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Title:
DETACHABLE FASTENER FOR TRAIN OF GARMENT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2019/048648
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Detachable Fastener for Train of a GarmentA fastener for the train of a fabric garment is disclosed, the fastener includes a first stud (2, 4) having a first decorative portion and a first fixing portion for releasably fixing the first stud (2, 4) to the fabric of a garment, a second stud (2, 4) having a second decorative portion and a second fixing portion for releasably fixing the second stud (2, 4) to the fabric of a garment, wherein the first stud (2, 4) and the second stud (2, 4) comprise respectively a first stud (2, 4) connecting arrangement and a second stud (2, 4) connecting arrangement, the first and second stud (2, 4) connecting arrangements being adapted to detachably connect the first stud (2, 4) and the second stud (2, 4). The fastener may be a hook (10) and eye (28) fastener. Both the hook (10) and eye (28) may be substantially rectangular. In use, the studs (2, 4) may be releasably fixed to a garment, especially the train, and then connected, thereby gathering up the fabric of the garment. This is beneficial because it allows long trailing garments, especially those with trains, to be gathered up when necessary, reducing soiling of the train.

Inventors:
MCFARLAND SUSAN (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2018/074217
Publication Date:
March 14, 2019
Filing Date:
September 07, 2018
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
TRAINLOOP LTD (GB)
International Classes:
A44B99/00; A41D15/00
Foreign References:
US5490309A1996-02-13
CH189464A1937-02-28
KR20130006204U2013-10-25
KR101390506B12014-05-07
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KNOWLES, James (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. A fastener for the train of a garment, the fastener comprising, a first stud having a first decorative portion and a first fixing portion for releasably fixing the first stud to the fabric of a garment, a second stud having a second decorative portion and a second fixing portion for releasably fixing the second stud to the fabric of a garment, wherein the first stud and the second stud comprise respectively a first stud connecting arrangement and a second stud connecting arrangement, the first and second stud connecting arrangements being adapted to detachably connect the first stud and the second stud.

2. A fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first stud comprises a first stud body, the first decorative portion being located on one side of the first stud body and the first fixing portion being located on the other side of the first stud body, and wherein the second stud comprises a second stud body, the second decorative portion being located on one side of the second stud body and the second fixing portion being located on the other side of the second stud body.

3. A fastener as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first stud connecting arrangement comprises a hook and the second stud connecting

arrangement comprises a frame defining an eye.

4. A fastener as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hook comprises a first shaft extending from the first stud body, a stem extending at a first angle from the distal end of the first shaft and a second shaft extending at a second angle from the end of the stem towards the first stud body.

5. A fastener as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first and second angles are substantially right angles.

6. A fastener as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the frame defining the eye is substantially rectangular.

7. A fastener as claimed in any one of claim 3 to 6, wherein the frame defining the eye extends from the second stud body and is angled away from the second decorative portion.

8. A fastener as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the eye is larger than the minimum clearance of the hook, thereby allowing easier insertion of the hook.

9. A fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or second fixing portions comprise a pin.

10. A fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first stud fixing portion and/or the second stud fixing portion comprises a clutch pin or butterfly clasp.

11. A fastener as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastener is adapted so that, in use, the first stud may be releasably fixed to the fabric of a garment in a first position and the second stud may be releasably fixed to the fabric of a garment in a second position, and wherein the first and second stud connecting arrangements may be connected, thereby gathering up the fabric of the garment.

12. A fastener as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first position and/or the second position is/are located on the train of the garment.

Description:
Detachable Fastener for Train of a Garment

The present invention relates to fasteners, especially to fasteners for the trains of dresses and other garments. Fasteners are occasionally used on garments.

US-A-2004/123430 discloses a combined garment pairing and skin cushioning device for a first garment and a second garment, e.g. a pair of socks.

US-B-2,648110 discloses a cuff fastening with separable fastener.

It is traditional to wear long flowing dresses and other garments with long trailing trains at many formal affairs and gatherings. Such dresses are often worn by brides at weddings, but may also be worn on other occasions, especially formal functions.

Wedding dresses and the like are often most attractive and impressive when the train trails behind the wearer. However, the train may be cumbersome when the wearer is walking or dancing and a bride may often continue to wear a wedding dress at a busy wedding reception. Furthermore, after a wedding ceremony or at other events where dresses with trains are worn, the wearer may walk on grass or other potentially muddy ground, leading to possible soiling of the train. Wedding and other trailing dresses are expensive and often of great sentiment value and soiling is therefore particularly problematic.

Various devices have been suggested to reduce problems associated with cumbersome trains.

