CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/423,229.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to fashion accessories.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fashion designers often include the scrunching/gathering of fabric at strategic locations to create an exciting look that are permanently included in the garment (item of clothing). However, what is missing is the garment purchaser's ability to rapidly temporarily transform a non-scrunched garment into a scrunched garment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art, apparatus and methods are described herein.

One aspect of the claimed invention involves an apparatus comprising: at least a first and second half of a mating attachment mechanism connected together by at least one flexible member, wherein the flexible member is configured to allow the first and second half of a mating attachment mechanism to form a closed loop when mated together; wherein the first half of the mating attachment mechanism is configured to go underneath a portion of a garment and the flexible member is configured to allow the second half of the mating attachment mechanism to extend outside the garment and the flexible member is further configured to constrain a portion of a garment scrunched within the closed loop when the second half of the mating attachment is mated with the first half of the mating attachment through the garment; and wherein the first and second half of a mating attachment mechanism are configured to be temporarily mated through a garment and, during such mating, to allow a portion of a garment scrunched within the closed loop to be maintained during normal daily wear of the garment until unmated by an end user.

Another aspect involves a method of temporarily transforming a garment into a scrunched garment comprising removably attaching an apparatus, just summarized onto the garment, wherein the attaching comprises: placing the first half of the mating attachment mechanism underneath a portion of a garment, extending the second half of the mating attachment mechanism outside the garment, constraining a portion of the garment within the closed loop, and removably mating the second half of the mating attachment with the first half of the mating attachment through the garment.

Further, in at least one embodiment an apparatus is provided comprising: a pin; an attachment device configured to allow the pin to be inserted and held by the attachment device; a strip of material having a first end and an opposing second end; wherein the pin is fixed to the strip of material nearer the first end than the second end; wherein the attachment device is fixed to the strip of material nearer the second end than the first end; and wherein the pin is configured to attach to the attachment device to cause the strip of material to be in a substantially closed loop.

The strip of material may have a length and a width, wherein the length is substantially longer than the width. The length of the strip of material may be between two and six inches. The pin may project out substantially perpendicular from the strip of material. The pin may have a height, projecting outwards substantially perpendicularly from the strip of material, such that the pin can be inserted into the attachment device to cause the apparatus to be substantially in a closed loop, without the pin projecting out of the attachment device.

Further, in at least one embodiment a method is provided which comprises attaching an apparatus to clothing in a manner which causes one portion of the clothing to be brought closer together to another portion of the clothing for aesthetic purposes. The apparatus may constructed as previously described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top, right, and front perspective view of a first apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with a portion of the apparatus shown broken away, and with the first apparatus in an open state;

FIG. 1B is a top, right, and front perspective view of a second apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, which may be identical to the first apparatus of FIG. 1A, except that no breakaway portion is shown in FIG. 1B, and with the second apparatus in an open state;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view the first apparatus of FIG. 1A in an open state;

FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1B in an open state;

FIG. 3A is a bottom plan view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1A, in an open state;

FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1B in an open state;

FIG. 4A is a right side elevational view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1A, in an open state, the left side being a mirror image of the right side;

FIG. 4B is a right side elevational view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1B, in an open state, the left side being a mirror image of the right side;

FIG. 5A is a rear elevational view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1A in an open state;

FIG. 5B is a rear elevational view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1B in an open state;

FIG. 6A is a front elevational view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1A in an open state;

FIG. 6B is a front elevational view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1B in an open state;

FIG. 7A is a first perspective view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1A in a closed state;

FIG. 7B is a first perspective view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1B in a closed state;

FIG. 8A is a second perspective view of the first apparatus of FIG. 1A in a closed state;

FIG. 8B is a second perspective view of the second apparatus of FIG. 1B in a closed state;

FIG. 9A shows a diagram of part of a person wearing a pant;

FIG. 9B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 9A wearing the pant, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B, attached to the pant and in a closed state;

FIG. 10A shows a diagram of part of a person wearing a blouse or shirt;

FIG. 10B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 10A wearing the blouse or shirt, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B, attached to the blouse or shirt and in a closed state;

FIG. 11A shows a diagram of a back of a part of a person who is wearing a shirt;

FIG. 11B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 11A wearing the shirt, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B, attached to the shirt and in a closed state;

