Releasing device for garment fasteners

Abstract

A releasing device for easy, quick and simultaneous disengaging of fasteners on garments that employ hook and loop fasteners. It is comprised of a releasing member affixed to an end portion of a side bra strap and is suitable for bras which have one or more hook and loop fasteners. The releasing member has a tab-like shape and a substantially rigid body with a handle element at one end and is of sufficient size and shape for use by hand. An axis of rotation is created along an edge of the releasing member by being affixed to the bra strap. Simultaneous releasing of the hooks from their mating loops is achieved by rotating the releasing member about its axis of rotation.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 207,838 filed on Feb. 18, 2009 which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This present invention relates to a releasing device for items of apparel and other articles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a simplified releasing device for bras that facilitates the easy, quick and simultaneous separation of mating hook and loop fasteners.DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART[0003]Bras, sometimes called brassieres, are garments worn by women to cover, support, and give contour to their breasts. Bras include a front portion to cover and support the breasts and side straps that extend laterally around to the back. Shoulder straps connect the front and rear portions so that the front portion can support the breasts. Either the rear portions or front portions are usually joined in the center by hook and loop fasteners made of wound wires. This type of fastener...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The invention is an easy, quick and convenient release device for bras and other garments which use hook and loop fasteners. The releasing device will typically be of tab-like form (i.e., small, thin, and essentially flat), affixed to a hook end portion of a bra strap and affixed adjacent and to its hooks. This union at the affixed end of the releasing member and the end portion of a bra strap will have a substantially linear edge portion providing an axis of rotation. The releasing member is affixed to the hooks so that when the releasing member is rotated about its axis of rotation, the orientation of the hooks will be reversed and expose their open ends to the loops with simultaneous disengagement of hooks from their mating loops.

[0010]It is a broad object of the present invention to provide an easy and convenient releasing device for quick simultaneous garment fastener disengagement when the garment portions are to be separated from one another.

[0011]More specific objects of the invention are to provide such an easy and convenient releasing device, and in particular a device for the quick simultaneous disengagement of hook and loop fasteners of a bra.

[0012]Additional specific objects of the invention are to provide an easy releasing device having the foregoing features and advantages in which the releasing device disengages a bra with one hook and loop fastener or simultaneously disengages a plurality of hook and loop fasteners upon operation of the releasing member.

Problems solved by technology

This can be difficult and painful for some.

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