side view of a user wearing the gun holster anchor section 90 on the user's shoulder. The gun holster system may be worn on the shoulder to allow a user easy access to the gun attached to the gun holster system. In further embodiments, the gun holster system may include a second strap that is worn over the opposite shoulder that may further stabilize the entire gun holster system.
FIG. 13 depicts a back view of more than one anchor bar 92 and a body armor plate section 94 according to an embodiment of the current disclosure. Two anchor bars 92 are used to stabilize the body armor plate section 94. The anchor bars 92 may be engulfed in a garment and the engagement clips 52 may be slid onto the anchors 28 using engagement clip channels 63 (similar to the process in other embodiments). In other embodiments, the anchor bars 92 may attach to the body armor plate section 94 in places other than the sides of the body armor plate section 94. In further embodiments, one or more than two anchor bars 92 may be utilized.
In any of the stated embodiments, one or more combinations of engagement clips 52 and flexible anchors 57 and/or one or more combinations of engagement clips 52 and compound anchors 28 may be utilized.
In any of the stated embodiments, the shape of any combination of the housing 60, engagement clip 52, and/or anchor 28 may be a shape other than cylindrical. The combination may take any shape sufficient to allow the garment engagement system to carry out the duties that are required of the system. For example, any combination above may take the shape of an ovoid, a triangular prism, a rectangular prism, a hexagonal prism, or an octagonal prism. Any combination may also be flat in order to allow for the system to be better hidden from view. The above embodiments are examples and are intended merely to better illustrate the disclosure and do not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed.
In any of the stated embodiments, a garment engagement system may be absent a housing 60. Furthermore, an embodiment of the garment engagement system such as the one stated above may include one or more belt ledge retainers 56 and/or one or more ferromagnetic elements 65 positioned along any length of an engagement clip 52.
In any of the stated embodiments, a housing 60 and/or an engagement clip 52 may include a textured interior and/or exterior. This added feature may serve to further secure any element of the garment engagement system or the garment engagement system as a whole. FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 depict specific housing embodiments with a diamond textured pattern. The pattern of the textured exterior may include other patterns such as circles, lines, triangles, ovals, squares, and swirls and are not limited to these patterns. A specific pattern may be used on a housing 60 and/or engagement clip 52 as long as the pattern helps to further secure the garment engagement system.
In any of the stated embodiments, a garment engagement system may include one or more belt ledge retainers 56 separately located on opposite adjacent sides of the engagement clip channel 63. These more than one belt ledge retainers 56 may allow a garment engagement system to be use right side up or upside down.
In any of the stated embodiments, one or more housings 60 and/or one or more engagement clips 52 may be made of a flexible material.
In any of the above stated embodiments, a compound anchor 28 may take the place of a flexible anchor 57 and a flexible anchor 57 may take the place of a flexible anchor 28. For example, a compound anchor 28 may associate with a C-wire 42 and a flexible anchor 57 may associate with a securing wire 54.
For the purposes of this disclosure, it is appreciated that the term garment may refer to any type of clothing worn by a human being, including but not limited to shirts, pants, shorts, t-shirts, vests, coats, jackets, ponchos, dresses, gowns, robes, cloaks, shawls, wraps, hosiery, skirts, spandex, suits, bathing suits, and underwear.
For the purposes of this disclosure, it is appreciated that the terms “system”, “engagement system”, and “and garment engagement system” refer to at least the combination of the engagement clip 52 and either a flexible anchor 28 and may comprise more elements than those stated, whether any of the combination or elements are singular or plural. For example, the use of “garment engagement system” may refer to a housing 60 and an engagement clip 52, a housing 60, an engagement clip 52, and a securing belt 24, or a housing 60, an engagement clip 52, and an anchor 28 (with the garment engagement system not being limited to any of the above embodiments).
For the purposes of this disclosure, it is appreciated that the terms “engagement clip channel” and “channel” are synonymous.
For the purposes of this disclosure, it is appreciated that the terms “flexible anchor” and “compound anchor” may both be referred to simply as an “anchor”.
In any of the above stated embodiments, any of the anchors referred to in this disclosure may be utilized in a garment engagement system without any referenced belt or referenced wire.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”), is intended merely to better illustrate the disclosure and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosure as used herein.
While this disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof and to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit of this disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the disclosure is defined not by the detailed description but by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for engaging and keeping an individual's garment in a confined state, comprising:

at least one engagement clip comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said at least one engagement clip further comprises a channel extending between said interior surface and said exterior surface of said engagement clip;

at least one anchor, wherein a portion of said at least one anchor being positionable within said at least one engagement clip for defining a space between said engagement clip and said anchor for engaging said individual's garment;

and

a belt ledge retainer configured to at least partially retain a belt in close proximity to said engagement clip.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a housing, wherein the housing comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said interior surface of said housing is textured.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said exterior surface of said housing is textured.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising at least one ferromagnetic element that defines an additional space adapted to engage a belt, garment, or combination thereof.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said at least one ferromagnetic element is adjacent to said exterior surface of said engagement clip.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said at least one ferromagnetic element is removably attached to said system.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a belt with a length sufficient to circumnavigate said individual.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said belt comprises at least one securing wire.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said belt comprises at least one C-wire.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said engagement clip is of a flexible material.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said exterior surface of said engagement clip is textured.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein said interior surface of said engagement clip is textured.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the diameter of said anchor is smaller in diameter than said interior surface of said engagement clip.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein said belt ledge retainer is an elongated ridge.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein said belt ledge retainer is at least one ferromagnetic element.

17. A system for engaging and keeping an individual's garment in a confined state, comprising:

at least one engagement clip comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said at least one engagement clip further comprises a channel extending between said interior surface and said exterior surface of said engagement clip, further wherein said channel extends less than the entire length of said at least one engagement clip;

and

at least one anchor, wherein a portion of said at least one anchor being positionable within said at least one engagement clip for defining a space between said engagement clip and said anchor for engaging said individual's garment.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein at least one engagement clip is associated with a first member of an electronic device and eyeglass holder and further wherein at least one anchor is associated with a second member of an electronic device and eyeglass holder.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein at least one engagement clip is associated with a first member of a gun holster and further wherein at least one anchor is associated with a second member of a gun holster.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein at least one engagement clip and at least one anchor is associated with a pocket.

21. The system of claim 17 wherein at least one engagement clip is associated with a first member of an element of body armor and further wherein at least one anchor is associated with a second member of an element of body armor.

22. A system for engaging and keeping an individual's garment in a confined state, comprising:

an engagement clip comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface, wherein said interior surface of said engagement clip is textured to allow said engagement clip to further engage a garment and further wherein the engagement clip comprises a channel extending between said interior surface of said engagement clip and said exterior surface of said engagement clip;

at least one anchor, wherein a portion of said at least one anchor being positionable within said at least one engagement clip for defining a space between said engagement clip and said anchor for engaging said individual's garment and further wherein said anchor comprises a diameter smaller than the diameter of said interior surface of said engagement clip;

a belt ledge retainer comprising an elongated ridge and configured to at least partially retain a belt in close proximity to said engagement clip;

at least one ferromagnetic element adjacent to said exterior surface of said engagement clip, wherein said at least one ferromagnetic element defines an additional space adapted to engage a belt, garment, or combination thereof and further wherein at least one of said at least one ferromagnetic element is removably attached to said engagement clip;

a housing comprising an interior surface and an exterior surface;

and

a belt with a length sufficient to circumnavigate said individual.