Abstract:
A shirt cuff expander for facilitating the expansion of a shirt cuff. The shirt cuff expander comprises a first and second end connected by a connecting member. The connecting member may be a band-like member having first and second ends and may optionally include an elastic portion. The cuff expander first end may have a button attached to it as its fastening mechanism or another type of obstruction that prevents the extender from slipping through a button-hole. The second end may have, a similar obstruction to prevent slippage through a button-hole or may have a button-hole stitched into its second end. This arrangement allows the first and second ends to be fastened to a button cuff or a link cuff or any other type of shirt cuff. This allows the expander and shirt cuff to transition easily between the traditional closed, first position in which the two ends of the shirt cuff are axially aligned with each other and the open, second position, in which the two ends of the shirt cuff are laterally displaced from one another. This versatility allows for the shirt sleeves to be pushed up or pulled down quickly and easily. The optional elastic portion may also help retain the shirt sleeves in the raised position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/944,655 filed Feb. 26, 2014. Applicant Incorporates by reference herein Application Ser. No. 61/944,655 in its entirety, 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to wearing apparel and more particularly, to a long sleeve shirt having a cuff. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Shirt cuffs are conventionally offered in two styles: one in which the cuff ends overlap and are fastened by a button known as a “button cuff” or “barrel cuff,” and the other in which the cuff ends typically have button-boles on both sides and are meant to be fastened with cufflinks, silk-knots, or a similar fastening device. This second style of shirt cuff is generally known as a “French cuff” or “link cuff.” All conventional shirt cuffs fully encircle the wrist of the wearer so that they may be fastened with a button, cuff link, or other fastener. Shirt cuffs may be worn in the “kissing/style” where the insides of both sides are pressed together, commonly seen with French cuffs, or the “barrel style” in which the outside of one end touches the inside of the other end as commonly seen with button culls. The present invention is directed to all fastenable shirt cuffs including button cuffs, barrel cuffs, French cuffs, link cuffs, cocktail cuffs, turn back cuffs, Milanese cuffs, and others. 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a typical example of a garment having long sleeves and a button cuff. While not shown in  FIG. 1 , it is to be understood that the garment also includes a corresponding long sleeve and button cuff for the left arm as well. The periphery of the closed fastened cuff is smaller than any other portion of the sleeve. Many of us have had the experience at one time or another of not being able to put on or take off a shirt without unfastening the cuff so that our hand can pass through the cuff opening. 
         [0007]    One common issue that arises when wearing a long sleeve shirt with cuffs is that the wearer wishes to remove the sleeves from the wrist area. This can arise from various reasons. For example, the wearer may be too warm with the sleeves fully extended or the lower portion of the sleeves may be in the way when the wearer performs a certain task. 
         [0008]    Since the fastened cuff has the smallest sleeve periphery and is typically slightly greater than the circumference of your lower arm near your wrist, sliding the fastened cuff up your arm typically meets resistance due to the size of your forearm within a few inches of upward sliding. The typical solution is for the wearer to unfasten the cuffs and roll up the sleeves in one of several ways. The internet provides several techniques for “properly” rolling up one&#39;s sleeves. In fact, some of the purportedly more fashionable ways require the wearer to roll up the sleeves while not wearing the shirt. 
         [0009]    An alternative to rolling is just sliding the unfastened cuff up the wearer&#39;s forearm; however, the sleeve is typically back down at the wearer&#39;s wrist in a few moments as there is nothing to fight gravity&#39;s downward pull. 
         [0010]    Another issue that sometime arises with fastened shirt cuffs is that the wearer&#39;s watch, bracelet or other jewelry worn around the wearer&#39;s wrist is confined due to the tightness of the fastened cuff. Typically, the alternative&#39;s are don&#39;t wear the jewelry, unfasten the cuffs and look fashion-less, roll up the sleeves or throw the shirt away. 
