GARMENT SUPPLEMENT APPARATUS

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001]The field relates generally to garments, and more particularly to lower body-related garments.

BACKGROUND

[0002]Many users of lower body garments (e.g., pants, skirts, etc.), both men and women, experience issues relating to fit, comfort, and/or the ability to maintain the positioning of the garment with respect to the user's body. Conventional products such as belts and suspenders have attempted to address a portion of such issues. However, such conventional products fail to adequately address such issues due, for example, to the need for periodic positioning adjustments of the garments and products (e.g., due to garments slipping down), and the introduction of related problems associated with product fit and comfort.

SUMMARY

[0003]Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure provide a garment supplement apparatus.

[0004]An exemplary apparatus includes at least one malleable solid element, and at least one length of material encasing at least portions of the at least one malleable solid element. Additionally, the apparatus also includes at least one connection mechanism linked to at least one end of the at least one length of material, wherein the at least one connection mechanism is configured to enable affixing the at least one end of the at least one length of material to at least a second end of the at least one length of material.

[0005]Another exemplary apparatus includes at least one malleable solid element, and at least one length of material encasing at least portions of the at least one malleable solid element. Additionally, the apparatus also includes at least one garment linked, at one or more portions of an interior waistline area of the at least one garment, to one or more portions of the at least one length of material.

[0006]Illustrative embodiments can provide significant advantages relative to existing and/or current products. For example, problems associated with the need for periodic positioning adjustments of the garments and related products are overcome in one or more embodiments through the configuration and implementation of a garment supplement apparatus upon which a garment can rest.

[0007]These and other illustrative embodiments described herein include, without limitation, apparatus, components thereof, and methods related thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 shows an example garment supplement apparatus in an illustrative embodiment.

[0009]FIG. 2 shows a zoomed-in view of a connection mechanism of an example garment supplement apparatus in an illustrative embodiment.

[0010]FIG. 3 shows a cross-section view of a portion of an of example garment supplement apparatus in an illustrative embodiment.

[0011]FIG. 4 shows an example implementation of a garment supplement apparatus in relation to a human user in an illustrative embodiment.

[0012]FIG. 5 shows an example implementation of a supplemented garment apparatus in an illustrative embodiment.

[0013]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process for generating a garment supplement apparatus in an illustrative embodiment.

[0014]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process for generating a supplemented garment apparatus in an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015]Illustrative embodiments will be described herein with reference to exemplary garment supplement apparatus and/or components or elements thereof. It is to be appreciated, however, that these and other embodiments are not restricted to use with the particular garment supplement apparatus configurations shown.

[0016]By way of example, in one or more embodiments, an example garment supplement apparatus, as further detailed herein, can be implemented in connection with a belt and a pair of pants and/or a similar lower body garment. In many instances and with many users, belts have little or nothing to catch on and/or rest on in order to adequately hold up the corresponding pants or other lower body garments. Accordingly, users of belts often resort to manually tightening the belts to the point of significantly sacrificing comfort and/or fit of the pants or other lower body garments. However, tightening a belt often does not solve the problem because the pants and/or a similar lower body garment still regularly slip down and need to be pulled up by the user.

[0017]As such, in such an embodiment as noted above, an example garment supplement apparatus, as further detailed herein, can be implemented with or without a belt to support the belt and/or pants or other lower body garment, and/or provide the belt and/or pants or other lower body garment a structure on which to rest, proximate to the hips of the user.

[0018]As further detailed herein, such an example garment supplement apparatus can include at least one encasing material of variable length and thickness, wherein at least one end of the encasing material includes at least one mechanism for connecting to at least the other end of the encasing material (e.g., forming a loop). In one or more embodiments, the encasing material can, at least in part, include one of multiple materials which are flexible and/or elastic, and which can provide some friction so as to remain approximately in position when implemented and/or worn by a user. Such materials can include, for example, fabric (e.g., cotton, felt, etc.), rubber, polyester, nylon, spandex, polyether-polyurea copolymers, elastane, silicon, cotton and/or wool.

