Adjustable contour waist system

Abstract

An adjustable contour waist system in which a garment has a waistband and a fly area, first and second belt loops, and a piece of webbing that passes through the second belt loop. The fly area has a zipper that is made up of two parts, and the second part of the zipper is only attached to the garment at a joinder seam. This same joinder seam joins the overlying and underlying fabrics of the fly area. A strip of hook fastener material is sewn to the second part of the zipper and also joined to the garment at the joinder seam. The joinder seam is the only place at which the second part of the zipper and the strip of hook fastener material are attached to the garment. The fly area also has a section of loop fastener material on the underside of the overlying fabric.

Claims

1. An adjustable contour waist system comprising: (a) a garment having a waistband and a fly area; (b) a first belt loop situated on the waistband on a first side of the fly area; (c) a second belt loop situated on the waistband on a second side of the fly area; and (d) a piece of webbing that is sewn to the waistband and configured to pass through the second belt loop; wherein the fly area comprises an overlying piece of fabric and an underlying piece of fabric; wherein the fly area further comprises a hook-and-loop fastener consisting of a strip of hook fastener material and a section of loop fastener material; wherein the waistband comprises a first end that is sewn to the overlying piece of fabric and a second end that is sewn to the underlying piece of fabric so that the first end and the second end overlap one another; wherein the first end of the waistband comprises a first edge, and a first buckle part extends laterally from the first edge of the first end; wherein the piece of webbing comprises a second buckle part that is configured to form a clasp together with the first buckle part; wherein the second buckle part is configured to slide on the piece of webbing to tighten or loosen the waistband; wherein the fly area comprises a zipper that is sewn onto the underlying fabric and is parallel to an inside edge of the underlying fabric; wherein the zipper comprises a first part and a second part; wherein the strip of hook fastener material is sewn onto the second part of the zipper so that the strip of hook fastener material is parallel to the zipper; wherein the zipper has a length, the strip of hook fastener material has a length, and the length of the zipper and the length of the strip of hook fastener material are the same; wherein the section of loop fastener material is sewn to an underside of the overlying fabric; wherein the section of loop fastener material comprises an inner edge and an outer edge; wherein the section of loop fastener material has a bottom edge and a top edge that are parallel to one another; wherein the section of loop fastener material has a width, and the width of the section of loop fastener material increases from bottom to top; wherein the strip of hook fastener material has a constant width; wherein the inner edge of the strip of hook fastener material is sewn to the second part of the zipper; wherein the strip of hook fastener material comprises a bottom edge, and the only part of the strip of hook fastener material that is attached to the underlying fabric is the bottom edge of the strip of hook fastener material; wherein the bottom edge of the strip of hook fastener material is attached to the underlying fabric by a joinder seam; wherein the joinder seam joins the underlying fabric to the overlying fabric; wherein the strip of hook fastener material is not affixed to the underlying fabric at any point that does not also connect the hook fastener strip to the overlying fabric; wherein the bottom edge of the loop fastener section is situated above the joinder seam; wherein the first part of the zipper and the second part of the zipper are secured to the overlying fabric and the underlying fabric at the joinder seam; and wherein the second part of the zipper is attached to the garment only at the joinder seam.

2. The adjustable contour waist system of claim 1, wherein the width of the section of loop fastener material at the top edge of the section of loop fastener material is twice the width of the section of loop fastener material at the bottom edge of the section of loop fastener material.

3. The adjustable contour waist system of claim 1, wherein the width of the section of loop fastener material at the top edge of the section of loop fastener material is three times the width of the strip of hook fastener material.

4. The adjustable contour waist system of claim 1, wherein the top edge of the section of loop fastener material is sewn into a bottom edge of the waistband.

5. The adjustable contour waist system of claim 1, wherein the inner edge of the section of loop fastener material is parallel to an inner edge of the overlying fabric.

6. The adjustable contour waist system of claim 1, wherein the strip of hook fastener material has a length, the section of loop fastener material has a length, and the length of the hook fastener material is greater than the length of the section of loop fastener material.

7. The adjustable contour waist system of claim 1, wherein the inner edge of the section of loop fastener material is configured so that when the fly area is closed in a first position, the inner edge of the section of loop fastener material lies directly on top of an inner edge of the strip of hook fastener material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment with the adjustable contour waist system of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the waistband in a first position.

(3) FIG. 3 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the fly open and the zipper fully closed.

(4) FIG. 4 is a detail view of the bottom of the fly area as shown in FIG. 3.

(5) FIG. 5 is a detail view of the loop fastener section shown from the inside of the garment.

(6) FIG. 6 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the fly open and the zipper partially unzipped.

(7) FIG. 7 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the fly open and the zipper fully unzipped.

(8) FIG. 8 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the fly open and the zipper placed onto the loop fastener section in a first position.

