SINGLE-STRAP SUSPENDER SYSTEM

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/833,594, filed on Dec. 16, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to devices and assemblies used to support garments on a wearer, including systems that employ straps and attachment members to secure a garment such as trousers in a desired position.

BACKGROUND

Garment-support devices such as suspenders, belts, and related accessories are commonly used to help maintain the position of trousers or other garments on a wearer. Traditional suspenders typically employ two or more straps that extend over the shoulders and connect to a waistband at multiple locations. These systems generally rely on fixed strap arrangements that provide a predetermined path across the wearer's torso and may include clips, buttons, or other fasteners to secure the straps to the garment.

Conventional suspender arrangements are often limited in how they may be positioned or worn. The strap paths are usually dictated by how the suspender is manufactured, and the locations of the attachment members are commonly fixed. Such systems may also provide limited opportunities for sizing adjustments, component placement, or changes to how the suspender distributes support on the wearer's body.

There is therefore a need for garment-support systems that offer increased versatility in how a strap may be arranged on a wearer and that permit different attachment locations or strap orientations to be used if desired. It may also be desirable for such systems to accommodate various strap-adjusting features or additional components that can be incorporated without requiring permanent modification to the assembly.

The present disclosure relates to garment-support assemblies that may address one or more of these needs.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a suspender assembly is provided. The assembly includes a single continuous flexible strap having first and second ends, a first waist-attachment member coupled to the first end, and a second waist-attachment member coupled to the strap at a location spaced from the first waist-attachment member. A length-adjusting member is engaged with the strap between the waist-attachment members to permit adjustment of the effective strap length. When worn, the strap may extend from the first waist-attachment member upwardly across a shoulder of the wearer and downwardly to the second waist-attachment member so that the trousers are supported using only the two waist-attachment members.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a suspender assembly is provided that includes a single elongated strap with opposite ends, waist-attachment members coupled to spaced locations along the strap, and a length-adjustment member through which the strap is woven. The strap is continuous between the waist-attachment members and may be arranged on the wearer to extend over a single shoulder to form a single-strap, dual-clasp configuration. In some implementations, the assembly does not require a rear attachment element for securing the strap to the garment at a third location.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for supporting trousers on a wearer using a suspender assembly having a single continuous strap, first and second waist-attachment members, and a length-adjustment member. The method includes adjusting the strap length, attaching one of the waist-attachment members to a waistband location, and then arranging the strap in either a shoulder-strap configuration or a hoop configuration around the torso. In the shoulder-strap configuration, the strap extends over a single shoulder, and in the hoop configuration, the strap may form distinct geometric arrangements across the front and back of the wearer. The method further includes attaching the second waist-attachment member to the waistband so that the trousers are supported by the two waist-attachment members.

These and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be more readily understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary suspender assembly worn by a user in a hoop configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the suspender assembly of FIG. 1 worn in the hoop configuration.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the suspender assembly worn in the hoop configuration, showing a length-adjusting member positioned on a back portion of the strap.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the suspender assembly worn by a user in a shoulder-strap configuration, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the suspender assembly of FIG. 4 worn in the shoulder-strap configuration.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the suspender assembly worn in the shoulder-strap configuration, showing the length-adjusting member positioned on a back portion of the strap.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a length-adjusting member in the form of a tri-glide adjuster, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tri-glide adjuster of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a waist-attachment member in the form of a clip, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a waist-attachment member in the form of a button clasp, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a side view of a button snap usable with an end of the strap, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a single continuous flexible strap.

FIGS. 13-18 are schematic views illustrating stages of assembling a dual-clasp suspender embodiment using a length-adjusting member, including routing the strap through the length-adjusting member and attaching waist-attachment members, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a front view of a tri-clasp suspender exemplary embodiment, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of the tri-clasp suspender embodiment of FIG. 19.

FIGS. 21-27 are schematic views illustrating stages of converting a dual-clasp suspender exemplary embodiment into a tri-clasp suspender exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to illustrate representative embodiments of a single-strap suspender system and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, the invention being defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. The embodiments described herein may be modified, combined, or varied in numerous ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

For purposes of clarity and consistency, the same reference terminology is used throughout this description to refer to the same or similar components. In particular, the terms strap, waist-attachment member, and length-adjusting member are used consistently and correspond to the terminology used in the claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features may be shown schematically to better illustrate the principles of the disclosure.

The single-strap suspender system 10 disclosed herein is directed to a garment-support assembly configured to support trousers or similar garments 100 on a wearer using a single continuous strap 20. The system is designed to be adjustable, versatile in configuration, and adaptable to different wearing arrangements, while remaining simple in structure and use.

