Integrated And Convertible Garment And Portable Storage System
An integrated garment and storage unit system can include a storage unit, one or more carrying straps attached to the storage unit, a garment body configured to be worn on a user's torso, a first fastener attached to the garment body proximate to the waist opening, and a second fastener attached on the exterior surface of the garment body on the back side. the first and second fasteners can be positioned such that when the garment body is folded or rolled two or more times onto itself the second fastener is positioned proximate to the first fastener such that the first and the second fasteners can be joined to secure the garment body for storage on the first side of the storage unit so that the folder or rolled garment body fits at least approximately within the first area. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/028,361, filed on Feb. 13, 2008 and entitled, “Chameleon Jacket and Vest Unlayering Clothing Systems” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELDThe subject matter described herein relates to outerwear that includes integrated and convertible storage compartments capable of storing the garment itself and/or other items.
SUMMARYIn a first aspect, a device includes a storage unit comprising at least one interior compartment that is accessible through a reversibly closable opening. The storage unit has a first exterior surface with a first side configured to be positioned adjacent to a user's body, and the first side has a first height and a first width. One or more carrying straps having sufficient length to be securable around a human waist or over a human shoulder are attached to the storage unit. A garment body configured to be worn on a user's torso includes a front side disposed opposite a back side and a waist opening disposed opposite a neck opening. The garment body includes a second exterior surface that is joined to the first side of the storage unit at a joining location. A first fastener is attached to the garment body proximate to the waist opening, and a second fastener is attached to the exterior surface of the garment body on the back side and positioned such that when the garment body is folded or rolled two or more times onto itself along an axis between the waist opening and the neck opening, the second fastener is positioned proximate to the first fastener such that the first and the second fasteners can be joined to secure the garment body for storage on the first side of the storage unit so that the folded or rolled garment body fits at least approximately within the first height and the first width.
In an interrelated aspect, a method includes reducing a presented width of a garment body of an integrated and convertible garment and portable storage system that comprises a storage unit attached to the garment body. The storage unit has opposed lateral sides and a vertical dimension in a direction aligned with a vertical axis connecting a waist opening and a neck opening of the garment body. The reducing includes laterally folding one or more elements of the garment body toward a front chest area of the garment body such that the presented width is less than a horizontal dimension of the storage unit between the two opposed lateral sides. The garment body is folded or rolled over on itself one or more times along the vertical axis to reduce a presented height of the garment body to approximately the vertical dimension of the storage unit. A first fastener proximate the waist opening is joined to a second fastener on a back side of the garment body to retain the garment body in a stored position against a contact side of the storage unit that is configured to be worn against a user's body.
In various optional configurations, one or more of the following features can also be included. The storage unit can further include a zipper that is operable to close the at least one compartment. The first and the second fastener can include matched halves of a zipper. A stowage compartment can be included for each of the carrying straps, such that the stowage compartment allows the carrying strap to be stowed away, extended on the outside of the garment body, and extended on the inside of the garment body depending on user preference. The joining location for the storage unit can be positioned on the back side of the garment body proximate the waist opening. A hood can be attached at the neck opening and configured to cover a user's head while leaving a face opening. The face opening can be covered by a mesh sized to prevent insects from passing through the face opening. Two opposing sleeves can be included on the garment body and each configured to accept human arms, and a reversible closure can be included beginning underneath each sleeve that is operable to provide perspiration venting. The second fastener can be positioned on the back side of the garment body approximately two thirds of a distance between the waist opening and the neck opening and approximately even with a location of a wearer's armpits. The first fastener can be attached on an inside region of the garment body proximate to the waist opening. The first fastener can be attached to the storage unit proximate to a bottom edge of the first side. The first height of the first side of the storage unit can be approximately 33% or approximately 25% of a distance from the waist opening to the neck opening of the garment body.
The subject matter described herein provides many advantages. For example, outerwear garments incorporating the current subject matter can be extremely versatile by providing both a lumbar or shoulder pack that can be used to store and carry snacks, wallet, personal entertainment or communication devices, water bottle, car keys, airline ticket, passport and more and all quickly and easily convert into, for example, a waterproof windbreaker jacket while leaving the stored items still accessible. These features and others provides a great deal of convenience over currently available travel and active wear and can be particularly advantageous for travel and outdoor sports including hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross country running or skiing, golf and more as well as for sporting event spectators and the like.
