U.S. patent application number 12/686356 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-23 for multi-purpose convertable garment.
Invention is credited to Alif O. Thompson.
Application Number | 20100320241 12/686356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43353412 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100320241 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thompson; Alif O. |
December 23, 2010 |
MULTI-PURPOSE CONVERTABLE GARMENT
Abstract
A multi-purpose convertible garment that can be used as a
traditional jacket or converted for use as a backpack. The garment
includes a left, right and rear panel having a top and bottom and
adapted for covering the upper torso of a human. A zipper is
provided for attaching the left and right panels together along
with left and right arm sleeves attached to respective ones of the
left and right panels. When used as a backpack, the sleeves are
rolled up and stored insider the body of the garment and a pair of
shoulder harness assemblies are extended to the exterior of the
garment. The bottom of the garment is closed off by a pair of
adjustable straps, thus allowing the garment to be used as a
backpack.
Inventors: |
Thompson; Alif O.;
(Fairburn, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas L. Peterson
P.O. Box 5120
Springfield
VA
22150
US
|
Family ID: |
43353412 |
Appl. No.: |
12/686356 |
Filed: |
January 12, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61196317 |
Jan 13, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/153 ;
2/243.1; 2/93 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 15/04 20130101;
A45F 4/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/153 ; 2/93;
2/243.1 |
International
Class: |
A45F 4/02 20060101
A45F004/02; A41D 3/02 20060101 A41D003/02; A41D 27/00 20060101
A41D027/00 |
Claims
1. A convertible garment, said convertible garment comprising: a
left, right and real panel have a top and bottom and adapted for
covering the upper torso of a human; a zipper adapted for attaching
said left and right panels together; left and right arm sleeves
attached to respective ones of said left and right panel first and
second straps adapted for closing off the bottom of said left,
right and real panels when said left and rights panels are attached
by said zipper; and a pair of should traps attached to the interior
of said back panel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES
[0001] This application claims priority to, and incorporates by
reference herein, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/196,317 filed
on Jan. 13, 2009 in the name of Applicant and is entitled
"Motorcycle Jacket That Transform To A Backpack."
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention is generally directed to the field of
wearing apparel and more particularly, is directed to a
multi-purpose convertible garment that can be used as a traditional
jacket or converted for use as a backpack. The present invention
has particular application where the carrying of a jacket and
separate backpack is inconvenient or not possible.
BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY
[0003] Jackets and other garments for keeping a user warm or
otherwise protected from the environment are well known in the
prior art. Such jackets come in many different designs, depending
on their use and preference of the wearer.
[0004] Backpacks are well known in the prior art as a convenient
way to carry small items. Backpacks also come in many different
designs and typically have a carry pouch which can be carried on a
person's back with the aid of one or more back straps.
[0005] Jackets and backpacks serve important, but different roles.
Their use typically is limited to serving the purpose for which
they were specifically designed.
[0006] While attempts have been made in the prior art to combine
the functions of a jacket and a backpack into one garment, such
attempts have resulted in a compromise garment that does not fully
meet the requirements of each role. Thus, there is a need in the
art for a garment that can efficiently and readily function as a
jacket and as a backpack.
[0007] The novel features of the garment of the present invention
are set out with particularity in the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiment. However, the invention
will be understood more fully and clearly from the detailed
description of the invention as set forth in the accompanying
drawings in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the garment of
the present invention in the jacket mode;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear view of one embodiment of the garment of
the present invention in the jacket mode;
[0010] FIGS. 3 and 4 are further front views of one embodiment of
the garment of the present invention in the jacket mode,
illustrating the interior of the garment;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a rear view of one embodiment of the garment of
the present invention in the backpack mode;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a front view of one embodiment of the garment of
the present invention in the backpack mode;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a further rear view of one embodiment of the
garment of the present invention in the backpack mode, illustrating
the interior of the rear access area;
[0014] FIGS. 8A and 8B are side views of another embodiment of the
garment of the present invention in the jacket mode; and
[0015] FIG. 9 is a front view of another embodiment of the garment
of the present invention in the jacket mode, illustrating the
interior of the garment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] The present invention will now be described with reference
to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a front view of one
embodiment of a convertible garment in accordance with the
invention. The garment is shown in FIG. 1 in a "jacket" mode.
