Abstract
The present invention provides a garment useful as swimwear or sun-bathing attire that has an adjustable waistband which allows the girth of the garment and waistband to be expanded or decreased by the user, according to the body size and desired fit of the user. Swim garment includes a front panel, a rear panel, and sliding adjustable straps that connect the front panel to the rear panel. Said sliding adjustable straps permit lengthening or shortening thereof by accumulation of material, in the manner of a bra strap, and compose an adjustable section of the garment's adjustable waistband.
Claims
1. An article of clothing in the form of a bikini bottom comprising: a main body comprising one or more pieces of fabric formed collectively to fit between the wearer's legs and cover the wearer's pubic region at a front end and buttocks region at a rear end of the main body; an adjustable waistband coupling the front end and rear end to form an opening for the wearer's waist, where the adjustable waistband comprises: one or more straps of fabric; and one or more slidable adjustment mechanisms coupled to the one or more straps of fabric such that adjustment of the waistband is effected by sliding the one or more adjustment mechanisms along the one or more straps of fabric; and adjustable leg bands coupling the front and rear ends of the main body to form openings for the wearer's legs, each of the adjustable leg bands comprising one or more additional straps of fabric and one or more additional slidable adjustment mechanisms coupled to the additional straps of fabric such that adjustment of the leg bands is effected by sliding the one or more additional adjustment mechanisms along the one or more additional straps of fabric.
2. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the adjustable waistband comprises: at least two straps of fabric positioned such that at least one sits on each side of the wearer's torso; and at least two slidable adjustment mechanisms coupled to the straps of fabric and positioned such that at least one sits on each side of the wearer's torso.
3. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the article of clothing further comprises one or more loops, each anchored to the fabric of the main body or to one of the adjustable leg bands, and each positioned to receive one end of one of the straps of fabric of the adjustable leg bands.
4. The article of clothing of claim 3, wherein each of the ends that is received by one of the loops also attaches to one of the slidable adjustment mechanisms.
5. The article of clothing of claim 4, wherein each of the slidable adjustment mechanisms is positioned to slide along the strap of fabric whose end attaches to it.
6. The article of clothing of claim 3, wherein each loop is coupled to at least one of the straps of fabric in a manner that creates leverage for the strap of fabric as the adjustment mechanism slides along it.
7. The article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprising the main body includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of LYCRA, spandex, elastane, nylon, or a polyester blend.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
(1) FIG. 1a is a front view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example of bikini bottom with multiple straps embodiment
(2) FIG. 1b is a back view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example of bikini bottom with multiple straps embodiment
(3) FIG. 1c is a side view of swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example of bikini bottom with multiple straps embodiment
(4) FIG. 2a is an enlarged cut away view of the adjustable bra-strap-like straps and its general components in one variation of embodiment.
(5) FIG. 2b is an enlarged cut away cross sectional view of the adjustable bra-strap-like straps and its general components in one variation of embodiment.
(6) FIG. 3a is a frontal cut away view of the garment with adjustable waistband section.
(7) FIG. 3b is a rear cut away view of the garment with adjustable waistband section.
(8) FIG. 3c is a bird's eye view of the garment, illustrating the circumference of the adjustable waistband, and its components.
(9) FIG. 4a is a frontal view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example of embodiment of one-piece swimsuit with paired set of singular adjustable straps composing adjustable section of waistband.
(10) FIG. 4b is a side view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example of embodiment of one-piece swimsuit with paired set of singular adjustable straps composing adjustable section of waistband.
(11) FIG. 5a is a frontal view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example of embodiment illustrates a short style bikini bottom, offering more coverage or to user. Multiple adjustable straps laterally connecting the front and rear panels are used, and offer adjustability to the width of the entire garment, not limited to the waistband.
(12) FIG. 5b is a back view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example of embodiment illustrates a short style bikini bottom, offering more coverage or to user.
(13) FIG. 5c is a side view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example of embodiment illustrates a short style bikini bottom, offering more coverage or to user.
