SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MODIFYING A BODY OF FABRIC

Abstract

Systems and methods of adjusting a length of fabric are disclosed. In one form, a system is disclosed for adjusting a length of fabric, said system including: a fabric body having at least one edge portion; at least one extension piece of fabric having an inner edge portion and an opposed outer edge portion and extending distally away from the at least one edge portion in an edge portion to edge portion arrangement. The at least one extension piece is sewn to the at least one edge portion with at least one release thread and at least one tab operably associated with an end of the at least one thread. The length of fabric is adjusted by moving the at least one tab and pulling the at least one release thread to release and separate the at least one extension piece from the fabric body.

Claims

1. An adjustable fabric length system for adjusting a length of fabric, said system comprising: a fabric body having at least one edge portion; a plurality of extension pieces of fabric, each extension piece having an inner edge portion and an opposed outer edge portion, said plurality of extension pieces sewn together with one another and the fabric body in an edge portion to edge portion arrangement such that the plurality of extension pieces extend distally away from the at least one edge portion of the fabric body, each said extension piece being individually sewn to an adjacent said extension piece or the at least one edge portion with at least one release thread; and at least one tab operably associated with the at least one release thread of each of the plurality of extension pieces, said at least one tab releasably affixed to a respective said extension piece to cover an end of the at least one release thread and prevent the at least one release thread from being inadvertently pulled, wherein the length of fabric is adjusted by pulling or separating the at least one tab away from a selected said extension piece to uncover the at least one release thread associated with the selected said extension piece and pulling the at least one release thread uncovered to release and separate the selected said extension piece from the fabric body or the outer edge portion of a proximally arranged said extension piece.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein partially overlapping portions of the edge portions of adjacently arranged extension pieces and/or the fabric body are each releasably sewn together with the at least one release thread.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the edge portions of adjacently arranged extension pieces and/or the fabric body are releasably sewn together with a loop stitch and a single said release thread.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein each extension piece is releasably sewn to an adjacent extension piece and/or the fabric body with two or more lines of loop stitches extending substantially parallel to one another.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein each line of loop stitches comprises the at least one release thread.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one tab is a pull tab or label attached to the end of the release thread and adapted to be pulled to thereby pull the at least one release thread.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one tab is separated or detached from the extension piece prior to pulling the at least one release thread associated with the selected said extension piece.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the fabric body is a garment or part thereof and the at least one edge portion is an edge of the garment.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of extension pieces each comprise a cuff configured to be releasably sewn together in an edge portion to edge portion arrangement to the edge of the garment.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of extension pieces each comprise a strip forming a lower edge or hem of the fabric body and configured to be releasably sewn together in an edge portion to edge portion arrangement to the edge of the garment.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the fabric body is a sheet of fabric and the at least one edge portion is an edge of the sheet of fabric.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the length of fabric is shortened by pulling the at least one tab associated with a selected said extension piece to release and separate the selected said extension piece from the fabric body or the outer edge portion of a proximally arranged said extension piece.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the length of fabric is lengthened by sewing at least one said extension piece to the fabric body or the outer edge portion of a proximally arranged said extension piece with at least one release thread.

14. A method of adjusting a length of fabric, said method comprising: providing a fabric body having at least one edge portion and a plurality of extension pieces of fabric, each extension piece having an inner edge portion and an opposed outer edge portion, said plurality of extension pieces being sewn together with one another and the fabric body in an edge portion to edge portion arrangement such that the plurality of extension pieces extend distally away from the at least one edge portion of the body, each said extension piece individually sewn to an adjacent said extension piece or the at least one edge portion with at least one release thread and at least one tab operably associated with an end of the at least one release thread and releasably affixed to the extension piece to cover the end of the at least one release thread and prevent it from being inadvertently pulled; and separating or detaching the at least one tab from a selected said extension piece to be released and separated to uncover the at least release thread so that it can be pulled; and pulling the at least one release thread associated with the selected said extension piece and release and separate the selected said extension piece from the fabric body or the outer edge portion of a proximally arranged said extension piece.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein length of fabric is shortened through selective removal of one or more of the extension pieces.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the pulling comprises identifying the at least one tab associated with the at least one release thread associated with the selected said extension piece.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the pulling comprises pulling the at least one release thread entirely from the selected said extension piece to release and separate the selected said extension piece from the fabric body.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the length of fabric is lengthened through selective addition of one or more said extension pieces releasably sewn to the fabric body or the outer edge portion of a proximally arranged said extension piece until a desired length is reached.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the one or more said extension pieces are arranged in an edge portion to edge portion arrangement such that the one or more said extension pieces extend distally away from the at least one edge portion of the fabric body or the outer edge portion of a proximally arranged said extension piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0107] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0108] FIG. 1A is a schematic showing an adjustable fabric length system according to an embodiment of the present invention incorporated on a leg of a pair of pants with the outer part of the leg shown partially inverted;

