WO2006105016A2

WO2006105016A2 - Garment coupling system and method of use thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2006105016A2
Application number: PCT/US2006/011098
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bridget Dobson
Original assignee: Bridget Dobson
Priority date: 2005-03-29
Filing date: 2006-03-27
Publication date: 2006-10-05
Also published as: US20060218754A1; WO2006105016A3

Abstract

A garment coupling system and method of use thereof, wherein the present system contemplates the structural modification of scarves and/or other selected garments/accessories via the incorporation of a peripherally-reinforced aperture discretely positioned on the garment body; thereby, enabling a plurality of such structurally-modified garments to be coupled, and, thus, commonly bound by inserting or feeding an associated fastener or coupling device through the aligned apertures of each such garment.

Description

GARMENT COUPLING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF

Be it known that I, BRIDGET DOBSON, residing at 3650 Tuxedo Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30305, of the United States, have invented certain new and useful improvements in a Garment

Coupling System and Method of Use Thereof, of which the following is a specification.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

To the full extent permitted by law, the present Patent Cooperation Treaty Application claims priority to and the benefit of United State Non-Provisional patent application entitled "Garment Coupling System and Method of Use Thereof," serial number not yet assigned, filed on March 24, 2006, on behalf of inventor Bridget Dobson, and United States Provisional patent application entitled "Garment Coupling System and Method of Use Thereof," having assigned Serial No. 60/666,003, filed on March 29, 2005, on behalf of inventor Bridget Dobson.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to garment securing products, and more specifically to a garment coupling system and method of use thereof. The present invention is particularly useful for securely coupling or binding a plurality of scarves around a user's neck and, thus, maintaining the scarves in aesthetic alignment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Whether adorned with business suits, formal or casual seasonal wear, women's fashion scarves or neck sashes are often one of the many accessorizing garments included in their wardrobe. Indeed, women typically adorn a plurality of such scarves with their outfits, usually fastening the selected grouping around the neck via a common knot, broach, safety pin, or the like, in an effort to prevent independent shifting of the individual scarves relative to one another and, thus, maintain the scarves in aesthetic alignment.

Unfortunately, coupling or binding the scarves or other selected garments with such available fasteners and/or fastening methods usually results in irreparable damage to the delicate garment/scarf fabric, such as pulled threads, unsightly pinholes, and/or stubborn wrinkles. Additionally, common knots, broaches, safety pins, or the like, often fail to provide the requisite level of aesthetics sought by the garment wearer, and further fail to adequately maintain the scarves in an aligned fashion.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a garment coupling system and method of use thereof, wherein the user may effortlessly combine a plurality of scarves or other selected garments and/or garment accessories specifically designed to receive certain fasteners or couplers adapted to engage the selected grouping of garments/accessories without damaging, piercing or otherwise structurally disrupting the integrity of the fabric body. There is a further need for such a system and method that provides consistent alignment of multiple adorned scarves, or other suitable garments or accessories, and, thus, the desired aesthetic appeal during wear of same.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages, and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a garment coupling system and method of use thereof, wherein the present system contemplates the structural modification of scarves and/or other selected garments/accessories via the incorporation of a peripherally-reinforced aperture discretely positioned on the garment body; thereby, enabling a plurality of such structurally-modified garments to be coupled, and, thus, commonly bound by inserting or feeding an associated fastener or coupling device through the aligned apertures of each such garment .

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present invention in its preferred form is a garment coupling system and method of use thereof, generally comprising a stitching-reinforced slit formed through a garment, and a structurally flexible or rigid fastener engagable through the stitching-reinforced slits of a plurality of such garments.

