BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The invention relates to fasteners for clothing. More particularly, the invention
relates to an adjustable fastener for a brassier or similar garment.
2. State of the Art
[0002] Many articles of clothing are provided with adjustable fasteners. In particular,
brassieres are typically provided with an adjustable fastener for connecting right
and left center backs of the garment. These fasteners usually include one or more
hooks and multiple eyelets spaced apart from each other so that the snugness of the
garment eye can be adjusted by mating the hook(s) with the appropriate eyelet(s).
[0003] The known brassier fasteners have several disadvantages. First, being located at
the back of the garment, they are difficult to manipulate. Second, the hooks and eyelets
are typically made of metal and feel uncomfortable pressing against the back of the
wearer. Third, the hook is typically free to rotate in the eyelet and allow the bra
back to hike up into an uncomfortable configuration. Fourth, the fastener is typically
thicker than the eyes to which it is attached and is visible through outerwear as
a bump.
[0004] Many attempts have been made to provide a brassier fastener which is easy to operate,
comfortable to the wearer and less visible. While these fasteners may solve some of
the problems described above, they typically do not solve all of the problems and
often introduce new problems. For example, in attempting to overcome the problems
described above, many brassier fasteners sacrifice stability for comfort. This permits
the fastener from accidentally detaching. Also, some fasteners which attempt to solve
the problem of visibility have actually increased the difficulty in operation of the
fastener.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an adjustable fastener for
clothing, in particular brassieres.
[0006] It is also an object of the invention to provide an adjustable fastener which is
easy to operate.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide an adjustable fastener which is
soft and comfortable.
[0008] It is still another object of the invention to provide an adjustable fastener which
is stable when fastened.
[0009] It is yet another object of the invention to provide an adjustable fastener which
is concealed when fastened.
[0010] In accord with these objects which will be discussed in detail below, the adjustable
fastener of the present invention includes a male part and a female part, both of
which are made of soft pliable, sewable plastic. The female fastener part has three
spaced apart openings. Each opening has a broad portion and a narrow portion. The
male fastener part has a base with an upstanding riser with a flange at the end of
the riser. The flange is dimensioned to fit into the broad portion of each opening
in the female fastener part and the riser is dimensioned to fit snugly into the narrow
portion of each opening in the female fastener part. The narrow portion of each opening
in the female fastener part is rectilinear in shape and the riser is also rectilinear
in section. Thus, when the riser is in the narrow portion of an opening in the female
fastener part, rotation of the male fastener part relative to the female fastener
part is prevented. The back side of the male fastener part is provided with parallel
grooves which enhance gripping when releasing the fastener. Both of the fastener parts
have a pair of parallel flanges at one end between which the garment back end is inserted
and secured to the fastener part. The fastener parts are preferably attached to the
garment's center backs so that the openings in the female fastener part face the back
of the wearer and the riser and flange on the male fastener part face away from the
back of the wearer. The back of the female fastener part is preferable covered with
fabric and/or bears a trademark or a design.
[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the flange on the male fastener part
is substantially circular and has a centrally located nub rising from its surface.
The broad portion of each opening in the female fastener part is substantially circular
and the narrow portion of each opening in the female fastener part has a nub-receiving
well. This structure adds stability to the fastener, preventing accidental unfastening.
[0012] According to another embodiment of the invention, the flange on the male fastener
part is substantially elliptical. The broad portion of each opening in the female
fastener part is substantially elliptical and a pair of ears extend between the broad
portion and the narrow portion of each opening in the female fastener part. This structure
also adds stability to the fastener, preventing accidental unfastening.
[0013] According to one method of manufacture, both parts are injection molded and are fastened
to brassier center backs by sewing. According to another method of manufacture, the
male fastener part is injection molded, but the female fastener part is made from
a laminate structure which includes two outer layers and two inner layers. The outer
layers are made of a soft fabric material and the inner layers are made of soft plastic.
One of the plastic layers has the openings as described and the other plastic layer
has thick portions which surround the openings in the other plastic layer to create
a space for receiving the male fastener part. According to a presently preferred embodiment,
the plastic spacer is made by embossing a plastic sheet and the outer fabric layers
are made from a single layer which is folded. All of the parts preferably have rounded
edges and corners to prevent poking, snagging, and skin irritation.
