Abstract:
A shirt cuff for a long-sleeved garment including a band of material having first and second opposing edges and first and second opposing cuff ends, wherein the first edge is attached to the sleeve of the shirt. A closure device is comprised of a hidden button and first eyelet combination, respectively disposed separately at the first and second opposing ends. A button-side eyelet may also be disposed adjacent to the hidden button on the first cuff end, and a cuff-link may be placed through the first eyelet and the button-side eyelet to form a French cuff configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a garment securing device, and particularly, to a hidden fabric fastener for securing cuffs for a dress shirt in at least one of a French cuff or overlapping single cuff arrangement. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Dress shirt cuffs are typically constructed from at least two different types of arrangements. That is, either a single cuff, or a double cuff configuration (most commonly referred to as French style cuffs). Typical single cuff shirts available on the market have a single button hole in one cuff end, and an eyelet receiving hole in the other cuff end. Consequently, cuff links cannot be used with these traditional standard dress shirts. 
     Double, or French cuffs, are common in formal settings and are used to fasten the double cuffs ends of the French cuff dress shirt. Cuff-links are typically made from a sturdy shaft having one end fastened to a backing to secure the cuff-link, and the second end of the sturdy shaft fastened to an ornamental cap portion. The ornamental cap portion may be found in a variety of decorative configurations and may be selected and worn by the user as a way for the user to autonomously personalize their dress shirt. 
     Few apparel enhancements have been made by manufacturers to provide for any adjustability of a conventional dress shirt cuff closures. Traditionally, little has been done to adapt the cuff of a standard dress shirt having a less formal appearance of a single cuff shirt, into one for use as a more formal double, or French cuff appearance, and visa-versa. As a result, there is a need for this type of versatility, and this invention provides a solution to the longstanding need for overcoming the limitations of a cuff of a standard dress shirt. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses the shortcomings identified in providing a fabric fastener for securing cuffs for a dress shirt. 
     An object of this invention is to provide a shirt cuff for a long-sleeved garment. The shirt cuff includes a sleeve attached to the shirt cuff. The shirt cuff is composed of a band of material having first and second opposing edges and first and second opposing ends, where the first edge is attached to the sleeve of the shirt. A closure device including a hidden button and eyelet combination, respectively disposed separately at the first and second opposing ends. The hidden button is attached inside of the second end of the shirt cuff. The shirt cuff also includes a second button attached on the outside of the second end of the shirt cuff juxtaposed to the position of the hidden button. 
     When the shirt cuff is secured closed, the first end of the shirt cuff overlaps the second opposing end of the shirt cuff, and the hidden button placed and secured through the eyelet. However, in another configuration, when the shirt cuff is secured closed, the inside surface of the first end, and the inside surface of the second end of the shirt cuff are placed adjacent to each other in a French cuff configuration, and the hidden button placed and secured through the eyelet. 
     Yet another aspect of this invention is to provide a shirt cuff for a long-sleeved garment. The shirt cuff includes a sleeve, the shirt cuff and a closure mechanism. The shirt cuff includes a band of material having first and second opposing edges and first and second opposing ends, where the first edge is attached to the sleeve of the shirt. The closure device includes a button and first eyelet combination, respectively disposed separately at the first and second opposing ends. Also included is a button-side eyelet disposed adjacent to the button on the first end. The first eyelet and the button-side eyelet are placed adjacent to each other in a French cuff configuration, and the cuff-link is disposed and secured within the first eyelet and the button-side eyelet. 
     The invention also discloses a pivoting button that pivots from a first position outside of the cuff, to a second position located inside of the cuff. The shirt cuff is attached by a threaded attachment to the cuff at one edge of the button-side eyelet. 
     These and other objects, features, and/or advantages may accrue from various aspects of embodiments of the present invention, as described in more detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components or steps, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of dress shirt. 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary illustration of dress shirt cuff including an outer button and mating eyelet. 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary illustration of an inner hidden cuff button in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view depicting the outer cuff button and the inner hidden cuff button in an open position accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a side end view depicting the cuff being arranged for use with the inner hidden cuff button in an overlapping first position in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view depicting the cuff being arranged for use with the inner hidden cuff button in a French cuff-link configuration in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary illustration of dress shirt cuff including an additional button-side cuff-link eyelet and outer button in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary illustration of an inside view of the dress shirt cuff depicting the additional button-side cuff-link eyelet and an inside button in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary illustration of an inside view of the dress shirt cuff depicting the additional button-side cuff-link eyelet and without the inside button in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 10  is an exemplary illustration of a side view of the cuff in a French style cuff having a cuff-link disposed through the additional button-side cuff-link eyelet and the cuff button eyelet in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 11  is an exemplary illustration of a pivoting cuff button in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 12  is an exemplary illustration of a pivoting cuff button in a first position in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 13  is an exemplary illustration of a pivoting cuff button in an intermediate pivot position in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 14  is an exemplary illustration of a pivoting cuff button in a second position in accordance with this invention. 
         FIGS. 15-16  illustrate the pivoting button in the first position in accordance with this invention. 
         FIGS. 17-18  illustrate the pivoting button in the second position in accordance with this invention. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates exemplary illustration of a side view of the cuff including a cuff-link disposed through the button eyelet and the regular cuff button eyelet in accordance with this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the figures. 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of a traditional dress shirt  2 . As shown, the dress shirt  2  includes a front shirt panel  20  and a rear shirt panel  22 . The front shirt panel  20  is shown attached to the rear shirt panel  22  with a plurality of fasteners  34  and associated eyelet holes  21  adapted to receive the various fasteners. The various fasteners secure the dress shirt  2  to the torso of the user. The dress shirt  2  also includes a pair of shirt cuffs  60  attached to a pair of shirt sleeves  5 . 
     The shirt cuff  60  includes a band of material  12  having a first edge  14  and an opposing second edge  16 . The first edge  14  is attached to the sleeve  5  of the shirt  2 . Each of the shirt cuffs  60  includes a first cuff end  60   a  and a second cuff end  60   b.    
       FIG. 2  is an exemplary illustration of the dress shirt sleeve  5  attached to the dress shirt cuff  60 . As shown, the shirt cuff  60  includes an outer button  62  and a receiving cuff eyelet  63 . An aspect of this invention is to include an inner cuff button  65 , alone or in combination, with the outer button  62 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates depicts the inner cuff button  65  disposed on an inside of the cuff  60  adjacent to the first cuff end  60   a . The inner cuff button  65  is aligned to be received by the cuff eyelet  63 . The cuff  60  may be configured for use in a variety of different arrangements by employing the use of the inner cuff button  65 , as will be described below. 
       FIGS. 4-6  illustrate the various configurations in which the inner cuff button  65  may be arranged.  FIG. 4 , for example, illustrates the cuff  60  in an open position ready for use. As shown, the outer button  62  and the inner cuff button  65  are disposed substantial adjacent to each other in an overlapping fashion on the cuff  60 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side view depicting the cuff  60  being arranged so that the inner cuff button  65  on the first cuff end  60   a  is secured to the cuff eyelet  63  on the second cuff end  60   b . In particular, the inner cuff button  65  is secured to the cuff eyelet  63  adjacent to the second cuff end  60   b  so that the cuff  60  is arranged in a conventional overlapping configuration as shown in  FIG. 5 . By way of example, the versatility of this invention may be demonstrated in that the outer button  62  may be placed through the cuff eyelet  63  (not shown) as is done with dress shirts having conventional outer buttons and associated eyelets. In use, the cuff button  65  is pushed through the outer surface of the second cuff end  60   b  toward the inner surface of the cuff  60  in accordance with this invention. This construction yields the appearance of a traditional overlapping dress shirt cuff securing construction. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view depicting the cuff  60  in a French cuff configuration. As shown, the inner cuff button  65  is adapted to secure the first cuff end  60   a  to the second cuff end  60   b . In use, the inner cuff button  65  is secured to the cuff eyelet  63  adjacent to the second cuff end  60   b . However, in this illustration, the cuff button  65  is pushed through the inner surface of the first cuff end  60   a  toward the outward surface of the cuff  60  in accordance with this invention. This construction yields the appearance of a formal French cuff dress shirt appearance including the likeness of a cuff-link appearance. 
     Although the outer button  62  is shown, it is not necessary to fasten the outer button  62 . Instead, an ornamental accessory, design, or the like, may be disposed in its place. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the placement of the inner cuff button  65  and the cuff eyelet  63  may be reversed in accordance with this invention. 
       FIG. 7  is an exemplary illustration of an outer view of the sleeve  5  and dress shirt cuff  60  including an additional cuff-link eyelet  70 . The cuff-link eyelet  70  is disposed adjacent to the first cuff end  60   a  in accordance with this invention. The cuff-link eyelet  70  on the first cuff end  60   a  is located at a predetermined position adjacent to the outer button  62  and aligned with the cuff eyelet  63  on the second cuff end  60   b.    
       FIG. 8  is an exemplary illustration of an inside view of the dress shirt cuff  60  depicting the additional button side cuff-link eyelet  70  and the inner button  65  sewn  69  adjacent to the first cuff end  60   a  of the cuff  60  in accordance with this invention. As shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , it is possible to dispose the inner button  65  and the outer button  62  on the first cuff end  60   a  of the cuff  60 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of the inside of the dress shirt cuff  60  depicting the additional button side cuff-link eyelet  70  without the inner button  65  sewn  69  adjacent to the first cuff end  60   a  of the cuff  60 . It is to be understood that various configurations may be selected in accordance with this invention. 
       FIG. 10  is an exemplary illustration of an end view of the cuff  60  including a cuff-link  72  disposed through the button side cuff-link eyelet  70  (as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 ) and the regular cuff button eyelet  63  (as shown in  FIG. 7 ) in accordance with this invention. In particular,  FIG. 6  depicts the cuff  60  arranged such that the additional button side cuff-link eyelet  70  and the regular cuff button eyelet  63  are aligned so that when a cuff-link  72  is provided, the cuff-link  72  may easily be extended through both the cuff-link eyelet  70  and the regular cuff button eyelet  63 . This construction allows for a more formal appearance of a traditional French cuff dress shirt that included a cuff-link. According to this invention, this use and implementation may be made at a fraction of the cost of a more expensive French cuff dress shirt sleeve  5 , which is specifically designed for use with cuff-links  72 . The advantage of this construction is that by integrating the cuff-link eyelet  70  into the cuff  60 , the dress shirt  2  may be worn casually, as a regular dress shirt, or more formally as a French cuff dress shirt as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates another exemplary illustration of a pivoting cuff button  90  in accordance with this invention. The pivoting cuff button  90  is fastened to the cuff  60  at one edge  74   a  of a button eyelet  74 . The pivoting cuff button  90  is attached to the button eyelet  74  by a threaded attachment  80 . 
     A first portion  80   a  of the threaded attachment  80  secures the pivoting button  90  though button holes  90   a  in the pivoting button  90 . The threaded attachment  80  is combined behind the pivoting button  90  into a threaded extension  80   b . The threaded extension  80   b  formed extends from the pivoting button  90  to the edge of  74   a  of the button eyelet  74 . The threaded attachment  80  is secured at a threaded attachment point  80   c  to the edge of  74   a  of the button eyelet  74 . Although the threaded attachment point  80   c  is shown attached to a lower edge of  74   a  of the button eyelet  74 , it is to be understood that the threaded attachment point  80   c  may be secured anywhere contemporaneously close to the button eyelet  74  so long as the pivoting button  90  can pivot into and out of the button eyelet  74  as will be described below. 
       FIGS. 12-14  demonstrate the operation of the pivoting cuff button  90  from a first position (as shown in  FIG. 12 ) in which the pivoting cuff button  90  is positioned on the outside of the cuff  60 , through a intermediate position (as shown in  FIG. 13 ), to a second position (as shown in  FIG. 14 ) in which the pivoting cuff button  90  is positioned on the inside of the cuff  60 . 
     In particular, when a user prefers to wear the cuffs  60  as a traditional dress shirt, the pivoting button  90  may be positioned on the outside of the cuff  60  as shown in  FIG. 15 .  FIGS. 15-16  show the pivoting button  90  located in the first position. 
     In the alternative, when the user prefers to wear the cuffs  60  as a formal French cuff style dress shirt, the pivoting button  90  may be pivoted from the first position shown in FIGS.  12  and  15 - 16 , through the button eyelet  74  as shown in  FIG. 13  and repositioned inside of the cuff  60  as shown in  FIG. 14 . FIGS.  14  and  17 - 19  depict the pivoting button  90  located in the second position. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates an exemplary illustration of an side end view of the cuff  60  including a cuff-link  72  disposed through the button eyelet  74  and the regular cuff button eyelet  63  in accordance with this invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 19 , the pivoting button  90  is disposed between the first cuff end  60   a  and the second cuff end  60   b . In position, the pivoting button  90  is tucked away between the ends of the folded cuff  60  and a more formal appearance of a traditional French cuff dress shirt is rendered. The advantage of this construction is that a more formal French cuff appearance may be achieved at a relatively inexpensive cost. Likewise, the dress shirt  2  is very versatile and may be selectively worn as a semi-formal garment and/or as a formal dress shirt including French cuffs. 
     It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It is understood therefore that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments which are described, but is intended to cover all modifications and changes within the scope and spirit of the invention.