APPARATUS TO KEEP PANTS UP AND SHIRTS TUCKED

A device to keep pants pulled up and shirts tucked in comprising a two-part design that secures the lower torso of the shirt under the beltline. The device comprises an elastic ring and a receiver body that are constructed to capture the shirt between the elastic ring and a groove of receiver body. When the device and shirt are tucked into the pants, a second groove of receiver body is configured to rest on the lower lip of a belt of waistline. The shirt is thereby held below the belt, providing the wearer confidence in his or her appearance while participating in an active lifestyle.

BACKGROUND

For the well-dressed person engaging in an active lifestyle, there's nothing more important than keeping their pants pulled up and their shirt tucked in. Belts, adjustable waist bands, elastics, snaps, buttons, and zippers are among the common trappings utilized for this purpose. Prior to cinching the pants around the waist, the finishing touch is tucking the shirt into the pants to present a streamlined torso. This look stays for a few moments, but after a few exaggerated motions while giving a presentation or hailing a taxi, and the shirt mushrooms around the waist and appears disheveled.

Depending on body type, even a tightly cinched belt may not sufficiently solve the problem of holding pants up. This is often the case when the hips and butt are smaller than the waist and the clothing is not properly tailored to the body shape. Alternative approaches have included wearing a combination of inner and outer belt, wherein the first belt goes under the pants to provide extra friction and ridges around the waist, adhesive gripping tabs to be positioned around the waist, and padded underwear or shapewear, but these solution can be uncomfortable or create awkward situations.

The afore mentioned solution aid in keeping pants up, but do not necessarily address the shirt untucking issue—and some may further exasperate the issue as re-tucking becomes more difficult. The military has addressed rising shirt tails by employing a garter system that attaches the shirt end to the wearer's socks under the pants, which is highly functional, but adds requirements and limitations on the wearer's socks. Another option in practice is tucking the shirt ends into the user's underwear, which is again functional but creates an awkward situation as the underwear waistband rises over the waistline.

The solution to this two-part problem lies in a discrete method to keep the pant waistline and shirt in communication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is a new type of consumer accessory that serves the same function as suspenders but designed in a way that allows the accessory to remain unseen. The idea is to help consumers keep their pants up, without the use of traditional over-the-shoulder suspenders, and to hold the shirt down below the waistline. Three embodiments are presented herein which include a single and double grooved apparatus and an alternative threaded apparatus. The disclosure presents the features of each design as well as a method of use.

As shown inFIG. 1, a two-piece double-grooved apparatus100comprises a grooved receiver body150and a ring110. The ring110and grooved receiver body150are interlocking within a first groove and configured to entrap the continuous fabric of a shirt between them. A second groove is designed to catch the lower edge of a belt or waistband.

FIGS. 2A-2Gprovide various viewpoints of the double-grooved apparatus.FIG. 2Ashows an upper isometric view of the double-grooved apparatus with ring and grooved receiver body.FIG. 2Bshows a left view of the double-grooved apparatus with ring and grooved receiver body.FIG. 2Cshows a right view of the double-grooved apparatus with ring and grooved receiver body.FIG. 2Dshows a top view of the double-grooved apparatus with ring and grooved receiver body.FIG. 2Eshows a bottom view of the double-grooved apparatus with ring and grooved receiver body.FIG. 2Fshows a back view of the double-grooved apparatus with ring and grooved receiver body.FIG. 2Gshows a front view of the double-grooved apparatus with ring and grooved receiver body. When viewed from the front (FIG. 2G) the double-grooved apparatus may be generally described as round, however, it should be understood that many of the concepts presented herein could be utilized in other geometries such oval or even as square, rectangular, hexagonal or a variety of shapes.

FIG. 3shows the double-grooved apparatus100separated into the two components: the ring110and the receiver body150. The directional arrows130indicates how the ring is attached and removed from the back of the receiver body. The ring110is configured to wrap around and encompass the grooved area156, and thus, the geometry of the grooved area156generally conforms to the inner geometry of the ring110. In use, the fabric of a shirt is trapped between the interior or the ring and the secured position or back groove of the receiver body.

FIG. 4provides additional details of the ring110. Specifically, the ring comprises a toroidal shaped body120and a tabbed extension116. The toroidal body is defined as having an inner diameter114and an outer diameter112, and a cross-sectional diameter D1. In the preferred embodiment, the ring110has an elastic property that allows it to radially expand and constrict. The elasticity provides the ring the ability to traverse over an entrapped fabric and the back rim of the receiver body150.

The ring can operate between two states known as a stretched state and secured state. The stretched state is defined as a condition allowing the inner diameter of the ring to extend beyond the diameter of the back face of the receiver body. The secured state is defined as a condition in which the inner diameter of the ring is smaller than the diameter of the back face of the receiver body.

The tab extension or pull tab of the ring allows users to easily remove the ring from the receiver body and aids in applying the ring to the receiver body. In some embodiments, the tab extension has a series of ribs to provide friction or a grip as the tab is pulled between finger and thumb.