US-B-8,353,063 discloses a garment that is worn under a bridal gown and can be hidden under the gown when bridal photographs are being taken. The hem of the garment can be grasped and pulled out from under the bottom of the gown and then up around the gown as a protective containment structure to prevent the gown from being soiled so that the bride can ride in a vehicle or walk to an outdoor location where she is to be photographed without the danger of having her gown soiled. WO-A-2016/1 16736 discloses a re-closable pin for securing the train of a dress, for example a bridal dress, in a raised position. The re-closable pin comprises a resilient arcuate base portion, leg portions extending from the base portion, a return arm, and a clasp. US-A-5, 630,231 discloses a gathering clip for bridal and other gown trains, capes, and other trailing components of formal wear, which may be removably securable to the inside structure of the garment along a back central seam allowance therein, thus being completely hidden from view when installed. The clip generally comprises links. The links may be left unconnected to allow the train to extend behind the gown in trail, but may be easily clipped or snapped together by a cooperating pin and receptacle in the two components, to gather the train when desired.

US-A-5, 052, 059 discloses a wedding grown train hoop that is provided with a wrist strap that enables the bride or dress wearer to carry and support the hoop about the wrist. A decorative sock is disposed about the hoop and includes a wrist section that is formed at the juncture of the first and second ends of the hoop and extends from the hoop to form a wrist strap or loop.

Unfortunately, many of the proposed solutions are expensive, unsightly or difficult to use. There is, therefore, a need to provide further solutions to the cumbersome train problem. It is an aim of the present invention to address this need.

The present invention according provides, in a first aspect, a fastener for the train of a garment, the fastener comprising, a first stud having a first decorative portion and a first fixing portion for releasably fixing the first stud to the fabric of a garment, a second stud having a second decorative portion and a second fixing portion for releasably fixing the second stud to the fabric of a garment, wherein the first stud and the second stud comprise respectively a first stud connecting arrangement and a second stud connecting arrangement, the first and second stud connecting

arrangements being adapted to detachably connect the first stud and the second stud.

This is beneficial because it allows long trailing garments, especially those with trains, to be gathered up when necessary, reducing soiling of the train. When it is not necessary to gather up the trains, the train may be let fall. The decorative portions of the studs are attractive whether or not the train is gathered.

Preferably, the first fixing portion and second fixing portion are each adapted to fix the first stud and second stud to the outside of the garment, especially so that the decorative portions are visible, when worn.

Preferably, the first decorative portion and the second decorative portion are on the outside of the garment, when worn/when in use. This is advantageous because then the first and second decorative portions are visible when the garment is being worn.

The first stud may comprise a first stud body, the first decorative portion being located on one side of the first stud body and the first fixing portion being located on the other side of the first stud body. The second stud may comprise a second stud body, the second decorative portion being located on one side of the second stud body and the second fixing portion being located on the other side of the second stud body.

Various connecting arrangement may be suitable, but preferably the first stud connecting arrangement comprises a hook and the second stud connecting

arrangement comprises a frame defining an eye.

The hook may comprise a first shaft extending from the first stud body, a stem extending at a first angle from the distal end of the first shaft and a second shaft extending at a second angle from the end of the stem towards the first stud body. Generally, the first and second angles are substantially right angles so that the hook is generally rectangular, thereby improving the security and ease of connection.

The frame defining the eye may be substantially rectangular to improve security of connection.

The frame defining the eye may extend from the second stud body. The frame, and/or at least a portion of the frame, may be angled away from the second decorative portion, to improve ease of connection.

Usually, it is preferred if the eye is larger than the minimum clearance of the hook, thereby allowing easier insertion of the hook. The fixing portions may use any suitable mechanism. Often however, the first and/or second fixing portions may comprise a pin. If so, the first stud fixing portion and/or the second stud fixing portion may comprise a clinch pin, a butterfly clasp or clinch pins and butterfly clasps to hold the pin once inserted into the fabric of the garment.

The first decorative portion and the second decorative portion may be decorated in any suitable manner.

For example, the first and /or second decorative portions may have crystals, glass, artificial or natural gems or jewels (facetted or un-facetted) affixed thereto (for example artificial or natural diamond, sapphires, emeralds, pearls), may be partially or wholly enamelled and/or may be of gold-coloured or silver-coloured metal.

Patterns (e.g. checked) may be formed by layers of material, by embossing or other methods of marking on the first decorative portion and/or the second decorative portion. Indicia (e.g. letters, numbers and/or other indicia) may likewise be formed on the first decorative portion and/or the second decorative portion.

The first decorative portion and the second decorative portion may be matching (e.g. substantially the same decoration on each) or may be complementary (e.g. different but linked decorations on each, e.g. different letters on each).

