U.S. patent application number 13/711470 was filed with the patent office on 2013-06-13 for garment assembly having a detachable and customizable canvas therefor.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Jacob da Silva. Invention is credited to John Jacob da Silva.
Application Number | 20130145522 13/711470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48570667 |
Filed Date | 2013-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130145522 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
da Silva; John Jacob |
June 13, 2013 |
GARMENT ASSEMBLY HAVING A DETACHABLE AND CUSTOMIZABLE CANVAS
THEREFOR
Abstract
There is provided a garment assembly. The garment assembly
includes a garment. The garment assembly also includes a
replaceable medium for displaying visual images selectively
connectable to the garment. The replaceable medium for displaying
visual images is a paintable canvas in one preferred embodiment.
The assembly further includes detachable connectors for removably
and replaceably attaching the medium to the garment.
Inventors: |
da Silva; John Jacob;
(Vancouver, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
da Silva; John Jacob |
Vancouver |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
48570667 |
Appl. No.: |
13/711470 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61569473 |
Dec 12, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/244 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 27/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/244 |
International
Class: |
A41D 27/08 20060101
A41D027/08 |
Claims
1. A garment assembly comprising: a garment; a replaceable medium
for displaying visual images, the replaceable medium being
selectively connectable to said garment; and detachable connectors
for removably and replaceably attaching the medium to the
garment.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the replaceable
medium for displaying visual images is a canvas.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detachable
connectors include a zipper connecting in part to the garment and
connecting in part to replaceable medium, the zipper extending
around a peripheral portion of the replaceable medium.
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 3 wherein the garment has an
aperture, the replaceable medium for displaying visual images being
shaped to at least partially fit within and extend across the
aperture of the garment.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly further
includes an outer shell that extends across and over top of the
replaceable medium for displaying visual images, the outer shell
being water repellant and at least partially transparent and
connecting to the peripheral portion of the replaceable medium for
displaying visual images.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the garment includes
a front, a back opposite the front, and a further aperture and
wherein the assembly includes a further replaceable medium for
displaying visual images and a further detachable connectors for
removably and replaceably attaching the further medium to the
garment, a first one of the apertures of the garment being located
on the front of the garment, a second one of the apertures of the
garment being located on the back of the garment, and the
replaceable mediums being shaped to selectively connect to the
front and back of the garments.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the replaceable
medium for displaying visual images is a canvas and wherein the
detachable connectors include a plurality of snap-on buttons
connected to the garment and the canvas, respectively, the buttons
selectively connecting the canvas onto the garment.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the garment has a
peripheral portion extending around the aperture of the garment,
the replaceable medium for displaying visual images has a
peripheral portion, the peripheral portion of the replaceable
medium for displaying visual images aligning with the peripheral
portion of the garment when the replaceable medium for displaying
visual images extends over of the aperture of the garment, and
wherein the assembly further includes the snap-on buttons connect
to the peripheral portion of the garment and the peripheral portion
of the replaceable medium for displaying visual images,
respectively, the buttons selectively connecting the replaceable
medium for displaying visual images onto the garment.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detachable
connectors include a hook and loop fastener, hook portions of the
hook and loop fastener connecting to a first one of the garment and
the replaceable medium for displaying visual images and loop
portions of the hook and loop fastener connecting a second one of
the garment and the replaceable medium for displaying visual
images, the hook and loop fastener selectively connecting the
replaceable medium for displaying visual images onto the
garment.
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the garment has a
peripheral portion extending around the aperture of the garment,
the replaceable medium for displaying visual images has a
peripheral portion, the peripheral portion of the replaceable
medium for displaying visual images aligning with the peripheral
portion of the garment when the replaceable medium for displaying
visual images extends over of the aperture of the garment, the hook
portions of the hook and loop fastener connecting to the peripheral
portion of a first one of the garment and the replaceable medium
for displaying visual images and the loop portions of the hook and
loop fastener connecting to the peripheral portion of a second one
of the garment and the replaceable medium for displaying visual
images, the hook and loop fastener selectively connecting the
replaceable medium for displaying visual images onto the
garment.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the garment has a
peripheral portion extending around the aperture of the garment,
the replaceable medium for displaying visual images has a
peripheral portion, the peripheral portion of the replaceable
medium for displaying visual images aligning with the peripheral
portion of the garment when the replaceable medium for displaying
visual images extends over of the aperture of the garment, the
peripheral portions of the garment and the replaceable medium for
displaying visual images each having a plurality of spaced-apart
apertures extending therethrough, and wherein the detachable
connectors include lace that selectively weaves through and between
the apertures of the respective ones of the peripheral portions of
the garment and the replaceable medium for displaying visual
images.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the detachable
connectors include a plurality of spaced-apart, spring-biased
gripping members.
13. The assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the garment has a
peripheral portion extending around the aperture of the garment,
the replaceable medium for displaying visual images has a
peripheral portion, the peripheral portion of the replaceable
medium for displaying visual images aligning with the peripheral
portion of the garment when the replaceable medium for displaying
visual images extends over of the aperture of the garment and
wherein each of the gripping members has a first portion connected
to the peripheral portion of a first one of the garment and the
replaceable medium for displaying visual images and a second
portion connected to its respective first portion at one end, the
second portions of the gripping members being spring-biased towards
the first portions of the gripping members, the peripheral portion
of a second one of the garment and the replaceable medium for
displaying visual images being selectively positionable between the
first and second portions of the gripping members.
14. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the replaceable
medium for displaying visual images is a video screen.
15. The assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the assembly
further includes a battery electrically connecting to the video
screen, the battery powering the video screen, and the garment
further including a pocket shaped to receive the battery.
16. A customizable garment assembly kit comprising: a garment
having a pocket-shaped transparent shell; and a plurality of
paintable canvases shaped to at least partially fit within the
shells.
17. The assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein further including
detachable connectors for removably and replaceably attaching
respective ones of the canvases to the garment, each of the
canvases has printed thereon a respective one of a plurality of
artistic indicia, the garment being customizable thereby.
18. The assembly as claimed in claim 16 wherein at least one of the
canvases is paintable for painting a user-customized design
thereon.
19. A method for customizing a garment comprising: painting a
plurality of artistic indicia on a plurality of respective
paintable canvases, each canvas having a peripheral portion;
customizing the garment by selectively attaching and removing
various ones of the canvases so painted onto the garment.
20. The method as claimed in claim 19, further including:
connecting flexible strips to each of the peripheral portions of
the canvases and connecting a corresponding flexible strip to the
garment, each flexible strip having a plurality of spaced-apart
teeth that are connectable together via a zipper slider; and
selectively attaching and removing respective ones of the canvas so
painted to the garment by actuating the zipper slider and meshing
the teeth of the flexible strips together.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional
application No. 61/569,473 filed in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office on Dec. 12, 2012, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference and priority to which is
claimed.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a garment assembly. In
particular, the invention relates to a garment assembly having a
detachable and customizable canvas therefore.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] It is known to provide a garment with a printed first design
thereon. However, the wearer in these cases may have to buy a
further garment having a printed second design in order to change
the wearer's look or image conveyed. It may be expensive to
purchase multiple garments that vary primarily with respect to
their printed designs. Also, as more garments are purchased, one
must take into account closet space for storing this additional
clothing. The wearer may thus have to balance the number of looks
and images the wearer conveys with the wearer's purchasing power
and space constraints.
[0004] To avoid the above issues, the wearer may have to alter or
print over the first design. However, this may inhibit the wearer's
ability to wear a garment with the first design thereafter.
[0005] Garments with printed designs are also typically mass
produced and share a common design. Such garments may therefore
inhibit a wearer's ability to convey a personalized and/or
individualized look or image.
[0006] There is accordingly a need to provide an improved garment
assembly that overcomes the above set out one or more
disadvantages.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0007] There is provided an improved garment assembly as disclosed
herein.
[0008] There is accordingly provided a garment assembly including a
garment. The assembly includes a replaceable medium for displaying
visual images selectively connectable to the garment. The assembly
includes a detachable connectors for removably and replaceably
attaching the medium to the garment.
[0009] There is also provided a customizable garment assembly kit.
The kit includes a garment having a transparent, pocket-shaped
shell. The kit includes a plurality of paintable canvases shaped to
at least partially fit within the shell.
[0010] There is further provided a method for customizing a
garment. The method includes painting a plurality of artistic
indicia on a plurality of respective paintable canvases. Each
canvas has a peripheral portion. The method further includes
customizing the garment by selectively attaching and removing
various ones of the canvases so painted onto the garment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention will be more readily understood from the
following description of preferred embodiments thereof given, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a back elevation view of a garment assembly
according to a first aspect, the garment assembly comprising a
garment, in this example a hooded jacket, and the garment assembly
also having a canvas and a zipper for selectively connecting the
canvas to the jacket;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, elevation view of the zipper for
the garment assembly shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the garment assembly
shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, elevation view of a garment
assembly according to a second aspect, the garment assembly having
a snap-on button assembly for connecting the canvas to the
jacket;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pair of buttons from the
button assembly shown in FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, elevation view of a garment
assembly according to a third aspect, the garment assembly having a
hook and loop fastener for connecting the canvas to the jacket;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, elevation view of a garment
assembly according to a fourth aspect, the garment assembly having
a lace and loop assembly for connecting the canvas to the
jacket;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, elevation view of a garment
assembly according to a fifth aspect, the garment assembly having a
clip assembly for connecting the canvas to the jacket;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional view of the jacket and a
clip from the clip assembly shown in FIG. 8; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a back elevation view of a garment assembly
according to a sixth aspect, the garment assembly including a
hooded jacket and a video screen assembly detachably connected
thereon.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, there is
shown a garment assembly 12. The assembly includes a garment, in
this example a hooded jacket 14, although the garment may comprise
other types of clothing, such a shirt or sweater. The jacket is
conventional and has a top 16, bottom 18 and a pair of sides 20 and
22 extending between the top and bottom. The jacket 14 has a pair
of sleeves 24 and 26 that extend from its sides 20 and 22,
respectively. The jacket has a hood 28 extending from its top
16.
[0023] The jacket 14 has a front 30 shown in FIG. 3, with a front
pocket 32 disposed on the front. The pocket is disposed adjacent to
bottom 18 in this example. As shown in FIG. 1, the jacket has a
back 34 opposite the front.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the jacket 14 has an aperture 36
disposed on its back 34 with a peripheral portion 38 extending
about said aperture. The assembly 12 has a connector, in this
example in the form of a zipper 40 extending about the peripheral
portion, as best seen in FIG. 2. The connectors as herein described
may be referred to as detachable connectors for removably and
replaceably attaching the medium to the garment. The zipper and
aperture 36 are positioned on the back 34 of the jacket 14 in this
example. The zipper 40 includes a first set of spaced-apart teeth
42 connected to a first flexible strip 44, a second set of
spaced-apart teeth 46 connected to a second flexible strip 48, and
a zipper slider 50. Strips 44 and 48, as well as teeth 42 and 46,
are disposed adjacent to each other. Strip 44 is connected to back
34 of the jacket 14. Zipper slider 50 is configured press teeth 42
and 46 together upon moving the slider up or down, from the
perspective of FIG. 2, thereby selectively connecting strips 44 and
48 together. The zipper, with its parts and operation is
conventional in this example and will therefore not be described in
further detail.
[0025] As seen in FIG. 1, the garment assembly 12 includes a
detachable, replaceable medium for displaying visual images, in
this example a planar medium in the form of a paintable canvas 52.
The canvas is rectangular in this example, as is aperture 36,
though it may be other shapes. For example, the canvas may
alternatively be in the shape of an oval, star or a heart. The
canvas 52 is configured to fit within aperture 36. The canvas has a
peripheral portion 54 upon which strip 48 of the zipper is
connected, as best shown in FIG. 2. Zipper 40 enables the canvas 52
to be detachably connected to the back 34 of the jacket 14. The
assembly 12 may include an outer shell 56, shown in FIG. 1. The
shell is made of clear plastic, for example, which connects to the
peripheral portion 54 of the canvas 52 and extends over the canvas
to protect the canvas. The shell 56 is water repellant and
transparent in this example. The shell may be pocketed shaped for
selectively receiving the canvas therein.
[0026] The canvas 52 may be sold blank and a user may create a
user-customized design in the form of a painting on the canvas for
example and therefore may customize jacket 14. Alternatively, the
canvas may comprise original art sold to consumers purchasing or
owning the rest of the garment assembly. In this example, canvas 52
includes artistic indicia, in this example in the form of a painted
work 53 shown in FIG. 1. The canvas may be sold to consumers who
already own the garment assembly and who want to increase the
number and diversity of canvases connectable to their jacket 14. As
a further alternative, art may be printed onto the canvas and mass
produced. The art may include popular art, as well as holograms for
example. A plurality of canvases may be packaged and sold as a kit,
with the canvases, for example, forming a narrative. In yet another
alternative, the canvases as herein described may be applied to a
variety of different types of garment assemblies, which may include
other types of jackets or other types of clothing such as shirts or
sweaters, each having the ability to connect the canvas to the
garment. The garment assembly 12 as described herein may thus
enable a user to increase the number and variety of different
images and messages that may be conveyed via the user's clothing,
providing the ability to effectively expand his or her wardrobe and
self-expression.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, the front 30 of the jacket 14 in this
example also has a further zipper 58 and a further detachable,
replaceable medium for displaying visual images, in this example a
further canvas 60. Canvas 60 has further artistic indicia, in this
example in the form of a further painted work 61. Zipper 58
detachably connects canvas 60 to the front 30 of the jacket.
Alternatively, the jacket may have a canvas only on the front or
the back. Zipper 58 and canvas 60 enable one to further customize
his or her clothing. The zipper and canvas are substantially the
same as zipper 40 and canvas 52, and therefore will not be
described further.
[0028] FIGS. 4 and 5 show a garment assembly 12.1 according to a
second aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the
assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the addition of ".1". Garment
assembly 12.1 is substantially the same as garment assembly 12
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the exception that its connector is in
the form of a snap-on button assembly 62 for connecting canvas 52.1
to the back 34.1 of jacket 14.1. The button assembly has a first
set of buttons, as shown by button 64, which extend along and are
connected to strip 44.1. The button assembly 62 has a second set of
buttons, as shown by button 66, which extend along and are
connected to strip 48.1, in this example.
[0029] The buttons are best shown in FIG. 5. Each button, as shown
by button 64, has a body 67 that is cylindrical in shape in this
example. Each button also includes a pair of prongs 68 and 70
extending outwards from said body. The prongs connect to their
respective strips 44.1 and 48.1. Each button 64 has a female recess
72. Each corresponding button 66 has a male protrusion 74
configured to selectively press-fit within one of said recesses 72
for connecting the buttons together. The snap-on buttons are
conventional in this example and therefore will not be described
further.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows a garment assembly 12.2 according to a third
aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the addition of ".2". Garment assembly
12.2 is substantially the same as garment assembly 12 shown in
FIGS. 1 to 3 with the exception that its connector is the form of a
hook and loop fastener 76 for connecting canvas 52.2 to the back
34.2 of jacket 14.2. Strip 44.2 has a plurality of hook portions,
in this example hooks 78 and strip 48.2 has a plurality of loop
portions, in this example loops 80. The hooks are configured to
selectively latch onto the loops and the canvas 52.2 is selectively
connectable to the jacket 14.2 thereby. The hook and loop fastener
76 is conventional in this example and therefore will not be
described further.
[0031] FIG. 7 shows a garment assembly 12.3 according to a fourth
aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the addition of ".3". Garment assembly
12.3 is substantially the same as garment assembly 12 shown in
FIGS. 1 to 3 with the exception that its connector is the form of a
lace and loop assembly 82 for connecting canvas 52.3 to the back
34.3 of jacket 14.3. The garment assembly 12.3 has a first set of
spaced-apart apertures, as shown by aperture 84, extending along
peripheral portion 38.3 of the jacket 14.3. The garment assembly
has a second set of spaced-apart apertures, as shown by aperture
86, extending along peripheral portion 54.3 of the canvas 52.3.
Assembly 82 includes a lace 88 that is criss-cross connected
alternately through respective ones of said apertures 84 and 86 for
selectively connecting canvas 52.3 to the jacket 14.3. The lace and
loop assembly 82 is conventional in this example and therefore will
not be described further.
[0032] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a garment assembly 12.4 according to a
fifth aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the
assembly shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the addition of ".4". Garment
assembly 12.4 is substantially the same as garment assembly 12
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the exception that its connector is the
form of a clip assembly 90 for connecting canvas 52.4 to the back
34.4 of jacket 14.4. The clip assembly 90 has a plurality of
spaced-apart gripping members, in this example clips, as shown by
clip 92. The clips are made of thin wire in this example. Clips 92
extend along peripheral portion 38.4 of the jacket 14.4. As seen in
FIG. 9, each of the clips 92 is v-shaped in this example.
[0033] Each clip has a first portion 94 connected to and, in this
example, embedded within the jacket 14.4 via the back 34.4 of the
jacket. Each of the clips has a second portion 96 and a bend 98.
Portions 94 and 96 are connectable together at bend 98. Portions 96
have open positions shown in FIG. 9. In this position the
peripheral portion 54.4 of the canvas, shown in FIG. 8, may be
disposed between portions 94 and 96. The clips also have closed
positions in which portions 94 and 96 are positioned adjacent to
each other. The clips are spring-biased towards their closed
positions. Once the canvas is positioned between the portions of
the assembly 90, portions 96 are biased and/or pressed downwards so
as to abut the canvas 54.4 as seen in FIG. 8. The clips so biased
and/or pressed together selectively hold and frictionally engage
canvas 52.4. The plurality of spaced-apart clips 92, are aligned
along the peripheral portion 38.4 of the jacket so as to fit the
canvas therebetween.
[0034] FIG. 10 shows a garment assembly 12.5 according to a sixth
aspect. Like parts have like numbers and functions as the assembly
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the addition of ".5". Garment assembly
12.5 is substantially the same as garment assembly 12 shown in
FIGS. 1 to 3 with the following exceptions. Instead of a canvas,
the replaceable medium for displaying visual images of the assembly
12.5 is in the form of a video screen assembly 100 detachably
connected to the back 34.5 of the jacket 12.5, in this example. The
video screen assembly includes a thin, flat video screen 102 having
a translucent, soft gel screen 104. The video screen 102 may be
used to digitally display expression, including art in digital
form. The thin, flat video screen, with its various parts and
functionings, is conventional in this example and will therefore
not be described in detail.
[0035] The video screen assembly 100 has a battery 106 configured
to provide power to the video screen. Video screen 102 electrically
connects to the battery via a cable 108. The jacket 14.5 includes a
pocket 110, in this example, connected to the back 34.5 of the
jacket and disposed adjacent to bottom 18.5. The pocket is shaped
to retain the battery 106. The pocket 110 has an opening 112
through which the battery 106 passes for storing the battery within
the pocket.
[0036] The pocket is not strictly required. For example,
alternatively, battery 106 and cable 108 may be sewn into the
jacket 14.5 such that the cable and battery are hidden from
view.
[0037] It will be appreciated that yet further variations are
possible within the scope of the invention described herein. For
example, instead of canvas, the detachable replaceable medium for
displaying visual images may be in the form of a sheet of
paper.
[0038] Also, instead of an aperture 36, there may be a rectangular
area, for example, comprising the fabric on the back 34 of the
jacket 14, with the zipper 40 surrounding said area and the canvas
overlaying said area. It will also be understood by someone skilled
in the art that many of the details provided above are by way of
example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
invention which is to be determined with reference to at least the
following claims.
* * * * *