US20240114977A1

US20240114977A1 - Bodysuit garment

Info

Publication number: US20240114977A1
Application number: US18/217,193
Authority: US
Inventors: Brendalin Caceres; Ivana Cora
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2022-10-06
Filing date: 2023-06-30
Publication date: 2024-04-11

Abstract

A bodysuit garment includes a main body member having a front panel, a back panel, a head opening, a pair of arm openings and an open bottom end. The bottom end of the front panel includes a protruding section that terminates along the pelvic area of a wearer. Multiple rows of connectors are positioned along the protruding section. A lower panel extends downward from the bottom end of the back panel. The lower panel includes a gusset along the length thereof, and a second connector along the distal end. The second connector removably engages any of the first connectors on the protruding section to secure the gusset in the closed position when wearing. During use, the location of the protruding panel and the connectors is visible to the wearer so as to be accessible and is not positioned against the vaginal area of the wearer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 63/413,893 filed on Oct. 6, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to articles of clothing, and more particularly to a bodysuit garment having a raised connection area with malleable components.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Bodysuits are popular garments for girls and women, as they provide a form fitting look which can be easily worn beneath a shirt or as a shirt/top itself, depending on the particular look the wearer is trying to achieve. Traditionally, bodysuit garments were constructed as a one-piece design which required the user to completely undress and remove the entire garment when they needed to use the restroom.
In response to this hassle, other types of bodysuit garments were provided which included a series of hard metallic snaps to allow the wearer to fasten and unfasten the lower body sections of the garment together without having to remove the entire garment. The snaps were positioned along the bottom end of the garment at a location between the legs of the wearer, so as to be adjacent to the wearer's vagina. As a result, such garments are commonly referred to somewhat derogatorily as “crotch snap” bodysuits,
Although these garments provided increased functionality, the location of the snaps is extremely problematic as the wearer is not able to visually see the snaps when attempting to fasten and unfasten the same. As a result, many users complain that it is difficult to properly refasten the bodysuit after use without assistance. Additionally, the location of the snaps against the wearers vaginal area is extremely uncomfortable to users, especially when moving vigorously and/or if the garment is pulled tight against the user's body.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a bodysuit garment having a raised connection area constructed from malleable components so as overcome the drawbacks described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a bodysuit garment. One embodiment of the present invention can include a main body member having a front panel, a back panel, a head opening, a pair of arm openings and an open bottom end. The bottom end of the front panel can include a shape that tapers to include a protruding section that terminates along the pelvic area of a wearer. The first plurality of connectors can be positioned along the protruding section at a location between the navel and vagina.
A lower panel can extend downward from the bottom end of the back panel. The bottom panel can include a gusset along the length thereof, and a second connector along a distal end. The second connector can engage any of the first connectors on the protruding section so as to secure the gusset in the closed position when wearing.
The location of the protruding panel and the connectors is visible to the wearer so as to be accessible and is not positioned against the vaginal area of the wearer.
This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a bodysuit garment that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bodysuit garment in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

