Integrated tensioning system and fly closure for a garment

Abstract

A tensioning and closure system for a waistband of a garment, such as trousers is disclosed. A waistband defines an opening and a tensioning member is secured on one side of the opening. A receiver configured to receive the tensioning member is positioned on an opposite side of the opening and receives the tensioning member in order to close the opening. A tensioning strap includes a first portion anchored at a first end and extending to the tensioning member and a second portion passing from the tensioning member back toward the first end. A second end of the tensioning strap may be pulled to increase tension in the first portion and adjust the effective size of the waistband. The first portion may pass through a first sleeve secured to the waistband and the second portion may pass through a second sleeve secured to the waistband and overlapping the first sleeve.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A garment shaped to receive a portion of a wearer's body and including a waistband configured to encircle the waist of the wearer when the portion of the wearer's body is positioned within the garment, the waistband defining an opening extending through the waistband, the garment comprising:
 a tensioning strap anchored at a first end to the waistband on a first side of the opening;   a tensioning member having the tensioning strap extending from the first end through the tensioning member; and   a receiver secured to the waistband on a second side of the opening, the second side opposite the first side, the receiver configured to receive the tensioning member and selectively secure the tensioning member to the waistband on the second side of the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein no fastener or structure, other than the tensioning member and receiver, is configured to or operable to span the opening to couple the waistband on the second side of the opening to the waistband on the second side of the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the receiver is a buttonhole;   the tensioning member has an extent in a first plane that is less than a thickness of the tensioning member perpendicular to the first plane such that the tensioning member is insertable edgewise into the buttonhole and resists removal when the first plane is substantially parallel with a portion of the waistband surrounding the buttonhole.   
     
     
         4 . The garment of  claim 3 , wherein the tensioning member is a button. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1 , further comprising an anchor strip secured at both ends to the waistband, the tensioning strap extending from the first end, then over a first side of the anchor strip facing the waistband, then through the tensioning member, and then over a second side of the anchor strip opposite the first side of the anchor strip. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1 , further comprising a first sleeve layer and a second sleeve layer secured to the waistband having the second sleeve layer partially overlapped by the first sleeve layer and extending circumferentially along the waistband beyond the first sleeve layer and away from the opening, the first sleeve and second sleeve layers being secured to the waistband at upper and lower edges thereof having the second sleeve layer positioned between the first sleeve layer and the waistband.
 wherein the first end of the tensioning strap is anchored between the second sleeve layer and the waistband.   
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 6 , wherein the second sleeve layer extends circumferentially around substantially all of the waistband and the tensioning strap extends from the first side of the opening and between the second sleeve layer and the waistband to the second side of the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 6 , wherein the first sleeve layer includes a first sleeve layer portion and a second sleeve layer portion defining a gap between the first and second sleeve layer portions, the tensioning strap passing from the tensioning member, between the first sleeve layer portion and second sleeve layer, between the second sleeve layer portion and second sleeve layer, and securing to an elastic member secured to the waistband, a portion of the tensioning strap being exposed within the gap. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 7 , wherein the tensioning strap includes a narrow portion and a wide portion, the wide portion extending between the waistband and a portion of the second sleeve layer not overlapped by the first sleeve layer and a narrow portion extending between the first and second sleeve layers and through the tensioning member. 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 7 , further comprising a widened portion secured to the tensioning strap at the second end, the widened portion effective to hinder entry of the tensioning strap between the first and second sleeve layers. 
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein the widened portion is one or more loops of the tensioning strap fastened to the tensioning strap. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein the widened portion includes a first loop portion extending toward the sleeve and a second loop portion extending away from the sleeve, the second loop portion sized to receive a wearer's finger. 
     
     
         13 . A method for adjusting a waist size of trousers, the trousers having leg portions configured to receive legs of a wearer coupled to a waistband configured to encircle the waist of the wearer when the legs of the wearer are positioned in the leg portions, the waistband and leg portions defining a fly opening extending through the waistband, the method comprising:
 providing—
 a tensioning strap anchored at a first end to the waistband on a first side of the opening; 
 a tensioning member having the tensioning strap extending from the first end through the tensioning member; and 
 a receiver secured to the waistband on a second side of the fly opening, the second side opposite the first side, the receiver configured to receive the tensioning member and selectively secure the tensioning member to the waistband on the second side of the fly opening; 
   pulling on the tensioning strap effective to urge the tensioning strap through the tensioning member and at least one of reduce a length of the tensioning strap between the first end and the tensioning member and increase tension in a portion of the tensioning strap between the tensioning member and the first end.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising fastening the first side of the waistband to the second side of the waistband by engaging the tensioning member with the receiver. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the receiver is a buttonhole, the method further comprising:
 inserting the tensioning member through the buttonhole and arranging the tensioning member such that portions thereof extend outwardly from opposite sides of the buttonhole.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the tensioning member is a button. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the button has a round perimeter. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing an anchor strip secured at both ends to the waistband, the tensioning strap extending from the first end, then over a first side of the anchor strip facing the waistband, then through the tensioning member, and then over a second side of the anchor strip. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising providing a sleeve secured to the waistband, at least a portion of the tensioning strap passing through the sleeve and providing a widened portion secured to the tensioning strap at the second end, the widened portion effective to hinder entry of the tensioning strap into the sleeve. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the widened portion includes a first loop portion extending toward the sleeve and a second loop portion extending away from the sleeve, the method further comprising inserting a wearer's finger through the second loop portion and pulling the tensioning strap outwardly from the sleeve.