US3407978A - Garment form - Google Patents

Description

Get 29, 1968 F. s. SANDER 3,407,978

GARMENT FORM Filed Jan. 18, 1967 INVENTOR Pwaw k 51 re/7m 3,407,978 Patented Oct. 29, 1968 United States Patent Office 3,407,9 7s GARMENT FORM 7 Frank SISairder, 12'1'Woodchuck Road,

Stamford, Conn. 06903 FiledJan. 18, 1967,'Sel'. No. 610,157 9 Claims-.--(Cl. 223-72) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable garment form consisting of a wire mesh which defines the lower part of the human torso and the legs in Outline, such mesh consistingof substantially nonresilient material which is capable of retaining the shape of the wearer upon being deformed into such shape. The leg portions. are connected with the torso. except in the region. of the crotch to definein this region anopening which is located. between the leg portions .and which is bounded by the mesh material defining the surrounding mesh interstices, thus .making it possible .to adjust the height and configuration of the crotch area by suitably bending the mesh material of.these interstices,

. fBackgrormd of the invention The present invention relates to' adjus'table garment forms in general, and'more particularly to garment forms which are adjustable so'as'to duplicate at 'will" the outlines of any individual human figure. Still more specifically, the present invention relates 'to that type of adjustable" garment form 'which' is made of a material sulficiently non-resilient so that the garment form will retain whatever shape it is bent toby' the user, whereby the garmentfo'rm may be shaped to the figure'of a particular wearer and at a later time may be reshaped to a different figure. v

' 'In my'U.S;-Patent 3,164,310, entitled Adjustable Dress Form, .I have disclosed a dress form'which is provided for a purpose similar to the'purpose -set out abovei'However, the dress formdisclosed in this patent is precisely that, namely a form for dresses, blouses, sweaters and the like, and comprises-a mesh structure which is configurated in the outline of the upper part of the humamtorso, including the neck area, shoulder area,.waist and part of the abdomen. '5 I This 'dressfo'rm has found wide acceptancetfor industrial ,use as well as'for usebyiiidividuals. It is incapable, however, of meeting one requirement which is becoming more and more frequent, namely to act as a form for slacks or trousers. In view of the great popularity which slacks have enjoyed in late years among female wearers, the provision of a form for this particular typeofgarment has become essential. Yet, no such form has heretofore existed, and particularly-nota form of the adjustable type. Adjustability is of importance because individual figures of course dilfer widely. Thus, one person may have a relatively short lower torso and long legs. Another person may have shorter legs and a relatively long lower torso, and so on. Also, the size of the buttocks, the circumferential measurement in the abdominal area, the thickness of the thighs and so on ditfers greatly from person to person. It is therefore necessary that a form for slacks and trousers be adjustable within a wide range of possibilities, including not only such adjustments as just have been mentioned for the various portions of the lower human anatomy, but also adjustments which make it possible to allow for the various length of the abdomen and legs. In other words, the latter adjustment must allow for different crotch heights so that slacks can be fitted without being either too loose or too tight in the crotch area. I 1

Summary of the in'vention The present invention provides a garment form which meets all the requirements set out above. I

More particularly, the present invention provides an adjustable garment form of this type.

In accordance with one feature of my invention I provide an adjustable garment form which is adapted to surround the legs, the thighs and the lower torso of a wearer. This garment form comprises a mesh structure defining a waisted torso portion and two leg portions depending from the torso portion. The mesh portion consists of rods of substantially non-resilient material capable of retaining the shape of the wearer upon being deformed into such shape, and it comprises a plurality of polygonal interstices formed by rod portions of the material. Also in accordance with the invention, the leg portions are connected with the torso portion except in the region of the crotch to thereby define in this region an opening located between the leg portion and communicating with the interior of the torso portion. The opening is bounded by the rod portions of adjacent interstices, thus making it possible to change the size and height of the crotch by bending the rod portions of such adjacent interstices upwardly and inwardly towards the interior of the torso, or vice versa.

My novel garment form provides thus easy adjustability and makes it possible to conform the outline of the garment form to the specific figure of an individual user, rather than providing only the configuration of a so-called average figure which is of no value to the many persons whose configurations differ from this rather arbitrarily designated average.

Furthermore, my novel garment form may be produced inexpensively and in a very simple manner.

Another advantage of my garment form herein disclosed is that it has a smooth outer surface and thus cannot scratch or otherwise injure either the wearer to whom it is molded, or the user who shapes the form and handles it after it has been so shaped.

