Abstract:
A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing is provided. The device includes a first end, a second end, and a recessed area between the first end and the second end. The recessed area accommodates a part of the article of clothing. When the first end overlaps the second end, a circumference of the device that substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing is created.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/281,883, filed Nov. 24, 2009, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADJUSTING THE LENGTH OF AN ARTICLE OF CLOTHING”. Provisional Patent No. 61/281,883 is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application as if fully set forth herein. The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/281,883. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present application relates generally to clothing and, more specifically, to a system and method for adjusting the length of an article of clothing. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    With regard to jeans or other pants, pants are either bought or altered to accommodate shoes of a particular shoe height. Therefore, in order to wear a particular pair of pants with shoes having different shoe heights, such as flats, low heels, high heels, boots, etc., a person would have to buy the pants in several different lengths or have several pairs of the pants altered to different lengths. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing is provided. The device includes a first end, a second end, and a recessed area between the first end and the second end. The recessed area is configured to accommodate a part of the article of clothing. When the first end overlaps the second end, a circumference of the device that substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing is created. 
         [0005]    A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing is provided. The device includes a circular member having a recessed area. The recessed area is configured to accommodate a part of the article of clothing. A circumference of the device is variable such that the circumference of the device substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing. 
         [0006]    A device for adjusting a length of an article of clothing is provided. The device includes a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to be inserted into the second end to create a circumference of the device. The device also includes a recessed area between the first end and the second end. The recessed area is configured to accommodate a part of the article of clothing. The circumference of the device is variable such that the circumference of the device substantially matches a circumference of the part of the article of clothing. 
         [0007]    Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first side view of a length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  illustrates a second side view of the length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates a first cross-sectional view of the length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  illustrates a first top view of the length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  illustrates a second top view of the length adjuster  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  shows the length adjuster being used to shorten a pant leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  shows the length adjuster being used to lengthen the pant leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the length adjuster with depth guides according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of a length adjuster in a first position according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  illustrates a top view of the length adjuster in a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the length adjuster according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  shows the length adjuster being used to shorten a pant leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  shows the length adjuster being used to lengthen the pant leg according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]      FIGS. 1 through 14 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any method and system for adjusting the length of an article of clothing. 
         [0024]    One of the most common ways to adjust the length of a pair of pants is by having the pants altered. However, alterations are permanent and still restrict the pants to a particular shoe height. Although rolling or cuffing a pant leg allows a person to adjust the length of the pant leg, rolling or cuffing is a more casual look that can be perceived as unprofessional or even sloppy. Although there are shorts with zippered attachments that convert shorts to pants, the zippered attachments still create pants that accommodate a particular shoe height. 
         [0025]    Tape may be used to temporarily shorten pants by rolling under the hem of the pants and taping the rolled portion to the inside of the pant leg. However, this only allows a person to shorten a pant leg. This type of tape cannot be used to lengthen a pant leg. Also, a person using this type of tape has to measure the rolled portion exactly in order to ensure that both sides are symmetrical. Other problems with using tape include the possibility of the tape falling down during use. Furthermore, in order to create a clean look, a person using tape would have to iron the pants, which causes a crease line that fades with time as the pants are washed. 
         [0026]    The present disclosure provides a simple, non-permanent system and method for both lengthening and shortening the length of an article of clothing. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates a first side view of a length adjuster  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the length adjuster  100  includes a first end  101 , a second end  103 , a top side  105  and a bottom side  107 . The bottom side  107  includes an enclosed area  109  in which magnets  111   a  to  111   g  are housed. In particular embodiments, the enclosed area  109  is created simply by hemming an edge of the bottom side  107 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the magnets are placed with the positive side facing the same direction. 
         [0029]    The length adjuster  100  may be made of any suitable fabric or any other material that is stiff enough to support a hem of a pant leg, a shirt sleeve, a skirt hem, a hem of a leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of jacket, or a collar. For example, the length adjuster may be made of a cotton material, such as denim. The length adjuster may also be made of a polyester material. In particular embodiments, the stiffness of the length adjuster  100  could also be increased by using a backing fabric. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  illustrates a second side view of the length adjuster  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flip-side of the first side view shown in  FIG. 1 . This side shows the negative side of the magnets  111   a  to  111   g.    
         [0032]      FIG. 3  illustrates a first cross-sectional view of the length adjuster  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments of this disclosure, a recessed area  301  is formed by folding back the bottom side  107  to the top side  105 . The recessed area  301  is an area into which an article of clothing, such as a hem of a pant leg, a shirt sleeve, a skirt hem, a hem of a leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of jacket, or a collar is placed. Arrow  303  indicates the direction that an article of clothing would be placed into the recessed area  301 .  FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of the recessed area  301  from the perspective of the first end  101 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the length adjuster  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of the recessed area  301  from the perspective of the second end  103 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, once the recessed area  301  is formed, for example, by folding back the bottom side  107  to the top side  105 , a circular member is formed by overlapping the first end  101  with the second end  103 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates a first top view of the length adjuster  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , once the first end  101  overlaps the second end  103 , the negative side of the magnet  111   g  at the first end  101  attracts the positive side of the magnet  111   b  at the second end  103  to form a circular member having an outer circumference  501  and an inner circumference  503 . 
         [0039]    In this particular embodiment, the size of the circumference of the length adjuster  100  can be adjusted by varying the amount of overlap. For example, the negative side of the magnet  111   g  at the first end  101  could be placed beside the positive side of the magnet  111   a  at the second end  103 , instead of the magnet  111   b , to create a larger circumference. The negative side of the magnet  111   g  at the first end  101  could also be placed beside the positive side of the magnet  111   c  at the second end  103 , instead of the magnet  111   b , to create a smaller circumference. This provides the length adjuster  100  with the versatility to accommodate articles of clothing having different sizes. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  illustrates a second top view of the length adjuster  100  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, once an article of clothing, such as a pant leg, a shirt sleeve, or a skirt hem, is placed in the recessed area  301  and the circumference of the length adjuster  100  is adjusted to a desired size, the length adjuster  100  is attached to the article of clothing using one or more additional magnets  601   a - 601   c  placed long the inner circumference  503  of the length adjuster  100 . Placing the additional magnets along the inner circumference  503  of the length adjuster  100  has the advantage of hiding the magnets. However, if decorative magnets are used, placing the magnets along the outer circumference  501  could add an aesthetic element to the length adjuster  100 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 7  shows the length adjuster  100  being used to shorten a pant leg  701  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the pant leg  701  is rolled or cuffed so as to be worn with flats or low-heeled shoes  703 . Once the pant leg  701  is rolled or cuffed to a desired length, the pant leg  701  is placed in the recessed area  301  of the length adjuster  100 . The circumference of the length adjuster  100  can be adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg  701  before or after the pant leg  701  is placed in the recessed area  301 . Once the pant leg  701  is placed in the recessed area  301  and the circumference of the length adjuster  100  is adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg  701 , the length adjuster  100  is attached to the pant leg  701  using the additional magnets  601   a - 601   c . The circumference of the length adjuster  100  is said to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg  701  when the length adjuster  100  appears to be an integral part of the pant leg  701  upon attachment to the pant leg  701 . 
         [0044]    Having the rolled cuff hidden by the length adjuster  100  provides a more fashionable and polished look. Because the length adjuster  100  may be made from any number of decorative and fashionable fabrics, the length adjuster  100  may be selected to match a particular style or outfit. 
         [0045]      FIG. 8  shows the length adjuster  100  being used to lengthen the pant leg  701  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0046]    In this embodiment, the length adjuster  100  is being used to extend the length of the pant leg  701  so as to be worn with a high-heeled shoe  801 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the pant leg  701  is placed in the recessed area of the length adjuster  100  to a depth  803 . Once the pant leg  701  is placed in the recessed area  301  to the depth  803  and the circumference of the length adjuster  100  is adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg  701 , the length adjuster  100  is attached to the pant leg  701  using the additional magnets  601   a - 601   c . Accordingly, the pant leg  701  is extended by a length  805  to accommodate the high-heeled shoe  801 . The circumference of the length adjuster  100  is said to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg  701  when the length adjuster  100  appears to be an integral part of the pant leg  701  upon attachment to the pant leg  701 . 
         [0047]    For ease of illustration and description,  FIGS. 7 and 8  show the additional magnets  601   a - 601   c  along the outer circumference  501  of the length adjuster  100 . However, as noted earlier, the additional magnets  601   a - 601   c  may be hidden by placing them along the inner circumference  503  of the length adjuster  100 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the length adjuster  100  with depth guides according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the length adjuster  100  may have markings  901   a - 901   c  that serve as depth guides on the inside of the recessed area to help maintain a consistent depth and to ensure that the length adjuster  100  is attached evenly along an article of clothing. 
         [0050]    Although the above embodiments depict seven magnets  111   a - 111   g  in the enclosed area  109 , one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any number of magnets may be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art would also recognize that having more magnets would allow for a finer adjustment of the circumference of the length adjuster. Similarly, although the above embodiments depict three additional magnets  601   a - 601   c , one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any number of additional magnets may be used without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art would also recognize that having more additional magnets would the length adjuster to be more securely attached to an article of clothing. Furthermore, although the above embodiments depict the polarities of the seven magnets  111   a  to  111   g  has facing the same direction, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the same or a similar effect may be achieved by alternating the polarities of the seven magnets  111   a  to  111   g  without departing from the scope or spirit of the present disclosure. 
         [0051]      FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of a length adjuster  1000  in a first position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , the length adjuster  1000  comprises a first end  1001  and a second end  1003 . The second end  1003  is shown has having an opening  1005 . Also shown is a recessed area  1007  into which an article of clothing, such as a hem of a pant leg, a shirt sleeve, a skirt hem, a hem of leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of jacket, or a collar is placed. 
         [0053]    The length adjuster  1000  may be made of any suitable fabric or any other material that is stiff enough to support a hem of a pant leg, a shirt sleeve, a skirt hem, a hem of a leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of jacket, or a collar. For example, the length adjuster may be made of a cotton material, such as denim. The length adjuster may also be made of a polyester material. In particular embodiments, the stiffness of the length adjuster  1000  could also be increased by using a backing fabric. 
         [0054]      FIG. 11  illustrates a top view of the length adjuster  1000  in a second position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0055]    In this particular embodiment, the first end  1001  has been inserted through the opening  1005  and placed inside the recessed area  1007 . The size of the circumference of the length adjuster  1000  created by the second position can be adjusted by varying the distance that the first end  1001  is placed inside the recessed area  1007 . This provides the length adjuster  1000  with the versatility to accommodate articles of clothing having different sizes. 
         [0056]      FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the length adjuster  1000  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0057]    In this embodiment, arrows  1201  and  1203  indicate the direction that an article of clothing would be placed into the recessed area  1007  of the adjuster  1000 . 
         [0058]      FIG. 13  shows the length adjuster  1000  being used to shorten a pant leg  1301  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 13 , the pant leg  1301  is rolled or cuffed so as to be worn with flats or low-heeled shoes  1303 . Once the pant leg  1301  is rolled or cuffed to a desired length, the pant leg  1301  is placed in the recessed area  1007  of the length adjuster  1000 . The circumference of the length adjuster  1000  can be adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg  1301  before or after the pant leg  1301  is placed in the recessed area  1007 . Once the pant leg  1301  is placed in the recessed area  1007  and the circumference of the length adjuster  1000  is adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg  1301 , the length adjuster  1000  is attached to the pant leg  1301  using a clip  1305 . The circumference of the length adjuster  100  is said to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg  701  when the length adjuster  100  appears to be an integral part of the pant leg  1301  upon attachment to the pant leg  1301 . 
         [0060]    Having the rolled cuff hidden by the length adjuster  1000  provides a more fashionable and polished look. Because the length adjuster  1000  may be made from any number of decorative and fashionable fabrics, the length adjuster  1000  may be selected to match a particular style or outfit. 
         [0061]      FIG. 14  shows the length adjuster  1000  being used to lengthen the pant leg  1301  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0062]    In this embodiment, the length adjuster  1000  is being used to extend the length of the pant leg  1301  so as to be worn with a high-heeled shoe  1401 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , the pant leg  1301  is placed in the recessed area  1007  of the length adjuster  1000  to a depth  1403 . Once the pant leg  1301  is placed in the recessed area  1007  to the depth  1403  and the circumference of the length adjuster  1000  is adjusted to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg  1301 , the length adjuster  1000  is attached to the pant leg  1301  using the clip  1305 . Accordingly, the pant leg  1301  is extended by a length  1405  to accommodate the high-heeled shoe  1401 . The circumference of the length adjuster  100  is said to substantially match a circumference of the pant leg  701  when the length adjuster  100  appears to be an integral part of the pant leg  1301  upon attachment to the pant leg  1301 . 
         [0063]    Accordingly, the embodiments of the length adjuster in this disclosure provides a non-permanent system and method of adjusting the length of an existing article of clothing such that the article of clothing can be worn with shoes of a shoe height that the article of clothing would not be sized for otherwise. Existing decorator cuffs are designed to be used with a specific brand of clothing and are purely decorative as they do not actually lengthen or shorten the article of clothing. 
         [0064]    Although the length adjuster of this disclosure is described as being attached to a pant leg using magnets or a clip, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that any non-permanent means for attaching the length adjuster to the pant leg may be used. For example, double-sided tape may be used to attach the length adjuster to the pant leg. Furthermore, for ease of description, the pant leg was used as an example of an article of clothing whose length is adjusted by the length adjuster. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the length adjuster of this disclosure could be used to adjust the length of any number of articles of clothing, such as a skirt hem, a shirt sleeve, a hem of leg sleeve of a pair of shorts, a hem of jacket, or a collar. 
         [0065]    Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.