Shirt

Abstract

A shirt has a first panel and a second panel, each having a first surface, a second surface, and bounded by a top edge, a pair of side edges, and a bottom edge. First and second flat felt seams connect the top edges of the first and second panels to form a collar aperture. Third and fourth flat felt seams connect the respective side edges of the first and second panels such that a first arm aperture is formed between the third flat felt seam and the first flat felt seam, and such that a second arm aperture is formed between the fourth flat felt seam and the second flat felt seam. The first and second panels are substantially identical, enabling the shirt to be worn with either the first panel or the second panel in a forward position. Furthermore, the first, second, third, and fourth flat felt seams enable the shirt to be worn with either the first or second surfaces facing out.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application for a utility patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/667,021, filed Mar. 31, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to shirts, and more particularly to a shirt that may be worn inside out and/or reversed.

2. Description of Related Art

Shirts are typically designed and printed to be worn with a specific side facing forward, and with a particular outer surface adapted to face the outside (outside-out), while the opposing side is adapted to be worn on the inside.

The prior art teaches a variety of shirts. However, the prior art does not teach a shirt that may be worn inside out and/or reversed. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention teaches certain benefits in construction and use which give rise to the objectives described below.

The present invention provides a shirt having a first panel and a second panel. Each of the first and second panels have a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first and second surfaces are bounded by a top edge, a pair of side edges, and a bottom edge. First and second flat felt seams are used to connect the top edges of the first and second panels to form a collar aperture. Third and fourth flat felt seams are used to connect the respective side edges of the first and second panels such that a first arm aperture is formed between the third flat felt seam and the first flat felt seam, and such that a second arm aperture is formed between the fourth flat felt seam and the second flat felt seam. The first and second panels are substantially identical, enabling the shirt to be worn with either the first panel or the second panel in a forward position. Furthermore, the first, second, third, and fourth flat felt seams enable the shirt to be worn with either the first or second surfaces of the first and second panels in an outer position.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a shirt having advantages not taught by the prior art.

Another objective is to provide a shirt that may be reversed, with either of the first or second panels forming the front of the shirt when worn by a user.

A further objective is to provide a short that may also be worn in either outside-out or inside-out, with either the first or second surfaces of the first and second panels forming the outside of the shirt when worn by a user.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is an front elevational view of an outside of a shirt according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an inside of the shirt;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the outside of the shirt;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the inside of the shirt;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of an outside of the shirt;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an inside of the shirt;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of an outside of an alternative embodiment of the shirt; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an inside thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The above-described drawing figures illustrate the invention, a shirt 10 that may be reversed, with either of first or second panels 20A or 20B forming the front of the shirt 10 when worn by a user.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the shirt 10 is further adapted to be worn in either outside-out or inside-out, with either of first or second surfaces 22A or 22B of the first panel 20A, and first or second surfaces 24A and 24B of the second panel 20B, facing out when worn by the user.

The first and second panels 20A and 20B, and specifically the first surfaces 22A and 22B and the second surfaces 24A and 24B, are bounded by top edges 26A and 26B, a pair of side edges 28A and 28B, and a bottom edge 30A and 30B. The first and second panels 20A and 20B are preferably constructed of a fabric such as cotton, polyester, or any other natural, synthetic, or combination used in the construction of clothing.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, first and second flat felt seams 32 and 34 are used to connect the top edges 26A and 26B of the first and second panels 20A and 20B to form a collar aperture 36. As shown in FIGS. 7-10, third and fourth flat felt seams 38 and 40 are used to connect the respective side edges 28A and 28B of the first and second panels 20A and 20B such that a first arm aperture 42 is formed between the third flat felt seam 38 and the first flat felt seam 32, and such that a second arm aperture 44 is formed between the fourth flat felt seam 40 and the second flat felt seam 34. The first and second panels 10A and 20B are substantially identical, enabling the shirt 10 to be worn with either the first panel 20A or the second panel 20B in a forward position. Furthermore, the first, second, third, and fourth flat felt seams 32, 34, 38 and 40 enable the shirt 10 to be worn with either the first surfaces 22A and 24A or second surfaces 22B and 24B of the first and second panels 20A and 20B in an outer position.

As used in this application, the term “flat felt seam” is hereby defined to include a standard sewing technique that produces a seam that presents a finished look suitable for the exterior of a garment on both sides of the seam, including a standard flat felt seam, equivalent seams, and also including the alternative of making the two panels integrally formed at the location of what would typically be a seam. For example, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the third and fourth flat felt seams 38 and 40 may be provided by using a “tube” style shirt that is not sewn at the sides, but has an integral construction at these locations.

As shown in FIGS. 1-10, the shirt 10 may further include a first sleeve 46 and a second sleeve 48, the first and second sleeves 46 and 48 being attached to the side edges 28A and 28B of the first and second panels 20A and 20B around each of the respective arm apertures. In this embodiment, the shirt 10 also includes a collar 50 sewn into the top edges 26A and 26B of the first and second panels 10A and 20B around the collar aperture 36. In alternative embodiments, however, the shirt 10 may be sleeveless, may include long-sleeve sleeves, and may include other features known in the art.

It is possible that the shirt 10 may include printed indicia (not shown) on various elements of the shirt 10. Any printed materials are preferably added in a manner consistent with the short being worn in the various configurations described above. The shirt 10 may include, for example, printed elements or symbols on both the front and rear of the shirt 10, and may also include one symbol on the inside of the shirt 10 and another symbol on the outside, thereby enabling the user to change which symbol is displayed by simply turning the shirt 10 inside-out. Such alternative printing options may be developed further by one skilled in the art, and are therefore not described in greater detail herein.

Certain terminology is used in the preceding description for convenience only, and is not limiting. Words such as “top,” “side,” “bottom,” and the like, designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Words such as “in,” “inside,” “out,” “outside,” “front,” and “back” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, from the geometric center of the object being described and relative to a user wearing the shirt 10. The terminology includes the words described above, similar or equivalent words, and derivatives thereof. Additionally, the words “a,” “an,” and “one” are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the terms “have,” “include,” “contain,” and similar terms are defined to mean “comprising” unless specifically stated otherwise.

While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims.

Claims

1. A shirt comprising:

a first panel and a second panel, each of the first and second panels having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first and second surfaces being bounded by a top edge, a pair of side edges, and a bottom edge;

first and second flat felt seams connecting the top edges of the first and second panels to form a collar aperture;

third and fourth flat felt seams connecting the respective side edges of the first and second panels such that a first arm aperture is formed between the third flat felt seam and the first flat felt seam, and such that a second arm aperture is formed between the fourth flat felt seam and the second flat felt seam;

wherein the first and second panels are substantially identical, enabling the shirt to be worn with either the first panel or the second panel facing forward; and\

wherein the first, second, third, and fourth flat felt seams enable the shirt to be worn with either the first or second surfaces facing out.

2. The shirt of claim 1 further comprising a first sleeve and a second sleeve, the first and second sleeves being attached to the side edges of the first and second panels around each of the respective arm apertures.

3. The shirt of claim 1 further comprising a collar sewn into the top edges of the first and second panels around the collar aperture.

4. A method for manufacturing a shirt, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a shirt comprising: a first panel and a second panel, each of the first and second panels having a first surface and an opposing second surface, the first and second surfaces being bounded by a top edge, a pair of side edges, and a bottom edge; connecting the top edges of the first and second panels with first and second reversible cover stitch to form a collar aperture; and connecting the respective side edges of the first and second panels with third and fourth reversible cover stitch such that a first arm aperture is formed between the third reversible cover stitch and the first reversible cover stitch, and such that a second arm aperture is formed between the fourth reversible cover stitch and the second reversible cover stitch, wherein the first and second panels are substantially identical, enabling the shirt to be worn with either the first panel or the second panel in a forward position; and

wherein the first, second, third, and fourth reversible cover stitch enable the shirt to be worn with either the first or second surfaces of the first and second panels in an outer position.