Transformable Costume
A transformable costume upper torso component including a body covering front portion and at least one sleeve portion extending therefrom, where the sleeve portion includes a first surface and a reverse or underlying second surface, where the first surface is displayed in a rolled-up position of the sleeve portion and displays a first look, where the second surface is displayed in a rolled-down position of the sleeve portion and displays a second look, and where the first look is different from the second look.
The present invention relates to and involves a playful, masquerade and disguise costume to be worn by children and adults having the structure and thus the capability of visually presenting or changing from a first view to another. More specifically, the present invention involves a masquerade, disguise, Halloween or other piece of wearing apparel which serves as a costume or costume component having one or more limbs, pieces, and/or elements which, when physically modified by the wearer, i.e., by uncovering or revealing an otherwise hidden feature, reveals an alternate look(s) for the costume. The various looks which are available add to the playfulness and enjoyment obtained by the viewer and the wearer of the costume.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONWhile disguise and masquerade costumes have been around for a very long time, and articles of wearing apparel which depict commercially known characters (Spiderman®, Batman®, Harry Potter®, Shrek®, etc.) and/or themes (American Native Indian, Minister, Policeperson, Inmate, Fireman, etc.) have been made and sold in large quantities for Halloween and disguise and masquerade parties, there is always a desire to be new and different, especially for the wearer of the costumes. To present a new and unique “look” and/or to be able to present multiple “looks” is highly desirable. A manufacturer who can provide a simple and cost effective costume which can transform into multiple looks for the wearer will likely be commercially successful. And, the wearer of a costume which can transform into multiple “looks” is often admired and feels good about his/her look(s)/costume. More recent variations of children and adult disguise costumes have started to incorporate foam sewn-on pieces in combination with color printing to create the visual appearance of muscles and armor, particularly in the case of superhero and robot and mechanical/transformer costumes. However, with the inclusion of these aspects, the costumes possess only one look to a viewer and are not really capable of change or transformation into a different nor even a related, similar but visually distinct second costume or look. Therefore, there is a need in costuming, both for the maker and seller of large quantities, and the end consumer, i.e., the wearer, for presenting a new and unique look, to provide a costume incorporating foam (light weight) elements which when manipulated are capable of transformation to present different looks to others. Providing the structure and thus the ability to a costume to present more than one visual appearance is highly desirable and would be a boon to a manufacturer if capable of being done in an inexpensive and, yet, simple manner—something that allows even a child to change his/her look to others quickly and easily.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn general, in one aspect, the invention features a transformable disguise or masquerade costume to be worn by a child or adult (or even a pet) basically including a body or upper torso portion and at least one appendage, preferably an arm sleeve or leg wrap portion, where the sleeve or wrap portion includes a first outer display surface and a second inner display surface, where the first display surface is initially seen by a viewer but the inner display surface can be easily and quickly revealed. The first or outer surface is generally held in a rolled-up position of the sleeve or wrap (hereinafter for convenience referred to as the sleeve) portion and displays a first look, and while the second display surface is initially hidden in a rolled-down position of the sleeve portion, it can be easily and quickly unrolled to reveal a second look. Clearly, the look initially presented by the first “look” is visually distinct or different from the second look and, yet the first and second look or display can be mere variations of one another. For example, a first display could show the red blood circulating veins of the forearm of an arm and, the second display, when unrolled or extended to reveal the same, can show the same blood circulating veins on the foreagm but showing the blood as blue in color. Clearly, two “views” are thus provided to the same upper torso component, which can be its own complete costume or integrated into a costume with other components for wear. Other and many variations can be presented where the first and second “looks” are associated or coordinated with one another or, of course, where the first and second “looks” are completely visually unrelated, e.g., a first look of a set of veins of the forearm with red blood coursing therethrough and a second and distinct “look” where the forearm is provided with a set of distinct tattoos.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. When the second surface is opened for display in the rolled-down position, an uncovered part of the sleeve portion previously covered by the first surface of the sleeve will be viewable and may be displayed, and the look of the now-uncovered part may correspond with the second look. When the second surface is displayed with the sleeve in the rolled-down position, an uncovered part of the sleeve portion previously covered by the first surface will be displayed. Preferably, a sleeve accessory may be affixed to the sleeve which allows the accessory to be rolled and unrolled to reveal and conceal a “look” otherwise hidden by the accessory.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a transformable preferably playful masquerade article of wearing apparel or a costume or costume component including a body or upper torso portion and at least one arm sleeve portion, where a foldable and unfoldable flap or garment appendage is disposed on the sleeve portion, the flap including a first outward visual display surface and a second, initially covered, display surface, where the first surface is outwardly displayed while the flap is in a closed flap position and thus displays a first look, and where the second, originally concealed and visual display surface is displayed when the flap is in an open flap or extended flap position and displays a second and distinct look, and where the first look is different but can be associated or totally distinct from the second look.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features. When the second surface is revealed or displayed in the open flap or flap extended position, an uncovered part of the sleeve portion previously covered by the first surface may be displayed, and where a look of the uncovered sleeve part may correspond with the first look. When the second surface is displayed in the open flap or flap extended position, an uncovered part of the sleeve portion previously covered by the covered flap of the sleeve may be displayed. The sleeve accessory, an associate toy or device, for example, a “bat-erang” in a Batman® costume may be affixed to an elastic cord that may be affixed to the uncovered part. A compartment or a pocket may be disposed on the second, originally hidden surface. A sleeve accessory, a play gun, grenade, webbing, etc. may be capable of removal from the compartment and may be disposed in the compartment or the pocket. An attachment mechanism may be disposed on the second surface and an additional part of the sleeve portion, such that when the attachment mechanism is brought together, the flap is maintained in the open flap position. An attachment mechanism may be disposed on the second surface and a part of the sleeve portion covered by the first surface, such that when the attachment mechanism is brought together, the flap is maintained in the closed flap position.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a transformable costume or masquerading article of apparel including a body and/or upper torso portion and at least one sleeve or leg wrap portion, where at least one flap is disposed on or in connection with the body portion, each flap including a first surface and a second surface, where the first surface can be displayed in a closed flap position and displays a first look, where the second surface can be extended and displayed in an open flap position and displays a second look which might coordinate with the previously hidden under sleeve component which is revealed when the sleeve or flap is desirably extended, and where the first look is different from the second look, although the two looks can be related to one another or totally distinct.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following features.
When the second surface is displayed in the open flap position, an uncovered part of the body portion previously covered by the first surface may be displayed, and where a look of the uncovered part may correspond with the second look. An attachment mechanism (an elastic cord, for example) may be disposed on the second surface and an additional part of the body portion, such that when the attachment mechanism is brought together, the flap is maintained in the open flap position. An attachment mechanism may be disposed on the second surface and a part of the body portion covered by the first surface, such that when the attachment mechanism is brought together, the flap is bent in a manner that displays the first look and provides a desired visual three-dimensional effect. A first flap may be disposed on a chest portion or an abdomen portion of the body portion. A first flap and a second flap may be disposed on a chest portion of the body portion, one on each side of the central chest bone. Or a first flap may be disposed on an upper chest portion of the body portion and a second flap may be disposed on an abdomen portion of the body portion. And, of course, symmetry across the central bone of the bone cage can be provided. A first flap and a second flap may be disposed on a chest portion of the body portion and a third flap and a fourth flap may be disposed on an abdomen portion of the body portion. Many visual variations can thus be provided with minimal components, generally by using the flaps in their covering or uncovering positions. Clearly, a highly entertaining disguise costume can be provided, consistent with the principles of the present invention.
The present invention is directed to a costume component, preferably an upper torso covering element of a costume presenting multiple “looks” due to one or more elements or flaps which, when moved to extend or rotate about an axis securing the flap to the costume component, results in a costume or disguise which is modified from that originally displayed to reveal alternate looks for the same costume.
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The embodiments and examples above are illustrative, and many variations can be introduced to them without departing from the spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the invention. For example, elements and/or features of different illustrative and exemplary embodiments herein may be combined with each other and/or substituted with each other within the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention.
Claims
1. A transformable costume apparel component, comprising:
- a partial body covering portion; and
- at least one sleeve portion,
- wherein the sleeve portion comprises a first surface and a beneath second surface,
- wherein the first surface is displayed in a rolled-up position of the sleeve portion and displays a first visual look,
- wherein the second surface is displayed in a rolled-down position of the sleeve portion and displays a second look, and
- wherein the first look is coordinated yet distinct from the second look.
2. The transformable costume apparel component of claim 1, wherein, when the second surface is displayed in the rolled-down position, an uncovered part of the sleeve portion previously covered by the first surface is displayed, and wherein a look of the uncovered part is coordinated with the second look.
3. The transformable costume apparel component of claim 1, wherein, when the second surface is displayed in the rolled-down position, an uncovered part of the sleeve portion previously covered by the first surface is displayed, and wherein a costume accessory is affixed in or to the uncovered part.
4. The transformable costume apparel component of claim 3, wherein the costume accessory is affixed to an elastic cord that has one end affixed to the uncovered part and the other end affixed to the costume accessory.
5. A transformable upper torso costume component, comprising:
- a partial covering body portion; and
- at least one sleeve portion extending at least form an elbow to a wrist,
- wherein a flap is disposed on the sleeve portion, the flap comprising a first visual and outer surface and a second visual and underlying surface,
- wherein the first surface, when displayed in a closed flap position displays a first look,
- wherein the second surface is revealed when said flap is manipulated to an open flap position and said second surface displays a second look, and
- wherein the first look is visual distinct from the second look.
6. A transformable upper torso costume component of claim 5, wherein, when the second surface is displayed in the open flap position, an uncovered part of the sleeve portion previously covered by the first surface is displayed, and wherein a look of the uncovered part is visually associated with the second look.
7. A transformable upper torso costume component of claim 5, wherein, when the second surface is displayed in the open flap position, an uncovered part of the sleeve portion previously covered by the first surface is displayed, and wherein a costume accessory is affixed to the uncovered part.
8. A transformable upper torso costume component of claim 7, wherein the costume accessory is affixed to an elastic cord that is also affixed to the uncovered part.
9. A transformable upper torso costume component of claim 5, further comprising a costume accessory holding compartment disposed on the second surface.
10. A transformable upper torso costume component of claim 9, wherein said costume accessory vcan be removed from said holding compartment only when said costume is in an open flap position.
11. A transformable upper torso costume component of claim 5, wherein a fabric attachment mechanism is disposed on the second surface and an additional part of the sleeve portion, such that when the components of the fabric attachment mechanism are brought together, the flap is maintained in the open flap position.
12. A transformable upper torso costume component of claim 5, wherein a fabric attachment mechanism is disposed on the second surface and a part of the sleeve portion covered by the first surface, such that when the components of the fabric attachment mechanism are brought together, the flap is maintained in the closed flap position.
13. A transformable upper torso costume component, comprising:
- a partial or full upper torso body covering portion; and
- at least one extending sleeve portion,
- wherein at least one flap is disposed on the sleeve portion, extending from about the wrist to the elbow of the sleeve portion, each flap comprising a first visual fabric surface and a second, visually distinct fabric surface on the underside of said first visual fabric surface,
- wherein the first surface is displayed when said flap on said sleeve portion is in its first position and displays a first look,
- wherein the second visually distinct fabric surface is displayed in an open flap position and displays a second look, and
- wherein the first look is distinct from the second look.
14. A transformable upper torso costume component of claim 13, wherein, when the second surface is displayed in the open flap position, an uncovered part of the sleeve portion previously covered by the first surface is displayed, and wherein a look of the uncovered part is also distinct from said second look.
15. A transformable upper torso costume component of claim 13, wherein a simple mechanical fabric attachment mechanism is disposed on the second surface and another part of the body portion, such that when the attachment mechanism is brought together, the flap is maintained in the open flap position.
16. A partial or full upper torso body covering portion of claim 13, wherein a fabric mechanical attachment mechanism is disposed on the second surface and a part of the body portion covered by the first surface, such that when the components of the fabric mechanical attachment mechanism are brought together, the flap bends to display the first look and provides a three-dimensional costume component effect.
17. A partial or full upper torso body covering portion of claim 13, wherein a first flap is disposed on an upper pectoral chest portion or an abdomen portion of the body portion.
18. A partial or full upper torso body covering portion of claim 13, wherein a first flap and a second flap are disposed on an upper pectoral chest portion or an abdomen portion of the body portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 13, 2018
Publication Date: Aug 15, 2019
Applicant: Rubie's Costume Co., Inc. (Richmond Hill, NY)
Inventors: Rubin Beige (Woodbury, NY), Thomas Schilling (North Merrick, NY)
Application Number: 15/894,978