[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/711,405, filed

September 21, 2017, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to clothing and more particularly to devices and methods for attaching to shirts and blouses, and relates as well as to bodysuits.

BACKGROUND

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 2,727,247, U.S. Patent No. 5,276,923, U.S. Patent No. 5,177,813, U.S. Patent No. 5, 177,814, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0089718 and U.S. Design Patent D611678 describe hold down devices for shirts that attach and detach at the shirt.

[0004] U.S. Design Patent D738070 describes a shirt stay.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention provides a device for creating a body suit from a shirt or blouse comprising:

[0006] a main panel section, the main panel section having a panel front and a panel rear;

[0007] at least two front connectors, the front connectors attached to the panel front and for attaching to the shirt or blouse; and

[0008] at least two rear connectors, the rear connectors attached to panel rear and for attaching to the shirt or blouse,

[0009] the main panel section having a longitudinal axis for generally following a crotch area, the rear connectors extending from the panel rear at an angle between 60 and 120 degrees from the longitudinal axis.

[00010] The present invention has been found to be an advantage of applicant's U.S. Design Patent D738070, where the rear connectors extend at angles of about 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis. Angles of between 60 and 120 degrees advantageously permit a derriere to be lifted, for example by the connectors or connections for the connectors, such as bands, and also for the connectors or connections to the connectors, such as bands, to be better hidden by the derriere, or to be less obvious from the exterior. Most advantageously, the angle is between 75 and 105 degrees, and even more advantageously between 85 and 95 degrees, in other words perpendicular or almost perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[00011] The present invention also provides a device for creating a body suit from a shirt or blouse comprising:

[00012] a main panel section, the main panel section having a panel front and a panel rear;

[00013] at least two front connectors, the front connectors attached to the panel front and for attaching to the shirt or blouse; and

[00014] at least two rear connectors, the rear connectors attached to panel rear and for attaching to the shirt or blouse,

[00015] the main panel section having a longitudinal axis for generally following a crotch area, the front connectors extending from the panel front at an angle between 60 and 120 degrees from the longitudinal axis.

[00016] The present invention has been found to be an advantage of applicant's U.S. Design Patent D738070, where the front connectors extend at angles of about 45 degrees from the longitudinal axis. Angles of between 60 and 120 degrees advantageously permit for connections, such as bands, for the connectors to be better hidden in the space between the legs and the crotch area, and to be less obvious from the exterior. Most advantageously, the angle is between 75 and 105 degrees, and even more advantageously between 85 and 95 degrees, in other words perpendicular or almost perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[00017] The front connectors advantageously may be at the ends of a single front band, the front panel then connected to the single front band between the ends, for example via stitching, to the front panel front. The ends of the single band may then extend beyond the front panel to provide for adequate length between the crotch area and the shirt or blouse. The band may include length adjusters between the front panel and the front connectors, for example adjustable end loops. The rear connectors may similarly be at ends of a single rear band, with length adjusters as well, and the rear single band connected, for example via stitching, to the rear panel rear.

[00018] Advantageously, the band can be elastic, even with the length adjusters present, so that when stretched and connected to the shirt or blouse, the shirt or blouse remains taut. A preferred material for the band is polyester satin lingerie ribbon, with a preferred width of 3/8" to 5/8".

[00019] The main panel section may be made a material that is easily washable and slightly stretchable as well, preferably made of soft LYCRA or soft LYCRA blend, as well as NYLON or polyester, and possibly in lace form. Cotton and cotton blends, Euro jersey, stretch laces and silk and silk blends are also possible.

[00020] The main panel section can include a front part and a rear part, detachable from each other via a detachable connection.

[00021] The present invention also provides a device for creating a body suit from a shirt or blouse comprising:

[00022] a main panel section, the main panel section having a panel front and a panel rear;

[00023] a front band;

[00024] a rear band;

[00025] at least two front connectors, the front connectors attached to the panel front via the front band, the at least two front connectors for attaching to the shirt or blouse; and

[00026] at least two rear connectors, the rear connectors attached to panel rear via the rear band, the at least rear connectors for attaching to the shirt or blouse.

[00027] The front connectors advantageously may be at the ends of the front band, the front panel then connected to the single front band between the ends, for example via stitching, to the front panel front. The ends of the front band may then extend beyond the front panel to provide for adequate length between the crotch area and the shirt or blouse. The band may include length adjusters between the front panel and the front connectors, for example adjustable end loops. The rear connectors may similarly be at ends of the rear band, for example a single rear band, with length adjusters as well, and the rear single band connected, for example via stitching, to the rear panel rear.

[00028] Advantageously, the bands can be elastic, even with the length adjusters present, so that when stretched and connected to the shirt or blouse, the shirt or blouse remains taut. A preferred material for the band is polyester satin lingerie ribbon, with a preferred width of 3/8" to 5/8".