Other advantages of my novel garment form will be readily evident. Thus, a further reading of this specification will indicate that my garment form may be easily placed on the wearer, for instance for molding purposes,

and just as easily removed from the wearer.

Concomitant with this is the fact that the garment form may be molded to the body of the 'wearer very quickly and that it retains its shape rigidly for an unlimited time until and unless it is purposely deformed so as to assume another configuration.

My novel garment form is pliable and may be easily stored, and it may be remolded a great number of times either to different figures or to the same figure, for instance if the proportions of the wearer should change from time to time.

Still another advantage of the invention is that the novel garment form disclosed herein is preshaped to facilitate molding to the body of the wearer.

Preferably, the novel garment form comprises a pair of complementary sections which are releasably fastenable together.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawing Description of the preferred embodiments Discussing now the drawing in detail, and more particularly FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that the novel garment form in accordance with the present invention is generally designated with reference numeral 1. It comprises, as will be evident from a perusal of this figure, a pair of complementary sections which are mirror images of each other. Each of these sections, and thus the garment form in its totality, comprises a mesh of wires or rods which may be coated with a suitable plastic material. Different forms and types of such mesh are usable for this purpose, and it is of course evident that a non-metallic plastic material can also be employed. The essential point is that the rod portions which together constitute the mesh, whether they be of metallic material covered with plastic or of plastic alone, be so connected to one another at their points of intersection as to prevent flexibility at these points of intersection since it is necessary that the mesh retain its shape, once it has been molded to the outline of a wearer.

The mesh consists, as already pointed out, of rod portions, here designated with reference numeral 2, and these rod portions are preferably-but not necessarilyconnected with tubular connectors 3 at their points of intersection. These connectors grip the rod portions at the points of intersection to prevent flexibility of the mesh, that is to prevent turning of the rod portions'or other movement thereof relative to one another. These connectors 3 are of the same type as set forth in my abovementioned Patent 3,164,310.

The rod portions of the mesh define polygonal interstices, identified with reference numeral 4, and it will be seen that for the most part the rod portions are straight as can be readily ascertained from the drawing.

My novel garment form is pro-shaped to some extent to facilitate molding of the form to the body of a wearer. Thus, it is provided with a waisted region 5, and in consequence of this waisted region it is of course provided with outwardly flaring hip portions in the lower torso portion of the form.

Depending from this lower torso portion of the form are two leg portions identified with reference numeral 6, and both of these leg portions consist of the same rodshaped portions 2 as have been discussed above.

Reference numeral 7 indicates, and this is more clearly evident from FIGS. 2 and 3, that the leg portions 6 define with the lower torso portion of the form 1 an opening 7, located between the leg portion 6 in the crotch region of the form. In other words, the leg portions are integral with the remainder of the form except in the area located between the leg portions at the lower end of the torso, that is in the crotch region. They thus form the opening 7 which is bounded by the rod portions 2 of a plurality of interstices which surround this opening. In the rearward region, that is in the region of the convergence of the crotch into the buttock area, the rod portions are not straight, but have a wavy or undulating configurating and are identified with reference numeral 8. The purpose of this is to facilitate adjusting of the dress form in this area, particularly by providing some extendability of the rod portions 8.

It will be understood that the provision of the opening 7 greatly facilitates molding of the novel garment form herein disclosed to the configurations of the body of an individual user. Thus, and as is clearly evident from FIG. 2, the rod portions 2 and 8 of the mesh which are associated with the interstices adjacent this opening 7 and surrounding the same, can be readily bent downwardly in the region between the leg portions 6, thus allowing for a person having a relatively long lower torso, whereas if the used has a relatively short lower sorso, these portions can be bent upwardly and inwardly into the torso structure as indicated in FIGIZ by the double arrows. Thus, when a garment is'either displayed on a form such as disclosed herein','or when it is fitted thereon for tailoring purposes, it can be configurated precisely to the individual requirements/For instance, if a garment is to be tailored in this manner, it is in this way possible to so adjust the garment, namely the slacksor trousers, in the crotch region that the garment will not chafe and discomfort the wearer having a relatively long lower torso, and that it will not simply be loose and baggy on the wearer having a relatively short lower torso. Rather, the garment form can be precisely adjusted to the shape of the individual wearer and accordingly the garment itself can be adjusted with similar precision.