(9) FIG. 9 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the fly open and the zipper placed onto the loop fastener section in a second position.

(10) FIG. 10 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the waistband in a second position.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

(11) 1 Waistband 1a Bottom edge (of waistband) 2 Fly area 3 Overlying piece of fabric 3a Inner edge (of overlying fabric) 3b Top edge (of overlying fabric) 4 Underlying piece of fabric 4a Top edge (of underlying fabric) 5 Hook fastener strip 5a Inner edge (of hook fastener strip) 5b Bottom edge (of hook fastener strip) 6 Loop fastener section 6a Inner edge (of loop fastener section) 6b Outer edge (of loop fastener section) 6c Bottom edge (of loop fastener section) 6d Top edge (of loop fastener section) 7 First end (of waistband) 7a First edge (of first end) 8 Second end (of waistband) 9 First buckle part 9a Second buckle part 10 First belt loop 11 Second belt loop 12 Webbing 13 Zipper 13a First part (of zipper) 13b Second part (of zipper) 13c Bottom edge (of zipper) 14 Inside edge (of underlying fabric) 15 Joinder seam

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

A. Overview

(12) The present invention solves the problem of improper pant waist fit by providing a pant waist system that can be adjusted by the user for an exact fit and/or to accommodate other layers of clothing underneath the pant waist. Experiencing a waist size that is too small or too large is a common problem for individuals who fall between sizes of fixed waist size pants. The present invention allows the waist size to be adjusted without bunching of pant fabric along the waistline when adjusted to a smaller waist size. In other adjustable waist pants, the bunching of fabric around the waist causes discomfort underneath the hip belt of a backpack when an individual is packing heavy loads while hiking.

(13) In backpacking situations, individuals will layer clothing to prepare for adverse weather conditions. A typical layering system may include up to four different layers of pants worn in various combinations at any given time. For this reason, individuals will typically purchase an outer layer pant that is larger in size to provide ample room for layering underneath during colder conditions. When the pants are worn without multiple layers underneath, the waist is too large, and the wearer must rely on a belt or other pant cinching system in order for the pants to fit properly. These kinds of waist adjustment mechanisms result in excessive pant material bunching underneath the backpack hip belt, which causes irritation and discomfort. The present invention solves this problem by providing an adjustable waist system that can be adjusted to an exact fit (with or without underlying layers) and does not cause fabric to bunch around the waist of the user.

B. Detailed Description of the Figures

(14) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment with the adjustable contour waist system of the present invention. In this figure, the present invention is incorporated into a pair of pants, but the invention may be used with any garment that has a waistband.

(15) The invention comprises a waistband 1 and a fly area 2. The fly area 2 comprises an overlying piece of fabric 3 and an underlying piece of fabric 4 (see FIG. 7). It also comprises a hook-and-loop fastener consisting of a hook fastener strip 5 and a loop fastener section 6 (see FIG. 3).

(16) FIG. 2 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the waistband in a first position. As shown in this figure, the waistband 1 comprises a first end 7 that is sewn to the overlying piece of fabric 3 and a second end 8 that is sewn to the underlying piece of fabric 4 so that the first and second ends 7, 8 overlap one another. Extending laterally from the first edge 7a of the first end 7 is a first buckle part 9. First and second belt loops 10, 11 are preferably situated on the waistband on either side of the fly area 2. A piece of webbing 12 is preferably sewn to the waistband directly underneath the second belt loop 11. The webbing 12 comprises a second buckle part 9a that is configured to form a clasp together with the first buckle part 9. The second buckle part 9a slides on the webbing 12 to tighten or loosen the waistband 1.

(17) FIG. 3 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the fly open and the zipper fully closed. As shown in this figure, the fly area 2 comprises a zipper 13 that is sewn onto the underlying fabric 4 and is parallel to an inside edge 14 of the underlying fabric. The zipper 13 comprises a first part 13a and a second part 13b. A strip of hook fastener material 5 (also referred to herein as the “hook fastener strip”) is sewn onto the second part 13b of the zipper so that the hook fastener strip 5 is parallel to the zipper 13. The hook fastener strip 5 runs along the entire length of the zipper 13, from top to bottom.

(18) A loop fastener section 6 is sewn to the underside of the overlying fabric 3. The loop fastener section 6 comprises an inner edge 6a and an outer edge 6b. The inner edge 6a of the loop fastener section 6 is configured so that when the fly area 2 is closed in a first position, the inner edge 6a of the loop fastener section 6 lines up with (lies directly on top of) the inner edge 5a of the hook fastener strip 5. The loop fastener section 6 has a bottom edge 6c (see FIG. 4) and a top edge 6d. The bottom edge 6c and top edge 6d are preferably parallel to one another, but the inner edge 6a and outer edge 6b are not (see also FIG. 5). The width of the loop fastener section 6 increases from bottom to top so that the width of the top edge 6d of the loop fastener section 6 is approximately twice the width of the bottom edge 6c. The hook fastener strip 5 has a constant width, and the width of the top edge 6d of the loop fastener section 6 is preferably approximately three times the width of the hook fastener strip 5. The width of the bottom edge 6c of the loop fastener section 6 is preferably 1.5 times the width of the hook fastener strip 5.

