WO2012049687A1

WO2012049687A1 - Convertible casual wear/ sportswear

Info

Publication number: WO2012049687A1
Application number: PCT/IN2010/000750
Authority: WO
Inventors: Baloo Chandran
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-11
Filing date: 2010-11-18
Publication date: 2012-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2013-04-11

Abstract

A convertible casual wear/sportswear is a t-shirt which incorporates a concealed expandable/stretchable material (4) from the underside of the sleeve opening along the armhole (1, 7) and the side seam (2) to the bottom hem(6). Fasteners (5) are provided on the t-shirt along the sides of the sleeve and the side seam (2). When the fasteners (5) are fastened together, the t-shirt will provide a perfect fit and can be used as a casual wear. When the fasteners (5) are unfastened, the t-shirt will provide the wearer with comfort and room for stretching and twisting while playing any sport and can be used as a sportswear.

Description

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION CONVERTIBLE CASUAL WEAR/ SPORTSWEAR

2. NAME OF THE APPLICANT CHANDRAN BALOO

NATIONALITY INDIAN

ADDRESS 003, VAISHNAVI PARADISE

47^th CROSS, 8^th BLOCK, JAYANAGAR

BANGALORE 560082

KARNATAKA INDIA

3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION: COMPLETE

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention in general relates to sports wear and in particular to t-shirts worn while playing golf, tennis and other sports which involves the stretching of the arm and shoulder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sports wear are generally classified based on the comfort requirements of . the sport played. Most sports-wear is made from knitted fabric rather than woven fabric due to the stretch and elasticity of knitted fabrics. The primary concern of any sports-wear design is to provide best possible comfort to the user. Clothing plays a pivotal role in the comfort of playing a sport and is a factor for performance. Concerns such as impediment to movement, clinging to body are focus areas of design and manufacturing.

However in recent times the need for aesthetics (fashionable wear) has also been a priority. A polo shirt, also known as a golf shirt and tennis shirt, is a T-shaped shirt with a collar, until few years ago clubs insisted on collared t-shirts at golf and tennis courts and this is still true in many places today. A polo shirt is usually the pullover type having short / long sleeves and designed^' both for sports and casual wear. However even mock collar t-shirts and other designs are also used these days. Various companies have researched and developed technologies like quick precipitation, UV protection and the likes.

While serving its original purpose, the polo shirts of today have a major drawback,

For start, they do not accommodate the stretch experienced by a player playing golf while he/she takes a swing. Because of which sportspersons in general and golfers in particular wear polo shirts of larger size/fit than they normally wear or what is defined as their perfect size/fit. This has resulted in players wearing oversized and baggy garments not usually sized for them, this result in a loss of other comforts intended by the manufacturer . Wearing oversized and baggy garments do, to a certain extent address the problem of stretching; this however results in practical and aesthetical problems

This also makes these garments not presentable on the wearer in casual occasions.

Today Polo shirts are very commonly used as business casuals. This invention aims to eliminate the need of a player using an oversized garment while not compromising on the comfort during stretching.

This invention also helps address the problem faced by players with excess fat in the abdominal region; while it prevents any discomfort in stretching due to the girth in the abdominal area and also does not draw attention to it. Thus there is need to address the problem from both the views of comfort and aesthetics, to provide a sports shirt that does not impede performance while playing as well as making it serve the dual purpose of a sportswear and casual / business wear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention represents an opportunity to create an unique feature that ensures comfortable sportswear enabling the individual to play the sport without any let or hindrance by the garment while not compromising on the fit or fashion of the garment by providing an expandable/stretchable fabric stitched at the seam, starting from the lower end of the sleeve along the underarm arm hole to the bottom hem or till where comfortable which is accessible by a fastening device like a zipper which when opened allows for the optional stretch that is required while playing a sport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the invention relating to its functionality , advantages and its various forms is explained in the detailed description and a set of drawings are provided to better represent these. Also explained and sketched are the present available models and their short comings in order to highlight the importance and necessity of this invention.

Fig 1 (A) represent the perfect fit polo t-shirts used as a casual wear with aesthetic look, while fig (B) represents a sportswear used by players for polo / tennis / golf playing that is apparently over sized with wrinkles and droop for the comfort of the game. Fig 2 (Α,Β) represent the shortcomings of a perfect fit polo t-shirt worn for a sport like tennis or golf that clearly depicts the constraints felt by an individual while playing a sport (depicted here is individuals swinging in the game of golf)

Fig 3(A,B,C) represents the invention as intended, the materials usable is discussed in the detailed description, note that the invention extends to the underside of the sleeve but not visible in the sketch Fig 3B.

Fig 4 (A,B) represents the invention from the inside of the t-shirt.

Fig 5 (A) represents how a garment would look in case the individual chooses not to use the invention. Seen in the figure is a zipper used as a fastener. Fig 5(B) represents a variation of the invention wherein the fastener extends partially and not completely till the bottom hem of the shirt.

Fig 5 (C) represents how the garment would look while the invention is operational in full till the hem.

Fig 6(A,B) represents the functionality/advantage of the invention while an individual is playing a sport. Note the comfort and ease experienced by the individual while swinging in the game of golf.

Fig 7(A,B) represents other fasteners that can probably be used instead of a zipper. Fig 7A represents buttons used as fastener. Fig 7B represents hook and tape (Velcro) used as fastener. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings that are used to illustrate a Polo shirt / Golf shirt designed for comfort, aesthetic and casual wear is advantageously fitted / stitched / attached with a concealed stretchable elastic material from the underside of the sleeve opening along the inner-under armhole to the side seam bottom or till where deemed comfortable on either side or both sides of the garment.

The material fitted / stitched / attached on to the shirt provides the user with comfort and room for stretching / twisting while playing any sport. The invention is put to use by opening the fastening device which allows for the desirable stretch / twist. When the fastener is closed, the shirt would fit perfectly and can be used as a fashionable / presentable garment and as a causal wear.

An embodiment of a sports shirt incorporating the present invention adapted for golf / polo shirt is usually a T shaped shirt with a collar around the neck however not limited to it. It can possible have two/three buttons down a slit below the collar on the front side of the shirt. The sleeve can end in a hem or ribbed cuffs, either full or half sleeves with or without pocket on the chest, all being optional based on the design of garment. Common fabrics for these types of shirts are but not limited to pique cotton, jersey cotton, drop needle jersey and pique cotton and polyester blends.

The material / fabric incorporated for the stretching / twisting is to be a stretchable elastic material, preferably with Lycra or elastic, but not limited to these. Simple fabrics such as jersey and pique fabrics can also be used. Reference to Fig 1 -A & B

Fig 1A: Represents a perfect fit t-shirt, which is used as a fashionable / presentable garment and as a causal / business wears t-shirt. The front view of a perfect fitting t-shirt worn that has proper shoulder /- armhole (1), aesthetic look for a business / casual wear with no extra fabric along the chest and abdominal / waist side seam areas.

Fig IB: Represents the garment worn by a person of the same size, but for the comfort of the game, wears an oversized t-shirt with loose fit, shoulder / armhole drooping and wrinkled, unusable as casual / business wear. The front view of a t-shirt worn for the purpose of playing sports like Golf or Tennis. It is seen that the garment is over sized with a baggy look and droops along the shoulders / armhole area (1) for the comfort of playing the game. Extra fabric is seen as wrinkles along the front armhole chest area and along the abdominal / waist (3) side seam area (2 ) .

Fig 2A : Shows the constraint the wearer experiences while using a perfect fit golf shirt while stretching or swinging his arms. The constraints are most visible at the back shoulder / armhole (1) and side seam (2) . This constrain could adversely effect the wearer' s performance as comfort of apparels used is of great importance to performance.

Fig 2B : Also stresses on these problem being magnified along the side seam (2) area for a user with abdominal fat as in (3) .

Fig 3 (A,B,C) : The invention is depicted in these sketches, so as to illustrate the use of the invention, its design and as to how it has to be incorporated into a t-shirt. Please note separate illustrations in Fig 7, have been used to show that various fasteners can be used such as zipper, hook & loop (Velcro) , buttons but not limited to these. However, for the remainder of the description invisible micro zipper is used as an illustrative fastener.

Fig 3 A : Represents the view of a perfect fit t- shirt. The garment being fit has its aesthetic looks and business / casual wear fit without a droopy or baggy look. The side seam (2) is where the concealed fastener is fixed.

Fig 3 B : Represents the invention as intended. A stretchable elastic material is attached / fitted in the under sleeve opening along the under armhole and side seam to the bottom hem or till where comfortable. This is concealed by attaching a fastener (5) like a zip, along the sleeve under armhole and side seam. On unfastening the fastener the concealed stretchable material loosens the perfect fit t-shirt along the sleeve, under armhole side seam, resulting in wrinkles and giving it an oversized loose fit for the wearer.

Fig 3 C: Represents the unfastened zip (5) at the under sleeve armhole (7) showing the stretchable material (4) . The fastener attached from the sleeve end (8) along the underarm armhole (7) ends at the side seam bottom hem (6) .

Fig 4 A : Represents the front view of the t-shirt from the inner side. Note the additional fabric / material (4) provides no discomfort as intended by the positioning and design of the invention.

Fig 4 B: represents the back view of the t-shirt from the inner side. Fig 5 A: represents the purpose of this invention. The wearer could use a perfect fitting garment instead of an over sized baggy garment for comfort while playing, yet use the garment as causal . wear without it being droopy or baggy. The figure illustrates how the garment would look in case the wearer chooses to fasten up the zipper. It further illustrates the wrinkle free perfect fit the garment provides to the user.

Fig 5 B: Illustrates the invention, with the fastener (5) opened along the side seam (2). The stretchable material (4) now loosens the shoulder area (1), under sleeve armhole area enabling free movement of the arm and shoulder for the comfort of the game. The fastener could terminate at a place before the side seam hem (6) at a point it is deemed comfortable.

Fig 5 C: represents the design of the invention when the fastener terminates at the side seam end. This is only an illustration for the purpose of exhibiting the various possible designs that can be incorporated to achieve the said advantage. Fig 6 A B : These figures illustrate the advantages and comfort provided by the invention. Note the invention accommodates the stretching / twisting, at the shoulder, back shoulder, under armhole (7) , side seam (2) or around the abdomen area (3) . The invention eases the stretch allowing the wearer to comfortably play the game with a perfect fit t-shirt.

Fig 7: Represents the other suggested fasteners - button as in Fig7A and hoop & loop (Velcro) as in Fig 7B, but not limited to these. The purpose of the fasteners is to provide a perfect fit, when the garment is casually worn and when unfastened to allow the invention to accommodate the stretching and twisting when the user is playing a sport. By the use of this invention a user can use a perfectly fitting Golf/Polo shirt normally used as business casual to play a sport such as Golf or Tennis involving stretching and twisting without any let or hindrance by simply unfastening the fastener.

ID

Claims

What is claimed is :

. A perfect fit polo t-shirt attached with a concealed stretchable/elastic material from the underside of the sleeve opening along the armhole in the underarm region to the side seam bottom hem or till where deemed comfortable on either or both sides of the garment concealed to the inner by a fastener such that when unfastened loosens the perfect fit garment to accommodate the stretch/twist in the shoulder, arm hole and side seam regions providing comfort to playing a sport, not limited to golf, polo or tennis.

As claimed in Claim 1 a perfect fit garment represents no wrinkles or/and extra droop when worn, it is made to fit the wearer comfortably and also allow the wearer comfortable movement.

As claimed in Claim 1 a perfect fit garment is presently not used because of its inability to accommodate the stretching/twisting actions of a player wearing the garment , this invention allows the wearer to use a perfect fit garment which is commonly also used as business casual.

As claimed in Claim 1 the stretchable elastic material could be knitted or any such stretchable material which when pulled stretches to return back to its original shape when relaxed.

As claimed in Claim 1 the sleeve length is not limited to a short or full with it's opening either hemmed loose or with a cuff or of any other form of rib or fabric.

6. As claimed in Claim 1 the concealed stretchable elastic material could be fastened from the sleeve end along the underside of the underarm^' hole of the perfect fit garment to the sleeve armhole and side seam to the bottom hem or till where comfortable.

7. As claimed in Claim 1 the stretchable elastic material could be any width and shape as required to suit the size of the perfect fit garment to accommodate the stretch of the arm and shoulder region to provide comfort and ease for the game. 8. As claimed in Claim 1 the fastener depicts any such functional mechanism not limiting to a zipper, hook & loop (Velcro) or button meant to conceal the material that provides for stretching/twisting by the wearer .The fastener is fastened and unfastened for this purpose.

9. As claimed in Claim 1 the invention doesn't in any . way restrict or force the user to use the invention while playing any sport though this would deprive the advantages intended.