Patent Publication Number: US-2003226865-A1

Title: Dress form

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention is an improved method for creating a dress form used in sewing custom fitted garments, that eliminates fitting problems created when the individual for whom the garments are being created is not available to assist in the fitting. One is also able to successfully fit oneself as well with your own body being right in front of you.  
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART  
       [0002] Typically, when an individual approaches a garment maker to create new clothes for the individual, the garment maker will take the individual&#39;s measurements and will write them down. Unfortunately, the way one measures does not always conform to the way one is shaped, and therefore the clothes do not always fit the individual as desired.  
       [0003] To ensure proper fitting, the individual for whom the clothes are made would have to repeatedly visit the garment maker to try on the clothes. However, this is often time consuming for both the garment maker and for the individual ordering the clothes, because the garment maker will not be able to continue until he/she knows that the clothes fit properly, and he/she will not know that the clothes fit properly until the individual purchasing the clothes can free up his/her schedule to make a trip to the garment maker for repeated fittings.  
       [0004] A unique and active solution to this fitting problem is to provide a means by which the individual ordering the clothes does not have to be present at the garment maker&#39;s location for repeated fittings, and which provides the garment maker with a clone of the individual&#39;s body at the garment maker&#39;s shop. The garment maker can easily refer to the clone to ensure that the garment will fit properly.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for creating a custom dress form. Tight fitting clothing that is worn by the individual for whom the dress form is a clone, hereinafter designated a “model” is taped to retain the model&#39;s shape. The taped clothing is then cut along the back side to allow the taped clothing to be removed from the model, thereby producing a shell of the model&#39;s body. The tape used in this invention may be duct tape, or any similar adhesive tape.  
       [0006] The invention further provides a stand for supporting the dress form. The stand includes a rotatable base, an extendable first vertical pipe with one end attached to the rotatable base, a four-way joint with one end connected to the first vertical pipe, at least one horizontal pipe connected to the first vertical pipe through the four-way joint, and a second vertically extending pipe connected to the top end of the four-way joint. The vertical pipe extending above the four-way joint also may function as a holder for sewing apparatus; such as scissors, pens, etc. It protrudes through the neckline and may have a circular pin cushion wrapping around its edges. The horizontal pipes are also extendable in one embodiment to accommodate models of varying shoulder width. The base may be comprised of plastic, wood or any other suitable material. Additionally, the pipes may be plastic as well.  
       [0007] The invention further provides a method for adapting a polyester-filled pillow or the like having an outer shell for use with the dress form. A first slit is cut in the first side of the pillow shell and runs the entire length of the seamed edge along the first side. A second slit is cut in the second or opposite side of the pillow shell at about 3 or 4 inches. A tunnel is then created inside the poly-filled pillow core by making a center tunnel connecting the first slit with the second slit.  
       [0008] The invention providing a method for creating a dress form in the disclosed embodiment comprises the following steps: The outer surface of a tight fitting garment is taped over while being worn by the model. The taping process starts by taking strips in various lengths that are tape torn in half lengthwise. Then some of the longer half strips are positioned at the waist, hips, under bust, over bust and armholes. This secures the base garment snugly against the body to assure accuracy in shape and measurements. After the base garment is secured, the taping process then begins below the waist in the front and back. The taping process then proceeds up the back, then the shoulders and top of the arms continuing around the bust and front chest. Lastly, the sections of the upper abdomen and up to about two inches of the neckline are taped at the end to make the base garment more comfortable in ease and in breathing. A special shaping process of cutting smaller strips that are torn in half are placed around all the curved portions of the body in an overlapping fashion. Curved areas include the crotch, high hip, stomach, armholes, bustline, neckline and all other areas of roundness and protrusion. Taping will proceed with two layers or more for reinforcement for areas needing more support; such as under the bustline and armholes. The model is marked with all the design lines like natural waistline, arms, neckline, shoulderline, center front, bust points, bustline, hipline, and princess lines. The lines are marked by using implements such as marker pens, drafting tape, auto-pinstriping or ribbon. A flexible ruler is used in the rounded areas such as armholes and neckline. In the case of the model being taped for a torso or form with legs, a tight fitted pair of paints provides the base. The taped garment is then cut up the back and removed from the model, thereby creating a shell of the model&#39;s torso. A stand, which may be rotatable, is created upon which a prepared pillow is placed. The shell is then wrapped around the pillow and the combination provides a sturdy dress form. The method of the present invention also provides steps for creating the sleeve portions of the dress form by substantially filling the sleeves of the garment with batting cut to the measurements of the arms of the model. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0009] The invention is described in greater detail in the following description of examples embodying the best mode of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:  
     [0010]FIG. 1 is a front view of one form of a stand for practicing the method according to the invention;  
     [0011]FIG. 2 is a front view of a pillow used to practice the invention according to the invention;  
     [0012]FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the pillow placed on the stand as described by the invention;  
     [0013]FIG. 4 is a front view of a shell wrapped around the pillow on the stand as described by the invention;  
     [0014]FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of a sleeve section and accompanying stuffing being added to the shell in the sleeve section;  
     [0015]FIG. 6 is a top view of the base according to the invention; and  
     [0016]FIG. 7 is a side view of a shell wrapped around a model&#39;s leg as described by the invention.  
