U.S. patent application number 13/491099 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-13 for outerwear garment wrap.
Invention is credited to Jalene King.
Application Number | 20120311763 13/491099 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47291864 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120311763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
King; Jalene |
December 13, 2012 |
Outerwear Garment Wrap
Abstract
Disclosed is a wearable blanket having arm extensions, a hooded
region and a body structure that forms a wearable outerwear blanket
for cold and wet conditions. The blanket comprises an outer layer
and an inner layer, wherein the outer layer comprises a waterproof
and wind-breaking covering that is adapted to prevent water and
wind penetration. The inner layer is a padded, insulative layer
that is adapted to keep the user beneath the blanket warm and
shielded from the cold. The garment is adapted to act as a wearable
blanket and shroud that is particularly useful in harsh outdoor
environments, particularly camping outings and sporting events in
foul weather conditions. The edges of the blanket form together in
front of the user and are securable to envelope the midsection and
legs of a user within the interior of the garment, while the hood
further shrouds the head of the user.
Inventors: |
King; Jalene; (Auburn,
WA) |
Family ID: |
47291864 |
Appl. No.: |
13/491099 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61494640 |
Jun 8, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/69.5 ; 2/84;
2/87 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2400/10 20130101;
A41D 3/00 20130101; A41D 2200/20 20130101; A41D 31/102 20190201;
A41D 3/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/69.5 ; 2/84;
2/87 |
International
Class: |
A41D 3/02 20060101
A41D003/02; A41D 3/04 20060101 A41D003/04 |
Claims
1) An outerwear garment, comprising: a body wrap having an
elongated body section, protruding arm sleeves and a hood region;
said protruding arm sleeves connecting to said body section,
positioned below said hood region; said body section having a first
and second edge, said edges providing an opening extending from
said hood region to said body section termination; said edges
adapted to overlap and wrap a user midsection and legs; said wrap
further comprising a coextensive outer shell layer and an inner
liner; said shell layer adapted to be water resistant and wind
breaking; said inner liner adapted to be thermally insulating; said
wrap adapted to accept a user's arms in said arm sleeves, a user's
head in said hood region, and a user's midsection and legs in said
body section, said body section adapted to extend and terminate at
said user's feet.
2) The device of claim 1, wherein said body section edges further
comprise a connection means for connecting said edges together.
3) An outerwear garment, comprising: a body wrap having an
elongated body section, protruding arm sleeves and a hood region;
said protruding arm sleeves connecting to said body section,
positioned below said hood region; said body section having a first
and second edge, said edges providing an opening extending from
said hood region to said body section termination; said edges
further comprising a connection means for connecting said edges
together; said wrap further comprising a coextensive outer shell
layer and an inner liner; said shell layer adapted to be water
resistant and wind breaking; said inner liner adapted to be
thermally insulating; said wrap adapted to accept a user's arms in
said arm sleeves, a user's head in said hood region, and a user's
midsection and legs in said body section, said body section adapted
to extend and terminate at said user's feet.
4) The device of claim 2, wherein said body section edges adapted
to overlap and wrap a user midsection and legs.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/494,640 filed on Jun. 8, 2011, entitled "Cheer
On Fan Wrap." The patent application identified above is
incorporated here by reference in its entirety to provide
continuity of disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to outdoor blankets and
outerwear garments. More specifically, the present invention
pertains to a wearable blanket having arm extensions, a hooded
cover and an outer layer that is adapted to be utilized in wet,
outdoor environments.
[0004] Wearable blankets and blankets with sleeves have recently
become popular items for household use. These devices comprise
comforter or blanket sections having arm holes or sleeves within
which a user places his or her arms, providing the user with a
blanket that serves as a body cover while not inhibiting his or her
arm movement. Users are able to manipulate objects outside of the
blanket without removing the blanket from their body, including
activities such as holding a book or television remote, or even
eating while remaining covered by the blanket. These articles are
well known and described for household and indoor use, wherein
users may sit on a couch without having arm movement restriction.
However, these devices are not well adapted for outdoor use and for
use in outdoor conditions that involve high wind and rain.
