SARONG BRACE

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastener (2) for reversibly retaining a section of material, in particular, a sarong brace for reversibly retaining a section of material. This invention also relates to a fastener assembly including at least two fasteners, uses thereof, and methods of reversibly retaining a section of material using the fastener.

Claims

1. A fastener for reversibly retaining a section of material, wherein the fastener comprises: a body portion having: a clamping surface, and an aperture, a clamping member having a clamping surface, wherein the clamping member is connected to the body portion via a connecting member, wherein the clamping member is dimensioned for insertion through the aperture when in a first orientation, and the clamping surface of the clamping member is dimensioned to rest against the clamping surface of the body portion when in a second orientation, whilst at least partially covering the aperture, to thereby retain a first section of material when it has been threaded through the aperture between the clamping surfaces.

2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the connecting member is flexible.

3. The fastener of claim 2, wherein the connecting member is a biasing member which biases the clamping surface of the clamping member towards the clamping surface of the body portion when the clamping member is in the second orientation.

4. The fastener of , wherein the aperture is a primary aperture and the fastener comprises at least one secondary aperture for retaining a second section of material threaded through the secondary aperture.

5. The fastener of claim 4, wherein the fastener comprises at least one hook portion which defines the secondary aperture.

6. The fastener of claim 5, wherein the secondary aperture is defined between the hook portion and the body portion.

7. The fastener of claim 5, wherein the at least one hook portion extends from the body portion and has a free end, an opening into the secondary aperture being defined between the free end and the body portion.

8. The fastener of claim 5, comprising a pair of hook portions which together define the secondary aperture, each hook portion extending from the body portion towards the other hook portion and having a free end, an opening into the secondary aperture being defined between the free ends of the hook portions.

9. The fastener of claim 4, wherein the body portion defines the secondary aperture.

10. The fastener of claim 9, wherein the secondary aperture has a perimeter, and the perimeter is completely enclosed by the body portion.

11. The fastener of claim 10, wherein the body portion comprises an aperture wall which forms the enclosed perimeter around the secondary aperture.

12. The fastener of wherein a plurality of secondary apertures are spaced around the primary aperture for receiving further sections of material therethrough.

13. The fastener of claim 4, wherein a plurality of secondary apertures are spaced around the primary aperture, for receiving sections of material therethrough, and wherein the plurality of secondary apertures comprise at least one of: a) a secondary aperture defined by at least one hook portion of the fastener, the secondary aperture located between the hook portion and the body portion; and b) a secondary aperture defined by the body portion, the secondary aperture having a perimeter which is completely enclosed by the body portion.

14. The fastener of claim 13, wherein the body portion comprises three secondary apertures substantially evenly spaced around the primary aperture.

15. The fastener of any claim 1, wherein the body portion is substantially planar.

16. The fastener of wherein the primary aperture is a substantially rectangular slot.

17. A fastener assembly comprising at least two fasteners of claim 1, wherein the fasteners are connectable to each other by a strap.

18. The fastener assembly of claim 17, wherein the strap is the connecting member.

19. The fastener assembly of claim 17, wherein the aperture is a primary aperture and the fastener comprises at least one secondary aperture for retaining a second section of material threaded through the secondary aperture, wherein the number of secondary apertures on the second fastener is greater than the number of secondary apertures on the first fastener.

20. The fastener assembly of claims 18, wherein the connecting member is made from one of leather, cloth, woven metal, elastic, or plastic.

21-23. (canceled)

24. A sarong brace, comprising at least two fasteners of claim 1, wherein the fasteners are connected to each other by a connecting member.

