Garment having a drawstring closure assembly

Abstract

A closing and tightening system for the waistband of a garment is provided. Two drawstrings are fed through four grommets. When both strings are pulled tight, both sides of the garment are pulled towards each other, and are secured on top of each other when tied down. The strings are woven through the grommets to allow the garment to be tightened on both sides, creating a secure attachment suited to use on athletic wear.

Claims

1. A garment having a drawstring closure assembly, comprising: a garment body defines a slit opening that extends from an edge of the garment body, the garment body defining 1) a first channel portion proximate to the edge on a first side of the slit opening and 2) a second channel portion proximate to the edge on a second side of the slit opening, the garment body further having a plurality of apertures, including a first aperture defined on the first side of the slit opening, providing access to the first channel portion, a second aperture defined on the first side of the slit opening between the first aperture and the slit opening, a third aperture defined on the second side of the slit opening, the third aperture providing a first access to the second channel portion, and a fourth aperture defined on the second side of the slit opening such that the third aperture is between the fourth aperture and the slit opening, the fourth aperture providing a second access to the second channel portion; a first string portion that extends from the first channel portion and is threaded in a proximal to distal manner through the first, the third, the fourth, and the second apertures, the first string portion entering the second channel portion via the first access and extending from the second channel portion via the second access; and a second string portion that extends from the second channel portion and is threaded through the third and the first apertures, the first and second string portions extending through the first and third apertures in opposing directions across the slit opening between the first and the third apertures so as to secure the first side and the second side together.

2. The garment as defined in claim 1, wherein the second aperture is smaller than the first aperture, the second aperture configured to hold the first string portion in place without the first string portion being tied.

3. The garment as defined in claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures each include a grommet.

4. The garment as defined in claim 1, wherein the garment body is athletic shorts.

5. The garment as defined in claim 1, wherein the garment body is pants.

6. The garment as defined in claim 1, wherein the garment body is a swimsuit.

7. The garment as defined in claim 1, wherein the first side of the slit opening aligns atop the second side of the slit opening, such that the first and second apertures line up on top of the third and fourth apertures for closure.

8. A garment having a drawstring closure assembly, comprising: a garment body that has a waistband and that defines a slit opening that extends downwardly from a top edge of the waistband, the waistband defines a channel proximate to the top edge that extends about the circumference of the waistband, the channel defining 1) a first channel portion proximate to the edge on a first side of the slit opening and 2) a second channel portion proximate to the edge on a second side of the slit opening, the garment body further having a plurality of apertures, including a first aperture defined on the first side of the slit opening, providing access to the first channel portion, a second aperture defined on the first side of the slit opening between the first aperture and the slit opening, a third aperture defined on the second side of the slit opening, the third aperture providing a first access to the second channel portion, and a fourth aperture defined on the second side of the slit opening such that the third aperture is between the fourth aperture and the slit opening, the fourth aperture providing a second access to the second channel portion; and a drawstring assembly disposed in the channel, having a first string portion that extends from the first side and a second string portion that extends from the second side, in which: a first string portion that extends from the first channel portion is threaded in a proximal to distal manner through the first, the third, the fourth, and the second apertures, the first string portion entering the second channel portion via the first access and extending from the second channel portion via the second access; and a second string portion that extends from the second channel portion is threaded through the third and the first apertures, the first and second string portions extending through the first and third apertures in opposing directions across the slit opening between the first and the third apertures so as to secure the first side and the second side together.

9. The garment as defined in claim 8, wherein the first side of the slit opening aligns atop the second side of the slit opening, such that the first and second apertures line up on top of the third and fourth apertures for closure.

10. The garment as defined in claim 9, wherein the second aperture is smaller than the first aperture, the second aperture configured to hold the first string portion in place without the first string portion being tied.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front view of a drawstring closure in accordance with the present invention, depicting the drawstring closure implemented in waistband of a garment in which opposing sides of an opening each include a pair of grommets through which a pair of drawstring ends loop through in a prescribed manner.

(3) FIG. 2 is a front view of shorts in accordance with the present invention, utilizing the drawstring closure of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view of pants in accordance with the present invention, utilizing the drawstring closure of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 4 a simplified perspective view of the grommets from FIG. 1, depicting the grommets of the closure partially overlapped, with the drawstring ends excluded for clarity.

(6) FIG. 5 a front view of the drawstring closure of FIG. 1, depicting the grommets of the aligned and the drawstring ends tied.

