Clothing construction

[57] ABSTRACT

A hemless and seamless garment constructed from a plurality of interconnected components of material to enable various garments to be constructed by obtaining precut components or cutting such components from garment material or the like and connecting them together in a manner to form various garments.

The present invention generally relates to the construction of articles of clothing and more particularly the arrangement of component parts in a particular manner to form garments which are hemless and seamless and yet are quite attractive in appearance, fashionable and utilitarian.

Claims, 8 Drawing Figures

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PATENTED MAY 16 1972

3.662,404

SHEET 1 OF 2

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PATENTED MAY16 1972

3,662,404

SHEET 2 OF 2

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Bettie Jane Schinker

INVIMTOK.

UY

OMpffaMM.'iff.Qacmau

Attorney!

3,662,404

CLOTHING CONSTRUCTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a clothing construction in which the article of clothing is constructed from a plurality of identical components which are interconnected m a manner to form a garment with the components either being permanently connected or detachably connected to enable variations in the size and style of the garment thereby enabling a person to easily create various garments to satisfy individual taste and requirements.

Another object of the invention is to provide clothing construction in which the component parts may be constructed of various shapes and configurations such as diamond shaped square, circular or other regular or irregular shapes.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a garment constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a plurality of the component parts joined together illustrating the relationship thereof.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the manner in which the component part is formed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of one of the component parts illustrating the structure thereof.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating another arrangement of component parts.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of FIG. 5 illustrating the manner in which the component parts thereof are secured together.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another type of component parts employing a button type of interconnecting means.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another assembly illustrating a snap fastener type of interconnecting means employed for the component parts.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a garment formed in accordance with the present invention that is constructed of a plurality of interconnected component parts each designated by the numeral 12 and each being generally diamond shaped in configuration as best illustrated in FIG. 2. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the manner of constructing each of the diamond shaped components. In constructing the diamond shaped components for forming a garment such as the gown 10, a bonded twinkle knit fabric is used to form the diamonds which are individually cut with the outward surface or glitter side of the fabric exposed. While the dimensions of the diamond shaped member 12 may vary, it has been found that a diamond shaped member having a 3inch dimension on each side edge thereof is adequate and performs in a desirable manner. The diamond shaped piece of twinkle knit fabric is designated by the numeral 14 and a similar size piece of taffeta fabric 16 is cut and serves as a facing or lining for the bonded twinkle knit fabric which has a relatively rough surface. The taffeta piece 16 is placed on the glitter side of the bonded twinkle knit fabric piece 14 and machine stitched around three sides and on the fourth side, a %-inch opening is left in order to turn the design right-side out when it is stitched. After this is done, the %-inch opening is hand stitched with a hidden stitch to complete the individual diamond in which the diamond component 12 is provided with two thicknesses and peripherally stitched to each other at 18 by a hidden stitch that is not discernible and which provides a finished peripheral appearance to each diamond component

In constructing the gown 10, a predetermined number of diamond components 12 are used with the diamonds being interconnected at the overlapping tips thereof by stitching 20. As illustrated, the tip at the upper end of each diamond underlies and is stitched to the lower end of the adjacent upper diamond as illustrated in FIG. 2. Correspondingly, the left hand tip of each diamond overlap and is stitched to the corresponding right hand tip of the diamond component 12 at the adjacent left tip. This is repeated throughout the garment to form a plurality of rows. Machine stitching or other types of stitching may be employed for securing the diamond components together in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. While the dimensional characteristics may vary, it was found that 18 diamonds linked together form an adequate row and in the garment shown, the rows are interconnected by connecting the diamond components of an upper row in overlapping relation to the upper tips of the diamond components of the next adjacent lower row. In FIG. 1 of the drawings, the garment is shortened but in order to provide a full length dress, 12 rows of diamond components are employed with the 13 th row at the top of the gown or evening dress consisting of five diamonds interconnected in the same manner with the upper row or 13th row of five diamonds being generally designated by numeral 22. The top of each shoulder of the evening dress or garment is formed by linking the bottom tip of a diamond in overlapping relation to the top tip of the outermost diamond in row 22 with this diamond component being designated by numeral 24. In forming the back of the garment, the top of each shoulder is made by joining two diamonds on each side of the 12th row leaving a space of two diamonds bare. The sleeves, although optional, are formed by linking the diamond components horizontally as illustrated in FIG. 1 so that the entire garment is constructed of a plurality of interconnected diamond components with the second row of diamonds in the sleeve being connected with the 12th row of diamonds in the garment as illustrated in order to complete the sleeve construction.

While bonded fabric has been disclosed, it is also contemplated that other materials may be employed. For example, the materials involved may employ various fabrics, simulated leathers, vinyl or the like and various fabrics may be employed as lining or facing material or the lining or facing material may even be omitted all together in some instances. Further, while stitching has been disclosed in FIGS. 1-4, it is pointed out that the diamond components 12 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be secured together by a suitable adhesive or glue 26. This type of interconnection is especially useful when employing vinyl material, simulated leather or the like which provides an adequate bond for the components.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the diamond components 28 are interconnected by buttons 30 engaged with appropriate buttonholes 32. Each diamond shaped member 28 has a button at the upper tip and right hand tip and a buttonhole at the lower and left hand tip as illustrated in FIG. 7 to enable the diamond shaped components 28 to be interconnected in the same manner as in the other embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates another arrangement in which the diamond shaped components 34 have male snap fastener elements 36 at two corners thereof and female snap fastener elements 38 at two comers thereof for detachable interengagement in the same relationship as in the other embodiments of the invention.

When employing this unique construction, there is provided a versatility, economy and style in a wide assortment of sizes not capable from conventional clothing manufacturing techniques. This arrangement provides a hemless and seamless garment and by using it, a woman can easily create a single dress or an entire wardrobe to fit here individual tastes. The component parts may be diamonds, as illustrated, squares, circles, rectangles, stars, crescents or any particular shape desired. By utilizing a predetermined number of components, a woman can create an attractive evening gown or by employing a smaller number of diamond components, a practical, attractive street length dress may be constructed. Various other garment items may be constructed such as swimsuits, slack sets, jump suits and also lingerie may be constructed employing the components arranged in the manner disclosed. If desired, various fabrics and materials may be employed including expensive fabrics and materials or inexpensive fabrics or materials and if desired, the lower row or rows of components may be disconnected to convert a dress from

3,662,404 one length to another or rows may be desired. In some instances, a lining can be provided for the dress if desired or it may be worn directly over various undergarments which are preferably, but not necessarily, the same color as the outer garment. Various attractive appearance features may be utilized by combining various colors, shapes and configurations of component parts.

This invention provides numerous basic advantages including versatility, economy in material usage, the negation of figure imperfection, useful for all age groups, useful in constructing men’s apparel such as vests, ties, shirts, pants and the like, useful in constructing handbags, belts, slippers and other items employing leather, simulated leather, vinyl or the like, useful in constructing bedspreads, draperies, pillow covers and the like, useful in constructing coats, scarves, and other outer garments with the basic arrangement being capable of being knitted, crocheted or otherwise formed into the various structures involved.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.