Abstract:
An article of clothing or bag, at least a first dimension of which is adjustable lengthwise, including an adjustment cord and a blocker acting on the cord; the adjustment cord including a captive portion, the length of which is relative to the length the first dimension and a free portion, the blocker being capable of taking a plurality of positions with respect to the cord, thus marking the boundary between the free portion and the captive portion of the cord. A gusset is arranged in the vicinity of the blocker, the gusset including a closure mechanism enabling the gusset to be selectively configured to and from open and closed positions. The free portion of the cord extends through a distal keeper arranged inside the gusset, the distal keeper being positioned at a distance from the blocker such that, when the gusset is in the closed position, most of the length of the free portion is inside the gusset.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The instant application is based upon the French priority Patent Application No. 10.00387, filed Feb. 1, 2010, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto, and the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an article of clothing or a bag, as well as other types of articles, at least a first dimension of which is adjustable lengthwise by means of an adjustment cord, or drawstring, with which a blocker is associated. 
         [0004]    2. Background Information 
         [0005]    A mechanism for adjusting one of the dimensions of a garment is common in the clothing industry. For example, the bottom of a rain jacket can be equipped with one or several cords, or drawstrings, arranged at the lower periphery thereof. At least one blocker cooperates with the cord(s) in order to reduce the effective length thereof after adjustment. 
         [0006]    Adjustment cords, or drawstrings, of the aforementioned type are also known to adjust the opening perimeter of a hood, sleeves, or the waistband of a pair of pants, or even the opening of a bag. 
         [0007]    In order to facilitate the handling of the cord, it sometimes includes a loop that the user can easily grip or manipulate. Such adjustment systems are simple and can be used in any type of garment or bag. However, when the range of adjustment is minimal, a great portion of the cord is typically unused and it hangs out of the garment or out of the bag. This free portion of the adjustment cord may cause an accident. For example, if the adjustment cord is used to adjust the bottom of a pair of pants, the user could step on the free portion of the cord and stumble. 
         [0008]    If the cord is used to adjust the bottom of a sports jacket, while the user is moving (running, cycling, etc.), a risk is created for the loop formed by the free portion of the cord to become inadvertently caught on a hook or on a projecting object in the vicinity the user&#39;s path. 
         [0009]    In addition to the safety concerns for the user, the sight of the free portion of the adjustment cord hanging out of the garment or the bag is not particularly aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0010]    Therefore, there exists a need for an improvement to the cord adjustment device, which solves the problems and overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art systems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0011]    To this end, the invention provides a device for the lengthwise adjustment of a portion of an article of clothing or a bag, such as the size of a periphery of an opening of an article of clothing or bag, or that of other articles, the device including an adjustment cord that is aesthetically appealing, easy to handle, and guarantees maximum safety for the user. 
         [0012]    To this end, an embodiment of the invention encompasses an article of clothing or a bag, at least a first dimension of which is adjustable lengthwise, and which includes an adjustment cord and a blocker acting on the cord; the adjustment cord includes a captive portion, the length of which is connected to the length of the first dimension, and a free portion; the blocker can take a plurality of positions in relation to the cord, thus marking the boundary between the free portion and the captive portion of the cord; a gusset is arranged in the vicinity of the blocker, the gusset including a closure mechanism enabling it to switch from a first position, or more open position, to a second position, or closed or less open position; and the free portion extends through a distal keeper arranged within the gusset, the distal keeper being positioned at a distance from the blocker such that, when the gusset is in the closed position, a majority of the length of the free portion is inside the gusset. 
         [0013]    In a particular embodiment of the invention, the length of the cord is such that when the adjustment of the first dimension is at its maximum, the free portion of the cord extends beyond the distal keeper, and when the adjustment of the first dimension is at its minimum, the length of the extension of the free portion is substantially equal to or less than double the distance separating the blocker from the distal keeper. 
         [0014]    According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the captive portion of the cord is received in a tunnel, or at least is covered, an eyelet being capable of being arranged at the outlet of the tunnel or covering. 
         [0015]    In a particular embodiment of the invention, the captive portion and the free portion of the cord each include two strands. 
         [0016]    According to a particular embodiment of the invention, a proximal keeper is positioned between the blocker and the distal keeper, the blocker being retained between the tunnel/covering and the proximal keeper. 
         [0017]    In a particular embodiment of the invention, the distal keeper includes two passages, one for each of the strands of the free portion of the cord. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings illustrating, by way of non-limiting embodiments, how the invention can be embodied, and in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a view of a pair of pants equipped with the lengthwise adjustment device according to the invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 2 to 6  are detailed views of the lower portion of one of the legs of the pair of pants of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7 to 10  are schematic illustrations of the circumference of the lower portion of the pair of pants corresponding to  FIGS. 2 ,  6 ,  3  and  5 , respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]      FIG. 1  shows an article of clothing  1 , i.e., a garment in the form of a pair of pants, adapted to be worn by the user. A device  16  for lengthwise adjustment of a first dimension of the article of clothing, i.e., the pair of pants, is arranged at the bottom of each leg  17  thereof. The first dimension, which is adjustable by means of the device  16 , corresponds to the circumference of the lower portion of a leg  17  of the pair of pants. 
         [0023]    An adjustment device  16  according to the invention could also be positioned in the area of the waistband  15  of the pants in order to adjust the size thereof, i.e., the circumference around the waistband. 
         [0024]    A gusset  12 , shown, e.g., in  FIGS. 2-4 , is arranged in the panel  2  constituting the outer surface of the lower portion of the pants. The gusset  12  is formed by way of a slit arranged in the panel  2 , the slit being closed by means of a closure, such as a zipper  4  or other slide fastener. Behind the zipper  4 , a substantially triangular panel section  14 , or gusset back or back panel, is sewn, or otherwise situated. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  shows the gusset  12  in the closed position, and therefore not visible from the outside of the pants. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 7 and 8 , which schematically show the circumference of the bottom of the pants, i.e., of the panel  2  thereof, along a transverse cross section, enable the function of the gusset  12  to be understood. 
         [0027]    In  FIG. 7 , the gusset  12  is in the open position, the circumference of the bottom of the pants is then comprised of the panel  2  as well as the gusset back panel  14 . 
         [0028]    In  FIG. 8 , the gusset  12  is in the closed position; the circumference of the bottom of the pants is now only comprised of the panel  2 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a detailed view of the lower portion of a leg  17  of the pants. The gusset  12  is in the open position. The slider  5  of the zipper  4 , as well as the pull tab thereof, are positioned at the upper end of the slit. The back  14  of the gusset is completely deployed, i.e., completely extended. The device for adjusting the length of the circumference of the lower edge  18  of the pants is comprised a cord  7 , or lace or other such element, and a blocker  13 . The cord  7  is positioned in a tunnel  6 , or passageway, arranged in the vicinity of the lower edge  18 . The tunnel  6  extends along the entire circumference of the bottom of the pants and is prolonged into the area of the back panel  14  of the gusset  12 . Two eyelets  21  are positioned in the gusset back  14  to enable the cord to pass from the interior of the tunnel  6  towards the outside, where it is exposed when the slider of the zipper is positioned upwardly therefrom, and vice versa. 
         [0030]    The cord  7  is arranged in the tunnel  6  over the entire length thereof and exits the tunnel through the eyelets  21 ,  21 . 
         [0031]    The length of the circumference of the bottom of the leg of the pants, referred to as the first dimension in the context of this specification, is directly related to the length of the portion of the cord that is in the tunnel  6 . 
         [0032]    The adjustment of the length of the cord  7  in the tunnel  6  is carried out using the blocker  13 , with which the strands of the cord are in cooperative engagement. After passing through the eyelets, the two strands of the cord extend through the blocker  13 . The portion of the cord in the tunnel  6  is called the captive portion of the cord. The remaining portion of the cord is called the free portion. 
         [0033]    Upon exiting the blocker  13 , in a direction away from the eyelets, the two strands of the cord are guided in their path by means of a proximal keeper  9 , arranged on the gusset back  14 ; each strand is then guided in its path by means of a distal keeper  10 ,  11 , which are both arranged on the back  14  of the gusset  12 . 
         [0034]    The two distal keepers  10  and  11 , as well as the proximal keeper  9 , are created by means of a single band of material  22 , or panel section, stitched, e.g., to the gusset back  14 . The band  22  is laterally stitched to the gusset back  14  and to the panel  2 , along the lines defining the two upwardly extending legs of the triangle shape of the back  14 . The band  22  is additionally secured to the gusset back  14  by means of the lines of stitching  23  that are appropriately positioned for the purpose of forming the aforementioned keepers  9 ,  10 ,  11 . Two of these stitching lines  23  are made in the vicinity of the lower edge of the band  22 . The passage between these two stitching lines constitutes the proximal keeper  9 . A third stitching line is made in the vicinity of the upper edge of the band. Each of passages made on the right and on the left of this line of stitching  23  constitutes one of the distal keepers  10  and  11 . 
