US20180338543A1

US20180338543A1 - Sleeve for an Article of Clothing

Info

Publication number: US20180338543A1
Application number: US15/986,071
Authority: US
Inventors: Ashley Robertson
Original assignee: Icon Altra LLC; Altra LLC
Current assignee: Altra LLC
Priority date: 2017-05-25
Filing date: 2018-05-22
Publication date: 2018-11-29
Also published as: CN108926055A

Abstract

An article of clothing having a body of fabric disposed to cover at least some of a torso of a user where the body of fabric defining an arm hole. The sleeve has a first sleeve end attached to the arm hole and a second sleeve end defining a sleeve opening. The article also includes a strap connected to the sleeve proximate the second sleeve end, wherein the strap is configured to be engaged by a digit of the user to reduce the sleeve opening.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/511,176 titled “A Sleeve for an Article of Clothing” and filed on 25 May 2017, which application is herein incorporated by reference for all that it discloses.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to clothing. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a cuff construction for use with coats, jackets, long sleeve shirts, and articles of clothing that include sleeves that extend down the user's arm.

BACKGROUND

Various known methods of adjusting a cuff of a sleeve use fasteners, such as buttons and hook and loop fasteners. Making adjustments to such cuffs requires two hands and may be difficult while wearing gloves or mittens. In addition, such buttons and hook and loop fasteners add weight to the apparel and may require heavier fabrics to be used in the garment to support the weight of the fasteners.
Cuffs may also include elastomeric materials integrated into a cuff to provide a seal against the user and maintain the sleeve in place during use. Alternatively, known long sleeved running apparel also may include a thumb hole near a nonadjustable cuff through which a user can extend their thumb to help keep their garments in place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the disclosure, an article of clothing has a body of fabric disposed to cover at least some of a torso of a user where the body of fabric defines an arm hole. The sleeve has a first sleeve end attached to the arm hole and a second sleeve end defining a sleeve opening. The article also includes a strap connected to the sleeve proximate the second sleeve end, wherein the strap is disposed to be engaged by a digit of the user to reduce the sleeve opening.
When the strap is not engaged by the digit, the strap may not prevent the sleeve opening from returning to its fully open state.
The sleeve may have an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the strap may be partially exposed on the inner surface of the sleeve to be engaged by the digit of the user.
The strap may have a loop of material extending around the sleeve opening.
The strap may have a first strap end attached to the sleeve and a second strap end attached to the sleeve.
The strap may be partially contained within a cuff formed at the second sleeve end.
The article may include an exposed portion of the strap wherein the exposed portion is disposed between 0.5 inches and 5 inches from the bottom of the sleeve.
The article may include an exposed portion of the strap where the exposed portion of the strap is disposed between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches from the bottom of the sleeve.
The article may include an exposed portion of the strap where the exposed portion of the strap is disposed between 2.5 inches and 7.5 inches from the bottom of the sleeve.
The article may include an exposed portion of the strap where the exposed portion of the strap is disposed between 3 inches and 5 inches from the bottom of the sleeve.
The strap may extend within a cuff of the sleeve and exit the cuff through a first reinforced orifice and re-enter a second reinforced orifice to provide an exposed portion of the strap to be engaged by the digit of the user.
The exposed portion of the strap may be disposed on an inner surface of the sleeve.
The exposed portion of the strap may be disposed on an outer surface of the sleeve.
The strap may include two exposed portions separated by an approximately one-eighth inch section of the sleeve.
In some cases, the strap may not be adjusted by hardware.
In one aspect of the disclosure, an article of clothing to be worn by a user may include a sleeve having a sleeve end defining a sleeve opening. The sleeve may include a first layer, a second layer, and a cavity defined between the first layer and the second layer. A portion of the cavity proximate the sleeve opening may be confined by a first circumferential seam and a second circumferential seam aligned with and spaced apart from the first circumferential seam, a confined portion of a strap disposed within the portion of the cavity, and an exposed portion of the strap being exposed. The exposed portion of the strap is engagable by a digit of the user to reduce the sleeve opening when the sleeve is worn over an arm of the user and the digit is connected to the arm.
The article may include a first strap portion connected to the sleeve inside the portion of the cavity.
