Warming garment

Abstract

The present invention provides a garment means to be worn about the torso, legs and feet of a user to provide warmth when needed or as desired, and which may be secured about the waste or chest portion of the user by a securing means.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/542,749, filed Feb. 6, 2004

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to garments, and in particular to garments that are used for warming the legs and upper body portions of persons, and which can be easily fitted to an infant or adult in a variety of uses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Copyright notice 2005 Michelle Rodriguez and Kathy Catu. A portion of the disclosure of this patent application/patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the United States Patent and Trademark office file or records.

Many body warming garments, including articles that are easily applied to a person's lower body portion, such as infant's clothing, robes and the like, are available in the marketplace. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,743,451 discloses an infant's garment which includes an internal front body portion and a back portion comprising two sections, each of which is provided with leg and foot portions. The garment is constructed such that a diaper may be changed without removing the garment from the infant.

A baby robe is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,101, which simulates an article of clothing adjustable in length, and which includes front and rear panels which define an open body portion with or without arms, and a pair of legs. A drawstring is also situated in each leg of the front panel for varying the length of the legs.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,968,044 illustrates in infant's sleeping garment comprising separate front and rear panels united by a gusset piece which is attached to the sides and bottom of panels. The gusset piece terminates short of the gap at both sides. Seams formed by stitching are said to form a relatively stiff barrier to inhibit distention of the garment by body movement. The gussets and described as forming open conduits allowing for ventilation of the garment.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,744,253 there is described a convertible garment for children which can be converted from a sack or bunting to a legged form and adapted to cover the lower portion of a child's body, including leg and foot portions. In converting from a sack form to the leg form, side fasteners are opened, stringers are then fastened to one another by a slider, and other gear in the form of placates are snapped together to form a closed crotch portion.

Another infant's sleeping garment is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,652,052, which is in the form of a sack design with arms, and in which an infant is enclosed and secured by a front lace-up means. The garment bag is also provided with a swivel which is attached to a bed or crib to permit unfettered movement of the infant without fear of the infant becoming entangled.

Yet another garment bag type of infant clothing article with arms disclosed is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,508,852, which is provided with an integral triangular flap which can extend over an open slit to securely enclose the infant's neck and chest portions.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,631,528 shows a crib safety sheet or blanket, again in the form of a garment bag, and which a sheetlblanket is provided with a fitted sheet to which is attached two blanket halves at the center portion which can be wrapped around an infant. The blanket halves can be secured around an infant and attached to the sheet by strips of hook and clasp fastening material, e.g. sheet/blanket, attached to each half of the blanket. This arrangement is said to provide an infant crib blanket/sheet combination which can secure an infant in a position while simultaneously providing some freedom of movement.

In still yet another garment bag type design, U.S. Pat. No. 6,393,612 discloses an elongated shell having outer and inner surfaces defining an interior volume to enclose the arms, legs, and trunk portions of an infant, and which includes an internal pair of restraints positioned inside the shell to receive the arms of the infant.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,822 shows a clothing combination which includes a blanket member in the form of a garment bag that can be secured to a pajama portion covering the legs, torso, and arms of a person. There is also included a fastening means placed across the front and back of the upper torso to fasten the blanket member of the sleepwear pajama member.

A baby blanket is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,266,821 which is designed as a two-layered construction and a bag of rectangular shape. The two layers and joined by a seam along the bottom of the rectangular bag and a second seam running up the middle of the front of the bag. Also included are means for releasably attaching the two sides of the blanket top on the top of the blanket on each side of an opened midline seam. In use, an infant is inserted into the top end of the blanket and the two sides of the blanket top are then secured about the infant under its arms by the releasably attached means.

Another garment bag or sleeping bag type of infant covering is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,168. In this disclosed design, an infant can be slipped into the garment bag for warmth to the child's lower body portion and legs. This garment bag consists of outer and inner panels stitched together to form an enclosure with an opened end, and further having Velcro strips positioned along the open end to adjust the size of the opening. The garment bag is also provided with a hanging loop or support strap.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,683 illustrates a garment bag style bunting or clothing article for an infant that can be attached to a seat. This article contains a draft shield, a hood attached to a top edge of the article, and further includes slots attached to the article's seat portion for receiving securing straps.

Other person/infant garment type warming bags are also disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,405, which discloses a baby safety and warming bag for use in conjunction with automobile baby seats; U.S. Pat. No. 2,707,988 which discloses an infant sack or bag for use with a stroller, baby carriage and the like; U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,742 which illustrates a protective cover for an infant or a child in a baby swing or infant carrier device, such as a baby car seat, bicycle seat or a stroller; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,283,909 which discloses a “lap hugger’ in the form of an enclosable garment bag for receiving the legs and lower body portion of a person when seated in a recliner type chair or a wheelchair.

Further examples include U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,123 which discloses a children's garment clothing article enclosing the entire body, except neck and head portions, which is also equipped with a carrying member, such as integrated harness and a handle attached to the clothing article.

An infant wrapping article is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,204 as containing lower leg and feet and enclosures, and a drapable head portion, with blanket portions which can be draped to enclose an infant within.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,551 shows an overall body garment designed for crawling and slithering in cramped and dirty conditions and which is composed of a durable, slippery fabric equipped with smooth abrasion resistance pads.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0079270 shows yet still another garment for enclosing an infant, which is provided with a body portion equipped with a length adjusting apparatus and opposing body enclosing members or “wings” connected to the body portion in a manner allowing for the garment to be wrapped about the infant. The opposing wings arrangement is said to allow for an infant's enclosure in a car seat or other carrier with a harness without causing the bunching up of garment material.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0170112 describes a walking bag for use in cold weather or survival situations in the form of a “sleeping-bag-with-legs”, and is equipped with a suspenders arrangement for harnessing to an individual.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,925 discloses yet another garment which includes a tubular body portion with front and back portions, and a generally cross-shaped slit disposed symmetrically relative to the front portion. The slit portion is defined by an arm and a leg with the leg being normal and opening through an uppermost free edge of the front, a juncture of the slit arm and leg defining first, second, third and fourth inboard corners, the leg and free edge of the front defining fifth and six corners, and a means for securing the first and second and third and fourth corners to each other, as well as the fifth and six corners to points remote from the second and fourth corners. This arrangement is said to import to the garment a neck opening, arm openings, and sleeve and shoulder openings.

Finally, U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 426,049 shows yet still another lower body warming bag constructed in a typical garment bag fashion.

As shown from this sampling of conventional body and adult covering garments and clothing articles, there exist several methods for covering people in cribs, strollers, baby seats, wheelchairs, and generally from the elements. While no doubt all are effective, all commonly suffer from complexity of manufacture with associated cost structure, a lack of simplicity of use, and difficulty in laundering and cost to consumers. There therefore exists a need for a person-covering garment, such as a blanket device or a blanket-garment means, which is off simplicity in design and of relatively low cost to manufacture, of relatively low consumer cost, especially retail, easy to don and remove from a person and easy for laundering and complete cleansing for long use life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, and in its broadest sense, the present invention provides a warming garment, such as a blanket means, providing for unfettered movement of the wearer, including infants, children and adults alike, which includes an elongated shell which includes leg, and optionally foot enclosure portions, and an opposite opening to be fitted about the waist or chest portion of a wearer and secured thereto by a securing means, such as an elastomeric band, a drawstring or hook and clasp fastening means, or a combination of such means in order to accommodate a custom fit.

The inventive garment may also be detachable the incorporated into a blanket means which can be folded about the individual wearer.

The presently inventive garment can be easily fitted to an infant, are pulled on by a person, for example, over the outer close of a person at an outdoor sports area for warmth and comfort, as after skiwear or any other use where quick warmth and comfort is desired.

The invention is more fully understood with reference to the following detailed discussion of preferred embodiments with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of the inventive garment-blanket

FIG. 1a is a frontal perspective view of the inventive garment-blanket with a drawstring located in the waistband in addition to an elastomeric band.

FIG. 2 is a frontal perspective view of the inventive garment-blanket as applied to an infant wearer.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an infant wearer of the inventive garment-blanket in which the infant is situated in a high chair.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an infant wearer of the inventive garment-blanket in which the infant is situated in a child's swing seat, or chair.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an infant wearer of the inventive garment-blanket in which the infant is situated in a stroller.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an adult wearer of the inventive garment-blanket showing various poses situated on a bench or seat of an outdoor arena, a boat and in a survival situation.

FIG. 7 is a frontal perspective view of the inventive garment-blanket removably attached to a blanket means as designed for use with an infant.

FIG. 8 is a frontal perspective view of the inventive garment-blanket with detachable footgear, such as booties, for use with an infant.

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

All patent references, published patent applications and literature references referred to or cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Any inconsistency between these publications and present disclosure is intended to and shall be resolved in favor of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the presently inventive-garment blanket in a frontal perspective view. As shown, an elongated body portion 2 is provided with a lower portion inclusive of portions covering the legs 4, feet 6, and torso portions 8 of the wearer, and includes an open portion 10 which is designed to securely fit around the waist, chest, or upper body portion of the wearer in a restricting belt-tightening fashion. The open portion 10 may include an elastomeric means and/or drawstring means integral about the periphery of the opening 10 and/or an adjustable hook and clasp fastening means, such as Velcro, or a combination of a Velcro-type elastomeric fastening means and/or drawstring means, or any conventional or nonconventional tightening means situated about the periphery of open portion 10. As also shown in this embodiment the lower portion of the elongated body portion 2 is sealed to the outside.

The inventive garment-blanket can be of any size desired, such as snugly fitting the body contours of an infant, toddler or adult, or it may be worn oversized to provide for a convenient slip-on over the clothes and/or footwear of the user, and to provide a quick, comfortable and effective solution for desired warmth, or protection from external elements.

The inventive garment may be fabricated from any conventional or nonconventional material, such as natural or synthetic fibers, or of an emergency thermal survival blanket material, such as a military issue aviation emergency survival blanket, or its composition may be of the Mylar emergency survival type, or of a composite material. The fabrication material is preferably of the nonflammable type, especially for use with toddlers, infants and children in general, and may also be composed of an antifungal, bacteriostatic, hypoallergenic material, or of an insulated material, or of waterproof material or of any combination thereof The particular type of fabrication material employed is not critical to the practice of the invention.

Use of the inventive garment or garment-blanket is straightforward. As shown installed in FIG. 2, the garment-blanket is simply pulled onto the wearer with our without clothes or shoes/footwear with the opening 10 snugly accommodating the waist or chest portion of the wearer.

Depending, for example, on the material of fabrication, the garment-blanket may be carried or packed in a compact rolled-up form, such as any blanket, and instantly fitted about a person as desired.

As further shown by other preferred embodiments in FIGS. 2 through 6, the inventive garment-blanket offers unrestricted bodily movement, especially with active toddlers and infants, and is ideally suited for use with infants in high chairs, swing seats, car seats and strollers, as well as for adult usage, such as in cold environment outdoor areas.

In an additional preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the inventive garment-blanket may be detachably connected to a blanket means for added covering such that blanket portions may be draped over uncovered portions of the wearer, such as arms, head and shoulders. It is also contemplated that an infant wearer may be placed on a blanket means and attached thereto, for example, by hook and clasp fastening means, e.g. Velcro, for quick and secure placement of an infant on a generally flat surface for sleeping or resting purposes without fear of suffocation, or for the temporary convenience of the infant's guardian.

In yet another embodiment, the bottom leg portions of the garment may be integral with detachable footwear, such as children's slippers or boots or an adult's hiking shoes or moccasins, or perhaps snowboarding footgear and the like. Such footwear may be attached to the garment by any detachable means, such as Velcro or zipper means. As can be seen this arrangement will allow for greatly increased flexibility of use, such as, for example, in the case of a child's footwear being conveniently changed or altered for any occasion, including, for example, outdoor play or sleeping without requiring a complete change of garments or out-wear.

In further aspects of the invention, the unique advantages afforded by the inventive warming garment and methods of fabrication thereof provide for unique and heretofore unavailable advantages in conducting a wide array of business functions, including the design, manufacture, use, marketing, sale, leasing and licensing of the inventive products and the like. Other advantages are afforded by the inventive products and fabrication methods by their use in generating business goodwill, in the generation of valuable trademark rights as source identifiers of the unique inventive products and methods, and as novel and unique material or subject matter for the creation and operation of new business entities, joint venture endeavors, and various other collaborations and the like.

While the invention has been described in detail as per several preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible and contemplated herein. It is to be understood, therefore, that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, which are but a few, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A garment means effective to be fitted about a person comprising an elongated shell having leg, and optionally foot, enclosure portions, and an opening opposite to said leg enclosure portions, and which is adapted to be fitted about the waist or chest portion of a user, and a securing means attached to a portion of said opening which is effective to provide a secured fitting arrangement of the garment to the user.

2. The garment means of claim 1 wherein said securing means is an elastomeric band.

3. The garment means of claim 1 wherein said securing means is a drawstring.

4. The garment means of claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a hook and clasp fastening means.

5. The garment means of claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises a combination of two or more of an elastomeric band, a drawstring and a hook and clasp fastening means to provide for a custom fit to the user.

6. The garment means of claim 1 wherein said optional foot enclosure portions are detachably connected to the bottoms of the leg enclosure portions by zipper means or hook and clasp fastening means.

7. The garment means of claim 1 which is detachably connected to a blanket means by a zipper means or hook and clasp fastening means, and the resulting combination effective for envelopment of all or a portion of a user, including the head and/or upper torso region of said user.

8. The garment means of claim 1 which is of a size effective to fit over the outdoor clothes or indoor clothes of a user thereof.

9. A method for the fabrication of the garment means of claim 1.

10. A method for the fabrication off the garment means of claim 2.

11. A method for the fabrication of the garment means of claim 3.

12. A method for the fabrication of the garment means of claim 4.

13. A method for the fabrication off the garment means of claim 5.

14. And method for the fabrication of the garment means of claim 6.

15. A method for the fabrication of the garment means of claim 7.

16. A method for the fabrication of the garment means of claim 8.

17. A method of conducting business selected from manufacturing, designing, using, marketing, selling, licensing, leasing, forming and/or operating a business entity, generating business goodwill and generating trademark rights comprising the use of the garment means of claim 1.