25. A kit comprising at least two fasteners of claim 1 and a connecting member, for connecting the fasteners together.

26. A method of reversibly retaining a section of material using a fastener, the method comprising the steps of: providing a fastener according to claim 1, positioning the section of material against a non-clamping side of the body portion such that it overlies the aperture, advancing the clamping member from the non-clamping side through the aperture such that at least a portion of said material is threaded through the aperture by the clamping member, orienting the clamping member into a second orientation such that the clamping surface of the clamping member rests against the clamping surface of the body portion, and the clamping member at least partially covers the aperture, such that an amount of material is retained between the clamping surfaces.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the clamping member has a non-clamping surface and pushing the clamping member and material through the aperture causes the non-clamping surface to be at least partially covered by the material.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the clamping member has a non-clamping surface and pushing the clamping member and material through the aperture causes the non-clamping surface to be enveloped by the material.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the section of material is threaded through a secondary aperture before the section of material is positioned against the non-clamping side of the body portion, wherein the secondary aperture provides frictional engagement between the fastener and the material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] Constructions of this disclosure will be described hereinafter, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference signs relate to like elements and in which:

[0059] FIG. 1A shows an exemplary construction of a fastener according to the present invention;

[0060] FIG. 1B shows an exemplary construction of a fastener according to the present invention;

[0061] FIG. 2 shows another exemplary construction of a fastener according to the present invention;

[0062] FIG. 3A shows an exemplary construction of a fastener in which the clamping member is in the first orientation;

[0063] FIG. 3B shows an exemplary construction of a fastener in which the clamping member is in the second orientation;

[0064] FIG. 4 shows the body portion and clamping members in which relative dimensions are highlighted;

[0065] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary fastener assembly according to one example of the present invention;

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a first step in an exemplary method of using a fastener assembly, in which the material is arranged so that it can be threaded through the fastener;

[0067] FIG. 7 shows a second step in an exemplary method of using a fastener assembly, in which the material is placed on the non-clamping surface of the body portion;

[0068] FIG. 8 shows a third step in an exemplary method of using a fastener assembly, in which the material is pushed from the non-clamping side to the clamping side of the body portion by the clamping member;

[0069] FIG. 9 shows a fourth step in an exemplary method of using a fastener assembly, in which the clamping member is in the second orientation with the material clamped between the clamping surfaces;

[0070] FIG. 10 shows a fifth step in an exemplary method of using a fastener assembly, in which a different portion of material is threaded through the secondary aperture and over the non-clamping surface of the body portion of a second fastener of the fastener assembly;

[0071] FIG. 11 shows a sixth step in an exemplary method in which the clamping member of the second fastener has been pushed through the primary aperture and moved into the second orientation, such that the material is clamped between the clamping surfaces;

[0072] FIG. 12 is a schematic showing a person from behind, wearing a garment made from a sarong having the fastener assembly attached to form a garment with two arm holes; and

[0073] FIGS. 13 to 16 show exemplary constructions of fasteners according to the present invention which are similar to those in FIGS. 1 and 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] Constructions of this disclosure are described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] FIGS. 1A and 1B show different examples of a first construction of the fastener 2. The fastener 2 includes a body portion 4, and a clamping member 6, connected to the body portion via a connecting member 8. The connecting member 8 can be in the form of a flexible biasing member, which can, as an example, be formed from an elastic material directly attached to the body portion 4 (see FIG. 1A). Alternatively, the connecting member 8 can be in the form of a strap, threaded through the body portion 4 (see FIG. 1B).

[0076] The body portion 4 of the fastener 2 includes a primary aperture 10, a clamping surface 14 and a non-clamping surface 16. During use, a first section of material can be threaded through the primary aperture 10, along with the clamping member 6. As is clear from the Figures and accompanying description, the clamping and non-clamping surfaces 14, 16 are determined by the direction that the clamping member 6 is threaded through the primary aperture 10, when in use.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 1A, the body portion 4 includes at least one secondary aperture 12, and preferably at least two secondary apertures 12. FIG. 1B shows an example of the first construction comprising three secondary apertures 12. A second section of material can be threaded through the secondary aperture 12, the secondary aperture 12 can therefore be used to retain a second section of material therethrough, for providing additional friction and directional orientation and ruching to the material. The clamping member 6 can be connected to the body portion 4 by the connecting member 8 at the same secondary aperture 12 as the material is threaded through, or preferably at a different secondary aperture 12.

