Abstract:
The gathering device is used for gathering and securing a flexible fabric and includes a generally planar main body, and at least one slotted opening having at least two sides. The main body is a resilient material having flexibility and a relatively high friction coefficient. The sides of the slotted opening are very close to one another when the gathering device is not in use. The slotted opening(s) may include a zig-zag pattern or a single peak (which can be sharp or curved) which provides a tooth or a plurality of “teeth”. Where two slotted openings are employed, the fabric is preferably pulled one direction through the first slotted opening and an opposite direction through the other slotted opening; if the openings include teeth, the resiliency of the main body creates opposing frictional forces on the material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates in general to an apparatus for cinching or gathering material and, more particularly, for gathering and affixing a semi-elastic flexible fabric making up part or some of a garment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is known in the art to use buttons, hooks, hook and loop fasteners, and zippers to close gaps in clothing. Further, drawstring ties are often used to gather and tighten an opening. Shirts, particularly those made from fabrics having semi-elastic characteristics, often are made oversized or are not otherwise fitted. Sometimes, for example, a shirt can include an amount of material such that tucking it into pants, skirts or shorts is not possible (or is very difficult). In other cases, tucking such shirts into lower-body garments creates unsightly under-clothing bumps and can make the wearer uncomfortable. 
         [0003]    A number of years ago, a one-piece cinching item was made to assist the wearer in gathering fabric, securing it in a certain place, and cinching the garment. This item was usually made of a hard plastic or wood, and included two openings separated by a divider. These openings included a perimeter and were made large enough to allow the fabric to be threaded through. The fabric was threaded into the first opening, over the divider and back through the second, or was threaded a second time over the divider. The idea was that the semi-elastic fabric of the garment threaded in this manner would create enough tension with the one-piece cinching item and, perhaps, friction between two portions of the fabric so that the fabric stayed in place. This was used to gather and cinch items such as oversized T-shirts at the side or center of the waist. 
         [0004]    These previous cinching items often were not strong enough and broke when the necessary amount of tension or friction was applied. In addition, due to the hard plastic material and the size of the openings, the fabric often easily slid through the openings and was difficult to secure. Since those earlier versions, oversized T-shirt wearers have resorted to safety pins, cutting and then tying strips in the shirt, or securing portions of the shirt with an elastic band. While these securing means sometimes work, they can be unsightly or difficult to apply, and may actually damage the shirt. Some of these options also pose hazards to the wearer or to others if employed while the wearer is engaged in sports or other high levels of activity. 
         [0005]    The prior art fails to address the need for a simpler and more effective way to gather and secure fabric that is attractive, less prone to breakage, does not require physical alteration of the garment, and secures the fabric—not by utilizing tension or friction of the fabric against itself, but rather by utilizing tension and friction between the fabric and the device. 
         [0006]    Embodiments of the invention differ from the above-referenced technologies in that these prior devices employed the fabric as the main means of securing it, whereas embodiments of the invention provide the means to create the necessary friction between the device and the fabric to secure the flexible fabric. Additionally, embodiments of the invention can be used to gather and secure other items such as, for example, slipped over ribbon for a belt, or over ribbon for flip-flop use, “or, perhaps, to cinch a gift bag, or with scarf, and the like. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used, in isolation, as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. At a high level, embodiments of the invention relate to a gathering device for gathering and securing a flexible fabric. According to embodiments of the invention, the gathering device could be employed to secure a variety of flexible fabrics used in any number of garments. Additionally. In still further implementations, the gathering device could slipped over ribbon and secured to form a fastened belt, or over ribbon for flip-flop decorative use, or to secure a scarf or to cinch a gift bag. 
         [0008]    Various embodiments of the invention include a generally planar main body, and at least one slotted opening having at least two sides. In an embodiment, the main body includes a resilient material having flexibility and a relatively high friction coefficient (e.g., vinyl). In various embodiments, the main body can be about ⅛ inch thick and the sides of the slotted opening are either in contact with each other, or nearly in contact with each other, when the gathering device is not in use. 
