CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. App. No. 15/398,086, filed January 4,

2017, which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a closing and tightening system, and, more specifically, to a drawstring closures for closing and tightening an opening such as a waistband of a garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are several mechanisms for securing a waistband opening of a garment including Velcro, zippers, buttons, and drawstrings. For athletic garments, it is particularly desirable for a garment to be securely tightened about the waist despite increased movement. For the waistband of athletic garments, it is particularly important to close the waistband securely, and in a low-profile way.

[0004] Typically, a drawstring is a single string threaded through an opening in the waistband of the garment. Traditionally, drawstrings are pulled tight toward one another and tied. When a traditional drawstring becomes untied, the waistband is loosened and the waist- closing effect ceases. Further, it is common for waistband systems to require a drawstring in conjunction with Velcro, zippers, snaps, et cetera because the drawstring alone does not provide sufficient closure.

[0005] It should be appreciated that there is a need for a drawstring closure that can secure the waistband of a garment firmly and in a low-profile fashion, without the need for an additional attachment mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly, and in general terms, the invention is embodied in a closing and tightening system on the waistband of a clothing garment such as pants or shorts. The closure system may also be used for other garments, including but not limited to bathing suits, skirts, dresses, and jackets. The tightening system is comprised of strings, with a unique orientation to allow for secure and low-profile closure.

[0007] More specifically, in an exemplary embodiment, the invention has two strings, which are fed through grommets or openings on both sides of the fly of a garment. This allows the garment to be tightened and closed on both sides. This creates a more secure attachment than in a traditional drawstring, and the waist can be secure even if the strings are not tied together.

[0008] In a detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, both sides of the garment have two grommets located next to each other - an inside grommet located next to the opening of the fly, and an outside grommet located slightly further from the opening of the fly. Through the garment are threaded two strings, a first string, and a second string. The waistband has two sides, a top side, and a bottom side, defined so that the top side is oriented over the bottom side when the waistband is closed.

[0009] In another detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the first string and second string are routed through the waistband of the garment so that the second string protrudes from the inside grommet on the top side and the first string protrudes from the outside grommet on the top side. When both strings are pulled tight, both sides of the garment are pulled towards each other, and are secured on top of each other when tied down.

[0010] In another detailed aspect of an exemplary embodiment, the grommets are oriented to face inward so that the strings exit the garment towards the wearer rather than away from the wearer.

[0011] For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain advantages of the invention have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. [0012] All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a front view of a drawstring closure in accordance with the present invention, depicting the drawstring closure implemented in waistband of a garment in which opposing sides of an opening each include a pair of grommets through which a pair of drawstring ends loop through in a prescribed manner.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a front view of shorts in accordance with the present invention, utilizing the drawstring closure of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a front view of pants in accordance with the present invention, utilizing the drawstring closure of FIG. 1.

[0017] FIG. 4 a simplified perspective view of the grommets from FIG. 1, depicting the grommets of the closure partially overlapped, with the drawstring ends excluded for clarity.

[0018] FIG. 5 a front view of the drawstring closure of FIG. 1, depicting the grommets of the aligned and the drawstring ends tied.

[0019] FIG. 6 is an interior view of a drawstring closure in accordance with the present invention, depicting the drawstring closure implemented in waistband of a garment in which a pair of drawstring ends loop through in a prescribed manner such that the ends terminate on the interior side of the garment, towards the wearer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown a garment having a drawstring closure assembly. The garment includes waistband 10 that defines a channel 17 and a drawstring threaded therethrough. The drawstring is threaded through a plurality of apertures (grommets), disposed proximate to a slit of the garment, to create a more secure attachment than in a traditional drawstring, such that the waist can be secure even if the strings are not tied together, providing a unique, stylish look.

[0021] In the exemplary embodiment, the waistband 10 has an outer side 11 and an interior side 12, defined so as the outer side 11 is laid over the interior side 12 when the closure is tightened. The waistband is fitted with several grommets 13, 14, 15, 16. Each side of the waistband has an inside grommet 13, 14 proximate to the fly opening and an outside grommet 15, 16 on the distal side of the inside grommet. The waistband includes a channel 17 and a drawstring threaded therethrough.

[0022] The drawstring has two opposing string portions, 20, 21. The first string portion

20 exits through the inside bottom grommet 13, and then through the outside top grommet 15. There is a second string portion 21 exits through the outside top grommet 15, then back into the waistband of the bottom side through the inside bottom grommet 13. The second string is routed through the channel 17, exiting out the waistband at the outside bottom grommet 16, and back through the inside top grommet 14. The second string protrudes from the inside top grommet 14; the first string protrudes from the outside top grommet 15. In other embodiment, the waistband may also use four openings that are not fitted with grommets.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the inside top grommet (aka, opening) 14 can be sized smaller than one or more of the other grommets (openings), e.g., 13, 15, and/or 16. In other words, the grommet 14 can be sized to provide a snug fit for a single drawstring portion, to provide tension on the drawstring to help lock the drawstring in place. In a detailed feature of an exemplary embodiment, the inner diameter of the grommet (opening) 14 is less than or equal to the outer diameter of drawstring portion that passes therethrough. In this manner, the drawstring can be held in place before tying or can be held in place without tying. [0024] With reference now to FIG. 2, athletic shorts are shown having a drawstring closure in accordance with the invention. The drawstring closure assembly includes a slit opening (fly) and a plurality of apertures disposed on both sides of the fly along the waistband. The waistband defines a channel. Two apertures are disposed a first side of the slit opening proximate to the edge, and two other apertures are disposed on a second side of the slit opening proximate to the edge. A first string portion is threaded, in a proximal to distal manner, to extend simultaneously through the first, the third, the fourth, and the second apertures, so that the first string portion exits the corresponding channel portion extending through the first aperture, reenters the corresponding channel portion extending through the third aperture, exits the corresponding channel portion extending through the fourth aperture, and extends through the second aperture. A second string portion exits the corresponding channel portion extending through the third aperture and extends through the first aperture.

[0025] With reference to FIG. 3, pants are shown having a drawstring closure in accordance with the invention. Various other embodiments of garments are contemplated that can comprise a drawstring closure in accordance with the invention, such as swimsuits, sweatpants, stockings, sweatshirts, and others.

[0026] FIGS. 3-5 shows the waistband 10 of FIG. 1 lined up for closure. The inside grommet of one side matches the outside grommet of the other side when both sides 11, 12 are laid over each other (FIG. 4). When both strings 20, 21 are pulled tight, both sides of the garment 11, 12 are pulled towards each other, as well as being secured on top of each other when tied down (FIG. 5).

[0023] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein the grommets are inward-facing. Thus, the strings exit the garment towards the wearer rather than away from the wearer. The first string 20 exits the channel through an opening on the outer side 11 and runs through an opening on the interior side 12 to exit the garment. The second string 21 exits the channel through an opening on the interior side 12, reentering the channel through an opening on the outer side 11, exiting the channel through an opening on the outer side 11, and running through an opening on the interior side 12 to exit the garment. [0024] It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a system for closing and tightening the waistband of a garment, using two strings threaded through the waistband. The strings are fed through four openings in a particular manner that results in a more secure fit than that achieved with a traditional drawstring. The strings may ultimately exit through the outside or through the inside of the waistband.

[0025] The present invention has been described above in terms of presently preferred embodiments so that an understanding of the present invention can be conveyed. However, there are other embodiments not specifically described herein for which the present invention is applicable. Therefore, the present invention should not to be seen as limited to the forms shown, which is to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.