Convertible Garment

Abstract

The present invention provides a belt pack that is convertible to a garment. When the garment is extended from an interior portion of the belt pack, the belt pack is configurable to be turned inside-out and is adapted to house the entire belt assembly of the belt pack at a bottom end portion of the garment.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Application claims benefit to Provisional Application No. 61/072,239 filed Mar. 28, 2008 and incorporates the same herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a convertible garment, and more particularly to a convertible garment that converts from a garment form to a stored form with integral storage compartment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rainwear, or more particularly, rain jackets have been used for many years. Typically, rain jackets are made of a waterproof material or made of a conventional material and layered with a waterproof coating. Common waterproof materials used to manufacture rain wear include rubber or state-of-the-art materials such as GORE-TEX® or similar alternative. Waterproof-coated rainwear is typically made of nylon or similar fabric and coated with an outer layer of waterproof coating such as poly-vinyl chloride (PVC).

Rain jackets enable users to venture outdoors in the rain, snow or sleet without the use of umbrellas and without getting wet. Users of rain jackets include school children, hikers, and everyday joggers, walkers and anyone who plans on being outdoors for a sustained period of time.

Therefore, when one is in an outdoor environment it is often highly desirable, especially when the weather conditions change unexpectedly, to have ready access to an upper torso garment such as a rain jacket, a poncho, or the like. However, people tend to dress according to the weather conditions at the start of an outdoor excursion, and do not always take the garment they need. So, for example, if the weather is fair and warm, a person will tend not wear an upper torso garment. Should the weather subsequently become cold or stormy, the person will want to be able to easily and conveniently put on a garment for warmth or protection, and to avoid the possibility of succumbing to hypothermia. Consequently, convenient and ready accessibility to such garments is highly desirable. Conversely, a person may start an outdoor excursion wearing a garment, and, should the weather subsequently become warm or the precipitation end, the person will want to be able to easily and conveniently remove the garment and store it neatly and safely away without having to carry it by hand, or in cumbersome separate bags, pouches, or the like.

Numerous attempts have been made in the prior art to provide outer wear garments having self-contained carrier pockets or similar type of self-containment members. In each of these references, the individual is typically required to carry a separate pack or pouch which houses the garment when the garment is not being worn.

A popular type of carrier pack, commonly referred to as a “fanny pack”, is particularly convenient for activities where unencumbered, hands free, outdoor movement is desired. These packs are generally carried along the lower back, front or side of the mid-section of an individual, and are held, for example, by an adjustable belt. Common designs provide a pack of generally uniform cross-section, with access to a storage compartment by one or more zippers. However, because of the bulk coats and jackets, fanny pack designs have a poor capability to accommodate them. In addition to the above stated problem of utilizing fanny packs with existing coats or jackets, an individual user must remember to carry both the fanny pack and the garment.

As a result, if one inadvertently forgets to pack the fanny pack with an appropriate garment, obviously such garment is not available for later use. Moreover, if one starts out wearing the garment, but forgets the fanny pack, or packs the fanny pack with other items without leaving sufficient storage room for the garment, the garment may not be stored in the fanny pack.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a belt pack that is convertible to a garment. The belt pack is adapted to be secured about the mid-section of a person. Certain embodiments include a front portion, a back portion, first and second opposed end portions with each end portion having an external portion.

Embodiments may further includes an elongate compartment having an elongate opening and inner front and back surfaces defined therewithin, and an outer front and back surface defined therewithout. A belt clasping assembly may be provided and attached to the external end portions of the belt pack and may be adapted for removable attachment of the belt pack to a mid-section of a person.

The belt pack may be integrally formed with a garment adapted to be worn about an upper torso section of a person. The garment may define front and back panels wherein a portion of the garment is integrally joined to a portion of the inner portion of the elongate compartment of the belt pack to enable the garment to be secured to and folded within the elongate compartment for storage.

The belt pack and the belt clasping assembly may function to releasably secure the garment stored in the elongate compartment about a mid-section of a person when the garment is folded within the compartment for storage. When the garment is extended from the elongate opening so as to be worn about a mid-section of a person, the elongate compartment may be configurable to be turned inside-out and may be adapted to form a pocket compartment for the garment and is configured to house and conceal the entire belt clasping assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the invention may be understood with reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention taken together with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the belt pack of the present invention secured about the mid-section of a user wherein the garment is in a stored condition in the pocket compartment of the belt pack;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting the belt pack of FIG. 1 with the garment in a stored condition in the pocket compartment;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the belt pack of FIG. 2 illustrating the garment fully folded and positioned within the pocket compartment of the belt pack, with the closure mechanism of the compartment in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the belt pack of FIG. 1 with the garment shown in an unfolded and extended position;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the belt pack of FIG. 2 illustrating the pocket compartment of the belt pack being turned inside-out so as to extract and extend the garment into an extended position as depicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 illustrating the pocket compartment of the belt pack turned inside-out depicting a belt closing member disposed in the inner portion of the pocket compartment while the garment is in an extended position;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6 illustrating the garment in an extended and unfolded position with the pocket compartment in an open position; and

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that of FIG. 7 illustrating the pocket compartment in a closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the combination belt pack and garment, generally designated at 10 and fitted to a user 100, is disclosed and includes a pocket compartment 12 preferably having a single garment 14 integrally associated therewith. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the garment 14 is a hooded jacket. However, it is to be appreciated that outwear garment 14 is not to be understood to be limited to a hooded jacket but rather the term “garment” shall be understood to include, among others, any upper torso garment, such as a jacket, a wind breaker, a coat, a raincoat, a poncho, and the like.

The pocket compartment 12 includes a main body portion 16 having opposing front 18 and a back surfaces 20 which together define an interior main compartment 22. The main body portion 16 may be constructed from a single sheet of material folded on itself, or from multiple panels cut to size and sewn or otherwise connected together, as is known in the art. The main compartment 22 includes a closure mechanism 24 that is adapted to open and close the main compartment 22 for access thereto. The closure mechanism 24 may be of any desired type of closure such as a zipper, hook and loop closure material, buckles, snaps, buttons, laces, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure mechanism 24 is in the form of a zipper. As used herein, the term “belt pack” shall be understood to mean a small pack having an interior compartment and designed to be secured around the midsection of a person by belt closing members.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 16 of pocket compartment 12 includes first and second opposed external end portions 26 and 28 and a pair of length adjustable belt members 30 and 32 having their proximal ends secured to end portions 26 and 28, respectively. In the embodiment shown, the free or distal end of the belt 30 includes a first fastening member 34 which is releasably engagable with a second fastening member 36 disposed on the free or distal end of the belt member 32. In this manner, the pocket compartment 12 with the belts 30 and 32 may be adjustably engaged about the mid-section of a person 110 in a typical belt attachment position as shown in FIG. 1. It is to be appreciated that other known belt members may be used for the same purpose. For instance, a single piece belt which is threaded through end portions 26 and 28, and through the body of the pocket compartment 12 may be used instead of two separate belt portions 30 and 32. Similarly, the pocket compartment 12 may have a mechanism for detachably receiving belt members 30 and 32, or for detachably receiving some other belt system.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, main compartment 22 of the main body 16 is utilized to store the garment 14 when it is not being worn by a user 100. It is noted, the main compartment 22 may also be utilized, as desired, and space permitting, to store other items in addition to the garment 14.

In the illustrated embodiment, and specifically with reference to FIGS. 4, 7 and 8, garment 14 includes a main body portion 46 having a back panel 48 and an opposing front panel. The garment 14 may be of any desired type and may be made from any flexible material. The flexible material may be air permeable material, or air impermeable material, and/or waterproof material. Nylon is one preferred, but non-limiting material. In the latter instance, the garment may function as either a raincoat or as a wind breaker, depending on the desired environment with which the garment 14 is designed to be utilized. In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 14 includes a pair of sleeves 52, 54. The front panel of the garment 14 can be opened and closed by a fastener, such as a zipper, or may be of a pullover or poncho design, as desired (not shown). Where a closure is utilized, any desired art known form of closure may be used. Also illustrated in the preferred embodiment, a hood 50 is provided for covering the head of a user 100. It is to be appreciated that hood 50 may include known structure for pulling the hood 50 tightly about the face of a user 100.

As discussed above, the garment 14 is integrally associated with the pocket compartment 12. In this manner, a single combination garment 14 and pocket compartment 12 is created. As will be discussed in more detail below, when the outwear garment 14 is folded and disposed within the interior main compartment 22 of the main body portion 16 of the pocket compartment 12, belt portions 30 and 32 function to secure the pocket compartment 12 around the midsection 110 of a user 100 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 14 is integrally associated with the pocket compartment 12 by configuring the bottom end 56 the outer surface of the back panel 48 of the garment 14 to form the pocket compartment 12, as best illustrated in FIG. 7. The garment 14 is illustrated in an unfolded expanded position relative to the interior compartment 22 wherein the pocket compartment 12 is shown in an inside-out configuration relative to that shown in FIG. 2 and wherein the belt members 30 and 32 reside in the compartment of the pocket member 12 relative to that shown in FIG. 2.

As will be apparent from the below discussion, the garment 14 is integrally associated with the pocket compartment 12 by securing the bottom end 56 end of the garment 14 to the rear surface portion 20 of the pocket compartment 14. That is, the bottom end 56 of the outwear garment 14 is attached directly to the rear surface portion 20 of the pocket compartment 12, or may be formed integrally therewith. The manner of attachment can be by any desired type of attachment mechanism, such as stitching, or bonding, although the use of snaps, hooks, laces, zippers, hook and loop material, and by other art known connecting means may be used. In the illustrated and preferred form, the bottom end of the back panel 48 of the garment 14 is stitched or bonded directly to the rear surface 70 of the pocket compartment. Preferably this bonding or stitching takes place along a substantial portion of the entire width of the main compartment 22 so as to maximize the area of bonding or attachment between the garment 14 and the pocket compartment 12.

With the structure of the combination belt pack and garment device 10 being described above, its method of use will now be described.

With reference to FIG. 2 the combination belt pack and garment device 10 is shown in a “closed” position which may be secured around the midsection 110 of a user 100, via belt members 30 and 32, wherein the garment 14 is folded and disposed within the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12 of the instant invention belt pack 10. When it is desired to remove the garment 14 from the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12, the user 100 preferably first removes the combination belt pack and garment device 10 from its body, if secured thereto. With reference to FIG. 3, the user 100 then manipulates the closure member 24 so as to open the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12 so as to expose and gain access to the garment 14 secured and folded therewithin.

Next, and with reference to FIG. 4, the user 100 then extracts and unfolds the garment 14 from the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12 as shown in FIG. 3. It is noted the following steps may be performed, with or without the user 100 wearing the garment 14 that was just unfolded from the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12.

To conceal the belt members 30 and 32 used to secure the pocket compartment 12 to the user 100, as shown in FIG. 5, the user 100, with each hand 120, preferably grasps each end section 26, 28 of the front surface 18 of the pocket compartment 12 to effectively turn the pocket compartment 12 inside-out thereby forming an exterior pocket compartment 60 having the same dimensions when configured as the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the user 100 then positions each belt member 32 within the interior portion of the exterior pocket compartment 60 of the garment 14. It is noted that other articles in addition to the belt members 30, 32 may be stored within the exterior pocket compartment 60 of the garment 14, space permitting.

With reference to FIG. 8, the user 100 may then conceal the exterior pocket compartment 60 of the garment 14 by manipulating the closure member 24 of the inside-out pocket compartment 12. Thus, a user 100 may then wear the outwear garment 14 with the belt members 30, 32 concealed in an exterior pocket compartment 60 formed on the bottom end 56 of the garment 14 while also providing additional storage functionality within the interior portion of the exterior pocket compartment 60.

When it is desired to store the garment 14 back into the pocket compartment 12 of FIG. 2, the garment 14 is preferably removed from the user 100 whereafter the user 100 manipulates the closure member 24 to open the exterior pocket compartment 60 of the garment 14 as shown in FIG. 7. The user 100 then reverses the aforesaid process described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 whereby the exterior pocket compartment 60 is now turned inside-out as shown in FIG. 4 once again forming the pocket compartment 12 defining the interior main compartment 22. The belt members 30, 32 now once again extend external from the pocket compartment 12. The arms 52, 54 and hood portion 50 of the garment 14 are then folded inwardly within the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12, as shown in FIG. 3. The closure mechanism 24 may then be closed as shown in FIG. 2 to store the garment 14 within the interior main compartment 22 of the pocket compartment 12.

The combination belt pack and garment device 10 may then be reattached by belt members 30 and 32 about the mid-section 110 of the user 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1. And once again the above described process can now be performed when desired by a user for removing the garment 14 from the pocket compartment 12 when the need arises.

As noted above, the material for the garment 14 may be of any desired type material but is preferably light weight material such as nylon or light weight fleece. It may be impermeable barrier material or porous depending upon the environment in which the garment 14 is designed to be utilized. Depending on the material selected for the garment 14, the size dimensions of the belt pack 10 will be adapted to fit garment 14 when it is in its folded position.

As can be seen from above, the combination belt pack and garment device of the present invention provides a unique article particularly useful for individuals who are engaged in outdoor activities. The invention provides a mid-section supported belt for a permanently available single garment in the event an individual is exposed to a change in weather requiring the use of such a garment. Consequently, such garments need not be packed separately, but rather are inherently part of the belt itself. Thus, the present invention obviates the necessity of individuals having to remember to carry separate garments or to make such garments available as well as eliminating the nuisance of carrying such garments in separate containers. Further, the garment 14 is contained in a stored, out of the way position so as not to be lost or to interfere with access to other articles or items stored in the belt pack 10. As a result, the present invention provides highly convenient accessibility to a garment.

The foregoing description and the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in varying modifications and alternate embodiments. While preferred embodiments of the combination belt pack and garment device of the instant invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those who are skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the bumper protector as set forth in the accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. A garment comprising:

a belt pack having: i. a front portion; ii. a back portion; iii. first and second opposed end portions with each said end portion having an external portion; iv. an elongate compartment having an elongate opening and an inner front and back surface defined therewithin, and an outer front and back surface defined therewithout;

a belt clasping assembly attached to said external end portions of said belt pack;

a garment having front and back panels wherein a portion of the garment is integrally joined to a portion of said inner portion of said elongate compartment to enable said garment to be secured to and folded into said elongate compartment for storage, and said elongate compartment is configured to be turned inside-out and is adapted to house the entire belt clasping assembly at a bottom end portion of said garment.

2. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein said elongate compartment is closeable and includes a closing assembly at the opening of said elongate compartment for releasably closing and opening said elongate compartment.

3. The garment as recited in claim 2 wherein said closing assembly is a zipper assembly.

4. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein said garment is a rain jacket having first and second sleeve portions and a hood portion.

5. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein said belt clasping assembly includes first and second belt members, each of which have proximal ends and distal ends, said proximal ends being attached, respectively, to said first and second opposed external belt pack end portions.

6. The garment as recited in claim 5 wherein said first and second belt members include interconnecting fastening means disposed at said distal ends thereof.

7. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein said garment is permanently secured the inner surface of said back panel in an interior surface of said elongate compartment.

8. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein a bottom end portion of said garment defines said elongate compartment of said belt pack.

9. The garment as recited in claim 1 wherein said garment defines adjacent front panels having a closure assembly for detachably engaging said front panels to each other.

10. A garment that is convertible to a belt pack, said garment comprising a front panel integrally formed with a back panel wherein a portion of the bottom end portion of the back panel defines an elongate pocket, said elongate pocket includes opposing first and second ends, an elongate interior compartment defining an elongate opening extending between said first and second ends and inner front and back surfaces defined within said elongate interior compartment, a belt clasping assembly entirely disposed within said elongate interior compartment whereby said inner front and back portions of said elongate pocket are configurable to be turned inside-out thereby forming a belt pack with said belt clasping assembly extending from respective first and second ends of said belt pack wherein said belt pack defines an elongate compartment dimensioned to accommodate an entire portion of said garment.

11. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said elongate pocket is closeable and includes a closing assembly for releasably closing and opening said elongate pocket.

12. A garment as recited in claim 11 wherein said closing assembly is a zipper assembly.

13. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said garment is a rain jacket having first and second sleeve portions and a hood portion.

14. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said belt clasping assembly includes first and second belt members, each of which have proximal ends and distal ends, said proximal ends being attached, respectively, to said first and second opposed end portions of said elongate pocket.

15. A garment as recited in claim 14 wherein said first and second belt members include interconnecting fastening means disposed at said distal ends thereof for removable attachment of said belt pack about the mid-section of a person.

16. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said garment comprises a windbreaker.

17. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said belt assembly is length-adjustable.

18. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said front panel of said garment defines adjacent front panels having a closure assembly for detachably engaging said front panels to each other.

19. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said closure assembly provided on said adjacent panels is a zipper assembly.

20. A garment as recited in claim 10 wherein said garment is comprised of water proof material.