In general, the suspender system 10 includes a continuous flexible strap 20 having opposite ends, one or more waist-attachment members 28 coupled to the strap 20, and at least one length-adjusting member 40 engaged with the strap 20 to permit adjustment of strap length. The strap 20 may be routed and arranged on the wearer in different configurations, including a hoop configuration 80 and a shoulder-strap configuration 82, to provide garment 100 support in a manner suited to the wearer's preference or use case.

Although particular embodiments are illustrated and described herein, it will be understood that the disclosure encompasses a wide variety of configurations, materials, attachment mechanisms, and strap routings, and that the illustrated embodiments are exemplary rather than limiting.

Referring generally to FIG. 12, the suspender system 10 includes a single continuous flexible strap 20. The strap 20 may be formed from elastic material, non-elastic woven material, fabric, leather, synthetic webbing, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the strap 20 includes one or more elastic portions and one or more non-elastic portions. In other embodiments, the strap 20 is entirely elastic or entirely non-elastic.

The strap 20 may have any suitable width and length depending on the intended use. By way of example, and not limitation, the strap 20 may have a width of approximately one to two inches and a length of approximately thirty to sixty inches prior to adjustment. These dimensions are exemplary only, and other dimensions may be used.

The strap 20 is continuous in the sense that it is formed as a single piece or functions as a single uninterrupted length during use, even if certain components such as button snaps 60 or other connectors are attached to the ends of the strap 22, 24. The continuity of the strap 20 enables the strap 20 to be routed through one or more length-adjusting members 40 and arranged into different configurations without requiring separate strap segments.

The suspender system includes at least two waist-attachment members 28 configured to releasably attach the strap 20 to a waistband of a garment 102 such as trousers. The waist-attachment members 28 may be coupled to the strap 20 at or near the ends of the strap 22, 24, or at other locations along the strap 20 depending on the configuration.

As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the waist-attachment members 28 may take various forms. In some embodiments, a waist-attachment member 28 is a clip, such as a spring-biased clip 35, lobster-claw clip 36, alligator clip (not shown), or similar device configured to grip a waistband. In other embodiments, a waist-attachment member may be a button clasp 37, loop (not shown), hook (not shown), or other structure configured to engage a button 38 or similar feature on the garment.

In some embodiments, button snaps 60 are attached to one or both strap ends 22, 24 to facilitate forming a button-engageable loop 62 and/or securing an end portion of the strap 20 in a selected routing. A button snap 60 is illustrated in FIG. 11, and the attachment and use of button snaps 60 with the strap ends 22, 24 is illustrated in FIGS. 14-17.

In some embodiments, one or more components of the suspender assembly, including waist-attachment members and/or length-adjusting members, may be selectively secured to the strap using a hook-and-loop fastening material. In certain implementations, only a hook portion of the hook-and-loop material is applied to a component or strap surface, such that the hook portion engages fibers of the strap material itself to secure opposing strap portions together. This arrangement may be particularly suitable for strap materials having exposed textile fibers.

In other implementations, such as when the strap material is a heavier knit or other material having reduced fiber engagement, both hook and loop portions of the hook-and-loop fastening material may be used. In such cases, the hook portion and the loop portion may be affixed to respective surfaces to provide a secure attachment between strap portions and/or between the strap and a component.

The hook-and-loop fastening material may be attached to the strap or to a component using fabric adhesive, including commercial-grade fabric glue, or by other suitable attachment techniques. In some embodiments, the fastening material is adhered without sewing, thereby allowing components such as waist-attachment members or length-adjusting members to be easily added, removed, repositioned, or replaced while maintaining a clean appearance when assembled. Sewing or stitching may be used in alternative embodiments if desired.

Use of hook-and-loop fastening material in this manner permits modular attachment of components while preserving the ability to reconfigure the suspender assembly, including conversion between dual-clasp and tri-clasp arrangements, without cutting or permanently altering the strap.

The waist-attachment members 28 may be formed from metal, plastic, composite materials, or other suitable materials. The selection of material may depend on factors such as durability, aesthetics, weight, or compatibility with specific environments.

A length-adjusting member 40 is engaged with the strap 20 to permit adjustment of the effective length of the strap 20. In the illustrated embodiments, the length-adjusting member 40 is a tri-glide adjuster 41, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The tri-glide adjuster 41 includes multiple bars defining apertures through which the strap may be woven in a manner that allows frictional adjustment.

