REVERSIBLE GARMENT CLOSURE

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

None

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains generally to closures, and more particularly to a reversible garment closure including two parts each having hooks that are engageable with hooks of the other part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Closures for garments such as brassieres, swimwear, and the like commonly include multiple small eyes which engage an equal number of small hooks, typically behind the back of the wearer. Such closures are difficult to operate for those who are full figured or have a physical disability such as arthritis, and may be impossible to operate for some, such as those who have lost the use of an arm or hand.

While some prior art closures, such as front closures, are designed for simpler operation, the parts of such closures may still be difficult to align, e.g., with single-handed operation. In other cases, such closures do not provide adequate support for a garment for full figured wearers, athletic use, or other high stress applications.

In addition, some existing closures include magnets. However, the magnets may come into contact with water (e.g., when laundering) and may rust or leach metals, such as nickel. This may present a safety hazard when in contact with the skin of the wearer, or may stain the garment.

There is therefore a need in the art for a closure that overcomes these shortcomings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a reversible garment closure which provides ease of operation, especially for wearers with a physical disability, high tensile strength, and the capability to be reversed, thereby increasing functionality and enabling use with alternative reversible looks for a garment. In embodiments, first and second parts of the closure include magnets aligned to attract one another. In some aspects, the body of the parts provides a waterproof enclosure for the magnets, providing protection for the wearer from potential exposure to the magnets or related metals. Embodiments of the closure provide multiple options for connection of one or more closures to a garment.

According to one or more embodiments of a garment closure for securing two pieces of a garment together, the closure includes a first part configured to be mounted on one of the pieces and a second part configured to be mounted on the other of the pieces. Each of the first part and the second part include a body having a rear face and two or more hooks spaced apart along the rear face and extending rearwardly therefrom. Each of the hooks has a roof and the first and second parts include two or more recesses in the rear face, each recess located forward of one of the hooks and shaped to receive the roof of one of the hooks. The hooks of the first part are engageable with the hooks of the second part, with the roof of each hook of the first part at least partially located within one of the recesses of the second part and the roof of each hook of the second part at least partially located within one of the recesses of the first part, thereby securing the two pieces of the garment together.

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, the first part and the second part each have a magnet enclosed within the body. The magnet of each part is aligned to attract the magnet of the other part so that when the first part is positioned near the second part, the magnets aid in the engagement thereof. This feature improves ease of engagement of the first part with the second part.

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, the magnet is located between the rear face of the body and a cover connected to the body.

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, the cover is connected to the body with a waterproof seal. This feature prevents inadvertent exposure of the magnets to water, and resists rusting or corrosion of the magnets while preventing release of metals from the closure.

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, the body of each part includes a magnet cavity surrounded by a cavity lip configured for ultrasonic welding to the cover, and the cover is includes a cover lip adjacent a perimeter of the cover, the cover lip being configured for ultrasonic welding to the body.

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, each of the hooks has an interior end that is tapered rearwardly.

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, the body of each of the first part and the second part are substantially identical. This feature enables the closure to be reversible, as it has substantially identical function when oriented in an opposite manner (e.g., whether the first part is oriented toward the wearer or the second part is oriented toward the wearer).

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, each hook of the first part and the second part includes a lip on a front side of the hook, the lip extending perpendicular to a direction of engagement. This feature may resist inadvertent opening of the closure, particularly in embodiments that may not have magnets.

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, the closure has a tensile strength of at least 50 pounds.

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, the body of each of the first part and the second part has an exterior side including a loop configured for securing one of the two pieces of the garment thereto.

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, the body of each of the first part and the second part has an exterior side including a flange configured for securing one of the two pieces of the garment thereto.

According to one or more embodiments of the closure, the rear face of each of the first part and the second part has a weld region including a plurality of protrusions distributed throughout the weld region.

According to one or more embodiments, the closure includes a fabric layer ultrasonically welded to the weld region.

