MULTI-PURPOSE CONVERTABLE GARMENT

Abstract

A multi-purpose convertible garment that can be used as a traditional jacket or converted for use as a backpack. The garment includes a left, right and rear panel having a top and bottom and adapted for covering the upper torso of a human. A zipper is provided for attaching the left and right panels together along with left and right arm sleeves attached to respective ones of the left and right panels. When used as a backpack, the sleeves are rolled up and stored insider the body of the garment and a pair of shoulder harness assemblies are extended to the exterior of the garment. The bottom of the garment is closed off by a pair of adjustable straps, thus allowing the garment to be used as a backpack.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASES

This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference herein, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/196,317 filed on Jan. 13, 2009 in the name of Applicant and is entitled “Motorcycle Jacket That Transform To A Backpack.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is generally directed to the field of wearing apparel and more particularly, is directed to a multi-purpose convertible garment that can be used as a traditional jacket or converted for use as a backpack. The present invention has particular application where the carrying of a jacket and separate backpack is inconvenient or not possible.

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

Jackets and other garments for keeping a user warm or otherwise protected from the environment are well known in the prior art. Such jackets come in many different designs, depending on their use and preference of the wearer.

Backpacks are well known in the prior art as a convenient way to carry small items. Backpacks also come in many different designs and typically have a carry pouch which can be carried on a person's back with the aid of one or more back straps.

Jackets and backpacks serve important, but different roles. Their use typically is limited to serving the purpose for which they were specifically designed.

While attempts have been made in the prior art to combine the functions of a jacket and a backpack into one garment, such attempts have resulted in a compromise garment that does not fully meet the requirements of each role. Thus, there is a need in the art for a garment that can efficiently and readily function as a jacket and as a backpack.

The novel features of the garment of the present invention are set out with particularity in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. However, the invention will be understood more fully and clearly from the detailed description of the invention as set forth in the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention in the jacket mode;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention in the jacket mode;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are further front views of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention in the jacket mode, illustrating the interior of the garment;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention in the backpack mode;

FIG. 6 is a front view of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention in the backpack mode;

FIG. 7 is a further rear view of one embodiment of the garment of the present invention in the backpack mode, illustrating the interior of the rear access area;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are side views of another embodiment of the garment of the present invention in the jacket mode; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of another embodiment of the garment of the present invention in the jacket mode, illustrating the interior of the garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a convertible garment in accordance with the invention. The garment is shown in FIG. 1 in a “jacket” mode.

The garment of the present invention may be made of any number of materials that are used to make jackets and backpacks as is known in the art. Such materials include natural and man made fabrics.

In the jacket mode, the garment includes an upper body torso area having left and right torso panels 1 and 2 as is known in the art with respect to a conventional jacket. As also known in the art, torso panels 1 and 2 are held together by zipper 3 extending from waist area 4 to neck area 5. In an alternative embodiment, zipper 3 may be replaced by buttons, Velcro strips, snaps or other methods of fastening torso panels 1 and 2 together as may be known in the art.

Torso panels 1 and 2 terminate in neck area 5 to form collar 6. Collar 6 includes optional collar strap 7 and fastener 8 which holds the ends of the collar together in the neck area of the garment as may be known in the art. Fastener 8 may be formed of a button and corresponding button hole, Velcro strips, snaps or other methods of holding the ends of collar 6 together.

Each of torso panels 1 and 2 include a zippered ventilation area 9 which allows external air to enter the garment in order to cool the user or internal warm air to exit the garment as such ventilation areas are known in the prior art with respect to conventional jackets. Pockets 10 are also provided which may be used to carry small items or as a place for the user to keep his or her hands warm or dry during inclement weather.

Torso panels 1 and 2 include declarative seams 11-13 to enhance the esthetic appeal of the jacket and which may also serve to demark a change in construction materials used to make torso panels 1 and 2, or a change in material color.

A pair of arms 15 and 16 is attached to their respective torso panels 1 and 2, e.g., by sewing as is known in the art with respect to a conventional jacket. Each arm includes a zippered ventilation area 17 which is similar to ventilation areas 9 explained above. The ends of arms 15 and 16 include a decorative seam 18 for esthetic appeal, or to demark a change in material construction or color, as well as a decorative arm strap 19 and fastener 20.

Lines 21 and 22 illustrate the location of pouches within the interior of the garment which may be used to hold shoulder pads.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the garment of the present invention includes a pair of draw strings 23 and 24. The draw strings may be used to tighten the waist end of the garment around the user when the garment is used in the jacket mode.

FIG. 1 also illustrates Velcro straps 27 and 28 which are attached to respective torso panels 1 and 2. Straps 27 and 28 may be attached to their respective panel by sewing or by other suitable methods as may be known in the art. Straps 27 and 28 are attached to corresponding retainer buckles 25 and 26 when the garment is used in the “backpack” mode.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the convertible garment of the present invention as shown in the “jacket” mode. This view shows back panel 125 which may be attached to respective edges of torso panels 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 1 or be part of a continuous piece of construction material used to form back panel 125 and torso panels 1 and 2.

As further illustrated in FIG. 2, back panel 125 includes zippered storage area 126, which as explained below, is used when the garment is in the “backpack” mode and which also provides storage space when the garment is used in the “jacket” mode. Storage area 126 further includes a zippered access area 127 which provides additional storage space.

As discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, additional decorative seams 128 and 129 are provided which enhances the esthetic appeal of the jacket and may also serve to demark a change from one construction material to another.

The back of the garment also includes access area 131 which also will be discussed in connection with use of the garment as a backpack.

FIG. 3 illustrates the garment in the jacket mode with the interior of the garment exposed. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the garment includes a back interior lining 35 and waist draw strings 36 and 37 to complete construction of the garment for use in the jacket mode.

Thus, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the convertible garment of the present invention may be worn as a conventional jacket. Note, however, that FIG. 3 illustrates a number of additional elements of the garment which are provided when the garment is used as a backpack as will be discussed below.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate alternative embodiments of the garment of the present invention in the jacket mode. As illustrated in FIG. 8B, an enhanced storage area 130 is present to provide more storage space.

Use of the garment of the present invention in the “backpack mode” will now be described.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the interior of the garment includes a pair of sleeve retainer straps 36 and 37. Retainer straps 36 and 37 may be formed from individual straps of material held together by respective buckles 38 and 39 as one in the art would understand. Buckles 38 and 39 allow the length of the retainer strap to be adjusted as necessary.

The first step in the conversion process of the garment to the backpack mode is to pull sleeves 15 and 16 inside out into the interior of the garment. The sleeves are then rolled or folded up so that they may be placed under their respective sleeve retainer straps 36 and 37 and held in place as illustrated in FIG. 4. Storing the sleeves in this manner gets them out of the way so that they do no interference with use of the garment as a backpack.

As further shown in FIG. 4, a pair of upper backpack straps 40 and 41 are provided which normally are stored within the interior of the garment. Straps 40 and 41 are made of a flexible strap material as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand and are secured to the upper interior of the garment at points 42 and 43 using a convenient fastening method, such as sewing. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a reinforcement strip 31 is used to insure that straps 40 and 41 are securely attached to the interior of the garment. Reinforcement strip 31 is formed with a slot 52 which allows straps 40 and 41 to be routed to the exterior of the garment as will be discussed below. Straps 40 and 41 terminate in respective releasable fasteners 44 and 45 as known in the art.

As further illustrated in FIG. 4, a pair of lower backpack straps 46 and 47 is provided. Straps 46 and 47 also are made of a flexible strap material as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand and are secured to the lower exterior of the garment using a convenient fastening method, such as sewing. Straps 46 and 47 enter the interior of the garment through corresponding slots 50 and 51 formed in the side of the garment and terminate in respective releasable fasters 48 and 49 which mate with fasters 44 and 45 as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand.

Fastening upper straps 42 and 43 to their respective lower straps 46 and 47 allows both sets of traps to be secured within the interior of the garment when it is being used as a jacket.

When the garment is to be used in the backpack mode, upper backpack straps 42 and 43 are released from lower backpack straps 46 and 47 at fasters 44 and 45. Lower backpack straps 46 and 47 are then withdrawn from the interior of the garment to the outside through slots 50 and 51 so that they no longer reside insider the garment as illustrated in FIG. 4. In addition, upper straps 42 and 43 are routed to the exterior of the garment via slot 52 formed in reinforcement strip 31.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, upper backpack straps 42 and 43 are coupled to lower backpack straps 46 and 47 via fasteners 44, 48 and 45, 49 on the exterior of the garment.

FIG. 6 illustrates the front of the garment while being in the backpack mode. As shown in FIG. 6, panels 1 and 2 of the garments are hold together by zipper 3 as also shown in FIG. 1. Panels 1 and 2 also include bottom end closure straps 60 and 61 for closing off the bottom of the back pack. Closure straps 60 and 61 may be made of a Velcro material and attached to panels 1 and 2 by any convenient means, such as sewing.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, a pair of retainer straps 62 and 64 is attached to the lower edge of back panel 25 of the garment. In order to close off the bottom of the garment, closure straps 60 and 61 mate with fastening buckles 63 and 65 attached to respective retainer straps 62 and 64 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6. Closure straps 60 and 61 are placed through their respective buckles 63 and 65 and held in place by overlapping their Velcro surfaces as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 also illustrates a further embodiment of access area 70 with zipper 71. FIG. 7 illustrated the interior of access area 70.

While the foregoing specification teaches the principles of the present invention, with examples provided for the purpose of illustration, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art from reading this disclosure that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A convertible garment, said convertible garment comprising:

a left, right and real panel have a top and bottom and adapted for covering the upper torso of a human;

a zipper adapted for attaching said left and right panels together;

left and right arm sleeves attached to respective ones of said left and right panel

first and second straps adapted for closing off the bottom of said left, right and real panels when said left and rights panels are attached by said zipper; and

a pair of should traps attached to the interior of said back panel.