GB2588841A - An extendable garment - Google Patents

Abstract

A garment with at least one extension portion 5 having at least one attachment means 7-8; the extension portion having enough extra material to allow at least one shorter 9 and at least one longer 10 configuration, the attachment means holding the garment in the desired configuration; the attachment means comprising a plurality of securement parts spaced longitudinally relative to the garment portion on a reinforcing strip (figure 1, no numeral). The garment might be tights, leggings, trousers, a jumper, t-shirt or romper, especially for an infant. Preferably the extension portions and at least one attachment means is locate proximal to a joint such as an elbow or knee, such that in one of the shortened configurations the excess material of the extension portion forms knee pads etc. The securement parts may be along the sides of the garment portion, such as along the lateral plane of the legs, such that a wearer kneeling does not feel pressure from the securement parts. The securement parts on for example inner and outer parts of a leg may be offset and spaced differently to gather the garment in a certain manner (figure 4). The arrangement allows for example a garment which can grow along with a child, extending the useful life of the garment.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a clothing item, in particular an item for clothing a growing wearer; more particularly but not exclusively an infant.

Rackground Increasing numbers of people in increasing numbers of societies across the world are becoming more aware of the need to be cost-conscious as well as environmentally aware to costs to resources.

For example the cost of fashion and clothing in general has increased in general understanding, and many wearers or users are keen to reduce the costs of their clothing.

Small infants or growing children need frequent changes of clothing and this can be environmentally or economically destructive. This is because an infant's limbs are liable to grow significantly over a relatively short period of time, and consequently clothing will need frequent replacement to accommodate this growth.

Prior Art

KR 2015 0 066 400 (KIM) discloses a snap button attached to the inside of pants without changing or deforming the style of pants and enables a user to wear the pants although the length of the pants is longer than the length of user's legs.

EP 1 718 176 (RATCLIFFE) discloses a pant leg adjustment mechanism.

CA 1 211 252 (KATZ) discloses an adjustable garment, i.e. a pant leg for trousers, jeans, etc. is provided hereon.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an extendible garment with at least one extension portion, each extension portion has at least one attachment means, the extension portions comprise sufficient material to allow extension from at least a first (shorter) configuration to a second (longer) configuration and the at least one attachment means secures a respective extension portion at a desired configuration(s); wherein the at least one attachment means includes a plurality of securement parts spaced longitudinally along each extension portion on a reinforcing strip.

In this way the length of the extension portions can be adjusted to change the leg length, arm length or torso length of the garment. Advantageously this enables the garment to be used for an infant or child as they grow, without the requirement to purchase multiple garments of different sizes.

It is appreciated that the extendable garment may be in the form of trousers, leggings, tights or other leg coverings. In other embodiments it may be envisaged that the extendable garment may be a top or torso cover, such as a jumper or t-shirt with extension portions on the arm sections. In still further embodiments there may be provided a romper suit or onesie' with all limbs and optionally the torso formed with extension portions.

Preferably the extension region has a pair of reinforcing strips arranged on opposed sides of the extension portion, typically an inner side and an outer side or a limb or each side of the torso. The reinforcing strip provides a base on to which the attachment means are securely fixed. In this way the garment does not become damaged due to repeated movement when worn and the garment does not require any modification in order to receive the attachment means.

Preferably the reinforcing strips are a fabric layer, for example a ribbon, so as to be comfortable and flexible when worn. The reinforcing strip may be stitched to the garment and/or bonded to the garment so as to remain securely fixed during repeated use and washing.

Securement parts are arranged along the reinforcing strip. The reinforcing strip and securement parts together form the attachment means.

The extension portion is scrunched or folded when arranged in the shortest configuration and held in position by the attachment means, in particular by the securement parts of the attachment means. Advantageously this means that the folded or scrunched material is substantially hidden and accommodated in use.

In a preferred embodiment the garment has a pair of extension portions for limbs. In this way arm length and leg length can be adjusted.

In some embodiments the attachment means, and material comprising the extension portion, are located proximate a knee region or elbow of a wearer when donned. Advantageously the material may fold to form a knee pad or elbow for the wearer. To achieve this at least part of the attachment means is distal to the knee or the elbow so that when shortened the gathered material is arranged over the knee or over the elbow.

Preferably each attachment means has a plurality of securement parts providing more than two configurations of the extension portion. In this way each limb section or torso of the garment can be sized to the preferred length for the wearer.

In some embodiments the securement parts have the same arrangement on the inner and outer side of the limb.