The article may include a second strap portion connected to the sleeve inside the portion of the cavity.
The strap may be a loop of material extending around a circumference of the sleeve.
In one aspect of the disclosure, an article of clothing to be worn by a user may include a body of fabric disposed to cover at least some of a torso of a user, the body of fabric defining an arm hole and a sleeve having a first sleeve end attached to the arm hole and a second sleeve end defining a sleeve opening. The sleeve may include a first layer, a second layer, a cavity defined between the first layer and the second layer, a portion of the cavity proximate the sleeve opening can be confined by a first circumferential seam and a second circumferential seam aligned with and spaced apart from the first circumferential seam, a confined portion of a strap disposed within the portion of the cavity, and an exposed portion of the strap being exposed. The exposed portion of the strap is engagable by a digit of the user to reduce the sleeve opening when the sleeve is worn over an arm of the user and the digit is connected to the arm. The strap may be a loop of material extending around a circumference of the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example of fabric that is part of an article of clothing in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of fabric that is part of an article of clothing in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of an article of clothing in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of an article of clothing in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a sleeve in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 depicts an example of a sleeve in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 depicts an example of a sleeve in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an example of a sleeve in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 depicts an example of a sleeve in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 10 depicts an example of a sleeve in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 11 depicts an example of a sleeve in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 12 depicts an example of a sleeve in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 13 depicts an example of a sleeve in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 14 depicts an example of a sleeve in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 depicts an example of a strap in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 depicts an example of a strap in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 17 depicts an example of a strap in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 18 depicts an example of a strap in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 19 depicts an example of a user engaging with a strap in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “aligned” means parallel, substantially parallel, or forming an angle of less than 35.0 degrees. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “transverse” means perpendicular, substantially perpendicular, or forming an angle between 55.0 and 125.0 degrees. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “length” means the longest dimension of an object. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “width” means the dimension of an object from side to side. Often, the width of an object is transverse the object's length. For purposes of this disclosure, the term “bottom of the sleeve” refers to the azimuthal portion of the sleeve that is closest to the fabric that covers the torso. In other words, the term “bottom of the sleeve” covers the underside portion of the arm. In conventional long sleeve shirts, a seam is often located at the bottom of the sleeve along the sleeve's length from the arm hole to the sleeve's opening at the sleeve's second end. In some examples, the term “bottom of the sleeve” may generally refer to the portions of the sleeve that hangs lowest when the user outstretches his or her arm while wearing the long sleeve shirt. Also, for purposes of this disclosure, the term cuff generally refers to an end part of a sleeve where the material of the sleeve is turned back or a separate band is sewn onto the sleeve.
FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an example of an article 1 of clothing. FIG. 1 depicts a front view, and FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the article 1. In these examples, the article of clothing includes an arm hole 2, a neck hole 50, and a torso hole 51. In these examples, the sleeves of the articles are not shown for illustrative purposes. Any appropriate type of article of clothing may be used. The article 1 may include any variety of buttons, zippers, hook and loop fasteners, or other closure devices that facilitate a user putting the article 1 on or taking the article 1 off the user's body.
FIGS. 3 and 4 depict an example of the article 1 with sleeves 3 attached. A first sleeve end 4 may be attached to the arm hole 2 of the article 1. The sleeve 3 may include a second sleeve end 5 terminating in an opening 6 that is opposite the first sleeve end 4. When worn by a user, the sleeve 3 may include fabric that circumscribes at least a portion of a user's arm. The sleeve 3 may be selectively removable from the article 1 or may be fixed to the article 1. In some examples, the sleeve 3 may be worn independently of the article 1. For example, the sleeve 3 may be worn cycling for additional warmth on descents and removed for slower ascents.