         [0035]    In  FIGS. 2 and 7  the gusset  12  is in the open position, the captive portion  20  of the cord being at its maximum, whereas the free portion  19  is at its minimum. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the total length of the cord  7  is selected so that the end loop  24  of the free portion  19  is in the vicinity of the two distal keepers  10  and  11 . There is an advantage to having two distal keepers, instead of one. Indeed, as each of the strands of the cord  7  is in a distinct distal keeper, the end loop necessarily remains above the distal keepers  10  and  11 . 
         [0036]    From the open position of the gusset  12  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , two possibilities of adjustment are offered to the user. 
         [0037]    The first of these possibilities is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 . In this case, the user closes the gusset by maneuvering the slider  5  of the zipper  4  downward. The circumference decreases in relation to the open position of the gusset  12 , as shown in the diagram of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0038]    However, there has been no modification to the length of the captive portion  20  of the cord. 
         [0039]    The second possibility involves the user pulling on the cord  7 . To this end, the user grips the end loop of the free portion  19  of the cord, i.e., by means of the gripping element  8 , or pull tab, that is attached thereto. A pulling force, or tension, applied to the cord  7 , i.e., to the loop of the free portion  19  thereof, decreases the length of the captive portion  20 . This tension phase is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The blocker  13 , which the outer dimensions prevent from passing through the proximal keeper  9  and the eyelets  21 , is confined between these various elements and, thereby, the strands of the cord slide within the blocker  13  during such pulling of the cord as the configuration of the device and pants leg goes from that of  FIG. 2  to that of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0040]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the invention, the blocker  13 , or cord lock, is of the self-locking type, i.e., such as that which includes a spring-biased element within a housing, the element being manipulable by means of the button shown at an end of the blocker so as to oppose the spring force and more easily allow the blocker to slide relative to the strands of the cord which pass through the then aligned openings of the element and its housing; a sufficiently strong tension on the strands of the cord contributes to the release and sliding of the strands of the cord in the blocker. As soon as the tension on the strands is loosened, the blocker stops and maintains its position on the cord for as long as the maneuvering pressure is exerted on the button of the blocker. 
         [0041]    At the conclusion of this phase, the circumference of the bottom of the pants is in the intermediate position shown schematically in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0042]    The user can choose to maintain the adjustment obtained. However, by doing so, he/she will not profit from all the advantages offered by the invention, as explained further below. 
         [0043]    The following description is directed to closing the gusset  12 . This is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . By closing the zipper  4  when handling the pull tab of the slider  5 , the free portion  19  of the cord folds over itself, the fold being formed in the vicinity of the distal keepers  10  and  11 . 
         [0044]    The end of the closing phase is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 10 . The zipper  4  is then entirely closed; the free portion loop of the cord is entirely hidden inside the gusset  12 . As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , this position (closed gusset+captive portion at its minimum) corresponds to the minimal length of the circumference of the bottom of the pants. 
         [0045]    The position of the distal keepers  10 ,  11  with respect to the blocker  13  is such that, when the length of the captive portion  20  of the cord  7  is at its minimum, the distance between the blocker  13  and the distal keepers is substantially equal to half the length of the loop comprised of the two strands of the free portion  19  of the cord. Thus, whatever the adjustment of the cord, when the gusset  12  is in the closed position, most of the length of the free portion is inside the gusset. 
         [0046]    In a modified version, the cord  7  has only one strand, the adjustment of the circumference of the bottom of the pants being carried out only on a portion of the lower edge. The function remains the same, except for some minor adaptations to the structure. Only one eyelet  21  and only one distal keeper  10  are then necessary. In order to maintain the free end of the free portion  19  of the cord  7  beyond the distal keeper  10 , a gripping element  8  is selected, the outer dimensions of which obstruct the passage into the keeper. The distance between the distal keeper and the blocker  13  corresponds substantially to half the length of the free portion  19 , when the captive portion  20  is at its minimum. 
         [0047]    Other alternative structures as well as positioning of the device of the invention on any article of clothing or bag are possible within the scope of the invention. 
         [0048]    In this regard, for example, rather than closing or tightening the periphery of a portion of an article of clothing, such as that of the lower edge of a leg of a pair of pants, the upper edge, e.g., of a bag, such as the upper edge of a backpack or other bag can be equipped with a gusset, cord/drawstring, and associated structure described above and illustrated in the drawing. In this regard, rather than illustrating views of the lower portion of one of the legs of a pair of pants,  FIGS. 2-10  can be considered views of an upper portion of a bag or other article, i.e., turned upside-down for an upper opening thereof, with the zipper being pulled upward to move the gusset to a closed position. 
         [0049]    In addition, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.