A user may select the same configuration on each limb, or in some embodiments a user may hitch up one side of the leg higher than the other side, so as to allow for leg splay, and/or to avoid crotch bunching and/or to more comfortably distribute folded material. The use of the attachment means to shorten the length of a limb may also help to prevent baggy sections, or sagging, for example at the ankles or wrists.

Furthermore the option to shorten the arms or leg sections of a garments and may prevent a distal part of the garment becoming soiled For example, stopping the ends of trousers dragging on the ground, or cuffs of a jumper falling into food.

In some embodiments more than one extension portion may be provided on each limb section to allow the garment to be adjusted at more than one location, or to adjust particular regions. For example a garment may have a lower leg extension portion and a higher leg extension portion for each leg.

In some embodiments the securement parts may be located or dispersed differently on an inner side of a limb section to an outer side or vice-versa. In this way the extension portion will be hitched up higher one side than the other when corresponding securement parts are attached. This may help distribute folded material and or prevent bunching of material, for example brunching of material around the crotch. This configuration may also make it more comfortable to bend a limb at a joint, such as the knee or elbow.

For example the securement parts on the outer side of the limb section may be located closer to the proximal part of the limb section, so that an outer side of the limb section is hitched higher than an inner face of the limb section. It is appreciated that the opposite configuration may be provided in some embodiments.

Preferably the reinforcing strips are provided on side regions of the limb sections so as not to rub behind the knee or at the elbow crease when the leg or arm is bent. In this way the front and rear faces of the legs may be left free and unencumbered, for comfort for the wearer.

In some embodiments the reinforcing portions may be arranged over seams of a garment for additional strength and to provide enhanced comfort. By doing this the attachment means and associated securement parts are less liable to interference with the wearer.

In some embodiments the securement parts comprise corresponding female or male parts, such as press-studs.

In some embodiments the securement parts may comprise buttons, buttonholes or drawstrings or loops.

In some embodiments the securement parts comprise hooks and eyes.

In some embodiments the securement parts comprise hook and loop means such as Velcro (RTM).

In some embodiments the securement parts may comprise ferromagnetic parts.

In some embodiments at least the extendable portion may be formed from an elastic material In some embodiments the garment is elastic.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Rrief Description of Figures

Figure 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D show a preferred embodiment of an extendable garment; Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a second embodiment of an extendable garment, with one leg in the first position and a second leg in the second position; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 with both legs in an intermediate position between the positions; and Figure 4 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 with both legs in the second position.

Detailed Description of Figures

Figures 1A, 1B, 10 and 1D show a preferred embodiment of an extendable garment 100 in the form of a pair of tights.

The fights 100 have a proximal waist area 4 and a distal toe area 9.

The extension portion 5 is arranged on the limb region between the proximal area 4 and distal area 9 of the tights 100. The extension portion 5 is on an upper leg region of the garment so that it is the length of the thigh area that is adjustable in length.

The extension portion 5 includes the ribbon 50 and the securement parts 7, 8.

The extension portion 5 includes a pair of reinforcing strips 50 in the form of strips of ribbon that are stitched to inner and outer side regions of the pair of tights 100.

A plurality of securement parts 7, 8 are arranged on the reinforcing strips 50.

The securement parts 7, 8 are press studs with a single male press stud 8 arranged at a lowermost point of the reinforcing strip 50 and a column of three female press studs 7 arranged above the male press stud.

In this way the male press stud 8 is pulled upwards to connect with one of the female press studs 7 in order to shorten the length of the limb region.

The male press stud 8 is arranged below the knee when worn so that it is possible to arrange folded material as a kneepad in some of the shortened configurations.

Figure 1C shows the extendable garment in the longest orientation and Figure 1D shows the extension portion folded to a shorter configuration in which the male press stud 8 has been connected to one of the female press studs 7.

With reference to the Figures 2 to 4 there is shown a second embodiment of the garment 99 comprising a basal part 4 with two limb portions 3 extending away therefrom. The limb portions 3 comprise a distal foot 9 and an intermediate extension portion 5. The extension portions 5 are include an attachment means having plural securement parts 7, 8 to allow the extension portions 5 to be arranged in at least a first shortest limb portion position and a second longest limb portion position. When in a shorter configuration the foldable material 6 is held in position by the securement parts 7,8.

Figures 2 to 4 show a pair of fights for an infant, with two limb portions 3 and a lower torso basal part 4. The basal part 4 has a crotch area and a bottom area.

The limb portions comprise enclosed feet 9, so as to allow the embodiment to form a pair of romper suit tights. The enclosed feet 9 comprise booties on the ends of the legs. It may be envisaged that such booties are appropriately sized for a foot size accompanying the leg length of the second position. In some embodiments the booties or enclosed feet may be elastomeric part or whole or adjustable. In still further embodiments the booties may be detachable and/or replaceable.

