Abstract:
A wraparound garment having a rectangular body section and a pair of adjustable shoulder straps, adapted for wrapping around the body to provide for a secure fit. The adjustable shoulder straps secure the wraparound garment upon the torso as well as provide for a neat fit by adjustment means. As such, the wraparound garment is simple to don and remove, does not comprise complicated securing or attaching means, obtains a proper and optimum fit, and avoids any inadvertent or accidental unwrapping of the garment to display a covered body portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    Wraparound garments are relatively easy to put on and take off and are generally comfortable to wear. Thus, they are very popular and are in widespread use. Most wraparound garments utilize securing means such as, tying means, Velcro fasteners and snaps to retain the garment upon the torso. In further instances, internal strings or the like, to be joined together are provided in addition to external belting or the like, to be fastened together. However, such securing means are often tedious to manipulate and substantially lengthen the time required to don or remove the wraparound garment.  
           [0002]    Simple wraparound garments also consist of pareos or scarf-like garments which are usually large rectangular pieces of fabric that are secured to the torso by tying a knot in the fabric. These scarf-like garments or pareos do not contain any securing elements and, as such, the only method of securing the garment to the torso is by tying a knot in the fabric. However, the pareos or scarf-like garments have several disadvantages. Such disadvantages include: a) the pareos may inadvertently fall open if the knot slips or unties and b) the overlapping sections of the fabric do not cover an exceedingly great portion of the body.  
           [0003]    Accordingly, there exits a need for a wraparound garment which is simple to don and remove, does not utilize complicated securing or attaching means, obtains a proper and optimum fit, and avoids the inadvertent or accidental display of a covered body portion.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The invention features a wraparound garment provided with adjustable shoulder straps to fit and secure the garment upon the torso. The wraparound garment comprises an elongated rectangular body section of a predetermined length and width, which has adjustable straps located at opposite corners of the length dimension. The wraparound garment is both simple and efficient to utilize. In use, the garment is donned by the wearer by inserting one arm into the opening formed by a first shoulder strap, wrapping the garment completely around the torso and finally inserting the opposite arm into the opening formed by a second shoulder strap. Subsequently, the shoulder straps are adjusted to obtain an optimum fit.  
           [0005]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, the wraparound garment may be embellished with ornamental applications thereon, such as, fringe, beads, embroidery, sequins, and the like.  
           [0006]    The advantages of this invention, both as to its construction and mode of use, will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of a wraparound garment provided with adjustable shoulder straps according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of one adjustable shoulder strap of the wraparound garment of FIG. 1.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 illustrates a frontal view of a wraparound garment provided with adjustable shoulder straps, ornamental applications, and a scalloped finish on the bottom-edge according to another embodiment of the invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIGS. 4 through 6 illustrate the sequence of steps in placing and securing the wraparound garment of the present invention upon the torso in which;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 illustrates a partial view of a wraparound garment of the present invention in an initial step of securement around the torso of a wearer;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 illustrates a partial view of a next succeeding step in placing the wraparound garment of the present invention upon the torso of a wearer; and  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 illustrates the frontal view of the wraparound garment of the present invention completely in place upon the torso of a wearer.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 illustrates the back view of the wraparound garment of the present invention in place upon the torso of a wearer. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    The present invention provides for a quick and easy donning of and removal of a wraparound garment with no accidental or inadvertent unwrapping to expose a covered body portion. The wraparound garment does not contain complex securing devices or ties and thus, is easy to don and remove. The wraparound garment&#39;s ease of use enables individuals of all ages to be able to wear the present invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the wraparound garment ( 10 ), forming the subject matter hereof. Preferably, the wraparound garment is made of a triple mesh polyester. However, different fabrics may also be used in the manufacture of the wraparound garment. Such fabrics include, but are not limited to, silk, rayon, cotton, polyester, Spandex, or any blends thereof. The fabric may be a solid color or a multi-color print. Indeed, it will be readily understood that any suitable fabric known to those skilled in the clothing art may be used in the manufacture of the wraparound garment. Additionally, the wraparound garment may be reversible, i.e., have a different print or color on each side. Accordingly, the wraparound garment can be worn with either side in view.  
         [0017]    The wraparound garment ( 10 ) comprises an elongated rectangular body section ( 12 ) of a predetermined length ( 14 ) and width ( 15 ) which has two adjustable straps ( 16 , 18 ) located on opposite corners of the length dimension ( 14 ). In a preferred embodiment, the elongated rectangular body section ( 12 ) is seamless and is made of a solid piece of fabric. However, the elongated rectangular body section ( 12 ) can also be made from at least two sections or pieces of fabric and thus, may have seams where the sections are joined. The four edges of the elongated rectangular body section ( 12 ) may be finished or fashioned using a number of finishes known to those skilled in the clothing art. Such finishes include, but are not limited to, scalloped, frayed, or zigzagged. FIG. 1 illustrates a wraparound garment with a straight finish on all edges, and FIG. 3 illustrates a wraparound garment with a scalloped finish on the bottom-edge. It shall be understood that one or more edges of the rectangular body section ( 12 ) may have different finishes. Additionally, the corners ( 20   a,   20   b ) of the rectangular body section ( 12 ) opposite the adjustable shoulder straps ( 16 , 18 ) may have rounded or straight edges. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the wraparound garment ( 10 ) may be provided with a slit or opening ( 22 ) of suitable length in the back of the garment to facilitate the wearer&#39;s movement while dressed in the wraparound garment. For example, the slit ( 22 ) would enable the wearer to walk and/or run with greater ease.  
         [0018]    Located horizontally opposite to one another along one edge of the length ( 14 ), the adjustable shoulder straps ( 16 , 18 ) are secured to the corners of the rectangular body section. The edge ( 24   a,   24   b ) of the rectangular body section upon which the shoulder strap ( 16 , 18 ) is affixed will correspond to the top of the garment when worn and is properly angled to ensure an adequately shaped opening ( 32 , 34 ) that will accommodate the underarm of the wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustable shoulder straps ( 16 , 18 ) are permanently secured to the rectangular body section. However, the shoulder straps ( 16 , 18 ) can also be fashioned to be easily removed and replaced with an identical or different type of shoulder strap. Such attachment means enabling the removal and replacement of shoulder straps are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, one could interchange and/or replace the original shoulder straps with straps of a different color, material, or straps with embellishments thereon.  
         [0019]    As illustrated in FIG. 2, the shoulder straps ( 16 , 18 ) include adjusting means ( 25 , 26 ) as in conventional brassiere straps. Thus, the wraparound garment ( 10 ) can be adjusted to accommodate for the wearer&#39;s breast and shoulder size, thus ensuring an adequate fit. The adjustable straps ( 16 , 18 ) perform an important function in that they locate the garment at the proper position on the wearer in order to provide a neat fit and appearance. Ideally, the wraparound garment ( 10 ) can be sized to accommodate a variety of female figures ranging in respect to size and shape. The wraparound garment ( 10 ) can be offered in conventional sizes such as, but not limited to, small, medium and large to account for the different amount of material that must be used to effectively cover different size figures, or as a one-size fits all. The length ( 14 ) of the wraparound garment is sufficient to wrap around and completely cover the girth of the wearer&#39;s torso and may vary to accommodate different size torsos. Similarly, the width ( 15 ) of the wraparound garment is sufficient to cover the vertical torso of the wearer and may vary to accommodate different size torsos, i.e., taller or shorter torsos. The width ( 15 ) of the wraparound garment will also vary depending on the desired dress-length of the wrap-around garment. For example, the hem-line of the wrap-around garment may be designed to end at mid-thigh, above the knee, below the knee, at the ankle, or any other desired dress-length.  
         [0020]    In a further embodiment of the invention, the wraparound garment ( 10 ) may be embellished with ornamental design as known to those skilled in the clothing art. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the warp-around garment ( 10 ) may be embellished with an ornamental trim ( 28 ), such as, but not limited to, fringe, lace, sash or beading. The trim may line all four edges of the rectangular body section or at least one edge. Additionally, the wraparound garment may also have appliques ( 30 ) adorned upon the rectangular body section ( 12 ) in any desired pattern or position. Appliques ( 30 ), include but are not limited to, sequins, beads, diamantes, shells, or embroidery. Similarly, the adjustable straps ( 16 , 18 ) may be ornamentally adorned as described herein or as readily understood by those skilled in the art.  
         [0021]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 4,  5  and  6 , the wraparound garment ( 10 ) is donned by the wearer by inserting one arm into the opening ( 32 , 34 ) formed by a shoulder strap ( 16 , 18 ). The wearer should insert an arm into the corresponding opening of the wraparound garment ( 10 ), for example, the right arm should be inserted into the right opening ( 32 ) of the garment. This technique will ensure complete coverage of the front portion of the torso and leave ample material to wraparound the back of the wearer&#39;s torso. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the wearer inserts the right arm into the right opening ( 32 ) and completely covers the front portion of the torso. The left section ( 38 ) of the wraparound garment ( 10 ) is then lapped around the back of the wearer, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and wrapped completely around and across the front of the torso to overlap the right section ( 36 ). The left arm is then passed through the second strap ( 18 ). Thereafter, the shoulder straps ( 16 , 18 ) are adjusted using the adjusting elements ( 25 , 26 ) thereon. Once the straps have been adjusted accordingly, the wraparound garment ( 10 ) will be efficiently wrapped and secured onto the body of the wearer as illustrated in FIG. 6, with efficient overlapping of the left and right sections to completely cover the front torso and prevent inadvertent display of covered body sections. The back view of the wearer, illustrated in FIG. 7, further exemplifies that the wraparound garment fits securely upon the bottom half of the torso, with the top section of the back essentially exposed. Whereas FIGS.  4 - 6  illustrate the donning of the wraparound garment from the right to the left, it shall be understood that this is illustrative only and that the wraparound garment can just as easily be donned from left to right. Furthermore, the wraparound garment can easily be removed by reversing the sequence of events depicted in FIGS.  4 - 6 .  
         [0022]    From the foregoing, it is apparent that the present invention provides a novel wraparound garment comprising a rectangular body section and a pair of adjustable shoulder straps whereby one shoulder strap may be secured onto the torso, the rectangular body section wrapped completely around the torso, the second strap also secured on the torso, and the shoulder-straps adjusted to provide for a secure and neat fit. The simple yet functional design of the present invention provides for an efficient and facile donning of and removal of the garment in addition to assuring that there is no accidental unwrapping of the garment to display a covered body portion.  
         [0023]    It is not considered necessary to provide any fastening means for assuring an efficient overlap of the left and right sections and for preventing display of the covered body portion. However, if desired, fastening elements may be positioned at appropriate locations upon the rectangular body section. It will be readily apparent that any suitable fastening means such as buttons, snaps, hook-and-eye, Velcro, or the like, may be utilized as desired.  
         [0024]    It is to be understood that the embodiments and variations shown and described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Therefore, various adaptations and modifications of its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.