[0019]Also, in one or more embodiments, the encasing material can be of one or more lengths, for example, similar to a belt. By way merely of illustration, the one or more lengths can be in a range encompassing values related to a variety of users of varying size, age, etc. Such a range can include, for example, between approximately 20 inches and approximately 60 inches. Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the encasing material can be of one or more thickness values. For example, such thickness values can be in a range of between ¼ of an inch to 2 inches. As such, in accordance with one or more embodiments, an example garment supplement apparatus can be configured and/or generated for a range of user sizes, and an example garment supplement apparatus can also be cut and/or modified to size as well.

[0020]Accordingly, such an example garment supplement apparatus is adjustable and can be secured using at least one mechanism such as, for example, at least one tie, at least one clasp, at least one button, one or more Velcro components, etc. By way of further example, such connection mechanism can include magnets, string and/or shoelace, etc. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the connection mechanism can include, at least in part, one or more elastic materials. By way merely of illustration, an example garment supplement apparatus can include at least one grommet hole at approximately one end of the encasing material through which a string and/or shoelace (positioned at approximately the other end of the encasing material) can be implemented and/or positioned. Additionally or alternatively, an example garment supplement apparatus can include at least one stitched vertical hole at approximately one end of the encasing material for at least one button (positioned at approximately the other end of the encasing material) to engage with.

[0021]FIG. 1 shows an example garment supplement apparatus 100 in an illustrative embodiment. By way of illustration, FIG. 1 depicts encasing material 110 and connection mechanism 120 of example garment supplement apparatus 100. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, encasing material 110 can encase one or more components such as, for example, a soft plastic tube and/or other flexible solid cylindrical element.

[0022]Also, as depicted in FIG. 1, ends of encasing material 110 can be secured and/or connected using connection mechanism 120. By way merely of illustration, example garment supplement apparatus 100 includes one or more holes on each end of the encasing material 110 proximate to the connection mechanism 120, such that portions of the connection mechanism 120 can be linked to the encasing material 110. In at least one embodiment (e.g., as further detailed in connection with FIG. 2), the connection mechanism 120 can include, at least in part, at least one elastic material, and can also include one or more Velcro components, one or more tie strings, one or more clasp components, etc., and such a mechanism can be implemented to render the example garment supplement apparatus 100 adjustable with respect to size (e.g., circumference) and can secure the example garment supplement apparatus 100 to remain connected when engaged. Further, in such an embodiment, the encasing material 110 can, at least in part, include one or more materials which provide elasticity and/or flexibility and sufficient friction to enable the example garment supplement apparatus 100 to remain approximately in place on a user once secured by the connection mechanism 120.

[0023]Additionally, in one or more embodiments, encasing material 110 and connection mechanism 120 can be composed of one or more materials and/or compositions of a variety of colors, patterns and/or designs.

[0024]FIG. 2 shows a zoomed-in view of a connection mechanism 220 of an example garment supplement apparatus 200 in an illustrative embodiment. By way of illustration, FIG. 2 depicts, positioned on at least one end of encasing material 210, connection mechanism 220 which can include a portion of fabric and/or elastic material, as well as one or more other materials (e.g., Velcro, string, clasps, magnets, etc.).

[0025]In at least one embodiment, at least a first portion of connection mechanism 220 can be affixed to at least one end of encasing material 210 (e.g., one end of connection mechanism 220 can be sewed, glued, etc. to one end of encasing material 210), and at least a second portion of connection mechanism 220 can be affixed to another end of encasing material 210. In such an embodiment, the at least a first portion of connection mechanism 220 can include at least one hole and/or connection componentry, which is configured to engage with the at least a second portion of connection mechanism 220 and/or connection componentry thereof.

[0026]By way merely of illustration, an example connection mechanism 220 can include the combination of at least one grommet hole positioned at approximately one end of the encasing material 210 through which a button or a string and/or shoelace (positioned at approximately the other end of the encasing material 210) can be implemented and/or positioned. Additionally or alternatively, an example connection mechanism 220 can include the combination of at least one stitched vertical hole at approximately one end of the encasing material 210 for at least one button (positioned at approximately the other end of the encasing material 210) to engage with. Accordingly, in such embodiments, connection mechanism 220 can be engaged and disengaged with at least a portion of the encasing material 210 such that, for example, a user can put on, take off, and/or adjust the corresponding garment supplement apparatus.

