WO2007130456A2

WO2007130456A2 - Women's maternity and non-maternity suspenders

Info

Publication number: WO2007130456A2
Application number: PCT/US2007/010636
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laura Kronen; Joseph Margiotta, Iii; John Hettish
Original assignee: Luna Lullaby, Llc
Priority date: 2006-05-02
Filing date: 2007-05-01
Publication date: 2007-11-15
Also published as: WO2007130456A3; US20070256216A1

Abstract

The present invention comprises an improved suspender (110) for providing support for women's maternity clothes (220) and women's non-maternity clothes (220). An advantageous embodiment of the suspender (110) comprises an elastic strap (120) that has a first fastener (150) connected to the first end (130) of the strap (120) and a second fastener (160) connected to the second end (140) of the strap (120). The first fastener (150) is used to fasten the first end (130) of the strap (120) to a supported garment (220) such as a pair of pants (220). The second fastener (160) is used to fasten the second end (140) of the strap (120) to a woman's foundation garment (230) such as a brassiere (230). One suspender (110) is used to suspend the supported garment (220) on the left side of the woman (210) and another suspender (110) is used to suspend the supported garment (220) on the right side of the woman (210).

Description

WOMEN'S MATERNITY AND NON-MATERNITY SUSPENDERS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention comprises an improved suspender design for providing support for women' s maternity clothes and women' s non-maternity clothes .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Suspender designs have typically been utilitarian.

Prior art suspender designs have typically comprised two elastic straps that attach to the top of a waistband of a pair of pants. Prior art suspenders are typically worn externally.

The two front straps of the suspenders are usually connected to the front of the pants, then the top part of the two suspenders go over the shoulders of the person who is wearing the suspenders, and then the two back straps of the suspenders attach to the top of waistband of the pair of pants at the back. The shoulders of the wearer provide the support for the pair of pants.

[0003] In some suspender designs, the two back straps cross at the center of the back of the wearer. In other suspender designs, the two back straps are connected together at the center of the back of the wearer and the connection of the two back straps is connected to the top of waistband of the pair of pants at the back by a single strap. In some suspender designs, the two front straps and the two back straps are attached to the top of the pair of pants at the same point. See, for example, United States Patent No. 468,561 issued to Dunham in 1892. [0004] There are a few prior art suspender designs that attach the suspenders to an article of clothing other than the garment that is being supported. The supported garment is usually a pair of pants. One prior art suspender design that is shown in United States Patent No. 5,774,899 issued to Griffin in 1998 attaches the suspender straps to a collar that is worn around the neck of the person who wears the suspenders. Another prior art suspender design that is shown in United States Patent No. 790,314 issued to Robertson in 1905 attaches the suspender straps to a vest that is worn underneath a shirt. Another prior art suspender design that is shown in United States Patent No. 1,118572 issued to Nigh in 1914 attaches the suspender straps to a vest portion of an outer garment. [0005] None of the prior art suspender designs mentioned above provide suspenders that are capable of providing support for women' s maternity clothes and for women' s non-maternity clothes. Therefore, there is a need in the art for improved suspenders that are capable of providing support for women' s maternity clothes and for women's non-maternity clothes.

[0006] Before undertaking the Detailed Description of the Invention below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or, " is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith, " as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

[0007] Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior uses, as well as to future uses, of such defined words and phrases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts:

[0009] FIGURE 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a suspender of the present invention; and [0010] FIGURE 2 illustrates a diagram that shows how suspenders of the present invention attach a supported garment to a woman's foundation garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] FIGURES 1 and 2, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented with any type of women's clothing. [0012] FIGURE 1 illustrates a schematic diagram 100 of a plan view of an advantageous embodiment of a suspender 110 of the present invention. The suspender 110 enables a supported garment (e.g., pants, shorts, skirt, slip, stockings, etc.) to be supported by attachment to a separate foundation garment

(e.g., brassiere, shirt, bustier, halter top, girdle, bathing suit top, etc.). Advantageously, this allows the suspender to be worn underneath an outer garment, such as a blouse. [0013] The suspender 110 comprises a strap 120 having a first end 130 and a second end 140. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the strap 120 is made of an elastic material. In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the strap 120 is made of non-elastic material. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, the length of the strap 120 is adjustable. In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the length of the strap 120 is not adjustable.

[0014] The material of the strap 120 may comprise a number of different types of material. Specifically, the material of the strap 120 may comprise cloth, leather, or lace material. The material of the strap 120 may also comprise plastic, including both transparent plastic or non-transparent plastics. The material of the strap 120 may also be formed from metal. For example, the material of the strap 120 may be formed from metal links.

[0015] The material of the strap 120 may come in different colors and patters. A particular color may be selected to enable the color of the strap 120 to conform to the skin tone of the woman who is wearing the suspender 110. A particular color may also be selected to enable the color of the strap 120 to conform to the color of the external clothes that are being worn by the woman who is wearing the suspender 110.

[0016] The strap 120 may also be provided with a soft backing material (not shown) on one side of the strap 120. The side with the soft backing material can be placed adjacent to the body of the woman who wears the suspender 110 to provide additional comfort.

