`
`(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Carney
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,181,775 B2
`Feb. 27, 2007
`
`(54) MATERNITY GARMENT
`
`(76) Inventor: Ingrid Carney, 990 Corbett Ave., San
`Francisco CA (Us) 94131
`’
`
`2,574,678 A * 11/1951 Wilbur ........................ .. 2/301
`2,723,396 A * 11/1955 Stack
`. 450/58
`2,787,792 A *
`4/1957 Mikottis -
`---- -- 2/221
`2,878,812 A *
`3/1959 Geimer
`450/118
`3,087,496 A *
`4/1963 Norman .................... .. 450/155
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 220 days.
`
`322?’
`’
`’
`
`i
`
`gelllilam
`Ou ers
`(Continued)
`
`(21) App1_ NO; 10/423,224
`
`.
`(22) F1led:
`
`Apr. 25, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2004/0210987 A1
`
`Oct. 28, 2004
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A41D 1/20
`(52) US. Cl. ............................................. .. 2/311; 2/338
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search .................. .. 2/464,
`2/44, 106, 48, 104, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221,
`2/244, 311, 321, 338, 227, 69, 400, 406, 409,
`2/73, 80; D2/627; 450/155, 1, 30, 31, 37,
`450/58’ 110, 12%123, 127, 128; 602/19
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`404,163 A *
`
`5/1889 Brunner ....................... .. 2/338
`
`482,401 A *
`514,930 A *
`818,031 A *
`
`9/1892 Tynan . . . . .
`2/1894 Heath
`4/1906 Kislik ..
`
`. . . .. 2/338
`450/155
`2/338
`
`836,136 A * 11/1906 Parris . . . . . .
`. . . .. 2/236
`1,380,605 A *
`6/1921 Swantees ..................... .. 2/115
`1,389,664 A
`9/1921 Jackson
`1,608,096 A 11/1926 Friedman
`1,609,248 A * 11/1926
`1,753,739 A *
`4/1930
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`
`1148802
`
`6/1989
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Happers Bazaar, Nov. 1952, p. 98, Cinch Belts, Dorothy Huges.*
`C t~
`d
`( Onmue )
`Primary ExamineriAlissa L. Hoey
`(7014110010, Agenl, 0r FirmiThomas M- Freiburger
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`h h .
`d
`.
`f h .
`M ,
`atemlty Wearo t e1nvent1on accommo ates~t ~ec~ anglng
`Shape Ofa Woman 5 body dunng pregnancy’ mlmmlzmg the
`need for maternity clothes. In one aspect of the invention,
`pants or a skirt are Worn With the upper end unfastened so
`as to conform to the shape of the swelling torso in preg
`nancy, and an elastic band shaped similarly to a tube top is
`Worn generally around the Waist, so as to overlap the top of
`the unfastened pants or skirt and retain them on the body. A
`top, such as a blouse or shirt, can be Worn With its tail end
`extending over the band. In another aspect of the invention,
`too-large maternity clothing is Worn With the band garment
`engaged over the upper end. If desired the band garment can
`be folded over on itself, thus doubling its thickness.
`
`15 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 1
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`
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`US 7,181,775 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,487,418 A 12/1969 Jacobs
`3,490,449 A *
`1/1970 Ewerwahn ................ .. 450/155
`3505685 A
`4/1970 Granchelli
`3,623,488 A 11/1971 Nakayama
`3,793,645 A
`2/1974 Kadison
`3,936,075 A *
`2/1976 Jelliife ...................... .. 280/751
`4,280,229 A *
`7/1981 Stein ..... ..
`. 2/221
`4,472,839 A *
`9/1984 Johansen
`. 2/338
`4,506,390 A *
`3/1985 Stern ........................... .. 2/221
`4523337 A
`6/1985 Leibowitz
`4527402 A
`7/1985 Swallow et 31
`4557268 A 12/1985 MadduX
`4,580,298 A
`4/1986 Tuisl
`4,596,253 A
`6/1986 Grif?th
`4,620,326 A 11/1986 Matthias, J1‘.
`4,697,592 A 10/1987 Maddux
`4,803,740 A *
`2/1989
`4,849,863 A *
`7/1989
`4,952,192 A
`8/1990
`4,976,653 A * 12/1990
`5,060,639 A * 10/1991
`5’l44’696 A *
`9/1992
`5’l63’l84 A “H992 .