[0005] Poncho devices are another well known device that provides
users with a large material barrier and shroud against moisture and
rain. These devices are generally large sheets of plastic material
having a centrally located hole and a hood thereover for receiving
the head of a user. The poncho sheet is then draped over the user,
supported by the user's head and shoulders for the purposes of
preventing contact between incoming rain droplets and the user's
skin and clothing thereunder. These devices are well known in the
art and utilized throughout the world as a means to stay dry while
outdoors; however, these devices lack the ability to keep a user
warm and insulated while remaining dry. Generally ponchos require a
user to be wearing a jacket or similar outerwear garment under the
poncho in colder climates. Further, ponchos generally are simple
sheets of material with no arm sleeves, which limits the ability of
the user to manipulate objects outside of the poncho without
lifting it up and exposing himself to the rain and cold weather. To
correct this flaw and fulfill a need in the art, a layered,
wearable blanket is disclosed that is particularly suited for cold
climates and in rainy, wet conditions.
[0006] Specifically, the present invention comprises a combination
coat and wearable blanket that is particularly adapted for outdoor
and foul weather use, wherein the device comprises an outer shell
and an inner thermal liner, along with a structure that is akin to
a large blanket having arm sleeves and a hooded region. The body
region of the device is adapted to form a shell around the
midsection and leg region of a user, while the arm sleeves allow
free movement of the user's arms and the hooded region covers the
user's head. The outer layer is one of waterproof and wind breaking
material, which prevents moisture and air infiltration to the user,
while the inner layer is a comfortable, thermally insulating
material that is adapted to keep the user warm while outdoors. The
edges of the body region form around the user and connect along the
user's front, in a similar fashion as a large coat, providing a
continuous shell that covers the user and keeps the user warm and
dry in all conditions.
[0007] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0008] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to
wearable blankets and poncho devices, including those that have
been patented and published in patent application publications.
These devices have familiar design elements for the purposes of
providing a covering garment for a user. However, these devices
fail to contemplate an outdoor, two-layer garment that is adapted
to provide water and wind resistance, an insulating inner liner and
a structure that is designed cover the body and lower portions of a
user. The present invention contemplates a wearable blanket having
arm sleeves, a hood and a body section that extends to the users
feet, allowing the user to stand or be seated outdoors and be
shielded from the elements. The present invention fulfills a long
felt need in the art for body coverings. The devices deemed most
relevant to the present disclosure are herein described for the
purposes of highlighting the differentiating features of the
present invention and the drawbacks in the prior art.
[0009] Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 2,040,029 to Smutny is one such
device that discloses an article of manufacture that comprises a
combination beach rug and robe formed of a fabric body of
substantially rectangular shape having a partially divided median
region via a pair of slits from opposing sides. The slits separate
the rug into an upper and lower region, wherein the lower region
forms around the midsection of a user, while the upper region forms
over the shoulders of a user in the form of a robe having arms. A
central slit in the upper region provides a location for which the
user to place his or her head therethrough, while the upper and
lower regions are connected along their median region and then
again via a pair of buttons that join the upper edge of the upper
region to the upper edge of the lower region. The Smutny device is
one that combines a rug and a robe, wherein the rug is sectioned
and adorned with attachment means to facilitate wearing the rug in
a way that is fashionable and not construed as conspicuous. The
present invention provides a wearable blanket formed of two layers
having arm holes and a hooded region. The present invention is
designed to function primarily as an elongated outerwear garment
that is formed of a large blanket. It is not desired to operate as
a rug placed on the ground during periods of nonuse.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,933 to Love is another device that
describes a poncho and seat cushion combination for use as a
protective weather garment while seated at an event. The poncho
comprises a rectangular sheet having a hood opening, while an
extension sheet attaches the cushion to the inside surface of the
rear portion of the poncho. When donned, the cushion is positioned
just below the user's buttocks when standing, thereby positioning
the cushion such that when the user sits down, the cushion rests on
a support surface and provides a buttocks cushion therefor. The
assembly can be rolled and stowed against the cushion when not in
use, providing a means to easily transport the assembly during
events when the poncho is not immediately needed, but desired
because of impending foul weather or forecast thereof. The Love
device is a combination poncho and seat cushion, and provides
little in the way of thermal insulation for colder outdoor
environments. The present invention relates to a thermally lined
and weatherproof covering garment that is adapted to encompass the
user, keeping the user warm and dry during outdoor events and in
foul weather conditions.