(14) FIG. 5d is a side view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example of embodiment illustrates adjustable straps situated in a diagonal fashion, still providing width adjustability in the garment.
(15) FIG. 6 is a front view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example is bikini bottom embodiment wherein embellishments attached to front panel of swimsuit are included in the composition of the adjustable waistband.
(16) FIG. 7 is a side view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example of bikini bottom with set of singular adjustable straps composing adjustable section of waistband.
(17) FIG. 8 is a front view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband. Example is bikini bottom embodiment wherein only one adjustable strap is used to add adjustability to waistband, and strap is embellished, and is situated atop the front panel rather than at the sides.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(18) Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific functional and structural details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representation basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
(19) Referring now to the figures, the present invention, adjustable waistband swim garment 1 is constructed of expandable material or fabrics having elastic properties allowing the bathing suit to fittingly conform to the individual. Those skilled in the trade will be able to select suitable materials. Adjustable waistband swim garment 1 is comprised of a front panel 12, a rear panel 13 and sliding adjustable straps 11 that connect the front panel 12 to the rear panel 13 of the garment. Said sliding adjustable straps 11 permit lengthening or shortening thereof by accumulation of material, in the manner of a bra strap. In preferred embodiments, the front panel 12 and the rear panel 13 are connected on the sides of the garment by the adjustable straps 11 above the leg opening(s) 15 providing an adjustable fit in the waistband 10 of the garment. In this embodiment, the front panel 12 and rear panel 13, are connected at a crotch portion 14, with leg openings 15 adjacent to the crotch portion.
(20) FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 1c display an embodiment of the adjustable swim garment 1, wherein the style is a bikini bottom 2, bikini bottom meaning bottom piece of a presumed two-piece style swimsuit, wherein the top piece is not disclosed or relevant to present invention. In the shown bikini embodiment 2 of present invention 1, the components of the waistband section 10 of the garment include, but are not limited to, the adjustable straps 11 which connect the front 12 and rear 13 panels, and the area of the front panel 12 and rear panel 13 adjacent to the connecting adjustable straps 11.
(21) This bikini embodiment 2 utilizes a plurality of adjustable straps 11, to comprise the adjustable section of the waistband 10. In the bikini style embodiment 2, when the user lengthens or shortens the adjustable straps 11; the width of the waistband 10, the width of the leg-openings 15, and the overall girth of the bikini garment 2, are all adjusted. The lengthening and shortening function of the adjustable straps 11 allows user to adjust the girth of the waistband 10 leg openings 15, and swim garment 1, 2 to desired girth, providing a desired fit for the user.
(22) FIGS. 2a and 2b display an enlarged embodiment of the bra-strap-like adjustable strap 11, and it's components that offer the adjustability benefit thereof. The adjustable strap 11, includes a strap material 20, which passes under adjustment member 21, over adjustment member 23, and under adjustment member 22. Then the length of the strap material 20 passes through looped adjustment member 25, and folds behind strap material 20, then the strap end 24 is anchored to adjustment member 23. Strap attachment section 26 is part of adjustable strap 11, and is material that is used to attach the adjustable strap 11 to panel(s) 12, 13 in the manufacture of the swim garment 1, however strap attachment section 26 is not necessary in all embodiments, and may be omitted from adjustable strap 11 if looped adjustment member 25 is attached directly to or is part of adjacent connecting panel (front or rear) 12, 13. Similar manners of strap material 20 accumulation may be achieved through various embodiments; FIGS. 2a and 2b display an example of preferred embodiment of adjustable bra-strap-like straps 11, and is not to be considered limiting in structure.
(23) FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate that the adjustable waistband 10 of the garment 1, 2 comprises the adjustable straps 11, and the areas of the front panel 12 and rear panel 13 adjacent to the connecting adjustable straps 11.
(24) These adjustable strap(s) 11 will be attached to the front panel 12 and the rear panel 13, in a circumferential manner FIG. 3c, so that the swim garment 1 will be held onto the body by the waistband 10, comprising the front panel 12, rear panel 13, and adjustable straps 11. The leg openings 15 may also be completed and defined by the joining of the front panel 12 and rear panel 13 by the adjustable straps, thus enabling the leg-openings 15 to also be adjustable in girth. FIG. 3c shows said leg openings 15 separated at the crotch section 14, where the front panel 12 and the rear panel 13 are connected between the legs.