Further provided is a garment including the garment closure of any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

These and other aspects of the embodiments will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments and details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions, or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the embodiments, and the embodiments may include all such substitutions, modifications, additions, or rearrangements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the garment closure are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an aspect of an embodiment of a garment closure shown in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an aspect of an embodiment of the closure shown in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a reduced front elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the closure connected to a garment.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the closure, the rear elevation view being substantially identical.

FIG. 5 is a first side elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the closure, the second side elevation view being substantially identical.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line VII-VII of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of a first part of the closure.

FIG. 9 is an exploded front elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line X-X of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line XI-XI of FIG. 8.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are an enlarged views of areas A and B, respectively, of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an aspect of an embodiment of the garment closure shown in an open position.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an aspect of an embodiment of the closure shown in a closed position.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged rear elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged front elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged end view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 21 is a first side view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line XXII-XXII of FIG. 19.

FIG. 23 is a rear elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 24 is a rear elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the second part of the closure.

FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an aspect of an embodiment of the closure.

FIG. 26 is a rear elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 27 is a rear elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 28 is a rear elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line XXIX-XXIX of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 a front elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of the first part of the closure.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description describes non-limiting exemplary embodiments. Any individual features may be combined with other features as required by different applications for at least the benefits described herein. As used herein, the term “about” means plus or minus 10% of a given value unless specifically indicated otherwise. As used herein, the terms “substantially” or “substantially the same” mean that two items are at least 90% the same; for example, a feature described as “substantially parallel” may be parallel to within 90%, an element described as “substantially circular” may be circular to within 90%, and so on.

As used herein, the conjunction “or” is to be construed inclusively (e.g., “A or B” would be interpreted as “A, or B, or both A and B”; e.g., “A, B, or C” would be interpreted as “A; or B; or C; or any two of A, B, and C; or all three of A, B, and C”).

As used herein, disclosure of a singular element is also a disclosure of a plural element and vice versa unless otherwise noted.

In the present disclosure, many features are described as being optional, e.g. through the use of the verb “may” or the use of parentheses. For the sake of brevity and legibility, the present disclosure does not explicitly recite each and every permutation that may be obtained by choosing from the set of optional features. However, the present disclosure is to be interpreted as explicitly disclosing all such permutations. For example, a system described as having three optional features may be embodied in seven different ways, namely with just one of the three possible features, with any two of the three possible features, or with all three of the three possible features.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-2, there are illustrated perspective views of an embodiment of a garment closure 100 shown in an open position and a closed position, respectively. The garment closure 100 includes a first part 110 and a second part 160 that are engageable with one another. Each of the first part 110 and the second part 160 are configured to be mounted on separate pieces of a garment, or similar article, for securing the pieces together. Each of the first part 110 and the second part 160 have hooks 120 and the hooks of the first part 110 are engageable with the hooks of the second part 160 to close the closure.

FIG. 3 is a reduced front elevation view of an embodiment of the closure 100 connected to a garment 300. The garment 300 has a first piece 302 and a second piece 304 which are connectable via closure 100. The first part 110 has a first exterior side 116, and the second part 160 has a second exterior side 166. The first piece 302 of the garment 300 is connected to the first exterior side 116 and the second piece 304 is connected to the second exterior side 166. In the shown embodiment, pieces 302 and 304 are connected, respectively, to the exterior sides 116 and 166 of the closure 100 by feeding the fabric of the garment piece through a loop in the exterior side and stitching, or otherwise connecting, the fabric of the garment end to itself (as indicated by the dashed lines of FIG. 3). Pieces of the garment may be connected to exterior sides of the closure by other methods well known in the art including simply passing the end through the opening for attachment elsewhere on the garment, as in the case of an adjustable length strap.

