`Hendrickson et a1.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,814,575 B2
`Oct. 19, 2010
`
`US007814575B2
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`BELLY COVERING GARMENT
`
`Inventors: Lisa A. Hendrickson, Mount Laurel, NJ
`(US); James H. Gardner, III, Ambler,
`PA (US); Richard Adelman,
`Greensboro, NC (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Destination Maternity Corporation,
`Wilmington, DE (U S)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC 154(b) by 647 days.
`
`Appl. N0.: 11/756,242
`
`Filed:
`
`May 31, 2007
`
`3/1985
`4,506,390 A *
`9/1999
`5,946,730 A
`6,311,333 B1* 11/2001
`2004/0210987 A1 10/2004
`2006/0010571 A1
`1/2006
`
`Stern ........................... .. 2/221
`Blair
`Batra .......................... .. 2/237
`
`Carney
`Oakley
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`1 in the Oven’s InvisiBellyTM Jeans, Trade Literature, Feb. 26, 2008,
`http ://WWvv. 1 intheoven .corn/ index .php?p:pro duct&id:8 8&par
`ent:26&isfprintfversion?rue.
`International Search Report and Written Opinion dated Aug. 18, 2008
`in PCT/US2008/061739.
`Cody, Diablo, Juno, DVD, Fox Searchlight Pictures screenplay, Feb.
`2, 2008, Newmarket Press, Newmarket Publishing and Communica
`tions company, New York, NY.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2008/0295225 A1
`
`Dec. 4, 2008
`
`Primary ExamineriGloria Hale
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiDLA Piper LLP (U S)
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`A41D 13/00
`(2006.01)
`A41D 9/00
`U.S. Cl. ......................................... .. 2/227; 450/155
`Field of Classi?cation Search ..................... .. 2/ 69,
`2/228, 227, 238, 236, 237, 211, 212, 214;
`450/155, 964100
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention relates to a garment Worn during dif
`ferent stages of pregnancy and different stages of postpartum
`body changes. A garment upper portion has a belly panel that
`is expansible to cover and ?t over a groWing abdomen during
`different stages of pregnancy, and a garment loWer portion
`having a ?rst torso encircling circumference that recedes
`doWnWard to make Way for expansion of the belly panel. The
`garment upper portion has a second torso encircling circum
`ference to hold the garment up and in place over the torso.
`
`3,045,678 A *
`4,280,229 A *
`
`7/1962 Geimer ..................... .. 450/130
`
`7/1981 Stein ........................... .. 2/221
`
`25 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`104
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1019 - Page 1
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`US. Patent
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`0a. 19, 2010
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`Sheet 1 of8
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`US 7,814,575 B2
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`134
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`130
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`\
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`122
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`112
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`I
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`1
`1
`I
`|
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`l
`I
`\
`\
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`110
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`FIG. 1
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`Target Corporation
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`US. Patent
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`0a. 19, 2010
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`Sheet 2 of8
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`126
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`124
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`100
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`1 O2
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`1 08
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`A
`1 8 ‘ 106
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`‘304
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`FIG. 1A
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`EX. 1019 - Page 3
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`US. Patent
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`0a. 19, 2010
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`Sheet 3 of8
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`134
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`00:02
`12
`000
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`/ 2 2
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`...|| 0
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`2 4|
`3 6 1
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`2
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`O0 8
`01... O 1 1 1 24
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`2 1
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`I.’ [Ill-\l
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`U 1
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`0 1
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`1
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`‘k 1
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`2
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`0 1 O 1
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`\4
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`1
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`FIG. 2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1019 - Page 4
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`US. Patent
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`0a. 19, 2010
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`sheet 4 0f8
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`US 7,814,575 B2
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`132 308
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`310
