GARMENT WITH REPLACEABLE DRAWSTRING

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/574,181, filed on Apr. 3, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Board shorts are commonly used as surfing wear. A drawstring is a common element of board shorts as surf wear include a drawstring at the fly closure allowing the waist of the shorts to be tightened to a desired circumference. However, the drawstring may become irreparably tangled or damaged during use or washing, requiring that the entire board shorts be replaced.

Fly closures that do not become damaged during use and washing would be advantageous over conventional designs. Moreover, fly closures that incorporate an easily removable, replaceable, or interchangeable drawstring may prolong the useful life of the garment. Garments that include such fly closures, while also retaining the advantages of a drawstring would be desirable, and it is to these purposes that the present disclosure is directed.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify required or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this summary intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Patch assemblies are disclosed herein for the purpose of facilitating an easily interchangeable drawstring into garments such as board shorts. Conventional drawstrings can become tangled during washing or use, thereby ruining the garment and requiring replacement of the garment in whole due to damage of the drawstring. In certain aspects, the patch assembly a patch assembly for securing a drawstring to a garment can comprise a panel with a first side for attaching to the garment and a second side for retaining the drawstring and a loop secured to the second side of the panel. In certain aspects, the patch assembly can further comprise a retainer, embodied as part of the loop (e.g., an inner surface of the loop) or as an independent component of the patch assembly.

Fly closures are also disclosed herein and can comprise any of the patch assemblies contemplated herein and a drawstring. In certain aspects the drawstring can comprise a retainer segment, configured to be preferentially and removably retained within the loop of the patch assembly. In certain aspects, the retainer segment can be a frictioned surface adhered to the drawstring. In further aspects, the frictioned surface may be a textured surface, or alternatively, a plurality of protrusions. The surface may be plastic or rubber (e.g., a silicone).

Garments, such as swimming garments, are also disclosed herein. Garments can comprise the patch assemblies and fly closures contemplated throughout this disclosure. In certain aspects, the patch assembly can be incorporated as the waistband of the garment, further comprising a plurality of eyelet apertures on opposing sides of a fly closure. The patch assembly may be aligned in any appropriate manner that allows the drawstring to be retained in an appropriate manner for fastening the fly closure and allowing access to the loop of the patch assembly for easy removal and replacement of the drawstring from the loop.

Both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description and examples are explanatory only and should not be considered to restrict the disclosure's scope, as described and claimed. Further, features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments of the disclosure may be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinations described in the example embodiments.

Definitions

The phrase “a” or “an” entity as used herein refers to one or more of that entity.

The terms “optional” or “optionally” as used herein means that a subsequently described element, event, or circumstance may but need not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances in which it does not.

References to items in the singular should be understood to include items in the plural, and vice versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise or clear from the context. Grammatical conjunctions are intended to express any and all disjunctive and conjunctive combinations of conjoined clauses, sentences, words, and the like, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context. Thus, unless otherwise indicated or made clear from the context, the term “or” should generally be understood to mean “and/or” and, similarly, the term “and” should generally be understood to mean “and/or.”

Recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

The words “about,” “approximately,” or the like, when accompanying a numerical value, are to be construed as indicating a deviation as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to operate satisfactorily for an intended purpose. Ranges of values and/or numeric values are provided herein as examples only, and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of the described embodiments. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (“e.g.,” “such as,” or the like) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the embodiments or the claims. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a sketch of an embodiment of a swimming garment incorporating a patch assembly into its fly closure.

FIG. 2 shows depicts a front view of a first embodiment of a patch assembly with a rectangular shaped panel and square-shaped loop, with a drawstring inserted within the loop.

FIG. 3 shows a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the drawstring removed from the loop and omitted.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the drawstring shown in FIG. 1 comprising a retainer segment with a raised surface.

FIG. 6 shows depicts a front view of a second embodiment of a patch assembly with a rectangular shaped panel and rectangular-shaped loop, with a drawstring inserted within the loop.

FIG. 7 shows a back view of the embodiment of FIG. 5, with the drawstring removed from the loop and omitted.

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of the drawstring shown in FIG. 5 comprising a retainer segment with a textured surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The information that follows describes embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, in which preferred embodiments are shown. The foregoing may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein.

Described herein are garments that incorporate patch assemblies for removably securing a drawstring to the garment, particularly for use within a fly closure. Generally, the garments are not limited to any particular style, size, fabric, or function, and thus the patch assemblies and fly closures disclosed herein can be applied to any garment or article that makes use of a drawstring. Particularly, garments where a removable, replaceable, or interchangeable drawstring may provide an advantage are contemplated herein.