`5283910 A
`2/1994 Fhnt.
`5,406,964 A *
`4/1995 Calleja ..................... .. 128/888
`5’4l6’928 A *
`5/1995 Koemg
`' 2/244
`5’492’496 A *
`2/1996 Walker
`' 450/155
`5,575,011 A * 11/1996 Allen ....... ..
`. 2/227
`i i
`\(zlaggrfeltjgler
`5’743’783 A
`4/l998 W b _U g """""" "
`’
`’
`e er nger
`5,787,512 A
`8/1998 Knox
`i i
`
`’
`’
`5,915,531 A *
`5,946,730 A *
`5,956,765 A
`
`y
`.
`2/69
`6/1999 Hilpert et al. .
`9/1999 Blair ........................... .. 2/227
`9/ 1999 Chin
`
`""""""""""" "
`'
`
`4/2000 Larsen ..................... .. 450/155
`6,048,253 A *
`5/2000 Morrison, Jr.
`2/78.1
`6,061,832 A *
`5/2000 Rosenberg ................ .. 450/155
`6,062,946 A *
`6/2000 Working, In ____________ __ 450/155
`6,071,175 A >x<
`7/2000 Shackelford
`D427,748 s
`7/2000 Redmond, Sr. .............. .. 2/237
`6,085,356 A *
`6,219,848 B1* 4/2001 Russell ........................ .. 2/221
`6,276,175 B1
`80001 Browder
`6,292,950 B1
`9/2001 Mentone
`6,322,529 B1
`11/2001 Chung
`6,620,026 131*
`9/2003 Guilani et a1‘ ____________ u 450/155
`6,672,311 B2* 1/2004 Rind?eish ................. .. 128/874
`2004/0049834 A1* 3/2004 Stangle etal. ............... .. 2/338
`2004/0163159 A1* 8/2004 Edwards et al. ............. .. 2/338
`
`J1)
`JP
`JP
`JP
`NZ
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`8089521
`4/1996
`10266002
`10/1998
`2002088518
`3/2002
`2002317311
`10/2002
`337903
`4/2002
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`http://www.mytiesarongs.com/tubetopshtrn, My Ties, Cotton
`stretch tube top, Mar. 2001.*
`The Notion and Novely Review, Aug. 1936, Belts, Make the
`Silhouette,
`www.inthe80s.com, Units description, Jun. 2, 2002*
`wwwnetrags com/fashionshow htrn Multiples photos and descrip
`tiOHSJMaL 6; 2000*
`'
`’
`Belly Belt, Maternity Wear Solution, Australia.
`New York Observer, Apr. 12, 1999, “Struggling for a Fashion
`Forward Pregnancy”, p. 26, with abstract showing date of publica
`tion‘
`Kiabi, description andview of Bandeau Mater (maternitybelt), print
`from Kiabicom website, copyright 2001, with English translation,
`two pages
`'
`* cited by examiner
`
`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 2
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 0f 12
`
`US 7,181,775 B2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 3
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 2 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 4
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 27, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 5
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 4 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 6
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 5 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 7
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 6 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 8
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`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 7 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 9
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 8 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 10
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 9 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`24
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`Target Corporation
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 10 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`EX. 1022 - Page 12
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`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Feb. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 11 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 13
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`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 27, 2007
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`Sheet 12 0f 12
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`
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`US 7,181,775 B2
`
`1
`MATERNITY GARMENT
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`Pat. No. 4,580,298 shoWs a Waistband extender alloWing the
`pants to be Worn open, but With an elastic strip connecting
`to the Waistband at the top so as to alloW an expanded siZe
`at the Waist; Redmond US. Pat. No. 6,085,356 is similar.
`Mikottis US. Pat. No. 2,787,792 shoWs a maternity skirt
`With an elastic insert in the area needing additional room;
`Stein US. Pat. No. 4,280,229 is someWhat similar. GanZ
`US. Pat. No. 5,902,170 merely shoWs a band Worn as an
`undergarment, to give the body a more pleasing shape.
`Souders US. Pat. No. 3,431,562 and Kelleam US. Pat. No.
`3,089,149 shoW skirts that can be re-shaped With insert
`panels to provide for a larger Waist.