[0027]Additionally or alternatively, in one or more embodiments (such as depicted, e.g., in FIG. 5), an example garment supplement apparatus can include one or more holders and/or attachment components, separate from connection mechanism 220 and positioned at one or more positions and/or at one or more intervals on the encasing material 210, to enable connection to a garment (e.g., pants, a belt, etc.). In such an example embodiment (such as detailed, e.g., in connection with FIG. 5), the example garment supplement apparatus can be stitched to the inside of the garment (e.g., pants). Further, in such an embodiment, the example garment apparatus would not include a plastic component encased by encasing material 210, as such an example garment apparatus would include a component of a different solid material which could withstand, e.g., dry cleaning, water, etc. Additionally or alternatively, in one or more embodiments wherein an example garment supplement apparatus is stitched to or otherwise affixed to the inside of the garment (e.g., pants), less of the encasing material 210 is needed and/or implemented as part of the example garment supplement apparatus because the design of garment is modified to have the example garment supplement apparatus affixed into the inside of the waist and/or belt area of the garment (e.g., just below the belt line) such that, e.g., when a belt is tightened, the garment remains in their desired position (e.g., the pants stay up) on the user.

[0028]It is to be understood that the particular set of elements shown in one or more of the figures detailed herein as part of the example garment supplement apparatus is presented by way of illustrative example only, and in other embodiments additional or alternative elements may be used. Thus, another embodiment includes additional or alternative components and/or materials, as well as different arrangements of elements and other components.

[0029]An exemplary process for generating an example garment supplement apparatus will be described in more detail with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 6.

[0030]FIG. 3 shows a cross-section view of a portion of an of example garment supplement apparatus in an illustrative embodiment. By way of illustration, FIG. 3 depicts encasing material 310 sewn around malleable solid element 330 (e.g., a malleable plastic tube), encasing at least a portion of the malleable solid element 330 (e.g., encasing all of the malleable solid element 330) with the encasing material 310. In such an embodiment, material sutures can be used to implement the encasing material 310 around at least a portion of the malleable solid element 330. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the encasing material 310 can be encased around at least a portion of the malleable solid element 330 using one or more stitching techniques, staples (e.g., plastic staples), one or more glues, Velcro, one or more other adhesives, etc. Further, while the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 includes malleable solid element 330, in one or more embodiments, such a component can be composed of one or more flexible materials (e.g., one or more light metals, rubber, silicone, one or more urethanes, one or more foams, etc.). For example, in one or more embodiments wherein an example garment supplement apparatus is stitched to or otherwise affixed to the inside of the garment (e.g., pants), the example garment supplement apparatus can be compatible with washing machines and/or dry cleaning (e.g., so that example garment supplement apparatus does not melt or become soaked and/or retain water).

[0031]FIG. 4 shows an example implementation of a garment supplement apparatus in relation to a human user in an illustrative embodiment. By way of illustration, FIG. 4 depicts garment supplement apparatus 400 positioned on human user 402 proximate to the human user's waist (e.g., slightly above the waist and/or slightly below the standard positioning of a belt). In the example embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the garment supplement apparatus 400 sits slightly below where the top and/or waist of garment 404 (e.g., pants and/or a belt) will sit and/or be positioned, such that garment 404 can rest on and/or hold onto the garment supplement apparatus (e.g., to stop the garment 404 from slipping down and/or out of position on the human user 402).

[0032]By way merely of illustration, in an example embodiment, the garment supplement apparatus 400 are worn by human user 402 over the undergarments of the human user 402 and under the pants and/or belt of the human user 402. In such an example embodiment, the waistline and/or belt line should be above the where the garment supplement apparatus 400 is positioned. As such, the garment 404 (e.g., the pants and/or the belt) can be put on and positioned over and/or on top of the garment supplement apparatus 400, forming a comfortable hip-like structure that will preclude the garment 404 (e.g., the pants and/or the belt) from slipping down and/or falling out of position. Additionally, in such an example embodiment, the human user 402 can also wear at least one shirt over the garment supplement apparatus 400 or tuck at least one shirt under the garment supplement apparatus 400.

