Garment support

A garment support includes a body including a top portion, a middle portion, and bottom portion, the top portion includes a first leg and a second leg defining a receptacle extending along a length of the body to receive and support a garment, and the bottom portion includes a lower edge that is pointed along the length of the body.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed embodiments generally relate to a garment support, and, more particularly, to a handkerchief support for insertion in a pocket.

BACKGROUND

Handkerchiefs placed in suit coat pockets commonly slide out of sight while being worn and thus lose their intended purpose as a visual accessory meant to be seen extending out of the pocket. Individuals may pay large sums of money for handkerchiefs, but may be left with make-shift devices (e.g., folded paper towels or napkins stuffed into the pocket) to keep the accessory visible. The market place is absent an effective solution for this problem. Existing prior art devices do not maintain the integrity of the handkerchief but instead fold and/or pinch the handkerchief, likely resulting in unnatural fold marks and creases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To overcome the problems described above and other problems of the prior art, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a garment support, including a body including a top portion, a middle portion, and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion includes a first leg and a second leg defining a receptacle extending along a length of the body to receive and support the garment; and the bottom portion includes a lower edge that is pointed along the length of the body.

In an embodiment, the first leg and the second leg define a U-shaped receptacle including curved inner and outer surfaces. In an embodiment, the first leg and the second leg are pointed to define thin edges at an end of each of the first leg and the second leg, respectively.

In an embodiment, the body is rectangular. In an embodiment, the top portion includes rounded corners at ends of the top portion.

The garment support can further include a mechanism to adjust a height of the body.

In an embodiment, the first leg and the second leg include curved inner surfaces. The first leg and the second leg can include curved outer surfaces. The first leg and the second leg can be connected by a flat surface. The first leg and the second leg can each include flat angled outer surfaces.

In an embodiment, the body includes a first component and a second component that is removable from the first component. The body can be made up of a first component and a separable second component. The first component can include the top portion and a first connector. The second component can include the bottom portion and a second connector to mate with the first connector. The first connector and the second connector can include a notched projection and a notched aperture, respectively.

The garment support can further include a third component including a third connector to mate with the first connector and a fourth connector to mate with the second connector.

The above and other features, elements, characteristics, steps, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes, according to embodiments, a garment support for placement inside of a pocket, such as a suit coat lapel pocket, to create a support mechanism for a garment, such as a handkerchief. The garment support may include a flat, rectangular shape and configuration suitable for low-profile positioning inside of a pocket. The garment support may include additional features for maintaining its own position inside of the pocket and for effectively supporting a garment in a desired manner. The garment support may permit the handkerchief to remain folded naturally and allows all of the handkerchief material to be supported and used, thereby achieving a desired volume and look without causing unwanted creases or folds to accommodate the support. According to some embodiments, the garment support effectively moves the bottom of the pocket upward such that the handkerchief is propped up higher, allowing more of the handkerchief to be exposed outside of the pocket.

FIG.1is a perspective view of an embodiment of a garment support10. The garment support10includes a body12that may include a flat configuration having a top portion14, a middle portion16, and a bottom portion18. The body12may include a profile generally shaped to match the inside of a pocket, such as a suit coat lapel pocket. That is the bottom portion18can have square corners like that shown inFIGS.2and6. Optionally, the corners19of the bottom portion18can be rounded to prevent snagging the garment support10inside a suit coat lapel pocket, as shown inFIG.8. The garment support10may be configured to support a handkerchief inside of the pocket without creating additional bulk or bulging of the pocket and may include various feathers to help achieve this function.

FIG.2is a front view of the garment support10. The body12may include a generally rectangular shape, but is not limited thereto. The top portion14may include rounded corners20,22that help with insertion and removal of the garment support10into and out of a pocket. For instance, the rounded corners20,22may help prevent the garment support10from snagging on a pocket edge during removal. Optionally, the features at the top portion14can have a profile with square corners23as shown inFIG.8. It should be understood that both the corners of the top portion14and bottom portion18can be rounded corners. The middle portion16may be a majority of the body12and may include a height selected according to a desired positioning of the garment. For instance, the greater the height of the middle portion16, the higher a handkerchief would be propped up inside of the pocket. In some embodiments, the height of the middle portion16may be variable. For example, the body12may include a sliding, collapsing, expanding, and/or hinged mechanism to allow a user to change the size of the body12(e.g., change the height of the middle portion16).

FIG.3is a side profile view of the garment support10. The top portion14may include a receptacle24that runs a length of the garment support10and creates a trough or small pocket for receiving and propping up a garment, such as a handkerchief. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom portion18may converge into a thin edge26. The thin edge26may come to an approximate point to conform to a bottom seam of a pocket and fit snugly inside of a pocket.

The garment support10is illustrated with a rectangular shape but could be adapted to any size and shape configuration to conform to a particular pocket, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the garment support may include a width of approximately 3.25 in. In some embodiments, the garment support10may include a height based on a desired level at which to support a garment and a pocket size. For example, the garment support10may include a height of 2.25 in., 2.5 in., or 2.75 in. In some embodiments, the garment support10may be included in a kit containing multiple garment supports10having different sizes (e.g., different heights). The middle portion16may include a majority of the height with the top portion being, for example, 0.25 in. in height and the bottom portion being, for example, 0.125 in. in height. The body12of the garment support10may include a nominal thickness (in a side view) sized to maintain a sturdy structure while avoiding bulk when placed in a pocket. For example, the middle portion16may include a thickness of approximately 0.0625 in. The top portion14may be thicker (in a side view) than the middle portion16to create the receptacle24. For example, the top portion14may include a thickness of approximately 0.25 in.

The garment support10may be constructed from any of a variety of materials providing a desired strength, rigidity, and appearance. For example, any portion of the garment support10can be made from polymers, metal (e.g., steel), alloys, rubber, composites, wood, or any other suitable material or combination thereof. The garment support10can include features such as inserts, engravings, etc. to achieve a desired appearance of the garment support10(e.g., as a clothing accessory). Additionally, the garment support can be made by3D printing, machining, molding, injection molding, extrusion, or any suitable process or combination thereof.

FIG.4Ais a close-up view of the top portion14in a side view. The top portion14splits off with two legs28,30to form the receptacle24. The top portion14may be symmetrical or asymmetrical in other embodiments. InFIG.4A, the legs28,30include curved inner surfaces32and curved outer surfaces34that merge to a point or edge36. The shape and configuration of the legs28,30may be tailored to a particular shape of a pocket and/or garment to be supported, such as by minimizing surfaces that may snag on a pocket or may add too much bulk or to create a receptacle24shape matching an intended fold and/or volume of a garment (e.g., handkerchief) to be supported).

FIGS.4B-4Fprovide additional embodiments of the top portion14, including various shapes and configurations that may be implemented.FIG.4Bincludes a top portion14B having two legs28B,30B configured with curved inner surfaces32B and flat outer surfaces34B that meet at a flat top surface36B.FIG.4Cincludes a top portion14C having two legs28C,30C configured with curved inner surfaces32C and curved outer surfaces34C and a flat top surface36C.FIG.4Dincludes a top portion14D having two legs28D,30D configured with flat inner surfaces32D and flat outer surfaces34D meeting at a point or edge36D.FIG.4Eincludes a top portion14E having two legs28E,30E configured with curved inner surfaces32E and curved outer surfaces34E meeting at a point or edge36E. Top portion16E may be similar to the top portion16ofFIG.4A, but may also include a wider receiving area formed with a flat surface38.FIG.4Fincludes a top portion14F having two legs28F,30F configured with flat inner surfaces32D and curved outer surfaces34D and a flat top surface36D. These embodiments are exemplary and other configurations are possible, depending on the intended use and appearance of the garment support10.

FIG.5is a perspective view of another embodiment of a garment support40. The garment support40includes multiple discrete pieces, including, for example, a first component42, a second component44, and a third component46. The first component42, second component44, and third component46may be configured to fit together via connectors48,50to thereby form a solid unitary structure with features the same as or similar to the garment support10. For example, the first component42includes a top portion52having a receptacle54for receiving and supporting a garment, such as a handkerchief. The second component44may include a bottom portion56that converges to a point or thin edge58. The first component42and second component44may be configured to fit together via connectors48,50to form the garment support40. The third component46may be a height extender insert configured to fit between the first and second components42,44to provide additional height to the garment support40. The modular components42,44,46provide a multiple height options depending on which components are used. For instance, the first component42may be used by itself as the garment support40, the first component42and second component44may be combined to provide a garment support with a greater height. The first component42, second component44, and third component46may all be fitted together and used as a garment support with an even greater height. The various component may be packaged as a kit to provide a user with options depending on a desired height of the garment support40(e.g., depending of factors including pocket size, garment size, desired garment appearance, etc.).

FIGS.7A and7Billustrate exemplary embodiments of the connectors48,50. The connector48may include a notched projection60shaped to fit within and mate with a notched aperture62(e.g., the second connector50), such as through a snap fit via the corresponding notches in the sides of the connectors48,50. The connector48may be angled and come to a point or thin edge58, similar to the edge56such that in situations in which only the first component42is used, a similar effect of tucking the garment support40into the bottom seam of a pocket is possible. The connectors48,50are exemplary and other connection mechanisms between the components are possible.

The disclosed embodiments provide a garment support for providing a surface to prop up a garment, such as a handkerchief, inserted into a pocket. The garment support effectively raises the bottom of a pocket upward, providing a sturdy and effective surface for supporting a handkerchief and inhibiting the handkerchief material from slipping down into the pocket and out of view. The disclosed embodiments also include various options for the appearance of the garment support, which may be tailored to fit within an overall look or aesthetic by matching other accessories (e.g., buttons, cuff links, pins, etc.). Moreover, various mechanisms may be included to provide various size and shape options to a user, such as a mechanism that varies the height of a garment support either through an active mechanism or through providing multiple components that fit together and may be used separately from each other.

Although embodiments have been described in terms of exemplary features, they are not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents.