Garment Having Work Revealing Window and Method of Use

Abstract

The invention is a garment or like apparel that has a substantially transparent window connected to a pocket or cavity within the garment or like apparel, with the garment or like apparel being adapted to selectively reveal work performed preferably on a hand-held electronic device that is contained within the pocket or other garment or apparel cavity. The garment or like apparel is useful in allowing the manipulation of the hand-held electronic device contained within a cavity of the garment or like apparel while protecting the user's hands from the weather or harsh environment or while keeping such use discreet or private.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/285,075 filed Oct. 31, 2011, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/353,239 filed Jan. 13, 2009, now abandoned, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to garments and like apparel having a transparent window to reveal work that is performed within the garment or like apparel. More particularly, the present invention relates to garments having a selectively openable window covering operable to expose a transparent window to reveal the use of hand-held electronic devices.

RELATED ART

Hand-held electronic devices such as cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), electronic games, pagers, calculators, puzzle solvers, miniature computers, combinations of the preceding, etc., have become prevalent in society, with their use becoming increasingly common and being adopted by users of increasingly younger ages.

Such devices have found use in placing phone calls, sending text messages, playing games, browsing internet pages, purchasing goods and services, solving puzzles, and other sundry uses. Some garments are known to have been adapted for using such hand-held electronic devices and related devices. Further, some garments are known to have various pockets or other features so as to provide a particular utility to the user of the garment. Examples of such concepts are disclosed in the following US patents and applications which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,296,303, 6,826,782, 6,774,296, 6,665,878, 6,014,774, 5,845,337, 5,794,263, 5,787,505, 5,699,632, 5,682,610, 5,678,249, 5,499,401, 5,461,728, 5,269,023, 5,241,706, 5,139,187, 4,949,887, 4,893,357, 4,876,724, 4,495,659, 4,408,355, 4,221,954, 3,793,643, 3,491,373, 3,203,005, 2,751,952, 2,727,241, 2,611,901, 2,557,280, 369,817, 255,420, D472,364, D440,738, D373,235, D371,892, D364,724, D300,984, D255,505, D254,216, D138,009, D132,164, D132,163, D132,162, D132,161, D123,010, D116,525, D115,369, D97,354, D97,237, D97,236, D29,775, D7,537, D7,536, D6,826, D4,254, D4,019, D3,946, D3,697, D2,841, D2,835, 20080196140, 20070261703, 20070139875, and 20040035742.

SUMMARY

It is recognized that oft times when using a hand-held electronic device, the user's hands as well as the hand-held device are subject to cold, rain or other inclement weather as well as to sand, dirt and other debris. An example of such use is for instance, a football fan using a cell phone while attending a cold open air football game to send a text message of the football game score. Furthermore, it is recognized that when using a hand-held electronic device, the user may want to avoid drawing attention to the use, or the user may want to conceal such use. An example of such use is for instance, a student using a cell phone while attending a class to send a text message to a friend without the “texting” becoming known to the instructor or other select students. The invention therefore is a garment or related apparel (e.g. a purse) that has a substantially transparent window connected to a pocket or cavity, with the garment being adapted to selectively reveal work performed preferably on a hand-held electronic device that is used within the pocket or other garment cavity. The garment may take the form for instance of a hoodie (or hoody—a hooded sweatshirt or like garment) having a pocket with a transparent window, a jacket having a pocket with a transparent window, a purse having a transparent window, a muff (or muffler—a hollow cylindrical or tubular garment for use warming hands), a mitten adapted for two-handed use having a transparent window, or a glove having a transparent window. The use may be for instance preparing and sending a text message on a cell phone while the cell phone is held within the windowed cavity of the garment by the wearer of the garment or by the user of the related apparel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by 30 reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a substantially trimetric view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a substantially trimetric view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a substantially trimetric view of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged substantially trimetric view of the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a substantially trimetric view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a substantially trimetric view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged substantially trimetric view of the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a substantially trimetric view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged substantially trimetric view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

The invention is a garment or related apparel that has a substantially transparent window connected to a pocket or cavity within the garment or related apparel, with the garment or related apparel being adapted to selectively reveal work performed preferably on a hand-held electronic device that is contained within the pocket or other garment or apparel cavity. The garment or related apparel is useful in allowing the manipulation of the hand-held electronic device contained within a cavity of the garment or related apparel while protecting the user's hands and the hand-held device from the weather or harsh environment or while keeping such use discreet or private.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention in reviewing the drawings accompanying the specification, a feature list is provided below. It is noted that like features are like numbered throughout all of the figures.