Definitions

As described throughout this document, the term “about” “approximately” “substantially” and “generally” shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape, or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.
As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.
As described throughout this document, the term “removably secured” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated. This can be accomplished through the use of any number of different connectors. Several nonlimiting examples of a “connector” include, but are not limited to, hook and ring fasteners (e.g., bra strap fasteners), opposing strips of hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), attractively oriented magnetic elements or magnetic and metallic elements, flexible buckles, clips, hooks, snaps and buttons, for example.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of a bodysuit garment 10 that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 2 .
As shown in the drawings, one embodiment of the bodysuit garment 10 can include a main body member having a shape and size that is designed to be worn about or along the upper body of a human wearer. In one embodiment, the garment body can include a front panel 11 and a back panel 12 that form a head opening 13, a pair of arm sleeves 14 and 15, and a bottom opening 16.
In one embodiment, the bottom end of the front panel can include a tapered area that forms a protruding section 21. Likewise, an elongated lower panel section 22 can extend downward from the center of the bottom end of the back panel 12. As shown, the lower panel can preferably comprise an elongated narrow strip of material having a length (e.g., distance from the bottom opening 16) that is greater than the length of the protruding section 21.
As described herein, the bodysuit garment 10 may be constructed from any number of different materials that are suitable for clothing and direct contact with human skin, including, but not limited to cotton, flax, wool, ramie, satin, silk, lace fabric, leather, polyester, spandex, cashmere, stretchy materials, or blends and/or combinations of these or others, for example. In one embodiment, multiple materials can be used to form the bodysuit panels 11, 12 and 22, and may include an inner material and an outer material which may be different and/or have different physical properties. For example, an inner material may include a soft and low friction material such as satin whereas the outer material may include a durable weather resistant cotton blend designed to keep the wearer warm.
Although described or illustrated with regard to having long sleeves and a specific shape or sized neck opening, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, variations on the garment are contemplated to comprise short sleeve garments, sleeveless garments, V-neck garments, turtleneck garments and many others, for example.
In either instance, one embodiment of the garment 10 can include a gusset 23 that is positioned along a portion of, or the entirety of the inside facing surface of the lower panel section 22. The gusset can preferably be constructed from multiple layers of soft cotton so as to increase the comfort and hygienic properties of the garment when being worn.
In one embodiment, a plurality of connectors 25 can be positioned along the protruding section 21 of the front panel 11, and one or more additional connectors 26 can be positioned along the distal end 22 a of the lower panel section 22. In the preferred embodiment, connectors 25 and 26 can comprise strips of hook and loop material, respectively, so as to allow a user to quickly and easily secure the end of the lower panel section to the protruding section 21 of the front panel 11. When in the closed and connected position, the respective panels form distinct leg openings 27 and 28 shown in FIG. 2 .
As shown, it is preferred that the plurality of connectors 25 be positioned as individual rows each separated by a set distance along the protruding section 21. Such a feature advantageously allowing a user to selectively connect the end 22 a of the lower panel section to any individual row so as to adjust the size, tightness and/or orientation of the garment panels together in order to suit the preferences of the wearer.
Although described above with regard to strips of malleable hook and loop material having a particular orientation and position along the garment panels, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, any number and type of connectors may be provided along the panel sections in order to achieve the described functionality.
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the bodysuit garment 10 in operation. As noted above, the garment will be constructed in multiple sizes to suitable for use by wearers of all shapes and body types. In either instance, when the garment is worn by an individual 1, the protruding section 21 a and each of the connectors 25 a will be positioned along the pelvic area 2 of the user at a location below their navel and above the vagina. Such a feature is extremely important, as this location 1) is clearly visible to the wearer when fastening or unfastening the connectors, and 2) because it removes the connectors and other objects from the sensitive vaginal area, thus eliminating the uncomfortable and irritating features found in traditional bodysuits.
As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
As described herein, one or more elements of the device 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. 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,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the term “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bodysuit garment, comprising:

a main body member having a front panel, a back panel, a head opening, a pair of arm openings and an open bottom end; and

a lower panel that extends from a bottom end of the back panel,

wherein the bottom end of the front panel includes a tapered shape forming a protruding section, and

wherein the lower panel is configured to removably engage the protruding section of the front panel.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the lower panel includes a first end that is permanently connected to the bottom end of the back panel, and a second end that is removably connected to the protruding section of the front panel.

3. The garment of claim 2, further comprising:

a first connector that is positioned along the protruding section of the front panel.

4. The garment of claim 3, further comprising:

a second connector that is positioned along the second end of the lower panel.

5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the first and second connector each comprise malleable and non-rigid components.

6. The garment of claim 4, wherein the first and second connectors comprise strips of hook and loop material.

7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising:

a gusset that is disposed along the lower panel.

8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the gusset is constructed from multiple layers of cotton.

9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the main body member is constructed from one of cotton, flax, wool, ramie, satin, silk, lace fabric, leather, polyester, spandex, or cashmere.

10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the lower panel includes a length that is greater than a length of the protruding section.