A side view of the receiver body150of the double-grooved apparatus is shown inFIG. 5A. The receiver body is defined as having a back rim154, a middle rim158, and a front rim164. A first groove or back groove156exists between the back rim and the middle rim. A second groove or front groove162exists between the middle rim158and the front rim164. The receiver body also has a back face152and a front face160.

The front face160and back face152, as shown inFIGS. 5B and 5Crespectively, have a plurality of frictional members arranged on each face. As shown inFIG. 5B, the front facing frictional members168of the front face160are illustrated as an arrangement of pyramids. The front facing frictional members face the inside pant fabric and may therefore be pointed without concern. As shown inFIG. 5C, the back facing frictional members170on the back face152are shown as a series of rounded bumps. As the back facing frictional members170may engage with a lighter material of a shirt and pressed against the body, a less aggressive and sharp design may be used. Alternative designs may be employed for both the front facing frictional members and back facing frictional members (168and170) including cones, pyramids, bumps, or any variety of shapes.

The back face152of the receiver body is shown as generally flat. In an alternative embodiment the back face, which is in communication with the wearer's body, may have an outwardly convex or an inwardly concave outer face corresponding to the curvature a man or woman's body.

In some embodiments the ring110may have a cross sectional area D1of 2 mm to 4 mm, an outer radius112between 8 mm and 12.5 mm, and an inner radius114of 5 mm to 9 mm. In some embodiments, the back groove which is designed to secure the ring may have a width (W1ofFIG. 5A) of 4 mm to 8 mm—and preferably approximately 6 mm. In some embodiments, the front groove which is designed to interface with a belt or waistband may have a width (W2ofFIG. 5A) of 4 mm to 10 mm—and preferably approximately 6 mm.

In some embodiments the back face of the receiver body is either manufactured or coated with a soft membrane such as silicon or cloth. In some embodiments, the receiver body is either manufactured or coated with a gel-like material such as santaoprene.

The double-grooved apparatus100includes a front groove used to interface with a belt or waistband, and a back groove which uses a ring to secure the fabric of a shirt. First, the back face of the receiver body150is positioned on the exterior bottom edge or lower torso area of a shirt generally corresponding to a position on the hip below the beltline. The receiver body is oriented such that the back face152of the receiver body is positioned towards the wearer's body. Next, the ring110is positioned on the interior bottom edge of the shirt corresponding with the back rim156of the receiver body. The ring110is oriented such that the inner diameter of the ring is concentric to the back rim. With the shirt positioned between the ring110and the back face150of the receiver body, pressure is applied on the ring110to cause the ring110to expand over the back rim, and constrict and settle into the back groove156, thereby securing the shirt fabric with the ring within the back groove156and between the back rim154and middle rim158. The result of securing the receiver body with the ring is shown inFIG. 6. with the pants folded back.

As shown inFIG. 7, the wearer then raises his pants up such that the belt415is positioned above the front rim164. The belt may then be guided into the front groove162between the front rim164and middle rim158. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is used as a pair positioned on generally laterally opposing sides along the hip.

Threaded Apparatus

FIG. 8shows the apparatus as an accessory200comprising of a two-piece design including a male member250and a female member300. The male and female members engage by means of a mating interface and in some embodiments, the mating interface is characterized by a threaded design.

FIGS. 9, 10, 11, and 12provide the upper isometric view, side view, bottom view, and top view of the male member respectively. The male member has a generally flat side205. In some embodiments of the design, the generally flat side205may be curved inwardly concave to follow the curvature a man or woman's body. The male member250includes a piped threaded area. The piped threaded area comprises and inner diameter215, outer diameter220where upon a ridged outer thread210resides, and a top lip225. In the preferred embodiment, the male member250may include finger grips230along the body perimeter to aid in positioning. The dimension of L1and L2in the preferred embodiment is approximately 32 mm.

FIGS. 13, 14, and 15provide a lower isometric view, top view, and bottom view of the female member respectively. The female member300includes a capped threaded area comprising an inner wall330whereupon a raised threaded ridge305resides. In the preferred embodiment, the inner wall has a diameter310. The female member also includes a generally flat lower wall315, a cap-stop320, and an open void area325.

The threaded interface, which comprises the threaded ridge210of the male member250and threaded ridge305of the female member300, is designed to engage and interlock, but rather than a tight line-to-line fit, includes a predetermined gap between the threaded ridges210and305wherein the fabric of the shirt may reside. The gap is generally 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm in width. A similar gap exists between the diameter of the inner wall310of the female member300and the outer diameter220of the piped threaded area of the male member250.

As the threaded interface is engaged by rotation of the female member300relative to the male member250, the female member receives the male member until a point wherein the top lip225of the male member comes in communication with the cap-stop320of the female member300. Any further rotation causes the gap between the threaded ridges of the male and female members to decrease and constrict on the fabric positioned within the threaded interface. In the preferred embodiment, the threaded interface has a course interlocking thread such that the male member is fully engaged within the female member in less than 720° rotation.

