U.S. patent application number 11/567679 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-12 for foldable garment with stowage bag.
Invention is credited to Barbara C. Kantor.
Application Number | 20080134408 11/567679 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39496226 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080134408 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kantor; Barbara C. |
June 12, 2008 |
FOLDABLE GARMENT WITH STOWAGE BAG
Abstract
A foldable garment with stowage bag is disclosed. In an
exemplary embodiment a foldable garment with stowage bag comprises
a front side connected to a back side by a substantially straight
seam. A top portion is connected to both the front side and the
back side by a substantially straight seam. A stowage bag is formed
on the back side. A user folds the front side over the back side
along the substantially straight seam connecting the front side to
the back side, and the user further folds the top portion over the
front side along the substantially straight seam connecting the top
portion to both the front side and the back side to neatly fold the
garment into the stowage bag.
Inventors: |
Kantor; Barbara C.;
(Boulder, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TRENNER LAW FIRM, LLC
12081 WEST ALAMEDA PARKWAY #163
LAKEWOOD
CO
80228
US
|
Family ID: |
39496226 |
Appl. No.: |
11/567679 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/102 ; 2/69;
224/577 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2400/422 20130101;
A41D 15/04 20130101; A45F 4/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/102 ; 224/577;
2/69 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/04 20060101
A41D001/04; A45F 4/00 20060101 A45F004/00; A41D 1/00 20060101
A41D001/00 |
Claims
1. A foldable garment with stowage bag comprising: a front side
connected to a back side by a substantially straight seam; a top
portion connected to both the front side and the back side by a
substantially straight seam; and a stowage bag formed on the back
side, wherein a user folds the front side over the back side along
the substantially straight seam connecting the front side to the
back side, and the user further folds the top portion over the
front side along the substantially straight seam connecting the top
portion to both the front side and the back side to neatly fold the
garment into the stowage bag, the seams serving as a guide to the
user for folding the garment within the stowage bag so that any
reflective material on the garment is preserved as a flat plane and
therefore serves as a better reflective surface when used as a
safety vest.
2. The garment of claim 1 wherein a closure mechanism for the
storage bag, the closure mechanism being only one of the following:
Velcro.RTM. or other hook-and-loop closure, a single zipper, at
least one button, at least one snap.
3. The garment of claim 1 wherein the garment is neatly folded into
the stowage bag with minimal wrinkles when the garment is removed
from the stowage bag.
4. The garment of claim 1 wherein the garment is a safety vest.
5. The garment of claim 4 wherein the garment is neatly folded into
the stowage bag while preserving a flat reflective plane of the
safety vest, wherein the flat reflective plane includes
substantially rectangular surfaces which are parallel to at least
one of the seams.
6. The garment of claim 1 wherein the garment stored in the stowage
bag fits readily within an automobile glove compartment while still
leaving space in the automobile glove compartment for other items
to fit within the automobile glove compartment.
7. The garment of claim 1 wherein the stowage bag is sized to
receive only the garment itself.
8. The garment of claim 1 wherein the stowage bag is free from any
loose handles and straps.
9. A method comprising: storing a safety vest within a stowage bag
formed in the safety vest itself; folding a front side of the
safety vest over a back side of the safety vest along a
substantially straight seam connecting the front side to the back
side: folding a top portion of the safety vest over the front side
along a substantially straight seam connecting the top portion to
both the front side and the back side to neatly fold the safety
vest into the stowage bag; and maintaining substantially flat
surfaces of the safety vest and reflective material on the safety
vest with minimal wrinkles during storing of the safety vest within
the stowage bag, the seams indicating to a user a desired method
for folding the safety vest.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising aligning at least one
substantially straight seam between opposite sides of a safety vest
when a user folds the safety vest.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising aligning at least one
substantially straight seam between a top portion of the safety
vest and the opposite sides of the safety vest when the user folds
the safety nest.
12. The method of claim 9 further comprising securing the stowage
bag shut with only one closure mechanism.
13. The method of claim 9 further comprising sizing the stowage bag
to fit readily within a standard automobile glove compartment.
14. The method of claim 9 further comprising sizing the stowage bag
to receive only the safety vest itself.
15. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing the stowage
bag without any handles or straps.
16. A garment system comprising: means for storing a garment within
in the garment itself; and means for maintaining substantially flat
surfaces of the garment with minimal wrinkles when the garment is
stored within the garment itself, the means including: guide means
for folding a front side of the garment over a back side of the
garment along a substantially straight seam connecting the front
side to the back side; and guide means for folding a top portion of
the garment over the front side along a substantially straight seam
connecting the top portion to both the front side and the back side
to neatly fold the garment into the stowage bag; and wherein
substantially flat surfaces of the garment and reflective material
on the garment are maintained with minimal wrinkles during storing
of the garment within the stowage bag, the seams indicating to a
user a desired method for folding the garment.
17. The garment system of claim 16 further comprising means for
aligning the garment for storage.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The described subject matter relates to garments, and more
particularly to a foldable garment with stowage bag.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Garments are available which incorporate stowage means into
the garment itself. However, these garments have one or more
drawbacks, as discussed further below.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,409 to De Lott discloses a garment that
requires inner and outer walls, and is therefore a large and bulky
garment. Stowing the garment according to the methods described by
De Lott would wrinkle it. In addition, the stowed garment would not
readily fit in an automobile glove box, the back of a motor cycle,
or other compartment.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,733 to Chang discloses a garment that
has hard sides, making it difficult if not impossible to fit within
an automobile glove box, the back of a motor cycle, or other
compartment. In addition, the garment would not be comfortable to
wear.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,998 to Book discloses a garment that is
complicated and expensive to produce. By way of example, it
requires a reverse action slide (zipper and reversible zipper pull)
and cannot be readily implemented with other forms of closure
(e.g., Velcro.RTM., a single zipper, buttons, snaps, etc.). In
addition, it requires two zippers and many other parts in order to
function.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,251 to Hopkins and U.S. Pat. No.
4,637,076 to Tartt, et al. both disclose a garment that is intended
to function as a purse or handbag for carrying other items.
Accordingly, it has loose bag handles that could potentially get
stuck to other items, e.g., when placed in an automobile glove box,
the back of a motor cycle, or other compartment.
SUMMARY
[0007] An exemplary embodiment of a foldable garment with stowage
bag may comprise a front side connected to a back side by a
substantially straight seam. A top portion is connected to both the
front side and the back side by a substantially straight seam. A
stowage bag is formed on the back side. A user folds the front side
over the back side along the substantially straight seam connecting
the front side to the back side, and the user further folds the top
portion over the front side along the substantially straight seam
connecting the top portion to both the front side and the back side
to neatly fold the garment into the stowage bag.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, a method may comprise
storing a safety vest within a stowage bag formed in the safety
vest itself, and maintaining substantially flat surfaces of the
safety vest with minimal wrinkles during storing of the safety vest
within the stowage bag.
[0009] Still other embodiments are contemplated, as set forth in
more detail below with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary garment with
stowage bag illustrated as it may be worn by a person.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a back view of the exemplary garment shown in FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of the exemplary garment shown in
FIG. 1 as the garment may be folded for storing in the stowage
bag.
[0013] FIG. 4 is shows the exemplary garment stored in the stowage
bag after it was folded as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Briefly, a foldable garment with a stowage bag may be
incorporated into the garment itself to help ensure that the
garment is available when it is needed. Although the stowage bag is
very small, the seams of the garment enable it to be neatly folded
and therefore it is not overly-wrinkled (or even not wrinkled at
all) when removed from the stowage bag.
[0015] For purposes of illustration, when the garment is a safety
vest that has been folded into integrated the stowage bag, it can
readily fit into an automobile glove box, on the back of a
motorcycle (bicycle, etc.), or other compartment (such as a purse
or handbag, backpack, etc.) without taking up too much space. The
safety vest can then be readily removed from the stowage bag and
unfolded when needed by the user. Having been neatly folded within
the stowage bag, any reflective material on the garment is
preserved as a flat plane and will therefore serve as a better
reflective surface when used as a safety vest.
[0016] Although various embodiments are described herein with
reference to a safety vest, it is noted that the garment is not so
limited. In other embodiments, the garment may be a shirt, a
jacket, or any other garment, for use by people, animals, pets,
etc., as will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill
in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary garment 10 with
stowage bag 12 illustrated as it may be worn by a person 14. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the garment 10 is a safety vest.
Although not limited to any particular style, the safety vest may
be made of a lightweight material (e.g., fabric, plastic, paper,
etc.) that readily fits over clothes the person 14 is wearing.
[0018] In addition, the safety vest may include one or more
reflective surfaces, such as the reflective surfaces 16a and 16b
shown in FIG. 1. Reflective surfaces 16a and 16b may be attached to
the garment 10 in any suitable manner, including but not limited
to, being sewn or glued onto the front side 18a, back side 18b
(FIG. 2), and/or top portion 18c of the garment 10. It is
preferably that these reflective surfaces be maintained
wrinkle-free (or at least substantially wrinkle-free) in order to
better maintain the reflective properties of the reflective surface
16a and 16b. Reflective surfaces that can be attached to clothing
are well-known and therefore further description is not needed
herein.
[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the stowage bag 12 is formed as
part of the garment 10 itself. That is, the stowage bag 12 is
formed on the garment 10 by adding a zipper 20 or other closure
mechanism (e.g., button(s), snap(s), Velcro.RTM. or other
hook-and-loop closure) directly to the garment 10 without the need
to provide additional side walls for the stowage bag 12. As such, a
portion of the garment 10 serves as the stowage bag 12, reducing
manufacturing costs, and reducing the overall size and weight of
the garment 10, along with increasing comfort when person 14 wears
the garment 10.
[0020] It is noted that although the stowage bag 12 is shown as it
may be formed in the back side 18a of the garment 10, in other
embodiments, the stowage bag 12 may be provided elsewhere on the
garment 10. It is also noted that in other embodiments, the stowage
bag 12 may be manufactured as a separate piece and attached to the
garment 10.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a back view of the exemplary garment 10 shown in
FIG. 1. When the garment 10 is not being worn by person 14 (e.g.,
as shown in FIG. 1), the garment 10 may be folded to fit within the
stowage bag 12 for storage and handling. For example, where the
garment 10 is a safety vest, the safety vest may be folded into the
stowage bag 12 and readily fit within a standard automobile glove
compartment (or other storage compartment in an automobile,
motorcycle, or other vehicle) without consuming all of the space
within the compartment (i.e., other items may still be stored
alongside the stowage bag 12).
[0022] Optionally, the stowage bag 12 may include a cover 21. In an
exemplary embodiment, cover 21 may be provided as a flat (e.g.,
attached to one side of the garment 10) to hide the stowage bag 12
when the garment 10 is being worn by person 14 and/or serve as
further protection to the garment 10 when the garment 10 is folded
within the stowage bag 12. The closure mechanism may be sewn (or
otherwise attached) to the cover 21 to cover the zipper tape or
other closure to make it look more refined and finished. The cover
21 can then be attached (e.g., sewn, glued, etc.) to the garment
10. Alternatively, the closure mechanism may be permanently
attached to the garment and then the cover 21 permanently attached
to the closure mechanism.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a front view of the exemplary garment 10 shown in
FIG. 1 as the garment 10 may be folded for storing in the stowage
bag 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the front side 18b may be
folded along a substantially straight seam 22a and 22b between the
front side 18b and the back side 18a. In addition, the top portion
18c may be folded onto the front portion 18b, also along a
substantially straight seam 22c.
[0024] Although not shown in FIG. 2, the lower portion of the
garment 10 (illustrated generally by reference arrow 24) may be
folded onto the upper portion of the garment 10 (illustrated
generally by reference arrow 26). The stowage bag 12 may then be
folded in half and the zipper 20 operated to close the stowage bag
12 around the folded garment 10.
[0025] It is noted that although the word "seam" is used herein to
describe an interface between two surfaces (e.g., between the back
side 18a and front side 18b, and between the top portion 18c and
front side 18b), the term "seam" should not be strictly construed
as only connecting separate surfaces. For example, the surfaces may
be manufactured from a single piece of fabric, but include a
natural fold line. In the exemplary embodiments described herein,
the natural fold line may be straight so as to enhance folding of
the garment 10 into the stowage bag 12.
[0026] Although not required, folding the garment 10 as just
described preserves the flat planes of reflective surfaces 16a and
16b even when the garment is folded into the stowage bag 12.
Accordingly, the garment 10 can be removed from the stowage bag 12
and unfolded such that the garment 10 and reflective surfaces 16a
and 16b are wrinkle-free (or at least substantially wrinkle-free).
Accordingly, the reflective surfaces 16a and 16b maintain a high
level of their reflective properties even after multiple and/or
long term storage in the stowage bag 12.
[0027] FIG. 4 is shows the exemplary garment 10 (e.g., as shown in
FIG. 1) stored in the stowage bag 12 after it was folded as
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. Although the garment 10 may
optionally include additional pockets, straps, handles, and/or one
or more hard sides, it is particularly advantageous that the
stowage bag 12 is configured without any additional pockets,
straps, or handles, has soft sides, and is substantially flat.
These features enable the stowage bag 12 to comfortably remain a
part of the garment 10 while being worn, and to fit readily in any
of a wide variety of different enclosures. For example, the safety
vest may also be configured to fit readily within a standard
automobile glove compartment (or other storage compartment in an
automobile, motorcycle, or other vehicle), purse, handbag,
backpack, pocket, or other enclosure.
[0028] In addition to the specific embodiments explicitly set forth
herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification
disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and
illustrated embodiments be considered as examples only.
* * * * *