Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a suspender system in which suspenders can be worn under a shirt and out of sight and include fastener members to removably couple the suspenders to corresponding attachment members attached to an inside of the garment. The suspender system of the present invention also allows a shirt to be easily tucked around the fasteners. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Suspenders used to support pants or trousers on a person&#39;s body are known. The suspenders typically include a pair of straps that fit over the shoulders of the wearer with ends which attach to the waistband of the pants. The ends of the straps of the suspenders typically have a X or Y shape with button holes at each end of the X or Y shape. Each button hole is attached to a corresponding button positioned on the inside of the waistband. The suspenders are worn over a shirt. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,555,421 describes suspenders having a pair of strap members particularly for wearing under loose fitting shirts. At least one side of each of the strap member has loop members thereon which mate with pieces of hook-type material secured adjacent one end of each of the strap members. The pair of strap members are connected together and the strap members are adjusted with hook and loop material for eliminating adjustment buckles. Clip-type fastener members are affixed to ends of the strap members. The clip-type fasteners clip to the pants or trousers worn by the wearer. This patent has the shortcoming in which the bulky clip-type fastener clips make it difficult for a shirt to be tucked into the pants or trousers around the fastener clips without undoing the fastener clips. The wearer cannot wear traditional suspenders in an out-of-sight or invisible fashion. 
         [0006]    As opposed to conventional suspenders that are designed to be worn over the shirt, it is desirable to provide an undergarment suspender system that can be worn under a shirt. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention relates to suspender system in which fastener members such as for example suspender clips or plastic or metal garter belt clips, are attached to suspender straps to provide expeditious attachment to a corresponding attachment member, such as for example rings, buttons, metal rivets/buttons, or cloth loops, which are attached to a garment. The suspender system expeditiously attaches suspender straps to a garment (pants or skirt) by using corresponding fasteners which can be removably attached to attachment members coupled to the garment. The wearer can experience the practical benefits of suspenders (pants or skirt held in desired waistline position) while wearing them invisibly under a tucked-in shirt or blouse. This present invention can use different combinations of the above fastener members and corresponding attachment members. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a suspender clip (the fastener member) can be attached expeditiously to a metal or plastic ring (the attachment member) that can be sewn into the garment. 
         [0009]    In an alternate embodiment, the fastener member is a plastic garter belt clip which is expeditiously attached to the attachment member of a sew-in button. In another alternate embodiment, the fastener member is a metal garter belt clip which can be attached expeditiously to the attachment member of a rivet/button/pin mechanism that can be pinned to the garment and is also expeditiously removable. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the fastener member is a standard suspender clip which is attached to the attachment member of a cloth loop that can be sewn into the garment. 
         [0011]    During use of the suspender system, the attachment member is attached to the inner waistband of the garment. The suspender straps are positioned over the shoulders of the wearer before putting on a shirt or blouse. The fastener member is coupled to the corresponding attachment member. The shirt or blouse is put on over the suspenders. The shirt or blouse can be tucked around the fastener member between the fastener member and the attachment member. Alternatively, the shirt or blouse can be worn outside of the garment and not tucked in or the suspenders can be worn over the shirt or blouse. 
         [0012]    The present invention has the advantage that the suspender system can hold pants or trousers in just the right position all day, and the “tuck-around” sew-in or pinned-in attachments let the wearer tuck in their shirt if they choose. Worn out of sight, no one knows that suspenders are being worn. The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a front and side elevational view of suspenders in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the suspenders; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a back elevational view of the suspenders; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the suspenders; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the suspenders from the opposite side; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is an end view of the suspenders; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an end view of the suspenders from the opposite end; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a front perspective view of a suspender system including attachment members; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of the suspender system; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of an attachment member used in the suspender system; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a front elevational view of the attachment member shown in  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the attachment member shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of the suspender system including the attachment member of  FIG. 8  during use. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use. 
           [0030]      FIG. 18A  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use. 
