U.S. patent application number 12/775446 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-11 for garment with integrated hidden backpack support.
Invention is credited to Terrence Simmons.
Application Number | 20100282803 12/775446 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43061772 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100282803 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Simmons; Terrence |
November 11, 2010 |
GARMENT WITH INTEGRATED HIDDEN BACKPACK SUPPORT
Abstract
A garment is disclosed that provides an integrated backpack
support straps that allows user to easily attach a backpack, keep
the backpack in place, and easily remove the backpack and garment
simultaneously. The garment can include one or more integrated
backpack support straps permanently affixed to the front of the
garment. The integrated backpack support straps can be attached to
the garment such that they are not visible when viewing the front
of the garment. Each backpack support strap can have connector ends
that attach to a backpack, either selectively or permanently. The
garment may be a shirt, a sweater, a sweatshirt, a coat, a jacket
or other suitable garment.
Inventors: |
Simmons; Terrence; (Country
Club Hills, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Russ Weinzimmer
614 Nashua Street, Suite 53
Milford
NH
03055
US
|
Family ID: |
43061772 |
Appl. No.: |
12/775446 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61176020 |
May 6, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/576 ; 2/115;
2/84; 2/85; 2/90; 2/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20130101; A45F
4/12 20130101; A41D 13/0007 20130101; A41D 2400/48 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/576 ; 2/84;
2/85; 2/90; 2/93; 2/115 |
International
Class: |
A45C 15/00 20060101
A45C015/00; A42B 1/04 20060101 A42B001/04; A41D 3/02 20060101
A41D003/02; A41D 1/04 20060101 A41D001/04; A41B 1/00 20060101
A41B001/00 |
Claims
1. A garment attachable to a backpack, the garment comprising: a
back; a front connected to the back such that the garment is
wearable on an upper torso of an individual with a neck opening, a
torso opening, and two arm openings; one or more backpack support
straps, each backpack support strap having a first end and a second
end, and each backpack support strap being integrally affixed to
the front; a first connector end coupled to each first end of the
backpack support straps, the first connector end being located
between the neck opening and one of the two arm openings; and a
second connector end coupled to each second end of the backpack
support straps, the second connector end being located between the
torso opening and one of the two arm openings, the first connector
end and second connector end being placed so as to be accessible to
connect to the backpack.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more backpack support
straps is a single backpack support strap.
3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the first end connector and the
second end connector are located such that the backpack support
strap extends across the front.
4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more backpack support
straps is two backpack support straps.
5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first and second connector
ends are attached to an outer surface of the back of the
garment.
6. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a backpack.
7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the backpack is permanently
fixed to the first and second connector ends.
8. The garment of claim 6, wherein the first and second connector
ends are selectively attachable to the backpack.
9. The garment of claim 1, wherein each backpack support strap is
integrally affixed to the inside surface of the front.
10. The garment of claim 9, wherein the first and second connector
ends penetrate the back.
11. The garment of claim 10, further comprising flaps of fabric
that can substantially cover each of the first and second connector
ends and hide them from view when the first and second connector
ends are not attached to the backpack.
13. The garment of claim 11, wherein the flaps are configured as
closable pockets.
14. The garment of claim 1, wherein the front includes an outer
layer and an inner layer, and wherein each backpack support strap
is integrally affixed to the front between the outer layer and the
inner layer.
15. The garment of claim 14, further comprising flaps of fabric
that can substantially cover each of the first and second connector
ends and hide them from view when the first and second connector
ends are not attached to the backpack.
16. The garment of claim 15, wherein the flaps are configured as
closable pockets.
17. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is one of: a shirt;
a sweater; a sweatshirt; a coat; and a jacket.
18. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hood
attached to the neck opening and suitable for wearing over the head
of the user.
19. The wearable apparatus of claim 1, wherein the backpack support
strap is substantially hidden from view when the garment is viewed
from the front.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/176,020 filed May 6, 2009, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The invention generally relates to clothing, and more
specifically to garments with integrated accessories.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Backpacks are very commonly used for carrying items while
walking, hiking, bicycling, snowmobiling, and many other
activities. A backpack allows a user to carry items such as books,
food, extra clothing, and such like while leaving the hands of the
user free, and while maintaining the weight of the backpack
contents in a location on the user's back that is directly above
the pelvis and therefore well supported by the body of the
user.
[0004] Backpacks that are commonly used in everyday applications,
such as students walking to school, bicycle riders, day-hikers, and
others typically include straps that extend over the shoulders and
around the sides of a user, holding the backpack in place while in
use. Since backpacks are typically used outdoors, it is common to
wear a garment such as a sweater or a jacket under the backpack.