FIG. 12A shows a diagram of a part of a person wearing a pants leg;

FIG. 12B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 12A wearing the pants leg, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B, attached to the pants leg and in a closed state;

FIG. 13A shows a diagram of a part of a person wearing a skirt;

FIG. 13B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 13A wearing the skirt, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B, attached to the skirt and in a closed state;

FIG. 14A shows a diagram of a part of a person wearing a shirt;

FIG. 14B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 14A wearing the shirt, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B attached to the shirt and in a closed state;

FIG. 15A shows a diagram of a part of a person wearing a shirt;

FIG. 15B shows a diagram of the part of the person of FIG. 15A wearing the shirt, with the first apparatus of FIG. 1B attached to the shirt and in a closed state; and

FIG. 16 shows a diagram of part of a person wearing pants, with two apparatus, which may be the apparatus of FIG. 1B or identical apparatus, attached to the front of the pants to provide a functional and/or aesthetic effect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The instant devices/apparatus and methods provide a way to rapidly temporarily transform a non-scrunched garment into a scrunched garment (where a portion of a garment is brought closer together to another portion the garment). The devices are elegant in their simplicity but masterful in their functionality. The devices comprise at least a first and second half of a mating attachment mechanism connected together by at least one flexible member, wherein the flexible member is configured to allow the first and second half of a mating attachment mechanism to form a closed loop when the first and second half of a mating attachment mechanism are mated together (a closed state); wherein the first half of the mating attachment mechanism is configured to go underneath a portion of a garment and the flexible member is configured to allow the second half of the mating attachment mechanism to extend outside the garment and the flexible member is further configured to constrain a portion of a garment scrunched within the closed loop when the second half of the mating attachment is mated with the first half of the mating attachment through the garment ; and wherein the first and second half of a mating attachment mechanism are configured to be temporarily/removably mated through a garment and, during such mating, to allow a portion of a garment scrunched within the closed loop to be maintained during normal daily wear of the garment until unmated by an end user.

Exemplary first half of mating attachment mechanism comprises a piece of magnetic material with the second half of the mating attachment mechanism comprises a magnet. In this case, the at least one flexible member could be a non-magnetic material such as a gold or silver chain (or a strip of fabric or even a string), with the importance being that it allows the closed loop to be formed).

Alternatively, (or if more holding power is need) both the first and second half of the mating mechanism could both be magnets or the first of mating mechanism could have been the magnet and the second half could have been the magnetics material.

Note: in practice we have found that it is preferable for at least the second half of the mating mechanism to be magnetic, as this allows charms and medallions to also be removably attached externally to the second half of the mating mechanism in order to enhance the aesthetics. Further, by making the charms and medallions magnetically attachable, rather than permanently attachable, one device can easily be adjusted, through changing the charms and medallions to create many different fashion aesthetics.

Magnets are chains interconnecting them are only one example of mating attachment mechanisms. We will now turn our attention to a pin and clasp attachment mechanism, which will be described in greater detail.

FIG. 1A is a top, right, and front perspective view of a first apparatus 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with a portion of the apparatus 1 shown broken away, and with the first apparatus 1 in an open state.

The first apparatus 1 may include a ring 2, an attachment device 4, a strip 6, a ring 10, a ring 12, a pin 14, and a ring 16. The strip 6 may be sandwiched between the ring 2 and the attachment device 4, wherein the ring 2 and the attachment device 4 are fixed to a portion 6a of the strip 6. The strip 6 may be sandwiched between the ring 12 and the ring 10 wherein the ring 12 and the ring 10 are fixed to a portion 6b of the strip 6. The strip 6 may be made of a cloth material. Each of the ring 2, the attachment device 4, the ring 10, the ring 12, the pin 14, and the ring 16 may be made of metal, such as a hard metal.

FIG. 2A is a top plan view the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A in the open state. FIG. 3A is a bottom plan view of the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A, in an open state. FIG. 4A is a right side elevational view of the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A, in an open state, the left side being a mirror image of the right side. FIG. 5A is a rear elevational view of the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A in an open state. FIG. 6A is a front elevational view of the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A in an open state. FIG. 7A is a first perspective view of the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A in a closed state. FIG. 8A is a second perspective view of the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A in a closed state.