[00029] Also advantageously, the front band and rear bands of the present invention allow the connectors to extend

[00030] The present invention also provides a method for lifting a derriere by modifying a blouse or shirt into a bodysuit comprising:

[00031] attaching a main panel section at at least two front connection points to the blouse or shirt; and

[00032] attaching the main panel section at at least two rear connection points to the blouse or shirt via two rear connectors, the rear connectors or connections to the rear connectors lifting the derriere, and are thus located "under" the derrier.

[00033] The front connectors advantageously may be at the ends of at least one front band, for example a single front band, the front panel then connected to the single front band between the ends, for example via stitching, to the front panel front. The ends of the single band may then extend beyond the front panel to provide for adequate length between the crotch area and the shirt or blouse. The band may include length adjusters between the front panel and the front connectors, for example adjustable end loops. The rear connectors may similarly be at ends of at least one rear band, for example a single rear band, with length adjusters as well, and the rear single band connected, for example via stitching, to the rear panel rear.

[00034] Alternately, each front or rear band could be connected to its own band that it then connected, for example via stitching, to the main panel. [00035] Advantageously, the bands can be elastic, even with the length adjusters present, so that when stretched and connected to the shirt or blouse, the shirt or blouse remains taut. A preferred material for the band is polyester satin lingerie ribbon, with a preferred width of 3/8" to 5/8".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00036] The invention will be better understood upon reading the description which follows, given purely by way of example and with reference being made to the accompanying figures, in which:

[00037] Figure 1 is a top schematic view of an embodiment of the device of the present invention with a hook and loop connection;

[00038] Fig. 2 shows a VELCRO connection;

[00039] Fig. 3 shows a snap connection;

[00040] Fig. 4 shows a modular bodysuit according to the present invention;

[00041] Fig. 5 shows a further possible connection for the device of the present invention to a shirt or blouse;

[00042] Figure 6 is a top schematic view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 explainging the angles of the present invention;

[00043] Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of the device of Figs. 1 and 6 lifting a derriere; and

[00044] Fig. 8 shows an alternate shape of the device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[00045] Figures 1 and 6 are a top schematic view of an embodiment of a device 10 of the present invention. A main panel section 11 (Fig. 6) includes a front panel 12 and a rear panel 22, although a single main panel section is possible. Panel section 11 has a longitudinal axis 111 (Fig. 6) that generally will follow a crotch area when the device is attached to a shirt or blouse. [00046] Front panel 12 has a front panel front 14 and a front panel rear 16. A rear panel 22 has a rear panel front 24 and a rear panel rear 26. Rear panel front 24 is removably attachable to front panel rear 16 via a detachable connection 30, here show in the form of three hooks 32, 33, 34 and three loops (also know as hoops or eyes) 42, 43, 44. A second set of loops 52, 53, 54 can be provided inwardly of the first set of loops 42, 43, 44, so that for example a length of the device in a connected state in the direction L is adjustable. Hooks 32, 33, 34 thus can connect to loops 42, 43 and 44, respectively, or alternately to loops 52, 53, 54, respectively. The number of hooks and loops per row can be for example 2 to 4, and there can be 2 to 4 rows of loops and/or hooks.

[00047] Hooks 32, 33, 34, and loops 42, 43, 44, 52, 53, 54 preferably are made of a rigid material such as metal or hard plastic and can be connected to the respective panels 12, 22 via for example stitching, in a manner know for example from bra back connections.

[00048] Front panel 12 is connected via stitching 50 at front panel front 14 to a front band 40, made preferably of elastic material. Preferably the front edge of the front patent front 14 aligns with the outer side edge 41 of front band 40, so that a maximum possible stitching area is available.

[00049] Rear panel 22 is connected via stitching 51 at rear panel rear 26 to a rear band 60, made preferably of elastic material. Preferably the rear edge of the rear patent rear 26 aligns with the outer side edge 61 of rear band 60, so that a maximum possible stitching area is available. Rear panel 22 advantageously can be longer in direction L than front panel 12, which provides better fitting to most body shapes. The width of both front panel 12 and rear panel 22 in a direction W preferably is less than a respective panel length in direction L, and the width of front panel 12 and rear panel 22 preferably increases from detachable connection 30 toward the respective band 40, 60. The width over the respective length of each of front panel 12 and rear panel 22 though preferably remains below the respective panel length in direction L.

[00050] Fig. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of a device 110 of the present invention. Front panel 112 has a trapezoidal form with the width in direction W at front band 40 that is greater, for example at least 1.5 times as great, as the width at connection 130, here a

VELCRO connection (see also Fig. 2). Rear panel 122 may be rectangular, and have a length less than 1.5 times the width, and preferably closer to the same as the width, so that the rear panel is generally square.

[00051] Panels 12, 22, 112 and 122 may be made of any of the materials mentioned above for the main panel section.

