Abstract:
A cuff for an article of clothing includes various components, such as one or more flexible members for adjusting a fit of the cuff. One flexible member might be used to tighten and loosen a fit of the cuff. Another flexible member might serve a dual purpose to adjust a fit of the cuff and to provide a thumb loop.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    A cuff including one or more components for adjusting a fit of the cuff and securing the cuff to a wearer. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Clothing articles, such as a shirt, sweatshirt, jacket, or coat, often include a cuff at or near an arm-sleeve opening. Various clothing features might be used to adjust the fit of the cuff or to secure the cuff to a wearer. For instance, elastic or Velcro straps might be included near the sleeve opening. In addition, a clothing article might include a thumb hole or a thumb loop that is constructed into the cuff or the sleeve. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Aspects hereof provide an arm sleeve for an article of clothing. The sleeve includes a tubular sleeve body that extends from a torso portion and includes a terminating end. One or more releasable fasteners are coupled to the tubular sleeve body near the terminating end. In addition, a first flexible member is coupled to the tubular sleeve body near the terminating end and is releasably attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners. A second flexible member is rotatably coupled to the tubular sleeve body near the terminating end and releasably attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners. 
         [0005]    Additional aspects provide a cuff for an apparel sleeve. The cuff includes a cuff wall and one or more releasable fasteners coupled to an outer surface of the cuff wall. In addition, a first flexible member is coupled to the outer surface and is releasably attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners. The attachment of the first flexible member to the one or more releasable fastener is adjustable to modify a size of the cuff. The cuff also includes a second flexible member rotatably coupled to the cuff wall and including a first position and a second position. In the first position the second flexible member is substantially aligned with the first flexible member and is releasably attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners. In the second position the second releasable fastener is attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners to provide a thumb loop. 
         [0006]    Another aspect includes a cuff for an apparel sleeve. The cuff includes a cuff wall and one or more releasable fasteners coupled to an outer surface of the cuff wall. The cuff also includes a first strap having a first substantially flat and elongated fabric strip, which is attached along a first edge to the outer surface of the cuff wall and is releasably attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners. The attachment of the first strap to the one or more releasable fastener is adjustable to modify a size of the cuff. In addition, the cuff includes a second strap comprising a second substantially flat and elongated fabric strip coupled to an elastic joint, which rotatably attaches the second fabric strip to the cuff wall. The second strap adjusts by way of the elastic joint between at least a first position, in which the second strap is substantially aligned with the first strap, and a second position, in which the second strap provides a thumb loop. 
         [0007]    Aspects hereof are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview is provided to merely introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed-description section. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Aspects hereof are described in detail herein with reference to the attached figures, which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a first side of an exemplary sleeve in accordance with aspects hereof; 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2-4  depict the first side of the sleeve with a first strap and a second strap in accordance with aspects hereof: 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  depicts a second side of the sleeve in accordance with aspects hereof; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  depicts the first side of the sleeve with the second strap providing a thumb loop in accordance with aspects hereof; 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  depicts the second side of the sleeve with the second strap providing the thumb loop in accordance with aspects hereof; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  depicts the first side of the sleeve with the second strap providing the thumb loop and the first strap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Subject matter is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different elements or combinations of elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. 
         [0016]    Aspects hereof provide an arm sleeve for an article of clothing. The sleeve includes a tubular sleeve body that extends from a torso portion and includes a terminating end. One or more releasable fasteners are coupled to the tubular sleeve body near the terminating end. In addition, a first flexible member is coupled to the tubular sleeve body near the terminating end and is releasably attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners. A second flexible member is rotatably coupled to the tubular sleeve body near the terminating end and releasably attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners. 
         [0017]    Additional aspects provide a cuff for an apparel sleeve. The cuff includes a cuff wall and one or more releasable fasteners coupled to an outer surface of the cuff wall. In addition, a first flexible member is coupled to the outer surface and is releasably attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners. The attachment of the first flexible member to the one or more releasable fastener is adjustable to modify a size of the cuff. The cuff also includes a second flexible member rotatably coupled to the cuff wall and including a first position and a second position. In the first position the second flexible member is substantially aligned with the first flexible member and is releasably attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners. In the second position the second releasable fastener is attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners to provide a thumb loop. 