Frequently, the garment includes an attractive front appearance
that a user would wish to display. However, the backpack support
straps obscure this front appearance and tend to reduce the
attractive appearance of the garment.
[0005] Also, backpack support straps can tend to move and slip off
of the shoulders of a user while being worn, especially when worn
with coats, jackets, sweatshirts, etc. since the user is typically
walking, riding, or otherwise moving while wearing the backpack.
Some approaches have been proposed to make the backpack straps
attachable to a sweater or other garment, so as to hold the straps
in place and prevent them from falling off of the shoulders of a
user. However, this approach does not prevent the straps from
interfering with the appearance of the garment and can be time
consuming and awkward to attach and remove.
SUMMARY
[0006] A garment is disclosed that provides an integrated backpack
support straps that allows user to easily attach a backpack, keep
the backpack in place, and easily remove the backpack and garment
simultaneously. Embodiments of a garment can include a front and a
back with two arm openings, a neck opening and a torso opening. The
garment can include one or more integrated backpack support strap
permanently affixed to the front of the garment.
[0007] Each backpack support strap can have a first end and a
second end, each end having a connector end. The first connector
end can be located between the neck opening and one of the two arm
openings, and the second connector end can be located between the
torso opening and one of the two arm openings, the first connector
end and second connector end being placed so as to be accessible to
connect to a backpack. In some embodiments, the first end connector
and the second end connector can be located such that the backpack
support strap extends across the front of the garment from one
shoulder to beneath the opposite arm. In some embodiments, the
first and second connector ends can be attached to an outer surface
of the back of the garment.
[0008] Similarly, the one or more backpack support straps may be
integrally affixed to the inside surface, the outside surface, or
between layers of the front of the garment. In embodiments where
the one or more backpack support straps and under the outer layer
of the front of the garment, the first and second connector ends
penetrate the outer layer of back of the garment. Some such
embodiments can include flaps of fabric that can substantially
cover each of the first and second connector ends and hide them
from view when the first and second connector ends are not attached
to the backpack. The flaps can be configured as closable
pockets.
[0009] The garment with integrated backpack support straps can
include a backpack. In some embodiments, the backpack may be
permanently fixed to the first and second connector ends, or the
first and second connector ends may be selectively attachable to
the backpack. The garment can be one of a shirt, a sweater, a
sweatshirt, a coat, a jacket, or any other garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The following description can be better understood in light
of Figures, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment of a garment according to the present invention with a
backpack attached;
[0012] FIG. 1B illustrates a front perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1A;
[0013] FIG. 1C illustrates a side perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1A;
[0014] FIG. 2A illustrates a front perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1A, including an enlarged view of a buckle
joining a backpack support strap to the backpack;
[0015] FIG. 2B illustrates a rear perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1A, including an enlarged view of a buckle
joining a backpack support strap to the backpack;
[0016] FIG. 3A illustrates a front perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1A;
[0017] FIG. 3B illustrates a side perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1A;
[0018] FIG. 3C illustrates a front perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1A;
[0019] FIG. 4A illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary
embodiment or a garment according to the present invention; and
[0020] FIG. 4B illustrates a front perspective view of the
embodiment of FIG. 4A.
[0021] Together with the following description, the Figures
demonstrate and explain the principles of inventive garments with
integrated backpack support straps and methods for using and making
the devices. In the Figures, the thickness and configuration of
components may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference
numerals in different Figures represent the same component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The following description supplies specific details in order
to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled
artisan would understand that embodiments of garments with
integrated backpack support straps and associated methods of using
the devices can be implemented and used without employing these
specific details. Indeed, exemplary embodiments and associated
methods can be placed into practice by modifying the illustrated
units and associated methods and can be used in conjunction with
any other devices and techniques conventionally used in the
industry. For example, while the description below focuses on a
jacket with two integrated backpack support straps, the apparatus
and associated methods could be equally applied in any garment,
such as a coat, parka, sweater, sweatshirt, shirt, etc.
[0023] With reference to FIG. 1A, a garment with integrated
backpack support straps 100 attachable to a backpack 102, is
illustrated. The garment with integrated backpack support straps
100 can include a garment 104 and integrated backpack support
straps 106. The backpack support straps 106 can be any suitable
material for supporting the backpack 102, such as webbing, cord,
quilted fabric, etc. The backpack support straps can also be any
desired width for comfort and support of the backpack 102. The
backpack support straps 106 can have connector ends 108 attachable
to the backpack 102 by penetrating through each shoulder 110 and
sides 112 of the garment 104 so as to be accessible to attach to
the backpack 102 when the backpack 102 is placed against a back of
the garment 114. In some embodiments, the connector ends 108 can be
attached to an outer surface 116 of the back of the garment 114.
Similarly, in some embodiments the backpack support straps 106 may
be attached to the outer surface of the garment 104. In such
embodiments, the backpack support straps 106 can be part of the
visual design of the garment 104. The garment with integrated
backpack straps 100 can also include the backpack 102 permanently
attached to the connector ends 108.
[0024] FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate a front perspective view and a
side perspective view, respectively, of a user 118 wearing the
garment with integrated backpack straps 100. The garment 104 can be
suitable for wearing on an upper torso of body 120 of the user 118.
The garment 104 can be one of a shirt, a sweater, a sweatshirt, a
coat, a jacket or any other suitable garment that might be worn
with a backpack. The garment with integrated backpack straps 100
can include a hood 122 attached to an upper portion of the garment
104 and suitable for wearing over a head of the user 118.
[0025] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a front perspective view and a rear
perspective view, respectively, of a garment with integrated
backpack support straps 100. The backpack support straps 106 can be
substantially hidden from view when the garment 104 is viewed from
the front while being accessible to the backpack 102 from behind
the garment 104. The connector ends 108 can be attachable to and
detachable from the backpack 102. The backpack 102 can be
attachable to a connector end 108 of the backpack support strap 106
by using a buckle 202. The buckle 202 can be any buckle used to
connect straps.
[0026] The detachable backpack support straps 106 can include flaps
of fabric 204 that substantially cover the connector ends 108 and
hide them from view when the connector ends 108 are not attached to
the backpack 102. In some embodiments, the flaps of fabric 204 can
be closable pockets (not shown) so as to completely hide the
backpack support straps 106 from view when the backpack 102 is not
in use. The closable pockets may have hook and loop fasteners,
buttons, snaps, zippers, or any decorative garment closure device
to hold the flaps of fabric 204 closed when not in use.
[0027] FIG. 3A is a front perspective view of the garment with
integrated backpack straps 100 showing the backpack support straps
106 attached to an inner surface 302 of a front panel 304 of the
garment 104 and penetrating the garment 104 at the shoulders 110
and sides 112. FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate a side perspective view
and a front perspective view, respectively, of the user 118 wearing
the garment with integrated backpack straps 100 with backpack
support straps 106 made visible. The backpack support straps 106
are unlikely to fall off of shoulders of the user because the
backpack support straps 106 are integral with the garment 104. The
backpack support straps 106 can be hidden from view in the front of
the garment 104 to avoid detracting from the front appearance of
the garment 104. In some embodiments, the backpack support straps
106 and the backpack 102 can be integral with the garment 104,
making putting on and removing the garment 104 and the backpack 102
simplified compared to using conventional separate garments and
backpacks.
[0028] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a rear perspective view and a front
perspective view respectively of an embodiment of a garment with an
integrated backpack strap 400 attachable to a backpack 402. The
garment with an integrated backpack strap 400 can generally include
the features of the garment with integrated backpack support straps
100 described above. The garment with an integrated backpack strap
400 can include a garment 404 and a backpack support strap 406
attached to the garment 404. The backpack support strap 406 can
have two connector ends 408 attachable to the backpack 402 by
penetrating the garment 404 near a shoulder 410 and a side 412 so
as to be accessible to the backpack 402 when the backpack 402 is
placed against a back of the garment 414. The garment with
integrated backpack straps 400 with only one backpack support strap
406 can penetrate the shoulder 410 and the side 412 of the garment
404 that are located on opposite sides of the garment 404. The
backpack support strap 406 can be attached to the garment 404
across the inside front of the garment 404 running between the
connector ends 408.
[0029] The backpack support straps can be attached to the outside,
inside, or between layers of the garment, as desired. The backpack
support straps can be sewn such that the stitching is hidden or
visible on the exterior of the garment. Similarly, the stitching
may be visible as part of the design of the garment. In some
embodiments, the backpack support straps can be attached to the
garment with stitching, adhesive, heat bonding, or any other method
of permanently attaching fabrics together.
[0030] In addition to any previously indicated modification,
numerous other variations and alternative arrangements may be
devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit and scope of this description, and appended claims are
intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while
the information has been described above with particularity and
detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most
practical and preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including,
but not limited to, form, function, manner of operation and use may
be made without departing from the principles and concepts set
forth herein. Also, as used herein, examples are meant to be
illustrative only and should not be construed to be limiting in any
manner.
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