[00052] Front band 40 has two adjusters 48, 49 connected at its ends. Front band 40 loops back through the adjusters 48, 49 to form two end loops, 46, 47 respectively. End loops 46, 47 are adjustable individually in size, with adjusters 48, 49 movable up to front panel 12, thus permitting adjustability of the length of front band 40 in direction W.

[00053] Loops 46, 47 can loop around connection slits of front connectors 72, 74, respectively. Front connectors 72, 74 can be for example claw snap connectors similar to those known for example from suspenders. Front connectors 72, 74 thus can connect at any point along a shirt or blouse as will be described below.

[00054] Similar to front band 40, rear band 60 has two adjusters 68, 69 connected at its ends. Rear band 60 loops back through the adjusters 68, 69 to form two end loops, 66, 67 respectively. End loops 66, 67 are adjustable individually in size, with adjusters 68, 69 movable up to tear panel 22, thus permitting adjustability of the length of rear band 60 in direction W.

[00055] As shown in Fig. 6, front band 40 extending from sides of the main panel section 11 permits the connectors 72 and 74 to be at angles 72A, 74A (also shown by the dotted lines). Rear band 60 extending from sides of the main panel section 11 permits the connectors 82 and 84 to be at angles 82A, 84A (also shown by the dotted lines).

[00056] While in the preferred embodiment this angle is 90 degrees, angles of 85 to 95 degrees are also preferred, although angles of 70 to 105 or 60 to 120 degrees are possible. [00057] Fig. 2 shows an alternate to hook and loop connection 30, namely a VELCRO connection 130, where front panel 12 has for example the loop side 132 of VELCRO connection 130, and rear panel 22 has a hook side of VELCRO connection 130, though as with connection 30, the connection sides can be flipped.

[00058] Fig. 3 shows a snap connection 230, with three snaps, including male snap connectors 232, 233, 234 which can connect with female snap connectors 242, 243, 244, respectively. A second row of female connectors 252, 253, 254 can be provided for length adjustablility in direction L.

[00059] Fig. 4 shows, schematically from the rear, a modular bodysuit 200 according to the present invention, and including in this embodiment a shirt 100 and device 10 described in Fig. 1. Device 10 is detachably connected to shirt 100 via front connectors 72, 74 and rear connectors 82, 84. Detachable connection 30 can be left unconnected for placement and removal of the modular bodysuit 200 during dressing. However, preferably, once the device has been fitted a first time, device 30 remains closed for dressing. Rear connectors 82, 84 can stay on the blouse.

[00060] Any shirt or blouse can thus advantageously be converted into a modular bodysuit 200, and the device 10 left on the shirt or blouse, or removed as desired.

[00061] A preferred method for using the device is as follows:

1. Device 10 is held in hand, with connection 30 attached, extending rear band 60 via adjusters 68, 69 to its maximum length at both ends, and front band 40 via adjusters 48, 49 to its shortest length at both ends.

2. Before the shirt or blouse 100 is worn, rear connectors 82, 84 are connected to the back of the shirt or blouse 100 close to the side seams while holding fabric taut.

3. With shirt or blouse 100 now worn, the rear band 60 is placed under the derriere while main panel section 11 with front band 40 and front connectors 72, 74 is brought under the crotch and through the legs. 4. Front connectors 72, 74 are attached to the front of the blouse or shirt close to the side seams.

5. Front band 40 is now adjusted for comfort and secure fit via adjusters 48,49. If necessary, rear band 60 can be adjusted as well via adjusters 68, 69.

6. If the length of the main panel section 11 needs to be adjusted, device 10 does not need to be removed. Main panel section 11 can be lengthened or shortened via detachable connection 30 while wearing the blouse or top. The ease of use provided by the detachable connection 30 (for example hooks and eyes, snaps, or velcro) makes for convenient adjustments or opening the crotch are when necessary, for example for going to the bathroom.

[00062] Fig. 5 shows a further possible connection for the device of the present invention to a shirt or blouse. Shirt 100 can have four or more pre-placed holes 101, and a connector 174 can be used instead of connectors 72, 74, 84, 82, connector 174 having a female rigid part 176, with a hole 177 having a wider base than a top. A flexible male part 177 has a button top 179 than can fit through hole 101 and into wide base of hole 178 and slide upward into the narrow top, thus securing the device of the present invention to the shirt 100.

[00063] An advantage of the present invention is shown in Fig. 7. The angles of the present invention permit the band 60 and connectors 82, 84 attached to shirt 100 to lift a derriere D in direction L. Band 60 is also less visible from the rear, since band 60 is also more hidden between the legs and derriere. Front band 40 also can be less visible in the area between a crotch and the legs, and can run on panty line at front between the hip bone and the stop of thigh close to the side seam of the blouse or shirt.