The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, show certain aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein and, together with the description, help explain some of the principles associated with the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:
The disclosed subject matter includes outerwear such as for example a rainwear or other general outdoor jacket, a vest, or other garment (including garments used for covering a human torso) that may convert into a otherwise be integrated with a storage unit, such as for example a pack that may be carried on a waist, lumbar, shoulder, some combination of them, or other type of carrying pack. A garment can in some implementations convert from a pack to a jacket, vest, or other garment. A waist/lumbar pack may also be carried over the shoulder in the form of a satchel or harness.
Garments consistent with this disclosure can be made from fabrics such as nylon, polyester, a blend of both, fleece, micro-fibers, canvas, or other material known to those skilled in the art. The fabric may be coated, or laminated to provide a water-resistant or waterproof and wind-resistant jacket or vest. The fabrics can be lined with additional layers of fabric or mesh to provide additional layers of wind and water protection. The seams of the jacket or vest can be sealed in various ways to provide additional water-proofing.
As shown in
As shown in
At 304, the garment body is folded one or more times along its vertical axis (the vertical axis runs between the waist opening 104 and the neck opening 106), for example as shown in
At 306, the first fastener 120 and the second fastener 122 are joined as shown in
In a further optional variation, the carrying straps 116 can be stored in two lower zippered (or otherwise covered or uncovered) compartments 124 on the sides of the garment body 102 as shown in
A storage unit 112 according to the currently disclosed subject matter can include a variety of features. As shown in
In a further implementation, shown in
Garment bodies 102 according to possible variations of the current invention can take several forms and each can have one or more different features, including but not limited to those illustrated in
Various garment bodies 102 according to the current subject matter can also optionally include one or more two-way zippers 154 or other reversible closures under the arm 110 that provide vents that can run, for example from a short distance above the waist opening 104 of the garment body 102 up to about one third of the distance down the underside of the sleeve 110. Such vents may be used to provide ventilation to a user while still maintaining water-proof properties of the garment body 102 facing upwards. The vents can either be completely open when the zippers 154 are open or they can include mesh or some other material to restrict entry of pests while allowing perspiration to escape from the inside of the garment body 102. Some garment bodies can also include one or more reversible closures providing mesh ventilation ports on the back, sides, or front of the garment body 102 for increased air flow. There may be a portion of mesh fabric that can be zippered around the facial area attaching to the hood to provide protection from bugs such as mosquitoes.
Fabric such as for example fleece can form a zipper cover located near the top of the garment for comfort. A zip, snap, button, or fastening tape, removable or roll down hood can be included. The hood 150 can in some variations be made from lighter weight nylon for ease of packing. A music device portal/hole system for headphone wires can also optionally be included in the garment.
The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions, or any portions thereof, to exclude any equivalents now known or later developed, whether or not such equivalents are set forth or shown or described herein or whether or not such equivalents are viewed as predictable, but it is recognized that various modifications are within the scope of the subject matter claimed, whether or not those claims issued with or without alteration or amendment for any reason. Thus, it shall be understood that, although the present subject matter has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modifications and variations therein or herein disclosed can be resorted to, and such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of the subject matter disclosed and/or claimed herein.
Other implementations may be within the scope of the following claims. For example, while many of the implementations shown have a compartment on the rear of the garment, the pocket may be on the front of the garment to prevent theft (e.g., someone trying to pick-pocket someone from behind). To provide for accessibility of the pocket while transformed to a sack, the straps may be reversible or may be capable of being fastened and utilized regardless of an orientation with regard to the compartment. As another example, although the straps are shown as being nearly even in length on both sides, the straps might not be equilateral and one side of the straps may be longer and padded while the other is not such that a comfortable strap may be provided. As another example, there may be any number of compartments on either or both sides of a garment that may be accessible when the garment is transformed to a storage device. As another example, the garment may include a zip out liner.
Claims
1. A device comprising
- a storage unit comprising at least one interior compartment that is accessible through a reversibly closable opening, the storage unit having a first exterior surface with a first side configured to be positioned adjacent to a user's body, the first side having a first height and a first width;
- one or more carrying straps attached to the storage unit, the one or more carrying straps having sufficient length to be securable around a human waist or over a human shoulder;
- a garment body configured to be worn on a user's torso, the garment body comprising a front side disposed opposite a back side and a waist opening disposed opposite a neck opening, the garment body comprising a second exterior surface, the second exterior surface of the garment body being joined to the first side of the storage unit at a joining location;
- a first fastener attached to the garment body proximate to the waist opening; and
- a second fastener attached to the exterior surface of the garment body on the back side and positioned such that when the garment body is folded or rolled two or more times onto itself along an axis between the waist opening and the neck opening the second fastener is positioned proximate to the first fastener such that the first and the second fasteners can be joined to secure the garment body for storage on the first side of the storage unit so that the folded or rolled garment body fits at least approximately within the first height and the first width.
2. A device as in claim 1, wherein the storage unit further comprises a zipper that is operable to close the at least one compartment.
3. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first and the second fastener comprise matched halves of a zipper.
4. A device as in claim 1, further comprising a stowage compartment for each of the carrying straps, the stowage compartment allowing the carrying strap to be stowed away, extended on the outside of the garment body, and extended on the inside of the garment body.
5. A device as in claim 4, wherein the joining location for the storage unit is positioned on the back side of the garment body proximate the waist opening.
6. A device as in claim 1, further comprising a hood attached at the neck opening and configured to cover a user's head while leaving a face opening.
7. A device as in claim 1, wherein the face opening is covered by a mesh sized to prevent insects from passing through the face opening.
8. A device as in claim 1, wherein the garment body further comprises:
- two opposing sleeves each configured to accept human arms; and
- a reversible closure beginning underneath each sleeve that is operable to provide perspiration venting.
9. A device as in claim 1, wherein the second fastener is positioned on the back side of the garment body approximately two thirds of a distance between the waist opening and the neck opening and approximately even with a location of a wearer's armpits.
10. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first fastener is attached on an inside region of the garment body proximate to the waist opening.
11. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first fastener is attached to the storage unit proximate to a bottom edge of the first side.
12. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first height of the first side of the storage unit is approximately 33% of a distance from the waist opening to the neck opening of the garment body.
13. A device as in claim 1, wherein the first height of the first side of the storage unit is approximately 25% of a distance from the waist opening to the neck opening of the garment body.
14. A method comprising:
- reducing a presented width of a garment body of an integrated and convertible garment and portable storage system that comprises a storage unit attached to the garment body, the storage unit having opposed lateral sides and a vertical dimension in a direction aligned with a vertical axis connecting a waist opening and a neck opening of the garment body, the reducing comprising laterally folding one or more elements of the garment body toward a front chest area of the garment body such that the presented width is less than a horizontal dimension of the storage unit between the two opposed lateral sides;
- folding or rolling the garment body over on itself one or more times along the vertical axis; the folding or rolling reducing a presented height of the garment body to approximately the vertical dimension of the storage unit; and
- joining a first fastener proximate the waist opening and a second fastener on a back side of the garment body to retain the garment body in a stored position against a contact side of the storage unit that is configured to be worn against a user's body.
15. A method as in claim 14, further comprising:
- deploying one or more carrying straps attached to the storage device at the opposed lateral sides, the deploying comprising removing the one or more carrying straps from one or more stowage compartments built into the garment body.
16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the deploying comprises extending the one or more carrying straps from the one or more stowage compartments so that the carrying straps extend inside of the garment body.
17. A method as in claim 16, further comprising securing the one or more carrying straps around a user's waist to support the storage unit.
18. A method as in claim 17, wherein the deploying comprises extending the one or more carrying straps from the one or more stowage compartments so that the carrying straps extend outside of the garment body.
19. A method as in claim 18, further comprising securing the one or more carrying straps around a user's waist to support the storage unit.
20. A method as in claim 14, wherein the vertical dimension of the storage unit is approximately 25% or approximately 33% of a distance from the waist opening to the neck opening of the garment body.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 13, 2009
Publication Date: Aug 20, 2009
Inventor: Robert M. Seemann (Edwards, CO)
Application Number: 12/371,475
International Classification: A42B 1/00 (20060101); A41D 3/08 (20060101); A41D 3/02 (20060101); A45F 4/00 (20060101);