[0033]FIG. 5 shows an example implementation of a supplemented garment apparatus 501 in an illustrative embodiment. By way of illustration, FIG. 5 depicts an overhead view of example supplemented garment apparatus 501, which includes at least one malleable solid element and/or at least one length of material (e.g., encasing at least portions of the at least one malleable solid element), attached and/or affixed to the inside or interior of garment 504 (e.g., pants) at one or more locations within the inside or interior of garment 504. By way merely of example, in one or more embodiments, example supplemented garment apparatus 501 can be attached and/or affixed to the inside or interior of garment 504 via one or more clasps and/or example supplemented garment apparatus 501 can be stitched and/or glued to one or more portions of the inside or interior of garment 504. In such an embodiment, example supplemented garment apparatus 501 can be attached and/or affixed to the inside or interior of garment 504 below the waistline and/or belt line of garment 504, such that, for example, the garment 504 could be maintained in approximately a desired position (e.g., with the waistline and/or belt line of garment 504 positioned approximately at the hips of the user wearing garment 504).

[0034]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process for generating a garment supplement apparatus in an illustrative embodiment. It is to be understood that this particular process is only an example, and additional or alternative processes can be carried out in other embodiments. In this embodiment, the process includes steps 600 through 602.

[0035]Step 600 includes encasing, using at least one length of at least one encasing material, at least a portion of at least one malleable solid element. In at least one embodiment, encasing at least a portion of the at least one malleable solid element includes encasing, using the at least one length of at least one encasing material, the at least a portion of at least one malleable solid element using at least one of one or more stitching techniques, one or more staples, Velcro, and one or more adhesives.

[0036]Step 602 includes implementing one or more connection mechanisms at one or more portions of the at least one length of at least one encasing material. In one or more embodiments, implementing one or more connection mechanisms at one or more portions of the at least one length of at least one encasing material includes affixing at least a first portion of the one or more connection mechanisms to at least a first portion of the one or more portions of the at least one length of at least one encasing material, and affixing at least a second of the one or more connection mechanisms to at least a second portion of the one or more portions of the at least one length of at least one encasing material. In such an embodiment, the at least a first portion of the one or more connection mechanisms can include at least one string and the at least a second of the one or more connection mechanisms can include at least one hole through which at least a portion of the at least one string can be implemented. Additionally or alternatively, the at least a first portion of the one or more connection mechanisms can include at least one button and the at least a second of the one or more connection mechanisms can include at least one opening through which the at least one button can be implemented. Further, in one or more embodiments, the one or more connection mechanisms can include, at least in part, one or more elastic materials.

[0037]In at least one embodiment, the techniques depicted in FIG. 6 can also include linking one or more portions of the at least one length of at least one encasing material to one or more portions of at least one garment. In such an embodiment, wherein linking the one or more portions of the at least one length of at least one encasing material to the one or more portions of the at least one garment includes linking the one or more portions of the at least one length of at least one encasing material to one or more portions of the at least one garment interior to a waistline of the at least one garment. Additionally or alternatively, linking the one or more portions of the at least one length of at least one encasing material to the one or more portions of the at least one garment can include using at least one of one or more stitching techniques, one or more staples, Velcro, and one or more adhesives.

[0038]Further, as detailed herein, one or more embodiments include a garment supplement apparatus which includes at least one malleable solid element, at least one length of material encasing at least portions of the at least one malleable solid element, and at least one connection mechanism linked to at least one portion of the at least one length of material, wherein the at least one connection mechanism is configured to enable affixing the at least one portion of the at least one length of material to at least a second portion of the at least one length of material.

[0039]In one or more embodiments, the at least one connection mechanism includes one or more of at least one tie, two or more magnets, at least one clasp, at least one button, and one or more Velcro components. Also, in such an embodiment, the at least one connection mechanism includes at least one string and at least one hole through which at least a portion of the at least one string can be implemented. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one connection mechanism can include at least one button and at least one opening through which the at least one button can be implemented.

