Device for gathering and retaining a portion of a fabric
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The predent invention relates to a device to gather and stably retain a portion of a fabric article in the gathered position. 
     BACKGROUND AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device for the stable retention of elastic or non-elastic ribbon-shaped or cord-shaped elements slidably mounted within a seating formed on a portion of a woven or non-woven fabric article in order to cause gathering and fastening of a portion of the fabric article. The present invention can be applied to linen or fabric clothing articles where gathering and fastening is desired. Heretofore known fastening elements such as buttons and buttonholes, buckles, hooks and eyes, hooks, self-adhesive fasteners, knotting and snap-fasteners, etc. are not suitable in certain cases to obtain gathering of fabric due to bulk, thickness, deterioration or especially due to the inconvenient, non-instantaneous nature of fastening and release obtained therewith. 
     The main object of the present invention is to provide a retention device which is simple to construct, easy to use and has great functional reliability, and which also allows the user to easily restore the gathered fabric article to its initial ungathered condition. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To attain this object the present invention embodies a device for gathering a portion of a woven or non-woven fabric article, such as an item of linen or clothing, and for retaining such portion in the gathered position. The device consists of two ribbon-shaped or cord-shaped elements slidable within a seating formed between fabric layers on the article. The ribbon-shaped or cord-shaped elements consist of a first elongated element fastened at one end to the article to be gathered within the seating and connected to a second elongated element protruding freely from the seating. The connection between the first and second elements is effected at two spaced apart points on the two elements such that the portion of one of the elements between the two points is longer than the corresponding portion of the other element. The longer portion has a first rigid lamina at least partially fastened to it. 
     The first rigid lamina assumes an unlocked position against the shorter element portion between the element connection points and be may held in this position by a second rigid lamina fastened between the first and second ribbon- or cord-shaped elements. 
     In use, as the second element is pulled out of the seating a portion of the fabric article is gathered and the first lamina separates fron the second lamina. The second element may thereafter be relaxed with the device in the gathered position such that the first lamina engages the front edge of the fabric defining the opening of the seating to hold the first ribbon- or cord-shaped element in the pulled or extended position, thereby holding the fabric article in the gathered position. The gathered fabric may be released by again pulling on the second element to disengage the first rigid lamina from the seating edge and subsequently relaxing the second and, consequently, first elongated elements while urging the first lamina away from engagement with the front edge of the seating opening and into the seating. The first rigid lamina may also be re-engaged with the second lamina. 
     It will be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description as well are exemplary and explanatory of the invention but are not restrictive thereof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The functional and structural characteristics and advantages of a device according to the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention, and from the attached drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first preferred embodiment according to the present invention with parts of the device disposed within the seating and, therefore, hidden from view shown in phantom; 
     FIG. 2 is a sectional view in the direction of the line II--II of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the element of FIG. 1 shown operationally actuated and locked; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view in the direction of the line IV--IV of FIG. 3; and 
     FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view similar to FIGS. 2 and 4 of a second preferred embodiment according to the present invention, showing an alternate lamina construction. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the drawings, a woven or non-woven fabric article 10, such as item of linen or clothing, is provided with a strip-like portion of covering fabric 9 forming a seating 11 adapted to receive a first elastic ribbon-shaped element 12 fastened at one end 22 to the fabric article. A second ribbon-shaped element 13 is fastened to the first elastic element 12. The second element may be elastic or non-elastic and, together with a rigid lamina 14, completes the retention device 15 according to the present invention. A portion 16 of the second element 13 is partially secured to the lamina 14, leaving free only one end 17 of the lamina. 
     The two elongated elements 12 and 13 partially overlap and are fastened to each other at at least two points 18 and 19. At point 18 a small lock-lamina 20 is secured between elements 12 and 13. 
     The overlapping portion 16 of the second element 13 disposed between points 18 and 19 must be longer than the overlapping portion 21 of the first elastic element 12 between points 18 and 19. Lamina 14 can have a length at most equal to that of elastic portion 21, but definitely less than the length of portion 16. 
     The joining of the different portions and materials provided herein is effected by sewing, seaming, glueing or in other known ways, depending upon the material used. 
     The ribbon-shaped elements 12 and 13 may be cord-like elements, tapes, strips or the like adapted to be disposed within a sleeve or seating provided on fabric items such as linen or clothing to provide stable gathering and retention of portions of the fabric. 
     In use, a retention device according to the present invention, as described, functions in the following way. 
     In the non-operative position the device 15 appears as shown as in FIGS. 1 and 2, i.e. concealed within the seating 11 with the fabric article ungathered. 
     To cause the fabric article 10 to adhere perfectly to an article or person encased thereby (not shown), the fabric 10 and related cover strip 9 are caused to gather by pulling the free end of the second ribbon-shaped element 13 protruding from seating 11. As this force is exerted the first element held within seating 11 is substantially withdrawn from seating 11. During exertion of this pulling force portion 21 of the elastic element 12 lengthens until it is equal in length to portion 16 of element 13, permitting lamina 14 to unlatch from lock-lamina 20. 
     As element 13 is subsequently released, elastic portion 21 resiliently resumes its initial dimension. The combined resiliency of the elastic portion 21 and the pulling force transmitted to lamina 14 by portion 16 cause lamina 14 attached to portion 16 of ribbon-shaped element 13 to move away from lock-lamina 20. End 17 of lamina 14 then engages the front edge of element 9 at the entry of seating 11, becoming locked in the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to secure the fabric article 10 in the gathered position. 
     To release the device 15 from the gathered position element 13 is again pulled and lamina 14 is disengaged from the front edge of the open end of the seating 11. End 17 of lamina 14 is then pushed below the lock-lamina 20 and the second ribbon-shaped element 13 is released. Element 13, drawn by the elastic ribbon-shaped element 12, re-enters the seating 11, drawing the retention device 15 into the seating (See FIGS. 1 and 2). 
     Alternatively, lock-lamina 20 can be omitted, and re-entry of the retention device 15 into the seating 11 can be aided and caused to occur by the user. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a second preferred embodiment of the present invention also having laminas 14 and 20, but wherein the portion 16 is divided into two parts: a first part 22 which enwraps the lamina 14 and a second part 23 which enwraps the lock-lamina 20. The device according to this embodiment operates in the same manner previously described in relation to the first preferred embodiment, both as to retention and disengagement of the device. 
     The gathering and retention device according to the present invention can, for example, be used with advantage in covers adapted to protect or otherwise enclose finished articles, or in clothing articles such as windbreakers to obtain good closure and adherence to the body of the wearer. 
     To the extent not already indicated, it also will be understood by those of skill in the art that any of the various specific embodiments herein described and illustrated may be further modified to incoporate features shown in any of the other specific embodiments, as described. 
     The invention in its broader aspects therefor is not limited to the specific embodiments herein shown and described but departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the accompanying claims, without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.