           [0031]      FIG. 18B  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of a suspender system during use. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1-7  illustrate suspenders  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Suspender straps  12 ,  13  and  14  are attached to junction member  15 . Strap  12  can be attached to or threaded through ring  16  on side  17  of junction member  15 . Straps  13  and  14  can be attached to or threaded through ring  18  on side  19  of junction member  15 . Ends  22 ,  23  and  24  of respective straps  12 ,  13  and  14  can be coupled to respective straps  12 ,  13  and  14  for example by sewing as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0034]    Ends  25  and  26  of respective straps  13  and  14  can be doubled over respective straps  13  and  14  and secured with buckles  27 . Buckles  27  can be adjusted along the length of respective straps  13  and  14  for adjusting the length of straps  13  and  14 . Buckles  27  include buckle coupler  29  for contacting respective straps  13  and  14  after adjustment of the desired length of respective straps  13  and  14  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0035]    Fastener members  30   a - 30   c  can be formed as clip  31 . Fastener member  30   a  can be attached to end  32  of strap  12  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Fastener member  30   b  can be attached to end  33  of strap  13 . Fastener member  30   c  can be attached to end  34  of strap  14 . Fastener members  30   a - 30   c  can include fastener ring  35 . Respective ends  32 ,  33  and  34  are threaded through fastener ring  35  of respective fastener members  30   a - 30   c  and are attached to respective straps  12 ,  13  and  14  for example by sewing. 
         [0036]    Clip  31  includes clip members  36 ,  37  coupled to one another with bias member  38  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Clip members  36 ,  37  can be opened by pressing on bias member  38  to move clip members  36 ,  37  away from one another. Clip members  36 ,  37  can be closed by releasing bias member  38 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are schematic diagrams of suspender system  40  in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Suspender system  40  includes suspenders  10  and attachment member  50 . 
         [0038]    Attachment member  50  can include coupling ring  52  coupled or integral with attachment ring  54  as shown in  FIGS. 10-12 . Coupling ring  52  can have for example a circular or elliptical shape. Attachment ring  54  can have, for example, a circular or elliptical shape. Coupling ring  52  can have a diameter D 1  which is larger than diameter D 2  of attachment ring  54  as shown in  FIG. 11 . For example, diameter D 1  can be in the range of about 0.50 to about 0.75 inches. For example, diameter D 2  can be in the range of about 0.125 to about 0.25 inches. 
         [0039]    Coupling ring  52  can be removably coupled to fastener member  30  as shown in  FIG. 13 . Attachment ring  54  is attached to waistband  62  of garment  60 . Attachment ring  54  can be sewn to waistband  62  with stitches  64  at a position beneath top  63  of waistband  62 . Attachment ring  54  can be attached to inner surface  65  of waistband  62 . Alternatively, attachment ring  54  can be stapled or sewn to waistband  62 . For example, garment  60  can be pants, trousers, shorts or a skirt. 
         [0040]    Height H 1  of coupling ring  52  is selected to allow coupling ring  52  to be a predetermined distance from attachment ring  54  to allow edge  72  of garment  70  to be tucked around fastener member  30  between fastener member  30  and coupling ring  52 . For example, height H 1  can be in the range of about 1.0 to about 2.0 inches. For example, garment  70  can be a shirt or a blouse. 
         [0041]      FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram of suspender system  80  in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Suspender system  80  includes suspenders  10  and attachment member  82 . Attachment member  82  includes attachment rod  84 , that is removable. Attachment rod  84  has length L 1  which is sufficient to removably attach fastener member  30 . 
         [0042]    Attachment rod member  85  positioned at end  86  is integral with attachment rod  84 . Attachment rod member  87  positioned at end  88  is integral with attachment rod  84 . 
         [0043]    Attachment rod member  85  and attachment rod member  87  can be attached to inner surface  65  of waistband  62 . Attachment rod member  85  and attachment rod member  87  can be pinned to waistband  62 . Alternatively, attachment rod member  85  and attachment rod member  87  can be pinned or stapled to waistband  62 . 
         [0044]    Height H 2  of fastener member  30  is selected to allow edge  72  of garment  70  to be tucked around attachment member  82  between fastener member  30 , between fastener member  30  and attachment member  82  and over waistband  62 . For example, height H 2  can be in the range of about 1.0 to about 1.5 inches. 
         [0045]      FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram of suspender system  90  in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Suspender system  90  includes suspenders  100  and attachment member  92 . Suspenders  100  can be the same as suspenders  10  except fastener member  30  is replaced with fastener member  110 . Fastener member  110  includes coupling member  112  attaching to fastener ring  113 . Coupling extension  114  extends from coupling member  112 . Coupling extension  114  include flange  115  and flange  116 . Flange  115  includes curvature  117  and flange  116  includes curvature  118  for forming opening  119 . Coupling section  120  extends below opening  119 . 
         [0046]    Attachment member  92  includes attachment rod  94 . Coupling nut  93  is attached to attachment rod  94 . For example, coupling nut  93  can have a hexagonal shape. Coupling nut  93  can be received within opening  119 . Coupling nut  93  can be slidably moved into coupling section  120  between flanges  115  and  116  forming a track for removably coupling fastener  110  to attachment member  92 . 
