Abstract:
A sleeve saver apparatus that is an elastomeric attachment for use with a cuff on a button-cuffed shirt and any apparel closure using a button/buttonhole closure. More particularly, the invention is directed toward modifying a traditional button-cuffed shirt so that the cuff has some elasticity to facilitate movement of the sleeve and securing it in a desired position, and lending elasticity to other apparel using button/buttonhole closures.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates generally to a sleeve saver apparatus that is an elastomeric attachment for use with a cuff on a button-cuffed shirt and any apparel closure using a button/buttonhole closure. More particularly, the invention is directed toward modifying a traditional button-cuffed shirt so that the cuff has some elasticity to facilitate movement of the sleeve and securing it in a desired position, and lending elasticity to other apparel using button/buttonhole closures. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Button-down shirts are the traditional wear for many professionals. While some may wear French-style cuffs, it is more accessible and economical to purchase shirts that have button-style cuffs. The cuffs of the sleeve of these shirts are closed with a button and button-hole. Cuffs are made of the same materials as the remainder of the shirt, generally cottons, polyesters, silks, linens, other natural and/or synthetic fibers, as well as blends thereof. Thus, there is no significant elastomeric qualities to the cuff. If the wearer desires to pull up the sleeve of the shirt, the cuff will sit higher on the arm, but is not secure and can move from the desired position. 
         [0003]    Throughout a day of wear, there are many tasks and environments where it is advantageous for a wearer of a shirt with buttoned-cuffs to pull up their sleeve. For instance, hand washing. It is well known that washing hands is recommended at various times throughout the day for well being and keeping the hands free from germs, viruses and the like. Where a wearer of a button-cuffed shirt pulls up the shirt to wash the hands, and the cuff falls down, water invariably will soil the shirt. Of course, there are many other tasks in which a wearer might want to raise the sleeves of his or her shirt as well. 
         [0004]    Moreover, to wear the shirt, the cuffs must be open and then manually closed by the wearer once the shirt is on. This task is cumbersome, and difficult for many, especially where the wearer may have limited mobility. The absence of elastomeric quality requires the opening and closing of the cuff to put on and remove the shirt by the wearer. 
         [0005]    Other apparel using a button/buttonhole closures often become too constricting for a wearer. Most obviously at the waistband where the wearer has increased in girth and the waistband is too small to be worn comfortably. Also in other openings such as those of a jacket where the wearer would like the environmental protection of the garment, but is wearing excess clothing underneath. An attachment to allow for increased size of an apparel opening would be advantageous in many situations. 
         [0006]    There is a need for an attachment to button-holed shirt cuffs that would allow the wearer to have an elastomeric cuff that could be secured when it is pulled up to stay in a desired position. It is also advantageous to have an elastomeric cuff that allows a wearer to put on and take off the shirt without disengaging the cuff. Moreover, an attachment that is adaptable to any button/buttonhole closure is needed to modify existing garments for use and comfort. 
         [0007]    Additional aspects of this invention relate to alternate configurations of the elastomeric piece to modify the opening of the cuff and allow for the cuff to be expanded and secured in a desired position on the arm near or below the elbow as well as moving the hand through the cuff without disengaging the opening. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The following presents a general summary of aspects of this invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in general form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below. 
         [0009]    Aspects of the invention relate to a segment of elastic material containing a button on one end, and a buttonhole on the other end. The segment being adapted to be attached to a shirt cuff so that the opening in the cuff then has elastic material allowing the shirt-sleeve to be moved and to be secured in a desired position on the arm near or below the elbow. The segment also being adapted to any button/buttonhole closure such as that of a waistband, pant leg, jacket closure and the like. The buttonhole on the elastic is capable of being received by the existing button on the shirt cuff or other apparel opening, and the button on the elastic capable of passing through the existing buttonhole on the shirt cuff or other apparel opening. 
         [0010]    Yet another aspect of this invention relates to an example of the elastic material containing only a button. The elastic material capable of being sewn onto a shirt cuff or other apparel opening either during fabrication, or post fabrication (with the removal of the existing button). The button may then pass through the existing buttonhole, allowing the cuff opening or other apparel opening to have an elastic quality. 
         [0011]    Additional aspects of the invention related to an example segment of elastic that contains only a buttonhole. The segment of elastic capable of being sewn onto the shirt cuff or other apparel opening either during fabrication, or post fabrication (with or without the removal of the existing buttonhole). The buttonhole may then receive the existing button, allowing the cuff opening or other apparel opening to have an elastic quality. 
         [0012]    Additional aspects of this invention relate to example a segment of elastic material having a circular shape that has a button on one side and a button hole approximately 180 degrees from the button. The button can be attached to the existing buttonhole on the shirt cuff or other apparel opening, and the buttonhole may receive the existing button on the shirt cuff or other apparel opening. The attachment of this elastic giving a stretch quality to the cuff or other apparel opening and allowing the wearer to move the shirt cuff upwards on the arm and secure it a desired position near or below the elbow and adding stretch to any apparel opening. 
         [0013]    Yet another aspect of the invention relates to an example segment of circular elastic material with only a button. The circular elastic material capable of being sewn onto a shirt cuff or other apparel opening either during fabrication, or post fabrication (with the removal of the existing button). The button may then pass through the existing buttonhole, allowing the cuff opening or other apparel opening to have an elastic quality. 
         [0014]    Another aspect of the invention relates to an example of a segment of elastic material wherein a button is sewn onto the elastic. The elastic is sewn into the shirt cuff or other apparel opening either in place of a traditionally existing button, or replacing the existing button, such that when the button on the elastic segment passes through the existing buttonhole on the shirt, the cuff opening has an elastic quality and can be raised up the arm of the wearer and secured in a desired position near or below the elbow. Where this is used in apparel, the attachment gives stretch to the apparel opening. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a planar sleeve saver as attached to a button-cuffed sleeve, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates another sleeve saver as attached to a button-cuffed sleeve, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    In the following description of various examples of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example systems and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. 
         [0019]    Moreover, elastic material is meant to encompass a variety of synthetic and natural fibers with a stretch quality to them. The button discussed in the invention can by any type of button in shape and size, whether attached by sewing or rivets or the like. An apparel opening is meant to be any opening using a button/buttonhole closure such as, but not limited to, waistbands, jacket openings, shirt openings, pant legs, shirt cuffs, and the like. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 1   a  the sleeve saver of this invention can be a rectangular segment of elastic material  110  having a button  111  on one end and a buttonhole  112  on the other. Of course, other shapes of elastic material are contemplated by the invention. Elastic material encompasses all natural and synthetic rubbers, elastomers and stretchable fabrics. While the button  111  in  FIG. 1   a , and other figures is circular in shape, it is contemplated that the button  111  in the invention may be any number of shapes, sizes, colors, and the like. Likewise, the buttonhole  112  on the sleeve saver is capable of receiving the button  111  and thus, in practice is a sufficient shape and size to receive the button  112 .  FIG. 1   b  shows the sleeve saver example of this invention in a side view to illustrate an example of the three-dimensional quality of the invention. The sleeve saver of this example can be attached to a traditional buttoned shirt having a button and buttonhole cuff as illustrated in  FIG. 1   c . Alternatively the sleeve saver of this example may be attached to any apparel opening with a button/buttonhole closure. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , one side of the sleeve saver is sewn to the shirt  110  (or existing on the apparel), and the button  111  is attached to the existing the cuff of the shirt (or existing on the apparel). The button  111  is received by the existing buttonhole  113  in the shirt. When attached, the sleeve saver of this embodiment allows a stretchable quality to the opening of the cuff  115  or other apparel opening. Thus, the wearer may attach the sleeve saver, and then the cuff can be moved up the arm, to near or lower than the elbow, and the elastic material  110  provides a stretch that will secure the cuff at a desired position. This use is particularly advantageous when the wearer desires to move the cuff upward from the wrist to perform activities in which the cuff may be soiled, or hinder the activities of the user. Where the invention is attached to an apparel opening, the invention lends a stretch quality to the opening, increasing the size of the opening and securing the apparel opening. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment of the invention, illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the sleeve saver has a segment of elastic material  110  elastic material containing only a button  111 . The segment of elastic material  110  capable of being sewn onto the cuff  115  during fabrication. Alternatively, the segment of elastic material  110  may be sewn onto one side of the apparel opening. As is evident to those skilled in the art, the elastic material  110  may be sewn on the outer surface of the apparel opening or cuff  115 , the inner surface of the apparel opening or cuff  115 , or interstitially. The elastic material  110  may be sewn post fabrication after the removal of the existing button. Again, the elastic material  110  may be sewn on the outer surface of the cuff  115  or of the apparel opening, the inner surface of the cuff  115  or apparel opening, or interstitially. In use, the button  111  on the sleeve saver is received by the existing buttonhole  113  on the cuff  115  or other apparel opening. When employed, the sleeve saver in this embodiment, as in the previous example, provides a stretch at the opening of the cuff  115 . This stretchable quality allows the cuff  115  to be moved up the users arm and secured at a position near or below the elbow. Where the invention is attached to an apparel opening, the invention lends a stretch quality to the opening, increasing the size of the opening and securing the apparel opening. 
         [0023]    While the description contemplates the use of the invention on a shirt cuff, it does not depart from the scope of the invention to use the sleeve saver as an elastomeric attachment for other apparel openings using button/buttonhole closures such as waistbands, pant legs, vest closures, jacket closures, and the like. Use of the present invention in these environments is another embodiment of the present invention. 
       Conclusion 
       [0024]    Of course, many modifications to the specifically described structures, systems, and methods may take place without departing from this invention. For example, while the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations, combinations, and permutations of the above described systems and methods. Moreover, various specific structural features included in the examples merely represent examples of structural featuers that may be included in some examples of structures according to the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that various specific structural features may be omitted and/or modified in an elastomeric attachment for a cuff without departing from the invention. Moreover, with respect to the methods, many variations in the method steps may take place, the steps may be changed in order, various steps or features may be added or omitted, etc. without departing from the invention. Thus, the reader should understand that the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.