Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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ADJUSTABLE STRAP SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Aspects herein are directed to a strap system for a garment or article where
the
strap system has adjustable stretch properties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traditionally, a garment strap has an adjustable length without the ability to
adjust the stretch properties of the strap itself.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following clauses represent example aspects of concepts contemplated
herein. Any one of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple
dependent manner
to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of
dependent clauses
(clauses that explicitly depend from a previous clause) may be combined while
staying within
the scope of aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are
illustrative in nature and
are not limiting.
Clause 1. A strap system comprising: a first strap having a first end and a
second end, the first strap fixed to a first textile element at the first end;
a second strap having
a third end and a fourth end, the second strap fixed to a second textile
element at the fourth
end, wherein the first strap is in a face sharing relationship with the second
strap; and a
coupling mechanism securing the first strap to the second strap, the coupling
mechanism
slidable along a length of the first strap and the second strap, wherein the
first end of the first
strap and the third end of the second strap are positioned at a first side of
the coupling
mechanism, and wherein the second end of the first strap and the fourth end of
the second
strap are positioned at an opposite second side of the coupling mechanism.
Clause 2. The strap system according to clause 1, wherein the second end of
the first strap is unfixed to the second textile element, and wherein the
third end of the second
strap is unfixed to the first textile element.
Clause 3. The strap system according to any of clauses 1 through 2, wherein
the first strap has a first amount of stretch that is greater than a second
amount of stretch of
the second strap.
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Clause 4. The strap system according to any of clauses 1 through 3, wherein
an amount of stretch of the strap system is dependent on a location of the
coupling
mechanism along the length of the first strap and the second strap.
Clause 5. The strap system according to any of clauses 1 through 4, wherein
when the coupling mechanism is located closer to the first end of the first
strap and the third
end of the second strap, the strap system has a first amount of stretch, and
wherein when the
coupling mechanism is located closer to the second end of the first strap and
the fourth end of
the second strap, the strap system has a second amount of stretch that is
greater than the first
amount of stretch.
Clause 6. The strap system according to clause 5, wherein when the coupling
mechanism is located closer to the first end of the first strap and the third
end of the second
strap, a first distance measured from the first end of the first strap to the
first side of the
coupling mechanism is smaller than a second distance measured from the fourth
end of the
second strap to the second side of the coupling mechanism.
Clause 7. The strap system according to any of clauses 5 through 6, wherein
when the coupling mechanism is located closer to the second end of the first
strap and the
fourth end of the second strap, a third distance measured from the fourth end
of the second
strap to the second side of the coupling mechanism is smaller than a fourth
distance measured
from the first end of the first strap to the first side of the coupling
mechanism..
Clause 8. The strap system according to any of clauses 1 through 7, wherein
the second strap is formed of a low-stretch or no-stretch material.
Clause 9. The strap system according to any of clauses 1 through 8, wherein
the first strap and the second strap remain in the face sharing relationship
when the coupling
mechanism is positioned at different locations along the length of the first
strap and the
second strap.
Clause 10. An upper body garment comprising: a first textile element forming
a first portion of the upper body garment; a second textile element forming a
second portion
of the upper body garment; and a strap system comprising: a first strap having
a first end and
a second end, the first end of the first strap fixed to the first textile
element of the upper body
garment; a second strap having a third end and a fourth end, the fourth end of
the second
strap fixed to the second textile element of the upper body garment, wherein
the first strap is
in a face sharing relationship with the second strap; and a coupling mechanism
securing the
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first strap to the second strap, wherein the coupling mechanism is slidable
along a length of
the first strap and the second strap.
Clause 11. The upper body garment according to clause 10, wherein the first
strap and the second strap remain in the face sharing relationship when the
coupling
mechanism is positioned at different locations along the length of the first
strap and the
second strap.
Clause 12. The upper body garment according to any of clauses 10 through
11, wherein the first end of the first strap and the third end of the second
strap are positioned
at a first side of the coupling mechanism, and wherein the second end of the
first strap and
the fourth end of the second strap are positioned at an opposite second side
of the coupling
mechanism.
Clause 13. The upper body garment according to any of clauses 10 through
12, wherein the second end of the first strap is unfixed to the second textile
element of the
upper body garment, and wherein the third end of the second strap is unfixed
to the first
textile element of the upper body garment.
Clause 14. The upper body garment according to any of clauses 10 through
13, wherein the upper body garment is a bra, and wherein the strap system
forms at least a
portion of a shoulder strap of the bra.
Clause 15. The upper body garment according to any of clauses 10 through
13, wherein the upper body garment is a bra, and wherein the first textile
element forms an
apex portion of a breast-covering surface of the bra, and wherein the second
textile element
forms a shoulder strap of the bra.
Clause 16. The upper body garment according to any of clauses 10 through
15, wherein the first strap has a first amount of stretch that is greater than
a second amount of
stretch of the second strap.
Clause 17. The upper body garment according to any of clauses 10 through
16, wherein an amount of stretch of the strap system is dependent on a
location of the
coupling mechanism along the length of the first strap and the second strap.
Clause 18. The upper body garment according to any of clauses 10 through
17, wherein when the coupling mechanism is located closer to the first end of
the first strap
and the third end of the second strap, the strap system has a first amount of
stretch, and
wherein when the coupling mechanism is located closer to the second end of the
first strap
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and the fourth end of the second strap, the strap system has a second amount
of stretch that is
greater than the first amount of stretch.
Clause 19. A method of assembling a strap system comprising: affixing a first
end of a first strap to a first textile element, wherein the first strap
further includes a second
end; affixing a fourth end of a second strap to a second textile element,
wherein the second
strap further includes a third end; positioning the first strap and the second
strap such that the
first strap and the second strap are in a face sharing relationship; and
securing the first strap
and the second strap using a coupling mechanism such that the coupling
mechanism is
slidable along a length of the first strap and the second strap, wherein the
first end of the first
strap and the third end of the second strap are positioned at a first side of
the coupling
mechanism and the second end of the first strap and the fourth end of the
second strap are
positioned at an opposite second side of the coupling mechanism.
Clause 20. The method of assembling the strap system according to clause 19,
wherein the second end of the first strap is unfixed to the second textile
element, and wherein
the third end of the second strap is unfixed to the first textile element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Examples of aspects herein are described in detail below with reference to the
attached drawing figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a strap system in an un-tensioned
state,
in accordance with aspects herein;
FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of the strap system shown in FIG. 1 having a
coupling mechanism positioned closer to a first side of the strap system than
a second side of
the strap system, in accordance with aspects herein;
FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the strap system shown in FIG. 1 having the
coupling mechanism positioned closer to the second side of the strap system
than the first
side of the strap system, in accordance with aspects herein;
FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the strap system shown in FIG. 2A
with the strap system under tension, in accordance with aspects herein;
FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of the strap system shown in FIG. 2B
with the strap system under tension, in accordance with aspects herein;
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FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of a support garment with the strap system as
configured in FIG. 2A, in accordance with aspects herein;
FIG. 4B illustrates a back view of the support garment shown in FIG. 4A, in
accordance with aspects herein;
FIG. 5A illustrates a front view of a support garment with the strap system as
configured in FIG. 2B, in accordance with aspects herein;
FIG. 5B illustrates a back view of the support garment shown in FIG. 5A, in
accordance with aspects herein;
FIG. 6A illustrates a front view of an alternative support garment with a
strap
system as described herein where the strap system is in an uncoupled state, in
accordance
with aspects herein;
FIG. 6B illustrates a back view of the support garment shown in FIG. 6A with
the strap system in a coupled state, in accordance with aspects herein;
FIG. 7A illustrates a front perspective view of a lower body garment with a
strap system as described herein where the strap system is in an uncoupled
state, in
accordance with aspects herein;
FIG. 7B illustrates the perspective view of the lower body garment shown in
FIG. 7A with the strap system in a coupled state, in accordance with aspects
herein;
FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of an article of footwear with a strap
.. system as described herein where the strap system is in an uncoupled state,
in accordance
with aspects herein;
FIG. 8B illustrates the perspective view of the article of footwear shown in
FIG. 8A with the strap system in a coupled state, in accordance with aspects
herein; and
FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for assembling the strap system
shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity
herein
to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not
intended to limit the
scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the
claimed or
disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include
different steps or
combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in
conjunction with
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other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms "step"
and/or "block"
might be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the
terms should
not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various
steps herein
disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly
stated.
Traditionally, adjustable straps used in garments or articles, such as, for
example, brassieres (i.e. bras), tank tops, pants, bags, purses, articles of
footwear, and the
like, are manufactured from a single material having a defined stretch
property. As a result,
although the strap length can often be adjusted for these straps, the overall
elasticity or stretch
properties of these straps cannot be adjusted. This may, in some instances
lead to discomfort,
particularly in the case of, for example, bra straps.
Thus, a strap system with adjustable stretch properties is provided herein.
The
strap system includes two straps in a face sharing relationship coupled by a
coupling
mechanism, where one strap includes a different stretch property than the
other strap. For
instance, a first strap of the strap system may have a high stretch property,
meaning that its
length can be increased by at least 10% of its original length when a force is
applied in a
directional axis that is parallel to its length. The second strap of the strap
system may have
no stretch or minimal stretch properties, meaning that there is minimal to no
change in its
length or the change in its length is less than the change in length of the
first strap when the
force is applied in the direction that is parallel to its length.
When the strap system is incorporated into an article of apparel, a first end
of
the first strap is fixed by, for example, stitching or is otherwise attached
to a first element,
such as a first textile element, of the article of apparel. Further, a second
end of the second
strap is also fixed by stitching or otherwise attached to a second element,
such as a second
textile element, of the article of apparel. In some instances, a distance
between the first end
of the first strap and the second end of the second strap can define a length
of the strap
system (e.g., as measured along the first and second straps). In example
aspects, the first
textile element and the second textile element are located at opposing ends of
the strap
system. For example, the first textile element may be part of a front piece of
the article of
apparel and the second textile element may be part of a back piece of the
article of apparel,
although other configurations are contemplated herein.