[0109] FIG. 1B is a schematic of the system as shown in FIG. 1A with the outer part of the leg shown the right way out;

[0110] FIG. 1C is another schematic of the system as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B with a release thread of an outermost extension piece of the system being initially removed;

[0111] FIG. 1D is another schematic of the system as shown in FIG. 1C with the release thread partially removed;

[0112] FIG. 1E is yet another schematic of the system as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D with the release thread entirely removed;

[0113] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a pair of pants incorporating the system as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E;

[0114] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a long-sleeved shirt incorporating the system as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E;

[0115] FIG. 4 is a schematic of a dress incorporating the system as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E;

[0116] FIG. 5 is a schematic of a curtain incorporating the system as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E;

[0117] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a sheet of fabric incorporating the system as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E; and

[0118] FIG. 7 is a schematic of a dress incorporating an adjustable fabric length system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0119] FIGS. 1A to 1E show an embodiment of an adjustable fabric length system (100) for adjusting a leg (900; i.e., a length of fabric) of a pair of pants.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 1A, the system (100) includes a fabric body (110) having at least one edge portion (120) and a plurality of extension pieces (130) extending distally away from the edge portion (120).

[0121] Each extension piece (130) includes opposing edge portions, including an inner edge portion (132) and an opposed outer edge portion (134).

[0122] The plurality of extension pieces (130) are releasably sewn together with one another and the fabric body (110) in an edge portion to edge portion arrangement such that the extension pieces (130) extend distally away from the at least one edge portion (120) to form the lower part of the leg (900).

[0123] As shown, each extension portion (130) is individually sewn to an adjacent edge portion (130) or the at least one edge portion (120) with at least one line of loop stitching (140). The at least one line of loop stitching (140) includes a pair of release threads (142).

[0124] Referring briefly to FIG. 1B, the length of the leg (900) of the pair of pants can be readily shortened to a desired length by: (i) selecting an extension piece (130) immediately distal the desired length of the leg (900); (ii) turning the leg (900) inside out and locating and separating the tab (150) from the selected extension piece (130) as shown in FIG. 1C to uncover the release threads (142) coloured blue; (iii) pulling the release threads (142) coloured blue as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E from the at least one line of loop stitching (140) fastening the extension piece (130) to a remainder of the leg (900); and (iii) turning the leg (900) again the right way out as shown in FIG. 1B and removing any remaining threads of the line of loop stitching (140) to release and separate the extension piece (130) from the remainder of the leg (900).

[0125] Referring briefly to FIG. 1C, the release threads (142) are uncovered by locating and tearing the tab (150) away from the extension piece (130). The tab (150) is formed from a piece of fabric and is sewn to the extension piece (130) with lines of stitches (152) extending along its opposed side edges. The tab (150) is adapted to cover the end of the release thread (142) and prevent it from being inadvertently pulled.

[0126] When pulled away from the extension piece (130), the lines of stitches (152) are configured to tear away from the tab (150) allowing the tab (150) to be removed and uncover the underlying ends of the release threads (142).

[0127] Referring to FIGS. 1D and 1E, once uncovered, the ends of the release threads (142; shown in FIG. 1D only) are located and pulled continuously away from the leg (900) until the thread (142; shown in FIG. 1D only) is completely removed from the line of loop stitching (140) as shown in FIG. 1E.

[0128] Referring back to FIG. 1A, the fabric body (110) includes a central portion of the pair of pants and a proximal part of the leg (900) extending to the at least one edge portion (120).

[0129] The at least one edge portion (120) includes a hem.

[0130] Referring again to FIG. 1B, each extension piece (130) is in the form of a cuff of fabric.

