Integrated shelter and multi-functional garment
An efficient, lightweight, waterproof and configurable multi-functional garment that is intended to keep the user dry. The multi-functional garment is intended to be used by anyone going outdoors in inclement weather and is configurable as a rain coat or a poncho, and an A-frame or lean-to tent, depending on the user's need and choice. The multi-functional garment is a poncho or a rain jacket that also doubles as a tent shelter. The multi-functional garment also folds-up into itself in a compact self-stored small, light pillow shape for easy carrying.
This application claims priority benefit of copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/336,043 filed in the name of the above captioned inventor, the sole inventor hereof, through the United States Postal Service by Post Office to Addressee Express mail under Express Mail Label No. EO 970150810 US on Jan. 15, 2010, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to lightweight, waterproof and configurable multi-functional garments having an integrated shelter, and in particular to garments that are convertible between a rain coat, poncho, and a tent, and is self-stored in a small bag.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONPonchos are generally well-known for hiking and backpacking. However, known ponchos are limited in their ability to efficiently and reliably operate as lightweight, waterproof and configurable multi-functional garments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is an efficient, lightweight, waterproof and configurable multi-functional garment that is intended to keep the user dry. The multi-functional garment of the invention is configurable as a rain coat or a poncho, and an A-frame or lean-to tent, depending on the user's need and choice. The multi-functional garment is intended to be used by anyone going outdoors in inclement weather. Therefore, the multi-functional garment is by design efficient, lightweight, waterproof, configurable. The multi-functional garment is a poncho or a rain jacket that also doubles as a tent shelter. The multi-functional garment also folds-up into itself in a compact self-stored small, light pillow shape the size of a small bag of potato chips for easy carrying.
The multi-functional garment can be pulled out of the self-stored small bag and donned as a poncho in under 5 seconds, and can be converted to a tent shelter in 90 seconds. When not in use, the multi-functional garment can be stuffed into its pouch for self-storage in about 30 seconds.
An alternative configuration of the multi-functional garment has an emergency blanket feature wherein a reflective surface is integrated onto the inside surface of the waterproof fabric, effectively reflecting and containing the user's body heat.
Other aspects of the invention are detailed herein.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In the Figures, like numerals indicate like elements.
Multi-functional garment 10 has a large rectangular outline, significantly later than traditional single-application ponchos. Multi-functional garment 10 is shown here laid out in flat pattern. Garment 10 is or larger expected to be produced in a single size for adults, but also may be produced in smaller child sizes or larger sizes for larger adults. The flat pattern of garment 10 is substantially rectangular and, for a one-size-fits-all size, is roughly 96 inches long by 60 inches wide, but can be larger or smaller without deviating from the scope of the invention.
A fabric head covering or hood 14 is positioned roughly in the middle of garment 10 along a shoulder line 16 about halfway between the front and back hems 18, 20 and about halfway between the opposite side hems 22. A garment sealing mechanism 24, such as a zipper releasably seals a head opening 25 that splits the front panel 26 of garment 10 lengthwise from the neckline 28 of hood 14 to ease placement of wearer's head into hood 14. According to one embodiment, zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 is water resistant or even waterproof. Zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 splits front panel 26 of garment 10 down to a horizontal flap 30 that releasably seals a chest pouch 32 on garment front panel 26. A pouch sealing mechanism 33 is structured between flap 30 and a surface of pouch 32. For example, pouch sealing mechanism 33 is a fabric hook-and-loop closures, for example, of the type commonly known as Velcro. In one embodiment, chest pouch 32 measures about 7 inches by 7 inches, but the size of chest pouch 32 can be larger or smaller without deviating from the scope of the invention. Chest pouch 32 is optionally either a patch-type pocket formed as a single patch of fabric sewn to garment front panel 26, or is a bag-type pouch formed as a bag having its mouth sewn to an opening through garment front panel 26, which also operates as the opening into pouch 32.