[0017] The garment of the present invention may be made of any
number of materials that are used to make jackets and backpacks as
is known in the art. Such materials include natural and man made
fabrics.
[0018] In the jacket mode, the garment includes an upper body torso
area having left and right torso panels 1 and 2 as is known in the
art with respect to a conventional jacket. As also known in the
art, torso panels 1 and 2 are held together by zipper 3 extending
from waist area 4 to neck area 5. In an alternative embodiment,
zipper 3 may be replaced by buttons, Velcro strips, snaps or other
methods of fastening torso panels 1 and 2 together as may be known
in the art.
[0019] Torso panels 1 and 2 terminate in neck area 5 to form collar
6. Collar 6 includes optional collar strap 7 and fastener 8 which
holds the ends of the collar together in the neck area of the
garment as may be known in the art. Fastener 8 may be formed of a
button and corresponding button hole, Velcro strips, snaps or other
methods of holding the ends of collar 6 together.
[0020] Each of torso panels 1 and 2 include a zippered ventilation
area 9 which allows external air to enter the garment in order to
cool the user or internal warm air to exit the garment as such
ventilation areas are known in the prior art with respect to
conventional jackets. Pockets 10 are also provided which may be
used to carry small items or as a place for the user to keep his or
her hands warm or dry during inclement weather.
[0021] Torso panels 1 and 2 include declarative seams 11-13 to
enhance the esthetic appeal of the jacket and which may also serve
to demark a change in construction materials used to make torso
panels 1 and 2, or a change in material color.
[0022] A pair of arms 15 and 16 is attached to their respective
torso panels 1 and 2, e.g., by sewing as is known in the art with
respect to a conventional jacket. Each arm includes a zippered
ventilation area 17 which is similar to ventilation areas 9
explained above. The ends of arms 15 and 16 include a decorative
seam 18 for esthetic appeal, or to demark a change in material
construction or color, as well as a decorative arm strap 19 and
fastener 20.
[0023] Lines 21 and 22 illustrate the location of pouches within
the interior of the garment which may be used to hold shoulder
pads.
[0024] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the garment of the present
invention includes a pair of draw strings 23 and 24. The draw
strings may be used to tighten the waist end of the garment around
the user when the garment is used in the jacket mode.
[0025] FIG. 1 also illustrates Velcro straps 27 and 28 which are
attached to respective torso panels 1 and 2. Straps 27 and 28 may
be attached to their respective panel by sewing or by other
suitable methods as may be known in the art. Straps 27 and 28 are
attached to corresponding retainer buckles 25 and 26 when the
garment is used in the "backpack" mode.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the convertible garment of the
present invention as shown in the "jacket" mode. This view shows
back panel 125 which may be attached to respective edges of torso
panels 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 1 or be part of a continuous piece of
construction material used to form back panel 125 and torso panels
1 and 2.
[0027] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, back panel 125 includes
zippered storage area 126, which as explained below, is used when
the garment is in the "backpack" mode and which also provides
storage space when the garment is used in the "jacket" mode.
Storage area 126 further includes a zippered access area 127 which
provides additional storage space.
[0028] As discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, additional
decorative seams 128 and 129 are provided which enhances the
esthetic appeal of the jacket and may also serve to demark a change
from one construction material to another.
[0029] The back of the garment also includes access area 131 which
also will be discussed in connection with use of the garment as a
backpack.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates the garment in the jacket mode with the
interior of the garment exposed. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the
garment includes a back interior lining 35 and waist draw strings
36 and 37 to complete construction of the garment for use in the
jacket mode.
[0031] Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the convertible garment
of the present invention may be worn as a conventional jacket.
Note, however, that FIG. 3 illustrates a number of additional
elements of the garment which are provided when the garment is used
as a backpack as will be discussed below.