[0078] FIG. 2 shows a second construction of the fastener 3, in which equivalent features are numbered with the same reference numerals. The fastener 3 includes a primary aperture 10, and at least one hook portion 30 (or hook-like construction) which defines a secondary aperture 13, and in this example, at least one secondary aperture 12 having an enclosed perimeter for connection to the clamping member 6. The hook portion 30 extends from the body portion 4 and has a free end 32.

[0079] An opening 34 into the secondary aperture 13 is defined between the free end 32 and the body portion 4. A second section of material can be threaded or slipped round the hook portion defining the secondary aperture 13 The secondary aperture 13 can therefore be used to retain a second section of material therethrough, for providing additional friction and directional orientation to the material and final garment.

[0080] The clamping member 6 is dimensioned for insertion through the primary aperture 10 when in a first orientation 18. The first orientation 18 is shown in FIG. 3A. The clamping surface 15 of the clamping member 6 is dimensioned to rest against the clamping surface 14 of the body portion 4 when in a second orientation 20. The second orientation is shown in FIG. 3B. The clamping surface 15 of the clamping member 6 is dimensioned to at least partially cover the primary aperture 10. As described in more detail below, the interaction between the clamping surfaces 14,15 allows a section of material, which has been threaded through the primary aperture, to be retained around the clamping member 6 and between the clamping surfaces 14, 15.

[0081] The connecting member 8 can bias the clamping surface 15 of the clamping member 6 towards the clamping surface 14 of the body portion 4 when the clamping member is in the second orientation 20. The connecting member 8 can have a biasing effect in the form of a flexible member connected to a secondary aperture 12, in particular if it is formed of an elastic material. The connecting member 8 can also have a biasing effect if it is formed from the strap in a fastener assembly 22, which is shown in FIG. 5 and will be discussed below.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 4, the primary aperture 10 can be a slot having a slot height H and a slot length L, and the clamping member 6 is dimensioned such that it has a thickness T which is less than the slot height H, and a width W which is less than the slot length L, such that in the first orientation 18, the clamping member 6 can fit through the primary aperture 10, and wherein the clamping member 6 is dimensioned such that when the clamping member 6 is in the second orientation 20, the clamping member 6 cannot pass through the primary aperture 10.

[0083] As shown in the Figures, the clamping member 6 can be shaped like a circular button. Alternatively, the clamping member 6 can have a generally circular, oval, or rectangular perimeter for example, provided the clamping member 6 is dimensioned to pass through the primary aperture 10 whilst in the first orientation 18. The clamping member 6 is also dimensioned such that when the clamping member 6 is in the second orientation 20, the clamping member 6 extends over the primary aperture 10 so that the clamping member 6 cannot pass through the primary aperture 10 unless it is oriented back into the first orientation 18.

[0084] The amount of material 12 that can be clamped by the fastener 2, 3 can be restricted by the width of the primary aperture 10 and the thickness of the clamping member 6. Therefore, the width of the primary aperture 10 can be varied accordingly. For example, the greater the number of secondary apertures 12, 13, the wider the primary aperture 10 might be. The amount of material that can be clamped by the fastener 2, 3 can also be limited by the force exerted by the clamping member 6. A clamping member 6 having a strong biasing force will be able to clamp a greater amount of material in comparison to a clamping member 6 having a weaker biasing force.

[0085] Similarly, the body portion 4 has a substantially planar construction, however the body portion 4 is not limited to a planar construction. The body portion 4 could have at least one domed surface, for example. If the body portion 4 had a domed surface, it would preferably be domed on the non-clamping surface 16.

[0086] The connecting member 6 should at least be long enough for the clamping member 6 to be threaded through the primary aperture 10 and be subsequently oriented into the second orientation 20 such that the clamping surface 15 of the clamping member 6 rests against the clamping surface 14 of the body portion 4.