FIG. 5 depicts a second end 5 of the sleeve 3 that is opposite the end of the sleeve that attaches to the arm hole 2. The fabric of the sleeve 3 may define an opening 6 at the second end 5. In this example, the bottom 15 of the sleeve, which may correspond to the underside of the arm, is depicted. The fabric of the sleeve 3 may be any appropriate fabric, either elastic or inelastic. For example, the fabric may include or be cotton, polyester, wool, vinyl, any waterproof fabric, any breathable fabric, or combinations thereof.
FIG. 6 depicts an example of the sleeve 3 with a cuff 13 attached to the second end 5 of the sleeve. In this example, the cuff 13 is attached to the sleeve 3. The cuff 13 may include a first layer in a second layer. A strap 7 may be at least partially disposed within a cavity defined between the first and the second layers. In some examples, the strap 7 is made of an elastic material. The exposed portion of the strap 7 may exit and enter the cavity through reinforced openings defined in the cuff. In the example of FIG. 6, the exposed portion of the strap 7 is located on the inner surface 9 of the sleeve.
FIG. 7 depicts an example of a cuff 13 attached to the sleeve 3. In this example, the exposed portion of the strap 7 is located on an outside surface 8 of the cuff 13. In this example, the strap 7 is a continuous loop 10. In some examples, the strap 7 is made of or includes an elastic material. In other examples, the strap 7 is made of or includes an inelastic material. While FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a strap 7 exposed on an inner surface 9 and FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a strap 7 exposed on an outer surface 8, it should be understood that some examples of a strap 7 may be partially exposed on the inner surface 9 and partially exposed on an outer surface 8.
FIG. 8 depicts an example of a cuff 13 attached to the sleeve 3. In this example, the strap forms a continuous loop 10, wherein the exposed portion of the strap 7 resides on an inner surface 9 of the sleeve. The strap 7 may be unanchored to the cuff 13, such that the strap 7 may slide and/or rotate circumferentially within the cuff 13 without pulling on the fabric of the cuff 13. In other examples, the strap 7 may be a continuous loop that is anchored at least at one location to the cuff, such that the strap 7 does not slide circumferentially within the cuff 13.
FIG. 9 depicts an example of a bottom of a cuff 13 attached to the sleeve 3 including a strap 7 that is exposed on the inner surface 9. In this example, the strap 7 has a first strap end 11 and a second strap end 12. In this example, the first and second strap ends 11, 12 are on the opposite side of the sleeve 3 from the exposed portion of the strap 7 on the inside surface 9 of the sleeve 3. The first strap end 11 and second strap end 12 are separated by a small gap located along the sleeve's circumference. While this example depicts the gap with a certain size, the first strap end 11 and the second strap end 12 may be spaced apart at any appropriate distance. In some cases, the first strap end 11 and/or the second strap end 12 are sewn into the material of the cuff 13 and/or the fabric of the sleeve 3.
FIG. 10 depicts an example of the sleeve 3 with two exposed portions of the strap 7. In this example, the expose portions of the strap 7 are separated by approximately a ⅛ inch section 21. While this example depicts the section 21 as being a certain size, the two exposed portions of the strap 7 may be spaced apart at any appropriate distance. In some cases, at least one of the exposed portions includes an end that is sewn directly into the sleeve 3. In one example, at least one end of the exposed portion of the strap 7 is also an end of the strap 7. In other examples where the strap 7 has more than one expose portion, the strap 7 may be a continuous loop.
FIGS. 11-14 depict examples of a sleeve 3 with an exposed portion of the strap 7 located at different distances from the bottom 15 of the sleeve 3. FIG. 11 depicts an example of an exposed portion of the strap 7 that is a distance 19 of 2.5 inches to 7.5 inches away from the bottom 15 of the sleeve 3. FIG. 12 depicts an example of an exposed portion of the strap 7 that is a distance 20 of 3.0 to 5.0 inches away from the bottom 15 of the sleeve 3. FIG. 13 depicts an example of an exposed portion of the strap 7 that is a distance 14 of 0.5 inches to 5.0 inches away from the bottom 15 of the sleeve 3. FIG. 14 depicts an example of an exposed portion of the strap 7 that is a distance 16 of 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches away from the bottom 15 of the sleeve 3.
FIGS. 15-18 depict examples of orifice openings where the strap 7 enters and exits the cavity. FIG. 15 depicts a first orifice opening 17 and a second orifice opening 18 reinforced with stitching. FIG. 16 depicts a first orifice opening 17 and a second orifice opening 18 reinforced with grommets. FIG. 17 depicts a first orifice opening 17 and a second orifice opening 18 reinforced with seams. FIG. 18 depicts a first orifice opening 17 and a second orifice opening 18 formed with laser cut openings.
