Packable Garment Convertible to a Carry-On Bag
A convertible garment carry-on bag is a clothing article that most resembles an outer garment in nature, whose novel aspect is the ability to convert into a travel bag. In garment form, the article visibly bears large pockets in the front and back to store various articles. The garment also features side panels with zippers that allow a wearer to expand the garment. Handles integrated along the length of the back of the garment are retrieved from concealed pockets. When folded at approximate belt level, with handles released, the garment is now a carry-on bag.
The present application is a non-provisional application claiming priority under 35 USC 119 from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/671,122 filed on May 14, 2018.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis patent specification relates to convertible garments. More particularly, this patent specification relates to novel article of clothing convertible to a bag that facilitates the ability of the user to hold and carry clothing and personal articles for travel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONGarments convertible to carrying bags have long been appreciated for their utility and practicality.
Such garments typically include a plurality of pockets used for storage purposes.
Prior art convertible garments also typically include belts, buckles, sleeves as well as other separable parts in order to convert the garment into some form of carrying device.
However prior art does not address the comfort of the wearer when the pockets are filled with articles, as well as the inconvenience of the separable parts when such are not in use.
Neither does prior art address the problems related to stress in the garment when in bag configuration due to the manner of attaching straps to the bag that render same vulnerable to damage and eventual ruin.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing with a plurality of pockets located in the front, on the back, and the inside portions thereof, to allow for the spread and distribution of articles being carried.
It is a second object of the present invention to provide a garment embodiment with an expansion feature, elegantly concealed within a fastening mechanism, which when opened, relieves the wearer of the feeling of being constricted when the storage compartments are full.
It is a third object of the present invention to provide an article with handles that are integral to the garment, thereby preventing the handles from being pulled off due to the weight of the articles when garment is in its bag configuration.
It is the fourth object of the present invention to provide an article elegant in construction, without removable parts, and easily convertible from garment to bag and back again.
It is the fifth object of the present invention to provide an article manufactured out of natural or synthetic material or a combination thereof, that is comfortable to wear in both warm or cool weather, yet rugged and durable in construction such that it maintains its overall appearance when carrying a large load of articles.
It is the sixth object of the present invention to provide an article of clothing adapted to carrying a large quantity and wide variety of articles as normally carried for travelling, as well as outdoor activities, including but not limited to, such as hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, or in pursuit of professional activities such as a photography and filmmaking, or everyday activities like shopping.
Some of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrated herein as an example and are not limited by the accompanying drawings, in which like elements may indicate similar elements.
Described herein is a Packable Garment Convertible to a Carry-On Bag, hereinafter referred to as “combination garment/bag”, which, in either embodiment, can serve as a storage and carrying device. The garment embodiment, hereinafter referred to simply as “garment”, can be designed for various specific applications such as, for example, travelling, hiking, hunting or fishing or for any other special purpose. In the bag embodiment, hereinafter referred to simply as “bag”, the combination garment/bag can be configured to take the form of a tote bag, a satchel, a duffle bag or a backpack. The combination garment/bag may be made of flexible materials, such as natural or synthetic fabrics, or leather or leatherette. The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations.
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While the foregoing describes the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art may suggest embodiments or examples that may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.
Claims
1. A packable garment designed to hold a traveler's belongings, the garment comprising:
- (a) an outer shell comprising two opposing front panels and one large back panel;
- (b) an inner lining comprising two opposing front panels and one large back panel corresponding to the respective outer shell panels;
- (c) a first pair of large pockets, integrated to the upper part of the front panels on the outer shell, with openings on the sides or top;
- (d) a second pair of large, deep pockets, integrated to the lower part of the front panels on the outer shell, with openings on the sides or top; said pocket further comprising flaps;
- (e) a third pair of large pockets, integrated to the upper part of the inner lining of the front panels, with openings on the sides or top;
- (f) a fourth pair of large, deep pockets, integrated to the lower part of the inner lining of the front panels, with openings on the sides or top;
- (g) pockets, extending the full width of the lower back of the garment, integrated on the back panel of the inner lining;
- (h) small pockets superposed on large pockets;
- (i) pockets integrated on the flaps of other pockets;
- (j) a large pocket, extending the full width of the upper part of the back of the outer shell, with opening at the top;
- (k) a large, deep pocket, extending the full width of the lower part of the back of the outer shell, with opening at the top;
- (l) a large pocket superposed over the pocket on the lower part of the back outer shell;
- (m) a large pocket, extending the full width of the lower part of the back of the garment, integrated to the bottom part of the back outer shell, with opening at the bottom;
2. The packable garment in claim 1, wherein the pockets may comprise gussets; wherein said pockets comprise a closing mechanism selected from the group consisting of: a zipper, a hook and loop mechanism, a button and buttonhole or loop mechanism, a clasp and loop or hole mechanism, a magnet mechanism, a folding mechanism, or any combination thereof.
3. The packable garment in claim 1, further comprising lateral sides, in the form of gussets, proximate to the sides of the wearer;
4. The packable garment in claim 3, wherein the gussets may be in either folded or unfolded position along the sides of the garment; wherein the gussets are kept in the folded position by means of a fastening device selected from the group consisting of: a zipper, a hook and loop mechanism, a button and buttonhole or loop mechanism, a clasp and loop or hole mechanism, a magnet mechanism, or any combination thereof; wherein the gussets serve to expand the garment laterally by opening the fastener.
5. The packable garment in claim 1, further comprising handles; wherein the handles are permanently joined to the garment by being sewn, on the outer shell, along the back of the garment; wherein said handles, in addition to the portion sewn to the outer shell, extends out from the top of the garment, as well as, from the bottom of the garment.
6. The packable garment in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of straps; wherein the straps are permanently joined to the garment at one end; wherein the other ends of said straps, that are unattached to the garment, comprises a fastening mechanism selected from the group consisting of: a hook and loop mechanism, a button and hole or loop mechanism, a clasp and hole or loop mechanism, a magnet mechanism, or any combination thereof.
7. The packable garment in claim 1, wherein the pocket on the top part of the back of the outer shell, with opening on the top, serves to hold the top handle in concealed position when the packable garment is in garment configuration;
8. The packable garment in claim 1, wherein the large pocket integrated to lower part of the back outer shell, with opening on the bottom, serves to hold the bottom handle, as well as the straps, in concealed position when the packable garment is in garment configuration;
9. The packable garment in claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanisms may comprise devices selected from the group consisting of: a hook and loop mechanism, a button and hole or loop mechanism, a clasp and hole or loop mechanism, a magnet mechanism, or any combination thereof.
10. A convertible garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein said garment is a vest, a jacket, a sweater, a coat or a tunic.
11. A convertible garment as set forth in claim 1 wherein said garment comprises a hood, a collar, or sleeves.
12. A method of converting the packable garment from a garment into a bag by folding the garment from top to bottom, whereby the bottom of the garment meets the shoulder of the garment.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising releasing the handles from the top and bottom concealing pockets to serve as handles of the bag.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising releasing the straps from the bottom concealing pocket and introducing the unattached ends of said straps into the top concealing pocket such that the fastening mechanism, attached to the end of the straps, meets the fastening mechanism concealed in the top pocket, thereby closing the bag.
15. The method of claim 13, may further comprise other closing mechanisms selected from the group consisting of: a button and loop or hole mechanism, a clasp and loop or hole mechanism, a magnet mechanism, and a rope or cord or strap tie mechanism, but are not limited to these.
16. A bag as set forth in claim 13 wherein said bag is a tote bag, a shoulder bag, a duffle bag or a backpack.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 4, 2018
Publication Date: Apr 9, 2020
Inventors: Melinda Kilchoer (Treyvaux), Francois Kilchoer (Treyvaux)
Application Number: 16/152,140