CONVERTIBLE WEARING APPAREL
A garment comprises a trunk having a front side and a back side, and sleeves and legs attached to the trunk. The garment further comprises a rear opening on the back side of the garment that can be opened to expose the buttocks region of the wearer. Flaps may be movably attached to each sleeve and leg and convertible between a first position wherein the sleeves and legs are open, and a second position wherein the sleeves and legs are closed. One side of each sleeve and leg may be longer than the other side. The flaps movably attached to each sleeve may each have a first and a second side, the first and the second sides each formed from fabric having a different pattern, color, texture, or other perceivable distinction than a fabric used to form the rest of the garment.
This invention relates generally to infant wearing apparel, and more particularly to convertible infant wearing apparel.
2. Description of BackgroundInfant “footies” are garments that generally include arm portions, leg portions, and enclosures at the distal end of the leg portions for the infant's feet which are permanently affixed to the leg portions such that the infant's toes and feet cannot be exposed without removing the garment. To access the infant for activities such as diaper changes, a zipper running the length of the front side of the garment must be unzipped, exposing the infant's torso, making the infant uncomfortable and the diaper change more difficult. These “footies” also do not enclose the infant's hands, leaving the infant exposed to germs and bacteria, and susceptible to scratches from the infant's fingernails.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one aspect of the invention, a garment comprises a trunk having a front side, a back side, and a top opening. A first sleeve extends from the trunk near the top opening, and a second sleeve extends from the trunk near the top opening. The garment further comprises a first leg extending from a portion of the trunk that is distal from the top opening, and a second leg extending from a portion of the trunk that is distal from the top opening.
The back side of the trunk of the garment further comprises a rear opening distal from the top opening. The rear opening may include one or more closures for closing the rear opening. The rear opening allows for the infant's diaper region to be exposed and accessible when the rear opening is open, without the need to expose other parts of the infant's body, such as the infant's torso.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first sleeve and the second sleeve of the garment each have a front side and a back side. The garment may further comprise a first sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the first sleeve, and a second sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the second sleeve. The sleeve flaps are convertible between a first position wherein the sleeves are open, allowing the infant's hand to project from the distal end of the sleeve, and a second position wherein the sleeves are closed, thereby enclosing the infant's hands within the garment. The back side of the sleeve may be longer than the front side of the sleeve so that when the sleeve flap is inverted, bunching of the fabric of the front side is minimized, and the closed sleeve is still long enough to accommodate the infant's arm and hand.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the first leg and the second leg of the garment each have a front side and a back side. The garment may further comprise a first leg flap movably attached to the back side of the first leg, and a second leg flap movably attached to the back side of the second leg. The leg flaps are convertible between a first position wherein the legs are open, allowing the infant's toes and/or feet to project from the distal end of the leg, and a second position wherein the legs are closed, thereby enclosing the infant's toes and feet within the garment. The back side of the leg may be longer than the front side of the leg so that when the leg flap is inverted, bunching of the fabric of the front side is minimized, and the closed leg is still long enough to accommodate the infant's leg, toes, and foot.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the sleeve flaps may each be formed from a fabric that is different than the fabric used to form the rest of the garment, either as to pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivable distinction. The sleeve flaps may each have a first side and a second side, the first side formed from a first fabric that is different in pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivable distinction, and the second side formed form a second fabric that is different in pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivable distinction. In this manner, when the sleeve flaps are in the first, non-converted position, the first fabric is exposed, and when the sleeve flaps are in the second, converted position, the second fabric is exposed. The sleeve flap fabrics and, particularly, the second fabric used for the second side of the sleeve flap may be selected on the basis of the fabric's ability to stimulate infant brain and eye development, such as a fabric featuring a high contrast, bold pattern.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
With reference initially to
Sleeves 15, 16 may be formed from one or more pieces of fabric that are attached to trunk 11 near top opening 14 by any conventional means, such as in the embodiments shown in
Trunk 11 may be formed from one or more pieces of fabric to form a trunk 11 having a front side 12 and a back side 13. For example, the trunk 11 may be made up of two pieces of fabric, one piece forming the front side 12 of the garment 10, and one piece forming the back side 13 of the garment 10. The front side 12 may be attached to the back side 13 by any conventional means, such as sewing the front side 12 to the back side 13 at two side seams. Alternatively, one piece of fabric may be used to form trunk 11, with the edges attached on one side seam. Alternatively, one continuous loop of fabric may be used to form the trunk 11 such that a portion of the fabric loop makes up the front side 12 of the garment 10, and a portion of the fabric loop makes up the back side 13 of the garment 10.
Alternatively, such as in the embodiment shown in
In an embodiment, such as the embodiment shown in
In an embodiment including rear opening 19, such as the embodiment shown in
Rear opening 19 may either be in a closed position, such as in
In an embodiment including rear opening 19, such as the embodiment shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Sleeve flaps 20, 21 may be movably attached to the back side 15b, 16b of the sleeve 15, 16 by any conventional means. For example, sleeve flaps 20, 21 may be movably attached to the back side 15b, 16b of the sleeve 15, 16 by sewing the side edges of the sleeve flap 20, 21 in-between the piece or pieces of fabric forming front side 15a, 16a and the piece or pieces of fabric forming back side 15b, 16b, with the bottom edge of sleeve flap 20, 21 sewn to the piece of fabric forming back side 15b, 16b. Alternatively, both the side edges and the bottom edge of sleeve flap 20, 21 may be sewn to the piece of fabric forming back side 15b, 16b of the sleeve 15, 16. If one piece of fabric is used to form each sleeve 15, 16, with the edges joined on one side seam, one side edge of the sleeve flap 20, 21 may be sewn into the side seam, while a slit may be cut in the fabric forming the sleeve opposite the side seam, the other side edge of sleeve flap 20, 21 sewn between the two pieces of fabric formed by the slit; the bottom edge of sleeve flap 20, 21 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric that makes up the back side 15b, 16b of the sleeve 15, 16. If one continuous loop of fabric is used to form sleeve 15, 16, the side edges and bottom edge of sleeve flap 20, 21 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric that makes up the back side 15b, 16b of the sleeve 15, 16. Regardless of how sleeve flap 20, 21 is attached to sleeve 15, 16, the top edge of sleeve flap 20, 21 is not attached to sleeve 15, 16, but is left free, so that an invertible pouch is formed between sleeve flap 20, 21 and the back side 15b, 16b of sleeve 15, 16.
In
As shown in
Other fabric piece numbers and arrangements may be used to form legs 17, 18. For example, each leg 17, 18 may instead be attached to the trunk 11 distally from the top opening 14 by any conventional means. Each leg 17, 18 may be formed from one or more pieces of fabric to form a leg having a front side 17a, 18a and a back side 17b, 18b. For example, each leg 17, 18 may be made up of two pieces of fabric, one piece forming the front side 17a, 18a of the leg 17, 18, and one piece forming the back side 17b, 18b of the leg 17, 18. The front sides 17a, 18a may be attached to the back sides 17b, 18b by any conventional means, such as sewing the front side 17a, 18a to the back side 17b, 18b at two side seams. Alternatively, each leg 17, 18 may be made up of one piece of fabric, with the edges joined on one side seam. Alternatively, each leg 17, 18 may be made up of one continuous loop of fabric such that a portion of the fabric loop makes up the front side 17a, 18a of the leg 17, 18, and a portion of the fabric loop makes up the back side 17b, 18b of the leg 17, 18. Other fabric piece numbers and arrangements may be used; for instance, more than one piece of fabric could be used to make the front side 17a, 18a of each leg 17, 18, and/or more than one piece of fabric could be used to make the back sides 17b, 18b of each leg 17, 18.
Regardless of how leg 17, 18 is formed, the most distal portion of each leg 17, 18 is left open, such that openings 30, 31 are formed in each leg, through which an infant's toes or foot may project when the garment is worn by an infant (see
Leg flaps 22, 23 may be movably attached to the back side 17b, 18b of the leg 17, 18 by any conventional means. For example, leg flaps 22, 23 may be movably attached to the back side 17b, 18b of the leg 17, 18 by sewing the side edges of the leg flap 22, 23 in-between the piece or pieces of fabric forming front side 17a, 18a and the piece or pieces of fabric forming back side 17b, 18b, with the bottom edge of leg flap 22, 23 sewn to the piece of fabric forming back side 17b, 18b. Alternatively, both the side edges and the bottom edge of leg flap 22, 23 may be sewn to the piece of fabric forming back side 17b, 18b of the leg 17, 18. If one piece of fabric is used to form each leg 17, 18, with the edges joined on one side seam, one side edge of the leg flap 22, 23 may be sewn into the side seam, while a slit may be cut in the fabric forming the leg opposite the side seam, the other side edge of leg flap 22, 23 sewn between the two pieces of fabric formed by the slit; the bottom edge of leg flap 22, 23 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric that makes up the back side 17b, 18b of the leg 17, 18. If one continuous loop of fabric is used to form leg 17, 18, the side edges and bottom edge of leg flap 22, 23 may be sewn to the portion of the fabric that makes up the back side 17b, 18b of the leg 17, 18. Regardless of how leg flap 22, 23 is attached to leg 17, 18, the top edge of leg flap 22, 23 is not attached to leg 17, 18, but is left free, so that an invertible pouch is formed between leg flap 22, 23 and the back side 17b, 18b of leg 17, 18.
In
In an embodiment, the back side 17b, 18b of each leg 17, 18 may include a heel line 27. Heel line 27 may be curvilinear, as shown in
In
In an embodiment, in the non-converted form, sleeve flaps 20, 21 are also in a first position wherein the sleeve flaps 20, 21 are not inverted from the back side 15b, 16b to the front side 15a, 16a of each sleeve 15, 16. When sleeve flaps 20, 21 are in this position, sleeve openings 28, 29 are open. In this position, the hands of an infant wearing the garment may project through the sleeve openings 28, 29, allowing the infant's hands to be exposed.
In particular,
Garment 10 may further include a body opening 24 (see
Garment 10 may further include rear opening 19 (see
Turning to
In
Sleeve flaps 20, 21 are also shown in their converted form in
In
In
In an embodiment, leg 17 includes heel line 27. Heel line 27 may allow for the distal portion of leg 17 to be converted to a boot-shape when leg flap 22 is inverted to the second, closed position, such that the enclosure created by inverting leg flap 22 to the second, converted position substantially conforms to the foot of an infant wearing the garment. In another embodiment, leg 17 does not include heel line 27.
In
In
In an embodiment, sleeve flap 20 includes a first side 20a (visible in
In an embodiment, first side 20a and second side 20b are each formed from fabric that is different than the fabric used to form the rest of garment 10, either as to pattern, color, texture, or some other perceivable distinction. For example, while the rest of garment 10 may be formed from one or more solid-color fabrics, first side 20a may be formed from a patterned fabric, and second side 20b may be formed from a different patterned fabric. In the embodiment shown in
By being formed of fabric that is different than the fabric used to form the rest of garment 10, different patterns, colors, or textures are exposed depending on whether the sleeve 15 is converted or not. For instance, in
In an embodiment, the fabric or fabrics selected for the first and second sides 20a, 20b are selected on the basis of the fabric's ability to stimulate infant brain and eye development. For instance, a patterned fabric featuring a high contrast, bold pattern, such as the dotted pattern shown in
Turning to
Blocks 1301-1304 of
Blocks 1305-1308 of
While the garment 10 depicted in
While the garment 10 described herein is described with reference to a particular application, namely, a garment for infants, it will be understood that the garment 10 may alternatively have other applications. For instance, the garment 10 may be sized larger so that it may be worn by older children, or even larger yet so that it may be worn by adults.
Further, while the garment 10 described herein is described with reference to a garment wherein leg flaps 22, 23 and/or sleeve flaps 20, 21 are disposed on the back side of the legs and sleeves when in their non-converted position, it will be understood that leg flaps 22, 23 and/or sleeve flaps 20, 21 may alternatively be disposed on the front side of the legs and sleeves when in their non-converted position. In such an embodiment, leg flaps 22, 23 and/or sleeve flaps 20, 21 are invertible from a first, non-converted position, wherein the flaps are disposed on the front side of the legs and sleeves leaving leg openings 30, 31 and/or sleeve openings 28, 29 open, to a second, converted position, wherein the flaps are inverted to the back side of the legs and sleeves, thereby closing off leg openings 30, 31 and/or sleeve openings 28, 29.
It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
Claims
1. A garment comprising:
- a trunk having a front side, a back side, and a top opening;
- a first sleeve extending from a portion of the trunk near the top opening, the first sleeve having a front side and a back side;
- a first sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the first sleeve, the first sleeve flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the first sleeve is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the first sleeve is in a closed position;
- a second sleeve extending from the portion of the trunk near the top opening, the second sleeve having a front side and a back side;
- a second sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the second sleeve, the second sleeve flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the second sleeve is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the second sleeve is in a closed position
- a first leg extending from a portion of the trunk distal from the top opening;
- a second leg extending from the portion of the trunk distal from the top opening; and
- a rear opening formed in the back side of the garment.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the back side of the first sleeve is longer than the front side of the first sleeve, and the back side of the second sleeve is longer than the front side of the second sleeve.
3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap each have a first side and a second side, the first sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a first fabric different than a fabric used to form the rest of the garment, and the second sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a second fabric different than the fabric used to form the rest of the garment.
4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first leg and the second leg each further comprise a front side and a back side, the garment further comprising:
- a first leg flap movably attached to the back side of the first leg, the first leg flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the first leg is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the first leg is in a closed position; and
- a second leg flap movably attached to the back side of the second leg, the second leg flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the second leg is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the second leg is in a closed position.
5. The garment of claim 4, wherein the back side of the first leg is longer than the front side of the first leg, and the back side of the second leg is longer than the front side of the second leg.
6. The garment of claim 4, wherein the back sides of the first leg and the second leg each include a heel line.
7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a front opening in approximately the middle of the front side of the trunk, the front opening including one or more closures for detachably closing the front opening.
8. The garment of claim 1, the rear opening further comprising one or more closures for detachably closing the rear opening.
9. A garment comprising:
- a trunk having a front side, a back side, and a top opening;
- a first sleeve extending from a portion of the trunk near the top opening, a first sleeve flap movably attached to the first sleeve, the first sleeve flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the first sleeve is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the first sleeve is in a closed position;
- a second sleeve extending from the portion of the trunk near the top opening, a second sleeve flap movably attached to the second sleeve, the second sleeve flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the second sleeve is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the second sleeve is in a closed position;
- a first leg extending from a portion of the trunk distal from the top opening, a first leg flap movably attached to the first leg, the first leg flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the first leg is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the first leg is in a closed position; and
- a second leg extending from the portion of the trunk distal from the top opening, a second leg flap movably attached to the second leg, the second leg flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the second leg is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the second leg is in a closed position.
10. The garment of claim 9 wherein:
- the first sleeve further comprises a front side and a back side, the first sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the first sleeve such that when the first sleeve flap is in the second position, the first sleeve flap is disposed on the front side of the first sleeve;
- the second sleeve further comprises a front side and a back side, the second sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the second sleeve such that when the second sleeve flap is in the second position, the second sleeve flap is disposed on the front side of the second sleeve;
- the first leg further comprises a front side and a back side, the first leg flap movably attached to the back side of the first leg such that when the first leg flap is in the second position, the first leg flap is disposed on the front side of the first leg; and
- the second leg further comprises a front side and a back side, the second leg flap movably attached to the back side of the second leg such that when the second leg flap is in the second position, the second leg flap is disposed on the front side of the second leg.
11. The garment of claim 9, further comprising a rear opening formed in the back side of the garment.
12. The garment of claim 10, wherein the back side of the first sleeve is longer than the front side of the first sleeve, the back side of the second sleeve is longer than the front side of the second sleeve, the back side of the first leg is longer than the front side of the first leg, and the back side of the second leg is longer than the front side of the second leg.
13. The garment of claim 9, wherein the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap each have a first side and a second side, the first sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a first fabric different than a fabric used to form the rest of the garment, and the second sides of the first sleeve flap and the second sleeve flap are each formed from a second fabric different than the fabric used to form the rest of the garment.
14. The garment of claim 10, wherein the back sides of the first leg and the second leg each include a heel line.
15. The garment of claim 9, further comprising a front opening in approximately the middle of the front side of the trunk, the front opening including one or more closures for detachably closing the front opening.
16. The garment of claim 11, the rear opening further comprising one or more closures for detachably closing the rear opening.
17. A garment comprising:
- a trunk having a front side, a back side, and a top opening;
- a first leg extending from a portion of the trunk distal from the top opening, a first leg flap movably attached to the first leg, the first leg flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the first leg is in an open position and a second position wherein the opening in the first leg is in a closed position; and
- a second leg extending from a portion of the trunk distal from the top opening, a second leg flap movably attached to the second leg, the second leg flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the second leg is in an open position and a second position wherein the opening in the second leg is in a closed position.
18. The garment of claim 17 wherein:
- the first leg further comprises a front side and a back side, the first leg flap movably attached to the back side of the first leg such that when the first leg flap is in the second position, the first leg flap is disposed on the front side of the first leg; and
- the second leg further comprises a front side and a back side, the second leg flap movably attached to the back side of the second leg such that when the second leg flap is in the second position, the second leg flap is disposed on the front side of the second leg.
19. The garment of claim 17, further comprising a rear opening formed in the back side of the garment.
20. The garment of claim 17, further comprising:
- a first sleeve extending from a portion of the trunk near the top opening, a first sleeve flap movably attached to the first sleeve, the first sleeve flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the first sleeve is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the first sleeve is in a closed position; and
- a second sleeve extending from the portion of the trunk near the top opening, a second sleeve flap movably attached to the second sleeve, the second sleeve flap convertible between a first position wherein an opening in the second sleeve is in an open position, and a second position wherein the opening in the second sleeve is in a closed position.
21. The garment of claim 20 wherein:
- the first sleeve further comprises a front side and a back side, the first sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the first sleeve such that when the first sleeve flap is in the second position, the first sleeve flap is disposed on the front side of the first sleeve; and
- the second sleeve further comprises a front side and a back side, the second sleeve flap movably attached to the back side of the second sleeve such that when the second sleeve flap is in the second position, the second sleeve flap is disposed on the front side of the second sleeve.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 11, 2017
Publication Date: Apr 11, 2019
Inventors: Jo Wollschlaeger (Portland, OR), Sara McMahon (Portland, OR), Lili Yeo (Beaverton, OR)
Application Number: 15/729,674