| Tensioning device for clothing straps -> Monitor Keywords |
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Tensioning device for clothing strapsRelated Patent Categories: Foundation Garments, Breast Or Chest, E.g., Brassieres, Shoulder Strap Arrangements And Connecting FeaturesTensioning device for clothing straps description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070077858, Tensioning device for clothing straps. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application relates to the same subject matter as co-pending provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/547,633, filed by the same applicant on Feb. 25, 2004. This application claims the Feb. 25, 2004 filing date as to the common subject matter. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to a clothing accessory, and more particularly, to a tensioning device that draws clothing straps, such as brassiere straps, together to keep them from inadvertently slipping down over the wearer's shoulders and, in the case of brassiere straps, imparts an upward lift to the brassiere cups. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Clothing having straps, such as tank tops and brassieres that provide women support, are well known in the art. Although common, conventional straps can be uncomfortable and unreliable in providing support. Comfort and reliability are typically compromised when the straps inadvertently slip down or off the shoulders. Straps often slip down the shoulders when they lose tension due to stretching and loosening of the elastic straps over time, affecting the comfort, appearance and support of the brassiere or garment. Furthermore, with regard to brassieres, women are constantly searching for products such as push-up type brassieres, which, in addition to providing the usual support, offer enhanced upward lift to the breasts via the brassiere cups. [0006] If a device existed that could prevent and/or limit inadvertent movement and slipping of straps by maintaining tension in the straps it would be well received. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide such a device that, in addition to preventing such slipping of the straps, provided enhanced upward lift to the brassiere cups in order to impart corresponding upward lift to the wearer's breasts. The present invention addresses these unfulfilled needs in the prior art by providing an accessory that maintains tension in clothing straps, even after they have lost some degree of elasticity, preventing them from slipping, and providing the aforementioned enhanced upward lift. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention is generally directed to a clothing strap tensioning device configured to draw a pair of vertically disposed clothing straps toward each other in a manner increasing the tension of the straps. By way of the improved tensioning, the device prevents the problems of straps slipping off of the shoulders of the wearer, even after the strap elasticity has been degraded. In the case of brassieres, the device provides increased tensioning sufficient to enhance lift provided by the brassiere cups. [0008] In a first general embodiment of the invention, the tensioning device comprises: [0009] an elastic member having a geometry generally defined by middle, left end, and right end portions, and bounded by upper, lower, left and right edges; and [0010] means integrated into the left end and right end portions for enabling releasable attachment of the end portions to each other to form the elastic member into a loop, [0011] wherein, upon securing the tensioning device about the spaced-apart clothing straps, the clothing straps are drawn inwardly toward each other medially in a manner preventing twisting of the straps. [0012] In another aspect of the invention, the releasable attachment means integrated into the left end and right end portions are configured to enable adjustment to the tension of said device. [0013] In another aspect of the invention, the releasable attachment means is comprised of a plurality of spaced-apart mechanical snaps integrated into either the left or right end portion of the elastic member, for snap fit engagement with a corresponding snap member integrated into the other one of the left and right end portions. [0014] In another aspect of the invention, the releasable attachment means comprises one-half of a hook-and-loop type fastening system integrated into the left end portion of the elastic member and the other half of the hook-and-loop type fastening system integrated into the right end portion. [0015] In another aspect of the invention, the elastic member is characterized by left and right end portions projecting in an upward direction distally from the middle portion. [0016] In another aspect of the invention, the elastic member is characterized by a varying transverse width, the transverse width defined as the transverse distance between the upper and lower edges at any point along the length of the elastic member. [0017] In another aspect of the invention, the transverse width is substantially uniform along the middle region of said elastic member and increases along the left and right portions distally from the middle portion. [0018] In another aspect of the invention, the elastic member is characterized by a geometry in which the upper and/or lower edges slope upwardly from the middle portion of the elastic member toward the left and right end portions thereof. [0019] In a second general embodiment of the invention, the tensioning device comprises: [0020] a first elastic member directly fastened to a first one of the clothing straps; [0021] a second elastic member directly fastened to a second one of the clothing straps; and Continue reading about Tensioning device for clothing straps... Full patent description for Tensioning device for clothing straps Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Tensioning device for clothing straps 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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