WO2010029382A1

WO2010029382A1 - Combination of a shirt and religious garment

Info

Publication number: WO2010029382A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/002380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yehoshua Mandell
Original assignee: Yehoshua Mandell
Priority date: 2008-09-09
Filing date: 2008-09-09
Publication date: 2010-03-18

Abstract

The present invention describes a novel combination of an outer garment shirt while also serving at the same time as a religious garment which is known in Jewish religious law, or Halakah as tzitzioth which are and have been worn by religious Jewish men since the time of Moses. The garment appears as a stylish and fashionable shirt of various designs, materials, and colors; while at the same time complying with strict Jewish religious code as a religious garment.

Description

Combination of a Shirt and Religious Garment

The present disclosure pertains to a fashion garment which serves the purpose of being both a fashionable and stylish shirt as well as a Jewish religious garment which meets strict Jewish religious code as set forth in the Torah (the five books of Moses). The garment must have 4 corners in which fringes are attached to each of the 4 corners according to Jewish religious code.

BACKROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to garments and, in particular, it concerns a tzitzioth garment construction about 2/3 or more open on the sides, but appearing closed.

The four-cornered tzitzioth garment is commonly worn as an undergarment, traditionally worn by men. The four-cornered tzitzioth garment has undergone very little in the way of basic construction or design change over many years, perhaps centuries.

It should be noted that in substantially all prior art, a "four-cornered" tzitzioth garment comprises a garment of no less, and no more, than four corners, with the corners being constructed at a ninety degree angle. Likewise, all prior patent art relating to garments with tzitzioth, tallit, tallitoth, tallis, tallisim, contemplate a four-cornered item with a squared, ninety degree angulation of the four corners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION AND BACKROUND OF PRIOR ART

Most traditionally this 4-cornered tzitzioth garment has been constructed from a simple 4-cornered acceptable piece of material with an ample circle cut out in center as a hole through which the wearer's head may pass, thus allowing the full portion of material to simply drape down, falling against the wearer's body when the garment is placed on as an undergarment. The garment is fully open along all sides, with the tzitzioth (Fringes) having been appropriately attached before the garment is worn.

The "4-cornered" tzitzioth garment is commonly worn as an undergarment.

For various reasons, social, ethnic, or otherwise, modern day activity has exempted the choice of a major portion of the Jewish population to wear the traditional 4-cornered tzitzioth garment. Though seen as serving an observant function to the Laws of Torah, the traditional garment has been put aside either as not being considered commonly needed in this "day and age", or as being uncomfortably cumbersome and "aesthetically undesirable." As an example, in all sorts of weather, winter and summer alike, an observant member of Israel commonly wears an undershirt and a traditional woolen tzitzioth garment over which both a conventional shirt and suit of choice is most normally added. This is especially uncomfortable in the summer months and in warm climates.

Now there is provided by the present invention a novel tzitzioth garment which has the requisite observant requirement features to adhere to the teachings of the To rah and yet provides a uniquely different outer garment which is aesthetically desirable, contemporary, and of fashionable appearance.

Specifically, the garment of the present invention is at least about two-thirds opened, in this example at the sides, but gives the appearance of fully encircling the wearer's body at the located areas of the opening.

Another present day problem with the tzitzioth garment, is that mechanical laundering damages the very specific requisite braiding of the fringes (tzitzioth). Traditionally, once the tzitzioth braiding is damaged, they require changing or the entire garment is considered not correctly useful; often then the entire garment is disposed of. Thus laundering has been necessarily done gently by hand to extend the life-expectancy of the tzitzioth garment and very inconvenient to wash the garment itself in a washing machine. The present invention also provides for protective laundering of the tzitzioth.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a garment with generally open construction and yet giving the appearance of encircling the body.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garment as aforesaid, which is a tzitzioth religious garment which adheres to strict Jewish religious law. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a tzitzioth garment as aforesaid which has the aesthetic acceptability of a contemporary shirt or outerwear fashion.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an inner pouch on the underside of the garment for the protective laundering of the tzitzioth in a washing machine. The inner pouch also serves as a means to be able to tuck the tzitzioth into pouch and to close the pouch; which in the prior art normally hang freely and are tucked into the pants of the wearer and are not visible to others. The object of this feature is that the wearer who prefers to wear the combination shirt tzitzioth garment and to let it hang freely on the outside of the pants, the tzitzioth are hidden from the view of others and therefore the wearer of the garment feels more comfortable and confident that he will not be ridiculed by others for wearing a religious garment which would draw undue attention to the person; especially in an environment of non Jews who may exhibit prejudicial behavior toward the wearer of a Jewish religious garment.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a garment which may be readily manufactured of any type and style of material, of contemporary appearance, and yet practical in wide everyday use by the wearer.

Summary of Invention

The present invention pertains to a fashion garment which serves the purpose of being both a fashionable and stylish shirt of various styles, colors, and materials; as well as a Jewish religious garment which meets strict Jewish religious code as set forth in the Torah (the five books of Moses). The garment must have 4 comers in which fringes are attached to each of the 4 corners according to Jewish religious code. Brief Description of Drawings

Figure # 1 shows the traditional tzitzioth garment which has been worn since the time of Moses till the present time.

Figure # 2 shows the present disclosure for a combination tzitzioth religious garment and button down shirt with its various elements.

Figure # 3 shows a close-up of Figure # 2 with its specific elements.

Figure # 4 shows the present disclosure for a combination tzitzioth religious garment in the form of a short sleeve tee-shirt with its various elements.

Figure # 5 shows the present disclosure as a photograph depicting the inside pouch of the garment in the open position.

Figure # 6 shows the present disclosure as a photograph depicting the inside pouch of the garment in the closed position.

Detailed description of the Invention

The present invention describes the construction of a combination tzitzioth religious garment and shirt Figure # 2 & 4 (element # 5) where about 2/3 or more of the sides of the shirt are open as this is the requirement of Jewish religious law Figure # 2 & 3 Element # 1 , but appearing closed when the buttons are secured to the button holes as shown in figure # 2 & 3 (element # 5). Figure # 2 & 3 also shows the construction of the inside pouch (element # 2) which serves a dual purpose for both the safe laundering of the garment in a washing machine without causing damage to the fringes attached to the 4 corners of the garment (element #3); and also serves the purpose of giving the option to the wearer of the garment to be able to tuck the tzitzioth (fringes) into the pouch and to close the pouch. This feature allows the wearer who prefers to wear the combination shirt tzitzioth garment and to let it hang freely on the outside of the pants in which the tzitzioth are hidden from the view of others and therefore the wearer of the garment feels more comfortable and confident that he will not be ridiculed by others for wearing a religious garment which would draw undue attention to the person; especially in an environment of non Jews who may exhibit prejudicial behavior toward the wearer of a Jewish religious garments. The current embodiment of this disclosure allows the design and manufacturing of this religious fashion garment in any color and from any material imaginable without limitations to one skilled in the art. For children and adults it also eliminates the need to purchase two separate garments thus saving money as well.

Claims

ClaimsWe claim:

1. A whole line of fashionable shirt garments of various styles and made of various materials and in numerous colors which serve as both an outer fashion garment and at the same time serves the purpose as a Jewish religious garment.

2. Said garment meets strict Jewish religious code as pertains to the religious garment known to Jews as tzitzioth.