US 6,206,752 B1 · Invisible straps for apparel and method of use

Abstract

Non-woven, non-shiny, and substantially transparent clothing straps and a method for their use with apparel worn under loosely fitting sleeveless outer garments, undergarments used with sheer outer clothing or outer clothing having narrow shoulder straps or cutouts therein which would otherwise readily reveal undergarment straps, and other apparel to give a strapless illusion to it. The straps are made from flexible, resilient, but non-stretchable material and could be permanently attached to a garment or made to be easily and readily detached from it. In the most preferred present invention embodiment the straps would be made from a substantially non-stretchable polyurethane material. Optionally, even though the strap material itself would resist longitudinal folding, a short stretchable extension could be inserted between one end of the strap and the garment to which it is attached to help the strap resist twisting and lay in an essentially flat, more comfortable and discrete position during use. In permanently attached embodiments a strip of seam binding or other similarly biased material can also be stitched over the ends of the strap and the garment to which they are connected to reinforce the connection therebetween, to improve its overall appearance, and help secure and maintain the strap in its usable position. Applications can include, but are not limited to use with bras, brassieres, bodysuits, slips, camisoles, nightgowns, swim suits, bikini tops, halter tops, tank tops, and formal wear.

Claims16

Dependent claims

An aesthetically pleasing, and discrete apparel strap for attachment to garments, including both undergarments and outer garments, and support of the garment to which it is attached across a shoulder, said apparel strap comprising:

a garment support band having opposed ends and a fully extended length dimension sufficient to span the shoulder of the largest person having a stature appropriate to wear the garment intended for attachment to said band, said band also comprising non-shiny, substantially transparent, non-woven, lightweight, flexible, resilient, but substantially non-stretchable material;
transparent adjustment means for placing said band into an infinite number of shortened configurations each having a length dimension that is less than said fully extended length dimension;
connection means for attaching said opposed ends of said band to a garment;
and
a short stretchable translucent extension having opposite ends, a first one of said opposite ends being connected to one of said opposed ends of said band, and wherein said connection means permanently attaches the second one of said opposite ends and the remaining one of said opposed ends of said band in spaced-apart positions from one another to upper portions of a supported garment
so that when said adjustment means is optionally used to cause said band to be shortened to the proper length for laying flat against the shoulder of any user having appropriate stature to wear the garment intended for attachment to said band said apparel strap is made virtually invisible to a casual observer even when directly in view.

3 more elements

A method for supporting both outer garments and undergarments across a shoulder in an aesthetically pleasing and discrete manner whereby the means of support is virtually invisible to a casual observer even when directly in view, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a lightweight, flexible, resilient, non-shiny, non-woven, substantially non-stretchable, and substantially transparent garment support band having opposed ends and a fully extended length dimension sufficient to span the shoulder of the largest person having a stature appropriate to wear the garment intended for attachment to said band, a short stretchable translucent extension having opposite ends, transparent adjustment means, and connection means;
attaching a first one of said opposite ends to one of said opposed ends;
using said connection means for permanently attaching the second one of said opposite ends and the remaining one of said opposed ends of said band in spaced-apart positions from one another to upper portions of a supported garment so that said band will lay flat across the shoulder of a person wearing the garment;
and
optionally using said transparent adjustment means to shorten said band to the proper length for laying flat against the shoulder of any user having appropriate stature to wear the garment intended for attachment to said band.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Invisible straps for apparel and method of use

Life of this patent

Invisible straps for apparel and method of use

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16