Trouser fly construction

A trouser construction includes a conventional fly portion formed by a pair of overlapping flaps integral with the trouser waist and including a conventional zipper-type fly closure. In one embodiment, a second or imitation fly portion is removably attached to the waist portion in overlying relation with the conventional fly to simulate the appearance of the trousers being worn with the fly in an open position. In a second embodiment, an imitation fly portion is sewn onto the outer trouser flap that conceals the zipper of the operative fly of the trouser. The imitation fly portion includes a pair of strips of material each supporting a zipper-type track. The strips of material are sewn together and positioned in overlying relation with the trouser flap thereby concealing the trouser flap. The pair of zipper tracks extend from the upper end of the trouser flap to a lower end where the tracks converge toward one another and meet at a slide portion which engages the zipper tracks. Thus the row of zipper tracks are positioned in spaced relation and converge toward the lower end of the flap. The slide portion is also positioned at the lower end of the flap. With this arrangement an imitation open fly construction is formed overlying and concealing the conventional trouser fly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to an article of wearing apparel and a method of 
making the same and more particularly to a trouser fly construction that 
includes an imitation fly portion secured in overlying and concealing 
arrangement with the flap of a trouser fly to present the appearance when 
the trousers are worn that the fly portion is in an open position. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
It is well known in the art of wearing apparel to modify the construction 
of trousers and the like to enhance the utility of the wearing apparel and 
provide multiple uses or varied ornamental appearances of the wearing 
apparel. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,585,175 and 2,206,505 disclose 
trousers having modifications to the waist portion and fly portion which 
in one case facilitates waist adjustability while preserving a neat 
appearance of the trousers, particularly the waist and fly portions, and 
in another case modifies the trouser construction to ensure support on the 
wearer while participating in athletic activity. 
U.S. Pat. No. 1,832,687 discloses a trousers closure which permits rapid 
opening and closing of the trousers. U.S. Pat. No. 2,285,692 discloses 
overalls for welders that includes a crotch structure that provides for 
wider than the normal spacing between the legs of the overalls at the 
crotch so that excess material is provided for added room and flexibility. 
A crotch piece and a slide fastener are covered at the front of the 
overalls by a fly that depends downwardly over the crotch structure for 
shedding sparks. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,971,200 discloses a slide fastener construction in which a 
main "zipper" is positioned between auxiliary "zippers". If the main 
zipper should become inoperative due to wear or for other reasons, then 
the unit is detached by the auxiliary zippers and readily replaced by a 
similar unit that is operative. 
It is also known to provide outer garments constructed to provide freedom 
of action and present a neat appearance while engaging in athletic sports. 
An example of such an outer garment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,110,903 which uses a plurality of conventional slide fasteners, such as 
the well-known "zipper", with garments for men and women in which the 
garment is quickly converted from a fashion garment for working hours to a 
sport garment which provides the free action construction desirable in 
athletics sports. 
Attachments to articles of wearing apparel and devices for removably 
engaging one item of wearing apparel with another item are also well-known 
in the art as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,396,446 and 3,085,247. These 
patents disclose attachments to the conventional necktie for use as a 
necktie protector and clips associated with the necktie for attaching it 
to the neck band or shirt. These devices include fastening means 
associated with the knot portions of bow ties, as well as, conventional 
for-in-hand ties. 
It is also a known practice to decorate articles of clothing by permanently 
attaching some form of decoration to the basic article. Removably 
attaching a novel or decorative item to wearing apparel to facilitate the 
removal or interchange of decorative and novelty items on wearing apparel 
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,726,397. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,092,840 discloses an attachment to a garment to seal the 
garment openings against the entrance of extraneous matter. The attachment 
includes a garment sealing flap that is attachable to the button 
positioned, for example, at the neck band of a shirt or the like. The flap 
is turned back to overlie the shirt as the outer garment and over the 
exposed upper edge portions of additional garments worn beneath the outer 
garment. 
There is need to provide conventional items of wearing apparel, such as 
trousers and the like, with attachments of a decorative and novel subject 
matter which can be conveniently worn with the trousers or removed 
therefrom according to the desires of the wearer. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an article of 
wearing apparel that includes a trouser construction including a waist 
portion with a fly attached thereto. Closure means associated with the fly 
for opening and closing the fly. A flap portion is connected to the waist 
portion for movement into and out of position overlying the closure means. 
The flap portion has an outer surface and an inner surface overlying the 
closure means to conceal the closure means when the fly is closed. 
Imitation closure means is secured to the flap portion outer surface for 
simulating the appearance of the trouser construction having the fly in an 
open position. The imitation closure means includes fastener elements 
secured to the flap portion outer surface in spaced relation to form with 
the flap portion an imitation open fly construction overlying and 
concealing the fly. 
Further in accordance with the present invention there is provided a method 
of making a trouser construction including the steps of positioning a 
zipper assembly on the outer surface of a trouser flap portion that 
overlies and conceals a trouser fly. A pair of material strips each 
supporting a row of zipper teeth of the zipper assembly are twisted. The 
twisted material strips are positioned in abutting relation and between 
the rows of zipper teeth extending the length of the strips of material. 
The abutting material strips are secured to the outer surface of the 
trouser flap portion. The rows of zipper teeth extend in spaced relation 
from the upper ends of the rows of zipper teeth toward one another to the 
lower end of the rows of zipper teeth at the bottom of the trouser flap 
portion to simulate a trouser fly in an open position. 
In one embodiment the fastener elements include a pair of track portions 
and a slide portion. The slide portion engages both track portions at the 
lower end thereof to simulate the trouser construction having an open fly. 
Further, the fastener elements include a pair of engageable zipper-type 
track portions positioned in spaced relation on a pair of strips of 
material respectively. A slide portion is connected to the strips of 
material at one end thereof and engageable with the track portions. The 
slide portion is movable the length of the strips of material to bring the 
track portions into and out of meshing engagement. The strips of material 
are connected to each other the length thereof and are positioned on the 
flap portion outer surface so that the track portions converge toward one 
another from the upper ends of the strips of material to the slide portion 
positioned at the lower ends of the strips of material to simulate an open 
fly. 
Preferably the strips of material are sewn onto the flap outer surface and 
extend substantially the length of the flap portion. A fastener is 
positioned at the lower ends of the strips of material opposite the lower 
end of the flap portion. The fastener engages the pair of track portions 
at the end thereof urging the track portions to converge from a parallel 
relation to a tapered relation at the lower end of the flap portion. The 
fastener has means for engaging the pair of track portions to draw the 
pair of track portions toward one another for engaging the flap portion 
outer surface. 
In another embodiment, the zipper-type track portions include a plurality 
of spaced apart teeth. The track portions are secured to the flap outer 
surface by sewing the spaced apart teeth to the flap portion outer surface 
so that the track portions converge toward one another from the upper end 
thereof to a slide positioned at the lower ends of the zipper track 
portions. A slide portion engages the teeth of one tract portion in 
meshing relation with the teeth of the other track portion. The slide 
portion is maintained at the lower ends of the zipper track portions to 
present the appearance of the trouser fly in an open position. 
Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide an 
article of wearing apparel that includes a trouser construction having an 
imitation fly positioned in overlying relation with the conventional fly 
of a trouser in a manner that simulates the appearance that the trouser 
having an open fly where in fact the actual fly of the trouser is closed 
and concealed beneath the imitation fly. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an article of wearing 
apparel that includes a pair of overlying fly portions secured integrally 
with the trouser construction where a first fly is provided for 
conventional operation and a second fly is provided in overlying relation 
with the first fly in a manner to create the impression that the trouser 
construction is worn with the fly open. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of making a 
trouser construction that includes the positioning and sewing of a 
conventional zipper to the flap of a trouser in overlying and concealing 
relation with the conventional fly of the trouser in a manner to give the 
impression that the trouser is being worn with an open fly. 
These and other objects of the present invention will be more completely 
disclosed and described in the following specification, the accompanying 
drawings, and the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1-3 there is 
illustrated an attachment generally designated by the numeral 10 for 
releasable engagement with trousers 12 of a conventional construction 
having a waist portion 14 and a conventional fly portion 16 formed 
integrally with the waist portion 14. The fly portion 16 includes a pair 
of overlapping flaps. A first flap 18 overlies a second flap (not shown) 
so that the second flap is concealed by the first flap 18 when the 
trousers are worn in a conventional manner. 
The integral fly portion 16 also includes a conventional fastener (not 
shown) such as a zipper construction having two rows of teeth on strips of 
tape which are sewn to the respective flaps and a sliding piece that 
closes the opening between the flaps by drawing the teeth into meshing 
relation. This construction is well known in the art. The attachment 10 is 
removably connected to the trousers 12 in overlying relationship with the 
fly portion 16 so that when worn on the trousers 12 it presents an 
appearance or illusion that the trousers are being worn with the fly in an 
open position where in fact the fly portion 16 is closed and the 
attachment 10 is a false or imitation fly. 
As illustrated in FIG. 1 the attachment 10 is constructed to appear as a 
fly portion of trousers in an open position. FIG. 2 illustrates the 
attachment or second fly portion 10 secured in overlying relation with the 
conventional, first fly portion 16 of the trousers 12. The attachment or 
second fly portion 10 includes a flexible backing 20 having a pair of 
elongated side edges 22 and 24. A pair of strips 26 and 28 are secured in 
a suitable manner in overlying relation with the side edges 22 and 24 
respectively. 
Each of the strips 26 and 28 includes an upper end portion 30 and a lower 
end portion 32. The strips 26 and 28 are positioned on the backing 20 with 
the upper end portions 30 spaced a greater distance apart than the lower 
end portions 32. With this arrangement the strips 26 and 28 converge 
toward one another in a direction from the upper end portions 30 to the 
lower end portions 32. 
The attachment or second fly portion 10 is releasably engageable with the 
trousers 12 in overlying relation with the fly portion 16 that is formed 
integral with the trousers 12. The attachment 10 is connected to the 
trousers 12 by engaging devices generally designated by the numeral 34 in 
FIGS. 1-4. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 the engaging devices 34 include 
in one embodiment a pair of hooks 36 secured to the strip upper end 
portions 30 and a hook 38 attached to the removable fly portion 10 to 
extend below the strip lower end portions 32. 
The pair of hooks 36 are preferably constructed of a flexible wire-like 
material. Each of the hooks includes individual end portions 40 and a 
looped end portion 44. The hook 38 is a substantially rigid member having 
a shank portion 46 which is suitably connected to a fastener device 
generally designated by the numeral 48. The shank portion 46 terminates in 
an in-turned, prong-like end portion 50. The pronged end portion 50 is 
adapted to embed into the material comprising the trousers 12. 
In accordance with the present invention the fly construction 10 of FIG. 1 
is adaptable to be releasably secured to the trousers 12 in the position 
illustrated in FIG. 2. With the fly portion 16 of the trousers 12 in a 
closed position, the fly construction 10 is positioned in overlying 
relation with the fly portion 16. The pair of hooks 36 are looped over the 
waist portion 14 so that the waist portion 14 is positioned between the 
looped end portions 44 on the inside of the waist portion 14 and the ends 
40 and 42 engaging the outside of the waist portion 14. The hooks 36 in 
this position are compressed to frictionally engage the waist portion 14 
thereby securing the upper end portions 30 of the strips 26 and 28 to the 
trousers 12. 
With the fly construction 10 secured to the trousers 12, the flexible 
backing 20 and strips 26 and 28 extend downwardly to lie substantially on 
the first flap 18 of the fly portion 16. The lower hook 38 extends 
downwardly so that the pronged end portion 50 engages the trousers 12. 
With this arrangement, the fly construction 10 is fully extended to lie 
flat on the trousers fly portion 16. 
When the fly portion 10 is positioned on the trousers 12, a belt 53 when 
worn with the trousers 12 overlies the strip upper end portions 30 and the 
pair of hooks 36. This arrangement conceals the manner in which the 
attached fly construction 10 is mounted on the trousers 12. Also with the 
pronged end portion 50 being turned inwardly it is not readily apparent 
that the lower end of the fly construction 10 is removably connected to 
the trousers 12. 
The fastener device 48 includes the basic components of a conventional 
zipper-type fastener. A track or row of teeth 52 are suitably secured to 
the edges of the strips 26 and 28 that overly the backing side edges 22 
and 24. A slide portion 54 is positioned at the strip lower end portions 
32 and engages the row of teeth 52. In this position of the slide portion 
54, the fly construction 10 is in an open position. 
In accordance with the present invention the removable fly construction 10 
is maintained in the open position on the trousers 12, as illustrated in 
FIG. 2, to simulate the appearance that the trousers 12 are being worn 
with the fly in an open position. However, the conventional fly portion 16 
of the trousers 12 is closed; while, the removable fly construction 10 
presents a false impression that the fly is open. 
Further in accordance with the present invention the flexible backing 20 
preferably includes a cloth material having a uniform construction 
throughout. Preferably, the cloth backing 20 has a color, texture, and 
design which contrasts visibly with the trouser construction, color, and 
design so that the backing 20 is clearly distinguishable from the trousers 
12. Further the cloth backing 20 may also include suitable ornamentation 
such as a button 56 stitched to the upper end of the backing 20 and 
further a border 58 extending below and spaced from the button 56. This 
arrangement is intended to simulate the appearance that the trousers 12 
are being worn with the fly portion open and the garment worn underneath 
the trousers exposed. 
Not only can the removable fly construction 10 be secured to the trousers 
12 by the hooks 36 and 38 but cooperating snap devices 60 and 62 can also 
be utilized as illustrated in FIG. 3. The snap devices 60 are secured to 
the fly construction 10 and are removably engageable with the 
corresponding snap devices 62 provided on the trousers waist portion 14. 
Pairs of cooperating snap devices 60 and 62 secure the strip upper end 
portions 30 to the waist portion 14. A snap device 60 is also secured to 
the underside of the backing 12 opposite the slide portion 54 for 
engagement with a cooperating snap device (not shown) secured to the 
trousers 12. Thus when the cooperating snap devices 60 and 62 are engaged 
the removable fly construction 10 is positioned in overlying relationship 
with the trousers fly portion 16 to conceal the fly portion 16. 
Further in accordance with the present invention the removable fly 
construction 10 is releasably secured to the trousers 12, as illustrated 
in FIG. 4, by cooperating Velcro closure strips on the fly construction 10 
and the trousers 12. The construction of Velcro-type closures is well 
known and described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,054,400 and 3,376,865 
which are incorporated herein by reference. 
A first pair of Velcro strips 64 are secured to the undersurface 66 of the 
backing 20. A corresponding pair of Velcro strips 68 are suitably secured 
to the fly portion 16 of the trousers 12. When the removable fly 
construction is positioned on the trousers fly portion 16 the Velcro 
strips 64 of the backing 20 engage the Velcro strips 68 of the trousers 
12. In this manner the removable fly construction 10 is maintained in the 
desired position on the trousers 12 to create the appearance that the 
trousers are being worn with the fly open. 
Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 there is illustrated another embodiment of 
the present invention in which the second or imitation fly construction 10 
is formed integral with the trousers 12 and is supported by the 
conventionally operative fly portion generally designated by the numeral 
16 of the trousers 12. As well known, the conventional fly portion 16 of 
the trousers 12 includes a first or upper flap 18 and a second or lower 
flap 70. The upper and lower flaps 18 and 70 are conventionally attached 
to the waist portion 14 and are movable relative to each other to open and 
close the fly portion 16. 
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the fly portion 16 includes a conventional slide 
fastener comprising a row of teeth or track elements 72 beneath the upper 
flap 18 and a row of teeth or track elements 74 attached to the lower flap 
70. The cooperating track elements 72 and 74 are moved into and out of 
meshing relation by a slide 76. FIG. 6 illustrates the conventional fly 
portion 16 in a partially open position. To close the fly portion 16 the 
slide 76 is advanced on the track elements 72 and 74 to a raised position 
adjacent the trouser waist portion 14. 
To obtain the desired illusionary effect of the trousers being worn with 
the fly portion in an open position, the second or imitation fly portion 
10 is secured to the upper flap 18 and the lower flap 70. The backing for 
the imitation fly portion 10 in FIG. 6 includes a first backing portion 78 
and a second backing portion 80. The first backing portion 78 is secured 
to the upper flap 18 and the second backing portion 80 is secured to the 
lower flap 70. 
The first backing portion 78 is folded over the upper flap 18 and is 
stitched along an edge 82 on the undersurface of the upper flap 18 
adjacent the track elements 72. The outer edge of the first backing 
portion 78 is stitched to the outer surface of the upper flap 18 along an 
edge 84. In this manner the first backing portion 78 of the imitation fly 
portion 10 is formed integral with the upper flap 18 of the conventionally 
operating fly portion 16 of the trousers 12. Similarly, the second backing 
portion 80 of the imitation fly portion 10 is stitched to the lower flap 
70 along an edge 86 adjacent the track elements 74 and also is stitched 
along an edge 88 and an edge 90 to the lower flap 70. 
The imitation fly portion 10 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 also includes 
teeth or track elements 92 and 94 sewn in a conventional manner to the 
outer edges of the first backing portion 78 and the second backing portion 
80. The track elements 92 and 94 are positioned on the first and second 
backing portions 78 and 80 with upper end portions 96 and 98 spaced a 
greater distance apart than lower end portions 100 and 102. With this 
arrangement, the track elements 92 and 94 converge toward one another in a 
direction from the upper end portions 96 and 98 to the lower end portions 
100 and 102. A fly closure device or fastener generally designated by the 
numeral 104 is secured to and supported by the track elements lower end 
portions 100 and 102. Preferably, the fly closure device 104 is retained 
in a lowermost position as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 to simulate the 
appearance that the trousers fly is in an open position. 
As illustrated in FIG. 5 when the trousers 12 are worn with the 
conventional fly portion 16 in a closed position, the upper and lower 
flaps 18 and 70 are positioned in overlapping relation. The button hole 
106 engages the button 108 at the waist portion 14. The second or 
imitation fly portion 10 is then positioned to give the impression that 
the trousers 12 are being worn with the fly portion thereof in an open 
position. However, in fact the conventional fly portion 16 and the 
elements thereof, i.e. the track elements 72 and 74 and the slide 76, are 
concealed by the respective backing portions 78 and 80 of the imitation 
fly portion 10. 
The present invention also includes the provision, as illustrated in FIG. 
7, of an imitation fly 10 formed integral with the trousers 12 similar to 
the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 where the imitation fly 10 is 
formed by material having the image of a trouser fly appearing thereon. 
The image can be formed by any suitable photographic process. Also, the 
design of a fly construction can be formed on fabric material by silk 
screen printing and the printed fabric sewn onto the trousers. This is 
accomplished, as shown in FIG. 7, by attaching in the same manner as above 
discussed to the first and second flaps 18 and 70 of the trousers 12 
backing portions 107 and 109. The backing portion 107 is stitched along 
the edges 110, 112, and 114 to the upper flap 18. The backing portion 109 
is stitched along the edges 116 and 118 to the lower flap 70. 
The backing portions 107 and 109 are printed with the image of track 
elements 120 and 122. The backing portion 107 includes the image of a fly 
closure device 126. This construction, as illustrated in FIG. 7, gives the 
appearance that the fly portion of the trousers is in an open position. 
To further simulate the appearance of an open fly for the trousers, the 
respective backing portions 107 and 109 may be fabricated of a suitable 
material that markedly contrasts with the fabric of the trousers 12. For 
example the backing portions 107 and 109 may have a color clearly 
distinguishable from the color of the trousers 12. The backing portions 
107 and 109 may also include a design such as a plurality of dots 120 as 
illustrated in FIG. 7. 
The appearance of the backing portions 107 and 109 is preferably chosen to 
give the appearance that the garment which is worn under the trousers 12 
is exposed as would occur if the fly portion of the trousers were actually 
worn in an open position. This effect enhances the illusion created by the 
imitation fly construction 10 on the trousers 12. Thus it will be apparent 
that the design of the imitation fly construction 10 is selective as 
determined by the use made of the trouser construction as for example in 
dramatic or novelty applications where the present invention is 
particularly adaptable. 
Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, there is illustrated in accordance with the 
present invention an embodiment in which an imitation closure device 
generally designated by the numeral 128 is secured by sewing to the first 
or outer flap 18 of the trousers 12. The imitation closure device 128 is 
preferably a conventional "zipper" formed by a pair of track portions 130 
and 132 as illustrated in detail in FIGS. 10-12. The track portions 130 
and 132 are supported by a pair of strips 134 and 136 material. The track 
portions 130 and 132 include a plurality of spaced apart "zipper" teeth 
138. 
As well known in the art the teeth 138 are engageable in meshing relation 
to connect the zipper track portions 130 and 132 in a conventional manner 
to close the zipper by operation of a fly closure device, such as a slide 
portion generally designated by the numeral 140. Also as conventionally 
known the slide portion 140 includes an actuator 142 which for purposes of 
ornamentation supports a ring member 144 for moving the actuator 142 up 
and down on the strips of material 134 and 136 to move the "zipper" teeth 
138 into and out of meshing engagement as well known in the art. 
The closure device 128 is a commercially available product that is utilized 
in the apparel art to construct a zipper for an article of wearing 
apparel. However, with the present invention the device 128 is secured to 
the trouser flap 18 solely for the purpose of creating the impression that 
the trousers are worn with the fly portion 16 in an open position where in 
fact the fly portion is closed and concealed by the outer flap 18. Thus in 
accordance with the present invention the closure device 128 is secured to 
the trouser outer flap 18 in a non-functional manner. 
The slide portion 140 is maintained in a lowermost position engaging the 
lower ends of the track portions 130 and 132 on the strips of material 134 
and 136. The track portions 130 and 132 forming the fastener elements of 
the closure device 128 are secured to an outer surface 146 of the flap 
portion 18. The flap portion 18 also includes an inner surface (not 
shown). When the trousers are worn and the conventional fly 16 is closed, 
the inner surface of the flap portion 18 overlies the conventional and 
operative closure device "zipper" associated with the trouser fly 16. Thus 
when the trousers 12 are worn in a conventional manner, the fly 16 is 
concealed by the flap 18. 
The closure device 128 is secured by the flap 18 in a manner as illustrated 
in FIGS. 10-12 to simulate the appearance of the trouser construction 12 
having the fly 16 in an open position. This is accomplished by the 
selective positioning of the closure device 128 in the form of a 
conventional "zipper" on the trouser flap outer surface 146. The closure 
device 128 is initially positioned, as illustrated in FIG. 10, with the 
slide portion 140 engaging the track portions 130 and 132 at the lower 
ends 150 and 152 of the strips 134 and 136, respectively. The upper ends 
154 and 156 are spaced apart so that the track portions 130 and 132 
converge toward one another from the upper ends 154 and 156 to the slide 
portion 140 positioned at the lower ends 150 and 152 of the strips of 
material 134 and 136. 
The strips of material 134 and 136 are twisted from the position 
illustrated in FIG. 10 to the position illustrated in FIG. 11 where the 
strips 134 and 136 are adjacent to one another in comparison with the 
position illustrated in FIG. 10 where the track portions 130 and 132 are 
positioned between the strips 134 and 136. In FIG. 11 the rows of "zipper" 
teeth 138 are located on the outer lateral edges of the strips 134 and 
136. This permits the strips to be moved into abutting relation as 
illustrated in FIG. 12. 
The strips of material 134 and 136 are maintained in abutting relation by 
securing them as by sewing as indicated by the dotted line 158 in FIGS. 8, 
9, and 12. By twisting the strips of material 134 and 136 and the track 
portions 130 and 132 and securing them together, the track portions 130 
and 132 extend in spaced relation from the upper ends 154 and 156 toward 
one another at the lower ends 150 and 152. In this manner, the "zippers" 
138 converge toward the slide portion 140. 
Once the closure device 128 is assembled in the manner illustrated in FIG. 
12, the closure device 128 is attached in a conventional manner, as by 
sewing, to the outer flap 18 of the trousers 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 8 
and 9. Thus the closure device 128 substantially conceals the outer flap 
18 to imitate the conventional closure of the trousers 12 in an open 
position. The track portions 130 and 132 extend in a spaced parallel 
relation from the strip upper ends 154 and 156 to a converging or tapered 
relation at the strip lower ends 150 and 152. This arrangement creates the 
illusion of the trousers 12 with an open fly. However, the conventional 
fly 16 concealed beneath the imitation fly 12 remains operable; while, the 
imitation fly 128 presents the appearance of the trousers 12 being worn 
with an open fly. 
Not only may the imitation fly be formed by the conventional "zipper" as 
illustrated and discussed with regard to FIGS. 8-12, but an imitation fly 
generally designated by the numeral 160 in FIGS. 13-15 can be artificially 
constructed. The imitation fly 160 is also secured to the outer flap 18 of 
the trousers 12. The imitation fly 160 as illustrated in FIG. 14 overlies 
the conventional fly 16 which remains operational. The imitation fly 160 
includes a pair of zippertype track portions 162 and 164 positioned in 
spaced relation on and supported by a strip of material 166. The track 
portions 162 and 164 extend in spaced parallel relation the length of the 
strip of material 166, as illustrated in FIG. 16. 
A fastener 168 having a triangular configuration as illustrated in detail 
in FIGS. 16 and 19 is positioned on the strip of material 166 at a lower 
end 170 thereof and in engagement with individual "zipper" teeth 172 of 
the track portions 162 and 164 at the lower end 170. In this manner, the 
track portions 162 and 164 converge from a parallel relation at an upper 
end 174 of the strip 166 to a tapered relation at the lower end 170 where 
the fastener 168 is positioned. The fastener 168 is constructed to engage 
the zipper teeth 172 at the lower ends of the track portions 162 and 164 
to draw together the track portions 162 and 164, as illustrated in detail 
in FIG. 15. 
Now referring to FIGS. 17-19 there is illustrated in greater detail the 
construction of the fastener 168 which is selectively fabricated to engage 
the track portions 162 and 164 at the lower end 170 of the strip of 
material 166. The fastener 168 is fabricated of a preselected material, 
such as metal or plastic, and includes an outer surface 176 and an inner 
surface 178. The inner surface 178 is positioned in opposed relation with 
the strip of material 166. Extending laterally from the inner surface 178 
are a pair of flanges 180 and 182. Extending rearwardly from the upper and 
lower edges of the inner surface 178 are a plurality of prongs 184, 186, 
and 188. Separating the flanges 180 and 182 from the prongs 184 and 186 
are a pair of openings 190 and 192. 
With the above-described arrangement, the fastener 168 is secured to the 
zipper track portions 162 and 164 by positioning the oppositely aligned 
zipper teeth 172 at the lower end 170 of the strip of material 166 in the 
recessed openings 190 and 192, as illustrated in FIG. 17. The lower ends 
of the zipper track portions 162 and 164 are thus concealed by the 
fastener 168. The track portions 162 and 164 extend through the fastener 
openings 190 and 192 and are thus directed toward one another in a 
converging arrangement toward the fastener 168. This arrangement simulates 
a zipper of a fly in an open position. 
In order to attach the fastener 168 to the lower end 170 of the material 
strip 166 in engagement with the track portions 162 and 164, the prongs 
184, 186 and 188 are extended through the material of the outer flap 18 of 
the trousers 12 as indicated in phantom in FIG. 17. The prongs 184, 186, 
and 188 are then bent toward one another into overlying relation with the 
inner surface 194 of the trouser flap 18. This secures the fastener to the 
outer surface 146 of the trouser flap 18. As illustrated in FIG. 17, the 
prongs 184 and 186 extend through the lower end 170 of the material strip 
166 and through the trouser flap 18. The lower prong 188 engages the 
trouser flap 18 only. 
To enhance the appearance of the imitation fly 160, an imitation zipper 
actuator 196 in the form of a ring is connected to the fastener 168 to 
overlie the trouser flap 18. The fastener lower prong 188 extends through 
the ring and into and through the trouser flap 18. The prong 188 is then 
bent to engage the flap inner surface 194. The zipper actuator 196 hangs 
downwardly from the fastener 168 below the zipper tracks 162 and 164. This 
creates the impression that the trousers 12 are being worn with the fly in 
an open position. 
In the embodiment of the assembled imitation fly 160 illustrated in FIG. 
15, the strip of material 166 is secured in overlying relation with the 
outer surface 146 in the trouser flap 18 by sewing the strip of material 
166 to the trouser flap 18 as indicated by the dotted lines 198 in FIG. 
13. With the strip of material 166 sewn to the trouser flap 18 and the 
fastener 168 secured by the prong 184, 186, and 188 to the trouser flap 
18, the imitation fly 160 is securely positioned on the trouser flap 18. 
Thus when the conventional fly 16 of the trousers 12 is closed, as 
illustrated in FIG. 13, the imitation fly 160 generates the appearance 
that the trousers 12 are being worn with the fly in an open position. 
Now referring to FIGS. 20-22 there is illustrated a further embodiment of 
an imitation fly generally designated by the numeral 197 that includes, as 
illustrated in detail in FIG. 21, a pair of zipper-track portions 198 and 
200 formed by a plurality of spaced apart teeth 202. The teeth 202 shown 
in detail in FIG. 14 are supported by a thin strip of material 204 having 
a width less than the width of the respective teeth 202. 
The imitation fly 197 is similar in construction to the imitation closure 
device 128 illustrated in FIG. 10 and is formed form an operable "zipper" 
that includes a conventional slide portion generally designated by the 
numeral 204 having an actuator 206 and a decorative ring 208. As with the 
imitation closure device 128 illustrated in FIG. 10, the "zipper" is 
operable by movement of the slide portion 204 to connect in meshing 
relation the teeth 202 of the track portion 198 with the teeth 202 of the 
track portion 200. 
In accordance with the present invention the track portions 198 and 200 are 
maintained in a position where the upper ends 210 and 212 are spaced apart 
and the lower ends 214 and 216 converge. The teeth 202 engage one another 
at the lower ends 214 and 216. When secured to the trouser flap outer 
surface 146 as illustrated in FIG. 20, the imitation fly 197 simulates the 
appearance of the trouser 12 being worn with the trouser fly in an open 
position. 
As illustrated in FIG. 22 the zipper track portions 198 and 200 are secured 
to the flap outer surface 146 in a suitable manner, for example, by 
sewing. The strips of material 203 support the individual teeth 202 of the 
track portions 198 and 200. The strips 203 are sewn to the trouser flap 18 
as indicated by the thread seam lines 218 and 220. The portion of the 
strips of material 203 between adjacent teeth 202 are sewn to the trouser 
flap 18 so as to present a neat appearance of the imitation fly 197 on the 
trouser flap 18. 
The track portions 198 and 200 are sewn to the trouser flap 18 so that the 
upper ends 210 and 212 are spaced apart and taper or converge toward one 
another down to the slide portion 204. The slide portion 204 is maintained 
as illustrated in FIG. 20 at the lower end of the trouser flap 18. Thus 
the imitation fly 197 is secured to the trouser flap 18 to form with the 
trouser flap an arrangement that presents the appearance of the trousers 
12 worn with the fly in an open position. 
According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the 
principle, preferred construction and mode of operation of my invention 
and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represents its 
best embodiments. However, it should be understood that, within the scope 
of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as 
specifically illustrated and described.