(19) FIG. 4 is a detail view of the bottom of the fly area as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in this figure, the inner edge 5a of the hook fastener strip 5 is sewn to the second part 13b of the zipper 13, but only the bottom edge 5b of the hook fastener strip 5 is sewn to the underlying fabric 3. It is important to note that the hook fastener strip 5 is not affixed to the underlying fabric 3 at any point other than the bottom edge 5b of the hook fastener strip 5. The joinder seam 15 is the seam at which the bottom edge 5b of the hook fastener strip 5 is sewn to the underlying fabric 3. It is also the same seam that joins the underlying fabric 3 to the overlying fabric 4; therefore, the hook fastener strip 5 is not affixed to the underlying fabric at any point that does not also connect the hook fastener strip 5 to the overlying fabric 3. The joinder seam 15 and inner edge 6a, outer edge 6b, bottom edge 6c and top edge 6d of the loop fastener section 6 are also visible from the front of the garment (see FIG. 1). The top edge 6d of the loop fastener section 6 is sewn into the bottom edge 1a of the waistband. The bottom edge 6c of the loop fastener section 6 is situated above the joinder seam 15 (see also FIG. 1); therefore, the strip of hook fastener material is slightly longer than the section of loop fastener material. Both parts of the zipper 13a, 13b are also secured to the overlying fabric 3 and the underlying fabric 4 at the joinder seam 15. As with the hook fastener strip 5, the second part 13b of the zipper is attached to the garment only at the joinder seam and nowhere else. This is an important distinction as compared to the prior art.

(20) FIG. 5 is a detail view of the loop fastener section shown from the inside of the garment. As shown in this figure, the inner edge 6a of the loop fastener section 6 is parallel to the inner edge 3a of the overlying fabric 3. When the fly area 2 is closed and in a first position, the zipper 13 is covered by that portion of the overlying fabric 3 that lies between the inner edge 6a of the loop fastener section 6 and the inner edge 3a of the overlying fabric 3 (see “X” on FIG. 5). When the fly area 2 is closed and in a second position, the zipper is covered by the loop fastener section 6.

(21) FIG. 6 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the fly open and the zipper partially unzipped. Note that the fly area 2 may be opened either by unzipping the zipper 13 or by disengaging the hook fastener strip 5 from the loop fastener section 6. In this figure, the hook fastener strip 5 has been disengaged from the loop fastener section 6. The wearer would open the fly in this manner if he desired to adjust the size of the waistband.

(22) FIG. 7 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the fly open and the zipper fully unzipped. The hook fastener strip 5 may now be repositioned relative to the loop fastener section 6 (from a first position to a second position). Because the hook fastener strip 5 is attached (sewn) to the second part 13b of the zipper 13, when the hook fastener strip 5 is repositioned on the loop fastener section 6 to a second position, the second part 13b of the zipper 13 is moved further outward (that is, closer diagonally to the outer edge 6b of the loop fastener section 6 than the inner edge 6a and further away diagonally from the inner edge 3a of the overlying fabric). When the zipper is zipped back up, because the first part 13a of the zipper 13 is attached (sewn) to the underlying fabric 4 and the hook fastener strip 5 is secured to the loop fastener section 6, the overlying fabric 3 is pulled inward. Because the top edge 3b of the overlying fabric 3 is attached (sewn) to the bottom edge 1a of the first end 7 of the waistband 1, as the overlying fabric 3 is pulled inward, the first end 7 of the waistband 1 is pulled further over the second end 8, thereby decreasing the overall width of the waistband 1. The webbing 12 is tightened on the second buckle part 9a, and there is no buckling of fabric (see FIG. 10).

(23) FIG. 8 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the fly open and the zipper placed onto the loop fastener section in a first position. The position shown in this figure is the position that affords the greatest waistband width. FIG. 9 is a detail view of the front part of the garment shown with the fly open and the zipper placed onto the loop fastener section in a second position (that discussed in connection with FIG. 7 above). The position shown in this figure is the position that results in the tightest waistband (smallest width). Although only two positions are shown, the second part 13b of the zipper 13 may be positioned on the loop fastener section 6 in either of the positions shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 or anywhere in between them. Whenever the second part 13b of the zipper 13 is repositioned, the bottom edge 5b of the hook fastener strip and the bottom edge 13c of the zipper (both of which are sewn to the overlying 3 and underlying fabric 4 at the joinder seam 15) remain stationary.

(24) Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.