[0017] The suspender 110 also comprises a first fastener 150 and a second fastener 160. The first fastener 150 is connected to the first end 130 of the strap 120. The second fastener 160 is connected to the second end 140 of the strap 120. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first fastener 150 and the second fastener 160 comprise a clip device. A clip device typically comprises a spring operated jaw mechanism. A spring (not shown) provides tension to keep the jaws of the clip together. Compressing the spring opens the jaws of the clip device to receive material to which the clip device may be attached.

[0018] A clip device is advantageous because a clip device may be attached to a garment at any point. That is, any point of a garment may be secured by a clip device. Usually a clip device is attached to an edge or hem of the garment. However, it is possible to attach a clip device to any point of a garment .

[0019] The suspender 110 of the invention is not limited to using a clip device as a fastener. In other advantageous embodiments of the suspender 110 of the invention, the first fastener 150 and the second fastener 160 may comprise other types of fasteners. For example, the fasteners may comprise buttons that are adapted to be secured in buttonholes in the garment to which the fasteners are attached. Snaps may also be used in place of buttons and buttonholes. In another example, the fasteners may comprise hook and loop material. Hook and loop material is the generic name for material marketed under the trademark Velcro™. Velcro™ is a trademark of Velcro USA, Inc. The first fastener 150 and the second fastener 160 of the invention may comprise any fastener that is suitable for fastening to garments.

[0020] The fasteners 150 and 160 may be slidably attached to strap 120 in order to adjust the length of suspender 110. By way of example, holes may be formed in the ends of strap 120 and fasteners 150 and 160 may comprise buckles that attach to the holes in the ends of strap 120 in the same manner as a belt buckle. Advantageously, this allows the length of the strap 120 to be increased when used by a tall woman and decreased when used by a short woman. [0021] FIGURE 2 illustrates a diagram 200 that shows the body of a woman 210, who is assumed to be pregnant. However, the suspenders 110 of the present invention may also be worn by women who are not pregnant.

[0022] The woman 210 is wearing an advantageous embodiment of a pair of suspenders 110 of the present invention. One suspender 110 is shown on the right side of the woman 210. The other suspender 110 (not shown) is on the left side of the woman 210 (not shown in FIGURE 2) .

[0023] The first end 130 of the suspender 110 is attached by first fastener 150 to a supported garment 220 that is worn by the woman 210. In FIGURE 2 the supported garment 220 comprises a pair of pants. It is understood that the invention is not limited to use with a pair of pants. The supported garment 220 may be any type of garment including, without limitation, a skirt, a pair of shorts, a slip, a petticoat, pantyhose, stockings, a garter belt or any other type of woman's foundation garment. The suspender 110 of the present invention may be attached to any type of supported garment 220 that is worn by the woman 210. [0024] The second end 140 of the suspender 110 is attached by second fastener 160 to a woman's foundation garment 230 that is worn by the woman 210. In FIGURE 2 the woman's foundation garment 230 comprises a brassiere. It is understood that the invention is not limited to use with a brassiere. The woman's foundation garment 230 may be any type of woman' s foundation garment including, without limitation, a bustier, a halter top, a girdle, or a bathing suit top. [0025] As shown in FIGURE 2, the suspenders 110 of the invention combine functionality and an esthetic design for use with the current maternity fashions for pregnant women. As previously mentioned the suspenders 110 of the invention can also be used by women who are not pregnant. The suspenders 110 are not visible because they are worn under the woman's external clothing. The suspenders 110 provide substantial support for the supported garment 220. This means that the woman does not need to wear a belt in order to provide support for the supported garment 220. The suspenders 110 are easily removable and reusable on all types of suspended garments 220. [0026] The foregoing description has outlined in detail the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that persons who are skilled in the art may understand the advantages of the invention. Persons who are skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment of the invention that is disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Persons who are skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.

[0027] Although the present invention has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present invention encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A suspender that supports a supported garment from a woman's foundation garment, the suspender comprising: a strap having a first end and a second end; a first fastener connected to the first end of the strap that fastens the first end of the strap to the supported garment; and a second fastener connected to the second end of the strap that fastens the second end of the strap to the woman' s foundation garment.

2. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the strap comprises an elastic material.

3. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the strap comprises a non-elastic material.

4. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the length of the suspender is adjustable.

5. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the length of the suspender is not adjustable.

6. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 further comprising a soft backing material on one side of the strap.

7. The suspender as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the strap is made of a material that comprises one of: cloth material, leather material, transparent plastic material, non- transparent plastic material, lace material, and metal link material.

8. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first fastener fastens to any point of the supported garment; and the second fastener fastens to any point of the woman' s foundation garment.

9. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second fasteners comprises a clip device.

10. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first fastener comprises a clip device for attaching to the supported garment.

11. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the second fastener comprises a clip device for attaching to the woman's foundation garment.

12. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second fasteners comprises a snap device.

13. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first fastener comprises a snap device for attaching to the supported garment.

14. The suspender as claimed in Claiiru 1 wherein the second fastener comprises a snap device for attaching to the woman's foundation garment.

15. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second fasteners comprises a button device.

16. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first fastener fastens to the supported garment using a button and buttonhole combination.

17. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the second fastener fastens to the woman' s foundation garment using a button and buttonhole combination.

18. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second fasteners comprises a hook and loop device.

19. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the first fastener fastens to the supported garment using a hook and loop device .

20. The suspender as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the second fastener fastens to the woman' s foundation garment using a hook and loop device.