[0131] The inner edge portion (132) of each extension piece (130) is adapted to be releasably sewn to the outer edge portion (134) of an immediately proximal extension piece (130) or the at least one edge portion (120). Each of the opposed edge portions (132, 134) of each extension piece (130) includes a hem.

[0132] As shown, the extension pieces (130) are releasably sewn together in an edge portion to edge portion arrangement such that the plurality of extension pieces (130) extend distally away from the at least one edge portion (120) of the fabric body (110) to form the leg (900). Specifically, partially overlapping portions of the edge portions (132, 134) of adjacently arranged extension pieces (130) are releasably sewn together.

[0133] Referring to FIGS. 1C and 1D, the release threads (142), shown in blue, forms part of the at least one line of loop stitch (140) joining the extension pieces (130) and the fabric body (110) together.

[0134] In some embodiments, the release threads (142) are coloured a distinguishing colour relative to other threads so as to be readily visible and distinguishable from non-release threads.

[0135] FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the system (100) incorporated on each leg (900) of a pair of pants.

[0136] As shown, each leg (900) includes the same fabric body (110) each with an outer edge (120) and a plurality of extension pieces (130) extending distally away from the outer edge (120).

[0137] In use, a user may shorten each leg (900) to a desired length by releasing and separating an extension piece (130) immediately distal the desired length.

[0138] FIG. 3 shows a schematic of the system (100) incorporated on each arm (800) and a lower hem (810) of a long sleeved shirt.

[0139] As shown, each arm (800) and the lower hem (810) includes the same fabric body (110) each with an outer edge (120) and a plurality of extension pieces (130) extending distally away from the outer edge (120).

[0140] In use, a user may selectively shorten each arm (800) and/or the lower hem (810) to a desired length by releasing and separating an extension piece (130) immediately distal the desired length.

[0141] FIG. 4 shows a schematic of the system (100) incorporated on a lower hem (710) of a dress (700).

[0142] As shown, the lower hem (710) includes a fabric body (110) with an outer edge (120) and a plurality of extension pieces (130) extending distally away from the outer edge (120).

[0143] In use, a user may selectively shorten the lower hem (710) to a desired length by releasing and separating an extension piece (130) immediately distal the desired length.

[0144] FIG. 5 shows a schematic of the system (100) incorporated on a lower edge (610) of a curtain (600).

[0145] As shown, the lower edge (610) includes a fabric body (110) with an outer edge (120) and a plurality of extension pieces (130) extending distally away from the outer edge (120).

[0146] In use, a user may selectively shorten the curtain to a desired length by releasing and separating an extension piece (130) immediately distal the desired length.

[0147] FIG. 6 shows a schematic of the system (100) incorporated on a lower edge (510) of a sheet of fabric (500).

[0148] As shown, the lower edge (510) includes a fabric body (110) with an outer edge (120) and a plurality of extension pieces (130) extending distally away from the outer edge (120).

[0149] In use, a user may selectively shorten the sheet of fabric (500) to a desired length by releasing and separating an extension piece (130) immediately distal the desired length.

[0150] FIG. 7 shows a schematic of a dress (1000) incorporating an adjustable fabric length system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention for adjusting various lengths of the dress (1000). For convenience, features that are similar or correspond to features of the preceding embodiment will be referenced with the same reference numerals.

[0151] The dress (1000) includes a fabric body (110) being the bodice having three edge portions (120). The dress (1000) further includes a plurality of extension pieces (130), including a pair of long sleeves (1100), a pair of three quarter sleeves (1200) and a skirt (1300).

[0152] In use, the system (100) enables a user to transform the dress (1000) as desired.

[0153] For example, in one scenario the user may desire a short sleeve dress (1000), in which case the user may selectively remove the sleeves (1100, 1200) from the respective outer edge portions (120A).

[0154] In another scenario, the user may desire a separate bodice (110) or skirt (1300), in which case the user may selectively remove the skirt (1300) from the respective outer edge portion (120B).

[0155] Conversely, in other scenarios, the user may reattach either the long sleeves (1100) or the three quarter sleeves (1200) or the skirt (1300) to the bodice (110), in which case the user may individually sew each desired extension portion (130) to a respective outer edge portion (120A, 1208) of the bodice (110).

[0156] Advantageously, the system (100) in this embodiment provides a dress (1000) that can be readily adapted by a user. The various extension pieces (130) may be selectively removed and reattached.

[0157] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0158] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0159] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.