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION  
     [0017] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the invention illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.  
     [0018] In one embodiment of the dress form fabrication method, an individual, or model for whom the dress form is intended to be constructed wears tight fitting clothing, such as a tight long-sleeve turtleneck shirt, over the torso. Tape  36  (FIG. 4) is applied to the model&#39;s torso by wrapping the tape over the shirt, such that the tape adheres to the shirt. The sleeves  42  are not taped, with the exception of where the sleeve  42  meets a shoulder. It is contemplated that the taping is performed by an assistant or “builder,” using duct tape or any equivalent adhesive tape material.  
     [0019] Once taping of the torso of the model has been completed, the builder cuts a vertical slit up the center of the back  40  of the taped form, cutting through the tape and the shirt. It is important at this stage that the duct tape  36  properly adheres to the shirt, so that when the form is removed, the duct tape  36  and the shirt are a single unit. When the shirt with the duct tape  36  attached is removed from the model&#39;s torso, a shell  34  (FIG. 4) of the model&#39;s torso is created.  
     [0020] Once the shell  34  is created, the shell  34  is placed on a stand  10  over a polyester, or like material, filled pillow  22 , as will be described. The stand  10  (as shown in FIG. 1) is comprised a first vertically extending longitudinal pipe  14 , and a second vertically extending longitudinal pipe  16  moveably disposed inside the first longitudinal pipe  14 . A rotatable grip  17  releases to allow pipe  16  to be moved to a desired height, and then tightens to hold pipe  16  in its set position. The first longitudinal pipe  14  is mounted on the base  19 . In one embodiment of the invention, the base  19  is placed on top of a rotatable platform to enable the model to rotate the dress form during the tape application process, and while using the dress form upon its completion. Pipe  14  may also be attached to the base  19  by way of a bracket, a hinge, or any other equivalent structure known to someone skilled in the art. At the upper end of the second longitudinal pipe  16  opposite the base  19 , a four-way connector joint  18  is secured. At least one horizontally extending pipe  20  is connected to the second longitudinal pipe  16  through the horizontal end of the four-way connector joint  18 , creating a T-frame. If desired, a second longitudinal pipe  23  may be inserted into the remaining vertical aperture of the four-way connector joint  18  to extend the height of the stand  10 . Pipe  23  has an open top and a closed bottom to the pipe which is inserted in the four-way connector and acts as a holder for sewing supplies, and pin cushion  56 . Extendable rods  25 ,  27  are movably inserted into apertures  29  at the outer end of each horizontal pipe  20 . A rotatable gripping device  31  alternatively locks each rod  25 ,  27  in its respective aperture  29 , or releases each rod for horizontal movement relative to pipe  20 . By moving rods  25 ,  27  horizontally, the stand  10  can be customized to fit the shoulder width of different models.  
     [0021] A poly or foam filled formable pillow  22  having a first end  24  and a second end  26  is shown in FIG. 2. At the first end  24  of the pillow  22 , a first slit  28  is made such that the first slit  28  runs the full lateral width of the first end  24 . At the second end  26  of the pillow  22 , a second slit  30  is made such that the second slit  30  runs only for a few inches located in the center of the second end  26 . Once the slits  28  and  30  are made in the first end  24  of the pillow  22  and the second end  26  of the pillow  22 , a tunnel  32  is formed inside the pillow  22  extending from the first end  24  of the pillow  22  to the second end  26  of the pillow  22  by removing an appropriate amount of foam from inside the pillow  22  to create tunnel  32 .  
     [0022] After the tunnel  32  has been made in the pillow  22 , the pillow is placed over the T-frame of the stand  10  (as shown in FIG. 3) such that the first slit  28  along the first end  24  of the pillow  22  is directly over the base  12  of the stand  10 , and the second slit  30  along the second end  26  of the pillow  22  is positioned near the four-way joint  18  such that the end  26  of the pillow is supported by pipes  20  and/or rods  27 ,  29 . When placing the foam filled pillow  22  with tunnel  32  over the T-frame of stand  10 , wide opening  24  of the pillow is advanced over pipes  16  and  17 , which extend into tunnel  32  as pillow  22  is moved downward. At this juncture, pipe  23  is removed from pipe joint  18 . Simultaneously, horizontal pipe  20 , which is attached to pipe  16  is advanced between the foam in the casing of pillow  22  and the interior of the casing until the interior top portion of the casing rests on horizontally extending pipe  20 . If necessary, pipe  23  is attached to pipe  16  by threading or otherwise fixing pipe  23  to joint  18 . Where the model has broad shoulders, rods  25 ,  27  are moved laterally outward until it reaches the desired measurement from armpit to armpit in the lateral sides of the casing of pillow  22 . Rods  25 ,  27  are then locked in place by rotating gripping device  31 .  
