Adjustable length garment incorporating hem inserts, and method of forming a cuff in a garment

Abstract

An adjustable length garment is constructed of a fabric and includes garment parts having respective circumferential hems. The garment further includes first and second hem inserts freely positioned within respective hems of the garment parts and unattached to the fabric of the garment. A circumferentially reinforced cuff is adapted for being formed at the hem of each garment part by turning the hem insert upwardly, such that a width of the cuff corresponds substantially to a width of the flexible strip, thereby shortening the garment part by each upward turn of the hem insert, and returning the garment part to its original length by a corresponding downward turn of the hem insert.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An adjustable length pants constructed of a fabric and comprising a pair of pants legs having respective circumferential hems, said pants further comprising:
 first and second hem inserts freely positioned within respective hems of said pants legs and unattached to the fabric of said pants, and each hem insert comprising an elongated flexible strip having opposing ends defining therebetween a length of said flexible strip, and opposing longitudinal edges defining therebetween a width of said flexible strip, and the length of said flexible strip being sufficient to extend said hem insert circumferentially within said hem;   a circumferentially reinforced cuff adapted for being formed at the hem of each pants leg by turning said hem insert upwardly, such that a width of said cuff corresponds substantially to the width of said flexible strip, thereby shortening said pants leg by each upward turn of said hem insert, and returning said pants leg to its original length by a corresponding downward turn of said hem insert, and wherein said hem insert flexes outwardly within said hem to promote and retain the circumferential shape of said cuff.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable length pants according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexible strip is fabricated of a material selected from a group consisting of woven and nonwoven fabrics. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable length pants according to  claim 1 , wherein said flexible strip is fabricated of a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, nylon, neoprene, and vinyl. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable length pants according to  claim 1 , wherein the opposing longitudinal edges of said flexible strip are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable length pants according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of said flexible strip is at least 5 times greater than the width of said flexible strip. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable length pants according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one end of said flexible strip is rounded to facilitate insertion into the hem of the pants leg. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable length pants according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one end of said flexible strip is tapered. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable length pants according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one major surface of said flexible strip comprises a coating. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable length pants according to  claim 1 , wherein said cuff is formed in said pants leg by turning said hem insert inwardly at the hem. 
     
     
         10 . The adjustable length pants according to  claim 1 , wherein said cuff is formed in said pants leg by turning said hem insert outwardly at the hem. 
     
     
         11 . An adjustable length garment constructed of a fabric and comprising a pair of garment parts having respective circumferential hems, said garment further comprising:
 first and second hem inserts freely positioned within respective hems of said garment parts and unattached to the fabric of said garment, and each hem insert comprising an elongated flexible strip having opposing ends defining therebetween a length of said flexible strip, and opposing longitudinal edges defining therebetween a width of said flexible strip, and the length of said flexible strip being sufficient to extend said hem insert circumferentially within said hem;   a circumferentially reinforced cuff adapted for being formed at the hem of each garment part by turning said hem insert upwardly, such that a width of said cuff corresponds substantially to the width of said flexible strip, thereby shortening said garment part by each upward turn of said hem insert, and returning said garment part to its original length by a corresponding downward turn of said hem insert, and wherein said hem insert flexes outwardly within said hem to promote and retain the circumferential shape of said cuff.   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable length garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said flexible strip is fabricated of a material selected from a group consisting of woven and nonwoven fabrics. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable length garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said flexible strip is fabricated of a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, nylon, neoprene, and vinyl. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable length garment according to  claim 11 , wherein the opposing longitudinal edges of said flexible strip are substantially parallel. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable length garment according to  claim 11 , wherein the length of said flexible strip is at least  5  times greater than the width of said flexible strip. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable length garment according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one end of said flexible strip is rounded to facilitate insertion into the hem of the garment part. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable length garment according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one end of said flexible strip is tapered. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable length garment according to  claim 11 , wherein at least one major surface of said flexible strip comprises a coating. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable length garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said cuff is formed in said garment part by turning said hem insert inwardly at the hem. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable length garment according to  claim 11 , wherein said cuff is formed in said garment part by turning said hem insert outwardly at the hem.