In accordance with the example provided herein, because the first strap has a
greater stretch property than the second strap, and because only the first end
of the first strap
is attached to the first textile element, an "unlocked" length of the first
strap will determine
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how much the strap system will be able to stretch. In other words, for a given
length of the
strap system, a location of the coupling mechanism along the length of the
strap system can
determine an amount (i.e., available length) of the first strap that is
available to stretch when
a tension force is applied to the first textile element or the second textile
element. For
example, for a given length of the strap system, when the coupling mechanism
is located
closer to the first end of the first strap that is fixed to the first textile
element, the available
length of the first strap is smaller than when the coupling mechanism is
located farther from
the first end of the first strap (or located closer to the second end of the
second strap that is
fixed to the second textile element). Stated differently, when the coupling
mechanism is
located closer to the first end of the first strap, a majority of a length of
the strap system is
"locked" by the second strap and the coupling mechanism. As such, the strap
system will
only stretch a slight amount when a tension force is applied to the first
textile element or the
second textile element in a lengthwise direction. As the coupling mechanism is
moved away
from the first end of the first strap, a greater amount of the first strap is
"unlocked," thereby
allowing the strap system to increasingly stretch to a greater extent when the
tension force is
applied.
The term "article of apparel" as used herein is meant to encompass a number
of different configurations adapted to cover a body of a wearer when the
article of apparel is
worn. For example, the configurations may include upper body garments, lower
body
garments, socks, articles of footwear (i.e., shoes, boots, sandals, and the
like), gloves, hats,
masks, body suits, dresses, jumpers, overalls, and the like. The term "upper
body garment"
as used herein is meant to encompass a number of different configurations
adapted to cover
an upper torso area of a wearer when the upper body garment is worn. The
configurations
may include a jacket or coat, a pullover, a hoodie, a vest, a shirt, a
uniform, a t-shirt, a jersey,
a bra, and the like. The term "lower body garment" as used herein is meant to
encompass a
number of different configurations adapted to cover a lower body area of a
wearer when the
garment is worn. The configurations may include, short pants, long pants,
capri pants, jeans,
trousers, skirts, skorts, leggings, tights, and the like. Positional or
directional terms used to
describe the upper body garment and the lower body garment such as front,
back, internal,
external, upper, lower, center, medial, lateral, anterior, posterior, and the
like refer to the
garment being worn as intended by a wearer standing upright. Thus, for
example, the term
"front" means configured to cover a front torso area of a wearer, and the term
"back" means
configured to cover a back torso area of a wearer. The term "upper" means
closer to a neck
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opening of an upper body garment or a torso opening of a lower body garment,
and the term
"lower" means closer to a torso opening of the upper body garment or an leg
opening of the
lower body garment. The term "right side portion" means located on a right
side of a
garment when worn by a wearer, and the term "left side portion" means located
on a left side
of the garment when worn by the wearer.
The term "inner" when describing a layer of material forming the strap system
means the layer that is positioned closest to a body surface of a wearer with
respect to other
layers forming the strap system. The term "outer" when describing a layer of
material
forming the strap system means the layer that is furthest away from the
wearer's body surface
compared to other layers of the strap system. The term "textile" as used
herein means any
type of pliable cloth or fabric that is woven, non-woven, knit, braided, or
the like, that can be
used to produce, for example, articles of apparel as described herein.
The term "stretch property" when referring to the strap system refers to the
property of being able to reversibly/temporarily deform lengthwise to elongate
(i.e., become
longer, or increase in length). In example aspects, with respect to at least
the first strap of the
strap system, the term stretch property means that the first strap reversibly
stretches by at
least 10% of its original length (i.e., unstretched state), when a pulling or
tension force is
applied to the first strap in a lengthwise direction. Once the applied force
is removed, the
first strap is able to substantially or entirely return to its original length
or in other words, its
unstretched state. In example aspects, the second strap may exhibit little to
no stretch in
response to a tension force. Stated differently, the second strap may exhibit
no stretch or a
stretch that is less than 10% of its original length (i.e., unstretched state)
when a pulling or
tension force is applied to the second strap in a lengthwise direction.
In example aspects, the stretch properties of the first and second straps of
the
strap system may be determined by the presence of and/or the percentage by
weight of elastic
yarns used to form the first and second straps. The term "elastic yarn" refers
to a yarn that is
able to resiliently stretch (e.g., under tension) from its original length and
to substantially
return to its original length (e.g., when the tension force is removed). For
example, an elastic
yarn may stretch to at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about
50%, at least about
60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least
about 100%, or up
to about 200% of its original length in response to a tension force and to
substantially return
to its original length when the tension force is removed. Some example elastic
yarns include
spandex, LYCRA , thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) yarns, rubber, and the like.
Elastic
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yarns can include various forms, such as monofilament having one or more
components (e.g.,
bicomponent yarn having a core/sheath or side-by-side) or multifilament. Thus,
in example
aspects, the first strap may contain a greater percentage by weight of elastic
yarns compared
to the second strap. Aspects herein further contemplate that the second strap
may not include
elastic yarns. In other example aspects, an elastomeric material with stretch
properties may
be used to form, for example, the first strap. The term "end" refers to the
outermost short
edges of the strap that define the strap width. The strap length is defined by
the outermost
long edges of the strap.
As used herein, the term "approximately" or "about" means within a range of
plus or minus 10 percent of an indicated value.
The use of positional terms when describing the edges of the straps of the
strap
system assumes that each strap is properly positioned with respect to each
other. The term
"medial" when used to describe an edge means an edge located closer to a
midline of, for
example, a garment that includes the strap system disclosed herein. Thus, a
medial edge of
the strap system is closer to the midline of the garment when the strap system
is incorporated
into the garment. The term "lateral" when used to describe an edge refers to
an edge located
farther from the midline of the garment. Thus, a lateral edge of the strap
system is located
farther from the midline of the garment and closer to, for instance a lateral
edge of the
garment. The term "face sharing relationship" when used to describe the
relationship
between the first strap and the second strap of the strap system refers to a
first planar surface
of, for example, the first strap being positioned such that it is facing a
second planar surface
of, for example, the second strap. In other words, the term "face sharing
relationship" refers
to the placement of the straps relative to one another such that the first
planar surface of the
first strap and the second planar surface of the second strap are in contact
or near contact with
each other.
Unless indicated otherwise, all measurements provided herein are taken when
the strap system is at standard ambient temperature and pressure (298.15 K and
100 kPa) and
the strap components of the strap system are in a resting state (i.e.,
unstretched).
FIG. 1 depicts a strap system 100 that includes a first strap 30 and a second
strap 40, which are coupled to each other by a coupling mechanism 50. In
example aspects,
the coupling mechanism 50 may include a slide buckle (i.e., "slide", or tri-
glide buckle)
although other suitable slidable coupling mechanisms are also contemplated
without
departing from aspects herein. The coupling mechanism 50 may be comprised of a
plastic,
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metal, or polymer material, depending on the rigidity desired. Further, the
overall shape of
the coupling mechanism 50 may be rounded or rectangular (as shown in the
figures),
depending on the use.
The coupling mechanism 50 is slidable in a lengthwise direction 250 along a
length 102 of the strap system 100. The first strap 30 is in a face sharing
relationship with the
second strap 40, meaning that an inner face 33 of the first strap 30 faces or
is positioned
adjacent to an outer face 41 of the second strap 40. An inner face 43 of the
second strap 40 is
configured to face a wearer or an interior of an article when the strap system
100 is
incorporated into a garment or the article. It is contemplated that the first
strap 30 and the
second strap 40 may have the same length, or one of the first strap 30 or the
second strap 40
may be longer than the other. Although the strap system 100 is depicted as
having the first
strap 30 being placed over the second strap 40, based on the use desired, it
is also
contemplated that the strap system 100 may be configured to have the second
strap 40 over
the first strap 30 when coupled by the coupling mechanism 50, without
departing from
aspects herein. In other words, it is also contemplated that the strap system
100 may have the
inner face 43 of the second strap 400 facing or positioned adjacent to the
outer face 31 of the
first strap 30.
In example aspects, the first strap 30 may have stretch properties and may be
formed of a stretch knit or stretch woven material that incorporates elastic
yarns (e.g.,
elastane fibers). For example, the first strap 30 may be formed of nylon and
elastane fibers
and/or polyester and elastane fibers. Alternatively, the first strap 30 may be
formed from a
stretchable elastomeric polymer material (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane,
silicone,
polyethylene, and the like, or any combination of these materials that would
be suitable in
accordance with aspects herein). The second strap 40 may be formed from a low
stretch or
no stretch material (e.g., polyester and/or nylon) to form a tightly woven or
braided material
that does not include elastic yarns/fibers. Alternatively, the second strap 40
may be formed
from a low or no stretch polymer or natural material (e.g., leather).
When incorporated into an article, a first end 32 of the first strap 30 is
coupled
(e.g., stitched, bonded, welded, integrally knitted, or otherwise
attached/fixed) to a first
textile element 10 at a first attachment point 36õ while a second end 34 of
the first strap 30 is
left detached/unfixed (i.e., free). A fourth end 42 of the second strap 40 is
coupled (e.g.,
stitched, bonded, welded, integrally knitted, or otherwise attached/affixed)
to a second textile
element 20 at a second attachment point 46, while a third end 44 of the second
strap 40 is left
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detached/unfixed. As depicted, the first textile element 10 and the second
textile element 20
are located on opposing sides of the coupling mechanism 50. In example
aspects, the first
textile element 10 and the second textile element 20 are indirectly joined by
coupling the first
strap 30 to the second strap 40 by way of the coupling mechanism 50, as shown
in FIG. 1 to
form the strap system 100.
In examples of the present disclosure, the strap system 100 is adjustable in a
plurality of different manners by adjusting a position of the coupling
mechanism 50 relative
to one or both straps 30 and 40. For instance, both a stretch property and an
overall length
102 of the strap system can be increased, decreased, or maintained depending
on how the
coupling mechanism 50 is adjusted (e.g., slid relative to one or both
attachment points 36 and
46). In examples, the stretch property of the strap system 100 is relative to
the overall length
102 of the strap system, as measured from one attachment point 36 to the other
attachment
point 46. For example, if the overall length 102 is x (e.g., 10 cm) and the
strap system 100
can reversibly elongate to y (e.g., 12 cm), then the stretch property can be
quantified as y
over x (e.g., 1.2). As such, the strap system 100 includes at least eight
different adjustments
that can be made to alter the properties of the strap system 100: increase
overall length 102
and increase stretch property; increase overall length 102 and maintain
stretch property;
increase overall length 102 and decrease stretch property; decrease overall
length 102 and
increase stretch property; decrease overall length 102 and maintain stretch
property; decrease
overall length 102 and increase stretch property; maintain overall length 102
and increase
stretch property; and maintain overall length 102 and decrease stretch
property.
To help illustrate adjustability provided via the system 100, reference is
made
to FIGS. 2A and 2B. For example, FIG. 2A depicts a first state or
configuration 200 for a
strap system, and FIG. 2B depicts a second state or configuration 200 for the
strap system. In
both FIG. 2A and 2B, the strap system includes a same given length 102 (e.g.,
the length 102
is maintained from one state to the other state), and examples of the present
disclosure
provide for an adjustable stretch property for that given length 102. As shown
in FIG. 2A,
the first strap 30 has a length 38, and the second strap 40 has a length 48
where the first strap
and the second strap 40 are coupled to each other in a face sharing
relationship by the
30 coupling mechanism 50. In examples, a stretch property of the strap
system 100 can be
determined based on a location of the coupling mechanism 50 along the length
102 of the
strap system 100. That is, the stretch property of the strap system 100 can be
based on an
amount (e.g., length) of the first strap 30 between the attachment point 36
and the coupling
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mechanism 50 and on an amount (e.g., length) of the second strap 40 between
the attachment
point 46 and the coupling mechanism 50.
As shown in FIG. 2A, in a lower stretch configuration 200 (e.g., based on the
given length 102), the coupling mechanism 50 is located closer to the
attachment point 36
and farther from the attachment point 46, such that less of the first strap 30
is forming the
overall length 102 and more of the second strap 40 is forming the length 102.
That is, the
lower stretch configuration 200 results in a first distance 220 measured from
the first
attachment point 36 to a first side 54 of the coupling mechanism being less
than a second
distance 210 measured from the second side 52 of the coupling mechanism 50 to
the second
attachment point 46.
As shown in FIG. 2B, in a higher stretch configuration 202 of the strap system
100, the coupling mechanism 50 has been moved (while maintaining a similar
length 102 of
the strap system) along the lengthwise direction 250 such that the second side
52 of the
coupling mechanism 50 is located farther from the first attachment point 36 of
the first strap
30. In the higher stretch configuration 202, a resulting "unlocked" third
distance 240 of the
first strap 30 measured from the first attachment point 36 of the first strap
30 to the first side
54 of the coupling mechanism 50 is greater than a fourth distance 230 measured
from the
second attachment point 46 to the second side 52 of the coupling mechanism 50.
As such,
the strap system 100 in FIG. 2B will stretch to a greater extent (as compared
to the
.. configuration in FIG. 2A) when a tension force is applied to the first
textile element 10 or the
second textile element 20 in the lengthwise direction 250 due to the stretch
properties of the
first strap 30. That is, as between FIG. 2A and 2B, the given length 102 of
the strap system
100 can be maintained relatively constant, while the stretch property can be
adjusted (e.g.,
decreased or increased) depending on a position of the coupling mechanism 50
relative to the
.. attachment points.
In some instances, a strap system 102 can be categorized based on a ratio of
(a) the untensioned length (e.g., 220 or 240) of the first strap 30 between
the first attachment
point 36 and the coupling mechanism 50 and (b) the untensioned length (e.g.,
210 or 230) of
the second strap 40 between the second attachment point 46 and the coupling
mechanism 50.
