Abstract:
A clothing garment is constructed to include adjustable sections that allow for the convenient adjustment of length of sections of the garment so that the useful fitted lifetime of the outfit may be extended. Preferably the method of adjustment includes zippers, Velcro-type materials, buttons, snaps including metallic or plastic snaps, magnets, or any other mechanism that may be used to conveniently attach and detach sections of clothing from each other. The construction may be used on a wide variety of clothing articles, but is particularly useful for children&#39;s clothing.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This non-provisional application claims priority to provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/745,389, entitled “Adjustable Garment”, filed Apr. 21, 2006, incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to an article of clothing, including pants, skirts, shirts, vests, and other garments. The invention more specifically relates to children&#39;s clothing and particularly those of the type commonly worn by infants and toddlers such as one-piece outfits, body suits, or rompers wherein the pants, torso, and top sections are integrated and other articles of clothing that include footed pants sections.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Convenient adjustment of the length of clothing is a common desire of consumers. Typically, adjustment of the length of an garment is accomplished through cuffing, hemming, or other methods of a skilled tailor. Temporary adjustment of the length of a garment may be accomplished through the use of pins, but this does not prove to be a long term solution.  
         [0006]     For children&#39;s clothing, especially infants, toddlers, as well as other young children, adjustment to the length of clothing is a constant demand. It is well known that young children in the development stage go through a period where growth is extremely rapid, and may be disproportional from the torso to the legs. During this period, the child may outgrow outfits in a matter of months or weeks. The lifetime of some outfits may be extended by cuffing the arms and legs, and then removing the temporary or permanent cuff as growth requires. However, the very popular footed outfit such as a one-piece footed infant or toddler outfit has a very limited lifetime because there are no practical means to extend the length of the legs. It is possible for an infant or toddler to wear a one-piece footed outfit with legs that are longer than required, but when the child is in the walking stage this causes severe problems. For example, the excess material may be a tripping hazard or may possibly get caught in a toy or other child product such as a wheel from a bicycle or stroller. In addition, there is no convenient way to cuff the torso component of a garment.  
         [0007]     The ability to easily and conveniently adjust the length of a footed leg and torso section of a garment is needed.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     It is an object of the invention to provide a means to easily adjust the length of the legs of a garment.  
         [0009]     It is an object of the invention to provide a means to easily adjust the length of the legs of a footed children&#39;s outfit.  
         [0010]     It is another object of the invention to provide a means to easily adjust the length of the torso section of the children&#39;s outfit.  
         [0011]     It is another object of the invention to provide a means to easily adjust the length of the arms of a children&#39;s outfit.  
         [0012]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a child&#39;s article of clothing that has a greater useful life than that of prior similar style clothing.  
         [0013]     These and other objects are achieved by the disclosed invention which in one of its aspects provides an otherwise conventional garment to include adjustable sections that, when attached, appear to be a permanent part of the garment, but allow for the convenient adjustment of length so that the lifetime of the outfit may be extended.  
         [0014]     In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable leg sections are attached to the upper section of a one-piece footed outfit by means of a zipper. One portion of the zipper is affixed to the upper leg sections of the outfit and numerous matching portions of the zipper are included on the leg section of the outfit and spaced every inch so that the length of the outfit&#39;s legs may be adjusted for growth of the child.  
         [0015]     In another preferred embodiment, the invention aims to provide an article of children&#39;s clothing having in combination therewith adjustable leg and/or torso and/or arm section of the clothing. The adjustable sections are provided through a multi-component article of clothing. If solely trying to make the legs adjustable the outfit would include an upper piece and two leg sections. The leg sections include a mechanism to quickly and conveniently attach at multiple locations up and down the length of the leg section, through which the leg section may be detached and reattached at varying sections on the leg portion such that the overall length of the leg of the outfit is easily adjusted.  
         [0016]     In another preferred embodiment, the invention includes the ability to adjust the length of the torso section of an outfit, where there is a bottom portion and a top portion of the outfit where the torso section of the bottom or top section of the outfit has a means to detach and reattach the bottom portion of the outfit so that it may be easily adjusted for length.  
         [0017]     Preferably the means of attachment include zippers, hook-and-loop type materials (e.g., Velcro), buttons, snaps including metallic or plastic snaps, magnets, or any other mechanism that may be used to conveniently attach and detach sections of clothing from each other. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0018]     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken together with the accompanying drawings, wherein;  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a typical one-piece footed baby garment found commonly in the prior art;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the present invention, which includes adjustable leg sections using several mating zippers;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the present invention, which includes an adjustable torso section using several mating zippers;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the present invention, which includes adjustable leg sections using a mating set of Velcro or other hook-and-loop type fasteners;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the present invention, which includes adjustable leg sections using several sets of mating snaps;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the present invention, which includes adjustable leg sections using insert sections, connected with mating zippers;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates a one-piece footed baby garment of the present invention, which includes replaceable leg sections, connected with mating zippers; 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0026]     This invention relates to any article of clothing that may require from time-to-time adjustment in the length of specific sections of the garment to increase comfort, wearability, and for other reasons. The invention applies to any type of clothing, including but not limited to pants, skirts, shirts, vests, one-piece outfits, and other garments.  
         [0027]     The following examples and detailed descriptions of the invention more specifically relate to children&#39;s clothing and particularly those of the type commonly worn by infants and toddlers such as one-piece outfits, body suits, or rompers wherein the pants, torso, and top sections are integrated, but it should be clear that this is for illustrative purposes only.  
         [0028]     Referring now to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a commonly available child&#39;s article of clothing or garment and in this case a one-piece footed garment or outfit  100 , having arm sections  101 , torso section  102 , leg sections  103 , foot sections  104 , optional parting section  105 , neck section  106 , along with other possible optional sections. For example, the parting section may be located along the leg section, such that the garment is fitted by placing over the body and inserting the head through the neck section, or a combination of various parting sections designed to increase the ease of fitting. Each of the garment sections are fixed in size. The length of the arm sections may be adjusted to a more appropriate fit by cuffing.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 2 .( a ) and ( b ) are an illustration of one embodiment of the present invention and is an improved one-piece footed outfit  120  that allows adjustment of the length of the legs, to improve wearability and useful lifetime of the garment. The adjustable sections are provided through use of separate components, upper section  121 , which includes arm sections, torso section, neck section, optional parting section, and the uppermost leg sections; and leg sections  122 . The leg sections  122  include a mechanism  123  to quickly and conveniently attach to the mating fastener  124  affixed to the leg portion of the upper section  121  at multiple locations up and down the length of the leg section. The Figure shows 3 fasteners on the leg section  122  of the garment, but any number may be used. Preferably, they are spaced apart by between 0.5-10 cm, and more preferably between 1-5 cm. The fastening mechanisms  123  and  124  may be zippers as shown in  FIG. 2 , but a variety of fasteners or attachment mechanisms may be employed. Some fasteners are listed in Table 1:  
                         TABLE 1                       Some preferred fastening mechanisms.                                    Velcro/Hook-and-Loop type fasteners           Buttons           Snaps including metallic or plastic snaps           Magnets           Any other mechanism that may be used to conveniently           attach and detach sections of clothing.                        
         [0030]     Preferably an optional mechanism is built into the design that allows for convenient and comfortable positioning of excess material, when the legs are not extended to full length. In such a case, the uppermost fastening mechanism(s) will be within the interior of the garment. The invention may include a mechanism to support the excess fabric, such as mating Velcro or other hook-and-loop type fastener so that it is more comfortable for the child wearing the outfit. The excess fabric may also be secured to the upper section or ‘tucked-down’ and secured to the lower portion and optionally secured through a matching fastener or though other means.  
         [0031]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , which shows an illustration of one embodiment of an improved one-piece footed outfit  140  that allows adjustment of the length of the torso, to improve wearability and lifetime of the clothing outfit. The adjustment is provided through use of separate components, upper section  141  and lower section  142 . The upper section  141  includes a mechanism  143  to quickly and conveniently attach to the mating fastener  144  affixed to the lower portion of garment  142  at multiple locations up and down the length of the torso portion of the lower section. The mating fasteners  143  and  144  may be zippers as shown in the  FIG. 3 . Other attachment mechanisms may be employed, including those listed above in Table 1.  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , which shows an illustration of one embodiment of an improved one-piece footed outfit  160  that includes leg sections  161  and  162 . The adjustment is provided through use of mating Velcro or other Hook-and-Loop type fasteners, loop section  163  and hook section  164 , which are affixed around the perimeter of the leg section.  FIG. 4 ( a ) is an illustration, where both of the leg sections  161  and  162  are fully extended to the longest length possible.  FIG. 4 ( b ) is an illustration of the one-piece garment where one of the leg sections  161  remains fully extended, and the other leg section  162  is in a position such that the length of the section has been reduced: the Loop section  163  of the Hook-and-Loop type fasteners has been folded over and attached to the Hook section  164  of the fastener.  FIG. 4 ( c ) shows a close up of leg section  162  of  FIG. 4 ( b ), and includes hidden (dashed) lines showing the fold and Velcro fasteners in the fabric.  FIG. 4 ( d ) shows a leg section folded over with hook-and-loop fastener partly engaged such that the leg section is only partly reduced in length.  
         [0033]     Preferably, a Hook-and-Loop type fastener with a high resistance to detachment is used, such that the leg section remains fixed to the set position until it is intentionally decoupled for further required adjustment. Hook-and-Loop type fasteners allow for a nearly continuous adjustment to the length of the section. Also, it should be understood that the orientation of the Hook-and-Loop fasteners is independent of design. Either the Hook portion or the Loop section may be located on the uppermost portion of the garment. At each location along the length of the garment section, the Hook-and-Loop fasteners may be continuous or discrete around the perimeter. If discrete amounts are used, each set of fastener is preferably aligned vertically along the length of the garment. Also, any number of hook-and-loop perimeter sections may be used. Mating pairs may be used, or one type, such as hook, may be located at the uppermost perimeter section, and mating types located in lower perimeters.  
         [0034]     Preferably, the perimeter sections are 0.5 to 30 cm in length, when measured along the length of the garment section. More preferably, the sections are 1 to 20 cm in length, and most preferably the sections are 1 to 10 cm in length.  
         [0035]     Also, although the figure shows a leg section, this may be used for torso section and other garments as well.  
         [0036]     The fastening devices may be attached to the garment through any number of techniques. For example, they may be sewn onto the garment. They may also be glued or otherwise chemically attached.  
         [0037]     Although Hook-and-Loop type fasteners are a preferred embodiment for this arrangement, other embodiments are suitable. For example, referring to  FIG. 5 ( a ), which is an illustration of one embodiment of an improved one-piece footed outfit  180  that includes leg sections  181  and  182 , each including a series of snap type fasteners. The adjustment is provided through use of mating snap fasteners  183  and  184  that are located around the perimeter of the leg section. In the figure, the uppermost set of snaps  183  are of one type (i.e., either male or female), while the remaining sets of snaps  184  are of the opposite type (e.g., female if the uppermost set of snaps is male type). However, it should be noted that sets of mating snaps may be used as well. For example, one leg section may have 6 snap sections, each with 8 snaps around the perimeter. The first, third, and fifth sections may be male type and the other 3 may be female type. Thus, mating pairs may be mated to adjust the length of the garment. Any set of mating snaps may be mated to allow various length adjustments.  
         [0038]     In  FIG. 5 ( a ), leg sections  181  and  182  are shown in the fully extended position in  FIG. 5 ( a ), such that they have the maximum length.  FIG. 5 ( b ) is an illustration showing hidden snaps of a leg section in a position such that the length of the section has been reduced. The snaps are mated such that the garment has been adjusted to the desired height. As shown in the figure, both type snaps are located along the lower perimeter, as they have been mated and are thus joined.  
         [0039]     Any number of snaps may be used along the perimeter of the article of clothing. Preferably, 3-100 snaps are used along each perimeter section; more preferably 4-20, and even more preferably 6-18 snaps are used. It should be understood that the use of male and female snap fasteners is independent of design. Either the male or female type fastener may be located on the uppermost portion of the garment, and the opposite on the remaining sets.  
         [0040]     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , which shows an illustration of one embodiment of an improved one-piece footed garment that allows adjustment to improve wearability and useful lifetime of the clothing outfit.  FIG. 6  illustrates a footed type baby or toddler suit  200  including top section  201 , leg sections  202 , which includes lower leg sections  203  and detachable sections  204  and  205 . It should be understood that although 2 detachable sections are show in  FIG. 6 , any number of detachable sections may be included. The adjustment is provided through use of detachable sections  204  and  205  through mating fasteners  206  and  207  such as zippers, snaps, Velcro or Hook-and-Loop type fasteners, buttons, or any other suitable fastener or combination thereof.  
         [0041]     The fasteners are provided along the perimeter of the leg section such that any number of the detachable sections may be detached or re-attached as desired. Thus, for example, if snaps are used, each detachable section would have one set of male type connectors along, say, the top perimeter  206  and one set of female type connectors along the bottom perimeter  207 . In this way, when one section is removed, the top male snaps are available to mate with the female snaps that would be included along the perimeter of the mating leg section of the upper section  201  of the garment. Also, it should be understood that the orientation of the fasteners is independent of design. Either may be located on the uppermost portion of the garment. If discrete amounts are used, each set of fastener is preferably aligned vertically along the length of the garment.  
         [0042]     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , which shows an illustration of one embodiment of an improved one-piece footed garment that allows adjustment to improve wearability and lifetime of the clothing outfit.  FIG. 7  illustrates a footed type baby or toddler suit  220  including top section  221 , and leg sections  222 . Adjustment is provided through use of replaceable leg sections  222  through mating fasteners  223  and  224  such as zippers, snaps, Velcro or Hook-and-Loop type fasteners, buttons, or any other suitable fastener or combination thereof. The fasteners are provided along the top perimeter of the leg section  222  and the bottom portion of the leg section of the top section  221 , such that each section may be detached or re-attached as desired. As required by length, a leg section  222 , would be attached through the fastening system to the upper section  221  of the garment. It should be understood that the orientation of the fasteners is independent of design.  
         [0043]     It should be understood that although 3 sizes of leg sections are show in  FIG. 7 , any number of detachable sections may be included. It should also be clear that any combination of replaceable sections or inserts, such as a combination of those shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  may be used to adjust the length of the garment.  
         [0044]     In another preferred embodiment, outfits of the present invention that include removable or detachable sections, such as those herein shown in  FIGS. 3, 6 , and  7 , may also include the option to replace the detachable portion that includes a footed section with that of a non-footed section. For example, referring to  FIG. 6 , lower leg sections  203  may be used when a child is primarily crawling and walking indoors. When the child begins to walk outdoors and requires the use of more durable soled shoes and the footed portion is designed such that they are not comfortably worn with shoes, lower leg sections  203  may be replaced with appropriately sized leg sections that includes a more durable and comfortable sole for outdoor use; or they may be replaced with leg sections that do not include an enclosed footed section, such that shoes may be easily and comfortably worn.  
         [0045]     Although many of the examples and illustrations of the specification showed only one adjustable section, such as leg or torso, it should be clear that each of the designs is equally as applicable to adjustment of any section of the garment: torso, arm, and or any combination thereof.  
         [0046]     It should also be clear that the invention is not limited to infant or children&#39;s garments. The adjusting methods and devices disclosed herein are applicable to any type of garment.