Patent Publication Number: US-2019183191-A1

Title: Top body garment

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/607,449, filed on Dec. 19, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to the field of top body garments, and more particularly, to a top body garment with an attachable element configuration. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Every day a wide variety of clothing styles emerge on the market. However, most styles only last a season or less. One disadvantage of investing in a new clothing style is that particular clothing style are stationary. Therefore, if a consumer desires a garment of a different design and/or style, they have to invest a lot of money to purchase the different design, which undoubtedly places an economic burden on the consumer. 
     It would therefore be desirable to have a top body garment with improved features including an attachable element configuration that provides the top body garment with supporting means for interchangeable accessories. 
     While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicant in no way disclaims these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein. 
     In this specification where a document, act, or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act, or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provision; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned. 
     SUMMARY 
     This invention relates to clothing for ladies, and particularly to a single-piece garment which is worn about the chest and upper waist, with supporting means for interchangeable accessories. 
     The primary object of our invention is to generally improve female clothing by providing a main portion configured to surround the wearer&#39;s torso with supporting means for interchangeable accessories. The main portion comprises a back closure, at least a waist adjustable element, breast pockets, frame supports, a lower attachable mechanism and an upper attachable mechanism. 
     Another object of the present disclosure is to overcome the drawbacks with current garments, therefore the present disclosure provides a garment including a main portion, wherein multiple accessories according to personal preferences may be removed and replaced by the wearer. The selection of different accessories configured to be attached to the main portion provide different styles to suit different personal preferences. 
     The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary view of the inner surface of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms for interchangeable accessories in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 2 a -2 b    are an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with a first exemplary embodiment of the lower interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3 a -3 b    are an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with a second exemplary embodiment of the lower interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4 a -4 b    is an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with a first exemplary embodiment of the top interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5 a -5 c    are an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with a second exemplary embodiment of the top interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6 a -6 b    are an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with a third exemplary embodiment of the top interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 7 a -7 b    are an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the top interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 8 a -8 b    are an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the top interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 9 a -9 b    is an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with a sixth exemplary embodiment of the top interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 10 a -10 b    is an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with a seventh exemplary embodiment of the top interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 11 a -11 b    is an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with an eighth exemplary embodiment of the top interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 12 a -12 b    is an exemplary view of the first exemplary embodiment for the main portion including attaching mechanisms with a ninth exemplary embodiment of the top interchangeable accessory in accordance with principles of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the Summary above, the Description below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
     The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, structures, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or van contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components or structures. 
     The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 and/or more than 1. 
     The term “mechanical features” or “mechanical coupled” is used herein to mean features of a component, mechanical or geometric, which have a functional purpose of attaching or linking that component to one or more other components with compatible or corresponding mechanical features. An example of a mechanical feature is a slot in a component, where said slot is designed to accept a tab from another component and the union of the slot and tab from the two components effectively links, attaches, fixes, and/or locks the components together. The term “mechanical features” refers to, but is not limited to: clips, hooks, hook and loop fasteners, slot and tabs, all male and female fasteners, screws, bolts, nuts, holes that have been tapped, latches, pins, etc. 
     While the specification will conclude defining the features of embodiments of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. 
     The present disclosure relates to female clothing, and particularly to a single-piece garment that encloses and conforms to the wearer&#39;s torso and includes at least one supporting means for attaching interchangeable accessories. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the single-piece garment  1  includes a main portion or bustier. The main portion is intended to surround the wearer&#39;s torso and extends from the breast area towards the waist. The main portion comprises a back-closure mechanism H which secures the main portion in place when the main portion is being worn; at least one waist adjustable element  4 ; breast pockets  2 ; frame supports FS; a lower attaching mechanism Z; and an upper attaching mechanism  3 . The main portion may be worn “as is” facilitating all the structural needs of a strapless foundation. On another hand, it may be worn with detachable items to create added support or style variations. 
     The main portion also includes breast pockets  2  which are configured to support the wearer&#39;s breast. The breast pockets  2  are prefabricated with a material to provide a cup configuration. For example, foam is used to provide and maintain a cup configuration. Further, the foam is covered by a first fabric, preferably the same fabric used for the front part of the main portion; but it can also be a fabric different from that of the main portion. Furthermore, in addition to foam, the breast pockets  2  can be made from any other natural or synthetic fiber instead. 