[0014] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those
skilled in the art upon reference to the detailed description taken in conjunction
with the provided figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015]
Figure 1 is a plan view of the non-engaging side of a male fastener part according
to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the engaging side of the male fastener of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an end elevation view of the male fastener of Figures 1 and 2;
Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the male fastener of Figures 1-3;
Figure 5 is a plan view of the engaging side of a female fastener part according to
the first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the female fastener part of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a transparent side elevation view of the male and female fastener parts
engaged;
Figure 8 is a plan view of the non-engaging side of a male fastener part according
to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 9 is a plan view of the engaging side of the male fastener of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is an end elevation view of the male fastener of Figures 8 and 9;
Figure 11 is a side elevation view of the male fastener of Figures 8-10;
Figure 12 is a plan view of the engaging side of a female fastener part according
to the second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 13 is an enlarged view of the circled portion of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is an exploded view of the component parts of a female fastener part according
to a preferred embodiment;
Figure 15 is a plan view of the preferred outer laminate layers;
Figure 16 is a side elevation view of a preferred spacer layer;
Figure 17 is a plan view of the preferred spacer layers
Figure 18 is a plan view of the non-engaging side of the preferred female fastener
part;
Figure 19 is a side elevation view of the preferred female fastener part; and
Figure 20 is a plan view of the engaging side of the preferred female fastener part.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Referring now to Figures 1 through 7, an adjustable fastener 10 of the present invention
includes a male part 12 and a female part 14, both of which are made of soft pliable,
sewable plastic. As seen best in Figure 5, the female fastener part 14 has three spaced
apart openings 16, 18, 20. Each opening 16, 18, 20 has a broad portion 16a, 18a, 20a
and a narrow portion 16b, 18b, 20b. Opening 16 is separated from opening 18 by a flexible
rib 22 and opening 20 is separated from opening 18 by a flexible rib 24. The narrow
portion 20b of opening 20 terminates at rib 26 and the broad portion 16a of opening
16 terminates at rib 28. A pair of parallel flanges 30, 32 extend from the rib 28
as seen best in Figure 6. At least one of the flanges 30, 32 has a live hinge 34.
According to this embodiment, the broad portion 16a, 18a, 20a of each opening 16,
18, 20 is substantially circular. The narrow portion 16b, 18b, 20b of each opening
16, 18, 20 is substantially rectilinear and the narrow portion of each opening has
a nub-receiving well 16c, 18c, 20c.
[0017] Referring now to Figures 1-4, the male fastener part has a base 40 with an upstanding
riser 42 with a flange 44 at the end of the riser 42. The flange 42 is substantially
circular and is dimensioned to fit into the broad portion of each opening in the female
fastener part and the riser 42 is substantially rectilinear in section, as seen best
in phantom line in Figure 2, and is dimensioned to fit snugly into the narrow portion
of each opening in the female fastener part. The flange 44 is provided with a centrally
located nub 46 rising from its surface. The back side of the male fastener part 12
is provided with parallel grooves 48 and a finger stop 50 which enhance gripping when
releasing the fastener. The male fastener part 12 is also provided with a pair of
parallel flanges 52, 54, seen best in Figure 4.
[0018] The fastener parts 12, 14 are attached to garment center backs (not shown) by inserting
ends of the center backs between the flanges 30, 32, 52, 54, and stitching the center
backs to the flanges. Preferably, the fastener is attached to the garment back so
that the openings in the female fastener part face the back of the wearer and the
riser and flange on the male fastener part face away from the back of the wearer.
The back non-engaging surface 56 of the female fastener part 14 is preferable covered
with fabric and/or bears a trademark or a design.
[0019] As shown in Figure 7, when the male and female fastener parts are engaged, the nub
46 resides in the nub receiving well 20c (or 16c or 18c) impeding lateral movement
of the male part. The rectilinear riser 44 resides in the rectilinear narrow portion
20b (or 16b or 18b) preventing rotation of the parts relative to each other. The flange
44 prevents the male part from exiting the narrow portion orthogonally. According
to this embodiment of the invention, both of the fastener parts are unitary members
made by injection molding.
[0020] Turning now to Figures 8-13, a second embodiment of a fastener according to the invention
is similar the first embodiment with similar reference numerals (increased by 100)
referring to similar parts.
[0021] The fastener includes a male part 112 and a female part 114, both of which are made
of soft pliable, sewable plastic. As seen best in Figure 12, the female fastener part
114 has three spaced apart openings 116, 118, 120. Each opening 116, 118, 120 has
a broad portion 116a, 118a, 120a and a narrow portion 116b, 118b, 120b. According
to this embodiment, the broad portion 116a, 118a, 120a of each opening 116, 118, 120
is substantially elliptical. The narrow portion 116b, 118b, 120b of each opening 116,
118, 120 is substantially rectilinear and a pair of ears 116c, 116d, 118c, 118d, 120c,
120d extend between the broad and narrow portions.