As has been pointed out earlier, the garment form disclosed herein comprises a pair of complementary sections which are mirror images of each other. The wearer, to whom the adjustable form is to be molded, places both sections on her person, or a user places these sections on the person of a wearer, and snap fasteners including cooperating tabs provided on each of the sections and in toto designated with reference numeral 9, are provided so that the sections can be snapped releasably together. These snap fasteners 9 are also identical with those disclosed in my earlier mentioned Patent 3,164,310. When the snap fasteners are closed upon the sections having been placed on the body of the wearer, the form can then be shaped to the figure of the wearer. FIG. 2 shows particularly clearly that adjustment of the form in the crotch region is further facilitated by the fact that the lowermost ones of the snap fasteners 9, namely those directly above the opening 7 in the crotch region, can be opened, so that the corresponding rod portions on the respective sections of the garment form can be bent upwardly and inwardly even further to make it yet more simple to conform the novel garment form to the figure of the wearer. It is evident that the snap fasteners 9 are provided not only at the front of the form, namely down the abdominal area, but also at the rear of the form and, furthermore, down each'of the leg portions 6. In connection with the latterit is to be noted that the line of such snap fasteners 9 provided on each leg portion is arranged not at the front'or at the inside of each leg portion, but at the side thereof to make it particularly simple to gain access to the respective snap fasteners which is important, especially if the form is to be used by the wearer herself without anybody who can aid in placing it on the body of the wearer, or removing it therefrom. v

The garment form of the present invention is thus of simple construction, very inexpensive to manufacture, free of rough or sharp surfaces, and easily placed on and removed from the wearer. I

The mesh may consist of various different materials, as has already been indicated earlier, and such materials may be metallic in form of copper, iron, steel or the like, or may consist of various plastics, such as polyvinylchloride; Furthermore, the mesh may he basically a metallic material and may be covered with a plastic, such as a polyvinylchloride or a rubberized plastic; Covering may be effected by any suitable process known in the art, for instance by spraying or dipping. Each of the tabs of the snap fasteners 9 may comprise a single strip of fabric or other material extending around an edge or a wire or a rod portion of the mesh and the snap-fastener element which is carried by the strip serves to hold its free ends together sothat an endless tab is provided surrounding a section of themesh and extending freely therefrom. Suitable releasable stiffening meansmay also be provided to more firmly maintain the form in the shape to which it has been molded, .and such stiffening means is disclosed in my abovementioned prior patent.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of garment forms differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a garment form for trousers and slacks, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by .applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning .and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An adjustable garment form adapted to surround the legs, thighs and lower torso of a wearer, comprising a mesh structure defining a waisted torso portion and two leg portions depending from said torso portion, said mesh structure consisting of rods of material capable of retaining the shape of a wearer upon being deformed into such shape and comprising a plurality of polygonal interstices formed by portions of said material, said leg portions being connected with said torso portion except in the region of the crotch to thereby define in said region an opening located between said leg portions and communicating with the interior of said torso portion, said opening being bounded by the rod portions of adjacent interstices.

2. A garment form as defined in claim 1, wherein said material consists at least partly of synthetic resin.

3. A garment form as defined in claim 1, wherein at least some of the rod portions defining said adjacent interstices bounding said opening are of other than straight configuration.

4. A garment form as defined in claim 3, wherein said at least some rod portions are of undulating configuration.

5. A garment form as defined in claim 1, wherein said mesh structure comprises two mirror-symmetrical sections; and further comprising releasable first fastening means carried by said sections for fastening the same releasably to one another.

6. A garment form as defined in claim 5, wherein said mesh structure is discontinuous along two lines each of which extends in longitudinal direction of one of said leg portions; and further comprising releasable second fastening means carried by the respective leg portion for releasably joining edge portions which are located on opposite sides of the respective line.

7. A garment form as defined in claim 6, wherein said first and second fastening means comprise fastener elements each including a pair of tabs respectively carried by one of said rod portions, and a pair of cooperating snapfastener members respectively provided on said tabs and arranged to be releasably engaged and disengaged.

8. A garment form as defined in claim '5, wherein said first fastening means are arranged along a pair of lines extending in longitudinal direction of said torso portion at the front and at the rear of the latter.

9. A garment form as defined in claim 6, wherein the respective lines extend in longitudinal direction of said leg portions .at a location other than at the front of said garment form.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,096,916 7/1963 Bonnell 223--68 3,164,310 1/ 1965 Sander 223-68 3,175,560 3/1965 Menzies 2224 X 3,319,848 5/1967 Wolf 223-72 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,915 1/ 1933 Australia.

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

G. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner.

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