The attachment device 4 may include members 4a and 4b, which can be squeezed together in the direction D1 and D2, respectively, shown in FIG. 4A. This squeezing together, causes ends of the members 4a and 4b within a body 104c to separate, and thereby permits the pin 14, staring from point 14a, to enter into an inner chamber of the body 4c of the attachment device 4, with the pin 14 entering first through the ring 102, then piercing the strip 106, and then into the inner chamber of the body 4c. When the members 4a and 4b are released, such that pressure is not being applied in the directions D1 and D2 respectively, the pin 14, or a substantial part of the pin 14, is held within the inner chamber of the body 4c of the attachment device 4, by the ends of members 4a and 4b, within the body 4c, coming together and holding the pin 14, such as shown in FIG. 7A and 8A. In the closed state or configuration of FIGS. 7A and 8A, the apparatus 1 is substantially in a closed loop.

FIG. 1B is a top, right, and front perspective view of a second apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, which may be identical to the first apparatus 1 of FIG. 1A, except that no breakaway portion is shown in FIG. 1B, and with the second apparatus 100 in an open state.

The second apparatus 100 may include a ring 102, an attachment device 104, a strip 106, a ring 110, a ring 112, a pin 114, and a ring 116. The strip 106 may be sandwiched between the ring 102 and the attachment device 104, wherein the ring 102 and the attachment device 104 are fixed to the strip 106. The strip 106 may be sandwiched between the ring 112 and the ring 110 wherein the ring 112 and the ring 110 are fixed to the strip 106. The strip 106 may be made of a cloth material. Each of the ring 102, the attachment device 104, the ring 110, the ring 112, the pin 114, and the ring 116 may be made of metal, such as a hard metal.

FIG. 2B is a top plan view the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B in the open state. FIG. 3B is a bottom plan view of the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, in an open state. FIG. 4B is a right side elevational view of the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, in an open state, the left side being a mirror image of the right side. FIG. 5B is a rear elevational view of the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A in an open state. FIG. 6B is a front elevational view of the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1A in an open state. FIG. 7B is a first perspective view of the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B in a closed state. FIG. 8B is a second perspective view of the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B in a closed state.

The attachment device 104 may include protrusions 104a and 104b, which can be squeezed together in the direction D3 and D4, respectively, shown in FIG. 4B. This squeezing together, causes ends of the members 104a and 104b within a body 104c, to separate, and permits the pin 114, staring from point 114a, to enter into an inner chamber of the body 104c of the attachment device 104, with the pin 114 entering through the ring 102, piercing through the strip 106, and then into the body 104c. When the protrusions 104a and 104b are released, such that pressure is not being applied in the directions D3 and D4 respectively, the pin 114, or a substantial part of the pin 114, is held within the inner chamber of the body 104c of the attachment device 104, by ends of the members 104a and 104b within the body portion 104c coming together and holding the pin 114 in place, such as shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A. In the closed state or configuration of FIGS. 7A and 8A, the apparatus 1 is substantially in a closed loop.

The members 4a, 4b, and 104a and 104b, may be spring biased, by springs within the body 4c or 104c in a closed state wherein ends of the members, within the body 4c or 104c, are in contact.

The strip 106 may have a length L1, shown in FIG. 2B which may be two to six inches. The strip 106 may have a width W1, shown in FIG. 2B, of about one inch. The strip 106 may be made of an elastic material, or fabric material, and may have various designs.

FIG. 9A shows a diagram of part 200 of a person wearing a pant 202. The pant may include a bottom end or portion 202b and a top or waist portion 202a. The part 200 of the person may include a back 200a, waist or hips 200b, and thighs 200c.

FIG. 9B shows a diagram of the part 200 of the person of FIG. 9A wearing the pant 202, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, attached to the pant 202 and in a closed state. The second apparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 202a and 202b of the pant 202 to cause a line 204, and generally to tighten the pant 202, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. In FIG. 9B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104c of the attachment device 104.

FIG. 10A shows a diagram of part 300 of a person wearing a blouse or shirt 302. The blouse or shirt 302 may include chest portion 302b and bottom or waist portion 302a. The part 300 of the person may include chest 300a and stomach area 300b.