         [0047]    Attachment rod member  95  is positioned at end  96  of attachment rod  94 . Attachment rod member  97  is positioned at end  98  of attachment rod  94 . Attachment rod member  95  and attachment rod member  97  can be pinned to inner surface  65  of waistband  62 . Attachment rod member  95  and attachment rod member  97  can be pinned to waistband  62 . 
         [0048]    Height H 3  of fastener member  110  is selected to allow edge  72  of garment  70  to be tucked around attachment member  92  between fastener member  110  and attachment member  92 . For example, height H 3  can be in the range of about 0.5 to about 1.0 inches. 
         [0049]      FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram of suspender system  120  in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Suspender system  120  includes suspenders  121  and attachment member  122 . Suspenders  121  can be the same as suspenders  10  except fastener member  30  is replaced with fastener member  130 . Fastener member  130  includes coupling member  132  attached or integral with fastener ring  135 . Fastener ring  135  attaches to respective suspenders  12 ,  13 , and  14 . Coupling extension  134  extends from coupling member  132 . Coupling extension  134  includes opening  136 . 
         [0050]    Attachment member  122  includes button  123 . Button  123  can be sewn to waistband  62  with stitches  125 . Button  123  can be received within opening  136  of coupling extension  134 . Button  123  can be slidably moved toward coupling section  137  of coupling member  132  for removably to fastener member  130  to attachment member  122 . 
         [0051]    Height H 4  of fastener member  130  is selected to allow edge  72  of garment  70  to be tucked around attachment member  122  between fastener member  130  and attachment member  122 . For example, height H 4  can be in the range of about 0.5 to about 1.0 inches. 
         [0052]      FIG. 17  is a schematic diagram of suspender system  200  in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. Suspender system  200  includes suspenders  10  and attachment member  202 . Attachment member  202  has a length L 1  which is sufficient to removably attach fastener member  30 . End  204  of attachment member  202  can be sewn to waistband  62  with stitches  205 . Attachment member  202  can be formed of cloth. Alternatively, attachment member  202  can be glued or stapled to waistband  62 . Height H 2  of fastener member  30  is selected to allow edge  72  of garment  70  to be tucked around attachment member  202  between fastener member  30 , between fastener member  30  and attachment member  202  and over waistband  62 . For example, height H 2  can be in the range of about 0.5 to about 1.0 inches. 
         [0053]    A kit can be formed of suspenders  10  along with a plurality of attachment members  50 . During use, straps  13  and  14  are placed over the shoulders of a wearer and are positioned at the front and strap  12  is positioned at the rear of the wearer. Buckles  27  are adjusted for adjusting the length of straps  13  and  14 . A pair of attachment members  50  are attached to garment  60  at a distance from one another on a front or side surface of garment  60 . A third attachment member  50  is attached at a rear of garment  60 . Each of fasteners  30   a,    30   b  and  30   c  are opened to receive a respective coupling ring  52 . Each of fastener members  30   a,    30   b,  and  30   c  are closed after receiving coupling ring  52 . 
         [0054]    Alternatively, the kit can be formed of suspenders  10  along with a plurality of attachment members  82 . For example, the kit can contain  15  attachment members  82  for attaching to five garments. Alternatively, the kit can be formed of suspenders  100  along with a plurality of attachment members  92 . For example, the kit can contain  15  attachment members  92 . Alternatively, the kit can be formed of suspenders  120  and a plurality of attachment members  122 . Alternatively, the kit can be formed of suspenders  10  along with a plurality of attachment members  202 . 
         [0055]      FIG. 18A  is a schematic diagram of suspender system  220  in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. All of the features of suspender system  220  are the same as suspender system  120 , except for button  123 . In suspender system  220 , instead of button  123 , the system uses no-sew button stud  124  that consists of two parts; female head  125  and male insert  126 . Female head  125  is positioned adjacent inner surface  140  of coupling member  132 . No-sew button stud  124  can be connected by piercing the pants material to create an opening for insertion of no-sew button stud  124 . In this configuration, the shirt tail can be positioned over no-sew button stud  124 . Coupling member  132  and fastener member  130  can be then placed over garment  70  and pressed down over the material and then over no-sew button stud  124 , using opening  136 . No-sew button  124  can be slidably moved toward coupling section  137  to secure garment  70  material in place. Coupling section  137  includes opening  138  which has a smaller diameter than female head  125  of no-sew button stud  124 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 18B  is a schematic diagram of suspender system  220  in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. In this embodiment, female head  125  is position adjacent outer surface  142  of coupling member  132 . 
         [0057]    It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 1