         [0018]    Another aspect includes a cuff for an apparel sleeve. The cuff includes a cuff wall and one or more releasable fasteners coupled to an outer surface of the cuff wall. The cuff also includes a first strap having a first substantially flat and elongated fabric strip, which is attached along a first edge to the outer surface of the cuff wall and is releasably attachable to the one or more releasable fasteners. The attachment of the first strap to the one or more releasable fastener is adjustable to modify a size of the cuff. In addition, the cuff includes a second strap comprising a second substantially flat and elongated fabric strip coupled to an elastic joint, which rotatably attaches the second fabric strip to the cuff wall. The second strap adjusts by way of the elastic joint between at least a first position, in which the second strap is substantially aligned with the first strap, and a second position, in which the second strap provides a thumb loop. 
         [0019]    Having briefly described some aspects of the present invention, reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which depicts an exemplary sleeve  10 . The sleeve  10  is an arm sleeve of a clothing item, such as a shirt, sweatshirt, zip-up shirt, hoodie, jacket, coat, and the like. The sleeve  10  includes a terminating end  12 , which includes an opening through which a hand, wrist, and arm can extend. The sleeve  10  may be constructed of a wide variety of textiles and fabric and may include a single type of textile or a combination of different textiles. In addition, the sleeve  10  may include one or more outer layers, inner layers, and insulating layers. 
         [0020]    Near the terminating end  12 , the sleeve  10  includes a cuff  14  having a cuff wall  16 . The cuff wall  16  might include various constructions, and in one aspect the cuff wall includes an inner fabric layer  18  and an outer fabric layer  20 . The inner fabric layer  18  and the outer fabric layer  20  might include a same type of fabric or textile that is folded on top of itself, or the inner and outer fabric layers  18  and  20  might include two different textile types that are affixed to one another. In one aspect, the cuff  14  includes one or more elastic members that are positioned between the inner and outer fabric layers  18  and  20 . For example,  FIG. 1  depicts illustrative tubes  22   a - f  that have been sewn into the cuff and one or more of the tubes includes a respective elastic member. Although the exemplary figures depict tubes  22   a - f  that might include elastic members, in other aspects the cuff does not include the elastic members. 
         [0021]    In  FIG. 1 , the cuff  14  includes a releasable fastener  24 , which includes a touch textile or hook-and-loop textile. Although  FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary hook-and-loop textile, in other aspects the cuff  14  might include alternative releasable fasteners, such as snaps, buttons, and the like. In addition, the cuff  14  includes an outer flexible member  26  that is attachable to the releasable fastener  24 . 
         [0022]    In one aspect the outer flexible member  26  includes a strap that includes a substantially flat and elongated strip of textile. The flexible member  26  might be affixed to the cuff  14  in various manners, and  FIGS. 1 and 2  depict an exemplary aspect in which an edge  27  of the flexible member  26  is affixed to the cuff  14 . For example, the edge  27  might be sewn or adhered to the cuff  14 . Affixing the edge  27  to the cuff  14  helps to bias the flexible member  26  in an orientation that is aligned with the releasable fastener  24 . 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , the outer flexible member  26  is disconnected from the releasable fastener  24  and folded back to reveal an inner flexible member  28 , which is also attachable to the releasable fastener  24 . In the exemplary aspect depicted in these figures, both the outer flexible member  26  and the inner flexible member  28  include respective releasable fasteners  30  and  32  that mate with the releasable fastener  24 . In addition, a surface  36  of the inner flexible member  28  might also mate with the releasable fastener  30  of the outer flexible member  26 . For instance, the surface  36  might include a hook-and-loop strip or some other textile that mates with a touch-connection textile. 
