U.S. patent application number 12/413732 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-01 for convertible garment.
Invention is credited to Aryeh Weinreb.
Application Number | 20090241235 12/413732 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41114906 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090241235 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weinreb; Aryeh |
October 1, 2009 |
Convertible Garment
Abstract
The present invention provides a belt pack that is convertible
to a garment. When the garment is extended from an interior portion
of the belt pack, the belt pack is configurable to be turned
inside-out and is adapted to house the entire belt assembly of the
belt pack at a bottom end portion of the garment.
Inventors: |
Weinreb; Aryeh; (Monsey,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SONNABENDLAW
600 PROSPECT AVE
BROOKLYN
NY
11215
US
|
Family ID: |
41114906 |
Appl. No.: |
12/413732 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61072239 |
Mar 28, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/84 ; 2/338;
2/87; 2/93; 224/577 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 4/12 20130101; A41D
2400/424 20130101; A41D 15/04 20130101; A45F 3/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/84 ; 2/87;
2/93; 2/338; 224/577 |
International
Class: |
A41D 3/08 20060101
A41D003/08; A41D 3/04 20060101 A41D003/04; A41D 3/02 20060101
A41D003/02; A41F 9/00 20060101 A41F009/00; A45F 4/00 20060101
A45F004/00 |
Claims
1. A garment comprising: a belt pack having: i. a front portion;
ii. a back portion; iii. first and second opposed end portions with
each said end portion having an external portion; iv. an elongate
compartment having an elongate opening and an inner front and back
surface defined therewithin, and an outer front and back surface
defined therewithout; a belt clasping assembly attached to said
external end portions of said belt pack; a garment having front and
back panels wherein a portion of the garment is integrally joined
to a portion of said inner portion of said elongate compartment to
enable said garment to be secured to and folded into said elongate
compartment for storage, and said elongate compartment is
configured to be turned inside-out and is adapted to house the
entire belt clasping assembly at a bottom end portion of said
garment.
2. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongate
compartment is closeable and includes a closing assembly at the
opening of said elongate compartment for releasably closing and
opening said elongate compartment.
3. The garment as recited in claim 2 wherein said closing assembly
is a zipper assembly.
4. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein said garment is a rain
jacket having first and second sleeve portions and a hood
portion.
5. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein said belt clasping
assembly includes first and second belt members, each of which have
proximal ends and distal ends, said proximal ends being attached,
respectively, to said first and second opposed external belt pack
end portions.
6. The garment as recited in claim 5 wherein said first and second
belt members include interconnecting fastening means disposed at
said distal ends thereof.
7. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein said garment is
permanently secured the inner surface of said back panel in an
interior surface of said elongate compartment.
8. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein a bottom end portion
of said garment defines said elongate compartment of said belt
pack.
9. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein said garment defines
adjacent front panels having a closure assembly for detachably
engaging said front panels to each other.
10. A garment that is convertible to a belt pack, said garment
comprising a front panel integrally formed with a back panel
wherein a portion of the bottom end portion of the back panel
defines an elongate pocket, said elongate pocket includes opposing
first and second ends, an elongate interior compartment defining an
elongate opening extending between said first and second ends and
inner front and back surfaces defined within said elongate interior
compartment, a belt clasping assembly entirely disposed within said
elongate interior compartment whereby said inner front and back
portions of said elongate pocket are configurable to be turned
inside-out thereby forming a belt pack with said belt clasping
assembly extending from respective first and second ends of said
belt pack wherein said belt pack defines an elongate compartment
dimensioned to accommodate an entire portion of said garment.
11. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said elongate pocket
is closeable and includes a closing assembly for releasably closing
and opening said elongate pocket.
12. A garment as recited in claim 11 wherein said closing assembly
is a zipper assembly.
13. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said garment is a rain
jacket having first and second sleeve portions and a hood
portion.
14. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said belt clasping
assembly includes first and second belt members, each of which have
proximal ends and distal ends, said proximal ends being attached,
respectively, to said first and second opposed end portions of said
elongate pocket.
