Abstract:
A removable and economical stiffener comprises a spring wire frame having a base member which resiliently biases two depending side members so as to maintain an epaulet in a relatively taut, planar condition.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed generally to stiffeners for epaulets worn on clothing, and more particularly to removable wire stiffeners for uniform epaulets. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shoulder epaulets have been used for many years, particularly to carry insignia on uniforms. It is common practice to employ a stiffening member within an epaulet to make it rigid and thereby prevent buckling and wrinkling of the epaulet which would detract from its appearance. For this purpose, treated cloth or plastic stiffening sheets have been used. However, such stiffeners cause discomfort to the wearer. 
     In addition, such stiffening elements are usually incorporated directly into the epaulet and either are not removable or are difficult to remove when the garment or the epaulet or loss of stiffening by the stiffening member. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved epaulet stiffener which prevents discomfort to the wearer but which is still effective in maintaining the tautness, and thus the neat appearance of the epaulet during wear. 
     It is further object of the present invention to provide an improved epaulet stiffener which is readily inserted in and removed from the epaulet. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an improved epaulet stiffener which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture, and suitable for different size epaulets. 
     These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by an epaulet stiffener comprising a spring wire frame which is insertable inside the epaulet. Resilient legs of the frame urge opposed edges of the epaulet outward and the epaulet assumes a taut condition. The spring wire frame is inserted or removed from the epaulet by urging the resiliently opposed legs of the frame together. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are described in or apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a stiffening frame member according to the invention in unrestrained condition; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates the frame member of FIG. 1 in a compressed condition; and 
     FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway view of an epaulet showing insertion or removal and positioning of the stiffening frame member within the epaulet. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 shows a stiffening member 10 in the form of a substantially planar wire frame. Stiffening member 10 in FIG. 1 is in an unrestrained condition. Stiffening member 10 may be made of a wide variety of suitable materials, the most effective material being spring steel wire. 
     The stiffening member 10 includes a transverse base member 12. When stiffening member 10 is not tensioned, the base member has a slightly arcuate shape. A pair of opposed leg members 14a and 14b are joined to opposite ends of the base member 12 and extend angularly therefrom in a flared relationship, as shown, in the untensioned state of stiffening member 10. The free ends of the legs 14a, 14b carry end sections 16a, 16b, respectively, which extend inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of the frame. The ends of the sections 16a, 16b are terminated by bends 18a, 18b, respectively, which are included to minimize snagging or damage to the cloth epaulet. Opposed arcuate depressions 19a, 19b in legs 14a, 14b serve as finger engagement points along the legs. 
     FIG. 2 shows the condition of the stiffening member 10 when opposed laterally inwardly directed forces f urge the free ends of the legs 14a, 14b toward the longitudinal center line of the frame. Under these conditions, stiffening member 10 has a substantially rectangular frame shape. The base 12 assumes a less arcuate shape and serves to resiliently bias the legs 14a, 14b outwardly. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, an epaulet 20 is shown having a hollow body 22 into the interior of which stiffening member 10 is inserted. The upper surface of the body 22 can carry suitable ornamentations such as military insignia (not shown). Epaulet 20 is made of suitable material, usually a piece of cloth which has been sewn with a longitudinal seam to form body 22. 
     In order to stiffen the epaulet body 22, stiffening member 10 is placed in the condition shown in FIG. 2 by engaging stiffening member 10 at depression 19a, 19b and moving the leg members 14a, 14b together. In this condition, the stiffening member is slipped inside the epaulet body 22. When the stiffening member is released, the spring bias imparted by the base member 12 urges the legs 14a, 14b outwardly against inside edges 24a, 24b of the epaulet body. Stiffening member 10 is sized relative to the body 22 so that when it is inside the epaulet body, it is restrained from achieving the unconfined shape shown in FIG. 1, thus forming a frame which maintains a constant tension within the body 22. Epaulet 20 is thus maintained in a taut condition. Removal of the frame 22 is accomplished by reversing the insertion steps. 
     Preferably, stiffening member 10 is somewhat shorter longitudinally than the epaulet body 22, so that the ends of the stiffening member are hidden within epaulet 20. 
     The construction just described results in a lightweight epaulet stiffener having a substantially open central area which is capable of conforming to the shoulder surfaces of the wearer, thereby making the epaulet more comfortable to wear. Further, the stiffener is easily and quickly removable, and is very economical to manufacture. 
     It will be appreciated that the disclosed preferred embodiment is merely illustrative of the present invention, and that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.