Garment having novel attachment device

Abstract

The present invention provides a partially-detachable garment having a bottom portion that includes an attachment device that provides tension and support between a fixed back surface and an unfixed front surface of the bottom portion. A first aspect of the invention provides a garment, comprising a top portion, a bottom portion including a front and a back, and at least one tab extending from the back of the bottom portion, wherein the at least one tab is secured at the front of the bottom portion adjacent a wearer's hip.

1 . A garment, comprising: 
 a top portion;    a bottom portion including a front and a back; and    at least one tab extending from the back of the bottom portion,    wherein the at least one tab is secured at the front of the bottom portion adjacent a wearer's hip.    
   
   
       2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion further includes a crotch between the back and the front, such that the front passes between a wearer's legs and can be secured at the at least one tab.  
   
   
       3 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tab further includes at least one attachment device selected from a snap, a button, a clip, a buckle, a zipper, a tie, tape, glue, a magnet, and hooks and loops.  
   
   
       4 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the securing of the at least one tab provides a back-to-front tension at the front of the bottom portion adjacent a wearer's hip.  
   
   
       5 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment is selected from a group consisting of a swimsuit, an exercise suit, a body suit, and an undergarment.  
   
   
       6 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the top portion includes a downwardly-extending member that substantially covers the at least one tab when worn.  
   
   
       7 . The garment of  claim 6 , wherein the downwardly-extending member includes ruffles.  
   
   
       8 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the front expands to cover a wearer's stomach.  
   
   
       9 . The garment of  claim 8 , wherein the front includes at least one of a stomach control panel and a stomach support panel.  
   
   
       10 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the front includes an elastic member for holding the front against a wearer's torso.  
   
   
       11 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one tab substantially covers a wearer's hip area.  
   
   
       12 . The garment of  claim 1 , further comprising a flotation device.  
   
   
       13 . A garment, comprising: 
 a top portion;    a bottom portion including a front and a back; and    at least one tab extending from a back surface of at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion,    wherein the at least one tab is secured at the front of the bottom portion adjacent a front surface of a wearer's hip and provides a back-to-front tension.    
   
   
       14 . The garment of  claim 13 , wherein the bottom portion further includes a crotch portion between the back and the front, such that the front passes between a wearer's legs and can be secured to the at least one tab.  
   
   
       15 . The garment of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one tab further includes at least one attachment device selected from a snap, a button, a clip, a buckle, a zipper, a tie, tape, glue, a magnet, and hooks and loops.  
   
   
       16 . The garment of  claim 13 , wherein the garment is selected from a group consisting of a swimsuit, an exercise suit, a body suit, and an undergarment.  
   
   
       17 . The garment of  claim 13 , wherein the top portion includes a downwardly-extending member that substantially covers the at least one tab.  
   
   
       18 . The garment of  claim 17 , wherein the downwardly-extending member includes ruffles.  
   
   
       19 . The garment of  claim 13 , wherein the front expands to cover a wearer's stomach.  
   
   
       20 . The garment of  claim 19 , wherein the front includes at least one of a stomach control panel and a stomach support panel.  
   
   
       21 . The garment of  claim 13 , wherein the front includes an elastic member for holding the front against a wearer's torso.  
   
   
       22 . The garment of  claim 13 , further comprising a flotation device.  
   
   
       23 . A garment, comprising: 
 a top portion;    a bottom portion including a front, a back, and a crotch portion disposed between the front and the back such that the front passes between a wearer's legs; and    at least one tab extending from a back surface of at least one of the top portion and the bottom portion,    wherein the at least one tab substantially covers a wearer's hip area and is secured at the front of the bottom portion adjacent a front surface of a wearer's hip and provides a back-to-front tension.