As illustrated here, a pair of attachment mechanisms 34 are positioned adjacent to the opposite side hems 22 along shoulder line 16 of garment 10. Additional attachment mechanisms 34 are positioned adjacent to each outside corner of garment 10 where front and back hems 18, meet opposite side hems 22. For example, attachment mechanisms 34 are stout fabric loops tabbed, sewn or otherwise attached or coupled to opposite side hems 22 and each outside corner of garment 10. Fabric loops 34 are optionally of an elastic cord material. Alternatively, attachment loops 34 are configured as any hole-type attachment means, including but not limited to: button holes, metallic or non-metallic rings, and metallic or non-metallic grommets. Accordingly, such button holes, metallic or non-metallic rings, and metallic or non-metallic grommets are also contemplated for attachment mechanisms 34 and may be substituted for any or all of the fabric loops without deviating from the scope and intent of the present invention.
A hem contouring mechanism 35 is provided by a cord or draw string member 36 (phantom lines) that is run crosswise of garment 10 adjacent to each of front and back hems 18, 20 between opposite side hems 22. For example, a tube or sleeve 38 (dashed lines) is sewn or otherwise attached to fabric of garment 10. Cord or draw string members 36 are optionally elastic, for example a strong elastic cord of about ⅛ inch thickness may be utilized. Openings 40 are provided at each end of sleeves 38 from which cord members 36 extend. Adjusting means 42 may be provided for adjusting the length of one or more of cord members 36, such as a spring-loaded plunger clamp or other length adjusting means. For example, spring-loaded plunger-type clamp adjusting means 42 or other clamp adjusting means 42 are fit onto ends of cord members 36 where they extend from openings 40 of sleeves 38. Hem contouring mechanism 35 is operated by utilizing adjusting means 42 to shorten cord members 36 in various configurations of garment 10.
Additional midline cord or draw string members 36 (phantom lines) are run crosswise between opposing side hems 22 of either or both of garment front panel 26 and contiguous back panel 44 between common shoulder line 16 and respective front and back hems 18, 20. These cord members 36 are similarly optionally run through tubes or sleeves 38 (dashed lines) sewn or otherwise attached crosswise of front and back panels 26, 44 of garment 10 approximately parallel with common shoulder line 16 and respective front and back hems 18, 20. These cord members 36 are similarly optionally formed of a strong elastic cord of about ⅛ inch thickness, and may be similarly adjustable by spring-loaded plunger-type clamp adjusting means 42 or other clamp adjusting means 42 fit onto ends of cord members 36 where they extend from openings 40 of sleeves 38 adjacent to opposite side hems 22. These midline cord members 36 are each operated as a waist cinching mechanism 45 to snug garment 10 about the wearer's waist area when garment 10 is worn as a rain poncho or long coat.
Optionally, a pair of cooperating waist coupling mechanisms 46 are provided at opposing side hems 22 of garment back panel 44. For example, waist coupling mechanisms 46 are cooperating quick connect belt clips provided on tough nylon webbing belts 48 that are sewn, bonded, glued or otherwise attached to fabric of back panel 44.
Zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 cooperates with head contouring mechanism 52 to keep heat inside hood 14 and water and snow out.
Traditional ponchos have no provision for mitigating updrafts that expose the wearer to the elements, as well as losing heat from the interior of the poncho. Multi-functional garment 10 has the advantage of quickly snugging the cord members 36 by adjusting means 42 at front and back hems 18, 20 to reduce the effects of the wind. Accordingly, opposing side hems 22 of back panel 44 are pulled forward (arrows 66) and together in front of front panel 26, then releasably fastened. For example, if present, optional cooperating waist coupling mechanisms or belt clips 46 are releasably joined to fasten opposing side hems 22 of back panel 44 together in front of front panel 26. The loops 34 on all four corners of garment 10 become holding sites when the spring-loaded plunger-type clamp adjusting means 42 from another corner is slipped through it. As shown here, one adjusting means 42 on one corner of garment 10 at back hem 20 is slipped through loop 34 on the opposite corner at back hem 20. Adjusting means 42 on a front corner of garment 10 at front hem 18 may also be slipped through loop 34 on the opposite corner at front hem 18. Alternatively, adjusting means 42 or another coupling mechanism adjacent to the corner of back hem 20 can be clipped or otherwise connected to attachment loop 34 without deviating from the scope of the invention.
The poncho formed by garment 10 can even more resemble a long raincoat by virtue of connecting cooperating belt clips 44, whereby the poncho is snugged to the wearer's waist area. An even tighter fit can be obtained by the wearer drawing in the waist area cord members 36 with respective adjusting means 42. This is all done in a matter of seconds by the wearer.
The rectangular panel concept of multi-functional garment 10, wherein the flat pattern is substantially rectangular with substantially rectangular front panel 26 positioned the front and substantially rectangular back panel 44 in the back, allows the wearer of a backpack 68 to cover backpack 68 as well as provide frontal protection from the elements. Cooperating waist coupling mechanisms 46 nominally positioned in the waist area are now positioned further up the torso depending on the size of backpack 68. This feature provides for keeping backpack 68 dry, does not require the wearer to remove backpack 68 to don the poncho, and still provides protection from the elements for the wearer. The rectangular pattern provides the wearer with the ability to keep backpack 68 in place on the back, and to don the poncho rapidly, and to clip back panel 44 across the wearer's upper torso is an advantage not found on traditional ponchos that have less surface area (and thus are shorter) and don't have the front-clasping cooperating belt clips 44.
As disclosed herein above, multi-functional garment 10 provides several novel features.
Novel Feature #1
Stored volume, when compressed, has an envelope of 7 inches by 7 inches by 2 inches; less than 100 cubic inches or 1.6 liters. Storage is by means of front pocket or pouch 32, which is turned inside-out, and the entirety of the poncho garment 10 is stuffed into the pocket or pouch 32. Cooperating Velcro pouch and hood sealing mechanisms 33, 74 secure mouth opening 80 upon completion of insertion. The time from holding the garment 10 stored in pouch 32 to removing it from its stored configuration and donning the poncho is barely five seconds, which is useful in a quick downpour situation.
Novel Feature #2
Hood 14 is closed by waterproof zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 which, with the head contouring mechanism 52, allows the wearer to enjoy the safety of a full visual range-of-view without the hood 14 itself blocking the view. The zipper-type garment sealing mechanism 24 together with the head-draw cord member 58 and cooperating adjustment means 42 keeps heat inside the hood 14 and keeps water and snow out.
Zipper closure 24 cooperates with head contouring mechanism 52 to keep heat inside hood 14 and water and snow out.
Novel Feature #3
Novel Feature #3 is disclosed herein and illustrated in
Attachment mechanisms 34 at all four corners of garment 10 are utilized in the tent shelter as tie-downs for stakes at each of the four corners of either the A-frame tent or the lean-to tent. The shelter is erected by supporting attachment mechanisms 34 along garment shoulder line 16 at midpoint of side hems 22, then tied down at the four corner attachment mechanisms 34 or tie-down loops. As disclosed herein and illustrated in
Novel Feature #4
Traditional ponchos do not have any provision to mitigate updrafts that expose the wearer to the elements, as well as losing heat from the interior of the poncho. Novel Feature #4 is disclosed herein and illustrated in
Optionally, clamp adjusting means 42 on one corner of skirt 88 of front panel 26 at front hem 18 is slipped through cooperating attachment loop 34 on the opposite corner of front hem 18. Optionally, clamp adjusting means 42 on opposite corner of skirt 88 of front panel 26 at front hem 18 is slipped through cooperating attachment loop 34 on the first corner of front hem 18, which doubles security. Hem contouring mechanism 35 is snugged across front hem 18, around wearer's calves or ankles, to further reduce the effects of the wind.
Novel Feature #5
As illustrated in
Novel Feature #6
As illustrated in
While the preferred and additional alternative embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the inventor makes the following claims.
Claims
1: A multi-functional garment, comprising:
- a sheet of substantially waterproof fabric formed in a substantially rectangular flat pattern that is bounded by opposing front and back hem lines distal from a common centerline and opposing side hem lines extended between opposing ends of the front and back hem lines and longer than the front and back hem lines and forming corners at intersections of the opposing side hem lines and each of the front and back hem lines, wherein the fabric sheet further comprises substantially rectangular front and back panels that are continuous between the opposing side hem lines and are further contiguous along the common centerline and terminating in the respective front and back hem lines, and further comprising a neck hole through the fabric positioned intermediate of the common centerline;
- an attachment mechanism coupled to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the corners formed at the intersections of the opposing side hem lines and each of the front and back hem lines, and coupled to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines substantially coincident with the common centerline;
- a hem contouring mechanism extended crosswise of the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the front and back hem lines between the opposite side hem lines;
- a waist cinching mechanism positioned on at least the back panel between the common centerline and the back hem line and extended crosswise of the fabric sheet between the opposing side hem lines;
- a pair of cooperating waist coupling mechanisms positioned on the back panel adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines and adjacent to the waist cinching mechanisms;
- a pouch attached to the front panel of the fabric sheet, the pouch comprising a mouth opening thereinto and a pouch sealing mechanism positioned for sealing the mouth opening;
- a fabric hood sealed to the fabric sheet adjacent to the neck hole therethrough; and
- a hood sealing mechanism cooperating with the pouch sealing mechanism, the hood sealing mechanism positioned adjacent to a back portion of the hood with the neck hole and the hood positioned between the hood sealing mechanism and the cooperating pouch sealing mechanism.
2: The garment of claim 1, wherein the fabric sheet further comprises a head opening therethrough extended between the neck hole and the mouth opening into the pouch; and
- further comprising a garment sealing mechanism structured for releasably sealing the head opening.
3: The garment of claim 2, wherein the attachment mechanisms coupled to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the corners formed at the intersections of the opposing side hem lines and each of the front and back hem lines, and the attachment mechanisms coupled to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines substantially coincident with the common centerline each further comprises an attachment mechanism selected from the group of attachment mechanisms consisting of: fabric loops, elastic cord loops, button holes, metallic rings, non-metallic rings, and grommets.
4: The garment of claim 2, wherein the substantially waterproof fabric of the sheet further comprises a rip-stop nylon.
5: The garment of claim 2, wherein the substantially waterproof fabric of the sheet further comprises a fabric that is impregnated with a waterproofing material.
6: The garment of claim 2, wherein the hood further comprises a head contouring mechanism that is operable both for drawing a peak of the hood downwardly across a face hole formed in the hood at a front portion thereof, and for drawing opposing sides of the hood backwardly away from the face hole formed in the hood.
7: The garment of claim 6, wherein the pouch is sized to receive an entirety of the fabric sheet thereinto; and wherein pouch sealing mechanism is further structured for sealing the mouth opening of the pouch with the entirety of the fabric sheet therein.
8: The garment of claim 7, further comprising a means for mitigating updrafts when the garment is operated as a poncho with a user's neck positioned in the neck hole, the user's head positioned in the hood, the user's arms extended along the common centerline toward the opposing side hem lines, and the user's legs extended downwardly between the front and back hem lines.
9: The garment of claim 7, further comprising means for releasably attaching together the corners of the back panel of the fabric sheet formed at intersections of the opposing side hem lines.
10: A multi-functional garment, comprising:
- a substantially rectangular sheet of substantially waterproof fabric, the fabric sheet being bounded on opposing short sides by opposing front and back hem lines and bounded on opposing long sides by a pair of opposing side hem lines that are extended between opposing ends of the front and back hem lines and forming corners between each of the opposing side hem lines and each of the front and back hem lines, wherein the fabric sheet further comprises substantially rectangular front and back panels that are continuous between the opposing side hem lines and are further contiguous along a common centerline of the fabric sheet that is extended between the opposing side hem lines approximately midway between the front and back hem lines and terminating in the respective front and back hem lines, and further comprising a neck hole through the fabric sheet positioned approximately intermediate of the common centerline;
- a plurality of attachment loop means for connecting to the fabric sheet, one of the plurality of attachment loop means coupled to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the corners and adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines approximately intermediate thereof;
- a hem adjusting means for adjusting a length of the back hem line between the opposite side hem lines;
- a waist cinching means for adjusting a width of at least the back panel of the fabric sheet between the opposing side hem lines, the waist cinching means being positioned between the common centerline and the back hem line;
- a pair of cooperating waist coupling means for coupling together a portion of the opposing side hem lines, the cooperating waist coupling means being positioned on the back panel adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines between the common centerline and the back hem line;
- a garment receiving means attached to the front panel of the fabric sheet, the garment receiving means being structured for receiving the fabric sheet substantially entirely thereinto;
- a fabric hood sealed to the fabric sheet adjacent to the neck hole therethrough; and
- a neck hole sealing means structured for sealing the neck hole of the fabric sheet.
11: The garment of claim 10, wherein the garment receiving means further comprises a pouch having a mouth opening thereinto, and a pouch sealing mechanism structured for sealing the mouth opening into the pouch; and
- wherein the neck hole sealing means further comprises a sealing mechanism that cooperates with the pouch sealing mechanism for sealing the neck hole of the fabric sheet.
12: The garment of claim 11, wherein pair of cooperating waist coupling means is further positioned approximately intermediate between the common centerline and the back hem line; and
- wherein the waist cinching means is further positioned adjacent to the waist coupling means.
13: The garment of claim 12, wherein the hem adjusting means further comprises a draw string operational through a sleeve formed on the back panel of the fabric sheet, and means for releasably clamping a portion of the drawstring withdrawn from the sleeve.
14: The garment of claim 13, wherein the waist cinching means further comprises a draw string operational through a sleeve formed on the back panel of the fabric sheet, and means for releasably clamping a portion of the drawstring withdrawn from the sleeve.
15: The garment of claim 12, wherein the fabric sheet further comprises a heat reflective lining.
16: A method of making a multi-functional garment, comprising:
- in a sheet of substantially waterproof fabric, forming a substantially rectangular flat pattern that is bounded on opposing short sides by opposing front and back hem lines and bounded on opposing long sides by a pair of opposing side hem lines that are extended between opposing ends of the front and back hem lines and forming corners between each of the opposing side hem lines and each of the front and back hem lines, the fabric sheet further comprising substantially rectangular front and back panels terminating in the respective front and back hem lines and that are contiguous along the common centerline and are further continuous between the opposing side hem lines, and the fabric sheet further comprising a neck hole through the fabric positioned approximately intermediate of the common centerline;
- coupling a corner attachment mechanism to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the corners;
- coupling a centerline attachment mechanism to the fabric sheet adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines approximately coincident with the common centerline;
- positioning a hem contouring mechanism crosswise of the fabric sheet adjacent to at least the back hem line between the opposite side hem lines;
- positioning a waist cinching mechanism on at least the back panel between the common centerline and the back hem line and extended crosswise of the fabric sheet between the opposing side hem lines;
- positioning a pair of cooperating waist coupling mechanisms on the back panel adjacent to each of the opposing side hem lines and adjacent to the waist cinching mechanisms;
- attaching a pouch to the front panel of the fabric sheet approximately aligned with the neck hole and spaced away therefrom, and further comprising forming a mouth opening into the pouch, and positioning a pouch sealing mechanism for sealing the mouth opening;
- sealing a fabric hood to the fabric sheet adjacent to the neck hole therethrough with a face hole directed substantially toward the front panel of the fabric sheet; and
- structuring a hood sealing mechanism for cooperating with the pouch sealing mechanism, positioning the hood sealing mechanism adjacent to a back portion of the hood with the neck hole and the hood positioned between the hood sealing mechanism and the pouch sealing mechanism.
17: The method of claim 16, wherein coupling a corner attachment mechanism to the fabric sheet further comprises coupling selecting a corner attachment mechanism from the group of corner attachment mechanism consisting of: fabric loops, elastic cord loops, button holes, metallic rings, non-metallic rings, metallic grommets, and non-metallic grommets.
18: The method of claim 17, further comprising selecting the sheet of substantially waterproof fabric as a rip-stop nylon fabric impregnated with a waterproofing material.
19: The method of claim 17, further comprising coupling a head contouring mechanism to the fabric hood, coupling a head contouring mechanism to the fabric hood further comprising forming a sleeve on the hood, positioning a draw string slidably within the sleeve with at least one end portion thereof exiting from the sleeve, and coupling a releasable clamping mechanism to the end portion of the draw string exiting from the sleeve.
20: The method of claim 17, wherein attaching a pouch to the front panel of the fabric sheet further comprises sizing the pouch for receiving the fabric sheet substantially entirely thereinto; and
- wherein structuring a hood sealing mechanism for cooperating with the pouch sealing mechanism further comprises structuring a hood sealing mechanism for cooperating with the pouch sealing mechanism for sealing the pouch with the fabric sheet being received substantially entirely therein.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 14, 2011
Publication Date: Jul 28, 2011
Inventor: Nancie Lynn Weston (Camano Island, WA)
Application Number: 12/930,731