U.S. patent application number 11/414665 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-08 for convertible outerwear garment with thermal insulation.
Invention is credited to David Eisenhuth.
Application Number | 20070050882 11/414665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37215546 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070050882 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Eisenhuth; David |
March 8, 2007 |
Convertible outerwear garment with thermal insulation
Abstract
A garment for use by outdoors persons permits mobility and
includes an integral foot and leg warming tubular bag section that
is readily deployed without requiring removal of the garment. The
garment including integral foot and leg warming tubular bag section
may be carried initially in a bundle at the small of the back using
straps in much the same manner as a fanny pack. The user unfastens
and then drops the foot and leg warming tubular bag section of the
garment to the floor, where a closure is provided to enable the
bottom of the bag to be sealed around the legs and the feet. Once
deployed and sealed, the bottom portion of the bag works much like
a sleeping bag to conserve the body's heat.
Inventors: |
Eisenhuth; David;
(Mifflinburg, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCQUAIDE BLASKO
811 UNIVERSITY DRIVE
STATE COLLEGE
PA
16801
US
|
Family ID: |
37215546 |
Appl. No.: |
11/414665 |
Filed: |
April 28, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60675451 |
Apr 28, 2005 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 15/04 20130101;
A41D 15/00 20130101; A41D 13/00 20130101; A41D 2400/422
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/069 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00 |
Claims
1. A convertible outerwear garment, comprising: (a) a suit body
having an upper collar opening for surrounding the neck of the
wearer with the suit body extending downwardly from the collar
opening to a generally horizontal open bottom or distal edge of the
suit body for surrounding the legs of the wearer; (b) said suit
body having left and right arm openings each on a respective side
of the suit body below said collar opening and carrying left and
right sleeves or suit arms sewn into said arm openings at seams
each surrounding a respective one of the arm openings; (c) wherein
said convertible garment is a one piece garment including an
integral, unitary leg warming bag having an open distal end; said
integral leg warming bag dimensioned to be extendable for
surrounding and enveloping the feet and legs of a wearer; (d) said
integral unitary leg warming bag's open distal end including a
closure, fastener or zipper that is conveniently closed when the
wearer's feet and legs are enveloped within said leg bag; (e)
wherein said leg bag's closure is arranged such that the lower or
distal end of the leg bag is closable or openable to define a
distal tubular opening or flap with the bottom edge extending to a
position depending from the bottom edge of garment, and (f) wherein
said bag's opening is operable to permit the bag's bottom edge to
be bunched or rolled and moved to a stored position around the
wearer's waist.
2. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 1, further comprising
an insulated hood, said hood being attached to and carried by said
collar opening to be engageable over the head of a wearer.
3. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 2, wherein said suit
body, suit arms and hood comprise an insulating fleece, down, or
other high-loft fiber material.
4. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 3, wherein said suit
body preferably has a front opening extending distally from the
proximal collar opening toward the bottom edge; said front opening
being closable by a manually operable closure member.
5. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 1, wherein said
integral foot and leg warming tubular bag section is readily
deployed without requiring removal of said garment's suit body.
6. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 1, wherein said
integral foot and leg warming tubular bag section is carried
initially in a bundle around the waist using straps in the same
manner as a fanny pack.
7. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 1, wherein said suit
body includes an opening in a rear portion thereof for receiving a
harness, a strap or other apparatus.
8. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 1, further comprising
a protective face shield, said face shield being attached to and
carried by said collar opening to be engageable over the face, head
and neck of a wearer.
9. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 1, wherein the distal
end of said integral foot and leg warming tubular bag section
comprises a planar configuration for allowing standing or movement
thereon by a wearer.
10. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 1, wherein said left
and right suit arms are flared or oversized for increasing
circulation of warm air to a wearer's appendages.
11. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 1, wherein said
garment is bunched or rolled and stored in a pocket proximate the
bottom edge of said integral foot and leg warming tubular bag.
12. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 11, wherein said
stored garment is carried in a bundle at the small of the back
using straps in the same manner as a fanny pack.
13. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 1, wherein said
integral foot and leg warming tubular bag section includes a
drawstring, an elastic strap or other adjustable closure member
adapted to be fitted over hips, knees, legs or feet of a
wearer.
