Abstract:
A device to hold a garment in place, particularly the event of a gust of air, comprising an attachment member, a connecting member, and a weight, which can be worn either on the inside or outside surface of the garment. In operation the device attaches to a garment and pulls the garment vertically in accordance with gravity.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/218,390 filed Aug. 25, 2011, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/673,498, filed Feb. 9, 2007, the complete contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure is for a device that assists in holding a skirt or dress in place. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Skirts and dresses are a common form of attire. However, in windy conditions, the lower portion can blow upwards, causing a potentially embarrassing situation for the wearer. Attempts have been made to solve this problem, but these have several shortcomings. 
         [0006]    Other devices are merely ornamental, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. D457,465, entitled “WOMEN′S GARMENT CLIP” to Hollingsworth et al., issued on May 21, 2002. This device is a clip shaped like a human hand. Although it is intended to keep wind from blowing a skirt upward, it can only attach to the “bottom, side, or front of a skirt or dress.” Therefore, a user cannot conceal this device and must be content with displaying it as a fashion accessory. The aesthetic design also indicates that it is meant to be seen. 
         [0007]    Another ornamental device, described in U.S. patent Ser. No. 724,518, entitled “SKIRT ELEVATOR” to Sutton, issued on Apr. 7, 1903 holds down a skirt in the wind by hanging a set of weights from approximately the waist area of the skirt. The weights hang down at the user&#39;s sides on the outside of the skirt, thereby pinning it down to the user&#39;s body when a gust of wind tries to raise it up. However, this device must be worn on the outside of the garment in plain sight in order to work. Further, a user may eventually find the weights hanging at her side tiring, and the weights constantly hitting her legs could prove uncomfortable. Another problem with this device is that the clips and weights tend to grab the garment in a way that wrinkles it or pulls it away from a proper fit by not allowing the garment to hang naturally. 
         [0008]    Other solutions to this problem involve sewing weights into the hem of a skirt or dress. Although it can be effective, this method permanently alters the skirt. The weights are not easily detachable for washing or on occasions where they are not needed. Further, adding and removing weights from a skirt in this manner can cause excessive wear and tear on the garment. 
         [0009]    What is needed is a device that effectively holds a skirt, dress, or other garment in place under windy conditions, while still being concealable, detachable, and harmless to the garment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present device 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of the present device in use. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts another embodiment of the present device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present device. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  depicts a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present device. An attachment member  102  has a proximal and a distal edge. A connecting member  104  having a proximal and a distal end can be connected to the distal end of the attachment member  102 . A weight assembly  106  can be connected to the distal end of the connecting member  104 . 
         [0016]    An attachment member  102  can be a clip, clamp, clasp, adhesive, magnetic coupling, pin, clothespin and/or any other known and/or convenient device. The surfaces of an attachment member  102  that come in contact with the surfaces to which it can be attached can be smooth or textured to enhance the grip of the attachment member  102 . 
         [0017]    A connecting member  104  can be a cord, loop, strap, chain and/or any other known and/or convenient item capable of connecting the attachment member  102  with the weight assembly  106  having any known and/or convenient elastomeric and/or elastoplastic properties. A connecting member  104  can be removably coupled with an attachment member  102  by a clip, hook, or any other known and/or convenient device. It can also be permanently affixed to an attachment member  102  by adhesive or any other known and/or convenient device. 