FIG. 19 is a top view of a sleeve 3 and a user's hand 22 extending from the sleeve when the user's arm is positioned in the sleeve 3 outstretched from the user's body. The bottom 15 of the sleeve 3 is illustrated oriented toward a thumb of the user's hand 22. The hand 22 is positioned through the cuff 13 of the sleeve 3 with a digit 23 engaging the strap 7. While the digit 23 illustrated in FIG. 19 is the thumb of the hand 22, other digits of the hand 22 may be used to engage the strap 7. A forward motion of the user's hand 22 relative to the cuff 13 may apply a force 24 to tension the strap 7 and/or urge at least a portion of the strap 7 from a cavity defined by the cuff 13 and reducing a circumference of the cuff 13 to constrict around the user's hand 22 and/or arm.
The strap 7 may remain engaged with the digit 23 using use of the jacket or during an activity to maintain the tension on the strap 7. Maintaining the tension on the strap 7 may keep the cuff 13 fitted to the user's hand 22 and/or arm. Additionally, the cuff 13 may include a cord lock, pinch clasp, clip, clamp, or other locking mechanism that may maintain tension on the strap 7 upon a user disengaging the strap 7 with the digit 23.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In general, the invention disclosed herein may provide users with a sleeve that can be closed with a single hand while the user is wearing the sleeve. Other types of cuffs may be adjustable with two hands or require the user to use hardware to keep the opening of the sleeve closed. Often, these conventional sleeves are difficult to close without taking off gloves or mittens. In contrast, the principles described herein allow the user to shrink the opening of the sleeve while wearing the article of clothing with the sleeve by using either at least one finger, a thumb, or combinations thereof to engage a strap incorporated into the sleeve. This engagement can cause the sleeve's opening to shrink by at least some amount. The sleeve's opening that shrinks is triggered or actuated by the finger, thumb, or other type of digit attached to the arm that is covered by the sleeve.
For example, a runner may desire to shrink the size of the opening of his or her right-hand sleeve. The user may or may not be wearing gloves or mittens. However, if the user is wearing gloves or mittens, the user does not need to remove them to cause the sleeve opening to close. The user may simply use his or her right hand to cause at least one finger or thumb to engage the strap that causes the closure/shrinkage. This motion may be seamless, quick, and inconspicuously done without pause or termination of the activity being performed by the runner.
In some examples, the mechanism that allows for the sleeve opening's shrinkage includes a strap that is a continuous looped cuff that is adjustable and secured with the user's finger or thumb while the user is wearing the article of clothing. The user may insert his or her finger or thumb into the exposed portion of the continuous loop and pull. The results of pulling on the strap may cause the cuff to tighten. In some cases, while the finger is engaged with the strap, the opening of the sleeve may remain closed. In some examples, a locking mechanism, such as a cord lock, pinch clasp, clip, clamp, or other locking mechanism, may be incorporated into the mechanism to cause the sleeve opening size to remain locked in a closed condition regardless of whether the user's finger or thumb remains engaged with the strap. In such examples, the locking mechanism may be releasable with a single hand, allowing single hand operation for both tensioning and release of the strap in the cuff. In at least one example, a strap may be tensioned by a thumb of the user, locked by a spring-loaded cord lock, and the tension may be released by a compression of the cord lock between the thumb and another finger of the user's hand.
In other cases, the continuous loop is made with a cord and sewn within the cavity defined by the layers of the cuff. At one portion of the cavity, the loop is exposed, allowing a finger or thumb to be inserted into the loop to pull and adjust cuff's tension. In some cases, the exposed loop stays around the finger/thumb to secure desired tension for the entire duration that the user desires for the cuff to remain tightly fitted to the user's wrist, hand, and/or forearm.
In one example, the sleeve includes a cuff that includes at least two layers of fabric. The first layer and second layer of fabric may be part of a single piece of fabric that is folded back on itself. In other examples, the first and second layers include two distinct pieces of fabric. The first and second layers of fabric may be positioned proximate one another to define a cavity. The layers may be maintained in their location relative to one another by at least one seam. In some cases, a plurality of seams is used to create a portion of the cavity that is suitable for holding the strap. As used herein, the term “seam” should be interpreted broadly as including any stitching, welding, adhesive material or tape, bonding, or any other similar finish that connects or attaches at least two layers together. In some examples, a first seam between the first and second layers that follows the circumference of the sleeve defines a first portion of a cavity. A second seam between the first and second layers that follows the circumference of the sleeve and is aligned with the first seam may define a second portion of a cavity. While this example has been described with reference to a portion of the cavity being defined by a first and second seam that retain the strap, any appropriate number of seams may be used to define a portion of the cavity. In some examples, no seams are used to define a portion of the cavity that retains at least a portion of the strap. In another example, a single seam is used to define a portion of the cavity where the layer of fabric is folded back on itself for retaining the strap.
The strap may reside in the portion of the cavity that is defined by the first and second seams. In some cases, the strap is a continuous loop. In other cases, the strap has a first and a second strap end. In those examples where the strap includes a first and second end, the first and second ends may be secured to the cavity, the fabric of the sleeve, or otherwise anchored within the cavity such that a force applied to the strap may move at least a portion of the cavity, the fabric of the sleeve, or other material or object to which the strap is anchored.
While these examples have been described with the strap being secured within a cavity formed by a cuff with multiple layers of fabric, any appropriate mechanism for retaining the strap may be used. For example, the strap may be secured to the sleeve where just a single layer of material exists. In one such example, the single layer of material may include multiple slits that are spaced about the circumference of the sleeve, and the strap may be interwoven through the slits for retention in the sleeve. In other examples, the strap may be positioned between the single later of material and a plurality of retention devices, such as a series of loops material, staples, cleats, or other connection points positioned on the cuff.
In some cases, the strap with ends overlaps a majority of the circumference of the sleeve. In other examples, the strap with ends covers at least 80 percent of the circumference of the sleeves. In other examples, the strap with ends covers at least 70 percent of the circumference of the sleeves. In other examples, the strap with ends covers at least 60 percent of the circumference of the sleeves. In yet other examples, the strap with ends covers at least 50 percent of the circumference of the sleeves. In other examples, the strap with ends covers at least 40 percent of the circumference of the sleeves. In other examples, the strap with ends covers at least 30 percent of the circumference of the sleeves. In other examples, the strap with ends covers at least 20 percent of the circumference of the sleeves.
In some cases, the exposed portion of the strap may be positioned on a portion of the circumference of the cuff. For example, the exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 5 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In other examples, the exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 10 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In yet other examples, the exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 15 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In further examples, the exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 20 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In yet further examples, the exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 25 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In still further examples, the exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 30 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In even further examples, the exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 35 percent of the circumference of the cuff.
In cuffs with a plurality of exposed portions of the strap, a total exposed portion of the strap may be positioned on a portion of the circumference of the cuff. For example, the total exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 5 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In other examples, the total exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 10 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In yet other examples, the total exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 15 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In further examples, the total exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 20 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In yet further examples, the total exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 25 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In still further examples, the total exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 30 percent of the circumference of the cuff. In even further examples, the total exposed portion of the strap may cover at least 35 percent of the circumference of the cuff.
