Garment sizing system

Claim 1

A system for providing custom tailored garments for a customer comprising in combination: a measuring unit for gathering size data corresponding to said customer, said measuring unit adapted to be worn and including adjustable overlapping seams to enable said customer to obtain a proper fit and drape, said unit comprising, in combination: a plurality of means associated with said seams to hold the sizing unit in a fit desired by the wearer; and a plurality of indicia associated with said holding means to identify the positions of the seams as necessary to obtain said desired garment size; a data collection device for collecting input data comprising said size data, customer data corresponding to said customer, and product data corresponding to a made-to-order garment; a first data storage memory for storing said input data, said data storage memory defining a pending database for temporary storage of said input data, and a main database comprising a plurality of relational tables relating said customer data, said size data and said product data; a text output file containing a plurality of data records, each of said data records corresponding to an order for a made-to-order garment, each of said data records comprising at least one data field corresponding to garment sizing parameters; a data processing unit comprising a data processor, said data processor periodically transferring data from said pending database to said main database, generating said text output file, updating said text output file to include additional data records corresponding to additional customer orders, and supplying said text output file to pattern making software or an automated cutting table for cutting made-to-order garments.

Claim 2

A system for providing custom tailored garments for a customer comprising in combination: a measuring unit for gathering size data corresponding to said customer, said measuring unit adapted to be worn and including adjustable overlapping seams to enable said customer to obtain a proper fit and drape, said unit comprising, in combination: a plurality of means associated with said seams to hold the sizing unit in a fit desired by the wearer; and a plurality of indicia associated with said holding means to identify the positions of the seams as necessary to obtain said desired garment size; a data collection device for collecting input data comprising said size data, customer data corresponding to said customer, and product data corresponding to a made-to-order garment; a first data storage memory for storing said input data, said data storage memory defining a pending database for temporary storage of said input data, and a main database comprising a plurality of relational tables relating said customer data, said size data and said product data; a text output file containing a plurality of data records, each of said data records corresponding to an order for a made-to-order garment, each of said data records comprising at least one data field corresponding to garment sizing parameters; a data processing unit comprising a data processor, said data processor periodically transferring data from said pending database to said main database, generating said text output file, updating said text output file to include additional data records corresponding to additional customer orders, and supplying said text output file to pattern making software or an automated cutting table for cutting made-to-order garments.

Claim 14

A method for generating individually sized garments comprising the steps in combination of: forming at least one sizing garment for each of a plurality of sizes, said garment being partially finished and having at least one overlapping and open seam; placing a plurality of holding means at predetermined locations along said open seams, said sizing garment adjustable to a plurality of sizes; associating first indicia with each of said holding means to identify the position of said open and overlapping seams; measuring a customer with one of said sizing garments; receiving order information corresponding to said indicia on said sizing garment; receiving customer information; storing said order information and said customer information in a relational database in a computer memory; retrieving data from said relational database and creating a corresponding order instruction; storing said order instruction in an output file; updating said output file with additional order instructions; providing said output file to an automated cutting table.

Claim 15

A method for generating individually sized garments comprising the steps in combination of: forming at least one sizing garment for each of a plurality of sizes, said garment being partially finished and having at least one overlapping and open seam; placing a plurality of holding means at predetermined locations along said open seams, said sizing garment adjustable to a plurality of sizes; associating first indicia with each of said holding means to identify the position of said open and overlapping seams; measuring a customer with one of said sizing garments; receiving order information corresponding to said indicia on said sizing garment; receiving customer information; storing said order information and said customer information in a relational database in a computer memory; retrieving data from said relational database and creating a corresponding order instruction; storing said order instruction in an output file; updating said output file with additional order instructions; providing said output file to an automated cutting table.