         [0018]    A weight assembly  106  can be a single mass and/or a plurality of masses (distributed or otherwise geometrically related) of metal, plastic, glass, polymer, or any other known and/or convenient material. A weight assembly  106  can be a regular or irregular geometric shape, an artistic shape, letters, numbers, creatures, or any other known and/or convenient configuration. A weight assembly  106  can be removably coupled with a connecting member  104  by a clip, hook, or any other known and/or convenient device. It can also be permanently affixed to a connecting member  104  by adhesive or any other known and/or convenient devices. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the present device in use. A user attaches at least one device in any known and/or convenient location on the body of a garment. In some embodiments a user can attach the device, using the attachment member  104 , to the inside of the garment so that the device cannot be seen.  FIG. 2  depicts this embodiment by using cutaways views to show devices attached to the inside of a garment. In alternate embodiments, a user can attach it to the outside surface of the garment or along the bottom hemline to make it more conspicuous. In the event that a surge of air, such as a gust of wind appears and attempts to blow the garment upward, the weight assembly  106 , that can be coupled with any known and/or convenient garment via an attachment member  102 , can assist in holding the garment in place. In some embodiments the device can be attached to a skirt, a kilt, a kimono, a robe and/or any other garment. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, a weight assembly  106  can be removably coupled with a connecting member  104 . In other embodiments, a weight assembly  106  can be permanently affixed to a connecting member  104 , which can then be removably coupled with an attachment member  102  with or without the connecting member  104 . In some embodiments, a weight assembly  106  and/or a connecting member  104  can be interchangeable. In some embodiments, a user could change a weight assembly  106  to provide more or less resistance against the force of a gust of wind. Also, in some embodiments a user could interchange an attachment member  102 , a connecting member  104 , or a weight  106  for aesthetic purposes. In still further alternate embodiments, the attachment member  102 , the connecting member  104 , the weight and/or any known and/or convenient portion of the device can be integrated with any known and/or convenient garment. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the present device. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the attachment member  102  can be a spring clip, clasp, clamp, pin, clothespin and/or any other known and/or convenient mechanism, which can be made of metal, plastic, and/or any other known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, a plurality of weight assemblies  106  can be used. 
         [0022]      FIG. 4  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the present device. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4 , an attachment member  102  can be a spring-loaded clip, but in other embodiments can be any other known and/or convenient device. In some embodiments, the gripping surface  402  of an attachment member  102  can further comprise an adhesive, textured, or any other known and/or convenient friction-increasing device. In some embodiments, an attachment member  102  can have a decorative configuration, such as a butterfly, flower, abstract design, or any other known and/or convenient motif or design. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, a connecting member  104  can have a first end and a second end. As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , at least one end of a connecting member  104  can be removably connected to any point or component of an attachment member  102 . In alternate embodiments, at least one end of a connecting member  104  can be substantially affixed to any point or component of an attachment member  102 . As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , a connecting member  104  can be a cord, band, chain, or other substantially flexible, linked member. A first end of a connecting member  104  can be affixed to an attachment member  102  via at a closed loop  404  at the first end of a connecting member  104  that can pass through a fenestration  406  in a surface of an attachment member  104 . In other embodiments, a closed loop  404  can also be formed by threading a connecting member  104  through a fenestration  406  and sealing a closed loop  404  with a crimping bead or other known and/or convenient device. In alternate embodiments, a closed loop  404  can be formed by a connecting member  104  looping upon itself or by any other known and or convenient knot. As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , a first fenestration  406  can be located substantially proximal to an edge of an attachment member  104 , but in other embodiments can be in any other known and/or convenient position. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , a second end of a connecting member  104  can terminate in a coupling device  408 , which in the embodiment shown can be a clip clasp, or snap, but in other embodiments can be any other known and/or convenient device. In the embodiment shown, a coupling device  408  can connect a second end of a connecting member  104  to an attachment device  102  by passing through a second fenestration  410  in a surface of a connecting member  102 . As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , a second fenestration  410  can be located substantially proximal to an edge of an attachment member  104 , but in other embodiments can be in any other known and/or convenient position. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a first and a second end of a connecting member  102  can connect to an attachment member  104  at different points or via different fenestrations  406   410 , but in other embodiments can connect to an attachment member at a substantially common point. 
         [0025]    As shown in the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , having an attachment member  102  comprising a spring-loaded clip, a first end and a second end of a connecting member  104  can be connected to points located on the opposing lever arms of such a device. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 4 , a weight assembly  106  can be slidably connected to a connecting member  104  via a loop structure  412  affixed to a weight assembly  106  that can substantially surround a connecting member  104 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , a loop structure  412  can be closed, but in other embodiments can be non-continuous to form a removable connection between a weight  106  and a connecting member  104 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the present device. As shown here, the first end of a connecting member  104  can be connected to a point on an attachment member  102 , while the second end of a connecting member  104  can be attached to a weight assembly  106 . 
         [0028]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.