In some embodiments the trousers may be a part of a larger romper or play suit, for example with a top or upper torso covering. In some embodiments the top may comprise an item according to the present invention, with extendable arm limb portions. In some embodiments the top and trousers of the pictured embodiment may form a single item of clothing, in others they may be separate or separable.

The legs comprise side seams 10, 11, 12, 13, which extend from top to bottom of the legs, on the inner sides and outer sides of the legs. This means that the front and rear faces of the legs are clear.

The securement parts include an anchor 8, located below the knee on the side seams, and three receiving parts 7, located and spaced apart in a vertical line above the knee on the side seams.

In some embodiments the anchor 8 may be located further up the leg in use, for example so as to be better hidden from view should the item be tights and/or the user is wearing a skirt. In some embodiments additionally or alternatively the anchor 8 may be hidden from view by a flap or similar piece of material, or concealed within a pocket or pouch.

The anchors 8 and corresponding receiving parts 7 are repeated on the inner side seams 10, 11 and the outer side seams 12, 13. The seams have a reinforcing strip running the length of the seams. The reinforcing strip matches the position of the seams and is therefore not separately labelled in Figures 2 to 4.

The three outer side seam receiving parts 7 start and finish, and are located higher up the legs 3, than the inner side seam receiving parts 7 (see Figure 4). In this way the folded material 6 of the extension portion 5 is not liable to bunch at the crotch, and is angled when folded so as to distribute better around the leg, being particularly advantageous with reference the expected leg movements and general splaying of legs in use.

The attachment means are arranged on a reinforcing strips that follows the inner and outer seams 10, 11, 12, 13 of the garment. The anchors Band receiving parts 7 are arranging on the reinforcing strip 50.

The anchors 8 are male press stud rivets, and the receiving parts 7 comprise female press stud rivets. The anchors 8 and receiving parts 7 together provide the securement parts.

The leg material of the garment is unbroken, and arranged to fold in use into the first and any intermediate positions.

In some embodiments the foldable material in the extension portions may be comprised to differ from the rest of the garment, for example being thinner, more flexible or having increased elasticity.

The waist 1 of the basal part 4 comprises an elastomeric belted waist expandable section forming the adjustment mechanism in use, as the user grows. The main material of the embodiment may also be elastomeric at least in part.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.

Claims (17)

1 An extendable garment with at least one extension portion, each extension portion has at least one attachment means, the extension portions comprise sufficient material to allow extension from at least a first (shorter) configuration to a second (longer) configuration and the at least one attachment means secures a respective extension portion at a desired configuration(s); wherein the at least one attachment means includes a plurality of securement parts spaced longitudinally along each extension portion on a reinforcing strip.

2. An extendable garment according to claim 1 in the form of a pair of tights (closed feet) with pair of extension portions, one for each limb.

3. An extendable garment according to claim 1 in the form of a pair of trousers (open feet) with pair of extension portions, one for each limb.

4. An extendable garment according to claim 1 in the form of a t-shirt or jumper with pair of extension portions, one for each limb.

5. An extendable garment according to claim 1 in the form of a romper suit.

6. An extendable garment according to any preceding claim wherein the at least one attachment means and the extension portions are located proximate a knee region or elbow region of a garment.

7. An extendable garment according to any preceding claim wherein reinforcing strips are provided on opposed sides of each extension portion such that a front face and a rear face of the limb portion of a garment are unencumbered.

8. An extendable garment according to any preceding claim wherein each extension portion is adapted to be folded to form a knee pad for the wearer when in the first configuration.

9. An extendable garment according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein securement parts are spaced differently on opposing inner and outer sides of the extension portions.

10. An extendable garment according to claim 9 wherein the securement parts on outer sides of the extension portions are located closer the proximal end of the garment than the securement parts on inner sides of the extension portion.

11. An extendable garment according to claim 9 wherein the securement parts on the inner sides of the extension portion are located closer to the proximal end than the securement parts on the outer sides of the extension portion.

12. An extendable garment according to any preceding claim wherein the securement parts includes an anchor and at least one receiving part.

13. An extendable garment according to claim 12 wherein the securement parts are press-studs.

14. An extendable garment according to claim 12 wherein the securement parts are hook and loop means.

15. An extendable garment according to claim 12 wherein the securement parts are hooks and eyes.

16. An extendable garment according to claim 12 wherein the securement parts are ferromagnetic connectors.

17. An extendable garment according to claim 12 wherein the securement parts are buttons and buttonholes, button loops or drawstrings.