More specifically, the present invention is a garment coupling system and method of use thereof, comprising a stitching-reinforced slit formed through a garment (i.e., scarves, sashes, etc.), wherein a plurality of such garments, each comprising a stitching-reinforced slit, may be grouped and securely coupled around the wearer's neck or other suitable body region, via insertion of either a structurally flexible or rigid fastener through the aligned stitching-reinforced slits of the grouped garments. Each such flexible fastener may be in the form of a simple fabric strap (i.e., formed from identical or similarly patterned/textured fabric as the scarves/garments) , fabric-covered elastic strap, metal chain, or the like, comprising cooperatively-engagable fasteners disposed at the terminal ends thereof, such as, for exemplary purposes only, jewelry clasps, magnetic clasp/studs, hook-and-eye clasps, slide clasps, fold-over arrangements, lobster claw clasps, fish slides, assembled end caps, barrel clasps, toggle clasps, snap- button arrangements, slit-and-button arrangements, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like. Each such rigid fastener may be in the form of clasps, closable pins, cuff links, and the like. Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a system and method for coupling a plurality of garments and/or garment accessories.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a system and method for coupling a plurality of garments and/or garment accessories without damaging, piercing or otherwise structurally disrupting the integrity of the fabric body.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide stitching-reinforced slits, or other peripherally-reinforced apertures, formed in a plurality of commonly combined garments/accessories (i.e., scarves) so as to enable the combination of same via effortless application of associated flexible or rigid fasteners through the aligned slits of overlapping garments.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to provide a technology adaptable to a variety of garments, including, without limitation, scarves, sashes, shawls, general neckwear, wrist-adorned sashes or scarves, and the like.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate

Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible fastener of a garment coupling system and method of use thereof, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown open,-

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flexible fastener of a garment coupling system and method of use thereof, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown closed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a rigid fastener of a garment coupling system and method of use thereof, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown open;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rigid fastener of a garment coupling system and method of use thereof, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown closed; FIGS. 5A-5C are perspective views of a garment coupling system and method of use thereof, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in use with application of the flexible fastener of FIGS. 1-2; and,

FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective views of a garment coupling system and method of use thereof, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in use with application of the rigid fastener of FIGS. 3-4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

To the full extent permitted by law, the present Patent Cooperation Treaty Application claims priority to and the benefit of United State Non-Provisional patent application entitled "Garment Coupling System and Method of Use Thereof," serial number not yet assigned, filed on March 24, 2006, on behalf of inventor Bridget Dobson, and United States Provisional patent application entitled "Garment Coupling System and Method of Use Thereof," having assigned Serial No. 60/666,003, filed on

March 29, 2005, on behalf of inventor Bridget Dobson.

In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6C, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-6C, the present invention in its preferred embodiment is a garment coupling system 10 and method of use thereof, generally comprising garments 20, flexible fastener 30 and/or rigid fastener 40.

Specifically, garments 20 are preferably a plurality of scarves commonly adorned around a wearer's neck. However, it should be recognized that the technology of the present invention may be selectively applied to a variety of garments, including, without limitation, sashes, shawls, general neckwear, wrist-adorned sashes or scarves, and the like.

. Preferably positioned proximate the mid-region of each garment 20 is a stitching-reinforced opening or slit 22. Stitching-reinforced slit 22 preferably provides an annealed or strengthened aperture through which flexible fastener 30 or rigid fastener 40 may be inserted to couple or bundle a plurality of such garments 20, as more fully described below. As such, stitching-reinforced slits 22 of garments 20 effectively nullify conventional methods of garment coupling requiring piercing of the garment fabrics via pins or broaches, which might otherwise lend to aesthetically displeasing pinholes, pulled threads, irrevocable damage to the garment fabric, and/or the like.

Although stitching-reinforced slits 22 provide the preferred structural and functional features for implementation of the present system and method 10, it should be recognized that other suitable apertures or slots may be appropriately formed through garments 20, wherein the periphery of such apertures or slots may be reinforced via fabric, metal (i.e., grommets) , film, or the like. Additionally, it should be recognized that each garment 20 may comprise any selected number of such stitching-reinforced slits 22, apertures, or slots, to facilitate implementation of the present system and method 10. Moreover, stitching-reinforced slit 22, or any selected variant or number thereof, may be disposed on garment 20 at any selected position, depending on the type of garment and/or common method of wear associated therewith. Furthermore, it should be recognized that when dealing with garments 20 of multiple plies or layers, slits 22, or any of the above-described variants thereof, may be formed through one or more of such plies or layers .

Preferably, flexible fastener 30 may be in the form of a simple fabric strap (i.e., formed from identical or similarly patterned/textured fabric as garment 20 - "self-fabric" - so as to promote "blending" or concealment of fastener 30 therewith) , fabric-covered elastic strap (i.e., also may be formed from self-fabric) , metal chain, a ribbon (for tying into a bow) , or the like, comprising cooperatively-engagable fasteners 32, 34 disposed at the terminal ends thereof, such as, for exemplary- purposes only, jewelry clasps, magnetic clasp/studs, hook-and- eye clasps, slide clasps, fold-over arrangements, lobster claw clasps, fish slides, assembled end caps, barrel clasps, toggle clasps, snap-button arrangements, slit-and-button arrangements, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like.