15. A garment as recited in claim 14 wherein said first and second
belt members include interconnecting fastening means disposed at
said distal ends thereof for removable attachment of said belt pack
about the mid-section of a person.
16. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said garment comprises
a windbreaker.
17. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said belt assembly is
length-adjustable.
18. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said front panel of
said garment defines adjacent front panels having a closure
assembly for detachably engaging said front panels to each
other.
19. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said closure assembly
provided on said adjacent panels is a zipper assembly.
20. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said garment is
comprised of water proof material.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Application claims benefit to Provisional Application
No. 61/072,239 filed Mar. 28, 2008 and incorporates the same herein
by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention generally relates to a convertible garment,
and more particularly to a convertible garment that converts from a
garment form to a stored form with integral storage
compartment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Rainwear, or more particularly, rain jackets have been used
for many years. Typically, rain jackets are made of a waterproof
material or made of a conventional material and layered with a
waterproof coating. Common waterproof materials used to manufacture
rain wear include rubber or state-of-the-art materials such as
GORE-TEX.RTM. or similar alternative. Waterproof-coated rainwear is
typically made of nylon or similar fabric and coated with an outer
layer of waterproof coating such as poly-vinyl chloride (PVC).
[0004] Rain jackets enable users to venture outdoors in the rain,
snow or sleet without the use of umbrellas and without getting wet.
Users of rain jackets include school children, hikers, and everyday
joggers, walkers and anyone who plans on being outdoors for a
sustained period of time.
[0005] Therefore, when one is in an outdoor environment it is often
highly desirable, especially when the weather conditions change
unexpectedly, to have ready access to an upper torso garment such
as a rain jacket, a poncho, or the like. However, people tend to
dress according to the weather conditions at the start of an
outdoor excursion, and do not always take the garment they need.
So, for example, if the weather is fair and warm, a person will
tend not wear an upper torso garment. Should the weather
subsequently become cold or stormy, the person will want to be able
to easily and conveniently put on a garment for warmth or
protection, and to avoid the possibility of succumbing to
hypothermia. Consequently, convenient and ready accessibility to
such garments is highly desirable. Conversely, a person may start
an outdoor excursion wearing a garment, and, should the weather
subsequently become warm or the precipitation end, the person will
want to be able to easily and conveniently remove the garment and
store it neatly and safely away without having to carry it by hand,
or in cumbersome separate bags, pouches, or the like.
[0006] Numerous attempts have been made in the prior art to provide
outer wear garments having self-contained carrier pockets or
similar type of self-containment members. In each of these
references, the individual is typically required to carry a
separate pack or pouch which houses the garment when the garment is
not being worn.
[0007] A popular type of carrier pack, commonly referred to as a
"fanny pack", is particularly convenient for activities where
unencumbered, hands free, outdoor movement is desired. These packs
are generally carried along the lower back, front or side of the
mid-section of an individual, and are held, for example, by an
adjustable belt. Common designs provide a pack of generally uniform
cross-section, with access to a storage compartment by one or more
zippers. However, because of the bulk coats and jackets, fanny pack
designs have a poor capability to accommodate them. In addition to
the above stated problem of utilizing fanny packs with existing
coats or jackets, an individual user must remember to carry both
the fanny pack and the garment.
[0008] As a result, if one inadvertently forgets to pack the fanny
pack with an appropriate garment, obviously such garment is not
available for later use. Moreover, if one starts out wearing the
garment, but forgets the fanny pack, or packs the fanny pack with
other items without leaving sufficient storage room for the
garment, the garment may not be stored in the fanny pack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides a belt pack that is
convertible to a garment. The belt pack is adapted to be secured
about the mid-section of a person. Certain embodiments include a
front portion, a back portion, first and second opposed end
portions with each end portion having an external portion.
[0010] Embodiments may further includes an elongate compartment
having an elongate opening and inner front and back surfaces
defined therewithin, and an outer front and back surface defined
therewithout. A belt clasping assembly may be provided and attached
to the external end portions of the belt pack and may be adapted
for removable attachment of the belt pack to a mid-section of a
person.
[0011] The belt pack may be integrally formed with a garment
adapted to be worn about an upper torso section of a person. The
garment may define front and back panels wherein a portion of the
garment is integrally joined to a portion of the inner portion of
the elongate compartment of the belt pack to enable the garment to
be secured to and folded within the elongate compartment for
storage.
[0012] The belt pack and the belt clasping assembly may function to
releasably secure the garment stored in the elongate compartment
about a mid-section of a person when the garment is folded within
the compartment for storage. When the garment is extended from the
elongate opening so as to be worn about a mid-section of a person,
the elongate compartment may be configurable to be turned
inside-out and may be adapted to form a pocket compartment for the
garment and is configured to house and conceal the entire belt
clasping assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The objects and features of the invention may be understood
with reference to the following detailed description of an
illustrative embodiment of the invention taken together with the
accompanying drawing in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the belt pack of
the present invention secured about the mid-section of a user
wherein the garment is in a stored condition in the pocket
compartment of the belt pack;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting the belt pack of FIG.
1 with the garment in a stored condition in the pocket
compartment;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the belt pack of FIG. 2
illustrating the garment fully folded and positioned within the
pocket compartment of the belt pack, with the closure mechanism of
the compartment in an open position;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the belt pack of FIG. 1
with the garment shown in an unfolded and extended position;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the belt pack of
FIG. 2 illustrating the pocket compartment of the belt pack being
turned inside-out so as to extract and extend the garment into an
extended position as depicted in FIG. 4;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 illustrating the
pocket compartment of the belt pack turned inside-out depicting a
belt closing member disposed in the inner portion of the pocket
compartment while the garment is in an extended position;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 illustrating the
garment in an extended and unfolded position with the pocket
compartment in an open position; and
[0021] FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 illustrating the
pocket compartment in a closed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the combination belt pack and garment,
generally designated at 10 and fitted to a user 100, is disclosed
and includes a pocket compartment 12 preferably having a single
garment 14 integrally associated therewith. In the embodiment shown
in FIGS. 1-4, the garment 14 is a hooded jacket. However, it is to
be appreciated that outwear garment 14 is not to be understood to
be limited to a hooded jacket but rather the term "garment" shall
be understood to include, among others, any upper torso garment,
such as a jacket, a wind breaker, a coat, a raincoat, a poncho, and
the like.
[0023] The pocket compartment 12 includes a main body portion 16
having opposing front 18 and a back surfaces 20 which together
define an interior main compartment 22. The main body portion 16
may be constructed from a single sheet of material folded on
itself, or from multiple panels cut to size and sewn or otherwise
connected together, as is known in the art. The main compartment 22
includes a closure mechanism 24 that is adapted to open and close
the main compartment 22 for access thereto. The closure mechanism
24 may be of any desired type of closure such as a zipper, hook and
loop closure material, buckles, snaps, buttons, laces, and the
like. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure mechanism 24 is in
the form of a zipper. As used herein, the term "belt pack" shall be
understood to mean a small pack having an interior compartment and
designed to be secured around the midsection of a person by belt
closing members.
[0024] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 16 of
pocket compartment 12 includes first and second opposed external
end portions 26 and 28 and a pair of length adjustable belt members
30 and 32 having their proximal ends secured to end portions 26 and
28, respectively. In the embodiment shown, the free or distal end
of the belt 30 includes a first fastening member 34 which is
releasably engagable with a second fastening member 36 disposed on
the free or distal end of the belt member 32. In this manner, the
pocket compartment 12 with the belts 30 and 32 may be adjustably
engaged about the mid-section of a person 110 in a typical belt
attachment position as shown in FIG. 1. It is to be appreciated
that other known belt members may be used for the same purpose. For
instance, a single piece belt which is threaded through end
portions 26 and 28, and through the body of the pocket compartment
12 may be used instead of two separate belt portions 30 and 32.
Similarly, the pocket compartment 12 may have a mechanism for
detachably receiving belt members 30 and 32, or for detachably
receiving some other belt system.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, main compartment 22 of the
main body 16 is utilized to store the garment 14 when it is not
being worn by a user 100. It is noted, the main compartment 22 may
also be utilized, as desired, and space permitting, to store other
items in addition to the garment 14.
[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, and specifically with
reference to FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, garment 14 includes a main body
portion 46 having a back panel 48 and an opposing front panel. The
garment 14 may be of any desired type and may be made from any
flexible material. The flexible material may be air permeable
material, or air impermeable material, and/or waterproof material.
Nylon is one preferred, but non-limiting material. In the latter
instance, the garment may function as either a raincoat or as a
wind breaker, depending on the desired environment with which the
garment 14 is designed to be utilized. In the illustrated
embodiment, the garment 14 includes a pair of sleeves 52, 54. The
front panel of the garment 14 can be opened and closed by a
fastener, such as a zipper, or may be of a pullover or poncho
design, as desired (not shown). Where a closure is utilized, any
desired art known form of closure may be used. Also illustrated in
the preferred embodiment, a hood 50 is provided for covering the
head of a user 100. It is to be appreciated that hood 50 may
include known structure for pulling the hood 50 tightly about the
face of a user 100.
[0027] As discussed above, the garment 14 is integrally associated
with the pocket compartment 12. In this manner, a single
combination garment 14 and pocket compartment 12 is created. As
will be discussed in more detail below, when the outwear garment 14
is folded and disposed within the interior main compartment 22 of
the main body portion 16 of the pocket compartment 12, belt
portions 30 and 32 function to secure the pocket compartment 12
around the midsection 110 of a user 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2).
[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 14 is integrally
associated with the pocket compartment 12 by configuring the bottom
end 56 the outer surface of the back panel 48 of the garment 14 to
form the pocket compartment 12, as best illustrated in FIG. 7. The
garment 14 is illustrated in an unfolded expanded position relative
to the interior compartment 22 wherein the pocket compartment 12 is
shown in an inside-out configuration relative to that shown in FIG.
2 and wherein the belt members 30 and 32 reside in the compartment
of the pocket member 12 relative to that shown in FIG. 2.
[0029] As will be apparent from the below discussion, the garment
14 is integrally associated with the pocket compartment 12 by
securing the bottom end 56 end of the garment 14 to the rear
surface portion 20 of the pocket compartment 14. That is, the
bottom end 56 of the outwear garment 14 is attached directly to the
rear surface portion 20 of the pocket compartment 12, or may be
formed integrally therewith. The manner of attachment can be by any
desired type of attachment mechanism, such as stitching, or
bonding, although the use of snaps, hooks, laces, zippers, hook and
loop material, and by other art known connecting means may be used.
In the illustrated and preferred form, the bottom end of the back
panel 48 of the garment 14 is stitched or bonded directly to the
rear surface 70 of the pocket compartment. Preferably this bonding
or stitching takes place along a substantial portion of the entire
width of the main compartment 22 so as to maximize the area of
bonding or attachment between the garment 14 and the pocket
compartment 12.
[0030] With the structure of the combination belt pack and garment
device 10 being described above, its method of use will now be
described.
[0031] With reference to FIG. 2 the combination belt pack and
garment device 10 is shown in a "closed" position which may be
secured around the midsection 110 of a user 100, via belt members
30 and 32, wherein the garment 14 is folded and disposed within the
interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12 of the
instant invention belt pack 10. When it is desired to remove the
garment 14 from the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket
compartment 12, the user 100 preferably first removes the
combination belt pack and garment device 10 from its body, if
secured thereto. With reference to FIG. 3, the user 100 then
manipulates the closure member 24 so as to open the interior main
compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12 so as to expose and
gain access to the garment 14 secured and folded therewithin.
[0032] Next, and with reference to FIG. 4, the user 100 then
extracts and unfolds the garment 14 from the interior main
compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12 as shown in FIG. 3. It
is noted the following steps may be performed, with or without the
user 100 wearing the garment 14 that was just unfolded from the
interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12.
[0033] To conceal the belt members 30 and 32 used to secure the
pocket compartment 12 to the user 100, as shown in FIG. 5, the user
100, with each hand 120, preferably grasps each end section 26, 28
of the front surface 18 of the pocket compartment 12 to effectively
turn the pocket compartment 12 inside-out thereby forming an
exterior pocket compartment 60 having the same dimensions when
configured as the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket
compartment 12 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the user
100 then positions each belt member 32 within the interior portion
of the exterior pocket compartment 60 of the garment 14. It is
noted that other articles in addition to the belt members 30, 32
may be stored within the exterior pocket compartment 60 of the
garment 14, space permitting.
[0034] With reference to FIG. 8, the user 100 may then conceal the
exterior pocket compartment 60 of the garment 14 by manipulating
the closure member 24 of the inside-out pocket compartment 12.
Thus, a user 100 may then wear the outwear garment 14 with the belt
members 30, 32 concealed in an exterior pocket compartment 60
formed on the bottom end 56 of the garment 14 while also providing
additional storage functionality within the interior portion of the
exterior pocket compartment 60.
[0035] When it is desired to store the garment 14 back into the
pocket compartment 12 of FIG. 2, the garment 14 is preferably
removed from the user 100 whereafter the user 100 manipulates the
closure member 24 to open the exterior pocket compartment 60 of the
garment 14 as shown in FIG. 7. The user 100 then reverses the
aforesaid process described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6
whereby the exterior pocket compartment 60 is now turned inside-out
as shown in FIG. 4 once again forming the pocket compartment 12
defining the interior main compartment 22. The belt members 30, 32
now once again extend external from the pocket compartment 12. The
arms 52, 54 and hood portion 50 of the garment 14 are then folded
inwardly within the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket
compartment 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The closure mechanism 24 may
then be closed as shown in FIG. 2 to store the garment 14 within
the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12.
[0036] The combination belt pack and garment device 10 may then be
reattached by belt members 30 and 32 about the mid-section 110 of
the user 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1. And once again the above
described process can now be performed when desired by a user for
removing the garment 14 from the pocket compartment 12 when the
need arises.
[0037] As noted above, the material for the garment 14 may be of
any desired type material but is preferably light weight material
such as nylon or light weight fleece. It may be impermeable barrier
material or porous depending upon the environment in which the
garment 14 is designed to be utilized. Depending on the material
selected for the garment 14, the size dimensions of the belt pack
10 will be adapted to fit garment 14 when it is in its folded
position.
[0038] As can be seen from above, the combination belt pack and
garment device of the present invention provides a unique article
particularly useful for individuals who are engaged in outdoor
activities. The invention provides a mid-section supported belt for
a permanently available single garment in the event an individual
is exposed to a change in weather requiring the use of such a
garment. Consequently, such garments need not be packed separately,
but rather are inherently part of the belt itself. Thus, the
present invention obviates the necessity of individuals having to
remember to carry separate garments or to make such garments
available as well as eliminating the nuisance of carrying such
garments in separate containers. Further, the garment 14 is
contained in a stored, out of the way position so as not to be lost
or to interfere with access to other articles or items stored in
the belt pack 10. As a result, the present invention provides
highly convenient accessibility to a garment.
[0039] The foregoing description and the illustrative embodiments
of the present invention have been described in detail in varying
modifications and alternate embodiments. While preferred
embodiments of the combination belt pack and garment device of the
instant invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes,
those who are skilled in the art will appreciate that various
modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without
departing from the scope and spirit of the bumper protector as set
forth in the accompanying drawings.
* * * * *