Discrete fly for adaptive clothing

Abstract

The invention relates to a fly for fastening together a first panel and a second panel of an adaptive garment. The first panel includes one or more magnetic fasteners (or a magnetic strip) having a connecting side of a positive or negative polarity. The second panel includes a corresponding number of magnetic fasteners (or a magnetic strip) having a connecting side of an opposite polarity. When the first and second panels are closed, the connecting side of the magnetic fasteners (or magnetic strip) from the first panel is magnetically attached to the connecting side of the magnetic fasteners (or magnetic strip) from the second panel, so that the second panel covers the first panel. The fly further includes a visible third panel positioned over and concealing the second panel. An adaptive garment, such as a pair of trousers, pants or shorts, may have a similarly constructed leg opening in addition to the fly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION FOR WHICH A PRIORITY BENEFIT IS CLAIMED UNDER 35 U.S.C. § 119[0001]The present patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 571,655, filed Oct. 12, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a garment comprising a novel fly design.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]It is known that pants, trousers, shorts, skirts, skorts, capris, jumpsuits, rompers, dresses and the like may comprise a cut opening. For example, this cut opening may extend at the crotch of a pair of pants, downwards from the waist band. The cut opening usually contains a zipper or buttons to connect two panels of the garment together. Typically, these cut openings also contain a flap of fabric which conceals the zipper or buttons. This is typically known in the art as a “fly.”[0004]Recently, the apparel industry has recognized the need to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is about creating special clothes that are easy to put on and take off for people who have disabilities or limited dexterity. The clothes have a unique fly design that makes them fit better and more comfortably. These adaptive clothes can be pants, trousers, shorts, dresses, or skirts. The fly design can be combined with a leg seam and alternative closures to make the garments even easier and quicker to put on.

Problems solved by technology

However, a conventional fly does a poor job of concealing alternative closures.

For example, magnetic fasteners are relatively bulky as compared to a conventional zipper or buttons, and the panel that typically contains or supports them may bulge or otherwise stand out.

Or the means of adhering the alternative closure to the garment, e.g., stitching, glue, tape and the like, may be visible on the panel or cause ripples or bulges.

The presence of alternative closures are thus no longer discrete, and the adaptive clothing loses its fashionability and may embarrass the wearer—or worse stigmatize the wearer—thereby defeating its original intention of giving the wearer confidence, self-esteem and style.

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