(7) FIG. 6 is an interior view of a drawstring closure in accordance with the present invention, depicting the drawstring closure implemented in waistband of a garment in which a pair of drawstring ends loop through in a prescribed manner such that the ends terminate on the interior side of the garment, towards the wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a garment having a drawstring closure assembly. The garment includes waistband 10 that defines a channel 17 (17a and 17b) and a drawstring threaded therethrough. The drawstring is threaded through a plurality of apertures (grommets), disposed proximate to a slit of the garment, to create a more secure attachment than in a traditional drawstring, such that the waist can be secure even if the strings are not tied together, providing a unique, stylish look.

(9) In the exemplary embodiment, the waistband 10 has an outer side 11 and an interior side 12, defined so as the outer side 11 is laid over the interior side 12 when the closure is tightened. The waistband is fitted with several grommets 13, 14, 15, 16. Each side of the waistband has an inside grommet 13, 14 proximate to the fly opening and an outside grommet 15, 16 on the distal side of the inside grommet. The waistband includes a channel 17 and a drawstring threaded therethrough.

(10) The drawstring has two opposing string portions, 20, 21. A first string portion 21 exits through the outside top grommet 15, then back into the waistband of the bottom side through the inside bottom grommet 13. The second first string is routed through the channel 17 (17b), exiting out the waistband at the outside bottom grommet 16, and back through the inside top grommet 14. A string portion 20 exits through the inside bottom grommet 13, and then through the outside top grommet 15. The first string protrudes from the inside top grommet 14; the second string protrudes from the outside top grommet 15. In other embodiment, the waistband may also use four openings that are not fitted with grommets.

(11) In an exemplary embodiment, the inside top grommet (aka, opening) 14 can be sized smaller than one or more of the other grommets (openings), e.g., 13, 15, and/or 16. In other words, the grommet 14 can be sized to provide a snug fit for a single drawstring portion, to provide tension on the drawstring to help lock the drawstring in place. In a detailed feature of an exemplary embodiment, the inner diameter of the grommet (opening) 14 is less than or equal to the outer diameter of drawstring portion that passes therethrough. In this manner, the drawstring can be held in place before tying or can be held in place without tying.

(12) With reference now to FIG. 2, athletic shorts are shown having a drawstring closure in accordance with the invention. The drawstring closure assembly includes a slit opening (fly) and a plurality of apertures disposed on both sides of the fly along the waistband. The waistband defines a channel. Two apertures are disposed a first side of the slit opening proximate to the edge, and two other apertures are disposed on a second side of the slit opening proximate to the edge. A first string portion is threaded, in a proximal to distal manner, to extend simultaneously through the first, the third, the fourth, and the second apertures, so that the first string portion exits the corresponding channel portion extending through the first aperture, reenters the corresponding channel portion extending through the third aperture, exits the corresponding channel portion extending through the fourth aperture, and extends through the second aperture. A second string portion exits the corresponding channel portion extending through the third aperture and extends through the first aperture.

(13) With reference to FIG. 3, pants are shown having a drawstring closure in accordance with the invention. Various other embodiments of garments are contemplated that can comprise a drawstring closure in accordance with the invention, such as swimsuits, sweatpants, stockings, sweatshirts, and others.

(14) FIGS. 3-5 shows the waistband 10 of FIG. 1 lined up for closure. The inside grommet of one side matches the outside grommet of the other side when both sides 11, 12 are laid over each other (FIG. 4). When both strings 20, 21 are pulled tight, both sides of the garment 11, 12 are pulled towards each other, as well as being secured on top of each other when tied down (FIG. 5).

(15) FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein the grommets are inward-facing. Thus, the strings exit the garment towards the wearer rather than away from the wearer. The second string 20 exits the channel through an opening on the outer side 11 and runs through an opening on the interior side 12 to exit the garment. The first string 21 exits the channel through an opening on the interior side 12, reentering the channel through an opening on the outer side 11, exiting the channel through an opening on the outer side 11, and running through an opening on the interior side 12 to exit the garment.

(16) It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a system for closing and tightening the waistband of a garment, using two strings threaded through the waistband. The strings are fed through four openings in a particular manner that results in a more secure fit than that achieved with a traditional drawstring. The strings may ultimately exit through the outside or through the inside of the waistband.

(17) The present invention has been described above in terms of presently preferred embodiments so that an understanding of the present invention can be conveyed. However, there are other embodiments not specifically described herein for which the present invention is applicable. Therefore, the present invention should not to be seen as limited to the forms shown, which is to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.