         [0011]    What is needed is an alternative to rolled up sleeves that is simple, easy, inexpensive and quick. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention discloses a cuff expander for facilitating the adjustment of a shirt cuff. In one embodiment, this cuff expander comprises a band-like member with first and second ends and may optionally include an elastic portion. This embodiment typically has a button attached to the first end and a button-hole stitched into the second end such that the button-hole at the second end may be attached to a shirt cuff button and the expander button may be inserted through a shirt cuff button-hole. The expander may be worn in its folded first position, pulling the shirt cuff into the standard fastened position or the expander may be allowed to open into its second position allowing the shirt cuff to expand. In the second-position, the shirt cuff button and shirt cuff button-hole are laterally displaced from one another. In alternate embodiments, the second end of the expander may be permanently affixed to the shirt cuff. In still a separate embodiment the shirt cuff expander has a fastener at the first end, a fastener at the second end, and an elastic portion attaching the first end to the second end. Alternatively a static connection member of an adjustable length may be used to connect the first and second ends of this embodiment. These embodiments may preferably be used to fasten link cuffs. The expander may also display logos, emblems, insignias or colors representative of various organizations or as a decorative feature. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The present invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and for better understanding. Furthermore, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a portion of a typical long sleeve garment having a button cuff; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an end view of the button cuff of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a top view of one embodiment of the cuff expander of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the cuff expander of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the cuff expander of  FIG. 3  in a partially folded position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an end view of a portion of the cuff with the cuff expander installed and the cuff expander in the closed first position; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an end view of a portion of the cuff with the cuff expander installed and the cuff expander in the open second position; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8 and 9  each show a technique for biasing the cuff expander in a folded position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is atop view of another embodiment of the cuff expander of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  a view of another embodiment of the cuff expander of the present invention shown attached to a cuff; 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a link cuff; 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  shows an end view of a link cuff with the cuff expander installed and the cuff expander in the closed first position; 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  shows an end view of a link cuff with the cuff expander installed and the cuff expander in the open second position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the cuff expander; 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the cuff expander; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a top view of another embodiment of the cuff expander of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and devices are omitted so as to not obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. 
         [0031]    Various embodiments of the invention may be utilized with apparel having a buttoned cuff, link cuff, or other fastenable cuff without modifying the existing apparel.  FIGS. 1 and 2  are representative of a buttoned cuff  10  attached, typically sewn, to an end of a sleeve  12  in a conventional manner. The cuff  10  has an upper edge  14 , which is joined to sleeve  12 , and an opposing lower edge  16 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the cuff  10  further includes first and second ends  18  and  20 , respectively. A fastener  22 , typically a button, is attached, typically sewn, proximate the first end  18  of the cuff  10  and a receiver  24  ( FIG. 1 ), typically a button-hole, is formed proximate the second end  20  of the cuff  10 . When worn around the wrist of an individual, cuff ends  18  and  20  overlap when the button  22  is inserted through the button-hole  24 . 
         [0032]    Typically, the shirt cuff  10  circumscribes the wrist somewhat closely and defines a periphery that is smaller than the periphery of the sleeve  12  above the cuff  10 . Thus, since the wearer&#39;s arm becomes larger above the wrist, the fastened cuff  10  limits or restricts the cuff from advancing up the arm. 
         [0033]    For numerous reasons (which need not be enumerated here) oftentimes the wearer of the shirt desires to adjust the length of the sleeves  12  which requires that the cuff  10  be unfastened and either the sleeves  12  rolled up a turn or two or simply the -unfastened cuff  10  and lower portion of the sleeve  12  are slid up the arm. This latter technique usually results in the sleeve  12  and cuff  10  sliding back down the wearer&#39;s art in a relatively short period of time. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows a plain view of one embodiment of the cuff expander  30  and Fig,  4  shows the bottom view of the expander  30 . This embodiment of the cuff expander  30  comprises a band-like member  32 , generally trapezoidal in shape, having first and second end portions  34  and  36 , respectively, a medial portion  35 , and upper and lower surfaces  32   a  and  32   b,  respectively. The band-like member  32  is preferably thin, and more preferably has a thickness of no more than ⅛th inch. 
         [0035]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , a fastener  38 , typically a button, is attached, typically sewn, proximate the first end portion  34  of the band-like member  32  and a receiver  40 , typically a button-hole, is formed proximate the second end portion  36  of the band-like member  32 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the expander  30  is shown in a partially folded position with the lower surface  32   b  of the first end portion  34  facing the lower surface  32   b  of the medial portion  35  and the upper surface  32   a  of the second end portion  36  facing the upper surface  32   a  of the medial portion  35 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , the folded expander  30  is shown, -attached to a typical button cuff  10 . The cuff button  22  is inserted through the expander button-hole  40  in the second end portion  36  and the expander button  38  is inserted through the button-hole  24  proximate the second end  20  of the cuff  10 . The expander button  38  is preferably aligned with the cuff button axis  22  when the cuff expander  30  is in the closed or folded position. It is to be understood that the periphery of the cuff  10  is substantially unchanged with the expander  30  installed and in the folded position and gives the appearance of a normal buttoned cuff. 
