US 5,630,231 A · Gathering clip for gown train

Abstract

A gathering clip for bridal and other gown trains, capes, and other trailing components of formal wear, is 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 a first and a second link, each of which includes a pin which is used to penetrate the hidden hem or seam allowance which is formed within the back of the gown when the left and right rear panels of the gown and train are constructed. The two links may be removably secured respectively to the back hem of the gown beneath the waistband, and to the underside of the train at some point along the central portion thereof or as desired, and retained by buttons which are snapped over the ends of the pins. 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. When the gown is later removed for cleaning and/or storage, the clip components may be removed for use in another gown. The clip is relatively inexpensive, and may be formed of a pliable plastic material in order to provide for the snapping together of the various components.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A gathering clip for a trailing extension of a garment, comprising:

a first link and a second link, with each said link having a garment attachment pin extending therefrom adapted to removably penetrate and secure to the fabric of the garment and extension;
said second link further including a link connecting pin, and said first link including a link connecting pin receptacle, with said second link and said first link being removably securable to one another by said connecting pin and said pin receptacle;
a smoothly rounded retaining button adapted to secure removably over each said garment attachment pin of each said link, with each said button including a receptacle formed therein adapted to fit closely over each respective said garment attachment pin, whereby;
said first link is removably secured to a portion of the garment and said second link is removably secured to a portion of the trailing extension, with said first link and said second link being selectively connected together or disconnected respectively to gather the extension to the garment or to permit the extension to extend freely behind the garment as desired.

1 more element

In a gown having a train extending rearwardly therefrom, with the gown and train having a rearwardly and inwardly disposed hem extending along the gown and train, a gathering clip comprising:

a first link and a second link, with each said link having a gown attachment pin extending therefrom adapted to removably penetrate and secure through the hem respectively of the gown and train;
said second link further including a link connecting pin, and said first link including a link connecting pin receptacle, with said second link and said first link being removably securable to one another by said connecting pin and said pin receptacle, each said link being an elongate flat, thin sheet of material having a smoothly rounded first end and an opposite smoothly rounded second end, each said gown attachment pin extending perpendicularly respectively from each said first end of each said link, said link connecting pin of said second link extending from said second end thereof, and said link pin receptacle of said first pin disposed within said second end thereof, whereby;
said first link is removably secured to the hem of the gown and said second link is removably secured to the hem of the train, with said first link and said second link being selectively connected together or disconnected respectively to gather the train to the gown or to permit the train to extend freely behind the gown as desired.

In combination with a gown having a waist portion with a train attached thereto and extending rearwardly therefrom, with said gown and said train each having an outer surface with a longitudinal rear central seam and an inwardly disposed hem extending from said seam along said gown and said train, a gathering clip comprising:

a first link and a second link, with each said link having a gown attachment pin extending therefrom adapted to removably penetrate and secure through said hem respectively of said gown and said train so that said outer surface of said gown and said train are devoid of direct contact with said clip;
said second link further including a link connecting pin, and said first link including a link connecting pin receptacle, with said second link and said first link being removably securable to one another by said connecting pin and pin receptacle;
a smoothly rounded retaining button adapted to secure removably over each said gown attachment pin of each said link, with each said button including a receptacle formed therein adapted to fit closely over each respective said gown attachment pin, whereby;
said first link is removably secured to said hem near said waist portion of said gown and said second link is removably secured to said hem of said train, with said first link and said second link being selectively connected together or disconnected respectively to gather said train to said gown or to permit said train to extend freely behind said gown as desired.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Gathering clip for gown train

Life of this patent

Gathering clip for gown train

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17