         [0024]    In one aspect the inner flexible member  28  includes a strap  38  that includes a substantially flat and elongated strip of textile and that is rotatably attached to the cuff  14  in various manners. The strap  38  might be rotatably coupled to the cuff using various attachment mechanism. For instance, flexible member  28  might be coupled to the cuff  14  by a tether  34  having a stiffness that is lower than the strap  38 . The reduced stiffness of tether  34  (relative to the strap  38 ) might result from various factors. For instance, the tether  34  might be thinner than the strap  38  or might be cut narrower than the strap  38 . Also, the inherent qualities of the tether  34  might result in a stiffness that is less than the strap  38 . For example, the tether  34  might include an elastic textile that has a reduced stiffness or rigidity relative to the strap  38  and that allows the tether  34  to be stretchable. In such an aspect, the tether  34  provides an elastic joint that stretches and allows for side-to-side flexion, adjustment, and rotation of the flexible member  28 . In one aspect, the elastic textile that is coupled to the strap  38  is contiguous with an elastic member positioned in one or more of the tubes  22   a - f . Alternatively, the elastic tether might be affixed to the cuff  14  independently of elastic in the tubes  22   a - f.    
         [0025]    Although  FIGS. 3 and 4  depict an aspect in which the strap  38  is connected to the cuff  14  by way of the tether  34 , other attachment mechanisms might be used that provide for side-to-side adjustment and rotation of the flexible member  28 . For example, the flexible member  28  might be rotatably attached to the cuff  14  using a button fastener, snap fastener, brad fastener, or other rotatable coupling. These various attachment hardware might be used to attach the strap  38  directly to the cuff  14  or to attach a tether  34  to the cuff  14 . 
         [0026]    The flexible members  26  and  28  might serve various functions. For instance, the flexible members  26  and  28  might be wrapped at least partially around a portion of the cuff  14  and attached to the releasable fastener  24  to establish set a size of the cuff  14 . In addition, the attachment of the flexible members  26  and  28  to the releasable fastener  24  is adjustable to make the cuff size bigger or smaller. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , another side of the sleeve  10  and cuff  14  is depicted that is opposite to the side depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 . In  FIG. 5  the releasable fastener  24  is again depicted, but from a perspective that is different from  FIGS. 1-4 . In addition, another releasable fastener  40  is illustrated spaced apart from the releasable fastener  24 . The releasable fastener  40  is depicted as a hook-and-loop strip or another type of touch fastener, but a variety different releasable fasteners might also be used, such as button, snaps, and the like. In addition, although the releasable fasteners  24  and  40  are illustrated as spaced apart, they might be combined into a single releasable fastener that spans the portion of the cuff  14  therebetween. 
         [0028]      FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8  illustrate exemplary aspects hereof that will now be described, and in describing  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 , other figures are also referenced. For instance,  FIG. 1  depicts an aspect in which the outer flexible member  26  and the inner flexible member  28  (not viewable in  FIG. 1 ) are in a stacked arrangement. That is, in  FIG. 1 , the outer flexible member  26  overlays the inner flexible member  28  and is attached to the releasable fastener  24  and possibly to the inner flexible member  28 . In this stacked arrangement, the attachment of the flexible members  26  and  28  to the releasable fastener  24  is adjustable to modify a size of the cuff  14  (i.e., to make the cuff fit tighter or looser). In  FIG. 4  the flexible members  26  and  28  are disconnected from the releasable fastener  24 . In  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 , the inner flexible member  28  has been rotated on the tether  34 , and the inner flexible member  28  is no longer in the stacked arrangement as depicted in  FIG. 1 . Rather, in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8  the inner flexible member  28  is splayed relative to the outer flexible member  26  and is attached to the releasable fastener  40 , as shown in  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 8  further depicts an aspect in which the outer flexible member  26  is releasably attached to the releasable fastener  24 , while the inner flexible member  28  is splayed. In this arrangement depicted in  FIG. 8 , the inner flexible member  28  provides a thumb loop for securing the cuff  14  and sleeve  10  to a wearer. 
         [0029]    In another aspect, when the outer flexible member  26  and the inner flexible member  28  are in a splayed configuration, the inner flexible member  28  might attach to the releasable fastener  24  that is depicted in  FIG. 7 . In such an arrangement, attachment to the releasable fastener  24  might provide a more secure fit. Further, the outer flexible member  26  might be wrapped tighter around the cuff  14  to provide a more secure fit. 
         [0030]    From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure. 
         [0031]    It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. 
         [0032]    Since many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.