Waistband assembly

Abstract

A waistband assembly attachable to a garment. The waistband assembly includes an elastic strip. The elastic strip defines a strip proximal section, a substantially opposed strip distal section and a strip intermediate section extending therebetween. The strip proximal and distal sections define respectively substantially opposed strip proximal and distal lateral edges. The waistband assembly also includes a first band of fabric. The first band of fabric defines a backing section, a fold section extending from the backing section and a flap section extending from the fold section. The first band of fabric is folded over the elastic strip about the fold section so that the flap section is substantially parallel to the backing section. The flap section is attached to the strip distal section with the strip distal section located between the flap section and the backing section. A second band of fabric is also provided. The second band of fabric is substantially parallel to the backing section and is attached to the strip proximal section with the strip proximal section located between the second band of fabric and the backing section.

1 . A waistband assembly attachable to a garment, said waistband assembly comprising:
 an elastic strip, said elastic strip defining a strip proximal section, a substantially opposed strip distal section and a strip intermediate section extending therebetween, said strip proximal and distal sections defining respectively substantially opposed strip proximal and distal lateral edges;   a first band of fabric, said first band of fabric defining a backing section, a fold section extending from said backing section and a flap section extending from said fold section, said first band of fabric being folded over said elastic strip about said fold section so that said flap section is substantially parallel to said backing section, said flap section being attached to said strip distal section with said strip distal section located between said flap section and said backing section; and   a second band of fabric, said second band of fabric being substantially parallel to said backing section and attached to said strip proximal section with said strip proximal section located between said second band of fabric and said backing section.   
   
   
       2 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elastic strip is attached to said first and second bands of fabric in a manner such that said elastic strip is movable relatively to said backing section. 
   
   
       3 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said flap section is folded over itself substantially adjacent said elastic strip so as to define a flap section first portion extending from said fold section and a flap section second portion extending from said flap section first portion, said flap section being attached to said strip distal section with said flap section second portion located between said strip distal section and said flap section first portion. 
   
   
       4 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said second band of fabric is folded over itself so as to define a second band main section and a second band folded section extending therefrom, said second band of fabric being attached to said strip proximal section with said second band folded section located between said strip proximal section and said second band main section. 
   
   
       5 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second bands of fabric are each folded over themselves substantially opposed respectively to said fold section and said elastic strip. 
   
   
       6 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said backing section is attached to said flap section at a location intermediate said fold section and said elastic strip. 
   
   
       7 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein
 said first and second bands of fabric define a gap extending therebetween, said gap defining a gap width, said strip intermediate section extending across said gap;   said waistband assembly define a waistband assembly width;   said gap width is from about 25 percents to about 75 percents of said waistband assembly width.   
   
   
       8 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first band of fabric, said second band of fabric and said elastic strip have respectively a first band, a second band and an elastic strip elasticity modulus, said elastic strip elasticity modulus being substantially smaller than said first and second band elasticity moduli. 
   
   
       9 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elastic strip is from about 2 to about 10 times less rigid longitudinally than said first and second bands of fabric. 
   
   
       10 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second bands of fabric are cut on a bias. 
   
   
       11 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first and second bands of fabric are cut at a bias angle of from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. 
   
   
       12 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said flap section is stitched to said strip distal section and said second band of fabric is stitched to said strip proximal section. 
   
   
       13 . A garment, said garment comprising:
 a garment shell defining a waist section; and   a waistband assembly attached to said garment shell, said waistband assembly including:
 an elastic strip, said elastic strip defining a strip proximal section, a substantially opposed strip distal section and a strip intermediate section extending therebetween, said strip proximal and distal sections defining respectively substantially opposed strip proximal and distal lateral edges; 
 a first band of fabric, said first band of fabric defining a backing section, a fold section extending from said backing section and a flap section extending from said fold section, said first band of fabric being folded over said elastic about said fold section so that said flap section is substantially parallel to said backing section, said flap section being attached to said strip distal section with said strip distal section located between said flap section and said backing section, said backing section being attached to said waist section at a location substantially opposed to said fold section; and 
 a second band of fabric, said second band of fabric being substantially parallel to said backing section and attached to said strip proximal section with said strip proximal section located between said second band of fabric and said backing section, said second band of fabric being attached to said waist section at a location substantially opposed to said elastic strip. 
   
   
   
       14 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 13  wherein
 said backing section defines a waistband outer surface and said flap section, strip intermediate section and second band of fabric together defines a waistband inner surface;   said flap section defines a first band first lateral edge and said backing section defines a first band second lateral edge;   said second band of fabric defines a second band first lateral edge and an opposed second band second lateral edge, said second band first lateral edge being located substantially adjacent said elastic strip;   said first and second bands of fabric are folded over themselves in a manner such that said first and second band first lateral edges are each located between said waistband inner and outer surfaces   
   
   
       15 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said first and second bands of fabric are folded over themselves in a manner such that said first and second band second lateral edges are each located between said waistband inner and outer surfaces. 
   
   
       16 . A waistband assembly as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said first and second bands of fabric are folded over themselves in a manner such that said first and second band first lateral edges are substantially adjacent respectively said strip distal and proximal edges.