FIGS. 4 & 5 are front and first side elevation views of an embodiment of a garment closure 400. FIGS. 6 & 7 are enlarged cross-sectional views along the lines VI-VI and VII-VII, respectively, of FIG. 4. The garment closure 400 includes a first part 410 and a second part 460 which is shown engaged with the first part 410. In embodiments, the bodies of each of the first part 410 and the second part 460 are substantially identical. In this sense, the garment closure 400 is reversible, as it has substantially identical function when oriented in an opposite manner (e.g., whether the first part is oriented toward the wearer or the second part is oriented toward the wearer). In addition, the closure may provide substantially the same appearance when worn in reverse, thus enabling a single garment to worn two different ways. In other cases, a portion or all of one of the parts (e.g., a front face 430) may have a different style, design, color, or other visual aspect than the other one of the parts. In this case, the body of the parts may still be considered to be substantially identical, as they may have substantially identical shapes and functions.

FIGS. 8 & 9 are rear and exploded front elevation views, respectively, of an embodiment of a first part 810 of the a garment closure. FIGS. 10 & 11 are enlarged cross-sectional views along the lines X-X of FIG. 9 and XI-XI of FIG. 8, respectively. The first part 810 has two or more hooks 812 spaced apart from one another along a rear face 814. As used with reference to the first part or the second part, the terms “front”, “forward”, or similar refer to a direction facing away from the other part when the closure is closed (this direction may face toward or away from the body of the wearer depending on the part being referenced and the direction in which the closure is worn). Similarly, the terms “rear”, “rearward”, or similar refer to a direction facing toward the other part when the closure is closed. Thus, when the closure is closed, the rear face of the first part will be oriented to face the rear face of the second part. The two or more hooks 812 may extend rearwardly beyond the rear face 814, as may be seen in FIG. 10. Each hook 812 may have a roof 822 (see FIG. 11) that extends toward an exterior side 816 of the part 810. Rear face 814 has a recess 818 located forward of each of the hooks 812 (e.g., in the shown embodiment there are two recesses 818, but there may be more or fewer recesses depending on the number of hooks present). Each recess 818 may be shaped to receive the roof 822 of one of the hooks 812 (e.g., the roof of a hook on the second part).

Embodiments of the garment closure have a tensile strength rating of 50 lbs (about 23 kg) or more, which far exceeds the amount for fasteners of this type and will not be inclined to open inadvertently. The body of the first part and the second part of the closure are preferably made out of plastic material, such as polyamide.

Referring again to FIG. 6, it can be seen how a first hook 420 of the first part 410 is engageable with a second hook 470 of the second part 460. When engaged, the first roof 422 of the first hook 420 is at least partially located within a second recess 468 of the second part 460. Similarly, the second roof 472 of the second hook 470 is at least partially located within a first recess 418 of the first part 410. It is to be understood that the same type of engagement applies, mutatis mutandis, to other hooks of the first and second parts. In this manner, the closure may be used to secure the two pieces of the garment together (refer to FIG. 3).

Referring to FIG. 10, the hook 812 may have an interior end 813 that is tapered rearwardly, such as at an angle, θ, of about 35 degrees, for example. This taper of the interior end 813 may assist in engagement of the hook 812 with a recess of a corresponding second part (see also FIG. 6). In addition, or instead, the roof 822 may have an interior edge 823 that is rounded to further aid in engagement.

Referring again to FIG. 7, the first part 410 and the second part 460 may each have a magnet enclosed within the body of the part. A first magnet 702 of the first part 410 is aligned to attract a second magnet 704 of the second part, and vice versa. In this way, when the first part 410 is positioned near the second part 460, the magnets draw the parts toward one another, thereby aiding in engagement of the parts. This feature is particularly beneficial to users with physical disabilities, for closures located in hard to reach places, or similar. In embodiments, the body of each of the first part 410 and the second part 460 may be substantially identical, while the magnets enclosed within may have different orientations. Magnets 702 and 704 may be, for example, neodymium magnets or similar.

Referring to FIGS. 9 & 10, the first part 810 may be configured for a magnet to be enclosed within the body of the first part 810, e.g. as discussed in FIG. 7. For example, the magnet may be located between the rear face 814 and a cover 930. Cover 930 may be connected to the body of the first part 810 by ultrasonic welding, an interlocking fit, or another method used to form a close seal. In some embodiments, the cover is connected to the body with a waterproof seal. Providing a substantially waterproof enclosure for the magnet resists rusting of the magnet and prevents the accidental leakage of metals, such as nickel, that are undesirable to be in contact with the wearer's body.

FIG. 9 shows a magnet cavity 940 located within the body of the first part 810 and positioned between the two hooks 812. The perimeter of the magnet cavity 940 may be surrounded by a cavity lip 942 configured for ultrasonic welding the body to the cover 930. The cavity lip 942 is shown in detail in FIG. 12A (region A of FIG. 10). The cavity lip 942 may have an angular extent, a, of about 90 degrees relative to the body of the first part 810. Similarly, a cover lip 932 may be adjacent the perimeter of the cover 930 and configured for ultrasonic welding of the cover to the body of the first part 810. The cover lip 932 is shown in detail in FIG. 12B (region B of FIG. 10). The cover lip 932 may have an angular extent, β, of about 90 degrees relative to an interior face 934 of the cover 930.

Assembly of the first part 810 including a magnet may be performed by: (a) inserting a magnet into the magnet cavity 940 such that the magnet is aligned to attract a magnet of the second part (e.g., the magnets may be positioned with opposing polarities facing rearwardly); and (b) connecting the cover 930 to the body, such as by ultrasonic welding of both the cover lip 932 and the cavity lip 942, to provide a substantially waterproof enclosure for the magnet. This method substantially waterproofs the magnet cavity 940, thereby protecting the magnet from damage from liquid and protecting the wearer from metals having the potential to leak from the magnet cavity.

FIGS. 13 & 14 are perspective views of another embodiment of a garment closure 1300 shown, respectively, in an open position and a closed position. FIGS. 15-17 are enlarged rear elevation, front elevation, and end views, respectively, of a first part 1310 of the garment closure 1300 of FIG. 13. The garment closure 1300 and parts thereof may be similar in many aspects to other embodiments of the garment closure described herein, such as the garment closure 400 of FIG. 4. The body of each of the first part 1310 and a second part 1360 include a flange 1316 that is configured for a garment, or other piece of material, to be sewn thereto. The flange 1316 may be a thin, substantially planar piece extending away from the body of the part. The flange 1316 may include a raised edge 1317 (see FIG. 17), which may function as a guide or stop when sewing material (such as fabric) to the flange 1316.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first part 1310 along the line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 15. The first part 1310 may in some cases include a magnet, similar to those described elsewhere herein. A magnet cavity 1840 and a cover 1830 may also be included and may be configured substantially as described for other embodiments herein. The cover 1830 may include a logo, design, pattern, or marking (e.g., recessed, embossed, labeled, or similar on the cover) such as the logo shown in FIG. 16. A second part for engagement with the first part 1310 may also include such a logo or marking, or may include a different logo or marking, or may not include any marking. The body of each of the first part 1301 and the second part may be considered to be substantially identical, as they may have substantially identical shapes and functions, even if they have different markings thereon, or do not both have markings.

FIGS. 19-21 are rear elevation, front elevation, and first side views, respectively, of another embodiment of a first part 1910 of a garment closure. FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line XXII-XXII of FIG. 19. The first part 1910 may be similar in many aspects to other embodiments of the first part described herein, such as the first part 410 of FIG. 4. The body of first part 1910 includes a weld region on a rear face 1914, and the weld region includes a plurality of protrusions 1915 distributed throughout the weld region and configured for ultrasonic welding of, for example, a fabric thereto. The weld region may substantially surround, collectively, two hooks 1912 and a magnet cavity 1940.