In one aspect, the garment can be a swimming garment such as board shorts commonly used as surf wear. Board shorts may be constructed of a lightweight and flexible fabric to allow quick drying, comfort, and patch assemblies disclosed herein may be similarly constructed. Board shorts can be constructed having a drawstring attached adjacent a fly closure, the fly closure comprising a plurality of opposing apertures adjacent the loop through which alternate ends of a drawstring secured within the loop at a medial point may be threaded. In so doing the drawstring may be advanced and secured by tying to bring the series of opposing apertures in an appropriately close juxtaposition so as to close (or open) the fly closure of the garment.

One such aspect is depicted in FIG. 1, showing board shorts 100 as comprising a patch assembly 110 secured to waistband 102 operable with fly closure 104. Waistband 102 further comprises eyelet apertures 106, into which drawstring 108 may be threaded. Panel assembly 110 can be stitched into waistband 102 as depicted in FIG. 1, however, alternate means for securing patch assembly 110 are also contemplated herein. For instance, the patch assembly may be ironed onto the garment, alternately, the patch assembly may be secured by an adhesive, alternatively, the patch assembly may be secured to the garment by complementary fasteners positioned on each of the garment and the back face of the panel (e.g., hook-and-loop fasteners, snap fasteners). In further embodiments, the patch assembly maybe incorporated entirely within the garment. For instance, the patch assembly can be a waistband of the garment itself, and present within the garment upon its manufacture, without need for a secondary attachment to the garment by the consumer.

In certain aspects, the patch assembly may be incorporated within the swimming garment at a position between opposing eyelets. In this manner, the drawstring may be removably secured within the loop of the patch assembly at a position on the swimming garment that allows either end of the drawstring to be fed through each of the eyelets present. In certain aspects, and as shown in FIG. 1, the fly closure also may be positioned between opposing eyelets to allow the advancement of the drawstring through the eyelets to pull the fly closure into a closed position and secure a closed position.

Patch assemblies as disclosed herein may be of any suitable size and shape for ability to be incorporated within a particular garment. One such embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2-5. As shown, patch assemblies may comprise a panel with a first side capable of being secured to the garment (FIG. 3), and a second side capable of retaining the drawstring (FIG. 2). In certain aspects, the patch assembly can comprise a loop secured to the second side of the panel to retain the drawstring. As shown in FIG. 2, patch assembly 110 can have stitching 111 along its perimeter to retain the panel 112 onto the garment (not shown in FIG. 2, but reference to FIG. 1). The same or different stitching may also retain loop 114 onto panel 210, and thereby provide loop 114 as a secure retaining enclosure for drawstring 108.

FIG. 3 depicts a first side of the panel for attaching to the garment. As shown the first side can contain an adhesive. In other aspects first side may also comprise one portion of a hook-and-loop fastener, or by any other fasteners able to secure patches to the appropriate fabric comprising a second portion of the hook-and-loop fastener, as will be understood by those of skill in the art.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of the patch assembly shown in FIGS. 2-3, showing the profile of loop 114. In certain aspects, loop 114 can comprise the same or different material as waistband 102, or any portion of the swimming garment 100. The dimensions of loop 114 are not limited to any particular size or shape, and generally may be any that allow the drawstring to be removably secured to the panel assembly. In certain aspects, as pictured in FIG. 4, openings of the loop may be arranged in parallel with respect to the circumference of the waistband 102. Alternatively, the openings of the loop 114 may be arranged with the openings faced perpendicularly to the circumference of waistband 102. FIGS. 2 and 4 also show drawstring 108 comprising a textured surface 109 being retained within the loop. In certain aspects, textured surface can be configured to interact with the material within the interior of loop 114. In further aspects, loop 114 can comprise a complementary textured surface to selectively retain the drawstring 108 and/or textured surface 109 within the loop 114.

The particular size of components of the patch assembly can be varied, for instance to complement the requirements and dimensions of both the drawstring and the swimming garment to which it is secured. In certain aspects, the patch assembly may be generally rectangular, or square-shaped design. Where rectangular, the longer dimension of the patch assembly may be configured in any orientation relative to the swimming garment. FIGS. 5-7 present a second embodiment of the patch assembly 510, showing alternate dimensions for the panel 512, loop 514, drawstring 508, and textured surface 509.

Similarly, the patch assembly may be secured to the swimming garment at any suitable location. In certain aspects, the swimming garment will have opposing eyelets (or a series of opposing eyelets) fixed upon waistband extensions 102a and 102b. Alternatively, eyelets 106 may be incorporated within the waistband itself.

In certain aspects, the panel, the loop, or both, may be constructed of a fabric. The fabric may be the same or different from the fabric of the garment. In certain aspects, the fabric may be expandable, alternatively, the fabric may be flexible, alternatively, the fabric may be rigid. Some examples of natural fibers include cotton, flax, hemp, sisal, jute, kenaf, and coconut; fibers from animal sources include silk, wool, cashmere, and mohair. Some examples of synthetic fibers include polyester, nylon, spandex or elastane, and other polymers. Some examples of semisynthetic fibers include rayon, viscose, modal, and lyocell, which are made from a regenerated cellulose fiber. In certain aspects, the patch assembly, panel, loop, and garments disclosed herein can comprise any fabric disclosed herein. The fabric can be a natural fiber alone (e.g., cotton), a synthetic fiber alone (e.g., polyester alone), a blend of natural and synthetic fibers (e.g., cotton and polyester blend, or cotton and spandex), or a blend of natural and semisynthetic fibers, or any combination of these or other fibers.

The patch assembly may further comprise one or more retainers. Generally, where present, the retainer can be considered an element of the patch assembly that retains the drawstring within the loop at a preferred position of the drawstring. In certain aspects, the retainer can be an independent component that can be fitted onto the drawstring to expand the diameter of the drawstring at a preferred position. In this manner, the retainer may be secured to the drawstring and thereafter advanced through the loop along with the drawstring. Alternatively, the retainer may be secured to drawstring after positioning the drawstring within the loop.

In further aspects, the retainer can comprise a textured surface that allows the drawstring to be frictionally retained within the loop at a preferred position along the drawstring comprising the textured surface. In certain aspects, the textured surface may be present on the drawstring, the loop, or both. In certain aspects the loop can comprise a textured surface that has a plurality of protrusions extending into the interior of the loop. Alternatively, or additionally, the drawstring can comprise a textured surface that has a plurality of protrusions extending from the surface. The textured surface may be formed of plastic or rubber (e.g., silicone rubber) to maintain durability and flexibility. Alternative designs and textures, including mating textures on the loop interior and drawstring exterior, are also contemplated herein.

Still further embodiments may have mating portions of a retainer secured to each of the loop and drawstring, such that when the drawstring is advanced through the loop, it becomes fixed within the loop at the desired retaining positions when a first mating portion of the retainer on the drawstring contacts a second mating portion of the retainer on the loop. One such example includes embodiments where the retainer is a hook and loop fastener, with the hook portion of the fastener fixed to the drawstring, and the loop portion of the fastener fixed to the loop. Other fasteners and arrangements of the retainer with mating portions as commonly known in the art are also contemplated herein.

In other aspects, the retainer may be fixed to the loop such that the drawstring may be advanced through the loop while the retainer is in an open position and secured to the drawstring by adopting a locked position once the drawstring is in a preferential position within the loop. In these embodiments, the retained position of the drawstring within the loop can be customizable by the user. In other aspects, the retainer may be removably secured within the loop. For instance, the retainer may be held within the loop by the loop having an open end into which the retainer can be placed and subsequently removed, and a closed end through which the retainer is not able to pass through. The drawstring may be pulled through the closed end without allowing the retainer to pass through.

In still further embodiments, the retainer may be incorporated within either of the loop or the drawstring. For instance, a retainer may be sewn within the drawstring in a fixed position. Such arrangements allow the retained position of the drawstring to be fixed relative to the loop, rather than customizable. Such arrangements may offer improved simplicity to the consumer. Similarly, certain embodiments may have a retainer sewn into the loop.

It is further contemplated herein, without limitation, that rigid retainers may be disadvantageous in certain aspects, as may present an uncomfortable feature of an otherwise flexible garment. Board shorts, for instance, are designed to be light weight and flexible, in order to prevent interference and injury while surfing. Accordingly, it can be advantageous that components of the patch assembly are also lightweight and flexible. In certain aspects, the retainer can be an expanded segment of the drawstring that contains a malleable substance (e.g., a liquid or gel) capable of retaining the drawstring in the preferred position. Retainers disclosed above may similarly be constructed of a soft, flexible, malleable material while allowing the drawstring to be retained.

While not limiting this disclosure, it is contemplated that the patch assemblies disclosed herein may be universal in the sense that they may be attached to garments specifically designed with the patch incorporated into their produced design, or alternatively, secured to existing garments in order to retroactively adapt a conventional drawstring fly closure to a removeable, and interchangeable drawstring fly closure as disclosed herein. In this manner, it will be understood from the above that the patch assembly may be attached in any arrangement or orientation on the garment that allows convenient attachment and provides the drawstring in position to the fly closure to allow operation. In certain aspects, as shown in FIG. 1, the patch assembly 110 may be sewn into the waistband of the garment 100. Alternatively, the patch assembly may be secured to the interior of the garment body, (e.g., fly closure 104).

Fly closures are independently contemplated herein, and generally can comprise any patch assembly disclosed above, and a drawstring.