`Similar to the devices in some of the above patents is the
`product “Belly Belt”, made in Australia and marketed online
`by Motherhood Maternity. The product is a simple fabric
`panel about seven inches Wide, With a belt channel formed
`along the top edge to receive an included elastic belt. The
`pants or skirt are Worn open, With the panel tucked behind
`to cover the open area and the elastic belt secured by button
`and buttonhole connected to existing buttonhole and button
`the pants or skirt.
`Nothing in the prior art shoWs or suggests the approach of
`the present invention, by Which the pregnant Woman’s
`normal clothes can be Worn, throughout much of the preg
`nancy, in a comfortable and attractive manner.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`During pregnancy, in one embodiment of the invention, a
`Woman Wears her pants (the term pants includes shorts) or
`skirt unfastened at the top, to the degree needed, and Wears
`a stretchable generally cylindrical garment, similar to a
`“tube top”, over the Waist in such a Way as to overlap the
`unfastened top end of the pants or skirt. In addition to
`covering the unfastened upper area of the loWer garment, the
`band of the invention holds the pants or skirt in place on the
`body. A shirt or blouse can be Worn extending over the band.
`The result is an assembled and neat appearance Which,
`although not hiding the fact of pregnancy, avoids ill-?tting
`clothing and a bulky, aWkWard or unattractive appearance.
`In another aspect of the invention a pregnant Woman Wears
`the band garment over an oversiZed maternity garment
`(pants or skirt), covering and pressing doWn excess fabric to
`eliminate bulkiness While retaining the bottom garment in
`place.
`The invention is principally embodied in a method for
`accommodating changes in the shape of a Woman during
`pregnancy Without the need for a series of dilferent-siZe
`maternity clothes. This method, in one form, includes pro
`viding a band of ?exible, stretchable material, Which may be
`generally cylindrical in shape and in a siZe so as to be
`expanded and stretched to be Worn around a pregnant
`Woman’s torso approximately at the Waist. The pregnant
`Woman Wears the elastic band over pants or a skirt Which has
`become too tight to accommodate the sWelling of the belly
`during pregnancy, by Wearing the pants or skirt unfastened
`and stretching and placing the elastic band over an upper
`portion and upper edge of the pants or skirt. In addition, the
`elastic band is Worn over oversiZed maternity clothes Which
`the Woman’s pregnant belly does not yet ?ll. The band,
`again, is Worn over an upper portion and upper edge of the
`pants or skirt.
`The method preferably may include Wearing the band
`such that a portion of the height of the band resides over the
`pants or skirt, While an upper portion of the band’s height
`extends above the upper edge of the pants or skirt and
`engages against the torso. In addition, if desired the Woman
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`This invention concerns maternity apparel, and speci?
`cally relates to a stretchable garment Which can be Worn in
`such a Way as to allow pants, shorts or a skirt to be left open
`at the Waist, or alloW a Woman to Wear oversiZed maternity
`pants or skirts Without falling olf or appearing too large,
`bulky or aWkWard, to accommodate changes in the shape of
`the body during pregnancy and afterwards.
`The shape of a Woman’s body changes dramatically
`during pregnancy, and even after pregnancy, can require
`considerable time and e?fort to return to normal. In particu
`lar, the pregnant Woman’s belly goes through several phases,
`expanding and retracting over a period of time Which is
`relatively short in comparison to non-pregnancy related
`Weight gains and loses. At some point the pregnant Woman
`is unable to Wear her normal clothes, particularly pants and
`skirts, Which can no longer be fastened. Various maternity
`clothes are available but even With these specialiZed items,
`the continued changes in the shape of the pregnant Woman
`often result in items of such clothing being useful for only
`short periods of time. While the maternity apparel industry
`has responded to some extent by developing neW designs
`intended to expand and retract With the pregnant and post
`pregnancy changes, the results are often not satisfactory.
`Generally, noticeable changes start in early pregnancy
`When a Woman’s belly begins to shoW, causing her pants and
`skirt to feel tighter around the Waist. This stage is called
`transition. The Woman may try rudimentary solutions to
`fasten clothes Without the normal closure at the Waist, or
`may buy pants and skirts one or several siZes larger than her
`pre-pregnancy siZe for this temporary phase, but such cloth
`ing is nonetheless ill-?tting. On top of this, the continued
`tumescence over the folloWing Weeks Will make moot these
`temporary measures. There are feW practical solutions for
`this transition stage.