FEATURE TABLE
#   Feature
20  Hoodie
22  Hood
24  Sleeve
26  Drawstring
28  Pocket
30  Access opening
32  Window
34  Window covering
40  Jacket
42  Hood
44  Sleeve
46  Drawstring
47  Zipper
48  Pocket
50  Access opening
52  Window
54  Window covering
60  Purse
62  Strap
64  Lid
66  Clasp
68  Access opening
70  Cuff
72  Window
74  Window covering
80  Muff
82  Strap
84  First suckle member
86  Second buckle member
88  Access opening
90  Cuff
92  Window
94  Window covering
100 Mitten
102 Stitching
104 Access opening
106 Cuff
108 Window
120 Glove
122 Access opening
124 Cuff
126 Window
140 Human
142 Human Hand
144 Fastening mechanism
150 Hand-held electronic device

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the invention is a hoodie 20 defining a substantially opaque cloth or fabric sweatshirt type garment having a hood 22, a plurality of sleeves 24, a drawstring 26, and a pocket 28. Pocket 28 further defines a pocket forming an inner cavity and having a plurality of access openings 30, a substantially transparent and preferably plastic window 32, and an openable and closeable window covering 34 hingedly connect to pocket 28. Window covering 34 may preferably be secured to pocket 28 in a closed position by means of a Velcro or other suitable closure mechanism. Window covering 34 may further be secured to hoodie 20 in an open position by means of a Velcro or other suitable fastening mechanism 144. A hand-held electronic device 150 is preferably removably contained within pocket 28. Hand-held electronic device 150 may define for instance a cell phone, a PDA, an electronic game, a pager, a calculator, a puzzle solver, a miniature computer, or any combination thereof. In practice, when a user such as a human 140 having hands 142 desires to use device 150, human 140 opens window covering 34, places at least one hand 142 and preferably both of hands 142 through access openings 30 and into pocket 28. Human 140 then manipulates device 150 such as in preparing and sending a text message or in playing a game while watching such manipulation through window 32. By thus using hoodie 20, human 140 is able to manipulate device 150 while enjoying increased privacy and anonymity and while enjoying improved protection for both the human's hands 142 and device 150.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the invention is a jacket 40 defining a substantially opaque cloth or fabric type garment having a hood 42, a plurality of sleeves 44, a drawstring 46, a zipper 47, and a plurality of pocket 48. At least one of pockets 48 further defines a pocket forming an inner cavity and having an access opening 50, a substantially transparent and preferably plastic window 52, and an openable and closeable window covering 54 hingedly connect to pocket 48. Window covering 54 may preferably be secured to pocket 48 in a closed position by means of a Velcro or other suitable closure mechanism. Window covering 54 may further be secured to jacket 40 in an open position by means of a Velcro or other suitable fastening mechanism. Hand-held electronic device 150 is preferably removably contained within 2pocket 48. In practice, when human user 140 having hands 142 desires to use device 150, human 140 opens window covering 54, places a single hand 142 through access opening 50 and into pocket 48. Human 140 then manipulates device 150 such as in preparing and sending a text message or in playing a game while watching such manipulation through window 52. By thus using jacket 40, human 140 is able to manipulate device 150 while enjoying increased privacy and anonymity and while enjoying improved protection for both the human's hand 142 and device 150.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 3 and 4, a third embodiment of the invention is a purse 60 defining a substantially opaque cloth, fabric, leather, or other type hand-bag or container apparel defining an inner cavity and having a strap 62, a lid 64, a clasp 66, and a plurality of access openings 68, each access opening 68 having a flexible and drapeable cuff 70. Lid 64 further includes a substantially transparent and preferably plastic window 72 formed therein and an openable and closeable window covering 74 hingedly connect to lid 64. Window covering 74 may preferably be secured to lid 64 in a closed position by means of a Velcro or other suitable closure mechanism. Window covering 74 may further be secured to purse 60 in an open position by means of a Velcro or other suitable fastening mechanism 144. Hand-held electronic device 150 is preferably removably contained within purse 60. In practice, when human user 140 having hands 142 desires to use device 150, human 140 opens window covering 74, places at least one hand 142 and preferably both of hands 142 through access openings 68 and into purse 60. Human 140 then manipulates device 150 such as in preparing and sending a text message or in playing a game while watching such manipulation through window 72. By thus using purse 60, human 140 is able to manipulate device 150 while enjoying increased privacy and anonymity and while enjoying improved protection for both the human's hands 142 and device 150.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 5, a fourth embodiment of the invention is a muff 80 defining preferably a substantially opaque cloth or fabric hollow cylindrical garment defining an inner cavity and having a plurality of access openings 88, each access opening 88 having a flexible and drapeable cuff 90, a substantially transparent and preferably plastic window 92, and an openable and closeable window covering 94 hingedly connect to muff 80. Window covering 94 may preferably be secured to muff 80 in a closed position by means of a Velcro or other suitable closure mechanism. Window covering 94 may further be secured to muff 80 in an open position by means of a Velcro or other suitable fastening mechanism 144. Muff 80 further preferably includes a strap 82 secured to muff 80, strap 82 having a first buckle member 84 and a second buckle member 86. Muff 80 is adapted to be secure to human user 140 by means of placing strap 82 around the waist of human user 140 and by buckleably connecting first buckle member 84 and second buckle member 86. Hand-held electronic device 150 is preferably removably contained within muff 80. In practice, when a human user 140 having hands 142 desires to use device 150, human 140 opens window covering 94, places at least one hand 142 and preferably both of hands 142 through access openings 88 and into muff 80. Human 140 then manipulates device 150 such as in preparing and sending a text message or in playing a game while watching such manipulation through window 92. By thus using muff 80, human 140 is able to manipulate device 150 while enjoying increased privacy and anonymity and while enjoying improved protection for both the human's hands 142 and device 150.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 6 and 7, a fifth embodiment of the invention is a mitten 100 defining a substantially opaque cloth, fabric, leather, or other type mitten defining an inner cavity and having stitching 102, an access opening 104 having a cuff 106, and a substantially transparent and preferably plastic window 108 formed in a wall of mitten 100. Mitten 100 and access opening 104 of mitten 100 are adapted to receive a plurality of hands 142. Hand-held electronic device 150 is preferably removably contained within mitten 100. In practice, when human user 140 having hands 142 desires to use device 150, human 140 places at least one hand 142 and preferably both of hands 142 through access opening 104 and into mitten 100. Human 140 then manipulates device 150 such as in preparing and sending a text message or in playing a game while watching such manipulation through window 72. By thus using mitten 100, human 140 is able to manipulate device 150 while enjoying increased privacy and anonymity and while enjoying improved protection for both the human's hands 142 and device 150.

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIGS. 8 and 9, a sixth embodiment of the invention is a glove 120 defining a substantially opaque cloth, fabric, leather, or other type glove defining an inner cavity and an access opening 122 having a cuff 124, and a substantially transparent and preferably plastic window 126 formed in a wall of glove 120. Glove 120 and access opening 122 of glove 120 are adapted to receive a singular hand 142. Hand-held electronic device 150 is preferably removably contained within glove 120. In practice, when human user 140 having hands 142 desires to use device 150, human 140 places one hand 142 through access opening 122 and into glove 120.

Human 140 then manipulates device 150 such as in preparing and sending a text message or in playing a game while watching such manipulation through window 126. By thus using glove 120, human 140 is able to manipulate device 150 while enjoying increased privacy and anonymity and while enjoying improved protection for both the human's hands 142 and device 150.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope

Claims

1. A hand garment for use in manipulating a hand-held electronic device within said hand garment while observing said manipulation from without said hand garment and without exposing a user's hands to inclement weather, said hand garment defined by:

a first access opening having a first cuff and a second access opening having a second cuff, each of said first and second cuffs being flexible and drapeable;

an outer surface being an exterior surface of said hand garment;

a window formed in said outer surface and adapted such that when at least one of a hand and a hand-held electronic device is located within said hand garment, at least one of said hand and said hand-held electronic device is viewable through said window from without said hand garment;

a window covering that is openable and closeable and is completely spaced from said first and second cuffs such that said outer surface is located between said window covering and said first cuff in an open and a closed position of said window covering, and said outer surface is located between said window covering and said second cuff in the open and closed positions of said window covering; and

a fastening mechanism securing said window covering to said hand garment when said window covering is in the open position.

2. The hand garment of claim 1, wherein said hand garment further includes a hand-held electronic device removably contained within said hand garment.

3. The hand garment of claim 1, wherein said fastening mechanism includes a hook and loop closure mechanism.

4. The hand garment of claim 1, wherein said hand garment further includes a strap that is engageable and disengageable to secure said hand garment to a user of said hand garment.

5. The hand garment of claim 1, wherein said hand garment further defines a muff wherein said window covering having a hook and loop closure mechanism is openable and closable, and further comprising a strap that is engageable and disengageable to secure said muff to a user of said muff.

6. A muff for use in manipulating a hand-held electronic device within said muff while observing said manipulation from without said muff and without exposing a user's hands to inclement weather, said muff having:

a first access opening having a first cuff and a second access opening having a second cuff, each of said first and second cuffs being flexible and drapeable;

an outer surface being an exterior surface of said muff;

a window formed in said outer surface and adapted such that when at least one of a hand and a hand-held electronic device is located within said muff, at least one of said hand and said hand-held electronic device is viewable through said window from without said muff;

a window covering that is openable and closeable and is completely spaced from said first and second cuffs such that said outer surface is located between said window covering and said first cuff in an open and a closed position of said window covering, and said outer surface is located between said window covering and said second cuff in the open and closed positions of said window covering; and

a fastening mechanism securing said window covering to said muff when said window covering is in the open position.

7. The muff of claim 6, wherein said muff further includes a hand-held electronic device removably contained within said muff.

8. The muff of claim 6, wherein said fastening mechanism includes a hook and loop closure mechanism.

9. The muff of claim 6, wherein said muff further includes a strap that is engageable and disengageable to secure said muff to a user of said muff.

10. The muff of claim 6, wherein said window covering having a hook and loop closure mechanism is openable and closeable, and further comprising a strap that is engageable and disengageable to secure said muff to a user of said muff.

11. A muff for use in manipulating a hand-held electronic device within said muff while observing said manipulation from without said muff without exposing a user's hands to inclement weather, said muff having:

a first access opening having a first cuff and a second access opening having a second cuff, each of said first and second cuffs being flexible and drapeable;

an outer surface being an exterior surface of said muff

a window formed in said outer surface, said window having a window covering that is openable and closeable, said window covering being spaced from said first and second cuffs such that said outer surface is located between said window covering and said first cuff in an open position and a closed position of said window covering, and said outer surface is located between said window covering and said second cuff in the open and closed positions of said window covering;

a fastening mechanism securing said window covering to said muff when said window covering is in the open position; and

a strap connected to said muff and adapted to secure said muff to a user of said muff;

wherein said muff is adapted such that when at least one of a hand and a hand-held electronic device is located within said muff, at least one of said hand and said hand-held electronic device is viewable through said window from without said muff.

12. The muff of claim 11, wherein said muff further includes a hand-held electronic device removably contained within said muff.

13. The muff of claim 11, wherein said fastening mechanism includes a hook and loop closure mechanism.

14. The muff of claim 11, wherein said strap connection to said muff is engagable and disengagable.

15. The muff of claim 11, wherein said window covering having a hook and loop closure mechanism, and said strap is engageable and disengageable to secure said muff to a user of said muff.