14. The convertible outerwear garment of claim 1, wherein said
integral foot and leg warming tubular bag section includes a
compartment having retractable material for adding length to the
garment to provide a modified fit for a wearer.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/675,451 filed Apr. 28, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to clothing for use by
outdoors persons and others needing protection from cold or
inclement weather. More particularly, the invention relates to
clothing for use by outdoors persons that permits mobility and
protects the wearer's upper and lower extremities.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] Hunters, fishermen, military personnel and other outdoors
persons often hike into remote locations in cold or inclement
weather and then engage in an activity requiring little or no
movement, such as sitting in and hunting from a tree stand or
sitting while ice fishing or conducting surveillance. The sedentary
portion of such activities can last for several hours, and if the
weather is cold, discomfort or hypothermia can be a problem.
[0006] In the past, outdoors persons who hiked, climbed, fished or
hunted required protective coverings to keep them dry and
relatively warm. As such, these individuals usually wore weather
protection covering at least part of the upper body, but their
lower extremities usually remained exposed.
[0007] Outdoors persons have also relied on articles such as
sleeping bags and blankets for enhanced cold weather protection.
Such articles, however, are cumbersome and inconvenient to carry,
stow and use. Moreover, these articles frequently impede and
detract from the activity being engaged in, and are not suited for
use while an individual is standing or in motion.
[0008] Prior art multi-purpose garments such as those described in
U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,362 provide a single article which could be
arranged in different modes to provide an anorak (short coat)
covering the upper body and a backpack, a cagoule (long coat)
protecting the legs in addition to the body while wearing a
backpack, a tent for a single occupant, a summer shelter for a
single person with a netted opening, as well as a hammock. Such
garments have not found widespread acceptance in the marketplace,
however, perhaps because they incorporate too many features which
serve no purpose in most practical situations, and so add
unnecessary weight.
[0009] A variety of articles styled as emergency garments have been
proposed for avoiding hypothermia, but they are often packaged as
temporary or single use "space blanket" type products, and so do
not meet the needs of the outdoorsman seeking a durable, versatile
garment that can be used day after day.
[0010] There is a need, therefore, for a garment for use by mobile
outdoors persons which includes a feature that can protect the
user's lower extremities and which may be repeatedly deployed as
needed, preferably without requiring removal of the garment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the
shortcomings of the prior art by providing a durable garment
permitting mobility and including a convenient facility to protect
the user's lower extremities. Another object of the present
invention is to provide an anorak or upper body section in
conjunction with an imperforate garment extension to envelope the
user's lower extremities, wherein the garment can be repeatedly
deployed as needed, preferably without requiring removal
thereof.
[0012] A garment for use by outdoorsmen permits mobility and
includes an integral foot and leg warming tubular bag section that
is readily deployed without requiring removal of the garment. In
use, the garment may be slipped over the head (through a collar
opening) or stepped into (via a leg opening). With the anorak or
upper body section in place, the user deploys the leg warming
tubular bag section of the garment by unfastening and then dropping
the tubular bag section to the floor, where a closure is provided
to enable the bottom of the bag to be sealed around the legs and
the feet. Once deployed and sealed, the bottom portion of the bag
works much like a sleeping bag to conserve the body's heat.
[0013] When not in use, the garment may be bunched or rolled and
conveniently stored in a reversible pocket proximate the bottom
edge of garment's integral leg warming tubular bag section for easy
retrieval by the user. Once stowed, the garment may be carried in a
bundle at the small of the back using straps in much the same
manner as a fanny pack.
[0014] The multipurpose garment is well suited for use by military
personnel, emergency management crews, disaster victims and relief
teams, sports enthusiasts and active sportsmen such as hikers,
hunters or fishermen when walking to remote locations, sleeping
outdoors, conducting surveillance or observing sporting events,
especially during cold or inclement weather. The garment is a full
body enclosure that conserves the body heat of a wearer and
simultaneously shields the wearer from the elements and
environmental contaminants.
[0015] The garment includes an opening proximate the bottom edge of
an elongated integral leg warming tubular bag section that is
readily deployed without requiring that the outdoorsman remove the
garment.
[0016] The garment may be carried initially in a bundle at the
small (and bottom) of the back using straps in much the same manner
as a fanny pack. Once partly unrolled, the garment is configured as
a parka or anorak having hand warmer pockets and the integral leg
warming tubular bag section defines the remainder of the
garment.