         [0038]    In this embodiment, the cuff expander  30  is normally biased to the folded position as shown in  FIG. 6 . This can be accomplished in various manners. For example, the band-like member  32  may include means for biasing such that the lower surface  32   b  of the first end portion  34  is adjacent the lower surface  32   b  of the medial portion  35  and the upper surface  32   a  of the second end portion  36  is adjacent the upper surface  32   a  of the medial portion  35 . One example is shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  where stitching  42  has been used to bias the band-like member  32  in the folded position at one or two locations. Alternatively, the band-like member  32  may comprise a plurality of individual segments, for example three, that are overlaid onto each other and secured to one another at or adjacent respective end locations as shown in  FIG. 9 . In another embodiment, the band-like member  32  includes releasable fasteners, such as hook-and-loop-type fasteners, magnetic fasteners, or other releasable fasteners to normally maintain the cuff expander  30  in the folded position. In some embodiments, the releasable fasteners may be concealed within the interior of the cuff  10  or cuff expander  30 , positioned behind the expander fastener  38  such as the expander button, or be simply tucked into the sleeve  12 . 
         [0039]    When the wearer wishes to reposition his long sleeves  12  up the wearer&#39;s arm, the sleeves  12  may be slid un the arm and the cuff expander  30  may unfold as shown in  FIG. 7  or otherwise open. In a preferred embodiment at least a portion of the connection member  32  is made of an elastic material allowing the connection member  32  an amount of stretch. For example, all or a portion of the connection member  32  may comprise an elastic material. In one embodiment, the medial portion  35  comprises an elastic material and the first and second end portions  34 ,  36  comprise a stiff or non-elastic material. It should be noted that an elastic material is any material that returns to, substantially returns to, or is capable of returning to or substantially returning to an initial form or state after deformation. The elastic material allows the expander  30  to accommodate and maintain the cuff  10  at various positions along the wearer&#39;s arm. Thus, the expander  30  will stretch sufficiently to accommodate the size of the arm and prevents the cuff/sleeve from sliding back down to the wrist due to gravity. 
         [0040]    Preferably, the elastic material may be stretched at least two times its unstretched length without permanently deforming the elastic material. It should be understood that via use of different elastic materials, the amount of stretch may be more or less than the aforementioned amount. The spring constant (K) for the elastic material may be chosen to allow a predetermined stretch for a predetermined amount of tensile force applied. Preferably, the elastic material chosen will allow the periphery of the cuff opening to expand greater than a half inch, more preferably greater than an inch, and most preferably greater than one and one-half inch. 
         [0041]    In another embodiment as shown, in  FIG. 10 , the cuff expander  30 ′ comprises a substantially flat, band-like member  32  having a button  38  and a button-hole  40  similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In this embodiment, the cuff expander  30 ′ is not normally biased to a folded position and instead is intended to remain relatively flat. At least a portion of the band-like member  32  is preferably made from elastic material. In this embodiment, when the cuff expander  30 ′ is not in use, the shirt cuff button  22  is inserted through the expander button-hole  40  and then the shirt cuff button  22  is inserted through the cuff button-bole  24  resulting in a normal buttoned cuff with the expander  30 ′ sandwiched between the overlapping cuff ends  18  and  20 . Preferably, the free end of the cuff expander  30 ′ with the button  38  is positioned such that it remains bidden and obstructed from clear view in the buttoned cuff position. When the wearer desires to position the sleeves  12  up the arms, the cuff  10  is unbuttoned (i.e., the cuff button  22  is inserted back through the cuff button-hole  24 ) and the expander button  38  is inserted through the cuff button-hole  24 . The wearer can then slide the sleeves  12  up the wearer&#39;s arms and the elastic material of the expander  30 ′ secures the cuffs  10  to the desired location on the arms. 
         [0042]    In another embodiment as shown in.  FIG. 11 , the cuff expander  30 ″ is incorporated in the cuff  10  of the shirt itself. The band-like member  32 ″ has a button  38  at one end of the band-like member  32 ″ and a second end attached, preferably by stitching, to the cuff first end  18 , preferably near the cuff button  22 . The cuff expander  30 ″ could be part of the original shirt or could be added later. Preferably, all or part of the connection member  32 ″ is comprised of an elastic material. It is to be understood that the attachment to the cuff  10  is not limited to stitching but may be by any suitable means known to those of ordinary skill in the art as for example, adherence. The cuff expander  30 ″ is used in a manner similar to expander  30 ′. 
         [0043]      FIG. 12  is representative of a second style of shirt cuff generally known as a “French cuff” or “ink cuff”  100 . The link cuff  100  is attached, typically sewn, to an end of a sleeve  112  in a conventional manner. The link cuff  100  includes first and second ends  118  and  120 , respectively. The cuff ends  118  and  120  typically have button-holes  124  on both sides and are meant to be fastened with cufflinks, silk-knots, or a similar fastening device. Link cuffs  100  are typically worn in the “kissing style” where an inside portion of the cuff ends  118  and  120  are adjacent or contacting one another. 
         [0044]    In a preferred embodiment for link cuffs  100 , the cuff expander  130  does not rely on buttons but uses an alternative fastener which may be inserted through at least two button-holes  124  to fasten link cuffs  100 . In this embodiment the expander  130  comprises a first end  130   a.  and second end  130   b.  The first end  130   a  has a fastener  136  designed to extend through the buttonholes  124 . The second end  130   b  may also have a fastener  134  designed to fasten to a button-hole. The first and second ends  130   a  and  130   b  of the expander  130  are connected by a connection member  132 . This connection member  132  preferably comprises at least a portion of elastic material. The elastic connection member  132  may be band-like or may be an elastic cord. In this embodiment the connection member is short enough to secure the cuff  100  in approximately the traditional closed position ( FIG. 13 ). The elastic member  132  may then be stretched when the wearer wishes to slide the sleeves  112  up the wearer&#39;s arms as shown in  FIG. 14 . The elastic connection member  132  will expand allowing the cuff  100  to open and accommodate the wearer&#39;s arm and retain the cuff  100  in the position it is placed. In an alternate embodiment, the elastic connection member  132  may comprise a folding-type band-like member as shown in  FIGS. 5-9 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 15 and 16  show alternate embodiments of the cuff expander  130 . In  FIG. 15 , the cuff expander  130 ′ is similar to cuff expander  130 . At least one of the first and second ends  130   a ′ and  130   b ′ of the cuff expander  130 ′ contains a magnetic fastener  150 ′ and the other end is attracted to the magnetic fastener  150 ′. For example, a magnet  150 ′ may be “buried” or concealed within one or both of the fasteners  134 ′ and  136 ′ or at least one of the fasteners is the magnet  150 ′ and the other fastener is attracted to the magnetic fastener. As a result the magnetic attraction between the first and second ends  130   a ′ and  130   b ′ is capable of holding the cuff expander  130 ′ in a securely closed position. In this embodiment the connection member  132 ′ may be concealed within the cuff  100  when the cuff  100  is fastened. When the wearer wishes to slide his sleeves  112  up his arms the magnetic attachment may be broken and the elastic connection member  132 ′ secures the cuffs  100  in an open position-higher up the wearer&#39;s arm. The magnets  150 ′ used in this embodiment may be placed at any position along the cuff expander  130 ′ but will be preferably concealed behind or very near the fasteners  134 ′ and  136 ′. This magnetic fastening feature may optionally be utilized in any of the described embodiments regardless of the other features of the embodiment. 
         [0046]    the cuff expander  130 ″ shown, in  FIG. 16  is similar to a typical cuff link having a pivoting member as a back fastener  134 ″ and a front fastener  136 ″. The fasteners  134 ″ and  136 ″ are joined with an elastic connection member  132 ″, As with cuff expander  130 ′, the fasteners  134 ″ and  136 ″ may also include magnetic fasteners  150 ″. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment, the cuff expander includes a logo, emblem, or insignia  44  ( FIG. 10 ) that is seen when the expander is in the unfolded or stretched position. The insignia  44  is located on the upper surface  32   a  of the medial portion of the band-like member or connecting member  32 . It is to be understood that a logo, emblem or insignia  44  can be used with any of the cuff expander embodiments having a band-like connection member. The logo, emblem, or insignia  44  may be representative of a particular organization, company, university or school. The expander may include one or more colors that may be indicative of a particular organization, company, university or school, 
         [0048]      FIG. 17  shows another embodiment of the cuff expander  30 ′″. The cuff expander  30 ′″ comprises a substantially-flat, band-like member  32  having a button  38  and a button-hole  40  similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . In this embodiment, the cuff expander  30 ″′ is not normally biased to a folded position and instead is intended to remain relatively flat. At least a portion of the band-like member  32  is preferably made from elastic material. In this embodiment, a fabric  46  is attached, preferably stitched, to at least the medial portion of the band-like member  32 . Preferably, the fabric  46  is more aesthetically pleasing than the elastic material. Additionally or alternatively, the fabric may be stitched to the elastic material while the elastic material is stretched so that when released, the fabric exhibits slight creases or puckers, providing a more pleasing appearance. The cuff expander  30 ″′ is used similar to the cuff expander  30 ′. 
         [0049]    In another embodiment, the expander includes one or more colors that may match the sleeve color or otherwise compliment the shirt. 
         [0050]    Other apparatus, features and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that ail such additional apparatus features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.