For those examples where the strap includes first and second ends, the strap may be anchored within the cavity or to the sleeve with any appropriate mechanism. In some examples, the first strap end, the second strap end, a mid-portion of the strap, or another location along the strap may be secured to the sleeve with a seam, a button, a hook, a magnet, an adhesive, a clasp, a rod, a pin, a clip, a knot, another type of fastener, or combinations thereof.
The strap may include at least one portion that is exposed to the user. In some cases, the exposed portion of the strap resides outside of the cavity. The openings that allow the strap to transition between the outside of the cavity and the inside of the cavity may be reinforced with any appropriate mechanism to prevent these openings from tearing or to otherwise strengthen the openings. In some examples, these openings are reinforced with button holes, rivets, laser cut exits, grommets, a deposited material, a low friction material, additional stitching, another type of reinforcement mechanism, or combinations thereof.
The strap may be made of any appropriate type of material. For example, a non-exhaustive list of materials of which the strap may be made include an elastic material, nylon, polyethylene, polyester, plastic, cord, rope, chain, cotton, yarn, wire, fishing line, other types of materials, or combinations thereof. The strap may also include any appropriate type of thickness or length. For example, the strap may be substantially flat, such as a ribbon of material. In other examples, the strap may be substantially round in cross-section, such as a textile cord. In yet other examples, the strap may have another cross-sectional shape. In some embodiments, the length of the strap may be approximately the circumference of the cuff. In other embodiments, the length of the strap may be multiples of the circumference of the cuff such that the strap is looped around the circumference of the cuff multiple times. In yet other embodiments, the length of the strap may be longer than a multiple of the circumference of the cuff to allow an exposed portion of the strap to extend outward from the cuff, easing engagement with the strap for a user's digit.
In some examples, the strap is exposed on the inside of the sleeve. In this example, the user may slightly retract his or her hand into the sleeve to where the user's finger, thumb, or other type of digit can catch the exposed portion of the strap. When engaged, the user may move his or her hand out of the sleeve. As the hand moves out of the sleeve, tension is applied to the exposed portion of the strap and the engaged portion of the strap moves with the hand. As the exposed portion moves with the hand, forces are applied throughout the length of the strap that causes the strap to apply an inward closing force around the sleeve's opening. Thus, the sleeve opening shrinks at least partially in response to the movement of the exposed portion of the strap. As the opening shrinks, the sleeve's fabric proximate the strap may close in around the user's hand, wrist, forearm, or other location on the user.
In some cases, an exposed portion of the strap is located on the outside of the sleeve. In these types of examples, the user may retract his or her hand slightly and use at least one of his or her fingers or thumb to reach for the exposed portion of the strap on the sleeve's outside. When engaged, the user may move his or her hand forward, thereby pulling on the exposed portion of the strap. As the engaged portion of the strap moves forward with the hand, the rest of the strap moves, causing the sleeve's opening to draw in around the user's hand, wrist, forearm, or other location on the user.
The exposed portion of the strap may be positioned at any approximate location around the sleeve. In some examples, the exposed portion of the strap is located at the bottom of the sleeve. In other examples, the exposed portion of the strap is located within 6.0 inches from the bottom of the sleeve. In some cases, the exposed portion of the strap is located within 5.0 inches from the bottom of the sleeve. In some cases, the exposed portion of the strap is located within 4.0 inches from the bottom of the sleeve. In some cases, the exposed portion of the strap is located within 3.0 inches from the bottom of the sleeve. In some cases, the exposed portion of the strap is located within 2.0 inches from the bottom of the sleeve. In some cases, the exposed portion of the strap is located within 1.0 inches from the bottom of the sleeve. In some cases, the exposed portion of the strap is located within 0.5 inches from the bottom of the sleeve. In some cases, the exposed portion of the strap is located on the opposite side of the sleeve from the bottom of the sleeve. The location of the strap's exposed portion may determine which of the user's thumb or fingers are most convenient for engaging with the strap's exposed portion. For example, in some cases where the exposed portion is near the bottom of the sleeve, the user's thumb may be the most convenient digit to engage the exposed portion. In other examples where the exposed portion is located farther way from the bottom of the sleeve, one of the user's fingers may be more convenient to engage with the exposed portion.