[0032] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate alternative embodiments of the
garment of the present invention in the jacket mode. As illustrated
in FIG. 8B, an enhanced storage area 130 is present to provide more
storage space.
[0033] Use of the garment of the present invention in the "backpack
mode" will now be described.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the interior of the garment
includes a pair of sleeve retainer straps 36 and 37. Retainer
straps 36 and 37 may be formed from individual straps of material
held together by respective buckles 38 and 39 as one in the art
would understand. Buckles 38 and 39 allow the length of the
retainer strap to be adjusted as necessary.
[0035] The first step in the conversion process of the garment to
the backpack mode is to pull sleeves 15 and 16 inside out into the
interior of the garment. The sleeves are then rolled or folded up
so that they may be placed under their respective sleeve retainer
straps 36 and 37 and held in place as illustrated in FIG. 4.
Storing the sleeves in this manner gets them out of the way so that
they do no interference with use of the garment as a backpack.
[0036] As further shown in FIG. 4, a pair of upper backpack straps
40 and 41 are provided which normally are stored within the
interior of the garment. Straps 40 and 41 are made of a flexible
strap material as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand
and are secured to the upper interior of the garment at points 42
and 43 using a convenient fastening method, such as sewing. As
illustrated in FIG. 4, a reinforcement strip 31 is used to insure
that straps 40 and 41 are securely attached to the interior of the
garment. Reinforcement strip 31 is formed with a slot 52 which
allows straps 40 and 41 to be routed to the exterior of the garment
as will be discussed below. Straps 40 and 41 terminate in
respective releasable fasteners 44 and 45 as known in the art.
[0037] As further illustrated in FIG. 4, a pair of lower backpack
straps 46 and 47 is provided. Straps 46 and 47 also are made of a
flexible strap material as one of ordinary skill in the art would
understand and are secured to the lower exterior of the garment
using a convenient fastening method, such as sewing. Straps 46 and
47 enter the interior of the garment through corresponding slots 50
and 51 formed in the side of the garment and terminate in
respective releasable fasters 48 and 49 which mate with fasters 44
and 45 as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand.
[0038] Fastening upper straps 42 and 43 to their respective lower
straps 46 and 47 allows both sets of traps to be secured within the
interior of the garment when it is being used as a jacket.
[0039] When the garment is to be used in the backpack mode, upper
backpack straps 42 and 43 are released from lower backpack straps
46 and 47 at fasters 44 and 45. Lower backpack straps 46 and 47 are
then withdrawn from the interior of the garment to the outside
through slots 50 and 51 so that they no longer reside insider the
garment as illustrated in FIG. 4. In addition, upper straps 42 and
43 are routed to the exterior of the garment via slot 52 formed in
reinforcement strip 31.
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 5, upper backpack straps 42 and 43
are coupled to lower backpack straps 46 and 47 via fasteners 44, 48
and 45, 49 on the exterior of the garment.
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates the front of the garment while being in
the backpack mode. As shown in FIG. 6, panels 1 and 2 of the
garments are hold together by zipper 3 as also shown in FIG. 1.
Panels 1 and 2 also include bottom end closure straps 60 and 61 for
closing off the bottom of the back pack. Closure straps 60 and 61
may be made of a Velcro material and attached to panels 1 and 2 by
any convenient means, such as sewing.
[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, a pair of retainer straps
62 and 64 is attached to the lower edge of back panel 25 of the
garment. In order to close off the bottom of the garment, closure
straps 60 and 61 mate with fastening buckles 63 and 65 attached to
respective retainer straps 62 and 64 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and
6. Closure straps 60 and 61 are placed through their respective
buckles 63 and 65 and held in place by overlapping their Velcro
surfaces as shown in FIG. 6.
[0043] FIG. 5 also illustrates a further embodiment of access area
70 with zipper 71. FIG. 7 illustrated the interior of access area
70.
[0044] While the foregoing specification teaches the principles of
the present invention, with examples provided for the purpose of
illustration, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art from
reading this disclosure that various changes in form and detail can
be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.
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