Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/022,204, filed on Jul. 9, 2014, and incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a shirt stay, and more particularly, to a device having a plurality of straps and clips for maintaining formal attire. 
       DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
       [0004]    A shirt stay can generally be described as a device which discretely prevents a shirt from untucking during the course of the day. Shirt stays are commonly used with military and law enforcement uniforms, where the appearance of a squarely tucked and fitted wrinkle free shirt is paramount. Furthermore, military appearance is a characteristic trait that is observed, graded and considered during promotion reviews in all services. Accordingly, use of shirt stays to enhance one&#39;s appearance has become increasingly popular. 
         [0005]    Current shirt stays comprise one or a plurality of elastic straps that connect to the socks or feet on one end and the shirt on the other. Here, the tension between the feet or socks and the shirt will prevent the shirt from untucking and will prevent any wrinkles from displaying, as the shirt is held taught. Other methods of keeping a shirt tucked in include rubber belts, molded hooks, or suspenders. 
         [0006]    While several methods for preventing a shirt from untucking exist in the prior art, they are generally uncomfortable, easily unfasten, difficult to attach and/or remove, require a specific order when attaching, unduly burdensome on the feet and legs, or are simply ineffective. Furthermore, the most common types of shirt stays typically pull on leg hair as they become taught and cause the pants behind the knee to project outward when kneeling or sitting. Therefore, a need exists for a device which is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, can quickly and easily attach and detach from the shirt in any order, is effective at preventing a shirt from becoming untucked, does not pull on leg hair, provides knee support, and will not project the pants behind the knee outward when kneeling or sitting. The present invention satisfies these needs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]    The present invention provides a device which is comfortable to wear for extended periods of time, can quickly and easily attach and detach from the shirt in any order, is effective at preventing a shirt from becoming untucked, does not pull on leg hair, provides knee support, and will not project the pants behind the knee outward when kneeling or sitting. As such, the present invention serves to keep formal attire tucked and taught, promoting an all-day impeccable professional appearance without undue burden or discomfort. 
         [0008]    The above objectives are accomplished through a knee strap, one or a plurality of elastic bands, and one or a plurality of shirt attachment clamps. The knee strap will attach to the leg below the knee, the plurality of shirt attachment clamps will securely attach to the shirt, and the elastic bands will connect them together. When in use, the present invention will be attached or detached below the pants, and as such, will be concealed from view. Lastly, the present invention will be adjustable for all different body types. 
         [0009]    These and other objectives of the present invention will become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the knee strap of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the knee strap of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an extended top view of the elastic bands of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is an extended bottom view of the elastic bands of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a contracted top view of the elastic bands of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a contracted bottom view of the elastic bands of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the present invention attached to a shirt; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the present invention attached to a shirt; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is a perspective rear view of the present invention attached below the knee; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the present invention attached to a shirt and attached below the knee; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the present invention attached to a shirt and below the knees; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a rear view of the present invention attached to a shirt and below the knees; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a front view of the present invention concealed below pants; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a side perspective view of the present invention concealed below pants; 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is a rear view of the present invention concealed below pants; 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  is a side perspective view of the present invention concealed below pants, where the present invention does not protrude opposite the knee. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0026]    Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
         [0027]    Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list. 
         [0028]    The present invention comprises a knee strap  10 , one or a plurality of elastic bands  20 , and one or a plurality of shirt attachment clamps  30 . In combination, the present invention will prevent a shirt  40  from becoming untucked or showing wrinkles. This is accomplished by securing the knee strap  10  to the knee of the user, securing the plurality of attachment clamps  30  to the shirt  40 , and utilizing the elastic bands  20  to pull the two together. Each element will be discussed in further detail below, and the present invention may be attached to the user and their clothing in any order. 