[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the integral leg warming tubular
bag section terminates at a lower or distal end in an opening that
is held at waist or thigh level, when not deployed by buckles, hook
and loop fasteners or Fastex.TM. style buckles. The leg warming
tubular bag section opening is preferably closable using a zipper,
drawstring or other closure to define a closed bag end, and the
overall length of the garment is selected for a given size, such
that a bag for a medium sized male user may extend six feet from
the proximal or upper end of the hood to the distal or lower end of
the closed bag end. When closed off using the zipper, drawstring or
other closure, the bottom of the bag is sealed around the legs and
the feet, and so insulates the user's lower extremities much like a
sleeping bag to conserve the body's heat.
[0018] The anorak or upper body section preferably includes a
thermally insulated hood and sleeves. In a preferred embodiment
adapted for military personnel, emergency management crews,
disaster relief teams, hunters using tree-stands or the like, the
upper section includes a slot or hole in the back, between the
shoulder blades, adapted to pass a safety harness, a strap or other
apparatus to be carried.
[0019] When deploying the leg warming portion, the user unfastens
the buckles, or hook and loop fasteners or Fastex.TM. style buckles
and then drops the leg warming portion (or tubular bag section) of
the bag to the floor, where the zipper is provided to enable the
bottom of the bag to be sealed around the legs and the feet. Once
deployed and sealed, the bottom portion of the bag works much like
a sleeping bag to conserve the body's heat, especially when seated
or reclined. In a further embodiment, the leg warming tubular bag
section includes an elastic strap, drawstring or other adjustable
closure member that permits the bottom of the bag to be fitted
about the hips, the knees, the legs or the feet of the user. The
adjustable closure is pulled taut to hold the tubular bag section
in place at the position desired by the user.
[0020] The above and still further features and advantages of the
present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the
following detailed description of a specific embodiment thereof,
particularly when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals in the various figures
are utilized to designate like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a side/rear view, in elevation, of a user wearing
a convertible garment as an anorak, with the integral leg warming
section rolled or bunched around the user's waist, in accordance
with the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a side/rear view, in elevation, of a user carrying
the convertible garment of FIG. 1 with the suit body and integral
leg warming sections rolled or bunched behind the user's back, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a front view, in elevation, of a user wearing the
convertible garment of FIGS. 1 and 2 as an anorak, with the
integral leg warming section rolled or bunched around the user's
waist, in accordance with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a front view, in elevation, of a user wearing the
convertible garment of FIGS. 1-3 as an anorak, with the integral
leg warming section un-rolled and partially extended to partially
cover the user's legs. In FIG. 4, user is also shown wearing the
protective face shield in accordance with the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a front view, in elevation, of a user wearing the
convertible garment of FIGS. 14 as an anorak, with the integral leg
warming section un-rolled and extended to cover the user's legs, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a front view, in elevation, of a seated user
wearing the convertible garment of FIGS. 1-4 as an anorak, with the
integral leg warming section extended and closed to envelop the
user's legs and feet, in accordance with the present invention.
[0027] FIGS. 7-12 are front and rear views, in elevation, of
preferred embodiments of the convertible garment, in accordance
with the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 13 depicts front views, in elevation, of the integral
leg warming section of convertible garment with a compartment
having retractable material for adding length to the convertible
garment, in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-13, convertible outerwear garment 20
includes a suit body or anorak section 22 having an upper collar
opening 24 for surrounding the neck of the wearer with the suit
body extending downwardly from the collar opening 24 to a generally
horizontal open bottom or distal edge 26 of the suit body for
surrounding the legs of the wearer. In the embodiment illustrated
in FIGS. 7-12, an optional insulated hood 28 is attached to and
carried by collar opening 24 so as to be engageable over the head
of the wearer. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 depicts an
optional face shield 54 attached to and supported by collar opening
24 so as to be engageable over the face, head and neck of the
wearer for optimal protection. Convertible outerwear garment 20
with integral face shield 54 is a full body enclosure that
conserves the body heat of the wearer, and simultaneously protects
the wearer from inclement weather and environmental
contaminants.
[0030] Suit body 22 has left and right arm openings 30, 32 each on
a respective side of the suit body below collar opening 24 and left
and right sleeves or suit arms 34, 36 are sewn into arm openings
30, 32 at seams each surrounding a respective one of the arm
openings. In a preferred embodiment, suit body 22 and left and
right suit arms 34, 36 are flared or slightly oversized in design,
increasing the circulation of warm air to the wearer's appendages.