`At the end of the transition stage, the pregnant Woman
`resorts to maternity clothes. HoWever, it is often the case that
`40
`her belly cannot ?ll most maternity garments (18426 Week
`range). Maternity apparel is generally manufactured for an
`average-siZed Woman in her seventh month of pregnancy
`(about 30 Weeks). Typically a panel garment made for
`bottom-half maternity Wear remains too large until the
`Woman is Well into her second trimester, or entering her third
`trimester (22432 Week range). Available maternity clothing
`is usually too loose at this stage, and the pregnant Woman
`typically Wears excess fabric around her belly, appearing
`bulky and unattractive underneath her blouses, sWeaters and
`T-shirts.
`Only in about the 30440 Week range does the body
`typically ?ll and Wear Well the available maternity clothing.
`After delivery, the Woman’s body continues its metamor
`phosis as it reshapes into its normal siZe over Weeks or
`months. Finding clothes to ?t properly requires considerable
`creativity. At most stages the maternity clothing, oversiZed
`regular clothing or the normal siZe regular clothing Will be
`ill-?tting, either too tight, too loose, too bulky, and/or
`aWkWard and unattractive.
`In the prior art, these problems have been addressed in
`various Ways. See US. Pat. Nos. 6,276,175, 6,219,848,
`6,085,356, 5,946,730, 5,902,170, 5,787,512, 5,492,496,
`5,283,910, 5,163,184, 4,976,653, 4,952,192, 4,803,740,
`4,697,592, 4,596,253, 4,580,298, 4,557,268, 4,523,337,
`4,280,229, 3,431,562, 3,089,149, 2,787,792, 1,608,096,
`1,389,664 and DES 427,748. Of these patents, Tuisl US.
`
`45
`
`50
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`55
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`60
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`EX. 1022 - Page 15
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`3
`may Wear the band such that it covers the bottom or tail end
`of a top, such as a shirt or blouse, although normally the top
`garment Would extend doWn over the band.
`The elastic band, if desired, may be Worn as a single layer
`residing over the pants or skirt, or folded in half as a double
`layer, providing an additional layer to further conceal bulky
`and cumbersome fabric, increasing tension slightly.
`The band garment of the invention preferably is formed of
`smooth knit fabric Which, With the elastic in the fabric,
`comfortably hugs a Woman’s loWer abdomen, ?attening and
`shaping any fabric underneath, such as unfastened buttons
`and Zippers or excess fabric from large maternity Wear she
`does not ?ll. The Woman can Wear her normal pre-pregnancy
`clothes longer and maternity clothes sooner, as the band
`garment transforms bulky and cumbersome fabric to appear
`as Well-?tted apparel. The result is a shapely and smooth
`belly surface that is both comfortable and attractive. Wear
`ing the band garment the Woman can Wear form-?tting tops,
`shirts and sWeaters Without the bulky fabric of unfastened
`closures or excess maternity fabric bulging over the belly
`and through the tops. After pregnancy, a neW mother can use
`the band garment to transition from maternity Wear to
`normal, pre-pregnancy clothes as the body reshapes itself. If
`the Woman’s untucked top rises to expose her belly, only the
`band garment Will be visible, appearing as part of the
`clothing Worn.
`It is thus among the objects of the invention to provide an
`improved garment and procedure for accommodating the
`changes in a Woman’s shape during pregnancy. This and
`other objects, advantages and features of the invention Will
`be apparent from the folloWing description of a preferred
`embodiment, considered along With the accompanying
`draWings.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW shoWing a band garment for
`pregnant Women, according to the invention.
`FIG. 2 is a vieW shoWing a pregnant Woman Wearing
`pre-pregnancy pants, unfastened so as to accommodate the
`enlarged shape of the belly.
`FIG. 3 is a frontal vieW of What is shoWn in FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a vieW shoWing the pregnant Woman Wearing the
`band garment approximately at the Waist, overlapping the
`unfastened pants so as to cover the open pants top and to
`retain the pants on the body.
`FIG. 4A is a vieW similar to FIG. 4, but shoWing the
`pregnant Woman Wearing pants as in FIGS. 2 and 3 Without
`the band garment of the invention, With a top covering the
`upper end of the pants.
