Athletic garments with accessory attachments

Abstract

The present invention is directed to attachments for athletic garments, especially swimsuits. One of the attachments is a pouch-like removable pocket which is directly positioned on the main body of the garment. The other attachment is a capture member having a loop of material which can be tightened around an accessory having an elongated portion such as a pair of eyeglasses. Both of the attachments are releasably attached to the garment.

Claims

1. A garment with releasable attachments comprising: an elastic material adapted to snugly fit the wearer and including a waist portion of reduced diameter between a lower and an upper portion, said upper portion including front and back parts extending upwardly from said waist portion between a pair of arm cutouts and joining each other on each side of the wearer's neck to form a generally circular neck opening which encircles the wearer's neck, said circular neck opening defined partially by left and right armbands; first and second attachment areas, a first attachment area positioned on said upper portion of said garment and a second attachment area positioned on one of said left or right armbands; an enclosure for attachment to said first attachment and a capture member for attachment to said armband.

2. The garment of claim 1 wherein said capture member can form a loop of about ¼ inch in diameter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Various other objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the inventive garment.

[0015] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the inventive garment with the attachments removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, the garment of the invention, generally indicated by the numeral 10, is shown. The garment is essentially a standard one piece bathing suit modified for the removable attachment of accessories. The garment 10 is formed of an elastic material adapted to snugly fit the wearer and including a waist portion 20 of reduced diameter between a lower 22 and an upper 24 portion, said upper portion 24 including front 26 and back 28 parts extending upwardly from said waist portion 20 between a pair of arm cutouts 30 and joining each other on each side of the wearer's neck to form a generally circular neck opening 32 which encircles the wearer's neck. Arm cutouts 30 are partially defined by armbands 31.

[0017] It can be seen that the front 26 part includes a closure 38, which may be fastened in the closed position as by snaps, or buttons, or other fastening means. Just above the closure 38 is an attachment patch 39 for attaching a pouch-like pocket member 40. The pocket member 40 is preferably formed from water resistant material and has an opening 42 which can be closed as by e.g., a drawstring 44 or elastic band. If the member 40 is made of a waterproof material, and the opening is made watertight, electronics can be stored in the pocket member 42 while the wearer is underwater.

[0018] Positioned on one of said armbands 31 is another attachment patch 46. This attachment patch 46 is sized to receive a capture member 50. Capture member 50 is essentially a band of hook or loop type material, while attachment patches 46, 39 are also formed of hook or loop material. Preferably the loop material is positioned on the patches 39, 46, as the hook material will attract lint which can make the garment 10 unsightly over time. The capture member 50 can be formed into a loop which can be tightened to “capture” or firmly hold an elongated item such as a pair of sunglasses. In a key aspect of the invention, the loop formed by capture member 50 can be made small enough to capture an elongated item such as the temple of an eyeglass frame or an ink pen. Accordingly, capture member 50 can form a loop as small as ¼ inch.

[0019] From the foregoing description, one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

[0020] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims: