Strap coupling

The present invention is concerned with a coupling for use in securing a strap to a garment, for example on a bra or bikini, the coupling comprising a slideway adapted to be secured to the body of the garment, and a slider connectable to the strap, the slider being shaped and dimensioned for sliding engagement with the slideway, the slider also preferably being operable to be releasably secured at any position along the slideway.

The present invention relates to a coupling for securing a strap to a garment, and in particular a coupling which permits the position at which the strap is secured to the garment to be varied as desired. The invention is primarily intended for use with bra straps or the like, but is not limited thereto, and is applicable to any garment which includes one or more straps.

It is often the case that a particular top or dress is unsuitable to be worn with a bra, as the straps of the bra are not covered by the item of clothing, and are therefore visible. Such items of clothing include, for example, a halter neck top/dress, a shoulderless top/dress, a top/dress having an enlarged open neck or back, or a top/dress which itself includes over the shoulder straps.

There are a number of semi-successful solutions to the above mentioned problems, although these solutions do still suffer from a number of drawbacks, and therefore remain largely undesirable and unsuitable for many purposes. Such a solution is the strapless bra, which does not include any over-the-shoulder straps, thus overcoming the problems discussed above, but resulting in further problems which render such strapless bras uncomfortable and often ill fitting. Specifically, due to the lack of straps, such bras offer greatly reduced support, and may thus be uncomfortable, particularly when worn for prolonged periods. In addition, in an attempt to compensate for this lack of support, strapless bras are often designed with increased underwire support, which can add to the discomfort experienced when wearing same.

An alternative solution to the above problems is to manufacture bra straps out of transparent material, generally plastic, such as to reduce the visibility of the straps and thus allow the bra to be worn with clothing that does not actually cover the straps. However, despite being transparent, these bra straps do remain clearly visible, particularly at close range, and are therefore found undesirable by many women. In addition, as these straps are generally manufactured from plastic, they can be quite uncomfortable to wear, digging into the shoulders, in addition to causing perspiration due to the lack of breathability. These plastic straps are also considerably less durable than conventional fabric straps, and have a tendency to break under pressure.

A related problem exists with the straps of bikini tops or sun-tops, the position of which straps cannot be varied, thereby resulting in the formation of strap-marks when sunbathing, which is again found highly undesirable by most women, the only real solution to which is to wear the straps off the shoulders, thereby again resulting in the problems associated with the strapless bra.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned problems.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a coupling for use in securing a strap to a garment, which coupling permits variation in the position at which the strap is secured to the garment.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a garment, having one or more straps, each of which are secured to the garment, at least one end of each strap, by such a coupling.

The present invention therefore provides, in a first aspect, a coupling for use in securing a strap to a garment, the coupling comprising a slideway adapted to be secured to the garment, and a slider connectable to the strap, the slider being shaped and dimensioned for sliding engagement with the slideway.

Preferably, the slider is operable to be releasably secured at any position along the slideway.

Preferably, the slider comprises a clamp which is urged, at least partially, into engagement with the slideway in order to secure the slider relative thereto.

Preferably, the clamp is pivotally mounted to the slider, the clamp including a first end engaging the slider, and a second end which is displacable in order to disengage the first end from the slideway such as to permit the slider to be moved along the slideway.

Preferably, the slideway comprises a rail to which the slider is connectable, and a skirt projecting from the rail for securing the slideway to the garment.

Preferably, the slider may be disengaged from the slideway.

Preferably, the slideway is substantially spatulate in cross-section.

Preferably, the rail is substantially cylindrical, the slider being engagable about the rail, the rail contacting surface of the slider therefore being substantially penannular.

Preferably, the slideway is at least partially formed from a resiliently deformable material, most preferably a plastic or rubber.

Preferably, the slideway contacting surface of the slider has a high co-efficient of friction.

Preferably, the slider is at least partially formed from metal, and is provided with a protective coating thereon.

Preferably, the protective coating is substantially thermally insulating.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a garment having a strap secured thereto, at least one end of the strap, by a coupling according to the first aspect of the invention.

Preferably, the garment is a bra, swimsuit, dress, or the like.

As used herein, the term “slideway” is intended to mean an elongate element which defines a path along which another element or object may travel, said object preferably being constrained by the slideway for movement therealong.

