Garment

Abstract

A garment for the torso of a person comprises a lower edge extending around the person when the garment is being worn; the garment further comprising a pocket in which the garment may be stowed, the pocket being disposed in a portion of the garment adjacent the lower edge of the garment.

Description

The present invention relates to a garment, in particular a garment for the upper torso of a person, being adaptable between a first arrangement for being worn and a second arrangement for being carried or stored.

Conventionally, garments are not provided with any specific means for transporting or carrying them, or for storing them when not in use. This can present a problem with carrying certain garments. One example is beachwear, that is a garment that is used by a person when attending a beach or other similar location, such as a swimming pool or the like. Generally, such garments must be worn or carried to the beach or other location. A particular problem arises when the garment is damp or wet, for example after beach activities have been completed. While the garment cannot be worn, it must still be carried.

WO 99/60884 discloses a towel, which may be transformed into a bag, either before or after use. The towel comprises a pocket into which the towel may be folded or stowed in a compact form. A strap is provided to aid in carrying the thus stowed towel, for example over a person's shoulder or across their back.

Similarly, WO 03/103462 discloses a pocketed beach towel with a pillow and straps. The towel may be folded or stowed in a pocket and carried by means of the strap.

It is known to provide garments for the upper torso with hoods, whereby the garment may be stowed in the hood of the garment in a compressed form. Such a design of garment is known in particular for waterproof clothing. It also known to provide such garments with a pocket on the front of the garment, which may be used to store or carry items, such as with a conventional pocket, as well as providing a receptacle for the garment to be stowed in a compact form.

There is a need for an improved design of garment, which may stowed in a compact form and easily carried, with the means for such storage and carrying not affecting the general use of the garment.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a garment for the torso of a person, the garment comprising a lower edge extending around the person when the garment is being worn; the garment further comprising a pocket in which the garment may be stowed, the pocket being disposed in a portion of the garment adjacent the lower edge of the garment.

The garment is for wearing on the torso of a person and may extend to the waist or below the waist of the user. In one preferred embodiment, the garment extends over the legs of the wearer to either above or below the knees. The lower edge of the garment is that edge of the garment, typically incorporating a hem or such other finishing, that, when the garment is being worn, extends around the waist, hips or legs of the person, depending upon the length of the garment in relation to the wearer. The length of the garment is not an essential aspect of the present invention and it may be of any suitable or desired length.

The garment is provided with the pocket adjacent its lower edge, into which the garment may be packed and stored. The pocket may have its opening in any convenient location. In a preferred embodiment, the opening of the pocket is disposed along an edge of the pocket adjacent the lower edge of the garment.

The pocket may be disposed on either the exterior or the interior of the garment, with the interior being a preferred location, so the pocket is not visible during normal use of the garment. The terms ‘exterior’ and ‘interior’ are to be taken as references to the garment when arranged in the normal orientation for use, that is ‘right side out’ as opposed to ‘inside out’. The garment may be reversible, such that it may be worn with either of its surfaces outermost. In this case, the pocket is disposed on the interior of the garment when worn in one orientation and on the exterior of the garment when in the other orientation.

If the pocket and/or the garment is arranged such that the pocket may be on the exterior of the garment when being worn, the pocket may be made a feature of the design of the garment.

The pocket may be disposed at any suitable position along the lower edge of the garment. Typically, the garment will have one orientation when being worn, with a first panel intended for the front of the garment and a second panel intended for the rear of the garment. In one preferred embodiment, the pocket is disposed so as to be at the rear of the garment, when the garment is in normal use. The garment may be of the type that may be worn with either the first or the second panel to the front or to the rear. In such a case, the pocket will feature at the front or the rear of the garment, depending upon how the garment is being worn.

The pocket may be removable from the garment. However, the pocket is preferably formed as an integral part of the garment. A preferred form of the pocket is a portion of fabric stitched or otherwise fastened to the fabric of the garment. In one preferred arrangement, the pocket is a square or rectangular portion of fabric stitched to the fabric of the garment along three of its four sides, with one side, preferably the side adjacent the lower edge of the garment, being without stitching, to provide an opening for the pocket.

The opening of the pocket may comprise a means for sealing the pocket, such as one or more fasteners, for example buttons, studs or a zip fastener. Alternatively, the pocket may comprise a draw string extending around the opening of the pocket, which may be used to close opening in a manner known in the art. A suitable device for releasably locking the draw string to keep the opening closed may be provided. Suitable locking devices are also known in the art and are commercially available.

The interior of the pocket, that is the inside of the pocket when the garment is being worn, may be of a material and/or finished to either match the exterior of the garment or to contrast with the garment, according to the user's preference. The pocket is preferably lined with a suitable material. In one embodiment, the pocket is lined with a fabric the same as or to match or coordinate with the exterior fabric of the garment.

The pocket may comprise or incorporate a waterproof material or be treated in order to render the pocket water resistant or waterproof. Suitable materials or treatments for the pocket are known in the art and are commercially available.

In one preferred embodiment, the pocket is arranged in the garment such that the pocket is reversed, that is turned ‘inside out’, in order to accommodate the garment when packed into the pocket.

The garment is preferably provided with a means for carrying, when the garment is packed into the pocket. For example, the pocket may be provided with one or more straps or handles on its surface that is normally exterior when the garment is packed into the pocket. In one preferred embodiment, the garment is provided with one or more cords or the like, which may be employed as shoulder straps, in order to carry the garment in the pocket in the form of a back pack or rucksack.

The garment may be provided with a hood. The hood, if present, may be formed of or otherwise treated so as to be waterproof. The garment may be with or without sleeves. If present, the sleeves may be long or short, as desired by the wearer. The hood and/or sleeves, if present, may be detachable, in which case the pocket may be used to store the hood and/or sleeves when not in use.

The size of the pocket will be determined by the size of the garment and the use to be made of the garment. The pocket may be of a size sufficient to accommodate the remainder of the garment. Alternatively, the pocket may be of a larger size, such that one or more other items may also be stowed in the pocket, together with the garment.

In addition, in embodiments where the pocket waterproof or water resistant, it is advantageous if the pocket is sufficiently large to also provide a waterproof seat portion, allowing the user or wearer to be seated with the pocket disposed on the seat beneath them.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the garment is made from a material for use on a beach or by a swimming pool or the like, in particular an absorbent material, especially a toweling material. Suitable absorbent and toweling materials are widely available commercially and well known in the art of beach wear and pool wear.

As noted above, the pocket of the garment may comprise a waterproof material, such as a waterproof lining. It has been found that the provision of a waterproof pocket provides particular advantages. The waterproof pocket serves to keep moisture from wet and damp items in the pocket from leaving the pocket. Alternatively, the waterproof pocket keeps items in the pocket, such as the garment when stowed, dry. In addition, it has been found that the provision of a waterproof pocket is advantageous when the garment is being worn by a person who is damp or wet, for example wearing the garment over damp or wet clothing, such as a swimming costume, wetsuit or the like. The waterproof pocket when disposed in the rear of the garment provides a seat on which the person can sit while wearing the garment, without causing moisture to pass onto the fabric of seats, chairs and the like.

Accordingly, in a further aspect, the present invention provides a garment for wearing on the torso of a person, the garment comprising a rear panel disposed to extend over the back of the user when the garment is in use, the rear panel comprising at least a portion which may serve as a seat and be disposed beneath the user while the garment is being worn and the user is in a seated position, the said portion being water resistant so as to prevent moisture passing through the said portion of the garment either to or from the user.

The seat portion of the garment to be disposed beneath the wearer when seated is water resistant, most preferably water proof. The seat portion may be a portion of the rear panel which has been treated to render it resistant to water or a panel of a suitable waterproof material that has been let into the rear panel. Alternatively, the seat portion may be formed by applying a layer of water resistant or water proof material onto one or both sides of the rear panel in the appropriate position. It is preferred that the seat portion is formed by either a treatment applied to the inside of the rear panel or a panel of material applied to the inside of the rear panel, the term ‘inside’ referring to that side of the rear panel that is adjacent the body of the wearer when the garment is being worn.

In the garment of the present invention, while the rear panel is water resistant or water proof, the remainder of the garment is not resistant to the passage of water or moisture. In one preferred embodiment, the remainder of the garment is of an absorbent material, in particular a toweling material or the like. Such a toweling garment with the waterproof or water resistant seat portion, most preferably disposed as or within the pocket, is particularly well suited for use by persons after taking part in water sports.

Suitable materials for use in the seat portion of the garment and suitable treatments are known in the art and commercially available. One preferred material is polytetrafluoroethylene-based (PTFE), commercially available under the trade mark Gore-Tex®.

As noted above, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the seat panel forms or is incorporated in a pocket formed in the garment, most preferably adjacent the rear lower edge of the garment when being worn. Details of the garment of this embodiment and the pocket are as hereinbefore described.

The seat portion may be removable from the garment.

The concept of the waterproof seat portion may also be applied to the hood of a garment. Accordingly, there is also provided a garment for wearing on the torso of a person, the garment comprising a hood, the hood being resistant to the passage of water through the material of the hood.

As noted previously, the remainder of the garment is not waterproof or water resistant, preferably being formed from an absorbent material, especially a toweling material.

One preferred embodiment comprises both a water resistant hood and a water resistant seat portion.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, having reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment according to one embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cut-away view of the garment of FIG. 1 showing the pocket of the garment;

FIG. 3 is a view of the garment of FIGS. 1 and 2 when stowed inside the pocket; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a garment according to one embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a garment, generally indicated as 2, intended to be worn over the torso of a user in conventional manner. The garment shown represented in FIG. 1 is for casual or beach-wear and is of a toweling material. It is to be understood that the garment may be of any suitable material, as dictated by the use to be made of the garment or the wishes of the user or wearer.

The garment 2 comprises a body portion 4, having a front panel 6 and a rear panel 8. The garment further comprises two sleeves 10, 12. An opening 14 is provided in the garment to accommodate the head of the wearer and from which a hood 16 extends. The garment 2 is shown in FIG. 1 in the orientation in which it is normally worn, with the opening 14 and hood 16 uppermost. The garment 2 comprises a lower edge 18, finished with a conventional hem. When being worn, the lower edge 18 of the garment typically extends around the upper legs or thighs of the wearer, depending upon the length of the garment relative to the height of the wearer.

The garment 2 comprises a pocket 20, shown by a dotted line in FIG. 1 and in detail in FIG. 2. The pocket 20 is formed by a generally rectangular panel 22 of fabric stitched to the interior surface of the rear panel 8. The pocket 20 extends from the lower edge 18 and is provided with an opening 24 adjacent the lower edge 18. The panel 22 of the pocket 20 is of the same fabric as the garment, such that the patterned surface forming the exterior of the garment forms the interior surface of the pocket. In this way, when the pocket is reversed to stow the garment, the patterned surface of the panel 22 forms the exterior of the pocket.

A pair of cords 26 and 28 (shown by dotted lines in FIG. 2) extends within the pocket, each cord having one end secured to a respective inner corner of the pocket and the other end to the fabric at a respective end of the opening 22. The cords 26, 28 also extend around the opening 24 in the pocket 20, to provide a draw string 30 (also shown by a dotted line in FIGS. 2 and 3), which may be used to close the opening of the pocket

In use, the garment is stowed in the pocket by reversing the pocket, that is turning it ‘inside out’, and pushing or folding the garment into the pocket 20. The thus stowed garment is shown in FIG. 3. The stowed garment may be carried by means of the cords 26, 28 which may be adjustable in length to serve as hand grips or straps for the shoulders of the user.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a garment of the same general configuration as the garment of FIG. 1. Accordingly, the components and features common to the two garments have been identified using the same reference numerals and reference is made to the foregoing description in this respect. The garment of FIG. 4 comprises a seat portion 120, indicated by a dotted line. The seat portion 120 is formed as a panel of waterproof material stitched to the inside of the rear panel 8. In use, the seat panel 120 may be disposed beneath the lower back, rump and thighs of a wearer when in the seated position. In this way, the seat panel 120 prevents moisture passing either to or from the aforementioned parts of the wearer through the garment. Thus, the seat portion serves to protect the fabric of seats, chairs and the like from moisture from damp or wet garments being worn by the user beneath the garment.

Claims

1. A garment for the torso of a person, the garment comprising a lower edge extending around the person when the garment is being worn; the garment further comprising a pocket in which the garment may be stowed, the pocket being disposed in a portion of the garment adjacent the lower edge of the garment.

2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the pocket comprises an opening extending adjacent the lower edge of the garment.

3. The garment according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the pocket is disposed so as to be on interior of the garment when the garment is in normal use.

4. The garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the pocket is disposed so as to be at the rear of the garment, when the garment is in normal use.

5. The garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the pocket is removable.

6. The garment according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the pocket is an integral part of the garment.

7. The garment according to claim 6, wherein the pocket is a panel of fabric fastened to the fabric of the garment.

8. The garment according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for closing or sealing the opening of the pocket.

9. The garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the pocket is lined.

10. The garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the pocket comprises a water resistant or waterproof material.

11. The garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the pocket is arranged to be turned inside out in order to accommodate the garment.

12. The garment according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for carrying the garment when stowed in the pocket.

13. The garment according to claim 12, wherein the means for carrying comprises one or more cords or straps disposed within the pocket, when the garment is not stowed in the pocket.

14. A garment for wearing on the torso of a person, the garment comprising a rear panel disposed to extend over the back of the user when the garment is in use, the rear panel comprising at least a portion which may serve as a seat and be disposed beneath the user while the garment is being worn and the user is in a seated position, the said portion being water resistant so as to prevent moisture passing through the said portion of the garment either to or from the user.

15. The garment according to claim 14, wherein the seat portion forms or is incorporated in a pocket of the garment.

16. A garment substantially as hereinbefore described, having reference to the FIGS. 1 to 3 or FIG. 4.