         [0009]    The gathering device can be made of any color and a variety of sizes. The slotted opening(s) can be of the same or different shapes, depending upon the desired design of the gathering devices. Examples could include a gathering device in the shape of a pair of lips, a slotted opening following the contour of a top lip and a second slotted opening following the contour of a bottom lip. Another example could be a round shape, decorated like a soccerball or softball. Here, the slotted openings might be in a zig-zag pattern having one or more peaks. The zig zag or peak acts as a tooth, or a plurality of “teeth,” because the material of the main body is resilient, urging the teeth to return to the original position. 
         [0010]    According to various embodiments, where two slotted openings are employed, the material is preferably pulled one direction through the first slotted opening and then an opposite direction through the other slotted opening; if the slotted openings include teeth, the resiliency of the material of the main body (and the teeth) creates opposing frictional forces. The opposing frictional forces keep the material in place. The resiliency of the main body material provides a gathering device that is flexible and relatively soft so that it is far less likely to break and also less likely to pose a hazard to the wearer during activity. 
         [0011]    A first illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for gathering and securing a portion of material. The device includes a main body having a front side, a back side, and a perimeter. According to aspects of the first illustrative embodiment, a slotted opening is disposed within the main body. In various other aspects of the first illustrative embodiment, one or more additional slotted openings can be disposed within the main body as well. 
         [0012]    A second illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for gathering and securing a portion of material. According to aspects of the second illustrative embodiment, the device includes a main body having a front side, a back side, and a perimeter. A first slotted opening and a second slotted opening are disposed within the main body. A third illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for gathering and securing a portion of material. The third illustrative device includes a main body having a front side, a back side, and a perimeter. The third illustrative device also includes a first slotted opening disposed within the main body. The first slotted opening has a curved shape including a trough disposed between two peaks. The third illustrative device also includes a second slotted opening disposed within the main body. The second slotted opening includes a peak disposed between two troughs and is essentially a mirror-image of the first slotted opening. 
         [0013]    These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following description, drawings, and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an illustrative gathering device in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of an illustrative gathering device in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3A  is perspective view of an illustrative gathering device in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative slotted opening in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3C  is another cross-sectional side view of an illustrative slotted opening in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  depicts a method of securing fabric using an illustrative gathering device in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  depicts another method of securing fabric using an illustrative gathering device in accordance with embodiments of the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  depicts a number of illustrative gathering devices having alternative designs in accordance with embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an illustrative gathering device in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The subject matter of embodiments of the invention disclosed herein is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features, or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. 
         [0025]    Referring to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is depicted an illustrative gathering device  10 . As illustrated, the gathering device  10  includes a main body  12  having a front side  14 , a back side  16 , a perimeter  18 , and a depth  20 . The dimensions of the gathering device  10  can vary and can, in embodiments, be configured for particular types of applications. For example, in an embodiment, the main body  12  can have a diameter  21  of approximately 2-3 inches and a depth  20  of approximately ⅛ inches. It should be understood that, in various embodiments, any other desired diameter, depth, and/or other dimensions can be employed, and that all of such configurations are considered to be within the ambit of the invention. 
         [0026]    The gathering device  10  further includes at least one slotted opening  22  defined within the main body  12  and extending through the main body  12 , between the front side  14  and the back side  16 . According to various embodiments of the invention, the main body  12  can include any number of different types of material suitable for providing a strong, yet flexible, body  12 . In embodiments, the main body  12  includes a resilient, flexible material having a high coefficient of friction such as, for example, vinyl, nylon, or the like. Additionally, according to embodiments, the main body  12  can have any desired level of opacity, any desired color, and the like. For instance, in an embodiment, the main body  12  is made of translucent vinyl. In some embodiments, the main body  12  can be composed of a glow-in-the-dark material (or, alternatively, covered with a glow-in-the-dark film), a scented material, or the like. 
         [0027]    According to embodiments of the invention, the main body can be configured according to any desired shape. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the main body  12  can have a substantially circular shape, defined by the perimeter  18 . In other embodiments, the main body  12  can have a shape, defined by the perimeter  18 , that is substantially rectangular (e.g., see the illustrative gathering device  56  in  FIG. 5 ), square, triangular, or the like. Ornamental designs can also be used. For example, in embodiments, the main body can be configured in the shape of a sun, a star, a flower, Mickey Mouse ears, bunny ears, or the like. Additionally, in some embodiments, the main body  12  has a generally flat configuration, as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3 , while in other embodiments, the main body  12  can be contoured (e.g., see the illustrative gathering device  56  in  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0028]    Turning briefly to  FIG. 5 , a number of illustrative gathering devices  50 ,  52 ,  54 , and  56 , are depicted, each having a different design. It should be understood that any number of different types of designs and configurations can be implemented in accordance with embodiments of the invention, and that the examples illustrated and described herein are merely examples of the various alternative configurations possible. As shown in  FIG. 5 , for example, the illustrative gathering device  50  (which is shown in a front view) has a rounded main body  50   a  that has a substantially circular shape. Disposed at least in the front side  50   b  of the main body  50   a  are a first slotted opening  50   c  and a second slotted opening  50   d . As illustrated, the first slotted opening  50   c  has a zig-zag shape, somewhat like a “W” on its side. The second slotted opening  50   d  is positioned below the first slotted opening  50   c  to give the appearance of part of a “smiley” face, further defined by a set of decorative eyes  50   e . In embodiments, the eyes  50   e  could be drawn, painted, or otherwise applied to the surface of the front side  50   b  of the gathering device  50 , while, in other embodiments, the eyes  50   e  can be rounded openings defined through the main body  50   a.    
         [0029]    As another example, the illustrative gathering device  52  (which is shown in a front view) is configured to appear somewhat like a tennis ball. As illustrated, the gathering device  52  includes a main body  52   a  that is substantially circular in shape. The main body includes a front side  52   b  having two curved slotted openings  52   c  and  52   d  disposed therein that are configured to give the appearance of the lines on a tennis ball. Of course, it will be appreciated by individuals having skill in the relevant arts that any number of different types of coloring schemes, decorations, and adornments can be used to produce any number of different appearances and effects. All of these are considered to be within the ambit of the invention. For example, in  FIG. 5 , the illustrative gathering device  52  may have a green-yellow color trimmed by white outlines of the slotted openings  52   c  and  52   d , to approximate the color of a standard tennis ball. 
         [0030]    As another example, the illustrative gathering device  54  (which is shown in a front view) is configured to appear somewhat like a broken heart. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the gathering device  54  includes a main body  54   a  that is shaped substantially like a heart. The main body includes a front side  54   b  having a slotted opening  54   c  disposed therein that is configured to give the appearance of a “break” in the heart. That is, for example, as shown, the slotted opening  54   c  has a longer zig-zag shape over one portion of the main body  52   a . As discussed above, the main body  54   a  can be colored to further improve the aesthetic design. For example, in embodiments, the main body  54   a  can be colored red, while the slotted opening  54   c  can be outlined in black, to contrast with the red colored main body  54   a . According to various embodiments, any number of other types of designs can be printed on an illustrative gathering device  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56 . The designs can be printed on the front side, the back side, and or both sides, and in embodiments, the perimeter as well. In embodiments, the designs can be ornamental designs, logos, messages, colors, and the like. According to embodiments, the designs are printed on the device using a process that holds the designs on the device such that the designs do not fade or break up over time. 
         [0031]    As yet another example, the illustrative gathering device  56  (which is shown in a front perspective view) includes a contoured main body  58  having a front side  58   a , a back side  58   b , and a perimeter  58   c  (which, in  FIG. 5 , has a substantially rectangular shape, although any other desired shape could be used instead). According to various possible implementations, the contoured main body  58  can be configured, for example, to roughly follow the contour of a wearer&#39;s hip or waist area, such that the back side  58   b  of the main body  58  rests relatively flush against the wearer&#39;s body. In other implementations, the contoured main body  58  can be configured, for example, to wrap around a knot made from flexible fabric, to roughly follow the contour of a window frame (e.g., in an implementation where the gathering device  58  is used to gather and secure a window covering), to produce some desired aesthetic presentation, or the like. 
         [0032]    Returning to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 A, and  4 , the gathering device  10  preferably includes a first slotted opening  22  and a second slotted opening  24 . In other embodiments, the gathering device  10  can include any number slotted openings. According to some embodiments, the gathering device  10  can also include an opening (such as, e.g., a rounded opening) that can be used, for example, to hang the device  10  on a hook or nail either for storage or, for example, to use the device to gather and secure a window covering along the side of the window frame. In other embodiments, the device  10  includes a pair of wider, rectangular openings (in addition to the slotted openings  22  and  24 ) that are configured to receive a belt such that the device  10  can be hung from a wearers belt and used, for instance, to secure ribbon, cinch a gift bag, or the like. 
         [0033]    According to various embodiments of the invention, the slotted openings  22 ,  24  can be configured in any number of different shapes and the gathering device  10  can include two or more slotted openings  22 ,  24  having the same shape or different shapes. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first slotted opening  22  is linear and the second slotted opening  24  includes a zig-zag shape, defined by a number of teeth  26 , which aid in the securement of fabric  11 . In other embodiments, one or more of the slotted openings  22 ,  24  can be curved, angled, or any other desired shape. 
         [0034]    The securing functionality of the gathering device  10  of the present invention can be enhanced if a slotted opening  24  has a shape that is, at least partially, nonlinear. For instance, in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 A, the second slotted opening  24  comprises a zig-zag shape having a plurality of peaks  26 . Each of the plurality of peaks  26  functions as a tooth  26  to assist in securing and gathering the flexible fabric  11 , which is passed through the two openings  22  and  24 , as depicted, for example, in  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the peaks  26  can be sharply defined (as shown, for example, in  FIG. 4 ), while in other embodiments, the peaks  26  can be curved (as shown, for example, in  FIG. 6 ). 
         [0035]    Turning briefly to  FIG. 6 , an illustrative gathering device  60  is depicted in a front view. The illustrative gathering device  60  includes a main body  62 . The main body  62  includes a front side  64  having a first slotted opening  66  and a second slotted opening  68  disposed therein. As illustrated, the first slotted opening includes two curved peaks  70  and a curved trough  72 , which is disposed between the two peaks  70 , defining a shape somewhat similar to a rounded capital “M.” The second slotted opening  68  is disposed below the first slotted opening  66  and is configured to be a mirror-image of the first slotted opening  66 . That is, the second slotted opening  68  includes tow curved troughs  74  and a curved peak  76 , which is disposed between the two troughs  74 , defining a shape somewhat similar to a rounded capital “W.” In this manner, the slotted openings  66  and  68  provide for enhanced fabric-securing functionality without damaging, creasing, or wrinkling the fabric. 
         [0036]    Returning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3A , the configuration of the slotted openings  22  and  24  will be discussed. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3A , the first slotted opening  22  comprises a first side  30   a  and a second side  30   b  and is preferably a slit (that is, the slotted opening  22  is created without material being removed from the main body  12  between the first side  30   a  and the second side  30   b ). In this manner, the first side  30   a  and second side  30   b  remain closely positioned to better gather and secure the flexible fabric. Similarly, the second slotted opening  24  includes a first side  30   c  and a second side  30   d  that are closely positioned (e.g., the second slotted opening  24  also is a slit). In some embodiments, some material can be removed to create the slotted openings  22  and  24 , so long as the first  30   a ,  30   c  and second  30   b ,  30   d  sides are positioned close enough together, respectively, to effectively secure fabric  11  that is passed therethrough. 
         [0037]    Any number of different manners of constructing illustrative gathering devices such as those described herein can be implemented in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, slotted openings can include varying configurations, depending upon the manner of construction utilized. For example, in some embodiments, the slotted openings  22  and  24  can be defined by sides  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c , and  30   d  that have the same depth  20  as the main body  12 . In other embodiments, as depicted in  FIGS. 3B and 3C , the slotted openings  22  and  24  can be defined by sides  34   a ,  34   b ,  36   a , and  36   b  that are not characterized by the same depth  20  as the main body. 
         [0038]    For example,  FIG. 3B  depicts a cross-sectional side view of a slotted opening  34 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the slotted opening  34  is defined by a first side  34   a  and a second side  34   b . The first side  34   a  and the second side  34   b  each include a tapered portion  34   c  and  34   d , respectively. As illustrated, the tapered portions  34   c  and  34   d  each taper inwardly (that is, the sides  34   a  and  34   b  get narrower toward the slotted opening  34 ) such that the depth  34   e  of the main body  34   f  is shallower near the slotted opening  34  than in other portions of the main body  34   f . A similar configuration achieved without tapering the sides  34   a  and  34   b  is shown in  FIG. 3C .  FIG. 3C  depicts a cross-sectional side view of a slotted opening  36 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3C , the slotted opening  36  is defined by a first side  36   a  and a second side  36   b . Thin inserts  36   c  and  36   d  extend into the opening  36  and provide edges of the opening having a depth  36   e  that is shallower than that of the rest of the main body  36   f . In embodiments, the thin inserts  36   c  and  36   d  can be individual and distinct inserts  36   c  and  36   d  disposed within the main body  36   f . In other embodiments, for example, the thin inserts  36   c  and  36   d  can be two portions of a single insert  36   c / 36   d  disposed within the main body  36   f , whereby the opening  36  can be constructed by cutting a slit in the insert  36   c / 36   d . Any number of additional configurations can be implemented in accordance with embodiments of the invention, as well. 
         [0039]    With reference to  FIG. 4A , in particular, the method of use of the gathering device  10  is described. A portion of material  11  is threaded through a slotted opening  22 . According to various embodiments, the material  11  can include flexible fabric, ribbon, or the like. Due to the resiliency, flexibility, and coefficient of friction of the material of the main body  12 , and the proximity of the first side  30  and second side  32  of the slotted opening  22 , if enough material is threaded through the opening  22  it will be gathered and secured. More preferably, however, the gathering device  10  includes two slotted openings  22  and  24  and the portion of flexible fabric  11  is threaded through the first slotted opening  22  in a first direction and then the second slotted opening  24  in a second direction. Alternatively, the portion of flexible fabric  11  could be threaded through the first slotted opening  22  and the second slotted opening  24  in the same direction; this could be accomplished by threading the fabric  11  through the first slotted opening  22  from back to front, drawing the portion of material  11  around to the back and then threading it through the second slotted opening  24 , also back to front. 
         [0040]    With reference to  FIG. 4B , the illustrative gathering device  10  can be used to secure two separate portions  11  and  11   a  of material. Although there are several alternative ways to accomplish this, the simplest is to thread each of the portions  11  and  11   a  through a different slotted opening  22 ,  24 , in a single direction. Or, each of the portions  11  and  11   a  could be threaded back to front through different slotted openings  22  and  24 , then threaded front to back through a different slotted opening  22  or  24 . Of course, an alternative that would also work is to thread each portion  11  and  11   a  through a slotted opening  22 ,  24  (same or different), then draw the material portions  11  and  11   a  around to the other side of the device  10  and thread each portion  11  and  11   a  through a slotted opening  22 ,  24  (same or different) in the same direction as that portion  11  or  11   a  was threaded the first time. Any number of other methods of threading material through slotted openings on an illustrative gathering device described herein can be utilized and are considered to be within the ambit of embodiments of the invention. 
         [0041]    The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope. 
         [0042]    From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the system and method. 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.