Transformable garment

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

00011. Field of the Invention

0002This invention relates generally to outerwear garments worn by children and adults, and more specifically relates to jacket-like upper torso garments capable of being integrally transformed in shape to serve other functions. Outerwear garments capable of being transformed by addition or removal of various parts have been known for many years. For example, many jacket and coat-like garments have incorporated removable inner lining elements to accommodate seasonal changes in outdoor temperature. Other garments, including jackets and pants have incorporated removable arm and leg portions for converting long sleeve shirts and jackets, and long pants, into short sleeve and short leg versions similarly intended to accommodate the wearer to seasonal weather changes. However, an outerwear garment specifically adapted to accommodate the current popularity of so-called back packs and waist packs, and the desirability of an inexpensive and convenient way to store and transport an outwear garment, especially when it cannot be allowed to remain in a fixed location apart from the person responsible for it, is believed not to have been known or available previously.

00032. Description of the Invention

0004Although the garment of the present invention is suitable for use by both children and adults, it will be recognized readily that the embodiment herein disclosed is particularly suited to meet the requirements of children and young adults. The disclosed embodiment comprises an outerwear garment intended to be worn on the upper torso of a person.

0005The garment may be jacket-length or longer, and may be sleeveless or may incorporate long or short sleeves, without affecting or departing from the spirit and operation of the invention. When the garment is not being worm, for example in an indoor environment, or when ambient outdoor conditions make it desirable to remove a shirt or jacket, the garment of this invention can be transformed readily into a self-contained package in the form of a portable cushion, or, the garment may have a back pack assembly separably or integrally attached and may be transformed into a wearable back pack with the structural elements of the garment stored out-of-sight as part of the resulting assembly package.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0006As disclosed herein, a garment in accordance with the invention has a shirt or jacket-like form of substantially conventional appearance. In a preferred form, a back-pack assembly of similarly conventional configuration is attached to the outer back surface of the garment in substantially the same physical location that a back pack would ordinarily occupy relative to the back of a wearer. The assembly may be separably or integrally attached to the garment in any suitable, known manner. On the inner back surface of the garment, adjacent the back of a wearer, a fabric flap is attached in hinge-like relationship near the neck opening. The periphery of the flap is separably fastened to the inner back surface of the garment by a continuous separable fastener, such as a zipper or a “hook-and-loop” device of the type sold under the trademark “Velcro”. That is, a first half-section of the separable fastener is attached to the outer periphery of the flap, and a second half-section is attached to the inner back of the garment so as to fasten the flap in a first position with one surface of the flap in opposed relationship with the inner surface of the back of the garment. A third half section of a separable fastener is attached to the outer back surface of the garment surrounding most of the outer periphery of the back pack assembly. This third fastener portion is substantially identical to the second half-section that is attached to the inner back surface of the garment.

0007Accordingly, the first fastener half, attached to the fabric flap, is capable of engaging either one of the second and third fastener half portions. Moreover, the first fastener half is “reversible” in nature, in that it may be engaged with either one of the other fastener halves regardless of whether it approaches the other halves from the inner or outer sides of the garment. In this regard it should be understood that the flap member may be hingedly displaced from its first position, wherein one surface of the flap is disposed in opposed relationship with the inner surface of the back of the garment, to a second position wherein the second surface of the flap is disposed in opposed relationship with the outer back surface of the garment. And, it is important to note that the flap can be separably fastened selectively to either the inner or the outer back surfaces of the garment, while the flap is positioned in opposed relationship with either the inner or outer side of the garment.

0008Transformation of the garment into a self-stored cushion configuration is achieved by hingedly displacing the hinged flap from its first position facing the inner back surface of the garment, to its second position facing the outer back of the garment, folding the bulk of the garment structure over the outer back of the garment so that it lies between the outer back and the opposed face of the flap, and then engaging the first fastener half-portion [the one on the flap] with the second fastener half-section that is mounted to the inner back of the garment. Although the flap is positioned on the exterior of the garment, the fastener on the flap is engaged with the fastener on the inner surface of the garment because the fastener half on the outer surface is covered over, in this case, by the folded-over portions of the garment.

0009It should be understood in this regard, that when the flap is engaged in this orientation, the inner surface of the back of the garment and the inner surface of the flap are exposed to become the outer surfaces of the resulting package, i.e. the “cushion” shape. Accordingly, these two normally unexposed surfaces may be treated or selected to have characteristics particularly suited for use or service as a cushion or pillow.

