Adjustable decorative drawstring
A drawstring for a garment includes fasteners for receiving select decorative elements. The length of the drawstring is such that when installed within a garment, only the decorative elements are exposed outside the garment. The fasteners and the drawstring reside within the garment and are therefore hidden from view. The drawstring can either be cut to a predetermined length, or can be provided in sections with structure to secure each section to each other at predetermined relative locations so that the overall length of the combine sections can be adjustable, as desired.
1 . An adjustable drawstring system comprising:
a first flexible elongated member, the first flexible elongated member including an open end and a securing end opposite from the open end of the first flexible elongated member;
a second flexible elongated member, the second flexible elongated member including an open end and a securing end opposite from the open end of the second flexible elongated member; and
a securing system fixed to the securing end of the first flexible elongated member, the securing system comprising at least one adjustable securing element being operable to selectively engage and secure to different portions of the securing end of the second flexible elongated member,
wherein the open end of the first flexible elongated member includes a first male mechanical fastener configured to be selectively attached to a first female mechanical fastener that is coupled to a first decorative element, and
wherein the open end of the second flexible elongated member includes a second female mechanical fastener configured to be selectively attached to a second male mechanical fastener that is coupled to a second decorative element.
2 . The adjustable drawstring system of claim 1 , wherein the securing system of the first flexible elongated member is selectively engaged to the securing end of the second flexible elongated member such that an effective length of the first flexible elongated member and the second flexible elongated member stretched from the open end of the first flexible elongated member to the open end of the second flexible elongated member is less than an entire length of a drawstring channel of a garment.
3 . The adjustable drawstring system of claim 1 , wherein:
the at least one adjustable securing element a tri-bar adjuster; and
the tri-bar adjuster is slidable along a length of the first flexible elongated member to adjust a position of the securing end of the first flexible elongated member relative to the securing end of the second flexible elongated member.
4 . The adjustable drawstring system of claim 1 , wherein:
the securing system is a first securing system; and
a second securing system is fixed to the securing end of the second flexible elongated member, the second securing system comprising a second adjustable securing element operable to selectively engage and secure to different portions of the securing end of the first flexible elongated member.
5 . The adjustable drawstring system of claim 4 , wherein:
the at least one adjustable securing element includes at least one male snap fastener; and
the second adjustable securing element includes at least one female snap fastener.
6 . The adjustable drawstring system of claim 4 , wherein:
the at least one adjustable securing element a first sliding element, the first sliding element including a first bore configured to slidably receive a length of the second flexible elongated member located between the open end and the securing end of the second flexible elongated member; and
the second adjustable securing element is a second sliding element, the second sliding element including a second bore configured to slidably receive a length of the first flexible elongated member located between the open end and the securing end of the first flexible elongated member.
7 . The adjustable drawstring system of claim 6 , wherein:
the first bore of the first sliding element has a first cross-sectional area;
the length of the second flexible elongated member has a second cross-sectional area; and
the second cross-sectional area is greater than or equal to the first cross-sectional area to provide kinetic frictional resistance while of the second flexible elongated member is pulled through the first bore of the first sliding element.
8 . The adjustable drawstring system of claim 6 , wherein the first sliding element further comprises a selectively activatable lock, the selectively activatable lock including an engagement surface for engaging a surface of the length of the second flexible elongated member to prevent movement of the length of the second flexible elongated member relative to the first sliding element.
9 . The adjustable drawstring system of claim 1 , wherein the second female mechanical fastener is configured to be selectively attached to the first male mechanical fastener such that the first flexible elongated member and the second flexible elongated member form a closed loop to remain attached to a garment during washing or storage.
10 . The adjustable drawstring system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first flexible elongated member is one of a cord, cable, string, band, ribbon, or a lace; and
the second flexible elongated member is one of a cord, cable, string, band, ribbon, or a lace.
11 . A garment including an opening configured to be cinched, the garment comprising:
a textile material secured together to form the opening, and including a drawstring channel extending along at least portion of a perimeter of the opening; and
the adjustable drawstring system of claim 1 received within the drawstring channel and having an effective length that is shorter than an entire length of the drawstring channel.