The strap 20 may be woven under, over, and through the bars of the tri-glide adjuster 41 in various patterns to provide a secure yet adjustable engagement. The length-adjusting member 40 may be positioned at different locations along the strap 20 depending on the desired configuration, including on a front portion of the strap, a back portion of the strap, or another location.

In some embodiments, the suspender system 10 includes a single length-adjusting member 40. In other embodiments, the system includes multiple length-adjusting members 40 spaced along the strap 20, as discussed further below.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the suspender system 10 may be worn in a hoop configuration 80. In this configuration, the strap 20 is arranged to encircle the torso of the wearer, forming a loop or hoop 81 that may be placed over the wearer's head and rest on the shoulders.

When worn in the hoop configuration 80, the strap 20 may form distinct geometric arrangements across the front and back of the wearer. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the strap may form a Y-shaped configuration 90 across the front torso, with a single strap portion extending downward toward a waist-attachment member 28 and two strap portions extending upward toward the shoulders. As shown in FIG. 2, the strap may form a V-shaped configuration 92 across the rear torso, with two strap portions diverging upward toward opposite shoulders from a waist-attachment member positioned on the back.

In some embodiments, the length-adjusting member 40 is positioned on a front portion of the strap when worn in the hoop configuration 80. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, the length-adjusting member is positioned on a back portion of the strap. The location of the length-adjusting member 40 may affect the appearance and adjustability of the strap 20 but does not limit the fundamental functionality of the system.

To use the suspender system in the hoop configuration 80, the strap 20 may be expanded by pulling on one of the waist-attachment members 28 or strap portions to increase the size of the hoop 81. The hoop 81 may then be placed over the wearer's head and allowed to rest on the shoulders. The waist-attachment members may then be attached to the waistband 102 of the trousers 100 at desired locations.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the suspender system may alternatively be worn in a shoulder-strap configuration 82. In this configuration, the strap 20 extends from one waist-attachment member 28 upwardly over a single shoulder of the wearer and downwardly to the second waist-attachment member 28.

In the shoulder-strap configuration 82, the strap 20 provides a single strap path over one shoulder, rather than encircling the torso. This configuration may be preferred by some wearers for comfort, aesthetics, or functional reasons. The length-adjusting member 40 may again be positioned on a front or back portion of the strap 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 4-6.

The shoulder-strap configuration 82 may be achieved by routing the strap through the length-adjusting member 40 in a manner that eliminates the hoop 81 and creates a single continuous path over the shoulder. In another exemplary embodiment, the shoulder-strap configuration 82 may be achieved by first placing the suspender assembly 10 into the hoop configuration 80 but allowing the strap 20 to overlap itself and placing the hoop 81 over the shoulder of the user instead of placing the head of the user through the hoop 81. The strap 20 may be adjusted to achieve the desired fit before or after attaching the waist-attachment members to the trousers.

In certain embodiments, the strap 20 diverges at the length-adjusting member 40 into two strap portions that extend toward opposite shoulders of the wearer. This divergence may occur when the strap is routed through the length-adjusting member 40 in a particular manner, such as when forming a Y-shaped configuration 90.

The divergence point may coincide with the location of the length-adjusting member 40, providing a clear structural reference for the branching of the strap 20. Depending on the configuration, the strap portions may diverge on the front side of the wearer, the back side of the wearer, or both.

In embodiments with two length-adjusting members 40, as discussed below, the strap may diverge at both length-adjusting members 40 to form Y-shaped configurations on both the front and rear of the wearer.

In some embodiments, the suspender system includes two length-adjusting members 40 spaced along the strap 20. This arrangement may allow additional flexibility in routing and adjustment of the strap.

When two length-adjusting members 40 are used, the strap may form a Y-shaped configuration 90 across both the front and the back of the wearer when worn in the hoop configuration 80. Each length-adjusting member 40 may serve as a divergence point from which two strap portions extend toward the shoulders.

The presence of multiple length-adjusting members 40 may also facilitate conversion between different configurations, including conversion between a dual-clasp embodiment and a tri-clasp embodiment, as described below.

FIGS. 13-18 illustrate stages of assembling a dual-clasp suspender embodiment. These figures are schematic and may show components enlarged for clarity.

Referring to FIG. 13, the strap 20 is woven through the length-adjusting member 40 by routing the strap under a first bar 48, through a first aperture 53, over a second bar 50, through a second aperture 54, and under a third bar 52 of the tri-glide adjuster 41. This weaving pattern creates a frictional engagement that allows the strap length to be adjusted.

Referring to FIG. 14, button snaps 60 may be attached to one or both ends of the strap 20 if the strap does not already include such features. The button snaps 60 may allow the strap ends 22, 24 to be secured around a bar of the length-adjusting member 40 or to engage a waist-attachment member 28.

Referring to FIG. 15, a waist-attachment member 28 is attached to one end of the strap. Referring to FIG. 16, the second end 24 of the strap 20 may be routed back through the length-adjusting member 40 and secured to itself using button snaps 60 to form a loop 62 around one of the bars 50 of the adjuster 40.

Referring to FIG. 17, a second waist-attachment member 28 may be attached to the opposite end of the strap 20. Referring to FIG. 18, the assembled suspender system 10 may be adjusted in length by pulling on one or both waist-attachment members 28.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, the tri-clasp embodiment includes an additional waist-attachment member 28 that may be positioned on a rear portion of the strap 20. The additional waist-attachment member 28 may take various forms, including a clip or a triangular bar clasp 105.

FIGS. 21-27 illustrate an embodiment in which the suspender assembly 10 is converted from a dual-clasp configuration to a tri-clasp configuration. These figures demonstrate one example of how the single continuous strap 20 and associated components may be re-routed and re-assembled to incorporate an additional waist-attachment member 28. The steps shown are exemplary and are provided for explanatory purposes; variations in order or routing may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure.

Referring first to FIG. 21, the suspender assembly 10 is shown in a dual-clasp configuration after the strap has been arranged into a hoop configuration 80. In this state, the strap 20 forms a continuous hoop 81, or loop, sized to be placed over the wearer's head, with first and second waist-attachment members 28 coupled to the strap 20 and positioned at spaced locations along the hoop 81.

Referring to FIG. 22, one or more button snaps 60 securing an end portion of the strap 20 are disengaged. Releasing the button snaps 60 allows the strap 20 to be loosened and prepares the strap 20 for re-routing through the length-adjusting member 40.

Referring to FIG. 23, the second end of the strap 24 is pulled out of the length-adjusting member 40, thereby eliminating the previously formed hoop 81. Slack is then fed back into the length-adjusting member 40 to form a smaller loop 106. A second length-adjusting member 40 is attached to an opposite side of the strap 22, and a second small loop 106 is formed using the second length-adjusting member 40. A third waist-attachment member 28 is then positioned on one of the newly formed loops 106. At this stage, the strap includes two length-adjusting members 40 and three waist-attachment members 28.

Referring to FIG. 24, the first end of the strap 22 is routed through an aperture 53, 54 of the first length-adjusting member 40, and the second end of the strap 24 is routed through an aperture 53, 54 of the second length-adjusting member 40. This routing positions the strap ends so that each end may be secured around a respective bar of a corresponding length-adjusting member.

Referring to FIG. 25, the first end of the strap 22 is routed around a central bar 50 of the first length-adjusting member 40, and the second end of the strap 24 is routed around a central bar 50 of the second length-adjusting member 40. This routing establishes adjustable loops 107 at each length-adjusting member 40 and allows independent adjustment of different portions of the strap.

Referring to FIG. 26, the button snaps 60 on the strap ends are re-engaged to secure the strap ends 22, 24 around the respective bars 50 of the length-adjusting members 40. This engagement fixes the strap routing while still permitting length adjustment via the length-adjusting members.

Referring to FIG. 27, the suspender assembly is shown in a completed tri-clasp configuration. In this configuration, the strap includes three waist-attachment members 28 positioned at spaced locations along the strap 20, and two length-adjusting members 40 that permit adjustment of strap length and routing. The tri-clasp configuration allows the strap to be worn with two attachment points on a front portion of the garment 100 and an additional attachment point on a rear portion of the garment 100, although other arrangements are possible.

The tri-clasp embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 21-27 demonstrates that the suspender assembly 10 may be reconfigured by re-routing the single continuous strap 20 and incorporating additional components, without cutting or permanently altering the strap 20. This embodiment further illustrates the adaptability of the suspender system 10 and its ability to accommodate different attachment arrangements and wearing configurations.

The suspender system may be formed from a wide variety of materials. The strap 20 may be elastic, non-elastic, or a combination thereof. The waist-attachment members 28 may be metallic or non-metallic. The length-adjusting members 40 may be formed from metal, plastic, or other materials.

The arrangement, number, and type of components may be varied without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The illustrated embodiments are provided to demonstrate representative configurations and should not be construed as limiting.

The tri-clasp embodiment demonstrates the modular and adaptable nature of the suspender system and illustrates how additional components may be incorporated to create different configurations.