Pant leg stabilizer

Abstract

The invention is directed to a pant stabilizer which provides stability, rigidity, and weight to the cuff of a pant and a method of using the pant stabilizer. The pant stabilizer may include a malleable boning device formed of tubular stays or a malleable strip. The pant stabilizer may be fastened to a pant cuff in any suitable manner such as, for example, an adhesive, one or more clips, a zipper, one or more snaps, a hook and loop fastener (e.g. Velcro), one or more larger hooks, or one or more buttons and button holes. The pant stabilizer may be torn or cut by the user in a suitable length and then fastened to an interior portion of a pant cuff. Alternatively, a pant may be manufactured with a pant stabilizer fastened to an interior portion of the pant cuff.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60 / 668,479, filed on Apr. 5, 2005, and titled “Pant Leg Stabilizer” which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND [0002] To a person wishing to present a clean and tailored look to his or her pants, one of the more problematic areas is the cuff of the pant. The cut of most pants are designed so that the cuff of the pant moves independently from the person's leg when they are worn. This provides the pants with a fluid look. However, problems sometimes arise with pant cuffs, particularly when the pants are wide-cut in the leg giving the pant a large cuff. [0003] One frequent problem is the tendency of cuffs to slip underneath the person's heels. This frequently occurs when the person is wearing full length pants with backless or sling-back shoes. When the person is walking and begins to take a step, the heel lifts away from the sole of the shoe thus allowing a space between the heel and t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The invention is directed to a pant stabilizer which provides stability, rigidity, and weight to the cuff of a pant and a method of using the pant stabilizer. Among other benefits, this device may prevent the cuff from slipping underneath the user's heel, particularly when the user is wearing full length pants with backless or sling-back shoes. Since the device adds weight to the pant cuff, the device may overcome the force of the static electricity that keeps the pant cuff clinging to the person's sock or stocking in a risen position relative to the person's shoe. The device may also prevent floor length pant cuffs from being stepped on by the user's shoe. By preventing the cuff from slipping underneath the user's heel or shoe, associated problems, such as stains on the cuff from contact with the user's heel, discomfort to the user, and time associated with removing the cuff from underneath the heel or shoe are avoided.

[0014] The pant stabilizer may also include a cover. The cover ensures that the adhesive remains clean and free of debris, such as lint, so that the adhesive will thoroughly adhere to the pant cuff. The cover may be formed of any suitable material, such as, for example, a polymer or polymer-coated paper.

[0015] In still another embodiment, the pant stabilizer includes a boning device having a first major surface and a second major surface and an adhesive disposed on the first major surface. In this embodiment, the pant stabilizer may be rolled so that the adhesive contacts the second major surface of the boning device, as well as the first major surface. When the pant stabilizer is unrolled to a suitable length, the adhesive may pull away from the second major surface so as to expose clean adhesive while maintaining contact with the first major surface. The second major surface of the boning device serves the same function as the cover in other embodiments. The boning device and the adhesive may be selected so that the adhesive adheres more to the first surface of the boning device than the second surface.

[0020] The pant stabilizer may be packaged and dispensed in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the pant stabilizer is packaged and dispensed as a roll. A roll of the pant stabilizer may include markings that indicate a suitable length for the pant stabilizer and show the user where the pant stabilizer may be cut. The pant stabilizer may also include perforations that extend the width of the pant stabilizer thereby providing the user a suitable location at which to easily tear or cut the pant stabilizer. In another embodiment, the pant stabilizer is packaged and dispensed as pre-cut strips so that the user does not have to cut the pant stabilizer to a stabilizer length before using the pant stabilizer. As with other embodiments, the stabilizer may be of any suitable length.

[0024] In another embodiment, the method of using the pant stabilizer includes re-using a pant stabilizer on other pant cuffs. In this embodiment, the method includes the steps of fastening the pant stabilizer to an interior portion of a first pant cuff, removing the pant stabilizer from the first pant cuff, and fastening the pant stabilizer to an interior portion of a second pant cuff. If the pant stabilizer includes an adhesive, the pant stabilizer may be peeled from the interior portion of the second pant cuff and re-used on subsequent pant cuffs so long as the pant stabilizer sufficiently adheres to the pant cuff so that it does not fall off during use.

[0025] In still another embodiment, the invention is directed toward a method of using a pant stabilizer in which the pant stabilizer includes adhesive but not a cover. In this embodiment, the method includes the steps of unrolling roll of a pant stabilizer to a stabilizer length, cutting or tearing the pant stabilizer to a stabilizer length, fastening the pant stabilizer to an interior portion of a pant cuff, and peeling the pant stabilizer from the interior portion of the pant cuff when the user is finished with the pant stabilizer. In this embodiment, the step of unrolling the pant stabilizer exposes clean adhesive. As described above, clean adhesive allows the pant stabilizer to thoroughly adhere to the pant cuff.

Problems solved by technology

To a person wishing to present a clean and tailored look to his or her pants, one of the more problematic areas is the cuff of the pant.

However, problems sometimes arise with pant cuffs, particularly when the pants are wide-cut in the leg giving the pant a large cuff.

One frequent problem is the tendency of cuffs to slip underneath the person's heels.

This problem often results in excess wear and stains on the cuff, discomfort for the person, and an unsightly appearance.

Another problem occurs when pant cuffs cling to a person's sock or stocking in a position higher on the leg than is desirable due to static electricity.

After the person stands up, the pant cuff clings to the person's sock or stocking in the risen position resulting in a less than desirable look.

Another problem frequently associated with floor length pants occurs when the pant cuff becomes trapped underneath the user's shoe.

Stepping on the pant cuff may also cause the person to lose his or her balance and fall.

Although the device described by Milburn may address the problems described above, the device does not allow for a clean, tailored look for the user.

Images