     [0023] Shell  34  is gripped along the edges of the slit formed in the back of the shell, and opened to allow placement of the shell over the pillow  22  mounted on stand  10 . The pillow  22  creates a foundation that supports the shell  34 . A filling material, such as cotton, foam, or any other suitable material may be inserted into or over the pillow  22  to shape the pillow  22  to the size of the shell  34 . If required, a brassier may be placed over the pillow  22  in order to further shape the pillow  22  to the dimensions of the shell  34 . The brassier is then stuffed and filled out to its desired shape.  
     [0024] Once the pillow  22  is properly placed onto the stand, more polyester fill is then stuffed over the pillow shell where needed to fill in any discrepancies between the pillow and the taped dressform working from the neck on downwards. Then the back  40  of the shell  34  is sealed together, by using tape or any other suitable known attachment elements, so that the shell  34  fully wraps around the pillow  22  in a seamless manner.  
     [0025] After the back  40  (FIG. 4) of the shell  34  is sealed, the arms  42  of the clothing are stuffed to conform to the measurements of the arms of the model.  
     [0026] As the shell  34  is mounted over pillow  22  on stand  10 , arms  42 ,  44  (FIG. 4) of the turtleneck shirt described previously extend outward. To begin the process of stuffing the arms, as described in relation to just one of the two arms, a measurement is made from the shoulder to the elbow of the model. The circumference of the top bicep as expanded when pressed against the body of the model is measured, as well as the circumference of the bicep just above the elbow. The distance from the elbow to the wrist is measured, as well as the circumference of the forearm under the elbow and the circumference of the wrist.  
     [0027] After these measurements of the model have been taken, two portions of formable polyester quilt batting, or similar material, are each cut to the length of the shoulder to elbow measurement of the model. The batting portions are each rolled up until they are substantially the same as the bicep dimensions of the arms. The rolled up batting is then wrapped with duct tape in the illustrative embodiment, or with any known suitable material.  
     [0028] Two additional portions of polyester quilt batting, or other suitable material, are each cut to the length of the elbow to wrist measurement of the model. The additional portions of batting are then rolled up to the dimension of the circumference of the forearm under the elbow, and the circumference of the wrist of the model. The rolled up additional portions of batting are then wrapped with duct tape, or other equivalent material. At this point, two rolled batting portions have been assembled for each arm, a lower batting portion  46  and an upper batting portion  48  (FIG. 5). Each sleeve  42 ,  44  of the turtleneck shirt is rolled up, and the upper batting portion  48  is inserted into the arm hole in each of the sleeves  42 ,  44 . The lower end of each of the upper batting portions  48  is cut at approximately forty five degree angle (45°) at the point adjacent the elbow either before being inserted into a respective sleeve  42 ,  44 , or after being inserted in a sleeve which has been rolled up past the elbow. The same principle is used when sculpting the lower thigh and upper calf shape of the knee joint for the legs, as shown in FIG. 7.  
     [0029] The top of each lower batting portion  46  is cut at an angle of forty-five degrees (45°), and a section of the center is cutout bringing an indentation so that it can be inserted into the outer edge of the T-Stand. Each batting portion is inserted into respective sleeves  42 ,  44 , which have been rolled down. The two forty-five degree angled portions of upper batting portions  48  and lower batting portions  46  meet approximately at the elbow of each respective sleeve  42 ,  44 , and the arms can then be bent.  
     [0030] After the stuffing and batting insertion is complete, the T-frame  10  with the shell  34  remaining in place is removed from the base  19 . A piece of cardboard  38  (FIG. 6), or other suitable stiffened material, with an aperture  50  cut in the center is placed on the first longitudinal pipe  14  and moved upward into a position where the cardboard  38  meets the bottom  52  of the shell  34 . The cardboard  38  is secured in place and cut to shape along line  54  to match the bottom of the shell  34 . The cardboard is then taped or otherwise attached to the bottom of shell  34  to form a bottom for the shell and for the dress form. The shell  34  and the T-frame  10  are then placed back onto the base  19 , resulting in a dress mannequin that is a clone of the model.  
     [0031] Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the illustrated embodiments of the invention. However, it must be understood that these particular products, and their method of manufacture, do not limit but merely illustrate, and that the invention is to be given its fullest interpretation within the terms of the appended claims.