An advantage of the present invention is that in the case that the fastener is adapted so that, in use, the first stud may be releasably fixed to the fabric of a garment in a first position and the second stud may be releasably fixed to the fabric of a garment in a second position, and wherein the first and second stud connecting arrangements may be connected, the fabric of the garment, the train or other trailing portion of a garment may be gathered up. This may be especially useful wherein the first position and/or the second position is/are located on the train of the garment. When the wearer wants to release the trailing portion/train, the studs may be disconnected and the train allowed to fall back to its previous shape. Whether the garment is gathered or released, the first stud and second stud are decorative.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures, in which: FIG. 1(a) is a schematic side view and (b) a schematic bottom plan view of a first stud of a fastener according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 (a) is a schematic side view and (b) a schematic bottom plan view of a second stud of a fastener according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing the first and second studs of a fastener according to an embodiment of the invention connected together, thereby gathering up the fabric of a train of a wedding dress.

FIG. 4(a) is a top plan view of a second stud and (b) a side view of a first stud of a fastener according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG 5 is a perspective view of the fastener of FIG 4 with the first and second studs connected.

Figures 1 and 2 show the first stud 2 and a second stud 4 of a fastener according to the invention. The first stud 2 comprises a first stud body 6, with a first stud decorative portion 8 (in this case and in Figure 3, a facetted artificial jewel) and a first fixing portion comprising a first fixing pin 20. The second stud 4 similarly comprises a second stud body 22, with a second stud decorative portion 24 (also a facetted artificial jewel matching the first stud decorative portion 8) and a second fixing portion comprising a second fixing pin 32. The first and second decorative portions may, of course, be matching (as in Figure 1 and 2), complementary or otherwise different.

The first stud 2 and second stud 2 have connecting arrangements consisting of a hook 10 on the first stud 2 and a frame 26 defining an eye 28 on the second stud 4. By hooking the hook 10 into the eye 28, the first 2 and second studs 4 may be detachable connected. Generally, the eye 28 will be larger than the minimum clearance necessary for the hook 10 to enable ease of connection.

The hook 10 is generally rectangular, to improve security of connection to the eye 28, having a first shaft 12 extending from the first stud body 6, a stem 14 extending perpendicularly from the first shaft 12 and a second shaft 16 extending from the end of the stem 14 towards the first stud body 6. The frame 26 and the eye 28 are also generally rectangular to improve security (and ease) of connection of the first 2 and second studs 4.

The first stud 2 may be releasably fixed to the fabric of a garment using re leasable fixing portions comprising a first fixing pin seat 18 and a first fixing pin 20 to be inserted into the fabric of the garment (not shown in Figures 1 and 2, see Figure 3) and held in place by, for example, a clinch pin or butterfly clasp (not shown). Other types of fixing portions may, of course, be used.

Similarly, the second stud 4 may be releasably fixed to the fabric of a garment using releasable fixing portions comprising a second fixing pin seat 30 and a second fixing pin 32 to be inserted into the fabric of the garment (not shown in Figures 1 and 2, see Figure 3) and held in place by, for example, a clinch pin or butterfly clasp (not shown). Other types of fixing portions may, of course, be used.

The first stud 2 and second stud 4 may be fixed to different parts of the fabric of a garment, at least one of the studs being fixed to the train or other trailing part of a garment (for example, a wedding dress). When the wearer of the garment wishes to gather up the fabric of the train, the studs 2, 4 may be connected together. This reduces soiling of the train and makes walking and dancing easier. When the wearer wants to release the train, the studs 2,4 may be disconnected and the train allowed to fall back to its previous shape. The decorative portions 8, 24 of the studs 2,4 are attractive whether or not the studs 2, 4 are connected.

Figure 3 is a photograph of a train of a wedding dress gathered up to reduce soiling, or for walking or dancing, by the use of a fastener according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows another embodiment of a fastener of the invention, with in (a) a second stud and in (b) a first stud (the pin is not shown).

Figure 5 shows the embodiment of Figure 4 with the first and second studs connected.

In the fastener illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the decorative portions of the first stud and second studs are matching (i.e. substantially the same) and comprise a checked pattern. In other embodiments, the first and /or second decorative portions may have other forms of crystals, glass, artificial or natural gems or jewels affixed thereto (for example artificial or natural diamond, sapphires, emeralds, pearls), may be partially or wholly enamelled and/or may be of gold or silver-coloured metal.

Patterns may be formed by layers of material by embossing or other methods of marking on the first decorative portion and/or the second decorative portion.

Indicia (e.g. letters, numbers and/or other indicia) may likewise be formed on the first decorative portion and/or the second decorative portion.

The first decorative portion and the second decorative portion may be matching (e.g. substantially the same decoration on each) or may be complementary (e.g. different but linked decorations on each, e.g. different letters on each).

Reference Numerals

2 First stud

4 Second stud

6 First stud body

8 First stud decorative portion

10 Hook

12 First shaft of hook

14 Stem of hook

16 Second shaft of hook

18 First fixing pin seat

20 First fixing pin

22 Second stud body

24 Second decorative portion

26 Frame of eye Eye

Second fixing pin seat Second pin