In the illustrated embodiment, suit body 22, suit arms 34, 36, hood
28 and leg bag 40 are lined with or comprise an insulating material
such as polyester fleece, down, PrimaLoft.RTM., Thinsulate.TM. or
other high-loft fiber component. It will be appreciated that the
material selected for insulating convertible outerwear garment 20
may be varied in accordance with the needs of a particular
application or user preference.
[0031] Suit body 22 preferably has a front opening 38 extending
distally from the proximal collar opening toward the bottom edge;
front opening is preferably closable by a manually operable closure
member such as a zipper or buttons.
[0032] Convertible garment 20 is a self contained, one piece
garment including an integral or unitary leg warming section or leg
bag 40 having a sewn or attached upper end and which is open at
bottom 41 proximate distal end 26 so that the only opening is at
the lower end for surrounding and enveloping the feet and legs of
the wearer (as shown in FIGS. 4-6). Leg bag 40 has a closure,
fastener or zipper 42 that is conveniently configured to close
opening 41 when the wearer's feet and legs are enveloped within leg
bag 40. Leg bag closure or zipper 42 is arranged such that the
lower or distal end of the leg bag is closable or openable to
define a distal tubular opening flap with the bottom edge extending
to a position depending from the bottom edge 26 of garment 20. Leg
bag zipper 42 is arranged and also operable to permit the bottom
edge 26 to be bunched or rolled and moved to a stored position
around the wearer's waist, as best seen in FIG. 1.
[0033] Advantageously, the bottom of the tubular bag section 40 is
durable and flattened or planar in configuration to allow the
wearer to stand or move about thereon. When not in use, the garment
20 including integral leg warming tubular bag section 40 may be
bunched or rolled and conveniently stored in a reversible pocket 58
proximate the rear, bottom edge of garment's tubular bag section 22
for easy retrieval by the wearer. Once stowed within the reversible
pocket 58, garment 20 may be carried in a bundle at the small of
the back using straps in much the same manner as a fanny pack.
[0034] Garment 20 includes integral foot and leg warming tubular
bag section 40 that is readily deployed without requiring removal
of garment's anorak section 22. Foot and leg warming tubular bag
section 40 may be carried initially in a bundle around the wearer's
waist using straps in much the same manner as a fanny pack, as best
seen in FIG. 2.
[0035] Garment 20 preferably includes left and right pockets as
well as hand warmer pockets 50. The left and right pockets
preferably comprise mesh or other perforate material that permits
the circulation of warm air from body warming, air activated
(optional) heat packs contained within the pockets. In extreme
cold, the heat packs can be placed in garment's 20 left and/or
right pockets to conserve the wearer's body heat. Likewise, body
cooling, air activated cold packs may be placed in garment's 20
left and/or right pockets to reduce the wearer's body temperature
in temperate conditions.
[0036] In use, garment 20 may be slipped over the head (through
collar opening 24) or stepped into (via leg opening 41). The user
or wearer deploys the leg warming section 40 by unfastening and
then dropping the foot and leg warming tubular bag section 40 of
garment 20 to the floor, where closure 42 enables the bottom of the
bag 26 to be sealed around the user's legs and the feet, as best
seen in FIG. 6. Once deployed and sealed, the garment 20 works much
like a sleeping bag to conserve the body's heat.
[0037] Garment 20 is well suited for use by military personnel,
emergency management crews, disaster victims or relief teams, or
active sportsmen such as hikers, hunters or fishermen when walking
to remote locations, sleeping outdoors, or conducting surveillance,
especially during cold or inclement weather. Thus, garment 20
includes a closable opening 41 proximate the bottom edge 26 of
elongated integral leg warming tubular bag section 40, and that
extension is readily deployed without requiring that the
outdoorsman remove the garment.