As used herein, the term “slider” is intended to mean any object or element which is adapted to run on a slideway as hereinbefore defined, the slider preferably being adapted to be releasably secured at any position along the slideway.

As used herein, the term “spatulate” is intended to mean a shape having a broad, preferably rounded end, and a narrow, attenuated base.

Turning now toFIGS. 1 to 4of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a first embodiment of a coupling according to the invention, generally indicated as10, which coupling10is intended for use in securing a strap36at one or both ends, to a garment, for example a bra12as illustrated inFIG. 4of the accompanying drawings. It will however be appreciated from the following description of the configuration and operation of the coupling10, that the coupling10is suitable for use with any garment (not shown) which includes one or more straps (not shown) secured thereto. For the purposes of describing the configuration and operation of the coupling10, the following description will be limited to describing the use of the coupling10with the bra12, although reference to the bra12will of course be understood not to limit the scope of the invention to such a use.

The coupling10essentially comprises a slideway14which, in use, is secured to the bra12, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter, and a slider in the form of a clasp22, which clasp22is adapted for sliding engagement with the slideway14. As the bra12is symmetrical about a centre thereof, it will be sufficient to describe the configuration and operation of the coupling10with respect to one side of the bra12. It can also be seen fromFIG. 4that each strap36is secured to the bra12at both a cup38and a back40, each end of the strap36being secured by means of a coupling10. It will however be understood that it is not necessary that both ends of each strap36be secured by means of a coupling10, which coupling10may only be included at one or other end of each strap36.

In the embodiment illustrated, the slideway14comprises a rail16, preferably cylindrical in form, and a skirt18, projecting from the rail16, the skirt18being relatively thin when compared to the rail16, and being substantially planar in form. The skirt18is provided in order to permit the slideway14to be secured to the bra12, and is thus provided with a plurality of apertures20along the length thereof. These apertures20permit the slideway14to be sewn, or otherwise secured, to the bra12, both along the upper rim of each cup38, and the upper edge of each back40, as is illustrated inFIG. 4. It will be appreciated that each slideway14need not be secured to the bra12where shown, and that these positions are merely the conventional points at which to anchor straps, and are generally considered the most suitable location for securing the straps36to the bra12. It will also be appreciated that for other garments (not shown), alternative locations may of course be chosen to best suit the garment in question.

It will further be apparent that the slideway14need not be provided with the skirt18and apertures20, and that any other means of securing the slideway14to the bra12may be utilised. The slideway14could, for example, simply be secured to the bra12at each end of the slideway14, although this would of course provide less support then that of the embodiment illustrated.

Turning now toFIGS. 1 and 3, the clasp22is shaped and dimensioned to be engaged about the rail16of the slideway14, and to permit the clasp22to slide therealong. The clasp22comprises a body24to which is pivotally mounted a clamp26about a clamp axis34. The clamp26includes a jaw28which, together with an opposed portion of the body24, forms a substantially penannular contact surface which, in use, is engaged about the rail16of the slideway14, with the skirt18projecting outwardly therefrom. The clasp22also includes a spring32which is positioned and arranged to urge the jaw28into engagement with the rail16, such as to effect a clamping action in order to secure or fix the clasp22relative to the slideway14.

The clamp26further comprises an arm30on the imposed side of the clamp axis34to the jaw28, against which, in the embodiment illustrated, the spring32abuts. It will however be immediately understood that any other suitable means may be employed to urge the jaw28into contact with the rail16. The arm30may be manually depressed, against the action of the spring32, in a direction towards the body24, such as to draw the jaw28out of contact with the rail16. It will thus be appreciated that while the arm30is so depressed, the clasp22may be slid along the slideway14as desired, until the arm30is released. The clasp22is therefore selectively operable to enable variation of the position of the clasp22along the slideway. As the strap36is secured to the clasp22, the clasp22and slideway14arrangement, forming the coupling10, enables the position at which the strap36is secured to the bra12to be varied to suit any given item or style of clothing (not shown).

Although in the embodiment illustrated, the slideway14includes the rail16, about which the clasp22is engaged, it will be understood that any other shape or suitable configuration of slideway (not shown) could be provided, along with a suitably co-operating clasp (not shown). For example, a slideway (not shown) could be provided in which is located a longitudinally disposed slot or keyway (not shown) into which a correspondingly shaped and dimensioned portion of the clasp (not should) could be slidably engaged. It will also be readily understood that the clasp22need not be spring loaded such as to actively grip or engage the rail16, and the jaw28and body24could be formed integrally with one another without allowing relative movement therebetween. With such a configuration, the clasp (not shown) should be shaped and dimensioned for a close fit about the rail (not shown), such that in use, tension in the strap (not shown) will draw the rail contacting surface of the clasp tightly against the rail, such as to substantially prevent, in use, movement between the clasp and the slideway (not shown).

It is also envisaged that a slideway (not shown) could be provided which is of a composite form. For example, the rail (not shown) could be formed from metal, plastic, rubber, etc, while the skirt (not shown) could be formed from, for example, a fabric such as lace, lycra®, elastic or the like. Forming the skirt from fabric will allow the skirt to stretch and bend to suit the contour of the wearer's body. This configuration could then be used as a decorative trim, with the colour and style of fabric being varied as desired.

In the embodiment illustrated, the slideway14is preferably formed from a resiliently deformable material, for example a soft plastic or rubber, such as to be capable of deforming to follow the contour of the wearers' body, such as to provide a comfortable fit. It is therefore preferable that the rail contacting surface of the clasp22is provided with a high co-efficient of friction, such as to substantially eliminate, in use, any relative movement between the clasp22and the side rail14, while the jaw28is in contact with the rail16.

Referring again toFIG. 4, it can be seen that the bra12is provided with a side42connecting each cup38to the respective back40, the side42preferably being formed of an elastic material such as to provide a degree of flexibility and elasticity to the bra12, for reasons of comfort and fit. It is therefore envisaged that the slideway14on each cup38could extend across the respective side42and abut, or be formed integrally with, the slideway14secured to the respective back40.

It will also be apparent that if the clasp22is slid to either free end of the respective slideway14, the clasp22may be slid off the slideway14, thereby allowing the strap36to be removed from the bra12. It will therefore be appreciated that different straps (not shown), varying in, for example, shape, colour, etc., could be substituted in order to suit a particular item of clothing to be worn. Similarly, the strap36could be removed from one cup38, and secured to the adjacent cup38, such that the pair of straps36cross over each other either at the front or back, if required. Similarly, the clasp22secured to the slideway14on the back40could be moved inwardly towards the side42, such as to prevent the straps36from falling off the shoulders of the wearer. It will be appreciated that some form of releasable closure member (not shown), such as a clip (not shown) or the like, could be provided on one or both free ends of the slideway14, which closure member could be engaged with the slideway14to prevent the accidental uncoupling of the clasp22from the slideway14. The closure member could also be uncoupled from the end of the slideway14to permit the clasp22to be drawn of the end of the slideway14.

It is also preferable, in the embodiment illustrated, that the arm30may be depressed to the degree that the jaw28is drawn only slightly out of engagement with the rail16, in order to allow the clasp22to slide therealong, without allowing the jaw28to be opened a distance which would permit the clasp22to be drawn out of engagement with the rail16such as to uncouple the strap36from the bra12.

Referring now toFIGS. 5 to 7, there is illustrated a second embodiment of a coupling according to the present invention, generally indicated as110, which is again intended for use in securing a strap (not shown) at one or both ends, to a garment (not shown). With this second embodiment, like components have been accorded like reference numerals, and unless otherwise stated, perform a like function. The coupling again essentially comprises a slideway114which, in use, is secured to a garment (not shown), and a slider in the form of a clasp122, which is adapted for sliding engagement with the slideway114.

In this second embodiment, the slideway114is defined by one half of a conventional zip, the slideway114having a plurality of teeth which define a rail116, and a skirt118which, as with most conventional zips, is preferably formed from fabric. The skirt118again permits the slideway114to be secured to a garment, such as the bra12shown inFIG. 4. Again as with conventional zips, stitching120may be utilised to secure the slideway114to a garment, although it will of course be appreciated that any other suitable means may be used. The slideway114is therefore, in use, substantially flexible, and can thus be deformed to suit garments of various shape and style, with which the coupling110is to be used.

