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  Device for preventing loss of a string in an article of clothingUSPTO Application #: 20070271673Title: Device for preventing loss of a string in an article of clothing Abstract: A device for securing a string to an article of clothing, such as a garment or shoe, to prevent the string from being drawn away, for example into a string tunnel or through an eyelet. The device includes a clothing attachment mechanism and a string receiver. The attachment mechanism preferably includes a clip have first and second members movable between opened and closed clip positions for securing the device to the clothing at a selected location. The string receiver receives and holds the string preventing the string from being drawn away. The string receiver preferably defines an aperture for slidingly receiving the string. The device preferably includes a spring to bias the clip to the closed position. In one embodiment, the upper clip member is decoratively configured to resemble a wing. (end of abstract) Agent: Drinker Biddle & Reath Attn: Intellectual Property Group - Philadelphia, PA, US Inventor: Bernadette Izzo USPTO Applicaton #: 20070271673 - Class: 002069000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Body Garments The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070271673. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/809,073, filed May 26, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to garments having strings received in string tunnels of the garment or shoelaces and, more particularly to a device for preventing loss of the string within the string tunnel of the garment or to capture a shoelace. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Numerous garments include strings received in tunnels or other enclosures formed in the garment. Examples of such garments include sweat pants or shorts having a waist string received in a string tunnel defined at a waist of the garment, and hooded sweatshirts having draw strings received in a string tunnel defined in the hood. In each of the these garments, end portions of the string extend outwardly from openings formed at the opposites ends of the string tunnel. In each of these garments, opposite ends of the string are grasped by a user for application of a pulling force to the string to tighten a portion of the garment (e.g., the waist of a pair of sweat pants) on the user. The ends of the string may then be tied to each other to secure the garment in the desired condition. [0004] The relative movement between the string and the string tunnel of such garments is necessary for the above-described tightening function. However, the need for relative motion between the string and the tunnel can also have the undesirable effect of one or both of the ends of the string being drawn completely into the string tunnel. Withdrawal of the string end into the interior of the string tunnel in this manner renders the string unusable or "lost." The risk that the string of such garments will become lost within the string tunnel of the garment is particularly great during laundering of the garment because of the agitation associated with the washing and drying of garments. [0005] What is needed is a device for securing the end of a string to a garment to limit relative movement between the end of the string and the garment, thereby eliminating the risk that the end of the string will be drawn into a string tunnel of the garment. Also what is needed is a device for capturing and securing loose shoelaces. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention provides a device for securing a garment string to a garment to limit relative movement between the string and the garment, thereby preventing the string from being drawn into the string tunnel and becoming lost in the tunnel rendering the garment string unusable for its intended purpose. The string-securing device comprises a garment attachment mechanism adapted to secure the device to a garment at a selected location on the garment. The string-securing device also comprises a string receiver adapted to receive and hold the garment string such that the garment string is prevented from being drawn into the string tunnel. [0007] According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the string-securing device includes a clip having upper and lower members. The clip provides an opened clip position adapted to facilitate placement of the garment between the upper and lower members at the garment location and a closed clip position. Preferably, the upper and lower member define teeth to facilitate grasping retention of the garment portion between the upper and lower clip members. [0008] According to one embodiment the string receiver is carried by the lower clip member and defines an aperture adapted for sliding receipt of a garment string. [0009] Preferably, the string-securing device includes a spring adapted to bias the upper and lower clip members towards the closed clip position. According to one embodiment, the spring includes elongated arms at opposite ends of a central coiled portion, the arms received in notches respectively defined by the upper and lower clip members. [0010] Arranged in this manner, the device is adapted for placement onto the string at a desired location through the sliding receipt of the end of the string through the aperture of the string receiver. The clip of the device is adapted to secure the device and, therefore, to secure the string, to the garment at the garment location. [0011] According to one embodiment, the upper member of the clip is decoratively configured to resemble a wing and includes a clamp end configured to resemble a shoulder area of the wing and a handle end configured to resemble a tip area of the wing. [0012] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a clip for securing a loose shoelace. [0013] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show a form of the invention that is presently preferred. However, it should be understood that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings. [0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a string clip according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention being used to secure the draw string of a garment to the garment. [0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the string clip of FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the string clip of FIG. 1. [0018] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the string clip of FIG. 1. [0019] FIG. 5 is a side view of the string clip of FIG. 1. Continue reading... Full patent description for Device for preventing loss of a string in an article of clothing Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Device for preventing loss of a string in an article of clothing patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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