         [0029]    The knee strap  10  comprises a band that attaches below the knee, specifically, below the patella, such that it is tight and secure on the leg, yet comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. Specifically, the knee strap  10  will be attached 2 inches below the patella of the user such that it will not interfere with the knee when it bends. The knee strap  10  comprises a means of attachment  11  such that the knee strap may be temporarily attached to the user. In the preferred embodiment, the means of attachment  11  is a hook and loop type fastener. The knee strap  10  further comprises a padded section  12  opposite the attachment means  11  for providing padded support to the knee. 
         [0030]    The knee strap  10  further comprises a strap length adjustment means  13  to adapt to each individual user. In the preferred embodiment, the strap length adjustment means  13  is an adjustable ring, slide, hook, buckle, clasp, clamp, or other length adjustable apparatus. The strap length adjustment means  13  may be incorporated with said means of attachment  11  such that said hook and loop type fastener will attach about said strap length adjustment means  13 . The knee strap  10  is made of a hypoallergenic material that is comfortable, breathable, durable, easily laundered, and slightly elastic to further accommodate fit and comfort. 
         [0031]    Lastly, the knee strap  10  further comprises a pivoting attachment means  14  for attaching the elastic bands  20 . The pivoting attachment means  14  is positioned adjacent to the padded section  12 , and are positioned on the outer sides of the knees, opposing each other such that each pivoting attachment  14  is on the left and right sides of the knees/legs. In the preferred embodiment, the pivoting attachment means  14  further comprises a male and female attachment means, specifically button snaps, with a male button snap attached to each knee strap  10 . The pivoting attachment  14  provides a pivoting point for the present invention such that, when sitting, the present invention does not protrude the pants  50  in the area behind the knee. 
         [0032]    The plurality of elastic bands  20  each comprise a proximal  21  and distal  22  end. Each distal end  22  comprises a female pivoting attachment means  23  adapted to pivot with the attachment means  14  of the knee strap  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the female attachment means  23  is a female button snap adapted to pivotally attach to said male button snap. Just as the male attachment means  14 , the female attachment means  23  provides a pivoting point for the present invention such that, when sitting, the present invention does not protrude the pants  50  in the area behind the knee. 
         [0033]    Each of said plurality of elastic bands  20  further comprises a first elastic band  24  and a second elastic band  25 . The first and second elastic bands  24 ,  25 , inherently, each have a proximal  21  and distal  22  end. The first and second elastic bands  24 ,  25  are each attached to said female attachment means  23  at their distal ends, forming a generally V-shape. The first and second elastic bands  24 ,  25  are made of a hypoallergenic material that is comfortable, durable, generally elastic, and easily laundered. 
         [0034]    Said first and second elastic bands  24 ,  25  further comprise a band length adjustment means  26  to adapt to each individual user. In the preferred embodiment, the band length adjustment means  26  is an adjustable ring, slide, hook, buckle, clasp, clamp, or other adjustable means. The band length adjustment means  26  may be incorporated with said female attachment means  23  such that band length adjustment means  26  will adjust the length of said first and second bands  24 ,  25  about said female attachment means  23 . The first and second elastic bands  24 ,  25  are made of a hypoallergenic material that is comfortable, durable, easily laundered, and elastic to further accommodate fit, comfort, and prevent undesirable rubbing or chafing. 
         [0035]    A plurality of shirt attachment clamps  30  are attached at each proximal end  21  of said first and second elastic bands  24 ,  25 . Each shirt attachment clamp  30  is adapted to securely attach to the bottom of a shirt  40  such that the connection will not unintentionally become undone during the course of the day. When in use, the first elastic bands  24  will attach to the front of the shirt  40  through first attachment clamps, and the second elastic bands  25  will attach to the rear of the shirt  40  through second attachment clamps. This will generally form a V-shape when the elastic bands  20  are attached to the knee strap  10 . In the preferred embodiment, a compression clamp is used to securely attach each shirt attachment clamp  30  to the shirt  40 . In an alternative embodiment, a flange and loop type attachment is used. In a further alternative embodiment, a spring clamp is used. 
         [0036]    The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
         [0037]    Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
         [0038]    While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.

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