FIG. 16shows the threaded apparatus positioned on a shirt405with the waistline of the pants pulled down (i.e. showing the inside flap of the pants flipped open). The threaded apparatus200is used to provide a subtle ridge that the pants waistline can rest on, possibly with the assistance of a belt. The following description outlines how to create the ridge. First, the male member250is positioned on the interior bottom edge of a shirt405generally corresponding to a position on the hip below the beltline. The male member250is oriented such that the flat surface of the male member is against the wearer's body and the threaded portion protrudes laterally. Next, the female member300is positioned on the exterior bottom edge of the shirt405corresponding with the male member. The female member300is oriented to axially receive the threaded portion of the male member250. With the shirt405positioned between the mating sections, pressure is applied to the female member300to engage the threaded area of the male and female members. The female member300is rotated as to capture the shirt fabric405between the threaded area and secure the male and female member together with the results shown inFIG. 16. The wearer400then raises his pants410up such that the belt415is positioned above the ridge created by the threated apparatus200.FIG. 16illustrates the positioning of the threaded apparatus200positioned below the user's belt415. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is used as a pair positioned on generally laterally opposing sides along the hip as shown.

Single Grooved Apparatus

As shown inFIG. 17, the two-piece grooved apparatus500comprises the grooved member520and the ring510. Like the double-grooved apparatus, the ring510and grooved member520are interlocking and configured to entrap the fabric of a shirt between them.

The ring510is generally toroidal shaped having an inner diameter514and an outer diameter512, as shown inFIG. 19, and a cross-sectional diameter L4, as shown onFIG. 21. In some embodiments, the ring510has an elastic property that allows it to radially expand and constrict. The ring with the extended tab shown in the double groove design may also be used with this single groove design.

In one embodiment, the grooved member520comprises two opposing partial hemispheres525and530connected by a grooved area545as shown inFIG. 18. The first hemisphere530has a perimetric radius540, and the second hemisphere525has a perimetric radius535. In some embodiments, the perimetric radius535of the second hemisphere525is larger than the perimetric radius540of the first hemisphere530. In some embodiments, the perimetric radius of the first and second hemispheres535and540are equal. In some embodiment, both perimetric radii535and540are larger than the inner diameter514of the ring510.

A grooved area545exists between the first and second hemispheres530and525. The ring510is configured to wrap around and encompass the grooved area545, and thus, the geometry of the grooved area545generally corresponds to the inner geometry of the ring510.

In an alternative embodiment the second hemisphere, which is in communication with the wearer's body, may have a generally flat or inwardly concave outer face corresponding to the curvature a man or woman's body—as opposed to the convex face525.

FIGS. 20 and 21show the grooved apparatus500with the ring510in the grooved area545of the grooved member520. In some embodiments, a fillet perpendicular to the perimetric radius of the first and second hemispheres530and525may exist to aid in removing the ring510from the grooved area545.

In some embodiments the ring510may have a cross sectional area L4of 1 mm to 3 mm, an outer radius512between 8 mm and 12.5 mm, and an inner radius514of 5 mm to 9 mm. In some embodiments, the grooved member has a thickness L3of 4 mm to 8 mm—and preferably approximately 6 mm.

In some embodiments the outer face of the second hemisphere525is either manufactured or coated with a soft membrane such as silicon or cloth. In an alternative embodiment the outer face of the first hemisphere and second hemisphere may have a plurality of frictional members arranged on each face similar to the double-groove design. Frictional members may include cones, pyramids, bumps, or any variety of shapes.

Single Grooved Apparatus—Method of Use:

Similar to the double-grooved apparatus, the single grooved apparatus500is used to provide a subtle ridge that the pants waistline can rest on, possibly with the assistance of a belt. The following description outlines how to create the ridge. First, the grooved member520is positioned on either the interior or exterior bottom edge or lower torso area of a shirt generally corresponding to a position on the hip below the beltline. The grooved member520is oriented such that the larger convex surface525of grooved member is positioned against the wearer's body. Next, the ring510is positioned on the opposite side (either exterior or interior) bottom edge of the shirt corresponding with the smaller convex surface530of the grooved member520. The ring510is oriented such that the inner radium514is parallel to the groove545of the groove member520. With the shirt positioned between the ring510and the smaller convex surface530of the grooved member520, pressure is applied on the ring510to cause the ring510to expand over the smaller outer radius540of the grooved member520, and constrict and settle into the groove545, thereby securing the shirt fabric within the groove545between the grooved member520and the ring510. The wearer then raises his pants up such that the belt is positioned above the ridge created by the grooved apparatus500. Like the double-grooved apparatus shown inFIG. 7, the single-grooved apparatus100positioned below the user's belt. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus is used as a pair positioned on generally laterally opposing sides along the hip.