Abstract:
A shirt cuff comprises a band of material having first and second opposing edges and first and second opposing ends. The first edge is attached to the sleeve of the shirt. A decorative fastener for the cuff connects the two ends of the band.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 09/116,133 filed Jul. 14, 1999, which is scheduled to issue as U.S. Pat. No. 6,212,685 on Apr. 10, 2001. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of wearing apparel and, more particularly, to a novel shirt cuff and fastener therefor. 
     2. Background 
     Shirt cuffs are conventionally offered in two styles: one in which the cuff ends overlap and are fastened by a button and the “French cuff” which is typically fastened with a cuff link. Some cuffs of the former type are made to be “convertible” so that, if desired, they may be fastened with a cuff link instead of a button. All conventional shirt cuffs fully encircle the wrist of the wearer so that they may be fastened with either a button or conventional cuff link. 
     Conventional shirt cuffs and cuff links have a uniformity of appearance that many regard as banal. There is a perceived need, particularly among style-conscious individuals for a fresh look in shirt cuffs and fasteners. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a shirt cuff of novel construction together with a fastener therefor. In general terms, the shirt cuff comprises a band of material having first and second opposing edges and first and second opposing ends. The first edge is attached to the sleeve of the shirt. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the band are such that the two ends overlap. In other embodiments, the two ends are spaced apart. In still other embodiments, the cuff ends only partially overlap. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shirt cuff constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a first type of closure device for the cuff of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a second type of closure device for the cuff of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative style of shirt cuff. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates another alternative style of shirt cuff. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates another alternative style of shirt cuff. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates another alternative style of shirt cuff. 
     FIG. 8 illustrates another alternative style of shirt cuff. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 
     In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. A cuff  10  is sewn to the end of a shirt sleeve  12  in a conventional manner. Cuff  10  is defined by edge  14 , which is joined to sleeve  12 , and opposing edge  16 . Cuff  10  is further defined by opposing ends  20  and  22 . When worn around the wrist of an individual, cuff ends  20  and  22  diverge from edge  14  in the direction of edge  16  to form a generally “V”-shaped opening at the wrist. It will be appreciated that, if cuff  10  were laid flat, the cuff would have a generally trapezoidal shape. A pair of apertures  24  are located on cuff  10  proximate to edge  16  and to cuff ends  20  and  22 , respectively. The function of apertures  24  will be more fully described below. Optionally, a closure such as button  26  may be provided on cuff  10  or sleeve  12  proximate to cuff edge  14  to maintain closure of the cuff along edge  14  with cuff ends  20  and  22  proximate to one another or slightly overlapping. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, cuff  10  is illustrated with closure device  30  inserted through apertures.  24 . Closure device  30  comprises a chain of individual links  34  so that it drapes across the opening between the cuff ends  20  and  22 . Apertures  24  may be slit-shaped in the manner of conventional button holes or may be small round holes similar to those used for certain types of collar closures. The size and shape of apertures  24  will, of course, correspond to the construction of closure device  30 . In this regard, each end of closure device  30  may have button-shaped projections  32 , in which case apertures  24  are preferably slit-shaped. Alternatively, closure device  30  may have pin-shaped studs at each end, in which case apertures  24  are preferably small, round holes. 
     Closure device  30  is intended to be a decorative piece of jewelry that is visible when worn by an individual. Therefore, cuff  10  is preferably positioned on sleeve  12  so that the opening between cuff ends  20  and  22  will fall to the outside of the individual&#39;s wrists when the individual&#39;s arms are in a relaxed position at the individual&#39;s sides. This is in contrast to most conventional cuff designs wherein the cuff opening typically faces to the rear when the individual&#39;s arms are in a relaxed position at the individual&#39;s sides. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates cuff  10  with an alternative closure device  40 . This device is of rigid unitary construction and may incorporate decorative elements, such as gem stone  42 . 
     Cuff  10  is illustrated with substantially straight opposing ends  20  and  22 ; however, the cuff ends may have various alternative shapes. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates a cuff  50  in which the cuff ends are curved. FIG. 5 illustrates a cuff end  60  with compound curved cuff ends. In each case, the cuff ends diverge from the cuff edge which is sewn to the shirt sleeve in a direction towards the outer edge of the cuff so that a closure device may be advantageously displayed between the cuff ends. The cuff ends themselves may be plain as illustrated or may include decorative appliques, piping or the like. 
     An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG.  6 . Unlike the previously described embodiments, the ends  72 ,  74  of cuff  70  do not diverge. Instead, the ends of the cuff overlap one another. The cuff ends may be angled in relation to sleeve  12  as illustrated or may extend straight, perpendicular to the cuff edges. As in the previously described embodiments, cuff  70  includes a pair of apertures  76  into which a closure device of the type previously described and illustrated may be inserted. 
     A further alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG.  7 . Edges  82 ,  84  of cuff  80  are substantially parallel to one another, but are separated by a distance d. Here again, apertures  86  are provided to receive a closure device. 
     Yet another alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG.  8 . In this embodiment, edges  92 ,  94  of cuff  90  partially overlap and then diverge towards cuff edge  98 . A pair of apertures  96  are provided as in all of the other embodiments. 
     It will be recognized that the above described invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the disclosure. Thus, it is understood that the invention is: not to be limited by the foregoing illustrative details, but rather is to be defined by the appended claims.