WO2017078540A1

WO2017078540A1 - Garment for a person's torso comprising an integrated holder for spectacles and method for establishing such a holder

Info

Publication number: WO2017078540A1
Application number: PCT/NO2016/050217
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Chr. BUGGE
Original assignee: John Chr. Bugge As
Priority date: 2015-11-02
Filing date: 2016-11-02
Publication date: 2017-05-11
Also published as: DE112016005021T5

Abstract

A garment (11, 21) for a person's torso, comprising an integrated holder (16) for spectacles (30), the spectacles holder being designed as a soft channel with an open upper insertion end (16a) for a spectacles rod (30a), the channel, with the possible exception of the open insertion end, being completely hidden behind at least one layer of fabric during normal use of the garment. A method for establishing such a holder in a garment is also disclosed.

Description

Garment for a person's torso comprising a spectacles holder and method for establishing such holder

The present invention relates to a garment for a person's torso, comprising an integrated holder for spectacles as indicated in the preamble of claim 1. According to another aspect it concerns a method for establishing such a holder as indicated by the preamble of claim 20.

Background

Many people need spectacles in their normal daily operating routines, that being during work or leisure time, and / or sunglasses for protecting the eyes when being outdoors. Still, there are many situations where the spectacles or sunglasses are not required and need to be stored away for a shorter or longer period of time without getting out of immediate reaching distance for the user.

Therefore, holders for allowing the user to bring with him his or her spectacles or sunglasses have been designed with the objective of having them at hand at any time, without risking to accidentally lose them, still providing easy attachment and retrieval of the spectacles to and from the holder.

In addition to the requirements of easy attachment and retrieval while maintaining low risk for the spectacles to be lost, there is also a desire of providing a holder that is aesthetically acceptable, which also may be translated to being near invisible or completely invisible, at least when not in use. It has proven difficult to fulfil all these requirements at the same time.

Most typically the spectacles or sunglasses are simply hung at the front of the neck opening with a high risk of being dropped and a certain risk of being permanently lost.

US patent No. 5 903 928 teaches a device for hanging a pair of spectacles on a garment, such as a polo shirt or the like. Some embodiments are based on visible slits through the front part of the shirt or garment, some are based on a simple loop with almost no vertical extension and some are based on use of a part of a shirt pocket and some are based on use of a dedicated hanging piece attached externally to the front part of the garment. Little or no emphasis is put on the aesthetics of the garment, exemplified by the mentioned visibly dominating hanging piece. The only embodiments providing the benefit of support over a significant vertical extension are the ones based on use of a front pocket and the one making use of a dedicated and visibly dominating hanging piece at the external front of the garment. The latter is furthermore the only embodiment providing any kind of support to the spectacles other than the fabric of the garment itself. Garment's spectacle holders which do not provide support over a significant extension of a spectacle's rod are not able to hold the spectacles at ease during movement and do not provide real safekeeping of the spectacles, since they can move quite freely and knock into furniture or other objects or simply slip out of the holder and be lost. GB patent application No. 2 488 169A describes a spectacles holder consisting of a fabric base having two spaced slots therein, spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the width of a pair of spectacles, while also comprising a holding loop on the side not visible from outside during use. It appears that it requires careful attention when placing a pair of spectacles in this holder in order not to miss the holding loop and possibly also the second slot a distance away from the first slot.

Another publication within this technical area is US patent No. 9 192 199. Objectives

It is an objective of the present invention to provide garments for a persons torso that allow temporary storage and safekeeping of spectacles or sunglasses when not in use, without having to store them away, which is typically a need e.g. when strolling in a city in and out of areas unshielded by buildings in strong sunlight, partly in shadowy areas where tall buildings prevent the sun from reaching ground level, or generally in weather frequently changing between sunlight and overcast.

It is a further objective that the storage and safekeeping should be comfortable, in the sense that it does not bother the user in any way when spectacles or sunglasses are stored there, and that storage and retrieval should be easy and swift, yet holding the spectacles firmly when placed there so as not risking to lose them even under rather vigorous body movement.