[0087] In some constructions, the connecting member 8 is a biasing member which biases the clamping surface 15 of the clamping member 6 towards the clamping surface 14 of the body portion 4 when the clamping member 6 is in the second orientation 20. The biasing member is such that the clamping member 6 can be oriented from the first orientation 18 to the second orientation 20 and be threaded through the primary aperture 10. The biasing member biases the clamping member 6 against the first clamping surface 14, and this provides an additional clamping force for the clamping member 6 to clamp material positioned between the clamping surfaces 14, 15. The biasing member can allow for the fastener 2, 3 to clamp a single thickness of material and up to several thicknesses of material using the same biasing member. The biasing member can be an elastic strip, or a spring, for example. The biasing member can also be the strap for connecting more than one fastener 2, 3 together to form the fastener assembly 22, as will be described in more detail below.

[0088] The clamping member 6 is typically connected to the body portion 4 by threading the connecting member 8 through the secondary aperture 12. However, the connecting member 8 could also be attached to the body portion 4 by other means, for example by fixing an end of the connecting member 8 to the body portion 4 using an adhesive.

[0089] FIG. 5 shows a third construction of the invention which includes a fastener assembly 22, or sarong brace, in which two fasteners 2, 3 are tethered together by the connecting member 8, wherein the connecting member is a strap. Both of the fasteners 2, 3 are shown positioned on the strap at a distance from respective clamping members 6. As can be expected, the fasteners 2, 3 can be moveable up and down the strap 8 until the clamping members 6 fix them in position at the respective ends of the strap. Alternatively, the strap 8 could be tapered so that the dimensions of the secondary aperture(s) 12 limit the movement of the fastener(s) 2, 3 on the strap.

[0090] The fastener assembly 22 shown in FIG. 5 includes two fasteners 2, 3. In this example, the number of secondary apertures 12 on the first fastener 2, is less than the number of secondary apertures 12, 13 on the second fastener 3.

[0091] A fastener 2, 3, or fastener assembly 22 can be used to convert a section of fabric material 23 from a sheet of material into a garment.

[0092] A fastener 2, 3, may be attached to a piece of material 23, such as a sarong or pashmina, directly through the primary aperture 10, without utilising any secondary apertures 12, 13. The fastener 2, 3 can clamp at least a single layer of material. Two or three pieces of material 23 can also be clamped by one fastener 2, 3 at the same time.

Pushing the clamping member 6 and material 23 through the primary aperture 10 causes the non-clamping surface 17 of the clamping member 6 to be at least partially covered by the material 23. Pushing the clamping member 6 and material 23 through the primary aperture 10 can also cause the non-clamping surface 17 to be enveloped by the material 23.

[0093] In a fourth construction, there is provided a method for reversibly retaining a section of material 23 using a fastener 2, 3. Figures relating to the methods are shown in FIGS. 6 to 12. The following example explains how to use the fastener assembly 22 to create a waterfall-style garment with arm holes out of a simple rectangular piece of material 23. As will be clear to the skilled person, the same or similar method can be used to create a variety of garment styles by retaining different portions of material 23 within a fastener 2, 3, or fastener assembly 22.

[0094] Firstly, as shown in FIG. 6, two corners, 24, 25 of material 23 are overlapped. The fastener 3 in the fastener assembly 22 is then placed over the material 23, so that the sections of material 23 are positioned against the non-clamping surface 16 of the body portion 4 such that the material 23 overlies the primary aperture 10, as shown in FIG. 7. The clamping member 6 is then placed over the material 23 in the first orientation 18. The clamping member 6 is pushed from the non-clamping surface 16 to the clamping surface 14 of the body portion 4, through the primary aperture 10 such that at least a portion of said material 23 is threaded through the primary aperture 10 by the clamping member 6. In this example, where two corners, or pieces, of material 23 are overlapped, the clamping member 6 will push both pieces of material 23 through the primary aperture 10, such that at least a portion of both pieces of material 23 are threaded through the primary aperture 10 by the clamping member 6, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0095] The clamping member 6 is then oriented into the second orientation 20, as shown in FIG. 9, such that the clamping surface 15 of the clamping member 6 rests against the clamping surface 14 of the body portion 4. In this orientation, the clamping member 6 at least partially covers the primary aperture 10, such that an amount of material 23 is retained between the clamping surfaces 14, 15. In this example, where two corners, or pieces, of material 23 are overlapped, an amount of both pieces of material 23 will be retained between the clamping surfaces 14, 15. The first fastener 3 of the fastener assembly 22 is now attached to the sheet of material 23. The material 23 leading from each of the two corners 23, 24 of material is threaded around the hooks of the secondary apertures 13 in order to provide extra frictional engagement and provide orientation and ruching to the material 23.

[0096] Next, a further portion of material 26 is taken from the same rectangle of material, preferably a central portion of the top edge 26 (see FIG. 6), relative to the corners 24, 25. The second fastener 2, of the fastener assembly is then positioned over the central portion of material 23. The further portion 26 of material is threaded through the secondary aperture 12 so that it covers the primary aperture 10 against the non-clamping surface 16 of the body portion 4, as shown in FIG. 10. The clamping member 6 is then placed over the material in the first orientation 18. The clamping member 6 is pushed from the non-clamping surface 16 to the clamping surface 14 of the body portion 4, through the primary aperture 10 such that at least a portion of said material is threaded through the primary aperture 10 by the clamping member 6.

[0097] The clamping member 6 is then oriented into the second orientation 20, as shown in FIG. 11, such that the clamping surface 15 of the clamping member 6 rests against the clamping surface 14 of the body portion 4. In this orientation, the clamping member 6 at least partially covers the primary aperture 10, such that an amount of material 23 is retained between the clamping surfaces 14, 15. The second fastener 2 of the fastener assembly 22 is now attached to the material 23.

[0098] Using this method, the material 23 can be shaped to produce a garment with two arm holes that can be worn like a waistcoat, as shown in FIG. 12 which shows the fastener assembly 22 resting between the shoulder blades of the garment wearer 28.

[0099] Sections of material 23 can also be threaded through each secondary aperture, 12, 13 before each section of material 23 is positioned over the primary aperture 10 in layers.

[0100] The fastener 2, 3 can be easily released from the material 23 by orienting the clamping member 6 into the first orientation 18 and pushing the clamping member 6 and material 23 back through the primary aperture 10 to release the material from the fastener 2, 3. If the material 23 was also retained by secondary aperture(s) 12, 13 then the material should be released from the secondary aperture(s) 12, 13 by unhooking or unthreading the material 23.

[0101] The methods described above can be used to secure material 23 around a person 28.

[0102] FIGS. 13 to 16 show constructions of fasteners 300, 400, 500 and 600 which are similar to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, as such equivalent features are numbered with like reference numerals.

[0103] FIG. 13 shows a fastener 300 comprising a body portion 40 comprising a primary aperture 100, a clamping surface 140 and a non-clamping surface 160. During use, a first section of material can be threaded through the primary aperture 100, along with the clamping member 6 (not shown). As is clear from the Figures and accompanying description, the clamping and non-clamping surfaces 140, 160 are determined by the direction that the clamping member 6 is threaded through the primary aperture 100, when in use.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 13, fastener comprise a body portion 40 comprising at least one secondary aperture 120, 130, and preferably at least two secondary apertures 120, 130. In this example, the fastener 300 comprises a primary aperture 100, a secondary aperture 120 defined by the body portion 40, and a secondary aperture 130 defined by at least one hook portion 30. The secondary aperture 120 has a perimeter which is completely enclosed by the body portion 40. Secondary aperture 130 is in-fact defined by a pair of hook portions 30, where each hook portion 30 extends from the body portion 40 towards the other hook portion 30. Each hook portion 30 has a free end 32. The pair of hook portions 30 are positioned such that an opening 34 into the secondary aperture 130 is defined between the free ends 32 of the hook portions 30. The opening 34 takes the form of a gap located between the free ends 32 of the hook portions 30, which communicates with the secondary aperture 130.

[0105] A section of material can be threaded or slipped round the hook portion 30 into the secondary aperture 130. The secondary aperture 130 can therefore be used to retain a section of material therethrough, for providing additional friction and directional orientation to the material and final garment.