[0040]Further, in one or more embodiments, the at least one length of the material can include a length within a range of approximately 20 inches to approximately 60 inches and at least one thickness within a range of between approximately one-quarter of an inch to approximately two inches. Additionally, in such an embodiment, the at least one encasing material can include one or more of fabric (e.g., cotton, felt, etc.), rubber, polyester, nylon, spandex, one or more polyether-polyurea copolymers, elastane, one or more silicones, cotton and wool, and the at least one malleable solid element can include one or more of plastic, one or more light metals, rubber, one or more silicones, one or more urethanes, one or more fabrics (e.g., felts), and one or more foams.

[0041]Also, in at least one embodiment, the garment supplement apparatus further includes one or more fastening components linking one or more portions of the at least one length of material to at least one garment. In such an embodiment, the one or more fastening components link the one or more portions of the at least one length of material to one or more portions of the at least one garment interior to a waistline of the at least one garment. Additionally or alternatively, the one or more fastening components can include at least one of one or more stitches, one or more clasps, one or more staples, Velcro, and one or more other adhesives.

[0042]FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process for generating a supplemented garment apparatus in an illustrative embodiment. It is to be understood that this particular process is only an example, and additional or alternative processes can be carried out in other embodiments. In this embodiment, the process includes steps 700 through 702.

[0043]Step 700 includes encasing, using at least one length of material (e.g., elastic material), at least a portion of at least one malleable solid element. In at least one embodiment, encasing at least a portion of the at least one malleable solid element includes encasing, using the at least one length of material, the at least a portion of at least one malleable solid element using at least one of one or more stitching techniques, one or more staples, Velcro, and one or more adhesives.

[0044]Step 702 includes linking one or more portions of the at least one length of material to one or more portions of an interior waistline area of at least one garment.

[0045]Further, as detailed herein, one or more embodiments include a supplemented garment apparatus which includes at least one malleable solid element, at least one length of material encasing at least portions of the at least one malleable solid element, and at least one garment linked, at one or more portions of an interior waistline area of the at least one garment, to one or more portions of the at least one length of material.

[0046]Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the at least one length of material can include one or more of at least one fabric (e.g., cotton, felt, etc.), rubber, polyester, nylon, spandex, one or more polyether-polyurea copolymers, elastane, one or more silicones, cotton and wool. Further, in one or more embodiments, the at least one malleable solid element can include one or more of plastic, one or more light metals, rubber, one or more silicones, one or more urethanes, and one or more foams.

[0047]Alternatively, at least one embodiment can include a supplemented garment apparatus which includes at least one malleable solid element, and at least one garment linked, at one or more portions of an interior waistline area of the at least one garment, to one or more portions of the at least one malleable solid element. Such an embodiment can include, for example, creating a garment-integrated supplement to the hips of the user of the at least one garment.

[0048]Accordingly, the particular processing operations and other functionality described in conjunction with the flow diagrams of FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are presented by way of illustrative example only, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any way. For example, the ordering of the process steps may be varied in other embodiments, or certain steps may be performed concurrently with one another rather than serially.

[0049]The above-described illustrative embodiments provide significant advantages relative to conventional approaches. For example, some embodiments are configured to generate and/or implement a garment supplement apparatus upon which a garment can rest, precluding the need to reposition the garment while in use and/or being worn by a user. These and other embodiments can effectively overcome problems associated with the need for periodic positioning adjustments of garments and related products.

[0050]It is to be appreciated that the particular advantages described above and elsewhere herein are associated with particular illustrative embodiments and need not be present in other embodiments. Also, the particular types of apparatus features and functionality as illustrated in the drawings and described above are exemplary only, and numerous other arrangements may be used in other embodiments.

[0051]Accordingly, it should again be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration only. Many variations and other alternative embodiments may be used. Also, the particular configurations of apparatus elements and associated functionalities illustratively shown in the drawings can be varied in other embodiments. Thus, for example, the particular types of components and materials implemented in a given embodiment and their respective configurations may be varied. Moreover, the various assumptions made above in the course of describing the illustrative embodiments should also be viewed as exemplary rather than as requirements or limitations of the disclosure. Numerous other alternative embodiments within the scope of the appended claims will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.