It is a further objective that the present invention is effective for different sizes and shapes of spectacles rods (also denoted temples or side bars). It is a further objective that the elegance and appearance of exclusivity of the garment is maintained and thus that the visibility of the spectacles holder is minimized or even invisible both when there are spectacles in the spectacles holder as well as when there is not.

Finally it is an objective to provide garments for a person's torso that allow temporary storage and safekeeping of spectacles or sunglasses not relying or depending upon the presence of pockets. Summary of the present invention

The objectives above are fulfilled with the garment according to the present invention as defined by claim 1.

According to another aspect the present invention concerns a method for establishing such a holder as defined by claim 20.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed by the dependent claims.

What is particularly achieved by the present invention is an easy, comfortable and secure way of storing spectacles or sunglasses when not in use. It is to be understood that everywhere the term "spectacles holder" is used throughout this document, a similar holder for sunglasses is contemplated.

It should be noted that the security is limited to accidental loss of the spectacles, but the present invention is not to be regarded as an anti-theft device.

A person skilled in the art will understand from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments that the present invention satisfies all the above mentioned requirements. Thus the present invention provides garments with integrated spectacles holder allowing easy positioning of spectacles or sunglasses in the spectacles holder, easy retrieval of same when the spectacles or sunglasses again are needed, reliable support for the spectacles and sunglasses in such a manner that the risk of accidentally losing them is neglectable, while the spectacles holder is invisible or practically invisible. Details of the present invention

Fig. 1 shows part of a garment according to the present invention, in the form of a button down shirt, in an unbuttoned condition.

Fig. 2 shows inner details of the shirt of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows further inner details of the shirt of Fig. 1 and 2, with spectacles in the spectacles holder.

Fig. 4 shows outer details of the shirt of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows part of the shirt of Fig. 1 when buttoned.

Fig. 6 shows part of a garment according to the present invention, in the form of a t-shirt.

Fig. 7 shows internal details of the t-shirt of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 shows internal details as of Fig. 6 and 7 with spectacles in the spectacles holder.

Fig. 9 shows outer details of the t-shirt of Fig. 8.

Figures 10 a-c show a particular embodiment of a detail of the present invention.

Figures 11 a-c show another embodiment of a detail of the present invention. Figures 12 a-d show yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 13 a-b show enlarged a detail of the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows the front part of a button down shirt 11 according to the present invention in unbuttoned condition, with a vertical panel 12a, hereinafter referred to as the inner shirt panel or rear shirt panel, provided with buttons 13, and another vertical panel 12b, referred to hereinafter as the outer shirt panel or the front shirt panel, provided with button holes 14 adapted to receive the buttons 13 of the rear shirt panel 12a. The collar of the shirt is referenced as 15.

A channel-formed spectacles holder 16 is shown with dotted lines, to indicate that it is hidden in or behind the rear shirt panel 12a. The open, upper insertion end 16a of the spectacles holder 16 is shown above, though adjacent, to one of the buttons 13. Also shown with short-dotted line is a small plate 17 which is positioned within the spectacles holder 16, having a width

corresponding to the width of the spectacles holder and a length extension less than that of the spectacles holder. The channel-formed spectacles holder may typically have the form of a soft fabric tube, i.e. a tube which is flat when not in use as a consequence of its softness and the forces acting upon it. The properties of the spectacles holder 16 will in some embodiments correspond to the properties of the garment 11 with regard to flexibility, washability and optionally ironing. In some embodiments, however, the spectacles holder will be made from material with elastic qualities in order to grasp around a wider range of spectacle holders' widths, so as to increase friction and to improve performance.

As shown in Fig. 1, the plate 17, which is preferably made in a thin plastic material, preferably with a thickness in the range from 0.05 mm to 3.0 mm, extends above as well as below the open upper insertion end 16a and constitutes a reinforcement of same. The plate 17 therefore is provided with an opening with a size corresponding to the open, upper insertion end 16a. The plate 17 not only serves to reinforce the open upper insertion end 16a of the spectacles holder 16, its main function is to provide increased friction against any spectacles rod positioned in the spectacles holder, thereby reducing the risk for the spectacles to slip out of the holder when the user moves about, possibly jumps or falls or possibly bends over to a position in which the open insertion end 16a of the spectacles holder for a while constitutes the lowermost part of the spectacles holder.

In another embodiment, not shown, the plate 17 may be positioned below, but adjacent to, the open, upper insertion end 16a of the spectacles holder, thus avoiding the need for a separate opening through the plate, yet providing increased friction for a spectacles rod positioned in the spectacles holder.

The length of the spectacles holder is typically in the range between 2 and 10 cm, more preferred in the range 3-7 cm, open also at the lower end. The extension of the spectacles holder for at least 2 cm and preferably more prevents spectacles worn in the holder to open accidentally.

Figure 2 shows the inside of the shirt 11 with the spectacles holder 16 in plain view as a small "bag" or rather a small "channel" - open at both ends - of fabric sewn or glued to the inside of the rear shirt panel, the shirt panel holding the buttons 13. The spectacles holder 16 has an open lower end 16b and an open upper end 16a. In the shown embodiment, the open upper end 16a is not positioned at the very top of the spectacles holder for the purpose of allowing the spectacles holder to support a plate 17 that extends above as well as below the open upper end 16a.

In Fig. 2 the spectacles holder is shown as having a width somewhat less the width of the rear shirt panel and also having a shape that tapers slightly inwards in a direction from the upper end towards the lower end thereof. This is one preferred embodiment, but other shapes and widths are possible. When the garment in question is a button down shirt and the spectacles holder is hidden behind the button panel or button hole panel the width of the spectacles holder should not be wider than that of the shirt panels.

Figure 3 shows generally the same spectacles holder as Fig. 2 and also from the same angle of view, the difference being that in Figure 3 a (left) spectacles rod 30a has been guided into the spectacles holder 16 from the open upper insertion end 16a, now extending out of the open lower end 16b. Naturally, the user may chose to use either the right hand or the left hand rod of the spectacles or sunglasses for insertion into the spectacles holder of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows the embodiment and situation shown in Figure 3 from outside, the only part of the spectacles 30 not visible being the left hand rod which is inserted through the open upper insertion end 16a of the spectacles holder. The immediate appearance of the spectacles

(sunglasses or the like) for by-passers would be that the user has hanged the spectacles simply in the void between the two shirt panels above the uppermost of the buttoned buttons. There are however significant inherent advantages with the present invention compared to doing that, the most important one being the reduced risk of losing the spectacles caused by movement, and another one being that the shirt collars are left alone, not stretched out from the users body in an unaesthetic manner.

Figure 5 shows the shirt of Fig. 1 from outside when buttoned and the spectacles holder is not in use. The rear shirt panel 12a is hidden behind the front shirt panel 12b and the only detail of the spectacles holder visible is the open upper end 16a thereof, which is barely visible - if at all - above the uppermost of the buttons being buttoned. To allow easy localization of the open upper end 16a, e.g. by an index finger, it is preferably provided with an extension in the form of a slightly larger seam than used at the buttonholes. When not using a tie, at least the uppermost button of a shirt is typically unbuttoned. The most natural place for the open upper end of the spectacles holder would be above, though adjacent to, the uppermost button below the user's larynx when the shirt is worn. In many cases that would be the second button from above, but some modern shirts have a number of buttons rather tightly arranged at the neck, so it may also be above, though adjacent to, button No. 3 or 4 counted from the top button. Now turning to Figure 6, another embodiment of the present invention is shown, the garment here having the form of a t-shirt 21 (could also be a pullover or sweater). Here, there are no panels, no buttons and no button holes. The spectacles holder 16 is shown with dotted lines to indicate that it is covered by at least one layer of fabric and not visible for the naked eye from outside. Contrary to the embodiment of the button down shirt (or polo shirt or piquet shirt) described above, there is no slot through the garment in the case here shown, the spectacles being intended to be hanged over the collar part 25 of the t-shirt and into the spectacles holder 16. It should be noted, though, that also in this case, a slot in the front of the t-shirt at level with the open upper end 16a of the spectacles holder 16, is a possibility, though not illustrated here.

Preferably, a small plastic plate 17, serving the same general purpose as described above, is arranged also in the version of the spectacles holder shown in Figure 6. The plastic plate 17 does not need a through opening in this case.

Figure 7 shows the same embodiment as Figure 6 but from inside, with the spectacles holder in plane view.

Figure 8 shows principally the same as Figure 7, but with a spectacles rod 30a inserted in the spectacles holder 16.

Figure 9 shows the embodiment and situation of Figure 8 from outside the t-shirt, with the spectacles 30 in plane view, except one of the spectacle rods which is positioned in the spectacles holder. The main front part of the t-shirt is given reference number 22.

Figures 10 a-c show a particular variant of the spectacles holder 16 enlarged. In this variant a mainly vertical stitching 161 divides the holder 16 into a broad section 16c and a narrow section 16d. For spectacles or sunglasses with a slim pair of rods or arms, the preferred section would be section 16d, as shown in Figure 10b while the section 16c, as shown in Figure 10c, naturally would be used for rods too broad to be accommodated in section 16d. For very broad spectacles rods, the user would have to remove the stitching 161 with the use of a pen knife or a pair of scissors. This particular embodiment of the spectacles holder may be used for any t-shirt variant as well as any pullover or sweater, shirt/ polo-shirt/ piquet-shirt and jacket embodiment of the present invention. Figures 10 a-c also show that a small plate 17, like in Figure 1 and other figures, is arranged at the uppermost part of the spectacles holder 16 to make it easy to find, to increase the friction and also to reinforce the opening so that the fabric of the garment is not too quickly worn out in the area around the upper opening of the spectacles holder.

Figures 11 a-c show yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown also in other embodiments the cross-section of the spectacles' holder 16 - or its internal open space available for spectacles - is tapered from a comparatively wide upper opening to a comparatively narrow lower opening. In Fig. lib insertion of a spectacles rod in the spectacles holder is illustrated - showing just one spectacles' rod rather than the complete pair of spectacles for the sake of simplification - to illustrate the fact that the spectacles rod just barely passes through the lower end of the spectacles holder against some frictional force, mainly due to the fact that the spectacles rod is curved at the earpiece thereof. In order to pass through, the spectacles might need a slight tilt to one side to minimize the effective width of the spectacles rod in the direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion movement while also stretching or bending the holder 16 somewhat during insertion. Fig. 11c shows the spectacles rod fully inserted and adjusted back to a substantially vertical position.

The open lower end of the spectacles holder could typically have a width of between 10 and 15 mm, such as e.g. 12 mm. The open lower end of the spectacles holder could also have a width larger than this, but being provided with selectively or individually removable stiches narrowing the open end down to a width no more than e.g. 10 mm until one or more of the said stiches are removed. In this manner the end user could be allowed to adapt the width of the open lower end accurately in accordance with e.g. a particular pair of spectacles.

A specific feature of the spectacles holder illustrated in Figures lla-llc is that a reinforcing plate 117 arranged at the upper opening 16a of the spectacles holder, has a vertical line at which the plate is bent with an obtuse angle so as to allow a bigger opening for easier access for insertion of a pair of spectacles. In other respects the plate 117 has similar function as the plate 17 of some previous figures. At its upper end the plate 117 may be pointed as shown, making it even simpler for the user to find the open upper end with just a finger tip. The point is that it should be easy to find the upper opening or entrance to the spectacles holder, while still a certain force should be required to insert the spectacles into the holder completely. The present invention fulfils these requirements. In this manner insertion is easy and quick while accidental loss of the spectacles is prevented or at least unlikely.

A common feature for garment of the present invention is that the spectacles holder is hidden from view when the garment is worn by a user, with the possible exception of a visible insertion slot at its upper end. For some embodiments the entire spectacles holder is hidden from view when the garment is worn, irrespective of whether spectacles are placed in the spectacles holder or not. When in use, it may seem like the spectacles are simply hung over the edge of a shirt collar or t-shirt collar, or in between the front and back panel of a button down shirt, while in fact the spectacles is safely held by a spectacles holder arranged as part of a garment according to the present invention.

Figures 12 a-d show an embodiment of the present invention from different sides, with and without spectacles inserted in the holder, said embodiment taking the point of discreteness even a step further, in that the spectacles holder is invisible from outside when it is in use as well as when it is empty. The spectacles holder is located at the inside of the button panel of a button down shirt, located near button No. 2 from the top. Use of the spectacles holder according to the shown embodiment, requires the user to keep the uppermost button unbuttoned, which is most typically the case when not using a tie or a bowtie. The spectacles holder can also be placed further down on the inner shirt panel, i.e. located near button No. 3, 4 and 5 etc. in case the user would want to wear the shirt with fewer buttons buttoned.

Figure 12a shows the shirt from outside, unbuttoned, the position of the spectacles holder and the plate shown with stapled lines. Figure 12b shows the shirt from inside, buttoned up to the button just above the spectacles holder, the uppermost button left unbuttoned. Figure 12c shows the shirt in same position as Figure 12b, but from outside and with a pair of spectacles arranged in the holder, i.e. with one spectacles arm inserted in the holder from above. From outside it appears as if the spectacles are just hung in the open slot between the left and right part of the shirt, while in fact the spectacles are securely positioned in the non-visible spectacles holder. Figure 12d shows the same position as Figure 12c, though from inside the shirt.

Figure 13a shows the plate 117 from Figures lla-c enlarged. It is provided with a pointed upper end to make it especially easy to find with the tip of a finger. The presence of the plate at the upper end of the spectacles holder generally contributes in at least three different ways, it is easy to find, it contributes to increasing friction against the spectacles rod and it serves to reinforce the opening of the spectacles holder which is generally subjected to wear from the movement in and out of spectacles rods. Figure 13b shows three variants, i, ii, and iii, of the plate 117 from above, each one of slightly different angle at the vertical bend line, which makes the plate contribute even more to the functionality of the spectacles holder by holding the opening of the upper insertion hole open, thus enlarging the opening and making it even easier to locate when inserting the spectacles rod.

Summarising some preferred embodiments

When the garment according to the present invention is selected among a button down shirt, a piquet shirt, a polo shirt, the spectacles holder 16 may be formed behind, or at least partly integrated in, the inner shirt panel. When the spectacles holder is arranged partly integrated in a shirt panel, the (upper) open insertion end 16a is typically formed through at least one outer fabric layer of said shirt panel. When the spectacles holder is arranged behind a shirt panel, it may either be formed with an open insertion end through a shirt panel or an open insertion that is not formed through any shirt panel.

While the described functionality constitutes the main aspect of the present invention, it should also be noted that the elegance and appearance of exclusivity of the garment can be enhanced by the provision of a label positioned on the holder, such as washing directions etc. and/or as a fashion brand label.

In embodiments where the open insertion end is formed through a shirt panel, typically having the shape of a button hole, it may preferably be provided with an extra large seam to allow easy localization of the opening with the tip of a finger.

In embodiments where the garment is a button down shirt or the like, the open insertion end may be localized vertically above and adjacent to one of the three uppermost buttons of the garment, preferably the uppermost button below the users larynx when the garment is used.

When the garment according to the present invention is a t-shirt or the like, the open upper insertion end of the spectacles holder is typically arranged at the front thereof, inside, near the neck opening of the garment. In such embodiments the open upper insertion end is typically arranged at or close to the joining line between a collar part of the t-shirt and its main front part, hidden behind at least one layer of fabric of said main front part.

The spectacles holder typically tapers moderately or slightly along its length extension, the largest cross-section at the upper end. In some embodiments the spectacles holder may be straight. The spectacles holder of the garment according to the present invention is oriented mainly vertical when used by a user who is standing or sitting in a normal upright position.

When the spectacles holder of a garment according to the present invention comprises a plate to simplify the localization of the open upper end, the plate is arranged invisibly. It is particularly worth noticing that the present invention provides a garment for a person's torso comprising a spectacles holder in which the holder is invisibly arranged, providing support extending over a significant extension of the spectacle's rod and thereby providing real safekeeping of the spectacles even during rigorous movement. The holder does neither depend on a front pocket nor negatively affect the use of any front pocket, if present. It is furthermore worth noticing that the illustrated embodiments of the present invention also have a common denominator in that the holder is arranged in connection with the neck opening of the garment or a buttoned opening extending from the neck opening of the garment.

It should be noted that the drawings and their detailed explanation above represent non-limiting embodiments of the present invention which is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A garment (11, 21) for a person's torso, comprising an integrated holder (16) for spectacles (30), characterized in that the spectacles holder (16) is designed as a soft channel with an open upper insertion end (16a) for a spectacles rod (30a), the channel, with the possible exception of the open insertion end, being hidden behind at least one layer of fabric during normal use of the garment.

2. A garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spectacles holder (16) has an open lower end (16b) through which the spectacles rod (30a) may extend when the spectacles holder is used.

3. A garment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the spectacles holder (16) is made in a soft fabric with properties corresponding to the properties of the garment (11, 21) with regard to flexibility and washability and ironing.

4. A garment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the spectacles holder (16) is made in a soft, elastic fabric.

5. A garment according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the garment (11) is selected among a button down shirt, a piquet shirt, a polo shirt, a jacket and, the spectacles holder (16) being formed behind the inner shirt panel (12a) with the open insertion end (16a) through the shirt panel (12a).

6. A garment according to any one of the claims 1-4, wherein the garment (11) is selected among a button down shirt, a piquet shirt, a polo shirt and, the spectacles holder (16) being formed at least partly integrated in the inner shirt panel (12a) with the open insertion end (16a) through at least one outer fabric layer of said shirt panel (12a).

7. A garment as claimed in any one of claims 5 and 6, the open insertion end (16a) being localized vertically above and adjacent to one of the three uppermost buttons (13) of the garment, preferably the uppermost button below the users larynx when the garment is used.

8. A garment as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, the spectacles holder (16) exhibiting a cross- section which is moderately tapered along its length extension, the largest cross-section at the upper end (16a).

9. A garment as claimed in any one of claims 1-8, the spectacles holder (16) being arranged mainly vertical when used by a user who is standing or sitting in a normal upright position.

10. A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least an upper part of the spectacles holder (16) is provided with a supporting plate (17, 117) arranged invisibly therein.

11. A garment as claimed in claim 10, the supporting plate (17, 117) being made in a synthetic material.

12. A garment as claimed in claim 10 or 11, the supporting plate (17, 117) having a thickness in the range between 0.05 mm and 3.0 mm, more preferred in the range between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm.

13. A garment as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, the supporting plate (17, 117) being provided with an obtuse angle around a vertical line.

14. A garment as claimed in any one of claims 1-3 or 7-12, the garment (21) being a t-shirt and the open upper insertion end (16a) of the spectacles holder (16) being arranged at the front thereof, inside, near the neck opening of the t-shirt.

15. A garment as claimed in claim 14, the open upper insertion end (16a) being arranged at or close to the joining line between a collar part (25) of the t-shirt and the main front part (22) of the t-shirt, hidden behind at least one layer of fabric of said main front part.

16. Garment as claimed in any one of the preceding clams, the spectacles holder (16) having a length extension in the range between 2 cm and 10 cm, preferable between 3 cm and 7 cm.

17. Garment as claimed in any one of the preceding clams, the spectacles holder (16) having an opening at its lower end in the range 10 -15 mm, preferable about 12 mm.

18. Garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the open, upper insertion end (16a) of the spectacles holder (16) is slot shaped and having the shape of a button hole when the spectacles holder is not in use, preferably provided with an extra large seam allowing easy localization thereof with the tip of a finger.

19. Garment as claimed in any one of claims 1-4 and 8-18, the spectacles holder (16) being provided in a manner in which the entire spectacles holder is shielded from view with at least one layer of fabric.

20. Method for establishing a spectacles holder (16) integrated in a garment (11, 21) for a person's torso, characterized in producing a channel open in both ends in a fabric material, making a slot-shaped opening at the top or through at least one layer of the garment fabric, sewing or gluing the fabric channel into the garment hidden behind the at least one layer of the garment fabric, the open upper end (16a) of the spectacles holder (16) aligned vertically or with the slot-shaped opening in the garment (11, 21).