GB2512076A

GB2512076A - Waistband reducer clip

Info

Publication number: GB2512076A
Application number: GB201305024A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sharon Powell
Original assignee: LIXXI CO Ltd
Current assignee: LIXXI.CO LIMITED
Priority date: 2013-03-19
Filing date: 2013-03-19
Publication date: 2014-09-24
Also published as: GB201305024D0

Abstract

A clothing clip suitable for reducing a waist band comprises a spine 10 with outer arms 5a, 5b attached via locking mechanisms on each side 15a, 15b. Also attached to the spine 10 are inner arms 20a, 20b and a central section 30. The locking mechanisms 15a, 15b comprise hinges or springs which allow flexure or pivoting of the inner arms 20a, 20b and the outer arms 5a, 5b towards or away from the central section 30. In use, the middle clip arms 20a, 20b pivot toward the central spine 30 when the outer arms 5a, 5b are pushed together by the user. Interlocking grippers 25a, 25b are provided on adjacent surfaces of the central section 30 and the inner arms 20a, 20b and serve to grip the material of the waistband of a garment. The locking mechanisms 15a, 15b hold the clip closed to secure the article of clothing.

Description

WAISTBAND REDUCER CLIP

This invention relates to reducing clothes waistbands.

Often children's skirts and trousers have waistbands that are too wide, especially once a toddler no longer wears bulky nappies.

With active toddlers this leads to their garments falling down.

This is also an issue for slim children, especially when wearing school uniforms. It is possible to purchase some children's clothes that offer adjustable waistbands, but these are often expensive and do not usually include school uniform.

Belts and braces are often too difficult for toddlers/children to use when dressing themselves or too frustrating for parents to try to keep their toddlers still for long enough to attach braces or to do up a belt. Often such garments do not have belt buckles either.

Similarly, adults that may have suffered illness or weight loss often find their favourite (often expensive) clothes have waist bands that are too big. In this case the ill or elderly may find braces or belts too cumbersome to use. They need a simple, easy solution.

To overcome the above issues the present invention offers an easy to use clip that will attach to the waistband and allow the fabric to be gathered in such a way as to reduce the waistband as required without damaging the material.

The present invention provides a clip for reducing the size of the waist of an article of clothing, comprising: a central section connected on each side to a clipping arm via a respective locking mechanism, wherein each locking mechanism permits flexure of the corresponding clipping arm towards the central section where it is locked in place for use in securing the waistband of an article of clothing at a desired size.

Such a clip can be used to reducing the size of the waist of an article of clothing by clipping it onto the waistband at a desired point. This immediately and simply solves the problems associated with oversized articles of clothing. The user does not have to contend with fiddly buttons, buckles or belts when using embodiments of the present invention.

Preferably, the opposing surfaces of the central section and the arms are provided with gripping surfaces for use in gripping the waistband of the article of clothing. Specially provided gripping surfaces reduce the chances of the clip marking or damaging the garment. Preferably, the gripping surfaces comprise a series of interlocking teeth to further ensure the material does not slip out of the clip, resulting in the garment falling down.

In another embodiment, the clip further comprises an outer arm provided on each side of the clip, each outer arm associated with a clipping arm and connected via the respective locking mechanism, wherein pressure applied to an outer arm causes flexing of the clip to bring the corresponding clipping arm towards the central section.

In this embodiment, closing the outer arms together activates the locking mechanism, bringing the clipping arms together and helping to hold them in the closed position.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a clip embodying the present invention in an open state; Figure 2 shows a clip embodying the present invention in a closed state; Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a clip embodying the present invention in use.

Figure 1 shows a clip embodying the present invention in an open state. The clip has outer arms 5a, 5b, which are attached to a spine 10 via a locking mechanism on each side 15a, 15b. Also attached to the spine 10 are inner arms 20a, 20b and a central section 30. The locking mechanism 15a, 15b comprises hinges or springs which allow flexure or pivoting of the inner arms 20a, 20b and outer arms 5a, 5b towards or away from the central section 30.

The middle clip arms 20a, 20b pivot towards the central spine 30 when the outer arms 5a, 5b are pushed together by a user. The locking mechanism 15a, 15b then locks them in place but can be released by a user pulling the outer arms 5a, 5b apart.

Interlocking grippers 25a, 25b are provided on adjacent surfaces of the central section 30 and inner arms 20a, 20b. These serve to grip the material of the waistband of a garment when in use.

The arms 5a, 20a on one side of the central section 30 can be opened and closed independently of the arms 5b, 20b on the other side of the central section 30. This allows one side of clip to be attached to the waist band before the garment is put on. The second side of the clip is then closed to secure the garment at the desired waist size.

Figure 2 shows the clip in its closed state. The outer arms 5a, Sb have been closed which has bought the inner arms 20a, 20b towards the central section 30. With the aid of the grippers 25a, 25b, this arrangement will hold the waistband material of a garment in use and the locking mechanism 15a, 15b secures the clip in this gripping position until a user pulls the outer arms 5a, 5b apart to release the locking mechanism 15, 15b.

When closed, the width of the clip from outer edges of the outer arms 5a, 5b is preferably about 15mm while the width of the central section is preferably about 10mm. The clip is also preferably about 20mm high and 12mm deep. Different sizes may be suitable for different garments or the clip may be slightly smaller if it is intended for use with children's garments or slightly larger if it is intended for use with adult!s garments.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate how embodiments of the invention can be used to reduce the waistband of a skirt. The clip is attached at a desired point 35 on the waistband of the skirt, which will reduce the size of the waistband 40 by the desired amount 45.

Since there is a chance that a user may accidentally wash the clip along with the garment, the clip is made from a material that would not be damaged if washed and would not itself cause damage to a washing machine or other articles of clothing. Example materials include chrome, stainless steel and plastic.

Alternatives in colour, size and shapes should be available for personal taste and appeal. For example, children may prefer something bright whereas others may prefer a more discreet option, such as black or grey.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A clip for reducing the size of the waist of an article of clothing comprising a central section connected on each side to a clipping arm via a respective locking mechanism, wherein each locking mechanism permits flexure of the corresponding clipping arm towards the central section where it is locked in place for use in securing the waistband of an article of clothing at a desired size.
2. The clip of claim 1 wherein opposing surfaces of the central section and the arms are provided with gripping surfaces for use in gripping the waistband of the article of clothing.
3. The clip of claim 2 wherein the gripping surfaces comprise a series of interlocking teeth.
4. The clip of any preceding claim further comprising an outer arm provided on each side of the clip, each outer arm associated with a clipping arm and connected via the respective locking mechanism, wherein pressure applied to an outer arm causes flexing of the clip to bring the corresponding clipping arm towards the central section.
5. The clip of any preceding claim wherein the locking mechanism is spring loaded.