U.S. patent application number 12/061288 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-08 for changing garment convertible to carrying bag.
Invention is credited to Adrian C. Hunte.
Application Number | 20090249527 12/061288 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41131848 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090249527 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hunte; Adrian C. |
October 8, 2009 |
CHANGING GARMENT CONVERTIBLE TO CARRYING BAG
Abstract
A combination hooded changing garment and carry bag, providing
ample room for a person to change attire in public places without
loss of modesty. The garment, preferably made from recycled or
recyclable fabric, can be washable or disposable, having a full
length center-front opening with separable closure fasteners and
wrist area separable fasteners to give sleeves effect, if desired
after changing to wear. The garment has a wide, scoop-necked area
for ease of overhead access when removing or putting on items
underneath. The mesh netting on the hood provides ventilation, and
allows the wearer to see out through the mesh, with reduced ability
from the outside to see the person wearing the garment. The mesh
netting hooded head cover attached to the garment converts to a
self-storage bag for the garment and the wet, soiled, or other
items.
Inventors: |
Hunte; Adrian C.; (Cortlandt
Manor, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADRIAN C. HUNTE
3031 EAST MAIN STREET, SUITE A
MOHEGAN LAKE
NY
10547
US
|
Family ID: |
41131848 |
Appl. No.: |
12/061288 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/84 ; 2/88;
224/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 4/12 20130101; A41D
15/04 20130101; A45F 4/02 20130101; A45C 9/00 20130101; A45F
2004/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/84 ; 2/88;
224/153 |
International
Class: |
A41D 3/08 20060101
A41D003/08; A45F 4/02 20060101 A45F004/02 |
Claims
1. A combination body covering garment and carry bag for use by a
person in changing clothes, said changing garment comprising: a) a
poncho-type front opening upper body torso portion, partially
connected in the back at its lower edge to the top edge of a front
opening lower body enclosure portion extending from the waist
opening down; b) an opening sufficient in size for a person to put
on said garment and stand within said enclosure with closure means
for securing said opening; c) a mesh viewport hooded portion
covering a person's head within the hood's interior integrally
connected at, and conforming to, the upper torso portion at the
neck and shoulder opening area; and d) a hood portion containing
the garment convertible to a mesh carrying bag.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein said hood portion provides a
mesh screen facial viewport opening.
3. The garment of claim 1, wherein said hood portion is constructed
of a mesh material provided with a drawstring closure threaded
through a bottom hem casing, said bottom hem open perimeter
attached to the neck and shoulder opening area of the upper torso
portion of the garment.
4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the hood portion at the crown of
a person's head is constructed of a solid piece of material.
5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the crown of the hood portion
forms the bottom of the carry bag.
6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the removed garment is tucked
into the hood portion as the carrying bag for storage and
transport.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Not applicable.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM,
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] This product pertains generally to apparel. More
specifically, the apparel is a loose fitting hooded garment within
which a person may undress and dress, when standing or seated,
while still maintaining modesty in a public place, convertible into
a mesh carrying bag for storing and transporting the garment, and
dry clothing to change into after activities as well as the changed
soiled clothing and other objects.
[0005] Previous garments have been designed to allow a person to
change clothes in public places without exposing oneself to other
people. These garments generally take the form of a wrap or robe
consisting of water-absorbent material, and some have been
effective in allowing a person to comfortably wear the garment
after changing has occurred to protect the person from the various
elements of nature. Other garments designed for beekeepers and
hazmat responders contain hoods but are specialized for protection
and safety.
[0006] Therefore, it would be highly desirable to provide a thin,
lightweight, compactable garment, that when worn allows a wearer to
change clothes underneath in privacy. In addition, rather than
being a one-piece closed configuration, the present garment being
open at the waist area facilitates changing while either seated or
standing, whether indoors or outdoors, including in a motor
vehicle. The garment mesh hood provides ventilation and outward
visibility for the wearer while minimizing the ability of others to
see the wearer. The removed garment can also be folded up and
stored and transported within the hood enclosure carry bag.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In a first manifestation, the garment is draped over a
person to allow the person to modestly and discretely perform
certain activities such as changing attire within public places. A
connected front, back, sides and hood form the primary covering.
Within the large enclosure, visually isolated from exterior view, a
person can move around and change attire. In a second
manifestation, the changing garment is tucked into the hood as a
mesh carrying bag for storage and transport.
[0008] Most recreational athletes do not have locker rooms or
adequate changing facilities. Road running races can have thousands
of participants. After a run or other exercise, particularly
outdoors, clothes are usually wet, unhygienic and uncomfortable and
there is no, or minimal, privacy to change into dry clothing. As a
result, many people will forego changing their attire. It is also
difficult to remove from one's body wet sports clothing and
undergarments.
[0009] Historically, people have attempted various methods of
changing in the absence of suitable facilities. One common method
employed by groups of people is that of simply taking turns holding
towels or blankets around and individual while changing. This
solution is minimally effective and inconvenient and, more
importantly, requires the cooperation of several individuals to
successfully complete.
[0010] With the ever increasing popularity of sport and
recreational activities, there arises a continuing need in the art
for a more convenient, easily used and readily available apparatus
for changing clothes in the absence of adequate changing
facilities.
[0011] The principal advantage of this invention is to provide a
garment that can be worn to facilitate the changing of clothes in
public places. Another advantage of this invention is to provide a
garment for changing clothes that allows a person to comfortably
wear the garment in public places before or after the changing of
clothing has occurred. Another advantage of this invention is to
provide a garment for facilitating the changing clothes in public
that is lightweight. And still another advantage of this invention
is to provide a garment for changing clothes that allows a person
to store and transport the garment while not in use. And yet a
further advantage of this invention is to provide a garment for
changing clothes that contains an enclosure means attached to the
garment for storing and transporting the garment when not in use.
And still a further advantage of this invention is to add a new and
unique garment to the field of clothes changing garments.
[0012] The garment contains a hood, open sleeve and waist areas
that allow a wearer to reach underneath the garment to change
clothes. The garment can contain interior and exterior pockets to
store items and keep the wearer's hands protected. The garment
contains sufficient room underneath to enable a wearer to
comfortably change clothes. The current garment is made of thin,
lightweight, compactable, recyclable materials, and rather than
being a one-piece closed configuration, the present garment being
open at the waist area facilitates changing while either seated or
standing. The removed garment can also be folded up and stored
within the hood enclosure.
[0013] Objects of the Invention: It is a general object of the
present product to provide an improved device for changing clothes
in a running or other sports and diverse activities environment. It
is a more particular object of the present product to provide an
improved apparatus for changing clothes which is convenient to use
and carry and which may be employed by a solo person.
[0014] A first object of the invention is to provide a garment that
will make it easier for a person to change clothing without
exposure or loss of modesty. A second object of the invention is to
enable a person to convert the garment from a changing robe into a
carry bag for transporting the changing robe and other clothing and
objects. A further object of the invention is to facilitate
changing attire while seated or standing, outdoors or indoors,
including in a motor vehicle.
[0015] A further object of the invention is to provide a single,
consistent shape that may be worn by both sexes. Another object of
the invention is to keep the robe long enough having enough fabric
to adequately cover the person when the person bends over during
changes of attire or other activity. These and other objects are
accomplished in the preferred embodiment, which will be better
understood when considered in conjunction with the appended drawing
figures.
[0016] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the product in order that the detailed
description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are additional features of the apparatus that will be described
hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims
appended hereto.
[0017] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the device in detail it is to be understood that the product is
not limited in its application to the details of construction and
to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The product is capable
of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in
various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in, and
form a part of, this specification, illustrate embodiments of the
product and together with the description, serve to explain the
principals of this product. The features of the present product,
are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The
garment, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may
best be understood by reference to the following description taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several
figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and
in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment from a front view
with the changing garment on a person or laid flat on a surface
with exterior pockets.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the garment
from a back view.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the garment
from a front open flat view illustrating the space available for a
person to change attire within and with interior pockets.
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the garment
of FIG. 1 converted to an enclosure carrying bag with drawstring
attachments.
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the garment
of FIG. 1 from a partially cut away perspective front view,
converted to an enclosure receptacle carrying bag, constructed in
accord with the teachings of the apparatus, showing the gathering
of the fabric and insertion into the carry bag for storage and
transport.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar parts are
identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 a
front view of the convertible changing garment 10. In the preferred
embodiment, convertible changing garment 10 contains an upper body
portion 16, a lower body portion 18, and a hood portion 26 that
converts to the garment enclosure carry bag 42 (see FIG. 4).
Garment 10 can comprise a substantially soft, flexible,
lightweight, recycled, recyclable or water-resistant material such
as terry cloth, cotton, nylon, tyvek, or other material as would be
deemed suitable by one with ordinary skill in the art.
[0025] The hooded changing garment, convertible to a holding device
enclosure includes a mesh container having a closed end and an
opposite open end defining an interior. A drawstring is inserted
through a drawstring casing 14 attached to the mesh hood at the
open end of the container. The garment, visible in each of the
figures, is preferably fabricated from relatively soft, flexible,
compactable, lightweight, generally square or rectangular fabric
pieces that form upper body portion 16 and lower body portion 18.
Most preferably, the changing garment is made from a recycled or
recyclable material, though other fabrics are known that will have
particular advantage for a given application. The changing garment
lower body portion 18 will most preferably extend to below knee
length to mid-calf in front and back, since it is most desirable
for the present garment to adequately cover all persons when they
bend forward or reach down to the ground. The exact geometry of the
extended lower body portion 18 bottom seam 22 is not critical to
the garment, and the exact dimensions will vary depending upon the
clothing size of the person, such that smaller children will have
substantially smaller dimensions, though the proportions may remain
fairly constant.
[0026] In the anticipated use of the present product, the user dons
garment 10 by placing the hood over the wearer's head, and
thereafter closes the front opening 34 of upper body portion 16
with closure separable fasteners 20, and closes the front opening
36 of lower body portion 18 with closure separable fasteners 20.
Once enclosed within garment 10, the user is able remove clothing,
or reach out from both the bottom edge 32 of upper body portion 16,
and also from the vertical side slit openings 28 that extend
downward from the mid-thigh area of lower body portion 18 to the
bottom edge 22 of lower body portion 18, to bring into garment 10
articles such as a change of clothing. Lower body portion 18 has
closed sides from waist to mid-thigh (covering the crotch area
while wearer is seated or standing). The vertical side slit
openings 28 may be closed with closure separable fasteners 20,
providing enough room to remove or put on articles of clothing.
[0027] FIG. 2 sets forth a rear perspective view of garment 10 in a
generally empty flattened position in preparation for wearing. As
described above, garment 10 includes an upper torso body portion
16, and a lower body portion 18. The rear perspective of FIG. 2
further depicts upper torso body portion 16 at lower edge 32,
joined by back connector 40 to lower body portion 18 along
horizontal waist area opening 38. FIG. 2 further defines the rear
surfaces of upper torso body portion 16 with closure means 20 to
form arm sleeves 11 and 12 (arm sleeves 11 and 12 seen in FIG. 1)
together with a hood 26, and lower body portion 18, with vertical
side slit openings 28 that extend downward from the mid-thigh area
of lower body portion 18 to the bottom edge 22 of lower body
portion 18.
[0028] To facilitate the storage of articles and valuables, garment
10 can include interior pockets 29 having a conventional opening
formed therein for the deposit of valuables and other personal
articles.
[0029] Upper Body portion 16 is generally defined by bottom edge
32. Upper Body portion 16 is preferably configured to cover the
body of a wearer extending from the upper torso region down to the
waist or hip area. Upper body portion 16 does not fit tightly
against the body of a wearer, but rather is sufficiently sized so
as to allow a wearer enough space underneath to maneuver hands and
arms around to comfortably change clothes. Upper Body portion 16
additionally can include closure fasteners means 20 at the lower
edge 32 area to form loose arm sleeves effect 11 and 12. Sleeves 11
and 12 are preferably designed to extend from the shoulder region
of a wearer to loosely cover the entire arm area to the wrist area,
to be used as sleeves after having changed clothing if so desired.
Body portion 16 includes a hood 26. Hood 26 is preferably
incorporated into the design of upper body portion 16, completely
covering the head and neck to shoulder area of the wearer. Hood 26
being made of a mesh material provides ventilation and allows the
wearer to view outside of the enclosure. However, hood 26 can also
be removably attached to body portion 16 by fasteners such as
snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or other means
that provide removable attachment as would be recognized by one
with ordinary skill in the art. The lower boundary of Hood portion
26 is connected to the head and neck opening 24 of the upper body
portion 16.
[0030] Upper body portion 16 can additionally include closure
separable fasteners 20 on each side of the lower edge 32 of center
opening 34 to connect to the upper edge 38 on each side of the
center opening 36 of Lower Body portion 18. Lower body portion 18
can include a set of exterior pockets 27 and can include a set of
interior pockets 29. Exterior pockets 27 and interior pockets 29
are preferably composed of similar material to lower body portion
18. Exterior pockets 27 and interior pockets 29 serve to provide
storage areas for personal items such as wallets, keys, cell phones
and removed clothing. Exterior pockets 27 and interior pockets 29
are preferably positioned opposite one another on convertible
changing garment 10, within hands' reach of the wearer.
[0031] To facilitate entrance into an exit from garment 10, upper
torso body portion 16 defines an elongated front opening 34,
extending downward from the neck area 24 at the lower boundary of
hood 26 to a lower end near seam 32, with closure separable
fasteners 20. The length or spacing of closure separable fasteners
20 is selected to accommodate the easy entrance into and exit from
upper torso body portion 16. Closure separable fasteners 20 can
include buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or any
other elements used for closing two ends of material as recognized
by one with ordinary skill in the art.
[0032] To facilitate entrance into an exit from garment 10, lower
body portion 18 defines an elongated front opening 36, extending
downward from the top of waist opening area 38 to a lower end near
seam 22. The length or spacing of closure separable fasteners 20 is
selected to accommodate the easy entrance into and exit from lower
body portion 18. Closure separable fasteners 20 can include
buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or any other
elements used for closing two ends of material as recognized by one
with ordinary skill in the art.
[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 3, there is seen an alternative open
flat view of the interior of the preferred embodiment of the fabric
with interior pockets 29 for convertible changing garment 10.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 4, there is seen the front view of
hood portion 26 of garment 10 as the garment enclosure 42 with
drawstring 44.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 5, there is seen a front view of an
alternate embodiment of wearable protective changing garment 10
that includes a garment enclosure 44 attached to interior layer 12.
The hood 26 open end perimeter of garment 10 enclosure 42 is
preferably sewn to the perimeter of neck opening 24 of the upper
body portion 16, in such a fashion as to allow changing garment
upper body portion 16 and lower body portion 18 to be fully folded
within and enclosed within hood portion 26 as garment enclosure 42.
Garment enclosure 42 can comprise a solid material for the bottom
of enclosure 42 as support or to prevent items from falling through
the mesh, and a mesh material for the front, back and sides of
enclosure 42, such as nylon, or other suitable open-weave material
as would be recognized by one with ordinary skill in the art.
Garment enclosure 42 contains a drawstring 44 located at the
opening thereof, to enable a wearer to close garment enclosure 42
so that the convertible changing garment 10 is protected during
transport or storage.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 5, there is seen a partially cut away
perspective view of convertible changing garment 10, with upper
body portion 16 and lower body portion 18 contained within garment
enclosure 42, with drawstring 44 in the open position. The
drawstring 44 can be of sufficient length and thickness so that
when drawn closed the drawstring 44 can be conveniently carried
over one's shoulder or shoulders in "backpack configuration.
[0037] The above description, together with the objects of the
invention and the various features of novelty which characterize
the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims
annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better
understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the
specific advantages attained by its uses, reference should be made
to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there
are illustrated preferred embodiments of the product.
[0038] The preferred embodiment of the garment is described in the
Drawings and Description. While these descriptions directly
describe the embodiments, it is to be realized that the optimum
dimensional relationships for the parts of the product, including
variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and
obvious it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive
modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown
and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that
fall within the purview of this description are intended to be
included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the
intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the
specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed
meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The
foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of
the product known to the applicant at the time of filing the
application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the product to the precise form disclosed, and many
modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above
teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best
explain the principles of the product and its practical application
and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the product
in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited
to the particular use contemplated it is intended that the product
not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts
that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition,
include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the
claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed
equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed
function.
* * * * *