FIG. 10B shows a diagram of the part 300 of the person of FIG. 10A wearing the blouse or shirt 302, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, attached to the blouse or shirt 302 and in a closed state. The second apparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 302a and 302b of the shirt or blouse 302 to cause stomach area 300b to be visible, or clothes worn underneath blouse or shirt 302 in the stomach area 300b to be visible, and generally tightens the blouse or shirt 302, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. In FIG. 10B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104c of the attachment device 104.

FIG. 11A shows a diagram of a back of a part 400 of a person who is wearing a shirt 402. The part 400 includes upper back 400a and lower back 400b. The shirt 402 includes back area 402a and waist end 402b. FIG. 11B shows a diagram of the part 400 of the person of FIG. 11A wearing the shirt 402, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, attached to the shirt 402 and in a closed state. The second apparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 402a and 402b of the shirt 402 to cause lower back area 400b to be visible, or clothes worn underneath shirt 402 in the lower back area 400b to be visible, and generally tightens shirt 402, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. In FIG. 11B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104c of the attachment device 104.

FIG. 12A shows a diagram of a part 500 of a person wearing a pants leg 502. The pants leg includes upper portion 502a and lower portion 502b. The part 500 of the person includes upper leg area 500a and lower leg area 500b. FIG. 12B shows a diagram of the part 500 of the person of FIG. 12A wearing the pants leg 502, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, attached to the pants leg 502 and in a closed state. The second apparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 502a and 502b of the pants leg 502 to cause lower leg area 500b to be visible, or clothes worn underneath pants leg 502 in the lower leg area 500b to be visible, and generally tightens pants leg 502, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. In FIG. 12B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104c of the attachment device 104.

FIG. 13A shows a diagram of a part 600 of a person wearing a skirt 602. The skirt 602 includes upper portion 602a and lower portion 602b. The part 600 of the person includes upper leg area 600a and lower leg area or feet 600b. FIG. 13B shows a diagram of the part 600 of the person of FIG. 13A wearing the skirt 602, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, attached to the skirt 600 and in a closed state. The second apparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 602a and 602b of the skirt 602 to cause leg area 600a to be visible, or clothes worn underneath skirt 602 in the area 600a to be visible, and generally tightens skirt 602, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. In FIG. 13B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104c of the attachment device 104.

FIG. 14A shows a diagram of a part 700 of a person wearing a shirt 702. The shirt 702 includes upper portion 702a and lower portion 702b. The part 700 of the person includes upper back area 700a and lower back area 700b. FIG. 14B shows a diagram of the part 700 of the person of FIG. 14A wearing the shirt 702, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, attached to the shirt 700 and in a closed state. The second apparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 702a and 702b of the shirt 702 to cause back area 700b to be visible, or clothes worn underneath shirt 702 in the area 700b to be visible, and generally tightens shirt 702, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. In FIG. 14B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104c of the attachment device 104.

FIG. 15A shows a diagram of a part 800 of a person wearing a shirt 802. The shirt 802 includes upper arm portion 802a and lower edge or portion 802b. The part 800 of the person includes should area 800a and arm area 800b. FIG. 15B shows a diagram of the part 800 of the person of FIG. 15A wearing the shirt 802, with the second apparatus 100 of FIG. 1B, attached to the shirt 900 and in a closed state. The second apparatus 100 pulls together or scrunches together the portions 802a and 802b of the shirt 802 to cause arm area 800b to be visible, or clothes worn underneath shirt 802 in the area 800b to be visible, and generally tightens shirt 802, for aesthetic and/or functional purposes. In FIG. 15B, the second apparatus 100 is in the closed state shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, with the pin 114 inserted into the body 104c of the attachment device 104.

In at least one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the pin 114 may have a height H1, which is less than or equal to the height H2 of the combination of the ring 102, strip 106, and attachment device 104 so that the pin 114 can be attached to the attachment device 104 as in FIGS. 7B and 8B to form a substantially closed loop, without the pin 114 exiting the attachment device 104. In this manner a person will not stick themselves with the pin 114 since it does not project outwards from attachment device 104.

FIG. 16 shows a diagram of part 900 of a person wearing pants 902, with the front 902a of the pants 902 shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 16 also shows the second apparatus 100 and an identical apparatus 100′ attached to the front of the pants 902 in a manner to tighten the pants 902 or in one embodiment to create a pocket in area 902b, or to otherwise scrunch or pull together different portions of the pants 902.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.