FIGS. 23 & 24 are rear elevation views, respectively, of embodiments a first part 2310 and a second part 2460 of the closure. The first part 2310 and the second part 2460 may have many features in common with other embodiments described herein, including a weld region described in relation to the first part 1910. FIG. 25 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first part 2310 engaged with the second part 2460. The rear face of each part may be ultrasonically welded to a first strip 2302, 2402, which may be fabric or similar. The weld region is indicated by the hash pattern around the hooks and magnet cavity of FIGS. 23 & 24. A second strip 2304, 2404, which may be fabric or similar, is connected to the first strip (e.g., by ultrasonic welding along the shaded weld lines 2306, 2406). As shown in FIG. 25 the first strip 2302 and the second strip 2304 may form a flap with a gap therebetween suitable for connecting the closure to another material, such as a garment (e.g., by sewing or welding the garment between the first strip 2302 and the second strip 2304).

A magnet cavity 2340 of the first part 2310 may be marked, e.g., in a manner to indicate the orientation of the magnet enclosed therein. For example, a marking of “+” or “N” may be recessed, embossed, labeled, or similar on the magnet cavity 2340. A magnet cavity 2440 of the second part 2460 may be marked in a similar way to indicate the complementary orientation of the magnet enclosed therein. For example, the magnet cavity 2440 may be marked with “−” or “S” or similar. Such markings may aid in assembly of closure parts with the garment.

FIGS. 26 & 27 are rear elevation views of embodiments of a first part 2610 of the closure. The first part 2610 may have many features in common with other embodiments described herein, such as the first part 2310 of FIG. 23. One or more of the first part 2610 may be mounted together, such as by welding one or more of the first part 2610 to a first strip 2602, such as a fabric or similar. The embodiment of FIG. 26 includes three of the first part 2610, while the embodiment of FIG. 27 includes two of the first part 2610; however, more of the first part 2610 may instead be included. These embodiments may be suitable for joining large garment pieces or for applications where high strength is required. In addition, while the figures show the closure in a vertical orientation it may instead be connected to a garment, and/or used, in a horizontal orientation.

FIG. 28 is a rear elevation view of another embodiment of a first part 2810 of the closure, and FIG. 29 is an enlarged cross-sectional view along the line XXIX-XXIX of FIG. 28. The first part 2810 may have many features in common with other embodiments described herein, such as the first part 1910 of FIG. 19. The body of first part 2810 may include a weld region on a rear face 2814. One or more of the first part 2810 may be mounted to a fabric layer (e.g., fabric strip 2850). For example, several of the first part 2810 are shown mounted by ultrasonic welding within the weld region 2870 (shown hatched). In this manner, fabric strip 2850 may substantially surround, collectively, two hooks 2812 and a magnet cavity 2840 of the 2810. This embodiment provides a convenient production method as the fabric strip 2850 may be cut to include a desired number of the first part 2810, and then sewn, welded, or otherwise joined to a garment.

FIG. 30 is a front elevation view of an aspect of an embodiment of a first part 3010 of the closure. The first part 3010 may have many features in common with other embodiments described herein, such as the first part 410, shown particularly in FIG. 9. The first part 3010 may not include a magnet or corresponding features for sealing the magnet to the body. A lip 3011 extends perpendicular to the direction of engagement on a front side of each hook 3012. The second part may have substantially identical lips and hooks, and when the first part 3010 is engaged with such a second part the lips of engaging hooks may abut one another and resist disengaging of the closure. This feature is especially beneficial to resist inadvertent disengagement when the closure is used as a front closure between two brassiere cups, and the cups are moved together in a relaxed position. In some cases, the engagement of the hooks of the first and second parts may create an audible click as the lips are moved past one another. Further provided is a garment including the garment closure of any of the embodiments disclosed herein (e.g., the garment 300 of FIG. 3).

The embodiments of the garment closure described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the garment closure should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.