[0011] Similar to the Smutny device, U.S. Published Patent
Application Publication No. 2010/0146680 to Cuoco discloses a
wearable blanket that comprises a primary layer of material and a
secondary layer of material on top of the primary layer, wherein
the layers define a first and second sleeve passage and a lower
section that is adapted to wrap around the torso of the user
independently from the sleeve passages. The device is a folded
blanket having arm slits and a lower section that is adapted to
detach from the arm hole upper sections, whereby the entire device
creates a rob-like device in a similar fashion as Smutny. The
present invention is a wearable blanket having outwardly protruding
sleeves and a hooded region, as opposed to slits in its structure
that act as arm holes.
[0012] Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,834 to Sodetz discloses a
waterproof textile blanket comprising of a nylon layer and soft
acrylic lining layer attached thereto. The blanket is adapted to
keep users warm and dry, but fails to disclose any novel features
beyond the construction of a two-layer blanket wrap. A binding
element along the perimeter of the blanket keeps the two materials
attached, while a transparent case is provided for carrying the
assembly when not in use. The present invention contemplates a
wearable blanket having a waterproof layer and an insulating
underside layer, wherein the blanket further comprises arm sleeve
projections and a hooded region wherein the user's head is able to
fit thereinto and allow the blanket edges to be connected around
the forward portion of a user's body.
[0013] Finally, U.S. Published Patent Application Publication No.
2010/0205714 to Pollack discloses a cushioned wrap that comprises a
blanket having full coverage of the user, providing arm sleeves and
cushioned areas of the blanket that are strategically placed for
improved comfort and body support. While providing a comfortable
blanket that is both warm and supportive, the Pollack disclosure is
not well adapted to provide an outdoor blanket or cover in foul
weather, wherein it may be windy and raining. The present invention
is adapted to provide a wearable blanket that is adapted for
outdoor use and particularly for spectator events in cold and wet
conditions, wherein thermal insulation, wind breaking and water
resistance are of primary importance to avoid exposure and
hypothermia.
[0014] The present invention provides an outerwear covering that
combines a wearable blanket and a multi-layered jacket to provide
users with a large covering from wind, rain and cold air while
outdoors, while further providing arm sleeves to allow freedom of
motion while donning the garment. In light of the aforementioned
prior art devices, it is submitted that the present invention
substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, and
consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an
improvement to existing wearable blanket outerwear devices. In this
regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these
needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of outerwear garments now present in the prior art, the
present invention provides a new garment wherein the same can be
utilized for providing convenience for the user when preventing
exposure to rain, wind and colder temperatures while outdoors or
while attending outdoor events.
[0016] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved outerwear garment device that has all of
the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide an
outerwear garment that provides complete body coverage for a user
and prevents penetration of wind, water and cold air therethrough,
allowing the user to remain warm and dry in foul weather conditions
and while outdoors for extended periods.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
outerwear garment that comprises a wearable blanket or wrap having
arm sleeves, a hooded region, an elongated body section adapted to
cover the body and leg portions of a user, and a structure that
incorporates an inner insulating layer and an outer shell
layer.
[0019] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an
outerwear garment that is specifically suited for outdoor use, and
even more so for outdoor spectator events wherein user movement is
limited and the conditions may be wet, windy and cold.
[0020] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0022] FIG. 1 shows a frontal view of the present invention in a
closed position and its hooded region open.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows a frontal view of the present invention in a
closed position.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows a frontal perspective view of the present
invention in a working state, shrouding a user therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the outerwear garment. For the purposes of
presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention,
the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for shrouding a
user from outdoor elements for prolong periods of time. The figures
are intended for representative purposes only and should not be
considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a frontal
view of the present outerwear garment in a closed position, wherein
the garment is in a position to enclose a user therein for
protection against outdoor elements. The garment comprises of an
elongated body section 11 that is similar to a wearable blanket or
wrap, which extends from the user's armpit region and down to the
feet of the user for complete coverage thereover. Above the body
section 11 are two arm sleeves 12 that extend from a midsection,
above which is positioned an opening for the user's head. Around
the opening is a head covering hood 13, which is adapted to secure
over the head of the user and allow the user to breathe through an
opening aligned with the user's face. The body section 11 is a
largely rectangular wrap having a first and second overlapable or
joinable edges 14. If provided with joinable edges, a line of
closure for the garment along the front of the user is also
provided to secure the garment closed. In a preferred embodiment,
the body section 11 is adapted to be wrapped around a user as the
edges 14 overlap. In use, the garment provides freedom of motion of
the user's arms via the arm sleeves 12, while providing coverage
over the midsection and leg region of the user and over the user's
head, with the goal of keeping the user's entire body warm and dry
while outdoors.
[0027] The construction of the garment comprises a first and second
layer, comprising an outer shell layer 16 that is made of a
waterproof and wind-breaking material, accompanied by a coextensive
inner liner 15 material that spans the entire inner surface of the
shell to thermally insulate the user from colder temperatures.
Together, the outer shell and inner lining prevent moisture and air
infiltration while thermally insulating the majority of the user's
body. The size and nature of the garment, in the way that it is
meant to wrap and envelope the user, provides a user with outerwear
that is particularly suited for foul weather outdoor wear and
during periods of minimal movement. The user can sit while donning
the wrap, while the garment provides a shell of warmth and barrier
for the elements.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view
of the present invention in a working state and donned by a seated
user. As shown, the garment comprises of a body wrap or wearable
blanket, wherein the body section 11 of the garment is oversized
and elongated to enable the user to overlap the edges of the
garment over her midsection, while the length of the wrap is
adapted to extend to the user's feet for full coverage of the
user's legs and torso region. The exterior shell 16 of the wrap
provides a wind and moisture barrier, while the inner thermal layer
15 provides warmth and improved comfort for the user, particularly
when resting or sitting within the wrap. The hood region 13 is
further lined and provided with the shell 16 material, and is
suited for preventing moisture, wind penetration and heat release
therethrough and around the user's head. The external shell may
comprise of a water resistance and densely woven material that
prevents wind penetration, while the inner layer is one of
increased thermal resistance and comfort, such as fleece, cotton or
wool.
[0029] Individuals often enjoy attending sporting events and other
outdoor activities, whether watching their children play or
attending professional games at large stadiums. Many sports are
played through cold months of the year, requiring spectators to sit
outside for hours in cold and inclement weather. To combat these
elements, many consumers wrap themselves in blankets for warmth or
ponchos for a moisture barrier. However, traditional blankets and
ponchos are not particularly suited for encompassing a user's
entire body and preventing gusts of wind and rain from penetrating
therethrough. Further, blankets limit the ability of the user to
utilize his or her hands freely as compared to a standard jacket.
These blankets may also quickly become wet if exposed to rain and
snow. Being draped in wet blankets may cause spectators to become
very cold and possibly ill. Also, blankets can easily fall off when
users lift their arms to cheer, causing further exposure to cold
and inclement weather conditions. Ponchos, on the other hand,
provide a thin plastic layer that is a moisture barrier, with
little to no thermal resistance or ability to retain the user's
body heat in colder weather. The present invention is therefore
provided as an effective, preventative solution that addresses the
gap between traditional poncho and blankets in the art, and in
particular a garment having the ability to address outdoor and
inclement weather conditions.
[0030] The present invention allows individuals to stay comfortably
warm and dry while watching outdoor sporting events or other
engaging in outdoor activities. This garment comprises a waterproof
wrap having protruding sleeves and a hood region, designed to be
worn like a coat or body wrap around a user. Snaps or a zipper may
be provided along the edges of the body region to secure the front
of the garment closed, or alternatively the garment may be provided
as a pure wrap having no means of closure, simply and oversized
body region meant for overlap. Thermally insulating fleece, cotton
or wool liner material within the garment serves to preserve the
user's body heat for sustained warmth and comfort over long periods
of outdoor exposure. The outer shell may further be provided in a
variety of colors, patterns or team colors, making the garment
ideally suited for use as an organization uniform or for fan use at
an outdoor sporting event.
[0031] The structure of the wrap is such that it is easily
condensed by rolling the assembly into a stowed state, whereafter
it can be placed within a carrying case or bag. The garment is
elongated and well suited for stowage in a rolled form. This allows
users to stow the garment within a carrying bag and deploy the
garment as necessary when outdoors, in the event of the onset of
inclement weather. Overall, the goal is provide an easily
deployable, wearable and body encompassing wrap that serves keep
the user warm and dry while outdoors, all while maintaining the
user's ability to manipulate their arms outside of the body region
of the wrap. The present invention advances the art of body wraps,
blankets and ponchos by providing a combination device that
accomplishes each of these device's purposes in a single
assembly.
[0032] In light of the present disclosure, it is submitted that the
present invention has been shown and described in what is
considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It
is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the
scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to
a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description
then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional
relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations
in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation,
assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one
skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0033] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *