Patent Publication Number: US-2017360131-A1

Title: Interlocking Panel Garment and Methods of Producing the Same

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM 
     The present disclosure is a Non-Provisional patent application claiming the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/350,979 filed on Jun. 16, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fashion is a very important aspect of many lives. Forming new and innovative patterns and designs is the cornerstone of the fashion industry. Garments manufactured are made of fabric or leather sheets that are sown together to make an specific article of clothing. Graphic are typically printed on the sheets to add ornamental design to the fabric. 
     As fashion evolves, consumers desire more and more integral designs and textures that are not available using conventional fabrics and printing techniques cannot provide. Therefore, a need exists for a garment that incorporates geometric designs into the manufacture of the garment. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention discloses a garment including a plurality of panel units each panel unit having at least one hole positioned near the periphery of each panel unit, and a connection unit that engages a hole on a first panel unit and a second connection unit that engages a hole on a second engagement unit, where the distance between adjacent panel units is determined based on the distance of each hole from the each of each panel unit and a diameter of each connection unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  depicts a flexible panel based garment; 
         FIG. 2  depicts two panel units being connected by connection units; 
         FIG. 3  depicts multiple panel units connected together using multiple connection units; 
         FIG. 4  depicts multiple panel units connected together by connection units; 
         FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of an arrow shaped panel unit; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a schematic representation of a process used to manufacture a panel based garment; 
         FIG. 7  depicts another embodiment of a connection unit; and 
         FIG. 8  depicts one embodiment of a garment made from the panels. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts a flexible panel based garment. The panel based garment  100  includes a plurality of panel units  102  with each panel unit  102  being connected to an adjacent panel unit  102  by a connection unit  104 . Each panel unit  102  may be made of a rigid material including plastic, metal, leather, vinyl or any other rigid material. The connection units  104  may be made of any material capable of connecting the panel units  102  including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, rubber or any other material. In one embodiment, the connection units  104  are ring shaped having an inner diameter and outer diameter. 
     The panels  102  include a front and back surface that allow the garment to be reversed. In one embodiment, each surface of each panel unit  102  has a different color or design such that the garment has a different look when one panel unit  102  is on the outside of the garment. In reversing the garment, the panel units  102  rotate about the connection units  104  such that a previously forward facing side of the panel unit  102  is positioned to face inside and the opposite side of the panel unit  102  is positioned to face outward. In another embodiment, the connection units  104  may be removable such that the garment can be reconfigured into different arrangements. 
       FIG. 2  depicts two panel units  102  being connected by connection units  104 . Each panel unit  102  includes a plurality of holes  202  that are configured to engage a connection unit  104  such that the connection unit  104  extends through the hole  202 . Holes  202  are positioned along the periphery of the panel unit  102  at a predetermined distance from the edges of the panel unit  102 . In one embodiment, each panel unit  102  has an arrow shape with a pointed end  204  and an open end  206 . The open end  206  of each panel unit  102  is sized to accommodate the pointed end  204  of an adjacent panel unit  102 . The holes  202  on each panel unit  102  are positioned such that a single connection unit  104  or multiple connection units  104  can be used to connect adjacent panel unit  102 . To connect adjacent panel units  102 , a connection unit  104  is passed through a hole  202  on a first panel unit  102  and then through a corresponding hole  202  on a second panel unit  102 . 
     The space between adjacent panel units  102  is determined based on the diameter of the connection units  104  and the distance of each hole  202  from the edge of the panel unit  102 . Moving the hole  202  further away from the edge of a panel unit  202  along with using smaller diameter connection unit  104  lessens the distance between adjacent panel units  102 . Moving the hole  202  closer to the edge of each panel unit  102  increases the distance between panel units  102  as does increasing the diameter of the connection units  104 . In one embodiment, the distance between panel units  102  is uniform across all panel units. In another embodiment, the distance between panel units  102  varies. 
       FIG. 3  depicts multiple panel units  102  connected together using multiple connection units  104 . Each panel unit  102  is arranged such that holes  202  on the panel units  102  are aligned. A first connection unit  104  engages a hole  202  on a first panel unit  102  and a second connection unit  104  engages a hole  202  on a second panel unit  102 . In one embodiment, each connection unit  104  includes a slot (not shown) which allows the connection unit  104  to be partially separated to allow the connection unit  104  to engage with another connection unit  104  and the hole  202 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts multiple panel units  102  connected together by connection units  104 . Each panel unit  102  is positioned in relation to an adjacent panel unit  102  such that the holes  202  on each panel unit  102  align. The pointed ends  204  of two adjacent panel units  102  may be aligned such that holes  202  near the pointed ends  204  of each panel unit  102  are aligned. Connection units  104  may engage the holes  202  in the pointed ends to connect the panel units  102  at the pointed ends  204 . By positioning the panel units  102  in different orientations relative to adjacent panel units  102 , unique designs are created. 
       FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of an arrow shaped panel unit  102 . The panel  102  includes edges  502 ,  504 ,  506 ,  508 ,  510  and  512 . Open end  206  is formed by the intersection of edges  502  and  504  at angle x. Angle x may be any angle less than  180  degrees. Edge  506  extends from an end of edge  504  at an angle y. Edges  508  and  510  for the pointed end  206  by ending off edges  506  and  512  respectively. Ends of edges  508  and  510  intersect to form angle z. By adjusting the angles x, y and z, the size and shape of the panel units  102  are modified such that different designs, patterns and sizes are created. In one embodiment, all panel units  102  are the same size. In another embodiment, the panel unit  102  sizes are different. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a schematic representation of a process used to manufacture a panel based garment. In step  602 , a plurality of panel units  102  are formed from a rigid material, such as leather. The panel units  102  may be formed in one or more shapes including, but not limited to, arrow shape, diamond shape, block shape, rectangular shape or any other shape. In step  604 , holes  202  are formed near the edges of each panel unit  102 . The holes  202  are positioned such that the panel unit  102  will align in a predetermined geometric pattern when the garment is assembled. The distance of each hole  202  the closest or corner edge may be uniform across the panel. In another embodiment, the distance of each hole  202  from the closest edge or corner may vary with each hole  202 . In step  606 , connection units  104  are positioned in each of the holes  202  such that the connection units  104  extend through the holes  202 . 
     In step  608 , the panel units  102  are positioned relative to one another to form a geometric pattern. The positioning of the panel units includes determining the distance between each panel unit  102  and sizing the connection unit  104  to generate the desired distance. In step  610 , adjacent connection units  104  are connected to secure the panel units  102  together. The connection units  104  can interconnect using any method including forming a slit through one edge of the connection unit  104  to allow the connection unit  104  open and close. The slit formed in the connection unit  104  would be large enough to allow a portion of a second connection unit  104  to pass through the slit to engage the first connection unit  104 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts another embodiment of a connection unit  700 . The connection unit  700  includes a first securing region  702 , a middle region  706  and second connection region  704 . The first connection region  702  and second connection region  704  are sized to accommodate a portion of a panel (not shown). When installed, the first connection region  702  and second connection region  704  bend along the middle region  706  to bring each end of the first connection region  702  and second connection region  704  together. 
       FIG. 8  depicts one embodiment of a garment made from the panels  102  and connection units  104  or  700 . Each panel  102  is arranged to engage with the  202  on another panel  102 . Further, multiple strings of panels  102  can be affixed to one another via the holes  202 . 
     By forming a garment by connecting individual panel units  102  a free flowing and flexible garment is created. The interconnecting of geometric shapes allows for each panel to securely interlock. Further, by selecting different size connection units  104 , the distance between each panel unit  102  different designs be created using the same panel unit  102  shapes. 
     In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular. 
     It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.