Clothing Clip Apparatus and Method for Using Same
20170119067 ยท 2017-05-04
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
A41F18/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A47G21/165
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Y10T24/44085
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
Y10T24/44222
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
Abstract
A nursing apparatus is configured to hold a garment in a gathered position to expose a breast for nursing. The apparatus has a strap with a first end and a second end. A fastener is disposed at the first end and is configured to connect the first end to a piece of clothing of the wearer. The fastener has a body portion attached to the strap and a movable part. A ring is disposed at the second end of the strap and configured to retain the strap in a closed loop shape to hold the garment in the gathered position. A method includes manufacturing the strap with the fastener at the first end and the ring positioned at the second end of the strap. The method includes instructing the wearer to lift the garment to form a gathered portion of the garment, form a loop shape with the strap around the gathered portion, and utilize the ring to retain the strap in the loop shape to hold the gathered portion in a fixed position relative to the wearer to expose a breast for nursing.
Claims
1. A method comprising the steps of: producing a strap having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a length between the first end and the second end; providing a fastener at the first end of the strap, the fastener having a first part attached to the strap and a movable part that is movable relative to the first part; positioning a ring at the second end of the strap; and instructing the wearer to lift part of the garment to form a gathered portion of the garment, form a loop shape with the strap around the gathered portion, and utilize the ring to retain the strap in the loop shape to thereby hold the gathered portion of the garment in a fixed position relative to the wearer of the garment to expose a breast for nursing.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the step of providing, the movable part is pivotable relative to the first part.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: further instructing the wearer of the garment to attach a cover to the strap whereby the cover is positioned over the garment and the exposed breast.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of instructing further includes instructing the wearer to use only one hand to lift part of the garment, to form the loop shape in the strap around the gathered portion, and to utilize the ring to retain the strap in the loop shape.
5. An apparatus for holding a garment in a gathered position to expose a breast of a wearer of the garment, the apparatus comprising: a strap having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a length between the first end and the second end; a fastener at the first end of the strap, the fastener configured to connect the first end to a piece of clothing of the wearer, the fastener having a body portion attached to the strap and a movable part that is movable relative to the body portion; and a ring at the second end of the strap, the ring configured to retain the strap in a closed loop shape to hold the garment in the gathered position within the closed loop shape.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a magnet at the first end of the strap wherein the magnet attracts the ring to retain the strap in the closed loop shape.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the length of the strap is adjustable.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: a series of magnets positioned lengthwise along the strap, each magnet of the series of magnets being attracted to the fastener.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising: an adjustment slide positioned between the first end and the second end of the strap to set a desired length for the strap.
10. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a first magnet at the first end of the strap; and a second magnet at the second end of the strap, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are attracted to one another.
11. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a fabric pocket formed in the strap, wherein the fabric pocket is configured to enclose an object.
12. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a cover that attaches to and hangs from the strap to cover the exposed breast.
13. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fastener is configured to attach to a neck opening or a collar on the garment.
14. An apparatus for holding a garment to expose a breast for nursing, the apparatus comprising: a strap having a first end and a second end spaced lengthwise from the first end; a clip with a fixed base attached to the first end of the strap, the clip having a movable part that protrudes and is movable relative to the fixed base to attach the strap to a piece of clothing of a wearer of the garment; a magnetic portion disposed at the first end of the strap; and a magnet attached to the second end of the strap, wherein the magnetic portion attracts the magnet to connect the second end to the first end to configure the strap in a closed loop shape to retain the garment in a gathered position within the closed loop shape.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the magnetic portion is an auxiliary magnet or a metallic portion of the clip.
16. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: one or more additional magnets located at various positions along a length of the strap to permit the closed loop shape to be configured having a selected size.
17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising: an attachment device configured to engage the clip to assist in forming the closed loop shape.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the attachment device is a ring attached to the second end of the strap, the ring configured to removably engage the clip.
19. A method comprising the steps of: Holding, with one hand, a strap having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; manipulating a fastener at the first end of the strap, with the one hand, to attach the strap to a piece of clothing, the fastener having a first part attached to the strap and a movable part that is movable relative to the first part; lifting part of a garment, with the one hand, to form a gathered portion of the garment; forming, with the one hand, a loop shape with the strap around the gathered portion of the garment; and utilizing, with the one hand, a ring at the second end of the strap to retain the strap in the loop shape to thereby hold the gathered portion of the garment in a fixed position relative to a wearer of the garment to expose a breast of the wearer for nursing.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of manipulating further includes manipulating the fastener, with the one hand, to attach the strap to the garment.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0069] The present disclosure relates to a clothing clip apparatus 10 and a method for using same. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to the clothing clip apparatus 10 and a method for using same which may secure a garment 11, for example, a shirt, blouse, sweatshirt, sweater and/or the like, in a position to allow a woman to nurse a child.
[0070] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts,
[0071]
[0072] In an embodiment shown in
[0073] The strap 12 may be constructed from a number of materials, for example, a heavyweight flat polypropylene webbing, flat nylon webbing, a tubular polypropylene webbing, a tubular polyester webbing, a cotton fabric, an elastic material, rubber, plastic, leather, silicone, string, rope, cord, nylon and/or like material. The strap 12 may be constructed from a resilient material, an antimicrobial material and/or a waterproof or water-resistant material. Certain materials may provide better durability, care and/or maintenance. Also, a particular material for the strap 12 may be selected to improve the performance and/or comfort of the clothing clip apparatus 10 for the woman and the child.
[0074] As shown in the figures, the strap 12 may have a top end 14 and a bottom end 16. The bottom end 16 may be located opposite the top end 14. The strap 12 may also have a front side 18 and a back side 19. The back side 19 may be located in a position opposite to the front side 18. A clip 20 may be located in a position adjacent to the top end 14 of the strap 12. The clip 20 may be attached to the front side 18 of the strap 12. The clip 20 may be sewn, glued, grommeted or otherwise attached to the strap 12. The clip 20 may constructed from metal, plastic, wood and/or other material. The clip 20 may be constructed from a magnetic material, such as, steel, iron and/or the like.
[0075] In an embodiment, the clip 20 may be hinged and/or may have a spring (not shown). For example, the clip 20 may have a fixed base 15 that may be attached to the strap 12. The clip 20 may have a movable part 17 that may be connected to the fixed base 15. The movable part 17 may pivot and/or may rotate with respect to the fixed base 15.
[0076] The strap 12 may have a ring 22 located at the bottom end 16. The ring 22 may be sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the strap 12. The ring 22 may pivot relative to the strap 12. The ring 22 may also be circular, semi-circular, rectangular, triangular or any other shape. The ring 22 may be constructed of metal, plastic or other material.
[0077] The strap 12 may also have a fabric 23 attached to the strap 12. The fabric 23 may be a polyester or polypropylene ribbon, for example. The fabric 11 may be sewn, glued or otherwise attached to the strap 12. The fabric 23 may be attached to the front 18 and/or the back 19 of the strap 12. In an embodiment, the fabric 23 may be sewn onto the strap 12 to secure the clip 20 to the strap 12. The fabric 23 may also provide distinguishing, identifying and/or decorative features to the clothing clip apparatus 10. Moreover, the fabric 23 may have a tight weave with low water absorption and mildew resistance. The fabric 23 may be looped around the base of the ring 22 to secure the ring 22 to the strap 12. In particular, as shown in
[0078] In embodiments of the clothing clip apparatus 10, a magnet 30 may be attached to the clothing clip apparatus 10. The magnet 30 may be located in different locations to aid in securing the garment 11 in a desired position using the clothing clip apparatus 10 for nursing the child. For example, in
[0079] In embodiments of the clothing clip apparatus 10, the clothing clip apparatus 10 may be attached to the garment 11 to aid in securing the garment 11 in a desired position for nursing the child. To this end, the clip 20 may be attached to a collar 31 of the garment 11 as shown in
[0080] Referring to
[0081] Removing the clothing clip apparatus 10 may also be performed by the woman by herself and/or with only one hand. The ring 22 may be pulled from the magnet 30 to overcome the attractive force. The ring 22 may then be lifted over the top end 34 of the clip 20. The strap 12 may fall under the garment 11. The garment 11 may also fall. The woman may unclip the clip 20 from the collar 31 of the garment 11 and remove the clothing clip apparatus 10. The garment 11 may then be repositioned on the woman as desired.
[0082] In an embodiment, the strap 12 may be rigid to ensure the clip 20 remains upright during use and/or to prevent the clip 20 from being pulled forward by the ring 22. The ring 22 may be separated from the clip 20. Rigidity in the strap 12 may also be easier to locate under the garment 11. In various embodiments, different materials may provide specific advantages. For example, tubular polypropylene may advantageously permit enclosing the magnet 30. Flat polypropylene webbing may provide a more structured material for the strap 12. Flat polypropylene webbing may provide UV protection so that the color of the strap 12 of the clothing slip apparatus 10 may not fade. Flat polypropylene webbing may also not absorb water. Thus, flat polypropylene webbing may thereby provide resistance to mildew and/or to rot. Such advantages may be desirable for the clothing clip apparatus 10 that may be used in conjunction with nursing a child. In addition, the nature of the flat polypropylene webbing material may enable a tight stitch to be sewn for creating a fabric pocket 35 as shown in
[0083] In an embodiment, the clothing clip apparatus 10 may be adjustable in length as shown in
[0084] Referring now to
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[0087] Referring now to
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[0089] When the clothing clip apparatus 10 may be used to secure the garment 11, one of the auxiliary magnets 40 may magnetically engage the magnet 30. The magnetic attraction between the auxiliary magnet 40 and the magnet 30 may securely retain the garment 11 in the desired position during nursing. The auxiliary magnets 40 may engage the magnet 30 and/or the clip 20 to secure the garment 11 during nursing. In the embodiment shown in
[0090] Referring now to
[0091] Referring now to
[0092] Accordingly, the clothing clip apparatus 10 may be worn by a user to secure the garment 11 worn by the user. Preferably, the woman may wear the clothing clip apparatus 10 while nursing. However, the disclosure should not be limited to securing the garment 11 during nursing, the clothing clip apparatus 10 may also be used to encircle and/or hold a sleeve of the user as desired, for example. Of course, other uses may be possible using the disclosure and are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure.
[0093] Further, the clothing clip apparatus 10 may be worn by a user to hold a cover 50 that may be worn by the woman as shown in
[0094] In an embodiment, the cover 50 may have a magnet 52 that may be affixed to the cover 50. For example, the magnet 52 may be stitched and/or sewn to the cover 50. As shown in
[0095] In an embodiment, the cover 50 may have a ring 54 that may be used to affix the cover 50 to the clothing clip apparatus 10. For example, the ring 54 may be stitched and/or sewn to the cover 50. As shown in
[0096] As shown in
[0097] In an embodiment, the clothing clip apparatus 10 may be attached to a piece of clothing of the user, such as the garment 11 and/or the cover 50 as shown in
[0098] Moreover, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific arrangement of the components illustrated in the figures. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.