US20080189831A1

US20080189831A1 - Garment weights

Info

Publication number: US20080189831A1
Application number: US11/673,498
Authority: US
Inventors: Catherine Ann Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-09
Filing date: 2007-02-09
Publication date: 2008-08-14
Also published as: WO2008098197A1

Abstract

A device to hold a garment in place, particularly the event of a gust of air, comprising an attachment member, a connecting member, and a weight, which can be worn either on the inside or outside surface of the garment.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure is for a device that assists in holding a skirt or dress in place.
2. Background
Skirts and dresses are a common form of attire. However, in windy conditions, the lower portion can blow upwards, causing a potentially embarrassing situation for the wearer. Attempts have been made to solve this problem, but these have several shortcomings.
Other devices are merely ornamental, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. D457,465, entitled “WOMEN'S GARMENT CLIP” to Hollingsworth et al., issued on May 21, 2002. This device is a clip shaped like a human hand. Although it is intended to keep wind from blowing a skirt upward, it can only attach to the “bottom, side, or front of a skirt or dress.” Therefore, a user cannot conceal this device and must be content with displaying it as a fashion accessory. The aesthetic design also indicates that it is meant to be seen.
Another ornamental device, described in U.S. Pat. No. 724,518, entitled “SKIRT ELEVATOR” to Sutton, issued on Apr. 7, 1903 holds down a skirt in the wind by hanging a set of weights from approximately the waist area of the skirt. The weights hang down at the user's sides on the outside of the skirt, thereby pinning it down to the user's body when a gust of wind tries to raise it up. However, this device must be worn on the outside of the garment in plain sight in order to work. Further, a user may eventually find the weights hanging at her side tiring, and the weights constantly hitting her legs could prove uncomfortable. Another problem with this device is that the clips and weights tend to grab the garment in a way that wrinkles it or pulls it away from a proper fit by not allowing the garment to hang naturally.
Other solutions to this problem involve sewing weights into the hem of a skirt or dress. Although it can be effective, this method permanently alters the skirt. The weights are not easily detachable for washing or on occasions where they are not needed. Further, adding and removing weights from a skirt in this manner can cause excessive wear and tear on the garment.
What is needed is a device that effectively holds a skirt, dress, or other garment in place under windy conditions, while still being concealable, detachable, and harmless to the garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present device

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of the present device in use.

FIG. 3 depicts another embodiment of the present device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present device. An attachment member 102 has a proximal and a distal edge. A connecting member 104 having a proximal and a distal end can be connected to the distal end of the attachment member 102. A weight 106 can be connected to the distal end of the connecting member 104.
An attachment member 102 can be a clip, clamp, clasp, adhesive, magnetic coupling, pin, clothespin and/or any other known and/or convenient device. The surfaces of an attachment member 102 that come in contact with the surfaces to which it can be attached can be smooth or textured to enhance the grip of the attachment member 102.
A connecting member 104 can be a cord, loop, strap, chain and/or any other known and/or convenient item capable of connecting the attachment member 102 with the weight 106 having any known and/or convenient elastomeric and/or elastoplastic properties. A connecting member 104 can be removably coupled with an attachment member 102 by a clip, hook, or any other known and/or convenient device. It can also be permanently affixed to an attachment member 102 by adhesive or any other known and/or convenient device.
A weight 106 can be a single mass and/or a plurality of masses (distributed or otherwise geometrically related) of metal, plastic, glass, polymer, or any other known and/or convenient material. A weight 106 can be a regular or irregular geometric shape, an artistic shape, letters, numbers, creatures, or any other known and/or convenient configuration. A weight 106 can be removably coupled with a connecting member 104 by a clip, hook, or any other known and/or convenient device. It can also be permanently affixed to a connecting member 104 by adhesive or any other known and/or convenient devices.
FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the present device in use. A user attaches at least one device in any known and/or convenient location on the body of a garment. In some embodiments a user can attach the device, using the attachment member 104, to the inside of the garment so that the device cannot be seen. FIG. 2 depicts this embodiment by using cutaways views to show devices attached to the inside of a garment. In alternate embodiments, a user can attach it to the outside surface of the garment or along the bottom hemline to make it more conspicuous. In the event that a surge of air, such as a gust of wind appears and attempts to blow the garment upward, the weight 106, that can be coupled with any known and/or convenient garment via an attachment member 102, can assist in holding the garment in place. In some embodiments the device can be attached to a skirt, a kilt, a komono, a robe and/or any other garment.
In some embodiments, a weight 106 can be removably coupled with a connecting member 104. In other embodiments, a weight 106 can be permanently affixed to a connecting member 104, which can then be removably coupled with an attachment member 102 with or without the connecting member 104. In some embodiments, a weight 106 and/or a connecting member 104 can be interchangeable. In some embodiments, a user could change a weight 106 to provide more or less resistance against the force of a gust of wind. Also, in some embodiments a user could interchange an attachment member 102, a connecting member 104, or a weight 106 for aesthetic purposes. In still further alternate embodiments, the attachment member 102, the connecting member 104, the weight and/or any known and/or convenient portion of the device can be integrated with any known and/or convenient garment.
FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the present device. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the attachment member 102 can be a spring clip, clasp, clamp, pin, clothespin and/or any other known and/or convenient mechanism, which can be made of metal, plastic, and/or any other known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, a plurality of weights 106 can be used.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device to hold a garment in place comprising:

An attachment member having a proximal end and a distal end;

At least one weight;

A connecting member having a proximal end and a distal end;

Wherein said weight is connected to the distal end of said connecting member and the proximal end of said connecting member is connected to the distal end of said attachment device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said weight is removably connected to said connecting member.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said connecting member is removably connected to said attachment member.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said weight is interchangeable.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein said connecting member is interchangeable.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said attachment device is selected from the group consisting of: clamp, clip, clasp, adhesive, and magnetic coupling.