`FIG. 4B is a vieW similar to FIG. 4 shoWing the pregnant
`Woman’s appearance Wearing the band garment of the
`invention, With a top covering the band garment.
`FIG. 5 is a vieW shoWing a pregnant Woman Wearing
`maternity pants, Which are too large at the Waist for her
`current condition.
`FIG. 6 is a frontal vieW of What is shoWn in FIG. 5.
`FIG. 7 is a vieW similar to FIG. 4, but shoWing a pregnant
`Woman Wearing oversiZed maternity clothing as in FIGS. 5
`and 6, retained in position by the band garment of the
`invention.
`FIG. 7A is a vieW similar to FIG. 7 shoWing the pregnant
`Woman Wearing loose maternity clothing as in FIGS. 5 and
`6, covered by a top, and Without the band garment of the
`invention.
`FIG. 7B is another vieW similar to FIG. 7, but shoWing a
`top covering the band garment of the invention.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`FIG. 7C is a vieW similar to FIG. 7, but shoWing the band
`garment folded into a doubled con?guration, halving the
`height as Worn.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`In the draWings, FIG. 1 shoWs a band garment 10
`embodying the principles of the invention. The band gar
`ment 10 is preferably about six to tWelve inches in height,
`more preferably about ten to tWelve inches, and of a cir
`cumference Which Will accommodate a pregnant Woman of
`a designated siZe range, the circumference preferably being
`betWeen 20 and 30 inches. The garment is of stretchable
`material, and can be designed such that one siZe ?ts most
`users, although tWo or three different siZes can be provided
`if desired, for different siZes of Women. It is intended that a
`garment band 10 of a single siZe Will ?t a particular pregnant
`Woman throughout the period of time When she cannot Wear
`her normal clothing, or is too small for maternity Wear.
`In a preferred embodiment the band garment 10 is of
`smooth knit fabric, in basic colors typical of bottom-half
`clothing today: black, khaki, denim-color blue, and White. It
`can also be made in various and seasonal patterns and colors
`if desired. The garment may be seamless (or it can be
`seamed) and of stretchable, breathable knit Nylon/Lycra
`Spandex blend.
`FIG. 2 shoWs a pregnant Woman 12 Who is Wearing her
`normal pre-pregnancy pants 14, but is unable comfortably to
`fasten the button 16 and Zipper 18 at the top of the pants.
`HoWever, the portion beloW the belly still ?ts comfortably,
`and the garment 14 ?ts reasonably Well With the fastenings
`left open, as shoWn.
`FIG. 3 is a frontal vieW of the same pregnant Woman 12,
`With the pants 14 shoWn opened as in FIG. 2. This, of course,
`is not a complete solution to her problem, because the pants
`need some means of being retained in position and because,
`if she simply Wears a top siZed to extend doWn over the open
`top of the pants, as in FIG. 4A, this appears bunched and
`bulky and aWkWard, as FIG. 4A illustrates at 20.
`FIG. 4 shoWs the solution provided by the band garment
`10 of the invention. As shoWn, the stretchable band 10
`engages someWhat ?rmly but comfortably over the top of
`the Woman’s skirt or pants 14 in the opened condition,
`holding the Zipper, button and ?aps closely and ?atly and
`avoiding any bulkiness or aWkWard appearance.
`FIG. 4B shoWs the Woman 12 Wearing the band garment
`as in FIG. 4, but With a top 22 doWn over the band garment
`and contacting the pants 14. As illustrated, the bulky and
`aWkWard appearance is eliminated.
`FIGS. 5, 6, 7, 7A and 7B shoW the pregnant Woman 12,
`at about the same stage of pregnancy as in the earlier ?gures,
`Wearing maternity clothing 24 Which is too large for this
`stage of pregnancy. The pants shoWn in FIG. 5 have a Waist
`26 Which is expanded from a normal Waist siZe commen
`surate With pants of this siZe, and may have a stretchable
`expansion panel in the front as shoWn at 28. The same
`maternity clothing is shoWn on the Woman in frontal vieW in
`FIG. 6. FIG. 7A shoWs the effect of simply Wearing a top 22,
`i.e. a shirt or blouse, over the oversiZed and loose Waist
`portion of the pants or skirt 24. This gives a lumpy, bunched,
`aWkWard appearance, especially at the frontal area 30.
`FIG. 7 shoWs the Woman 12 Wearing the same oversiZed
`maternity pants or skirt 24, but also Wearing the band
`garment 10 of the invention. As is the case With open
`Waisted pants or skirt, the garment band 10 ?rmly but
`comfortably holds the fabric closely against the Woman’s
`
`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 16
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`5
`body and avoids any awkward appearance. FIG. 7B shows
`the same woman wearing a top 22 down over the band
`garment. The result is a very neat and tidy appearance, not
`hiding the fact of pregnancy but giving the clothes the
`appearance of a very good ?t and also providing for con
`siderable further expansion of the belly.
`FIG. 7C shows the woman as in FIG. 7, but with the band
`garment 10 folded so as to double it in half, slightly
`increasing tension and providing an additional layer to help
`conceal excess fabric, in this case, or an unzipped upper
`edge of the pants or skirt, in that case. In some cases the
`wearer may prefer the reduced height of the band garment.
`The above described preferred embodiments are intended
`to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit
`its scope. Other embodiments and variations to this pre
`ferred embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art
`and may be made without departing from the spirit and
`scope of the invention as de?ned in the following claims.
`I claim:
`1. A method for accommodating changes in the shape of
`a woman during pregnancy without the need for a series of
`different-sized maternity clothes, comprising:
`providing a band of ?exible, stretchable material, gener
`ally cylindrical in shape and in a siZe so as to be
`expanded and stretched to be worn around a pregnant
`woman’s torso approximately at the waist, and
`the pregnant woman’s wearing the band stretched over
`pants or a skirt which has become too tight to accom
`modate the swelling of pregnancy, by wearing the pants
`or skirt unfastened at an upper end, and stretching and
`placing the band over an upper portion and upper edge
`of the pants or skirt such that the band covers the
`unfastened upper end,
`whereby the band holds the upper end of the pants or skirt
`closely against the torso, retaining the pants or skirt in
`place and providing a neat, ?tted appearance without
`lumpiness.
`2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the band is
`worn such that most of the height of the band resides over
`the pants or skirt, while an upper portion of the height of the
`band extends above the upper edge of the pants or skirt and
`engages against the torso.
`3. The method according to claim 1, further including the
`woman’s wearing a top having a bottom or tail end, which
`is positioned to overlap and cover the band.
`4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the band is
`folded upon itself and doubled in thickness as worn over the
`pants or skirt.
`5. A method for a pregnant woman to adapt to the changes
`of body shape during pregnancy without the need to wear
`progressively larger maternity clothing, comprising:
`providing a band garment of ?exible, stretchable fabric,
`generally cylindrical in shape and in a siZe so as to be
`expanded and stretched to be worn with tension around
`a pregnant woman’s body approximately at the waist,
`and
`the pregnant woman’s wearing the band garment
`stretched over a skirt or pants comprising a maternity
`garment which is too large at the waist, loose and
`non-engaging of the woman’s belly at an upper end of
`the skirt or pants, to hold the skirt or pants in place on
`the women’s body. by stretching and placing the band
`over an upper portion and upper edge of the pants or
`skirt so as to ?atten such upper edge against the
`woman’s body, the band garment holding the too-large
`upper end of the pants or skirt closely against the body
`and providing a neat, ?tted appearance.
`
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`6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the band is
`worn such that most of the height of the band resides over
`the pants or skirt, while an upper portion of the height of the
`band extends above the upper edge of the pants or skirt and
`engages against the body or underclothing.
`7. A method for a pregnant woman to adapt to the changes
`of body shape during pregnancy without the need to wear
`progressively larger maternity clothing, comprising:
`providing a band garment of ?exible, stretchable fabric,
`generally cylindrical in shape and in a siZe so as to be
`expanded and stretched to be worn with tension around
`a pregnant woman’s body approximately at the waist,
`and
`the pregnant woman’s wearing the band garment
`stretched over a skirt or pants which are loose and
`non-engaging of the woman’s belly at an upper end of
`the skirt or pants, to hold the skirt or pants in place on
`the women’s body, by stretching and placing the band
`over an upper portion and upper edge of the pants or
`skirt so as to ?atten such upper edge against the
`woman’s body, the band garment being folded over on
`itself, with the thickness of the band garment doubled,
`as worn over the upper portion and upper edge of the
`pants or skirt.
`8. A method for accommodating changes in the shape of
`a woman during pregnancy without the need for a series of
`different-sized maternity clothes, comprising:
`providing a band of ?exible, stretchable material, gener
`ally cylindrical in shape and in a siZe so as to be
`expanded and stretched to be worn around a pregnant
`woman’s torso ?rmly but comfortably approximately at
`the waist, and
`the pregnant woman’s wearing the band stretched over
`normal pre-pregnancy pants or a skirt which has
`become too tight to accommodate the swelling of
`pregnancy, by wearing the pants or skirt unfastened at
`an upper end, and stretching and placing the band over
`an upper portion and upper edge of the pants or skirt so
`as to cover the unfastened upper end of the pants or
`skirt, and wearing the band throughout much of the
`woman’s pregnancy, during transition of early preg
`nancy and continuing in a period of time when she
`cannot wear her normal pre-pregnancy clothing and is
`too small to ?ll maternity clothing,
`whereby the band holds the upper end of the pants or skirt
`closely against the torso, retaining the pants or skirt in
`place and providing a neat, ?tted appearance without
`lumpiness, enabling the woman to wear her pre-preg
`nancy clothing through much of her pregnancy.
`9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the band is
`worn such that most of the height of the band resides over
`the pants or skirt, while an upper portion of the height of the
`band extends above the upper edge of the pants or skirt and
`engages against the body.
`10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the band
`extends down su?iciently to hide the fact that the pants or
`skirt are unfastened.
`11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the band is
`folded upon itself and doubled in thickness as worn over the
`pants or skirt.
`12. The method according to claim 8, further including,
`following the woman’s wearing the band over pre-preg
`nancy pants or skirt, the woman’s wearing oversiZed mater
`nity pants or skirt which the woman’s pregnant belly does
`not yet ?ll, with the band stretched over an upper end of the
`maternity skirt or pants which are loose and non-engaging of
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 17
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`US 7,181,775 B2
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`the Woman’ s belly at the upper end, to hold the skirt or pants
`in place on the Woman’s body.
`13. A method for a pregnant Woman to adapt to the
`changes of body shape during pregnancy Without the need to
`Wear progressively larger maternity clothing, comprising:
`providing a band garment of ?exible, stretchable fabric,
`generally cylindrical in shape and in a siZe so as to be
`expanded and stretched to be Worn With tension around
`a pregnant Woman’s body approximately at the Waist,
`to ?t ?rmly but comfortably, and
`the pregnant Woman’s Wearing the band garment
`stretched over a skirt or pants comprising a maternity
`garment Which is too large at the Waist, loose and
`non-engaging of the Woman’s belly at an upper end of
`the skirt or pants, to hold the skirt or pants in place on
`the Woman’s body, by stretching and placing the band
`over an upper portion and upper edge of the pants or
`skirt so as to ?atten such upper edge against the
`Woman’s body, the band garment holding the oversiZed
`upper end of the pants or skirt closely against the body
`and providing a neat, ?tted appearance, and Wearing the
`band throughout much of the Woman’s pregnancy,
`during a period of time When she cannot Wear her
`normal pre-pregnancy clothing and is too small to ?ll
`maternity clothing.
`14. The method according to claim 13, Wherein the band
`is Worn such that most of the height of the band resides over
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`the pants or skirt, While an upper portion of the height of the
`band extends above the upper edge of the pants or skirt and
`engages against the body or underclothing.
`15. A method for a pregnant Woman to adapt to the
`changes of body shape during pregnancy Without the need to
`Wear progressively larger maternity clothing, comprising:
`providing a band garment of ?exible, stretchable fabric,
`generally cylindrical in shape and in a siZe so as to be
`expanded and stretched to be Worn With tension around
`a pregnant Woman’s body approximately at the Waist,
`and
`the pregnant Woman’s Wearing the band garment
`stretched over a skirt or pants Which are loose and
`non-engaging of the Woman’s belly at an upper end of
`the skirt or pants, to hold the skirt or pants in place on
`the Women’s body, by stretching and placing the band
`over an upper portion and upper edge of the pants or
`skirt so as to ?atten such upper edge against the
`Woman’s body, the band garment being folded over on
`itself, With the thickness of the band garment doubled,
`as Worn over the upper portion and upper edge of the
`pants or skirt.
`
`Target Corporation
`EX. 1022 - Page 18
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