CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
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Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
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The present invention relates to the field of garment retention devices. More particularly to a device for retaining the bottom of a pant leg above the ground.
2. Description of Related Art
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A person's style is generally a visual representation of their character or how they wish to be perceived by the world. Clothing is used to represent the person's style through the various shapes, colors, textures, and cuts. Aside from style, garments serve a more obvious purpose of covering the person and/or providing warmth. Pants are worn based on style of their utilitarian purpose of full coverage of the person's lower extremities.
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Whether it is style or simply a unique aspect of the particular brand of pants, people often find themselves having to adjust the position of the garment relative to their waist in order to prevent the bottom of the pant from contacting the ground. Such repositioning requires constant adjustment and repositioning throughout the time the pants are worn.
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Where the user fails to properly readjust the pant leg, contact between the bottom of the garment and the ground can result in damage to the garment. Such damage may result in the garment no longer being acceptable to wear. Tears, scuffs, or rips may be irreparable, or not financially appropriate to pair for such repairs as further damage would be inevitable.
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Currently without physical repositioning, the wearer of the pants is required to purchase such garments that are at a length that is physically prohibited from contacting the ground. Such an obligation hinders the wearer's options for pant purchases and further limits their ability to properly represent themselves through the garments they wear.
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Based on the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a device that can provide for constant prevention of contact between the bottom of the pant leg and the ground or other surface to prevent damage to the bottom of the pant leg. Further, a device is needed that, where it is visual, will not adversely effect the wearer's style.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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A garment retention device has a first segment having a first terminal end. A second segment is provided having a second terminal end, wherein the first segment and the second segment are attached to one another, wherein the first terminal end is separated from the second terminal end by at least two curves, where each of the at least two curves has a trough.
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In an embodiment, the first terminal end is biased inward toward a middle portion, and wherein the second terminal end is biased inward toward the middle portion.
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In an embodiment, one of the at least two curves receives a heel of a shoe, and wherein another of the at least two curved received a bottom edge of a garment.
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In an embodiment, the device further comprises an attachment means disposed on the second segment, wherein the attachment means receives a decorative element.
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In an embodiment, the attachment means is selected from the group consisting of a magnet, a clip, and a fastener, and wherein the decorative element is releasably attached to the attachment means.
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The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.
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FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the garment retention device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
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FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the garment retention device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-2, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.
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Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
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It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
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Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
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From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
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Although Claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.
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Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.
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References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
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Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.
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The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.
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The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
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Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
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A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.
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As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.
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The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
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A garment retention device has a first segment attached to a second segment. The first segment is defined by a terminal end and a curved member. The curved member of the first segment is generally U-shaped and configured to receive the heel portion of a wearer's shoe. The terminal end of the first segment is inserted into an interior of the shoe and the U-shaped curved member has a trough engaging the top portion of the heel of the shoe. The curved member continues around to the exterior surface of the heel of the shoe and becomes the second segment at a trough of a U-shaped portion of the second segment. The second segment also has a terminal end extending upward to form the opposite arm of the U-shaped portion of the second segment.
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FIG. 1 illustrates the terminal end 1 of the first segment is biased towards the opposite arm of the U-shape such that the terminal end of the first segment and the opposite arm of the first segment form a friction fit against the heel portion 5 of the shoe. The heel portion 5 of the shoe is disposed within the U-shape of the first segment.
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Similarly, FIG. 1 also illustrates the terminal end 3 of the second segment is biased towards the opposite arm of the U-shape. The trough 4 of the second segment is cupped upward relative to the ground and opposite relative to the cup direction of the trough 2 of the first segment. The second segment is configured to receive the bottom of a pant leg such that the terminal end of the second segment retains the bottom edge 7 (FIG. 2) of the pant leg within the U-shape of the second segment.
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In an embodiment, the first segment and the second segment are comprised of a continuous piece of material. The material used to construct the device requires resilience allowing the terminal ends to be pulled into an open position to receive the heel of the shoe and/or the bottom edge of the pant leg. After being opened and receiving their respective object, the terminal ends must return to a biased positioned against the opposing arm of the U-shape for the respective segments.
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In an embodiment, FIG. 2 illustrates a space defined by the distance between the terminal end of the second segment and the trough of the U-shape receives a decorative element 10. The decorative element 10 is thereby visible as it is positioned on the outside of the bottom edge 7 of the pant leg. In receiving the decorative element 10, the second segment further comprises an attachment means (not shown) corresponding to an attachment means of the decorative element. For example, the attachment means may provide for a magnet or a clip such that the decorative element is positively connected to the second segment of the device.
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In an embodiment, the decorative element is permanently affixed to the second segment.
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In use, a wearer first opens the first segment by pulling against the bias of the terminal end and the opposite arm of the first segment. The trough of the U-shape is positioned with downward and the first segment is slid over the heel portion of the shoe such that the terminal end is within the interior and contacting the interior surface of the shoe and the opposite are is contacting a corresponding position on the exterior surface of the shoe. The wearer then repeats the process for the inverted second segment whereby the terminal end is pulled away from the opposite arm of the second segment and the bottom edge of the pant leg is inserted into the second segment. The trough of the second segment is cupped in the opposite direction of the first segment to properly receive the bottom edge of the pant leg.
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In an alternative embodiment, the user then predetermines the decorative element to be attached to the second segment. Once selected, the decorative element is attached to the second segment via the attachment means.
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The device provides a positive engagement with the shoe and the bottom edge of the pant leg, simultaneously.
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The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.