0010Conversely, transformation of the garment from its “as-worn” garment-configuration, into a wearable back-pack, having the structural elements of the garment stored out-of-sight, is achieved by separating [unfastening] the fabric flap from the inner back folding the bulk of the garment structure over the inner back of the garment, so that it lies between the first surface of the flap and the inner back surface of the garment, and then securing the first fastener portion [the one attached to the flap] to the third fastener portion [the one mounted to the outer back of the garment]. Fastening the fastener half-section of the flap to the mating fastener half-section on the outer back of the garment completes the garment-to-wearable-back-pack conversion, by enclosing the garment structure within the “pocket” defined between the flap and the inner back surface of the garment, while leaving the back pack assembly exposed for use. The flap fastener portion is engaged to the outer back fastener half because the fastener half on the inner back is covered over by the folded-over portions of the garment.

0011Carrying straps for wearing and using the back pack independently of the garment configuration, are usually stored in the “pocket” defined between the flap and the inner back surface of the garment, until that pocket is opened and the straps are exposed preparatory to converting the garment to its back pack [or cushion] configuration.

0012These and other and further objects, features and advantages of the disclosed invention will be distinctly pointed out in the following claims, and will be made obvious to those having skill in the related arts, by the following specification considered in association with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is rear pictorial view of a jacket garment in accordance with this invention, with a back-pack structure on the outer back thereof;

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a front pictorial view of the garment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> in its open condition, showing the interior of the garment with the fabric flap in its first position;

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> shows the garment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> from the same pictorial perspective as <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, but with the interior fabric flap shown partially unfastened and further showing details of a carry strap in position beneath the flap;

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a further pictorial representation of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> showing the interior flap fully unfastened and partially displaced toward the outside of the garment;

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>—is a further pictorial representation of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, showing the garment with the interior flap displaced toward opposing relationship with the outer back of the garment in position to begin transformation of the garment into a cushion-like package;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is pictorial representation of the garment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, shown substantially fully transformed into a self-contained cushion or pillow configuration;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a pictorial representation of the garment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> substantially fully transformed into a wearable back-pack structure with the structural body elements of the garment substantially fully enclosed between the inner flap and the inner back of the garment;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a schematic center section view of the garment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, taken along line A-A of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a schematic transverse section view of the garment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> showing how the back, flap and bulk of the garment are disposed when the garment has been transformed into a wearable back pack;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a schematic transverse section view of the garment of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> showing how the back, flap and bulk of the garment are disposed when the garment has been transformed into a self-contained cushion package

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

0023Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the garment <b>10</b> of this invention may be seen to comprise a jacket-like garment having a back portion <b>12</b>, formed of garment fabric, having a first edge <b>14</b>, a second edge <b>16</b> substantially oppositely disposed and spaced from said first edge, a left side <b>18</b> and a right side <b>19</b>, an inner surface <b>20</b>, and an outer surface <b>22</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) on the reverse side of inner surface <b>20</b>. A plurality of conventional garment structural portions, such as sleeves <b>11</b> and right and left side portions <b>24</b>, <b>25</b>, are attached to and/or extend from, back portion <b>12</b>. A first open section <b>26</b> along the first edge <b>14</b> of the garment back portion <b>12</b>, defines the neck or collar opening of the garment, between said first forwardly extending front side portion <b>24</b> and said second forwardly extending front side portion <b>25</b>.

0024A fabric flap member <b>28</b> having an inner first surface <b>30</b> and an outer second surface <b>32</b>, is hingedly attached to the back portion <b>12</b> of the garment along a first, flexible hinge portion <b>34</b> on its outer periphery <b>36</b>. Although hinge portion <b>34</b> is shown attached to back portion <b>12</b> proximate neck opening <b>26</b>, those skilled in this art will recognize that hinge portion <b>34</b> may be attached elsewhere, for example, proximate the second, or bottom edge <b>16</b> of back portion <b>12</b>, without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Substantially all of the remaining portion <b>38</b> of the periphery <b>36</b> of flap member <b>28</b> is separably fastened to the inner surface <b>20</b> of back portion <b>12</b> by a separable fastener <b>40</b> such as a zipper or hook-and-loop fastener of the type widely sold under the trademark Velcro. Two open portions <b>35</b> of periphery <b>36</b>, flanking hinge portion <b>34</b>, remain free of attachment to back portion <b>12</b> for reasons explained elsewhere herein.