For instance, where the ratio of (a) to (b) is less than 1, the strap system
can be categorized as
"low stretch;" where the ratio of (a) to (b) is 1, the strap system can be
categorized as
"medium stretch;" and where the ratio of (a) to (b) is greater than 1, the
strap system can be
categorized as "high stretch." For example, if a strap system includes a total
length (e.g.,
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102) of 10 cm, with an (a) to (b) ratio of 2:3 (e.g., 4 cm to 6 cm), then the
first strap system
can be categorized as "low stretch:" and likewise if a strap system includes a
total length of 8
cm, with an (a) to (b) ratio of 3:5 (e.g., 3 cm to 5 cm), then the strap
system can be
categorized as "low stretch." In another example, if a strap system includes a
total length
(e.g., 102) of 10 cm, with an (a) to (b) ratio of 4:1 (e.g., 8 cm to 2 cm),
then the first strap
system can be categorized as "high stretch:" and likewise if a strap system
includes a total
length of 8 cm, with an (a) to (b) ratio of 3:1 (e.g., 6 cm to 2 cm), then the
strap system can be
categorized as "high stretch." Based on this system for categorization, the
strap system in
FIG. 2A could be categorized as a "low stretch" system, and the strap system
in FIG. 2B
could be categorized as a "high stretch" system.
To explain further, in some example, in the low stretch configuration 200 only
the first distance 220 (or length) of the first strap 30 is "unlocked" and
free to stretch.
Because the first strap 30 has a greater stretch property than the second
strap 40, and because
only the first end 32 of the first strap 30 is attached to the first textile
element 10, the
available length (i.e., the first distance 220) of the first strap 30 can
determine how much the
strap system 100 stretches when a tension force is applied to the first
textile element 10 or the
second textile element 20. In the low stretch configuration 200, the available
length of the
first strap 30 is limited by the coupling mechanism 50 to the relatively
smaller first distance
220. In other words, a majority of the length 38 of the first strap 30 is
"locked" by the
position of the coupling mechanism 50 relative to the first strap 30. As such,
the strap system
100 will only stretch a slight amount when a tension force is applied to the
first textile
element 10 or the second textile element 20 in the lengthwise direction 250
(e.g., as compared
to a different configuration in which the coupling mechanism 50 is slid closer
to the second
end 34 of the first strap 30). Since the second strap 40 has low or no
stretch, and because
only the fourth end 42 of the second strap 40 is attached or fixed to the
second textile element
20, the available length (i.e., the first distance 220) of the first strap 30
will determine how
much the strap system 100 will stretch when a tension force is applied to the
first textile
element 10 or the second textile element 20. Because the second distance 210
is relatively
greater than the first distance 220, the strap system 100 will only stretch a
slight amount
when a tension force is applied to the second textile element 20 or the first
textile element 10
(e.g., as compared to a different configuration in which the first distance
220 or more equal to
or greater than the second distance 210). Stated differently, when a ratio of
the first distance
220 to the second distance 210 is less than 1 or when a ratio of the second
distance 210 to the
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first distance 220 is greater than 1, as shown in FIG. 2A, then the strap
system 100 will
exhibit a relatively small amount of stretch (e.g., as compared to when a
ratio of the first
distance 220 to the second distance 210 is greater than, or equal to, 1). when
a tension force is
applied to the first textile element 10 or the second textile element 20 in
the lengthwise
direction 250.
Referring to FIG. 2B, as described above, since the second strap 40 has low or
no stretch, and because only the fourth end 42 of the second strap 40 is
attached or fixed to
the second textile element 20, the available length (i.e., the third distance
240) of the first
strap 30 will determine how much the strap system 100 will stretch when a
tension force is
applied to the first textile element 10 or the second textile element 20 in
the lengthwise
direction 250. Because the third distance 240 is relatively greater than the
fourth distance
230, the strap system 100 will stretch a greater amount when a tension force
is applied to the
second textile element 20 or the first textile element 10 in the lengthwise
direction 250.
Stated differently, when a ratio of the third distance 240 to the fourth
distance 230 is greater
than 1 or when a ratio of the fourth distance 230 to the third distance 240 is
less than 1, as
shown in FIG. 2B, the strap system 100 will stretch to a greater extent (e.g.,
as compared to
when a ratio of the third distance 240 to the fourth distance 230 is less than
1) when a tension
force is applied to the first textile element 10 or the second textile element
20 in the
lengthwise direction 250.
In some examples, the stretch property of a strap system can be determined
based on a length to which the strap system can reversibly elongate. For
example, FIG. 3A
depicts the strap system 200b, which can include the system of FIG. 2A having
the low
stretch configuration 200 when a tension force is applied to the first textile
element 10 or the
second textile element 20. In addition, FIG. 3A depicts a stretched length 302
to which the
strap system 200b can reversibly elongate. That is, in FIG. 2A, the strap
system includes the
length 102, whereas in FIG. 3A, the strap system has been reversibly elongated
to include the
length 302. In some examples, the strap system in FIGS. 2A and 3A can be
categorized
based on the length 102 and the length 302. For example, if the length 102 is
x (e.g., 10 cm)
and the reversibly elongated length 302 is y (e.g., 12 cm), then the stretch
property can be
quantified as y over x (e.g., 1.2). Similarly, FIG. 3B depicts the strap
system 202b, which
can include the system of FIG. 2B having the high stretch configuration 202
when a tension
force is applied to the first textile element 10 or the second textile element
20. In addition,
FIG. 3B depicts a stretched length 304 to which the strap system 202b can
reversibly
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elongate. That is, in FIG. 2B, the strap system includes the length 102,
whereas in FIG. 3B,
the strap system has been reversibly elongated to include the length 304. As
explained
above, the strap system in FIGS. 2B and 3B can be categorized based on the
length 102 and
the length 304. For example, if the length 102 is x (e.g., 10 cm) and the
reversibly elongated
length 302 is y' (e.g., 15 cm), then the stretch property can be quantified as
y' over x (e.g.,
1.5). Based on these examples, as between FIGS. 2A/3A and FIGS. 2B/3B, the
configuration
in 2B/3B imparts a larger stretch property.
To explain further, based on the position of the coupling mechanism 50 being
closer to the first end 32 of the first strap 30, a tensioned length 320 of
the second strap 40 is
greater than a tensioned length 310 of the first strap 30. Thus, a ratio of
the tensioned length
310 of the first strap 30 to the tensioned length 320 of the second strap 40
is less than 1,
which results in the strap system 100 having a lower stretch property when the
strap system
100 is in the low stretch configuration 200 (as shown in FIG. 2A). In FIG. 3B,
based on the
position of the coupling mechanism 50 being closer to the fourth end 42 of the
second strap
40, a tensioned length 330 of the first strap 30 is greater than a tensioned
length 340 of the
second strap 40. Thus, a ratio of the tensioned length 330 of the first strap
30 to the tensioned
length 340 of the second strap 40 is greater than 1, which results in the
strap system 100
having a higher stretch property when the strap system is in the high stretch
configuration
202 (as shown in FIG. 2B). In other words, a stretch property of the strap
system 100 is
increased as the coupling mechanism 50 is moved away from the first attachment
point
36,and the stretch property of the strap system 100 is decreased as the
coupling mechanism
50 is moved closer to the first attachment point 36 of the first strap 30.
FIG. 4A depicts a front view 402 of an example garment 400 incorporating a
pair of strap systems 100, and FIG. 4B depicts a back view 404 of the garment
400. As
shown, the garment 400 may be configured as a bra and the strap system 100 may
form the
bra straps for the bra. Accordingly, the first end 32 of the first strap 30 in
each strap system
100 may be fixed to a front textile element 10 of the garment 400 (as shown in
FIG. 4A),
while the fourth end 42 of the second strap 40 in each strap system 100 may be
fixed to a
back textile element 20 of the garment 400 (as shown in FIG. 4B). Depending on
the amount
of stretch desired, a wearer 406 may place the coupling mechanism 50 closer to
the first end
32 of the first strap 30 (as shown in both FIGs. 4A and 4B), or any other
location along the
length of the first strap 30 or the length of the second strap 40, as shown in
FIGs. 5A and 5B.
For example, as shown in the front view 402 of the support garment 400 in FIG.
4A, the
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coupling mechanism 50 is closer to the first end 32 of the first strap 30,
thus imparting more
"lockout" to the strap systems 100. As shown in the back view 504 of the
support garment
400 in FIG. 5B, the coupling mechanism 50 is closer to the fourth end 42 of
the second strap
40 of the strap system 100, thus imparting a greater amount of stretch to the
strap systems
100. The configuration shown in FIGs. 4A and 4B enables each strap system 100
to stretch
less than each strap system 100 shown in FIGs. 5A and 5B.
As further shown in FIGs. 4A to 5B, the inner face 43 of the second strap 40
is
configured to be in contact with the wearer's skin, while the inner face 33 of
the first strap 30
is configured to be in contact with the outer face 41 of the second strap 40.
This particular
configuration allows the first strap 30 to sit over the second strap 40 so
that it can freely
stretch to an amount allowed by the coupling mechanism 50 and its location
along the
lengthwise direction 250 of the strap system 100. In other words, an amount of
stretch
possible by the first strap 30 is not hampered or disturbed by frictional
forces that would be
added if the first strap 30 were to be sandwiched between the wearer 406 and,
for instance,
the second strap 40.
FIGS. 4A to 5B depict some examples, and in at least some instances, the
relative positions of the first strap 30 and the second strap 40 can be
switched, such that the
first strap is attached to the back of the textile element 20 and the second
strap can be
attached to the front textile element 10. In addition, in at least some
examples, instead of
attaching to the back of the garment, the second strap 40 can be attached to
another textile
element that extends from the back to the front (e.g., the second strap 40
might not
necessarily extend all the way to the back of the garment and instead may
connect, on the
front, to another textile element that extends to the back).