[0022] Referring now to Figures 8-11, the male fastener part 112 has a base 140 with an
upstanding riser 142 with a flange 144 at the end of the riser 142. The flange 142
is substantially elliptical and is dimensioned to fit into the broad portion of each
opening in the female fastener part and the riser 142 is substantially rectilinear
in section, as seen best in phantom line in Figure 9, and is dimensioned to fit snugly
into the narrow portion of each opening in the female fastener part. The back side
of the male fastener part 112 is provided with parallel grooves 148 and a finger stop
150 which enhance gripping when releasing the fastener. The male fastener part 112
is also provided with a pair of parallel flanges 152, 154, seen best in Figure 11.
[0023] Turning now to Figure 14, the female fastener part 114 is preferably formed as a
laminate structure which includes two outer layers 114a, 114d and two inner layers
114b, 114c. The outer layers 114a, 114d are made of a soft fabric material and the
inner layers 114b, 114c are made of soft plastic. One of the plastic layers 114b has
the openings as described and the other plastic layer 114c has thick portions which
surround the openings in the other plastic layer to create a space for receiving the
male fastener part. As shown in Figure 14, the plastic "spacer layer" 114c has four
rectilinear through bores.
[0024] As shown in Figure 15, the outer layers (114a, 114d in Figure 14) are preferable
formed as a single fabric layer 214a, 214d folded at fold line 214e. As shown in Figures
16 and 17, the plastic spacer 214c (114c in Figure 14) is made by embossing a plastic
sheet with raised bumps which surround the openings in the layer 114b in Figure 14.
The assembled female member 214 is shown in Figures 18-20.
[0025] There have been described and illustrated herein several embodiments of a fastener
for clothing, in particular a brassier. While particular embodiments of the invention
have been described, it is not intended that the invention be limited thereto, as
it is intended that the invention be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that
the specification be read likewise. It will therefore be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that yet other modifications could be made to the provided invention without
deviating from its spirit and scope as so claimed.
1. An adjustable fastener for an article of clothing, said fastener comprising:
a) a male part having a base, a riser extending from said base, and a flange extending
from the riser;
b) a female part having a plurality of spaced apart openings, each opening having
a broad portion and a narrow portion, wherein
each of said narrow portions is substantially rectilinear in shape, and
said riser is substantially rectilinear in section and dimensioned to fit snugly
in each of said narrow portions.
2. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
each of said broad portions is substantially circular in shape, and
said flange is substantially circular.
3. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
said flange has a centrally located nub extending from its surface, and
each of said narrow portions has a nub-receiving well.
4. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
each of said mail and female parts having a pair of substantially parallel flanges
extending from an end thereof.
5. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
at least one of said substantially parallel flanges has a live hinge.
6. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 5, wherein:
each of said plurality of openings is separated from an adjacent one of said plurality
of openings by a flexible rib.
7. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
said male part has a plurality of parallel groves on a side thereof opposite said
riser and said flange.
8. An adjustable fastener for an article of clothing, said fastener comprising:
a) a male part having a base, a riser extending from said base, and a flange extending
from the riser; and
b) a female part having a plurality of spaced apart openings, each opening having
a broad portion and a narrow portion, with a pair of ears extending between said broad
portion and said narrow portion.
9. An adjustable fastener according to claim 8, wherein:
each of said narrow portions is substantially rectilinear in shape, and
said riser is substantially rectilinear in section and dimensioned to fit snugly in
each of said narrow portions.
10. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 9, wherein:
each of said broad portions is substantially elliptical in shape, and
said flange is substantially elliptical.
11. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
said female part is made from a laminate of four layers, two outer layers of which
are soft fabric and two inner layers of which are flexible plastic.
12. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 11, wherein:
one of said inner layers is and embossed sheet of plastic.
13. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 12, wherein:
said male part has a plurality of parallel groves on a side thereof opposite said
riser and said flange.
14. An adjustable fastener for an article of clothing, said fastener comprising:
a) a male part having a base, a riser extending from said base, and a flange extending
from the riser;
b) a female part having a plurality of spaced apart openings, each opening having
a broad portion and a narrow portion, wherein
said flange has a centrally located nub extending from its surface, and
each of said narrow portions has a nub-receiving well.
15. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 14, wherein:
each of said broad portions is substantially circular in shape, and
said flange is substantially circular.
16. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 15, wherein:
each of said narrow portions is substantially rectilinear in shape, and
said riser is substantially rectilinear in section and dimensioned to fit snugly in
each of said narrow portions.
17. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 16, wherein:
each of said mail and female parts having a pair of substantially parallel flanges
extending from an end thereof.
18. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 17, wherein:
at least one of said substantially parallel flanges has a live hinge.
19. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 18, wherein:
each of said plurality of openings is separated from an adjacent one of said plurality
of openings by a flexible rib.
20. An adjustable fastener as claimed in claim 19, wherein:
said male part has a plurality of parallel groves on a side thereof opposite said
riser and said flange.