Also, the exposed strap may be located at any appropriate distance from the sleeve's opening. For example, the exposed portion of the strap may be located within 6.0 inches from the sleeve's opening. For example, the exposed portion of the strap may be located within 5.0 inches from the sleeve's opening. For example, the exposed portion of the strap may be located within 4.0 inches from the sleeve's opening. For example, the exposed portion of the strap may be located within 3.0 inches from the sleeve's opening. For example, the exposed portion of the strap may be located within 2.0 inches from the sleeve's opening. For example, the exposed portion of the strap may be located within 1.0 inches from the sleeve's opening. For example, the exposed portion of the strap may be located within 0.5 inches from the sleeve's opening. The distance that the strap is located from the sleeve's opening may determine which part of the user that the strap closes in around when the exposed portion of the strap is pulled. In those examples where the strap is located within 0.5 inches from the sleeve's opening, the strap may pull in around the user's hand when the exposed portion is pulled. In examples where the strap is located farther away from the sleeve's opening, the strap may close in around the user's wrist and/or the user's forearm.
In some cases, the distance that the exposed portion of the strap is located away from the sleeve's opening is different than the distance that the rest of the strap is located from the sleeve's opening. In some cases, the cavity retaining the strap guides a portion of the strap forward towards the sleeve's opening while a remainder of the strap is located farther back. In some of these types of examples, a seam that defines a portion of the cavity retaining the strap may create at least one bend that causes a portion of the strap to bend so that the exposed portion can be located at a different distance from the sleeve's opening than another portion of the strap.
In some cases, the strap may include a first portion that aligns with the circumference of the sleeve and a second portion that is aligned with the length of the sleeve. The second, axial portion of the strap may be connected to the first, circumferential portion of the strap. In this example, the second portion may include an end that is exposed and has a loop that can be engaged by a user's digits.
In these examples where the strap's exposed portion is located at a different distance from the sleeve's opening than another portion of the loop, the user can engage the sleeve at a location convenient for the user, but the sleeve may draw in around the user at a different distance away from the sleeve's opening. This may allow the user to control the closure of the sleeve around his or her forearm with the control of the user's thumb.
In some cases, the strap includes more than one exposed portion. In some examples, at least one finger or thumb may be intended to engage each of the exposed portions when pulling the sleeve in. In some cases, the user has to just engage one of the exposed portions to pull the sleeve in. In some cases, an exposed portion of the strap is long enough that more than one of the user's fingers or thumb can engage just the single exposed portion of the strap.
The sleeve may be part of any appropriate type of article of clothing. A non-exhaustive list of types of clothing articles suitable for the principles described herein may include long sleeve shirts, sport jackets, insulated coat, types of articles of clothing, or combinations thereof.
In some cases, the strap may be located in an inner layer of the sleeve or right next to the user's arm. In such an example, the inner layer may be sewn into the inside of the sleeve at any appropriate location along the sleeve's length or otherwise attached to the inner layer. This strap may be threaded through a hem or laced through holes, which may be lined with eyelets. The outer layers of the sleeve may include an insulation layer and/or a weather proof layer. In such examples, the inner most layer may be incorporated into the sleeve to support the strap. The orifices through which the strap enters and exists the cavity may be exposed on the inside of the sleeve and/or up against the user's skin. In some cases, as the strap is tightened around the user's arm, the inner layer of the sleeve moves inward around the arm, while the outer layers remain substantially unmoved from their position when the strap is not closed in. In some examples, the movement of the inner layer causes the outer layers to move inward as well.
In some cases, the strap may be removable from the space between the layers of the sleeve holding the strap in place. In other examples, the strap may be sewn to or otherwise connected to at least one of the layers defining the space in which the strap is located. In some cases, the strap is sewn in a single location, such as the strap's mid-point or at another location. In other cases, the strap may be attached at multiple locations.
The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples described herein, but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An article of clothing to be worn by a user, the article comprising:

a body of fabric disposed to cover at least some of a torso of a user, the body of fabric defining an arm hole;

a sleeve having a first sleeve end attached to the arm hole and a second sleeve end defining a sleeve opening; and

a strap connected to the sleeve proximate the second sleeve end, wherein the strap is configured to be engaged by a digit of the user to reduce the sleeve opening.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the strap does not prevent the sleeve opening from returning to its fully open state when the strap is not engaged by the digit.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the sleeve has an outer surface and an inner surface;

wherein the strap is partially exposed on the inner surface of the sleeve.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein the strap is a loop of material extending around the sleeve opening.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the strap has a first strap end attached to the sleeve and a second strap end attached to the sleeve.

6. The article of claim 1, wherein the strap is partially contained within a cuff formed at the second sleeve end.

7. The article of claim 1, further comprising:

an exposed portion of the strap;

wherein the exposed portion is disposed between 0.5 inches and 5 inches from the bottom of the sleeve.

8. The article of claim 1, further comprising:

an exposed portion of the strap;

wherein the exposed portion of the strap is disposed between 1.5 inches and 2.5 inches from the bottom of the sleeve.

9. The article of claim 1, further comprising:

an exposed portion of the strap;

wherein the exposed portion of the strap is disposed between 2.5 inches and 7.5 inches from the bottom of the sleeve.

10. The article of claim 1, further comprising:

an exposed portion of the strap;

wherein the exposed portion of the strap is disposed between 3 inches and 5 inches from the bottom of the sleeve.

11. The article of claim 1, wherein the strap extends within a cuff of the sleeve and exits the cuff through a first reinforced orifice and re-enters the cuff through a second reinforced orifice to provide an exposed portion of the strap to be engaged by the digit of the user.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein the exposed portion of the strap is disposed on an inner surface of the sleeve.

13. The article of claim 11, wherein the exposed portion of the strap is disposed on an outer surface of the sleeve.

14. The article of claim 1, wherein the strap includes two exposed portions separated by an eighth inch section of the sleeve.

15. The article of claim 1, wherein the strap is not adjusted by hardware.

16. An article of clothing to be worn by a user, the article comprising:

a sleeve having a sleeve end defining a sleeve opening;

the sleeve including:

a first layer;

a second layer;

a cavity defined between the first layer and the second layer;

a portion of the cavity proximate the sleeve opening being confined by a first circumferential seam and a second circumferential seam aligned with and spaced apart from the first circumferential seam;

a confined portion of a strap disposed within the portion of the cavity;

an exposed portion of the strap being exposed;

wherein the exposed portion of the strap is engagable by a digit of the user to reduce the sleeve opening when the sleeve is worn over an arm of the user and the digit is connected to the arm.

17. The article of claim 16, further including a first strap portion connected to the sleeve inside the portion of the cavity.

18. The article of claim 17, further including a second strap portion connected to the sleeve inside the portion of the cavity.

19. The article of claim 16, wherein the strap is a loop of material extending around a circumference of the sleeve.

20. An article of clothing to be worn by a user, the article comprising:

a sleeve having a first sleeve end attached to the arm hole and a second sleeve end defining a sleeve opening;

the sleeve including:

a first layer;

a second layer;

a cavity defined between the first layer and the second layer;

a confined portion of a strap disposed within the portion of the cavity; and

an exposed portion of the strap being exposed;

wherein the exposed portion of the strap is engagable by a digit of the user to reduce the sleeve opening when the sleeve is worn over an arm of the user and the digit is connected to the arm;

wherein the strap is a loop of material extending around a circumference of the sleeve.