FIGs. 6A and 6B depict an additional example support garment 600 where the
strap system 100 is used as an underband. FIG 6A depicts a front view 602 of
the support
garment 600 in an open configuration ready to be worn by a wearer. As shown,
the first strap
of the strap system 100 is fixed to a first side 606 of the support garment
600 and the
second strap 40 of the strap system 100 is fixed to a second side 608 of the
support garment
600. The coupling mechanism 50 can be initially coupled to the second strap
40, as shown,
30 or alternatively, may be initially coupled to the first strap 30 (not
shown). FIG. 6B depicts a
back view of the support garment 600 in a closed configuration where the
coupling
mechanism 50 couples the first strap 30 to the second strap 40. The total
stretch of the strap
system 100 may be set such that in combination with the inherent stretch
properties of the rest
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of the support garment 600, the total stretch may provide a comfortable fit of
the support
garment 600 around the torso of the wearer. In other aspects, the strap system
100 may be set
such that the support garment 600 may be donned or doffed without decoupling
the first strap
30 and the second strap 40 from one another.
FIGs. 7A and 7B depict perspective views of a lower body garment 700 where
the strap system 100 is used as a waistband support system. FIG 7A depicts a
front
perspective view 702 of the lower body garment 700 in an open configuration
ready to be
worn by a wearer. As shown, the first strap 30 of the strap system 100 is
fixed to a first side
706 of the lower body garment 700 and the second strap 40 of the strap system
100 is fixed to
a second side (not shown) of the lower body garment 700. The coupling
mechanism 50 can
be initially coupled to the second strap 40, as shown, or alternatively, may
be initially
coupled to the first strap 30 (not shown). FIG. 7B depicts a perspective view
704 of the lower
body garment 700 in a closed configuration where the coupling mechanism 50 is
configured
to couple the first strap 30 to the second strap 40. The total stretch of the
strap system 100
may be set such that in combination with the inherent stretch properties of
the textile material
forming the lower body garment 700, the total stretch may provide a
comfortable fit of the
lower body garment 700. In other aspects, the strap system 100 may be set such
that the
lower body garment 700 may be donned or doffed without decoupling the first
strap 30 and
the second strap 40 from one another.
FIGs. 8A and 8B depict perspective views of an article of footwear 800. As
shown, the strap system 100 is used as a securing system configured to extend
across the
instep portion of the article of footwear 800. FIG. 8A depicts a perspective
view 802 of the
article of footwear 800 in an open configuration ready to be worn by a wearer.
The first strap
of the strap system 100 is fixed to a first (medial) side 806 of the article
of footwear 800
25 and the
second strap 40 of the strap system 100 is fixed to a second (lateral) side
808 of the
article of footwear 800. The coupling mechanism 50 can be initially coupled to
the second
strap 40, as shown, or alternatively, may be initially coupled to the first
strap 30 (not shown).
FIG. 8B depicts a perspective view 804 of the article of footwear 800 in a
closed
configuration where the coupling mechanism 50 is configured to couple the
first strap 30 to
30 the
second strap 40. The total stretch of the strap system 100 may be set such
that in
combination with the inherent stretch properties of the material forming the
article of
footwear 800, the total stretch may provide a comfortable fit of the article
of footwear 800.
In other aspects, the strap system 100 may be set such that the article of
footwear 800 may be
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donned or doffed without decoupling the first strap 30 and the second strap 40
from one
another.
FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram 900 of a method for assembling the strap
system 100 described herein. Initially, in step 902, a first end of a first
strap, such as, for
example, the first end 32 of the first strap 30 (as shown in FIG. 1), may be
fixed to a textile
element, such as, for example, the first textile element 10. Similarly, in
step 904, a fourth end
of a second strap, such as, for example, the fourth end 42 of the second strap
40, may be fixed
to a textile element, such as, for example, the second textile element 20 (as
shown in FIG. 1).
In step 906, the first strap and the second strap are positioned in a face
sharing relationship.
This may be done by, for example, threading a third end, such as the third end
44, of the
second strap through a coupling mechanism, such as, for example, the coupling
mechanism
50 (as shown in FIG. 1), in a first direction starting from a second side
toward a first side of
the coupling mechanism. The second end, such as, for example, the second end
34 (as shown
in FIG. 1), of the first strap may then be threaded through the coupling
mechanism, such as,
for example, the coupling mechanism 50 (as shown in the figures) in a second
direction
starting from the first side toward the second side of the coupling mechanism
over the second
strap. This results in the first strap and the second strap being coupled to
one another by the
coupling mechanism, as shown at step 908, where the coupling mechanism is
slidable along a
length of the strap system that includes the length of first strap and/or the
length of the second
strap. As described above, the total stretchability of the strap system is
determined based on
the location of the coupling mechanism. For example, when the coupling
mechanism is
closer to the first end of the first strap, the strap system has a total
stretchability that is less
than the total stretchability provided when the coupling mechanism is closer
to the fourth end
of the second strap.
Aspects of the present disclosure have been described with the intent to be
illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative aspects will become apparent
to those skilled
in the art that do not depart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop
alternative means
of implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing from the
scope of the
present disclosure.
It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility
and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations
and are
contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the
various figures need
be carried out in the specific order described.