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`v " W‘ N k 12%
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`1 34
`130
`J
`100
`102
`300
`302
`304
`306
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`\
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`)1
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`104
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`FIG. 3
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`Target Corporation
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`US. Patent
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`0a. 19, 2010
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`Sheet 5 of8
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`US 7,814,575 B2
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`100
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`410
`412
`414
`416
`418
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`FIG. 4
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`0a. 19, 2010
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`Sheet 6 of8
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`US 7,814,575 B2
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`134
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`130
`/ 100
`500
`502
`O4
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`506
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`132
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`508
`510
`512
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`FIG. 5
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`US. Patent
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`0a. 19, 2010
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`Sheet 7 of8
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`100
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`FIG. 6
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`US. Patent
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`0a. 19, 2010
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`Sheet 8 of8
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`US 7,814,575 B2
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`FIG. 7
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`EX. 1019 - Page 9
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`US 7,814,575 B2
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`1
`BELLY COVERING GARMENT
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a garment Worn during
`different stages of pregnancy and different stages of postpar
`tum body changes.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Garments intended to cover a Wearer’s body below the
`abdomen or belly during various stages of pregnancy have
`been manufactured as knits or Woven fabrics. Some of the
`knits or Woven fabric garments are constructed With an elastic
`belt or Waist band Which caused discomfort When tightened
`about the body. Some of the garments have stretchable fabric
`panels seWn into place With seWn seams. Such garments cause
`discomfort due to the presence of the seWn seams, urged by
`elastic stretching of the panels pressing against the torso.
`Moreover, Women have complained that such garments are
`dif?cult to keep in place, as they gradually slip doWnWard
`While they are being Worn.
`Denim jeans or trousers have been recycled by removing
`the Waistband at the front of the jeans and replacing the same
`With an elastic band that cradles a groWing abdomen. Alter
`natively, denim jeans or trousers are manufactured Without a
`Waistband at the front so that a separate band can be attached
`at the front.
`Accordingly, a need exists for a garment that covers and ?ts
`a groWing abdomen during different stages of pregnancy.
`Such a garment is required to stay up, and desirably Would ?t
`comfortably While being Worn. Moreover, such a garment
`Would stay up When Worn over different body types.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A purpose of the invention is to provide a garment that
`adapts to cover and ?t a groWing abdomen during pregnancy,
`Wherein the garment stays up When Worn.
`A garment comprises a garment upper portion and a gar
`ment loWer portion. The garment upper portion has a belly
`panel that is expansible to cover and ?t over a groWing abdo
`men during different stages of pregnancy. The garment loWer
`portion has a ?rst torso encircling circumference that recedes
`doWnWard to make Way for expansion of the belly panel. The
`garment upper portion has a second torso encircling circum
`ference to hold the garment up and in place over the torso.
`An embodiment of the garment is adjustable to encircle
`different body types. Another embodiment of the invention
`provides a garment that ?ts comfortably While being Worn.
`An embodiment of the garment comprises an adjustable
`torso encircling circumference that is adjustable in girth to
`encircle different body types.
`An embodiment of the upper portion of the garment com
`prises a seamless tubular elastic fabric to stretch elastically
`and ?t different body types.
`An embodiment of the abdomen covering area comprises
`an elastic fabric.
`An embodiment of the abdomen covering area comprises
`an elastic fabric that is contractible elastically to cover an
`abdomen during different stages of post partum body
`changes.
`According to an embodiment of the invention, an expan
`sible tubular upper portion of the garment is seamless to ?t
`comfortably While being Worn.
`
`2
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a front vieW of a garment according to the present
`invention.
`FIG. 1A is a vieW similar to FIG. 1, and discloses a body
`panel covering a groWing abdomen.
`FIG. 2 is a vieW of a backside portion of the garment
`disclosed by FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is vieW of a front portion of another embodiment of
`a garment.
`FIG. 4 is vieW of a backside portion of another embodiment
`of a garment.
`FIG. 5 is a vieW of a backside portion of yet another
`embodiment of a garment.
`FIG. 6 is front vieW of a portion of another embodiment of
`a garment.
`FIG. 7 is front vieW of a portion of yet another embodiment
`of a garment.
`
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 discloses a garment 100 for encircling a loWer torso
`portion of a Wearer of the garment 100. The garment 100
`comprises a garment upper portion 102 and a garment loWer
`portion 104. A loWer end perimeter 106 of the garment upper
`portion 102 is attached to a corresponding upper end perim
`eter 108 of the garment loWer portion 104. The garment loWer
`portion 104 comprises, for example, a pair of trousers, such
`as, denim jeans. Alternatively, the garment loWer portion 104
`comprises a skirt depicted in FIG. 1 in phantom outline.
`With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, each leg of the pair of
`trousers is constructed With seWn seams. Outer side seams
`110, 112 extend continuously from top to bottom of the
`trousers, or garment loWer portion 104. Further, each leg is
`constructed With inner side seams 114, 116 joining a front
`center seam 118 of the trousers and a back side, curved center
`seam 200, FIG. 2, of the trousers. For example, the front
`center seam 106 de?nes a seWn “Zipper less” ?y front. The
`back side of the trousers, FIG. 2, is seWn With a back side
`perimeter seam 202 extending horizontally across the back
`side of the trousers from the outer side seams 110, 112 to the
`back side center seam 200. If pockets are desired, the legs of
`the trousers are constructed, for example, With a front pockets
`120, 122 and back pockets 204, 206.
`FIG. 2 discloses an embodiment of the trousers, or garment
`loWer portion 104, having a partial Waistband 208 joining and
`extending from the side seams 110, 112 of the trousers and
`extending across a back side of the trousers or garment loWer
`portion 104. The Waistband 208 is seWn onto the perimeter
`seam 202 on the back side. The Waistband 208 tapers toWard
`the side seams 110, 112 and Widens across the back side, and
`has a center seam 210 to shape the Waistband 208 With a
`curvature above a Wearer’s pelvis, and for torso coverage
`especially When sitting or bending.
`In FIG. 1, the garment upper portion 102 has a belly panel
`124 to provide an abdomen covering area. The belly panel
`124 is expansible, for example, When made of a stretchable
`fabric, to cover and ?t over a groWing abdomen during dif
`ferent stages of pregnancy, FIG. 1A. The belly panel 124 has
`a bottom portion 128 that projects doWnWard With a parabolic
`shape, especially When covering a groWing abdomen, FIG.
`1A. The perimeter 108 of the garment loWer portion 104
`provides a ?rst torso encircling circumference 126 that
`recedes doWnWard With a parabolic shape adjacent to and
`beloW the bottom portion 128 of the belly panel 124 to make
`Way for expansion of the belly panel 124 When covering a
`groWing abdomen during various stages of pregnancy. The
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`parabolic shape includes a shallow curvature, or, alternatively
`includes a more pronounced curvature. The belly panel 124
`extends at least partially under the abdomen of the garment
`Wearer to meet and join the bottom portion 128 of the belly
`panel 124 With the parabolic receding circumference 126 of
`the garment loWer portion 104.
`According to an embodiment of the invention, at least the
`belly panel 124 comprises a stretchable fabric that is Woven or
`knitted With elastic, stretchable strands. The stretchable fab
`ric is expansible by stretching elastically to cover and ?t over
`the groWing abdomen, FIG. 1A. Further, the stretchable fab
`ric is contractible elastically to cover a shrinking abdomen
`during different stages of post partum body changes. The
`belly panel 124 also has foreseeable alternative functions, for
`example, to cover an abdomen during different stages of torso
`Weight gains and losses, or to ?t over respective torsos of
`different body types.
