Apparel – Body garments – Shirts
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-01-23
Hale, Gloria M. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Body garments
Shirts
C002S125000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06175961
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to T-shirt modifications and more particularly to methods, structures, and articles for modifying the neck, sleeve, and shoulder area of a T-shirt.
T-shirts have become ubiquitous. They are everywhere. But insofar as is known, only the use of different designs on them has been employed to create distinctiveness for one T-shirt over another. Nothing in the styling of T-shirts as heretofore marketed in commerce is known to point to or suggest a modification of the shoulder area that would cause that area as well as the neck and sleeve openings of the T-shirt to change in their relationship to each other and present a unique structure and novel comfort feeling.
This invention modifies the T-shirt neck and sleeve openings and achieves a unique shoulder effect that is not only strikingly attractive but also creates an unexpected novel comfort aspect.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to modification of T-shirts without removal of any of the fabric of the T-shirt. The modification effectively converts the fabric of the T-shirt neck opening (which is of generally rounded configuration) into a neck opening having a V-shaped portion with the apex of the V pointed toward a shoulder area (e.g., first shoulder area) of the T-shirt and effectively converts the fabric of the sleeve opening for the same shoulder area into a V-shaped portion with the apex of the V-shape pointed toward the V-shaped neck opening, and still further, effectively pulls fabric of the neck opening toward fabric of the sleeve opening and pulls fabric of the sleeve opening toward fabric of the neck opening so as to gather fabric between the neck opening and sleeve opening along a line extending therebetween and located on the shoulder area of the T-shirt.
In other words, the invention causes the fabric between a neck and sleeve opening to be pulled together to a rather drastic extent, with the neck and sleeve openings each altered to present a V-shaped portion with the apex of the V-shapes in an opposing relationship, and with fabric between the neck and sleeve openings gathered together on a shoulder area of the T-shirt. Further, the underarm sleeve fabric of the T-shirt is put in a bunched together condition such that it is effectively pulled upward toward the armpit of the wearer.
Not only does this invention provide a means of adornment, it is also practical in that it keeps the T-shirt sleeve clear for ease of arm movements for sporting activities.
A variety of techniques may be used to hold the neck, sleeve, and shoulder areas in modified condition. Ideally the neck opening and sleeve opening are held in pulled-together condition by a coil formed from a plastic or metal rod (which in cross-section may be varied in shape). The coil may be substantially flattened but never completely crushed to a flattened condition. Illustratively, the structure of a substantially flattened coil may include a length of rod as a spine. It may have end curvatures at each end of the spine which serve as holder abutments locking the fabric of the neck opening and the fabric of the sleeve opening against escape from the coil. Even a coil of slightly less than a totally complete loop can be useful. Coils of at least one complete loop up to about three complete loops are considered particularly fashionable and functionally effective. The coil must have a space between any parts that are substantially flattened together so as to accommodate fabric between those parts.
Several further details and features and advantages of the invention will be evident as this description proceeds.
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Linden Nicola A.
Linden Nigel A.
Hale Gloria M.
Patel Tejash
R. C. Baker & Associates, Ltd.
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