     The main portion includes a plurality of panels which are subdivided into at least one front panel F, at least one side back-panel SB and at least one back-panel B. The front panel F extends from the breast pockets toward the garment waist area, which is defined by a waist band or section  4 . The front panel  4  is made of a first material/fabric, such as any natural or synthetic fabric, such as—but not limited to—twill, satin, and velvet. The side back-panel SB is mechanically coupled or sewn to the front panel F and said side back panel SB is made of a second material/fabric that is more flexible or elastic than the material or fabric of the front panel F, such as stretch fabric or the like. The back-panel B fabric is mechanically coupled or sewn to the side back SB and is made of the same material/fabric as the front panel F. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the present invention also contemplates a main portion that is not subdivided into a plurality of panels and instead comprises a single panel that surrounds the wearer&#39;s upper body. 
     As noted above, the main portion comprises a back-closure mechanism H which secures the main portion in place when the main portion is being worn. Exemplary closure mechanisms include snaps, magnetic closures, tension closures, hook-eye closures, expandable materials (e.g., spandex and/or power net), woven materials (e.g., twill), stay tape, ribbons, zippers, buttons and tying mechanisms. 
     The garment, as mentioned above, comprises at least one attaching mechanism.  FIG. 1  discloses a top attaching mechanism  3  and a lower attaching mechanism Z. The lower attaching mechanism Z is coupled to the waist band  4  at the distal end opposite to the front panel F connection between the front panel F and the waist band  4 . The lower attaching mechanism Z comprises a bottom attaching actuator and a bottom attaching receiver. The bottom attaching actuator is configured to mechanically connect to the bottom actuator receiver. The bottom attaching actuator is designed to be part of or be mechanically attached to the waist band  4 . The bottom attaching receiver is designed to be mechanically coupled to the lower body accessories  110 ,  111 . Preferably, the bottom attaching receiver is located at a distal end of the lower body accessory  110 ,  111 . The lower attaching mechanism Z creates an easy modification of the lower body accessory for the wearer. 
     The top attaching mechanism  3  is located and mechanically attached to the top end of the main portion. The top attaching mechanism  3  is configured to surround the top end of the main portion and comprises at least one attaching actuator.  FIG. 1  discloses a top attaching mechanism comprising two attaching actuators. For example, the top attaching mechanism comprises a first top attaching actuator  30 , such as a stretch tape. The stretch tape comprises several openings that are spaced apart. The opening serves as an anchor mechanism for the actuator receiver attached to a portion of the accessory. The first top attaching actuator  30  is flat against the wearer&#39;s body and maintains comfort. The first top attaching actuator  30  is mechanically coupled approximately half an inch or less from the top distal end of the main portion. The first top attaching actuator  30  is seamless for the overall aesthetic of the outer garment. The second top attaching actuator  31  of the top attaching mechanism comprises elements for holding top accessories in position. In one example, the elements for holding top accessories in position in the second top attaching actuator  31  are buttons located at the distal end of the side panels of the main portion. The buttons are configured to hold in position top accessories, such as sleeves; and to create a sturdy anchor. Flat buttons are preferably used in order to allow for easy removal of the top accessory while maintaining comfort within the undergarment. In another example, the elements for holding top accessories in position in the second top attaching actuator  31  are strings to tie knots or similar mechanisms. 
     The supporting frame SF comprises a more rigid structure for the fabric used on the main portion. The supporting frame SF comprises a rigid structure that retains the main portion fabric in position and maintains the vertical displacement or distance of the main portion. The supporting frame SF may connect to the breast pocket assisting with the support of the breasts. The supporting frame SF is distributed across the main portion. 
     The waist band  4  comprises an elastic band with loops  41  providing enhanced shaping capabilities to the garment while serving as an anchor for a woven tape band. The loops  41  are designed into the elastic band and serve as a carrier for the woven tape CT. The woven tape CT is secured into the elastic band and comprises a more rigid structure when compared to the elastic band  4 . The woven tape CT is intended to ensure that the garment remains in place during use, thereby reducing the readjustment of the garment. 
       FIG. 2 a    through  FIG. 12 b    disclose exemplary top accessories  10 - 18  and exemplary bottom/lower clothing accessories  110 - 111 . As previously mentioned, a portion of the accessory in contact with the garment  1  comprises the actuator receiver which connects the accessory to the corresponding area of the main portion. For example,  FIG. 8 a    includes an expanded view of the portion of the accessory in contact with the garment  1 ; wherein said portion of the accessory includes an actuator receiver attached therein. In sum, several clothing accessories having different configurations may be used in combination with the garment  1 . 
     In light of the foregoing description, it should be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in any future claim.