`In FIGS. 1 and 2, the garment upper portion has a top
`tubular perimeter hem 130 made by folding over a top edge
`margin of the stretchable fabric, and either tubular knitting or
`seWing the folded fabric to the inside surface of the fabric, and
`to create a top perimeter knitted hem stitch 132 as disclosed in
`FIG. 1. The perimeter of the garment upper portion 102 has a
`torso encircling circumference 134 to hold the garment 100
`up and in place over the torso. Advantageously, the entire
`garment 100 is held up and in place. An embodiment of the
`garment upper portion 102 comprises stretchable fabric to
`adjust the girth of the second torso encircling circumference
`134 in conformance With different body types. According to
`an embodiment of the invention, the torso encircling circum
`ference 134 extends along the upper end of the belly panel
`124. In FIG. 1A, the belly panel 124 extends at least some
`What above the maximum girth of the abdomen, even during
`a later stage of pregnancy, such that the belly panel 124
`positions the torso encircling circumference 134 at least
`someWhat above the location of maximum girth to resist
`slipping doWn over the abdomen.
`An embodiment of the garment upper portion 102 com
`prises a tubular structure to encircle a torso of a Wearer of the
`garment 100. The tubular structure comprises a stretchable
`fabric Woven or knitted With elastic, stretchable strands. The
`belly panel 124 comprises a portion of the stretchable fabric.
`The tubular structure is adaptable to cover and ?t different
`body types by being elastically expansible and contractible.
`Different body types have different muscle mass distributions
`and spinal columns of different curvatures, Which make the
`tubular structure conform to the different body types by
`expanding and contracting in different locations and amounts
`When Worn by the different body types. The tubular structure
`is elastically expansible to Widen the tubular girth at selected
`locations and amounts Where needed to ?t a body type, and is
`elastically contractible to narroW the tubular girth at selected
`locations and amounts Where needed to ?t the body type.
`In FIGS. 1 and 2, the tubular structure is shaped and formed
`as a one-sheet hyperboloid cylinder to ?t a body type having
`a tapered torso that tapers approximately from shoulder to
`Waist. The perimeter pro?le of the one-sheet hyperboloid
`cylinder has hyperbolic shaped sides. Alternatively, the tubu
`lar structure is shaped and formed as a straight-sided cylinder,
`for example, as disclosed in FIG. 6. The perimeter pro?le of
`the straight sided cylinder has substantially straight sides.
`Preferably, the stretchable fabric is Woven or knitted to
`form a continuous, seamless tubular structure, such that the
`garment 100 is comfortable to Wear due to the absence of
`seams that Would tend to press against the torso.
`FIG. 3 discloses an alternative embodiment in Which the
`garment upper portion 102 is provided With belly cradling
`support in the form of a series of seWn stitches or knitted
`tension at 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314 in the
`belly panel 124. The knitted tension or stitches extend along
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`multiple stitch paths grouped in an elliptical pattern that
`curves so as to cradle a curved groWing abdomen, FIG. 1A,
`during various stages of pregnancy.
`FIG. 4 discloses an alternative embodiment in Which the
`backside of the garment upper portion 102 is provided With
`spinal column and back support for a Wearer of the garment,
`in the form of a series of seWn supporting stitches or knitted
`tension at 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418 in
`the fabric, Wherein the supporting knitted tension or stitches
`stiffen the fabric at the backside of the garment upper portion
`102 to provide spinal and back support of the Wearer of the
`garment 100. For example, the series of supporting stitches
`are arranged along multiple stitch paths grouped in a hyper
`bolic pattern or other curved pattern along an axis extending
`substantially vertically along a spinal supporting section of
`the fabric. FIG. 5 discloses an alternative pattern of support
`ing stitches 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514 in the
`fabric, Wherein the supporting stitches are arranged along
`multiple stitch paths. For example, the stitch paths are shoWn
`as being grouped in a truncated, v-shaped pattern.
`FIG. 6 discloses the garment upper portion 102 comprising
`a fabric Woven or knitted to form a tubular structure, Wherein
`the fabric of the tubular structure is doubled back on itself
`doWnWard from the top circumference 134 thereof to form a
`double-layer tubular structure 600 that extends doWnWard at
`least for a portion of the garment upper portion 102. The
`layers of the double-layer tubular structure 600 are seWn
`together With a tubular perimeter drop stitch 602. The layers
`are further seWn With a top, tubular perimeter hem stitch 132
`as described in FIG. 1. In an alternative embodiment dis
`closed by FIG. 6, the fabric is doubled back over an inner
`tubular layer of stretchable fabric 604, shoWn in phantom
`outline by and betWeen the stitches 132, 602, that is ?atly
`layered and seWn in betWeen the tWo tubular layers of the
`double layer fabric. The three tubular layers are seWn together
`With the top, tubular perimeter drop stitch 602 and the top,
`tubular perimeter hem stitch 132 as described in FIG. 1. The
`inner layer 604 of stretchable fabric provides the belly panel
`124 With the capability for resilient expansion. In another
`embodiment, the double layer fabric comprises a stretch fab
`ric Woven or knitted With elastically stretchable and contract
`ible yarns, providing the belly panel With the capability for
`resilient expansion.
`FIG. 7 discloses that the garment 100 of FIG. 6 is convert
`ible to comprise a bottom garment Without a top, the garment
`upper portion 102 is foldable toWard the garment loWer por
`tion 104 to provide a folded band 700 on the garment loWer
`portion 104, Which is to be Worn solely as a garment bottom
`104 having the folded band 700, and having no top. Each of
`the other embodiments of the garment 100 is similarly con
`vertible by adding the stretchable fabric 604 to the upper
`garment portion 102 of the other embodiment of the garment
`100, and folding the garment upper portion 102 toWard the
`garment loWer portion 104 to provide a folded band 700 on
`the garment loWer portion 104 of the other embodiment of the
`garment 100.
`This description of the exemplary embodiments is
`intended to be read in connection With the accompanying
`draWings, Which are to be considered part of the entire Written
`description. In the description, relative terms such as “loWer,”
`“upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “beloW,” “up,”
`“doWn,” “top” and “bottom” as Well as derivatives thereof
`(e. g., “horizontally,” “doWnWardly,” “upWardly,” etc.) should
`be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as
`shoWn in the draWing under discussion. These relative terms
`are for convenience of description and do not require that the
`apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orienta
`tion. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like,
`such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relation
`ship Wherein structures are secured or attached to one another
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`5
`either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as
`Well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships,
`unless expressly described otherWise.
`Although the invention has been described in terms of
`exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the
`appended claims should be construed broadly, to include
`other variants and embodiments of the invention, Which may
`be made by those skilled in the art Without departing from the
`scope and range of equivalents of the invention.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A garment, comprising:
`a garment upper portion having a belly panel that is expan
`sible to cover and ?t over a groWing abdomen during
`different stages of pregnancy;
`a garment loWer portion having a ?rst torso encircling
`circumference that recedes doWnWard to make Way for
`expansion of the belly panel; and
`the garment upper portion having a second torso encircling
`circumference de?ning an upper edge of the belly panel
`that encircles a Wearer’s torso just beneath the Wearer’s
`breast area con?gured to hold the garment up and in
`place about the torso in a position of a location of maxi
`mum girth of the abdomen thereby substantially cover
`ing the Wearer’s entire pregnant abdomen during all
`stages of pregnancy.
`2. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the second torso encir
`cling circumference is adjustable in girth in conformance
`With different body types.
`3. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises a seamless tubular structure that ?ts com
`fortably While being Worn, and the belly panel comprises an
`expansible portion of the tubular structure.
`4. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises a seamless tubular elastic fabric to stretch
`elastically.
`5. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises an elastic fabric that is contractible elasti
`cally to cover an abdomen during different stages of postpar
`tum body changes.
`6. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment loWer
`portion has a partial Waistband extending from side seams of
`the garment loWer portion and extending across a back side of
`the garment loWer portion Where the partial Waistband Widens
`above a Wearer’s pelvis.
`7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a series of
`belly cradling stitches or knitted tension in the belly panel,
`Wherein the knitted tension or stitches extend along multiple
`paths arranged in an elliptical pattern that curves, so as to
`cradle a curved groWing abdomen during various stages of
`pregnancy.
`8. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a series of
`stitches or knitted tension in the backside of the garment
`upper portion to provide spinal and back support against the
`Wearer of the garment.
`9. The garment of claim 8, Wherein the series of stitches or
`knitted tension in the backside of the garment upper portion
`extends along a pattern of multiple stitch paths.
`10. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment upper
`portion is foldable toWard the garment loWer portion to com
`prise a folded band on the garment loWer portion.
`11. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment loWer
`portion has a partial Waistband extending from side seams of
`the garment loWer portion Wherein the partial Waistband
`tapers toWard the side seams and Widens above a Wearer’s
`pelvis across a back side of the garment loWer portion.
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`12. The garment of claim 1, comprising:
`knitted tension in the backside of the garment upper por
`tion providing spinal column and back support for a
`Wearer of the garment.
`13. The garment of claim 1, comprising:
`a series of seWn supporting stitches in the backside of the
`garment upper portion providing spinal column and
`back support for a Wearer of the garment.
`14. The garment of claim 1, comprising:
`a series of seWn supporting stitches in the backside of the
`garment upper portion providing spinal column and
`back support for a Wearer of the garment, Wherein the
`stitches are arranged along multiple stitch paths grouped
`in a hyperbolic pattern, a curved pattern or a truncated,
`v-shaped pattern along an axis extending substantially
`vertically along a spinal supporting section of the fabric.
`15. The garment of claim 1, Wherein an edge margin of the
`garment upper portion is folded over and knitted to an inside
`of the fabric to provide a perimeter hem stitch.
`16. The garment of claim 1, Wherein an edge margin of the
`garment upper portion is folded over and seWn or knitted to an
`inside of the fabric to provide a perimeter hem stitch.
`17. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the second torso
`encircling circumference comprises stretchable fabric to
`adjust the girth in conformance With different body types.
`18. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment upper
`portion is a tubular structure, Wherein the tubular structure is
`shaped and formed as a hyperboloid cylinder to ?t a body type
`having a tapered torso.
`19. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment upper
`portion is a tubular structure, Wherein the tubular structure is
`shaped and formed as a straight sided cylinder to ?t a body
`type having a corresponding shaped torso.
`20. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises a double layer tubular structure, and an
`inner layer of stretchable fabric betWeen tWo layers of the
`double-layer tubular structure.
`21. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises a fabric, and the fabric is doubled back on
`itself doWnWard to form a double-layer tubular structure that
`extends doWnWard for at least a portion of the garment upper
`portion, and the layers of the double-layer tubular structure
`are seWn together With a tubular perimeter drop stitch.
`22. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises a fabric doubled back on itself doWnWard
`to form a double-layer tubular structure that extends doWn
`Ward for at least a portion of the garment upper portion, the
`layer of the double-layer tubular structure are seWn together
`With a tubular perimeter drop stitch, and an edge margin of the
`garment upper portion is knitted to an inside of the fabric to
`provide a perimeter hem stitch.
`23. The garment of claim 3, Wherein the seamless tubular
`structure comprises a fabric doubled back on itself doWnWard
`to form a double-layer tubular structure that extends doWn
`Ward for at least a portion of the garment upper portion, the
`layers of the double-layer tubular structure are seWn together
`With a tubular perimeter drop stitch, and an edge margin of the
`garment upper portion is folded over and seWn or knitted to an
`inside of the fabric to provide a perimeter hem stitch.
`24. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment upper
`portion is foldable toWard the garment loWer portion to pro
`vide a folded band on the garment loWer portion to be Worn as
`a garment bottom having no top.
`25. The garment of claim 1, Wherein the garment loWer
`portion comprises one of a pair of trousers and a skirt.
`
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1019 - Page 12