0025A first half-portion <b>42</b> of fastener <b>40</b> is secured to the periphery <b>36</b> of flap <b>28</b>. A second, mating fastener half-portion <b>44</b> is attached to the inner surface <b>20</b> of back portion <b>12</b> in position to engage fastener half portion <b>42</b> so as to separably fasten flap <b>28</b> to the inner surface <b>20</b> of back <b>12</b>. In this first position, flap member <b>28</b> and the inner surface <b>20</b> of back portion <b>12</b> form a “pocket” between them. As made apparent by the drawings, in this relationship, the inner surface <b>30</b> of flap <b>28</b> is disposed in opposed relationship with the underlying area of inner back surface <b>20</b> [see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, where fastener half portions <b>42</b>, <b>44</b> are shown just after the portions have been unfastened].

0026When fastener elements <b>42</b>, <b>44</b> are separated or disengaged, fabric flap member <b>28</b> may be displaced flexibly about hinge <b>34</b> from its first position, with inner surface <b>30</b> in opposed relationship with inner back surface <b>20</b>, to a second position, in which outer, second surface <b>32</b> of flap <b>28</b> is disposed in opposed relationship with outer back surface <b>22</b> of back portion <b>12</b>.

0027In this second position, fabric flap member <b>28</b> defines a second fabric pocket between the opposed exterior back surface <b>22</b> of garment <b>10</b> and the outer surface <b>32</b> of flap <b>28</b> [see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>]. It is a feature of this invention that first fastener half-portion <b>42</b> engages fastener half-section <b>44</b> in this second position, as well as in the first position, described above. In this second position, flap <b>28</b> is disposed in overlying relationship with the outer back surface <b>22</b> of back portion <b>12</b> and the structural elements of the garment may be folded over the outer back so as to lie between the outer back of the garment and the second surface <b>32</b> of flap <b>28</b>. When separable fastener portions <b>42</b> and <b>44</b> are engaged in this second position of flap <b>28</b>, the garment is effectively transformed into a self contained package having the shape of a cushion, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>.

0028As a further feature of the garment <b>10</b> of this invention, a conventional back pack assembly <b>54</b> is separably or integrally attached directly to the exterior back surface <b>22</b> of the garment in any suitable known manner. Assembly <b>54</b> may be positioned conveniently to occupy a conventional wearing position relative to the back of a wearer. When the garment is being worn, back pack assembly <b>54</b> may be used in the conventional manner. In accordance with the invention, a third mating fastener half portion <b>46</b> is mounted to outer surface <b>22</b> of back portion <b>12</b>, adjacent the periphery of back pack assembly <b>54</b>. First fastener half-portion <b>42</b> is engageable selectively with either one of fastener half-section <b>44</b> or half section <b>46</b>. It should be recognized that third fastener half section <b>46</b> is substantially identical to second half-section <b>44</b> so that half section <b>42</b> may be mated selectively with either one of half-sections <b>44</b>, <b>46</b>.

0029As is most evident in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8, 9</figref> and <b>10</b>, flap member <b>28</b> may be disposed in the first position, with flap surface <b>30</b> in opposed relationship with inner surface <b>20</b> of back portion <b>12</b>, and fastener half-section <b>42</b> may be engaged readily with fastener half-section <b>44</b>, so as to secure the flap <b>28</b> in its out-of-the-way position abutting the inner back surface of the garment. In this position, the defined enclosure pocket may contain one or more retaining straps <b>50</b> [see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>], where they are stored until they are required for the wearing of back-pack <b>54</b>. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, back pack <b>54</b> is shown in its preferred position mounted to the outer back surface <b>22</b> of garment <b>10</b>. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, back pack assembly <b>54</b> is shown as it appears when the jacket has been transformed in a self-contained wearable pack and the remaining elements of the garment are in concealed storage.

