Abstract:
A garment accessory including an elongate strap and a connecting mechanism. The elongate strap may have a first end, a second end, and an elastic portion between the first and second ends. The strap may be configured to wrap around a portion of a wearer&#39;s body in such a manner that the strap crosses over itself. The connecting mechanism may be configured to attach the first end and second end of the strap to a garment worn by a wearer. The connecting mechanism may include a loop rotatably attached to the connecting mechanism, the loop being configured to receive the strap; a jaw portion configured to move between an open position and a closed position, the jaw portion being securable to a portion of the garment when in the closed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to garments and garment accessories. Particularly, the present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for fastening articles to a garment for functional and decorative purposes. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A variety of fashion accessories are known in the art for a variety of adornment and sometimes functional purposes such as belts, ties, and the like. The present disclosure provides additional accessories and methods of using the same. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one exemplary embodiment, a garment accessory is disclosed that includes an elongate strap and a connecting mechanism. The elongate strap may have a first end, a second end, and an elastic portion between the first and second ends. The strap may be configured to wrap around a portion of a wearer&#39;s body in such a manner that the strap crosses over itself. The connecting mechanism may be configured to attach the first end and second end of the strap to a garment worn by a wearer. The connecting mechanism may include a loop rotatably attached to the connecting mechanism, the loop being configured to receive the strap; a jaw portion configured to move between an open position and a closed position, the jaw portion being securable to a portion of the garment when in the closed position; and a dish-shaped cover rotatably attached to the connecting mechanism and configured to cause the jaw portion to open and receive the garment. 
         [0006]    A method of attaching a garment accessory is having an elongate strap and a connecting mechanism is also disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes wrapping the strap underneath the arch of a wearer&#39;s foot, crossing the strap over itself on a top portion of the wearer&#39;s foot, wrapping the strap around the back of the wearer&#39;s leg, crossing the strap back over the front of the leg; and attaching the strap to the wearer&#39;s garment using the connecting mechanism. 
         [0007]    A garment accessory system is also disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes an elongate strap having a first end, a second end, and an elastic portion between the first and second ends, the strap being configured to wrap around a portion of a wearer&#39;s body in such a manner that the strap crosses over itself; and a garment having an integrated connecting mechanism configured to attach the first end and second end of the strap to the garment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the method and system of the disclosure. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 1A-1C  are illustrative views of various embodiments of a garment accessory in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 2A-2C  are illustrative views of various further embodiments of a garment accessory in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3A-3D  are illustrative views of different clips that can be used as part of a garment accessory in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate various aspects of exemplary garment accessories in accordance with the disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A-5F  illustrate further aspects of exemplary garment accessories in accordance with the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6A-6F  illustrate exemplary methods for using garment accessories in accordance with the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The method and corresponding steps of the disclosed embodiments will be described in conjunction with the detailed description of the system. 
         [0016]    The devices and methods presented herein may be used for retaining and adorning different garments, such as shoes, pants and/or shirts and blouses. In various embodiments, the accessories generally include a strap having a first end, a second end, and an elastic portion between the first and second ends. A retainer can be provided on one or both ends of the accessory for attaching the accessory to the garment of a wearer. 
         [0017]    For purposes of illustration, and not limitation, as embodied herein and as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C , a garment accessory  100  is depicted in the form of a strap  102  that is laced underneath the arch of the foot, wrapped around the ankle and calf, and attached proximate the lower extremity of the wearer&#39;s pants using a clip  110  or other retainer. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the accessory  100  covers the space between the user&#39;s shoes and pants, providing a means of fashion expression for the wearer. The accessory  100  also serves a functional purpose as it maintains the distance between the wearer&#39;s pants and shoes. While the accessory  100  is depicted in combination with flat bottomed shoes/sandals in  FIGS. 1A-C , it will be appreciated that accessory  100  can be combined with any suitable footwear such as high-heels, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-C . 
         [0018]    For purposes of further illustration, and not limitation,  FIGS. 3-5  illustrate various embodiments of accessory  100  utilizing a clip  110  for attaching the strap  102  to the wearer&#39;s garment. While any suitable connector can be used, the illustrated clip  110  is preferred for aesthetic purposes. As illustrated, clip  110  includes a round body that includes a dish-shaped cover  114  that rotates about a hinge  116  to cause jaws  118  underneath the cover  114  to open and receive the wearer&#39;s garment  120 . As also illustrated, clip  110  includes a loop  112  for receiving the strap  102 .  FIG. 3A  presents various views of a first clip  110  having a relatively wide loop  112 . While the loop  112  in the clip of  FIG. 3A  is presented as defining a plane that is generally coplanar (in the same or parallel planes) with the other components of the clip when in a closed condition, it can also be bent as illustrated in  FIG. 3B  so that the loop lies in a plane that is oblique (e.g., perpendicular, but can be any other angle as desired between 0 degrees and 150 degrees in one degree increments, as desired) to the plane of the clip  110 . Providing such a bend can be advantageous from an aesthetic point of view as it eliminates a gap (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4A ) between the strap  102  and the clip  110  that would otherwise be visible during use. Bending the loop  112  or simply manufacturing it in that configuration eliminates the gap, as illustrated in  FIG. 4B . The clip  110  illustrated in  FIG. 4C  is the same as that of  FIG. 4A , but includes a loop  112  of reduced profile to help eliminate the appearance of a gap. Such a loop  112  of reduced profile can similarly be bent at an angle as illustrated in  FIG. 4D .  FIGS. 5A-5F  provide further views illustrating the gap and the physical relationship between the 
         [0019]    While a particular clip is illustrated, a variety of other fasteners can be used. For example, the strap  102  can be provided with a button hole at each end and attached to a button at the extremity of the garment  120 . The garment can be a special purpose garment sold with the accessory (e.g., as a kit), or can be a general purpose garment, wherein the accessory is provided with a button to be sewn or otherwise attached to the garment  120 . Aside from buttons, any other desired fastener can be used, such as hooks, snaps, or any other refastenable fastener. In one embodiment, the garment  120  be provided with or modified to include a slot (not shown) through which the strap  102  is fed. The strap end region can be provided with hook and loop fastener patches so that it can attach to itself after being passed through the slot in the garment. 
         [0020]    The strap  102  can be made from a variety of materials, including one or more fabrics of different pattern and different durometer. For example, in one embodiment, the strap  102  can include a single elastic strap with a skin-friendly surface. In another embodiment, the strap may include a first portion that is generally inelastic and one or more elastic portions that can stretch to facilitate fit while in use. The strap can also be a disposable item, if desired, and formed from a non-woven fabric and optionally including elastic material. In further embodiments, the strap can be made from recycled materials. For example, in one embodiment, end portions of the strap  102  can be provided that are relatively inelastic, joined by an elastic center portion. In another embodiment, the end portions can be elastic, and joined by a relatively inelastic center portion. By way of further example, the strap can include one elastic portion and one inelastic portion. 
         [0021]    The strap  102  can be provided in any desired color with any desired pattern thereon. In some embodiments, the strap can be of a very bright color and if desired can include photoluminescent material or any other highly reflective or light emitting material such as those described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/106,301, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. If desired, the strap  102  can be a neutral color (black, white, beige and the like) and can be provided with hook and/or loop fastener portions thereon for attaching a patterned portion/insert thereto. Thus, a kit can be provided with one or more neutral colored straps  102  and one or more patterned inserts for matching with different outfits. 
         [0022]    An exemplary method of attaching a fashion accessory  100  is presented in  FIGS. 6A-6F . In  FIG. 6A , the strap  102  is routed underneath the arch of the wearer&#39;s foot. The strap is then criss-crossed over the top of the foot as illustrated in  FIG. 6B . The strap  102  is then wrapped around the back of the wearer&#39;s leg ( FIG. 6C ), crossed back over the front of the leg to form a second “X” ( FIG. 6D ), and clipped to the back or sides of the user&#39;s leggings ( FIG. 6E ).  FIG. 6F  illustrates the accessory  100  including the strap  102  and clips  110  at each end. 
         [0023]    The embodiment illustrated in the figures of the present application are attached to the foot/ankle area and pants. However, additional embodiments include longer straps that can be laced up to or past the knee to attach to different types of garments (e.g., yoga pants, Capri pants, shorts, leggings, bicycle shorts and the like). If desired, strap  102  can be passed through the thumb and forefinger of a user, and laced around the back of the hand, up the forearm and/or upper arm and attached to a blouse. In other embodiments, one or more straps  102  are attached to a user&#39;s bracelet/anklet/watch and laced about the leg/forearm and clipped to a garment. If desired, the strap  102  can alternatively be passed underneath the arch of the footwear being worn by the user. In some embodiments, the accessory  100  can be laced over another garment, such as stockings, and attached to leggings or pants, as desired. In a further embodiment, footwear is provided having a slot underneath the sole for passing the strap  102  through. In another embodiment, footwear (e.g., shoes, ankle-length socks, and the like) are provided including a retainer for receiving one or more straps  102  for lacing about the wearer&#39;s leg and attached to a garment. 
         [0024]    In further embodiments, while one strap  102  is illustrated as being wrapped around a body part, it is possible to lace a second, third, or further strap  102  about the same body part. The strap  102  can have various lengths when not under tension, such as between ten and forty inches, in half inch increments. The straps  102  can also have various widths that can be different from one another. For example, a strap  102  can have a width between about one quarter inch and about two inches, in one-eighth inch increments. 
         [0025]    In further embodiments, strap  102  can include various lighting devices such as LEDs and the like. The LEDs can be lit using piezoelectric elements that are, for example, integrated into the strap and that cause the LEDs to light when a user walks or otherwise moves the body part to which the strap is attached. The piezoelectric elements can be located in a central region of the strap between the ends such that the area is compressed when stood on by the user (by virtue of it being located under the user&#39;s foot). If desired, indicia (e.g., a star, line, dot, etc.) can be provided on strap  102  in the region including the piezoelectric elements so as to permit alignment of that region with the arch of the wearer&#39;s foot to ensure proper alignment. In further embodiments, strap  102  includes a material of relatively high heat capacity to absorb to heat. Accordingly, if desired, a user/wearer can place strap  102  in a cooling medium (e.g., freezer) or heating medium (e.g., microwave oven) and cool or heat the strap such that it provides thermal therapy benefit when worn. In further embodiments, accessories can be attached to the strap  102  such as a pedometer and the like for keeping track of how far the user/wearer has walked. 
         [0026]    It is submitted that, the methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for fashion accessories with superior attributes vis-à-vis the prior art. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the devices and methods of the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the subject disclosure and equivalent