[0038] The convertible outerwear garment 20 may be carried
initially in a bundle at the small of the back using straps in much
the same manner as a fanny pack, as shown in FIG. 2. Once partly
unrolled, the garment 20 is configured as a parka or anorak having
hand warmer pockets 50, and the integral leg warming tubular bag
section 40 defines the remainder of the garment 20. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 7, the furled leg warming tubular bag section 40 may be
conveniently carried around the wearer's waist.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the integral leg warming tubular
bag section 40 terminates at a lower or distal end 26 in an opening
that is held at waist or thigh level, when not deployed by buckles,
hook and loop fasteners or Fastex.TM. style buckles 52. The leg
warming tubular bag section's distal opening 41 is preferably
closable using a zipper or other closure to define a closed bag
end, and the overall length of the garment 20 is selected for a
given size, such that a bag for a medium sized male user may extend
six feet from the proximal or upper end of the hood to the distal
or lower end 26 of the closed bag end. A smaller child's size may
be scaled to fit a child of smaller size, extending, for example,
approximately 42 inches from hood 28 to distal edge for a garment
20 intended for a young child. It will be appreciated that the
convertible outerwear garment 20 may be suitably sized and scaled
to accommodate persons of varying height and girth.
[0040] When closed off using the zipper or other closure, the
bottom of the bag 26 is sealed around the legs and the feet, and so
insulates the user's lower extremities to conserve the user's body
heat. In another embodiment, the leg warming tubular bag section 40
includes an elastic strap, drawstring or other adjustable closure
member that permits the bottom of the bag 26 to be fitted about the
hips, the knees, the legs or the feet of the user. The adjustable
closure is pulled taut to hold the tubular bag section 40 in place
at the position selected by the user.
[0041] The anorak or upper body section 22 preferably includes a
thermally insulated hood 28 and thermally insulated sleeves 34, 36
terminating in knit cuffs. In a preferred embodiment adapted for
military personnel, emergency management crews, disaster victims or
relief teams, or hunters using tree-stands and the like, suit body
or upper section 22 includes a slot or hole in the back, between
the sleeves 34, 36, adapted to pass a safety harness, a strap or
other apparatus to be carried.
[0042] In use, when deploying the leg warming portion 40, the user
unfastens the buckles, or hook and loop fasteners or Fastex.TM.
style buckles 52 and then drops the leg warming portion (or tubular
bag section) of the bag to the floor (as best seen in FIGS. 4 and
5), where the zipper 42 is provided to enable the bottom of the bag
26 to be sealed around the legs and the feet. Once deployed and
sealed, the bottom portion of the bag 26 insulates and conserves
the user's body's heat when seated or reclined (as shown in FIG.
6).
[0043] It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the
present invention provides a durable, convertible garment 20,
permitting mobility and including a convenient extendable leg
covering 40 to protect the user's lower extremities. Convertible
garment 20 also provides a convenient and durable garment extension
40 to envelope and insulate the user's lower extremities, and which
is readily deployed over and over again, without requiring removal
of the garment 20.
[0044] As an option, the integral foot and leg warming tubular bag
section 40 of garment may include a closable pouch, compartment or
other means for stowing, in a retracted position, auxiliary
extendable material 56 (e.g., four inches or greater) for adding
length to the garment 20 to provide a customized fit for persons of
exceptional height. As shown in FIG. 13, when it is desired to
utilize auxiliary, retractable material, the material 56 is
retrieved from the interior of closable compartment, sewn to leg
bag 40, and is extended to its full operational length. Once the
compartment is vacated, the auxiliary material 56 assumes its fully
extended position for providing full body coverage to a person of
greater than average size. When not in use, retractable material 56
is compressed and returned to its compartment, where it is secured
by a manually operable closure member such as a zipper, preferably
configured to facilitate ease of storage.
[0045] It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the
multipurpose, self-contained, convertible outerwear garment 20 has
myriad uses. The garment 20 conserves the body heat of the wearer
and simultaneously provides the wearer with full body protection
from environmental contaminants, cold weather and other unfavorable
conditions. The convertible garment 20 is particularly suited for
use by outdoors persons such as military personnel, emergency
management crews, disaster victims or relief teams, and sportsmen
when walking to remote locations, sleeping outdoors or conducting
surveillance, especially during inclement weather. Convertible
garment 20 is also useful to persons who are unanticipatedly
exposed to extreme weather (e.g., stranding due to vehicular
failure), persons observing outdoor sporting events or persons
simply enjoying the beauty of a clear, crisp winter's night.
[0046] Having described preferred embodiments of a new and improved
method, it is believed that other modifications, variations and
changes will be suggested to those skilled in the art in view of
the teachings set forth herein. It is therefore to be understood
that all such variations, modifications and changes are believed to
fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *