CINCHING TOOL

Abstract

The invention is a cinching tool. The cinching tool is a generally flat, substantially two-dimensional and geometrically shaped to accommodate wear underneath clothing, and has a generally rigid perimeter, a generally flexible interior portion having a hole in its center. The hole is adapted to accept cloth pulled therethrough and then hold it tightly until removed by hand.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This Utility patent application claims priority from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/412,335 filed on Oct. 25, 2017 entitled Fabric Cincher and Decorator, to common inventor Aristizabal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention generally relates to clothing accessories, and more particularly to clothing accessories that enhance the shape of the person wearing clothing.

Problem Statement and History

Interpretation Considerations

[0003] This section describes technical field in detail and discusses problems encountered in the technical field. Therefore, statements in the section are not to be construed as prior art.

Discussion of History of the Problem

[0004] For many persons--particularly women--garments such as dresses, tunics, or shirts do not fit the wearer "snugly." To overcome this problem, some women use "dress cinchers" comprised of two clips connected by a chain, rope or other means. These items are almost always worn on the outside of a garment, and "pull" two sides of the garment together.

[0005] However, these existing dress cinchers suffer from disadvantages. For example, if either clip slips or fails, then the garment falls about its user (and dangles embarrassingly behind the wearer). Additionally, when on the market, several different sizes/lengths of chains or ropes or other material must be provided to accommodate women of differing sizes.

[0006] Accordingly, what is needed is a tool that accommodates women of different sizes, and which cinches fabric more reliably than existing dress-cinches. The present invention provides such a cinching tool.

SUMMARY

[0007] The invention is a cinching tool. The cinching tool is a generally flat, substantially two-dimensional and geometrically shaped to accommodate wear underneath clothing, and has a generally rigid perimeter, a generally flexible interior portion having a hole in its center. The hole is adapted to accept cloth pulled therethrough and then hold it tightly until removed by hand.

[0008] The cinching tool is geometrically shaped, and so may be substantially round, triangular or square. In each case the perimeter is substantially shaped like the tool, and the interior portion is preferably shaped substantially like the perimeter. Additionally, an decorative edge may be added to the exterior of the perimeter to make the cinching tool more attractive.

[0009] The interior portion may have one, two, or more slits traversing substantially a diameter of the interior portion. The interior portion preferably comprises an elastomer and has elastic properties--particularly that of grabbing. Accordingly, the interior portion preferably comprises a plurality of concentric ribs to hold fast to any fabric pulled therethrough, and the perimeter may also have ribs to minimize slippage of fabric about the cinching tool.

[0010] In an alternative embodiment, the inventive cinching tool comprises a ferris-based metal plate, such as a washer or a ring, coupled to (or maintained within) the perimeter. Accordingly, an ornamental button having a magnet or magnetically-induced material, may couple to the cinching tool through the exterior of clothing being cinched.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Various aspects of the invention and its embodiment are better understood by referring to the following detailed description. To understand the invention, the detailed description should be read in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates a head-on view of the cinching tool;

[0013] FIG. 1A illustrates a cut-view of the cinching tool taken along cut-line A-A of FIG. 1;

[0014] FIG. 1B illustrates a cut-view of the cinching tool taken along cut-line B-B of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a side-cut view of an alternative embodiment of the cinching tool of FIG. 1 taken along cut-line A-A, having a full-view of a decorative button thereon; and

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a dress cinched up with the cinching tool, having a visible, decorative and ornamental button magnetically coupled thereto and worn on the outside of the dress.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Interpretation Considerations

[0017] While reading this section (An Exemplary Embodiment, which describes the exemplary embodiment of the best mode of the invention, hereinafter referred to as "exemplary embodiment"), one should consider the exemplary embodiment as the best mode for practicing the invention during filing of the patent in accordance with the inventor's belief. As a person with ordinary skills in the art may recognize substantially equivalent structures or substantially equivalent acts to achieve the same results in the same manner, or in a dissimilar manner, the exemplary embodiment should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to one embodiment.

[0018] The discussion of a species (or a specific item) invokes the genus (the class of items) to which the species belongs as well as related species in this genus. Similarly, the recitation of a genus invokes the species known in the art. Furthermore, as technology develops, numerous additional alternatives to achieve an aspect of the invention may arise. Such advances are incorporated within their respective genus and should be recognized as being functionally equivalent or structurally equivalent to the aspect shown or described.

[0019] A function or an act should be interpreted as incorporating all modes of performing the function or act, unless otherwise explicitly stated. For instance, sheet drying may be performed through dry or wet heat application, or by using microwaves. Therefore, the use of the word "paper drying" invokes "dry heating" or "wet heating" and all other modes of this word and similar words such as "pressure heating".

[0020] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, conjunctive words (such as "or", "and", "including", or "comprising") should be interpreted in the inclusive and not the exclusive sense.

[0021] As will be understood by those of the ordinary skill in the art, various structures and devices are depicted in the block diagram to not obscure the invention. In the following discussion, acts with similar names are performed in similar manners, unless otherwise stated.

[0022] The foregoing discussions and definitions are provided for clarification purposes and are not limiting. Words and phrases are to be accorded their ordinary, plain meaning, unless indicated otherwise.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS, A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023] Simultaneous reference is made herein to FIGS. 1, 1A, and 1B. FIG. 1 illustrates a head-on view of the cinching tool. FIG. 1A illustrates a cut-view of the cinching tool taken along cut-line A-A of FIG. 1. And, FIG. 1B illustrates a cut-view of the cinching tool taken along cut-line B-B of FIG. 1.

[0024] The invention is a cinching tool 100. The cinching tool is generally definable as a generally flat, substantially two-dimensional geometrically shaped tool portion and accompanying ornamentation. The tool portion is generally definable as a perimeter 110, and an interior portion 120. The tool portion may take any geometric shape, such as a circle, triangle, or rectangle, for example. However, as shown in FIG. 1 the tool portion is preferably circular. In an alternative embodiment, the perimeter 110 of the tool portion has a decorative edge 150 integrally formed with or coupled about the perimeter 110.

[0025] The perimeter 110 is preferably rigid--meaning more rigid than the interior portion 120. The rigidness may be achieved by the thickness of the material of which is constructed (more on that shortly), via a reinforcement such as a metallic or plastic ring, or by being made of a material that is by its nature generally more rigid than the interior portion 120. Accordingly, the perimeter may be plastic, an elastomer, silicon, metallic, leather, or composite material, for example, so long as it supports a function of maintaining a structural frame for the interior portion 120.

[0026] As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the perimeter 110 may comprise a plurality of ribs 112, 114 (also called "teeth"), that prevent the changing tool from moving or traveling in the clothing being worn by a user. As shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and 1B, the ribs are preferably concentric within a circumference of the perimeter 110. Also preferable is that the perimeter 110 having ribs 112, 114 is an elastomer, thereby `gripping` the clothing being worn by a user (and/or the user). As is viewable in FIG. 1B, preferably the perimeter 110 and the decorative edge 150 are integral.

[0027] As stated, the tool portion also comprises a generally flexible interior portion 120. The interior portion 120 has a hole substantially centered therein defined by a preferably interior edge 130 of the interior portion 120. Although the hole created by the interior edge 130 is preferably circular, its shape is not limited to circular holes and may take any shape that accepts fabric (including plastics and synthetic materials), as the hole is adapted to accept cloth 220 (shown in FIG. 2) pulled therethrough.

[0028] To hold fabric therein, the interior portion 120 has a diameter "d" and also has preferably two slits 122, 124 traversing substantially the diameter of the interior portion 120. However, of course the number of slits in any embodiment will be determined by the needs of that particular cinching tool, and so a cinching tool according to the teachings of the invention may have one or more slits.

[0029] The interior portion 120 may also comprise a plurality of ribs. FIGS. 1, 1A, and 1B together detail the form of interior portion ribs 126, 127, 128, and 129 each being concentric with each other as well as the perimeter 110, and each being definable and separated by a rut (unnumbered) in-between. Interior portion rib 129 is shown integrally formed with the interior edge 130, which while not required to practice the invention, is preferred.

[0030] As the interior portion 120 is flexible, and in particular flexible relative to the perimeter 110, the interior portion 120 is preferably of a lesser thickness than the perimeter 110 and is preferably made of a material that naturally grabs fabric, such as a generally elastic material such as elastomer, silicon, plastic, leather, or other material having elastic properties (natural or synthetic material). Preferably, the interior portion 120 comprises an elastomer.

[0031] As shown in simultaneous reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in an alternative embodiment, the invention is adapted to couple to an ornamental button. FIG. 2 illustrates a side-cut view of an alternative embodiment of the cinching tool alone of FIG. 1 taken along cut-line A-A, having an uncut full-view of a decorative button thereon. FIG. 3 illustrates a dress cinched up with the cinching tool, having a visible, decorative and ornamental button magnetically coupled thereto and worn on the outside of the dress.

[0032] As is seen in FIG. 2, the perimeter 110 has a ferris-based metal (ferris-metalic) plate 230 coupled thereto. The plate 230 is preferably substantially washer-shaped to maximize magnetic coupling (described momentarily), as well as to maximize the adhesive force achieved with an adhesive, such as glue for example, used to couple/adhese the plate 230 to the perimeter 110. Preferably, the plate 230 is shaped substantially similarly to a magnetic portion 214 (described below).

[0033] In yet another embodiment (not shown, but readily understood by those of ordinarily skill in the mechanical arts upon reading this disclosure), the perimeter 110 may be substantially definable as a boot, whereby the boot has an interior portion adapted to accept a ring made of ferris-metallic/magnetic material.

[0034] Returning again to FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment may incorporate an ornamental magnetically-induced button 210, which can be magnetically coupled to the plate 230. More particularly, the button 210 may comprise a plurality of portions, such as an ornamental portion 212 and a magnetic portion 214 rigidly coupled thereto. The magnetic portion 214 is preferably washer-shaped and is either a magnetic material, or a material that is temporarily magnetized.

[0035] From FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it is seen that the inventive cinching tool 100 is used by pushing, pulling, or poking a fabric 220 through the interior portion 120 of the cinching tool 100. After the fabric 220 is pushed, pulled or poked through the cinching tool 100, the fabric is held in place by the flexible and/or elastic properties of the interior portion, as well as the adhesive properties of the ribs 126-129 on the interior portion 120, and is also held in place by the ribs 112, 114 of the perimeter 110. Further, in an alternative embodiment, the `look` of the clothing worn by a user may be enhanced by the use of an ornamental button 210 that is magnetically coupled to the cinching tool 100.

[0036] Of course, as is readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the clothing arts, the cinching tool 100 may be crafted in any size, and as such has applicability to all-kinds of fabric cinching in applications beyond clothing, and may be used to quickly seal bags, or provide adornments to fabrics of all types and thicknesses.

[0037] Although the invention has been described and illustrated with specific illustrative embodiments, it is not intended that the invention be limited to those illustrative embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is intended to include within the invention, all such variations and departures that fall within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A cinching tool, comprising: a generally flat, substantially two-dimensional geometrically shaped tool portion; the tool portion comprising a generally rigid perimeter, a generally flexible interior portion, the interior portion having a hole substantially centered therein; and the hole adapted to accept cloth pulled therethrough.

2. The cinching tool of claim 1 wherein the tool portion is substantially round.

3. The cinching tool of claim 1 wherein the tool portion is substantially triangular.

4. The cinching tool of claim 1 wherein the interior portion has a diameter, and at least one slit traversing substantially the diameter of the interior portion.

5. The cinching tool of claim 2 wherein the interior portion is substantially round, has a diameter, and comprises at least two slits traversing substantially the diameter of the interior portion.

6. The cinching tool of claim 5 wherein the perimeter is substantially round.

7. The cinching tool of claim 6 wherein the interior portion comprises a plurality of ribs.

8. The cinching tool of claim 7 wherein the perimeter comprises a plurality of ribs.

9. The cinching tool of claim 8 wherein the cinching tool comprises an elastic material or elastomer.

10. The cinching tool of claim 9 wherein the elastic material is selected from one of: silicone, rubber, plastic, or leather.

11. The cinching tool of claim 1 further comprising a ferris-based metal plate coupled to the perimeter.

12. The cinching tool of claim 11 wherein the metal plate is substantially washer-shaped.

13. The cinching tool of claim 11 wherein the metal plate is adhesed to the perimeter.

14. The cinching tool of claim 1 wherein the perimeter is substantially definable as a boot, the boot having an interior portion adapted to accept a ring.

15. The cinching tool of claim 14 wherein the perimeter comprises a ferris-metallic ring therein.

16. The cinching tool of claim 13 further comprising a magnetically-induced button magnetically coupled to the plate.

17. The cinching tool of claim 15 further comprising a magnetically-induced button magnetically coupled to the ferris-metallic ring.

18. A cinching tool, comprising: a generally flat, substantially two-dimensional geometrically shaped tool portion, the tool portion comprising a generally circular rigid perimeter; a generally circular and flexible interior portion comprising an elastomer, the interior portion integrally coupled within the perimeter; the interior portion having a first slit and a second slit, the first slit substantially perpendicular to the second slit and each slit substantially traversing the diameter of the interior portion; the interior portion formed to comprise a plurality of concentric ribs; a hole substantially centered therein at the intersection of the first slit and the second slit, the hole adapted to have cloth pulled therethrough and held by at least one of the concentric ribs; and a ferris-metallic ring coupled to the perimeter.

19. The cinching tool of claim 18 further comprising a button magnetically coupled to the ferris-metallic ring, the button comprising a first ornamental portion, and a magnetic portion, the magnetic portion rigidly coupled to the ornamental portion.

20. The cinching tool of claim 18 further comprising a decorative edge coupled to the exterior of the perimeter.