0030While flap <b>28</b> lies in its first position, fastener portion <b>42</b> may be engaged as previously described, with fastener portion <b>44</b>, or, alternatively, fastener portion <b>42</b> may be engaged with fastener half-section <b>46</b> on the outer back surface <b>22</b> of back garment <b>12</b>; this is accomplished by first folding the bulk of the garment structure, e.g. first and second side portions <b>24</b>, <b>25</b>, and arms <b>11</b>, into the interior of the garment so that they lie over and within the confines outlined by fastener half section <b>44</b> abutting inner back surface <b>20</b>, as indicated schematically in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. In this position, the bulk of the garment structure is stored within the “pocket” enclosure defined by surface <b>30</b> of flap <b>28</b> and the inner surface <b>20</b> of garment <b>10</b> when fastener half-section <b>42</b> is mated with fastener half-section <b>46</b>. When faster halves <b>42</b> and <b>46</b> are engaged in this manner, fastener half-section <b>44</b> is stored or enclosed within the pocket. Now, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, substantially conventional back-pack structure <b>54</b> alone, remains exposed, with the bulk of the garment structure confined within the “pocket” defined between flap <b>28</b> and inner back surface <b>20</b>.

0031Those skilled in the art will recognize readily that the garment structure forming neck opening <b>26</b> will remain external to the enclosure defined by flap <b>28</b> and back surface <b>20</b> when the garment <b>10</b> has been transformed into a self-contained back pack as described above. However, it will also be recognized that this arrangement, if found undesirable or objectionable for any reason, may be overcome readily by mounting a separable fastener part <b>56</b> such as a small snap fastener or a small area of hook-and-loop fastener on the inner surface of neck structure <b>28</b>, and mounting a mating fastener part <b>58</b> at an appropriate location nearby on surface <b>32</b> of flap <b>28</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, to secure the neck structure in a desired “folded-over” condition when the garment is being used in its self-contained back pack configuration.

0032Referring now, again, to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the function of “open” portions <b>35</b> on the periphery <b>36</b> of flap <b>28</b> can be understood with reference to retaining straps <b>50</b>, mentioned previously herein. That is, straps <b>50</b>, which are provided for the purpose of wearing back-pack <b>54</b>, are allowed to extend to the exterior of the “pocket” through open portions <b>35</b> when the bulk of the garment is enclosed within the pocket and fastener half <b>42</b> is engaged to fastener half <b>46</b>. To further facilitate the use of straps <b>50</b> for the wearing of back pack in substantially conventional manner, garment <b>10</b> may be provided with receiving loops <b>52</b> or buckles to receive and engage the free ends <b>51</b> of straps <b>50</b>. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, loops <b>52</b> are shown mounted to surface <b>32</b> of flap <b>28</b>, but it should be understood that such anchoring points for straps <b>50</b> may be provided in any suitable manner at any suitable location.

0033To further explain the “transformation” ability of the garment of this invention, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> illustrates how the garment is transformed into a self-contained “cushion” configuration, permitting the transformed garment to be used for sleeping or for the seating of younger wearers on ordinary chairs and the like. For this purpose, flap <b>28</b> is disengaged [separated] from inner surface fastener portion <b>44</b> and is hinged about hinge element <b>34</b> substantially 360 degrees until it overlies outer surface <b>22</b> of back portion <b>12</b>. In this position, the flap will overlie back-pack member <b>54</b>, if a back-pack is included as part of the garment. Further, the bulk of the garment structure e.g. sleeves <b>11</b> and first and second side portions <b>24</b>, <b>25</b> together with any associated structural material, may now be folded rearwardly onto the exterior of the garment so that they lie over and within the confines outlined by fastener half section <b>46</b>, as indicated schematically in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. In this arrangement, fastener half section <b>42</b> on flap <b>28</b> may be engaged with half-section <b>44</b> on the inner surface <b>20</b> of back <b>12</b> as shown schematically in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. Accordingly, a self-contained cushion is formed as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, with the primary exposed surfaces of the cushion being inner surface <b>30</b> of flap <b>28</b> and inner surface <b>20</b> of back <b>12</b>. These two now-exposed surfaces, which are not exposed directly in any other configuration of the garment, may be treated or configured, if desired, to have an appropriate pleasing character such as a soft texture or a pattern to enhance the cushion function. It can be seen easily that the “contents” of the cushion thus defined comprise the back pack assembly <b>50</b>, if present, and the bulk of the garment structure, characterized above.

0034Although a preferred embodiment of the method and apparatus of this invention has been illustrated and described, those having skill in this art will recognize that various other forms and embodiments now may be envisioned readily without departing significantly from the spirit and scope of the invention disclosed herein and set forth in the accompanying claims.