(25) FIGS. 4a and 4b display a ramification of a one-piece embodiment 3 of the swim garment 1 wherein the front panel 12 is enlarged and fashioned to provide increased frontal coverage, such to cover the breasts, allowing the garment to be used as a one-piece swimsuit 3. In this pictured one-piece embodiment 3, the waistband 10 includes a paired set of singular adjustable straps 11 on the sides of the garment 3, to illustrate a variation of the look of the adjustable waistband section 10. The basic components of the adjustable waistband 10, are present: front panel 12, rear panel 13, adjustable straps 11, though the front panel 12, provides more coverage than in the previous bikini bottom embodiment 2. On an embodiment such as a one-piece swimsuit 3, means of attaching the top of the one-piece swimsuit 3 to the body are variable, and do not affect the present invention pertaining to the adjustability of the lower section and waistband 10 area of the swimsuit 3, thus are not shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.
(26) FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d, display an increased coverage variation 4 on the bikini bottom embodiment 2 of the adjustable waistband swim garment 1, wherein the bottom 4 provides more coverage for the user in the front panel 12 and the rear panel 13 which adds a level of modesty. The front panel 12 and rear panel 13 are joined by the adjustable straps 11 creating the girth of the adjustable waistband 10. Due to the increased coverage of the bikini garment 4, the section defined as waistband 10 on this bikini garment 4 encompasses a larger area than on aforementioned more scant embodiments. The waistband 10 includes the space on the panels 12, 13, adjacent to the adjustable straps 11 connecting the panels 12, 13, meaning much of the garment's 4 girth is adjustable through the waistband 10 adjustability features (straps) 11.
(27) Further, the adjustable straps that are situated along the sides of the garment 4, tend to connect the panels 12, 13, in lower areas on the side of the body than other variations of the bikini bottom 2. Thus, the waistband 10 circumference, as well as the girth of the leg openings 15, and girth of the entire garment 1 are adjustable through the adjustable straps 11. More of the upper leg area of the user is encircled with adjustable straps 11 within such an embodiment, than in less-covering versions of the adjustable swim garment 1.
(28) FIG. 5d displays an alternate diagonal placement of the adjustable straps 11 between the front 12 and rear 13 panels, wherein the waistband 10 retains it's girth adjustability.
(29) FIG. 6 displays a frontal view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband 1, bikini embodiment 2, wherein embellishments 70 attached to front panel 12 of bikini bottom garment 2, and the adjustable straps 11, and are also included in the composition and girth of the adjustable waistband section 10.
(30) FIG. 7 is a side view of the swimsuit garment with adjustable waistband 1, in a bikini bottom 2 embodiment, with an adjustable waistband 10 that includes a set of adjustable straps 11 composing adjustable section of waistband, rather than multiple straps as shown in previous examples. Similar to other examples, waistband section 10 is comprised of the sections of the front panel 12 and rear panel 13 adjacent to the adjustable straps 11, and the adjustable straps 11.
(31) FIG. 8 displays a frontal view of a ramification of the adjustable waistband swimsuit garment 1, in an embodiment in which the adjustable straps 11 are not on the sides of the garment as displayed in previous embodiments, but rather, one larger and embellished adjustable strap 11 is attached to the front panel 12 in such a way that the waistband 10 comprised of the adjustable strap 11, the areas of the rear panel 13 and front panel 12 adjacent to the adjustable strap 11, and also overlapped by the adjustable strap 11. The waistband 10 section of the garment 1, is adjustable by means of the adjustable strap 11 positioned in the front of the waistband 10. In this embodiment, the front and rear panels 12, 13 are attached together directly, without additional adjustable straps 11 connecting the front panel 12 to the rear panel 13.
(32) All patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
(33) It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.
(34) One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.