Preferably, rigid fastener 40 may be in the form of clasps, closable pins, cuff links, and the like, wherein rigid fastener 40 may comprise structural enhancements to enable the attachment of broaches, or other decorative jewelry thereto, so as to facilitate concealment of rigid fastener 40 during use. Rigid fastener 40 may be formed from any suitable material, such as, for exemplary purposes only, metal or plastic.

Referring now more specifically to FIGS. 5A-6C, in use, a plurality of such scarves or garments 20, each comprising a stitching-reinforced slit 22, are preferably grouped and selectively oriented (i.e., juxtaposed, overlapped, adjacently- disposed, or the like) around a user's neck N and throat T, such that each such stitching-reinforced slit 22 of each garment 20 is preferably substantially aligned (see FIGS. 5C and 6C) . Preferably, garments 20 are position around the user's neck N and throat T regions such that slits 22 face inwardly thereagainst , wherein positioning of slits 22 against the user's neck N and/or throat T facilitate concealment (if desired) of subsequently applied flexible fastener 30 and/or rigid fastener 40. That is, either flexible fastener 30 and/or rigid fastener 40 is appropriately inserted or fed through slits 22 of garments 20, and thereafter secured. It is contemplated that a plurality of flexible fasteners 30 and/or rigid fasteners 40 may be utilized to coupled garments 30.

It is contemplated that garments 20 may require folding to facilitate appropriate wear over or across the user' s neck or throat, and, as such, each slit 22 may be suitably positioned over each garment 20, and/or provided in multiple numbers thereover, to comply with the various methods of garment folding and wear; thus, facilitating implementation of the present system and method 10.

Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CIAIMED IS:

1. A system for coupling a plurality of garments, said system comprising : a plurality of slits, wherein each garment of said plurality of garments comprises at least one slit of said plurality of slits,- and, a fastener, wherein said fastener is inserted through each said slit of each said garment.

2. The system of Claim 1, wherein said plurality of slits comprise stitching-reinforced slits.

3. The system of Claim 1, wherein said plurality of slits comprise peripherally-reinforced apertures or slots.

4. The system of Claim 1, wherein said plurality of garments is selected from the group consisting of scarves, sashes, shawls, general neckwear, wrist-adorned sashes, wrist-adorned scarves, and combinations thereof.

5. The system of Claim 1, wherein said fastener is a flexible fastener selected from the group consisting of fabric straps, fabric straps formed from identical or similarly patterned or textured fabric as said garments, fabric-covered elastic straps, fabric-covered elastic straps formed from identical or similarly patterned or textured fabric as said garments, metal chains, and combinations thereof.

6. The system of Claim 5, wherein said flexible fastener comprises cooperatively-engagable fasteners disposed at terminal ends thereof .

7. The system of Claim 1, wherein said fastener is a rigid fastener selected from the group consisting of clasps, cuff links, closable pins, and combinations thereof.

8. A method for coupling a plurality of garments, said method comprising the steps of: forming at least one peripherally-reinforced slit in each garment of said plurality of garments; inserting a fastener through each said slit of each said garment; and, securing said fastener.

9. A system for coupling a plurality of garments, said system comprising : an opening formed through at least one garment of said plurality of garments,- and, a fastener, wherein said fastener is inserted through said opening of said at least one garment, and wherein at least a portion of said plurality of garments is coupled to said at least one garment via said fastener.

10. The system of Claim 9, wherein said opening is stitching- reinforced.

11. The system of Claim 9, wherein said opening is peripheralIy-reinforced.

12. The system of Claim 9, wherein said plurality of garments is selected from the group consisting of scarves, sashes, shawls, general neckwear, wrist-adorned sashes, wrist-adorned scarves, and combinations thereof.

13. The system of Claim 9, wherein said fastener is a flexible fastener selected from the group consisting of fabric straps, fabric straps formed from identical or similarly patterned or textured fabric as said garments, fabric- covered elastic straps, fabric-covered elastic straps formed from identical or similarly patterned or textured fabric as said garments, metal chains, and combinations thereof.

14. The system of Claim 13, wherein said flexible fastener comprises cooperatively-engagable fasteners disposed at terminal ends thereof .

15. The system of Claim 9, wherein said fastener is a rigid fastener selected from the group consisting of clasps, cuff links, closable pins, and combinations thereof.