[0106] In the construction shown in FIG. 14, the fastener 400 may comprise a primary aperture 100, and two secondary apertures 130, wherein each of the secondary apertures 130 are defined by a pair of hook portions 30 so that there is an opening 34 into both secondary apertures 130. In this example, the hook portions are generally the same length so that the opening 34 is central, however the hook portions 30 may be of different lengths so that the opening 34 is not central.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 15, fastener 500 may comprise a body portion 40 comprising at least one secondary aperture 120, 130, and preferably at least three secondary apertures 120, 130. In this example, the fastener 300 includes a primary aperture 100, a secondary aperture 120 defined by the body portion 40, and two secondary apertures 130 defined by at least one hook portion 30. The secondary aperture 120 which has a perimeter which is completely enclosed by the body portion 40 can be used to attach clamping member 6 or a connecting member such as a strap. As in FIGS. 13 and 14, the secondary apertures 130 are defined by a pair of hook portions 30, where each hook portion 30 extends from the body portion 40 towards the other hook portion 30. Each hook portion 30 has a free end 32. The pair of hook portions are positioned such that an opening 34 into the secondary aperture 130 is defined between the free ends 32 of the hook portions 30. In this example, the pair of hook portions 30 comprise hook portions 30 of different lengths, so that the opening 34 is not central.

[0108] The fastener 600 shown in FIG. 16 is similar to that described in respect of FIG. 15, but this fastener includes three secondary apertures 130 which are each defined by a pair of hook portions 30. In the example shown, two of the secondary apertures 130 may include hook portions 30 of different lengths, so that the opening 34 is not central, and the third secondary aperture 130 may include hook portions 30 of similar lengths, so that the opening 34 is generally central. Alternatively, all of the openings 34 to the three secondary apertures 130 may be generally central, or all of the openings 34 may be off-centre.

[0109] Fasteners 300-600 can also be used in the methods described above, on their own, or in combination with any of fasteners 2, 3, 300-600.

[0110] Fasteners 300-600 can also be used a component of the fastener assembly 22, as described above, on their own, or in combination with any of fasteners 2, 3, 300-600.

[0111] A fastener 300-600 or fastener assembly 22 made up of at least one of fastener 300-600 can be used to convert a section of fabric material 23 from a sheet of material into a garment.

[0112] A fastener 300-600 may be attached to a piece of material 23, such as a sarong or pashmina, directly through the primary aperture 10, without utilising any secondary apertures 12, 13. The fastener 300-600 can clamp at least a single layer of material. Two or three pieces of material 23 can also be clamped by one fastener 300-600 at the same time.

[0113] This invention is not limited to use with a sarong, the invention can be used with many types, length or shapes of material, such as sarongs, scarves, towels etc. to create a plurality of clothing styles or accessory styles using a fastener and or fastener assembly.

[0114] The present invention relates to a fastener 2, 3, 300-600 for reversibly retaining a piece of fabric. The fastener 2, 3, 300-600 is not limited to attaching portions of the same sheet of material 23 together, for example the same fastener 2, 3, 300-600 can be used to attach portions of different sheets of material 23 together. For example, the fastener 2, 3, 300-600 can be used to attach a portion of the same sheet of material 23 to itself in such a way that the sheet of material 23 is then secured around a person's body 28. Such a fastener 2, 3, 300-600 can also be used to attach two or more sheets of material 23 together. The present invention also relates to a fastener assembly 22 in which at least two fasteners 2, 3, 300-600 are connected by a connecting member 8. The fastener assembly 22 can be used to attach portions of the same sheet of material 23 to the fasteners 2, 3, 300-600, or it can be used to attach more than one sheet of material 23 together. Accordingly, for ease of explanation, when the following description refers to more than one piece or section of material 23 in reference to the fastener 2, 3, 200, 300-600 and/or fastener assembly 22, it should be understood that the material 23 could be a portion of material 23 from the same sheet, a portion of material 23 from a different sheet, and any combination of same and different sheets.

[0115] One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims.