GARMENT VENT

Abstract

A vent on any layer of clothing that may benefit from having a vent that allows the passage of air from the outer layer of the particular article of clothing to the inner layer of the article of clothing. The article of clothing has an outer surface layer and an inner surface layer with a channel formed between the inner surface layer and outer surface layer. There is at least one vent hole formed through the outer surface layer. A sliding closure is slidably positioned within the channel between the inner surface layer and the outer surface layer. The sliding closure is positionable between a blocked position where the sliding closure blocks the vent hole and an unblocked position where the sliding closure unblocks the vent hole to allow air to pass through the vent hole of the outer layer and into the channel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a vent for an article of clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of outwear and clothing in general, it is important when outdoors to stay at a comfortable temperature. When a person wearing clothing becomes too hot, they begin to perspire and sweat accumulates and can cause the clothing layers adjacent the skin to become damp. When the weather is cold outside, this can actually cause a person to become cold because the air temperature begins to wick away heat from the damp inner layers of clothing. It is therefore ideal to stay both dry and warm, but not necessarily to the point of perspiring. With many activities it can become difficult to regulate body temperature because when first entering the outdoor environment, a person may not be moving around as much or they may be moving and then staying stationary for a period of time. Thus, it is desirable to have clothing that can be adjusted to accommodate various levels of activity and personal body temperature preferences without having to remove or shed layers of clothing. Removing or shedding layers of clothing is particularly undesirable when it is raining or snowing because the person will be expose their inner layer(s), which need to remain dry, to wet elements in order to remove them. Therefore, there is a need to provide adjustable ventilation for outer wear or outer layers of clothing that allow for air to pass through the outer layers to the inner layers of clothing and prevent the person wearing the clothing from becoming overheated and perspiring.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a vent on an article of clothing that can be a jacket, pants, shirt, or any other layer of clothing that may benefit from having a vent that allows the passage of air from the outer layer of the particular article of clothing to the inner layer of the article of clothing. The article of clothing has an outer surface layer and an inner surface layer with a channel formed between the inner surface layer and outer surface layer. There is at least one vent hole formed through the outer surface layer. A sliding closure is slidably positioned within the channel between the inner surface layer and the outer surface layer. The sliding closure is positionable between a blocked position where the sliding closure blocks the vent hole and an unblocked position where the sliding closure unblocks the vent hole to allow air to pass through the vent hole of the outer layer and into the channel. It is also within the scope of this invention to further include one or more vent holes on the inner surface layer that allow air within the channel to pass through the inner surface layer when the sliding closure is in the unblocked position.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an environmental view of an article of clothing having one or more vents;

FIG. 2 is a second environmental view of an article of clothing having one or more vents;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of one embodiment of the sliding closure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of a vent in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a second cross-sectional plan view of a vent in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a sliding closure in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sliding closure in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic top plan view of the sliding closure of the second embodiment sliding within the channel; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic top plan view of the sliding closure of the third embodiment sliding within the channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an article of clothing 10 in the form of a jacket is shown, while a second article of clothing 12 in the form of a pair of pants is shown. Each article of clothing 10, 12 has one or more vents 14, 14′ located thereon that are individually moveable between a blocked and unblocked position. As shown in FIG. 1, vents 14′ are shown in the blocked position, while vents 14 are shown in the unblocked position. While FIGS. 1 and 2 show articles of clothing 10, 12 that are jackets and pants, it is within the scope of this invention for the vents 14, 14′ to be used on virtually any type of clothing including shirts, gloves, hats, shorts, or any other article of clothing that would benefit from the use of vents 14, 14′. The vents 14, 14′ are movable between an open and closed position using pull cords which causes a sliding closure 18 of each of the individual vents 14, 14′ to slide within a channel 20 in order to move the vents 14, 14′ between the open and closed position, which will be described in greater detail below.

While FIGS. 1 and 2 show a total of three vents 14, 14′ on the article of clothing 10 that is depicted to be a jacket and two vents 14′ on the article of clothing 12 that is depicted to be a pair of pants, it within the scope of this invention for a greater or lesser number of vents 14, 14′ to be present on any given article of clothing. It is also within the scope of this invention for the location of the vents 14, 14′ to be located at virtually any location on the article of clothing.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side perspective view of the sliding closure 18 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention is shown and described. The sliding closure 18 has a body 22 that is a type of fabric material. Connected to the body is a first pull cord 24 connected to one end of the body 22 and a second pull cord 26 connected to a second end of the body 22. Generally speaking, the pull cords 24, 26 are configured to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 22; however, it is within the scope of this invention for the first pull cord 24 and second pull cord 26 to extend in any particular direction. The first pull cord 24 and second pull cord 26 can be attached to the body 22 using adhesives, stitching or any other suitable method. Additionally, the first pull cord 24 may be connected directly to a flexible open loom 28 formed or stitched into the body 22. The second pull cord 26 may be connected to a flexible closed loom 30 also connected to the body 22.

FIG. 3 shows a layer of fur 32 that is connected to the flexible material of the body 22. The flexible open loom 28 has an aperture 34 that extends through the body 22. The flexible open loom 28 is made of a flexible plastic or rubber material that allows the shape of the loom to bend or compress inward when pressure is applied to the side or edges of the loom. The flexible open loom 28 is also made of elastic material so that the flexible open loom 28 and flexible closed loom 30 will spring back to an original shape or form when pressure is no longer applied.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a partial cross-sectional plan view of the sliding closure 18′ is shown within an article of clothing 10, 12. As shown, the article of clothing 10, 12 has a channel 20 located between an outer surface layer 36 and an inner surface layer 38. Referring now to FIG. 4, the outer surface layer 36 has a vent hole 40 formed through the outer surface layer 36. The inner surface layer 38 in FIG. 4, has a vent hole 42 that is aligned with vent hole 40 to allow for the passage of air or heat through the vent holes 40, 42. The sliding closure 18′ is configured to slide within the channel 20 in order to open and close the vent hole 40 and vent hole 42 of the outer surface layer 36 and the vent hole 42 of the inner surface layer 38. FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention where the inner surface layer 38 has a mesh material 44 having a plurality of holes, which eliminates the need to have a vent hole on the inner surface layer 38 that aligns with the vent hole 40 on the outer surface layer 36.

FIGS. 4 and 5 also show the sliding closure 18′ in the open position, as shown in FIG. 4 and in the closed position as shown in FIG. 5. The sliding closure, when in the open position shown in FIG. 4, is moved into place by pulling the second pull cord 26 in order to cause the aperture 34 of the flexible open loom 28 to align with the vent hole 40 and vent hole 42. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 where mesh material 44 is used, the movement of the sliding closure 18′ so the flexible open loom 28 is aligned with vent hole 40 will allow for the clear passage of air between the vent hole 40 of the outer surface layer 36 and the plurality of holes of the mesh material 44.

FIG. 4 further shows that a portion of the body 22 of the sliding closure 18′ will fold and create a bunched area 46 within the channel 20 when the pull cord 26 is pulled causing the sliding closure 18′ to slide in the direction of the pull cord and thereby causing a portion of the body 22 to create bunched material 46. When the pull cord 24 is pulled as shown in FIG. 5, the sliding closure 18′ will slide through the channel 22 in the opposite direction as shown in FIG. 4 causing the flexible open loom 28 to move away from the vent hole 40 of the outer surface layer 36 and the vent hole 42, or mesh material 44 of the inner surface layer 38, so that the fur 32 of the body will be positioned within the vent hole 40 of the outer surface layer 36. Placement of the fur 32 within the vent hole 40 closes the vent hole 40 and prevents air entering from the outside of the article of clothing 10, 12 as well preventing the loss of heat through the vent hole 40 from inside of the article of clothing 10, 12.

When the sliding closure 18′ slides to the closed or blocked position as shown in FIG. 5, the bunched material 46 extends and is pulled taut and there is a connection 48 at the end of the body 22. The connection 48 is a connection between the body 22 and the inner surface layer 38. The connection 48 may be an adhesive connection or it might be by other means such as a fabric stitching. The connection 48 prevents the body 22 from sliding too far within the channel 20 when the first pull cord 24 is pulled in order to move the sliding closure 18′ to the position as shown in FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the sliding closure 18 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the sliding closure 18 has a body 22 with the flexible open loom 28 and the flexible closed loom 30. The flexible open loom 28, a flexible closed loom, or both sewn into the body 22 which may have multiple layers of fabric. The flexible closed loom 30 further has material of the body 22 extending across the flexible closed loom 30. FIG. 6 further shows the fur material 32 connected to the material of the body 22 that extends across the flexible closed loom 30. The use of the flexible closed loom 30 keeps the material of the body 22 taut so that there is a tighter seal when the flexible closed loom 30 is aligned with the vent hole 40 of the outer surface layer 36 when the sliding closure 18 is moved to the blocked position. The flexible open loom 28 and the flexible closed loom 30 both bend or flex as they slide through the channel 20. As shown and described later, the channel 20 has portions which cause the flexible open loom 28 and the flexible closed loom 30 to bend as the sliding closure 18 moves through the channel 20.

FIG. 7 depicts an alternate embodiment of the invention where there is a flexible closure 18″ where there is a flexible open loom 28′ and a flexible closed loom 30′ that each have a tear drop or snowshoe shape that each have a large diameter portion 50 and a narrow diameter portion 52. The large diameter portion 50 of the flexible open loom 28′ and the flexible closed loom 30′ causes the flexible open loom 28′ and the flexible closed loom 30′ to flex more easily when the sliding closure 18″ is sliding through the channel 20. The flexible movement of the flexible open loom 28, 28′ and the flexible closed loom 30, 30′ of the sliding closure 18, 18″ in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 8, which is described below.

FIGS. 8 and 9 depict schematic top plan views of the sliding closures 18, 18″ within the channel 20 of one of the vents 14, 14′ shown in the articles of clothing 10, 12 in accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2. As described above, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the sliding closure 18; however it is within the scope of this invention for the sliding closure 18′ or the sliding closure 18″ to be incorporated into the articles of clothing 10, 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The main difference being the structure of the sliding closure 18, 18′, 18″ being incorporated. It is also within the scope of this invention for the various sliding closures described herein to be used in combination on a particular article of clothing. Thus, any one particular application of the present invention does not necessarily need to be used consistently within the same article of clothing. For example, it may be more practical to have the sliding closure 18″ used in connection with one of the vents 14, 14′ while another vent 14, 14′ of the article of clothing 10, 12 may benefit from using the sliding closure 18, 18′, 18″ from one of the other aspects of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the channel 20 is shown schematically and has a first neck portion 54 which is a narrowing section of the channel 20 that can be created by stitching, welding, or using adhesives to seal the sides of the channel 20, while providing a passage 56 through the first neck portion 54 so that the flexible open loom 28, 28′ is able to bend to a retracted position when the flexible open loom slides through the passage 56 of the first neck portion 54 and then flex back to the unretracted position in order to hold the flexible open loom 28, 28′ at a first end portion 58 of the channel 20. A middle portion 60 of the channel contain the vent hole 40 of the outer surface layer 36 and also the vent hole 42 of the inner surface layer 38 (when present) and is located adjacent the first neck portion 54 so that the flexible closed loom 30, 30′ is positioned to block the vent hole 40 when the sliding closure 18, 18″ is in the blocked position. The use of the first neck portion 54 helps to hold the sliding closure 18, 18″ in position since the flexible open loom portion 28, 28′ has expanded and is frictionally held in place within the first end portion 58. In order to move the sliding closure 18, 18″ to the unblocked position, the pull cord 26 is pulled causing the flexible open loom 28, 28′ to flex and bend as the sliding closure 18, 18″ slides through the channel causing the flexible open loom 28, 28′ to bend and flex past the first neck portion 54 and slide into place and align with the vent hole 40 allowing the passage of air through the vent hole 40.

FIGS. 8 and 9 also shows another aspect of the invention where the channel 20 further includes a second neck portion 62 formed within the channel 20 creating a passage 63. The second neck portion 62 creates a second end portion 64 of the channel 20 that causes the flexible closed loom to bend to a retracted position and slide past the second neck portion 64, where the flexible closed loom 30, 30′ then expands back to an unretracted position and is held in place within the second end portion 64 of the channel 20. This prevents the flexible open loom 28, 28′ from becoming misaligned with the vent hole 40 since the flexible closed loom 30, 30′ is now in the unretracted position and secure within the second end portion 64 of the channel 20.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A vent on an article of clothing comprising:

an article of clothing having an outer surface layer and an inner surface layer;

a channel formed between the inner surface layer and the outer surface layer;

at least one vent hole formed through the outer surface layer; and

a sliding closure slidably positioned within the channel between the inner surface layer and the outer surface layer, said sliding closure being positioned to slide between a blocked position where the sliding closure blocks the at least one vent hole of the outer surface layer and an unblocked position where the sliding closure unblocks the at least one vent hole of the outer surface layer to allow air to pass through the at least one vent hole of the outer surface layer and into the channel.

2. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the inner surface layer is formed of mesh material having a plurality of holes to allow air to pass from the channel through the inner surface layer.

3. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 1 further comprising at least one vent hole on the inner surface layer, where sliding the sliding closure to the unblocked position allows air to pass through the at least one vent hole of the outer, through the channel and through the at least one vent hole on the inner surface layer.

4. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 3, wherein the at least one vent hole on the outer surface layer and the at least one vent hole on the inner surface layer are aligned so that moving the sliding closure to the unblocked position allow air to pass directly through the at least one vent hole on the outer surface layer, through the channel and through the at least one vent hole on the inner surface layer.

5. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 1, wherein the sliding closure has two opposing ends with a cord connected to each of the two ends to permit the sliding closure to move between the unblocked position and the blocked position by using the cords at the ends of the sliding closure.

6. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 1 further comprising a flexible open loom formed on the sliding closure and defining an aperture through the sliding closure, said flexible open loom being formed of an elastic material that extends when the sliding closure is in the unblocked position to align and hold the aperture of the flexible open loom with the at least one vent hole so that air will pass though the at least one vent hold and the aperture of the sling closure.

7. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 6 further comprising a neck portion of the channel where the flexible open loom will bend to a retracted position when the flexible open loom slides through the neck, and when the sliding closure moves to the blocked position material of the sliding closure will block the at least one vent hold and the flexible open loom will expand and be held in place by the neck portion in the channel.

8. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 1 further comprising a flexible open loom and a flexible closed loom formed on opposing sides of the sliding closure, wherein the flexible closed loom has material of the sliding closure extending across the flexible closed loom, while the flexible open loom forms an aperture through the sliding closure, wherein the flexible closed loom and the flexible open loom are both elastic and capable of moving between a contracted position and an expanded position.

9. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 8 further comprising an upper neck formed in the channel and a lower neck formed in the channel and the sliding closure is configured to slide within the channel, wherein the upper neck and the lower neck divide the channel into three regions designated as a upper channel region, a middle channel region, and a lower channel region, wherein the flexible closed loom of the sliding closure slides into the upper channel region when the sliding closure moves to the unblocked position and the flexible open loom will be positioned within the middle channel region, wherein the flexible open loom will slide into the lower channel region and the flexible closed loom will move into the middle channel region when the sliding closure is moved to the block position whereby the flexible closed loom will block the at least one vent hole in the outer layer.

10. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 8, wherein the flexible closed loom and the flexible open loom each have a teardrop or snowshoe shape with a large diameter portion and a narrow diameter portion, where the large diameter portion of the flexible closed loom has material extending across the flexible closed loom to block the at least one vent hole in the outer surface when the sliding closure is in the closed position and the large diameter portion of the flexible open loom form the aperture that aligns with the at least one vent hole to hold the at least one vent hole in the open position, wherein each respective the narrow diameter portion of the tear drop of the flexible closed loom and the flexible open loom cause the flexible closed loom and the flexible open loom to flex more easily when the sliding closure slides in the channel.

11. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 8 wherein the flexible closed loom further comprises a layer of fur connected to the material of the sliding closure extending across the loom that aligns with and extends through the at least one vent hole when the sliding closure is in the blocked position.

12. A vent on an article of clothing comprising:

an article of clothing having an outer surface layer and an inner surface layer;

a channel formed between the inner surface layer and the outer surface layer;

at least one vent hole formed through the outer surface layer;

a sliding closure slidably positioned within the channel between the inner surface layer and the outer surface layer, said sliding closure being positioned to slide between a blocked position where the sliding closure blocks the at least one vent hole of the outer surface layer and an unblocked position where the sliding closure unblocks the at least one vent hole of the outer surface layer to allow air to pass through the at least one vent hole of the outer surface layer and into the channel, and

at least one vent hole on the inner surface layer, where sliding the sliding closure to the unblocked position allows air to pass through the at least one vent hole of the outer, through the channel and through the at least one vent hole on the inner surface layer.

13. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 12, wherein the at least one vent hole on the outer surface layer and the at least one vent hole on the inner surface layer are aligned so that moving the sliding closure to the unblocked position allow air to pass directly through the at least one vent hole on the outer surface layer, through the channel and through the at least one vent hole on the inner surface layer.

14. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 12, wherein the sliding closure has two opposing ends with a cord connected to each of the two ends to permit the sliding closure to move between the unblocked position and the blocked position by using the cords at the ends of the sliding closure.

15. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 12 further comprising an open loom formed on the sliding closure and defining anaperture through the sliding closure, said flexible open loom being formed of an elastic material that extends when the sliding closure is in the unblocked position to align and hold the aperture of the flexible open loom with the at least one vent hole so that air will pass though the at least one vent hold and the aperture of the sling closure.

16. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 15 further comprising a neck portion of the channel where the flexible open loom will bend to a retracted position when the flexible open loom slides through the neck, and when the sliding closure moves to the blocked position material of the sliding closure will block the at least one vent hold and the flexible open loom will expand and be held in place by the neck portion in the channel.

17. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 12 further comprising an open loom and a flexible closed loom formed on opposing sides of the sliding closure, wherein the flexible closed loom has material of the sliding closure extending across the loom, while the flexible open loom forms an aperture through the sliding closure, wherein the flexible closed loom and the flexible open loom are both elastic and capable of moving between a contracted position and an expanded position.

18. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 17, further comprising an upper neck formed in the channel and a lower neck formed in the channel and the sliding closure is configured to slide within the channel, wherein the upper neck and the lower neck divide the channel into three regions designated as a upper channel region, a middle channel region, and a lower channel region, wherein the flexible closed loom of the sliding closure slides into the upper channel region when the sliding closure moves to the unblocked position and the flexible open loom will be positioned within the middle channel region, wherein the flexible open loom will slide into the lower channel region and the flexible closed loom will move into the middle channel region when the sliding closure is moved to the block position whereby the flexible closed loom will block the at least one vent hole in the outer layer.

19. The vent on an article of clothing of claim 17, wherein the flexible closed loom and the flexible open loom each have a teardrop or snowshoe shape with a large diameter portion and a narrow diameter portion, where the large diameter portion of closed loom has material extending across the flexible closed loom to block the at least one vent hole in the outer surface when the sliding closure is in the closed position and the large diameter portion of the flexible open loom form the aperture that aligns with the at least one vent hole to hold the at least one vent hold in the open position, wherein each respective the narrow diameter portion of the tear drop of the flexible closed loom and the flexible open loom cause the flexible closed loom and the flexible open loom to flex more easily when the sliding closure slides in the channel.