GARMENT RETAINING APPARATUS

Abstract

A garment retaining apparatus comprises an elastic strap member having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion, a pair of first end members attached to the first end portion by means of a D-ring, a second end member attached to the second end portion by means of a strap adjuster, a cross strap member inserted over the elastic strap member, and a plurality of detachable hose grips attached to the pair of the first end members and the second end member. The elastic strap member along with the cross strap member is secured around the leg of a wearer and the pair of first end members and the second end member is attached to a garment in different positions by the plurality of detachable hose grips allowing the garment to be secured in a desired position to obtain a neat appearance.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] This embodiment relates to garment retaining apparatuses, and more particularly to a garment retaining apparatus with an adjustable elastic strap for retaining the garment in the desired position to enable the wearer to maintain a neat appearance, as well as enhance the safety of the wearer around machines.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

[0004] For neat appearance and for safety around equipment which can catch loose garments, the tails of upper garments, such as shirts and blouses, are conventionally tucked into the lower garment of a wearer. However, moderate activity such as raising of the arms or sitting and standing frequently pulls the shirttails from a fully tucked-in position and often shirttails become completely untucked. Thus, there is a need for an apparatus which will retain the tails of a shirt, blouse or other upper garment in a tucked-in position.

[0005] Various kinds of garment retaining devices are available in the market today. Such devices generally take the form of straps or bands worn around the waist or crotch of the wearer. However, such devices pass under the crotch area and can be uncomfortable for the wearer. This lack of soft material is an undesirable feature of the prior art devices considering the sensitive nature of the crotch area. Moreover, there does not seem to be a provision for adjusting the lengths of the straps beyond the inherent elasticity of the straps. Such a limitation is undesirable in view of the fact that people come in all shapes and sizes, and the inherent elasticity of elastic straps may not be enough to accommodate many different shapes and sizes of users.

[0006] Different styles of shirt retaining devices are available which include individual four strand and stirrup styles which are readily available as accessories sold at military exchanges, outposts or retail facilities. The accessories have clip ends which consist of a rubber male lead and female wire receptacle clevis which are designed to fasten together while grasping, clamping and securing a piece of the garment in place between the fasteners. The disadvantage of these devices is that they are not suitable for firm and prolonged attachment during moderate or excessive activity of the wearer as the clip ends can easily become loose or unattached.

[0007] In some existing garment retaining devices, a central elastomeric web, having concave sides to accommodate an individual's groin area, includes the central web to provide a plurality of tether webs extending longitudinally beyond the central web, with each tether web including a latch fastener for securing it to a perimeter portion of an individual's shirt in use. Some other existing garment retaining devices provide a shirttail retaining harness comprising a pair of elongated straps, a means for connecting the straps to a garment and, a connecting member which retains a portion of the straps in spaced relation. The shirttail retaining harness is adapted so that, in use, the straps pass along the inside of the thighs of the wearer in the crotch area and diverge at both ends for attachment to a shirttail. Some other existing garment retaining devices provide an elastic hipband to be worn around the hips, elastic front and rear flaps secured to the hipband and converging downwardly to fit the crotch of the wearer. Upstanding tabs are spaced around the hipband to secure the lower portion of a shirt to the tabs. However, in such devices the elements pass under the crotch area which becomes uncomfortable for the user.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus that would retain a garment in the desired position to provide safety for the user and a neat appearance that does not impinge on the crotch area of the wearer. Such a needed apparatus would be comfortable to wear and allow for the easy movement of the person wearing the garment. Further, the apparatus would be adjustable, lightweight, as well as simple and economical to manufacture. Such a needed apparatus would accommodate users with different shapes and sizes and would be easy to secure and remove. Finally, the apparatus would be able to be secured to a garment without damaging it. The present disclosure accomplishes these objectives.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0009] The present embodiment is a garment retaining apparatus that retains a garment in a desired position to provide a neat appearance. The garment retaining apparatus comprises an elastic strap member having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion. A pair of first end members is attached to the first end portion of the elastic strap member by means of a D-ring. A second end member is attached to the second end portion of the elastic strap member by means of a strap adjuster. A cross strap member is inserted over the elastic strap member and a plurality of detachable hose grips attached to the pair of the first end members and the second end member for connection with the garment. The elastic strap member may be adjusted in length using the strap adjuster. The cross strap member is movable along the length of the elastic strap member according to the convenience of the wearer.

[0010] The garment retaining apparatus is intended to be worn under the pants of a wearer and retains the tails of a shirt, blouse or other upper garment in a tucked-in position in such a way that it does not impinge on the crotch area of the wearer. The elastic strap member along with the cross strap member is secured around the leg of a wearer and the pair of first end members and the second end member is attached to a garment in different positions by the plurality of detachable hose grips allowing the garment to be secured in a desired position to obtain a neat appearance without damaging the garment.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment retaining apparatus having an elastic strap member and a cross strap member in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the garment retaining apparatus with the cross strap member removed from the elastic strap member in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the garment retaining apparatus with the cross strap member connecting a first end portion and a second end portion of the elastic strap member in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIGS. 4-5 illustrate the garment retaining apparatus in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] The following describes example embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. This invention, however, may be embodied in many different ways, and the description provided herein should not be construed as limiting in any way. Among other things, the following invention may be embodied as methods or devices. The following detailed descriptions should not be taken in a limiting sense.

[0017] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a nonexclusive "or," such that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A," and "A and B," unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, all publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s) should be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment retaining apparatus 10 having an elastic strap member 12 and a cross strap member 14 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The garment retaining apparatus 10 comprises the elastic strap member 12 having a first end portion 16, a middle portion 18 and a second end portion 20 and the cross strap member 14 having a pair of loops 22 on opposing ends. The elastic strap member 12 is inserted through at least one of the pair of loops 22 of the cross strap member 14. The cross strap member 14 is movable in the upward and downward direction along the length of the elastic strap member 12.

[0019] Turning to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the garment retaining apparatus 10 with the cross strap member 14 removed from the elastic strap member 12 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The garment retaining apparatus 10 further comprises a pair of first end members 24 attached to the first end portion 16 of the elastic strap member 12 by means of a D-ring 26. A second end member 28 is attached to the second end portion 20 of the elastic strap member 12 by means of a strap adjuster 30. A plurality of detachable hose grips 32 is attached to the pair of the first end members 24 and the second end member 28 for connection with a garment 34 (See FIG. 4). The elastic strap member 12 may be adjusted in length using the strap adjuster 30. The second end portion 210 of the elastic strap member 12 is pulled through the strap adjuster 30 until desired length is obtained.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective vie of the garment retaining apparatus 10 with the cross strap member 14 connecting the first end portion 16 and the second end portion 20 of the elastic strap member 12 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The elastic strap member 12 is inserted through the pair of loops 22 of the cross strap member 14 to firm a U-shape as shown in figure. The cross strap member 14 is movable along the length of the elastic strap member 12 according to the convenience of the wearer.

[0021] FIGS. 4-5 illustrate the garment retaining apparatus 10 in use. The garment 34 may be a shirt, blouse or any other upper garment that needs to be tucked inside a lower garment such as pants. The garment retaining apparatus 10 is intended to be worn under the pants of a wearer and retains the tails of a shirt, blouse or other upper garment 34 in a tucked-in position. The elastic strap member 12 along with the cross strap member 14 is secured around a leg 36 of the wearer as shown in FIG. 4. The middle portion 18 of the elastic strap member 12 is placed underneath a foot 38 of the wearer. The cross strap member 14 is moved along the length of the elastic strap member 12 to be placed below a knee 40 of the wearer.

[0022] One of the pair of first end members 24 is attached to a front portion of the garment 34 and the other of the pair of first end members 24 is attached to a back portion of the garment 34 by the plurality of detachable hose grips 32. The second end member 28 is attached to a side portion of the garment 34 by the plurality of detachable hose grips 32. The garment 34 is thus secured to the leg 36 of the wearer in a desired position to obtain a neat appearance. The pair of first end members 24 and the second end member 28 pulls the bottom of the garment 34 back to the original position in the pants while the wearer is standing, sitting or bending. The cross strap member 26 which can be moved in upward and downward direction along the elastic strap member 12 while attached to the legs 36 allows the garment retaining apparatus 10 to hold tightly to the legs 36 of the wearer.

[0023] The garment retaining apparatus 10 of the present embodiment provides a neat appearance that does not impinge on the crotch area of the wearer. The garment retaining apparatus 10 also allow easy movement of a person wearing the garment 34. Further, the garment retaining apparatus 10 is capable of accommodating users with different shapes and sizes and is easy to attach and remove. Moreover, the garment retaining apparatus 10 does not cause any damage to the garment 34.

[0024] While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A garment retaining apparatus comprising: an elastic strap member having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion; a pair of first end members attached to the first end portion of the elastic strap member by means of a D-ring; a second end member attached to the second end portion of the elastic strap member by means of a strap adjuster; a cross strap member inserted over the elastic strap member; and a plurality of detachable hose grips attached to the pair of first end members and the second end member; whereby the elastic strap member along with the cross strap member being secured around a leg of a wearer and the pair of first end members and the second end member being attached to a garment in different positions by the plurality of detachable hose grips allowing the garment to be secured in a desired position to obtain a neat appearance.

2. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cross strap member connects the first end portion and the second end portion of the elastic strap member so that the apparatus forms a U-shape.

3. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cross strap member is movable along the length of the elastic strap member.

4. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the elastic strap member may be adjusted in length by means of the strap adjuster.

5. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the middle portion of the elastic strap member is placed underneath a foot of the wearer.

6. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cross strap member is placed along the elastic strap member below a knee of the wearer.

7. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the pair of first end members is attached to a front portion of the garment and the other of the pair of first end members is attached to a back portion of the garment by the plurality of detachable hose grips.

8. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second end member is attached to a side portion of the garment by the plurality of detachable hose grips.

9. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 1 wherein the garment may be selected from a group consisting of shirt and blouse.

10. A garment retaining apparatus comprising: an elastic strap member having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion; a D-ring attached to the first end portion of the elastic strap member; a pair of first end members attached to the D-ring; a strap adjuster movably attached to the elastic strap member for adjusting length of the elastic strap member; a second end member attached to the second end portion of the elastic strap member; a cross strap member inserted over the elastic strap member for connecting the first end portion and the second end portion of the elastic strap member forming a U-shape; and a plurality of detachable hose grips attached to the pair of the first end members and the second end member; whereby the elastic strap member along with the cross strap member being secured around the leg of a wearer and the pair of first end members and the second end member being attached to a garment in different positions by the plurality of detachable hose grips allowing the garment to be secured in a desired position to obtain a neat appearance.

11. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 10 wherein the middle portion of the elastic strap member is placed underneath a foot of the wearer.

12. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 10 wherein the cross strap member is movable along the length of the elastic strap member.

13. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 10 wherein the cross strap member is placed along the elastic strap member below a knee of the wearer.

14. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 10 wherein one of the pair of first end members is attached to a front portion of the garment and the other of the pair of first end members is attached to a back portion of the garment.

15. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 10 wherein the second end member is attached to a side portion of the garment.

16. A garment retaining apparatus comprising: an elastic strap member having a first end portion, a middle portion and a second end portion; a D-ring attached to the first end portion of the elastic strap member; a pair of first end members attached to the D-ring; a strap adjuster movably attached to the second end portion of the elastic strap member for adjusting length of the elastic strap member; a second end member attached to the strap adjuster; a cross strap member inserted over the elastic strap member for connecting the first end portion and the second end portion of the elastic strap member forming a U-shape; and a plurality of detachable hose grips attached to the pair of the first end members and the second end member; whereby the elastic strap member along with the cross strap member being secured around the leg of a wearer and the pair of first end members and the second end member being attached to a garment in different positions by the plurality of detachable hose grips allowing the garment to be secured in a desired position to obtain a neat appearance.

17. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 16 wherein the middle portion of the elastic strap member is placed underneath a foot of the wearer.

18. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 16 wherein the cross strap member is movable along the length of the elastic strap member and is placed along the elastic strap member below a knee of the wearer.

19. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 16 wherein one of the pair of first end members is attached to a front portion of the garment and the other of the pair of first end members is attached to a back portion of the garment by the plurality of detachable hose grips.

20. The garment retaining apparatus of claim 16 wherein the second end member is attached to a side portion of the garment by the plurality of detachable hose grips.

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