The clasp122is shaped and dimensioned to be engaged primarily about the rail116, and to be slid smoothly therealong. The clasp122comprises a body124to which is pivotally mounted a clamp126which, as with the first embodiment, is operable to secure the clasp122at any position along the slideway114. The clamp126, inFIG. 5, is shown separated from the body124, in order to render clear the various features of both the body124and the clamp126. The body124is defined by a rear wall44and a front wall46, which are preferably formed from a single sheet of material, for example a metal or composite, between which are defined an enlarged channel48, and a relatively narrow neck50, thereby roughly mirroring the cross section of the slideway114. The channel48is shaped and dimensioned to receive the rail116, while the neck50is arranged to receive the skirt118, the end of which, in use, projects beyond the neck50and is secured, as hereinbefore described, to a garment. The neck50is dimensioned such as to prevent the rail116from passing therethrough, and thus, in use, the clasp122is constrained to move along the slideway114.

The front wall46is provided with a window52therein, in addition to a pair of pins134which together define a clamp axis about which, in use, the clamp126is hingedly mounted. The clamp126includes a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls54, each of which is provided with a single aperture56which, in use, receives the respective pin134, in order to hingedly secure the clamp126to the body124, in order to form the clasp122. The clamp126also includes a jaw128which projects outwardly therefrom and which, in use, projects through the window52and is thus located within the neck50, as can be seen inFIGS. 6 and 7. As with the body124, the clamp126is preferably formed from a single sheet or piece of material, again such as a suitable metal or composite, which is simply bent or pressed into shape, thereby reducing the cost and time of manufacture.

Referring now in particular toFIGS. 6 and 7, the clasp122is shown from the side, without the presence of the slideway114, which has been omitted for the purposes of clarity. InFIG. 6, the clamp126is situated in a first, open position, in which the jaw128is located distal the rear wall44. It will be appreciated that in use the skirt118would pass between the rear wall44and the jaw128, while the rail116would be seated within the channel48. It is therefore apparent that when the clamp126is in this open position, the clasp122is free to move along the slideway114to any desired position.

Referring now toFIG. 7, the clamp126has now been hinged upwardly into a second, closed position in which the jaw128is pressed into contact with the rear wall44. In this position, in use, the skirt118is firmly clamped between the rear wall44and the jaw128, thereby preventing relative movement between the slideway114and the clasp122. The interference fit between the jaw128and the rear wall44, when the clamp126is in the closed position, ensures that the clamp126remains locked in the closed position. In addition, as the coupling110serves to secure two parts together, namely a garment and strap (not shown), which would otherwise separate from one another, the coupling110experiences a force which acts to pull the slideway114, in use, downwardly against the clasp122. As the skirt118of the slideway114is in contact with the jaw128, this force bears against the jaw128, via the skirt118, in a direction which maintains the clamp in the closed position shown inFIG. 7. In order to release the clasp122, the clamp126is simply manually displaced into the open position, wherein the clasp122may be moved to an alternative position along the slideway114. Thus, as with the first embodiment, the clasp122is selectively operable to enable variation of the position of the clasp122along the slideway114.

The clasp122is provided with a hook58which projects upwardly from the rear wall44, and a ring60secured within the hook58, in order to allow a strap (not shown) to be secured to the clasp122by any suitable means. As a strap is secured, in use, to the clasp122, the clasp122and slideway114arrangement enables the position at which a strap is secured to a garment (not shown) to be varied for whatever reason.

The clasp22;122, if formed from a metal or other thermally conductive material, may be provided, partially or wholly, with any suitable thermally insulating coating (not shown). The colour and/or texture of said coating may then be chosen to suit a particular colour or style of garment (not shown) to which the coupling10;110is to be secured.

As a further preferred feature, the coupling10;110, when in position on a garment (not shown), may be sandwiched between two strips of material (not shown), preferably of fabric, such as to isolate the coupling10;110, in use, from a person's skin. A preferred arrangement is one where the pair of strips are secured along an edge (not shown) thereof to the slideway14;114and therefore the garment (not shown) in question, at the base of the skirt18;118, preferably by means of the apertures20and stitching120respectively. An opposed edge (not shown) of each strip is not secured to the slideway14;114or the garment (not shown), and thus the pair of strips (not shown) define, in cross section, a V-shaped enclosure within which the slideway14;114is located.

It will thus be appreciated from the foregoing description that the coupling10;110of the present invention may be used with any garment (not shown) which includes one or more straps (not shown), for example swimwear, underwear, dresses, tops, sportswear, etc, and may indeed be used in any other suitable application, for example for medical reasons or the like.