Sleeve extension and method of making same

Abstract

A sleeve extension to be worn on a particular body part of the wearer having an elasticized upper edge and a plurality of folds or pleats or gathers extending from the upper edge to a lower edge for covering or concealing a portion of the body part.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of fabricating a sleeve extension comprising the steps of:
 selecting a flexible fabric material;   cutting the fabric material to a preselected geometrical configuration having an upper longitudinal edge and a lower longitudinal edge and a preselected initial longitudinal length and a preselected transverse width between said upper longitudinal edge and said lower longitudinal edge;   gathering the cut fabric material into a plurality of folds extending substantially transversely to said upper longitudinal edge and lower longitudinal edge and substantially throughout the longitudinal length of said fabric material;   securing an elastic band into said folds in regions spaced from and adjacent to said upper longitudinal edge of the material;   cutting the folded and elastic banded material to a preselected finished longitudinal length to provide a pair of spaced apart transverse edges extending between said upper and lower longitudinal edges; and,   securing the transverse edges of the elastic banded cut and folded material together to define a generally cylindrical sleeve configuration having a preselected finished diameter in regions adjacent said upper longitudinal edge.   
     
     
         2 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein:
 the step of securing an elastic band comprises the step of securing a plurality of elastic strands in spaced apart relationship and spaced from said longitudinal edge. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein:
 the step of securing a plurality of elastic strands comprises the step of securing at least three elastic strands and positioning a first of said strands in regions about ¼ to ¾ inches from said upper longitudinal edge. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method defined in  claim 3  wherein:
 the step of securing at least three elastic bands further comprises the step of securing said three elastic strands in substantially parallel rows spaced about ¼ inch apart from each. other. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method defined in  claim 1  wherein:
 the steps of gathering said material into a plurality of folds and securing said elastic band is performed by a smocking procedure utilizing a smocking machine. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method defined in  claim 5  wherein:
 selecting said smocking procedure on the smocking machine to provide an elastic band having at least three strands in spaced apart substantially parallel rows extending longitudinally. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method defined in  claim 6  wherein:
 the step of securing at least three elastic strands in said smocking machine further comprises the step of securing said three elastic bands in substantially parallel rows spaced about ¼ inch apart from each other. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method defined in  claim 7  wherein:
 the step of securing the transverse edges of the cut material together to define a generally cylindrical sleeve configuration provides a cylinder of the material having the preselected diameter in the range of 3 inches to 5 inches at said upper longitudinal edge. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method defined in  claim 8  and further comprising the step of:
 selecting an elasticized thread for the elastic strands. 
 
     
     
         10 . The method defined in  claim 9  wherein:
 said transverse edges are secured together by a step of sewing. 
 
     
     
         11 . A sleeve extension comprising, in combination:
 a body member having an upper longitudinal edge, a lower longitudinal edge spaced a first preselected transverse distance from said upper longitudinal edge to define a body width, and a pair of spaced apart transverse edges extending between said upper longitudinal edge and said lower longitudinal edge to define a body length having a preselected longitudinal length;   an elastic band on said body member in regions adjacent said upper longitudinal edge and spaced therefrom and extending substantially said longitudinal length of said body member;   a plurality of folds in said body member extending transversely from said upper longitudinal edge to said lower longitudinal edge, and said folds maintained in place by said elastic band;   said transverse edges connected together to define a generally circular cylindrical sleeve member having a preselected diameter.   
     
     
         12 . The arrangement defined in  claim 11  wherein:
 said body member is a flexible material; 
 
     
     
         13 . The arrangement defined in  claim 12  wherein:
 said body member is selected from the class consisting of lace and printed fabric. 
 
     
     
         14 . The arrangement defined in  claim 11  wherein:
 said elastic band is comprised of three spaced apart elastic strands and the first of said elastic strands is spaced in the range of ½ inch to ¾ inch from said upper longitudinal edge and said elastic strands are transversely spaced apart in the range of ⅛ inch to ¼ inch. 
 
     
     
         15 . The arrangement defined in  claim 14  wherein:
 said circular cylindrical sleeve member has said preselected diameter in the range of 3 inches to 5 inches in regions adjacent said upper longitudinal edge.